Page:Hastings of Bygone Days and the Present.pdf/196

The foreshore in the view given on page 186 was at the date a mere waste of stone-beach with here and there a few " shanties." The land was let by the Corporation to Mr. Edward Milward and probably represents the first Bathing Establishment, which preceded Mr. Barry's Warm Baths. When Moss published his History in 1824, only seven houses of Pelham Place had been erected. He states (p. 145), " Pelham Place consists of a handsome range of modern houses, situated beneath the Chalk-cliffs and the end of the Marine Parade (of which it forms the Western extremity) and is one of those improvements in building which marks the rise of Hastings within the last few years, as well as a proof of the beneficial consequences of the Act of Parliament of the first year of his present Majesty, for paving and otherwise improving the town, and which gives to the Commissioners acting under it, much more ample powers for this purpose than any they were vested with under former Acts. The present buildings form part of a larger design now in progress of execution, with particulars of which we have been obligingly favoured by Mr. Kay, the Architect, and a representation of which, as intended when completed, is given in the annexed etching." This view in Moss shows the complete scheme, viz., 10 houses in Pelham Place, Pelham Crescent, St. Mary's Church with a high tower and dome, and Pelham Arcade. Most of these were well on towards completion in 1825. They were built by order of the owner, the Earl of Chichester. Pelham Place took a long time to build, as some writers state that they were commenced in 1820. It was in 1812 that the extension of the Marine Parade was carried out at a cost of about £1,300, the ground was before this time outside the Western boundary of Hastings, but shortly afterwards came under the jurisdiction of the Commissioners under their new Act. The Fort or Battery was erected about 1760, and mounted with six twelve pounder guns. The Government engineer was a Mr. Green, who married a daughter of Mr. John Collier, of Old Hastings House. Pelham Place soon became an important centre of the modern town, and the Royal Marine Hotel was formed by converting one or two of the houses. The landlord's name was Arthur Deudney, and after him Charles Pope Hutchings, under whose management it became famous. The Empress Eugenie of France made it her residence when exiled from her country in 1870, during Mr. Hutchings' time. After his death the Royal Marine passed through several hands, until the promoters of the Hippodrome purchased the property to erect the fine building shown in the view Their purchase of the Hotel included all its furniture and fitting which were dispersed by auction by the writer, the sale occupying a whole week. The plate consisted entirely of Old Sheffield and realized very high prices. The fittings and some souvenirs from the Empress's rooms found eager buyers. The Sale went into four figures. Sixty years ago, No. 9, Pelham Place was Beeching and Scrivens Bank. " In 1823 the Castle Cliff bordering the road leading -