editable.[691]

I do not propose to discuss here the much debated question whether
Napoleon intended to invade England, or to wear us out by threats of
invasion.[692] Suffice it to say that no responsible Minister could
ignore those formidable preparations. Pitt therefore strove might and
main to raise martial enthusiasm by attending drills and reviews of
Volunteers. A cynical phrase in Grenville's letter of 25th August 1804
dwells on the ridiculous figure which he cut, riding from Downing Street
to Wimbledon Common and thence to Cox Heath in Kent "to inspect military
carriages, impregnable batteries, and Lord Chatham's reviews. Can he
possibly be serious in expecting Bonaparte now?" The sneer is a sign of
the strained relations between the cousins. Assuredly, if Bonaparte had
come, Grenville and his Foxite allies would have impeached a Minister
who left his country defenceless. Pitt showed a good example to country
gentlemen by drilling his corps of Volunteers at Walmer, so that it
became a model of efficiency. There was the greatest need at that point,
for the coast between Ramsgate and Dungeness presented exceptional
facilities for a landing except under the guns of Sandown, Deal, Walmer,
and Dover. Pitt's attention was specially directed to the open shelving
beach between Folkestone and Dungeness.

In truth, the district of Romney Marsh, which is not normally marshy,
offered the maximum of attractions to an invader, who, after beaching
his boats and entrenching himself behind a fosse, would find few, if
any, physical obstacles to his advance into the level tract between
Ashford and Tonbridge. As this route was undefended, Pitt and Camden, by
the month of October 1804, decided on the construction of the Hythe
Military Canal. On 24th October Pitt attended a meeting of the
"surveyors, lords, bailiffs and jurats" of Romney Marsh held at
Dymchurch, Generals Sir David Dundas and Moore, and Colonel Brown being
also present. It was agreed that the proposed canal from Sandgate to Rye
would be beneficial to Romney Marsh, and landlords were urged forthwith
to put their property at the disposal of Government, trusting to receive
compensation assessed by a duly qualified local jury. On Pitt's
recommendation the matter was passed at once, and he returned to Walmer
Castle.[693] By the end of 1804 the work was well in hand, the expense
of cutting the fosse of ten feet deep being estimated at L150,000.
Batteries and martello towers