28 RAMBLES ROUND FOLKESTONE, 



here the full benefit of the sea breezes, and a 

 pleasant view of the Harbour and Bailway Ftation. 

 You can watch the fleet of fishing boats starting on 

 their journey, and swinging round the Pier Head, 

 and the Boulogne boat taking a more graceful sweep 

 as she brings her load of possibly pale and uncom- 

 fortable travellers to the landing stage, where they 

 may once more feel themselves steady on terra 

 firma. 



This field, simply known as East Cliff, has long 

 been a kind of common playground, though not I 

 believe professedly so ; but landlords and fanners are 

 very indulgent in our neighbourhood. My London 

 friends tell me they enjoy coining to Folkestone so 

 much because they "can go about everywhere " with- 

 out meeting horrible " Caution " boards a liberty 

 unknown in the country suburbs of the great city. 

 It seems probable now, however, that the freedom so 

 long enjoyed on this cliff will be somewhat restricted, 

 if not entirely taken away ; the Genius of bricks and 

 mortar has seized upon the place for his own, and it 

 is doomed to be built over. Let us enjoy it while 

 we may. 



See, as you walk along the edge, what destruction 

 occurs year after year by the breaking away of the 

 cliff, a destruction, I cannot help thinking it is quite 

 possible to stay. People call it the ravages of the 

 sea ; that is not quite correct, there must be some 

 other agent at work, for the top of the cliff wears 

 away faster than the bottom. Far more destructive 

 than the action of the waves is that of the fresh 

 water which abounds in this part. The soil and sub- 

 soil are of no great depth, and are very porous ; 



