The county town of Kent, is pleasantly situated on the banks of the river Medway, distant 35 miles from London, 9 from Rochester, and 26 from Canterbury.  Maidstone was formerly written Meddestrane, and according to our best authorities, was, in the time of the ancient Britons, esteemed their third chief or principal city, and was a Roman station of considerable importance.

Previous to Edward the VI. Maidstone was governed by a portreve, etc. but he incorporated it by the name of mayor, jurats and commoners;  soon after this grant was made it forfeited the right of retaining it, by adhering to Sir Thomas Wyatt, against Queen Mary.  In the second year of the reign of the illustrious Elizabeth, Maidstone was re-incorporated, (with additional privileges) by the name of mayor and aldermen, and was also vested with the right of returning members to parliament.  It was afterwards incorporated by James I. by the style of "the mayor, jurats and commoners of the king's town and parish of Maidstone:"  after this several other charters were granted, and after the revolution (1688) all were abrogated;  however in 1747, it was again incorporated by the style of "the mayor, jurats and commonalty of the King's town and parish of Maidstone," under which charter it is now governed.

In the principal street, which is very capacious, stands the Town Hall.  The church is a venerable antique, and stands on the bank of the Medway, it presents a handsome structure, with a fine tower, and is supposed to have been erected by Archbishop Courtney:  near to this beautiful building, stand the remains of the college, which are well worth the notice of the antiquary, part of this is now converted into a barn;  there are also many other ancient ruins about Maidstone.  The new gaol, which stands on an extensive piece of ground, is considered one of the finest edifices of the kind in the kingdom;  near to the gaol are extensive barracks, the situation of which is fine.  Here is a free grammar-school and many other laudable charities, and in the town and neighbourhood are many corn and paper mills.

The spirit of improvement is here very active.  A handsome building in the centre of the town has been recently erected, the lower part of which is open and used as a corn market, behind this a new market-place has been laid out in the most judicious manner, with separate spaces allotted, for butchers, fishmongers, poulterers, etc. and for the sale of vegetables, fruits, etc., two pumps are in the centre.  The old fish and poultry market are both removed.  Other improvements and alterations are making, and contemplated, in this respectable and flourishing town.  The paving has been much attended to, and it is now well lighted with gas.

Maidstone now carries on considerable business with London, a great number of hoys sail from hence to that city.

The representatives in parliament are A. W. Robarts, and John Wells, esqs..  General quarter sessions are held as follows, January 16th, April 8, July 17, and October 14th.  Monthly stock market second Tuesday in the month, and a weekly corn market, when great quantities are sold every Thursday.  The following fairs are also held February 13th, May 12th, June 20th, and October 17th.

The population in 1821, was 12,508:  but it has much encreased [sic] since that census was made.

POST OFFICE.George Hulbard, Post Master, Week street.  -Mail for London dispatched at ten at night, and arrives at half past three in the morning;  to Ashford, dispatched at a quarter before five in the morning, and arrives at half past eight at night;  to Tonbridge, dispatched at a quarter past nine at night, and arrives at a quarter past four in the morning;  to Malling, Yalding, Sutton and Staplehurst, dispatched at six in the morning, and arrives at seven at night;  one penny on letters by the Tonbridge mail at half past eight at night;  one penny on letters by the London mail from nine to half past nine at night, and twopence from half past nine to ten.

Vans

To Chatham & Cranbrook, the Liberty Van Co. every day.
To Hastings and Rye, every alternate day.
To Ashford and Dover from the Swan, every morning, except Sunday, at nine.
To Tonbridge, from the Red Lion, every morning, except Sunday, at nine.

Coaches

To London, from the office, High St. and the Swan Inn, every day except Sunday, at five, nine, ten and half-past twelve in the morning.  - From the Bell, at nine in the morning, and three in the afternoon.

To Ashford, from the Haunch of Venison, every night, at seven, Sundays excepted.
To Brighton, every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday morning at ten.
To Chatham, every morning, at a quarter before ten, and five after noon.
To Canterbury, from the office, Earl st, every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday morning, at nine.
To Cranbrook, from the Bell, every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, at half-past one.
To Dover, from the office, Pudding lane, a van, every morning, at a quarter before nine, Sunday excepted.
To Folkestone, Ashford, etc. from the office, High st, every day at half-past twelve.
To Tenterden, from the Bell, every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday afternoon, at one.