I.DERMAN MARTIN
 
 THE LIBRARY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 LOS ANGELES
 
 THE 
 
 HISTOKY OF BKIGHTON 
 
 AND ENVIRONS.
 
 -
 
 THE 
 
 HISTORY OF BRIGHTON 
 
 AND ENVIRONS, 
 
 FROM THE EARLIEST KNOWN PERIOD TO THE PRESENT TIME: 
 TOGETHER WITH 
 
 A SHOET HISTOKICAL DESCKIPTION OF TOWNS 
 
 AND VILLAGES OF INTEREST WITHIN 
 
 TWELVE MILES OF BRIGHTON. 
 
 By ALDERMAN HENRY MARTIN, 
 
 LATE MAYOR OP THE BOROUGH OF BRIGHTON. 
 
 BRIGHTON: 
 
 PUBLISHED BY JOHN BEAL, BOOKSELLER & STATIONER, EAST STREET- 
 
 1871. 
 
 ENTERED AT STATIONERS* HALL.
 
 WILLIAM CURTIS, PRINTER, GAZETTE OFFICE, BRIGHTON.
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 In submitting this History of Brighton to the 
 Public, the Author deems it necessary to offer a few 
 remarks with reference to the introduction of the 
 Work and circumstances connected with its origin. 
 
 In the early part of the past winter the BRIGHTON 
 MUSEUM COMMITTEE, desirous of extending the attrac- 
 tions and usefulness of our excellent local Museum, 
 resolved to inaugurate a series of instructive and 
 entertaining lectures, to be delivered at the Royal 
 Pavilion in the evenings on which it is thrown open 
 gratuitously to the ratepayers of the town. The 
 result of this laudable effort exceeded expectation, 
 and the lectures were pre-eminently successful. The 
 writer of this book assisted in the above project, and was 
 invited to lecture upon and illustrate a large and very 
 valuable collection of prints, views, &c., relating to the 
 early days of this fashionable town, and which were 
 kindly presented to the Museum by Robt. Furner, Esq., 
 an esteemed inhabitant, who with other members of his 
 family have been for many years associated with 
 Brighton, and prominent in advancing its interests. 
 
 On the 6th of February, 1871, the compiler, in 
 compliance with the request before alluded to, gave 
 
 C 
 
 629846
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 his first lecture on " Old Brighton " in the Banqueting 
 Room of the Royal Pavilion, and on the 6th of March 
 following, his concluding one upon the same subject, 
 for which at the next meeting of the members of the 
 Committee he received a cordial vote of thanks for 
 the same, together with a desire that, at their expense, 
 they might be published. The Author embraced this 
 opportunity for writing a history of his native town, 
 a task of no mean importance, involving an outlay 
 of much time and labour, but undertaken con amore, 
 and if he has succeeded in contributing additional 
 interest thereto, he is fully rewarded. 
 
 This volume, coupled with the Author's sincere 
 regards, is most respectfully dedicated to His Worship 
 the Mayor (Richard Mallam Webb, Esq.), the Brighton 
 Museum Committee, and their valuable Honorary 
 Secretary (George De Paris, Esq.). He further 
 thankfully acknowledges the kindness of Messrs. 
 Bellingham, Gay, W. J. Smith, and Stent, for 
 their loan of rare books and prints : these have 
 been of great assistance to him in the preparation of 
 the work now submitted for public favour, which he 
 trusts will prove satisfactory to subscribers and the 
 public generally. 
 
 Brighton, April, 1871.
 
 INDEX. 
 
 PAGE. 
 
 TITLE ........ 1 
 
 ETYMOLOGY OF THE TOWN .... 3 
 
 STORMS AND INCURSIONS OF THE SEA . . 10 
 
 BRIGHTON WORKHOUSES 22 
 
 BARTHOLOMEWS AND THE VICARAGE . . 27 
 
 NICHOLAS TETTERSELL AND THE ESCAPE OF 
 
 CHARLES II 35 
 
 PROSPERITY OF BRIGHTON AND DR. RUSSELL . 38 
 
 FIRST VISIT OF THE PRINCE OF WALES . 41 
 
 BRIGHTON CAMPS 63 
 
 THE AMUSEMENTS OF BRIGHTON, AND THE 
 
 THEATRES ....... 86 
 
 BRIGHTON RACES THEIR RISE AND DECLINE- 
 WHITE HAWK FAIR 97 
 
 HUNTING IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD . . 112 
 
 ROUTES AND TRANSIT TO THE METROPOLIS . 119 
 
 ROUTE TO FRANCE, MODES OF TRANSIT, AND 
 
 DESCRIPTION OF DIEPPE . . . .122 
 
 LOYAL REJOICINGS IN THE OLDEN TIME 132
 
 INDEX AND ILLUSTRATIONS. 
 
 PAGE. 
 
 ROYAL AND FASHIONABLE MOVEMENTS . 137 
 
 GOVERNMENT OF THE TOWN ANCIENT AND 
 
 MODERN ... ... 180 
 
 TOWNS AND VILLAGES OF INTEREST IN THE 
 NEIGHBOURHOOD OF BRIGHTON : 
 
 LEWES 208 
 
 WORTHING AND NEIGHBOURHOOD ... 217 
 
 BRAMBER 221 
 
 LANCING 223 
 
 SHOREHAM 225 
 
 THE DEVIL'S DYKE 289 
 
 ALDRINGTON . 243 
 
 NEWHAVEN 245 
 
 SEAFORD 249 
 
 ILLUSTRATIONS. 
 
 COAST VIEW OF BRIGHTON, 1743 . . . FRONTISPIECE 
 
 THE FRENCH ATTACK ON BRIGHTON, 1545 . . 16 
 
 THE ROYAL PAVILION 41 
 
 LAMBERT'S VIEW, 1765 105 
 
 PH(EBE BESSEL .... . 172 
 
 THE GRAND HOTEL 200
 
 T 
 
 HE filSTORY OF BRIGHTON, 
 
 ETYMOLOGY OF THE TOWN. 
 
 The town has been severally called Brightemston, 
 Bristelmeston, Brighthamstan, and in Domesday Book it is 
 called Brighthelmstun. The Saxon word tun signifies 
 town or dwelling, and an adjoining village is called Preston 
 or Priestown. The name doubtless was derived from St. 
 Brighthelm, a Saxon Bishop, who gave the name to the 
 town, and who resided here during the Heptarchy, for we 
 find that Ella with his three sons (Cimen, Wiencing, and 
 Cissa) effected their landing at West Wittering, south west 
 of Chichester, A.D. 447, and defeated the Britons, who 
 endeavoured to oppose him, and took possession of all the 
 maritime parts of the county. Ella thus laid the founda- 
 tion of the kingdom of the South Saxons, from which the 
 county derives its name. Brighthelm accompanied this 
 army. One of his successors resided at Aldrington, and 
 held a considerable portion of land until the year A.D. 693 : 
 in this year the Bishop was killed in battle. This is stated 
 by Stillingfleet and other writers, but no mention is made 
 of where the battle was fought. 
 
 After the death of Brighthelm the town appears to 
 have belonged to the ancestors of Earl Godwin, who were 
 called Thanes, noblemen of considerable possessions in 
 Sussex. The first of whom we have any account was 
 Ulnoth, Lord of the Manor of Brighthelmstun. He
 
 was appointed commander of the ships sent by the County 
 of Sussex, in 1008, to oppose the invasion of the Danes. lu 
 1019 we find that Ulnoth's son, Earl Godwin, accompanied 
 King Canute to Denmark, then invaded by the Vandals. 
 Here Godwin distinguished himself, and in reward the 
 King created him *Earl of Kent, Sussex, and Surrey. 
 
 About 1046 Earl Godwin became unpopular with 
 Edward the Confessor, and Brighthelmstun and his other 
 possessions were seized, but Godwin regained them by force 
 and, being reinstated in favor, enjoyed bis possessions until 
 the 17th of April, 1053, when he was suddenly taken ill at 
 Winchester, where the Court of Edward was then held, 
 and died four days afterwards. Harold, the eldest son of 
 Earl Godwin, succeeded to the chief manor of Bright- 
 helmstun. This nobleman was distinguished for his 
 qualities as a statesman and warrior, and his public and 
 private virtues so endeared him to the nation that they 
 looked upon him as the fittest person to succeed 
 the reigning monarch. Upon the death of Edward, 1065, 
 he was chosen King, but owing to a secret arrangement made 
 between the King and William Duke of Normandy, the 
 latter made a claim, and asserted his right by force of 
 arms. After Harold had defeated his brother Tostin 
 and the King of Norway, at Stanford Bridge, near York, 
 William landed at Pevensey. Harold immediately pro- 
 ceeded southwards, and with the addition of some levies 
 hastily collected at Brighthelmstun and his other manors 
 in Sussex, encamped within nine miles of the invaders. 
 On the 14th October, 1066, he gave battle with the 
 Normans, and, after performing all that valour and judg- 
 ment could do against a brave enemy, closed his life on the 
 field of battle near Hastings. 
 
 * It is asserted on good authority that the dangerous shoals on the 
 Kentish coast, called the Goodwin Sands, were formerly part of the 
 possessions of this nobleman, before thc-y were severe! from the main 
 land by the inroads of the sea hence the name.
 
 Harold's possessions, Brighthelmstun and his other 
 manors, having fallen into the hands of "William the 
 Conqueror, the town with the rape of Lewes, to which was 
 attached the Castle and its demesne, was conferred on his son- 
 in-law and one of his generals, William, Lord of Warrenne in 
 Normandy, afterwards created Earl of Surrey in England. 
 
 The South Saxon monarchy lasted about 820 years, 
 during which the most memorable occurrence was the 
 conversion of Adelwach to Christianity by Wilfrid, first 
 Bishop of Sussex, in the year 650, as borne out by a 
 reference to that remarkable and valuable work of antiquity, 
 Domesday Book, which was begun in 1086, and compiled 
 in six years : written in one handwriting on 380 double pages of 
 vellum, and without doubt the most important and interesting 
 document possessed by any nation in Europe. It is also 
 remarkable that of the 63 Hundreds in the division of the 
 County of Sussex one half of them retain the same names 
 now as were inserted in this book. For a proof we shall 
 enumerate the following in this neighbourhood, viz. : 
 
 Brighthelmstun Brighthelmstone. 
 
 Hov Hove Villa and Ecclesia. 
 
 Newtimbreham l Newt imber. 
 
 JN ivembre J 
 
 Prestetun Preston. 
 
 Panninges Poynings. 
 
 Wordinges Worthing. 
 
 Stanninges Steyning. 
 
 The Saxons divided the county into rapes, the latter 
 peculiar to Sussex, a division strictly adhered to at the con- 
 quest ; they are six in number, with their castles and respec- 
 tive baronies, namely, Chichester, Artmdel, Bramber, Lewes, 
 Pevensey, and Hastings. Brighthelmstun is in the Hundred 
 of Whalesbone and annexed to the Eape of Lewes: in 
 Domesday Book this Hundred was called Wellesmere, 
 but in process of time, most probably at the insti- 
 tution of Constables, under Edward L, the boroughs of 
 Preston and Patcham (in the Half Hundred of Dean) were
 
 6 
 
 united to Brighthelmstun and composed a new Hundred, 
 called Wellsbourne. The name is, without doubt, taken 
 from the so-called well at Patcham : years since on the 
 rising of the springs in the immediate neighbourhood, the 
 well overflowed, and the water ran down the high road 
 into the town, inundating in its progress the basements of 
 the houses in its route, aad crossing the Steine, into the 
 sea (by means of the sewer hereafter spoken of as made 
 by order of the Prince of Wales and Duke of Marlborough) 
 Prior to the construction of the sewer there was a large pond 
 opposite the Castle Tavern (corner of Castle Square) which 
 overflowed down the valley, hence the name Pool Valley 
 or Lane. The parish of Brighton is divided into Five 
 Manors, but they are so intermixed that the boundaries can 
 scarcely be traced. Brighthelmstun was of considerable 
 importance, likewise, during the period of the occupation 
 of this kingdom by the Roman legions, after the landing 
 of Julius Caesar, as we find many traces of the same 
 from the Castra or Camps in the neighbourhood, one of 
 which was the Steine. 
 
 The Eomans encamped on this spot, so-called, 
 from being connected with stein or stone road- 
 ways or pavements to the Metropolis. In all pro- 
 bability one passed through the town of Steyning, 
 traces of the same having been discovered at different 
 times in the neighbourhood. There are other Roman en- 
 campments lying in a -line from south to north, from the 
 Brighton one, the first being at Hollingbury Castle, and 
 the second at Ditchling beacon, on the summit of the South 
 Downs, and a larger one about a mile and-a-half eastward 
 and about a mile from the sea, all being enabled to signal 
 to each other in cases of emergency. 
 
 A military Roman way was discovered a few years 
 ago on St. John's Common, also in the enclosed lands 
 
 * January 11, 1811. In consequence of the flooded state of the 
 London Road, the coaches into Brighton from London were compelled to 
 come into the town by way of Preston Drove and over the Church Ilill.
 
 adjoining, in the parishes of Keymer and Clayton ; and on 
 the west side of Glynde Bridge near the railway station 
 a paved Eoman causeway was discovered, lying 3ft. below 
 the turf upon a bed of silt or blue clay 20ft. thick, and close 
 to it was found a large brass coin of the reign of Emperor 
 Antoninus Pius. 
 
 The possessors of the lordship of Brighton are as 
 ancient as any that we meet with, for in Edward the 
 Confessor's time, Godwin, Earl of Kent, was Lord of this 
 Manor, with many others in this County. He left it to his 
 son Harold, who was afterwards King ; he being conquered 
 by William the Norman, the manor became the Conqueror's, 
 who then gave it to one of his generals, William de War- 
 renne (of Bellencombre, in Normandy) in reward for his 
 services, also the earldom of Surrey, the whole rape of 
 Lewes, and large possessions in Norfolk, Suffolk and 
 Yorkshire. De Warrenne afterwards married his daughter 
 Gundrada. She was the fifth daughter of William by his 
 wife Matilda, of Flanders. In return for these favours, De 
 Warrenne exerted himself to the utmost on behalf of his 
 father-in-law, and was made one of the chief Justiciaries 
 of England. About the year 1070, the Earl and Countess 
 determined on a pilgrimage to Eome, having previously 
 resolved to erect a monastery for the saving of their souls 
 and those of their ancestors and successors. In the 
 course of their journey they visited the great abbey of 
 Clugni, in Burgundy, and observing there a discipline 
 superior to that which was practised elsewhere, decided on 
 making their projected monastery a branch or cell of that 
 institution. Accordingly on their return to England, and 
 probably to their residence in Lewes Castle, they summoned 
 certain monks of Clugni to lay the foundation stone of 
 the establishment, and they under the guidance of one of 
 their number, Lanzo* by name, were soon energetically 
 
 * Lanzo was the first Prior of Lewes, and continued as such for more 
 than 30 years. "He was a man," says Malmsbury, "surpassed by none 
 for the gifts of the Holy Spirit,"
 
 8 
 
 engaged in the pious work. In a few years there sprang 
 up, just outside the southern walls of Lewes, one of the 
 most influential monastic houses that England ever 
 possessed. Its endowments were enormous, and 
 its Prior held a seat in the great Senate of the 
 realm. 
 
 Gundrada died in childbirth, at Castle Acre, in 
 Norfolk (where with her husband she had founded 
 a second large Clugnaic Priory) 27th of May, 1085. Her 
 body was brought for interment to Lewes, and buried 
 beneath a slab of black marble in the chapter house of the 
 Monastery. The Earl himself was buried in the same 
 place three years later, under a tomb of white marble. 
 The posthumous history of Gundrada is very remarkable. 
 We have seen that she was buried in the chapter house of 
 Lewes Priory. Some years later, when her flesh and that 
 of the Earl had mouldered to dust, the bones of each were 
 collected and placed, in two leaden coffins or cists, under the 
 respective slabs of black and white marble just mentioned : 
 these remained as objects of pious regard until it pleased 
 Henry VIII. to dissolve the monastic establishments 
 throughout the realm. In J537, the Yicar-General 
 Thomas Cromwell, levelled one of the finest monasteries 
 in England to the ground. Small heed was given then to 
 founders and foundresses, whose tombs were mostly 
 thrown aside as useless things. Some kind soul who did 
 not like that of a Princess being desecrated, bore it away 
 from the scene of desolation, and Mr Mark Anthony Lower, 
 in his work The Worthies of Sussex, thinks it might 
 have been Edward Shirley, Esq., who resided at Isfield 
 Place, and held the office of cofferer to the King ; and 
 singularly enough the slab was employed (its beaiitifully 
 carved surface hidden from view) to prop up the tomb of 
 that gentlemen himself. There it remained until 
 Dr. Clarke, Rector of Buxted, discovered it in the year 
 1775, and reported it to Dr. (afterwards Sir William)
 
 9 
 
 Burrell,* and the latter, with the consent of the representa- 
 tives of the Shirley family, removed the slab to Southover 
 Church, and placed near it an inscription, stating the 
 circumstances under which it was found. Scarcely any 
 antiquarian discovery in England during the last century 
 excited so much interest as did this last relic 
 of Gundrada. But a still more remarkable incident 
 connected with Gundrada's bones occurred in the year 
 1845 : in the formation recently of the South Coast Bail- 
 way, which crosses the site of the Lewes Priory, the 
 excavators engaged in the work found, at no great 
 distance from the surface, the identical leaden coffins 
 alluded to, inscribed respectively with the names Gvndrada 
 and Willemus. These with their contents were, by the 
 antiquarian zeal of the neighbourhood, preserved, 
 and a subscription raised for the erection of a sacellum, 
 attached to Southover Church. At length the bones of the 
 Conqueror's daughter, so long divorced from the memorial 
 which had covered them, found themselves again beneath 
 it. The history, then, of Gundrada's mortal remains is as 
 follows: originally buried 1085, re-interred about 1145, 
 separated from their tombstone 1537, tombstone brought 
 back to Southover 1775, re-deposit of the bones under the 
 original memorial 1846. 
 
 We find it stated (9th year of Edward II. 's reign) 
 that John, Earl of Surrey, for want of heirs of his own 
 body settled the Lordship of Brighton on that king, 
 only reserving his life interest in it and his other estates. 
 From the Crown it passed to the Earls of Arundel, 
 one of whom, Richard, being attainted in the reign 
 of King Richard II., his estates were seized and 
 this Lordship with several others were given at that 
 time to Thomas Mowbray, then created Duke of Norfolk, 
 
 * The Grandfather of the present Sir Percy Burrell and Walter 
 Wyndham Bnrrell, Esq., the present Sheriff of the County, and who left all 
 his manuscripts to the British Museum.
 
 10 
 
 In King Henry VII. 's reign it was in possession of Maurice 
 Lord Berkely, but after him no mention is to be found of 
 it. By the statute of Winchester, 18th Edward I., this 
 town had a constable appointed for itself exclusively, 
 shewing its importance at that period. 
 
 STORMS & INCURSIONS OF THE SEA. 
 
 Brighton in former times, suffered considerably from 
 its greatest enemy the sea, although its greatest 
 friend in modern days, confirmed by the fact that from 
 the year 1260 to 1340 upwards of 40 acres of land were 
 submerged, the sea making frequent inroads on the lower 
 town which existed under the Cliff. Between that period 
 and 1665, 22 copyhold tenements belonging to the Manor 
 of Brighthelmstone Lewes alone, were washed away, 
 amongst them 12 shops with 4 stake places attached to them 
 for fishing purposes, and 3 cottages and 3 parcels of land 
 adjoining. There still remained under the Cliff 113 
 tenements with capstans and stake places, which were 
 destroyed by the memorable storms of 1703 and 1705. 
 The one of 1703 began about midnight on the 27th of 
 November, and continued with unabated fury for 8 hours. 
 Many houses were demolished, others unroofed, the 
 church leads were torn off, and two mills belonging to the 
 town thrown down and much injured, the town presenting 
 the appearance of a place severely bombarded by an 
 enemy. The storm of 1705 commenced at one o'clock in 
 the morning, attained its greatest fury at three, and raged 
 until eight. It completed the destruction of all the 
 buildings of the lower town which had escaped the fury 
 of former inundations. Every habitation under the 
 Cliff was utterly demolished, and its very site concealed 
 from the owners' knowledge beneath a mound of beach. 
 The roof of the Parish Church again suffered much, the 
 leads of the same being completely stripped away. A
 
 11 
 
 record of this event is preserved in the tower of the church 
 beneath the bell storey, on the wall of which is nailed a 
 tablet of sheet lead measuring 4ft. 6in. by 2ft. 6in., taken 
 from the roof of this sacred edifice on the restoration of 
 the church in 1853. It is inscribed in raised cast characters 
 Bichard Masters, Richard Tuppen, John Masters, Church- 
 wardens, 1705. Irrespective of the 40 acres swallowed up 
 by the sea from the years 1260 to 1340, the adjoining 
 parishes of Hove, Aldrington and Portslade suffered 
 considerably more, the first to the extent of 150 
 acres, Aldrington 40, and Portslade 60. 
 
 In Magna Britannia published in 1720, it is stated 
 that " Hove had been a considerable place but is now almost 
 swallowed up by the sea." As regards Aldrington it is 
 stated by Camden, Stillingfleet, and other antiquarians to 
 be " the Portus-Adurni of the Eomans, or Port of the 
 Biver," and was no doubt a place of considerable importance. 
 It has still the ruins of a church, :: but for many years had 
 not a single inhabitant excepting the toll-keeper at the 
 gate, on the high road from Brighton to Shoreham. With 
 reference to Portslade, this village derives its name 
 from Slade or way to the Port. As regards the 
 inroads of the sea, Dr. Mantell remarks that " at Brighton 
 they have been very extensive, and the whole of the 
 ancient town was situated on the spot now covered by the 
 sands, and the present Cliffs were behind the town like those 
 of Dover." Mr Lyell in his Principles of Geology, says, 
 " the sea has merely resumed its position at the base of the 
 Cliffs, the site of the old town having been a beach which 
 had for ages been abandoned by the ocean." 
 
 The town consisted, in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, of 
 seven streets and as many laines. The most spacious of 
 them, " South Street" devoured by the ocean, it is supposed 
 formed the sea front of the town under the Cliff. At the 
 
 * The Living of Aldrington is worth 100 per year, and e\ery suc- 
 cessor to the curacy, on his induction, preaches once on a temporary 
 pulpit ; the Church being a heap of ruins.
 
 beginning of the year 1700 there stood a house, 350 yards 
 from " Wood's original Baths," (now the site of "the Ladies' 
 Swimming Bath "belonging to " Brill's Baths Company," 
 and near the Pump House Groyne), belonging to Mr Male, 
 a respectable rope maker. At high tides the sea came up to 
 the walls of the York Hotel, also up the west side of the 
 circular bath, at the end of East Street, and flowed down Pool 
 Valley into the sea again. The last memorable occasion was 
 that of the great storm of the 23rd of November, 1824. For- 
 merly it was the custom to unload coal brigs in front of the 
 town, but this plan was abandoned in consequence of the 
 numerous wrecks that took place, and the great risk 
 attending the same. On one night during the last 40 
 years no less than half-a-dozen wrecks took place between Ship 
 Street and West Street the port of Brighthelmstone. The 
 limit of the said port was from opposite the Old Ship Hotel to 
 the bottom of West Street, denoted by two stones each 
 bearing the inscription : " The Port of Brighthelmstone :" 
 the eastern stone was removed at the commence- 
 ment of the sea wall, the other remains close to the 
 fountain at the latter spot. The Insurance Offices refused to 
 ensure longer any ships except upon such terms as made it 
 almost prohibitory. It was of frequent occurrence formerly 
 that one or two ships suffered in the same way, during the 
 winter months, it being on a lee shore, and a gale springing 
 up from the south or south west caused the damage. The 
 principal coal merchants had at that time capstans and 
 buoys, and to this custom is due the origin of so many gaps 
 or roadways to the beach, to enable the coals to be brought 
 to their several depositories. The coal duty was first 
 levied in 1773 by Act of Parliament, and was 6d. per 
 chaldron, afterwards increased to Is., subsequently to 
 3s. and then altered to 2s. 6d. per ton, being one-sixth 
 less than the same, as at the present time, to enable the 
 authorities to erect groynes, jetties, and other defences, to 
 stay the encroachments of the sea. Every chaldron of
 
 13 
 
 coals cost in the year 1813, 3 16s. 3d., made up 
 from the following incidental expenses upon freighting a 
 vessel : 
 
 Freight per chaldron ... 
 Nesham Main, at 
 King's Duty, at 
 
 8. 
 
 ... 1 18 
 ... 17 
 ... 10 
 ... 3 
 
 (i. 
 
 
 
 
 
 o 
 
 Spoutage at Newcastle, ditto . . . 
 Cartage from beach, ditto 
 Metage and trimming, ditto . . . 
 Ramsgate and Dover lights, ditto 
 Beer to men, at ... ... ... 
 
 ... 
 ... 4 
 ... 1 
 ... 2 
 ... 
 
 G 
 
 
 6 
 ?, 
 
 
 
 
 3 16 3 
 
 Beyond Mr Male's house before-mentioned was his extensive 
 rope walks, extending east and west, parallel with the sea, and 
 we may imagine from the number of fishing craft belonging 
 to the town, coupled with the fact that hemp grew close 
 at hand, that he must have done an extensive trade. On 
 reference to the Court Eolls it will be found that most of 
 the ground now occupied by Black Lion Street and Ship Street 
 was called the hemp shares, being at that time plots or gardens 
 for the exclusive use of the fishermen. Besides these plots 
 the ground on which stands Brunswick Square and Terrace, 
 &c., was devoted to the growing of flax, for the use likewise 
 of the fishermen. It might be incidentally named that 
 Male's predecessor was a man of the name of Anthony 
 Smith, who made all the cordage, &c., for the fishery, and 
 in 1670, for being a nonconformist, suffered great persecution. 
 In the year 1580 the number of fishing boats was rated 
 at 80, able mariners 400, and 10,000 nets. At the present 
 time many of our mackerel boats have nets to the extent of 
 two miles in length : they can be shot in an hour, but it 
 takes from three to seven hours to get them in, according 
 to the weather. The boats now in use are of a heavier
 
 14 
 
 calibre than formerly, inasmuch as the season for com- 
 mencing the voyage is entirely changed. At the present 
 time they, soon after Christmas, proceed to Plymouth and 
 Mount's Bay, Cornwall, where the fish are taken in con- 
 siderable numbers ; formerly our fleet of mackerel 
 boats proceeded to sea on the 1st of May, with the garland 
 at the mast head. It was invariably the custom that a few of 
 the finest fish of the first catch were sent as a present to the 
 Prince of Wales, then resident at the Koyal Pavilion, or at 
 Windsor Castle. Two red mullets were once sold for a guinea, 
 these to be applied to the same purpose. Fishing is not so 
 profitable an undertaking as formerly : the highest 
 price that has been known to be obtained per 100 for 
 mackerel is from 12 to 20 ; the lowest 10s. to 12s. 
 It is recorded in " TarrelVs History of British Fishes " that 
 in May, 1807, the first catch of Brighton mackerel sold at 
 Billingsgate for 40 guineas per 100, and reckoning them 
 at short tale, viz., six score, this would amount to the 
 enormous sum of 7s. each, the highest price ever known in 
 that celebrated Metropolitan market. The old fishermen 
 complain that the number of fish has diminished and 
 attribute this fact to the use of small mesh nets and the 
 fishery being continued at unseasonable periods. A boat 
 has been known to take two lasts of fish (20,000), in two 
 nights. Dark nights are necessary for mackerel fishing. 
 On moonlight nights the fish keep at the bottom of the water. 
 The boats are likewise used for the herring voyage, which 
 commences about October. Herrings as well as mackerel 
 were taken formerly in larger quantities. The boats proceed 
 generally to the North and South Foreland, and have been 
 known to have taken two or three lasts each in a single 
 night. The herring fishery commences much earlier on the 
 Yorkshire coast : but let us hope there are better days in 
 store for this class of the inhabitants, and that we may 
 again see, as formerly, large heaps of fish on the beach, for 
 nothing can be more advantageous than a glut (as it is
 
 15 
 
 termed) affording the humbler classes a cheap meal, and others 
 an abundance. Formerly a custom prevailed among the old 
 Brightonians to salt down for the winter's consumption of 
 the family a number of herrings : a favorite dish was made 
 therefrom, called Solomon Gundy (a corruption of the word 
 Salmagundi) , consisting of chopped-up pickled herrings, apples, 
 and onions, mixed with oil and vinegar. 
 
 Another old custom was observed connected with 
 the commencement of the mackerel voyage by the fishery 
 population, called "bending in." On completion of 
 the necessary preparation for the same, and the nets being 
 put on board, it is celebrated in the following manner : the 
 crews of the boats with their wives and families partake of 
 bread, cheese, and beer ad libitum, on the beach, on the 
 eve of their going to sea, and many are the wishes ex- 
 pressed for a prosperous voyage, &c. Formerly this custom 
 was carried to a much greater extent than at the present 
 time, inasmuch as the crews regaled themselves with hot 
 suppers, but this latter portion of the custom is now of rare 
 occurrence : the expense of this is chargeable to the boats. 
 A mackerel boat and nets are worth from 500 to 700. 
 At the back of Mr Male's house was a walled in yard and 
 excavated well, and duringthe prevalence of one of the storms 
 related the whole of these premises were inundated and lost 
 under the beach. Mr Male then purchased some land and 
 a dwelling on the site of the mansion afterwards erected by 
 Mrs Fitzherbert, on the Steine, in 1804, at the corner of 
 Steine Lane. As late as the year 1781 the mouth of the 
 well was visible at low tides ; but since that period the 
 still further encroachments of the sea has rendered this 
 last relic of the old town no longer visible, as it is now buried 
 in deep water at low tide. In 1823, on Messrs. Cheesman 
 and Co., builders, excavating the foundation of the house at 
 the south east corner of Brunswick Square, the sea dashed 
 over the road into the same ; but from that period to the 
 present time it has gradually receded, mainly to be
 
 16 
 
 attributed to our groynes, which appear to be effectual 
 bulwarks against its encroachments. The principal of 
 them appears to be the concrete one on the Junction Road, 
 which cost upwards of 5,000. Various have been the 
 improvements during the last half century, the first being 
 a road made on arches to connect Middle Street and West 
 Street in front of the sea (the communication prior to this 
 being the narrow street at the back, called South Street) , 
 opened by George IV., Jan. 29, 1822 (anniversary of second 
 accession), and the whole road from the bottom of 
 East Street to the extremity of the parish was named the 
 " King's Road." Other improvements followed, the great 
 sea wall being commenced in 1834, from the bottom of 
 Ship Street opposite the Old Ship Hotel, obliterating all 
 traces of the ruins of the old block house* that stood on this 
 spot, built in the first year of the reign of Elizabeth. At 
 a Court Baron on the 27th of September, 1558, the Lords 
 of the Manor granted the inhabitants a parcel of land for 
 the purpose of building and fortifying the same as a pro- 
 tection against the incursions of the French. A few years 
 prior, viz., July 18th, 1545, the town had been attacked by 
 them under Admiral Donebatte with 200 ships, and 26 
 galleys, which arrived oif Brighton " but the beacons were 
 fired, and the inhabitants thereabouts came down so thick 
 that the Frenchmen were driven to their ships with the 
 loss of divers of their numbers, so they did but little hurt." 
 They then proceeded to the Isle of Wight, and two thou- 
 sand of their men landed, and one of their captains was 
 slain with many others. They then returned to their vessels 
 and attempted to landatSeaford,but "were again repelled by 
 Sir Nicholas Pelham and others, with such power that was 
 
 * The Block House, built by Queen Elizabeth, extended 400 feet from 
 the East to the West Gate, and was 14 feet high. The East Gate remained 
 till the year 1777, and was then taken down to afford room for constructing 
 a battery that stood on a portion of the site of Old Battery House, at the 
 bottom of East Street, the powder magazine of which was recently 
 found on excavating for the erection of Markwell's Koyal Hotel, a few 
 years prior the site of Mahomed's Shampooing Baths, belonging to the 
 western part of the said battery.
 
 17 
 
 raised tn the sodden that they turned stern and so got them home 
 again with the loss of several thousand prisoners, without 
 achieving any act worthy to be mentioned." This Sir 
 Nicholas Pelham (an ancestor of our much respected and 
 worthy neighbour, the Earl of Chichester, Lord Lieutenant 
 of the County) was buried in the church of St. Michael's, 
 Lewes, and this exploit is thus recorded on his tomb, 
 
 "His valours proof e, his manly virtues prayse 
 Cannot be marshalled in this narrow roome ; 
 His brave exploit in great King Henry's dayes 
 Among the worthye hath a worthier Toombe, 
 What time the French sought to have sack't Seafoord 
 This Pelham did repel-em back aboord." 
 
 There is an engraving of this attack in the British Museum. 
 Like all other buildings in that locality the old block 
 house fell a prey to the insatiable ocean's attacks in 
 January, 1749. The sea wall being completed it enabled 
 the authorities to make a new carriage road round the 
 circular Bath, at Junction Road, and considerably widen 
 the existing roads along the sea frontage, and to form the 
 beautiful slopes, &c., in front of Kemp Town. The Chain 
 Pier* was commenced September 18th, 1822, under the 
 immediate superintendence of Captain Samuel Brown, 
 (afterwards knighted), and opened for the admission of 
 the public the year afterwards, viz : on the 25th November, 
 costing 30,000, and proving a great attraction to the 
 town. Another pier, equally attractive, has been erected 
 opposite Eegency Square, by a company of gentlemen 
 desirous of contributing to the comfort of our numerous 
 visitors. It was commenced 011 Easter Monday, 1868, and 
 opened by the Mayor of Brighton(Alderman Henry Martin), 
 on October 6th, 1866, with a procession, &c., and a dinner 
 at the Royal Pavilion, in commemoration of the event. 
 
 ANCIENT CUSTOMS OF THE TOWN. 
 
 It appears from the ancient records of the town that 
 perpetual jealousies and strife existed between the fisher- 
 
 * It is not generally known that the Chain Pier is exactly in the 
 CENTRE of the Sea Front, in the Parish of Brighton, consequently 
 the lower side of New Steine is in the WEST PART of the town.
 
 18 
 
 men and landsmen, touching the application of a quarter 
 share from boats, and in consequence of a memorial to 
 the Lords of the Council, from the former, res- 
 pecting the same, a commission was sent here in 
 1680 to settle every difference, assess the town rates, and 
 arrange the public concerns of the parish. The number of 
 landsmen who at that time paid parochial rates and taxes 
 as 102 ; the number of fishermen amounted to 400. 
 The decision of the Commissioners, viz., the Earl of 
 Arundel, Lord Buckhurst (Lord of the Manor), Sir 
 Thomas Shirley (of Preston), and Henry Shelley, Esq., 
 gave satisfaction till 1618, when a fresh arrangement was 
 entered into. The orders and regulations of these two 
 commissions were directed to be " written in two several 
 books of parchment," one of which was to be delivered to 
 the Earl of Arundel and Lord Buckhurst, the other was to 
 " be kepte in a cheaste locked with three locks in some con- 
 venient place in Brighthelmston." Provision was also 
 made for the safe custody of the key of the chest, and for 
 the annual reading of the regulations by the Vicar of the 
 Parish, " openly e in the presence of all the fishermen and 
 others of the parishioners, contributories, in some con- 
 venient time and place." The " Book of all the ( Auncient 
 Customs ' is dated the 23rd of July, in the 32d year of 
 Queen Elizabeth, 1580, and is kept in the office of the 
 Vestry Clerk ;" and in the same book will be found the 
 following, based on the application of the fishermen 
 to the Lords of the Council, for redress, as they 
 imagined they were paying (through the means of the 
 quarter share payable by every boat returning from 
 any voyage) a larger proportion than the landsmen. 
 It states as follows : " The auncient custom for payment 
 and employing the quarter share : Item the master of 
 every boat at Brighthelmston, at St. Stephen's Day next, 
 after his return from any fishing voyage, wheresoever or 
 whomsoever it was begun, had or continued, hath used to divide
 
 19 
 
 and pay out of the whole profits of the said boat, without 
 diminution or deduction to any stranger going in the said 
 boat to be made, the said quarter share unto the Church- 
 wardens of Brighthelmston for the time being, and half-a- 
 share for the Vicar there for the time being, and the other 
 he hath for his own use." Item "the said wardens 
 used to employ the said quarter share especially upon the 
 building of forts and walls towards the sea for the defence 
 of the said town, and for provision of shot and powder 
 and other furniture for that purpose, and at all times to 
 have in readiness in some convenient place in the town, 
 to be kept in store safely, 4 barrels of powder and 40 round 
 shot and 10 chain shot for every piece, and to be applied 
 likewise for the entertainment of soldiers in time of wars, 
 and other public service of the Prince and maintenance 
 of the 'Parish Church.'" 
 
 Orders for the Churchwardens " Imprimis. There 
 shall be yearly at the time accustomed two substantial 
 fishermen and one such landsman, chosen by consent of the 
 Constable, Vicar, or Curate, and the chief of the town, for 
 Churchwardens." Item : the said Churchwardens, or any 
 of them, shall not employ nor disburse any of the money 
 to be kept by the sea-faring and land-wardens to any other 
 use than for the reparation of the church, and for neces- 
 sary public charges for the town, without the consent of 
 the Constable, the Vicar, or Curate, and six substantial 
 men of the parish, first had in writing, of which six four 
 shall be fishermen and two landsmen, upon pain of paying 
 all sums of money laid out contrary to this order, at and 
 upon the charges of the said wardens. And if they shall 
 neglect to collect such quarter share of the fishermen for 
 the town's uses, after his or their knowledge that it is due, 
 within six days, then he or they for every time so neglecting 
 shall pay unto the poor man's box, of Brighthelmston, three 
 shillings and fourpence, or else answer it before the Com- 
 missioners." 
 B
 
 20 
 
 Item. " There shall be selected by the said Com- 
 missioners, out of the auncientest, gravest, and wisest 
 inhabitants, eight fishermen and four landsmen for 
 assistants to the constable in every public cause, whereof 
 every one shall be ready, and give his attendance upon 
 the constable as oft as need shall require, and whosoever 
 shall presume to call together any assembly to the intent 
 to practice or put in use any manner or device, or art, 
 touching the government of the said town, without the 
 privity, consent, and command of the said constable and 
 assistants, shall forfeit for every time so doing forty 
 shillings. And to the intent that the said twelve grave 
 and wise men may have continuance, therefore, upon the 
 death or removal of any of them, to choose and supply 
 such other of the said town as by them, or the more part 
 of them, shall be thought meet, provided that such choice 
 shall be always ratified and allowed by the Stewards of 
 the Lords of the said town, or by such one of them as 
 shall happen to keep court in the said town, next after 
 such choice made or otherwise, the same choice to be void, 
 if such choice shall by the said Stewards, or by such 
 one of them as shall fortune to be present as aforesaid, 
 be disallowed until a sufficient man in the judgment of 
 the same Stewards be chosen." 
 
 Item. " That so much of the said quarter share as 
 shall amount to the double value of the contribution (of 
 the landsmen) shall be kept employed and accounted for 
 indifferently by all the Churchwardens in such sort as is 
 aforesaid, and the residue of the said quarter share shall 
 be remaining in custody of the Seawardens, who shall not 
 employ or disburse any part or parcel thereof but for the 
 common profit of the town, and that only with the consent 
 of the Constable being a fisherman, the Vicar, and six other 
 fishermen being of the twelve in writing first had and 
 obtained, and thereof shall make a true and particular 
 account in writing, in the presence of the said Constable,
 
 21 
 
 Churchwardens, and Fishermen at the time accus- 
 tomed." 
 
 Item : " Forasmuch as the town is overcharged with 
 multitudes of poor people, which daily are thought to 
 increase by means of receiving under tenants, lodging of 
 strangers, and the disorder of tippling-houses, and that 
 the Constable cannot without further assistance take upon 
 him the whole oversight and charge of all parts of the 
 town ; in this behalf it is thought meet that every one of 
 the twelve shall have assigned upon him some street or 
 circuit near his dwelling-house, where he shall, as deputy 
 to the Constable, have special charge for the keeping 
 of good order, and especially to see that the order for 
 the avoidance of under tenants be duly observed, and 
 that none lodge or keep tippling-houses ; and ' Whereas, 
 there hath been a controversy of long time between 
 the said fishermen, being the greater part of the parish 
 and the husbandmen and artificers there, as well as for 
 that for the reparation of the church as all other 
 public charges, which hath been great as building of forts 
 and walls, provision of shot and powder, and other neces- 
 saries, for the defence of the town against foreign enemies, 
 have been sustained and borne by the said quarter share 
 of the said fishermen only, except a small annuity or rent 
 yearly of two windmills (one of which is now utterly 
 decayed), as well for the utter extinguishment of all such 
 controversy and division, as also for the better increase of 
 amity and neighbourly friendship among the said parties, 
 the said Lord Buckhurst andEichard Shelley, Esquire, have 
 likewise named to be set down here in writing at the place, 
 and in the day and year aforesaid, the names of all such 
 husbandmen and artificers which are of ability in the 
 said town, and the several sums of money which every 
 one of them by their several consents have granted yearly 
 to be paid for and in name of a contribution towards the 
 charges aforesaid, and to be paid "on St. Stephen's
 
 22 
 
 Day," and in carrying out the foregoing arrangement, 
 78 of the class named attached their marks or signature 
 to the document or signs, and the number that could 
 not write their names amounted to 66. Consequently 
 it will be found that at that period education had not 
 made much progress amongst some of the principal 
 inhabitants. The marks, signs, or characters of a large pro- 
 portion named are of a novel kind, and it is conjectured 
 by some antiquarians that they are the symbols of the 
 trade or occupation of those who assented to the arrange- 
 ment. This opinion is formed from the circumstance of 
 Stoneham, the then Constable of the town, being a 
 ship carpenter, and attaching a hatchet to his name, and for 
 the same reason the supposition is that Oston, from his 
 sign, was a butcher (it being a heart). Good, a wheel- 
 wright (from a wheel), J. Ducarde (the younger), a 
 husbandman, from his mark, a harrow, &c. 
 
 BRIGHTON WORKHOUSES. 
 
 No record can be found in the annals of the parish 
 relating to the relief of the poor prior to 1690, at which 
 time existed a tenement for that purpose, situated in East 
 Street. In the year 1727 the first mention is made of a 
 workhouse being built, in the tou-n book, in Feb. 26, 1727, 
 "That a mortgage be effected on the workhouse to in- 
 demnify Thomas Simmons in paying the moneys he made 
 of the materials of the Block House to the Constable and 
 Churchwardens, by them to be disbursed in payment of 
 materials, and the workmen employed about building the 
 Workhouse," and on May 10th following another entry to 
 the following effect : " Order in vestry for Churchwardens 
 and Overseers with all speed to borrow 50 to pay for 
 materials and workmanship about the Workhouse in the
 
 23 
 
 building of it, to be repaid out of the poor rate or taxes 
 to be raised in the parish on or before May 10, 1728. At 
 a public vestry meeting held at the Old Ship, October 18, 
 1727, it was agreed that the Churchwardens and Overseers 
 should take up with all convenient speed and borrow 100, 
 upon interest at 5 per centum per annum, towards building 
 the New Workhouse. It is evident this Workhouse was of 
 a very limited extent, for in 1733, a portion of the Alms- 
 houses in connection with the chauntry of " St. Bartho- 
 lomew," and which was sold for 17, was added to the 
 building. (The spot is now occupied by the east portion 
 of the "Brighton Market.") In consequence of the 
 great increase of the " poors-rates," which amounted 
 in 1736 to 8d. in the rack rent, it was then considered an 
 almost intolerable burthen to the parish. This increase 
 in the rates had arisen from the inroads of the sea and the 
 injury experienced by the town from the civil and foreign 
 wars of that and the preceding century. The pressure of 
 taxation was so great upon the[inhabitants, although the 
 following order of the Commissioners had rigidly been 
 carried out by the authorities, to wit, " That if any owner 
 or lessor of any house within Briglithelmston shall admit 
 any tenant or tenants, under tenant or under tenants into 
 his said house, except the said tenant or tenants shall by 
 the opinion of the Constable and Churchwardens in 
 writing first, to be set down, be thought of sufficient 
 ability to maintain himself and his family without burtheniny 
 the town, then the said owner or lessor shall forfeit, for 
 every month that any such tenant not being estimated as 
 aforesaid shall inhabit or dwell in his said house, to the 
 poor man's box, 8s. 4d.," that an application was made 
 by the authorities of the town to the Justices, at the 
 Quarter Sessions at Lewes, for assistance, who had the 
 power under the Act of Parliament, the 18th of Elizabeth, 
 to make an order on the parishes in the neighbourhood 
 that had few poor of their own, which was accordingly
 
 24 
 
 done, and these parishes had to assist hy way of con- 
 tribution, as under, yearly : 
 
 Patcham 17 16 7 
 
 Hangleton 4 16 9 
 
 East Aldrington 6 1 H 
 
 Blatchington 426 
 
 Ovingdean 6 10J 
 
 38 17 10 
 
 Formerly the recipients of parish relief were compelled to 
 wear a badge to proclaim their poverty. The following is 
 the Vestry minute from the parish books, viz. : "At a 
 meeting of the ' Churchwardens and Overseers,' held 
 August 27th, 1696, an accompt was given that Susan 
 Stone, the widdow of Thomas, refused to ivare the town 
 badge ; the letters on the same being ' B.P.,' upon which 
 she was putt out of the weekly pay." The Workhouse in 
 the Bartholomews existed until 1822. In that year the 
 one built on the Church Hill was completed. The cost 
 was 10,000, in addition to 1600 for the land (between 
 13 and 14 acres) purchased in 1818 and paid for by a rate 
 made expressly for that purpose. A portion of it was 
 used as the northern cemetery of the Parish Church. The 
 building was calculated to hold 460 inmates, including 
 children. It received its first occupants on the 12th of 
 September, and in that year the number was 95, although 
 the average number before removal was 150, showing the 
 antipathy of the paupers to be ' transported ' out of the 
 parish, as they were pleased to term it, that other means 
 of subsistence were found by them, in preference to being 
 kept at the expense of the parish is evident. Herewith 
 is subjoined the following statement, a most interesting 
 document of the rapid increase of poors-rates :
 
 Abstract of the receipts and expenditure of the 
 Directors and Guardians of the Poor from the 25th of 
 March, 1817 to March, 1818 : 
 
 EECEIPTS. 
 
 Collected from Poor Bates paid into the 
 
 Treasurer's hands from Easter, 1817, to 
 
 Easter, 1818, viz 10,98310 9 
 
 Eeimbursement from parishes 89 14 11 
 
 Poor's earnings ... ... ... ... 85 12 5 
 
 Bastardy 201 13 
 
 11,360 11 1 
 
 EXPENDITURE. 
 
 Weekly list to paupers 4,413 12 8 
 
 Other charges summed up 7,801 18 2 
 
 12,215 10 10 
 
 Excess of Expenditure 95419 9 
 
 In this year, 1818, it was resolved, for the better classifica- 
 tion, &c., of the inmates, to build a new workhouse, and 
 the ground was consequently purchased for that purpose 
 at the price already named. This workhouse, like its 
 predecessor (after having had many additions and enlarge- 
 ments) was found to be totally inadequate for its require- 
 ments, and consequently, in February, 1853, the then 
 Board of Guardians determined (after a long controversy) 
 to receive the report of a Committee appointed for that 
 purpose, to dispose of the Workhouse and grounds and 
 erect another Industrial School. This Committee was 
 appointed in May, 1852, and consisted of the following 
 gentlemen, viz. : Henry Nye, Arthur H. Cox, Henry 
 Martin, Wm. Lambert, Jno. Yearsley, Wm. Beedham, 
 Wm. Enabling, Edmundus Burn, and Henry Schilling ; 
 and it will be seen what sad havoc death has made among 
 them, inasmuch as there is but a third remaining, viz. :
 
 26 
 
 Messrs. Burn, Cox and Martin, at the present time, 1871. 
 The Kev. Jno. Allen, the present Vicar of Patcham, at the 
 time mentioned was an ardent supporter of the scheme, 
 being Chaplain to the Workhouse. 
 
 Ground was purchased in 1854 on the Eace Hill, to 
 the extent of 7 acres, at 325 per acre, for the site of the 
 Workhouse (subject to a tithe rental of about 8, for which 
 half an acre and ten perches of land were given up at the 
 north-east corner of the site as compensation for the pay- 
 ment thereof) ; and for the Industrial Schools on the Warren 
 Farm beyond the Eace Course, to the extent of 20 acres, at 
 100 per acre. The Schools were completed, and occupied 
 on the 14th day of August, 1862. The Industrial Schools 
 cost 8223,the farm buildings 1513. The greatest difficulty 
 was experienced in supplying the same with water. A 
 well was sunk to the unprecedented depth of 1285 feet 
 before water could be obtained in sufficient quantities for 
 the purposes required. The commencement of the building 
 of the Workhouse remained in abeyance till May 11, 1865, 
 when the first stone was laid and the building commenced. 
 It was finished in 1867, and received its first occupants 
 on the 12th September following. The cost of the new 
 building was 35,438 10s 5d; internal fittings, 5679 14s 6d; 
 total of the whole, 41,118 4s lid, leaving a surplus of 
 244 19s 7d in favor of the parish, consequent on the 
 removal of the Old Workhouse. The land and materials 
 of the Old Workhouse, on Church Hill, realised 
 42,363 4s 6d. 
 
 The population of Brighton for the last century was 
 as follows, viz. : 
 
 In 1761 it amounted to ... 2,000 
 
 1786 
 " 1794 
 " 1801* 
 " 1811 
 "1821 
 
 3,600 
 
 5,669 
 
 7,339 
 
 12,012 
 
 24,429 
 
 In 1831 it amounted to ... 40,634 
 
 " 1841 " ... 46,661 
 
 " 1851 " ... 65,573 
 
 " 1861 " ... 77,693 
 
 " 1871 to about ... 90,000 
 
 * The year the first Census was taken.
 
 27 
 
 The Census to be taken this year, on April 8, it is believed 
 will shew the number of inhabitants to be about 90,000, 
 and that more accommodation in the Workhouse will be 
 required, from the fact that the inmates the last week in 
 March numbered : Workhouse, 778 ; Schools, 271 ; total, 
 1049 ; the relief, in cash and kind, to the out-door 
 poor, to 283 11s lOd; number of persons relieved, 4871. 
 
 BARTHOLOMEWS AND THE VICARAGE. 
 
 It is a singular fact that the authorities of the town 
 have never denned the extent of the Bartholomews, 
 which for local convenience should be done, and more 
 especially for the inhabitants residing in the immediate 
 neighbourhood. 
 
 The Bartholomews is frequently mentioned in the 
 chronicles of the town. It was a kind of chauntrey or 
 free chapel, dedicated to St. Bartholomew, and was 
 destroyed by the French, the neighbouring parish church 
 of Aldrington sharing the same fate, and Hove and New 
 Shoreham partially so. Afterwards a dwelling for two or 
 three monks, who officiated, was attached to the same. 
 The Lord of the Manor of Brighthelmston granted a piece 
 of land for the purposes thereof to the priory of St. 
 Pancras at Lewes (in the parish of Southover) under a 
 quit rent of 3d per annum. In the year 1513 the French 
 made another of their descents on the town, under 
 Primauget, and partially destroyed this building by the 
 fire which devastated the parish, caused by their landing. 
 The north portion of the same, which escaped the devouring 
 element, was fitted up as the residence of the Vicar of 
 Brighton (after the Eeformation) and which for many 
 years was called the Prior's Lodge. The Eev. T. Hudson 
 built a new Vicarage house thereon, about 1790, in lieu of
 
 28 
 
 the old building, which was pulled down. This in its turn 
 was vacated by the late Vicar, the Rev. H. M. Wagner, 
 in 1885, and pulled down in 1887 : a garden was attached 
 to the same of about a quarter of an acre, and the 
 premises were situated at the eastern end of Prince Albert 
 Street. 
 
 In the beginning of the sixteenth century the Eev. 
 Edward Lowe was Vicar of the Parish, his successor 
 was the Eev. Jno. Bolt (spoken of hereafter), and 
 who died Nov. 2nd, 1660. He was succeeded by the 
 Eev. Falkner, who was Incumbent till 1705, when 
 the Eev. Wm. Colbron succeeded him and held it till 
 his death, on the 20th of July, 1750 (being an ancestor 
 of the late Town Surveyor of that name). The next 
 Vicar of Brighthelmston was the Eev. Henry Michell 
 (grandfather of the late Eev. Henry Michell Wagner), 
 who was made Eector of Maresfield at the age of 25 years, 
 and five years after the Bishop of Chichester collated him 
 to the Vicarage of Brighton and the Eectory of West 
 Blatchington. In 1747 he married the only daughter of 
 the Eev. Francis Eeade, of Bedford, by whom he had 
 sixteen children. A marble tablet, near the belfry of the 
 Parish Church, speaks of his profound learning and 
 estimable character. He died on the thirty - first of 
 October, 1789, and was succeeded by the Eev. Thomas 
 Hudson, who had for several years been Curate, and 
 who commenced the first Chapel of Ease to the 
 Church in this town, situated in Prince's Place, and 
 known as " The Chapel Eoyal," the Prince of Wales 
 laying the first stone on the twenty - fifth day of 
 November, 1793. Mr Hudson died in 1804, and was 
 succeeded by the Eev. Eobert James Carr, D.D., after- 
 wards Dean of Hereford and Bishop of Chichester and 
 Worcester. He was succeeded by the Eev. H. M. Wagner, 
 in July, 1824, who died October 7th, 1870, at the age 
 of 77 years, and was succeeded by the present Vicar,
 
 29 
 
 the Eev. Dr. Jno. Hannah. D.C.L.* We fervently hope he 
 will be spared for many years to carry out the onerous 
 duties of his holy ministry, so well commenced in his 
 new sphere of action, this large and populous parish 
 of Brighton, in which his resources, both mentally and 
 otherwise, will be severely taxed, but we trust, under 
 Divine Providence, he may overcome all obstacles, and 
 finally, when removed from his earthly labours, reap his 
 reward. It will not be inappropriate to call attention 
 to the long periods the incumbency of this parish has 
 been held by all of his predecessors, and which is 
 somewhat remarkable, viz. : 
 
 The Eev. Edward Lowe 60 years. 
 
 " Eev. Jno. Bolt 56 " 
 
 " Eev. Jno. Falkner 45 " 
 
 " Eev. "Wm. Colbron ... ... 45 " 
 
 " Eev. Henry Michell 50 " 
 
 " Eev. T. Hudson 15 " 
 
 " Eev. E. J. Carrf 20 " 
 
 " Eev. H. M. Wagner 46 " 
 
 The following anecdote is recorded of the Eev. H. 
 Michell and connected with the celebrated Dr. Samuel 
 Johnson, who came to Brighton on a visit to the Thrale 
 family, who resided here regularly in the winter season, 
 at a house in West Street, now partially the site of the 
 " Concert Hall." Johnson was courted, admired and 
 
 * Born in 1818. Elected Scholar of Corpus- Christ! College, Oxford, 
 in 1837. Took a first class in Classics, and was elected Fellow of Lincoln 
 College in 1840. After holding a small living in Oxfordshire a short time, 
 was elected to succeed Archdeacon Williams as Rector of the Edinburgh 
 Academy, in 1847. Was elected by the Scottish Bishops to succeed the 
 Bishop of St. Andrew's, as Warden of Trinity College, Glenalmond, in 1854, 
 where he was also Professor of Theology, and held these appointments till 
 1870. Was elected by the heads of Colleges in Oxford to preach the 
 " Bampton Lectures" in 1870, and is also Rural Dean of Brighton and 
 Hove. Is a Fellow likewise of the Royal and Antiquarian Societies of 
 Scotland, &c. It is understood that Dr. Hannah has received the appoint- 
 ment subject to a re-arrangement of districts connected with the establish' 
 ment. 
 
 f Elected Bishop of Chichester.
 
 80 
 
 received almost as a member of the family, and as such 
 often visited them : " The Thrales often went to 
 the Baths and Dr. Johnson went there also. The weather 
 was cold, and Michell and Johnson meeting in the bath- 
 room they sat down near the fire to warm themselves and 
 converse. For a time their conversation was amicably and 
 peacefully exchanged ; but at last some knotty and difficult 
 question arose, and not being able to adjust the matter, 
 Michell seized the poker and Johnson the tongs, with 
 which they enforced their arguments by thumping 
 the grate violently and vociferating. The ladies were 
 alarmed, and who were most unscientifically dancing the 
 country dance, was interrupted ; nor was it resumed till 
 Wade, the Master of the Ceremonies, and the politest 
 in the world, had pacified the wranglers." 
 
 The first stone of the present Vicarage was laid on 
 Midsummer-day, 1834, and in the following year the 
 structure was completed and accepted by the Bishop of 
 the Diocese, on the unanimous recommendation of six 
 Commissioners, namely, three laymen and three clergy- 
 men, to the effect that the exchange would be in every 
 respect beneficial. The ground on which it is erected is 
 exactly two measured acres. The living is a Vicarage, in 
 the gift of the Bishop of the Diocese ; but in the event of 
 the Vicar being selected by the Crown to fill a vacant 
 Bishopric the Crown has power to fill up the vacancy 
 caused by such preferment. Annexed to it is the Eectory 
 of West Blatchington, the Church of which is in ruins, 
 and the living but small.* 
 
 The Magna Britannia, states that " The Church 
 here is a Vicarage, but meanly endowed. The Vicar 
 claims the old Episcopal custom of a penny per head 
 (commonly called smoke money or a garden penny) 
 
 * Divine Service is performed at the Farm House on every Sunday 
 afternoon by one of the Curates attached to the Parish Church of 
 St. Nicholas, Brighton.
 
 81 
 
 as also he requires as his due a quarter of a share out of 
 all fishing vessels, which formerly was very advantageous 
 to the Incumbent, when the town was in its prosperity but now 
 'tis of no considerable profit to him. The Parsonage Tythes 
 are about 100 per annum, but they are in the hands of an 
 impropriator, who allows the Vicar no benefit from them, 
 by which means the minister's maintenance is very small 
 and therefore the gentlemen of the neighbouring parts have 
 made an augmentation to it, by subscription of 50 per 
 annum, yet on this condition, that he shall instruct 50 
 poor boys of the town, in reading and writing. The Church 
 stands about 40 rods from the town, at a little distance 
 from the sea. There was formerly another Church, near 
 the middle of the town, which it is said was burnt down 
 some years ago by the French," alluding no doubt, to that 
 of St. Bartholomew already treated of, 
 
 In 1794 the salary of the Vicar of Brighton was solely 
 derived from the subscriptions of the nobility and gentry 
 resorting to the place. Books for that purpose were 
 placed in the Libraries, and the Vicar, prior to the 
 Eeformation, had to pay to the Vicar of Hove yearly the 
 sum of 7s. 6d. 
 
