other ruffianism of old Rock Fair associations, are exchanged for those purer enjoyments suggested by a Fancy Fair for religious objects. As intimated some time since a few ladies, interested in the Presbyterian church and school at Silverhill resolved to prepare a stock of useful and fancy articles, the same to be offered for sale (and the proceeds to be devoted to the clearing off the remaining debt upon the church). The sale is announced to take place on the 26th and 27th - the Rock fair anniversary - in the beautiful grounds of Old Roar. The romantic and picturesque seclusion of that favourite spot has of late received additional charms, in the laying out of the grounds, the preservation of the waterfall, and the formation of walks and roads; and thus the combined effect of Nature and Art is pleasingly visible in the present condition of what some of our townspeople paradoxically describe as the New Old Roar. The grounds will of course, be rendered additionally attractive on the occasion referred to when the fair sex will grace the lawn in their fascination of buying and selling, and when the "lords of the creation" it is hoped will also be present in suitable numbers.
The holding of the Fair. Returning to the subject, the Gazette further remarked – The very name of Old Roar is associated with pleasant recollections of pic-nics and ramblings, and the spot is at once recognised by visitors and natives alike. It was described by the old guide books as a pretty waterfall, situated in the middle of a wood at about two miles north of Hastings. This suburban retreat has, however of late, partaken of the metamorphoses of the place, and amidst the shifting scenes of modern improvements, has materially changed from a wild sequestered dingle, abounding in adders and blackberries, to prettily formed dells, lawn, tea-gardens, and a fishing-lake. Nature, in fact, has been assisted by Art, and a beautiful combination is the result. To Mr Clement is due the credit of this improvement, as well as of other improvements in the neighbourhood. But this by the way! our present intention is to treat as briefly as may be of the two gala days which, in the garb of a fancy, fair attracted the old and the young to the number often or twelve hundred. That the attraction was something out of the ordinary way may be judged from the fact that a respectable denizen residing for forty four years within a mile of the place, paid his first visit to the Old Roar on those days. The object of the fair, as before stated, was to realise a fund for clearing off a remaining debt upon the Silverhill Presbyterian church, the said debt having been incurred a year or two previously in the enlargement of the building necessitated by the increased want of accommodation. When this effort was once suggested, it was warmly espoused by the ladies, whose heads and hands were industriously employed until the affair culminated in complete success. The sale was conducted beneath the large marquee of the Agricultural Society, generously lent for the occasion, and the appearance of the stalls (nine in number) prettily draped and festooned, and laden with a profusion of articles, made an elegant fair.
