55 



received the earliest inhabitants. It was as- 

 suredly here that Julius Caesar first planted 

 the Roman standard, and the Saxons effected 

 a landing, which terminated in the subjugation 

 of the country ; nor is it less certain that St. 

 Augustine originally disseminated the Christian 

 doctrine on Kentish soil. 



The Medway has four principal heads ; one 

 rises in the manor of Gasson, whence it runs to 

 Edenbridge, and passing Hever Castle, flows to 

 Chidingstone, thence to Penshurst, where it 

 divides again into two parts. The main river 

 receives its second principal head from Gravelly- 

 hill, Sussex; it enters Kent by Cowden, 

 Groombridge, and Ashurst, and meets the Med- 

 way at Penshurst. Thence the river flows on to 

 Tunbridge, where it separates into five channels. 

 The third principal head rises in Hackenbury- 

 Panne, in Waterdown Forest, in the county of 

 Sussex; and then flowing to Bagham Abbey, 

 proceeds to Lamberhurst, Finchocks, Good- 

 hurst, and unites with the main river at Troy- 

 ford. The fourth source of the Medway rises 

 near Goldwell, in Great Chart, whence it passes 

 to Eomeden and Smarden, continuing its course 

 towards Hedcarne, then to Stylebridge, so on 

 to Yolding Bridge, and then at a short distance 

 joins the main river. 