 The Parish Church is supposed to be the oldest build- 
 ing in Brighton, being mentioned in the survey of the parish 
 in Domesday Book, 1086, and stood within the manor 
 held by William de "Watteville, under William de Warrenne, 
 son-in-law of the Conqueror. It was valued before the 
 Conquest at 10, after the ravages of the Revolution at 8, 
 and at the time of the great survey at 12 a year, and 
 was thus described by an author of about half a century 
 ago : " It appears to have been erected and repaired at 
 several different periods, as if it had been exposed to the 
 ravages and depredations of the French for centuries, and 
 during their hostile visits the churches were generally 
 plundered and set on fire ; hence we find this building 
 exhibiting styles of architecture of different ages. The
 
 82 
 
 architecture is of that order usually denominated Gothic, 
 or the ancient English. The external is flint, and very 
 evidently the work of different periods. It consists of a 
 nave, two side aisles, a chancel, in which is a rood loft, 
 and a chantrey, or chapel, and a tower opening into the 
 west end of the nave. The tower, porch, and buttresses 
 at the east end of the church appear to he of later work- 
 manship than some other parts. The chantrey, or chapel, 
 which has been added to the original church by some pious 
 person, is of the time of Henry VII. or Henry VIII. The 
 architecture of it is different from every other part of the 
 church, and is of inferior taste and workmanship, and of a 
 much later date. The interior, before it was disfigured and 
 encumbered with galleries, was plain, but yet handsome, 
 having four equilateral pointed arches on each side of the 
 nave, and octagonal columns with plain moulded capitals 
 and bases. At the east end of the nave is a large arch 
 opening into the chancel, and at the west end is a similar 
 one opening into the tower. The large eastern window in 
 the chancel, under which formerly stood the high altar, 
 appears to be of the time of Henry II., and is a very 
 beautiful structure, the mullions rising to the spring of 
 the arch and then forming a rose. In this part there are 
 a few remains of painted glass. Under the rood loft is a 
 very beautiful screen executed in a different style to every 
 other part of the church, the arches being formed from four 
 centres, usually denominated the ' Tudor Arch,' and, ac- 
 cording to the fashion of that age, was decorated with 
 painting and gilding." In the church-yard leading to the 
 porch is the shaft of a very ancient stone cross, which there 
 can be no doubt was dismantled at or soon after the Ee- 
 formation, and as regards the curious font the Church con- 
 tains, it belonged it is thought to the Saxons some time pre- 
 vious to the Norman conquest. It is of a circular form, and 
 has excited much observation among antiquarians. The 
 sculpture upon it is in four sections. The first represents
 
 83 
 
 the Lord's Supper, and consists of seven figures : our Saviour 
 in the centre, with glory crowned, is in the act of 
 giving the blessing, and on the table are various 
 drinking vessels and the bread. The next compartment 
 contains a kneeling figure ; the third which is larger, has 
 a boat on the sea with the sail unfurled, and two figures, 
 one presenting a small barrel or vessel to a bishop, who 
 has his mitre and crozier and is giving bread to a female. 
 Both figures are in the water : these are supposed to 
 represent the first preaching of Christianity among the 
 South Saxons. The fourth division consists of three 
 arches, in each of which is a figure, the centre appearing to 
 be the principal, the whole sculptured in basso relievo. 
 Over these compartments is a line of zig-zag and lozenge 
 work and beneath them is a row of exceedingly handsome 
 ornamental work of leaves and flowers. The church 
 stands 160 feet above low water mark, and is dedicated 
 to St. Nicholas, Bishop of Mira in Lycia, who lived about 
 the fourth century and was the reputed saint of fishermen, 
 on account of various miracles he had performed in their 
 favour. It was a noted land-mark for seamen, prior to 
 its being surrounded by houses, and the tower of the 
 edifice nearly represents the four cardinal points of the 
 compass. It was given originally in the reign of Stephen, 
 by Ealph de- Cheney, to the priory of Lewes, but it 
 appears from the terms of an award or arbitration 
 between Eichard de-Wich, Bishop of Chichester, and 
 William de-Euslous, Vicar of St. Pancras, near Lewes, 
 made in 1252, still extant in the episcopal archives at 
 Chichester, that the Priory obtained no full possession of 
 this church before that period. By this award, as soon as 
 the then Sector of Brighthelmstone should die, or resign 
 the living, the Prior of St. Pancras was to appoint the 
 Vicar who was to have all the offerings of the altar, and 
 as far as they belonged to altarage, and the small 
 tithes (the great tithes belonging to the Priory) with a
 
 84 
 
 convenient residence in the Bartholomews, and to have 
 the third of the tithe of hay. This order of things 
 continued until the suppression of Lewes Priory in 1538, 
 upon which the appropriation and patronage of this parish 
 were granted by Henry the VIII. to his Vicar, General 
 Cromwell, who, in that very year, ordered a public 
 register of baptisms and burials to be kept at Bright- 
 helmstone and in every other parish in the kingdom.^ On 
 the death and attainder of Cromwell the Church was 
 conferred by the King on his repudiated Queen, " Anne 
 of Cleves" (who resided in the adjoining parish of Preston), 
 and on her death, in 1557, it again fell to the Crown, and 
 under Queen Elizabeth, if not sooner, the patronage and 
 appropriation of this Church seems to have been severed. 
 The former was attached to the See of Chichester and has 
 continued so to the present time, and the latter has passed 
 through several hands. 
 
 It is presumed that the Church of St. Nicholas, and 
 grounds were not used as a place of sepulture by the 
 inhabitants till after the destruction of the church and 
 chantry, or free chapel in the Bartholomews, from the 
 fact that the oldest tomb that we have on record and that 
 can be found or traced in the same does not date farther 
 back than that of the Kev. Jno. Bolt, who was Vicar 
 here, and a preacher of the Gospel for the long space 
 of 50 years. He died on the 2nd of November, 1669, 
 and was BLESSED with 29 CHILDREN and two wives, as 
 stated on his tomb, which was situate at the North East 
 corner of the Church, close to the entrance from Church 
 Street. The tomb was brick-built, the covering stone being 
 of perriwinkle, or Sussex marble. It became much dilapi- 
 dated, and from its very peculiar appearance passers-by 
 mischievously amused themselves by knocking off pieces, 
 but its final demolition took place in 1853, on the restora- 
 tion of the present Church. The grounds connected with 
 the Church destroyed in the Bartholomews and the free
 
 85 
 
 chapel likewise, were unquestionably the burial-places of 
 the inhabitants, from the fact that on several occasions, 
 during excavations, to wit, for the erection of the Market, 
 the Town Hall, and the LATE VICARAGE, a number of 
 skeletons, skulls, bones and other vestiges of mortality 
 were brought to light. 
 
 NICHOLAS TETTERSELL AND THE ESCAPE 
 OF CHARLES II. 
 
 In the churchyard of the Parish Church we have a 
 tomb (next the chancel door) to the memory of Captain 
 Nicholas Tettersell, who, for the sum of 60, conveyed 
 Charles II. from Brighton to Fecamp, a town, 
 situate just opposite Brighton, and near Havre, in 
 France, in his little vessel, the "Surprise." The unfortu- 
 nate King had been defeated at Worcester, Sept. 3, 1651, 
 by the Parliamentarians ; had wandered about the country 
 for six weeks, and during the latter portion of the period 
 was concealed in a farm house at Ovingdean, now in the 
 occupation of W. J. Green, Esq., waiting the first oppor- 
 tunity to cross the Channel. This soon offered and was 
 successfully carried out, and the event has been treated on 
 by Mr Harrison Ainsworth, in an historical romance called 
 Ovingdean Grange. After the Restoration in 1671, " The 
 Surprise " was moored opposite Whitehall, and a great 
 number of persons visited and inspected it. In considera- 
 tion of the important, loyal, and valuable services 
 rendered by Capt. Tettersell to his Monarch, the name of 
 the craft was altered from " The Surprise " to "The Royal 
 Escape." It was entered as a fifth rate in the Navy, and 
 he was made Captain of the same ; in the year after, the 
 King granted a reversion of the emoluments of the cap- 
 taincy to his son, and pay likewise to a servant for each, to 
 be paid by the naval authorities at Deptford, where the
 
 86 
 
 vessel remained until the year 1791, when, being thoroughly 
 decayed, it was hroken up. The family of Tettersell 
 continued to enjoy a pension, granted at the same time, 
 of 100 per annum. Sir Jno. Bridger, the grandfather of the 
 late Sir Henry Shiffner, of Coomhe, near Lewes, was the 
 last of the family who received the pension. A ring that 
 was given by Charles to Tettersell is still in possession of 
 the family, and was exhibited, with many other relics and 
 works of art, in the Dome of the Pavilion, on the occasion 
 of the Southern Counties' Association meeting in this 
 town in the summer of 1867. Tettersell died July 26, 
 1674, and on his tomb is the following inscription : 
 
 CAPTAIN NICHOLAS TETTERSELL, 
 
 THROUGH WHOSE PRUDENCE, VALOUR, AND LOYALTY, CHARLES II. KlNG 
 
 OF ENGLAND, AFTER HE HAD ESCAPED THE SWORD OF HIS MERCILESS 
 
 REBELS, AND HIS FORCES RECEIVED A FATAL OVERTHROW AT 
 
 WORCESTER, SEPT. THE So, 1651, WAS FAITHFULLY 
 
 PRESERVED AND CONVEYED TO FRANCE, 
 DEPARTED THIS LIFE THE 26lH DAY OF JULY, 1674." 
 
 "Within this marble Monument doth lie 
 Approved faith, honour, and loyalty ; 
 In this cold clay he hath now ta'en up his station, 
 "Who once preserved the church, the crowne, and nation ! 
 When Charles the Greate was nothing but a breath, 
 This valiant soul stept 'tween him and death : 
 Usurper's threats, nor tyrant rebels' frowne, 
 Could not affright his duty to the crowne ; 
 "Which glorious act of his, for church and state, 
 
 Eight Princes, in one day, did gratulate 
 
 Professing all to him in debt to bee, 
 
 As all the world are to his memory ; 
 
 Since earth could not reward the worth him given, 
 
 He now receives it from the King of Heaven. 
 
 In the same chest one jewel more you have, 
 
 The partner of his virtues, bed, and grave."
 
 87 
 
 SUSANNAH, his wife, who deceased the 4th day of 
 May, 1672, to whose pious memory and his 
 
 own Honour, NICHOLAS, 
 
 Their only son, a just inheritor of his father's virtues, 
 hath paid his last duty in this monument, 1676." 
 
 "Here also lies interred the body of Captain NICHOLAS 
 TETTEESELL, his son, who departed this life the 4th of the 
 calends of October, 1701, in the fifty-seventh year of his 
 age." 
 
 With reference to the escape of King Charles II., 
 the following has recently appeared in a new edition of 
 Bunyaiis Pilgrim's Progress. After describing the fallen for- 
 tunes of that Monarch, following his defeat at Worcester, 
 during a space of six weeks, we read : "At length he 
 arrived at Brighton, then a little fishing town, and suc- 
 ceeded in escaping in a little vessel to France. The same 
 left Shoreham, and at night stood over to France, and 
 returned to Poole, no one discovering that they had been 
 out of their course." 
 
 A letter recently found among the archives of Devon- 
 shire House shows the important aid Charles received 
 from the mate of the vessel, Eichard Carver, who was a 
 Quaker. He recognised the King, who pretended to be a 
 bankrupt merchant, flying from the bailiffs. Carver 
 assured him that his life was safe in his hands, and kept 
 the crew in ignorance of the quality of their passenger. 
 When they arrived on the French coast, off Fecamp, he 
 rowed him to the shore, and in shoal water carried him 
 on his shoulders to the land. Many years had passed 
 away, when Carver, on his return from the West 
 Indies, found a vast number of Quakers imprisoned for 
 conscience sake. Whitehead and Moore, the leading 
 members of the Society of Friends, entreated his 
 sympathy, and with him gained access to the King, who
 
 88 
 
 at once recognised him, and enquired why he had not 
 been to claim his reward before. He answered that he 
 had been rewarded with the satisfaction of having saved 
 His Majesty's life, " and now, Sir, I ask nothing for 
 myself, but for my poor friends, that you should set them 
 at liberty, as I did you." The King offered to release any 
 six, and we may imagine the sailor's blunt answer: 
 ""What! Six poor Quakers for a King's ransom!!" 
 His Majesty was so pleased as to invite them to come 
 again, and ultimately ordered their release. Probably 
 this Bichard Carver here referred to was a relative of 
 Derrick Carver, of Brighton, who suffered martyrdom 
 at Lewes, for conscience sake, in the reign of Queen Mary. 
 
 PROSPERITY OF BRIGHTON & DR. RUSSELL. 
 
 Amongst the many causes that have operated to 
 give to Brighton pre-eminence among fashion able watering 
 places may be mentioned its vicinity to the metropolis, 
 being within 1J hour's ride of the same, and the railway 
 system is admirably carried out, with safety and con- 
 venience to passengers. The facilities afforded to visit 
 the adjacent towns and villages on its system cannot be 
 too highly praised, and the number of attractions that are 
 constantly held out for the gratification of our numerous 
 visitors have doubtless helped to promote the welfare 
 and prosperity of the town.* The efforts of it? Mayor 
 and Corporation to increase its attractions, to foster the 
 same, and to assist materially Brighton's development and 
 advancement, have made the town in reality " the Queen 
 of Watering Places" and "London Super-mare." They 
 have recently resolved to pay 7000 towards the 
 Aquarium, now in progress, and this will be the means 
 of still further improving the sea frontage by the new 
 
 * It is stated, upon good authority, that at one period during the 
 season of 1870, there were upwards of 50,000 visitors in Brighton.
 
 89 
 
 road extending from the Albion to the Suspension Pier. 
 To the southward of the same, near the centre of the posi- 
 tion now covered by tbis new promenade, there existed a 
 battery in the year 1731, but the inroads of the sea have 
 swept it away, a result similar to what has befallen other 
 portions of our ser. front. It is also in contemplation to 
 continue the road to Kemp Town, thus forming, as it 
 were, " the Rotten Bow" of Brighton, an under-cliff, like 
 unto that of the Isle of Wight, and an agreeable resort 
 for invalids and promenaders during the winter months. 
 This work, when carried out, will prove a most advan- 
 tageous and attractive one for the town, the eastern part 
 of it in particular. 
 
 Previous to 1750 the town was not visited, for the sake 
 of pleasure and health, by many persons of distinction, 
 but remained in comparative obscurity. In that year 
 Dr. Richard Russell removed here from Mailing, near 
 Lewes, took up his abode, and succeeded, by his talents 
 and writings, in calling the attention of the public to the 
 advantages arising from the use of sea-water. His works 
 not only extended his fame, but brought into repute the 
 town that he had adopted for his residence, and Dame 
 Fashion soon patronized his efforts, as the following 
 extract from a Brighthelmstone Guide, published in July, 
 1777, will show : 
 
 This town, or village of renown 
 Like London Bridge, half broken down, 
 Few years ago was worse than Wapping, 
 Not fit for a human soul to stop in; 
 But now, like to a worn-out shoe, 
 By patching well, the place will do. 
 You'd wonder much, I'm sure, to see 
 How its becramm'd with quality : 
 Here Lords and Ladies oft carouse, 
 Together in a tiny house ; 
 Like Joan and Darby in their cot, 
 With stool and table, spit and pot ;
 
 40 
 
 And what his Talet would despise, 
 His lordship praises to the skies ; 
 Bat such the ton is, such the case, 
 You'll see the first of rank or place, 
 With star and riband, all profuse, 
 Duck at his doorway like a goose : 
 The humble beam was placed so low, 
 Perhaps to teach some clown to bow. 
 The air is pure as pure can be, 
 And such an aspect of the sea ! 
 As you, perhaps, ne'er saw before, 
 From off the side of any shore : 
 On one hand Ceres spreads her plain, 
 And on the other, o'er the main, 
 Many a bark Majestic laves 
 Upon the salt and buoyant waves ; 
 The hills all mantl'd o'er with green, 
 A friendly shelter to the Steyne, 
 Whene'er the rugged Boreas blows, 
 Bemingled with unwelcome snows : 
 Such is the place and situation, 
 Such is the reigning seat of fashion. 
 
 Sea-bathing became more general, especially for 
 persons afflicted with scrofulous diseases and glandu- 
 lar complaints, and, consequently, from the influx of 
 visitors, Brighton began to flourish. Dr. Eussell 
 may, with justice, be called the founder of its pros- 
 perity (although it was destined for the Prince of 
 Wales, afterwards, still further to develop its resources). 
 He was born in the parish of St. Michael's, 
 Lewes, and was the son of Mr Nathaniel Bussell, a 
 respectable surgeon there ; was educated at St. Anne's 
 Grammar School in that town, and joined his father 
 as assistant. Afterwards went to Leyden, the most 
 celebrated University in Europe for medical knowledge, 
 and on his recurn to England was elected Fellow of 
 the Royal Society and Doctor of Physic. He died in

 
 41 
 
 1759, at the age of 72, and was buried in the family 
 vault in South Mailing, Lewes. The place of his residence 
 in this town was on the spot now the Albion Hotel, 
 formerly called Eussell House (afterwards the residence 
 of the Duke of Cumberland). In honor of his memory, 
 Eussell Street was named after him. It was admitted 
 by all that he had done this town an incalculable 
 degree of good. In the card room of the Old Ship 
 Hotel there is an excellent likeness of the doctor, painted 
 at the expense of Mr John Hicks, the then landlord, out 
 of compliment, as the establishment at that time was the 
 resort of the Materia-Medica visiting this town. Dr. 
 Russell's works on the use of sea-water obtained a 
 world-wide renown. After his death he was succeeded 
 by Dr. A. Eelham, who wrote a treatise on the invaluable 
 efficacy of sea-bathing, and the salubrity of the town 
 and neighbourhood, and the Eev. Dr. Mannington, of 
 Jevington, wrote the following epigram on the abilities 
 of Dr. Eussell: 
 
 " Admiring ages Russell's fame shall know 
 Till oceans' healing waters cease to flow." 
 
 And the following by Mr Serjeant Kemp, his grandson : 
 
 Brighthelmston was confessed hy all 
 
 To abound with females fair, 
 Eut more so since fam'd Russell has 
 
 Preferred the waters there. 
 Then fly that dangerous town ye swains 
 
 For fear ye shall endure 
 A panic from some bright sparkling eya 
 
 Which Russell's skill can't cure. 
 
 FIRST VISIT OF THE PRINCE OF WALES. 
 
 In the year 1782, being 20 years of age, the Prince of 
 Wales paid a visit to his uncle, the Duke of Cumberland,
 
 42 
 
 at his residence at the southern extremity of the Steine, 
 near the spot on which the Albion Hotel now stands, and the 
 year after he repeated his visit, having evidently taken a 
 great liking to the place. On this last occasion he took up 
 his abode at a house belonging to the late Thomas Kemp, 
 Esq., which formed the nucleus of the Pavilion, both visits 
 of his Eoyal Highness being celebrated by the inhabitants 
 by illuminations and other manifestations of joy in honour 
 of the auspicious event. After purchasing this residence the 
 Pavilion was commenced in 1784, and completed in 1787. 
 The east front of the building was 200ft, in extent and 
 consisted of a circular building in the centre supported by 
 stone Doric pillars and crowned by a dome, and on each side 
 there was a range of bow-fronted apartments one story 
 high above the basement, with balconies and verandahs, 
 the entrance front being towards East Street. A large barn 
 that stood on the spot adjacent to the present County Bank 
 was removed to assist the approach, and when visitors were 
 travelling from London on theCuckfield Eoad, and entered 
 Brighton direct toEast Street, passing Marlboro Place (then 
 called North Kow), there were two remarkable objects which 
 struck the eye a lofty, hideous, wooden weigh-scale, on the 
 right hand at the bottom of North Street ; and the barn 
 spoken of on the left hand, opposite to it, in the same street, 
 abutting nearly to Castle Square. This unsightly object 
 the weigh-scale served to assess the toll which all 
 weighty matters, such as hay, corn, bricks, &c., paid on 
 entering the town. At the present time, when heavy 
 goods are weighed while they are in the waggon, the 
 horses are driven over a platform and just exceed the 
 machine, while the carriage rests entirely upon it, and 
 self-acting mechanism underneath calculates the toll, as in 
 existence at the Western Eoad and King's Eoad Toll Houses. 
 But our primitive weigh-scale here spoken of raised the 
 carts and waggons a few inches in the air to the great 
 dismay of the driver and his horses. The ground whereon
 
 43 
 
 this novel machine stood was purchased by Mr 
 Hall, surgeon, and some handsome property erected in 
 its place, now occupied by Mr Page, bookseller, &c. Near 
 this spot (in July, 1811,) the last person in this town was 
 pilloried, of the name of Fuller, who underwent the punish- 
 ment for endeavouring to pass a forged note. The platform 
 was about 10ft from the ground, consisting of a frame and 
 upright pillar, around which it revolved, and was made 
 with holes and folding boards, through which the head 
 and hands of the culprit were put. From 12 to 1 o'clock 
 lie continued to take the circuit of an area of about 18ft., 
 under the superintendence of the High Constable and his 
 Headboroughs, who had escorted him thither from the 
 King and Queen Inn, to which house he had been brought 
 from Lewes by the authorities of the House of Correction. 
 A large concourse of people assembled to witness the 
 punishment. 
 
 In 1793, his Eoyal Highness and the Duke of Marl- 
 borough, whose house stood at the north end of the Pavilion, 
 made a spacious sewer for carrying off a stream which flowed 
 occasionally from the Level and the well at Patcham and 
 sometimes inundated the Steyne, and from thence 
 emptied itself into the sea. The back of Marlborough House 
 was to the west, where the public road passed from 
 East Street to the bottom of Church Street. In con- 
 sideration of the great expense of this most important 
 improvement the Lords of the Manor, with the consent 
 of the homage, gave his Koyal Highness and the Duke of 
 Marlborough consent to rail in or enclose a certain portion 
 of the Steyne adjoining their houses respectively, but NEVER 
 to build or encumber it with anything that might obstruct 
 the prospect or be in any shape or way a nuisance to the 
 Steyne. In 1800, His Eoyal Highness purchased more pro- 
 perty from MrWeltjie, and, the year following, THAT called 
 Elm Grove Gardens, and the shrubberies and pleasure 
 grounds of theDuke of Marlborough, which grounds London
 
 44 
 
 Road intersected by running in the REAR of the Pavilion, 
 With a view to connect the whole, the inhabitants of the 
 town gave permission to the Prince to enclose the old road. 
 This was given in the year 1803, but it was not till 1805 
 that an order from the Sessions, at Lewes, was obtained, 
 authorizing the same, and one of the conditions arranged 
 with his Royal Highness was to the following effect, 
 " That should the Prince at any time cease to require the 
 use of the same, proposed to be given up by the inhabitants, 
 or should the Pavilion and grounds at any time pass from 
 his occupation or be sold, then and in either of the said 
 cases the said portion was to revert to the use of the inhabi- 
 tants."* The Grove Gardens adjacent were formerly a public 
 promenade and the resort of tea parties, the entrance 
 to the same being in Prince's Place, out of North Street. 
 
 The Pavilion is supposed to have cost upwards of a 
 million pounds, and the late Baron de Bode's money, to 
 the extent of a quarter of a million, was absorbed in this 
 edifice. The Baron's claims were before Parliament several 
 Sessions some few years since. Lambelette and several 
 celebrated Italian painters resided for years in Brighton 
 engaged in the decoration of the Pavilion. It has been stated 
 from authority that the Dome of the Music Room and 
 embellishments alone cost 10,000, the acoustic properties 
 of which cannot be surpassed. George IV. himself was 
 an accomplished player on the violoncello and a thorough 
 musician, and his private band consisted of about 50 
 performers, selected from the most eminent in the profes- 
 sion, the following being the names of the same : 
 Malsch, Kramer, Eisert (conductors and leaders), Mencke, 
 Calhoun, Bennewitz, Scbonerstadt, Spillerberg, 2 Reims 
 (brothers), Schmidt, 2 Kirchners (father and son), 2 
 Behrns (ditto), 2 Andres (brothers), Andre (son), 3 
 
 * This very important provision was the means of saving this valuable 
 property to the town.
 
 45 
 
 Turners (father and 2 sons), 3 Sillers (ditto), 5 Hardys 
 (brothers), 2 Bests (brothers), 2 Bests (sons), Niebour, 
 Gutteridge, Woetzig, Albrecht, Tucker, Hammer, Dusart, 
 Gilbert, Distin, Tuckwell, Bode, Krone, Schroder, 
 Haussman, Medhurst, Egerstorff, Mennich, Hanedorn, 
 Tidzer, Grabenstein, Chamerozvow, Mason, &c. It will 
 be seen from these names that many of our resident pro- 
 fessors belonged to this eminent band, and others of their 
 descendants are still in this town. 
 
 The King's first intimacy with Captain Blomfield 
 arose from the circumstance of his enquiring of Colonel 
 Slade, of the Royal Artillery (then stationed in the town), 
 if he knew of any person who could play on the 
 violoncello. The Colonel replied that he only knew of 
 Captain Blomfield, who, in consequence, was invited to 
 the Pavilion. His Eoyal Highness was so pleased with the 
 Captain as to make him Master of the Household, and 
 siibsequently knighted him. A few years ago he was 
 created Lord Blomfield, and his decease only occurred a 
 short time since. 
 
 George IV. was a great patron of the arts and 
 sciences and his benevolence and philanthropy were 
 unbounded. A large number of the poorer inhabitants 
 of this town were recipients of his bounty, and 
 others were in the receipt of weekly stipends, and 
 although Mr Thackeray, in his lectures on " The 
 Four Georges,"! would not accord one atom of praise to 
 the last George, yet there were traits in his character 
 
 * Many of the deceased members of this celehrated Band He interred 
 in the soutn-west portion of the Old Church Burial Ground, nearly opposite 
 Upper North Street. 
 
 + These lectures were delivered at Brighton, as well as other places, 
 and Mr Thackeray made a personal application at the Town Hall to encage 
 the " Royal Pavilion" Banqueting Room for that purpose ; but, on bearing 
 the application, a well-known Alderman and an Ex-Mayor, who happened 
 to be present, suggested to him that the Town Hall would do as well, 
 at the same time intimating that he thought it was not strictly etiquette 
 " to abuse a man in hits own house." The hint was taken, and the Town 
 Hall, instead of the Pavilion, was engaged for the purposes intended.
 
 46 
 
 which ought not to have been overlooked or passed over 
 slightingly, traits that will stand out in bold contradiction 
 to Mr Thackeray's assertion that he was the very personifi- 
 cation of vices. In Mrs Matthews' memoirs of her husband 
 is an anecdote showing conclusively a very great deal of 
 good nature in the King. The old Polish dwarf, Count 
 Boruwlaski, was, through Matthews' exertions, brought 
 to Carlton House to see the King, who had known him 
 many years before. The two visitors, a dwarf and a player, 
 were treated by the King with great kindness, and more 
 than this with much considerate delicacy. It was in 
 July, 1821, when the approaching coronation and some 
 less pleasant matters were greatly occupying the Royal 
 mind. "When Boruwlaski came away, Matthews found 
 him in tears, and learned it was entirely owing to the 
 kindness the King had manifested towards him. While 
 the two were for a little time apart, the King had taken 
 the opportunity to enquire if the Count required any 
 pecuniary help to make his latter days comfort- 
 able, avowing the desire to supply whatever was neces- 
 sary. 
 
 The King had also offered to show his Coronation 
 robes to the dwarf, and further asked him if he retained 
 any recollection of a favorite valet of his whom he named. 
 The Count professing a perfect remembrance of the man, 
 the King said, " He is now, poor fellow, on his death-bed, 
 I saw him this morning, and mentioned your expected 
 visit. He expressed a great desire to see you, which I 
 ventured to promise he should do, for I have such a 
 regard for him that I would gratify his last hours as much 
 as possible. Will you, Count, do me the favor of paying 
 my poor faithful servant a short visit ? He is even now 
 expecting you. I hope you will not refuse a poor, suffering, 
 dying man." The Count, of course, expressed his readiness 
 to obey the King's wishes. Boruwlaski was first shewn 
 the robes, and then conducted to the chamber of the sick
 
 47 
 
 man, which was fitted up with every comfort and care, a 
 nurse and another attendant being in waiting upon the 
 sufferer. "When the Count was announced, the poor 
 invalid had to be propped up in his bed. He was so 
 changed by time and sickness that the Count no longer 
 recognized the face with which his memory was familiar. 
 The nurse and attendant having retired into an 
 adjoining room, the dying man (for such he was and felt 
 himself to be) expressed his great obligation at such 
 a visit, and spoke most gratefully of the King, whom 
 he designated the best of wasters; told the Count of all 
 his goodness to him, and indeed of uniform benevo- 
 lence to all who depended upon him ; mentioned that his 
 Majesty, during the long course of his poor servant's 
 illness, notwithstanding the circumstances that had 
 agitated himself so long, his numerous duties and cares, 
 his present anxieties and forthcoming ceremonies, had 
 never omitted to visit his bed-side twice a day, not for a 
 moment merely, but long enough to soothe and comfort 
 him, and to see that he had everything necessary and 
 comfortable, telling him of all particulars of himself that 
 were interesting to an old and attached servant and 
 humble friend. This account was so genuine in its style, 
 and so affecting in its relation, that it deeply touched the 
 heart of the listener. The dying man, feeling exhaustion, 
 put an end to this interview by telling the Count that he 
 only prayed to live long enough to greet his dear master 
 after his coronation, to hear that the ceremony had been 
 performed with due honour and without any interruption 
 to his dignity, and that he was then read// to die in 
 peace. 
 
 Mrs Matthews adds, "Poor Boruwlaski returned to 
 the Eoyal presence, as I have related, utterly subdued by 
 the foregoing scene, upon which every feeling heart will, 
 I am persuaded, make its own comment, unmixed with 
 party spirit or prejudice."
 
 48 
 
 We know the faults of character belonging to 
 George IV. have, of late years, been largely insisted on, and 
 perhaps it is not possible to extenuate them in any great 
 degree. It is, however, a mistake to suppose that because 
 a man is a voluptuary and more remarkable for good 
 manners than good morals, he therefore is a person wholly 
 bad. A human being is a mixture of various and often 
 apparently incongruous elements, one relieving and 
 redeeming another, sometimes assuming a predominance, 
 sometimes the reverse, very much as the accidental pro- 
 vocations of external circumstances may determine. It 
 was so with this Monarch, as with the humblest of 
 his subjects. In his lifetime one often heard both of 
 pleasant things said and of amiable things done by the 
 King. His restoration of the forfeited Scotch Peerage in 
 1824 was a piece of pure generosity towards men who 
 were suffering through no faults of their own. When 
 that measure was determined on, the representative of a 
 forfeited Baronetcy of 1715 applied for a like extension of 
 the royal grace. Though equally suitable, from the fact 
 of the family having purchased back their ancestral lands, 
 it was refused by the Ministers : but the King, on hearing 
 of it, insisted on the applicant being gratified. This is 
 stated on the authority of one very nearly concerned in 
 the matter. To prove the estimation and appreciation o 
 character in which George IV. was held by the inhabitants 
 generally of Brighton, in 1828, a subscription was entered 
 into and a statue (by Chantrey) erected on the Steyne, at 
 a cost of 8,000. 
 
 In the reminiscences of Michael Kelly his Majesty is 
 thus spoken of: 
 
 " I cannot here refrain from mentioning a circumstance 
 which occurred to me at Brighton, on the 1st of January* 
 1822, and I sincerely trust there will not appear any 
 impropriety in my doing so, since it records a trait of 
 gracious goodness and consideration in his Majesty which,
 
 49 
 
 although but one of hundreds, is but little known, and 
 richly deserves to be universally so. 
 
 " On that evening, the King gave a splendid party at 
 the Pavilion, and his Majesty was graciously pleased to 
 command my attendance to hear a concert performed by 
 his own fine band. His Majesty did me the honour to seat 
 himself beside me, and asked me how I liked the music 
 \vhich I had that day heard in the chapel, amongst which, 
 to iny surprise, had been introduced the Chacoone of 
 Jomelli, performed in the Castle Spectre, but which since 
 has been called the Sanctus of Jomelli, and is now used 
 under that title in all the cathedrals and churches in England 
 and the Continent. His Majesty was all kindness and con- 
 descension in his manner towards me ; but his kindness 
 and condescension did not stop there. 
 
 " I had taken with me to Brighton that year a god- 
 daughter of mine, Julia Walters, whom I have adopted, and 
 whose mother has been, for years, my housekeeper and 
 watchful attendant during my many severe illnesses. This 
 little girl, at five years old, performed the part of the 
 Child, in the opera of L'Agnese, under the name of 
 Signora Julia. Ambrogetti was so struck with my little 
 protegee, that he begged I would let her play the character* 
 which she did, with grace and intelligence far beyond her 
 years. This child asked me to procure her a sight of the 
 King, and fixed upon the evening in question to press her 
 request, when she might behold him in the midst of his 
 Court, surrounded by all that was brilliant in the land, and 
 in a palace whose splendour, when illuminated, rivalled the 
 magnificence described in the Arabian Nights. 
 
 " I told my worthy friend Kramer, the excellent 
 master and leader of His Majesty's private band, the 
 earnest desire of little Julia, and prevailed upon him to 
 admit her behind the organ, with a strict injunction not to 
 let herself be seen ; but female curiosity, even in one so 
 young, prevailed, and after the first act of the concert, when
 
 .Ml 
 
 the performers retired to take some refreshment, Signora 
 Julia crept from her hiding place behind the organ, and 
 seated herself between the kettle-drums. The King was 
 sitting on a sofa, between the Princess Esterhazy and the 
 Countess Lieven, and, though the orchestra was at a dis- 
 tance, His Majesty's quick eye in a moment caught a 
 glimpse of the little intruder. 
 
 " ' Who is that beautiful little child ? ' said the King ; 
 ' Who brought her here ? ' and immediately walked to poor 
 Julia, and asked her who she was. 
 
 " ' I belong to K,' said Julia. 
 
 " ' And who the deuce is JC? ' said His Majesty. 
 
 " I was seated quite at the farther end of the room, 
 conversing with Sir William Keppell, and the moment I 
 saw what was going on, I requested Sir William to go to 
 the King, and say that the child belonged to me, which he, 
 with great good nature, did. 
 
 " His Majesty kissed poor little Julia ; and taking her 
 into his arms, threw her over his shoulder, and carried her 
 across the room to me, and placed her in a chair by my 
 side, saying, with the greatest condescension, ' Why did 
 you leave the child in the cold ? Why not bring her into 
 the room ? If she be fond of music, bring her here when- 
 ever you like.' 
 
 " This act of kindness, consideration, and goodness, 
 was duly appreciated by all who witnessed it, and by me 
 will ever be remembered with the most respectful gratitude. 
 On the following evening, when I again had the honour of 
 a command to the palace, His Majesty was pleased to 
 inquire after my pretty little girl. 
 
 "My friend, Prince Hoare, who was at Brighton 
 
 * This gentleman alluded to, will be remembered by many old 
 " Brightonians," in having erected the house that formerly stood at the lop, 
 the North side of Clarence Square : and the grounds attached to the same 
 in front comprise the enclosure of it; he was an eminent man of his day, an 
 antiquarian, and the author of many musical and dramatic pieces.
 
 51 
 
 at the time, wrote the following lines on the inci- 
 dent : 
 
 "'ON JULIA, PEEPING 
 
 " ' In the Music Room of the Pavilion, at Brighton, on the 1st of January, 
 1822, and discovered in the fact by His Most Gracious Majesty George 
 the Fourth ; who, with his never-failing kindness of heart and condes- 
 cension, seized the little culprit in his arms, kissed and caressed her, 
 and bore her in triumph, before the brilliant assembly, to her nearest 
 and dearest friend, Michael Kelly, then present. 
 
 " 'Behind the lofty organ's screen, 
 
 One gala eve, sly Julia lay, 
 Intent to peep, at whiles, unseen, 
 And all the glorious pomp survey. 
 
 " ' 0, little didst thou dream that eye 
 
 Which wakes to guard Britannia's crown, 
 Would there thy tiny form espy, 
 And give thee, Julia, to renown.' 
 
 " For many seasons past, upon my annual night, I 
 have been regularly honoured with a munificent donation 
 from my Sovereign ; but, valuable to me as is that bounty 
 in itself, the gift has scarcely been so gratifying to the 
 feelings of his dutiful servant, as the manner of presenting 
 
 it- 
 
 " ' A delicacy, which anticipated wishes 
 
 A generosity, which exceeded hopes.' 
 
 " Were I to indulge my feelings, I should be diffuse 
 upon this subject; but I check myself, lest I should offend 
 in a quarter where displeasure would afflict me most. 
 
 " I therefore shall merely venture to add, that when- 
 ever my malady casts me upon a bed of suffering, I do not 
 forget that the most august hand in the empire has con- 
 descended to place around it additional comforts ; and that 
 no sooner does my relenting star restore me to society than 
 my benefactor's name blesses the first glass I carry to my 
 
 D
 
 52 
 
 lips, and I say and sing, with heart and voice, devoutly and 
 gratefully, 
 
 " God save the King! " 
 
 It must, indeed, be a dark cloud that has no silver 
 lining, and many of the King's vices may be attributed to 
 the age in which he lived, but let us hope from his charitable 
 and benevolent disposition (as charity covereth a multitude 
 of sins) that, when this earthly King shall stand before the 
 awful tribunal before which we must all appear, to be judged 
 by the great King of Kings, his virtues will be some atone- 
 ment for the vices of which he was guilty. 
 
 In 1802 and 1803 further additions v:ere made to the 
 Pavilion by the purchase of shops in Castle Square, 
 and in 1815 the Prince Kegent purchased of the Lord of 
 the Manor a piece of land to the north of Marlborough 
 House, extending to the angle of the bottom of Church 
 Street, and enclosed it with a flint wall ornamented with 
 a long palisading. Marlborough House and the houses 
 built on the western side of the road, recently closed, 
 called Marlborough Kow, were enclosed as far as the 
 north gates (leaving outside the blacksmith's shop of Mr 
 Coupeland, who would not sell his property under any 
 consideration, although treble the value was offered for it). 
 These purchases rendered the Prince's territory more com- 
 pact, and made the extent of the same up to this period 
 more than 7 acres. 
 
 The road being closed necessitated the making 
 another, called the New Road. The property through 
 which this road was made belonged to different persons, 
 viz., Mr Furuer, the father of our respected Judge of the 
 County Court, and adjoining some property belonging to 
 the Society of Friends, called "the Quaker's Croft," their 
 original Meeting House standing on this property prior to 
 its removal to the lanes. A portion of the property, for- 
 merly their burial place, situated in Church Street, adjoin-
 
 68 
 
 ing the west entrance to the New Corn Exchange, has heen 
 rented for some years by the authorities of this town, the 
 lessees entering into an agreement not to erect any 
 building or to make any excavation whatever on the said 
 spot. 
 
 The Corn Exchange, formerly the spacious Eiding 
 School, 200ft. long and 50ft. broad, together with the 
 Dome and Stables attached (these latter alone costing 
 70,000) were built under the direction of Mr Porden. 
 They were commenced in the year 1805 and finished in 
 1808. Eastward of the Dome was a spacious Tennis 
 Court, afterwards converted by William IV. into additional 
 stabling for the horses of Queen Adelaide. There is 
 likewise a subterraneous passage from the Pavilion to the 
 Dome, which formerly had an outlet into Church Street, 
 this, at one time, was used by the Prince of Wales and his 
 associates for ingress and egress during the period of their 
 indulgence in nocturnal rambles unknown to the occupants 
 of the palace. The magnificent Dome, measuring 80ft. in 
 circumference, and from its outward walls 120ft., is of the 
 same size as that of the Church of the Invalides, at 
 Paris. There are only a few domes larger in extent in 
 the known world, as the following statement will 
 show : 
 
 Feet in Feet in 
 
 Diameter. Height. 
 
 Pantheon, at Korne 142 ... 143 
 
 Domo Sta Maria del Fiore, at Florence ... 139 ... 310 
 
 St. Peter's, at Rome 139 ... 330 
 
 Sta Sophia, at Constantinople 115 ... 211 
 
 Baths of Caracalla (Ancient) 112 ... 116 
 
 St. Paul's Cathedral, London 112 ... 215 
 
 Mosque of Achmet 92 ... 120 
 
 Chapel of the Media 91 ... 199 
 
 Baptistry, at Florence 86 ... 110 
 
 t Brighton Pavilion Dome 80 ... 60 
 
 I Brighton Pavilion Dome, to tho outward walls 120 
 
 Church of the Invalides, at Paris 80 ... 175 
 
 Minerva Media, at Rome 78 .,. 97
 
 54 
 
 Feet in Feet in 
 
 Diameter. Height. 
 
 Madonna della Saluta, Venice 70 ... 133 
 
 St. GrnC-vieve, at Paris (Pantheon) 07 ... 190 
 
 Duomo, at Sienna 57 .. 148 
 
 Duomo, at Milan 57 254 
 
 St. Vitalis, at Ravenna 55 ... 94 
 
 Val de Grace, at Paris 54 ... 133 
 
 San Marco, at Venice 44 
 
 The outward circle of the Dome was used as the stables 
 for the horses of the Prince of Wales, and had a foun- 
 tain in the centre. It was used likewise as the standing 
 place for the carriages belonging to the establishment, and 
 the upper circle, now termed the Balcony, was used as the 
 dwelling place (there being a number of small rooms) for 
 the servants and families belonging to the stable depart- 
 ment. The whole of this has been converted by the 
 Corporation of Brighton into a vast Assembly Room, for 
 concerts, &c., and is capable of seating 3,500 persons, the 
 cost of the same being nearly 8,000. (The embellish- 
 ments and decorations of the Dome and Pavilion have 
 been executed by Mr Tony Dury, of Warwick.) Since its 
 appropriation a magnificent organ has been added, replete 
 with every modern improvement, worked by hydraulic 
 power, and built by Willis of London, at the cost of 2,500. 
 The Dome has, likewise, fixed in the centre of the build- 
 ing, a splendid chandelier, fitted up by Green and 011, of 
 Pavilion Buildings, Brighton, its dimensions being as 
 follows : viz., diameter, 16ft.; height, 30ft. ; and consisting 
 of 520 jets of gas, and its weight 1 ] tons. There are several 
 small chandeliers, likewise, around the circle. The alter- 
 ations of this portion of the Pavilion Estate, as well as 
 the others, have been from plans of our talented Surveyor, 
 P. C. Lockwood, Esq., C.E., who has been indefatigable in 
 his exertions to develope its resources, and he is now pre- 
 paring plans for a Public Museum and Library, at a cost 
 of G,000, to be submitted to a Vestry Meeting for the 
 purpose of obtaining the sanction of the inhabitants for
 
 55 
 
 the proposed outlay. If sanctioned it will be built 
 on the eastern court, the site of the stables erected by 
 William IV. 
 
 The Dome is a very conspicuous object when viewed 
 from the hills near the town ; on occasions of concerts, 
 &c., when lit up, it presents a pretty appearance, from the 
 different colors of the glass in its roof. It was used 
 recently on the occasion of the town inviting the Hon. 
 Keverdy Johnson to a sumptuous banquet (under the 
 presidency of the then Mayor, Mr Alderman Lester), on 
 his visit to this country in the endeavour to settle the 
 differences caused by the Alabama claims made by our 
 transatlantic brethren ; and it is worthy of record that 
 the first public manifesto on this subject was made at the 
 Grand Hotel, to a deputation of the Corporation, by that 
 functionary, and published in the public prints the following 
 day, and which led to the town inviting him to the enter- 
 tainment mentioned, afterwards followed by other large 
 towns in the kingdom." 
 
 The most memorable public event connected with the 
 Eoyal Stables was that which took place on the 25th of 
 October, 1809, on which occasion the Prince kindly granted 
 the use of the Riding School to Mr Philip Mighell, for the 
 purpose of feasting 2000 of the poorest inhabitants of this 
 town to celebrate the Jubilee of King George III., he 
 having ascended the throne in the year 1760, and this 
 treat to the poor was further extended by a party of 
 
 * On the arrival in Brighton of the Hon. Reverdy Johnson, as a guest 
 of the late eminent philanthropist, George Peabody, Esq., who was staying 
 at the Grand Hotel, a deputation of the Corporation, consisting of the 
 Mayor (Mr Alderman Lester), the Ex-Mayor, Mr Alderman Hallett, Mr 
 Alderman Alger, Mr Alderman Martin, Mr Alderman Brigden, Mr Alderman 
 Abbey, Mr Alderman Ireland, and Councillors Fabian and Davey, waited 
 on his Excellency and presented an address couched in congratulatory 
 terms, and were afterwards invited by Mr Peabody to a sumptuous repast, 
 being joined by several private friends, Sir Emerson Tencant, Sir Curtis 
 Lampson, Dr. Carter, and Mr Mayall, the eminent photographer, who, 
 by instructions from Mr Peabody, executed a striking likeness of His 
 Excellency, and at his request a copy of the same was forwarded to each 
 member of the deputation.
 
 56 
 
 gentlemen contributing a sum and feasting 1500 more poor 
 persons in the barn and farm yard of Mr Scrase, at that 
 time situated in the middle of Jubilee Street, the name of 
 the same being taken from the event. The Freemasons 
 dined in their Lodge Boom at the Old Ship, where also 
 the game evening there was a ball and supper in honor of 
 the occasion. 
 
 The large chandelier formerly in the banqueting room 
 was sent, in 1816, with Lord Amherst's embassy, as a 
 present to his celestial majesty the "Emperor of China," 
 in the endeavour to extend the commercial relations 
 with that monarch, and his lordship travelled a con- 
 siderable distance into the interior of that vast empire 
 to the imperial palace, but the negociations were 
 abruptly broken off, indignity being offered at Pekin 
 on the 29th ' of August following. The embassy re- 
 turned, their vessel was wrecked, but the presents were 
 saved, and the chandelier was placed in the Pavilion by 
 the Prince Eegent's orders. It remained some time in its 
 present position, till the third visit of King William and 
 Queen Adelaide in 1834, when Her Majesty (in consequence 
 of a dream that it would fall) caused it to be removed. 
 It was re-modelled, and about 60 per cent, of the original 
 material again used, when the Pavilion came into the 
 hands of the Town Commissioners at that period the 
 governing body. The glass drops alone have been stated 
 to have originally cost 1 guinea per Ib. There was for- 
 merly in one of the rooms of the Pavilion a Chinese 
 lanthorn, 12ft. by 8ft., and which, on all par- 
 ticular occasions, was brilliantly illuminated on the 
 exterior, thus exhibiting its transparency and producing an 
 effect too exquisite to be described. A small apartment 
 adjacent, called Tippoo Saib's room, was fitted up with 
 ivory chairs, sofas, &c., part of the spoils brought from 
 Seriugapatam, after the overthrow of that eastern 
 potentate. All the fittings and embellishments were
 
 67 
 
 of a gorgeous character, and in strict harmony 
 throughout the whole of this remarkable building; 
 on occasions, such as State Balls, &c., it must have been a 
 splendid spectacle, the uniforms of the Foreign Ambassa- 
 dors, General Officers, representatives of various orders, 
 all uniting to make the "coup d'oeil" particularly striking. 
 King George IV. was a frequent visitor to Brighton (his 
 last visit was in the year 1824), and on his death, in 1830, 
 the Pavilion was inherited by William IV., who, on his 
 accession to the throne received an address from the town, 
 resolved on at a meeting convened for that purpose, under 
 the presidency of the High Constable (Mr. Thos. G. 
 Sarel), upon whom devolved the honor of presentation of 
 the same to King William, at Buckingham Palace. The 
 King's answer thereto was remarkably short, yet very 
 gratifying, here are his words : " Tell the inhabitants of 
 Brighton I thank them, and shall soon be with them." 
 He kept his promise, a short time after. In the month of 
 July his Majesty paid a hasty visit, his object beiug the 
 removal of anything objectionable at the Palace prior to his 
 residence therein with Queen Adelaide, which took place on 
 the 30th of August, 1830. During the King's sojourn, he 
 gave instructions for important alterations to be effected, 
 notably the erection of the dormitories, the ivy-clad build- 
 ings to the westward of Carlisle House, at the southern 
 entrance of Pavilion grounds; the elegant northern en- 
 trance in Church Street ; and a suitable entrance to the 
 south, in North Street. On this royal estate becoming 
 the property of the town, this latter building was 
 pulled down, and the present unpretentious entrance 
 substituted. 
 
 Their Majesties kept up festivities in the Pavilion in 
 a regal manner; the Koyal invites to a County Ball 
 in the Palace on one occasion were accorded unto 1600 of 
 the nobility and gentry, and " the line" of carriages bearing 
 these numerous guests extended from the entrance of the
 
 58 
 
 Pavilion, through Bast Street, to the Bedford Hotel, 
 several hours elapsing before the last visitor was set 
 down. 
 
 The decease of King William IV. took place in June, 
 1837; on the 4th of October, in the same year, Queen 
 Victoria paid her first visit to Brighton, and in the autumn 
 of the following year again honored our town by her pre- 
 sence. In February, 1842, the Queen and her royal con- 
 sort, Prince Albert, arrived here, and sojourned four weeks ; 
 the following year, in the month of September, they 
 landed from the royal yacht on to the Chain Pier, on their 
 return from a visit to Louis Phillipe, at Chateau d'Eu, 
 near Dieppe. :|: The last royal residence here was 
 in September, 1844; the Prince of Wales, Princess 
 Royal, and Prince Alfred arriving here for the 
 benefit of their health. Their stay was of short dura- 
 tion, only a fortnight, and hopes were entertained that 
 Her Majesty would have joined the royal children 
 during this marine visit, but these hopes were not 
 realized, it being announced shortly afterwards that 
 the Queen had purchased " Osborne," her favorite 
 residence in the Isle of Wight, and from that 
 period our beautiful marine palace has been forsaken by 
 royalty. Yet let us indulge a sincere wish that the time 
 is not far distant when we may be again honored by the 
 residence among us of Royalty. The Prince of Wales and 
 his illustrious Princess, the Princess Mary of Cambridge, 
 the Duke of Cambridge and Prince Teck, Sir Hope 
 Grant, Sir Eichard Garrett and Colonel, now Sir William 
 Knollys, paid us a visit on the Easter Review day in 1866, 
 a full length painting of the Mayor (Alderman Henry 
 Martin), commemorative of the event, and presented by him 
 
 * A valuable and interesting painting, commemorative of the landing 
 of the royal party, painted l>y our talented and honoured townsman, 
 Mr R. H. NIBBS, and presented by him to the local authorities, is now on 
 the walls of the picture gallery iu the Pavilion.
 
 59 
 
 to the town, is in the Pavilion ; Prince Arthur came down 
 on Easter Monday in the present year, 1871, and we trust 
 these visits to our attractive town are but the pre- 
 cursors of many such opportunities for rejoicing on the 
 part of the loyal inhabitants of this borough. 
 
 Gradually the Pavilion became despoiled of its costly 
 furniture and fittings, the royal servants were discharged 
 on the 27th December, 1847, and eventually it was 
 announced that the building was to be razed to the ground, 
 the materials sold, and the land disposed of for building 
 purposes. It further became publicly known in November, 
 1848, that the Eoyal Commissioners of Woods and Forests 
 intended to introduce into Parliament a Bill for the 
 sale of the property, the funds derivable therefrom to be 
 devoted to further improvements at Buckingham Palace ; 
 and from an estimate made of the value of the Pavilion, it 
 was thought worth 100,000. So much alarm was created 
 in the minds of the inhabitants at the idea of losing 
 this great local attraction, that our Town Commissioners 
 (the governing body prior to the incorporation of Brighton 
 in 1854) put in their claim for a restoration, by the Crown, 
 of the roadway which formerly existed through the Pavilion 
 from Church Street to Castle Square, also pointed out 
 that other portions of the ground which had been sold to 
 the Prince of Wales had restrictions against building, which 
 restrictions could not be removed without the consent of the 
 Lords of the Manor. The Bill for its sale, however, passed, 
 and on the 27th of July, 1849, a Vestry Meeting of the 
 rated inhabitants determined upon opening negociations 
 with the Crown authorities with a view to its purchase, 
 and the restrictions mentioned were urged with the 
 desire of obtaining it for a lesser sum than that 
 already named. Eventually, to avoid litigation, it 
 Was arranged that the purchase money should be 
 53,000, and an Act of Parliament was obtained to 
 give the Town authorities power to secure the estate. In
 
 60 
 
 the meantime an opposition sprung up amongst some of 
 the ratepayers, and at a Vestry Meeting called on the 20th 
 day of December, 1849, an amendment was moved to the 
 original resolution : ' That the report be received, and 
 entered at the foot of the minutes, and that the Draft Bill 
 to empower the purchase of the Pavilion be approved ;" to 
 the following effect, "That the Bill now presented is 
 disapproved of, and that a memorial be presented to the 
 Honorable the Commissioners of Woods and Forests ex- 
 pressing the desire of the inhabitants that no further steps 
 be taken in the matter." On this a poll was consequently 
 taken on the 20th and 22nd with the following result : 
 For the purchase, 1,343 ; against it, 1,307 ; majority for 
 the motion, 36. It is now admitted by its most strenuous 
 opponents that it would have been a suicidal act to have 
 lost so eligible an opportunity for securing to the town 
 such a valuable acquisition, which has been not inaptly 
 termed one of the lungs of Brighton, and its value has 
 proved beyond price, affording, as it does, every facility for 
 balls, concerts, lectures, religious and scientific meetings, 
 flower shows, &c. The Bill founded on the resolution 
 named was read, without opposition, on the 14th of 
 February, 1850, and in the House of Lords the 2nd of 
 May following. The money for the purchase, and 7,000 
 for the expenses of obtaining the Bill and restoration of 
 the building, amounting in the whole to 60,000, was 
 borrowed of the Bank of England. One arrangement in 
 connection with the purchase was the demolition of the 
 Royal Chapel, which stood upon a portion of the estate, 
 ample compensation being allowed for the same. On 
 the loth of June following, the Commissioners of Woods 
 and Forests were paid the required sum, and a Ball in 
 celebration of the opening took place January 21st, 1851. 
 The inhabitants were first admitted to view the Pavilion 
 (in its dismantled state) and grounds on the 28th 
 June, 1850.
 
 61 
 
 In a copy of the celebrated engraving of the Steyne, 
 published in 1806, and presented, with many other 
 valuable relics of Brighton, by Kobert Turner, Esq., 
 to the Town Museum, the Prince of Wales (as "the 
 star of fashion") is represented on horseback, attended 
 by Colonel Blomfield. Other notabilities are depicted 
 in the picture, among whom are the Duke of Grafton, 
 Earl Berkeley (Colonel of the South Glo'ster Militia), 
 Mr Mellish, Bishop of St. Asaph, Earl Craven, Lord 
 Coleraine, George Hanger, Colonel Lee, Sir John Lade, 
 Mr Day (called "Gloomy Day"), Mr Trecves, sen., and 
 Mr Treeves, jun., General Dairy mplo (upwards of 22 
 stone in weight), Lord Sefton, Earl Clerinont, Martha 
 Gunn, of whom it is written : 
 
 See the fine rosy boy how he laughs at the fun, 
 Of being douched in the sea by old Martha Gunn. 
 
 and Mr Cope (the " Green Man" so called), as he was 
 universally attired in green, and of whom the following 
 was penned : 
 
 A spruce little man in a doublet of green, 
 
 Perambulates daily the streets and the Steyne, 
 
 Green striped is his waistcoat, his small clothes are green, 
 
 And oft round his neck a green 'kerchief is seen. 
 
 Green watch string, green seals, and for certain I've heard, 
 
 (Tho' they're powdered) green whiskers and eke a green beard ; 
 
 Green garters, green hose, and deny it who can, 
 
 The Brains too are green of this little green man ! 
 
 Sir John Lade, who was in the receipt of an annual 
 pension of 400, as driving tutor to the Prince of Wales, 
 was an accomplished '.' whip," performing feats almost 
 incredible in the " tooling " of his horses. One of the most 
 daring was the driving, at full gallop, from Castle Square up
 
 62 
 
 Market Street, passing to the west of Pear Tree House 
 (now the cloth establishment of Messrs Hannington and 
 Son) by the Knabb pump that at that period projected 
 on to the road at the bottom of the Lanes, then into 
 Brighton Place, then round the corner into Market 
 Street and back again to Castle Square. Sir John 
 was buried in Warbleton Church, and a splendid tomb 
 has been erected to his memory. Mr Mellish likewise 
 excelled as a four-in-hand coachman. Martha Gunn 
 was designated " the Queen of the Bath,'' and many are 
 the anecdotes related of her in the aboriginal vernacular. 
 This celebrity died May 2, 1815, at the age of 88, and 
 was followed to the grave by a very large assemblage. 
 Anecdotes of the most extravagant description are likewise 
 told of characters or loungers on the Steyne at that 
 period. 
 
 The houses on the west side of the Steyne, of some 
 note, comprise the Castle Tavern, Mrs Fitzherbert's, 
 and Lady Anne Murray's, afterwards Single-speech 
 Hamilton's, Member for Haslemere, so-called for 
 having essayed but one speech in his place in Parliament ; 
 on the east side, Donaldson's library (formerly Thomas's) ; 
 and on the south side Crawford's (with Post Office 
 attached), and a rival establishment called Dulot's Library, 
 afterwards Bowen's, the latter at that time allied to a 
 London establishment at 40, New Bond Street. Crawford 
 and Dulot issued two small editions of a work styled by 
 both, A description of Brir/hthelmstone and the adjacent 
 country, or a neic ijuide for ladies and yentlemen using 
 that place of health and amusement, published about the 
 year 1794, and they are almost a fac simile of each 
 other. 
 
 * Kept by Mr Crawford, grandfather of the present Member for 
 the City of London of that name ; aiid it will be remembered that his 
 father contested this Horoujjh unsuccvssfully at the lirst election of Mem- 
 bers for Brighton, on its enfranchisement under the Reform Bill, on the 
 llth and 12th of December, 1832.
 
 C3 
 
 BRIGHTON CAMPS. 
 
 Of these there were several: the first formed 
 August 13, 1793. At three o'clock on the morning pre- 
 vious, the troops composing this camp struck their tents 
 in Ashdown Forest, and from thence, at five o'clock, 
 marched forwards, reaching Chailey Common at half -past 
 eleven, and tents were pitched for the night. The fol- 
 lowing morning at four they were again on the march, 
 and at noon arrived on the hills around Brighton. The 
 artificers and the heavy baggage came by way of Lewes ; 
 but the route of the army in general, consisting of 7,000 
 men, was over the South Downs, the Prince of Wales 
 meeting them as they came over the hill. By two o'clock 
 the camp was formed, close to the town, in Belle Vue 
 Field, now known as Eegency Square, and it stretched in 
 a direct line along the coast. This encampment, which 
 was increased to 10,000 troops, was composed of regulars 
 and militia, and continued till the 28th of October, on 
 account of some apprehension of an invasion by the " new 
 Kepublic of France." On the first Sunday after the 
 arrival of the army many of the soldiers attended the 
 Parish Church, and among them several officers of the 
 Surrey Militia, then quartered in the town. The 
 officiating Clergyman on the occasion was the Eev. 
 Dr. Vicesimus Knox, Master of Tunbridge School, 
 and late fellow of St. John's College, Oxford, who 
 had with his family taken up his residence here for a few 
 weeks at a house in North - Street (west corner of Bond 
 Street, the property of Mr Alderman Henry Martin). He 
 had been solicited by the Vicar, the Kev. Thomas 
 Hudson, to preach on that Sunday, and, having 
 assented, he was assisted by the Curate, the Eev. J. 
 Mossop. The Doctor chose for his text the following 
 words, " Glory to God in the highest: on earth, peace, 
 good- will towards men." In the course of his narrative
 
 64 
 
 of tho event, chronicled in a work published by him (which 
 must have created great interest as it passed through 
 several editions), he observes that ho was led to the choice 
 of this subject from observing tho extreme bitterness 
 expressed, even in gay, good-humoured companies, against 
 a great many of our fellow creatures ; from the almost 
 daily accounts in the newspapers of slaughtered thousands, 
 and the eagerness with which war had been adopted by 
 all the nations concerned, when negociations might have 
 effected every desirable purpose, without expense and 
 without carnage. The first intimation received by him 
 that he had given umbrage to any of the congregation 
 was on his leaving the Church, when a lady, a perfect 
 stranger, thus accosted him : " I thank you for your 
 sermon, I could have sat hours to have heard such with 
 pleasure ; but, excuse me, I must tell you, from what I 
 have observed in the pews apong a certain description of 
 persons, you have offended these who, I fear, have as 
 little relish for the doctrine of forgiveness as they seem to 
 have of peace. Many, like myself, were highly pleased 
 with your discourse ; but there are those who are angry 
 indeed." 
 
 From Erredge's History of Brighthelmston we quote the 
 following further remarks of Dr. Knox (contributed there- 
 to by the author of the present work), which will, we have 
 no doubt, be read with much interest ; as showing the 
 excited feelings of the military at that period : 
 
 " My family, who stood around me, heard her 
 observations, and were greatly alarmed. I was not 
 in the least alarmed, though certainly concerned, to 
 find that I had been misapprehended. Conscious of 
 having meant nothing but what was humane, beneficent, 
 and truly Christian, in all which I had delivered, I 
 feared no ill. Having done no wrong, nor intended any 
 thing but good, I felt a serene complacency, notwithstand- 
 ing the alarm given by this unknown lady, in a tone of
 
 65 
 
 voice, and with a look and manner, expressive of appre- 
 hension for my safety. I met with no molestation in the 
 church. I walked slowly through the church-yard. 
 Nothing but respect was shown me. I returned with my 
 family to my house with peculiar cheerfulness, flowing 
 from a faithful discharge of my duty, and the consequent 
 esteem of the parishioners, which, I. believe, I possessed. 
 
