Author: Robinson, William
Biography:
ROBINSON, William (fl 1805)
Except for his name, the poet of A Trip to Margate: With a Description of Its Environs, written in the Year 1805 remains unidentified. The poem is almost entirely a travelogue. Setting out from London at five in the morning, the travelling party breakfast at Greenwich on Shooter’s Hill. They then travel via Dartford, Northfleet, Rochester, and Medway (where the bridge has long been under repair); proceed through Chatham, Bowtry, and Sarre; then arrive at Margate. The travellers purchase staples at Kidman’s, bread at Croft’s, and fish and meat at Pen’s. With a major exception, the poem relates few incidents. Noticing the “fœted drains” disgorging “filth of various sorts” into the bay puts the poet in mind of a scatological story he then relates at length, for “humour’s sake.” The book was advertised as “Just published” on 29 May 1806 (2s. 6d. stitched). JC