INTRODUCTION. The encouragement given by the public to the five editions of this little Sketch, has been so flattering, as to induce the compiler to offer a reprint of the sixth to their notice upon a somewhat extended scale Those editions have all, though contrary to the fashion of the times, been sent into the world unadorned with those picturesque beauties, which are frequently better calculated to please the eye, than to enlighten the understanding; thus resting its claim to public favour, solely upon the information it conveys. The Proprietor of the present edition. has, however, added an embellishment to face the title, and a plan of the town. About the latter end of the last century, the situation which the.compiler held in the town of Dover pointed out to him the utility of such a guide, and the reception it has met with proves the idea was not founded in error. It was first published in the early part of 1799, and its sole intention at that time was to give information and amusement to the traveller concerning a town, which occupies no inconsiderable a place in the early history of its country, and that too at a moderate expense. The world, however, appear to have attached a much greater consequence to it than it was at first intended to command, or perhaps than it deserved; for almost all the publications of note on the same subject since that period, have made their extracts from it. This may readily be ascertained, by comparing the publications of the last twenty years with the early editions of it. Dover Castle, from its vicinity to the continent, has ever been considered a post of considerable consequence from the most early periods of English History: and most probably the hill on which it is situated, was a fortress of some magnitude before the invasion of Britain by the Romans. It has continued a station of some importance through the Roman, Saxon, Danish, and Norman governments, to the present time; and the ancient Light-house or Watch-tower, the Church, the Keep, the Towers, and: many. other remains of ancient masonry, have all attracted the particular notice of the curious traveller. The editor has little to place to his own account in that part of the work which contains the History of the Castle, except a few alterations and additions respecting the modern works; nearly the whole of the ancient part having been arranged and published some years since by that ingenious antiquary, the late Rev. John Lyon; and the list of the lord wardens and constables is now first added, abridged from his History of Dover, published in 1814. The books generally consulted in forming this Sketch, are Mr. Harris' and Mr. Hasted's Histories of Kent, Mr. Boys' Collections for a History of Sandwich, and Mr. Lyon's History of Dover and of Dover Castle. |