Rainfall of 1847 - Mr. A. Burton's Mayoralty and other movements
145 Sl
In January was published a tabulated account of rainfall in 1847 and 1848, as measured by Mr. Catley in his rain-guage(sic) at Montpelier House, Old London road. This showed for 1847 more or less rain on 106 days, and the total depth of 22.30 inches, whilst in 1848 — that very eventful year — the rainy days were 151, and the total amount 42.72 inches, or nearly double that of the separate years 1847, 1845, 1843, and 1842, the average of which, with four other years, was 22.30 inches. The daily condition of the weather, but without the measured rainfall, was being at the same time recorded at St. Leonards, whilst in juxta-position to the same register of the weather was a tabulated record of each night’s rest by that eccentric being whose nearly 70 years of double-day labour have recently been reviewed by the local press in the present year of grace, 1893. The said register — which may be seen by the curious in such matters - consists of six columns, showing the exact hour and minute of courting and quitting Somnus, or in other words, the time of retiring to, and rising from rest each night and morning. Three columns are devoted to the eccentric man’s action in this matter, and three parallel columns to that of his wife. The third column in each case give the average amount of rest separately by man and wife; which, to take only one month for exemplification, shows the former to have had during January, 1849, an average nightly rest of 5h. 32m., and the latter, 7h. 24m.
These averages, be it remembered, are those of the periods of getting in and out of bed, and not those of actual sleep. Also in parallel lines to the dates are brief notes of personal occupations and ventures, of which the following few are extracted as a sample. Jan, 4, cold and hungry; breakfast 3½ hours after rising. Jan, 5, severely bruised by a fall during a snowstorm. Jan. 9, walked 20 miles. Jan. 10, superintended grammar-class at Mechanics’ Institution. Jan. 11, engaged with band at 66 Marina, Jan. 12 and 13, walked 16 miles, ran 44 miles, played all night for a ball at the Queen’s Head, Hawkhurst, returned by way of Hurstgreen, witnessed the performance of Capt. Spirling’s two daughters, and reached home at midnight. Jan. 14, had 64 hours rest out of 48, Jan. 15, witnessed a Roman Catholic funeral. Jan. 18, played at King’s Head ball, and had three hours rest afterwards. Jan. 22, set poetry to music for Mr. Tyrie. Jan. 24, Amer Scott, a cousin, married to Mr. Willard. Jan. 26, fifth anniversary of wedding-day. Jan. 28, a vessel wrecked at St. Leonards by a terrific tide; the Moon, Saturn and Venus all in conjunction at the exact time, 1.15 a.m. Feb. 1, Corn Law abolished. Feb. 6, helped to get signatures to a Peace petition, Feb. 9, wrote the song of “California.“ Feb. 19 and 20, attended Mr. Tyrie’s lecture on “Popular Amusements,” and Mr, Rock’s on “The Steam Engine.” Feb. 21, played at the Anchor ball. Feb. 22 to 24, altering shop and accomplishing self imposed task of putting up new fixtures — 87 hours labour and 9 hours rest.
On the 7th of January was announced the birth of a daughter of Mrs. Alfred Burton, of St. Leonards, the father of the child being at the time Mayor of Hastings. The event is the more noteworthy in consequence of a statement at a more recent date (6th of October, 1886) when Mrs Bradnam gave birth to a son, that a silver cradle would be presented to Mr. Bradnam as the first civic chief known to the Corporation who had been similarly blessed during his term of office. It was pointed out at the time in BRETT’s GAZETTE that Mr Burton’s was another case. and that similar events occurred in ancient times — notably in 1585, 1641, 1644 and 1765. To that statement of the GAZETTE I will now add that before the Elizabethan charter of incorporation in 1588, there were born during their several years of office as Bailiffs, a son to George Porter, in 1565; a daughter to William Mitchell, in 1569; and a son to Thomas Haye, in 1585. Then, during their mayoralties, a son was born to James Lasher, in 1589; a daughter to Richard Witheris, in 1609 (his wife also dying the same year); a son to Richard Waller, in 1620; a son to Jeremy Bryham, in 1621; a son to John Bailey, in 1624; a son to Thomas Palmer, in 1644-5; a daughter to Edward Milward, in 1683; a daughter to John Collier, in 1722, and another daughter, in 1723; a daughter to Edward Milward, in 1759; a son (a born mayor) also to E. Milward, in 1765; a son to Thomas Evitt, in 1770; and a stillborn child to E. Milward (first husband of the Countess Waldegrave) in 1818.
