Chapter XV: Letter I: General Description

These did the ruler of the deep ordain,
To build proud navies, and to rule the main.

_Pope's Homer's Iliad_, book vi. line 45. [?]

Such [place hath] Deptford, navy-building town,
Woolwich and Wapping, smelling strong of pitch;
Such Lambeth, envy of each band and gown,
And Twickenham such, which fairer scenes enrich.

_Pope's Imitation of Spenser._

Et cum coelestibus undis
Æquoreæ miscentur aquæ; caret ignibus æther,
Cæcaque nox premitur tenebris hiemisque suisque;
[Discutiunt] tamen has, præbentque micantia lumen
Fulmina; fulmineis ardescunt ignibus undæ.

_Ovid. Metamorph._ lib. xi. [vv. 519-523].

The Difficulty of describing Town Scenery--A Comparison with certain
Views in the Country--The River and Quay--The Shipping and
Business--Ship-Building--Sea-Boys and Port-Views--Village and Town
Scenery again compared--Walks from Town--Cottage and adjoining
Heath, &c.--House of Sunday Entertainment--The Sea: a Summer and
Winter View--A Shipwreck at Night, and its Effects on
Shore--Evening Amusements in the Borough--An Apology for the
imperfect View which can be given of these Subjects.