ebb, and flow freely, so as effectually to prevent, at any time, the accumulation of muddy or impure water; thus affording peculiar facilities for sea bathing; and it is much frequented by the inhabitants of Canterbury and its vicinity, for that peculiar purpose.

For several years Herne Bay has been rising in public estimation, as a select sea retreat; it was formerly much more considerable and had a market. The church is a large structure, similar to a Cathedral, with a choir and stalls, divided from the nave by an elegant screen of carved oak; but the want of a landing place has hitherto prevented its acquiring greater notoriety, and has been the only drawback to its becoming one of the most fashionable places of resort of the day; to remove this inconvenience, and to insure to it that increased patronage to which its numer. ous local advantages so eminently entitle it, a Company has been formed, under the protective provisions of an act of parliament, to raise a Capital of £50,000, in shares of £50 each.

The pier is so constructed as to afford a delightful promenade, and will, when finished, extend 3,000 feet over the sands and sea, and to allow steam-packets and other vessels to embark and land passengers and goods at all times of the tide. In addition to this accommodation, the parade of 50 feet wide, will extend nearly a mile along the front of the town facing the sea, for the accommodation of riding and walking.

The directors of the Pier at Herne Bay, it should seem, and also the proprietors of the land, have determined to take the liberal side of the question, in order that Herne Bay, shall in the shortest time possible, not only rival for elegance of appearance and comforts of life, the first watering places in the kingdom, by disposing of their lands on such moderate terms as to induce persons to become purchasers, and to build houses without any hesitation or delay. The directors, likewise for the accommodation of those persons who might wish to take a view of Herne Bay, the surrounding coast and country, before they make up their minds to become inhabitants, have erected a most spacious and complete establishment under the title of the PIER HOTEL, which cost them £6000. The above elegant tavern is under the direction of Mr. Alexander (formerly a partner with Mr. Bleaden of the London Tavern), a person from his well-known experience in such matters, united with gentlemanly manners, is well calculated to render his visitors all that sort of attention and comfort which travellers require and, to use his own words, at a public declaration at his opening dinner, that he was determined to conduct the affairs of the above Hotel on a liberal scale, and that nothing like terrifying charges should be made, which might call forth disagreeable animadversions from those ladies and gentlemen who

might extend to him their patronage and support.

The Herne Bay PIER, and the above Hotel, was opened on the 4th of June, 1832, in the most spirited and elegant style by the directors, under the immediate patronage of Mr. Burge, and conducted by Messrs. Clift and Fisher, Clerks to the Herne Bay Pier Company. The Venus Steam Packet started from St. Katherine's Docks at nine o'clock in the morning, decorated with numerous flags, and also ornamented in various parts of it, with flowers of the most beautiful description. A military band was also provided by the directors, to give additional life and harmony to the scene. The Venus on leaving the dock fired a salute, in fact, as she passed Greenwich, Woolwich, Northfleet, Gravesend, &c., she saluted all the above places with becoming respect and attention, until the Venus arrived alongside of the Pier! The Pier had a most delightful and interesting appearance, displaying nearly ninety flags suspended by large poles, some yards distant from each other, on both sides of it; and the Hotel was similarly decorated; and although the Pier is 2000 feet in length, it was crowded from one end of it to the other, with persons of the most genteel description, joining in the loudest cheers which assailed the crew of the Venus, when she appeared in sight. Salutes were exchanged from the Venus, and persons appointed on the shore to return them. The band playing God save the King, Rule Britannia, &c. Upon the Directors and Shareholders ascending the Pier, they walked in couples until they arrived at the door of the Hotel, which is contiguous to the Pier, and, previous to their entrance to the Tavern, the procession terminated with nine loud cheers; another military band, which had arrived from Canterbury, was stationed in front of the Pier Hotel, playing, in succession, a variety of tunes-in truth, the whole was one continued scene of joyous merriment and congratulations between the Men of Kent and the citizens of London, on their rapid progress and successful attempts to form a new town, and fashionable watering place on the Kentish Coast.

