CATARACTS, AND INUNDATIONS. 33 



gation, is not to be equalled by any river in the known world. It 

 rises from a small spring a little to the south-west of Cirencester, in 

 Gloucestershire ; and, taking its course eastward, becomes navigable 

 at Lechlade for vessels of fifty tons, and there receives the river 

 Colne, about one hundred and thirty-eight miles from London. 

 From Lechlade it continues its course north-east to Oxford, where 

 it receives the Charwell ; after which it runs south-west to Abing- 

 don, and thence to Dorchester, where it receives the Thame, and 

 continuing its course southeast, flows by the borders of Berkshire, 

 Buckinghamshire, Surrey, Middlesex, Essex, and Kent. In this 

 extensive progress it passes along a multitude of towns and fiiie 

 picturesque villages ; and having visited London and Westminster, 

 proceeds by Deptford, Greenwich, Woolwich, and Gravesend, 

 to the sea. It is impossible to represent the beauties with which 

 the banks of this noble river are embellished from Windsor to Lon- 

 don $ besides numerous villages, they are adorned with magnificent 

 seats and gardens of numerous nobility and gentlemen. The tide 

 flows as high as Richmond in Surry, .which, following the winding 

 course of the river, is seventy miles from the sea. At London the 

 depth is sufficient for the navigation of large ships, which renders it 

 the greatest port for trade in the universe. The water is justly 

 esteemed exceedingly wholesome, and fit for use in very long voy- 

 ages, during which it will work itself perfectly fine. It likewise 

 abounds with a great variety of fishes. 



The best description of this renowned river is to be found in Sir John 

 Denham's poem of Cowper's Hill. It is as follows j and the fine 

 simile with which it concludes, and particularly the sweetness of the 

 lines in which the simile is conveyed, have been objects of admira- 

 tion and perhaps of envy by every succeeding poet. 



Thames, the most Idv'd of all the Ocean's sous 

 By his old sire, to his embraces runs; 

 Hasting to pay his tribute to the sea, 

 Like mortal life to meet eternity. 

 Nor are his blessings to his banks confin'd, 

 But free and common as the sea or wind ; 

 \Vhere he, to boast or to disperse his stores, 

 Full of the tribute of his grateful shores, 

 Visits the world, and in his flying tow'rs 

 Brings home to us, and makes both Indies ours J 



VOL. III. D 



