children and found her mistress dead, partially lying on her side, with blood flowing from her mouth which was under the clothes. On the previous evening the servant had fetched a quartern and a half of gin and a pint of beer, which was partly partaken of by a friend who had come in. Medical testimony after a post mortem was to the effect that the deceased had been seized with a fit while under the influence of ardent spirits, and became asphyxiated. Verdict – “Suffocated”
Sussex Archaeological Society
Says the Hastings News of Friday, August 10th – “The annual meeting of this valuable society took place at Pevensey on Wednesday last, and, unfortunately for everybody concerned, amid a continuous downpour of that element which has excited so much ill will, evil forebodings &c., in the minds of every true-born grumbling John Bull, during the present season. That preparatory note is enough to intimate that the generally pleasant meeting of this society did not partake so much of the joyous characteristics of an annual meeting and country excursion as usual; and, in consequence the number attending was not so large nor the festivities so gay as might have been desired, or as, indeed would sure to have been the case had the probabilities of the day betokened sunshine instead of rain. The official programme had intimated that the archaeologists would proceed from Pevensey station to Herstmonceux Castle (which H. M. Curteis, Esq. had kindly opened for the inspection of the society), thence returning to Pevensey Castle, where it was proposed to spend some time in the examination of this ancient Anderida, terminating the business by a dinner within its walls. Among the excursionists present were the Lord Bishop of Chichester, the Ven. Archdeacon Otter, R. W. Blencowe, Esq (hon. sec.) M. A. Lower, Esq., W. H. Bluaw, Esq., W. Durrant Cooper, Esq. and a large contingent of clergymen and gentry connected with the midland and more western parts of the county. [Among those who were present from Hastings and St. Leonards were Mr. and Mrs. W. D. Lucas-Shadwell, Miss. Stent, Mr. and Mrs. F. W. Staines, J. Phillips, Esq., Miss. Burton, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Burton, T. Ross, Esq. (local sec. for Hastings) and Mrs. Ross, and Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter. Having ensconsed(sic) themselves inside of various carriages the party (numbering 200-300) proceeded on the appointed route, many of them paying a visit to Westham church – a fine specimen of old architecture, having many of its beauties spoiled by the “improving” hands of a long race of discerning churchwardens.
The ruins of Herstmonceux Castle were favoured with only a most cursory examination – a circumstance that will excite no wonder in view of the damper which certainly had a very visible effect&nsp;-
