of Hastings, to which, may be added as a further motive, the intention to describe under the head of Hastings, the way in which a similar demonstration took place at Battle.
Reform Banquet at Battle
It occurred to me that as Sir Godfrey Webster was the first to bring the news of the passing of the Reform Bill to Hastings and St. Lonards, and that as his was the ruling spirit at a grand celebration of that event at Battle, more than three weeks before our own demonstration; also that as the Hastings Reform dinner was to a great extent an enlarged copy of the one at Battle, which was witnessed by hundreds of persons from these towns, it would be but simple justice to the Battle people to reproduce the account of their loyal and enthusiastic manifestation on that occasion. The following description was sent by an inhabitant to the London Sun newspaper, a few verbal alterations and elistions being here made by way of condensation:-
THE REFORM BILL CELEBRATION AT BATTLE,
JUNE 26TH, 1832
"To the Editor,
Sir-
Having a leisure hour on my hands, I feel that I cannot employ it beiter than in writing you a brief account of our grand féte on Tuesday, the 26th inst. to celebrate the passing of the Reform Bill. Brief and imperfect such account must be, for no words can describe the pleasures of that day—none, indeed, but those who saw it can form an idea of the beauty of the scene, the regularity of the proceedings, the admirable conduct of all concerned, and the unbounded joy of those who participated in the entertainment, as well as of those who were spectators of the same. As soon as the Reform Bill received the Royal Assent, the inhabitants decided to celebrate the event with a public dinner for all the poor inhabitants, and for this purpose Sir Godfrey Webster was kind enough to offer the use of his beautiful lawn in front of the Abbey. Subscriptions were raised, the day was appointed, and every preparation was duly made. At sunrise on the auspicious morning we were aroused from our slumbers by the discharges of cannon, soon after which the town presented a busy scene. Flags were hoisted or suspended in various parts, and groups of young men were to be seen bringing in evergreens and flowers from the neighbouring districts wherewith to decorate the town, and which, in a few hours was done to admiration. The flags were really beautiful and bore the several mottoes of "The King and Reform", "The Constitution in its Purity", "Liberty", "Peace and Prosperity", "The Voice of the People", "Grey and Russell", &c., &c. The dinner consisted of hot roast and boiled beef and plum pudding. At a very early hour all were in motion, every householder being in some way assisting or providing for the occasion, whilst the preparations on the Abbey lawn were at the same time going on.Twenty-six tables were there erected, each capable of dining 70 persons. They had an open space in the centre and were encircled with a coach road, the centre having a platform for the use of an excellent band of music. Two vases of flowers were placed on each table, each table being providing with an 18 gallon cask of strong beer. The chairman at each table had two deputy-chairmen, three waiters and a butler. The company were admitted by ticket on which was the number of the table. The dinner-party brought their own knives, forks, plates and mugs, but the table-cloths were provided by the chairmen. I should say that about seven-eighths of those seated at the tables were agricultural labourers and their families. Many were the forebodings of enemies of Reform that the day would end in riot, but they were greatly disappointed. Some of the labourers came into the town with flags and banners, on one of which was inscribed 'The Support of the Nation.'
Small flags were carried by children, bearing such mottoes as 'Liberty,' 'Peace,' 'Plenty,' &c. At 2 o’clock dinner was on the tables, with 1,800 persons seated to partake of it. A mortar was fired, the trumpet was sounded, each chairman said grace, the band played 'O, the Roast Beef of Old England,' and the dinner was commenced. At this stage the large gates were thrown open and spectators to the number of thousands from the adjacent towns and villages were admitted. ‘The number on the grounds was estimated at from six to ten thousand, and they all appeared struck with astonishment at the grandeur of the scene and the good order which everywhere prevailed. The toasts, heralded by trumpet, were announced from the centre, followed by cheers and appropriate music, consisted of 'The King and Constitution,' 'Earl Grey and Reform,' 'Althorp, Russell and the rest of His Majesty’s Ministers,' 'May the Reform Bill shower Blessings on us All,' and 'Sir Godfrey and Lady Webster, with thanks for their kindness.' The most gratifying circumstance was the conduct of the labouring poor. They evidently came to enjoy and not to abuse themselves, there being nothing approaching to drunkenness or riot. They were, indeed, in ecstasies and could not find language to adequately express their pleasure. Among their exclamations were - 'This is a day!' 'I never expected to see such a day as this!' 'I never enjoyed myself so before in my life!' 'I shall never forget this day!' &c. At 6 o'clock a procession, got up by the young men, entered the town, with a gorgeous car drawn by four horses, ridden by postillions, elegantly dressed. Over the car was a banner 'We have gained the-palm, but not without difficulty.' In the car was seated Earl Grey, personified, and holding in his hand the Reform Bill.
