The great facilities of communication with the metropolis, the salubrity of the air, the beauty of the surrounding scenery, and the public amusements by which it is enlivened, have all contributed to render Gravesend the most frequented town on the river Thames. The thousands of visitors who here keep holiday during six or eight months of the year, have insured resources to the inhabitants more to be depended on than the fluctuations of trade. New houses, new streets, hotels, reading-rooms, public baths, and pleasure-gardens, have all appeared in succession since the introduction of steam on the river, and now present attractions rarely to be met with in any inland or maritime town of like size. The harbour, generally enlivened by East and West Indiamen at anchor; the incessant passing and repassing of steamers to every part of the coast and kingdom; with private yachts and pleasure-boats skimming past, or lying off the piers, with their holiday freight of joyous citizens, give a never failing interest and spirit to the whole picture; and present, in a short sojourn at Gravesend, more animation and variety than is to be met with at any other part of the river. The rides and drives inland are highly varied and picturesque. Cobham Hall--the ancient seat of Lord Darnley--and its magnificent park-scenery, with the village and ancient church adjoining, are objects that well repay a summer-day's excursion. Springhead, famous for the water-cresses which it supplies to the London markets, is one of the most rural and picturesque retreats in Kent; while Gad's-hill, to which Shakspeare has given immortality, as the scene of the robbery of the Sandwich merchants, said to have been perpetrated by Henry the Fifth--when Prince Hal--and his dissolute companions, is within an easy walk. Windmill-hill, the highest object in the background of the picture, is proverbially famed as commanding one of the finest panoramic views in the county. The bathing-establishments are on a large scale, admirably constructed, and managed with great punctuality and attention. Adjoining the Clifton Baths is a delightful pleasure-ground, agreeably varied with walks and seats, and ornamented with trees, shrubs, and flowers. From this eminence, which overhangs the Thames, a charming prospect is open at all times to the groups of visitors by whom it is frequented. The gardens, now known as the Rosherville-gardens, have been opened of late years for dancing, music, and fireworks during the season, and have become the chosen resort of numerous societies and schools, who here celebrate their anniversaries. A large dining-hall and other necessary adjuncts have been erected for their accommodation, including a handsome pier, at which most of the steam-boats call, on their passages to and from the other piers.