The Prince of Tenors, Mr. Sims Reeves made his appearance at a grand concert in the Music Hall on the 18th of April, and won for himself golden opinions, not only by his excellent singing but also by his courtesy in repeating two of his favourite songs, which with deafening shouts were again called for.
The Glee and Madrigal Society (of Hastings) gave an excellent concert of popular music at the Castle Assembly room on the 1st of May, conducted by Mr. E. F. Moore.
A Free Concert was given in the Market Hall on the 9th of June by Mr. S. Smithard and Professor Rippon, the former as a vocalist and Temprance(sic) lecturer, and the latter as a pianist.
On behalf of the Early-Closing Association, a concert by the Glee and Madrigal Association was given to a well-satisfied audience on the 10th of December, in the Castle Assembly Room.
Fetes and Flower Shows
The Horticultural Society spring show was held in the gardens of the Castle ruins on the 20th of June, amidst cold and showery weather, which entailed a loss of a good many pounds to the Society. The autumn show, as stated elsewhere, was successfully held in the St. Leonards Subscription Gardens.
The Foresters Fête, in which 600 Robin-Hood men from Brighton and 200 from elsewhere took part, set the town in commotion on the 2nd of July, as they perambulated the eastern part, in their Lincoln green, and marched to an enclosure on the West hill, where they engaged in amusements, after which, a considerable number were seen in the streets the worse for drink.
The Mechanics Institution Fête was a far more creditable affair than was that of the imported Foresters’. It was held in the pretty grounds of Mr. Robertson’s at Halton. About 1500 persons were present to enjoy the music, the singing, the fireworks and the other amusements, and a surplus of about £30 was added to the funds of the institution.
The Excursion Fête to and at the Swiss Gardens at Shoreham, under the management of the Messrs. Holman, on the 18th of June was engaged in by 280 persons; and, as usual, was well conducted and very enjoyable.
St. Clement’s Bells
A Vestry Meeting, on the 9th of August (says the St. Leonards Gazette ) “was held, at which a full and fair discussion for providing a new peal of bells for the church of St. Clement, took place and a resolution passed “That it is expedient to renew the attempt to obtain a new peal for the tower of the church, and that a committee be formed for the purpose.” It will be remembered by ma-