Headed by the band and banners, the procession paraded the town, the 'Earl' repeatedly bowing in response to the acclamations of the multitude. He wore a rich coronet, his robes of office, and the garter, on which last was embroidered in gold ' Honi soit qui mal y pense. ' Later in the evening an air baloon(sic) ascended from the lawn and dancing took place until about 9 o’clock, when the company adjourned from the lawn to the outside of the Abbey, there to witness a bonfire and a magnificent display of fireworks, which continued till nearly midnight in the midst of the greatest good order and decorum. No illuminations were attempted, we having grown wiser than to celebrate, as was once our wont, our rejoicings in oil and tallow. I may say, in conclusion, that the expenses of band, erecting tables, and the procuring of many other requisites, has not exceeded £110, the secret of which is that everyone's heart was in the cause, and no one thought of being paid for his time and exertion.
— I am, yours truly,
A CONSTANT READER."
Also in the Brighton Guardian of July 4th, appeared a report which in every way corroborated the foregoing account. It was as follows:-
"Yesterday se’nnight, Tuesday, June 26, the day on which a féte was held to celebrate the passing of the Reform Bill, will never be forgotten in Battle. The firing of the park guns and the ringing of the church bells ushered in a brilliant morning, and the weather throughout the day was very favourable. About noon the Rye Band arrived, and played through the town as far as the George. where they partook of refreshments provided for them. About one, a large party of labourers arrived from the Black Horse way, bearing a handsome banner, inscribed "The Supporters of the Nation." They walked in procession, each man having a wand, and following a band of their own. These were met at the top of the town by another considerable party from the Netherfield Road, with a large banner borne by two men, and inscribed "From our labour, springs wealth." These also followed with music of their own. The several parties were led on by kings of their own choice, fitly decorated with stars, ribbons, &c. When they arrived within a few yards of each other, they halted; and after a solemn pause, the chiefs met halfway and shook hands, amidst the cheers of an immense multitude. The labourers then fell into each other's ranks, their bands united, their kings placed themselves at their head, and in this order they all marched to the lawn in front of the Abbey, the use of which was granted for the occasion by [[Sir Godfrey Webster (1789-1836)|Sir Godfrey Webster]. The preparation which had here been made by the committee was most admirable, and, indeed, their labour must have been unremitting during the last fortnight. Over the gateway hung a large banner, inscribed "Fete to celebrate the passing of the Reform Bill," with the words "Grey," "Brougham," "Russell," and "Althorp," at the corners. Outside the gateway and on the towers the Abbey colours were waving in the wind; and the lawn was fitly decorated with various flags with appropriate inscriptions.
The space which enclosed the tables was enclosed by a fence, and in the centre a platform was raised, covered with green branches of trees, and from this elevation the excellent band that was engaged spread its dulcet notes during the afternoon. The tables were numbered, and the company were admitted by tickets only—particular tickets being assigned to each table, over which a steward presided, with the aid of two assistants and three waiters. There was also a president to the beer-barrel. Not the least confusion prevailed. The spectators were not admitted within the gates until the company were seated. At half-past one the discharge of a gun gave signal to take up the dinner, which was cooking at the houses of the inhabitants in the town. In a quarter of an hour, at the firing of the second gun, the viands were put on the table, and a third gun announced that the attack on the edibles had begun. The gates were thrown open to all who chose to enter. There were presented to view six-and-twenty tables, with a barrel of strong beer at the head of each, and each provided with four ponderous joints of beef of the best quality—roast and boiled, six large plum puddings, a bushel of potatoes, 14lbs of bread, and garnished with three pots of flowers. There were seated at each table 68 persons, making a total of 1,768. After dinner, various toasts were given, the band playing suitable tunes. The beer, so plentifully supplied, held out till late in the afternoon. Indeed, at some of the tables there was a difficulty in emptying the barrels, the people observing a perfect sobriety. They all appeared impressed with an idea that they had a duty to perform as well as a pleasure to enjoy. Not a single instance of intoxication was to be seen. Betweén six and seven a procession got up by the young men of the place paraded the town, the most prominent object of which was a handsome car, decorated with flowers and green branches, and drawn by four horses. In it was seated a gentleman dressed appropriately with robes, and representing Earl Grey with the Reform Bill in his hand. The car was preceded by the band, and followed by the dinner guests marching two-and-two with their colours flying, and a great number of people—there could not be less than 5,000. Tuesday happened to be the day on which the magistrates held their sitting, and they mustered in great force. It sometimes happens that they cannot without great difficulty get so many as two to transact the parish business; but on that day ten were collected, and some of them were, it is said, engaged a considerable time in conning over the Riot Act, and discussing the point at which it would become applicable. Surely they would have been as well employed had they followed the example of one of their number, Sir C. Lamb, who left the Bench and went to the lawn, where he was so struck with wonder and admiration, that, although he -
