Page:Item 10 1862.pdf/156

The glorious tenth of March, as our home folk and others parteyed the nominated period of the royal wedding, was not to pass by without a demonstration being made in this, our ancient and loyal Cinque Port. Preparations for a complete holiday were commenced and a programme of treats and amusements was issued which promised more than at one time it was thought possible to achieve, considering how extensively the borough had been previously canvassed for subscriptions for various other objects. The several committees appointed for collecting funds and superintending the holiday arrangements set about the thing in earnest, and according to the published notice the proceedings were to commence with a distribution of money to needy widows and aged persons by the committee of each district. The next event was to be the assembling of all the children in their respective schoolrooms of both towns, thence to proceed to the place of rendezvous in Wellington square, where they would be marshalled in one prodigious phalanx, and with their bands and banners, marched off through Castle street and George street, going round to the front, on to St. Leonard, and finally halting at Warrior square, where they would separate and return to their respective school rooms, there to be regaled with some kind of substantial fare. At noon a royal salute was to be fired by the Coastguard, under the command of Capt. Gough, soon after which the Hastings and St. Leonards Volunteers (4th Cinque Ports Artillery and 1st Cinque Ports Rifles were to emerge from their depot and assemble at the Albert memorial, then in course of erection, previous to a march to St. Leonards and back, the Artillery afterwards proceeding to their battery at Rock-A-nore and the Rifles to the east of the Marine parade. The former would then fire a salute of 21 rounds, and the latter would respond with a feu de jou, after each 7th round of the big guns. A series of rustic amusements was next to be engaged in on the West Hill at Hastings, such as jumping in sacks climbing greasy poles, bobbing for rolls, wheelbarrow races, &c., and as the shades of evening closed in the ruins of the ancient Castle were to be brilliantly illuminated with gas. At the same time or later there would be various private illuminations. There was also to be a torch light procession of the Fire brigade, during which the new national song "God bless the Prince of Wales" was to be lustily sung by the men, assisted by boys from the National schools. After that a grand display of fireworks was to take place on the Eversfield parade, to be immediately followed by an exhibition of coloured fires on the Hastings Castle to light up the way to the West hill, where the outdoor amusements were to conclude with a monster bonfire, Pastimes of a less official character were also being provided, -