As the above retrospect has arisen from the birth of the mayor Burton’s daughter in 1849, it will be apropos to review some of the public matters in which Mr. Burton interested himself A memorial signed by him as Mayor, had the effect of reducing the express fare on the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway from 17/6 to 15/-; and this allusion to the railway is a reminder that the Hastings Commissioners received from the Ashford-Extension (now recognised as the South-Eastern) Railway Company the sum of £92 19s. as compensation for the Ashyard in the Ozier-bed, in the parish of St. Andrew.
In his private capacity, Mr. Burton attended the Batchelors’ Ball at the St. Leonards Assembly Room on the 18th of January, the said ball having been established as an annual diversion from the first year after the foundation of the town. On this occasion, it was very numerously attended, as usual, and among the gay company were the Earl and Countess of Antrim, Lord Glenelg, Lady Victoria Wellesley, Lady Webster, Lady and the Misses Hussey, Capt. Wellesley, Mrs. Robert Hollond, &c.
On the 16th of February, Mr. Burton, in his capacity of Mayor, convened and took the chair at a public meeting, which was attended by only six or seven townspeople. in addition to the members of the Corporation. Commenting on the smallness of the attendance, Mr. G. Scrivens remarked that when they wished to ensure the most meagre attendance possible, they had only to advertise a general meeting of the inhabitants. They would not, however, be daunted in their efforts to get the County Lean Stock Show held at Hastings for which purpose £86 was subscribed at the Mayor's dinner, thus leaving about £120 to be additionally raised. The old saying that great things often result from small beginnings was realised in this case, for, notwithstanding the apparent indifference of the townspeople, an influential committee was formed, and five months later (July 27th), despite an unfavourable condition of the weather, there was an excellent show in the field east of the convent, the novelty of which would partly account for the formidable pressure for admission when the gates were opened at 12 o'clock. Three and a half hours later, over 400 persons sat down to a sumptuous dinner provided by Mr. Yates, of the Royal Oak Hotel, in an elegantly decorated marquee erected on the Priory ground. The Duke of Richmond presided, and was supported, among others, by A. Burton, Esq (Mayor), M Brisco, M.P.; C. A. Frewen, M.P.; R. Hollond, M.P.; H. M. Curteis, Major Curteis, G. Webster, F. Smith and G. Scrivens, Esqs. A superior band was engaged for the occasion, which was also used at night to play to a ball at the Anchor Inn. I still see and hear, as it were, the efficiency of that band and the clever playing of country dances by one of the performers on a tenor trombone, the reminiscence being presently as vivid as was the actual experience 45 years ago.
Another action of Mr. Burton was to write a letter to the Times, in correction of an article which appeared in that journal concerning some Crown lands, The letter stated that “the late James Burton [father of the writer] had a lease granted to him by the Crown in March, 1827, which will expire in 1924, of 41 plots of ground now forming part of Chester Terrace, Regent’s Park; and he caused to be erected thereon, free of expense to the Crown, 41 first-class houses, with stabling, &c. The aggregate of the ground-rents payable to the Crown by James Burton or his assigns is £711 per annum, or above £17 per house — £260 per acre per annum. The expense of enclosing and forming the ornamental garden and road in front of the terrace, was also to be borne by him or his assigns. I have also to add that upwards of £140,000 were expended by my late father in building on the ground in question, and that, so far from the transaction having proved to be one for congratulation, he, on the contrary, sustained a loss of many thousand pounds.”
On the 24th of April, Mr. Burton gave a dinner at his residence, 36 Marina, to members of the Corporation consisting of Aldermen Scrivens and Ticehurst, Councillors Emary Ross, Harvey, Chamberlin, Deudney, Penfold, Amoore and Burfield; the Town Clerk (J. G. Shorter) being also present. A similar entertainment at the same a was provided, two days later, for Alderman Farncomb, Councillors Putland, Yates, Hutchings, Beck, Stubbs, Mann, Hicks,
On the 10th of August, Mr. Burton suffered a bereavement by the death of his brother, Henry Burton, Esq., M.D , of 31 Jermyn street, London, the residence of the esteemed gentleman. He was the senior physician of St, Thomas’s Hospital, and the son of James Burton, Esq., the founder of St. Leonards. Like his brother Alfred the then Hastings Mayor, and other members of the family, the deceased doctor was of an amiable disposition, and was greatly esteemed in private life. His death occurred after a brief illness.