Previous to the arrival of the Venus at Herne Bay, the following Sailing Match took place for a silver cup and cover, but owing to the unmanly conduct of several of the competitors, it turned out a very unsatisfactory affair. There were six boats entered to sail, viz.:

twice. There was great confusion at starting, as the boats lay alongside of each other. The Sydney took the lead (having the best station) and kept it till within a quarter of a mile of the flag pile, the second time of going round, when Mr. A. Lyon's Alert (late Commodore of the R. T. Y. C.), went in advance a considerable distance. A breeze, however, brought up the Alert (J. Nicholls) and the Helene, when the former sailed into the after part of Mr. Lyons boat, and the latter assisted in holding her until the Sydney passed her. Mr. Lyon put in a protest against the Sydney having the cup, and urged, that as his boat was first when the others maliciously fouled him, he only by the fair rules of sailing was entitled to the prize. Mr. Lyon challenged the parties to resail for the cup, or £50, but they refused; he then offered if they gave up the cup, to present them with Five Pounds. It was pretty generally known, that notwithstanding the Regatta was open to all boats under 20 tons, some of the parties wished to prevent Mr. Lyon's Alert from sailing, because forsooth they were fearful she would carry off the prize. Being thwarted in this, they adopted another mode of proceeding.

Although the crew of the Venus were disappointed in witnessing the Sailing Match, they were in good time to witness the Donkey Races, according to the following printed hand-bill, which was circulated through the neighbouring towns and villages :

The Stakes to be contested for in Five Heats, the Winning Donkey in each heat to lay by for the grand one. In the Fourth Heat, the whole of the Donkeys on the ground (and not entered) will be allowed to run; the last Donkey to be the winner, and entitled to run in the grand heat, for the following prizes:-First donkey, £2. 2s.; Second ditto, £1. 1s.; Third ditto, 10s.; Fourth ditto, 5s. The above "terribly low bred beasts" paraded before the doors of the Hotel, and who were made by their riders to give specimens

of their bottom, speed, and all that sort of thing attached to racing, as the conductors of the REGATTA, and RUSTIC Fetes, to shew summut like sporting, and to feel the pulses of the visitors, how they felt inclined to sport their Rhino, as to the winners of the different prizes. Smuggler, as a matter of course, was the favorite on the coast of Kent! in fact, there seemed a good deal of spirit and daring about his nob, and a prime kicker into the bargain. "Five tizzies to four," said one of the jockeys "that Smuggler smugs the first prize!" It is but justice to remark, that the riders were dished up in a variety of coloured jackets and caps, much better than could be expected; but we suppose in order that the bill might be correct, and no disappointment experienced by the spectators.

Honest Tom had scarcely any backers"he'll not be placed any where, I know," observed a yokel, one of the originals of the Bay, "Tom was never good for any thing but to bray; he's a stubborn animal. I never saw any one that could make Tom Go as yet."

Smiler, Black Tom, and Swing Tail, were looked upon by the crowd, completely as ' out siders,' of no use-that is to say 'neither rum 'uns to look at nor good uns to move :' a bad lot altogether; and not to be mentioned when a race was the subject.

Rose and Lion, were also amongst the et ceteras of Jack Asses-stubborn to the end of the chapter, and no mistake! defying spurs or a mop-stick to get 'em on the toddle!

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Dusty Bob and Black Sal, sure such a pair was never seen!" Bob looked summut like a hero, and Sarah that of a heroine; and as old acquaintances they were backed-either Six Crowns to four against the field. one, if not both, to prove themselves winners.

Thespis was quite of the hunt-the spectators had no touch of the dram-a-tic about their compositions; indeed, it was thought poor Thespis would be sent back to the barn ; or, according to a sporting phrase-drawn.

Chammy, not known! a sort of hedger and ditcher, a travelling donkey, one of those sort of hanimals, as his Propper-itor said, as how, he vas here to-day, and gone to-morrow." And, with a grin upon his mug, he said, to an old itinerant tinker in the crowd, "that he thought Chammy would hedge to it!"

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Sukey, poor Susan, like many other females, was without a friend to put her forward in the race; but her master said, never mind that ere, she could push-along, and keep moving with the best of any of 'em-and he vou'd bet his ould castor, which had been all over the County of Kent for the last twenty years, to a quartern of Max, that Sukey would be somewhere in the race! D'ye mind me," said he, "I mean Suckey will be placed!"

The STARTS were rich in the extreme; and to the admirers or lovers of kicking and prancing, they proved quite a treat; indeed, the ludicrous appearance of the affair altogether

forcibly reminded us of Joey Grimaldi's celebrated comic song:

Don't I look spruce on my Neddy! In spite of his kicking and prancing! Gee up! Gee Woo! Here we go! But the whole ended in something like a wrangle as to coming in; but on hearing the glad tidings announced, that dinner was on the table, which, to the hungry person supersedes almost every other consideration. left them to settle their differences, amongst themselves or refer them, like the great proprietors of horses of another description, to the members of the Jock-no, I beg pardon, an appeal to the nobs of the Jack-Ass Club! -Maximus in minimis.

