stumble over. But they were good rebels after all. His own heart beat as well towards Hastings on the whole as if this event had never taken place. The writer of the letter referred to said the St. Leonards party had shewn their inability to offer any legal obstacle by their daubing over the word Hasting, their misleading additions to the word, and by their threatening to knock down the painter [Laughter]. If such was his (the writer's) conclusion, that meeting would show the contrary. They were not, however, supposed to countenance those who went about at night with the paint-point and tar-brush [the "Paint-pot society" for which see further on], but they were contending, not the substance for which most people contended; they merely sought to retain the name, to which they had a rightful claim. [Cheers]
The motion was then unanimously carried for the committee to consist of Mr. Burton, Mr. Wagner, Rev. W. W. Hume, Mr. W. P. Beecham and Mr. S. Putland.
The Rev. W. W. Hume moved "That this meeting have viewed with surprise the uncalled-for and vexatious proceedings of the Hastings Town Council in attempting to change the designation of a considerable district which from its commencement has always and only known as St. Leonards-on-sea - a name which has been extensively employed in legal documents and title-deeds, and which has been attached to all the public institutions and places of worship within the district in question." He exceedingly requested that any act of men in authority and men, many of whom were personally known to them and highly esteemed - should have necessitated by what they must call mis-conduct, their meeting that day. Such a meeting at such a time and for such an object seemed something like snow in harvest. It was quite out of keeping with the warmth of Christmas. If it were asked why the meeting had been called and why he came to it, he should say that his object was to promote peace and brotherly kindness in the neighbourhood. He would fondly hope that such a desire pervaded the meeting, and that it dignified and justified it. Nothing more would eat out affection than a concealed grudge. Prejudice would never thrive more than in the dark corner of concealement. Reserved dispositions might be very good for keeping secrets, but were not the best for making love. It was the plain out-speaking, manly bearing which best produced and best preserved real friendship. And so far from deserving reproach for meet-
