SANDWICH, a borough town of England in Kent, is situated on the river Stour, about two miles south from Sandwich haven. The town, which has a very ancient aspect, is irregularly built, and consists of streets and lanes that are both narrow and inconve nient. A considerable part of its walls still remain, but all the gates have been taken down excepting Fishergate, which opens to the river. The principal public edifices are, the three parish churches, the guild or court hall, and the free grammar school. St. Clement's church, which is a very spacious build ing, has a massive tower rising from four semicircu lar arches in the centre of the building. It contains numerous sepulchral inscriptions. St. Peter's church possesses several ancient tombs supporting effigies.
St. Mary's church is a large building, consisting of a nave, chancel, and north aisles, and contains many sepulchral monuments.
The guild hall, built in 1579, has the court hall in its lower story, and the council chamber in its upper one. Besides the free grammar school, there is here
a charity school for thirty boys and thirty girls: There are also three hospitals for aged poor. Sand wich is governed by a mayor, twelve jurats, twenty four common councilmen, a steward, recorder, town clerk, &c. It sends two members to Parliament, who are chosen by 850 voters.
Shipbuilding and ropemaking are carried on here to a considerable extent. The principal exports con sist of grain, flax, corn, seeds, hops, wool, malt, ap ples, pears, leather, oakbark, ashes, &c. The imports are groceries, furniture, linen, woollen, and other shop-goods from London, iron, plank, spars, timber, lead; coals, salt, wines, spirits, glass, grindstones, &c. from Wales, Scotland, Norway, Sweden, and the Baltic. Population about 3,000. See the Beauties of England and Miles, Vol. vii.