We

Upwards of 150 persons sat down to a most splendid dinner; in short, the Hotel was full from the top of the house to the bottom, so anxious were the Men of Kent, and those of London, to celebrate the opening of the Pier, with spirit and good cheer. Upon the cloth being removed, God save the King' was sung with considerable talent by Mr. Smith, a professional singer from London; a number of loyal and patriotic toasts and sentiments were drank with enthusiasm; and the cheers that followed some of the local toasts respecting the Pier, &c. were almost deafening. In the course of the evening, Mr. Brain entertained the company with an original song, written by a Mr. Fyle, "The Pier that weathered the storm," and which was loudly encored in consequence of its allusions to Herne Bay. Mr. Briant, the well-known comic Irish singer also introduced a song of his own writing, full of point and puns about the Pier, and several comical allusions respecting the Balustrades, which belonged to Old London

*

*The above transfer of the BALUSTRADES of the late London Bridge, most certainly in times hereafter will be viewed as a " great relic of that Bridge which not only carried safe over it so many thousands daily; but it will be also remembered as the direct road to industry, honors, and renown, leading to the first commercial city in the world, for enterprize, ability, and integrity. We must observe, that whoever the idea originated with in the first instance, it was a good one; and may ultimately, become a great curiosity and source of attraction when the writer of this paragraph, and also the proposers of the PIER are gone to that Bourne, from whence no traveller returns!" in order to induce a number of Persons to visit Herne Bay, only as it were to take a peep at the BALUSTRADES OF OLD LONDON BRIDGE. However, we are not led away so strongly as to suppose that the citizens of London will pay so great a veneration to them as the Mahometans considered it their duty once in their lives to make a pilgrimage to Mecca, to do homage to the coffin of Mahomet; but, nevertheless, the above Balustrades may become a very interesting object to the inhabitants of Herne Bay, by the great influx of visitors. We remember, when quite a child, the following verse of part of a song respecting Old London Bridge:

London Bridge is broken down,
Dance o'er my Lady Lea,
London Bridge is broken down,

A gay Lady!

On the conclusion of Mr. Briant's Song, which gave rise to the following impromptu by a gentleman present, it was immediately handed over to us:

Bridge, being transplanted to commence the Pier head at Herne Bay. Several members of the Corporation of Canterbury were present, who warmly professed themselves to be friendly to the undertaking, and who, likewise, gave their promise of support. The company was highly amused by a professional gentleman from London, of the name of King, with two songs, in which he introduced some extraordinary powers of ventriloquism — his imitations of the dog and cat quarreling over a bone, were of the most natural description, and produced for him one of the loudest encores we ever remember to have heard. The fire-works, which were let off at eleven o'clock, at the extremity of the Pier, had a very pleasing effect; and not only delighted the inhabitants of Herne Bay, but also the visitors from London, who were accustomed to this species of amusement. The Chairman was so much devoted to harmony and good fellowship, that he never left the chair until day-light peeped into the room; in short, the whole evening was kept up with great sport and harmony, and a number of excellent songs were sung, that would not have disgraced the boards of either of the Royal Theatres. But beds were not to be had for Love, at all events, at Herne Bay; No, nor for money either; the Hotel was crowded to excess, so that all accommodation as to resting places were overdone at a very early hour; and not a bed or a sofa were to be had any where in the town of Herne. But those gents. who were deprived from going to roost, kept it up like game cocks of the highest breed, crowing with delight at the numerous jolly fellows that were thus accidentally thrown together, although they were ousted from the comforts of Bedford-shire. But the above circumstances to them, were 'trifles light as air,' and the song, jest, and tale, most amply compensated for the loss of a few winks' at most, which might, in the course of a few hours, be repaid with interest. Therefore, in the words of the well-known parody, it was thus sung one to another over the enlivening glass: :

Go not yet, for now's the time

The "boys" are all bang-up and prime,
Full of spunk-ripe for a lark.

"D-n the expense!" exclaims each spark,
In spirits every one!

But on the rising of the glorious sun, who not only displayed her own beauties, but also that of nature-the ocean-and picturesque scenery of Herne Bay, the company separated

London Bridge is come to HERNE BAY--
By the DIRECTORS Sent?
Giving! yes! so the Wise Ones, say-
ANTIQUITY to Kent.

