MELANCHOLY CATASTROPHE. 433 we cannot dismiss this notification without alluding most particularly to Mr. Mills; who united every qualification which adorns the Christian and the man. He was alike pious, humane, philanthropic and generous; but expressions of our feelings or regrets, will not reduce the calamity; we only hope that the divine lesson it teaches, will have a profitable influence upon mankind, for a divine lesson it may truly be called! It piously refreshens the remembrance of what we are all too apt to forget, the mutability of human life; it forcibly awakens our recollection of the very frail tenure upon which we hold our existence in this world; it has the most powerful claims upon our best feelings and strongest affections; and whilst it affords an additional proof of the uncertainty of worldly things, we hope it will also prove a salutary beacon, that mankind, not knowing how soon they may be snatched from this world, may ever be prepared to depart from it; that those unfortunate schisms which so frequently embroil society, may be averted, and that the differences, which so often tear asunder the closest ties of relations, families and friends, may be healed or prevented by a constant recollection of ROCHESTER BRIDGE!" द Excursion on the Medway, FROM ROCHESTER TO SHEERNESS AND THE NORE, ON THE OPENING OF THE OYSTER GROUNDS, TUESDAY, JULY 16TH, 1811. LETTER II. MAYOR OF Rochester's intendED PROCESSION BY water to 435 REPAST OF OYSTERS; ADMIRAL'S SHIP THE NAMUR; CURIOUS CEMENT; MUTINY AT THE NOKE IN 1797; EXECUTION of riCHARD PARKER; RETURN HOMEWARDS; HUGE QUARANTINE VESSELS IN THE MEDWAY; YOUTH OF BOTH SEXES THE MAJORITY OF THE COMPANY; REFLECTIONS AT PARTING ON THE CHARACTERISTICS OF YOUTH; THE EDUCATION OF YOUTH, AND THE MEANS OF RENDERING HAPPY THE RISING GENERATION; RETURN TO CHATHAM ; CONCLUSION. MY DEAR SIR, It was my good fortune to be at Rochester when the MAYOR, J. Batten, Esq., went down the river MEDWAY to open the Oyster Grounds. His intention was generally known, and many of the inhabitants of this ancient place accompanied him. Cities as well as towns have their festive days, or times of civic celebration. LORD MAYOR'S DAY, with respect to its exhibition on the water, must yield in gaiety to the Mayor of Rochester's opening of the OYSTER FISHERY. Rising sooner than usual for the purpose of securing an early breakfast, I and my two elder sons, together with my good friends Mr. B. Chilley and Mr. J. Tribe, Jun., of the Mitre, Chatham, who kindly accompanied us, went on board THE Dove, a vessel belonging to Messrs. Godfrey, Crockford and Anderson. Understanding that we were to be a mixed company, I was not surprised to find the deck covered with ladies and gentlemen. Garden seats were ranged each side, and a number of 436 STARTING OF THE PROCESSION. chairs were placed in different situations. These held us all comfortably, though we were upwards of THREE SCORE in number. Upon the clock striking NINE, we put off from the wharf and were quickly in the middle of the MEDWAY. The MAYOR and his officers, in the Commissioner's yacht, were not ready to join us. We bore up towards them, passing through a number of vessels. Whilst gliding along, I could not withhold my eyes from the prospect around me. It was one of the finest sights I ever beheld, because it embraced objects both by land and water. Before me lay Strood, Rochester, Chatham and Brompton, in semicircular succession! It was nearly an amphitheatre and had a grand panoramic appearance. The spire of ROCHESTER CATHEDRAL, and the tower of its Castle-the extensive range of the low but thickly set houses of CHATHAM, with BROMPTON on the hill, looking down on his Majesty's dock-yards; these were the objects in immediate view. Above them were Fort Pitt, with its well ranged cannon and vast intrenchments, and the New Barracks with its neat Infirmary, crowned that part of the prospect! The water on which we floated was as smooth as a mill-pond. A painter could not wish for a scene more multifarious in its objects or more striking in its effect. Whilst I was thus occupying myself in examining the prospect, the firing of a cannon announced the MAYOR'S yacht, with attendants, loosened from its mooring, when it soon made its appearance with its gay and lively decorations. They passed us, when we CHATHAM DOCK-YARD. 437 hailed them with three times three! At this moment the scene around was all alive. About fifty vessels, with nearly twelve hundred on board, with flags flying, were crowding forward in almost endless succession! Bands of music were heard playing the liveliest airs, whilst cannon were firing in every quarter, and crowds of spectators on the shore huzzaing in all directions! The SUN shone upon us with its full radiance, and, looking up, I perceived the inscription on the flags, emblazoned by its rays, SUCCESS TO THE OYSTER FISHERY! That I participated largely of the general pleasure around me will not be denied, nor am I ashamed, on such an occasion, to avow the sensibilities of my heart. The gratifications of real feeling are not exceeded by its pains; and without these correspondent emotions of joy and sorrow, we do not belong to the great brotherhood of mankind. Bearing along, and keeping tolerably well together, we came opposite his Majesty's DOCK-YARD, which is of considerable extent. I had gone over the yard the preceding day, and therefore, could easily recognise its respective departments. The whole had a grand appearance, suitable to the great national purpose for which its several buildings are destined. Its CHAPEL was a conspicuous object. The rope houses were ranged in long succession lower down, whilst the immense forges, with blackened aspect, were at some little distance from them. Other buildings were nearer the water. We now viewed them |