 " I had friends to dine with me on that day, and the 
 church service in the afternoon began rather early. Under 
 these circumstances I might have been absent without 
 blame. But I rose from my table, acquainting my 
 company, that, as I understood the officers, who were at 
 church in the morning, were offended at me, I would 
 certainly walk to church, in the hope of meeting some of 
 them, of hearing what had given them offence, and of 
 coming immediately, before misrepresentation could take 
 place, to a full and amicable explanation. I wished 
 earnestly to meet the angry parties, that we might con- 
 verse together, that I might acknowledge my fault, if I 
 had been in the wrong, and remove their mistake if they 
 thought me so, undeservedly. I had no resentments ; I 
 only wished for reconciliation. I went therefore unaccom- 
 panied by my friends ; for I sought not protection. I met 
 not a single officer. After hearing Mr Mossop, the Curate, 
 preach, I returned to my family to drink tea. In the evening 
 I proposed walking on the Steyue, still hoping to meet my 
 offended hearers in the military profession ; many officers 
 were there, but I did not recognize any of those who were 
 at the church. No insult was offered me ; for I can 
 hardly suppose that the speech above-mentioned, expres 
 sing a wish for a long, a bloody, nay an everlasting war, 
 could be intended as an insult to me, though it was re- 
 peated close to my ear, in a voice raised above the common 
 pitch, and with peculiar emphasis and action. My 
 sermon was talked of frequently in my hearing, but not 
 with disapprobation. I was pointed out as the preacher,
 
 rather particularly indeed, but not rudely. I perceived a 
 large party of \\ie military assembled at the Castle Tavern, 
 who were dining in a room which looked immediately on 
 the Steyne, and I passed them unavoidably. I met with no 
 insult on this public and crowded walk, though I purposely 
 remained there till it was dark, and all the company began 
 to retire. The inhabitants of Brighton, and the parish- 
 ioners in general, behaved with their usual civility ; not 
 the least degree of rudeness did I on this occasion, or at 
 any time, experience from them, or from any of the com- 
 pany resorting to that place, unconnected with the 
 offended FEW, in the military line. 
 
 " On my return home a letter was brought to me, of 
 which the following is a copy : 
 
 " ' A stranger presents his compliments and sincere 
 homage of thanks to Dr. Knox, for his most excellent 
 sermon preached this morning, and earnestly requests 
 him to publish it, as a means to promote the interests of 
 humanity, and procure that great desideratum, ' Peace on 
 Earth.' 
 
 " ' The ardour of Christian philanthropy it breathes 
 should be diffused throughout the world, which is the 
 object of this application. The writer wishes to distribute 
 a number of copies in a distant county. A dissemination 
 of such enlightening and convincing knowledge is only 
 wanting to stop the effusion of human blood ; for when 
 mankind are well awakened, they will not permit the 
 dignified human butchers, the insolent, unfeeling 
 traffickers in blood, to lead them to destruction. 
 
 " ' Sunday, Aug. 18.' 
 
 "This anonymous letter, the honest effusion of philan- 
 thropy, I insert in this place, as it forms a part of my 
 narrative. I have no suspicion whence it came. The 
 servant, who -delivered it at the door, went away in great 
 haste. Several friends were present when the letter came, 
 and read it as soon as it was opened.
 
 67 
 
 " I beg leave to mention as I proceed, that from the 
 pulpit, where I must have had a pretty good view of the 
 whole Church, I saw VERY FEW OFFICERS ; and of those 
 few, I knew not one even by name : I thought there were 
 not twelve. Of common soldiers the number was also 
 inconsiderable ; I thought there were scarcely twenty, and 
 these were not of the camp, but of the Surrey Militia quartered 
 in the town. There were indeed more of the same regi- 
 ment in the porch or in the church yard : but too remote 
 from the pulpit to hear a syllable of sedition, if there had 
 been any to hear. I mention the paucity of officers and 
 privates for the following reason : the public has been 
 taught by mistaken prints to believe, that I was guilty of 
 preaching peace and good-will before the whole camp, that 
 the aisle was crowded with soldiers, and that all the 
 officers of the camp attended. I appeal to the parish- 
 ioners present, whether the number of military men, 
 privates and officers included, was greater than I have 
 conjectured. My sermon was not exclusively calculated 
 for a congregation of persons in any particular profession. 
 There was not a word addressed by an apostrophe, as I 
 Lave heard it asserted, to the officers. I had no reason to 
 suppose that any military men, but those of the Surrey 
 Militia quartered at Brighton, would be at the church. I 
 thought, and I believe it was so, that Divine service was 
 performed by the chaplains in the camp, and that the 
 soldiers of the camp would not be permitted to straggle to 
 the town or the church, on a Sunday, during Divine 
 service. The public has been much deceived in the 
 exaggerated accounts of my preaching to the whole army ; 
 but had the whole army been at the church, had it been 
 allowed or been possible, I am certain they would have 
 heard nothing from me but what was authorised by the 
 Gospel, enforced by the law of man as well as of God, 
 tending to promote their happiness in all events, and 
 animating them to the discharge of every duty, on prin-
 
 G8 
 
 ciplcs of humanity and Christianity. I expressly asserted, 
 while I was deploring the calamities of war, that the con- 
 ductors of war were often men of SINGULAR HUMANITY AND 
 HONOUR. I expressly commended the beautiful gradation 
 of ranks in society. I enforced good order ; I deprecated 
 anarchy as much as despotism. 
 
 " I have already related the transactions of the Sunday. 
 On Monday I went to the Downs, where the whole army 
 was assembled. The beauty of the day attracted thither 
 my friend and my family. I hoped also to meet those 
 whom I had offended, that they might bring their charge 
 against me face to face ; and that I might explain what 
 was misunderstood, or make a frank acknowledgment, if 
 anything could be made appear on my part truly repre- 
 hensible. I hoped the explanation on both sides would 
 be liberal, candid, and gentlemanlike. I cared not how 
 many were present at it. Truth loves the light. I would 
 not be protected by my company, or concealed in my 
 carriage. I walked alone a great part of near four hours 
 on the ground, amidst thousands ; the rest I spent with 
 my visitor, with my family, and the family of my friend, 
 Mr Bridger, of Buckingham House, Shoreham. The 
 military were indeed engaged in their evolutions ; but they 
 frequently passed me nearly, and might have spoken to 
 me. The company of spectators was very numerous, and 
 much of it connected with the army. My sermon, I have 
 been since told, was a frequent topic of conversation on 
 the ground, and I was pointed out as the preacher of it ; 
 but no insult was offered, and no personal application 
 made to me. In the evening I went, as usual, to the 
 Steyne, and the booksellers' shops on the Steyne, and met 
 with nothing in either place, though crowded, but friend- 
 ship and civility. 
 
 " The morning of Tuesday was spent on the Stej'ne, 
 and in other places near Brighton. Even now I avoided 
 not meeting those who, I had been recently told, were
 
 G9 
 
 heard to threaten me severely, behind my back, on the 
 preceding day. I preferred meeting them, and hearing 
 the worst they could say, to SECRET CALUMNY ; which, as 
 it could not be encountered, could not be repelled. This 
 fiend was busily at work, inflaming many against me who 
 had never seen or heard me. Every one knows how 
 things are unintentionally exaggerated when they become 
 topics of conversation in the convivial hour, and when an 
 emulation prevails of making a display of spirit or inge- 
 nuity. Saucer-eyed phantoms of sedition began to flit 
 before disturbed imaginations. Old women, dreaming of 
 chimeras dire, stimulated their husbands to buckle on the 
 helmet and the shield, and take the spear, and go forth 
 against the giant sedition, which appeared to their dim 
 eyes in the form of a windmill. 
 
 " The important hour at length approached. The anger 
 of my enemies was nothing indeed in duration to the 
 wrath of Achilles ; but yet it appears to have been of a 
 durable nature/ The offence of Sunday morning was to 
 be revenged on Tuesday evening. My friend, who was to 
 return to London on the next day, proposed that some of 
 my family and myself should accompany him to the 
 Theatre. I had no desire to go ; but as 1 had determined 
 to decline no opportunity of meeting those who now, it 
 seems, expressed themselves with great RANCOUR against 
 me, I consented immediately. Accordingly Mrs Knox, my 
 eldest son (a boy of fourteen years), and my daughter (a 
 year or two younger), set out with my friend for the 
 Theatre. As we walked up North Street, several persons 
 stopped and spoke to each other, in the hearing of myself 
 and family, in terms of the highest approbation of the 
 last Sunday's sermon. Near the door of the Theatre, 
 Major Toraine and a young Lieutenant of the East 
 Middlesex overtook me ; they were not going to the 
 Theatre ; but they accompanied me a little way, and 
 behaved with great politeness ; the Major inviting me to
 
 70 
 
 visit him in the camp, and expressing his concern that he 
 had not seen me there before. They might not perhaps 
 have heard of my offence ; but, whether they had or not, 
 it is certain that their behaviour was, as usual, friendly 
 and gentleman-like. I have been since informed by a 
 person, who had the opportunities of conversing in the 
 camp, that, notwithstanding the misrepresentations of my 
 sermon, a great part of the most respectable* officers were 
 far from expressing displeasure at its doctrine. 
 
 " On entering the Theatre, Mr Thomas, the box- 
 keeper, accosted me by name, though I thought I was 
 unknown to him; shewed uncommon attention, and 
 begged leave to seat us all in a good place of his own 
 choice. This place was the right hand side-box, next to 
 the stage-box, where the Prince usually sits. He was not 
 there. If he had been, I should have sought his pro- 
 tection, and have been safe in his justice. 
 
 " Soon after the curtain drew up a few officers entered 
 the stage-box on the opposite side of the Theatre. They 
 had not been there five minutes, before their whole atten- 
 tion seemed fixed on the box where my family, my friend, 
 and myself were seated. They looked frequently at me, 
 and then talked to each other with great apparent earnest- 
 ness. Other officers, and several elderly ladies, soon 
 appeared in the same box ; they also looked at us in a 
 pointed manner, and then seemed to deliberate.! Their 
 attention appeared to be engrossed by the consultation, 
 and they seldom turned to the players on the stage. There 
 were several other officers interspersed in other boxes. 
 Messages were sent to some of them, and they removed 
 into flic stage box. A man whose looks were choleric, 
 and who sat in the same box and on the same seat with 
 
 * Titles and riches do not make the most respectable officers. 
 
 CORPORAL TRUEMAN. 
 f Aliquid jamdudum invadere magnum !
 
 71 
 
 me, was sent for, and I saw him taking his seat opposite 
 to me. He left his hat behind him, probably intending to 
 return when I should be excluded. They frequently went 
 in and out, and appeared extremely busy* and anxious in 
 concerting the plan of operations. This continued during 
 the whole of the play. My children observed it, and told 
 me that they expected some insult. I disregarded their 
 suggestions, and sat with perfect composure. Between the 
 play and the entertainment, the following note, directed to 
 me, was first handed from behind us, to Mrs Knox, who 
 gave it to me. My son had seen one of the officers 
 writing ; and there was no doubt but he was composing 
 this note, sent without a name, and couched in terms of 
 caution and subtlety. I must call it a discreet note ; and 
 as discretion is allowed to be the better part of valour, 
 I must add another epithet, and contend that it is a 
 courageous note : 
 
 Copy of the MANDATOKY NOTE of Expulsion, dispatched by 
 a Confederacy of unknown Persona, styling themselves in 
 the said Note, THE GENTLEMEN OF THIS THEATRE. 
 Superscribed on the back, Dr. KNOX. 
 
 " YOUR DISCOURSE LAST SUNDAY WAS so OFFENSIVE 
 
 THAT THE GENTLEMEN OF THIS THEATRE DESIRE YOU WILL 
 QUIT IT IMMEDIATELY." 
 
 " It is so beautifully laconic that it might be taken 
 for the production of a Spartan Eepublican, if it were not 
 at the same time so authoritative as to resemble the edict 
 of a German despot. It is written with a pencil on a 
 scrap of torn paper. I intend to preserve it, that it may 
 supply documents to future historians, and hope to have 
 interest enough to get it deposited in the archives of the 
 Tower. 
 
 Vclut apes restate nova-
 
 72 
 
 " I read the order, and gave it to Mrs. Knox. Im- 
 mediately I rose, and addressing myself to the opposite 
 boxes, which, however, were now nearly empty, the 
 military having accompanied their despatch, requested to 
 know who had sent me this impertinent paper without a 
 name. The messenger, whoever he was, had disappeared. 
 I turned back to look for him, and beheld a phalanx of 
 military men, who had come round, and were drawn up 
 behind me at the door of my box, and in the Lobby, 
 through which I must pass in my retreat. While I was 
 asking for the messenger, a clamour began, and finding 
 the passage closed by the very persons who had ordered 
 me to withdraw immediately, I stept a little forward, and 
 endeavoured to say to the Theatre, which was not half 
 filled, ' Ladies and gentlemen, I have this moment re- 
 ceived an extraordinary paper, neither signed nor dated, 
 containing a requisition that I should quit the Theatre 
 immediately, on account of the sermon which I preached 
 last Sunday morning in your parish church. I beg 
 pardon for interrupting you ; but under these circum- 
 stances, and surrounded, as you see I am, I humbly 
 intreat the permission of the House, to ask aloud who 
 sent me this note, and by what authority I am bound to 
 obey it, in this place of public entertainment, where my 
 family and myself have entitled ourselves to unmolested 
 seats, by paying the price demanded at the doors. We have 
 interrupted nobody. Will you authorize the arbitrary 
 expulsion of us all? for my family and friend will certainly 
 follow me. I beg leave, besieged as you see me by a con- 
 siderable number of men behind me, who are at this 
 moment expressing their anger by opprobrious names, to 
 enter into a short explanation with them, to ask the par- 
 ticulars of niy offence in your presence, and to declare, that 
 if anything advanced in my sermon gave personal offence, 
 it was unintentional, and that I am concerned at it. If 
 any one of these gentlemen will prove to your satisfaction
 
 73 
 
 that he is justly offended, I will immediately beg his 
 pardon. I beg your pardon, who are totally unconcerned 
 in this attack, for this singular interruption, which I trust 
 I shall obtain from you, as men and Englishmen ; when 
 you have before your eyes a defenceless individual, in a 
 situation so singular, as will, I hope, justify my present 
 address to you.' 
 
 "It was impossible to be heard distinctly. I could 
 not find an interval of silence to utter half of- the above, 
 which I had conceived in my mind and wished to deliver. 
 The clamour of the persons in uniforms behind me was 
 loud and incessant. I heard myself called, in the first 
 instance, a democratical scoundrel that deserved to be 
 HANGED. :;: ' A Democrat, a Democrat, a d d Democrat. 
 Out with the Democrat no Democrats.' Scoundrel and 
 rascal were titles lavishly bestowed. It is needless to 
 repeat the silly oaths and unmeaning expletives! which 
 served those, who were too much enraged to be able to 
 say any thing else, to add to the noise and drown my 
 voice. I particularly remember hearing one man say, 
 ' No speech that won't do he ought to be hanged out 
 with him :' and another call repeatedly for PERSONAL VIO- 
 LENCE to be inflicted upon me before I should be suffered 
 to depart. A grim and gaunt figure exclaimed, ' IRONS 
 IRONS, here ; he ought to be put in IRONS directly.' 
 
 " I found it was impossible to be heard by the House 
 at large, who could not know the cause of the disturb- 
 ance. 1 thought my perseverance might create a riot. I 
 
 * I have been informed, since the publication of the former editions 
 of this Narrative, that many of the assailants were of a different opinion, 
 and thought DROWNING was to be preferred to HANGING me ; it having been 
 proposed that I should be dragged to the SEA, which is near, and thrown, 
 into it. A person of veracity was told of this by a tradesman of Brighton ; 
 who added, that the presence of Mrs Knox and my children alone saved me 
 from the WATERY GRAVE. I laugh at this ; but there might be some 
 danger, as these gentlemen were not of the HUMANE SOCIETY. 
 
 f Such as Bah ! Boo ! Boh 1 and other noisy sounds, of which I know 
 not the meaning, not being in possession of the St. Giles's Glossary, or the 
 Scoundrel's Uictioiuiry.
 
 74 
 
 said, therefore, to my terrified family, I will go, for the 
 sake of peace. Fear not, they will not hurt WOMEN AND 
 CHILDREN. I feel no anxiety for my own safety. There 
 is no opposing so great a superiority of numbers. I hope 
 for an explanation.' 
 
 " I entered the Lobby, and had a right to expect that 
 the passage would be clear, and that I should be allowed to 
 retire, as I was ordered, without molestation. But I found 
 the narrow Lobby crowded by persons in regimentals, 
 many of whom, as I passed, continued to use the same 
 language which I had heard behind me, while in the 
 House. No one, however, offered any personal violence, 
 though ONE fellow in the next box to me, not in uniform 
 (to the honour of the army), continued to call loudly and 
 repeatedly for it. He did not think proper to approach 
 me ; for what reasons I know not. Probably for pru- 
 dential ones ; and discretion, it has already been observed, 
 is a valuable ingredient in the composition of valour. He 
 was vox et preterea NIL. He did not begin to bray till the 
 whole body of veterans stood around him. Conscious 
 safety fired his TONGUE. 
 
 " When I had arrived per tot discrimina rerum at 
 the opposite side of the House, I entered a box, and again 
 attempted to speak to the very few people in the Theatre, 
 who constituted the whole of the audience, except my 
 pursuers, and were, I think, friendly. They were gazing 
 in silence. They knew little of what was passing in the 
 Lobby. They perhaps surmised that some French emis- 
 sary or spy had been discovered, and was taken into 
 lawful custody by the defenders of our country. I addressed 
 them, and they would have heard me with attention. A 
 few of them at last recognized me, and cried Silence ; but 
 the noiso of my assailants continued. It was insisted 
 that I should not speak to the people. 'Go,' said one 
 who came up to me much out of breath, ' go directly go 
 you must ;' while from behind resounded the cry, ' Out
 
 75 
 
 with him a Democrat, a Democrat, a Democrat da capo 
 
 a Democrat. No Democrat, a d d Democrat." I 
 
 wonder, in their patriotic zeal, they did not exclaim, No 
 people ! no people ! no people for ever ! 
 
 11 1 now began to withdraw from the house ; for the 
 poet says, 
 
 Parere necesse est 
 
 Nam quid agas ? cum tefuriosus cogat, et idem 
 " AKMATUS." 
 
 But I was determined, at all events, to find Mrs Knox 
 and the children, who had been separated from me in the 
 Lobby. On turning back, I saw Mrs Knox in tears very 
 near me, but without my daughter, and in great distress. 
 I then requested, and insisted, that I might be permitted 
 by the rushing phalanx to attend Mrs Knox, and fetch both 
 my son and daughter. While I was contending for this 
 indulgence, and received no other answer than, " Go go 
 directly go you must and shall, by God," my family and 
 friend came up to me, The generous victors shewed 
 clemency at last, and suffered us, children and all, on our 
 surrender, to march out unmolested. It is said, they 
 returned immediately to their post in the stage box ; and 
 that loyal tunes were played by the band in celebration of 
 the triumph, by way of Te Dcum, or, ' The horse is thrown 
 and his rider,' or some similar EPINIKION, sung while 
 Princes were dragged at their chariot-wheels, in honour 
 of the rivals of my assailants, the conquerors of 
 antiquity. 
 
 " On inquiring of Mrs Knox what passed in the 
 Lobby, while she and the children were separated from 
 me, she informed me, that a tall officer, on her turning 
 back to see for her daughter, pushed her violently by the 
 shoulder, and bid her go along- after her husband and be 
 
 d d. Another, who probably saw and was ashamed of 
 
 this behaviour, and to whom I am really obliged for this 
 tenderness, small as it was, to a woman in her situation,
 
 76 
 
 did say to Mrs Knox, ' No personal violence snail be used ; 
 ho should not have conic among us. Had he stuck to 
 peace, we should all have admired him.' Another, 
 nodding his terrific plumes, exclaimed, 'It is well his 
 wife and children are with him, or else -' here he used 
 a fine aposiopesis. A student in rhetoric might indeed, on 
 this occasion, have learned the use of many choice figures 
 of speech ; but he may succeed equally well in the ancient 
 and celebrated school of Billingsgate. Mrs Knox, who 
 was really anxious for my safety, not having perhaps 
 remarked that barking dogs do not always bite, tried all 
 her eloquence in expostulation, and in supplicating by the 
 silent language of tears for clemency. But she was 
 hurried along, and her gown and other parts of her dress 
 accidentally torn in pieces. She has preserved them as 
 TROPHIES in their lacerated state. Thus the only personal 
 violence (which the KiiiyJit of the terrible tongue called for) 
 was exercised on a defenceless female, weeping for her 
 husband, and intreating to be permitted to return and 
 conduct her daughter in safety, who had been forced in 
 the crowd from the protection of both father and mother. 
 Temporary rage got the better, not only of military polite- 
 ness, and the unmeaning forms of decorum, but of common 
 humanity.* 
 
 " My son, who was also separated from us in the 
 Lobby, informed me that he ventured to say loudly, in 
 an honest zeal for his father, ' What are you doing ? is 
 this fair ? so many against one ! Fie upon you ! near 
 twenty against one : for shame !' Upon this a tall 
 officer, whether the same who assaulted his mother or 
 not, he does not know, shook him violently, saying at the 
 same time, ' "Who are you, you dog ? you ought to be 
 hanged as well as your father, if it is your father ; and 
 all such as hold his democratical principles, you dog you!' 
 
 * YlCIT AJ10K 1'illil.i;, LAUDU1IQUU IMMESS.Y Cfl'lDO. YlRU.
 
 77 
 
 " To my very young daughter, who was left behind us 
 all ; who, from a peculiar tenderness of disposition, was 
 particularly distressed, and whom my friend was leading 
 along with great difficulty, no other consolation was 
 offered by MEN, who probably were themselves FATHEES, 
 than a rough address, ' Don't fret what do you fret for ?" 
 A. little kindness to my daughter in such distress would 
 have taught me to forget my own ill-usage in my gratitude. 
 But we were a family of Democrats, I suppose ; and it was 
 PURE PATRIOTISM that taught the defenders of our peace 
 and liberties to treat us ALL with indiscriminate indignity, 
 to forget, in their COUNTRY'S cause, what was due to them- 
 selves, due to me and mine, and due to PUBLIC ORDER. 
 
 " The world has been told that they \vere a parcel of 
 drunken boys who committed this outrage. There were 
 some young men among the brawlers ; but the RING- 
 LEADERS were, if I may judge from appearance, veterans in 
 age, if not in service, and of high rank, if I may believe 
 report, in their profession and in society. They did it in 
 SOBER sadness. 
 
 ' ' One circumstance I must beg leave to point out as 
 particularly worthy of notice. Of the assailants in the 
 Theatre, very few (I believe) were my hearers in the church : 
 so that the rest were probably influenced by the false rep- 
 resentations of gossips, and the dreams of old ladies, to 
 whom I have above attributed some of the ill-grounded 
 alarm and offence. Whether anything which they thought 
 glanced at the finery of their old beaux, hurt the pride of 
 the elderly gentlewomen, I cannnot ascertain ; but their 
 instigations seemed to have considerable effect in stimula- 
 ting the corps, who came into action in the straits of the 
 Lobby, to the most valorous exertion. 
 
 "After the defeat, our little family-party walked 
 home, arm in arm, with our good friend, to our house in 
 North Street. In the terrified condition of the ladies, a 
 carriage and the attendance of a servant were desirable ;
 
 78 
 
 but we were not suffered to wait for them. None of those 
 polite gentlemen expressed any concern, lest the ladies, 
 heated by the crowd in the Lobby, should catch cold ; or 
 offered to send for our accommodations from home. 
 True politeness, that politeness which arises from a 
 polished understanding and an humane and good heart, 
 would have shown some solicitude about ladies, thus 
 singularly frightened, who could not possibly be involved 
 in the atrocious guilt of my horrible democratical dis- 
 course. But no the tall officer had said, ' Go along 
 after your husband, and be d d ;' and perhaps humanity 
 or common civility from any of the shorter officers, after 
 that order, might have been construed mutiny. 
 
 "As we passed along the street musing on the 
 Agreeable Surprise (the drama we went to see), a gentle- 
 man, who purposely followed us from the Theatre, came 
 up to me in North Street ; and after expressing his indig- 
 nation at what he termed, in the warmth of first impres- 
 sions, the cowardly treatment we had received, offered to 
 be a witness, if I chose to bring an action against the 
 offenders. I knew him not. He appeared to be a 
 gentleman, a man of sense, and was of a liberal profession. 
 I thanked him very sincerely ; and told him, what was 
 strictly true, that I did not know the name of any of the 
 persons in uniform who had caused the outrage ; and that 
 it was too soon at present to come to any determination. 
 He gave me his address, and left me politely ; with an 
 assurance that, if called upon, he should come forward 
 with zeal, in the cause of truth and justice, to bear 
 witness against such unmerited insult, injury, and 
 oppression. He felt hurt, as a man, for the ill-usage of 
 me and my family ; and, as a Briton, for violated law 
 and liberty. He told me he had been in the camp ; and 
 I was mistaken if I thought that ALL the officers dis- 
 approved my sermon, or would justify the insult that had 
 been offered this night, to punish me for the zeal it
 
 79 
 
 displayed in promoting the happiness of human nature. 
 As he was much in the camp, and did not wish to he 
 personally embroiled in disputes, he desired his name 
 might not be mentioned, unless I should determine to 
 prosecute. He is still ready to come forward and give his 
 testimony in a court of justice. 
 
 " On the day following, that is, on Wednesday, the 
 21st of August, I had resided at Brighton just four weeks, 
 the term for which I had hired my house. My friend was 
 to leave the town on to-morrow. It was therefore deter- 
 mined that I should accompany him, and hasten, with all 
 my baggage- waggons of sedition and treason, to London. 
 I know not whether the Tower was fortified with ad- 
 ditional works on my intention being discovered ; but to 
 London I went, and Brighton Camp, I suppose, felt itself 
 relieved ; like Kome when it had vomited out CATILINE." 
 
 The camp of 1794 was formed, early in the summer, 
 at about a mile and a half to the west of the town. It 
 at first consisted of 7,000 men ; when the harvest had 
 been got in it was increased to nearly 15,000, owing to the 
 Militia regiments not being called out until the crops were 
 cleared, the men then composing the Militia corps being 
 principally agricultural laborers. On the breaking up of 
 this camp many of the regiments remained in barracks in 
 Brighton. These barracks were situated in West Street 
 (corner of Little Eussell Street, afterwards the Custom 
 House) ; in North Street, property now known as Unicorn 
 Yard, Windsor Street ; Jew Street ; and in Church Street 
 the late Infantry Barracks, now used as stores, and be- 
 longing to the Corporation of Brighton. Nothing of 
 importance took place during this camp, but that of the 
 following year will ever be memorable in the history of 
 Brighton, inasmuch as it is connected with the trial and 
 execution of two men, and flogging of several others for 
 mutiny, not t';at the mutiny took place here, but Brighton
 
 80 
 
 was the military head-quarters of the troops, hence the 
 court martial was held in this town, at the Castle Tavern. 
 
 Here is an interesting quotation with reference to this 
 camp, extracted from Erredge's History of BrigJithelmaton : 
 
 " East Blatchington, near Newhaven, was the theatre of 
 the disaffection, arising from the shortness and bad 
 quality of the bread and flour supplied to the troops; 
 in consequence of which, some men of the Oxford Militia 
 broke into the mill in the vicinity of the barracks, and also, 
 in a rebellious mood, emptied the contents of a vessel laden 
 with corn, into the river, at Newhaven. The Court Martial 
 was held at the Castle Tavern, which occupied the site 
 whereon now stand the buildings which formed the north- 
 east corner of Castle Square. The trial occupied eight 
 days ; and ended in Edward Cooke, termed Captain Cooke, 
 from his taking the lead in the mutiny, and Henry Parish 
 being found guilty and sentenced to be shot. Six others 
 were also convicted, but their sentence was only that 
 they should be flogged. Much sympathy was shown by 
 the inhabitants to the poor fellows, who were each day 
 marched under a strong escort, from the guard house of 
 the Battery, Artillery Place, to the Castle Tavern and back. 
 Many of the residents in Kussell Street, every night and 
 morning, took them provisions, which they were able to 
 pass through the bars of their airing ground ; and on the 
 morning of the execution of the sentence upon them the 
 wretched men were unable, from their emotion, to express 
 their thanks for the kindness the people showed them. 
 
 " From the hour of four in the morning of the day 
 appointed for them to suffer, the whole lines of encamp- 
 ment were ordered to hold themselves in readiness : at 
 five, however, in the evening, the officers were given to 
 understand that the execution was countermanded for that 
 day. The cause of this short respite was attributed to the 
 absence of the Prince of "VVales's 10th Regiment of Light 
 Dragoons, afterwards the 10th Hussars, which did not
 
 81 
 
 march into Brighton till nine o'clock on the following 
 morning, and of course could not pitch their tents till late 
 in the evening. When this regiment was seen on the 
 march to their station, all hopes of an expected reprieve 
 seemed entirely to vanish. The most respectable people, 
 however, of Brighton took this opportunity of one day's 
 delay, to repeat their petition in favour of the two men ; 
 but all proved ineffectual, for early on the 13th June, 
 1795, the Oxford Militia the regiment to which the muti- 
 neers belonged, began their march from the Barracks at 
 Blatchington to Brighton, to be made awful spectators of 
 their unhappy comrades' punishment, and to be their 
 executioners. At four o'clock the whole were ordered to 
 accompany them from the ground to Goldstone Bottom, at 
 which place they arrived about five. The six men for 
 there were thirteen mutineers that were sentenced to be 
 flogged, proceeded afterwards in a covered waggon, guarded 
 by a strong escort, which was composed of select men, 
 picked from every regiment of the line. The two con- 
 demned to be shot followed in the rear in an open cart, 
 attended by the Rev. Mr. Bring, and guarded by a second 
 escort, under the command of Captain Leigh, of the 10th 
 Regiment of Light Dragoons, and one of the Captains be- 
 longing to the Lancashire Fencibles. When they arrived, 
 however, at the winding road which leads to Goldstone 
 Bottom or Vale which is surrounded by an eminence, 
 both the escorts were commanded to halt. The six men 
 sentenced to be flogged were then taken from the covered 
 waggon, and, having been marched through the entire line, 
 which was under arms to receive them, they were brought 
 back to a whipping-post, that was fixed in the centre of the 
 different regiments. The drummers selected to flog them 
 were men belonging to their own corps. To three of them 
 were given three hundred lashes each. This was the 
 number they then received, as, from their long durance, 
 and consequent weakness, the surgeon pronounced that
 
 82 
 
 they could suffer no more. Tho fourth was then stripped, 
 and, after being tied to the flogging-post, was reprieved, as 
 were also his two other comrades. 
 
 " This part of the distressing ceremony being gone 
 through, the two unfortunate men condemned to be shot 
 were taken from the cart and marched, as the others had 
 been, up the line, with this difference only, of being con- 
 ducted also through part of the outer line, which was 
 composed of the Prince's Eegiment, and the Lancashire 
 and Cinque Port Fencibles. They were then marched to 
 the front of the Oxfordshire Militia, where the coffins stood 
 to receive their bodies, the Artillery being planted on the 
 right, with lighted matches, in the rear of the Oxfordshire, 
 to prevent any mutiny, if attempted, and the whole height 
 commanded by two thousand cavalry. 
 
 " Cooke and Parish being conducted to the fatal spot, 
 exchanged a few words with the clergyman, and then 
 kneeled, with the greatest composure and firmness, on their 
 coffins ; the first time, however, they kneeled, it was done 
 the wrong way, but being placed in a proper situation they 
 received their death from a delinquent platoon of twelve 
 of their own regiment, at the distance only of six paces. 
 One of them was not quite dead when he fell, and was 
 therefore shot through the head with a pistol. This, how- 
 ever, was not the last awful ceremony the line had to 
 experience ; for, to conclude the dreadful tragedy, every 
 regiment on the ground was ordered to file off past the 
 bodies before they were suffered to be enclosed in their 
 coffins. The whole scene was impressibly awful beyond 
 any spectacle of the kind ever exhibited. 
 
 "No disturbance whatever resulted from the melan- 
 choly affair ; everything was conducted with the greatest 
 solemnity and order : the awe and silence that reigned on 
 the occasion infused a terror, mingled with an equal degree 
 of pity, that was distressing beyond conception. The 
 Oxfordshire Militia naturally experienced more con-
 
 88 
 
 flicting sensations than any other regiment on the 
 ground. 
 
 "Cooke and Parish were both young men, and 
 behaved with uncommon firmness and resignation ; they 
 marched through the lines with a steady step, and regarded 
 their coffins with an undaunted eye. 
 
 " On the morning of his execution Cooke wrote to his 
 brother a letter, the original of which is in the possession 
 of the author of this book. It is written in a free and bold 
 style, very different to what might be expected from a man 
 under sentence and at the point of an ignominious death. 
 The following is a correct copy, verbatim et literatim, of the 
 original : 
 
 " ' Brighton, 13th of June, 1795. 
 
 " ' Dear Brother, This comes with my kind Love to you, and I hope 
 you be well. I am brought very low and weak by long confinement and 
 been in great trouble. Dear Brother, I am sentenced Death, and must 
 Die on Saturday, the 13th of June ; and I hope God Almighty will forgive 
 me my Sins. I never was no body's foe but my own, and that was in 
 Drinking and breaking the Sabbath, and that is a great Sin. I have 
 prayed night and Day to the Almighty God to forgive me and take me to 
 Heaven, and I hope my prayers be not in vain. I am going to die for what 
 the Eedgment done ; I am not afraid to meet Death, for I have done no 
 harm to no person, and that is a great comfort to me : there is a just God 
 in heaven that knows I am going to suffer innocently. Dear Brother, I 
 should be very glad to see you before I Depart this Life. I hope God 
 Almighty will be a Guardian over you and all my relations, and I hope we 
 shall meet in heaven, where we shall be ever happy without End. So no 
 more from the hand of your ever loving and Dying Brother, 
 
 "'EDWARD COOKE.' " 
 
 " A print extant of the execution of these misguided 
 men is in the possession of Mr. George Shelley, Church- 
 warden. It is thus inscribed : 
 
 '"The Awful Scene or Ceremony of the Two Soldiers belonging to 
 the Oxfordshire Militia, which were shot on June 13th, 1795, in a Yale, 
 while in Camp at Brighton, by a party of the Oxfordshire Militia which 
 were very Active in the late riots, the men appeared very composed and 
 resigned, the party which shot them were much affected, Infantry and 
 Artillery, were drawn up in lines on the occasion.' " 
 F
 
 84 
 
 "The engraving, which is about 18 inches by 15 
 ditto, represents the men kneeling on their coffins, the 
 figure signifying Cooke being in the attitude of prayer, 
 with clasped hands and a firm countenance; while Parish, 
 though with his hands clasped denoting his devotion, is 
 dejected in his general position and has downcast looks. 
 Three lines of four men each are at ' present ! ' the front 
 rank kneeling, while at each side of the men to be executed 
 is a man at ' ready ! ' The Eev. Mr Bring, who is in his 
 clerical robes, is departing from the scene towards the 
 rising ground to the right, at the foot of which is an 
 infantry regiment at ' attention,' with the 10th Keginaent 
 of Light Dragoons at their rear. On the crown of the 
 hill are the civilians, male and female ; in front of whom, 
 to the right, are soldiers formed in a circle, within which, 
 at a triangle, is a man undergoing the punishment of the 
 lash, an officer, evidently the surgeon, superintending the 
 proceedings. Immediately in the rear are the tents of the 
 encampment. 
 
 " Thirteen regiments were present at the execution, 
 which for nearly fifty years was pointed out by the form 
 of the coffins, the positions of the men firing, and other 
 incidents of the scene, being cut out in the turf by the 
 shepherd, whose innocent flocks browsed where so tragic 
 an affair occurred. The plough lias since obliterated all 
 traces of the tragedy from the spot. 
 
 " A singular instance of the effect of nervous excite- 
 ment is connected with the execution. The Eev. Mr 
 Bring, the Chaplain of the regiment, who attended the 
 culprits in their last moments, being a nervous man, and 
 having a great horror of the duty which he had to 
 perform, made a special request that after he had admin- 
 istered to them the last religious consolation, he should 
 have sufficient time to get beyond the sound of the report 
 of the fatal muskets before the order to fire was given. 
 Promise of compliance with his request was made ; but
 
 85 
 
 either from his tardy progress in leaving the spot, or a 
 miscalculation of time, the word of command was given, 
 and the firing took place while he yet was within hearing. 
 The effect upon him was that he fell to the ground, and 
 never after recovered the shock upon his nerves. 
 
 " The bodies of the two mutineers were inferred in 
 Hove churchyard, contiguous to the centre of the old 
 north boundary wall, where their remains continued 
 undisturbed till the restoration of the Church, in 1834, 
 when a saw-pit was dug at the actual spot, and a few of 
 their bones were exhumed. The burying party was under 
 Sergeant -Major Masters, who afterwards was a publican 
 at Witney. The receipt for the burial fees on the inter- 
 ment of the bodies is still retained by his family. A few 
 years since, Mr Samuel Thorncroft, the Assistant- 
 Overseer of Brighton, being at Witney, by chance called 
 at Masters' house, when, the subject of the execution of 
 the two men being introduced, the receipt referred to was 
 shown him, and Masters stated that so infamously con- 
 structed were the coffins in which the corpses were put 
 that, notwithstanding they were buried in their regimental 
 attire, their blood oozed through the coffins and ran down 
 the backs of their comrades who conveyed them to their 
 grave." 
 
 Several of the Militia regiments were here for some 
 time after the breaking up of the Camp ; the South Glo'ster 
 Militia, commanded by Earl Berkeley, remaining with 
 others many years, and had one of the principal bands 
 attached to it. The Band Master, Mr Wcerth, was the 
 author of several musical pieces, among others, " Brighton 
 Camp, or the girl I left behind me " (music which seems 
 inherent to fifes and drums); and the "Nightingale/' a 
 military rondo, dedicated to the Prince of Wales, first 
 performed before him at the Koyal Pavilion, in 1803. 
 
 On Sept. 23, 1805, a grand review of the Inniskillings, 
 Queen's Dragoons, Artillery, and South Gloucester,
 
 86 
 
 Dorset, Monmouth, Brecon, and South Hants Militia 
 took place near Kottingdean ; and on the 13th August, 
 1810, a sham fight took place on the Eace Hill, at which 
 there were present the Prince of Wales, the Dukes of 
 York, Cumberland, Clarence, Sussex, and Cambridge ; 
 80,000 spectators assembled. Several persons descendants 
 of members of the above-named Militia regiments are 
 resident in Brighton, and occupying good positions. 
 
 THE AMUSEMENTS OF BRIGHTON AND 
 THE THEATRES. 
 
 The Assemblies were held every Monday from 
 August to March. In the season only, promenade 
 concerts were given at the Castle Tavern, Castle Square, 
 corner of the Old Steine, looking eastward. This tavern 
 was opened in 1755, and pulled down in May, 1822. 
 These concerts were given three times a week, under the 
 superintendence of Mr Forth, who was elected M.C. in 
 1808, as successor to Colonel Wade. 
 
 In removing the hotel portion of this building it was 
 anticipated that it would greatly improve the Pavilion. 
 yhe Ball and Assembly Boom was converted into the 
 Boyal Chapel and consecrated, remaining as such till the 
 Boyal property came into the possession of the town, 
 when, in 1850, in accordance with arrangement, it was 
 razed to the ground and the materials sold to Miss 
 Wagner (sister of the Vicar), and re-erected in Montpelier 
 Place, known as St. Stephen's Church, the Kev. George 
 Wagner receiving the appointment as officiating clergyman, 
 and now held by the Bev. C. E. Douglas. 
 
 The other ball and assembly rooms were those known 
 as the Old Ship Rooms, situate at the rear of the Old Ship 
 Hotel, and erected in the year 1650: from this establish- 
 ment arose the name Ship Street. Masonic meetings and 
 banquets took place in these fashionable rooms prior to the
 
 87 
 
 holding of the same in the Pavilion. The Old Ship Hotel 
 is of long established reputation, and is renowned for the 
 admirable manner in which its visitors are catered for. 
 Under the able proprietorship and superintendence of 
 Mr. Kobert Bacon, who is assisted by his brother, Mr. 
 Arthur Bacon, this hotel must continue to enjoy its 
 popularity. 
 
 The amusements at this period were numerous, 
 comprising tea parties, and fireworks at Promenade Grove, 
 the entrance to which was in Prince's Place, North Street. 
 Bull-baiting and cock-fighting were also in vogue, the 
 original printed bills announcing them are now in the 
 author's possession. Here are copies of them : 
 
 A BULL BAIT 
 
 AT HOVE, 
 On MONDAY, JUNE llth, 
 
 1810. 
 
 A DINNER will be provided, and on Table at Two o'clock. 
 
 COCKING, 
 
 To be fought at the Cock Pit, 
 WHITE LION, NOKTH STREET, 
 
 BRIGHTON, 
 
 0>i THURSDAY, the 18t7i APRIL, 1811, 
 
 A Main of Cocks, for TWENTY GUINEAS a Battle, and FIFTY GUINEAS the Main ; 
 between the Gentlemen of the Isle of Wight, and the Gentlemen of Sussex. 
 
 Ferdrrx -f POLLARD, Me Of Wight. 
 
 edm tHoLDEN, Sussex. 
 JV.B. A pair of Coeks to be on the Pit at Eleven o'clock. 
 
 At tins period the Theatre was in great favour, and 
 very fashionably patronized. Situated in North Street, at 
 the back of premises now occupied by Messrs. Cunditt,
 
 88 
 
 jewellers, its erection dating back to the year 1774. Owing 
 to the rapid increase of the population, a theatre was 
 erected, in 1778, at the upper part of Duke Street, and 
 later, in 1807, on the completion of the New Road, 
 another, on a more extensive scale, was erected by Hewitt 
 Cobb, Esq., of Clement's Inn, London, on the site of the 
 present one. The first stone of this building was laid by 
 Mr. Brunton, sen., on the 24th September, 1806, and the 
 theatre opened on the 6th of June, 1807. The tragedy of 
 Hamlet was selected for the opening play, the celebrated 
 artistes Mr. and Mrs. Charles Kemble sustaining the prin- 
 cipal characters. In the month of August, in the year 
 1809, Mrs. Siddons, "the queen of tragedy" (sister of Mr. 
 Charles Kemble), appeared as "Mrs. Beverley" in the 
 play of The Gamester; her farewell performance on the 
 Btage. 
 
 Appended is a copy of the " bill of the play" : 
 
 THEATRE, BRIGHTON. 
 The MANAGERS feel happy, in most respectfully announcing to the Public, that 
 
 MRS. SIDDONS, 
 
 Previously to her FINAL Retirement from the stage, has consented to appear in 
 Two or Three of her 
 
 PRINCIPAL CHARACTERS. 
 
 On TUESDAY, August 8, 1809, 
 Will be acted the Tragedy of 
 
 TIKIS O-^IMIIESTIEJ 
 
 Beverly (for that Night only), Mr BARRYMOKE, 
 (Of the late Theatre Royal, Drury Lane.) 
 
 LewHon.. .. Mr. BRUNTON. 
 Stnkely.. .. Mr. CBESSWKLL. 
 Jarvis .. .. Mr. MURRAY 
 
 Bates . . . . Mr. JAMES 
 Dawson . . . . Mr. STANLEY. 
 Waiter .. .. Mr. PHILLIPS. 
 
 Mrs. BEVERLY, 
 
 By Mrs. SIDDONS. 
 
 Charlotte . . . . Miss BOYCE. | Lucy . . . . Miss SHARP.
 
 89 
 
 To which will be added the Faree 
 
 OF AGE TO-MORROW, 
 
 Fredsrick Mr BBUNTON. 
 
 Piffiberg .. .. Mr LOVEDAY. I Friz Mr TDHNER. 
 
 Malkus .. .. Mr RUSSBI.L. | Waiter .. .. Mr PHILLIPS. 
 
 Lady Lumbrack Mrs LOVEDAY. 
 
 Sophia . . . . Miss CHAPMAN. | Maria . . . . Mrs BKUXTON. 
 
 Doors to be opened at Half-past Six o'clock, and to begin at Half-past Seven 
 precisely ; no places can be kept after the End of the First Act. 
 
 BOXES, 5s. PIT, 2s. GALLERY, Is. 
 
 Tickets to be had, and Places in the Boxes to be taken, of Mr PHILLIPS, at the 
 Theatre, from Eleven till Three. 
 
 Here is an interesting description of Mrs Siddons' 
 farewell of the public, a short time after, at Covent 
 Garden Theatre : 
 
 " COVENT GARDEN THEATRE. 
 
 " This celebrated actress last night closed her pro- 
 fessional career at this Theatre, in the part of ' Lady 
 Macbeth,' for her own benefit. So early as three o'clock 
 in the afternoon the people began to assemble about the 
 pit and gallery doors, and at half-past four the pressure 
 was so very great, that those who had attended early, in 
 the hope of getting a good situation, were driven from the 
 doors by the rush of those who were under the arches. 
 Several persons who had attempted to get in, became 
 overpowered by the heat, and in endeavouring to retrace 
 their steps, created great confusion. So formidable was 
 the crowd, not more than twenty ladies obtained places in 
 the pit, and the house was crammed in every part. When 
 Mrs Siddons made her appearance, she was received with 
 the loudest acclamations. She appeared much affected,
 
 90 
 
 and shed tears, which seemed to relieve her, and she went 
 through her part with her usual excellence. At the end of 
 the sleeping scene, the plaudits continued from the time 
 of her going off till she again appeared to speak her 
 address, which was nearly a quarter of an hour, which 
 she delivered in a very impressive manner; and at the 
 conclusion of which Mr Kenable came and led her off by 
 the hand. She then, as well as himself, appeared much 
 affected; for the audience, not satisfied with the usual 
 method of shewing their approbation, stood up upon the 
 seats and cheered her, waving their hats for several 
 minutes. It having appeared to be the wish of the 
 majority of the audience that the play should conclude 
 with her scene, the curtain was dropped ; but Mr Kemble 
 came forward and announced, that if it was the wish of 
 the house, the play should proceed. The audience were 
 divided, and the Farce of The Spoil* d Child commenced, 
 amidst loud acclamations from one side, and disappointed 
 from the other. This continued during the whole of the 
 first act, there being a constant cry from pit and gallery 
 of 'The fifth act! the fifth act!' It was then found in 
 vain to proceed any further, as the house was all noise 
 and confusion, and the voices on the stage were totally 
 inaudible ; it was therefore deemed advisable to drop 
 the curtain, and the audience, in some short time after, 
 quietly dispersed. 
 
 The following is a copy of the Address spoken by Mrs 
 Siddons : 
 
 Who has not felt, how growing use endears 
 The fond remembrance of our former years ? 
 Who has not sigh'd, when doom'd to leave at last 
 The hopes of youth, the habits of the past, 
 The thousand ties and interests, that impart 
 A second nature to the human heart, 
 And, wreathing round it close, like tendrils, climb, 
 Blooming in age, and sanctified by time ?
 
 91 
 
 Yes ! at this moment crowd upon my mind 
 Scenes of bright days for ever left behind, 
 Bewildering visions of enraptured youth, 
 When hope and fancy wore the hues of truth, 
 And long-forgotten years, that almost seem 
 The faded traces of a morning dream ! 
 Sweet are those mournful thoughts : for they renew 
 The pleasing sence of all I owe to you, 
 For each inspiring smile, and soothing tear 
 For those full honours of my long career, 
 That cheer'd my earliest hopes, and chased my latest fear ! 
 
 And though, for me, those tears shall flow no more, 
 And the warm sunshine of your smile is o'er 
 Though the bright beams are fading fast away, 
 That shone unclouded through my summer-day, 
 Yet grateful Memory shall reflect their light 
 O'er the dim shadows of the coming night, 
 And lend to later life a softer tone, 
 A moonlight tint, a lustre of her own. 
 
 Judges and Friends! to whom the tragic strain 
 Of nature's feeling never spoke in vain, 
 Perhaps your hearts, when years have glided by, 
 And past emotions wake a fleeting sigh, 
 May think on her, whose lips have pour'd so long 
 The charmed sorrows of your Shakspeare's song ; 
 On her, who, parting to return no more, 
 Is now the mourner she but seem'd before, 
 Herself subdued, resigns the melting spell, 
 And breathes, with swelling heart, her long, her last farewell ! 
 
 Mrs Siddons first appeared in the Theatre Eoyal, 
 Drury Lane, in 1775, under an engagement, made with 
 Mr Siddons, at Cheltenham, that summer, for Mr Garrick. 
 Her salary was Q per week, and that of Mr Siddons, 40s. 
 Her first appearance was in "Portia" in the Merchant of 
 Venice, a character not best suited to her powers ; and 
 afterwards she made a more unfortunate attempt in
 
 92 
 
 comedy, in Mrs Cowley's Runaway ; soon after which her 
 admirers had the mortification to see her descend at the 
 close of the season to peronate the walking Venus in the 
 revived pageant of the Jubilee. She returned to the Bath 
 Theatre in 1 776, and, as is well known, returned a few 
 years afterwards to re-illumine the London Theatre, with a 
 splendour of talents which continued with undiminished 
 lustre to the present hour. 
 
 ME. KELLY 
 
 Begs leave to inform the Nobility, Gentry, and Inhabitants of Brighton that his 
 
 BENEFIT IS FIXED for 
 
 SATURDAY, 14th OCTOBER, 1809, 
 
 When will be acted 
 A FAVOEITE PLAY, 
 
 IN WHICH 
 
 ME. LISTON, 
 
 Of the Theatre Royal, Covent Garden, will Perform. 
 
 To which will be added, the Burlesque Tragedy of 
 
 TOM THUMB. 
 
 The part of Lord Grizzle, by MR. LISTON. 
 
 Tickets to be had of Mr. KELLY, at Mr. PAKSONS, Shoe Maker, 25, Ship 
 
 Street, and of Mr. PHILLIPS, at the Theatre, where places for the Boxes may 
 
 be obtained. 
 
 Here is proof that the boards of Brighton Theatre 
 were trodden by principal actors in the kingdom in bygone 
 days. About the year 1814, there was a tragic actor 
 performing at this Theatre of the name of William 
 Cory, playing the second parts to one of the Kembles. 
 On one occasion Kemblc was engaged for the part of 
 " Holla," in Pizarro, but from some unavoidable cause was
 
 98 
 
 absent, and the character was undertaken by the actor 
 spoken of at a very short notice, he achieving a great 
 success in his impersonation of the same, and which, in 
 consequence, excited the jealousy and ire of the absentee, 
 leading to Cory's dismissal. He then, in conjunction with 
 his wife, likewise a member of the corps dramatique, 
 established two schools at the top of Mulberry Square, in 
 North Street, opposite Ship Street (now extinct and at 
 present forming a portion of the business premises of Messrs. 
 Palmer and Co.), where they resided for many years. He 
 was the composer of " Will Watch, the Bold Smuggler," 
 a celebrated song of world-wide renown, the authorship 
 of which has been erroneously attributed to others, 
 but the author of this work vouches for the accuracy 
 of this statement. Eventually this leading place of 
 amusement became the property of George Cobb, Esq., 
 and by him, a few years since, was disposed of to the present 
 owner, Mr. Henry Nye Chart, who has recently re- 
 erected and beautified the same, and, in conjunction with 
 his worthy partner, a much-esteemed lady, cater for the 
 public requirements in a manner beyond all praise, en- 
 gaging the first talent on the boards in their desire to 
 gratify the frequenters of their establishment. 
 
 In 1808 a permanent Circus was erected on the Grand 
 Parade, near the spot occupied by the Grand Parade 
 Chapel. It was opened in August of the same year, under 
 the lesseeship of Mr Brunton, had a frontage of 100ft., 
 and was of the same depth. As adjunct thereto, there 
 was a brilliant lounge, also confectionary department and 
 a Coffee House and hotel, the latter occupying a wing to 
 the south of the Circus. From want of support the Circus 
 had but a short existence, closing in 1812 ; the premises 
 for some years after were used as a Bazaar, and above the 
 stall of Mrs Eichardson there was suspended an immense 
 painting. Since the demolition of the Grand Parade 
 Circus, various equestrian troupes have visited Brighton,
 
 94 
 
 notably those of Batty, Franconi, Cooke, Sanger, and 
 Bell. Batty's Circus was situate in Mighell Street, and 
 much frequented. Franconi converted the Eiding School 
 of the Pavilion into a Cirque, and certainly presented the 
 best artistes of the day, both English and Continental. 
 Cooke and Franconi's troupes had, respectively, the honour 
 of performing in the Eiding School, in an impromptu 
 ring, before their Majesties King William and Queen 
 Adelaide ; also, a few years after, Queen Victoria, the 
 Prince Consort, and royal family, the gallery on the 
 eastern side being converted into "the royal box" on 
 each occasion. The school was admirably adapted for 
 a Circus, but local requirements were paramount, and 
 it has now been converted into a Corn Exchange, the 
 want of a suitable building for that purpose having for 
 long been seriously felt. 
 
 In 1818, posts and rails were erected aroundjthc 
 Northern Enclosure, opposite the King and Queen, and 
 shrubs and trees planted therein, a vast improvement 
 upon its prior appearance and condition, it having 
 been, previously, the resort of all comers, and the 
 receptacle of filth and refuse. Here Brighton Fair was 
 celebrated, at which showmen, toy vendors, pedlars, and 
 "Cheap Jacks " mustered numerously, and at that time 
 the fair was one of the festivals of the inhabitants, held 
 annually on Holy Thursday and succeeding day, and on 
 the 4th and 5th September. Numerous have been its 
 locus in quo: for many years it was held on the Cliff, between 
 Black Lion Street and Ship Street, afterwards in Belle 
 Vue Field, now covered by the Eegency Square property, 
 from thence transferred to the Northern Enclosure; 
 next held on St. Peter's Green, whereon St. Peter's 
 Church stands ; then upon the Level ; afterwards 
 upon the Eoyal Cricket Ground, known as Ireland's Tea 
 Gardens, where it was established for several years ; sub- 
 sequently recovered its old quarters, the Level ; again was
 
 95 
 
 held north of the Level, in Blaker's and Tilly's Fields, 
 on the Lewes Eoad; and finally the remnant of this 
 ancient custom ekes out its miserable existence in a field 
 near the Queen's Park. It is evident that this, like other 
 kindred institutions, has outlived its original uses. 
 
 At the south-western portion of Belle Vue Field, 
 before spoken of, stood Streeter's Mill, which was removed 
 by 86 oxen to the top of Preston Drove, on the Dyke 
 Eoad, on Sept. 20, 1792. Under the Cliff at the south- 
 east corner of Belle Vue Field was a contrivance, pro- 
 tected by walls east and west, called by the inhabitants at 
 that time " Smith's Folly," the real object of which was 
 to draw up, in stress of weather, into a place of shelter 
 and security, fishing boats and smacks ; but not answering 
 the intended purpose it was pulled down. Kecently, on 
 excavating for the erection of the Sailing Club Eoom, the 
 foundation of the old walls were found. The original 
 intention was to have called Eegency Square Waterloo 
 Square, but it was abandoned for the present name, 
 
 In 1807, the principal flock masters of Brighton and 
 neighbourhood sought to establish upon the Level an 
 annual sheep and lamb fair, to take place upon the 4th of 
 September, they entering into a guarantee -to contribute 
 to the fair none but the purest Southdown breed. Near 
 20,000 animals were penned on the first occasion, and 
 met with a ready sale, buyers being plentiful. The 
 following year the fair was equally well attended, but, not- 
 withstanding the exertions of its most strenuous pro- 
 moters, the fair lapsed after seven years' existence. 
 
 In 1832 another ineffectual attempt was made to 
 establish a Cattle Market, a portion of the Workhouse 
 property abutting on to the Dyke Eoad, and near to the 
 Old Manor Pound, being selected for the purpose : but the 
 market existed only for a few years, and the natural 
 deduction formed as to the cause of these failures was the 
 absence of pasturage and grazing land in the neighbourhood,
 
 96 
 
 so extremely essential to all Stock Markets, and to this 
 want can be traced the abortive efforts to establish two 
 valuable local institutions. 
 
 At various periods the Level has been the scene for 
 celebration of festivals and important national events by 
 the inhabitants, and many of these rejoicings in modern 
 times are in the recollection of persons living in Brighton. 
 On the coronation of George IV. July 19th, 1821, two 
 bullocks were roasted and distributed, also an abundant 
 supply of bread and beer, by the Committee formed for the 
 purpose of managing the celebration of this auspicious 
 event. The inhabitants turned out en masse to witness the 
 festivities, all shops were closed and business of every des- 
 cription suspended in the desire to manifest the loyalty and 
 devotedness of the inhabitants to their royal patron ; and 
 so intent were they upon the Level rejoicings, that barely 
 a person could be met in the streets. This opportunity 
 was seized on by a party of smugglers, who, at mid-day, 
 landed a cargo of contraband goods at the bottom of Black 
 Lion Street, in the very centre of the town, their only 
 opponent a solitary coast-guardsman, who was impotent to 
 stay their escape, hence they got off successfully with their 
 booty. 
 
 On this day of rejoicing Osborne's Lewes coach, which 
 usually ran, from the Blue Coach Office, Castle Square, to 
 and from that ancient town but once per day, did a double 
 journey. 
 
 The Level was again the scene of revelry on her present 
 Majesty's Coronation Day, June 28th, 1888. The carcases 
 of an ox and some sheep were roasted ; thousands of 
 children dined on the Steyne in honor of the event, and 
 much merriment prevailed. 
 
 Later, June 4th, 185G, we had the memorable "Peace 
 Celebration," during the Mayoralty of the late Mr 
 Alderman Hallett. Brighton was gay with bunting, 
 house fronts were decorated, and illuminations at night
 
 97 
 
 time were beautiful and countless. Children, on this day, 
 dined in the avenues of the Level, tables being fitted up 
 for their accommodation beneath the trees around this 
 delightfully cool retreat. In order that the juveniles 
 should have all "the convenience possible and unalloyed 
 enjoyment of the good things provided for them, a fence 
 was erected to exclude the general public. It may be here 
 observed that, by resolution of the Town Commissioners, 
 of 21st November, 1844, the trees around the Level 
 were planted, and their present appearance con- 
 tributes very materially to the beauty of the people's 
 play-ground and neighbourhood surrounding. A great 
 drawback to this spot is the number of paths permitted to 
 intersect the same, but we trust our local authorities 
 will soon remedy this defect. 
 
 BRIGHTON RACES: THEIR RISE AND 
 DECLINE. WHITE HAWK FAIR. 
 
 The first mention made of Brighton assisting in 
 racing matters is met with in the Racing Calendar of 1777. 
 On the 81st July of this year the Brighthelmstone Plate 
 of the value of 50, a four-mile heat, was run for at 
 Lewes, and won by Sir Jno. Shelley's Hudibras, beating 
 six others. This race continued for a few years. 
 
 In 1788 a race course was formed in this town and a 
 stand erected. This event is described by "Wigstead and 
 Kowlandson, in an embellished work, entitled An Excursion 
 to Brighthelmstone made in the year 1789, from which we 
 quote as follows : " The race ground is exceedingly well 
 adapted to the purposes for which it was intended ; and is 
 one of the most beautifully sitiiated spots in the world, 
 The prospect is wonderfully extensive and magnificent. 
 The races are in July, and there are always three fifties 
 besides several sweepstakes, matches, &c. A handsome
 
 98 
 
 and convenient stand, sufficiently capacious to receive a 
 great number of spectators, is erected on the Course." 
 This stand was burnt down on the 23rd of August, 1808, 
 a misfortune attributed to the carelessness of the 
 occupant, he having, unknown to the Proprietors, who had 
 allowed him to take up his residence therein, erected a 
 temporary fireplace of bricks upon the basement floor. 
 Having occasion to leave the building, he neglected a 
 large fire then burning in the above named grate : in his 
 absence the flames communicated to the woodwork of the 
 structure (which was principally of timber), and before any 
 attempt could be made to stay their progress, the building 
 was nearly destroyed. Notwithstanding this occurrence took 
 place at mid-day, it was distinctly seen for nearly 20 miles. 
 People from various parts of the neighbourhood came to 
 the scene of conflagration : some on horseback and many on 
 foot entered the town during the day and night to make 
 enquiries respecting it, apprehensions prevailing that the 
 enemy had made a descent on that part of the coast, 
 and (as formerly) evincing a Jove (!) for the natives b)' 
 setting fire to their dwellings. The congregating of persons 
 from afar is not remarkable when it is considered how few 
 buildings intercepted the view of the Grand Stand at that 
 time. One other fire, at noon, occurred in August, 1820, 
 the total destruction of the South wick Brewery, which 
 was distinctly seen from the Old Church Yard : a number 
 of persons assembling at that spot to witness the same. 
 The brewery, however, was not rebuilt ; but its business 
 connection was transferred to extensive premises erected 
 atthenorthern part of Brighton, by Kichard Tamplin, Esq., 
 and called " The Phoenix Brewery" (from the ashes of the 
 old one), and from that time to the present the firm has 
 been successfully carried on under the name of 
 Tamplin and Son. 
 
