They defended the "Narrows Seas" and the attack which they made on the opposite coast formed an extraordinary list of naval engagements. In the turbulent reign of John, the Cinque-Ports' fleet was such that then it was that the sovereignty of the seas first published at Hastings, and afterwards at the other Ports, which obliged every foreign ship to strike her topmost when passing an English ship. He knew that some of the members were anxious to get home, and he would therefore not much more intrude on their time. In former years this court had great business to do. On that deliberations were held on which depended the salvation of the Kingdom; in fact, according to the old chronicles, it appeared that some of our Kings were fain to do pleasure to the Cinque Ports, which of late had fallen from their high estate. Some had harbours still, and some had not. At the Court of Guestling, they used to elect bailiffs to go to the Yarmouth fair. This, at one time, was a most important matter, and when all the Cinque Ports traded with Yarmouth, especially in the fishery business. That trad had become almost extinct, except in the case of Hastings, which even now had about 40 luggers and 350 men engaged in the fishing at Yarmouth. Speaker Ross then read a letter from one of the greatest of Sussex antiquarians, as follows:-
"To the Right Worshipful Thomas Ross, Esq., Speaker of the Court of Brotherhood and Guestling of the Cinque Ports, Ancient Towns and their members at New Romney, now assembled, Mark Antony Lower of Lewes, a Freeman and Comaron of the Town and Port of Seaford and a Fellow of the Society of Antiquarians of London sendeth greeting"
"Right Worshipful, my loving Brother, Combaron and friend - I cannot but deeply regret that circumstances which I cannot control prevent my accepting your very kind invitation to be present at your deliberations upon the state and affairs of the Cinque Ports. I assure you that I feel greatly indebted for your politeness in requesting my attendance on so honourable and interesting occasion."
For every Englishman who values the 'Wooden Walls' of our beloved country; for every patriot who regards with pride the growth and development of our free institutions, the Cinque Ports should possess a charm of no ordinary character. Their antiquity transcends historical research; but there can be but little doubt that they arose out of the municipal regu-
