Temperance > Autobiography and personal recollections of John B. Gough

AUTOBIOGRAPHY.
CHAPTER I.
BIRTH—BIRTH-PLACE.
I was born on the 22d of August, 1817, at Sandgate, in
the county of Kent, England. I have heard my mother
say that, in that year, nearly all the windows of our little
house were broken by the concussion caused by the firing
of cannon from the castle, in honour of the grand visit
of the allied monarchs and their famous followers to
England; and that a government agent went round after¬
wards to pay the bill. It is a romantic little watering-
place frequented by many of the aristocracy and gentry,
and was a favourite resort of William Wilberforce. In
an old guide-book published the year before I was born—
1816—Sandgate is described as: “A neat and picturesque
village situated on the direct road from Hythe to Folke¬
stone. It consists principally of one street, of a handsome
breadth, at the foot of a range of lofty eminences, and on
the very brink of the sea—of which it commands a bound¬
less and delightful view. The houses, though small, are
commodious and remarkably clean, light, and cheerful.”
Now; a large number of houses have been erected for the
reception and accommodation of visitors, who are there
for the purpose of sea-bathing. It is indeed a quiet little
spot, and that which has been said of another place of
resort may with propriety be applied to Sandgate,—it has