Erection of Gasworks - Much frost and snow - The Dispensary Ball
Among the noteworthy occurrences at Hastings in 1830 were the erection of the Gas Works and the severe character of the weather during the winter and spring. The frost and snow which extensively prevailed in December 1829, continued with similar persistency until the 9th of February 1830, and with even greater intensity during the week ending January 18th when the depth of the hoary fleece was almost equal to that of the memorable winter of 1814. On the hill-tops at Hurstgreen, and the South Downs the snow was thick and crisp as late as February 15th, when there came a temporary break-up of the long frost, only to return in a short time, followed again by heavy snow on the 25th of March. After that date a remarkable change of weather and temperature took place, and on the 8th of April - which I remember was Thursday - a very sultry day, resulted in a severe thunderstorm. Another thunder and hail storm occurred on Easter Sunday (April 11th) and a brilliant display of aurora was watched by myself and others from Cuckoo Hill. This was immediately followed by dense fogs, merging into rain. I have also a diarial note that on the first of March the mail-coachman who passed through Robertsbridge from London to Hastings, experienced hail and thunder at one part of his route, and frost and snow at another. On the 20th of April it was more than some of the trees and buildings of a fragile construction could do to hold their own against the tempestuous winds, but after that the weather became more tranquil and more genial, thus bringing forth the vegetation of spring more rapidly than was anticipated, and later on, producing a fairly good harvest, to the joy of all concerned.
The year, 1830, however, marked a sad epoch in our local annals. The traffic was never more rife and never more disastrous, poaching and burglary prevailed to a large extent, and incendiarism was more than the authorities could cope with in the absence of increased powers. Corn-stacks and barns were set fire to at Battle, Robertsbridge, Guestling, Icklesham, Sidley, Crowhurst and other places, special constables were sworn in, and meetings were held to consider the condition of the labouring classes, and to start subscription lists on their behalf. On the 26th of January a French fishing boat was wrecked, eastward of , but, with assistance, the crew were saved, except one poor boy.
The Hastings Free Dispensary was opened in 1830 and on the first of February a fashionable ball was held at the Swan Hotel, which realised £40 for the new institution. Some facetious lines on that occassion were written by "D. J. O.", which in a revised form are here produced.
In winter drear has into fashion grown;
Here the rich, the gay, the happy meet,
And in its vale secure a calm retreat
Some seek fair psyche, others health alone,
For on its shore Hygia holds her throne;
Then let me give this goddess fair her due,
And to the fête my rapid strides pursue.
The first and greatest matron here I see,
Is one of talent, Lady of a B-----,
The next a title claims, advanced in years,
And on her face the tint of rouge appears;
Her husband's glittering vest attracts the eye,
And both, I think betray some vanity.
Yet tow'ring over all the rest is one
With whom this gay assembly was begun.
Good-natured, affable and kind is she,
As all whom favoured by her smiles agree-
One who promotes the pleasures of the throng,
And claims the thanks alike of old and young.
Lo! who comes sailing through the new quadrille,
As bearing down before her all who will?
Not this from me - her name I would not tell,
For, much I like her, since she means so well.
Of race the same, there's one, a maiden, too,
Whose deep-laid traps young men may chance to rue;
For damsels fair with brilliant eyes, she brings,
And with her toils for one the ball-room rings
The game if caught I really cannot tell,
I only know High-Sherriff's name sounds well
Now let us seek for one of cleric birth,
Where title is the happiest on earth,
Some think she's plain, and others plainer still,
Yet, when she speaks, I'll challenge all who will;
For so much sweetness dwells upon her smile
That such to win would your best thoughts beguile,
In her, or I mistake, good-nature dwells,
And this is more to me than Beauty's spell
Oh! Could I in that heart one corner find,
Then should I be most blest of all mankind
But now, what lofty figure joins the dance,
And looks around her with a haughty glance?
Who seems to think so much of Number One
That she evokes no small amount of fun
As to her beauty, when young belles are nigh
This Mrs. M----r's charms fall off and die.
A head, Parisian, next appears in view,
With languid eyes and fair complexion, too;
She's rather pretty, but that unique tête
Is too affected here at any rate.
A damsel often presses on our sight,
With face half hid with ringlets dark and bright
Both gallopades and waltz receive her votes;
No wallflower she , as her slight form denotes
The Oiseau pair still claim the place of belles
E'en though a wrinkle quite a secret tells.
Oh, fie! for shame! such can't appear at night,
And beauteous Birds look best by candle-light.