 A singular circumstance occurred during the Race 
 Stand fire before alluded to. An officer of the Prince'
 
 99 
 
 regiment, attracted to the spot by the volumes of flames 
 and smoke, was reviewing the terrific encroachment of the 
 devouring element, when a cat, dreadfully singed and terri- 
 fied, sprung through the blaze and alighted on his shoulder. 
 The officer, somewhat surprised at first, endeavoured to 
 shake her off; but poor puss, firmly fixing her claws in 
 his jacket, was not so easily got rid off. Perceiving her 
 reluctance to leave him, he at length humanely deter- 
 mined that, as she had in the moment of danger and fear 
 flown to him for protection, she should accompany him to 
 the Barracks, and here she was well taken care of by her 
 new master and his comrades. 
 
 At a small distance from the Kace Ground there was 
 formerly a Eoman Station, called White Hawk, some 
 vestiges of which, in a circular shape, are still visible. The 
 Prince of Wales, the officers of the various militia regi- 
 ments quartered here, and several of the county gentry 
 were the chief supporters of the races at their com- 
 mencement. This meeting extended over four days, 
 Friday, Saturday, Monday, and Tuesday, and in 1791 
 the dates were respectively July 29th and 30th, August 1st 
 and 2nd, (a Sunday intervening, on which day a fair was 
 held, called White Hawk Fair), and the " running hours " 
 of the races were so apportioned as to admit of the races 
 being run before and after dinner. Connected with this fair, 
 the Morning Herald of Monday, Aug. 3, 1807, makes the 
 following allusion to the preceding day : 
 
 " BBIGHTON. 
 
 " White Hawk Fair, as it is termed, has attracted 
 much company to the Eace Down to-day, though but 
 few individuals of fashionable note were to be seen in the 
 throng." 
 
 These races attained such a degree of excellence 
 under the auspices named that few provincial meetings could 
 rival them, some of the most celebrated horses in the king-
 
 100 
 
 dom being engaged here, viz. : Waxy, Pot 8-0's., Smolensk! 
 Pavilion, Sancbo, &c. In 1804 there were 19 horses 
 entered for the Pavilion Stakes p.p. of 100 Guineas, 
 and a majority of them accepted and started. 
 
 The following bona-fule match for 2,000 guineas, h. f., 
 between the celebrated horses Sancho and Pavilion, 
 arranged to be run for over the Lewes Kace Course, 
 on July 24th, 1806, excited the greatest interest in 
 Brighton, as the appended quotation will show: - 
 
 " Brighton, July 26th. This place is all hurry and 
 bustle with preparations for the great match at Lewes 
 to-morrow, between Sancho and Pavilion. A report was 
 circulated yesterday that Sancho was not well, and that 
 bets were 7 to 4 in favour of Pavilion. It was, however, 
 entitled to no credit, Saiicho continues to be the favorite. 
 Every carriage is taken to convey the company to Lewes 
 to-morrow." 
 
 The following description of the race, &c., is also of 
 great interest : 
 
 Yesterday, the 27th, the long-expected match between 
 the Earl of Darlington's famous horse Pavilion and MrMel- 
 lish's no less famous horse Sancho, was decided upon Lewes 
 Race Ground. The distance was four miles, equal weight, 
 each horse carrying eight stone seven pounds. No match 
 has taken place for a long time that excited so much 
 interest. The people of Brighton, Worthing, and all 
 other neighbouring towns and villages, at an early hour, 
 began to put themselves in motion. About twelve o'clock 
 the company upon the ground amounted to about 1,000; 
 but in less than an hour they exceeded 3,000, and many 
 bets were made. Sancho had been always the favourite, 
 and for some days past the odds were 7 to 4 in his favour. 
 On Wednesday, however, they varied a little, and came 
 down to 5 to 4 ; but yesterday morning public opinion 
 declared in favor of Pavilion, the odds completely changed
 
 101 
 
 sides, and 6 to 4 were frequently laid upon him. This 
 revolution was produced by a report that Sancho was not 
 well. At a quarter to two, his Eoyal Highness the Prince 
 of Wales arrived upon the ground in his barouche and six 
 beautiful greys. His Eoyal Highness sat upon the barouche 
 seat, and was driven by Sir John Lade. The company 
 inside were the Earl of Darlington, Mr Smith, and three 
 other gentlemen. The barouche drove up towards the 
 judge's box, and took its station at a distance of about 
 twenty yards from it. Mr Mellish, the owner of Sancho 
 drove up soon after, in his barouche and four beautiful 
 greys, with the Countess of Barrymore and three other 
 ladies inside. At two o'clock the two horses came upon 
 the ground. Pavilion was the first. He was walked the 
 length of the railing, and was surrounded by the company, 
 who were greatly pleased with his fine appearance. Great 
 activity was now used to clear the course, no person being 
 suffered inside the railing. In this business Mr Mellish 
 shewed great anxiety and exerted himself very much. At 
 five minutes past two the horses were saddled, and Mr 
 Mellish went up to Sancho, and led him about ten yards 
 before the start. Buckle rode Sancho, in a white jacket and 
 crimson sleeves. Pavilion was ridden by young Chiffuey, 
 in a light orange jacket with gold lace stripes. Expecta- 
 tion was now raised to its extreme height. The moment 
 of trial at length arrived, and the horses started at ten 
 minutes past two. Pavilion took the lead and kept it 
 about four lengths for the first two miles. Sancho now 
 began to fetch up the distance, and gained about a length 
 in the third mile. Five minutes had now elapsed, and 
 the two horses had turned the post, Pavilion maintaining 
 his last mentioned distance a-head of Sancho. The bets 
 now ran 2 to 1 upon Pavilion. Just in the flat, at the 
 commencement of the last mile, the grand struggle and 
 display of speed and jockeyship commenced. In running 
 home this last mile, Sancho felt himself upon the ground
 
 102 
 
 where lie usually made his pushes against the hill, and 
 Buckle now pursued the same system. Sancho ran in a 
 fine style up to Pavilion, passed him, and for a moment 
 victory appeared doubtful. This arduous and anxious 
 struggle lasted until the horses came up to the distance 
 post, when, to the great sorrow and disappointment of 
 everyone who did not gain by the event, Sancho suddenly 
 broke completely down. Pavilion ran home and won easy. 
 It was in his near fore foot that Sancho failed. He was so 
 lame, it was with difficulty he carried his weight to the 
 winning post. 
 
 Just at the moment Sancho broke down, the odds 
 had changed greatly in his favour, and 5 to 1 
 was betted upon him. Pavilion did not appear in the 
 least distressed. Mr Mellish, it is said, had 20,000 
 depending upon this match, including the 2,000 for 
 which the match was made. It was stated he would be 
 obliged to forfeit half of the two matches which Sancho 
 was to run ; that is, a mile at Brighton, for the same sum, 
 between the same horses; and the match for 1,000 
 against His Eoyal Highness the Prince of Wales's famous 
 horse Haphazard. 
 
 Among the company present were, the Duchess of 
 St. Albans, in a curricle; her Grace was in mourning, 
 and looked very interesting. The Marchioness of Clanri- 
 carde, in a barouche and four fine greys; the beautiful 
 Countess Berkeley and four other Ladies, in a landau ; 
 Mr Potts and family, in a barouche and four bays ; 
 the Earl of Barrymore was on horseback, in company 
 with the Hon. Capt. Stanhope ; Lord Monson, Lord 
 G. Cavendish, Mr Dalton, Col. Graham (from Worthing), 
 Lord Stawell, and several officers of the Gth Light 
 Dragoons, from Lewes, were among the fashionable 
 equestrians. The Prince and his party, and Mr Mellish 
 and his party, after the race, went to the Star Inn, 
 Lewes, where they alighted, and partook of some
 
 103 
 
 refreshment; and, at half-past three, they returned to 
 Brighton. Thus ended this busy scene. 
 
 The above-named "crack" horse, Pavilion, at the 
 Brighton Kaces on July 28th, a week afterwards, won the 
 Gold Cup given by His Eoyal Highness the Prince of Wales, 
 added to a subscription of ten guineas each, beating 
 Mr Mellish's Headley and two others. Headley having 
 bolted and ran towards the sea. At the conclusion of 
 the race Mr Mellish came up to the Prince and said 
 he was never so vexed at losing money as on this 
 occasion, and it could not be called a race. He had 
 lost 2,000 upon it, but observed that he had won 
 2,600 the preceding night. The race day, &c., is [thus 
 described : 
 
 " The morning was very fine, and the race-ground, 
 at twelve o'clock, crowded. His Eoyal Highness the 
 Prince of Wales was in his barouche, with six bays, 
 his postilion in a new livery, black velvet sleeves, covered 
 with gold lace, and scarlet body, with gold stripes. At 
 a quarter to one the Prince arrived. The Duke and 
 Duchess of St. Albans were in a curricle and pair. 
 Sir John Lade in his barouche and four. Mrs Fitzherbert 
 in her barouche with three ladies. His Eoyal Highness 
 left the race-ground at five o'clock. A grand cricket 
 match was to have taken place after the race, between 
 some of the Brighton gentlemen and some of the sporting 
 visitors, but the rain prevented it, to the great disappoint- 
 ment of three thousand spectators. 
 
 " The Ball, at the Castle Assembly Booms, last 
 night, was numerously attended. His Eoyal Highness 
 the Prince of Wales was present. The Countess of 
 Jersey looked divinely. Her Ladyship wore a point dress. 
 The Earl and Countess of Barrymore, Mrs Fitzherbert, 
 and the whole of the Prince's party were present. The 
 Prince left the Ball Boom at one o'clock. The Duchess
 
 104 
 
 of St. Alban's was prevented, by a slight indisposition, 
 from being there. Her Grace and the Duke intend leaving 
 Brighton to-morow. 
 
 " The Earl of Barrymore gave a grand dinner to 
 the Earl of Darlington, Sir John Lade, Mr Hellish, 
 and several other gentlemen. The Theatre is crowded. 
 
 " Nine o'Clock. 
 
 " His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales left 
 Brighton at half-past seven this evening, for London. It 
 is said, in consequence of an express he received at two 
 o'clock this day." 
 
 This state of matters relative to racing continued 
 for some years, but the races eventually declined ; 
 in the year 1816 they were suspended, and remained 
 in abeyance till 1819, when means were taken to 
 resuscitate them. The Brighton Herald of July 81st, 
 of that year, thus speaks of the same: "The 
 town is in the meridian blaze of gaiety ; would that 
 every town in the kingdom exhibited such emblems 
 of joy and pleasure as Brighton. The Kace Hill 
 at this moment is covered by an immense assemblage of 
 persons. The equipages are numerous, dazzling and 
 elegant. The equestrians, for the most part, are all well 
 mounted, and those on foot include a very considerable 
 portion of respectable individuals. The scene is truly 
 enlivening ; the Duke of York, who, accompanied by 
 Colonel Cooke and Mr Dighton, arrived here on Sunday, is 
 among the spectators. There is also a long list of noble- 
 men and gentlemen of sporting celebrity. The common 
 observation is that Brighton never shone in such splendour. 
 Those who have so spiritedly come forward to re-establish 
 the races have now the gratification to perceive that their 
 efforts have proved decidedly successful. The sports 
 yesterday were exceedingly good and consisted of a 
 sweepstakes of twenty guineas each, won by Lord
 
 105 
 
 Egromont's Snowclou, aud a gold cup given by the Priucc 
 Eegent, added to a sweepstakes of ten guineas each, won 
 by Mr Turner's Anglesea, and a plate of one hundred 
 guineas won by Mr Turner's Khoda. The sports of 
 this day and Monday are expected to be equally good. The 
 course is in excellent order and the weather could not be 
 more favorable. A new judge's stand has been erected and 
 is admirably adapted for the purpose. Mr Paul Hewitt, wine 
 merchant, of German Place, who, as Chairman of the 
 Committee of Subscribers to the racing fund, has shewn 
 an ardent zeal and devoted a great deal of his time in 
 promoting the success of the races, officiated as judge in 
 the most impartial and satisfactory manner. It 
 is with pleasure we here observe that the Duke of York 
 warmly interested himself in the cause, and on Thursday 
 last called at Mr Hewitt's house* to ascertain how the 
 entries were getting on. The town generally will, we are 
 sure, applaud the style in which the measures for securing 
 this desideratum to the town have been carried out, the 
 success has been complete, and we sincerely hope that what 
 has been so well begun will be kept up by a corresponding 
 spirit, for we are sure that annual races will prove of the 
 highest advantage to the town. The Eace Ball, under the 
 patronage of the Stewards of the Kaces, viz., the Earl of 
 Egremont and J. Douglas, Esq., M.P., will take place on 
 Monday next, August 2nd, at the Old Ship Hotel, under 
 the superintendence of W. S. Forth, Esq., M.C." The 
 same journal, in its first publication after the races, 
 mentions : " It is with much pleasure we state that 
 measures have already been adopted which will cause more 
 eclat to the races next year. The Pavilion Stakes are 
 revised and to which there are several subscribers ; and 
 to the Regent's gold cup are eight subscribers ; and no less 
 
 * This house was the first erected eastward of the Meyne, nothing 
 intervening between it and Donaldson's Library. It is now in the occu- 
 pation of Mr Cashcr.
 
 106 
 
 than fifteen to a sweepstakes of ten guineas each with 
 sixty to be added by the town. Besides the above, Mr 
 Harrington and other gentlemen have subscribed one 
 hundred guineas to be called the Brighton Club Stakes." 
 
 The Races again progressed smoothly and satisfactorily 
 for some years, then again they were on the wane, and the 
 journal spoken of had the following remarks connected 
 with them on August 12th, 1837 : " These races com- 
 menced on Thursday last, and perhaps within the memory 
 of the present inhabitants they have never proved so sig- 
 nificant a failure. The attractions presented were of the 
 meanest sort, the attendance, hitherto so numerous on such 
 occasions, has been, on the present, the most trifling 
 possible, scarcely anything remained to remind us of what 
 they once were but the erection of some booths for the 
 sale of articles of refreshment, and a tolerable sprinkling 
 of the usual attendants at such scenes. The whole of the 
 affair was 'flat, stale, and unprofitable' ; each day afforded, 
 by advertisement, but one race. The first for the 
 Brighton Stakes was won by Mr Jno. Day's Airy, beating 
 his horse, the Drummer, and Lord Chesterfield's Hornsea. 
 The second day Her Majesty's Cup was won by the last 
 horse mentioned walking over the course, being the only one 
 placed. Unless something be done to restore our Races 
 to their former state and vigour they will shortly become 
 extinct, Thus ended this very dull affair to the disap- 
 pointment of all. Time was when these Races bore a 
 very different complexion, and if they were of any use to 
 the town, now is the moment to prevent their total 
 extinction. A ball with fireworks has been given each 
 evening at Brown's Royal Gardens." 
 
 The Races continued for a few years longer, but the 
 Committee felt their efforts were paralysed by not having 
 any interest in the Stand, as all the money received for 
 admission went into the pockets of the shareholders, who
 
 107 
 
 rendered no account whatever of their receipts and disburse- 
 ments. Matters were consequently drawing to a climax 
 between them and the then Eace Committee, inasmuch 
 as at this period, 1848, the Committee had not sufficient 
 funds to discharge one-half of their obligations, involving 
 the vital principle of winners of races remaining unpaid, 
 the greatest creditor being that noble sportsman, Lord 
 George Bentinck. The death of the Earl of Egremont, 
 one of the principal supporters of the Kaces, added to 
 their decline, and the Duke of Kichmond withdrew 
 his support in favour of Goodwood, which Kaces had 
 been fixed to take precedence of Brighton, and the with- 
 drawal of the Eoyal gift of 100 guineas for a gold cup 
 helped forward this result. 
 
 At this juncture a movement was made by the Town 
 Commissioners to obtain the Eace Stand on behalf of the 
 inhabitants, and a Committee was appointed for that 
 purpose, who took possession of the same, which act was 
 repudiated by the general body at one of their meetings, 
 who threw the responsibility of it on the members of the 
 committee individually, actions for trespass being served 
 on them by Mr Thomas Attree on behalf of himself and 
 co-trustees ; but these proceedings were withdrawn, the 
 amende honorable having been made. The Trustees after- 
 wards offered to sell the interest they held in the same for 
 400 to the Eace Committee. This offer was declined by the 
 existing Eace Committee, but afterwards a public meeting 
 was called at which a new Committee was formed, and 
 the subject re-opened, the result being the purchase of the 
 Stand for 380 (the Eailway Company contributing 100 
 towards the amount, irrespective of their annual subscrip- 
 tion to the Eaces of 100), Mr Lewis Slight, jun., acting as 
 Honorary Secretary, and it was evident that unless a great 
 effort was made the sports would have to be abandoned 
 and the beautiful gallop over the breezy downs be lost 
 to the public.
 
 108 
 
 This property being acquired, gave the new regime a 
 freedom of action to improve L the |mauagement of the 
 Eaces. The annual public money given at this period to 
 be run for was 350, and the public money has gradually 
 increased up to the present time, and is now upwards of 
 2000. 
 
 The first step taken was to raise subscriptions to pay 
 all debts owing ; and assurances of support were given by 
 the Chairman, Mr Samuel Laing, of the London and 
 Brighton Kailway Company (which had recently come 
 into existence), and its Traffic Manager, Mr George 
 Hawkins, and by dint of great efforts the required sum 
 needed to pay off the obligations was obtained. The 
 Races again assumed a more healthy aspect, and the 
 following notice of the same appeared in the Brighton 
 Herald of the period : 
 
 "It is with great satisfaction we announce that in 
 consequence of the spirited steps taken by a party of 
 gentlemen interested in the welfare of Brighton, not only 
 has the credit of the town been relieved from the unworthy 
 stigma that has been attached to it, but after satisfying 
 Lord George Bentinck's claim and others, a considerable 
 sum remains towards carrying out the Eaces for the 
 ensuing year in a proper and sportsmanlike manner. We 
 may now hope for a revival on a new footing. Lord 
 George Bentinck has been paid, and under the direction of 
 a Committee, consisting of a party of gentlemen to whom 
 the greatest thanks are due, we have no doubt but funds 
 will be raised that will enable the town to offer such prizes 
 as will ensure the attendance of the best horses. However, 
 a conscientious feeling will prevent, as we know it has 
 done, many worthy and influential inhabitants of the town 
 from lending their support and countenance to racing ; 
 still we do not think it ought to be concealed that under 
 proper directions these sports must prove highly beneficial
 
 109 
 
 io the town and their offensive features become much 
 modified. However we may incline to respect the 
 conscientious feeling that withholds the support of our 
 Dissenting brethren, still we cannot disguise the fact that 
 the amusement of the visitors has not been fully con- 
 sidered, and that the interests of the town have suffered 
 in consequence. To use a homely phrase, ' We all row 
 together in the same boat,' and we are bound to sacrifice 
 something towards supporting the character and prosperity 
 of Brighton." 
 
 The next step taken was the erection of a new Grand 
 Stand in the place of the shabby wooden building of 1803. 
 The Town Surveyor of the period, Mr Allan Stickney, was 
 requested to furnish the designs, and the present hand- 
 some and commodious structure was commenced May 1st, 
 1851, and opened in August following at a cost of 5000. The 
 southern wing has since been added, and was first occupied 
 on the occasion of the Easter Monday Eeview of 1866, by 
 the Princess of Wales, Princess Mary of Cambridge, the 
 Hon. Mrs Stonor, and the Mayoress, the Mayor of 
 Brighton (Mr Alderman Henry Martin), Sir William 
 Knollys and Colonel Tyrwhitt. The Prince of Wales 
 marched past at the head of his corps, The Honourable 
 Artillery Company, and in the presence likewise of H.E.H. 
 the Duke of Cambridge, Prince Teck, Sir Hope Grant, Sir 
 Hugh Eose, and other distinguished Officers. The Eoyal 
 party and suite were, after the Eeview, entertained by the 
 Mayor and Corporation to a sumptuous repast in the 
 Banqueting Eoom at the Eoyal Pavilion. The Prince of 
 Wales, in responding to the toast of " The Prince and 
 Princess of Wales," proposed by the Mayor, thanked 
 the Mayor and Corporation for the hospitality and cordial 
 welcome accorded to them, remarking that " He had been 
 highly pleased with his visit to Brighton, and the 
 proceedings throughout the day had given him entire 
 satisfaction."
 
 110 
 
 Since that period the northern wing has been added, 
 making the sum of 10,000 expended on the Stand, Course, 
 &c. The Trustees appointed by the Race Committee, and 
 in whom the property is vested, are Mr Alderman 
 Burrows, Mr Alderman Henry Martin, Mr Robert 
 Williams, Mr H. F. Stocken, Mr Lewis Slight, and Mr 
 Lewis Slight, jun., and under the able superintendence of 
 Mr Henry Dorling, of Epsom, (Clerk of the Course), and 
 the Race Committee, together with the Honorary 
 Secretary, Mr H. F. Stocken (the successor of Mr Lewis 
 Slight, jun.), who has been indefatigable in carrying out 
 the onerous duties of his office, the Races have proved 
 very attractive. 
 
 The Brighton Season commences with their advent 
 (and those of Goodwood the week prior) they occupy 
 three days ; the last one being devoted to those of the 
 Brighton Club, and it was an old saying amongst the 
 inhabitants, " That the last horse at the Races brought 
 winter on his tail." 
 
 The Race Ground consists of 105 acres and 30 
 perches, over which the right of pasturage has been vested 
 in the Marquis of Bristol, by its purchase from the 
 late Mr Thomas Read Kemp, subject to the public rights, 
 viz., the erection thereon, by the inhabitants, of booths 
 and stalls, &c., for the accommodation and recreation of 
 the public during the Eaces. 
 
 The booths, &c., were erected formerly on the west 
 side of the Grand Stand and near to the wall of the 
 New Workhouse premises, but about 20 years ago 
 were removed to a more convenient position on the north 
 side of the Stand, parallel to the Course. 
 
 The height of the Stand at the Race-ground is 
 884ft. above the level of the sea at low water. Hence the 
 distance which you can observe at sea from the same 
 is about 24 miles. The Isle of Wight is visible from 
 this spot, and, as the distance to which you can see
 
 Ill 
 
 towards it, upon the sea there, is rather more than half- 
 way, any land which is lower than this hill may be seen 
 in a direct line; but on account of the refraction of the 
 air, it would appear more elevated than it is in reality, 
 and the refraction varying in different states of the air, 
 the island will at times appear at varied elevations above 
 the sea, when the sea is at the same altitude. If we 
 admit the breadth of the Channel to be 70 miles, it would 
 require land on the other side to be about 1452ft. high, 
 to be seen in a straight line from this hill ; but as there 
 is no land on the opposite coast the height of which is 
 nearly equal to this, it can neither be seen directly, nor 
 can the refraction elevate it sufficiently to render it visible 
 from hence. 
 
 The following is the description of the Course, viz. : 
 " The Old Course," on which the Cup and Stakes are run, 
 forms a figure like three sides of a square, with very easy 
 turns, and is one mile and three-quarters and 265 yards 
 in length. The first quarter of a mile is level, with a 
 slight dip at the end of it ; the next half mile is on the 
 ascent, and from the mile post there is a descent until 
 about one-third of a mile from the finish, where there is a 
 sharp hill up to the " Winning Post." " The New 
 Course" is one mile and three-quarters and 144 yards, 
 and is formed by starting from "The Winning Post," 
 and running about three quarters of a mile from home 
 to the right, round an elbow and turning into "The 
 Old Course " again about midways between the " T.Y.C." 
 and the mile post. The " T.Y.C." is three-quarters of a 
 mile ; " The New Ovingdean Course" is about five furlongs. 
 
 A large portion of the Course is out of the parish of 
 Brighton, and held by an arrangement with the owner. 
 Formerly it was customary to give a quantity of wine 
 annually for the use thereof, but the custom having been 
 broken on one occasion, and notice having been served on 
 the Eace Committee to discontinue racing over that portion,
 
 112 
 
 they were then compelled to alter the Course from the top 
 of the same near the Windmill, turning westward, and 
 finishing southward to the Grand Stand. But this state 
 of affairs only lasted one year, an arrangement having heen 
 made with W. C. Mahhott, Esq., the owner, to pay 10 
 guineas for its use annually. The property was afterwards 
 purchased by the late Charles Beard, Esq., of Rottingdean, 
 who, in the true spirit of a sportsman, returned it in the 
 shape of his 3 r early contribution to the Race Fund, and 
 his nephew, Stenning Beard, Esq., the present possessor, 
 has likewise acted in the same liberal spirit, so also the 
 tenant, W. J. Green, Esq., of Ovingdean : both gentlemen 
 at all times afford every facility to the Race Committee, 
 in the carrying out of their arrangements to secure sport 
 on the occasion of the annual gatherings. 
 
 The Course extends over a part of the Hill called 
 Whitehawk Hill, where are the remains of an ancient 
 triple entrenchment, which by some is supposed to be a 
 Roman, and by others a Celtic fortification, though it is 
 probable that it was the resort of the distressed Britons in 
 the time of danger and trouble. 
 
 HUNTING IX THE NEIGHBOURHOOD. 
 
 Having treated of racing matters to some extent, we 
 will next allude to that of a kindred character, Hunting, 
 which extends over the Downs, &c., to a distance of some 
 20 miles a country so diversified, and, indeed, so well 
 suited for hunting, that we are not surprised at the large 
 number of sportsmen and others attending at the various 
 " meets " to take part in the invigorating exercise thus 
 offered. The district is well supplied witli sport, both 
 hares and foxes being abundant. Sportsmen seldom meet 
 with a blank day ; but even in such case a gallop or a 
 walk over the South Downs is alike as beneficial to the
 
 118 
 
 robust as to the valetudinarian. There has been a pack of 
 " Harriers " kept in this town or immediate neighbourhood 
 for the last century and a half, the kennel, about a century 
 ago, being situated in the old chalk pit that formerly 
 existed between Regent Row and Upper North Street. 
 The huntsman's name was Parr. About half a century 
 since the kennels were on the spot now covered by 
 the present entrance to Longhnrst's brewery, on 
 the London Road. The huntsman was familiarly called 
 Harry Mitchell, he succeeding one by the name of Austen. 
 The management of the Hunt devolved upon a committee, 
 the leading members of which being Mr William Chapman 
 (the then proprietor of Chapman's brewery, of this town), 
 and Messrs. Scrase, Tanner, Chatfield, Blaker, &c., the 
 Treasurer being Mr Buckman. It was then removed to 
 its present position in Hollingdean Road, the owner 
 of the land in that neighbourhood (Thomas Read 
 Kemp, Esq., the projector of Kemp Town), generously 
 giving the site of the same, and the committee con- 
 structing the house and kennel, the condition of the 
 gift being " that it should belong exclusively to 
 the ' Brighton Hunt.' " The same donor also gave a 
 piece of ground in the same neighbourhood for the 
 Jews' burial place. The Hunt has been carried on from 
 that time to the present with varied success, under the 
 management of a committee principally consisting of the 
 holders of the land over which the sport takes place, and 
 during the period has been represented by different 
 Masters, who have recently been Messrs. Willard, Hudson, 
 Bridger Stent,* Dewe, the present Master, Peter Thorpe 
 being the Huntsman. A few years ago there was another 
 
 * This gentleman undertook the Mastership, on an emergency, at the 
 unanimous request of a large number of persons interested in its manage- 
 ment, and, after two or three successful seasons, was suddenly snatched 
 away by death, to the great grief of a large number of friends, to whom 
 he was endeared by his amiable and unassuming manners.
 
 114 
 
 pack of Harriers, belonging to Juo. Brooker \'allance, 
 Esq., called the "Hove Harriers," and the Huntsman's 
 name Seal. After some little time, however, it became 
 amalgamated with the Brighton pack, the hounds being 
 generously given by that gentleman to further its pros- 
 perity. Also another pack in the neighbourhood called 
 the Brookside Harriers, the kennels of which are at 
 Iford, confining their sphere of action to the South 
 Downs in the immediate vicinity of the west side of Lewes 
 river. They aiford excellent sport, are exceedingly 
 well-managed, and have been for a considerable time 
 under the joint superintendence of Messrs. Beard, Saxby, 
 &c. This hunt, like that of the Brighton, afford the 
 means of enjoyment for a large number of our visitors 
 and residents, and the town is under a deep obligation to 
 those gentlemen who so kindly grant the use of their 
 respective lands for the purpose, adding thereby to its 
 prosperity. The inhabitants should, therefore, requite 
 such kindness by liberally subscribing to the funds raised 
 for their support. 
 
 There is, also, a pack of Foxhounds, the kennels 
 being situate at Bingmer, a most delightful and pleasant 
 village, about twelve miles from Brighton and four east- 
 ward of Lewes ; it has a large share of fashionable patrons 
 from Brighton, during the season, at its respective "meets," 
 which take place in this neighbourhood once in each week, 
 and it not unfrequently happens that from -100 to 500 
 equestrians, of both sexes, assemble to witness the same. 
 We have been assured by the hospitable land-holder, 
 Thomas Pearson, Esq., of Erringham, near Shoreham 
 (one of the favourite " meets " of this popular pack of 
 hounds), that the attendance of equestrians and pedestrians 
 has in instances reached double and treble the above numbers, 
 an irrefutable proof of the high estimation in which it is 
 held. Another favourite meet takes place at Poynings Cross 
 Ways, and we find that in 1812 there was a pack of hounds
 
 115 
 
 located in the neighbourhood, called " The Newtimber 
 Foxhounds " and the Findon Foxhounds frequently met in 
 this locality. At this period there were two days' racing 
 over the Findon Eace Course (then in existence) for Cups and 
 Stakes. These races were mainly supported by Mr Walker, 
 of Michelgrove ; Newnham of Findon, and others in the 
 vicinity. It may not be uninteresting to our readers to trace 
 the South Down Foxhounds' Hunt to its origin, inas- 
 much as it will be found that about the year 1820 there 
 was quartered in the Barracks that existed at that time a 
 troop of Royal Artillery. An interesting sight at the time 
 for the villagers of Eingmer was the Church parade of the 
 Artillery, preceded by its band. The Officers of the corps, 
 thinking doubtless that as they were stationed in a 
 locality of numerous covers well stocked with foxes 
 (which the constant depredations of these nocturnal ram- 
 blers on the chicken-houses amply testified), and in 
 order, moreover, to destroy the monotony of a country 
 district, came to the resolution of purchasing a small pack 
 of hounds, which was designated " The East- Sussex Fox- 
 hounds," the senior officer in command, Major Cator, under- 
 taking their management. The gentlemen in the neighbour- 
 hood having assisted the funds of the Hunt by their subscrip- 
 tions, &c., the kennel was erected on the Barrack property, 
 and matters progressed favourably for some time (the 
 Huntsman's name being Perkins), until an order came 
 down from the Board of Ordnance with peremptory 
 instructions at once to remove the- pack from Govern- 
 ment property, which was accordingly done. They were 
 then taken to Broyle Gate, formerly the entrance to Broyle 
 Park ** (very near the spot that the Hunt Steeple-chases 
 
 * This park was of an extensive character, consisting of 2,000 acres, 
 and formerly belonged to the Archbishop of Canterbury, who resided ill 
 the mansion, (standing at that time on the domain), when his clerical duties 
 in this neighbourhood required his personal attendance. It afterwards 
 became the residence of Sir William Springett , who at the siege of Arundel,
 
 110 
 
 annually take place at the conclusion of the season). 
 Matters thus progressed till the year 1827, when the 
 Barracks were taken down (except the officers' quarters), 
 and the materials sold. At this time Lord Gage came for- 
 ward and liberally assisted the fallen fortunes of the Hunt, 
 by allowing the stud belonging to the same to be taken 
 to his stables at Firle. He also purchased some cottage 
 property at Eushy Green, Ringmer, and built kennels and 
 stables thereon (using a considerable quantity of the old 
 Barrack materials in their erection). C. J. Craven, Esq., of 
 Kemp Town, was then Master of the Hunt ; Press, the 
 Huntsman, and for a short time, Hennesey. A few years 
 later, upon Mr Craven relinquishing the Mastership, Capt. 
 Green undertook the management, but after some time the 
 Hunt totally collapsed, and the hounds, kennels, stables, &c., 
 were sold. It remained in abeyance for a time, and was then 
 resuscitated by Freeman Thomas, Esq., of Ratton, near 
 Eastbourne (Brooker being the Huntsman), under the name 
 of " The Southdown Foxhounds." It was afterwards thought 
 desirable by many that an attempt should be made to bring 
 them back to their old locality, it being within easy reach 
 of Brighton, and its funds would thereby be enriched by 
 the numbers that would consequently attend its meets in 
 the neighbourhood. It was finally resolved that, if pos- 
 sible, this should be done, and means adopted to bring about 
 so desirable an end. The first step taken was to find 
 suitable premises for its requirements, and efforts were 
 made to induce the Government to grant a lease of that 
 portion of the Barracks that had not been demolished, for 
 the purposes of the Hunt, which for many years had 
 been used as a Lunatic Asylum ; but these proved 
 
 by the Parliamentarians, contracted a cold and died therefrom in 1G43. 
 He was buried in Ringmer Church, wherein a tablet is erected to hit) 
 memory. It is likewise on record that, the roads being so extremely 
 bad, his family, to attend Divine Service, had to be drawn to Church by 
 eight oxen.
 
 117 
 
 unsuccessful. Application was then made to Mr Henry 
 Martin, of Brighton, by Mr Thomas Ellman, of Bedinghanv 
 and Mr Withers, of Ringmer (steward to Sir James 
 Langham, of Glyndbourne), for premises belonging to him 
 that were suitable for its requirements at Ashton Green in the 
 same parish, and within a quarter of a mile of the former 
 kennels : he concurred in the view that it was very desirable 
 that the hounds should be brought nearer Brighton, and at 
 once entered into a preliminary agreement in furtherance of 
 the object sought. This property formerly belonged to 
 Mr Henry Martin, a farmer and miller (great grandfather 
 of the above), a man of some note in his time and ex- 
 cessively found of hunting with the pack of harriers that 
 existed at that period in the neighbourhood, and whose 
 ancestor, of the same name, it is supposed, left this parish, 
 or the adjacent one of Isfield or Eipe, with Colonel 
 Morley, of Glynde, and Sir William Springett (already 
 spoken of) to join the Parliamentarians to oppose King 
 Charles I. and the Eoyalists. To show the respect this 
 person was held in, Sir Ferdinando Poole, of Lewes (a 
 renowned sportsman and breeder of horses, whose stables 
 were in this parish), stood sponsor to his youngest son, 
 who was named after him, also made him a present of a 
 hunter on the occasion. 
 
 This Sussex worthy is made the subject of a tale, 
 called "My Grandfather's Hat," in an interesting work by 
 
 * Colonel Herbert Morley, soldier and politician, was elected M.P. for 
 Lewes in 1641, and the year after he undertook to raise men and gun- 
 powder for its defence against the Royalists, and at the siege of Chichester 
 held a prominent command. After the dissolution of the long Parliament 
 he was elected for Eye ; but excused himself from serving, " from an 
 intolerable fit of gout." After Cromwell's death he was returned both for 
 Lewes and Sussex ; he elected to sit for the county. On the restoration of 
 Charles II. he escaped the severer punishment of the regicides by the pay- 
 ment of 1000, and by his not Laving signed the death warrant of 
 Charles I., although he was present at the trial and condemnation of that 
 monarch. He died at Glynde, in 1667, in the fifty-second year of his age, 
 and was buried there amongst his numerous ancestors. M. A. Lower's 
 " Worthies of Sussex,"
 
 118 
 
 Mr Charles Fleet, entitled " Tales and Sketches for Fireside 
 Heading," and the following remarkable instance of longevity 
 connected with his family appeared in the Brighton Herald, 
 of November 26th, 1831 : "There are now living four sons 
 and three daughters of the late Mr Henry Martin, of 
 Eingmer, whose united ages amount to 500 years, and all in 
 the enjoyment of perfect health." 
 
 In order to show the enthusiasm with which the 
 subject of our memoir entered into matters relative to 
 hunting, the following anecdote may be mentioned, 
 " On riding past a cottage in the parish, he was 
 called to account by the house-wife in consequence of her 
 not being able to obtain the weekly grist at the mill, and he 
 gave the following laconic answer, 'Odd, zounds, dame! 
 how can you expect it, for there hasn't been sufficient wind 
 this week to grind meal enough for the puppies.' " He 
 died January 12th, 1798, in his 84th year. One of his sons 
 alluded to hunted with and capped for the Brighton 
 Harriers for nearly a quarter of a century, and died 
 November 23rd, 1846, in his 85th year. 
 
 It may here be mentioned as being somewhat re- 
 markable, that there has been six or seven, probably more 
 of this family of the same name, eldest sons of eldest sons, 
 for some generations. It may be also stated that 
 the village of Eingmer is particularly healthy, and 
 many instances of the longevity of its inhabitants are 
 recorded : an inscription can be seen near the sun-dial in 
 the Church-yard to the memory of Elizabeth Imms, who 
 attained to the great age of 102 years. 
 
 The arrangements for the premises, before alluded to, 
 were not carried out, in consequence of a communication 
 from the War Office received a short time afterwards, to 
 the effect that on a re-consideration of the application, 
 they were disposed to let the Barrack property for the 
 purposes of the Hunt; matters were consequently arranged, 
 and the kennels, &c., erected, the hounds again taking up
 
 119 
 
 their old quarters in the parish from which they had been 
 removed for many years, Mr Henry Martin expressing 
 himself satisfied, and absolving the gentlemen who applied 
 to him for his premises from all liability in respect of 
 the same, the object sought having been accomplished. 
 Alexander Donovan, Esq., of Framfield, became the 
 Master, and Champion, the Huntsman. After a few years 
 Mr Donovan was succeeded by William Langham Christie, 
 Esq., of Glyndbourne, who, at the conclusion of the season 
 of 1871, relinquished the same, and was followed by 
 the present master, K. J. Streatfield, Esq., of the Kocks, 
 Uckfield, who, we hope, will enjoy the sport for many 
 years, and successfully conduct the fortunes of the Hunt. 
 There are other packs of hounds in the county, but our 
 object has been to give a short history of those more imme- 
 diately connected with the town of Brighton. 
 
 ROUTES AND TRANSIT TO THE 
 METROPOLIS. 
 
 There have been, from time to time, several distinct 
 routes from Brighton to the Metropolis, although of late 
 years some of them have been in disuse. One road (prior 
 to the making of the present one to Falmer and Lewes) 
 proceeded by way of Elm Grove crossing the hills 
 above Bevendean and Falmer, and onwards to Lewes, 
 Offharn, Chailey, Witch Cross, East Grinstead, Godstone, 
 Croydon, &c., to London, the distance being 57 miles ; or, 
 if after leaving Lewes, the road traversed being by way 
 of Uckfield, Forest Eow, and East Grinstead to Godstone 
 and Croydon, the distance was two miles longer. 
 
 Another route was by way of Ditchling Hill, passing 
 the upper end of Lord Chichester's park and the Beacon, 
 down the Bosthill, through the Village of Ditchling to
 
 120 
 
 Lindfield, &c., into the main road at Reigate; and another 
 road by way of Saddlescombe, Poynings, Henfield, 
 Horsham, &c. ; but the one most frequented at this period 
 was by way of the upper road leading to Old Shoreham, 
 passing Goldstone Bottom, and onward to Bramber Gorge, 
 as it was then termed, the main road leading to Beeding 
 Hill, diverting from the Old Shorebam Road some little 
 distance westward of Southwick Mill, and crossing the 
 river at Bramber Bridge, through Steyning, Horsham, 
 Dorking, Epsom, &c., to London ; the distance being 
 56 miles. 
 
 Subsequently a new and more direct road was made 
 reducing the distance to 54 miles, via Preston, 
 Cuckfield, Crawley, Reigate, Tooting, Clapham, &c., and, 
 before the cutting of Clayton Hill, ran close by the east 
 side of Piecombe Church ; and the outlay for this improve- 
 ment caused a serious diversity of opinion amongst the 
 trustees for its management which led to the formation of a 
 new road from Piecombe, through Albourne, Hickstead, &c., 
 to avoid hills, and shortening the distance to London by 
 two miles lessening the distance to 52 miles, the same 
 was opened on the 28th of June, 1810. 
 
 In 1745, " The Flying Machine," as it was termed, 
 left the Old Ship Inn (in summer) at 5.30 a.m., and 
 reached London the same evening ; and, if we take into 
 consideration the then state of the roads, which were, 
 generally speaking, especially in the winter, almost 
 impassable, it must have been a great achievement. The 
 general mode of travelling was by pack-horses, conse- 
 quently the summer was the only period available to the 
 visitors. 
 
 The high roads of Sussex had an unenviable notoriety 
 for their inferiority. It is recorded that on one occasion 
 Charles II. paid a visit to the Duke of Northumberland, 
 at Petworth House (then the residence of the Percys) : 
 the vehicle in which he rode was capsized no less
 
 121 
 
 than a dozen times, and liad it not been for the 
 worthy boors of Sussex, who supported the carriage on 
 each side on their shoulders, the number would have been 
 greater. 
 
 It was not until the latter portion of the last century 
 that any great improvement was effected in the method of 
 travelling to the Metropolis, At this period a vehicle left 
 Brighton for London, called " Wessin's Coach," by way 
 of Bramber, Steyning, Horsham, &c., and, with the consent 
 of tlie majority of the passengers, arrived at its destination 
 in about 12 hours. Afterwards a new "Post Coach," to 
 carry 4 insides and no outsides on the top, set out from 
 the Old Ship, at G.30 a.m., on Mondays, Wednesdays, and 
 Fridays, in the summer, to the Golden Cross, Charing 
 Cross, returning the alternate days at 6 a.m., and 
 from the limited number of passengers that this vehicle 
 carried the price charged must have been extremely high. 
 Another coach running to London on alternate days at 
 G a.m., at a cheaper rate, through Reigate and 
 Cuckfield, the fares being, insides 13s., outsides and 
 children on lap, 7s., allowed 141bs. luggage, all weight 
 above to pay Id. per Ib. Since this period and the 
 commencement of the present century great improvements 
 in time and speed in the performance of the journey to the 
 metropolis have been introduced, consequent on the 
 influx of visitors being greater ; and it is recorded that in 
 August, 1809, "neither a house or lodging could be 
 obtained for love or money." On May 21st, 18] 0, the 
 first mail coaches were put on the road between Brighton 
 and London, and a coach called the " Eegent " com- 
 menced running September 6th, 1813, and in less than 
 a week, on Sunday 12th, it overturned at Merstham, 
 causing great injury to the passengers. The traffic 
 increased so rapidly, that in October, 1822, there were no 
 less than forty-two coaches running daily between Brighton 
 and London alone. The first coach that performed the
 
 122 
 
 journey from Brighton to London, returning the same 
 day, belonged to Mr J. Whitchurch, and ran from the 
 office corner of Prince's Place, North Street, adjoining 
 the Chapel Eoyal, and afterwards a very few of the coaches 
 occupied more than five or six hours on their journey, 
 and on important occasions, such as the delivery of the 
 Queen's speech on commencement of the Session, or the 
 prorogation of Parliament, the information has been 
 brought down in less than four hours and a half. 
 
 The road waggons of the past and present centuries 
 belonged respectively to Messrs. Davis, E. Mighell, 
 Bradford, Orton, Hope, Patching, Weller, Gander, 
 Durtnall, &c. There were also three four-horse vans 
 leaving this town every evening, at five o'clock, for the 
 conveyance of goods, parcels, &c., called the "Blue" 
 (belonging to Messrs. Crossweller, Blaber, & Chalk), the 
 "Red" (belonging to Messrs. Pocock and Winch), the 
 " Eed Rover" (from the Clarence Hotel, belonging to 
 Messrs. Wilde, Holmes and Co.), all these latter 
 succumbing to the modern leviathan, "the railway," and 
 the well-appointed stage coaches gradually shared the same 
 fate after its introduction. The railway was commenced 
 March 19th, 1838, and, on the 9th of July, 1841, opened 
 to Hay-ward's Heath : on the 21st September following it 
 was opened from Brighton to London. 
 
 ROUTE TO FRANCE & MODES OF TRANSIT. 
 
 The route from London to Paris, via Brighton and 
 Dieppe, was performed by sailing vessels, and it will be 
 found there were nine so occupied in the year 1817, viz : 
 
 The Nancy Capt. Blaber. 
 
 The Unity " Clear. 
 
 Ann and Elizabeth " Daniels.
 
 123 
 
 The Nautilus Capt. "Wingfield. 
 
 Elizabeth " Lind. 
 
 Lord Wellington " Cheesman. 
 
 Prince Eegent " Bulbeck. 
 
 Duke of Wellington ... " Cole. 
 Neptune ... " Wallis. 
 
 The time occupied by these vessels on their voyage 
 (wind and weather permitting) was from 10 to 12 hours. 
 The journey from Dieppe to Paris was performed by 
 diligence in 14 hours, through the beautiful valleys of 
 Arques and Eoueu, and this route being 90 miles shorter 
 than by way of Dover and Calais, gave it a decided 
 advantage over the other. 
 
 During this year, 1817, the Cus corns House returns 
 of passengers were as follows : from Brighton to Dieppe, 
 2481 persons ; returning from thence 1947. If it be 
 considered that it was the summer season only, and the 
 small number of travellers, as compared with the present 
 time, between the two ports, it will be seen this route was 
 extensively patronized. 
 
 The following summary account of Dieppe may not 
 be uninteresting to the reader, particularly as the general 
 manners and customs of the place present a striking con- 
 trast to those of its English neighbours, only a few hours 
 distant therefrom. 
 
 The appearance of Dieppe from the sea is very 
 striking, not so much from the size of the place as from 
 the contrast of the surrounding scenery. The cliffs on 
 either side of the town though not high, are steep and 
 rugged, and the ancient chateau, which is built on an 
 acclivity east of the town, adds to the wildness of the 
 appearance. The country, however, round about, is far 
 from being barren or uninteresting ; on the contrary, it is 
 both woody and fertile, and the glimpses of it that are 
 caught from the sea show it to be highly diversified. The
 
 124 
 
 town is situated on a declivity formed by the shelving of 
 the cliff, and to the west is the river, the mouth of which 
 forms the harbour. Immediately facing the shore is an 
 elegant building called the Caroline Baths, which was 
 finished in the beginning of the year 1828, but 
 as the name does not convey the purposes of the 
 erection, we will describe it more particularly. In the 
 centre is an archway supported by Ionic columns and 
 adorned with statues of marine deities, where are small 
 rooms in which the people live who look after the place : 
 on each side of this is a covered walk about fifteen feet 
 wide, and at the end of each walk is a handsome and 
 spacious room, the one on the last side fitted up as a 
 reading and the other as a billiard-room. This constitutes 
 the whole of the building, and the process of immersion 
 is carried on in the sea. The bathing machines, which 
 are not on wheels, are stationed before the building in two 
 divisions, that on the east being allotted to the ladies, and 
 that on the west to the gentlemen. The former, when 
 attired in their bathing-gowns, are carried into the sea by 
 men appointed for that purpose, and generally remain 
 there a considerable time, continually jumping up and 
 sinking down with each wave in the most original manner ! 
 In the evening the gardens belonging to the baths and 
 the building itself form the fashionable promenade of the 
 town. 
 
 The Pier is situated west of the town and at the 
 east side of the river. When the packets arrive this 
 place is generally crowded ; and the costume of the 
 Norman inhabitants, with their high conical caps and 
 brilliant coloured garments, presents a very striking 
 contrast to that of the English peasantry. 
 
 No sooner is the vessel moored along the quay than 
 the Custom-house officers take possession of the gang- 
 way, and scrutinize the passport of every passenger 
 previous to landing : the ordeal is very moderate as
 
 125 
 
 regards the gentlemen, but ladies are examined in an 
 apartment by females appointed by Government, the 
 excess of whose tyranny is only to be equalled by its 
 occasionally ludicrous result. 
 
 The greatest annoyance on landing is from people 
 dispatched from the respective hotels, whose urgent 
 solicitations for the welfare of their employers are any- 
 thing but agreeable to the visitants. 
 
 The Hotels are capacious and neat, and although 
 mostly conducted on rather different principles from the 
 English, are still very comfortable. The bedrooms are 
 large, but without carpets, and paved with red tiles, which 
 are kept in a high state of polish. The beds are usually 
 filled with wool instead of feathers. The female servants 
 have a very slovenly appearance : they wear wooden 
 shoes, and make no scruple of divesting themselves of 
 their gown when the heat of the summer renders such 
 garments inconvenient. 
 
 The houses (excepting the modern buildings) present 
 an unseemly appearance ; many are in a decayed state, 
 untenanted, and seemingly in a most precarious condition. 
 They have very high roofs, indeed so much so, that many 
 contain two or three attic stories, and are finished in a 
 careless and rough style. The Cathedral and church are 
 very old]buildings, and bear on their exterior evident traces 
 of a popular revolution : the interior, however, of both are 
 simple and bold. The organs are very handsome, and 
 well toned : it would, perhaps, be useless to go more into 
 their details : every person who reflects upon religious 
 subjects will form his own estimate thereon, and most 
 will duly appreciate the peculiarities of their tenets, as 
 well as their many ostentatious forms and ceremonies of 
 worship. 
 
 The English Protestant Chapel is a plain building, 
 and was formerly a concert-room. There is service every 
 Sunday at one p.m.
 
 The Theatre is small, but very elegant ; and the Public 
 Ball Koom, situated near it, is capacious and handsomely 
 decorated. 
 
 The Castle is a massive old building with round 
 turrets and slated roofs : admission to it is only to be 
 obtained by an order from one of the Corporation of the 
 town. 
 
 The trade of Dieppe is inconsiderable, consisting prin- 
 cipally in turnery, laces and toys, It is, however, famous 
 for its ivory carving, which is carried to an exquisite state 
 of perfection ; large vessels are modelled in a most 
 beautiful manner, the rigging and sails are made of threads 
 and shavings of ivory, and the countenances and attitudes 
 of the various groups of figures are wonderfully ex- 
 pressive. 
 
 Trains to Eoueu start several times daily, and the 
 view of the town from a neighbouring eminence on the 
 road to the capital of Normandy is very beautiful, com- 
 manding a fine prospect of the adjacent countries, as well 
 as of the expanse of ocean skirting the horizon. 
 
 The roads about Dieppe are tolerably good ; they are 
 wide and unpaved, and are in many places bordered by 
 apple-trees, which produce in autumn an immense 
 quantity of fruit, which is manufactured into cider. The 
 chateaux, or villas, are built near the roads, with high 
 old-fashioned roofs, and in many places surrounded with 
 the former paraphernalia of ancient gardening, although 
 very many are situated in pleasure-grounds laid out 
 in a most tasteful manner, and themselves elegantly 
 decorated. 
 
 The Norman peasantry are usually agreeable in 
 person, short in stature, and generally quick and shrewd. 
 The women dress in a remarkable, though not altogether 
 unbecoming costume, with extravagantly high caps (like 
 towers of linen) on their heads. But these even the 
 young children have, not even in miniature, the head-
 
 127 
 
 dress being often at least half the size of the whole person 
 of the wearer. The men generally use shoes made from 
 solid timber. 
 
 The French vehicles are not among the least curious 
 part of continental peculiarities. The diligences have 
 been imitated in London by the omnibuses, but the 
 former can only be drawn up very steep hills by the 
 exertion of nine horses. The horses are harnessed in a 
 most irregular manner, and the driver is seated on the 
 near wheel horse, and in this manner drives usually from 
 four to seven horses. He places little dependence on his 
 reins, which are made of rope, but encourages his cattle 
 by the most vehement gesticulations. 
 
 The table d'hote presents to a stranger a novel and 
 interesting scene ; novel, because the order of things 
 seems completely reversed ; and interesting, because any 
 thing in the eating or drinking way must prove so to a 
 hungry man. The master and mistress take the two 
 opposite sides of the table, instead of the top and bottom ; 
 this plan affords a facility of communication, which woiild 
 be impossible from the extreme ends of a long table. The 
 company, generally consisting of all nations, range them- 
 selves promiscuously on either side ; although it is con- 
 sidered the privilege of the lady. who has made the longest 
 stay in the house to take the top. Amongst Parisians 
 who resort to watering places in France during the 
 summer, many take up their residence at the hotels at so 
 much per diem. They generally retain the same places 
 at the table d'hote during their stay. This will explain 
 to strangers the cause of so many long-necked bottles 
 ranged along the table, to each of which is affixed a 
 napkin, tied with a peculiar knot ; some containing the 
 remains of half-a-pint of tin ordinaire ; others the remains 
 of a bottle of small beer the stranger must by no means 
 place himself before any of these luxuries. The appear- 
 ance of the guests is also deserving notice. Some are
 
 128 
 
 dressed in the most elegant dinner style, others with large 
 bonnets and shawls ; while some from the recent effects 
 of sea sickness, look more dead than alive ; gentlemen in 
 black silk stockings and shoes, some in gaiters, and others 
 in boots, covered with mud or dust ; and to finish the 
 picture, in come one or two officers of the garrison, whom 
 a sudden shower has not only well drenched, but delayed 
 till dinner is nearly over, which prevents the possibility 
 of their shifting, should they be in possession of a second 
 wardrobe. 
 
 The dinner is generally protracted to an unusual 
 length, in consequence of the host carving and helping 
 everything himself. He begins with soup, then bouilli 
 (meat from which the soup is made) ; then is divided in 
 small portions and handed round, larded veal, or some 
 other made dish ; fish follows, then poultry ; after which, 
 mutton cutlets ; French beans, brocoli, or other vegetables 
 are then served separately ; pastry follows. The table is 
 then cleared, with the exception of the cloth, for the 
 dessert, which generally consists of apples, pears, biscuits, 
 &c., with butter and cheese. After which, coffee and liqueurs 
 are introduced but be it understood, this last is an extra 
 charge. It is not the custom among the French to have 
 their knife and fork changed with their plate. 
 
 Those who go to France for the purpose of seeing 
 everything strange, should invariably take up their abode 
 at a French hotel. 
 
 In rewarding servants, at hotels in France, the best 
 plan when paying your bill, is to add at the bottom, 
 with your pencil, servants so much, which is to include 
 them all. 
 
 One franc and a half, or two francs from travellers 
 who sleep at the house, is as much as is expected for the 
 waiter, chambermaid, and boots. If you are staying any 
 length of time at an hotel, one franc per diem is always 
 expected.
 
 129 
 
 The mode of communication between the two 
 countries by sailing vessels shared the same fate as 
 the transit by coaches, &c., both being superseded 
 by steam, inasmuch as in the year 1822, on Saturday 
 morning, May 25th, at eight o'clock, a steam packet, called 
 the " Swift," 80 horse power, commenced running between 
 this town and Dieppe, and continued on Wednesdays and 
 Saturdays during the season, commanded by Captain Hugh 
 MacGregor; the fares of the same being respectively, 
 cabin, 1 15s, and steerage, 1 5s ; the same vessel 
 proceeding every Monday morning, at eight o'clock, for 
 Eyde and Southampton, and returning the following 
 day at the same hour for Brighton. 
 
 It may be easily imagined with what consternation 
 these proceedings were viewed by the owners and parties 
 interested in the sailing vessels, to see, in all probability, 
 in a short time, a lucrative occupation lost. The owner 
 of the "Elizabeth," Captain George Lind, came to the 
 conclusion that the best plan, under the circumstances, 
 was to bow to the new order of things, consequently he 
 advertised that the " Royal George," steam vessel, of 
 300 tons burthen and 80-horse power, would commence 
 running under the patronage of George IV. on 
 October 19th, 1822. 
 
 A season or two following the General Steam 
 Navigation Company put on two vessels, the time occupied 
 on the journey being about ten hours ; some time after 
 another Captain of the nearly defunct sailing vessels, 
 of the name of Cheesman, of the "Lord Wellington," 
 was taken into the employ of the Company, continued 
 for many years in the same capacity, and was highly 
 respected. 
 
 The Consul at Dieppe is a gentleman of the name of 
 Chapman, and grandson of one of that name who was a 
 resident of Brighton some years ago, and left to occupy 
 the same position at this Port.
 
 180 
 
 After the opening of the Railway to Newhaven, 
 December 6th, 1847, these Packets were superseded by 
 others in connection with the Railway Company, built 
 expressly for this traffic, with all the modern im- 
 provements, to accelerate their speed from this port 
 to Dieppe, generally accomplishing the journey in five 
 or six hours, and a tidal service in the summer ; but 
 the communication with the opposite coast continued 
 throughout the year, and with this increased facility and 
 accommodation the traffic has increased to an enormous 
 extent, there having been upwards of a thousand passengers 
 embarked and disembarked in a day from the port of 
 Newhaven. The railway trains run in conjunction with 
 the packets on both sides of the Channel, and the whole 
 distance from London to Paris and vice-versa maybe accom- 
 plished in twelve hours. This route, from the subjoined 
 letter written by LordBuckhurst,* the Lord High Treasurer, 
 to Mr Secretary Cecil, in 1600, evidently shews it has 
 been in use for centuries, and will be interesting, as 
 exhibiting the contrast between the locomotion of the 
 time of Queen Elizabeth and that of the present day, 
 inasmuch as the journey between the two ports then 
 occupied as many days as it now does hours : 
 
 " SIB, This enclosed letter came to me this forenone, 
 about xi of the clock. By this you may see that the 
 Governour of Diepe landed at Newhaven in Sussex 
 yesterday being thursday in the afternone, having Av tb him 
 a 100 persons, and lodged the same night at Lewis and 
 purposed to be goii the next day, being this friday morning 
 by 5 of the clock. This Gentleman, Mr Shurleyt being a 
 Justis of peace I dout not but will do his best to 
 
 Unquestionably the Lord Buckhnrst who was one of the Com- 
 missioners to settle the differences between the seamen and landsmen 
 in this town many years before, and alluded to in the chapter on " Ancient 
 Customs." 
 
 t Probably J. Shirely, Esq., of the Friars, in Lewes.
 
 181 
 
 acomodate him, but I fear be will be forced to tary at 
 Lewis longer than his apointed time of departure before a 
 100 horse can be there upon such a sodain provided for 
 him. I have therefore sent away now presently my 
 messenger w th on letter to Sir Walter Covert, who is the 
 next deputy lieftenant dwelling nere Lewis, to assemble as 
 many of the Gentlemen as he can & to repair unto him 
 & do him all the honor he can by attending upon him 
 and seeing him furnished w th all his desieres as much as 
 he can performe for him. And I have sent one other 
 letter to Grrinsted Town in Sussex w ch is 14 miles from 
 Lewis & is the next Town in which he must either renew 
 his horses or lodge all night written to the Constables 
 there, (for there is no justice nere by 7 miles) to se him 
 and his trains furnished w th horses and all things he shall 
 desier fit for him. This is all that can be doon by me 
 upon this sodain. What farder is to be doon by any to 
 mete him from thens or in Surrey, where my lord admirall 
 comandes onlie, you ar to consider. His way from Lewis 
 to London is thus : 
 
 SUSSEX. From Lewis to Est Grinsted, 
 a very good towne, able to 
 receive him ... 14 miles. 
 
 SURREY. From Est Grinsted to God- 
 stone, therein are only two 
 innes and not above 5 or 6 
 houses besides ... 7 miles. 
 
 SURREY. From Godstone to Croydon.. 7 miles. 
 
 SURREY. From Croidon to London ... 7 miles. * 
 " In hast, this 18 of April, 1600. 
 ' ' Your very loving frend 
 
 " T.' BUCHUKST. 
 ***** 
 
 " To the right honourable Mr Secretary Cecil 
 be thease geven." 
 
 Here let us express a hope, as the blessings of peace 
 
 * Sussex miles were of old proverbially " long and narrow," and tho 
 Lord-Treasurer's estimate of the distance between Lewes and London 
 would be confirmatory of that notion. The real distance is fifty miles, not 
 thirty-five. J/. A. Loioer's Sustex Worthies.
 
 182 
 
 have now dawned on our continental neighbours, that the 
 intercourse between the two nations will be greatly 
 augmented, and bonds of amity and friendship will be 
 cemented by such means for a very long period to come. 
 
 LOYAL REJOICINGS IN THE OLDEN TIME. 
 
 It will be seen, from the following very interesting 
 description of the manner of celebrating the Prince of 
 Wales' birth-day; August 12th, 1809, with what enthusiasm 
 all classes participated in the enjoyments of the day : 
 
 Half-past Eight p.m. 
 
 His Eoyal Highness the Duke of Sussex has just 
 arrived at the Pavilion the bells are ringing for the 
 arrival of the Eoyal Dukes bands of music are heard in 
 every direction the Steyne is crowded with company 
 the front of the Pavilion is surrounded with ladies and 
 gentlemen. Mrs Heseltine has a concert at her house on 
 the Steyne her melodious notes attract numerous groups 
 round the house, who are very liberal of their bravos and 
 encores. In addition to the numerous party at the Pavilion 
 are Sir K. and Lady Cunningham, Count Palfy, Mrs Orby 
 Hunter, Mr Sheridan, Mr A. Davison, and Mr W. Porter. 
 
