“About seven miles south of the Isle of Thanet lies Deal, and immediately opposite Deal is that part of the sea called the ‘Downs,’ which has long been a place of rendezvous for shipping, where as many as 400 sail have been anchored at one time.  The southern boundary of the Downs is formed by the Goodwin Sands, so often fatal to mariners.  They were, originally, an island belonging to Earl Goodwin, when a sudden and mighty inundation of the sea overwhelmed with light sand, ‘where-with,’ as an old writer hath it, ’it not only remayneth covered ever since, but is become withall a most dreadful gulfe and shippe swallower.’

“We will now bestow a little consideration on Sheppey Isle.”

GRANDY.  “I should like you to be aware, before quitting this luxuriant Isle of Thanet, that it was here the precious truths of the Gospel were first set forth in England:  it is supposed, on very just grounds too, that the apostle Paul was the preacher, who, in the middle of the first century, spread the doctrines of Christianity far and wide; and, from Rome, travelled to the isles of the far west, in which is included this lovely little spot, where he was received by the noble of the land.  Instead of being persecuted as at Rome, he was eagerly followed, and the peaceful precepts he endeavored to inculcate were willingly obeyed.

“After St. Paul, came Augustine, who, in 597, landed in the Isle of Thanet, was welcomed by the king of Kent, Ethelbert, then holding his court at Canterbury.  He, the second apostle, came to convert the people who were again sunk into barbarism and idolatry; he came in the name of the Most High, and his mission was successful.  Ethelbert at once appointed St. Augustine a suitable residence at Canterbury, and gave him every facility of effecting his object, by permitting him to hold free converse with his subjects.  Thus you see Canterbury thence became the ‘nursing mother’ of religion throughout the land.  The greatest ornament in the Isle of Thanet is its church at Minster, built on the site of a convent founded by the princess Domneva, granddaughter of Ethelbald, king of Kent.  Now we will travel on to Sheppey.”

MRS. WILTON.  “We shall not be detained there long with my description.  It is a little island lying north of Chatham, and separated from the Isle of Grain by the river Medway.  Both these isles may be considered as situated at the mouth of the Thames.  The principal place in Sheppey is Sheerness.”

GEORGE.  “Now, dear mamma, I suppose we have done with the German Ocean?”

MRS. WILTON.  “So far as I am concerned, my dear; but I have a notion that you are in possession of some wonderful story which will astonish us all.  Is it so, my boy?  Those sparkling eyes and flushed cheeks betray your secret.  I am not deceived.  Permit me then to request, in the name of the assembled members, that you will favor us with the contents of the paper in your hand.”