Philosophical Society
At the monthly meeting of this society on Wednesday evening, November 11th, there was a large attendance for the purpose of hearing Dr. Moore's excellent paper on "Man's place in Creation". The Dr. argued that man was a primate, and took the first class; also that not what it was like, but what it could do, was the rule to fix the difference between men and animals. A discussion followed as usual.
A Promenade Pier.
The following are extracts from two letters, which appeared in the St. Leonards Gazette of Dec. 19th and 26th, 1863. They speak for themselves, without comment.
"Mr. Editor-
I observe that at the last meeting of the Local Board this subject was brought forward through the intervention of a letter, stating that some persons proposed to erect opposite the works of the Mayor at Stratford place. A pier had been previously introduced by Mr. Howell in lucid and practical terms at his Worship's dinner, in which the speaker, after manifesting laudable zeal for the prosperity of this fashionable watering place, demonstrated to my mind the entire feasibility of carrying out a promenade pier such as that at Worthing, the cost of which and its power of resisting the sea he also showed. Now, the resuscitated 'Hastings Harbour Company' is about to construct for Hasting (it is so worded) a pier of 750 yards in length. The contract is taken for so doing. They guarantee £2000 per annum from promenaders. Hastings then is provided for. Now a pier at Stratford place, so immediately adjacent to the Harbour of refuge pier would be a most unkind cut. It would be really Peter robbing Paul, and while the denizens of George Street and Robertson Street strut by with-holding their patronage, would compel a ruinous competition, the incorporated companies would find very limited returns. It will, I assume, be granted that a promenade pier should be constructed in the midst of promenaders, so as to afford a free scope for their indulgence in their particular walk in life. To speak plainly, neither of those streets would provide daily promenaders. A promenade pier should be as nearly as possible be central between the Queens Hotel and the Sussex Hotel, and you have at once a site immediately in front of Warrior Square, superior to any site in any known watering place. . . . Some persons having, no doubt, by personal enquiry, discovered the varied and profitable uses of Worthing pier, propose to construct one here, and very frequently it would prove highly preferable to, and a great relief from the dust, glare, heat and bustle of the parade in summer, and the fatiguing roar of the heavy surging breakers in the winter. If the owners of house property are desirous of enhancing the value of their houses they will, advisedly, as I venture to think, summon a general meeting setting forth statistics of population, and for three reasons; first, to show that the position and mixed purpose of the Hastings conglomeration Refuge Harbour and breakwater company will not meet the requirements of our two -