 The morning was ushered in by the ringing of bells, 
 and the flag was hoisted upon the Church ; since five 
 o'clock the town has been all in motion ; at ten the Otter 
 and Gallant fired a salute ; at eleven o'clock the Eclipse 
 came in, and also fired a salute the Otter, Gallant, 
 Eclipse, and Griffin, had all the national colours flying. 
 The flag was also hoisted on the west batteries, and every 
 demonstration of joy appeared two oxen were roasted; 
 at nine o'clock they were put down to the fire ; in a
 
 183 
 
 hollow to the left of the Prince's Cricket Ground. By 
 half-past eleven the brigade was formed on the Eace 
 Course (at the four-mile heat), and consisted of the Eoyal 
 Horse Artillery, the detachment of Koyal Artillery at 
 Bingmer, the King's Dragoon Guards, the 6th Dragoon 
 Guards, and 4th Dragoons ; the Eoyal South Gloucester, 
 the Eoyal Cheshire, Nottingham, and South Hants, which 
 met in review order, on the Downs, near to 'the Eace 
 Course, near the town, at half-past eleven, and fired a 
 feu dejoie, in honour of the Prince of Wales's birth-day. 
 The King's Dragoon Guards took the left, fronting the 
 south, the Infantry occupied the ground on the left of the 
 King's Dragoon Guards, and the 6th Dragoon Guards 
 took post on the left of the Infantry ; the Eoyal Artillery, 
 from Eingmer, took the left, flanking the whole. The 
 troops were in open column, and wheeled into line on the 
 approach of His Eoyal Highness the Prince of Wales, 
 which was announced by a salute of 21 guns. The troops 
 marched in slow time, and resumed their ground ; they 
 then opened their ranks, &Jeu dejoie was fired, beginning 
 with seven guns, from the Eoyal Horse Artillery, which 
 was taken up from right to left, when the 6th Dragoon 
 Guards fired ; and the Eoyal Artillery fired seven guns. 
 The Eoyal Horse Artillery then re-commenced their fire, 
 and so on ; after the third fire, the ranks were opened, and 
 a general salute took place. At one o'clock the Eoyal 
 Party arrived on the ground. Their Eoyal Highnesses the 
 Dukes of Clarence and Cambridge mounted on dark bay 
 horses, and dressed in crimson jackets, and trousers, and 
 helmet caps, rode first ; then Major Bloomfield and Colonel 
 Lee; then His Eoyal Highness the Prince of Wales, 
 mounted on a beautiful bright grey charger, richly 
 caparisoned, the shabadake, or housing trappings were of 
 gold, richly embroidered ; the bridle and stirrup leathers 
 were also richly ornamented with gold ; the stirrups were 
 of solid gold ; the rosettes at the sides of the horse's head
 
 134 
 
 were of gold, and the head-stall in front was also of gold 
 net. The tout ensemble had the most splendid appearance 
 the imagination can conceive. 
 
 His Koyal Highness was dressed in his state 
 uniform, with gold tassels to his boots, and appeared 
 in high spirits, casting a beneficent smile on every person 
 he passed. The Duke of York was on his right, and the 
 Duke of Kent on the left of the Duke of York they were 
 both mounted on iron-grey chargers ; then followed Earl 
 Berkeley, and Earl Moira, who was dressed in a Highland 
 uniform, mounted on a grey charger; next General 
 Lennox, Colonel Savary, Colonel Smith, and the Duke of 
 Orleans, and several officers and noblemen. There never 
 was a grander staff. Earl Craven was not present, on 
 account of indisposition. 
 
 As soon as the Eoyal Party arrived on the ground, 
 the signal guns from right to left were fired, then the 
 whole line presented arms, the different bands playing 
 " God save the King." The Eoyal group and suite passed 
 in front of the line, and took their station in the centre, 
 when the whole passed before the Prince in review order, 
 marching in ordinary and quick time ; after the troops 
 had passed the Prince they formed in line again, and fired 
 &feu de joie, and gave their beloved Prince three cheers, 
 the bands playing " God save the King." The Eoyal 
 party expressed their approbation at the fine appearance 
 of the men. As soon as the Eoyal salute was given, 
 a signal gun was fired, and a signal hoisted at the signal 
 post, when the ships fired a Eoyal salute, the Eoyal party 
 placed themselves at the top of the hill to see it. The 
 fineness of the day contributed to this grand military 
 spectacle. The Eoyal Party left the ground at four 
 o'clock. The cavalry were commanded by Major-General 
 Hugonin. The infantry was to have been commanded by 
 Earl Craven ; and the whole brigade by Lieut.-General 
 Lennox. There were about 7,000 troopers on the ground.
 
 135 
 
 The Masters Fitz-Clarence were on the box of the Prince's 
 landau. Mr Sheridan was on the box of the Prince's 
 barouche (there being two of the Prince's carriages), and 
 Miss Seymour was in the inside. The Marchioness of 
 Downshire and all the surrounding nobility were present. 
 
 At three o'clock the Lord Chancellor arrived on the 
 ground, and, alighting from his carriage, went up to the 
 Prince, who, the moment he espied his Lordship, went 
 forward to meet him ; and, taking him by the hand, said, 
 " My good Lord, how do you do ?" It is allowed to have 
 been one of the grandest sights ever witnessed. The only 
 disappointment was the absence of Lord Keith, whom the 
 wind would not permit to come round. 
 
 His Koyal Highness the Duke of York will, to- 
 morrow morning, review, at th'e Devil's Dyke, the Royal 
 Horse Artillery, the King's Dragoon Guards, the 6th 
 Dragoon Guards, the 4th Dragoons, and the 17th Light 
 Dragoons. 
 
 Eight o'Clock p.m. 
 
 Nearly five thousand people are assembled near the 
 camp, scrambling for the roast beef, which flies in every 
 direction. Eight hogsheads of ale are on the ground. 
 " Long live the Prince !" echoes from every quarter. A 
 proportionate quantity of bread is also distributed to the 
 multitude. The Pavilion is surrounded with gentlemen 
 and ladies ; the Masters Fitz- Clarence are at Mrs Fitz- 
 herbert's, where they have a juvenile party ; they are 
 lovely boys, and, for their age, highly accomplished ; the 
 Prince is extremely fond of them. 
 
 The Steyne is crowded, and a refreshing shower we 
 have had this afternoon, has added to the pleasure of the 
 scene. Several tar barrels are just brought to the front 
 of the Pavilion, for a bonfire. The illuminations are 
 very splendid; among the most conspicuous are Mi- 
 Donaldson's Library : over the Colonnade, in variegated 
 lamps, is the Prince's plume with the star underneath,
 
 180 
 
 and the initials, G. P., on each side; along the Colonnade, 
 there is a festoon of variegated lamps. Mr Pollard's 
 Library, on the Marine Parade, displaying the plume, and 
 initials, G. P. The Theatre, the plume, richly encircled 
 with a festoon of variegated lamps. Mr Pearson's china 
 warehouse, the corner of Prince's Place, the crown, the 
 plume, and the initials, G. P., with festoons of variegated 
 lamps. The Castle, the plume, and the portico, encircled 
 with festoons of lamps. Mr Thunder's, in North Street. 
 All the Coach-offices are hrilliant ; and, in differents parts 
 of the town " Long live the Prince !" is placed at several 
 windows. 
 
 Ten o'Ctock. 
 
 The whole town is a blaze of light, from the 
 illuminations and the bonfires, the flames of which reach 
 above the tops of the houses, and are surrounded by near 
 three thousand people. The fireworks are to be seen in 
 every direction. The South Gloucester and Nottingham 
 Bands are playing on the lawn, in front of the Pavilion, 
 and the Prince's Band is playing in the left wing. The 
 Nottingham Militia are at present scrambling with the 
 townspeople for the remainder of the carcase of the oxen, 
 and have succeeded in carrying them off to their camp, 
 spits and all. 
 
 Above one hundred persons of distinction, and the 
 Commanding Officer of each regiment that was on the 
 ground, dined at the Pavilion this evening. Among other 
 additions to the Koyal Party, this day, are the Duke of 
 Argyle, the Marquis of Hertford, Lord Petersham, the 
 Lord Chancellor, and Mr Cavendish Bradshaw. The ball, 
 at the Castle, is well attended.
 
 137 
 
 ROYAL tt FASHIONABLE MOVEMENTS. 
 
 The following copious selections from metropolitan 
 journals of the year 1806, relating to Brighton, will be 
 read with great interest : as affording an insight into the 
 period when Koyalty was at its zenith among us, the 
 year in which the celebrated picture of the Steyne 
 originated, wherein is pourtrayed living "characters" 
 then in existence. The year, also, of the celebrated fete 
 in commemoration of the Earl of Delawarr attaining his 
 majority (he having been left a minor at the age of nine 
 years). He was succeeded a short time since by his son, 
 who, as Lord West, saw much military service in India 
 and elsewhere, a much esteemed nobleman, and who 
 represents one of our most ancient county families. 
 Other quotations in relation to subsequent years are 
 also appended : 
 
 BRIGHTON, JULY 7, 1806. 
 
 The arrivals during the last week were very numerous, 
 among them are the following : 
 
 Earl of Kenmare, Countess of Kenmare, Lady Huntingfield, Mrs M. 
 Cleverly, Mr J. Joseph, Mr Yellowly, Mrs M. Edmunds, Mrs Waiting, Mr 
 and Mrs Aylmer Haley, Mr G. Favene, Mr Brown, Mr Fitzjohn, Mr Price, 
 Mrs Albin, Rev. Mr Tutte, Mr Beard, Eev. Mr Richards, Mr D. Sattin, &c. 
 
 The Steyne is now very gay, and enlivened every 
 evening by bands of Savoyards with hand organs, 
 tamborines, &c., &c. The spacious new Library is nearly 
 completed, and is decorated in a style of elegance, suitable 
 to its sitiiation and the quality of its subscribers. 
 
 At a general Meeting of the inhabitants, held at the 
 Old Ship, on Wednesday, on the subject of incorporating 
 our town, it was resolved, "that the adoption of such a 
 measure would be inexpedient, on account of the expense 
 that must necessarily attend it. The meeting, neverthe- 
 less, entertained a high sense of the honour conferred
 
 188 
 
 by the Prince's Message on the subject, to the Parish 
 Officers, previously communicated by Mr Eycroft." 
 
 Our Managers, ever assiduous to please, have engaged 
 Mr Richer, the famous performer on the tight rope, for a 
 few evenings. 
 
 The good behaviour and exemplary conduct of the 
 Monmouth and Brecon Militia, commanded by the Duke 
 of Beaufort, who marched lately from Steyning, rendered 
 their departure very much regretted at that place. The 
 second division marched under the command of Sir 
 Samuel Fludyer, Bart. 
 
 Captain Hutton has matched his brown pony, Mark 
 Spratt, 5 years old, against Captain Fletcher's chestnut 
 pony, 6 years old, for 200 guineas, two miles, to run 
 at our ensuing races, to carry 7st. each. 
 
 BRIGHTON, JULY 20, 1806. 
 
 Company increases every day. The Prince of Wales, 
 it is said, again honours us with his presence on Wednes- 
 day next. 
 
 The Theatre here is the most fashionable lounge of 
 an evening. Eicher's benefit produced nearly 90 on 
 Tuesday. On Wednesday it was full again, under the 
 patronage of Lieutenant-General Lennox. On Friday it 
 was crowded too ; the Earl of Kenmare bespoke. And 
 last night it overflowed, under the patronage of the 
 Marchioness of Clanricarde. The performance was the 
 comedy of The Soldier's Daughter. On Tuesday, Earl 
 Craven will patronise the performances. 
 
 On Friday was played here the match of cricket, 
 between General Lennox and Major Ready against Captains 
 Burrel and Shum, which has been a long time spoken of; 
 which was won by the General, who is a first rate player. 
 A vast deal of company is expected to the races. 
 
 The match between Sancho and Pavilion, on the 
 24th, at Lewes, will be numerously attended from this
 
 189 
 
 place. Sancho jet continues to be the favourite, though 
 the odds are not more than 5 to 4. 
 
 The foot race against time, twenty miles in two hours 
 and a quarter, against which 1 00 guineas to 60 are betted, 
 and which it was agreed on should be decided here, 
 between the Brighton and Lewes races, is now postponed 
 to the 18th of September. 
 
 BRIGHTON, JULY 23, 1806. 
 
 Towards seven o'clock, last evening, the carriage, 
 with Mrs Fitzherbert, the Hon. Miss Seymour, and Mrs 
 Fitzherbert's favourite female attendant, Mrs Strickland, 
 at a brisk rate, passed the numerous inhabitants, who 
 were in waiting to receive Mrs Fitzherbert, who kindly 
 saluted them as she passed, and appeared in good health 
 and spirits. The bells rang a merry peal, both last night 
 and this morning. The most beautiful stands of flowers 
 were placed round the Pavilion, and every preparation 
 made for the reception of the Prince. At three o'clock a 
 detachment of the South Gloucester Militia, with their 
 band, colours flying, &c., were ordered out to receive His 
 Royal Highness. At half-past four Earl Berkeley desired 
 them to withdraw, which has caused a report that he will 
 first go to Lewes. Twenty-one horses belonging to His 
 Royal Highness arrived this morning. It rained violently 
 this morning, but cleared up about two, when the Steyne 
 was enlivened by the presence of the Earl of Darlington, 
 Sir John Lade, Mr Mellish, and Mr Dalton. The Earl 
 and Countess of Barrymore, Mr Johnston and family, and 
 Lord Stawell arrived yesterday. Mr Mellish will give 
 a grand dinner this day at the Castle, to the Earl 
 of Darlington, Sir John Lade, &c. 
 
 BRIGHTON, JULY 24, 1806. 
 
 Earl Berkeley inspected the South Gloucester Militia, 
 last evening, on the North Parade, which was crowded
 
 140 
 
 with spectators. The Steyne was crowded until eleven 
 o'clock, in expectation of the Prince's arrival. The 
 Colonnade before Donaldson's Library was filled with 
 Ladies, who seemed to take a lively interest in the 
 bets ; Sancho, the favourite ; 5 to 4 on him. In the 
 afternoon the report of his illness gained ground, and 
 produced 7 to 4 against him. The celebrated Buckle, 
 who is to ride Sancho, was on the Steyne, and did 
 not appear in "tip-top" spirits. 
 
 Eobert Potts, Esq., and family and Mrs Wilgrasse 
 arrived yesterday at their elegant house on the Marine 
 Parade. Dr. Wilgrasse is expected this day. The Heir 
 at Law and Three Weeks after Marriage were performed last 
 night, by desire of Mrs G. Torrane. 
 
 At two o'clock this morning His Royal Highness the 
 Prince of Wales arrived at the Pavilion ; and since five 
 the town is in a bustle, preparing for Lewes. It is said, 
 the match will take place at twelve o'clock. At the Castle 
 Tavern, last night, bets ran even. 
 
 BRIGHTON, JULY 81, 180G. 
 
 The Steyne, last night, was fuller than at any 
 preceding time this season. Mr Hellish, Mr Burke, Mi- 
 Derby, and Mr Crampton laid bets on leaping over 
 handkerchiefs, rails, &c. Mr Crampton was the hero ; but 
 much as he excelled, it was nothing to the leap he made 
 at Harrogate, from the ball-room into the very high 
 orchestra. Mr Hawke made a match to run a given 
 distance with Mr Mellish, giving Mr Hellish five yards, 
 and Mr Hawke won. There were many matches between 
 boys, supported by gentlemen. The Earl and Countess 
 Berkeley, the Earl and Countess of Barrymore, and Sir 
 John and Lady Lade, were among the spectators. The 
 entertainments at the Theatre to-night are, The Heir at 
 Law, the wonderful Richer on the Tight Rope, and The 
 Turnpike Gate.
 
 141 
 
 BRIGHTON, AUGUST 8, 1806. 
 
 Such was the fury of the wind and tide last night 
 that three of the bathing machines that were lashed 
 to the Marine Parade have been carried out to sea, 
 and the boats that were sent in search of them have 
 returned unsuccessful. Mr Mellish's establishment went 
 to London this morning; the absence of this gentleman 
 will be much regretted. The Countess of Sefton is 
 expected, in a few days, to honour Brighton with her 
 presence. 
 
 The 2nd battalion of the 40th Kegiment of Foot 
 marched into this town last night, from Bexhill barracks, 
 and paraded this morning at the top of North Street; 
 they are to be joined, next Tuesday, by the 1st battalion, 
 which are now on their march from Bexhill ; then the 
 whole will proceed to Portsmouth, where they are under 
 orders for embarkation. Mr Bradford left the Castle this 
 morning, at half past twelve, in his barouche and four, for 
 Petworth, the seat of the Earl of Egremont. Earl 
 Berkeley attended divine service on the parade this 
 morning, at eleven o'clock, which was read by the Chaplain 
 of the South Gloucester Militia. An excellent sermon 
 was preached at the Chapel Eoyal, by the Kev. Dr. Portis, 
 from St. Luke vi. 46 ; the congregation was numerous ; 
 Lady Lade, Mr and Mrs Potts, Dr. and Mrs Wilgrasse, the 
 Misses Metcalf, and the Misses Walpole were present. 
 
 At four o'clock the Steyne was most brilliant. The 
 Prince, dressed in a plum-coloured coat and a brown 
 hat, accompanied by Colonel Bloomfield, the Countess 
 of Jersey, elegantly dressed in white, on her head, a 
 gold bandeau, from which was suspended a most beautiful 
 veil, the Earl and Countess Berkeley, the Misses Walpole, 
 and many other Nobility honoured it with their presence. 
 Now that the Races are over, we expect the NoBility will 
 crowd to this delightful place. It is said His Eoyal 
 Highness the Duke of Clarence is expected this or the
 
 142 
 
 ensuing week, on a visit to His Royal Brother. The 
 Duke is a great favourite here, his good nature and 
 suavity of manners endear him to every person, and 
 the Prince never is so happy as when he is with him. 
 The coaches have come down to-day, loaded with com- 
 pany within and without. 
 
 BBTGHTON, AUGUST 4, 1806. 
 
 The Steyne, this evening, is crowded with company 
 The Duke and Duchess De Castries, the Countess of 
 Barrymore, Mrs Fitzherbert, and Miss Seymour, walked 
 for an hour at the front of Donaldson's Library together. 
 The Countess of Jersey, the Earl and Countess of 
 Kenmare, the Earl and Countess Berkeley, Lady F. 
 Osborne, Lady Charlotte Lennox, Sir John and Lady 
 Lade, were amongst the company that graced the Steyne. 
 The prevailing dress was the Gipsey-hat, and pink, lilac, 
 and white mantles ; brown parasols, trimmed with white 
 lace ; some of the first-rate elegantes wore dove-coloured 
 stockings and shoes. His Eoyal Highness the Prince of 
 Wales had a large party at the Pavilion this evening, 
 including most of the Nobility here. The Ball at the 
 Castle Tavern was not crowded. 
 
 BRIGHTON, AUGUST 5, 1806, 
 
 Miss Johnston, who has been indisposed for some 
 days, was so much worse yesterday, that Dr. Blane was 
 sent for express, and arrived at twelve o'clock last night; 
 the fever is said to have taken a favourable turn, and that 
 there are some hopes of her recovery. This morning is 
 extremely fine ; numerous parties are going on the water. 
 The Gallant gun-brig is again come to anchor. 
 
 Numerous donkey parties are gone towards the Downs 
 and Kotfingdean. 
 
 Earl Craven, Earl Berkeley, General Lennox, Major 
 Whatley, and several other Field Officers arrived, at
 
 143 
 
 eleven o'clock, on the Brighton Hills ; and the South 
 Gloucester, the North Hants, and Nottingham Militia, 
 were formed into a line ; the South Gloucester took the 
 right of the line, and the North Hants the left. They 
 marched in slow and quick time, the bands playing ; then 
 formed into close columns ; and at half-past one were 
 dismissed. There was no company present, it heing 
 preparatory to a grand review, which will soon take place, 
 at which his Eoyal Highness the Duke of York is expected 
 to be present. The ground was very slippery ; Earl 
 Berkeley and Major Whatley received each a fall from his 
 horse, but received no other injury than the left knee of 
 their pantaloons being torn. 
 
 The Steyne has been very dull to-day : we have not 
 been gratified with the presence of His Eoyal Highness 
 the Prince of Wales. The Duke and Duchess of 
 Marlborough are expected here in a few days ; their house 
 is getting in readiness. for their reception. The Earl and 
 Countess of Clermont arrived at four o'clock this after- 
 noon from London. The Earl of Barrymore will entertan 
 a select party to dinner this evening. 
 
 The sporting Mr Clark is still here ; he has taken 
 lodgings in George Street, and on going up to view the 
 ante-chamber got jammed in the staircase, which is very 
 narrow, and it was with much difficulty he could be 
 extricated, to the great amusement of his brother 
 sportsmen. 
 
 The play this night is, by desire of Mrs Cooper, 
 The Honeymoon, with the ballet of The Savage; and, 
 for the first time, The Weathercock; and to-morrow, by 
 desire of Colonel Fane and the officers of the 1st Eegiment 
 of Dragoon Guards, will be performed, The School for 
 Scandal, The Drunkard, and The Liar. 
 
 At six o'clock His Eoyal Highness the Prince of 
 Wales walked on the Steyne, in company with Sir John 
 Lade, the Earl of Barrymore, and Mr Crampton, who
 
 144 
 
 jumped over the rails, over the Earl of Barrymore's 
 horse, and finished with a somerset, in which he hurt 
 his ankle. 
 
 BRIGHTON, AUGUST 7, 1806. 
 
 His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales left 
 Brighton, in his travelling carringe and four, at half-past 
 six this morning, for London, in consequence of an express 
 he received, at half-past ten last night. He is expected 
 to return to-morrow. All the Royal Dukes are expected 
 at the Pavilion on Monday night or Tuesday morning. 
 We expect one of the grandest reviews that has been seen 
 for many years. Earl Berkeley at seven o'clock this 
 morning was on the parade t and the whole of the South 
 Gloucester regiment mustered, each man with twelve 
 rounds of blank cartridge, which they fired with great 
 correctness. The Prince's party was augmented last night 
 by the arrival of the Marquis and Marchioness of Downshire, 
 who arrived at Belle Vue House, West Cliff, at half-past 
 eight, and immediately proceeded to the Pavilion. The 
 Prince's band, belonging to the 10th Dragoons, practised 
 this morning at the Pavilion, the South Gloucester band 
 having officiated for them till they came. At ten o'clock, 
 the marines on board the Gallant sloop of war were 
 mustered on deck, and went through their exercise with 
 their small arms, and afterwards fired their larboard and 
 starboard guns, to the great alarm of the ladies who were 
 bathing. 
 
 The first division of the Nottingham Militia, from 
 Steyning, are expected here on Sunday morning, and the 
 second division on Monday ; they will form a camp by the 
 cricket ground ; this is done to be ready for the grand 
 review, which, it is said, will take place on the 13th. At 
 two o'clock the Otter and Gallant sailed on a cruise, in 
 company with Earl Craven's brig, who was on board her 
 with a party, to amuse themselves with fishing. At two
 
 145 
 
 o'clock the South Gloucester Militia were inspected by 
 Earl Berkeley on the parade. 
 
 Lady Emily Best, Captain Crainpton, and Mr Dalton 
 breakfasted this morning with the Earl and Countess of 
 Barrymore ; the Duke and Duchess De Castries were also 
 there. Mr Crampton seemed to be recovered from the 
 accident he received in his ankle, as he danced in great 
 style. After breakfast he was to have gone to town with 
 Mr Dalton, and the post-chaise was waiting at the door, 
 when the Countess of Barrymore prevailed on him and 
 Mr Dalton to stop a few days longer, and to join their 
 party at dinner to-day, which they accepted. 
 
 There is a gentleman here of much eccentricity of 
 dress and manners. He wears a green coat, very short, 
 and very full-plaited sleeves, green pantaloons, boots, and 
 a whip in his hand. His whiskers meet under his chin, 
 his hair very highly powdered, and a round hat fixed on 
 the side of his head ; and with the dress I have described, 
 sometimes wears a large cocked hat, bound with broad 
 gold lace. He appears about thirty years of age, his name 
 is said to be Cope, and with all his eccentricity of appear- 
 ance, looks like a gentleman ; he is always alone ; walks 
 slow ; and stops and looks at every lady he passes. We 
 cannot call him the courteous stranger, as he never 
 honours us even with a smile. If notoriety be his object, 
 he has fully succeeded, as the windows are filled with 
 ladies whenever he passes. Even Mr Townsend does not 
 know what to make of him. 
 
 The Earl of Clermont went out in his carriage this 
 day towards Eottingdeau. There will be a ball at the 
 Castle Tavern this evening. The play for to-morrow night 
 is, by desire of Lady Charlotte Lennox, The School for 
 Scmtdal, the first time of its being performed here, and 
 the Ballet of The Black Forest; and on Saturday, by 
 command of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, 
 for the benefit of Miss Brunton, The Soldier's Daughter, in
 
 146 
 
 which Miss Brunton will play the "Widow Cheerly;" 
 followed by a new Scotch Dance, called " Jamie and 
 Peggy," and Mr Kenny's farce of Matrimony. Every 
 box is already taken. 
 
 There will be a private review to-morrow morning 
 on the Eace Ground, consisting of the South Hants, 
 the Cheshire, and the South Gloucester. The men will 
 be out every day preparatory to the Grand Review. 
 
 A most distressing accident has happened to a Mrs 
 Bullock, who resided on the West Cliff ; she was looking 
 out of her window, when the sash fell, and caught both 
 her hands ; she might have remained some time in this 
 dreadful situation, had not one of the sentinels heard her 
 shrieks, and alarmed the house ; her hands are most 
 seriously injured. 
 
 BRIGHTON, AUGUST 10, 1806. 
 
 Earl Berkeley attended divine service at eleven 
 o'clock, on the parade, with his regiment. The Marchioness 
 of Downshire, Mrs E. Palmer and family, Mr Potts 
 and family, and Dr. Wilgrasse, attended at the Chapel 
 Eoyal. Mr Goldsmid and his beautiful daughter took an 
 airing in their elegant landau. The Earl and Countess 
 Berkeley walked on the Steine after Church. At half -past 
 three His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales took an 
 airing on horseback up Church Hill, in company with 
 Major Bloomfield and Colonel Lee. Count Palfy arrived 
 at the Earl of Barrymore's this morning from London, 
 To-morrow morning it is expected the encampment will 
 take place ; the ground marked out yesterday opposite 
 Carlton Place not being thought large enough, it is 
 determined that it shall be at the left of the Prince's 
 Cricket Ground. 
 
 His Royal Highness the Duke of Clarence and two 
 Masters Fitz-Clarence arrived at five o'clock this after- 
 noon, at the Pavilion. Some of the Duke of York's suite
 
 147 
 
 have arrived ; and His Royal Highness the Duke of Orleans, 
 and Dennis Bowles Daley, Esq., M.P., for Galway, are 
 expected to-morrow. Lord Keith is also expected from 
 " the Downs " with several men-of-war, in honour of the 
 Prince's birth-day. 
 
 At the Parish Church, this morning, while the banns 
 were publishing between a young couple, the father of the 
 lady, a Sergeant in the South Gloucester Militia, forbade 
 the banns, the fair candidate to enter the Hymeneal 
 Temple being only sixteen years old. 
 
 BRIGHTON, AUGUST 13, 1806. 
 
 The Grand Ball at the Castle Tavern last night was one 
 of the most splendid which was ever witnessed; never was 
 seen a greater assemblage of beauty and fashion, and the 
 arrangements were in the greatest style of elegance and 
 splendour; the tables were laid out for four hundred 
 persons, and abounded with every delicacy ; the wines 
 were excellent, and the whole conferred the greatest credit 
 on the managers. By ten o'clock the Castle Tavern was 
 surrounded with spectators, and carriages from the adjacent 
 neighbourhood began to arrive. At eleven o'clock His 
 Eoyal Highness the Prince of Wales, and their Royal 
 Highnesses the Dukes of York, Kent, Cambridge, Sussex, 
 and their suite, entered the Ball Room. Amongst the 
 company present were 
 
 The Duke of Argyle, the Duke of Orleans, the Duke and Duchess De 
 Castries, the Marquis of Headfort, the Marquis and Marchioness of 
 Downshire, the Marchioness of Clanricarde, the Earl and Countess 
 Berkeley, Lord Dursley, Earl and Countess of Kenmare, Earl Moira, Earl 
 and Countess Barrymore, and Countess Lauderdale, Viscount and 
 Viscountess Gage. Ladies E. Best, Charlotte Lennox, Honeywood, 
 Smith, and Daly. Lords Erskine, Arthur Somerset, and Petersham. 
 Generals Hulse, Lennox, and White. Colonels Kington, Lee, Gould, 
 Fane, Smith, and Savary. Majors Bloomfield, Watley, and Onley. The 
 Hon. Mrs Walpole. Mesdames Fitzherbert and E. Palmer. Masters 
 Pott and Brown. Messrs. Sheridan, Walsh Porter, Alexander Davison, 
 Goldsmid, andE. Palmer. The Misses Goldsmid, Smith, and Metcalf. 
 J
 
 148 
 
 The Ball was opened by Lord Petersham and the 
 beautiful Miss Goldsraid. The ladies were most elegantly 
 dressed. The prevailing costume was silver tissue, and 
 the head dresses folded in the Grecian style. The 
 Marchioness of Clanricarde wore a pearl tiara, with a 
 diamond cornet comb. The Misses Goldsmid also wore 
 a profusion of diamonds. The comb, with the Prince's 
 plume, and the motto, Ich Dien, was universal. 
 
 Mr Brooknian displayed uncommon taste in his 
 arrangement of the ladies' head dresses. 
 
 At two o'clock His Eoyal Highness the Prince of 
 Wales, his Eoyal Brothers, and the whole Prince's party, 
 returned to the Pavilion, where much mirth and good 
 humour continued until a late hour this morning. Th 
 remainder of the company sat down to supper, and did 
 not separate until five o'clock. 
 
 Lord Erskine left Brighton at half-past twelve last 
 night, for London. 
 
 At seven o'clock this morning Admiral Lord Keith, 
 with two 74 gun ships, hove in sight, but could not make 
 way, the weather being unfavourable. His Lordship came 
 on shore at eleven o'clock, and dines this day at the 
 Pavilion. The wind has blown so very hard towards the 
 shore, that the ships could not come near enough for a 
 full view of them to be obtained ; his Lordship came 
 ashore in a cutter. 
 
 It has rained the entire night, and this morning is 
 most unfavourable for the Grand Review at the Devil's 
 Dyke. 
 
 Six o'clock p.m. 
 
 At ten o'clock the troops consisting of the Eoyal 
 Horse Artillery, the King's Dragoon Guards, the 
 Carabineers, and 4th Dragoons, began to move towards 
 the ground ; and by half-past twelve were formed. At 
 half-past one His Eoyal Highness the Prince of Wales,
 
 149 
 
 mounted on his grey charger, their Eoyal Highnesses the 
 Dukes of York, Clarence, Kent, and Sussex, the Duke of 
 Argyle, Duke of Orleans, Count Beaujolais, Earl Berkeley, 
 Generals Lennox and White, Major Bloomfield, Colonels 
 Lee and Savary, and several other officers, arrived on the 
 ground; they were received by a salute of 21 guns from 
 the Artillery ; the whole marched past in single files, after 
 which the cavalry charged in regiments, and deployed in 
 a column of divisions, and, after forming the line, the 
 rain coming on very heavy, the whole were obliged to quit 
 the field. The troops were an hour and a half passing in 
 single files, their bands playing. The Koyal party left the 
 ground at half -past three ; it rained very hard the whole 
 time. There were very few persons present. The weather 
 thus prevented one of the most beautiful sights. 
 Thousands of people were prepared to attend the review, 
 but the torrents of rain that fell made it impossible. The 
 Prince gives a grand dinner at the Pavilion this day, and 
 a grand ball afterwards. 
 
 Mr Sheridan, yesterday, presented Aaron Graham, 
 Esq., one of His Majesty's principal Police Magistrates, 
 to the Prince of Wales, who received him most graciously, 
 and invited him to His Eoyal Highness's Ball, to be given 
 this night ; Mr Goldsmid's family are also invited. Miss 
 Johnston continues extremely ill, which is the subject of 
 universal regret. The Theatre was crowded last night, 
 and will be the same this evening. There were several 
 men to have been flogged yesterday, but, by desire of the 
 Prince, they were pardoned. 
 
 Their Koyal Highnesses the Dukes of York and 
 Clarendon left the Pavilion at half-past twelve for 
 Windsor, the Earl of Moira for London, and Lord Keith 
 for Portsmouth. 
 
 The ball at the Pavilion was one of the most brilliant 
 that was ever witnessed ; never did the Pavilion present a 
 greater assemblage of beauty and fashion. Every apart-
 
 150 
 
 ment was brilliantly lighted by magnificent Grecian and 
 Egyptian lamps ; three supper tables, for 150, were laid 
 out in the apartment in the left wing ; they were covered 
 with every delicacy that could be procured. At eleven 
 o'clock the ball was opened by His Eoyal Highness the 
 Duke of Cambridge and the Countess Berkeley. At two 
 o'clock the company sat down to supper. His Royal 
 Highness the Prince of Wales sat at the middle of the 
 upper table ; His Eoyal Highness the Duke of Clarence 
 sat on the right of the Prince, and His Eoyal Highness 
 the Duke of Sussex on the left ; then the Duke of 
 Orleans, and the Count Bcaujolais. In the brilliant 
 assemblage were, 
 
 The Duke of Argyle, the Duke and Duchess De Castries, the Marquis 
 and Marchioness of Downshire, the Marchioness of Clanricarde, Earl and 
 Countess of Berkeley, the Earl and Countess of Barrymore, Lord Dursley, 
 the Marquis of Headfort, Lord Petersham, Lord Arthur Somerset, Lacy 
 Angerstein, Lady E. Best, the Hon. Mrs Walpole, Aaron Graham, Esq.> 
 Mrs Masters, Sir Wm. and Lady Jerningham, Mr Alexander Daviscn, Mr 
 Sheridan, Mr, Mrs and the Misses Goldsmid, Lady Honeywood, Major 
 Bloomfield, Capt. Davies, Mrs Fitzherbert, General and Lady Charlotte 
 Lennox, Mrs Brown, the Earl nd Countess of Kenmare, Count Palfy, Sir 
 William and Lady Smith, Mr Walsh Porter, Mr Burke, Mr Crampton, Mr 
 Dalton, Earl of Clermont, Major Watley, Colonel Lee, and most of the 
 neighbouring nobility, and several military officers. 
 
 After supper His Eoyal Highness the Prince of 
 Wales's health was drank with three times three. The 
 company returned to the ball room, and it was half-past 
 four this morning when this brilliant party separated. 
 The Masters Fitz-Clarence danced all night. The Prince 
 was delighted with their dancing, At one o'clock they 
 took leave of the company. His Eoyal Highness shook 
 them by the hand at parting. 
 
 At eleven o'clock a bonfire was lighted opposite the 
 Pavilion, and every demonstration of joy was manifested 
 by the inhabitants for their beloved Prince. The new 
 organ was placed at the bottom of the room, Avherc the
 
 151 
 
 company supped, and played several melodious airs during 
 supper. 
 
 His Eoyal Highness the Duke of Sussex left the 
 Pavilion at two o'clock this afternoon, for Kensington 
 Palace. We are sorry io say His Koyal Highness is 
 indisposed. 
 
 The Duke of Clarence and the Master Fitz-Clarences 
 will leave the Pavilion at ten o'clock to-morrow morning, 
 for Bushey Park. His Koyal Highness's birthday is on 
 the 21st, which will be kept with great splendour at 
 Bushey Park. It is expected that the Prince and all 
 the Eoyal Dukes will be present. Mrs Fitzherbert will 
 give a private ball this night. 
 
 Lady Fortescue and the Hon. Miss Fortescue arrived 
 at six o'clock this evening, at their house. Her Ladyship's 
 illness prevented her arrival before. 
 
 At eleven o'clock this morning the bells rang merrily 
 for the marriage of Mrs Bythesra. to Captain Sober, of 
 1st Eegiment of King's Dragoon Guards. The ceremony 
 was performed at Brighton Church, and at half-past 
 twelve the newly -married pair set off in a new and elegant 
 chariot and four, for Arundel, to pass the honeymoon. 
 
 It is said the Prince will leave to-morrow, but it is 
 not determined on. 
 
 Sir W. and Lady Jerningham left at twelve o'clock 
 this morning in their carriage and four for London. 
 At two o'clock their Eoyal Highnesses the Prince of 
 Wales, and Duke of Clarence, the Duke of Argyle, Duke 
 of Orleans, Count Beaujolais, Major Bloomfield, and 
 Colonel Lee, took a ride towards the Downs. At half-past 
 three a thunder storm came on, which was accompanied 
 with several flashes of lightning, and severe claps of 
 thunder ; the atmosphere was on a sudden as dark as 
 night, but blew off in the course of an hour. 
 
 Tuesday morning a deputation of the inhabitants of 
 this town presented the following address to the Prince, to
 
 162 
 
 which every householder of note had previously most 
 cheerfully subscribed his name : 
 
 "To His ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE or WALES, 
 
 " We, the Ministers, High Constable, Churchwardens, Overseers, and 
 principal Inhabitants of the Town of Brighthelmstone, with the most 
 grateful recollection of the many gracious instances of Your Royal High- 
 ness's patronage conferred upon us, to which alone are to be attributed 
 that prosperity and those advantages nnfelt by, and unknown to, any other 
 Provincial Town, most humbly approach Your Royal Highness, to express 
 the dutiful and thankful sentiments which this recollection inspires, and 
 more particularly calls forth on the anniversary of this day. While we 
 entreat Your Royal Highness to accept these our humble acknowledgments 
 and congratulations, we devoutly implore the Supreme Disposer of all 
 events long to preserve a life so invaluable to us, to whom your immediate 
 protection is so liberally dispensed, and so dear and important in its 
 general consequences to the nation at large." 
 
 His Eoyal Highness received the address with that 
 urbanity and polite condescension which so happily mark 
 his character, accompanied with a gracious intimation 
 that he would still continue to honour the port of 
 Brighton with his august presence, patronage, and 
 regard. 
 
 BRIGHTON, AUGUST 17, 1806. 
 
 This morning is very fine and there are numerous 
 bathers. The Colonnade of Donaldson's Library is sur- 
 rounded with gentlemen, reading the newspapers. The 
 Earl and Countess Berkeley set out for London at ten 
 o'clock. The Chapel Royal was fully attended ; in the 
 congregation were the Marchionesses of Downshire and 
 Clanricarde, the Countesses of Kenmare and Albemarle, 
 the Hon. Miss Fortescue, Mrs Brown, the Misses Metcalfe, 
 Dr. Hunter, and, indeed, almost all the fashionables here- 
 Dr. Blane has arrived this morning, from London, and 
 has given hopes of Miss Johnston's recovery, to the great 
 joy of her family and friends. The Duke and Duchess of 
 Marlborough, the Marquis of Winchester, the Marchioness
 
 158 
 
 of Clanricarde, the Marquis and Marchioness of Down- 
 shire, the Earl and Countess of Kenmare, the Earl 
 and Countess of Albemarle, the Earl and Countess of 
 Clermont, Mr E. Palmer and family, Lord and Lady 
 Frances Spencer, Lady Honywood, and General and 
 Lady Charlotte Lennox, took an airing round the town 
 in their elegant carriages. 
 
 Mr Cope, at four o'clock, walked on the Steyne ; he 
 wore a huge cocked hat, with gold tassels. He was sur- 
 rounded with company, who expressed their surprise at 
 the size of his hat ; when he answered, that he was 
 then performing a different character from that of the 
 preceding day. He is the gaze of Brighton. An artist 
 yesterday took a sketch of Brighton, and intends making 
 him and Martha Guun the prominent figures on the canvas. 
 
 The South Gloucester Militia mustered in the barrack 
 yard at eleven o'clock this day ; prayers were read hy 
 Major Watley. At two o'clock the whole of the South 
 Gloucester Militia mustered, with their side arms only, 
 and the officers with crape round their arms, consisting 
 of Major Watley, Major Onley, Capt. Crawley, Capt. 
 Goodyer, Capt. Merryweather, Capt. Merchant, Capt. 
 Scudamore, and Capt. Jones, and proceeded, in funeral 
 procession, with the body of Lieut. Bourke, to Brighton 
 Church-yard, for interment. Mr Herbert, Lieut, and 
 Paymaster ; Mr Harris, Lieut, and Quarter- Master ; 
 Lieut. Hudson and Lieut. Longford were pall-bearers. 
 There was a double guard on the occasion, which fired 
 three volleys over the grave. It is only when an officer 
 is much respected that they have a double guard. A 
 new piece of music was performed, composed for the 
 occasion. Lieut. Bourke was a native of Ireland ; but 
 there is nothing in his letters or papers to shew 
 what family he belonged to ; he constantly received 
 remittances from Ireland, but even his confidential 
 servant never knew the source from which they were
 
 154 
 
 drawn. He was seven years in the regiment, and had, 
 been repeatedly offered promotion, which he always 
 declined. No man was ever more beloved by his 
 corps. 
 
 BRIGHTON, AUGUST 25, 1806. 
 
 This morning we have had a most interesting view ; 
 100 sail of the Jamaica homeward-bound fleet, under 
 convoy, have passed by for the Downs. A Captain 
 Campbell, and a Mr Campbell, (the latter gentleman 
 has been resident in Jamaica seventeen years,) have 
 landed, and intend setting off in a post chaise for 
 London. From them we learn that 80 sail had parted 
 from them on Thursday last, for their different desti- 
 nations all well Ireland, Liverpool, Bristol, &c. There 
 are 24 sail missing ; the fate of one only known 
 the Will, of Liverpool, which was upset, and went down 
 by a sudden squall of wind ; it is not supposed there were 
 more than five or six lives lost on board her, one a gentle- 
 man passenger, who was sick in bed. 
 
 Five o'Clock. 
 
 More of the fleet are now passing, and some more 
 boats coming on shore. A lady and gentleman,, some 
 children, and black servants have landed, and are gone to 
 the Custom House. More boats appear to be coming in. 
 
 They have had a quick, but tempestuous passage, 
 being only nine weeks since they left the Island. 
 
 Amongst our last arrivals are 
 
 Viscount Ossulston, Lady Morris Gore, Lord and Lady Tarn. Sir 
 Frederick Eden, Bart., Mr G. Yates, Misses Gower, Mr J. Gibbons, Mr 
 Chollet, Mr C. Palmer, Mrs C. Cole, Mr Jutting, Mr Wilson, Mr and Mrs 
 Grill, Mr How, Miss Call, Mr Williams, and Sir John Bridger. 
 
 The Prince's magnificent stables are now so far 
 finished that the Royal stud, at least such of His Royal 
 Highness's as are left at Brighton, are stabled there. 
 These elegant buildings comprise sixty-one stalls, in- 
 cluding loose .stables, viz., thirty-eight for hunters and
 
 155 
 
 other saddle horses, with doors opening into the area 
 beneath the Dome ; and twenty-three for coach-horses, 
 opening into a square yard of the eastern wing. The 
 western wing, not yet finished, will comprise a spacious 
 riding house, with appropriate apartments ; and the 
 whole, when completed, will form the grandest pile of 
 buildings, for equestrian accommodation, in Europe. 
 
 Mr Thunder is erecting an elegant Music Room, 
 for the exhibition of his improved pianofortes, and for 
 the performance of concerts, &c. The situation is the 
 most eligible that could have been chosen, being near 
 the New Inn,* in North Street. 
 
 This night the entertainments at the Theatre are for 
 the benefit of Mr J. Brunton, under the patronage of 
 the Duchess of Marlborough. His own merits would 
 procure him a bumper, but the patronage of her Grace 
 will insure him all the adjacent nobility ; so that we 
 expect not only a crowded but brilliant audience. The 
 performances are, The Wife of Two Husband*, the dance of 
 Goody Tu-o Shoes, and Catherine and Petruchio. Miss 
 Brunton plays the high-spirited "Kate;" "Petruchio" 
 may, with great truth, call her his bonny " Kate." 
 Powell, at Lewes, has very wisely engaged her for his 
 benefit ; also Mr J. Brunton, Mr Murray, and Mr Bennet. 
 George Barmcell will be performed at Lewes, to-night, for 
 the joint benefit of Mr and Mrs Dormer, and Mr and Mrs 
 "Whaley. 
 
 BEIGHTON, OCT. 2, 1806. 
 
 Notwithstanding the season is so far advanced, this 
 town is fuller of company now than it has been at any 
 period during the summer. Houses are so scarce that 
 several families have been compelled to go away for want 
 of accommodation. The Prince is expected here daily, 
 
 * Now the Clarence Hotel, of which Mr Thomas Rose is the much- 
 respected owner and proprietor, and the Music Room named was erected 
 on the ground whereon the present model lodging-houses stand.
 
 156 
 
 which, in some measure, may account for the late 
 numerous arrivals. 
 
 Last night the elegantes, attracted hy the serenity of 
 the weather, and the beams of the moon, which played 
 beautifully bright on the undulating ocean, promenaded 
 the Steyne to a very late hour. The calmness of to-day, 
 and the dulcet notes of the military bands, bid fair to hold 
 out a similar invitation for the present evening. The 
 Jerusalem ponies have been in high requisition all the 
 morning ; not only the young Misses, but the valetudi- 
 narians of the hardier sex seem to consider it no 
 degradation to take their airings on those patient 
 quadrupeds. 
 
 The South Gloucester Militia have just returned from 
 their exercising ground, having had a field day. Colonel 
 Wall, who commands the regiment in the absence of Earl 
 Berkeley, fell from his horse, but happily sustained no 
 injury by the accident. 
 
 Hamlet and The Waterman are announced (by par- 
 ticular desire) for to-morrow evening. Mrs Fitzherbert 
 patronises Miss Lamb's Concert at the Old Ship the same 
 night. The Green Man had lately the honour of supping 
 at the house of that lady, and, by his eccentricities, 
 afforded the party much amusement. 
 
 BRIGHTON, OCT. 19, 1806. 
 
 The rides and promenades have been unusually 
 crowded for several days past. The uncommon fineness 
 of the weather induces the elegantes to display their 
 pretty persons, regardless of old Boreas, to whose 
 blustering rudeness we are sometimes indebted for an 
 accidental display of a graceful leg and a well-turned 
 ankle. The arrivals still continue to be very numerous, 
 and nearly in proportion to the number of departures. 
 Mrs. Fitzherbert and her little protege (Miss Seymour) are
 
 157 
 
 here, and daily perambulate the Steyne, which is 
 constantly thronged with beauty and fashion. 
 
 A very grand review took place yesterday, about two 
 miles from hence, on the Shoreham Eoad, of all the 
 regiments quartered in the neighbourhood. Upwards of 
 4,000 troops were supposed to be present ; and, from its 
 being generally understood that it would probably be the 
 last for the season, an immense concourse of visitors 
 attended to witness the exhibition. 
 
 The Green Man, who has entertained us so long with 
 innocent absurdities, has effectually confirmed what 
 before, from the singularity of his costume, and the 
 incoherence of his conversation, could be scarcely doubted. 
 It seems this harmless, though unfortunate maniac, for 
 so he really proves to be, leaped yesterday out of a 
 window, and soon afterwards over the cliff. The rumour 
 is that, in a fit of phrenzy, he fancied there was a serious 
 riot, and that his immediate presence was essentially 
 necessary to quell the disturbance ; acting under the 
 influence of such worthy motives, his derangement, and 
 the consequences are the more to be deplored. He is 
 reported to have sustained some severe contusions, but his 
 life is not considered in danger. It is said that the person 
 in whose house he resides has laid an embargo on his 
 papers, and has gone up to London for the laudable 
 purpose of concerting measures with his friends to insure 
 his future safety. 
 
 BKIGHTON, OCT. 26, 1806. 
 
 All this day the town has been one continued scene of 
 bustle the promenades have been crowded with elegance 
 and fashion, and the rides have exhibited a greater number 
 of carriages than we ever before witnessed, among which 
 were several very splended equipages ; the cause of all this 
 interesting and agreeable stir was the happy event of the
 
 158 
 
 Earl of Delaware coming of ago, in celebration of which a 
 grand fete is to take place this evening at the Castle Rooms. 
 
 As many as 279 cards of invitation had been issued up 
 to this morning, and more, we understand, were put in 
 circulation this afternoon. The bells have rang merrily 
 the whole of the day, and the Castle Tavern has been beset 
 by hundreds of persons, anxious to obtain a sight of the 
 magnificent preparations which have been made to celebrate 
 the event. 
 
 Several waggon loads of laurel and olive, of orange 
 and lemon-trees, have been devoted to the ornament and 
 decorations of the superb suite of rooms belonging to the 
 above Tavern, which, moreover, are appropriately illumi- 
 nated with suitable transparencies and variegated lamps. 
 The floors also are chalked in a tastefully and masterly 
 style, and devices and inscriptions, emblematical of 
 Britain's naval and military triumphs, at ence arrest and 
 please the eye, and warm and animate the heart of every 
 one present. 
 
 The supper rooms display almost every luxury which 
 either nature or art could supply ; it would occupy too 
 much space to particularize them. It is now half-past nine 
 o'clock, and the company are fast assembling carriages 
 are everywhere in motion, all directing their course, as to 
 one common centre, towards the Castle. It is expected 
 that above 300 persons will be present. No expense, we 
 understand, has been spared in rendering this one of the 
 most splendid fetes that ever took place in England. 
 First-rate cooks and table-deckers, and a numerous train of 
 ornamental decorators have been procured from London, as 
 well as (miralilc dictit) fashionable hair -dressers, and 
 other appendages of the beau monde, too numerous to 
 mention. The cost of all this, in all its various relations, 
 will, it is calculated, amount to at least 2,000. 
 
 An immense concourse of persons are collected in 
 Castle Square, and the confusion which reigns is beyond
 
 159 
 
 description. The High Constable and Headboroughs had 
 been solicited by the Earl of Delaware to attend, and a 
 room was to have been provided for them at the Castle, 
 with every necessary entertainment ; but just as those 
 gentlemen were about to obey, with all possible cheerful- 
 ness and alacrity, his Lordship's wishes, a counter-order was 
 sent intimating that their attendance would be unnecessary, 
 in consequence of a company of soldiers having been 
 engaged to preserve order ! 
 
 Among the company invited were 
 
 Marquis Camden. 
 
 Marchionesses Wellesley and Camden. 
 
 Bails Bathurst, Chichester, Egremont, Abingdon, and Leitrim. 
 
 Countesses Bathurst, Clonmell, Chichester, Galway ; Dowager 
 Lonsdale, Leitrim, Abingdon, Sefton, Conyngham, and De Gouton. 
 
 Viscounts Gage, Hawarden, and Ashbrook. 
 
 Viscountesses Gage, Ashbrook, Templetown, Hawarden, and Dowager 
 Hawarden. 
 
 Barans Gustavus Nollekin and Montalenabert. 
 
 Baroness Montalembert. 
 
 Lords Glenbervie and Arthur Hill. 
 
 Ladies Perth, Hyde Parker, C. Howard, E. Pelham, Hariet Neville, 
 Charlotte Scott, Pratt, Caroline Bertie. Townshend, Collins, Asgill, andBaker. 
 
 Sirs C. Asgill, R. Baker, C. Bishopp, James Bathe, H. Dashweod, 
 Godfrey Webster, &c. 
 
 Generals Hammond and St. John. 
 
 Hon. Lieutenant-Colonel and Mr Stapylton. 
 
 Colonel Duckett. 
 
 Major Graham. 
 
 At the Chapel Royal, on Sunday, a most excellent and 
 animated discourse was preached by the Eev. Mr Dibdin, 
 on behalf of the Brighthelmstone Dispensary and Sussex 
 General Infirmary : on which occasion the efforts of the 
 eloquent preacher were attended with all the desired 
 success, the collection amounting to no less than 92. 
 
 BRIGHTON, OCT. 27, 1806. 
 
 The Grand Fete, given last evening by the Earl 
 Delaware, has been the universal theme of conversation
 
 160 
 
 during the day, and we doubt not but it will so continue 
 for some time, as it surpassed everything of the kind ever 
 witnessed in this part of the kingdom. The following are 
 a few additional particulars : By eleven o'clock nearly the 
 whole of the company, consisting of between 800 and 400 
 of the most distinguished fashionables, had assembled, at 
 whioh hour dancing commenced, to the favourite tune 
 " Mrs M'Cloud of Muir," led off by the Earl of Delaware 
 and Miss Webster, sister to Sir Godfrey Webster, M.P. for 
 this county, and followed by Baron de Montalembert and 
 Miss Johnson, and upwards of 120 couple, forming two 
 sets ; the succeeding dance was the " Prince Regent," led 
 ofi by the same party. At one o'clock waltzing commenced, 
 led off by Baron de Montalembert and Miss Johnson, 
 followed by the Earl of Delaware and Miss Webster, which 
 was kept up with great spirit till half-past two, at which 
 time the supper-rooms were thrown open. It would be 
 utterly impossible to do adequate justice to the taste and 
 magnificence here displayed. This department was under 
 the superintendence of Mr Ward, of Bond Street, who 
 displayed his well-known talents to the best advantage ; 
 the decorations of the table, in particular the sand work, 
 were universally admired, nor was there anything deficient 
 that could delight the eye, or please the palate. Upon the 
 removal of the cloth, the health of the Earl of Delaware, 
 with prosperity and long life, was drunk with three times 
 three. His Lordship, in a very animated and eloquent 
 speech, returned thanks. The following toasts were then 
 drunk with the utmost enthusiasm : 
 
 "The Prince Eegent " "The Marquis of Wellington" "Prosperity 
 to the House of Delaware " " The Duke of York and the Army," &c., &c. 
 
 The excellent band of the 18th Hussars played several 
 delightful airs during supper. 
 
 At the upper end of the room, at which his Lordship 
 presided, was a brilliant transparency of Fame and Cupid, 
 surmounted by a coronet in variegated lamps ; to the right
 
 161 
 
 was a transparency of the immortal Hero of Trafalgar ; on 
 the left a striking likeness of the Marquis of Wellington, 
 appropriately ornamented with laurel. 
 
 Dancing recommenced at half-past three, and was con- 
 tinued, without intermission, till six this morning. 
 
 The decorative part of the ball-room, &c., was under 
 the immediate direction of Mr Harrison, of the Opera 
 House, and in which the utmost elegance and simplicity 
 were united. The avenue leading to the rooms exhibited 
 the appearance of an olive grove, and, illuminated as it was 
 with variegated lamps, had an effect truly enchanting. 
 The ball room was tastefully hung with laurel and artificial 
 flowers, at the extremity of which were two figures on 
 pedestals, supporting a scroll, with the word " Delaware " 
 and the figures "21 " in variegated lamps, surmounted by 
 a coronet : in the centre the letter " D," embellished with 
 roses surrounded by glory, underneath his Lordship's 
 motto, Jour de ma vic, f:> and over the entrance door the 
 date of the year. 
 
 His Lordship intends giving an entertainment at the 
 Castle Tavern, consisting of a ball and supper, on Thursday 
 next, to the upper domestics of his Lordship's establish- 
 ment and their friends, at which, we understand, upwards 
 of 100 will be present. 
 
 The weather during the whole of the day has been 
 very boisterous, the rain falling in torrents, with a strong 
 south wind and heavy sea ; scarcely a carriage has been 
 seen in the course of the day. Munden and Emery 
 perform at our Theatre this evening, in the Birth Day, for 
 the benefit of Mr Field, Stage Manager. 
 
 BRIGHTON, FEB. 6, ] 808. 
 
 Owing to the excessively high wind of Monday last, 
 the sea rose to a very unusual height, and beat violently 
 
 * Day of my life.
 
 162 
 
 against the Cliff, but we arc happy to state without doing 
 any considerable damage. A great many casks of foreign 
 brandy were driven on shore at the different parts of our 
 coast, and were picked up by the populace ; but they were 
 afterwards generally taken possession of by the Revenue 
 officers, and secured in his Majesty's warehouses. 
 
 A pipe of excellent port wine, found on Tuesday last 
 near Blatchington, was drawn off in small casks by the 
 persons who found it, and who safely conveyed it to their 
 respective houses. 
 
 Repairs are actively applied to the different groynes, 
 which, from the heavy press of the late swelling tides, 
 have suffered considerably. On the Cliff leading to 
 Rottingdean new and substantial railings have been 
 placed, by which, though the pass is somewhat narrowed, 
 its comforts, on the score of safety, are considerably 
 increased. 
 
 BKIGHTON, AUGUST 6, 1808. 
 
 The Steyne last night was not very full of company, 
 the weather being unfavourable. His Royal Highness 
 the Prince of Wales entertained his usual party in the 
 evening ; the Earl and Countess of Kenmare were in 
 the brilliant circle. At nine o'clock last evening Lord 
 Burghersh, eldest son of the Earl of Westmorland, 
 received an express at the Castle, from Portsmouth. His 
 Lordship immediately set off, the expedition at that place 
 being expected to sail at five o'clock this morning. There 
 has been very little company out to-day ; Sir John Lade 
 drove His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales's barouche, 
 with four horses in hand, several times round the Steyne. 
 At one o'clock His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales 
 walked on the Steyne for near an hour, in company with 
 Colonel Lee ; and, at half-past three, His Royal Highness 
 mounted his grey pony, and, with Colonel Lee, took an 
 airing towards Rottingdeau; the Countess of Kenmare,
 
 168 
 
 in her carriage ; the Earl of Barrymore, on horseback, 
 accompanied by Mr Crampton ; the Earl and Countess of 
 Berkeley, on horseback; and Sir John and Lady Lade 
 took an airing towards the Downs ; Mrs Fitzherbert, in 
 her barouche and pair, went towards Eottingdean ; the 
 Honourable Miss Seymour, attended by her governess, 
 walked along the Marine Parade. Miss Johnson is 
 rather better this morning. His Koyal Highness the 
 Prince of Wales was among the numerous inquirers after 
 her health. Lord Thurlow went to the New Baths at 
 three o'clock. His Koyal Highness the Duke of Sussex is 
 expected here after the Prince's birthday, on which day 
 great rejoicings are expected. Miss Brunton, as "Juliana," 
 in The Honeymoon, last night received very great 
 applause, and Mr J. Brunton, as " Tristram Fickle," 
 in The Weathercock, kept the house in bursts of laughter. 
 Mrs and Miss Meade sat in the Prince's box. Earl 
 Craven, Colonel Searle, Mr and Mrs Pigou, Mr and 
 Mrs Calvert, and Mr and Mrs Darley were among the 
 company. 'There have been several donkey parties. The 
 Duke and Duchess of St. Albans are gone to London. 
 The Prince gives a grand dinner, at the Pavilion, this 
 day, to the Duke and Duchess De Castries, the Earl 
 and Countess Berkeley, the Earl and Countess of Barry- 
 more, Lady E. Best, Colonel Lee, and General and Lady 
 Charlotte Lennox. The company before dinner " walked 
 on the lawn of the Pavilion. 
 
 BRIGHTON, AUGUST 9, 1808. 
 
 The town this morning was enlivened by the arrival of 
 His Koyal Highness the Prince of Wales' s Dragoons, the 
 Sussex, the North Gloucester, and the Cheshire, who 
 pitched their tents on Church Hill. His Grace the Duke 
 of Norfolk, Lord Charles Somerset, and all the Staff 
 Officers, repaired to Church Hill by eight o'clock in the 
 morning, to view the ground for the encampment ; after 
 

 
 1G4 
 
 which they returned to the Pavilion to breakfast. The 
 fineness of the morning attracted a numerous company to 
 Lewes ; every vehicle was in motion, and by eleven o'clock 
 Brighton was entirely deserted. 
 
 BRIGHTON, Nov. 28, 1808. 
 The arrivals up to this day include : 
 
 His Eoyal Highness the Prince of Wales, Admiral Douglas and 
 family, Charles Pechell, Esq., Colonel and Lady Ann Digby, Hon. W. W. 
 Pole, Hon. Miss Seymour, Colonel Osborne, M.P., Miss Jefferys, Mrs 
 Somers Cocks, Dowager Lady Somers, Sir Robert Burnet, Bart., Richard 
 Somers Cocks, Esq., R. Lambton, Esq., Miles Peter Andrews, Esq., M.P. 
 John Parker, Esq., O. Price, Esq. , Mrs Pilkington, Mrs Thompson, Miss 
 Shannon, Hon. Miss Irby, Miss Hallfim, Lady Heathcote, Countess of 
 Clonmel, Lady Jane Scott, Lady Jane Houstone, Mrs Crosbie and family. 
 
