The history of Sandwich, as one of the Cinque Ports, presents a striking example of the fluctuation of trade, and the uncertain tenure by which all mercantile property is held, when supported by merely human ingenuity and enterprise. A very slight operation of nature is sufficient to paralyse the hand of ambition, and to strike the once productive landscape with sterility. Harbours, where our forefathers have counted the thickly crowded masts of stately merchantmen, are now deserted or forgotten. Many of the channels through which riches were once poured into this county, have been gradually dried up; while new ports and harbours have been opened on various parts of the coast, where commercial enterprise has fixed her abode. But, like their predecessors, these also may be deserted in their turn, and silently co-operate in that ever-progressive scheme of nature, by which, as the old and familiar scenes of our youth become changed or obliterated, others are called forth to take their place. The existence of a shoal, or the shifting of a sand-bank, may mar or diminish the prosperity of a city; and to the great local changes which this part of the Kentish coast has undergone, the decay of Sandwich, as a harbour, is chiefly to be ascribed. Where fleets of merchantmen once rode in safety; where the busy scenes of lading and unlading once offered pictures of maritime prosperity, the fishing-craft of the place can hardly find anchorage, and all the characteristics of a flourishing port have disappeared; so that it may be affirmed, with a truth too evident, that—

The town of Sandwich includes the parishes of St. Clement, St. Mary-the-Virgin, and St. Peter-the-Apostle. St. Clement's Church is a very ancient and spacious structure, with a massive tower, a noble specimen of the Norman style of ecclesiastical architecture. St. Mary's is also a church of considerable antiquity as well as St. Peter's; but both have been considerably damaged by time and accident. The Guildhall is an ancient and handsome edifice. The Free Grammar-School, endowed with exhibitions, was founded in 1563; and among the charitable institutions are the Hospitals of St. Thomas and St. John, in which a number of aged persons of good character, but in reduced circumstances, are comfortably supported. The Hospital of St. Bartholomew is a munificent foundation, from the funds of which sixteen decayed tradesmen of respectable character, and others, members of the corporation, are supported in comparative affluence.

Sandwich was originally enclosed by walls and partly fortified. It had eight gates, one of which, called Fisher's Gate, is considered by architects and antiquaries as well deserving of inspection, for the excellence of its design and workmanship. It illustrates a period when the craft had reached its zenith in this country, and when the Templars—the Vaubans of their day—still exercised the mysteries of architecture.

Ship-building and rope-making, as well as a foreign trade with Norway, Sweden, and Russia, in iron, timber, and hemp, are still carried on in Sandwich though comparatively to a very small extent. The home trade, chiefly with Wales and Scotland, consists of flour, seed, hops, malt, fruit, &c.; but of the once celebrated woollen trade of Sandwich not a vestige is left. The weekly market-days are Wednesday and Saturday, with a cattle-market every alternate Monday, and annual fairs on the second of October and fourth of December.