the local authorities, if they have the power, or by special enactment for the purpose. The expenditure would be certain and, perhaps, enormous; the income more than problematical.”
“Let Well Alone” contributed the following:- “Although this bantling appears likely to die of inanition, yet, as these mis-begotten things are sometimes very tenacious of life, the interest which I take in the social and material prosperity of the place [this will be shewn further on] induces me to lend a hand towards giving it its coup de grâce. In the first place the way the thing has been got up is objectionable. We don’t want outsiders to tell us what we really want. What matters it to them how hard and uncomfortable the bed may be they have helped to make for us; they will not lie upon it. Capt. Sleigh is, no doubt, an ingenious and worthy man, and his plan may be the best in the world; but we don’t want to be made his experimental frog. Fiat experimentum in corpore vili; there are places where if it does no good it will do no harm; let him try there. Next comes Capt. Claxton, who, of course, says ditto to Capt. Sleigh, but if he is, as I suppose the same gentleman I met at Clifton, years ago, he could tell us whether the class of people we desire to attract go to Bristol, which is a cheap place, with a port, or to Clifton, a comparatively dear one without one. Then, we have that most unfortunate unique Irish landlord, Lord Clanricarde, who can find no better use nearer home for a thousand pounds than to help to create a nuisance at Hastings. Last but not least, figures our respected member, Lord Harry Vane, who pro hâc(sic) vice, must be considered as an outsider, also; for, like Olympian Jove he will look down from the empyrean heights of Battle Abbey on us humble dwellers in the plain, and never have to encounter, in prop-per(sic)., the nuisances he will have helped to call into life. But we hope better things from his good sense; and I may add, en passant, that the respectable portion of this community would feel deeply indebted to his lordship if he would discourage as far as in him lies those impertinent aggressions which certain ambitious parties attempt periodically to make upon us. [Here, the writer gets away from the harbour question]. As respects a harbour at Hastings, we are, I suppose, all agreed that it would effect a great change in the character of the place, whether for good or for evil – socially, morally and materially. I have no hesitation in saying it would be for evil. The great charm of this place has been its comparative quietude and the absence of all constraint, combined with the general attractions of the locality. Ladies can walk out at all hours unattended, without fear of insult or annoyance of any kind; but this independence we know cannot be enjoyed in seaport towns. -
