and on the Encroachments of the Sea on the Land. 4 1 7 



Proceeding southward, we next traverse the coast of Suffolk 

 and Essex, where numerous instances occur of ravages whicli the 

 sea is making upon the shore. It has already been ascertained, 

 that the sand-banks of Yarmouth Roads have of late years consi- 

 derably altered, and that the depth of water is perhaps upon the 

 vvhole rather lessened ; and some prettv extensive additions have 

 been made to the land at the junction of the rivers Aide and But- 

 ley in the great gravelly beach which extends about eight or ten 

 miles in length, varying in breadth from a few hundred feet to 

 about a mile ; and similar appearances are to be found on this 

 coast as at Harwich, near the confluence of the rivers Stour and 

 Ipswich, whore a considerable iddition has been made to the 

 land on the southern side of Landguardfort : yet these, and other 

 examples of the same kind, are trifling in proportion to the as- 

 tonishing effects of the vsea in destroying the land in this very 

 neighbourhood. Near Leostofie, Dunwich, and Aldborough 

 castle, on the Suffolk coast, the sea is daily making impressions 

 upon the land, which is apparent to the observation of every one 

 acquainted in the slightest degree vvitli that coast, and is at some 

 places severely felt Ijoth by the proprietor and the tenant. At 

 the Naze Tower, near Walton, and indeed r>!l along the coast of 

 Essex, the same appearances are no less obvious. 



Crossing the numerous sand-banks and slioals which greatly 

 encumber the mouth of the river Thames to the Kentish coast, 

 we are every where presented with instances of the degradation 

 of the land by the encroachment of the sea. From Sheerness 

 along the shore of the isle of Sheppy, and from the entrance of 

 the river Swale to Margate and Ramsgute, at various places, 

 very large portions of the chalky cliffs ;ire continually giving vvay 

 to tlie sea. At Slieppy island, Thaiiet and Sandwich, there are 

 proof; of the land gaining somewhat upon the sea : of this the 

 Goodwin and other sand-banks mav also be considered as ex- 

 amples. But these cases, arising from the shape of the coast, 

 and the set of particular currenti of the tide, are evidences of the 

 silting up of the alveus or bed of the or-ean, and shall be after- 

 wards alluded to as so many proofs of the consequent tendency 

 of the sea to overflow its banks. But, to continue, it may further 

 be noticed, that the streets of Deal are tyften laid under water; 

 and houses there have occasionally been washed down by the sea : 

 and, indeed, its effects are very alarming all along this coast. 



At Romney Marshes labourers are constantly employed attend- 

 ing and repairing the fences and sea-dikes of these low shores. On 

 the jnecipitous shores from Deal to Dover, Folkstone and Hithe, 

 large portions of the chalk-cliffs are frecpicntly undermined and 

 carried away ; particularly at the South Foreland and cliffs of 

 Dover, where I happened to wilnc^s the effects of the recent fall. 



Vol. 4'J. No. 230. Jinie Ibl7. D d some 