 The departures comprise the following : 
 
 Marchioness Dowager of Donegal and family, Earl of Lucan, Countess 
 De Vaudreuil, Lord G. Seymour, G. Johnson, Esq., M.P., D. Yander- 
 heyden, Esq., M.P., Mrs Locke, Lady Anne Bingham, Countess Spencer, 
 Thos. Smith, Esq., John Currie, Esq., John Ayles, Esq., Mrs Tryherne, 
 James Rock, Esq., Countess Dowager of Jersey, Lady E. Villiers, Charles 
 Moore, Esq., M.P. 
 
 On Wednesday evening a grand ball in celebration of 
 the birthday of the Hon. Miss Seymour was given to a 
 number of the young nobility and gentry, at the Pavilion. 
 The Prince honoured the ball room with his presence for 
 a considerable time, and participated in all the pleasures 
 of the juvenile party, with that amiable condescension for 
 which His Eoyal Highness is so eminently conspicuous. 
 
 The friends of Mrs Fitzherbert's domestics were, on 
 the same occasion, entertained with a ball at that lady's 
 house on the Steyne. 
 
 His Eoyal Highness the Prince of Wales and suite 
 left the Pavilion at a quarter before two yesterday after- 
 noon, in two travelling carriages, for London, thence to 
 proceed (for a residence of some time) to his newly-fitted 
 up apartments at Windsor.
 
 1G5 
 
 The unusual assemblage of nobility and other persons 
 of distinction at this place, we understand, will occasion 
 the balls at the Castle Tavern to be kept open till 
 Christmas. 
 
 BRIGHTON, DEO. 26, 1808. 
 The fashionable visitors to Brighton are as follows : 
 
 His Grace the Duke of Leinster, Lord Viscount Boyne, Hon. Miss 
 Hamilton, Lord R. E. H. Somerset, Viscountess Boyne, George Henskell, 
 Esq., Josh. Hunter, Esq., and Richard Launder, Esq. 
 
 The departures include the following : 
 
 The Hon. Mrs W. W. Pole and family, Hon. Mrs Bouverie, Hon. Mrs 
 W. Villiers, Lady Ann Wyndham, Lord Viscount Petersham, W. Ellice' 
 Esq., Col. Ruller and family, Hon. John Byng and family, Thomas 
 Crookenden, Esq., Miss Lambton, and Charles Scott Murray, Esq. 
 
 The Prince, contrary to what was lately understood, 
 does not spend his holidays at the Pavilion. His Eoyal 
 Highness is, however, expected here shortly after the 
 ceremony of his laying the first stone of the New Theatre, 
 at Covent Garden, for which the present weather is 
 rather unpropitious. 
 
 On Saturday morning, at eight a.m., a large 
 dismasted vessel was observed in the offing, towed by a 
 man of war brig to the westward. A boat was imme- 
 diately put off to observe the motions of the brig and her 
 apparent prize, and to see whether she was a friend or an 
 enemy. On the boat approaching, she found the brig to 
 be an English vessel, and that the ship in tow was a 
 transport, No. 177 (the Nelson, of London), which had 
 been picked up at sea, without a soul on board, about 12 
 leagues south of Fairlight. It is supposed she had been 
 captured by a French privateer, who, after plundering her, 
 and taking out her crew, &c., had turned her adrift. 
 
 On Wednesday, as a fisherman was standing on the 
 East Cliff, he observed a cock pheasant flying along the 
 shore, to which he and several others immediately gave
 
 1G6 
 
 chase, and soon secured. A lady who happened to be 
 a spectator of the chase, and admiring the extreme beauty 
 of the feathered captive, purchased him of his pursuers, 
 and sent him to her residence to be taken care of. 
 
 On the 6th instant a gang, consisting of about twelve 
 persons, armed with guns and bludgeons, assembled and 
 shot through the woods and plantations of Mr Poyntz, of 
 Cowdray, and barbarously beat one of the keepers. 
 
 BRIGHTON, APBIL 18, 1809. 
 
 The Prince will not honour this place with his 
 presence during the Easter Holidays, as was expected ; 
 but His Royal Highness, we understand, has signified his 
 intention of residing at his Pavilion at an early period of 
 the summer season. 
 
 Lieutenant- General Lord Charles Somerset, accom- 
 panied by his brother Lord John, arrived here on Wednes- 
 day, but stopped only till Saturday, when they took their 
 departure for London. 
 
 The Earl of Egremont, Earl Nelson, Lady Charlotte 
 Nelson, and Sir James Poultncy, Secretary of War, also 
 arrived here on Saturday last. 
 
 The last week's arrivals were : 
 
 The Marchioness of Downshire, Lord Bruce and family, Lady 
 Charlotte Greville, Lady Ann Wombwell, Sir George Wombwell, ITon. 
 H. Pierrepoint, Hon. C. P. Pierrepoint, Sir W. and Lady James, Colonel 
 Wheatley, Henry Greville, Esq., Charles Greville, Esq., B. Puyh, Esq. and 
 family, Hon. Win. Broderick, Mr Crosbie and family, Mr AJumson and 
 family, Miss Williamson, Mrs Markett and family, Major Ollney and 
 family, Lieut. Stephenson, Mr Arthur, S. T. Eussell, Esq., Richard 
 Wellcsley, Esq., Miss Williams, Wm. Jones, Esq , Mrs Forbes, Mrs 
 Skinner, Sandys, Esq., and John Day, Esq. 
 
 And our departures : 
 
 General Harcourt and Lady, Capt. Millman, T. H. Sitwell, Esq., 
 Samuel Croft, Esq., Mrs Prideaux and family, Miss Courtenay, and 
 Mr Begbie.
 
 167 
 
 Captain Downmau's troop of Royal Horse Artillery, 
 which has occupied our permanent barracks for several 
 years past, have received their route to move from hence 
 to Woolwich, for which place they expect to march in 
 three divisions, in the course of next week. The 
 behaviour of the officers and men belonging to the above 
 excellent corps has been such, during the whole of their 
 stay here, as will render their departure a matter of regret 
 to the inhabitants. 
 
 A French cutter privateer appeared off this place on 
 Friday afternoon, dogging two large merchant vessels ; 
 but as she soon after altered her course and stood from 
 them, it is supposed she thought them too formidable for 
 her successful attack. The privateer was soon after seen 
 in chase of a small English brig going up channel ; but as 
 they both got out of sight about sun- set, we know not 
 how the French succeeded. 
 
 Same day, as between 40 and 50 sail of fishing 
 boats, belonging to different sea-port towns in this 
 county, were fishing on what is called the Diamond 
 Ground, they were alarmed by the appearance of two 
 large French lugger privateers, on which they instantly 
 quitted their useful occupation and sailed off in different 
 directions, and we are glad to hear they all effected their 
 escape. Had the Frenchmen concealed themselves till 
 night, they would probably have caught a fine shoal 
 of fishers ! 
 
 The London coaches have for the last week been 
 greatly loaded on their journey down ; and all about 
 us has a lively appearance. 
 
 BRIGHTON, AUGUST 5, 1809. 
 
 This morning the weather being uncommonly fine, 
 and great expectation being entertained of this day's 
 sport, everything was in motion at an early hour. 
 Donaldson's Library was crowded with sporting gentle-
 
 168 
 
 men ; bets were 5 to 4 on Mr Grosvcnor's Meteora ; and 
 among the most spirited gentlemen the odds were much 
 greater upon this favoured horse, who won the gold cup 
 given by His Koyal Highness the Prince of Wales. It was 
 a most interesting race, the horses kept so close together, 
 that a table-cloth might have covered them ; but Meteora, 
 notwithstanding, was never pressed, being evidently able 
 to win at pleasure. The course had a most brilliant 
 appearance. His Eoyal Highness the Prince of Wales 
 (who was dressed in the Hussar uniform), the Countess 
 Berkeley, the Hon. Miss Seymour and Mrs Fitzherbert, 
 arrived on the ground at a quarter-past one, in the 
 Prince's barouche and six beautiful bays. His Koyal 
 Highness then mounted his grey charger. The Duchess 
 of Marlborough also honoured the ground with her 
 presence. Her Grace was accompanied by Lady E. 
 Spencer, and came in an elegant landau-barouche, drawn 
 by six horses, with three out-riders. The servants wore 
 new riding dresses, richly trimmed with silver. As soon 
 as Her Grace arrived on the ground, His Koyal Highness 
 went up to the carriage, and conversed with her and 
 Lady E. Spencer. The racing was over by half-past three, 
 when His Royal Highness dismounted and got into his 
 barouche, and returned to the Pavilion. Several were 
 detained on the hill by the attraction of a large fleet of 
 transports which appeared in the offing, steering to west- 
 ward. They made signal at our port, and were to be seen 
 during the whole of this evening, it being quite calm and 
 clear. We expect that the review, which will take place 
 on the 12th instant, will be one of the grandest ever seen 
 here. It is supposed that the troops will amount to 
 upwards of 12,000, which will consist of the Koyal 
 Artillery, 10th Light Dragoons, and Second and Third 
 Dragoon Guards, on the right and left of the line, 
 commanded by Major Hugonin ; the Koyal North 
 Gloucester, West Essex, Koyal Bucks, Koyal Berkshire,
 
 169 
 
 Eoyal Montgomery, atul South Hants will compose part 
 of the right wing, under the command of General Dyott ; 
 the Eoyal South Gloucester, Sussex, Nottingham, 
 Northumberland, and Koyal East Middlesex will form to 
 the left. 
 
 The following is a description of the Sham Fight of 
 the 12th August, 1809, before alluded to : 
 
 On Saturday last, Lord Craven's Brigade, consisting 
 of the South Gloucester, the West Essex, the Nottingham, 
 and the Cheshire regiments of Militia, stationed in the 
 vicinity of Brighton, assembled at Goldstone Bottom, for 
 the purpose of being reviewed by Lieutenant-General 
 Lennox, who commands the District. In addition to the 
 above regiments, there were likewise a detatchment of 
 Flying artillery, and a squadron of the 1st Dragoon 
 Guards, making the whole number of troops on the 
 ground upwards of 4,000. The General and his 
 attendants appeared about eleven, when the business of 
 the day immediately commenced, without the ceremonious 
 compliments usually observed upon such occasions. The 
 enemy was represented by some small detachments of 
 Infantry and Cavalry, and was supposed to have taken 
 possession of a little village, flanked by a corps, at no 
 considerable distance. To dislodge him from this fastness 
 was conceived to be the object of the attacking party, 
 The Grenadier companies, which had been previously 
 formed into a distinct battalion, proceeded to assail him, 
 covered by a proportionate number of Dragoons and Light 
 Infantry, who scoured the thicket. Some skirmishing 
 now commenced between the advanced posts, and the 
 Artillery maintained a well-directed fire against the village. 
 The main army, with their light companies in front, and a 
 corps of reserve in its rear, was next formed into four 
 close columns, consisting of the battalion companies of
 
 170 
 
 each regiment. The columns now advanced, and then 
 formed lino in a spacious valley, where platoon firing 
 commenced from right to left. The Dragoons and Light 
 Infantry were still skirmishing in front, and keeping up 
 an independent fire at extended distances. A variety 
 of manoeuvres were now performed, and several new 
 alignments taken up, by the echelon march of companies, 
 as advantageous positions presented themselves. The 
 army still continued, at intervals, to push forward, 
 sometimes in line and sometimes in column, occasionally 
 firing by companies and grand divisions. Having, at 
 length, approached the village invested by the enemy, it 
 again made a stand, and formed in the rear of a quarry, 
 which effectually protected it from a furious charge of 
 heavy Cavalry, who were suddenly obliged to halt on the 
 brink of it, and were exposed to a galling fire from the 
 whole of our line. Some retrograde movements were next 
 deemed expedient, and the line began to retire by alternate 
 battalions, covered in its retreat by our Artillery, 
 Dragoons, and Light Infantry. After numerous other 
 judicious operations, as circumstances occurred, and 
 difficulties rendered necessary, the line formed again, fired 
 a volley, and made a rapid charge under the cover of its 
 own smoke. To attempt anything like a detailed 
 description of the different movements and evolutions 
 which were practised on this occasion would require the 
 talents of an able tactician, With truth, we may say 
 that the General in command appeared to display a 
 profound military judgment, with an accurate knowledge 
 of the country. After the charge of the bayonet, which 
 has, at all times, proved as glorious as successful to the 
 British arms when on actual service, the line wheeled 
 back into open columns of companies, and passed the 
 General in quick time, who was again pleased to dispense 
 with the accustomed formalities of a salute. When over, 
 the different regiments filed off to their respective quarters
 
 171 
 
 having acquitted themselves much to their own credit, and 
 highly to the gratification of several hundreds of spectators, 
 all of whom declared that the tout- ensemble formed one of 
 the grandest and most interesting spectacles of the kind 
 they had ever beheld. 
 
 We are concerned to add that, in the course of the 
 review, one of the dragoons was dismounted, and, we 
 fear, mortally hurt, by the rear ranks riding over him. 
 His skull is said to have been fractured by one of the 
 horses treading upon it. He was conveyed away in a 
 cart, on a litter, and, notwithstanding the best surgical 
 aid was offered to him, is reported to have died of the 
 hurts he received. 
 
 At this period Eustic Fetes and Public Breakfasts 
 were much in vogue in fashionable society, and one of the 
 principal places of rendezvous was the Chalybeate and 
 grounds on the Wick Estate, at that time much resorted to 
 by the affluent to partake of the waters. Many interesting 
 stories are related in connection with the Chalybeate, 
 one in particular, in which royalty figured con- 
 spicuously. 
 
 Nocturnal outings were also the fashion in early 
 summer, ladies frequently, in their carriages, making 
 midnight journeys to the neighbourhood of Dale Gate or 
 Stanmer Park, for the purpose of listening to the sweet 
 warbling of the nightingale. These journeys were taken 
 to the no small inconvenience of servants in attendance 
 and others employed in the stable yards : in consequence 
 they determined, if possible, to put a stop to these 
 eccentricities, and concerted the following plan : Two 
 or three of the stable-helpers disguised themselves and 
 secreted in hedges near the spot where carriages and 
 occupants drew up to listen to the ' sweet feathered 
 songsters of the grove," and at a given signal they emerged
 
 172 
 
 from their hiding places, discharged blunderbuses, and 
 made an attack upon the carriages, in fact, a mock assault 
 of highwaymen, in turn they were apparently over- 
 powered by the coachmen and footmen in attendance, yet 
 contrived to escape from their clutches. The trick suc- 
 ceeded admirably ; the servants were complimented and 
 rewarded for their great courage, the ladies feeling they 
 were under the greatest obligations to those who had 
 preserved their lives and property from these ruthless 
 marauders. We need not add that this adventure was 
 the climax to these midnight wanderings. 
 
 To this latter incident in connection with "old 
 Brighton " could be added very many of equal interest, 
 in which the fashionable residents were concerned in 
 these " royal days " of our favourite watering place. 
 
 PHCEBE HESSEL* 
 
 This remarkable woman, and one of the most promi- 
 nent of Brighton characters about half a century ago, as 
 the inscription on her tombstone in the Parish Church 
 yard will indicate, was born at Stepney, in the year 1713. 
 She served for many years as a private soldier in the 5th 
 Eegiment of Foot, in different parts of Europe, and in the 
 year 1745 fought under the command of the Duke of 
 Cumberland, at the Battle of Fontenoy, where she 
 received a bayonet wound in her arm. Her long life, 
 which commenced in the reign of Queea Anne, extended 
 to that of George the Fourth, by whose munificence she 
 received comfort and support in her latter days. She died 
 at Brighton, where she had long resided, December 12th, 
 1821, aged 108 years. 
 
 * Quoted from Erredye'u History of Brighton, with additions by the 
 Author o! this \Vurk.
 
 173 
 
 This woman in early life fell in love with a man of 
 the name of Samuel Golding, a private in the regiment 
 called at that time " Kirke's Lambs." She was then only 
 15 years of age, hut being, as she frequently remarked, a fine 
 lass for her years. Her maiden name was Smith. The 
 regiment to which Golding belonged was ordered for 
 foreign service, the West Indies, in 1728 ; but such was 
 Phoobe's attachment for him, that donning the garb of a 
 man, she enlisted in the 5th Kegimcnt of Foot, commanded 
 by General Pearce, then under orders for the West Indies 
 likewise (in the hopes of joining her lover). There she 
 served five years without making her sex known to any 
 one, she then returned to England with her regiment, 
 and soon after her return it was ordered to join 
 the forces of the Duke of Cumberland abroad, and 
 fought in the battle before mentioned. Golding's 
 regiment and hers were afterwards at Gibraltar, 
 where he got wounded and was invalided home to 
 Plymouth. She then informed the wife of General Pearce 
 of her sex and story, who obtained her immediate dis- 
 charge, and she was at once sent to England. She then 
 proceeded to the Military Hospital at Plymouth and there 
 nursed Golding, and on his recovery they were married 
 and lived, until his death, happily together for more than 
 20 years, on his pension from Government. 
 
 After being a widow a short time she came to 
 Brighton, and was married to her second husband, William 
 Hessel, and in 1792 they must have been in indigent 
 circumstances, from the fact of its having been recorded 
 in the parish books of the 5th of December of that year, 
 " That, at a Meeting of the Churchwardens and Overseers, 
 it was ordered that Phoebe, wife of William Hessel, be 
 paid three guineas to get their bed and nets, which they had 
 pledged to pay Dr. Henderson for medicine." 
 
 Her husband died the year after, and she then, by the 
 assistance of a few of the inhabitants, purchased a donkey,
 
 174 
 
 and travelled with fish and other commodities to the 
 villages around Brighton, and it was on one of these 
 journeys westward that she obtained the capture of Rook 
 and Howell, for robbing the mail on the night of the 
 30th of October, 1 792, the extent of the same being half- 
 a-sovereign, transmitted in a letter from a soldier stationed 
 in Steyning barracks to a friend residing in this town. 
 
 The spot on which the robbery took place is situated 
 about a mile on the high road to Shoreham, and westward 
 of Goldstone Bottom, already mentioned as the place of 
 the military execution of Cooke and Parish for mutiny. 
 
 Their apprehension and capture was through Phoebe 
 calling at the Eed Lion public-house at Old Shoreham 
 (kept at that time by a man of the name of Penton), as was 
 her frequent custom, to take refreshment, and soon after 
 Rook came in and ordered some beer. In the course 
 of conversation with the persons present, the subject 
 of the mail robbery came up, and from some observations 
 made by Rook, Phoebe in her own mind, was convinced 
 that he was one of the party in the affair. She, in conse- 
 quence, went out and gave information of what had 
 transpired to the parish constable, Bartholomew Roberts, 
 who was well acquainted with Rook, then living with his 
 mother in a small cottage close by, on the spot now 
 occupied by Adur Lodge. On being taken into ciistody, 
 Rook, whose age was about 24, a simple, inoffensive 
 fellow, who had been the dupe of his companion in 
 the crime, admitted the offence, and afforded such in- 
 telligence as led to the apprehension of Howell, at Old 
 Shoreham mill, where, at the time, he was reading a 
 pamphlet to the miller. Howell was 40 years old, and by 
 trade a tailor. 
 
 Some of the stolen property was found upon them ; 
 and their identification by the mail-boy being complete, 
 they were committed from the Fountain Inn for trial at 
 the Spring Assizes, at Horsham, when, being found guilty,
 
 175 
 
 they were sentenced to be executed at the spot where 
 the robbery had been effected. They were conveyed 
 to Horsham on horseback, and for their safe custody, 
 not only were they handcuffed and pinioned with strong 
 cords, but each had his legs roped together under the 
 horse's belly, and, besides the constable that accompanied 
 them, there was a military escort of four cavalry. 
 
 An immense concourse of spectators witnessed the 
 execution of these unfortunate men, whose bodies, ac- 
 cording to the barbarous custom of the times, were after- 
 wards encased in an iron skeleton dress and gibbeted. 
 The disgusting sight of their decaying bodies remained 
 some time a terror to the timid, but a mark of recreation 
 to the reckless and thoughtless, who were accustomed to 
 throw at them and practise many revolting tricks. 
 
 When, however, the elements had caused the clothes 
 and the flesh to decay, the aged mother of Eook, night 
 after night, in all weathers, and the more tempestuous 
 the weather the more frequent the visits, made a sacred 
 pilgrimage to the lonety spot ; and it was noticed that on 
 her return she always brought something away with her 
 in her apron. Upon being watched, it was discovered 
 that the bones of the hanging men were the objects of her 
 search, and as the wind and rain scattered them on the 
 ground she collected the relics, and conveyed them to her 
 home, and when the gibbets were stripped of their horrid 
 burthen, in the dead silence of the night she interred 
 them, deposited in a chest, in the hallowed ground of Old 
 Shoreham Churchyard. 
 
 Besides being found guilty of robbing the mail, the 
 Grand Jury, at the same Assizes, returned a "True 
 Bill" against James Book, for horse stealing; but he 
 was not put upon his trial for that offence, in conse- 
 quence of being left for death upon the other charge. 
 They were executed on the 2Gth of April, 1793, and a 
 barn that was some years after erected near the spot by
 
 176 
 
 Messrs. Hardwick, of Hangleton, is called "Gibbet 
 Barn" ; the remains of the gibbet, c., were in existence 
 till 1822, when they were burnt by some gypsies 
 who frequented the neighbourhood. 
 
 It was evident that Phoabe could not exist without 
 parish aid, as the following minute from the Vestry book 
 will shew : " 1797. 20th May, at a meeting of the 
 Churchwardens and Overseers held at the Hen and 
 Chickens (now the Eunning Horse, King Street), 
 Ordered, that Phoebe Hessel's rent be paid from the present 
 time, and that her weekly allowance be discontinued." 
 
 In the early part of the present century the in- 
 firmities of age began to tell upon her, and, being no 
 longer able to get about the country, she was taken 
 into Brighton Workhouse ; from which, however, at her 
 own request, she was discharged in August, 1806, as a 
 minute of the Vestry held on the 14th of that month 
 states: "That Phosbe Hcssel be allowed a pair of 
 stockings and one change on leaving the poor-house." 
 
 After this period she obtained a subsistence by selling 
 fruit, bulls-eyes, pin-cushions, &c., at the bottom of the 
 Marine Parade, near Old Steine Street, where, in sunny 
 weather, she used to sit in a chair with her basket of 
 wares beside her, and obtained a good amount of custom. 
 Her costume would, at the present day, form a great 
 attraction. She wore a brown serge dress, a white apron, 
 always clean, a black cloth cloak with a hood, sur- 
 mounted by a red spotted with white handkerchief. Her 
 head-dress was a black antique shaped bonnet over a mob 
 cap. Her shoes were for service and not look, without 
 any regard to "rights and lefts;" and her hands and 
 arms were usually encased in a pair of long woollen 
 mittens. Her walking-stick, was formerly in the possession 
 of Mr Edward Blaker, of Portslade ; his father, a resident 
 of Brighton and Churchwarden of the Parish at the time 
 of Phoobe's death, having received the same. During one
 
 177 
 
 of the lectures on " Old Brighton," at the Eoyal Pavilion 
 in the present year, by Mr Alderman Henry Martin, he, 
 on Mr Blaker's behalf, presented the same to the Brighton 
 Museum. 
 
 Hone, in The Year Book, date Sept. 22, 1821, says, 
 "I saw this woman to-day in her bed, to which she is 
 confined from having lost the use of her limbs. She has 
 even now, old and withered as she is, a fine character 
 of countenance, and I should judge, from her present 
 appearance, must have had a fine though perhaps mascu- 
 line style of head when young. I have seen many a 
 woman, at the age of sixty or seventy look older than she 
 does under the load of 108 years of human life. Her 
 cheeks are round, and seem firm, though ploughed with 
 many a small wrinkle. Her eyes, though the sight is 
 gone, are large and well formed. As soon as it was 
 announced that somebody had come to see her, she 
 broke the silence of her solitary thoughts and spoke. 
 She began in a complaining tone, as if the remains 
 of a strong and restless spirit were impatient of the 
 prison of a decaying and weak body. 'Other people 
 die and I cannot,' she said. Upon exciting the recol- 
 lection of her former days, her energy seemed roused, 
 and she spoke with emphasis. Her voice was strong 
 for an old person, and I could easily believe her when, 
 upon being asked if her sex was not in clanger of 
 being discovered by her voice, she replied that she 
 always had a strong and manly voice. She appeared 
 to take a pride in having kept her secret, declaring 
 that she told it to no man, woman, or child, during 
 the time she was in the army; 'for you know, Sir, 
 adrunkeu man and a child always tell the truth. But 
 I told my secret to the ground. I dug a hole that 
 would hold a gallon, and whispered it there.' While 
 I was with her the flies annoyed her extremely : she 
 drove them away with a fan, and said they seemed
 
 178 
 
 to smell her out as one that was going to the grave. 
 She showed me a wound she had received in her elbow 
 by a bayonet. She lamented the error of her former 
 ways, but excused it by saying, 'when you are at 
 Borne, you must do as Borne does.' When she could 
 not distinctly hear what was said, she raised herself 
 in the bed and thrust her head forward with im- 
 patient energy. She said, when the King, George IV., 
 saw her, he called her a 'jolly old fellow.' Though 
 blind, she could discern a glimmering light, and I was 
 told would frequently state the time of day by the effect 
 of light." 
 
 Phoebe had nine children, but none of them attained 
 any age except the eldest son, who was a sailor, but she 
 had neither seen nor heard of him for many years prior to 
 her decease. 
 
 On the 12th of August, 1814, at the festival which 
 took place at the Boyal Cricket Ground, to commemorate 
 the peace on Napoleon Bonaparte retiring to Elba, Phoebe, 
 as the " Oldest Inhabitant," sat on the left of the Vicar, 
 the Eev. Eobert James Carr, and was an interesting object, 
 then 100 years of age, and many presents in silver and one 
 pound notes found their way to her from the opulent and 
 enquiring part of the crowd, and she cheerfully joined in 
 the National Anthem. 
 
 This incident brought her into great notoriety; and 
 several ladies, being struck with her appearance, and 
 pleased with the respectable character she bore, raised a 
 subscription, each subscriber being presented with Phoobe's 
 likeness, beneath which was inscribed, "An industrious 
 woman living at Brighton, with very slender means of 
 support, which she cau only earn by selling the contents 
 of her basket, for whose assistance this etching is sold." 
 
 On the celebration of the Coronation of George IV., 
 July 19th, 1821, Phcebc, at the age of 107, and totally
 
 179 
 
 blind, took part in the ceremonies, being present on the 
 Level in a carriage with the Vicar. 
 
 For some few years previous to her decease, which 
 took place on the 12th of December, 1821, she was 
 allowed half-a-guinea weekly by the King. It is related 
 that His Majesty offered her a guinea per week, but she 
 refused it, saying that half that sum was enough to 
 maintain her. 
 
 Phoabe, in support of a good old Sussex custom, 
 regularly, on St. Thomas's Day, December 21st, went out 
 "Goodening," visiting well-to-do parishioners, to gossip 
 upon the past, over hot elderberry wine and plum cake, 
 and to receive doles, either in money or materials, to 
 furnish home comforts for the celebration of the festivities 
 of Christmas. 
 
 Mr Hyam Lewis, of Ship Street, silversmith, erected 
 the tomb stone in the Old Churchyard, near the chancel 
 door, where the remains of Phoebe are deposited. At the 
 foot of her grave is interred, likewise, the remains of 
 another character well known in the town prior to his 
 admission to the Workhouse, where he died, and his last 
 wishes were that he might be buried close to her. His 
 name was Corporal Staines, of the Marines, and he served 
 on board the Victory (the flag ship of the immortal 
 Nelson), at the battle of Trafalgar, where that illustrious 
 hero closed his mortal career, and the subject of this 
 anecdote was wounded. He afterwards came to Brighton 
 and fitted up a small hut in a bank about south-west of the 
 commencement of the Upper Lewes Eoad, close to the 
 angle of a wall, where he made a chalk battery, inter- 
 spersed with gravel paths, with a flag staff in the centre, 
 and had on view a collection of figures, rudely fashioned 
 by himself from chalk, the principal being the hull of the 
 Victory, and upon it the funeral bier of the immortal 
 hero, dressed with sombre drapery, and a small flag 
 bearing the motto, " Britons strike home." It was his 
 
 L
 
 180 
 
 custom during the years he resided in his hermitage (for 
 such in reality it appeared) to fire off daily, on the setting 
 of the sun and on occasions of importance, a small 
 cannon and generally to an assemblage of children. This 
 he did with some difficulty, as the Corporal supported 
 himself on crutches. On the Coronation of George IV., 
 July 19th, 1821, festivities took place on the Level and the 
 spot that now forms Park Crescent (which the following 
 year was laid out as Ireland's Tea Gardens), when the 
 Corporal and his colony were jeopardised by a huge bonfire 
 in close proximity to his dwelling. In its centre was a 
 pole, surmounted by a tar tub, but, fortunately, the wind 
 shifted to another quarter, consequently the threatened 
 calamity was averted, and the burning embers of the same 
 fell outside of the fosse of his fortifications. 
 
 At a short space from the graves of these two 
 Brighton characters was buried Schmidt, the celebrated 
 trumpeter of the Prince Regent's Band, already alluded to. 
 
 GOVERNMENT OF THE TOWN. ANCIENT 
 AND MODERN. 
 
 In the time of King Alfred, England was divided into 
 Shires, the Shires into Hundreds, and the Hundreds into 
 Tithings, tithing men into Head-boroughs or heads of 
 boroughs these were the only guardians of the peace and 
 dispensers of justice within their respective districts, the 
 original limits being the residences of ten creorles or 
 freemen, with their families and slaves. Under the Saxon 
 constitution Brighthehnstone had two Head-boroughs, a 
 proof that its population even then was far from being 
 inconsiderable. These Head-boroughs sat alternately 
 or together, at the Borough Court, at which the decenners
 
 181 
 
 or free or frankplcdgcs (friborgs), who had no causes to bo 
 tried there, attended as jurors or sworn assessors to the 
 presiding officer. These free pledges were the origin of " The 
 Society of Twelve" already spoken of in this work, and 
 which continued in this town to the commencement of the 
 present century. By the statute of Winchester, 18th 
 Edward I., the Borough of Brighthelmston had a con- 
 stable appointed for itself exclusively, an indication of 
 its extent at that period. According to Alfred's division 
 the Hundred to which Brighthelmston belonged con- 
 tained, besides those of Ovingdean and Eottingdean, 
 called in Domesday, Welsmere, the Boroughs of 
 Preston (Prestetune) and Patcham (Patchame), which 
 were originally hundreds of themselves, and were, under 
 Edward I., united to the borough of Brighthelmston, and 
 composed a new hundred called Wellsbcurne, since 
 corrupted into Whalesbone (as already named, with its 
 origin, in the early part of this book). The boroughs of 
 Ovingdean and Eottingdean were then united to the 
 small hundred of Falmer, under the name of Ewensmere. 
 
 The leet or law day, the view of frankpledge for this 
 hundred was held on Easter Tuesday, when the High 
 Constable, Headboroughs and Officers were elected ; among 
 the officers were two called respectively the ale-conner, 
 and a searcher or sealer of leather. These offices were 
 of great importance, until they became obsolete ; the 
 ale Conner's duty was to taste the ales at the respective 
 inns in the town, with a view of preventing adulteration. 
 The searcher and sealer had to examine all hides and 
 skins flayed in the town, and calculate the number of cuts 
 thereon, in order to obtain from the hide or skin owners 
 the penalty of one shilling each recoverable by law, an 
 Act now repealed. 
 
 Since the town became incorporated in 1854, the 
 only appointment of High Constable has been that of 
 Mr James Martin, which took place at the Court Leet of
 
 182 
 
 the Earl of Aborgavenny, on Easter Tuesday, in the year 
 1855, and ho still holds the office of High Constable of 
 the Hundred of Whalesbone ; his duties however are but 
 trifling, merely consisting of taking charge of the Parish 
 Jury List and presenting it to the Clerk of the Peace 
 for the County. He also retains his "staff of office," 
 which he intends presenting to the Town Museum. 
 
 The parish books give the names of those who served 
 the above office from Henry Gunn, in 1589, to the last 
 appointment above-mentioned in 1855, a period of nearly 
 800 years, and the only record to be found relating to 
 any sum being allowed for expenses is the following 
 resolution, passed at a Vestry Meeting, at the Town Hall, 
 April 4th, 1793, when it was ordered " That in future the 
 Constable (High) be allowed twelve guineas, to be paid 
 in full, for all expenses during his office, including four 
 guineas for a dinner." 
 
 In 1773 an Act of Parliament was obtained em- 
 powering the appointment, in addition to these High 
 Constables and Headboroughs, of 64 persons as Com- 
 missioners, who held office during their life-time, and 
 on the decease of a member of the body a meeting of the 
 inhabitants was convened, and his successor appointed 
 thereat by vote. Upon these Commissioners devolved the 
 securing of better government of the town, their power 
 extending to lighting and cleansing the streets, lanes and 
 other places within the parish ; also the removal and 
 prevention of nuisances, arranging for the holding and 
 regulation of the Market," then open daily; the govern- 
 
 * In the early pages of this work it is mentioned that Brighton 
 possessed a Charter from Edward II. for the holding a weekly market on 
 Thursday. The site of this market place was on the Cliff, commencing at 
 the Town House and fortress (situated about the western corner of the 
 Junction lload, the site of the Queen's Hotel); and on this spot it remained 
 from 1373 until 1703, when the Cliff whereon it stood was sapped by the 
 waves, and the building destroyed and demolished. In the year 1734, the 
 Market was established, as at present, in the Bartholomews, which at 
 that period, by purchase, became the property of the town.
 
 183 
 
 ment of public groynes, their building and repair, an 
 important duty at this period, in order that the coast 
 might be safe and commodious for vessels to approach and 
 unload coals for the consumption of the inhabitants. 
 That the said Commissioners might effect all the above 
 public and desirable ends, they were empowered by the 
 before-mentioned Act to levy a duty of sixpence on every 
 chaldron of coals or culm so landed. 
 
 With reference to the cost of the erection of groynes, 
 it is stated that so incapable were the inhabitants, owing 
 to their poverty, of the means to make groynes for the 
 preservation of their property, that in 1722, by virtue of 
 letters patent under the Great Seal, there was raised by 
 charitable contributions for the then deplorable sufferers 
 (the inhabitants of the town) money for building groynes, 
 bulwarks and fortifications against the inroads of the sea, 
 in order to preserve such part of the said town then 
 remaining. In 1757 other letters patent, or a brief, for 
 alms to be collected from house to house, was obtained for 
 the support of groynes. This brief is still in existence, 
 and after stating that the collection under the former one 
 had been appropriated and applied to the safety and 
 preservation of the place, proceeds thus: "And the said 
 money being now expended, the groynes and defence that 
 have been made are decayed and worn out, and in all 
 probability, should the next winter prove stormy, great 
 part of the said town will be destroyed if not timely 
 prevented : that the petitioners are not able to support and 
 relieve themselves in this important and weighty affair, 
 being burdened with numerous poor, their rates for the 
 relief of the poor amounting to near six shillings in the 
 rack or full rent. That the said petitioners, by reason of 
 these calamities, are now become real objects of com- 
 passion, that the money immediately wanted to erect 
 new groynes, supporting such as remain, and the other 
 necessary fortifications, on a moderate calculation will
 
 184 
 
 amount to 2,250, which sum tho petitioners are unable to 
 raise." It may here bo stated that the best house in the 
 town, at this period, was not rated at more than 40s. per 
 annum. 
 
 Tho Act of Parliament of 1773 remained in force 
 between thirty and forty years, and under its operation 
 Brighton experienced most important advantages; but in 
 the year 1810 it was repealed in favour of a new Act, and 
 tho management of the place, with very enlarged powers, 
 subsequently invested in twenty-four Commissioners, the 
 necessary qualification for a membership of the body being 
 the occupation of a house of the annual value of 50, and 
 the bond fide receipt of 50 per annum from landed or 
 household property, The newly-appointed Commissioners 
 held their first and subsequent meetings at the Old Ship 
 Hotel on the 2nd of May, 1810, and they not only possessed 
 the management of the town and its funds, but also had the 
 power of appointing the Directors and Guardians of tho 
 Poor, Coal Meters, the Patrole, &c. By the new Act the 
 town duty on coals was increased from sixpence to three 
 shillings per chaldron, and tho fund accruing therefrom 
 was at the sole disposal of the Commissioners, and it is 
 evident, from tho great power entrusted to them, that 
 the office of the same was considered of no mean 
 importance. 
 
 The Act of Parliament of 1810 remained in force until 
 1825, when it was again deemed requisite to give a fresh 
 impulse to the spirit of improvement that was rapidly, in 
 buildings and otherwise, developing itself in all parts of tho 
 town ; in consequence, application was made to Parliament 
 for a new Act (which was granted) containing additional 
 powers, without the obnoxious clause of election for life, 
 existing in the old Act regulating the town, a new 
 clause therein providing that a portion of the Com- 
 missioners should vacate their seats yearly, thereby giving 
 tho inhabitants tlic power of rc-clccting or otherwise tho .
 
 185 
 
 out-going members. The number of Commissioners to be 
 appointed under this improved Act was increased to 112. 
 The power formerly possessed by the Commissioners of 
 appointing Directors and Guardians of the Poor was, by 
 the same Act, transferred to the inhabitants, such appoint- 
 ment to take place in Vestry assembled for that purpose 
 during the Easter- week in every year. This was a salutary 
 alteration, which has proved of benefit both to ratepayers 
 and the poor, inasmuch as it brought about the constitution 
 of another important local body, acting irrespective and 
 independent of the other, and in possession of better 
 supervision and surveillance over the poor and their relief. 
 Brighton's yearly- increasing growth both in size and 
 importance, brought pauperism with attendant evils in its 
 wake, and it became the practice of the Board to examine 
 quarterly, at the Workhouse, on Church Hill, the out-door 
 poor in receipt of parochial relief, who attended to answer 
 the interrogations with reference to their means of 
 subsistence. These Guardians of the Poor commenced 
 "the relief" at the hour of ten, and with a short 
 interregnum of one hour for refreshments, comprising 
 plain joints and vegetables, partaken of at the House, the 
 object of this being the retention of a sufficient 
 number of the body to recommence business again at the 
 appointed time, thus avoiding inconvenience to applicants, 
 which from experience had been found to result from 
 separation of the Board for their homes, or elsewhere, to 
 obtain light refreshments. Many of its members lived at 
 a considerable distance from the Workhouse, and it 
 frequently happened that on the resumption of business 
 there was not a quorum present to proceed with the same, 
 some of the Guardians finding, on arrival at their 
 respective homes, matters requiring more immediate 
 personal attention, hence their non-return. These Board 
 dinners, like other matters, fell into abuse, as the sequel 
 proved, inasmuch as the plain joints, &c., adopted in 1837,
 
 186 
 
 were discarded for something of a more recherche descrip- 
 tion, and gave rise to the following well-penned satire, 
 which illustrates the revelry in those days of these 
 " substantial and discreet " Guardians : 
 
 THE GOOD OF THE POOR ! ! ! 
 
 A DEFENCE OF THE DIRECTORS AND GUARDIANS, BY ONE OF THE BOOT. 
 
 Dear Brother Electors, when chosen Directors, 
 
 In order your suffrage next year to ensure ; 
 We all began eating and drinking and treating, 
 
 At the parish expense for the good of the poor ! 
 
 At first our suggestion was call'd into question, 
 And objections were made by the low and obscure, 
 
 But we carried our points for fish, fowl, and joints, 
 And feasted away for the good of the poor ! 
 
 And with salmon and dory wer'nt we in our glory 
 When we'd dined with the zest of a real epicure ? 
 We, like glorious elves, drank our own noble selves, 
 With hip, hip, hurrah ! for the good of the poor ! 
 
 Then we order'd fresh brandy, we found twasn't handy 
 To drink common brown like the low or impure, 
 
 'Twas thick and looked dirty, so we got some at thirty- 
 Five shillings a gallon for the good of the poor ! 
 
 We next gave up port and all wines of that sort 
 
 As only designed the vile paupers to cure ; 
 And resolved to be merry, got glorious with sherry, 
 
 And staggered to bed for the good of the poor ! 
 
 We next built a summer-house, ne'er was a rummer house, 
 'Twas an old boat vamp'd up, 'twasn't meant to endure ; 
 
 We determined next quarter to get something smarter 
 A snug smoking box for the good of the poor. 
 
 Meanwhile our retreat for the present look'd neat, 
 
 The site was so pleasant, the air was so pure, 
 Each served by kis lackey ; we puffed off our backey, 
 
 In sight of the paupers for the good of the poor ! 
 
 And for fear that our banker should bring us to anchor, 
 "Cut off our supplies," and refuse to give more; 
 
 We resolved to raise money like bees making honey, 
 And spend it in feasts for the good of the poor !
 
 187 
 
 So we sent out our letters to poor parish debtors, 
 To tell them that, brimful of anger and fur 
 
 Y, we'd sell all their chattels, their goods and their catties, 
 If they didn't pay up for the good of the poor. 
 
 There was first Muster Barnes, he's the gemman wot lams 
 How to make Norfolk pies that no stomachs endure ; 
 
 But we wash'd out our throttles, with jolly full bottles, 
 And swallow'd the pie for the good of the poor ! 
 
 And next Muster Griffin sent fish for our tiffin 
 We though 'twas a gift, but 'twas only a lure ; 
 
 For when he'd sent dollops of lobsters and scollops, 
 Why he sent in his bill for the good of the poor ! 
 
 And then Muster Hewitt, O didn't he do it 
 Like a gent or a nobleman ? yes, to be sure ! 
 
 In nought to be lacking, he bought parish blacking, 
 And shone in his shoes for the good of the poor! 
 
 Thus, Electors of Brighton, we beg to enlighten 
 Your minds on our merits ; we now say no more ; 
 
 But we hope that next Easter, each jolly good feaster 
 Will be chosen again for the good of the poor ! 
 
 For with feasting and dining and drinking and shining 
 We've the Scripture fulfilled, our election made sure, 
 
 And, in spite of the papers exposing our capers, 
 We shall claim all your votes for the good of the poor ! 
 
 As may be supposed, the abuse brought about its own 
 remedy, the outcry against these gourmands was great on 
 all sides, and a new order of things prevailed. It may be 
 here justly remarked of the Board of Guardians : for many 
 years past no body of men has striven more indefatigably 
 in the carrying out of the onerous duties of rendering 
 assistance to and relieving their less fortunate brethren, by 
 the dispensing to them of necessaries and comforts so far 
 as is compatible with the interests of the ratepayers. The 
 present worthy Chairman, Mr James Flowers, has been for 
 many years most assiduous in the discharge of his duties,
 
 188 
 
 in which ho has been assisted by the very able Clerk to the 
 Board, Mr Alfred Morris, and his officials. The manage- 
 ment of tho Workhouse also claims our compliment : it 
 has been entrusted to Mr Edward Sattin (the Governor) 
 and his wife (the Matron), who are assisted by a numerous 
 staff of subordinates, and, in order to show the extent of 
 means at the disposal of the Board, the following 
 respectively represent the two poor's rates of last year : 
 First Poor Eate of Is 4d in the , made March, 1870, 
 28,713 7s 5d ; Second Poor Eate at Is Gd in tho JE, made 
 September, 1870, 32,252 14s 4d. A great anomaly exists 
 in the appropriation of money raised for relief of the poor 
 to the payment of salaries and other expenses which justly 
 belong to the Corporation, viz. : The Eecorder, Town 
 Clerk, Stipendiary Magistrate, Accountant, and Crier of 
 the Court ; the expenses incurred in tho election of 
 members of the Corporation, Coroner's inquests, criminal 
 prosecutions ; the maintenance of prisoners in the County 
 Gaol, a proportion of the cost of building the same, also 
 that of the Lunatic Asylum, at Hay ward's Heath ; the 
 School Board, County liabilities, and a host of others, 
 which amount to and absorb a very considerable sum of 
 money. We trust the time is approaching when the 
 Legislature, in its wisdom, will see the necessity for the 
 passing of an enactment providing that no payments shall 
 be made from the rate for the Poor beyond those strictly 
 within its province, and for which the rate is solely 
 intended. Another reason for the repeal of this defect is 
 the fact that it has a tendency to lower us in the scale of 
 nations, in that it might be inferred therefrom that 
 our poor tax is an immense one, by reference to the 
 great sum collected annually for the use of the poor, thus 
 representing a large per centage of paupers of the whole 
 population of this kingdom, when it is well known among 
 us that tho bulk of the sum ostensibly raised for the poor 
 relief is diverted into other channels.
 
 189 
 
 In 1854 Brighton underwent a very important 
 change, by the introduction of municipal government in 
 the incorporation of the town. Many ineffectual attempts 
 to secure the same had been previously made, as we find it 
 recorded that, in 1806, the desirability of adopting the Act 
 was considered, at a numerously attended public meeting 
 presided over by the Vicar, the Kev. Kobert James Carr 
 (afterwards Bishop of Chichester). After a debate of 
 several hours it was resolved that "It is inexpedient to 
 introduce that form of Government." From that period 
 until the year 1852 the subject of incorporation remained 
 in abeyance, but this year many residents, thinking that 
 the amended Incorporation Act of 1835 was well adapted 
 for the requirements of the town, inasmuch as its adoption 
 would place Brighton on a footing with other large cities 
 and towns in the kingdom, with the advantage also that 
 its Chief Magistrate would be at the head of town affairs, 
 again agitated for "the Charter," but met with a refusal 
 from the Privy Council. On a change of ministry the 
 application was renewed and the Charter of Incorporation 
 granted on the 19th of January, 1854, it being received in 
 Brighton on the 3rd of April following. The number to 
 constitute the Council to be 48; the borough was 
 divided into six wards, the number of members elected 
 to the same by the Burgesses at the first election being 
 36. After this election of the Councillors, the latter 
 proceeded to the election from their body of the Mayor, 
 also two Aldermen to represent each Ward. The Burgesses 
 of each Ward were then called upon for the election of 
 two more representatives to fill the vacancies caused by 
 such elevation ; and on the election of twelve other 
 Councillors the municipality was erected. 
 
 It will occasion no surprise when it is stated that a 
 contest of this nature, involving a thorough change in 
 the administration of the affairs of the town, created the 
 greatest excitement. Antagonistic Committees were
 
 190 
 
 formed, Corporationists and Anti-Corporationists, each 
 side submitting lists of six candidates for the different 
 wards, the required number to be elected, and no 
 single competitor entered the lists with the exception of 
 Mr Henry Martin, who announced himself as a candidate, 
 and fought successfully the battle, independent of the 
 party nominees, he being returned for the Pavilion Ward. 
 The following were the successful candidates at this 
 memorable election, which took place on the 30th day of 
 May, 1854 : 
 
 PAVILION WARD. 
 
 J. Cordy Burrows, 
 
 I. G. Bass, 
 
 E. Burn, 
 
 D. M. Folkard, 
 
 W. Catt, 
 
 Henry Martin. 
 
 ST. PETER'S WARD. 
 
 H. Schilling, 
 G-;Attree, 
 W. Stevens, 
 J. Soper, 
 J. Andrews, 
 D. Friend. 
 
 PIER WARD. 
 
 W. Alger, 
 W. D. Savage, 
 R. M. Webb, 
 Wm. Hill, 
 Charles Stone, 
 E. Sattin. 
 
 PARK WARD. 
 
 W. Hallett, 
 Jno. Fawcett, 
 T. West, 
 E. M. Phillips, 
 T. Warner, 
 Geo. Kennedy. 
 
 ST. NICHOLAS' WARD. 
 
 W. Beedham, 
 W. G. Sawyer, 
 T. Cooper, 
 W. Bentley, 
 A. Cobbett, 
 M. B. Tennant. 
 
 WEST WARD. 
 
 E. Taylor, 
 J. Ellis, 
 
 W. Silverthorne, 
 P. Walton, 
 G. Cobb, 
 
 F. Wright. 
 
 The first meeting of the new body took place on the 
 7th of June following, at which Major John Fawcett was
 
 191 
 
 elected Mayor, and tho two Councillors highest on the 
 poll for each Ward were elected Aldermen, viz. : 
 
 PAVILION WARD. Messrs Burrows and Bass. 
 PIEE WARD. Messrs Alger and W. D. Savage. 
 PARK WARD. Messrs Hallett and Fawcett. 
 ST. PETER'S WARD. Messrs Schilling and Attree. 
 ST. NICHOLAS WARD. Messrs Beedham and Sawyer. 
 WEST WARD. Messrs Taylor and Ellis. 
 
 The vacancies occasioned by the election of the above 
 Councillors as Aldermen were filled up as follows : 
 
 PAVILION WARD. Messrs Cox and Bull. 
 
 PIER WARD. Messrs Brigden and Fiest. 
 
 PARK WARD. Messrs Chamberlain and B. Webb. 
 
 ST. PETER'S WARD. Messrs E. J. Burn and J. Martin. 
 
 ST. NICHOLAS WARD. Messrs J. Patching and S. Saunders. 
 
 WEST WARD. Messrs Harris and H. S. Turrell. 
 
 At the same meeting ''' Charles Sharood, Esq., 
 received the appointment of Town Clerk. 
 
 The machinery of the Corporation having been fully 
 set in motion, it soon became evident that the body of 
 Commissioners (which still existed) could not continue to 
 act, as the powers exercised by each would soon come into 
 collision ; and, again, it was incompatible with the interests 
 of the town that two bodies antagonistic to each other 
 should exist. Active measures were therefore taken by 
 the inhabitants to secure the election to fill the vacancies 
 yearly occurring in the Commission (one-third of tho body 
 retiring) of persons who were favourable to the power 
 of the Commissioners being merged into that of tho 
 Corporation, and this desired object was finally brought 
 about on the 9th day of May, 1855, at a Meeting of the 
 
 * Succeeded on tho 6th March, 1863, by David Black, Esq., who was 
 appointed Clerk to the Local Board, April 23, 1863, on the introduction of 
 the Act. He has also held the office of Borough Coroner since the 1st of 
 January, 1855. Mr Francis John Tillstone, Chief Clerk, was appointed to 
 Ms office on the 2nd May, 1863.
 
 192 
 
 Commissioners, tho following report of tho Transfer 
 Committee being presented in confirmation thereof : 
 
 "Your Committee report that the Brighton Com- 
 missioners' Transfer Act, 1855, has passed through both 
 Houses of Parliament, and received the Royal Assent on 
 Saturday last, the 5th inst., and that the Act will come 
 into operation and take effect on and from Tuesday, 
 29th day of May instant," and the following resolutions, 
 consequent thereon, were passed : 
 
 " That the acting Clerk do take the necessary 
 measures, under the direction of the Monthly Finance 
 Committee, for procuring the settlement of all accounts 
 due to the Commissioners, and also for obtaining tho bills 
 of all persons having claims against the Commissioners, 
 in order that the same may be examined and discharged 
 as far as may be previously to tho 29th inst," and the 
 Meeting be adjourned at its rising to the 28th inst., it 
 being tho last of the " Old Commission," and at which 
 the following resolutions were passed unanimously : 
 
 " That the Solicitor and Acting Clerk be directed to 
 hand over to the ' Town Clerk ' the deeds, papers and 
 writings set forth in the inventories now presented. 
 
 "That the Commissioners have much pleasure in 
 expressing their approval of tho obliging and efficient 
 manner in which Mr Lewis Slight, Jun., has discharged 
 the duties of the office of Clerk to this body, and to express 
 a hope that as tho said office is about to expire ho may 
 succeed in obtaining some other appointment commen- 
 surate with his abilities." 
 
 "With this meeting all the powers and functions that 
 had been exercised under the Act of June 22ud, 1825, by 
 the 1 12 Commissioners, which comprised the body, ceased
 
 198 
 
 and determined, and during the existence of " the 
 Commission" vast improvements had been effected, but 
 not without bickerings and divisions among its members, 
 an influential portion of whom were called " The 
 Fourteen," the name originating at one of the meetings 
 convened for matters relating to the management of tho 
 police, to the following effect : 
 
 TOWN OF BRIGHTON, 1 At a Special Meeting of the Commissioners held at 
 July 27th, 1827. > the Town Hall, on Friday, the 27th day of July, 1827 
 For the purpose of taking into consideration the propriety of 
 rescinding a resolution passed on the 15th of August last, relating 
 to discontinuing the payment of salaries to the Police or Head- 
 boroughs, and other business connected therewith. 
 
 At this Meeting a letter was received from the Vestry Clerk, 
 enclosing a copy of a resolution passed by the Vestry on the 21st 
 instant, requesting the Commissioners to appoint Police Officers at 
 salaries as heretofore, to be paid out of the consolidated rates, and 
 that they direct them to be under the sole controul of the Magistrates. 
 
 Resolved. That William Pilbeam, Charles Ponfold, James Thoburn 
 Thomas Harman, Junr. , and John Wise, be and are hereby 
 appointed Officers of the Commissioners, to keep the peace of 
 the town. 
 
 After the passing of the above resolution, the meeting 
 apparently broke up, but fourteen of its members 
 remained and passed the following resolution : 
 
 Resolved. That in the opinion of this Meeting, the Commissioners 
 have no funds out of which they can pay the salaries of a Police, 
 and therefore that no monies be paid for such purpose. 
 
 This rendered nugatory the former ; and at a subse- 
 quent meeting it was confirmed, the effect of it being 
 that the control of the police remained in the hands of the 
 Commissioners, hence the cognomen of "The fourteen." 
 The first Clerk appointed under the Act of Parlia- 
 ment spoken of was Mr Swaysland : he was succeeded by 
 Mr Lewis Slight on the 3rd of November, 1826, and who 
 resigned the appointment on the 25th of January, 1854, 
 a few mouths prior to the introduction of the Charter of
 
 194 
 
 Incorporation. Ho died on the 28th day of March, 1869, 
 and the following extract from the Brighton Examiner of 
 the period is here inserted as a tribute to his merits and 
 in justice to his memory : 
 
 " It has become our painful duty this week to record 
 the death of Mr Lewis Slight, a gentleman whose name 
 will long be remembered as associated with all the local 
 reforms and improvements of Brighton from about fifty 
 years ago up to the time of the Incorporation of the 
 borough in 1854. Leicestershire was, we believe, his 
 native county, and in taking up his residence in Brighton 
 he opened, in conjunction with Mrs Slight, his first wife, 
 a small and unpretending shop in Poplar Place (Lanes), 
 where for some years they carried on a respectable, although 
 not extensive business. At this time Mr Slight entered 
 with much energy into local matters, and was distinguished 
 as an able and somewhat eloquent, although not showy 
 speaker at public meetings on every question of local 
 economy and reform, and an uncompromising opponent of 
 extravagance and jobbery of every kind. From Poplar 
 Place Mr and Mrs Slight removed to a more eligible 
 situation in North Street, the premises at present occupied 
 by Mr Noakes, chemist ; and afterwards to more private 
 premises in Ship Street. In the meantime Mr Slight had 
 received the appointment of Clerk to the Commissioners of 
 Brighton, a post for which he was, by his natural talents 
 and local experience, eminently qualified ; and which had 
 hitherto been held by a professional man, in other words, 
 a lawyer, an arrangement which had been always opposed 
 by Mr Slight, and a few more local politicians, as extra- 
 vagant and inefficient. It was in the position of Commis- 
 sioners' Clerk that Mr Slight was enabled, more than any 
 other individual, by his foresight, tact, and business 
 qualifications, to promote the great public local improve- 
 ments which have from time to time been effected, and
 
 195 
 
 which have mainly assisted in giving to Brighton the 
 proud title of " Queen of Watering Places." His talent 
 as a negociator was of eminent service to the town in 
 obtaining loans on favourable terms, and in nothing 
 perhaps was this quality more strikingly displayed than 
 with regard to the purchase of the Eoyal Pavilion 
 property from the Commissioners of Woods and Forests, 
 and which he obtained for the town at a price far below 
 what would have been gladly given by private speculators. 
 As an acknowledgment of his services to the town, in 
 this and other respects, a marble bust of Mr Slight, an 
 excellent likeness, by Pepper, our talented local artist, the 
 fund for which was raised by a subscription chiefly among 
 the members of the Town Council, has been placed in the 
 entrance hall of the Boyal Pavilion, where it holds a 
 conspicuous position beside those of the Kev. F. W. 
 Bobertson, Sir David Scott, and several other Brighton 
 worthies and notabilities. Placed in so prominent and 
 critical a position in the eyes of his fellow-townsmen, 
 he was on various occasions made the mark of malicious 
 or ignorant attack, and in these encounters his opponents 
 always came off second best. When the town was incor- 
 porated, an attempt was made to damage him by an 
 inspection and scrutiny of the public accounts under his 
 charge ; but the scrutiny failed to elicit anything to his 
 prejudice, the only discovery made being that they were 
 kept by a system of his own, and not in exact accordance 
 with methods generally adopted in keeping public accounts. 
 About a year before the town was incorporated, Mr Slight 
 resigned the office of Clerk to the Commissioners, and was 
 succeeded by his son, Mr Lewis Slight, jun., his former 
 assistant, who held it pro tern, until the Incorporation 
 came into effect, and was then retained in the position of 
 Borough Accountant until his death in 1862. At a 
 subsequent period Mr Slight entered into some unsuc- 
 cessful business speculations, by which his circum- 
 M
 
 19G 
 
 stances were reduced to a very low ebb, the property 
 of his second wife, who survives him, having been 
 barely sufficient to maintain them. Subsequently to 
 this, too, when pecuniary misfortunes were heaped on 
 him, the estimation in which he was held was evinced 
 by a private subscription being voluntarily entered 
 into among his old friends and acquaintances, and 
 others who had had opportunities of appreciating > his 
 value, by which a considerable and very acceptable sum 
 was raised for his benefit. To the rest of his misfortunes 
 was added the death of his younger son, Mr Frederick 
 Slight, late Secretary to the London, Brighton and South- 
 Coast Kailway Company (his elder son, Samuel, having 
 died some years previously). His death took place on 
 Sunday evening, at his residence in Upper Brunswick 
 Place, aged 77. Few men have had talents and oppor- 
 tunities for achieving what Mr Slight has done in the 
 course of a long life, and few, perhaps, have received 
 less in the way of pecuniary reward; and no one 
 who remembers what Brighton was fifty years ago, as 
 compared with what it was fifteen years since, and 
 who recollect the share which was taken by him 
 in effecting its improvements during that time (the 
 details of which would exceed the limits of the present 
 notice), can fail to be grateful to his memory for his 
 persevering efforts to render this town one of the most 
 favoured and famous of the places of public resort in the 
 kingdom." 
 
 The first Petty Sessions of Magistrates was held in 
 September, 1812, at the Old Ship Hotel, Mr Serjeant 
 Runnington being the Chairman. They were next 
 removed in 1822 to the New Inn Tavern, now the 
 Clarence Hotel ; afterwards to the Sea House Hotel ; 
 and subsequently to the new Town Hall, the first stone 
 of which was laid by Thos. Bead Kemp, Esq., in the 
 year 1880, and the first public ball after its opening was a
 
 197 
 
 Fancy Dress. All Magisterial business prior to the 
 establishment of the Petty Sessions was transacted 
 at Lewes, to the serious inconvenience of those persons 
 who required such aid and assistance. And at a 
 Vestry Meeting, held in 1796, it was resolved that all 
 vagrants and beggars were to be apprehended by the 
 Town Crier, who was to receive Is. per head for their 
 capture, and whose duty was to carry the same to Lewes 
 for incarceration, and many were the jovial outings 
 in consequence by the "Marmaduke Magog" of the 
 period and his friends (at the parish expense) in carrying 
 out the raid made upon the delinquents who were included 
 in the category of this imperious decree. Mr Serjeant 
 Eunnington, before spoken of, acquired some notoriety on 
 the celebration of the 5th of November in 1817, having, 
 in conjunction with the High Constable (Mr Williams, of 
 the Baths), and Mr White, of Castle Square, taken the 
 unwise step of calling out the Military to stay the 
 usual annual demonstration on the Steine. A portion of 
 a Foot Eeghnent that had arrived in the town from a 
 long march, en route from the disturbed manufacturing 
 districts, the same evening, many of whom had retired to 
 rest, were called out and ordered to charge the mob, 
 after the Eiot Act had been read, which they accordingly 
 did, and Thomas Eowles, one of the Headboroughs, was 
 run through by a bayonet and unfortunately killed. An 
 inquest on the deceased commenced, at the King and 
 Queen Inn, on the following day, and was continued for 
 a fortnight, the jury eventually returning a verdict of 
 "Wilful Murder" against the parties implicated, but they 
 were acquitted at the Assizes following. Serjeant 
 Eunnington died a few years afterwards and was interred 
 in Preston Churchyard in the presence of a large concourse 
 of persons. 
 
 This occurrence was the subject of some cleverly- 
 written verses, by Thomas Herbert, entitled "The Battle
 
 198 
 
 of the Tar Tub," lampooning the persons concerned in 
 this sad affair. 
 
