owners of the different properties, all of whom were agreeable to a change of name to that of Eversfield Road or Eversfield Place, except Mrs. Woodford, who wished to retain the name of Agincourt for her houses. He had told that lady that it was not necessary for that name to be done away with even if one name was given to the whole line. Mr. Tree’s was the largest block of houses and to that had been given the name of Eversfield Place. He (Mr. Deudney) would therefore move that all the houses from the east side of Warrior Square to the west side of Verulam Place be called Eversfield Place. Coun. Beck seconded. Coun. Ross wished to know why Mr. Eversfield was anxious to have his own name upon the houses? If it had been the name of some very important person who had conferred great benefits on his country such as a Nelson or a Wellington there would be some excuse. But when Mr. Eversfield wanted his name on houses in which he was not concerned (Mr. Deudney – “He is deeply concerned!”). Well, he would allow that, but nothing lowered a man so much as to desire his name on houses and streets. And why confine the proposition to the east side of Warrior Square? Why not go up to the Archway? Perhaps Mr. Eversfield had no interest there [Yes, he had, but not so much! Besides, the two places – Adelaide Place and Seymour Place, were already amalgamated into Grand Parade, and separated from the buildings now in question by Warrior Square. Well, why not call it Grand Parade? Why not have something lifting up instead of lowering down? Such petty pride lowers a man fifty per cent in his estimation. It was just after the manner of Mr. Robertson, who called his houses Robertson Street. Yes! and also after the manner of the Pelham family, who must thus have lowered themselves “50 per cent.” by allowing the name to be attached to Pelham Place, Pelham Crescent, &c. As an antiquarian, Mr. Ross should have known that Eversfield was an honoured name in the county for centuries before he (Mr. Ross) was born. He should also have recollected that the then Mr. Eversfield had just given over the Eversfield Parade to the Corporation; that he gave the ground for the Infirmary and the St. Mary Magdalen Church; that he subscribed to the building funds of more than one church, as well as to local societies and charities. Mr. Ross might also have told us why his own political friends “lowered themselves” by allowing their names to be associated with Elphinstone road, Scrivens’s buildings, Gladstone terrace, Brassey Institute, Russell street, Cobden houses, &c. He might have condemned the “petty pride” of those who either gave or sanctioned the giving of such names as Ashburnham road, Barley lane, Breeds place, Cornwallis Gardens, Fishers’ Cottages, Wood’s row, Weston Cottages, Waldegrave street, Humphrey’s avenue, High Wickham (property built by Humphrey Wickham) Shepherd street, Halloway place, Langham terrace, Kent’s cottages, Mann street, and many -
Page:Item 5 1853.pdf/33
From Historical Hastings
This page has been proofread