Not so!-assert the MEN of KENT,

A hold-fast to the PIER

Can money thus be better spent?

'Gainst winds and storms no fear!

Far better still!" those BALUSTRADES!" Fine remnants of renown:

Great ornament to the Parades

Of HERNE BAY, PIER, and Town.

for an early toddle-some scoured the fields, and others, parts of the town, while a few of the gents. on the look out for their lost companions, went and overhauled the Venus, who, it appeared, had furnished lodgings for a number of gay sparks, who felt themselves so fully contented, and without the least complaint in being admitted in the characters of board-ers for that night only!

At length, the sound of the gun announced the departure of the Venus for the return to London, and

The last boat destined from the Pier! soon arrived with her compliment on board. The salutes were repeated at all the places as before; another pleasant day occurred-a capital dinner was provided by the steward of the Venus for his guests-and over a glass of good wine, we joined in the toast of "Success to the Pier at Herne Bay, and the rising town of St. Augustine!" Several excellent anecdotes well told, passed between a few gentlemen, who never saw each other before, and, perhaps, may never see each other again, and which made TIME, fly as it were! Such are the delights of refined and enlightened conversation; and the recollection of such plea sant moments, are invaluable. Greenwich Hospital, that immense ornament to Old England, appeared sooner than was anticipated by the pleased eyes of the Cocknies such a monument of natural grandeur must be always gratifying to the "heart that can feel for another" the Pools were cleared without the slightest difficulty; and the jolly crew of the Venus arrivedsafe and sound at St. Katherine's Dock by six o'clock on Tuesday evening. According to our immortal Bard:

Parting is such sweet sorrow!

but no matter, we were compelled to part with several interesting persons, positively, with regret-yet, unlike Johnny Gilpin, we did not go further than we intended; and found ourselves comfortably seated at home, yes "Sweet Home," enjoying our Twankey before seven o'clock, and relating our adventures, not exactly with the flourishes of a Don Quixotte; but, nevertheless, delighted with our excursion-the opening of the PIER AT HERNE BAY, and to make it more lasting in the tablet of our memory-its being coupled with the passing of the never to be forgotten REFORM

BILL.-Dum vivimus vivamus!

THE PEDIGREE OF AN ARABIAN HOrse. Bought in Egypt by an English Nobleman, for the price of 1000 Guineas. [Translated from the original Arabic.] In the name of God, the merciful and compassionate, and Sid Mahomet, the agent of the High God, and of the Ali of God, and the companions of Mahomet, and Jerusalem, by the grace of God, the Author of the creation. This horse, the sire of Rabhamy, equal in power to his son, is of the tribe of Zazzalah,

and descends from the uncle of Lahadah, the sire of Alket-is of a fine figure, and fleet as an ostrich; herewith is his tooth, when a colt, in a bag, with his pedigree, which a Caffre may believe. Among the honors of relationship he reckons Zalwah, the sire of Mahat, who was the sire of Kallak, and the unique Alket, sire of Manasseh, sire of Alsheh, from generation to generation, down from the noble horse, Lahalala. And upon him be green herbage in abundance, and the water of life with an edifice enclosed with walls, a reward from the tribe of Zoab, for the fire of his race; and let a thousand cypresses shade his body from the hyena of the tombs, from the wolf, and the serpents of the plain; within the inclosure a festival shall be kept, and at sunrise thousands shall come, and observers arrive in troops, whilst the tribe exhibits, under a canopy of celestial signs, the saddle, and the name, and the place of the tribe of Bek Altabek, in Mesopotamia, and Kulasla of Lutarek of the inspired tribe of Zoab. Then shall they strike with a loud noise, and ask of Heaven, in solemn prayer, immunity for the tribe from evil, and the demon of languor, from pestilence, from wandering from God, from scabby camels, from scarcity, from perplexed congregations, from the spleen, from the fiery dragon, from commixtion, from beating on the feet, from treading out with the feet, from Heiubnu, or the unknown son of an unknown father, from lameness at birth, from imposthumes, from seclusions, and from fascination, from depression and elevation, from cracks in the feet, from numerous assemblies, from importunate soothsayers, from the offspring of prophets and nocturnal travellers, from diviners of good opportunity for a purpose, from relations and degrees of affinity, and from rash and inordinate riders, deliver this tribe, O Lord, and secure those who are slow to follow and slow to advance, who guard the truth and observe it.-Court Journal.