thusiasm - she is patriotic. She is not a century behind the rest of the world, though our fast friends would have us think she is; she rather deserves a place in the van of progress. Witness the Peace gala day last Wednesday. Never in Hastings was a holiday so hastily got up and so well carried out. Never in England could a holiday be more heartily enjoyed. The committee were peculiarly happy in compelling the town to keep a voluntary holiday... The public, too, must be congratulated for their open handedness with money so promptly and generously supplied; and that, after the public subscription purse had been pretty well drained by other things in a time of year notoriously dull in business... The best aspect of the old English out-of-door festivities seems to have been revived on Wednesday. A bright summer day crowned the whole with its beauteous sky and light cloud, green hill and valley, picturesque scenery and blue sea...The site selected for the fête was that part of the West Hill near the windmills. Preparations were made for the accommodation of the children by erecting two booths, some distance apart, the space between being occupied by seats. There were also two marquees for the committee. The public were fenced off from the enclosure by posts and ropes, and two ornamental arches were made of green boughs, each surmounted on the outside with the motto "Honour to the Brave", and on the inside "Welcome Peace".
A large bonfire, surmounted with three tar-barrels was stacked up in the space formed by the union of the St. Mary's terrace road with the road leading from Halton to the Priory. The morning was ushered in by the ringing of bells, the flying of flags, and reports of small cannon and firearms... As noon approached, High street and George street presented an animated appearance. Crowds of people collected to witness the assembling of the schools, with their flags and banners. These arrived punctually and were stationed four abreast on the Town Hall side of the street. The scene was such a one as had never before been witnessed in Hastings. The children occupied the entire length of the street when standing when standing(sic) in close order, and when walking, the procession was much longer.
The procession moved through George street to Wellington square, headed by a German Band... The people in the West Ward were as punctual as those in the East, and a procession nearly as long and quite as gay, walked from Warrior square to Wellington square, preceded by the Hastings and St. Leonards Brass Band. [Of this band, during its years of existence, T. B. Brett was general manager and harmoniser of music, whilst his two brothers were also members. It was the first band of its kind established in the borough.] The Warrior square procession joined the Wellington square procession, and then the- }}
