quoth I, as I look'd towards the _French_ coast--a man should know something of his own country too, before he goes abroad----and I never gave a peep into _Rochester_ church, or took notice of the dock of _Chatham_, or visited St. _Thomas_ at _Canterbury_, though they all three laid in my way----

quoth I, as I looked towards the French coast - 'a man should know something of his own country before he goes abroad - and I never gave a peep into Rochester church, or Chatham Dock, or visited St. Thomas at Canterbury, though they all lay in my way.'
