about 4.30, p.m., the members of the several corps, with the two bands, formed in marching order, and moved off to the Cinque Ports Arms Hotel, where they satiated their appetites with the good things there provided. The repast being over, the remainder of the evening was devoted to patriotic speeches and sentiments and to the awarding of prizes. A spirit of honourable and friendly rivalry manifested itself from the commencement of the proceedings to their termination, and when the Hastings Volunteers took their departure, at about 9 o’clock, they were accompanied to the station by their “brothers-in-arms, and a large crowd of civilians.
A March to Bexhill by the Rifles, under the command of their Capt. the Hon. George Waldegrave, was undertaken on the 27th of November. Refreshments were partaken of at the Bell Inn, after which the return march was entered upon, and 12 miles was completed in good order, with the band playing merrily there and back.
The Artillery Corps (4th Cinque Ports) mustered at their battery on the 3rd of December for firing, Capt. Commandant Harcourt, Capt. Scrivens, and Lieut. Gibbs being with their men and taking part in the proceedings. The weather was very unfavourable; and, by some mistake, the target was moored at sea nearly a mile further than it ought to have been. About 40 rounds were fired in the presence of Lieut. Robinson, a Government officer, who highly complimented the men on their efficiency. When the practice was over, the men, headed by their band, tackled themselves to the two heavy guns and dragged them manfully from the battery through the town to their shed at the Priory.
Another Artillery Practice was engaged in on the 10th of December, and was very successful. Nearly every shot closely approached the small target that was placed on the water at a distance of twelve hundred yards.
Rifle-Band Concert. On the 18th of December a vocal and instrumental concert was given by members of the Rifle Band and other gentlemen, in aid of the funds of such bands, the concert being under the patronage of the Countess of Waldegrave, the Countess of Rothes, the Mayor of Hastings, the Borough Members and others. It was well attended and realised over £15 which was to be chiefly expended in paying for the new uniforms. The concert opened with an instrumental quartet, followed by the song “England’s Gallant Defenders” by Mr. Glenister. A beautifully executed duet (flute and piano) came next, by Messrs. Funnell and Hayden, and then a part-song “Praise of the Soldier”, by Messrs. Harman, Whiting, Jarrett and Parks. Another quar-
