PREFACE. THE Handbooks for the four Counties of Kent, Sussex, Surrey, and Hampshire, have been drawn up from a careful personal exploration of the country, and from the most recent information that could be obtained. If, however, from the rapidity of change in every part of Great Britain, or other causes, errors or omissions should occur, those who, from living on the spot, have facile means of detecting mistakes, are requested to aid in the object of obtaining a correct guide for all corners of Old England by sending notice of them to the Editor, care of Mr. Murray;50 A, Albemarle Street. This third Edition has been tested to a great extent on the spot, and many minor errors removed, by which it is hoped its utility as a Guide has been materially increased. New Lines of Railway have been inserted. The Editor has the pleasure to return thanks to many personal friends, and to others unknown, who have aided him in making this Guide more correct and useful. THE County of Kent, the extreme south-eastern corner of England, contains 1624 square miles, or 1,039,419 acres. From east to west (from the North Foreland to London) it "expatiateth itself," in Fuller's words, into 64 miles; from north to south (North Foreland to Dungeness) it " expandeth not above" 38 miles. Eight English counties exceed it in size. At the census of 1861 it contained a population of 369,129 males, and 364,758 females; total, 733,887: being an increase of 118,121 (62,088 m., 56,033 f.), or 19 per cent., since 1851. Kent, continues Fuller, "differeth not more from other shires than from itself, such the variety thereof. In some parts of it health and wealth are at many miles' distance, which in other parts are reconciled to live under the same roof-I mean, abide in one place together." The entire county, the geological features of which are strongly marked, is divided, according to local experience, into three very distinct districts-1. That of "health without wealth," embracing the higher parts of the Downs, which stretch in a long line across the county and form what is called the "backbone of Kent:" 2. That of "wealth without health;" this consists of parts of the tree-covered Weald, of Romney Marsh, and of the marshes along the Medway and the Swale, where the pasturage is deep and rich, but where ague and low fever are the common lot of the inhabitants: and 3. That in which "health and wealth are reconciled to live together," covering by far the greater part of the county, but best and richest in the valley of the Medway from Maidstone to Tunbridge, and in parts of the country about Canterbury. Each of these districts assists in producing the diversified scenery and the varied riches that still justify the encomium pronounced on the county in the 'Polyolbion' of Michael Drayton :— "O famous Kent! What county hath this isle that can compare with thee? As what with strength comports, thy hay, thy corn, thy wood,- |