heat being 110 degrees. In 1830, while fighting was going on the temperature rose to 97.95 degrees. In 1832, during the insurrection (5th and 6th of June) the heat was also 110 degrees. No wonder that men go mad, or die, under such trying conditions. In 1835 the Seine was almost dried up. In June, 1850, on the second appearance of the cholera, the thermometer registered nearly 100 degrees. These statistics have been culled from Galinani,[1] but a longer list of hot summers, as well as cold summers, and excessively cold winters, will be found in Brett’s St. Leonards Gazette. As already stated, 1852 — the year now under review — and 1898 — the year in which this was being written — were both unusually hot and dry, causing a large number of sun stroke deaths and forest fires.
Archery Meetings
The Queen’s Royal St. Leonards Archers opened their season as usual on the anniversary of Her Majesty’s birthday, when there was a fair number of shooters and visitors, but by whom the prizes were won I have no account. Yes! I have since found it. The winners, both of the Members’ prizes and the honorary stars were Miss Wood and Mr. Alfred Burton.
The Grand Annual Meeting was held on the 17th of August (the Duchess of Kent’s birthday anniversary), when the shooting was witnessed by several hundred persons. The day was fine and favourable until half-past six, when the competition terminated amidst a thunderstorm. A ball took place in the evening, when the prizes were distributed. The annual gold bracelet was awarded to Miss Bramley, whilst Mr. Augustus Day received the silver cup. The first-class Victoria Challenge prizes were won by Miss Bramley and Mr. A. Burton, and the 2nd-class ditto to Miss Fenton and Mr. Willis. The prizes for the most central hit were taken by Miss H. Wood and Mr. Brown.
On the 28th of August another meeting was held in the charming grounds at Quarry Hill, when prizes were awarded to Miss Helen Wood and Mr. Augustus Day.
The last of the season’s competition meetings was held on the 9th of October, when the Rev. J. Simpson and Miss Yeoman carried off the Members’ prizes, whilst Mr. Cancellor and Miss Yeoman won the Honorary Stars.
Boat Races
Two boat-races took place on the 24th of August, between the skiffs “Flying Dutchman” and the “Alfred”. The former was first rowed by Henry Roberts (cabinet-maker and Champion of the St. Leonards Amateurs), and the “Alfred” by Thomas Tutt, jun., a shoemaker. The Champion was considerably beaten by the Crispinian, [2] there being about two minutes of time difference. The second race was with the same boats rowed by George Burton and Samuel French, a St. Leonards waterman. French finding himself likely to be beaten, gave up before finishing the course. It was generally concluded that the Alfred was the faster boat, and thus made it easier for the winning oarsmen. But the result was a surprise, nevertheless.
- ↑ Giovanni Antonio Galignani (1757–1821) an Italian newspaper publisher. After living in London, he moved to Paris, where in 1814 he began publishing Galignani's Messenger, a daily paper printed in English. After his death in 1821, his two sons continued publishing the paper.
- ↑ Saints Crispin and Crispinian are the Christian patron saints of cobblers.
