14.2 
Jaw, but sovereign power is no parlia- 
mentary word.”—Sir Edward Coke. 
FISHERY AT AND ABOUT GRAVESEND. 
In the year 1714, only three fishing- 
smacks, of about forty tons each, and 
about twenty hands, were employed in 
the cod-fishery. The Dutch not being 
permitted to bring cod to Billingsgate, 
these vessels had increased to twenty 
sail, in 1735; and, in the course of a few 
years more, amounted to 120 sail, of 
from fifty 10 sixty tons each, employing 
1200 men, with 500 apprentices. These 
were for the London markets alone, 
and might be valued at 100,000]. In 
1789, the smacks had increased to 150, 
eighteen of which appertained, exclu- 
Sively, to Gravesend ; as the fresh water 
would kill their fish, none proceed 
higher. In 1809, the number of vessels 
exceeded 200 sail, with a proportionate 
increase of tonnage, Of these, thirty ap- 
pertain to Gravesend, and fifty to 
Barking. 
Cod and ling are found on the deep 
water of Dogger Bauk ; a smaller breed, 
and haddocks, are caught on the Well 
Bank, where the water is shallower. 
In 1796, the smacks employed in the - 
German Ocean discovered a new fish- 
Original Poetry. - 
[Sept. 1, 
ing ground to the northward of Scotland ; 
but in 1808-and 9, on account of the 
war with Denmark, they frequented 
every bay and inlet in North Britain. 
Gravesend now is like what Philadel- 
phia was formerly, not an individual 
gentleman residing in it, all engaged in 
trade. This became the subject of con- 
yersation when I was there; and the 
circumstance, if not applauded, seemed 
at least to meet with approbation. After 
all, it is the taxes, pensions, and gratifi- 
cations, with which the revenue is sad- 
dled, that have swept away our small 
gentry. 
Agues were much more frequent here 
formerly than at present; but, at the 
village of Chalk, within a mile of 'Pil- 
bury Fort, directly opposite, they are 
but too prevalent. ‘This is justly as- 
cribed to the noxious effluvyia of the 
surrounding marshes. 
The manor of Gravesend was in the 
possession of Sir Stephen de Graves- 
ende, in the reign of Edward I. and 
afterwards came to the ancient family of 
Brooke, Lord Cobham. The Earl of 
Darnley is now lord of the manor. 
The fare formerly to London was one 
halfpenny ; in 1809 it was Is. 6d. 
ORIGINAL POETRY. 
SONNET TO AUTUMN. 
ENDING with age, his scatter’d locks 
embrown’d, 
Tn jovial laughter, ’mid his reaper train, 
Mark mellow Autumn, from yon sunny 
ground, 
Beckoning the Loves and Graces to the 
| plain; 
How his glad looks the smiling fields adorn, 
Round Plenty’s brow he twines the 
purple vine, 
Profusely fills mild Plenty’s spacious horn, 
And bids dejected Care no more repine. 
Hail, gen’rous Autumn! Nature’s guardian 
kind, 
Providing parent of her joyless hours, 
When Winter,—ruthless hag,—who limps 
_behind, 
Comes forth to desolate her fruitful 
bowers, 
By thee protected, shall she dwell in peace, 
Lord of the laughing earth, and bounteous 
rich increase, ENoRT. 
Cullum-street. 
a 
SERENADE TO LAURA. 
/Toucn, Laura, touch thy lute again, 
For in its chords such magic dwells, 
As charms awhile my keenest pain, 
And ev'ry gloomy thought dispels. 
At midnight-hour, when I alone 
Am wretched, and o’erwhelm’d in grief, 
If on the breeze I hear its tone, 
That tone affords my soul relief. 
Yet, Laura, when its strains are blent 
With that delicious voice of thine, 
Thou seem’st an angel kindly sent 
By heav’n to soothe such hearts as mine. 
But, were that hand which strikes the lute 
Once giv’n to mine in love sincere, 
Then would this mnrm’ring tongue be 
mute, 
Nor force its sorrows on thine ear. 
And would thy voice bnt deign to own 
This heart, which thine has slighted long, 
Mine then would boast a livelier tone, 
My heav’n commence in Laura’s song, 
Islington ; Aug. 1823. J. G. 
et 
THE SAILOR’s RETURN ; 
BY J. R. PRIOR. 
EveEN as the eve pour’d her somnific balm 
On weary eye-lids and contented hearts ; 
Even as the young moon rose among the 
stars, 
Appearing in the horizon’s gloominess, 
I, through the vine-wove lattice, Mary saw 
In meditation deep fixed on the fire, 
Toe - 
