Monday morning appearing to give promise of more genial weather, it was thought that the Prince having been disappointed of the fox hunt on the preceding Friday, would join the meet at Crowhurst park; but if such had been his intention, the had frost of Sunday night would have been an obstacle in the way. So, instead of hunting foxes, the
royal pair went upon the beach and hunted pebbles. Less animate, and of course less cunning than Reynard, some half dozen of the flinty tribe allowed themselves to be seized by royal hands an conveyed to Mr. Bissenden, the lapidrist, who selecting two of the best for bisection and other manipulation, soon made it evident that under a rough exterior, there lay a precious gem! Mr. Bissenden had previously been honoured with royal commands to manufacture a paperknife, the handle to be formed of the right foot of the fox which was hunted by the Prince at the Sidley grand meet. The brush of the said fox (a very fine one) had been entrusted to Mr. Kent, the naturalist, of London road, who preserved it and shaped it for the Princess’s hat. The whole of the articles when sent home were highly approved of.
The afternoon of Monday, notwithstanding that a gentle thaw had set in, and the barometer was rising to the fair weather index brought more snow-showers; yet, nothing daunted, the Prince and Princess, with their attendants took a drive to Hastings in the waggonette, and paid a visit of inspection to those curious and extensive excavations known as St Clements caves. These were illuminated throughout and the effect was such as to evoke an expression of surprise and admiration, as the royal party were being conducted through the curious ranifications by Mr. Golding. The Princess and her attendant returned, apparently in good spirits, as the snow flakes fell thickly upon them; and the Prince, with Major Teesdale visited the White Rock bazaar, there to make several purchases, consisting chiefly of baskets peculiar to the locality. It was pleasurable to the townspeople to know that notwithstanding the prevalence of weather more wintry and ungenial than the average for St. Leonards, there were intervals of mitigation every day sufficient to enable the Prince and Princess to take walks and drives, by means of which the former was enabled to preserve his robust health, and the latter to become more and more her former self in strength an vivacity. A band was engaged to play in front of the hotel every evening during and after dinner, the honour being first conferred on that of Kluckner's, and afterwards on the one known as Klee's. The change thus made was said to be in consequence of Kluckner's allowing its German nationality to so far influence it as not to play or to play only very indifferently, the Danish National air thus incurring the displeasure of the Prince. Several purchases were made at Dorman’s Victoria Library, one of the articles being an elegantly bound St Leonard Guide. The Prince of Wales having mentioned his gratification at the sight presents by the Fire 13rigade soon after his arrival, some thought of a second procession was entertaind by its members, but this was not carried into effect. There was also an -
