site of the present Castle Hotel, and nearly opposite, a lime kiln somewhere about where Nos. 3 and 4, Wellington Square are now.
A The site of Wellington Square was the Priory Field. A lot of small houses, slaughter-houses, block and mast-maker's shops and a rope walk on some land where Robertson Street and Carlisle Parade are built. This ground was built upon by anybody who chose to do so. It became a locality for the drunken and lawless, and it was not safe to pass over it after dark. It obtained the appellation of "America ground." One house near the top of White Rock ; a lime kiln and lime-burner's house at the present Warrior Square. The Priory Bridge, where the Memorial is. A little to the West was the Priory Farm and House. The site at present occupied by the Hastings Railway Station consisted of a boggy reed-bed. At times, in violent rains, the Priory Meadows (the present Cricket and Recreation Ground) were frequently under water. Improved drainage has remedied that.
On the Priory Bridge were two lamps, marking the extent of the jurisdiction of the Hastings Improvement Commissioners. The " Royal Victoria Hotel," at St. Leonards, occupies the spot that was the " Old Woman's Tap," a famous haunt for smugglers. White Rock, which consisted of sandstone rock, jutting out into the Sea. It formed a picturesque object, seen either from the West or from the East.
The curve in the Parade at East end of the Baths marks the locality. Order in the streets was supposed to be kept by two antiquated beadles, dressed in blue great coats, with large capes and yellow facings, and large three-cornered hats, who could not have run fifty yards to save their lives."
"St. Leonards was, in its early days, known as the ' New Town,' or ' S'lennards.' Old Hastingers, to whom all westwards of George Street was the ' Subbubs,' considered it an abomination, and its inhabitants foreigners. On account of the almost impassable state of the roads, the necessaries, such as coal and groceries, came by water, and much inconvenience was at times sustained, and people were often driven to great straits when contrary winds or foul weather prevented the vessels from landing on the beach.
It was a usual thing for those who could afford it, to lay in their ingredients for their Christmas dinner a long time beforehand, to prevent disappointment should the vessel fail to put in an appearance when due. For fowls, eggs and butter, they were chiefly dependent upon two Frenchwomen, who occupied a shop opposite the Anchor, in George Street, who imported their goods direct from France. Foreign eggs could not be obtained elsewhere. There were only two Churches, All Saints and St. Clement's, known as the Upper and Lower Churches, both being then united under one Rectory. There were no daily services. The musical part of the services at St. Clement's were as bad as could be. The choir of ' untrained voices ' were accompanied by a clarionet, bass viol and flute, and they sang Tate and Brady's version of the Psalms to -