 It is generally admitted that the introduction of the 
 Charter of Incorporation has proved beneficial to the 
 interests of the toAvn, although taxation will doubtless 
 increase from the great outlay consequent on its require- 
 ments being carried out. One of its most extensive works, 
 now in progress, is the great sewer, commencing at 
 Old Hove Street and terminating at its outlet at Portobello, 
 a distance of upwards of seven miles, which will, it is esti- 
 mated, cost about 80,000, the greater portion of such 
 outlay falling upon this town. This work is being 
 constructed by Mr Matthew J. Jennings, an eminent con- 
 tractor, who has had great experience in public works, 
 both at home and abroad. The section drainage of the 
 town, now being completed, will cost 102,500. Street 
 improvements, recently carried out, cost 71,000, 18,000 
 of the latter sum being devoted to the improvement of 
 the King's Road and its esplanade. During the past year 
 local taxation has amounted to 5s. 4d. in the (the 
 rateable value of the property, according to the present 
 poor-rate assessment, being 410,334 16s.) ; not an 
 excessive sum when we take into consideration the large 
 sums of money that have been borrowed both by the 
 Town Council and the Guardians. The Corporation 
 debt amounts in the whole to upwards of a quarter of 
 a million pounds, inclusive of the debt of the late 
 Commissioners and the purchase of the Eoyal 
 Pavilion and grounds. Among many causes that 
 have operated to give this town the pre-eminence 
 over other watering-places, is the salubrity of the air 
 and healthfulness of the place, also its situation con- 
 tiguous to the sea ; and although the inland parts of 
 this kingdom may more nearly resemble the continent, 
 in the degrees and duration of heat and cold, although 
 it is true the changes are often sudden and unforeseen,
 
 199 
 
 but not excessive, yet we are constantly refreshed in 
 summer by a temperate breeze, and have in winter a 
 warm wind from the sea, which speedily puts an end 
 to frost and snow. We are totally free from the vapours 
 of running and the impurities of stagnant waters, the 
 nearest river being six miles distant. alike beneficial to 
 the health and comfort of our inhabitants. Another 
 advantage may likewise be mentioned, the proximity of 
 Brighton to the emporium of the world, of which it is 
 within one hour and a quarter's ride. The railway system 
 is also so admirably conducted, with both safety and 
 convenience to its passengers, under the able supervision 
 of Samuel Laing, Esq. (the Chairman), and its General 
 Manager, J. P. Knight, Esq. In order to promote the 
 accommodation of the eastern part of the town, the late 
 Directorate constructed a branch line to Kemp Town, the 
 first turf of the same being turned by the Mayor of the 
 period (Mr Alderman Martin) on the 17th day of 
 February, 1866, and completed by him on the 6th of 
 August, 1809. In honor of the occasion he was presented 
 by the contractors, Messrs. William and John Pickering, 
 with a massive silver trowel, bearing thereon a suitable 
 inscription, in commemoration of the event. This branch 
 line will prove of the greatest utility to the inhabitants 
 in the neighbourhood of the Cemeteries and Cavalry 
 Barracks, when a Station is established in their locality. 
 The opportunities afforded by the London, Brighton, 
 and South-Coast Piailway Company to the public to visit 
 adjacent towns and villages on its system cannot be too 
 highly praised. 
 
 Attractions are constantly held out for the gratifi- 
 cation of our numerous visitors, who, in the zenith of 
 the season, on reliable authority number 50,000, a con- 
 vincing proof that Brighton is a most attractive place of 
 resort. Its capabilities are so extensive that double the 
 above number might be accommodated, and its Hotels can
 
 200 
 
 vie with any in the kingdom, both for the admirable 
 manner in which they are conducted and the provision 
 made for the comfort of guests. The largest and most 
 extensive of these is The Grand Hotel, a noble building 
 on the western sea frontage, King's Koad. An engraving 
 of this really elegant hotel is here inserted and will 
 illustrate the great extent of its resources. 
 
 Brighton was enfranchised under the Reform Act of 
 1 882 ; the first election of Members to represent the 
 same took place on the llth and 12th of December of that 
 year; and the Members returned were Isaac Newton 
 Wigney, Esq., and George Faithfull, Esq. ; the present 
 Members are James White. Esq., and Henry Fawcett, Esq. 
 The Parliamentary Borough includes Hove, but by the 
 provisions of the recent Eeform Act of 1868, the Parish 
 of Preston has been annexed thereunto. 
 
 Preston is a pretty suburb of Brighton, pleasantly 
 situated ; the high road to London passes through it, and 
 on each side are erected spacious villas, to which attractive 
 grounds are attached. Recently a station has been 
 opened, and it has proved of great convenience to those 
 who reside there. Buildings are being rapidly added, 
 more especially in the district of Prestonville. At Preston 
 Place, lately in the occupation of Wm. Stanford, Esq., 
 Anne of Cleves, the unfortunate consort of Henry VHL, 
 once resided, and here formerly might be seen a large 
 portrait of this unhappy lady. From Preston Place 
 she retired to a Convent at Falmer, where she died. This 
 Convent was converted into the farm-house now adjoining 
 the Church, and is occupied by R. R. Verrall, Esq. 
 
 The population of the Parliamentary Borough of 
 Brighton, which now includes the parishes of Hove and 
 Preston, numbers 103,760, (this town comprising 90,018 
 of the number,) and the register of voters for the same 
 amounts to 9,626. Of these 8,700 have qualified for 
 Brighton, 683 for llove, and 243 for Preston, and wo
 
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 201 
 
 think the time will arrive when these parishes must 
 be united to the Municipal Borough, as it is obvious 
 that by such annexation advantages would accrue which 
 cannot be obtained under differently-constituted authorities. 
 One disadvantage especially connected with the adminis- 
 tration of justice calls for immediate remedy, viz. : the 
 cases that arise in Hove, if a committal takes place 
 from the Hove Bench of Magistrates, are sent to Lewes, 
 there to await trial at the Quarter Sessions for the 
 Eastern Division of the County, thereby incurring a large 
 outlay of time and money, by reason of the distance 
 being greater ; whereas, if Hove was incorporated with 
 this Borough, prisoners might be tried at its Quarter 
 Sessions in Brighton, thus obviating the inconvenience 
 and extra expense consequent upon witnesses' attendance 
 at Lewes. The ill-effects of a divided jurisdiction 
 are also very glaring with respect to hackney car- 
 riages, the drivers of such not being amenable for over- 
 charging when hired from the stand to go out of the 
 parishes for which they are licensed, either Bench of Magis- 
 trates not being able to adjudicate in such cases. Other 
 benefits might be pointed out, but we feel that our neigh- 
 bours in Hove will, on the score of taxation, object to 
 this step being taken, though perhaps, in the course of 
 time, matters in this respect will be assimilated ; but, if 
 otherwise, the benefit of the common weal should pre- 
 ponderate over all other considerations, as, without doubt, 
 Hove is an integral part of this town, enjoying a common 
 benefit therewith. 
 
 The Mayor and Corporation, in furthering all 
 improvements, assist materially the development and 
 advancement of the town, thus making it in reality the 
 " Queen of watering places" and London super-mare. 
 The Corporate body have recently resolved to pay 7,000 
 towards the Aquarium now in progress, which when 
 completed, coupled with the new road southward of the
 
 202 
 
 same, will still further improve our sea-frontage. It is 
 also in contemplation to extend the road to Kemp Town, 
 which will resemble somewhat the Rotton Kow of the 
 metropolis and also form an agreeable resort for invalids, 
 &o., especially during the winter months, when, from 
 its salubrious position, it may be likened to the Undercliff 
 of the Isle of Wight. On completion this work will 
 prove a most advantageous and attractive one for the 
 town generally, the eastern portion of it in particular. 
 
 The following gentlemen have filled the important 
 office of Chief Magistrate, viz. : 
 
 1854 Lieut. -Col. Fawcett. 18G2 Richard Wilson, Esq. 
 
 1855 William Hallett, Esq. 1863 Jno. L. Brigden, Esq. 
 
 1856 Isaac Gray Bass, Esq. 1864 Jno. L. Brigden, Esq. 
 
 1857 Jno. Cordy Burrows, Esq. 1865 Henry Martin, Esq. 
 
 1858 Jno. Cordy Burrows, Esq. 1866 William Hallett, Esq. 
 
 1859 William Alger, Esq. 1867 William Hallett, Esq. 
 
 1860 William Alger, ESQ. 1868 Thomas Lester, Esq. 
 
 1861 Henry Smithers, Esq. 1869 Arthur H. Cox, Esq. 
 1870 Eichard Mallam Webb, Esq 
 
 On the incorporation of this town, the following 
 gentlemen were selected by the Town Council to be 
 submitted to the Lord Chancellor for approval by him 
 as Magistrates for the Borough, and eight of them were 
 appointed by that functionary : 
 
 I. G. Bass, Esq., 
 
 J. Cordy Burrows, Esq , 
 
 W. Catt, Esq., 
 
 W. Coningham, Esq., 
 
 Jno. Fawcett, Esq., 
 
 D. M. Folkard, Esq., 
 W. Turner, Esq., 
 
 E. M. Philipps, Esq., 
 M. D. Scott, Esq., 
 
 T. Warner, Esq. 
 
 These were afterwards supplemented by F. A. Argles, Esq., 
 and W. F. Smithe, Esq., thus forming the first Bench of 
 Magistrates for the Borough under its Incorporation. 
 
 The rapid increase of population and extent of 
 Brighton can compare with any town of modern growth, in 
 proof of this we may state that on the first census taken 
 in 1801 the population numbered but 7,514, whilst the 
 census of the present year shows an increase O T , er this num- 
 ber of 82,499, making the total, as before stated, 90,013.
 
 208 
 
 TOWNS AND VILLAGES OF INTEREST IN 
 THE NEIGHBOURHOOD OF BRIGHTON. 
 
 (CLOSING CHAPTEK.) 
 
 In concluding this work we have thought it not 
 out of place to devote a chapter to towns and villages 
 within twelve miles of Brighton, and we trust our brief 
 historical account of them will interest our readers, the 
 first claiming our notice is the ancient town of 
 
 LEWES. 
 
 Large, populous, of great antiquity, situated about fifty 
 miles from the metropolis, and eight from Brighton. Here 
 is its etymology: "Lewes has been thought to come 
 from the French Les eaux, the waters ; and the latest 
 invention of a meaning for it is Ljod hus pro- 
 nounced lodge hus a landing place : and it is argued 
 therefrom that Lewes was once a seaport, and was 
 settled by Norsemen, as it is a Norse name. Lewes is, 
 however, nothing whatsoever of the kind ; it is a pure 
 Celtic name, still pronounced exactly right, and as it 
 must have been two thousand years ago. It is Lie wysg : 
 the river place, or place on the wysg, or uisge, that is, 
 the Ouse, as the river is still called. There is the fellow- 
 name to Lewes in Wales. A little distance above Hay, 
 in Kadnorshire, is Lowes, on the Kiver Wye ; Wye is 
 short for Wysg. Uisge, or Wysg, forms part of many of 
 the names of places on the Ouse : Ashcombe is the combe 
 of the stream, or uisge ; Isfield, is Uisge, and the Anglo- 
 Saxon field, or Celtic faes, meaning the same thing. 
 Uckfield is the same. Buxted is Ben ux, or uisge : the 
 place on the river; stead is the Anglo-Saxon for a place.
 
 204 
 
 Hastingford is Uisge or Is ; tynn, valley ; fford, a way or 
 passage : the river valley crossing. Swanboro is from 
 Uisge and Afon, both meaning a river or stream, and 
 byrrhos, a low meadow, or the Anglo-Saxon burgh. 
 Iford and Itford are both the river crossing. Upper Kise 
 is from Yr uisge, the river : Northease is North uisge ; 
 and Southease South uisge ; Asham is uisge and the 
 Anglo-Saxon ham, a town. Piddinghoe is Pen dwyn 
 the bank place and the Anglo- Saxon or Danish hooe, 
 a little rise." :: 
 
 We find it recorded that in Lewes Athelstan 
 established two Mint-houses, also that it was the chief 
 town and mart in this shire, and is mentioned in the 
 King's ordinance for prohibiting the coinage of money 
 except in towns of especial note. 
 
 Here is an interesting relic of the past in relation 
 to the Mint and other matters, " During the Reign 
 of the Saxons, King Athelstan, after he had repair'd 
 divers Monasteries, and endow'd them with divers 
 Privileges, Lands and Reliques, betook himself to 
 such Methods by which he might also beautify and 
 advantage the Cities and Towns of his Kingdom ; and 
 to that End made a Law, that no Money should be coin'd 
 but in Cities and Towns only, and among others appointed 
 two Mint-houses to be set up here. When in the reign of 
 William the Norman, Domesday-Book was compos'd, it is 
 there observ'd, that this Town, in the Beigii of King 
 Edward the Confessor, paid 6/. 4s. for Tax and Toll, and 
 that the King had here 127 burgesses. It was also their 
 Custom, that if the King had a Mind to send his Soldiers 
 to Sea without them, of all of them, whosoever the Lands 
 were, there should be collected 20.*?. to be given to those 
 that served the Ships. That whoever sold an Horse in 
 the Borough should give the Provost one Penny, and the 
 
 * For this quotation we are indebted to an able article in the 
 Brighton Herald of some time since.
 
 205 
 
 Buyer another ; for an Ox or Cow an Half-penny, and for 
 a Man four Pence, wheresoever in the Kape he buys ; that 
 he that sheds Blood should pay 7s. and he that commits 
 Adultery or a Eape 8s. 4d. and the Woman as much, and 
 the King should have the Adulterer, and the Archbishop 
 the Woman ; that when Money was new-made, every 
 Mint-master should pay 20s. Of all these payments, two 
 Parts went to the King, and a third to the Earl." 
 
 Lewes is situated on the banks of the Ouse, within six 
 or seven miles of the sea. It is included in the Hundred of 
 Swanborough and Eape of Lewes, and possesses a Castle, 
 which was formerly the residence of the Lords of Lewes, and 
 at one time the citadel of the town, until the failure of the 
 male line of the De Warrennes, in 1347, when it became 
 the property of the Earl of Arundel, and was allowed to 
 decay. Originally an oblong fortification guarded by 
 two keeps or fortresses, these on artificial mounts. Of 
 the eastern keep scarcely a vestige remains, and other 
 portions of this once famous building are fast succumbing 
 to the ravages of time. The Castle in the days of ancient 
 warfare might have been considered almost impregnable, 
 but the war engines now in use would speedily raze it to 
 the ground, an opinion ratified by that illustrious warrior 
 and great military authority, Sir Hope Grant, whilst in 
 company with the author of this work, upon the Castle's 
 summit, the early part of the present year, both 
 spectators of the picturesque scenery surrounding. 
 
 Under the Saxons, Lewes Castle flourished, and gave 
 the title of Earl to its possessor, and the only case 
 analogous hereunto, we believe, is that of Arundel Castle, 
 which gives the same privilege to its owner, this latter 
 feudal right being still in existence. The double gateway 
 leading into the Castle is of mixed architecture, and the 
 inner arch has every appearance of Saxon origin, whilst 
 the outer is, probably, of the more modern style, 
 somewhat resembling that of Henry III.
 
 206 
 
 Lewes is a borough by prescription, and has, since 
 the 28rd of Edward I., sent two members to Parliament ; 
 but by the operation of the Keform Act of 1868 was 
 deprived of a seat. The last representatives were the 
 Hon. Henry Brand and LordPelham : the former resigned 
 his pretensions in favour of His Lordship, who now 
 remains the sitting member. There are two Constables 
 for the Borough ; these are chosen at the annual Court 
 Leet, and act as Returning Officers. Lewes has, at present, 
 seven parish churches formerly it had twelve, including 
 those attached to the suburbs of Southover and the Cliff, 
 although the number has been reduced to the following, 
 viz. : -St. Michaels', St. Johu's-sub-Castro, St. John's 
 (Southover), South Mailing, St. Mary's, Westover (com- 
 monly called St. Ann's), St. Thomas-in-the-Cliffe, and 
 All Saints. 
 
 Upon what is called Spittal Hill, about a mile west 
 of the town, Lewes has a capital Race Course. A com- 
 modious Stand was built by subscription in 1772, and 
 recently another, upon a more extensive scale, has been 
 erected. Races take place here on the two days following 
 those of Brighton, under the able superintendence of 
 J. F. Verrall, Esq., the much esteemed Clerk of the 
 Course and Manager, and excellent sport is afforded. 
 
 This Spittal Hill was the scene of the memorable 
 battle of Lewes, fought on the 12th of May, 1264, 
 between the forces of Henry III. and the army of the 
 Barons, the latter headed by Simon de Montfort (Earl of 
 Leicester). Henry was worsted in the fight, and, together 
 with the King of the Romans, who fought on his side, 
 and several nobles, taken captive, and incarcerated in 
 the Priory. The royal army, on the morning of the 
 battle, was divided into three bodies, that on the right 
 under the command of Prince Edward ; the King of the 
 Romans commanded the left wing ; and Henry in person 
 the main body. The Baron's army was divided into four
 
 207 
 
 bodies ; the first led by Henry de Montfort (the Earl of 
 Leicester's son) ; the Earl of Gloucester commanded the 
 second ; the Earl of Leicester the third ; and the fourth 
 army, which consisted of Londoners, was commanded by 
 Nicholas Segrave. 
 
 Prince Edward began the fight, attacking the 
 Londoners, who, being unable to withstand his vigorous 
 onslaught, immediately fled. A London mob had some time 
 previously insulted the Queen, his mother, an affront 
 which the Prince resolved on avenging, and the 
 moment being opportune, he, flushed with his success, 
 pursued the London troops for four miles, and gave 
 them no quarter. On his return in triumph, to his 
 amazement he found the Eoyal army dispersed, and dis- 
 covered that Henry and the Roman King were prisoners. 
 He resolved on the attempt to liberate them, but his 
 exhausted troops would not second his ardour, and he 
 was compelled to accept mortifying terms from the con- 
 querors, viz., that himself and Henry his cousin should 
 remain as hostages in custody of the Barons until 
 all their differences were settled by authority of Par- 
 liament. 
 
 Of the fight at Lewes, during Edward's pursuit of 
 the Londoners, it is related that the Earls of Leicester 
 and Gloucester gained advantage over Henry III. and the 
 Roman King, and put to flight their troops. Henry 
 surrendered to the Earl of Leicester; Eichard to the 
 Earl of Gloucester, and both were conducted to the Priory 
 in Lewes, situated at the foot of the Castle, and there 
 imprisoned. 
 
 An eminence near the Eace Course, formerly used as 
 a beacon, has from the above memorable battle retained 
 the name of " Mount Harry," and most of the slain 
 were interred in large pits or burgs near the spot, evidence 
 thereof being still traceable. About eighty years ago, as 
 workmen were making the turnpike road from Lewes to
 
 208 
 
 Brighton, they dug into one of these pits, and exhumed a 
 great quantity of human bones. 
 
 In the year 1805, whilst preparing the foundation for 
 a new Church, at Lewes, it became necessary to disturb 
 a leaden coffin containing the remains of one long since 
 committed to earth : after the disinterment, the coffin 
 was opened, and therein lay a perfect skeleton, the leg and 
 thigh bones being covered with myriads of flies, of a species 
 perhaps totally unknown to the naturalist. The specta- 
 tors of this extraordinary sight were astounded, still more 
 so at the wonderful activity of these singular insects, 
 in being as strong 011 the wing as gnats on a 
 summer evening. The wings of this nondescript were 
 white, and, for the sake of distinction, the spectators 
 christened it " the coffin fly." A fleshy moisture still 
 clung to the bones of the occupant of the coffin, and his 
 fallen beard lay on the under jaw. The lead of the coffin 
 had kept perfectly sound, presenting not the least chink 
 or crevice for the admission of air, and this circumstance 
 increased the wonder of all at the presence in the coffin of 
 such strange companions of the dead. 
 
 At Mailing, near Lewes, there was at one time a 
 collegiate Church said to be as old as Cadwaller, King of 
 the West Saxons, whose death took place in the year 688. 
 Its patrons were the successive Archbishops of Canterbury, 
 and in 1805, whilst some labourers were levelling a piece 
 of ground near Mailing Church, some human skeletons 
 were discovered, amongst them one much larger than 
 the rest. Curiosity in the workmen led them to ascertain 
 its length, and it proved, by accurate measurement, to be 
 exactly 8ft. 
 
 In the early pages of this work allusion is made to 
 the extensive and magnificent Priory erected in Southover 
 by Gundrada and Earl de Warrenne, but it will be of 
 interest to our readers if we here give an outline of this 
 spacious monastery at its dissolution, after an existence
 
 209 
 
 of over 500 years. The last Prior was liobert Crowham, 
 and he, on the IGth November, 1537, surrendered the 
 Priory unto Henry VIII. In the King's book it was valued 
 at 1091 Is. 6d., a sum far below its real revenues. The 
 community possessed 2000 per year, an income equal to 
 13,000 per annum of the present value of money. The 
 destruction of this edifice was entrusted to Thos. 
 Cromwell, who deputed John Portmarus to carry out the 
 same, and he proved a very active agent in the demolition 
 of this Gothic edifice. The following letters will afford 
 some idea of the extent of the buildings, and the savage 
 industry with which they were demolished : 
 
 " March 24th, 1538. 
 
 "My Lord, I humbly commend myself to your Lord- 
 ship. The last I wrote to your Lordship was the 20th 
 instant, March, by the hands of Mr. Williamson, by which 
 I advertized your Lordship of the length and greatness of 
 this Church and the sale ; how we had begun to pull down 
 the whole to the ground, and what manner of fashion they 
 had used in pulling down. I told your Lordship of a vault 
 on the right hand of the high altar that was borne with 
 four pillars, having about five chapels, which were com- 
 passed with the vaults, 70 steps in length, that is 210 feet. 
 All this is down Thursday and Friday last. Now we are 
 pulling down a higher vault, borne up by four thick and 
 lofty pillars, 14 feet from side to side, in circumference 
 45 feet. This shall be done for our second week. As it 
 goes forward I shall advertize your Lordship from time to 
 time. And that your Lordship may know with how many 
 men we have done this, we brought from London 17 men, 
 three carpenters, two smiths, two plumbers, and one that 
 keeps the furnace. Every one of these keeps to his own 
 office. Ten of them hew the walls, among which are 
 three carpenters, these make props to underset when the
 
 210 
 
 others cut away. The others cut the walls. These are 
 men exercised much better than the men we find here in 
 the country, wherefore we must have men, and other things 
 also that we need of, the which I shall, in a few days, shew 
 your Lordship by mouth. They began to cast the lead, 
 and it shall be done with as much diligence and saving as 
 it may be. So as our trust is, that your Lordship will be 
 much satisfied with what we do, when I most heartily 
 commend myself, much desiring God to maintain your 
 health and your heart's ease. 
 
 "Your Lordship's Servant, 
 
 "JOHN POKTMABUS." 
 
 "Underneath your Lordship shall see a just measure of 
 the wide Abbey ; 
 
 " Length of the Church 150 feet ; height 68 ; the circum- 
 ference 1 558 feet ; the wall of the front ten feet ; thickness 
 of the steeple wall ten feet ; thickness of the walls in torno 
 four feet. 
 
 " There be in the church 32 pillors standing equally from 
 the walls ; a high roof made for the bells ; eight pillors* 
 very high, 13 feet thick ; and 45 feet about. The height 
 of the greatest sort is 42 feet, other 28 feet. 
 
 " The height of the roof before the great altar is 93 feet ; 
 in the middle of the church where the bells did hang, 105 
 feet ; the height of the steeple in front is 90 feet." 
 
 Thus, after this structure had stood 460 years, its sacred 
 walls now echoed to the strokes of the hammer, instead 
 of the chanting of hymns ; and a few crumbling ruins are 
 all that the curious traveller can now discover of that once 
 celebrated scene of monkish splendour and piety. The 
 ashes of its noble founders and benefactors were insulted 
 and scattered ; its fairest monuments wantonly destroyed ;
 
 211 
 
 and the stable or cottage rudely ornamented with the 
 fragments of its grandeur. 
 
 After the completion of this work of destruction, 
 Cromwell was created Earl of Essex, and received a grant 
 of the manor of Southover. This nobleman was formerly 
 a blacksmith's son, and was born at Putney. 
 
 The site of the Priory is now called the Lord's Place, 
 and formerly the Earl of Dorset had a mansion here, which 
 was burnt down 130 years ago. The building adjoined 
 the church yard, near to which stood the great church 
 of St. Pancras, and the other buildings of the Priory. 
 Here also were the remains of a large elliptical oven, 17 
 feet wide at the mouth, and vestiges of two subterraneous 
 passages, now choked up with filth, which are supposed to 
 have been applied to the use of aqueducts or sewers. 
 
 Of the Priory gate there is still enough to give an idea 
 of the grand and expensive style of architecture which 
 this wealthy community affected in all their buildings. It 
 consisted of Caen stone and Sussex marble, adorned with 
 nail-headed quarterfoils, and other ornaments, in the best 
 style of the 15th century. 
 
 In the Chapter-house were monuments of the founder, 
 his wife and son, bearing date 1035 ; of William, Earl of 
 Moreton and Surrey, 1240; of his great nephew, 1379, 
 and doubtless others of the family. As already mentioned 
 the remains of Gundrada and her husband, Earl de 
 Warrenne, were exhumed on excavating for the railway, 
 and these remains were re-interred in Southover Church. 
 A journey to these interesting ruins of a former magnifi- 
 cent structure would amply reward both antiquarian and 
 visitor. 
 
 This Priory formerly covered a space of 40 acres, and 
 was inclosed with a stone wall of considerable height. 
 Within this inclosure, or rather fortification, stood these 
 extensive buildings, among which was a water-mill, that 
 was supplied with water from the Cockshut Stream, also 
 
 N
 
 212 
 
 from another spring, a subterraneous water course, which 
 may still be traced to the head of the pool, and was formerly 
 the reservoir ol I he mill on the north side of Pigeon- 
 house Croft. 
 
 The Pigeon-house, though clearly another monument of 
 monkish wealth and luxury, was probably one of the last of 
 their labours, and had not been erected many years before 
 the dissolution of the Priory. It was built in the form of a 
 cross, and still discovers much ingenuity and labour in the 
 construction of the pigeon-holes, which are all of hewn chalk 
 stone. These holes were numbered considerably above 
 8000. The flight of pigeons which such a dove-house must 
 have contained impoverished the land. To the husbandman 
 they were as sacred as the divinity they typify : conscious 
 of security, they anticipated the sickle from field to field. 
 
 These dove-cotes were formerly more numerous, and 
 of much greater extent than at the present time, 
 inasmuch as they were the means of affording fresh food 
 to the owners and occupiers of the land at a period when 
 the gun and chase were the only means of providing it, 
 irrespective of this source, for use in the winter months, as 
 it was the custom to slaughter animals intended for winter 
 consumption in October ; and on the occasion of farms being 
 let, to stipulate conditions as to the number of birds to be 
 sent to the owners from the respective dove-cotes on them. 
 This no doubt was a heavy tax in those da} r s to the tillers 
 of the soil. Dove-cotes were frequently placed in the 
 vicinity of each other, an instance in this neighbour- 
 hood may be adduced : on a farm occupied by Messrs John 
 and Kichard Brown, adjacent to Patcham Church (Lord 
 Abergavenny being the owner) , may be seen one of these 
 dove-cotes, which has existed for centuries, the holes of 
 which are of hewn chalk stone ; and another similar in 
 character formerly existed not far from this, and near the 
 site on which is erected the new Vicarage, occupied by 
 the Rev. John Allen, the Vicar. There are instances
 
 213 
 
 on record of its being formerly part of the agreement, on 
 the letting of farms situated near the sea, for tenants to 
 send to their respective owners, during the season, a crock 
 or two of potted wheat-ears, called by many the English 
 ortolan. These birds annually visit our shores in Sussex ; 
 they were formerly much more numerous than at the 
 present time, and may be seen on the hills near Brighton 
 en route to Lewes via Newmarket Hill, a most beautiful 
 and diversified prospect. The season for them is the 
 autumn, and in the old coaching times the heat of the 
 weather would scarcely allow this delicate creature to be 
 carried fresh to London, unless taken alive. They 
 are about the size of larks, but lighter brown, and have 
 more white in their feathers ; the rump and the lower 
 part of the tail are white, the upper half black, the under 
 side of the body white, tinged with yellow, the neck 
 inclining to red, the quill feathers black edged with brown. 
 They arrive in England about the middle of July (the 
 females a fortnight before the male), grow fat in August, 
 and disappear in September. They frequent the Downs 
 for a certain fly which breeds among the wild thyme and 
 other herbs thereon. Being very timid birds the motion of 
 a cloud will drive them for shelter into holes in the ground. 
 The manner in which these birds are deprived of 
 liberty and life is simply thus : The shepherds, while 
 they attend their flocks on the hills, cut sods of 
 earth ; each trench is as long as a middle-sized man's 
 leg, and as wide at the top as the smaller part thereof, 
 inclining towards the bottom nearly to an angle. These 
 sods they lay carefully on the turf side across, and not far 
 from the left corner of the lower part of the trench. Open 
 to the top of the trench, and crossways, another turf not 
 so long but wider, is cut out in like manner, and laid with 
 the bottom upwards, across and over the near part of the 
 trench (that is close up with the communication part), and 
 underneath the latter turf, upon a small flat stick that lies
 
 214 
 
 across, hang two horse-hair nooses ; the victims, timid by 
 nature to the last degree, and with the view of shunning 
 even the shadows of passing clouds upon the grass, hop 
 along the angular cut at the bottom of the trench, which 
 is several inches deep, and are snared in passing under 
 the fatal covering. These traps, ranged in great numbers, 
 at equal distances, though several yards asunder, along 
 the ridges of the Downs, look not much unlike small 
 artillery ; and their form, being in the rude shape of a cross, 
 might, in ancient times, have been adopted by direc- 
 tion of the Eomish priests, to supply the shepherds and 
 way-faring travellers with frequent objects of devotion. 
 At stated times in the day, the snarers go round and 
 collect their captives. When the season is over they put 
 their sods in their former places ; and time, that grand 
 restorer as well as destroyer, cures all. 
 
 The old County Gaol is situated in the centre of the 
 town of Lewes, but has for many years ceased to be the 
 prison-house of criminals. During the Crimean war it 
 was occupied by Eussian prisoners, who were visited by 
 hundreds of persons, many of whom became purchasers 
 from them of their skilfully-made boxes, puzzles, 
 &c., fashioned from wood during their bondage. The 
 Gaol is now used as a Naval Prison. 
 
 The New Gaol, erected a few years since, is of an 
 extensive character. It is situated at the western entrance 
 of Lewes, on the turnpike road from Brighton. Towards 
 its erection Brighton contributed a large quota, a short 
 time since entering into an agreement with the authorities 
 to maintain its prisoners for a number of years, whether 
 under committal or otherwise. The Assizes are held at 
 the County Hall a conspicuous structure in the heart of 
 the town. 
 
 It will not be out of place here to mention that 
 Lewes is the centre of a good hunting district and within 
 three miles of the kennels of the South Down Foxhounds,
 
 216 
 
 at Kingmer ; respecting the establishment of these hounds 
 we publish a copy of the original document in relation 
 thereto, which we have obtained since the chapter on 
 racing and hunting was written. For this we are indebted 
 to the kindness of W. C. Tamplin, Esq., the respected 
 Treasurer to the Brighton Hunt, and hereto append the 
 same : 
 
 (CIRCULAR.) 
 
 " It being proposed to establish a Pack of 
 Fox HOUNDS by SUBSCRIPTION in the Eastern part oi 
 Sussex (extending from the Shoreham River to the 
 neighbourhood of Eastbourne, Hailsham, and Hellingly) 
 of which MAJOR CATOR has undertaken the management, 
 the following Gentlemen have formed themselves into a 
 Committee, to carry the above intention into effect." 
 
 VISCOUNT GAGE. 
 
 W. CAMPION, Esq. (of Danny.) 
 
 C. C. CAVENDISH, Esq. 
 
 Capt. SHIFFNER. 
 
 H. CAMPION, Esq. 
 
 MY DEAR SIR, I send you the proceedings of the temporary 
 Committee. I meant to have asked you to be one of them, but 
 I always forgot to do so when I saw you, and we had delayed 
 so long in sending anything round to the country that it was 
 thought better to form the present one, and hereafter it may be 
 thought advisable to call a meeting of the subscribers and let them 
 appoint a permanent one. 
 
 I shall be obliged to you if you will make out a List of Names 
 in your neighbourhood to whom it would be proper to send the 
 Circular. 
 
 You will perceive I have put you down as a 25 guinea subscriber. 
 I do not know if I have done justice to you in it, but I consider what 
 you do equal to that.
 
 210 
 
 I wish to get the Hounds in next week. I should be 
 obliged to you if you would collect those in your neighbourhood, 
 and if you let me know where to send for them or come for them 
 I will do so. 
 
 I think we shall have a pretty good lot of Foxes. 
 
 Believe me, 
 
 My dear Sir, 
 
 Yours very faithfully, 
 Ringmer, i4th August, 1821. WILLIAM CATOR. 
 
 Lewes, 1821. 
 
 I am directed by the Committee to forward to you a list of 
 Subscribers, and to request the favour of you, to grant permission 
 for the Hounds to hunt your country ; and further to acquaint me 
 if it is your pleasure to become a subscriber, in support of the 
 Establishment. 
 
 * I am directed also to inform you, that this application for your 
 country is with the concurrence of Col. Wyndham. 
 
 I have the honour to be, 
 
 Your most obedient, humble Servant, 
 
 WILLIAM NEWMAN, Secretary. 
 
 PRESENT SUBSCRIBERS. 
 
 Guineas. 
 
 Lord Gage 100 
 
 C. C. Cavendish, Esq 50 
 
 Captain Shiflher, R.N 25 
 
 W. Campion, Esq., of Danny.. 25 
 
 Reverend W. Courthope 25 
 
 Robert Todd, Esq 25 
 
 King Sampson, Esq 25 
 
 Henry Doughty, Esq 25 
 
 Guineas. 
 
 Troop of Artillery 25 
 
 H. Campion, Esq 10 
 
 Reverend P. Crofts JO 
 
 Charles Craven, Esq 10 
 
 J. M. Goble, Esq lo 
 
 Russell, Esq jo 
 
 James Eyre, Esq IO 
 
 T. Hobson, Esq i O 
 
 SUBSCRIPTIONS to be paid into the hands of Messrs HURLY and Co., Lewes 
 Bank ; or Sir JAMES ESDAIL and Co., London ; half immediately (being due on 
 the 25th of March) the other half to be paid on the 2Qth of September. 
 
 * This paragraph is only sent to the neighbourhood of the Shoreham Rh
 
 217 
 
 WORTHING AND NEIGHBOURHOOD. 
 
 We now give a brief description of Worthing, called 
 in Domesday Book " Wordinges." It is a very pleasant 
 town and watering-place, about eleven miles distance to 
 the west of Brighton. In the reign of Edward III. this 
 place must have been of some importance, it being on 
 record that at that time Sir Thomas Hoo, Knight, whose 
 seat was at Hoo, in Bedfordshire, was Lord of the 
 Manor, and obtained a grant for a market to be held 
 every Tuesday, and an annual fair to be held on the 20th, 
 21st, and 22nd July, the latter the eve, day, and morrow of 
 St. Magdalene. From these circumstances we presume 
 Worthing to have been, in the past, an important town, 
 otherwise a market and an annual fair of three days 
 would not have been deemed necessary. We cannot 
 discover when these Institutions were abolished, but it 
 must have been many years since. 
 
 Sir William Hoo, a descendant of the before-named 
 Knight, deserved so well of King Henry VI. , by his 
 suppression of a rebellion in Normandy and for his 
 services in the wars with France, that that King, in 
 reward, advanced him to the dignity of a Baron of this 
 realm, by the title of Lord Hoo and Hastings in this 
 county, the title to descend to heirs male of his body 
 lawfully begotten. The year following his succession to 
 the title he was summoned to Parliament to take his seat 
 among the Barons, and continued in the enjoyment of 
 his honors and title until the 81st of Henry VI., when his 
 death is supposed to have taken place. On his decease 
 he left to the Abbot and Convent of Battle, in this 
 county, 30 marks per annum, a proviso in the gift being 
 that two monks should, at the altar of St. Benigni, 
 perpetually sing for the saving of his soul and those of 
 his ancestors.
 
 218 
 
 In all probability the encroachments of the sea in the 
 past very materially contributed to the reduction of 
 Worthing and the number of its inhabitants, as it is 
 stated that within the last century houses stood whereon 
 what is now known as low water mark, and which are 
 supposed to have been washed away by the inroads 
 of the sea. 
 
 The Government of the town is under the jurisdiction 
 of a High Constable and officers, appointed at an annual 
 Court Leet holden for that purpose, and the town affairs 
 are well regulated, offering every inducement to its 
 numerous visitors. The country in its neighbourhood is 
 varied and very attractive, and the drives are unsurpassed 
 by any in the kingdom. Within a short distance of the 
 town is High Down Hill, and from here there is a 
 delightful prospect of land and sea : the hill can be 
 plainly seen from Brighton, and serves as a landmark 
 to navigators. 
 
 On the hillside is what is known as " The Miller's 
 Tomb," it is surrounded by a railing; at each corner a 
 yew tree is planted. There is an inscription upon the 
 tomb which certifies that it was erected in the year 1766 
 by John Olliver, miller, for the reception of his body 
 after death. On the slab of the tomb appears these 
 quotations from Scripture : 
 
 For as in Adam all die, even so in CHRIST shall all be made alive, 
 2 Cor. xv. 22. 
 
 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by JESCS 
 CHRIST. St. John i. 17. 
 
 That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal 
 life. St. John iii. 15. 
 
 Wherefore I perceive that there is nothing better than that a man 
 should rejoice in his own works; for that is bis portion; for who shall 
 bring him to see what shall be after him. Eccles. iii. 22. 
 
 Knowing that shortly I must put off this tabernacle, even as our 
 LORD JESUS CHRIST hath sbewed me. 2 Pet. i. 24.
 
 219 
 
 On the eastern end of the tomb is engraven the 
 following, almost obliterated by the hand of time : 
 
 Why should my fancy any one offend, 
 
 Whose good or ill on it does riot depend ; 
 
 'Tis at my own expense except the land 
 
 (A gen'rous grant) on which my tomb doth stand ; 
 
 This is the only spot that I have chose, 
 
 Wherein to take my lasting long repose, 
 
 Here, in the dust, my body lieth down : 
 
 You'll say it is not consecrated ground : 
 
 I grant the same ; but where shall we e'er find 
 
 The spot that e'er can purify the mind ; 
 
 Nor to the body any lustre give ; 
 
 This more depends on what a'life we live. 
 
 When the trumpet shall begin to sound, 
 
 "Twill not avail thee where the body's found. 
 
 A MOEAI/. 
 
 Blessed are they, and only they, 
 
 Who in the Lord their Saviour die ; 
 Their bodies wait redemption's day, 
 
 And sleep in peace where'er they lie. 
 
 The western end bears the following : 
 
 DEATH! why so fast? pray stop your hand, 
 And let my glass run out its sand : 
 As neither Death nor Time will stay, 
 Let us improve the present day. 
 
 Why start you at that skeleton ? 
 
 'Tis your own picture which you shun : 
 
 Alive it did resemble thee ; 
 
 And thou, when dead, like that shall be. 
 
 But though Death must have his will, 
 
 Yet old Time prolongs the date, 
 Till the measure we shall fill, 
 
 That's allotted us by fate. 
 When that's done, then Time and Death 
 Both agree to take our breath. 
 
 The Scripture sentences were selected by Mr Olliver, 
 and the verses are the production of his muse. About ten 
 yards from the tomb a variety of flowering shrubs were
 
 220 
 
 planted, and an alcove existed, whereon Death's heads 
 were painted. In this retreat the miller, during his life } 
 spent most of his leisure hours. We here mention another 
 circumstance expressive of the whimsical disposition of this 
 extraordinary character : he had, some years previous to his 
 death, prepared a coffin, on which were inscribed the words, 
 memento mori ; it run upon castors, and was every night 
 wheeled under the bed of its intended possessor. Mr Olliver's 
 residence was about a quarter of a mile from the 
 tomb, on the declivity of the hill. Near the miller's house, 
 in a tree, was fixed a curious piece of machinery (the produc- 
 tion of his own hands) representing an old woman and her 
 dog endeavouring to rescue a smuggler from a custom-house 
 officer. The figures were formerly put in action by four 
 sweeps, like those of a mill, and turned by the wind ; but 
 eventually they became so much out of repair, that only 
 one had any motion. 
 
 Mr. Oliver's remains were committed to this tomb 
 May 1, 1793, in the presence of above 3000 spectators. The 
 body was borne from his house to the place of interment 
 by eight men dressed in white ; and the funeral service, 
 according to the rites of the Church of England, and also a 
 sermon, adapted to the occasion, were read by a girl of 
 twelve years of age. Mr. Oliver died in his 84th year. 
 
 Here let us remark that this novel mode of 
 interment, unconnected with any religious establishment, 
 was uot without an imitation, inasmuch as there lies buried 
 in a small piece of ground belonging to the mill, on the 
 west side of and near to the station at Worthing, the 
 bodies of Thomas Moore, his wife and two daughters ; 
 the grave is enclosed with iron railings, it is situated 
 within a few feet of the down line to Portsmouth, and 
 passengers by train may see the tombstones erected 
 to the memory of Moore and his family. 
 
 In the chancel of Broadwater Church there is a 
 tablet to the memory of Thomas Lord De la Warr, who
 
 221 
 
 was of great eminence and employments in the reigns of 
 King Henry VII. and King Henry VIII. By his last will 
 and testament this nobleman bequeathed his body to be 
 buried in a tomb of freestone, appointing also that 
 his executors should bury him according to his honor, 
 ordaining that every poor man and poor woman who 
 attended his corpse to Church should receive twopence, 
 and that his burial expenses should be defrayed by the 
 sale of his collar and chain of gold. To the Church 
 he left his mantle of blue velvet and gown of crimson 
 velvet, the same to be made into altar cloths. Eleanor, 
 his wife, survived him about ten years, and by her will 
 appointed that her body should be buried in the same 
 tomb with that of her husband, in the chancel of 
 Broadwater Church, also that a priest should for one 
 year after her decease sing mass for her soul, and 
 receive ten marks from her executors as salary. 
 
 BRAMBER. 
 
 At Bramber there are the remains of an old castle 
 from which the Eape takes its title. It was built by 
 De Braose, in the reign of William the Conqueror, and 
 history records that an arm of the sea formerly flowed past 
 its walls and onwards as far as Knepp Castle, the seat of 
 Sir Percy Burrell, whose father, the late Sir Charles 
 Merrik Burrell, represented the Eape for many years, 
 attained a very advanced age, and was known as "the 
 father of the House of Commons." At the foot of the 
 Castle nestles the village of Bramber, which returned its 
 representatives to Parliament as early as the reign of 
 Edward I., but was disfranchised under the provisions of 
 the Eeform Act of 1832. 
 
 The Castle at one period was an immense structure, 
 and in feudal times a powerful barrier. The remnant of 
 this relic of bygone grandeur stands upon a circular
 
 222 
 
 elevation, and its former strength and importance may 
 even now be justly estimated by an inspection of tbe 
 noble ruins. To those fond of exploring the works of 
 former ages, an hour here may be agreeably devoted. 
 It is remarkable that, in Domesday book, (which was 
 begun in 1086, by order of William the Conqueror), 
 the Castle retains its ancient name, for it is there written 
 Brember Castle. The rape of Bramber at the conquest was 
 given to William de Braose. The descent of the Castle 
 continued in that family, through successive generations, 
 until October 19, 1672, the 24th of Charles II, when it 
 was restored to Henry Howard, Earl of Norfolk, 
 hereditary Earl Marshal, this nobleman succeeding 
 his brother as Duke of Norfolk, which title had been 
 dormant for 107 years, owing to the attainder of 
 Thomas Howard, Duke of Norfolk, who was executed on 
 Tower Hill, June 2, 1573, 15th Elizabeth. The Castle and 
 rape of Bramber de&cended with that of Arundel, in J819, 
 to Edward Bernard Howard, Duke of Norfolk. It is 
 scarcely to be believed that, so late as the Protectorate of 
 Cromwell, this Castle contained a numerous garrison of 
 the Parliamentary forces. 
 
 The rape of Bramber contains thirty-two parishes, ex- 
 tending from Worthing to Shire Mark Mill (which forms 
 the boundaries of Surrey and Sussex, beyond Horsham), 
 north to south, 82 miles. From Edburton to Upper 
 Burpham Farm, east to west, eleven miles. The principal 
 places in this Rape are Old and New Shoreham, Worthing, 
 Horsham, Steyuing, &c. 
 
 During the summer months, gypsy-parties, picnics, 
 and the like, are common at Bramber Castle, and it is a 
 favourite, much - patronised resort. With scholastic 
 establishments it is a frequent retreat, the study of 
 books deserted for a peep into the past afforded by this 
 remnant of antiquity. A few years since, it was honoured 
 with a visit from the Sussex Archaeological Society, and a
 
 228 
 
 paper on "its history" was read on the occasion by 
 Durrani Cooper, Esq. It is certainly one of the prettiest 
 and most sought pleasure retreats in Sussex, and is 
 surrounded with lovely scenery. 
 
 There is a Station of the South-Coast Railway at 
 Bramher, about half-a-mile from the town of Steyning, 
 and within a short distance of Shoreham. 
 
 LANCING. 
 
 Ten miles from Brighton and within two of Worthing, 
 is situated the village of Lancing, which skirts the 
 sea. It contains several lodging houses, also an old- 
 established and excellent scholastic establishment for 
 young gentlemen, conducted by W. W. Pyne, Esq. 
 
 This village won the admiration of the late Princess 
 of Wales, consort of George IV., and here she 
 occasionally resided, and from this place, on the 12th of 
 August, 1814, after a brief sojourn, took her departure for 
 the continent, The Jason frigate, commanded by Capt. 
 King, lay off the town in waiting for the embarkation of 
 Her Royal Highness, here is a description relating to 
 the latter event and the Princess while at Lancing, : 
 
 On August 2, 1814, the Princess of Wales arrived at 
 Worthing, previous to her departure for the continent. 
 The Jason frigate, commanded by the Hon. Captain King, 
 lay off that town, in waiting for the embarkation of Her Eoyal 
 Highness. Between that day and the 9th, the Princess 
 came to this village, and walked to the beach, opposite 
 the Horse Shoes Inn, where she would sit for some time 
 on a capstan, which the landlord of the house used to point 
 out with feelings of affectionate veneration. Sometimes 
 her Royal Highness appeared so lost in contemplation, that
 
 224 
 
 she required the frequent admonitions of her attendants, 
 warning her to retire on account of her health. 
 
 On the 9th of August, a great concourse of people 
 assembled on the Steyne, at Worthing, to witness the 
 departure of the Princess of Wales. Her Eoyal Highness 
 arrived at the Steyne Hotel, about quarter-past four o'clock 
 on that day, when, the Hon. Captain King not being 
 ready to receive her, she drove off with Lady Charlotte 
 Lindsay, accompanied by another lady, and Austin (her 
 protege boy) to this village, apparently wishing to avoid 
 the people who were waiting to see her embark, but all 
 the carriages, horsemen, and numerous pedestrians followed 
 Her Koyal Highness to Lancing. The barge of the Jason 
 frigate proceeded thither, but the attendants and domestics 
 of the Princess were taken on board at Worthing. 
 
 On the arrival of the Princess of Wales, she waited 
 with some impatience for the barge, which was to bear 
 her to the frigate destined to convey her from Albion's 
 shores. Her Eoyal Highness was dressed in a dark cloth 
 pelisse, with large gold clasps, and a cap of velvet and green 
 satin, with a green feather, the Prussian hussar costume. 
 When on board the barge, the Princess kissed her hand to 
 the immense assemblage of ladies, who in return waved 
 their handkerchiefs. The farewell of this illustrious 
 personage was a silent parting, seemingly, as if the spectators 
 intuitively feared that their shouts of affectionate regard 
 might be misconstrued. On quitting the English shores, 
 Her Eoyal Highness was so much affected that she fainted 
 away and fell in the arms of one of her attendants. This 
 was truly a scene at once solemn and sublime, and the 
 spectators were much concerned thereat. 
 
 In the upper portion of this parish there is a College, 
 dedicated to S. Nicholas, established some years since by 
 the Eev. N. Woodard, D.C.L., for the purpose of educating, 
 on moderate terms, boys of the middle class. It is 
 conducted by the Rev. B. E. Sanderson, M.A., who is
 
 225 
 
 assisted by other clergymen. Institutions in close relation 
 hereunto have been established at Shoreham, Hurst, and 
 Ardingly in this county. 
 
 Lancing is considered by many, from the mildness of 
 its air, to be the " Montpelier" of England. Figs grow in 
 great abundance in this and the adjacent parishes of 
 Sompting and Tarring, and ripen in the open air, such 
 not being always the case in other parts; some years 
 the growth of them is so abundant that the choicest 
 are sold in Brighton at sixpence per dozen, and 
 quantities are forwarded to different parts of the kingdom. 
 This fruit was first introduced into England by 
 St. Thomas a Becket, who resided at Tarring, at what 
 is now called the Rectory House, built upon the site 
 of the Archbishop's Palace. At the present time there is a 
 large fig orchard contiguous to it, consisting of a hundred 
 trees or more, and it has been known to produce in one 
 season upwards of 2,000 dozens of the fruit, and is visited 
 by the beccafico of Italy, a fig-eating bird. 
 
 SHOREHAM. 
 
 Is about six miles west of Brighton, and is the smallest 
 village in the rape of Bramber, being only 170 acres in 
 extent. It commands the entrance to the river Adur, and 
 is designated "New" to distinguish it from Old Shore- 
 ham, a sister village in its vicinity now much decayed. 
 Shoreham possesses a place in history's pages, it being one 
 of the most ancient towns in England. For many cen- 
 turies it enjoyed great commercial and political import- 
 ance, and in 452 was the second landing-place of Ella, 
 who defeated the Britons near this spot, and afterwards 
 founded the kingdom of the South Saxons. In the time
 
 226 
 
 of Edward I., the town must have been considerable, for 
 in 1298, it sent members to Parliament. 
 
 Camden, speaking of this town, says, "Upon the 
 shore is a place, anciently called Score-ham, which, by a 
 little and a little has dwindled into a poor village, now 
 called Old Shoreham, having given rise to another town 
 of the same name, the greater part whereof is ruined and 
 under water, and the commodiousness of its port, by 
 reason of the bank of sand cast up at the mouth of the 
 river, wholly taken away ; whereas in former ages, it was 
 wont to carry ships under sail as high as Bramber, a pretty 
 distance from the sea." 
 
 A writer of considerable celebrity, in 1762, speaking 
 of Shoreham, says, " It is a town chiefly inhabited by ship 
 chandlers, carpenters, and all the several trades depending 
 upon the building and fitting-up of ships, which is their 
 chief business. Vessels of a large size, some for the use 
 of the navy, but most for the merchant service, are here 
 constructed. The demands of late for these are so great, 
 and the people so industrious, that it is asserted there is 
 sometimes not so much as a single person who receives 
 alms, a circumstance worthy not only of praise, but of 
 imitation. Shoreham is justly noted for seamen, but mostly 
 for neat and stout sea boats. The builders of ships seem 
 to have settled here, chiefly because the quantity and 
 cheapness of timber in the country behind them is favour- 
 able to naval architecture. Vessels of 700 tons burthen have 
 been launched from the ship yard of this town ; and although 
 the trade of ship-building declined for several years, 
 owing to the badness of its harbour, there is every 
 prospect of its obtaining a return of prosperity upon 
 the completion of the present improvements." 
 
 Shoreham Harbour, for magnitude and capacity, 
 stood in high estimation in 1316, the year in which 
 Edward defeated the French at the memorable 
 battle of Cressy. In that expedition, Shoreham sent to
 
 227 
 
 sea 26 ships of war, equipped with 82 men each, at the 
 expense of the inhabitants ; and which was a greater 
 proportion of vessels than even London and more than any 
 other port in the kingdom, except Fowey, in Cornwall; 
 Yarmouth, in Norfolk ; and Dartmouth, in Devonshire, at 
 that time was required to furnish. 
 
 The Harhour limits include a large portion of the 
 line of bay which extends westward towards Worthing, 
 and to the east as far as Eottingdean, including 
 Brighton, and nature seems to have fashioned this spot 
 for its present use, its many prominent features and inland 
 curve well adapting it for the great and valuable purpose 
 of protection to our shipping. At spring tides the water 
 rises to the height of 20ft. up the estuary of the river, 
 a depth sufficient for the formation of one of the 
 first depots in the world for merchant ships or sloops 
 of war. Docks could be constructed on either side of the 
 r i ver) an d the old bridge made subservient to shipping 
 necessities. The Harbour and neighbourhood possess 
 advantages which would prove in every way equal to the 
 requirements of a large proportion of the shipping trade 
 of our country. 
 
 In 1760 an Act was obtained for the formation of a 
 new entrance to the Harbour, and the erection of piers 
 and auxiliaries at a spot near Fishersgate. This project 
 was carried into effect, but the works were so badly 
 constructed, and iu such an imperfect manner, 
 
 " Somebody blundered," 
 
 that in less than two years the piers became undermined 
 and were washed away. This disaster, it is believed, was 
 due to the shortening, by the pile drivers, of the timbers, 
 which, on examination, were from six to ten feet short of 
 the foundation, hence the tide soon sapped beneath them. 
 Notwithstanding the defective execution of these works, at 
 spring tides there was a depth of 24ft. of water, and at half- 
 o
 
 228 
 
 flood sufficient for vessels of 200 tons to pass up : whereas, 
 at the present time, vessels of the same burthen can only 
 enter at spring tides. 
 
 Owing to the evils above mentioned, the Harbour 
 was almost ruined, so much so that in the year 1816 
 the proprietors were determined upon its improve- 
 ment, and, if possible, to make it a mart for commerce, 
 the adaptability for which we have above shadowed 
 forth. Energetic steps were at once taken for its 
 improvement, and the proprietors, conjointly with 
 the inhabitants of Shoreham, called in the assist- 
 ance of Mr W. Clegram, who made a survey of the 
 Harbour, and concerted measures for its improve- 
 ment ; thereupon a committee of subscribers was 
 appointed to consider the same, and what steps were 
 necessary for carrying them into execution. W. Chapman, 
 Esq., C.E., on the recommendation of the Honorable 
 Board of Trinity, of Trinity House, also reported on 
 the Harbour, and very forcibly demonstrated the advan- 
 tages that would result from the projected improvement. 
 The Commissioners under the old Act of Parliament 
 and the Committee of Subscribers thereupon appointed 
 Mr Chapman as Chief Engineer in connection with the 
 new undertaking, and on the passing of the Act of 
 Parliament, in 1817, Mr Clegram was appointed Kesident 
 Engineer, and for his eminent services he was afterwards 
 selected to fill the responsible post of Harbour Master. 
 William Wigney, Esq., brewer, of Brighton (father of 
 Mr Isaac Newton Wigney, who was returned as one of 
 the first Members for Brighton, under its enfranchise- 
 ment by the provisions of the Keform Act of 1832), was 
 one of its principal promoters, and materially assisted the 
 progress of the Bill, exerting himself to the utmost to 
 facilitate the project. 
 
 The work was undertaken by contract, and on the 
 22ud of April, 1817, amidst a great concourse of spectators,
 
 220 
 
 the highly-interesting ceremony of driving the first pile 
 took place, the spectacle enhanced hy a full Masonic 
 procession ; but the contractors, from want of capital 
 or other causes, delayed progress of the works until 
 the December following, and then abandoned them. 
 Mr Mackintosh, of Bloomsbury Square, London, next 
 entered into arrangements for the completion of the 
 Harbour, successfully carried out the same, and on the 
 25th of January, 1818, the ceremony of opening took place. 
 
 Our readers, from the foregoing statement, will be 
 fully able to appreciate how easily a great national 
 Harbour might here be made, and the incalculable 
 importance such a safe haven would be, at all times, to 
 commerce. When it is considered how frequently, and 
 oft with fatal results, our coasts are visited by storms and 
 gales, more especially between Portsmouth and the Downs 
 or Eamsgate Harbour, also that excepting the Port of 
 Newhaven no place of shelter offers itself to the distressed 
 mariner when weathering a desolating tempest, it must 
 be seen how much it is an object of national importance 
 that more places of refuge should be created, as there 
 cannot be one harbour too many for the rescue of our 
 sailors from the fury of the waves. 
 
 Shoreham is most advantageously situated, in the 
 centre of a bay formed by two headlands, viz., Beachy 
 Head on the east and Selsey to the westward. It 
 possesses every desirable advantage for a safe and com- 
 modious haven, the anchorage in the bay is excellent, 
 there are five or ten fathoms of water, and the sea bottom 
 is chiefly of stiff blue clay. The tide at this spot is 
 soon down, nor does it rise very high. The Harbour 
 entrance is about a mile and a quarter to the west of the 
 old one already spoken of as at Fishersgate, and is ren- 
 dered permanent by the erection of two substantial piers, 60 
 yards distant from each other. It opens into two spacious 
 arms, one to the eastward towards Brighton, the other
 
 280 
 
 towards Shoreham. These arms, or reaches were 
 sufficiently capacious (with proper moorings laid down) 
 to contain a number of vessels of as large as 400 tons 
 burthen. In order to prevent the formation of a bar at 
 the entrance to the Harbour, piers were placed at right 
 angles with the shore, both of equal length, and extending 
 to near low water mark at spring tides. This extension 
 of uniform length confines the ebb tide into a narrow 
 compass until it passes the Pier heads ; and there being 
 but a weak ebb and flow in the bay, the tide will continue 
 rapidly eastward. The mouth of the Harbour is formed 
 by two curves, eastward and westward, on which are placed 
 six dolphins (three on each side) ; rows of piles are driven 
 and wattled at the bottom of the slope, and finished 
 with a facing of chalk : these curves were a wise 
 invention of the Engineer, as they give the current of the 
 tide a true and direct course between the two piers, which, 
 jointly, are not unlike a trumpet-mouth, and thus a 
 quantity of water is collected and forces itself out 
 with great rapidity. According to the report of 
 Mr Chapman, the improvements before enumerated 
 amounted to 36,432. In this state matters relative 
 to the Harbour remained till the year 1851, when it 
 was thought expedient to make considerable altera- 
 tions, with a view to extend the eastern reach 
 or arm to the "Wish," near Hove, for the purpose of 
 bringing it as near Brighton as possible (which 
 was rapidly extending itself westward), for the con- 
 venience of landing coals, &c., and with the desire to 
 compete with the Kailway Company, who had erected a 
 wharf at Kingston for the same purpose, and were bringing 
 large quantities of coals into Brighton by railway 
 transit from thence ; also from their wharf at Deptford, 
 coals being brought from the north to the Thames by 
 powerful screw steamers, which thus reduced considerably 
 the price of that article of daily need. Inland coals
 
 231 
 
 brought direct from the pit's mouth, by railroad, also 
 contributed materially to the latter result. 
 
 The river Adur, to which Shoreham Harbour owes its 
 origin, rises at Nuthurst near Horsham, and derives its name 
 from Aweddwr, the running of flowing water. It passes 
 close to the Church of the latter town, and in its course 
 receives a tributary stream from Cowfold and Shipley ; 
 it afterwards flows between Beeding and Bramber and 
 onwards by Old Shoreham Church into the port of 
 Shoreham. 
 
 In 1781, a wooden bridge was erected over the estuary 
 at this spot at a cost of 5,000, the money raised by 
 a tontine. The river could be forded at low water, and at 
 high tide a ferry-boat was resorted to. Previous to the 
 erection of this bridge, communication between the 
 eastern and western sides of the county was extremely 
 difficult, inconvenient, and frequently dangerous, and the 
 uncertainty of a passage either way induced the greater 
 number of passengers to the western parts of the county 
 to select the circuitous route by the Upper Shoreham 
 Eoad, via " Braniber Gorge," over Bramber Bridge, 
 onward to Steyning, thence up the Bosthill, and back to 
 Soinpting Church (which is within three miles of this bridge, 
 and on a level road). This occasioned a great loss of 
 time, and entailed extra labour for travellers, also other 
 disadvantages, inasmuch as, at this latter point, had 
 the bridge been in existence, more than half the distance 
 could have been saved by passing over it, instead of resort- 
 ing to the hilly road before mentioned. The tolls payable 
 at the bridge were considerable, and on the expiration of 
 the tontine the bridge reverted to the Duke of Norfolk. 
 
 The great inconvenience experienced from the uncer- 
 tainty of crossing the river during a contested county 
 election which took place at Chichester, about 1774, was 
 the immediate cause of the erection of this bridge, free- 
 holders from the extreme eastern parts of the county
 
 282 
 
 having to travel to the western to record their votes, an 
 enormous expense to the respective candidates, which 
 loudly called for remedy. The ferry tolls were heavy, end 
 the property of the Priory of Hardham. 
 