I have said that Dr. Burton’s was a brief illness; it was, indeed but of a few hours duration, his valuable life, like that of his eminent contemporary, Aston Keys, having been a sacrifice to the prevailing epidemic — the cholera — a life undoubtedly spent in active exertions to alleviate the sufferings of others. The house in St. Leonards known as 58 Marina was Dr. Burton’s property, and after the death of its owner, it was purchased, together with its furniture, by the Rev. G. D. St. Quintin.
It must have been gratifying to Mr Alfred Burton to know that; as the first mayor elected from St, Leonards, he was warmly supported by the West Ward Councillors. An instance of this was shown on the 12th of October, when, notwithstanding that the place of meeting was almost at the extreme east of the borough and the weather very unpropitious, all the members from the west were the first to assemble, whilst several from the east were absent altogether.
Another of Mr. Burton’s mayoral duties was to receive a memorial signed on behalf of the Temperance people by James Beck, William Ransom, Frederick Beck, Joseph Pitter, and Frederick Streeter, begging of him not to sanction the holding of Rock Fair beyond the usual two days, 26th and 27th of July, In support of the memorial Mr. Ransom very truthfully added that Rock Fair had been for many years a grievous moral pest, and that although both private and magisterial efforts had been made to abolish it altogether they had, unfortunately, been unsuccessful, The non-existence, however, now these many years, of both the Rock Fair (which prior to 1822 was held on the N.W. side of the White Rock) and the two town fairs held in the Fish Market, is evidence of itself that the repeated efforts to abolish them were ultimately successful.
Mr. Burton took a practical interest in the newly formed Mechanics' Institution, and although not its President at the time under consideration, he was present at its first soiree held in the Assembly Rooms on the 23rd of October. Of that enjoyable event the following is a condensed report from the Hastings News :—
{{Quote|”The first soirée of this institution took place at the St. Leonards Assembly Rooms on Tuesday evening, Oct. 23rd. The assembly Rooms presented a most animated scene, the large and handsome room being filled with a delighted company. The Hastings friends rallied round the standard of the young institution with the utmost cordiality. The strains of Mr. Brett’s harmonious band, which rendered its services gratuitously, agreeably occupied the spare moments of the evening. The intricate arrangements of the tea-tables passed off in a most satisfactory manner. There was only one thing which tended to abate the general satisfaction of the festival — that of Mr. Chamberlain being unable to be present to occupy the chair, owing to the severe illness of a near relative. The post was assigned to Mr. S. Putland|Mr. Putland]], who, after the repast, remarked that perhaps no institution similar to their own had made so great a progress in so short a time. It was singular that they should be celebrating their first anniversary when the town had reached its 21st year, and that the town also should be supplying its first mayor to the borough at the time of its coming of age. He felt sure that if it had pleased Providence to have spared the life of the founder of the town till then, he would have rejoiced at its prosperity, and would have been pleased to be at their happy gathering. — Mr. C. T. How was gratified to find the cause of education countenanced by so large an assembly, numbering among the company so many of their fair friends at its first anniversary. The infant life of an institution was the most interesting of its career; hopes for good were centred in this stage of its existence, and every change of prospect was received by its promoters with joy or sorrow as it conduced to the success or otherwise of the enterprise. The first year of working had been a cause of congratulation to all those who had laboured for it. The library already contained 500 volumes, for which, as well as for some of the expense of starting a new venture, they were in no small measure indebted to private friends for their liberal presents. The number of members was 148. — Mr. G. Scrivens felt it to be both a pleasure and a duty to be then present, and he thought that if some who were not present could be induced to make one trial they would attend again. The success of the St. Leonards institution had been greater than chat which fell to the lot of the Hastings institution in its earlier years. He hoped to see the young plant take deep root, grow up into a vigorous tree, and bear satisfactory fruit. — Mr. S. Putland expressed his deep interest in their new institution, and thought that as St. Leonards had only one fourth the population of Hastings, and its new institution had more than one half the number of members that the Hastings institution had, there was much cause for congratulation. — Mr. Edwards dilated on the necessity for going forward with education, and laid down the duties of all persons and all classes in so great.a work. Where facilities existed for the acquisition of knowledge. there, he maintained, it was a duty to diffuse it. — Mr. James Smith, of St. Leonards, delivered an interesting address, followed by Mr. Tyrie, who spoke at some length on the benefits which the Press had conferred upon society in helping to sunder the bonds of ignorance and superstition which otherwise might have enslaved146St-
