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the craft with a readiness and an expedition, which a few years past, would not have been thought possible, by persons engaged in works of this nature.

The cliffs at Purfleet rise boldly from the water, and form a very striking object to the voyager of that part of the river. The extreme flatness of the shore, on either side of them, and, indeed, of the whole length of that side of the river from London to the sea, gives them a considerable degree of importance, as landscape objects. The view, as presented in the annexed engraving, renders any further attempt to describe them wholly unnecessary; while the river in its agitated and billowy state, with the navigated objects which enliven it, form, we presume, no unpleasing picture.

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THIS beautiful place, formerly called Ince-grice is si tuated about three miles beyond Dartford, in the county of Kent, on the road to Dover; and is now in the possession of William Havlock, Esquire. It is an elegant mansion, Occupying an agreeable elevation from the Thames, which flows before it, presenting a vast variety of maritime objects; as not only the whole commercial flota of the Metropolis passes in due succession, within its view, but that part of its naval shipping connected with the yards of Deptford and of Woolwich. The prospect also extends across the river into Essex; but, from the extreme flatness, and unpicturesque appearance of its cultivation, is as much as possible, and with great judgment, obscured by, and broken with, plantations.

This estate formerly belonged to the Nuns of Dartford, and consequently became vested in the crown at the dissolution, in the general wreck of monastic property at that period. It was afterwards granted out by Queen Elizabeth, in the fifth year of her reign; and having passed through various families, by purchase and otherwise, in a long succession of years, became, so lately as in the year 1737, the property of John Carmichael, Earl of Hyndford, afterwards Envoy extraordinary of his Majesty, George the Second, to the courts of Russia and Prussia. In the year 1748, that nobleman conveyed it to William, Viscount Duncannon, who, on the death of his father, in 1758, became Earl of Besborough, and married Caroline, eldest daughter of William, Duke of Devonshire.

That nobleman, who was distinguished for his taste, made great improvements in the mansion and surrounding grounds; but after the death of Lady Besborough, who was very fond of the place, he sold the estate to John Calcraft, Esquire, an army agent, who made several adjoining pur

chases, and greatly added to the extent of the domain and its plantations.

In an elegant summer house, built in an excavation of the chalk cliffs, he also arranged a valuable collection of Roman altars, brought from Italy, with statues and other pieces of ancient sculpture, which were placed in, and formed most pleasing decorations, to many parts of the garden.

He died in 1772, when Member of Parliament for Rochester, and by his son the place was sold, in the year 1788, to John Disney Roebuck, Esquire, father of the late owner, of whom it was purchased by the present possessor.

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