have to thank that circumstance or rather that circum-movement, for ten happy Midsummer visits to Hastings. I have taken the Gazette of our ‘poetaster’ — now a full-blown and amusing poet — for 15 years, and I write to him today, as an esteemed personal friend.”
The sojourn of the Duke of Cumberland and suite is described in Chapter VIII. of this History; but there was a visit of an earlier Duke of Cumberland, of which there is no account in the Corporation records, nor of the address by the Corporation on the occasion of that visit, in 1756. The address — hitherto unpublished — was as follows: —
“We, the Mayor, Jurats, Freemen and Inhabitants of this loyal Corporation think ourselves greatly honoured by your Royal Highness’ presence, and are ready with our whole strength to joyn His Majesty’s troops whenever you please to command us. Since your Royal Highness don’t choose to take any refreshments so early, we can only most Humbly express our Gratitude for taking this view of our situation, and not detain you any longer in the streets, but wish your Royal Highness a good Journey, Health, Happiness and Success in all your undertakings against the French or whomsoever shall attempt to Disturb His Majesty’s Government.”
The visit of this Duke of Cumberland it should be explained was merely one of passing through the town.
The Mayor Elect, on the 10th of November, was Mr. Thomas Hickes, and the banquet was held in the Swan Assembly Room, attended by about 60 townsmen, among whom were Mr. J. Emary (ex-Mayor, in the chair), Mr. R. Hollond, M.P., Earl Waldegrave, W. Crake, Esq., Ald. Scrivens, F. W. Staines, etc.
The Winter Town Fair, held, as usual, in the Fishmarket, was noted this year, on the 24 and 25th of Nov. for the sale of 70 horses from Mr. Perry’s railway contract on the Robertsbridge portion of the South-Eastern Railway, then complete to that station.
A Mischievous Freak. On the 11th of December, while people were assembled for worship in the Wesleyan Chapel at Fairlight, a bomb or small infernal machine was exploded close to the door, which so damaged the door that an exit could only be made from a window. The worshippers were, of course, very much alarmed. Next day the scattered fragments were collected and showed that the exploded instrument had been skilfully constructed.
No! no! — Such was the shouted negative by several voices at once, at a Council meeting on the 12th of December, when Mr. Harman asked if the meetings could not be held in the evening?
The Infirmary and Dispensary had sermons preached for them on Sunday, December 21st, the results of which appeals were £8 17s. from all Saints’, £28 11s. 7d. from Saint Clement’s, £55 10s. from St. Mary’s, and £48 3s. 6d. (for Infirmary only) from the St. Leonards.