 In 1832, a suspension hridge of truly handsome design, 
 and known as " Norfolk Bridge," was huilt hy Bernard 
 Edward, Duke of Norfolk, the purpose of its erection 
 heing the shortening of the distance to Worthing hy the 
 South Lancing route : but in consequence of the incursions 
 of the sea, it has for years failed to realise the object of 
 its founder. Between this bridge and the old tontine 
 bridge before alluded to, theLondon, Brighton, and South- 
 Coast Railway have constructed one expressly for the 
 passage of their Portsmouth traffic, this step necessita- 
 ting the purchase from the Duke of Norfolk of its aged 
 contemporary above. 
 
 Shoreham Church is an edifice remarkable for its rich- 
 ness, elegance, and diversity, and may justly be said to 
 present an excellent school for the study of our ancient 
 architecture. This grand and venerable building stands 
 near the entrance of the road from Brighton, and is the 
 remnant of a truly sublime structure ; but it has lost a 
 magnificent portion in the nave, only a small part of it 
 remaining, which has been walled up in such a manner, as 
 not only to preserve fragments of what is destroyed, but 
 to save the appearance of an ancient end, an instance not 
 very common. The present west entrance, probably 
 the original, is a pointed arch, decorated in every respect 
 with Saxon ornaments, and supported by Saxon capitals. 
 The design is curious, but much mutilated. Over this is a 
 small pointed window, of four or five divisions, not of 
 very early date. The walls of the edifice are Saxon, and 
 the windows, buttresses, &c., of this work remain unusually 
 entire. 
 
 The tower, at the intersection of the great cross aisles, 
 is in two stories, and not lofty, the first having two Saxon
 
 283 
 
 windows on each side ; the second two pointed of the 
 same mouldings, probably built at the same time, surmounted 
 by a block cornice and parapet. On the north and south 
 sides are two handsome flying buttresses, terminated by 
 pinnacles. A great portion of the Saxon work remains ; but 
 the north side appears to be leas altered. The eastern end 
 is particularly elegant, having three beautifully pointed 
 windows, supported by handsome clustered columns, over 
 three recessed Saxon arches. Under the pediment is a 
 circular window, now blocked up. A small fragment of the 
 western extremity of the nave, surrounded by shrubs, still 
 remains, also the foundations of the intervening walls. 
 
 The Choir is a noble specimen of the mixed style of 
 building that prevailed before the dissolution of the Saxon 
 and the introduction of the pointed arch. The capitals 
 which support the arches are various and very artistic. 
 The font is on the north side, near the entrance, of a square 
 form, supported by a stout centre column and four smaller 
 ones at the angles. The upper half of the south transept is 
 separated from the lower, and forms a commodious school- 
 room. The whole edifice is extremely beautiful, but the 
 ornaments not destroyed by white-wash are filled with 
 dirt. 
 
 On the south and north sides of this Church are 
 private doors, of a very diminutive size, which communi- 
 cate with the pulpit and the reading-desk. 
 
 This edifice was formerly Collegiate, but is now a 
 vicarage, in the patronage of Magdalene College, Cambridge. 
 Recently an attempt was made to raise funds in support 
 of the restoration of this splendid old Church, and 
 many, both wealthy and others, came forward to help the 
 praiseworthy motive : but we regret to write that, from the 
 indifference and parsimony of some residents who possess 
 the power to assist and should have been foremost in the 
 good work, this effort to restore GodV House became 
 fruitless. We know that the hope of its restoration is
 
 284 
 
 still cherished by the inhabitants, and trust that so 
 necessary an act in remembrance of the piety and devotion 
 of our ancestors will not long remain in abeyance, and 
 that this fine specimen of early English architecture, 
 which has been in existence for many centuries, will be 
 restored to its former grandeur. 
 
 Edward II. founded a Carmelite or White Friars' 
 House opposite the east end of the Church, and some 
 years since the whole edifice and land adjoining 
 were sold to George Irving, Esq., M.P., a London 
 merchant, for 600. He thoroughly renovated and 
 improved the property, gave a noble appearance to the 
 mansion, and named it " Cupola House." 
 
 Before concluding this brief history of Shoreham, it 
 will not be amiss to speak of its political character. Like 
 other boroughs, it has not been free from the grossest 
 bribery that could possibly be committed ; and, being a 
 place of some importance, its representation was eagerly 
 sought for by contending parties, more especially as a 
 return might be expected for the outlay they incurred 
 consequent on contested elections, in the shape of a 
 degree of patronage that exists in seaport towns, viz. : 
 obtaining from the Government of the day the appoint- 
 ments connected with the Customs, Tide-waiters, &c,, 
 vacancies supposed to be in the gift of Members 
 representing these boroughs. In Shoreham this kind of 
 patronage was made use of to the greatest extent 
 possible, we will, therefore, now proceed to speak of this 
 Borough from the earliest period ; not that we consider it 
 in this respect worse than its more fortunate neigh- 
 bours, but they had the misfortune to have their delin- 
 quencies discovered. In this respect the custom of 
 England coincides with the Spartan law : the crime 
 consists not in the committal of the offensive act, but in 
 the awkwardness of keeping it secret, not in the act 
 itself, but in the discovery of it ; and as in Sparta so in
 
 235 
 
 England, the most condign punishment assuredly follows 
 the disclosure. 
 
 The right of voting for this Borough was first 
 granetd in the 23rd Edward I. to the inhabitant house- 
 holders paying scot and lot, whose number, however, was 
 very small, and who appear very early to have addicted 
 themselves to the commission of the crimes for which they 
 afterwards suffered ; for we find that on the 26th of 
 February, 1700, certain of the inhabitants petitioned the 
 House and complained that their free right of Election 
 had been invaded. On the 25th of November, in the same 
 year, the inhabitants petitioned against the sitting Member 
 who had treated ; and on the 16th of November, 1709, a 
 similar petition was presented from the same persons ; but 
 it was not till the year 1771 that the whole of the 
 infamous system pursued in this place was brought to 
 light. 
 
 In the latter year, however, the Returning Officer 
 returned a candidate with only 37 votes, instead of 
 another for whom 87 had been tendered, but of which 
 number the Returning Officer had queried 76, and made 
 his return without examining the validity of the votes he 
 had so questioned. Against this return a petition was 
 presented, and the Returning Officer was called to the Bar 
 to answer for his conduct. " It appeared," says Oldfield, 
 " from the defence made by him, that a majority of the 
 freemen of that Borough had formed themselves into a 
 society, under the name of the Christian Club, the 
 apparent ends of which institution were to promote acts 
 of charity and benevolence and to answer such other 
 purposes as were suitable to the import of its name. 
 Under this sanction of piety and religion and the cover 
 of occasional acts of charity, they profaned that sacred 
 name by making it an excuse for carrying on the worst 
 purposes ; making a traffic of their oaths and consciences, 
 and setting their Borough to sale to the highest bidder ;
 
 286 
 
 while the rest of the Freemen were deprived of every 
 legal benefit from their votes." 
 
 The Members of this Society were bound to secrecy 
 and to each other by oaths, by writings, by bonds with 
 large penalties, and by all the ties which could strengthen 
 their compact ; and they carried on this traffic by means 
 of a Select Committee, who, under the pretence of scruples 
 of conscience, never appeared or voted at any election 
 themselves ; but having notwithstanding sold the Borough 
 and received the stipulated price, they gave directions to 
 the rest how to vote, and by this complicated evasion the 
 employers and their agents having fully satisfied their 
 conscience, shared the money without any scruple as soon 
 as the election was over. 
 
 The Eeturning Officer had belonged to this 
 Society, and having taken some disgust to his associates, 
 quitted the party. The majority of legal votes which he 
 objected to, was, he said, in part owing to his experi- 
 mental knowledge of their corruption, and partly founded 
 upon some improper acts which had come within his 
 knowledge as a Magistrate upon the late Election ; 
 particularly an affidavit of a very considerable sum 
 of money, which had been distributed among them. 
 Upon these grounds, though they had the hardiness 
 to take the oath against bribery and corruption, he 
 looked upon them as disqualified ; and having besides 
 taken the opinion of Counsel, which it seems coincided 
 with his own, he returned the Candidate who had the 
 smaller number of votes, as they were free from these 
 objections. 
 
 Upon these principles he rested his pica for the 
 justification of the illegality of his conduct ; but the 
 House thinking that by tolerating such an act of power 
 they would be setting a very bad precedent, the Eeturning 
 Officer was placed on his knees and reprimanded at the 
 Bar of the House. A further inquiry was afterwards
 
 237 
 
 made into the case, the allegations of the Eeturning 
 Officer were fully proved, and at length a Bill was passod 
 for the correction of the abuses. 
 
 This Act, the famous 2nd Geo. III. cap. 55, after 
 reciting that a wicked and corrupt Society, calling itself 
 " The Christian Club," had for several years subsisted in 
 the Borough, and consisted of a great majority of persons 
 having the right to vote ; and that the chief end of that 
 Society appeared to be for the purpose of selling from 
 time to time the seat or seats for that Borough, and that 
 John Burnett and 80 others were members of such 
 Society, it was enacted that the said 81 voters were 
 thenceforth disqualified from ever giving a vote at any 
 Election for Members to serve in Parliament ; that the 
 right of voting should thenceforth be exercised by every 
 40s. Freeholder within the Eape of Bramber, as well as 
 by the Burgesses of New Shoreham. 
 
 The right of Election was thereby extended to a body 
 of 1300 Freeholders ; and although a complete check was 
 placed upon the bribery, yet the nomination of the Mem- 
 bers became immediately vested in the Duke of Norfolk 
 and the Earl of Egremont, whose large landed possessions 
 in the Eape gave them immense influence. And this was 
 the sort of Eeform then held out to the people of England 
 as the only safe, proper and practical species ! ! The 
 substitution of nomination for corruption was the only 
 good which it effected in any of the places where it 
 was tried; and yet this was all the Eeform which 
 Englishmen at that period were led to wish for or 
 expect ! ! ! 
 
 The Norfolk and Egremont interests continued quietly 
 to return the Members till 1808, when they were opposed 
 without success in the son of Sir Cecil Bishop, afterwards 
 Lord De La Zouch. From this time till 1820 these 
 same interests rested secure ; but in the latter year Henry 
 Webster, Esq., endeavoured to open the representation,
 
 288 
 
 and determined to stand a contest. Mr John Smith, 
 a Brighton celebrity, supposed that he should be able to 
 make a stand in conjunction with Mr Webster ; but 
 on the day of Election he found himself quite unsup- 
 ported. He could not even obtain a person to put 
 him in nomination ; and finally, having nominated 
 himself, no person tendered a vote for him. J. Marten 
 Lloyd, Esq., stood on the Duke of Norfolk's interest; 
 and Sir Charles Merrik Burrell, Bart , was supported 
 by Lord Egremont ; and against them was Mr Webster's 
 attack directed. He was however defeated, the numbers 
 at the close of the poll being, for J. M. Lloyd, Esq., 383 ; 
 Sir C. M. Burrell, 251 ; Henry Webster, Esq., 167. 
 
 Within the compass of six miles from Shoreham, 
 there were formerly two other borough towns, viz., 
 Braniber and Steyning, both disfranchised by the 
 Reform Act of 1832. It is on record that so mercenary 
 were the proceedings connected with the elections for the 
 three boroughs, that more money was expended on them 
 during the reign of George III. than all the laud in the 
 parishes was worth at 20 years' purchase. On one of 
 these occasions, the landlord of the Star, at Shoreham, 
 long since deceased (although a " Deadman" when living) 
 boasted that at an election at that time he had made 
 300 of a pipe of wine. In 1826, prior to the Reform 
 Bill coming into operation, there was a sharp contest 
 for the Rape of Braniber between Sir C. M. Bun-ell, 
 Bart., Henry Howard, Esq., and E. B. Sugdeu, Esq. 
 (afterwards Lord St. Leonards, and High Chancellor 
 of England). The latter gentleman sought the seat 
 vacated by the retirement of Sir J. M. Loyd; but 
 was unsuccessful, - - the numbers at the close of 
 the poll being : for Sir C. M. Burrell, 865 ; Henry 
 Howard, Esq., 545 ; E. B. Sugden, Esq., 483. Since 
 that period, with but one exception, that of 1857, there has 
 not been a contest worth recording, and on this occasion
 
 289 
 
 Mr Pemberton came forward in the independent interest. 
 At the close of the poll, "William Greaves, Esq., High 
 Constable of Shoreham, and the Keturning Officer, 
 declared the numbers to be : for Sir Charles Burrell, 994 ; 
 Lord Alexander Lennox, 805 ; and Mr Pemberton, 489. 
 
 The Protestant Grammar School of W. H. Harper, 
 Esq., also deserves allusion to, it has a good reputation, 
 and is one of the best educational establishments in 
 Sussex. 
 
 In concluding our chapter on Shoreham, that 
 delightful pleasure seat, the Swiss Gardens, claims 
 our tribute. It is conducted in the most praiseworthy 
 manner by Messrs. Goodchild and Son ; presents as great 
 a variety of amusements as can be met with in any other 
 place of its kind in England ; is patronized by thousands 
 during the summer season ; and in the winter is largely 
 attended by ladies and gentlemen for its skating, the frozen 
 lakes being admirably adapted for this healthful and 
 agreeable exercise. 
 
 THE DEVIL'S DYKE. 
 
 In a north-westerly direction from Brighton, and at 
 about five and a half miles' distance is the well-known 
 Devil's Dyke, a very extensive oval entrenchment, about 
 one mile in circumference, accessible by an inlet to the 
 south. It is fortified by a narrow ditch, the earth thrown 
 inwards, and forming a very high rampart, which is 
 known as " The Poor Man's Wall." 
 
 Dr. Tabor, in speaking of this strange birth of nature, 
 said he could not learn whether it had ever had any other 
 name, also that its present one derived its origin from the 
 " wall " having been a security to the distressed Britons : 
 it is even now a valued shelter to shepherds. We 
 find it written that " The Devil's Dyke " is a corruption of 
 Diphwys dyncliel, i.e., the high and stately precipice.
 
 240 
 
 From the Devil's Dyke the whole Weald of Sussex, 
 adjoining parts of Hampshire, Surrey, and Kent, may be 
 viewed, and the prospects are picturesque and beautiful. 
 On a clear day the scene is truly romantic at this 
 most salubrious spot. Thousands court the Dyke 
 for its scenery, and it is known far and wide as one of the 
 sights of Sussex. The old Dyke House, of which 
 Mr Thacker has been "mine host" for so many years, 
 has recently been re-built, and under his admirable 
 supervision the creature comforts for which it is famed are 
 dispensed with all their known good qualities. In the 
 hunting season the Dyke is a favourite meet of the 
 Brighton Harriers, at which there is a large muster of 
 lovers of the chase, and Host Thacker drives a busy trade. 
 
 It is supposed that the Dyke, in early ages, was 
 the scene of a Eoman encampment ; and it is conjectured 
 that it belonged to the last of the Eoman Emperors, from 
 the discovery in the neighbourhood of an urn filled with 
 coins which were current at the period. 
 
 The lands in the neighbourhood belong to the Crown. 
 It may not be out of place to mention that the revenue 
 arising from Crown Lands in England is now nearly all 
 subject to Parliament, which provides for the support 
 of the Sovereign and Government. The annual income 
 from these Lands is about 284,500. The revenues from 
 the Duchies of Cornwall and Lancaster belong to the 
 Prince of Wales, and accumulate during his minority. 
 Henry VII. resumed those which had been given to their 
 followers by the Sovereigns of the House of York. The 
 hereditary estates of the Crown were largely bestowed on 
 their courtiers by Sovereigns, especially by the Stuarts. 
 
 In the bottom, almost immediately beneath the hill, 
 is the pleasant village of Poynings, and horsemen 
 frequently select it in their journey homeward, it being 
 situate on a high road leading to Brighton. Poyuings, and 
 its neighbour Fulking, are favourite resorts for the
 
 241 
 
 inhabitants of this town. Fulking Fair, which takes 
 place annually on Whitsun Tuesday, its head-quarters 
 being a roadside public house in that village, situated 
 immediately under the hill, and called " The Shepherd 
 and his Dog," prior to the opening of the Swiss Gardens, 
 was the resort of a great many Brightonians, who made 
 the Dyke House, en route, their rendezvous. 
 
 The Dyke, although nothing more than a precipitous 
 valley, formed by the hand of nature, is ascribed to the 
 Prince of Darkness, in whose honour it has been so-called, 
 and here is the old Sussex legend : 
 
 THE DEVIL'S DYKE. 
 Five hundred years ago or more, 
 Or if you please, in days of yore ; 
 That wicked wight y'clept Old Nick ; 
 Eenowned for many a wanton trick, 
 "With envy, from the downs, beheld 
 The studded Churches of the Weald ; 
 (Here Poynings' Cruciform, and there 
 Hurst, Albourne, Bolney, Newtimber, 
 Cuckfield. and more, with towering crest, 
 Quae nunc praescribere longum est ; 
 Oft heard the undulating chime 
 Proclaim around 'twas service time, 
 " Can I, with common patience, see 
 These Churches, and not one for me ; 
 Shall I be cheated of my due 
 By such a sanctimonious crew ? " 
 He mutter'd twenty things beside ; 
 And sure that night the foaming tide, 
 Led through a vast and wondrous trench 
 Should give these pious souls a drench ! 
 Adown the West the Steeds of Day 
 Hasted merrily away, 
 And night in solemn pomp came on, 
 Her lamp her star a cloud her throne 
 The lightsome Moon she was not there, 
 But deck't the other hemisphere. 
 
 Now with a fit capacious spade, 
 So large, it was on purpose made ; 
 Old Nick began, with much ado, 
 To cut the lofty downs in two :
 
 212 
 
 At every lift his spade threw out 
 
 A thousand waggon load, no doubt 
 
 O ! had he labour'd till to-morrow, 
 
 His envious work had wrought much sorrow ; 
 
 The Weald, with verdant beauty grac'd, 
 
 O'erwhelmed a sad and watery waste I 
 
 But so it chanced, a good old dame, 
 Whose deed has long outliv'd her name, 
 Wak'd by the cramp, at midnight hour, 
 Or just escaped the night mare's power, 
 Rose from her humble bed, when lo ! 
 She heard Nick's terrible ado I 
 And by the star-light, faintly spied 
 This wicked wight, and dike so wide ? 
 She knew him by his mighty size, 
 His tail, his horns, his saucer eyes ; 
 And while, with wonderment amaz'd, 
 At workman and at work she gaz'd, 
 Swift cross her mind a thought then flew, 
 That she, by strategem, might do 
 A deed, which luckily should save 
 Her country from a watery grave ; 
 By his own weapons fairly beating 
 The father of all lies and cheating ! 
 
 Forth from her casement in a minute, 
 A sieve, with flaming candle in it, 
 She held to view : and simple Nick, 
 Who ne'er suspecting such a trick, 
 (All rogues are fools) when first his sight 
 A full orb'd luminary bright 
 Beheld he fled his work undone 
 Scar'd at the sight of a new Sim; 
 And smuttering curses that the day 
 Should drive him from his work away ! 
 
 Night after night, this knowing dame 
 Watch'd but again Nick never came ! 
 Who now dare call the action evil 
 To hold a Candle to the Devil ? 
 
 " The Brighton fisherman at the Dyke," is a some- 
 what amusing anecdote. It is told that a fisherman 
 accompanied a bird- catching party, and, during the time 
 they were engaged in their pursuits, strolled from 
 them, lost his way, and eventually fouud himself at this
 
 248 
 
 romantic spot. Here he was so astonished at the inland 
 view presented of the weald and adjacent counties that 
 the scene bewildered him, and he had to solicit the 
 guidance of a shepherd into the road for Brighton. Both 
 kindred and neighbours wondered at his non-return with 
 his companions, and were anxious as to his whereabouts, 
 he having been absent many hours. On the return of the 
 " lost man " there was much rejoicing, and all assembled 
 around to hear him relate his adventures, the more 
 anxiously from the fact of his exclaiming that " He had 
 been to the Devil's Dyke." After allaying their amazement 
 and interrogations as to what sort of place it was, none of 
 his listeners having ventured so far, he concluded with 
 the somewhat quaint rejoinder, " That he ne'er beleft the 
 world was half so big afore." The fishermen of bygone 
 times were remarkable for their love of home, but when 
 not engaged in fishing they occasionally accompanied bird- 
 catchers to the hills around old Brighton, bird catching 
 being a favorite pursuit of the aborigines, though it was 
 a very rare occurrence for them to venture far beyond their 
 habitations into the country district, the farthest distance 
 being the Preston, Hove, and Southwick Fairs, which 
 were annual events. Even to this day many of their 
 descendants can be found who have not ventured ten 
 miles inland. 
 
 ALDRINGTON. 
 
 Adjacent to Portslade is the so-called parish of 
 Aldrington, which is within a mile of Hove, and 
 without an inhabitant. It possesses the ruins of a Church, 
 nought but tottering walls, which stand in the centre 
 of a meadow field. One small window of early date is 
 the only noteworthy feature in the remains of this edifice, 
 the remainder comprising but crumbling walls and a
 
 244 
 
 narrow fragment of the Church tower. The living is in 
 the gift of Magdalene College, Cambridge : it is a Rectory, 
 and a sinecure. Mr Dodd was appointed thereto in 1812, 
 and held it until his decease : on his preferment the 
 following comments appeared : 
 
 " On reference to the ' blue book,' containing the 
 ' Report of the Commissioners appointed by Her Majesty 
 to inquire into the Ecclesiastical Revenue of England and 
 Wales, 1835,' (page 26G) we find the Rev. P. S. Dodd 
 reported as being appointed the Rector of this place in 
 1812. The patron of the parish is Magdalene College, 
 Cambridge. There is ' no dwelling-house.' The Church 
 is ' in ruins.' The annual gross average income is 300, 
 out of which payments were made of 6 a year, leaving 
 Mr Dodd in possession of a net income of 294. Mr Dodd 
 was also Rector of Penshurst in Kent, the patron of which is 
 Sir I. S. Sidney. The population of Penshurst is 1499. It 
 has one Church, which holds 450 persons. This living is a 
 Rectory, to which Mr Dodd was appointed in 1819, and the 
 gross income of it is 820 a year ; yearly payments deducted, 
 54, and 100 a year for a curate, leaving a net income of 
 66G to Mr Dodd, which added to the 294 a year from 
 Aldrington, gave him a clear income of 960 a year. Mr Dodd 
 is just deceased, and the living of Aldrington, therefore, 
 is vacant. Now, without an inhabitant, without a Church, 
 without a clergyman, clerk, or congregation, what is to 
 be done with the 300 a year? "What will its patron, 
 Magdalene College, Cambridge, do with it ? Is another 
 clergyman to be appointed to receive the 300 a year ? 
 without duties to perform ! a pastor without a cure of 
 souls ! a shepherd without a flock ! How far do the 
 powers of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners extend ? Can 
 they interfere in a matter of this kind, now that the parish 
 is without an incumbent ? The 300 a year is, we suppose, 
 derived from the tithes, which the landlord, be he who he
 
 245 
 
 may, has no right to put into his own pocket : and as there 
 is here a considerable ecclesiastical revenue and a complete 
 sinecure if any one be re-appointed to it, it is to be hoped 
 that power exists somewhere to make a proper disposal of 
 the revenue in some way. Has the Bishop of the Diocese 
 any power to interfere ? we imagine not. But certainly 
 Magdalene College ought not to confer a revenue on any 
 man who can give, in an uninhabited parish, nothing in 
 return." 
 
 A few years since a mariner was drowned in the new 
 basin, which is near to the Church, and his remains 
 were interred within its precincts. 
 
 Aldrington was the " Portus Adurni of the Bomans," 
 and with reference to _Portslade, the adjoining village, its 
 derivation is from slade or way to the port, as before 
 stated. 
 
 NE WHA YEN 
 
 la a small town, formerly inhabited chiefly by maritime 
 people. Its Harbour is situate at the mouth of the river 
 Ouse, having a quay on the east side of it, where ships 
 may ride secure in foul weather ; here are sometimes a 
 good many vessels which bring coals, deals, and other 
 merchandize for Lewes and neighbourhood, which lies 
 about seven or eight miles up the river, and load from 
 here with corn, timber, &c. 
 
 This town, formerly called Meeching, is an important 
 place on our sea-coast, and nine miles to the east of 
 Brighton, the route thither being through the village of 
 Kottingdean, which is about midway. It is built on the 
 banks of the Ouse, and is close to the sea. Formerly ships 
 of great burthen could harbour here, but owing to neglect 
 of necessary repairs, the piles became rotten and decayed, 
 and in consequence sand and beach encroached upon the 
 harbour domain.
 
 240 
 
 The entrance was formed in the 16th century, prior 
 thereto the river flowed eastward for near three miles 
 towards Seaford, thus forming the Harbour, and there is 
 little douht hut that its present entrance is the same as 
 when occupied hy the Eomans, from the fact that whilst 
 excavations were in progress recently near the mouth of the 
 Harbour, for the purposes of a new fort on the west hill 
 of the same, the remains of a Koman encampment 
 were discovered. This encampment, it is supposed, 
 protected the town from invasion. 
 
 In the year 1718, an Act of Parliament was obtained 
 empowering the authorities to repair the piers and keep 
 the Harbour in good and safe condition, and the effect of 
 carrying out the object has been a rapid increase in trade. 
 A new quay has been erected on the east side of the 
 Harbour ; and a few years since Government built a fort 
 of great magnitude, its cost being upwards of 150,000. 
 
 The Parish Church stands on a hill to the west of the 
 town, and is a rectory, formerly in the patronage of the 
 Queen. Its construction varies from accustomed Church 
 architecture, the tower being placed at the eastern end 
 of the edifice, a very rare occurrence ; and it has circular- 
 headed windows, which denote its antiquity. 
 
 In the Churchyard there is a very neat obelisk, 
 commemorative of the fate of His Majesty's ship "Brazen." 
 It is surmounted by an iron railing, and is an attractive 
 object. There are tablets on the monument which tell its 
 history, and here are copies of the inscriptions : 
 
 " Sacred to the memory of Captain James Hanson, the 
 Officers and company of his Majesty's ship "Brazen," who 
 were wrecked in a violent storm under the cliff, bearing 
 from this place S.W. at five o'clock a.m., Jan. 26, A.D., 
 1800 ; one of the crew only surviving to tell the melan- 
 choly tale. By this fatal event, the country, alas ! was 
 deprived of 105 bravo defenders, at a time it most
 
 247 
 
 required their assistance. The remains of many of them 
 were interred near this spot by the directions of the Lord's 
 Commissioners of the Admiralty. 
 
 " The waters saw Thee, God ! " 
 
 On the west tablet the names of the officers lost, 
 namely, James Hanson, Esq., commander, and ten 
 others, are inscribed. 
 
 On the south tablet : 
 
 " The friends of Captain Hanson caused this monu- 
 ment to be erected as a mark of their esteem for a 
 deserving officer and a valued friend ; it was the will of 
 heaven to preserve him during four years' voyage of 
 danger and difficulty round the world, on discoveries with 
 Captain Vancouver, in the year 1791, 1792, 1793, and 
 1794, but to take him from us when most he thought 
 himself secure, 
 
 " The voice of the Lord is upon the face of the waters." 
 
 On the east tablet : 
 
 " The " Brazen" had been ordered to protect this part 
 of the coast from the insolent attacks of the enemy ; and 
 in the evening preceding the sad catastrophe had detained 
 a foreign vessel, which was put under the care of the 
 master's mate, a midshipman, eight seamen, and two 
 marines, who were hereby saved from the fate of their 
 companions." 
 
 At one period it stood on the outside of the Church- 
 yard, but the requirements of the parish for sepulture 
 necessitating an extension of burial ground, the land 
 around it was enclosed and consecrated. 
 
 The town, at one period, was celebrated for its ale 
 brewing, and its " Newhaven Tipper" became a very 
 popular beverage. It was introduced to the public by a 
 brewer named Thomas Tipper. His remains lie buried
 
 248 
 
 in the Churchyard, and here are the lines in memoriam of 
 this famous brewer : 
 
 TO THE MEMORY OF 
 
 THOMAS TIPPEE, 
 Who departed this Life, May y 14th, 1785, 
 
 AGED 54 YEARS. 
 
 Reader with kind regard this grave survey, 
 
 Nor heedless pass where Tipper's ashes lay ; 
 
 Honest he was, ingenious, blunt, and kind, 
 
 And dared do what few dare to : speak his mind. 
 
 Philosophy and History well he knew, 
 
 Was versed in Physic and Surgery too. 
 
 The best old Stingo he both brewed and sold ; 
 
 Nor did one knavish act to get his gold. 
 
 He played through life a varied comic part, 
 
 And knew immortal Hudibras by heart. 
 
 Reader, in real truth, such was the man ; 
 
 Be better, wiser, laugh more, if you can. 
 
 In the royal days of Brighton, during the times of 
 George IV. and William IV., there was a great consump- 
 tion of this popular " Tipper." It was even partaken of 
 by Boyalty, and its sale extended unto the metropolis, 
 but of late "years has much declined : it is still brewed 
 on its original premises. 
 
 In the neighbouring barracks of East Blatchingtou 
 the Oxford Militia were quartered at the time of their 
 mutiny and breaking into the tide-mill at Bishopstone 
 (now in the occupation of Messrs. Catt and Stonham), 
 which they plundered, and afterwards wantonly emptied 
 into the river a cargo of corn. Two of the ringleaders, 
 Cooke and Parish, were tried for their share in the 
 crime, and condemned to be shot. This sentence was 
 carried into execution at Goldstone Bottom, on the 
 13th of June, 17 1 J5, and is treated of in "Brighton 
 Camps," a foregoing chapter in this work.
 
 249 
 
 For many years the "Hyperion" frigate, under the 
 command of Captain Mingaye, was stationed hero, in the 
 employment of the Coast-Guard service. 
 
 The prosperity of the Port has also heen fostered 
 by the London, Brighton, and South-Coast Kailway 
 Company, and the Ouse Navigation Commissioners, and 
 very important improvements have been effected by 
 them. The route from England to France, via Newhaven, 
 is the shortest between the two countries and much 
 patronised, and for the accommodation and comfort of 
 voyagers a large Hotel, &c., has been erected by the Eailway 
 Company, at a cost of 10,000. 
 
 Since the association of the South- Coast Eailway 
 Company with Newhaven, the town has risen considerably 
 in importance. A new and commodious bridge has 
 been constructed at a very large outlay, and the traffic to 
 and from the Continent has developed immensely during 
 late years, the resources of the port and neighbourhood 
 having been much taxed to keep pace therewith. 
 
 The Commissioners appointed to enquire into and 
 report on the eligibility of positions for harbours of refuge 
 on the South-coast selected Newhaven as one of the 
 situations best adapted for the purpose ; and in the event 
 of the carrying of the same into effect it will conduce still 
 more to the advancement of this thriving town. Observers 
 of its present success, and those familiar with the growth 
 of trade here of late, may fairly prophesy that Newhaveu 
 will eventually become one of the principal sea ports of 
 the kingdom. 
 
 SEAFORD. 
 
 Seaford, or Sefford, the lordship of John Earl de 
 Warrenne and Surrey, who, having no issue by his wife, 
 made over, by special grant, all his inheritance to 
 King Edward II., and among his great estates in this and 
 other counties the Manor of Seaford was included, and in
 
 250 
 
 recompence for which settlement the King assigned him 
 the Castles of Coningsburgh and Ferndale, and Manors of 
 Wakefield, Halifax, &c., in Yorkshire. He enjoyed the 
 whole for his life, and at his death, which happened in 
 21 of Edward III., all reverted to the Crown, with the 
 exception of some few which, hy the consent of King 
 Edward, had been re-granted to him, with remainder to his 
 natural son by Maud de Nereford, John de Warrenne, and 
 his heirs male, &c. We find that this Manor continued 
 for a time in possession of the Crown ; but in 42 of 
 Edward III. it is recorded that Michael Lord Poynings 
 died possessed of it ; it then returned to the Crown, and 
 was given to Richard Fitzalan, Earl of Arundel, who 
 forfeited it for being guilty of treason. Richard II., on 
 account of great services by Thomas de Mowbray, Earl of 
 Nottingham, bestowed it upon him, likewise other large 
 estates, and soon after created him Duke of Norfolk. 
 During the period that the Manor was possessed by the 
 Poynings family, an effort was made by them to build a 
 new town at the eastern portion of the parish of Seaford, 
 the said town to extend over several acres, and although 
 traces of buildings are to be found, no authentic record is 
 in existence of the same, but in the neighbourhood it is 
 still called Poynings Town. The town not only suffered 
 from the French in former times, but was visited by the 
 great plague in 1348, called by many " the black death," 
 which considerably decimated the number of its 
 inhabitants. King John with his suite slept in this place 
 on the 23rd of May, 121G, and afterwards at Lewes. 
 
 Seaford is the last of the Cinque Ports of Sussex, eighth 
 on the rolls of the ancient guild or fraternity, although not 
 coming within that designation, being merely a member of 
 Hastings, yet possesses all the privileges and immunities 
 enjoyed by Rye, Wiuchelsea, and others in the county, 
 but is subject to certain conditions, it appearing, from 
 records in the Exchequer, that Hastings with its members.
 
 251 
 
 on receipt of forty days' notice, should supply twenty-one 
 ships for the King's service, each manned by twenty-one 
 able, fitly-qualified, and well-armed men. On the arrival 
 of the ships at their destination, they had to remain there 
 fifteen days at their own cost; but if the King had 
 further need for them, they were provided for at the 
 following rate : the Master of each ship, 6d per day ; the 
 Constable, 6d per day ; and the men 3d per day. 
 
 It will not be unacceptable to readers here to quote 
 an old record of the origin of the Cinque Ports : 
 
 " The proximity of the Southern coasts of England 
 to that of France caused our Sovereigns in early ages 
 to consider the havens along this line of coast of very 
 superior importance ; and by way of eminence they styled 
 them ' Quinque Portuus, ' since changed into their 
 present designation ' Cinque Ports ; ' and William the 
 Conqueror placed them under the command of an officer 
 called the Warden of the Cinque Ports, who also acted as 
 Admiral among them. Although this officer was formerly 
 of much use to the nation, and had full employment, yet 
 for many years the office has become a complete sinecure. 
 The late Duke of Wellington held the office, for which he 
 received 4,000 per annum. 
 
 " The inhabitants of these ports were endowed 
 with many privileges ; the most important of which 
 comprised the following : A power to oblige all who 
 live in their jurisdiction to plead to their Courts, and 
 to punish offenders in their own bounds ; as also mur- 
 derers and fugitives from justice ; To be a guild or 
 fraternity, and to be allowed the franchises of Court Leet 
 and Court Baron ; A power to assemble and keep a 
 portmote or Parliament for the Cinque Ports ; to punish all 
 inf ringers of their privileges ; make bye-laws, and hear 
 all appeals from the inferior Courts ; their Barons 
 to have the privilege of supporting the canopy over the 
 King's head at the Coronation. In return for these
 
 252 
 
 privileges, they were compelled to supply the King with 
 67 ships, each provided with 21 men and a boy, to attend 
 the King's service for 15 days at their own expence ; but 
 if any further service was required, then they were to be 
 paid by the Crown." 
 
 None of these duties, however, have been exacted 
 for centuries ; but we believe the inhabitants are still 
 liable, and as every inhabitant who contributes to 
 the expense of the town, that is, every householder, 
 would, in case it was required, be obliged to contribute 
 towards the formation of this force, so ought they, 
 reasoning by analogy, to be admitted to a share of the 
 privileges ; and it is extremely probable that formerly 
 these rights, designated their freedom, were enjoyed by 
 all those inhabitants who were assessed to the exigencies 
 of the public. It is uncertain when these privileges were 
 first granted ; but it is known that they were confirmed 
 by Magna Charta, and again by a General Charter of 
 Edward L, which received confirmation from most of the 
 Kings and Queens down to the time of Charles II. 
 
 The privileged Ports were at first only three, viz., 
 Dover, Sandwich, and Eomney. To these Hastings and 
 Hythe were added by the Conqueror, and these com- 
 pleted the number to five, which were ever after called the 
 Cinque Ports. The ancient towns of Winchelsea and 
 Eye were added before the time of John, and were called 
 " Nobiliora membra Quinque Portuiun ; " and from the time 
 of their addition, they were treated and considered as 
 original Ports. Each of these Cinque Ports had some 
 adjacent places belonging to and incorporated with them ; 
 and thus Seaford became a member of Hastings, but 
 returning its Members to Parliament separately. The 
 local government of these several places is vested in a 
 Mayor and Jurats, of whom there ought to be twelve 
 besides the Mayor ; although of late years it has not been 
 the custom in any of the Ports, except Hastings, to have
 
 253 
 
 more than five or six. At Seaford, instead of a Mayor, 
 the chief officer is designated bailiff: the chief of the 
 municipality and two Jurats compose a quorum. Before 
 the passing of the 9th Anne, chap. 20, which prevents 
 Keturning Officers holding their office for more than one 
 year at a time, the Mayors of the Cinque Ports were 
 seldom, if ever, changed. 
 
 Formerly this town had five Churches and a 
 Chapel, four of the Churches were destroyed by the 
 French, in the course of their attack of 1377 ; the 
 remaining one, dedicated to St. Leonard, is of great 
 antiquity, and in 1778, on digging up a portion of 
 its foundation, three stone coffins were discovered, 
 two had handsome crosses on them and the remaining one 
 enclosed sixteen skulls. No aperture was perceivable in 
 these primitive coffins, and they were fixed in the northern 
 wall of the Church. This edifice was restored in 1862, 
 and contains many objects of interest, but none deserving 
 of special mention. 
 
 The Chapel before alluded to belonged to Chyugton, 
 and derived its sustenance from Michelham Priory, near 
 Hailsham. This latter place is now occupied as a farm 
 house, and still exhibits remains of its ecclesiastical origin : 
 at one time there was a drawbridge at its entrance. This 
 religious house gave the name to one of the Manors of 
 Brighton, called " Brighton-Michelham," andit is believed 
 derived a substantial benefit therefrom. 
 
 Button and Chyngton are both within the liberties of 
 Seaford, and James S. Turner, Esq., occupier of the latter, 
 a much-respected gentleman and eminent agriculturist, 
 has on several occasions been placed at the head of the 
 municipality, which also possesses a Town Hall, lock-up, 
 &c., and holds Petty and Quarter Sessions. The higher 
 class of offences are tried at the County Assizes, at Lewes. 
 
 Seaford is situated in a bay formed by the Newhaven 
 Cliffs on the westward, and its own on the east. Sonic
 
 254 
 
 years since the late William Catt, Esq., proprietor of the 
 extensive tide-mills in the adjoining parish of Bishopstone, 
 an energetic enterprising gentleman, who was the 
 architect of his own fortune, and whose sons, emulating 
 his worthy example, occupy prominent positions in 
 Brighton and other parts of the county, sought to stay 
 the inroads of the sea hy the blasting of a portion of the 
 cliff, and the Government instructed military engineers to 
 assist him in carrying out the project. The blasting 
 was successful, but the object, that of raising a barrier 
 against the sea, was defeated, the tides speedily sweeping 
 away the debris. The chasm in the cliff, left by the 
 explosion, is still visible. From this spot may be 
 obtained a beautiful view of the bay and neighbourhood 
 surrounding. 
 
 Wrecks were formerly very numerous on this coast, 
 and in the early part of the present century several 
 merchant vessels, under convoy of the "Harlequin," a sloop 
 of war, were wrecked here. The inhabitants of this part of 
 Sussex and other places along the coast formerly bore 
 an unenviable notoriety, owing to their rapacity whenever 
 vessels were wrecked or stranded in the locality, all classes 
 of the people being tainted with a propensity to commit 
 depredations upon persons and cargoes cast upon their 
 shores. In corroboration of the assertion, it is told 
 that on a Sunday morning during the hours of Divine 
 service in a neighbouring Parish Church, the preacher 
 noticed, whilst delivering his sermon, an unusual stir 
 among his congregation, and being familiar with the 
 habits of those whom he was addressing, imagined 
 the reason of the same, also espied a new arrival 
 in the act of whispering to one of the Churchwardens 
 the news that "there was a wreck on shore," informa- 
 tion which was speedily conveyed to others present. 
 With electrical rapidity the whole congregation were 
 made acquainted with the same, and forthwith prepared
 
 255 
 
 to desert their devotions for the beach. The clergyman 
 immediately shouted out at the top of his voice, 
 " Hold ! four words before you go, 
 
 " LET'S ALL START FAIR ! " 
 
 By this time he had divested himself of his gown and 
 left with the rest for the scene of operations on the beach. 
 
 Many evidences of Roman occupation of the neigh- 
 bourhood are still traceable. About a mile to the east of 
 the town, and near the cliffs, there is an earthwork which 
 plainly indicates that, in early ages, it was a Roman en- 
 campment. Coins and urns have been found belonging to 
 the Roman era, also bones, and other vestiges of mortality. 
 
 The author of this work recommends visitors to 
 Brighton, who covet a pleasant ramble, to take a ride 
 to Seaford, by the South-Coast Railway, and then to 
 commence their peregrinations, following the " Chalk 
 line " to Eastbourne, which will amply repay for the 
 fatigue from mounting " the Charles's" cliffs so-called, 
 that will be met with on the way, the journey being 
 so diversified, hill, dale, and objects of the greatest 
 interest being frequently met with. In the autumn of 
 1869, the writer, accompanied by an esteemed friend, 
 G. H. Evershed, Esq. (formerly an inhabitant of Seaford), 
 traversed this route, and to him he is indebted for much 
 information in connection therewith. 
 
 After passing Puck Church Parlor we arrive at 
 Cuckmere Haven, which derives its name from a small 
 river that flows into the sea from a level at that spot. 
 It rises in the parishes of Heathfield and Waldron, 
 and during the winter months this level assumes the 
 appearance of a " mere " or lake. It was thought, some 
 years since, by the Dutch Government, admirably suited 
 for the purposes of a Harbour on this dangerous coast ; 
 and as at that time they were more engaged in maritime 
 commerce than our own nation, having a number of 
 vessels employed in the Batavia and East India trade, &c.,
 
 250 
 
 they offered a large sum of money for the same, which 
 offer was very naturally and prudently refused. 
 
 Proceeding onwards, crossing the Harbour hy the 
 shingle, in preference to Exceat Bridge, which is situated 
 to the north, we arrive at the landing place of Crowliuk, 
 and shortly reach Bivling Gap, an opening in the Cliff 
 taking its name from the village. An ancient gateway or 
 stronghold formerly stood here, which was used in the 
 wars, and as an entrance into the country, and at this 
 spot is the junction for the sub-marine telegraph between 
 the capitals of England and France. 
 
 This Gap and its neighbourhood in years past was 
 likewise the scene of many fearful shipwrecks ; one in 
 particular, that of the " Nympha," a Spanish prize, in the 
 year 1747. This vessel was built entirely of cedar, and 
 some of its timber used for the building of barns, &c., 
 in the locality. Articles of furniture made of wood from 
 the same wreck are still to be found in several houses at 
 Seaford, Eastdean, &c., although, from the lapse of time, 
 they are quite black in appearance. The following is copied 
 from a rare print of the wreck in the author's possession : 
 
 " ' The Nympha Americana' was taken by Commodore 
 George Walker, Commander of the ' Eoyal Family Privateer,' 
 near Cadiz, and carried first to Lisbon, thence to Ports- 
 mouth, and after, in her passage to London, she was unfor- 
 tunately wreck'd near Beachy Head, on the coast of Sussex, 
 November y 29th, 1747, at eleven o'clock at night. She 
 was built chiefly of cedar, about 800 tons burthen, had 
 ports for 60 guns ; her lading consisted of superfine velvets, 
 cloths, gold and silver laces, and almost every other kind 
 of merchandize. She struck upon y e rocks, and left her 
 bottom some distance from y e shore, which had parted at 
 ihe rungs ; afterwards broke asunder in y e midships. The 
 lore part overturn'd, by which accident 80 of the 180 men 
 ihat were on board were drown'd. Her bottom could not be 
 found till December the 24th, from which was taken up, by
 
 257 
 
 persons imploy'd with their boats, near 30,000 pounds' 
 sterling value of quicksilver ; great quantities of her cargo 
 were carried off by people from different parts, 60 of whom 
 perish'd on the Beach, Downs, and other places ; one was 
 shot, and one broke his thigh ; but, notwithstanding those 
 accidents, great numbers still continued to search, and 
 often found some of her cargo, so that this may justly be 
 recorded y e most extraordinary wreck that ever happen'd 
 on any part of y e coasts of this Kingdom." 
 
 It was the sad loss of life occasioned by these 
 catastrophes that induced the Incumbent of Eastdean and 
 two neighbouring parishes, the Rev. Jonathan Darby, a 
 man of benevolent and philanthropic ideas, to avert 
 them if possible. He accordingly caused a cavern of 
 considerable dimensions (consisting of a staircase opening 
 from the beach, a dining room, and inner chamber), to be 
 excavated in the cliff, above the flow of the tide, where 
 unfortunate sailors might escape from the waters on 
 their being cast ashore ; and on many a stormy night 
 did lie wend his way to the cave and exhibit a light, 
 to caution mariners on their too near approach. It is 
 asserted that in consequence of his taking these pre- 
 cautionary measures he, on one occasion, saved the lives 
 of 12 seamen from a Dutch vessel. At last he fell a 
 victim to his praiseworthy efforts ; in the year 1726 he 
 contracted a cold and died. The cavern is situated about 
 a mile eastward of Birling Gap, and to this day is 
 called " Parson Darby's Hole." 
 
 "The Charles's" before alluded to, are among the 
 highest cliffs on the Sussex coast, being upwards of 500ft. 
 Here great numbers of birds, including the raven, congregate 
 and breed, but many of them at the latter part of the season 
 migrate to warmer climates. The eggs of these birds are 
 considered a great luxury, and in the procuring of them 
 persons run the hazard of losing tbeir lives. The 
 following is the mode in which eggs are collected :
 
 258 
 
 A crow-bar is driven into the earth on the summit of the 
 cliff, and hereto a rope is securely attached ; the egg-taker 
 then fastens the other end tightly and securely around 
 his waist, affixes a basket to his person, and descends 
 down the face of the cliff, an assistant regulating the 
 lengthening or shortening of the rope. Having reached 
 the nests, which are built in the fissures of the cliff, the 
 adventurer takes possession of all eggs within his reach, 
 and is then drawn upwards by his mate. Many a poor 
 fellow has forfeited his life for his temerity in the pursuit 
 of this daring occupation. It is recorded that about the 
 end of the fourth century a hermit lived in a cell made in 
 the cliff. Near the beach in the interstices of the cliff the 
 samphire grows, the gathering of which is attended by 
 commensurate reward. 
 
 Pursuing our journey we soon arrive at a place called 
 Belletout, formerly an ancient entrenchment, whereon is 
 erected Beachy Head Lighthouse (constructed by the late 
 Mr Fabian, builder, of Brighton). This lighthouse has 
 proved to be of infinite service to those navigating the 
 Channel, which is narrow at this point, and has been the 
 means of preserving a number of lives. A man constantly 
 resides here, who will give every information required by 
 visitors. It is frequently resorted to by parties from the 
 fashionable and modern town of Eastbourne, which is 
 situated about three miles to the eastward. The Cliffs at this 
 spot are nearly 600ft. high, and the view is most extensive 
 and charming. A Coast Guard Station is in close proximity. 
 
 Charles I. in 1640, the sixteenth year of his reign, 
 restored unto Seaford its former privilege of sending 
 Members to Parliament, a power of which it had been 
 deprived from the first year of Edward IV., anterior to 
 which it had been a borough of the realm, returning its first 
 members the 2Gth of Edward I. 
 
 In bringing this sketch of Seaford to a close, it will 
 interest our readers if we give a brief outline of the election
 
 259 
 
 doings of this immaculate Borough prior to 1832, when it 
 was disfranchised by the Keform Act of that year, by being 
 placed in Schedule A, and sharing the fate of many other 
 rotten boroughs. 
 
 Many eminent statesmen have represented this 
 historical borough in Parliament, among them th 
 Earl of Chatham, Lord Brougham, Sir John" Leach, 
 the Eight Hon. George Canning, &c. From the fore- 
 going list of names it is clear there must have been 
 some attractions attached to the representation of this 
 ancient borough. We find that at a majority of the 
 elections there was a contest for the honor of sitting 
 in St. Stephen's ; also, that very frequently successful 
 candidates were petitioned against. In 1670, when a 
 petition was presented, the House of Commons decided 
 that the right of the electors was in the "Populacy," 
 i.e., "Inhabitants paying scot and lot," and none others 
 were allowed to be placed on the rates until the year 
 1786, when Mr Flood succeeded in compelling the authori- 
 ties to rate every inhabitant-householder, which provision 
 remained in existence for many years after. 
 
 In this Borough " the Treasury " exerted every 
 influence to secure the return of representatives pledged to 
 support its interests, and others locally connected strove 
 their utmost for the same object. The Duke of Newcastle 
 was one of these, and at that time (1747), residing in the 
 neighbouring village of Bishopstone and possessing great 
 influence in the return of representatives for the County, 
 also the elections of Lewes and Winchelsea. His Grace 
 was the instigation of the nomination for Seaford 
 of William Pitt (afterwards Earl of Chatham) and 
 William Hay, Esq. ; these candidates were opposed by 
 the Earl of Middlesex and the Hon. W. H. Gage 
 (afterwards Viscount Gage). After the poll, the Bailiff 
 (Mr Chambers), declared the Duke's nominees duly 
 elected. The opposition candidates petitioned against 
 Q
 
 260 
 
 their return, on the ground of interference of the Duke, 
 and his actual presence at the poll, and a motion was 
 moved in Parliament " that the matter contained in such 
 petition should be heard at the bar of the House," but 
 this motion was negatived by a large majority. 
 
 At the election of 1761, the Duke of Newcastle again 
 returned his nominees, and again they were petitioned 
 against, but the House confirmed the return, and thereby 
 the patronage was absolutely vested in the Duke. At two 
 other election contests, 1774 and 1780, efforts were 
 made to wrest this power from him, but they were 
 unsuccessful. It appears that after the Duke's death, the 
 Pelham interest, which had been allowed to fall into 
 neglect, was revived by the Hon. Thomas Pelham, and 
 the Hon. L. Watson became a candidate under his 
 patronage. Mr Alves, an independent candidate, started 
 in opposition to him, but circumstances transpired which 
 rendered a coalition between the Pelham interest and 
 Mr Alves' party extremely desirable, and such was 
 accordingly effected. 
 
 Mr Alderman Curtis was at this time one of the 
 candidates of the Treasury, but subsequently its support 
 was withdrawn from him and preferred to Lord Neville 
 and Sir Peter Parker. On the day of election the 
 numbers at the close of the poll were as follows : 
 Lord Neville, 12 ; Sir Peter Parker, 12 ; Hon. L. T. 
 Watson, 11; Thomas Alves, Esq., 11. It appears the 
 bailiff had, pursuant to the statute, omitted to give four 
 clear days' notice of the election, consequently a petition 
 was presented against the return, and the election declared 
 void. This decision being anticipated in the interval after 
 the election just mentioned, and the decision in March, 
 1785, at the election which followed, the large number 
 of twenty-six candidates offered themselves to the free 
 and independent electors, who only numbered twenty-four. 
 A rich harvest was anticipated from BO many candidates,
 
 and as the proceedings were of such an interesting 
 character, we give them in detail : 
 
 " One candidate in the Ministerial interest, Lord Mount- 
 morris, was removed after the same method as Mr. Curtis 
 had been at the previous election, and Sir John Henderson 
 substituted in his stead. On the day of election, however, 
 there were only six candidates. The Eight Hon. Henry 
 Flood and Sir Lawrence Parsons, supported on the interest 
 of the non-rated inhabitants; Sir Godfrey Webster, the 
 father of the Battle Abbey Baronet, on the Pelham 
 interest, united with Mr Alves ; and Sir Peter Parker and 
 Sir John Henderson under the Treasury influence. The 
 numbers tendered were, for the Eight Hon. Henry Flood, 28, 
 Sir Lawrence Parsons, 24, Sir G. Webster, 19, Thomas 
 Alves, 18, Sir P. Parker, 16, Sir J. Henderson, 14. But 
 the Bailiff again refused the votes of all the non-rated 
 inhabitants, and returned the Treasury Candidates. Four 
 petitions were presented against this return, on the 
 hearing of which it appeared that the correct numbers 
 of Sir G. Webster, Mr. Alves, Sir P. Parker, and 
 Sir J. Henderson were exactly equal, and this second 
 election was therefore declared void. 
 
 " Mr. Alves, by this time, had seen quite enough of the 
 immaculate borough of Seaford, and not being willing to 
 incur any further expense, he retired. Mr. Flood's party 
 had an opportunity of again appealing against the poor- 
 rate, and were thus put in a situation to prove their 
 rateability before a Committee of the House ; and on a 
 junction between the Pelham and the Flood interests being 
 effected, on the day of election the numbers appeared to 
 be for the Eight Hon. H. Flood, 32, Sir G. Webster, 
 Bart,, 32, Sir P. Parker, Bart, 16, Sir J. Henderson, 
 Bart., 16; but notwithstanding this majority, the Bailiff 
 again rejected every person whose name did not appear on 
 the rate manufactured by his own party, and returned the
 
 2G2 
 
 government Candidates. The case, however, was too 
 flagrant to meet the eyes of a Committee, and a petition 
 being presented against the return, the sitting Members 
 declared that it was not their intention to justify their 
 election, and their political opponents were therefore trium- 
 phant; the Committee on the 13th March, 1786, reporting 
 ' That the Bight Hon. H. Flood and Sir G. Webster, 
 Bart., were duly elected and ought to have been 
 returned. 
 
 " The Treasury interest being thus defeated, a great 
 coolness arose between the Government and Mr. Harrison. 
 The Treasury afterwards transferred its confidence from him 
 to Mr. Harben, who, on pretence of being Mr. Harrison's 
 friend, obtained from him the purchase of some acres 
 of his estate within the borough at a very cheap rate, 
 and having built a house, he gradually unfolded as deep a 
 piece of treachery as was over shown. He procured 
 creatures of his own to be elected Bailiff and Freemen, 
 and then procured the dismissal of Mr Harrison from his 
 appointments, which he divided among his own associates, 
 not at all neglecting his own interest, obtaining the 
 appointment of Receiver General of the Stamp Duties for 
 Sussex, worth 600 per annum, for his son, and other 
 advantages ; and immediately afterwards a system of the 
 greatest profligacy was commenced, although strenuously 
 opposed by the independent Mr. James Hurdis, who long 
 lived in the grateful recollection of many of the old 
 inhabitants of Seaford. Still Mr. Harben had not a 
 majority of votes ; and in order to obtain that preponderance, 
 he created 19 non-resident Freemen. This did not 
 however ensure his success, and accordingly, on the eve of 
 Christmas-day, 1789, he brought into the town 26 chalk 
 diggers, most of whom were in his own employ, and 
 rated them for the houses of widows and revenue officers, 
 not having votes. The dissolution however took place 17 
 days before the expiration of the six months' rating ; but
 
 263 
 
 by management the poll was kept open until these had 
 expired and the chalk-diggers were allowed to vote. By 
 this device the numbers were for the Ministerial candi- 
 datesJohn Sargent, Esq., 92, E. P. Poddrell, 91, and 
 for the Pelham and Flood candidates, Sir G. Webster and 
 John Tarleton, Esq., 48 each. A petition was presented 
 against this return ; and on examination of the votes, it 
 appeared that there was a majority of one for Mr. Sargent 
 and Mr. Tarleton, occasioned by the cross polling of some 
 of the voters, and the Committee, on the 18th March, 
 1792, reported that they were duly elected, and 'that the 
 right of election for the port and borough of Seaford, in 
 the county of Sussex, is in the Inhabitant Housekeepers of 
 the said Port, paying scot and lot, and in them only.' This 
 decision rendered completely useless the old corporation, 
 consisting of the Bailiff, Jurats, and Freemen, which 
 Mr. Harben had been taking so much trouble to complete. 
 Mr. Harben did not however approve of this decision, and 
 accordingly appealed against it. But the Committee 
 reported to the House on the 19th February, 1 795, in 
 confirmation of the former decision, and Mr. Harben waa 
 defeated. 
 
 "Not long after this decision, Mr Harben made con- 
 siderable purchases in the town, and thus added to his 
 interests, whioh he increased sufficiently to succeed in 
 sometimes returning one Member. A few years afterwards 
 Mr Pelham sold his interest to Mr Leach, the Master 
 of the Rolls, who regularly returned himself and some friend, 
 till at length, getting tired of it, he sold out to Mr Ellis, 
 now Lord Seaford, for a sum of 20,000, if we are to believe 
 report. On Mr Harben's bankruptcy, his estates were all sold, 
 and the Seaford houses became the property of Mr Pindar, 
 on whose interest the Hon. Thomas Bowes contested 
 the borough in 1812, but was defeated; the numbers 
 being for John Leach, Esq., 77; Ellis, Esq., 75; 
 Bowes, Esq., 40. From Mr Pindar the interest
 
 264 
 
 was transferred to Mr Fitzgerald, who continued to 
 divide with Lord Seaford the nomination till 1826, 
 when they were opposed by Sir Jacob Astley, Bart., 
 and William Earl Lytton Bulwer, Esq., who, however, 
 were unable to defeat the combined local interest, the 
 numbers being for J. Fitzgerald, Esq., 55 ; Augustus J. 
 Ellis, Esq., 54 ; Sir Jacob Astley, 26 ; W. E. Bulwer, 
 Esq., 23. At the next election, however, in 1830, two 
 gentlemen, Captain William Lyon and William Williams, 
 Esq., determined on rescuing the borough from this nomina- 
 tion, and they accordingly canvassed the electors. Having 
 obtained many promises of support, they resolved to stand 
 the poll, which was accordingly entered upon on the 
 30th July, 1830, when the number of votes decided by the 
 Bailiff to be good were for John Fitzgerald, Esq., 44 ; the 
 Hon. Augustus Frederick Ellis, 38 ; William Lyon, Esq., 
 34; William Williams, Esq., 24; leaving five voters 
 unpolled. Against this return Messrs. Lyon and Williams 
 petitioned, and Captain Lyons succeeded in getting five 
 votes, which had been rejected by the Bailiff, put upon the 
 poll, but Mr Williams only succeeded in establishing two. 
 The numbers, therefore, after the decision of the Committee, 
 were for John Fitzgerald, Esq., 40 ; William Lyons, 
 Esq., 89 ; Hon. A. F. Ellis, 38 ; William Williams, Esq., 26 ; 
 and the Committee reported that Messrs. Fitzgerald and 
 Lyon were duly elected and ought to have been returned. 
 This decision took the nomination out of the hands of 
 Lord Seaford, who at the last election did not oppose the 
 return of Captain Lyon. 
 
 " The voters in this place were formerly as corrupt as 
 any place could possibly be. We have heard that at the 
 election in 1792, a club was formed in the Pelham interest, 
 similar in many respects to the Christian Club, at 
 Shoreham, already mentioned in the chapter on Shoreham, 
 the members of which received 100 each for their services: 
 and for years afterwards the regular price of a single vote
 
 265 
 
 was 50 and for a double one 25 from each candidate. In 
 addition to which the widow of a deceased voter usually 
 received the same sums immediately after her husband's 
 death. The voters themselves paid little or no rent for 
 their houses ; their doctor's bills were paid by the candi- 
 dates' agents ; and at' Christmas, a regular distribution of 
 coals, bread, and beef took place. The voters of the period 
 declared in their petition presented to the House that 
 they were perfectly free from the sins of their predecessors, 
 and we trust this is the case. We can scarcely however 
 reconcile it with the facts, that it cost Captain Lyon 
 nearly 4000 to poll the 39 voters in 1830 ; that no less 
 than 36 dozens of wine were drunk at one Inn during the 
 contest; and that at Christmas a distribution of meat 
 and coals took place." 
 
 Within the last few years Seaford has exhibited 
 considerable vitality, partly owing to the patronage it 
 receives from visitors in the summer and autumn seasons, 
 for whose accommodation a number of houses Lave 
 been erected ; but mainly due to a branch line that has 
 been constructed thereto (having a station at Bishopstone). 
 This branch is a continuation of the line from London to 
 Newhaven and Quay, the purposes of the latter being 
 the convenience of the large numbers of passengers 
 embarking and disembarking, both by day and by night, 
 at all seasons of the year, to and from the Continent. 
 
 THE END. 
 
 W. CCRTIS, PBINTBK, GAZETTE OrricE, NORTH STREET, BRIGHTON.
 
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