corporation a large and valuable painting of the Battle of Hastings. This painting represents the death of Harold, but is one which for many years decorated the large hall of the Abbey. It is said to have cost the late Sir Godfrey Webster the sum of £2,000; and, as a memento, as well as a work of art, the painting had been coveted by many persons. Whilst, however, offers of purchase by other corporations were not entertained, her ladyship placed the memento of that grand struggle which resulted in an entirely new dynasty, in the safe keeping of our borough authorities to have and to hold the same for ever.
“Wars of the Gods”
By “G. G.” in the St. Leonards Gazette, of March 22nd. For the subject of these lines see special Council meeting, re harbour question, January 24th.
Great Gausden rose, with calm and placid mien,
With knowing visage, and a wink, I ween;
A minor God, if minor he can be
Whose head and shoulders reach to six foot three.
So lofty that his very Worship vowed
He only wished his head were in a cloud.
But though our Gausden breathed a higher air,
He, yet is, minor till he pass the chair.
He scanned his forces, who, in set array,
Had come forewarned to witness fun that day.
For Gausden had upon th’ agenda put
In mystic lingo what should now come out.
How calmly and how dignified he spoke!
And gave the Town Clerk such a gentle poke –
“Read, sir, if you please, my resolution
On which I plan a certain execution.”
[Gausden aside] “How like a dying duck,
The Town Clerk looks!” Come summon up your pluck!”
[The Town Clerk reads] and as the Clerk then read,
He wondered what was in great Gausden’s head.
“These are the amendments of the Council’s scheme,
But what the deuce they mean it does not seem.
The orders only do relate to tolls
For granting beach whereon the sea-wave rolls,
And landing-places, junctions and what not;
[Which Gausden whispers ‘All shall go to pot!]
Connections ‘twixt the harbour and the Land,
And piers and strips, and duties, and the strand;
Chickens unhatched, and money coming in
To major gods, with lots of surplus tin,
Wise resolutions, passed at Council meets;
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