the people to that hour. - Mr. Weller of Battle, said that although unaccustomed to address large assemblies except after a careful preparation, he felt that such a meeting as that was enough to make the dumb speak. He then spoke of the necessity for classes on the higher branches of physical science. Science had done much for these towns, and was probably destined to do more. They had a railway which was favourable to mutual intercourse, and intercourse was favourable to the progress of knowledge; for as “Iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.” Addresses were also given by Mr. W. Walter and the chairman, and after votes of thanks being passed to Mr, Brett and his band, to Mr. Banks, and to the chairman, the meeting, at a late hour, dispersed.}}
Mr. Burton's Public Movements - Parody on Campbell's Address to the Sea
To pursue the account of Mr. Burton's public movements, it should be said that on the 9th of November, on his retiring from the mayoralty, he was complimented by Councillor Harvey for his excellent service and impartial conduct during the year. Then in the evening he presided over the assembly at the banquet, which took place in the newly decorated room at the Swan Hotel. A summary of that festive gathering will be given when treating of municipal matters, it being now my purpose to relate a serio-comic occurence(sic) elsewhere. While the Mayor and others were enjoying their civic feast, Mr. Womersley was hammering away at 57 George Street in the disposal of a clothier’s stock under a distress warrant for rent. As he was taking the several bids with the customary “going, going, gone!” the floor of the shop gave way, precipitating the auctioneer and the whole of the company into the cellar—a fall of about 7 feet. The “going, going, gone!“ was thus realised in a most unexpected manner. The dust rose in a stifling cloud, the auctioneer’s money was scattered, and the struggling company uttered a cry of terror. Two surgeons— Messrs Duke and Ticehurst — were fetched away from the Mayor’s dinner to attend to what might have been the killed and wounded. Happily, however, the injuries were limited to a few bruises and scratches, together with crushed hats and torn garments. Upon the whole, therefore, after the first alarm, the scene was one in which mirth rather than of grief was the preponderating feature. General hilarity was also provoked at the festive board when the surgeons returned and told the story. Just such an accident happened some years before in the neighbourhood of Gardiner’s street, while an auction sale was being conducted by Mr, George. Thomas, of Bexhill.
The next public compliment of which Mr. Burton was the recipient, was the making him President of the St. Leonards Mechanic’s Institution at its first annual meeting, when Messrs. Austin and Carey gave a guinea each to the fund. It was there Shown that the members were 156, receipts £106, expenditure £104, and number of books 461, Mr. Carey was elected treasurer. Messrs. How and Walter, secretaries, and Messrs Brett, Putland, Bacon, Smith, Beck, Banks, Mitchell and Coleman, committeemen. A {French class offered to be conducted by Mons. Burguieres, a grammar and arithmetic class by T. B, Brett, and a writing-class by Mr. Hook.
Mr. Burton was one of the invited guests at the Lord Mayor's (Mr. Farncomb’s) banquet at the Egyptian Hall, to the Mayors and Corporations of Hastings and Rye. He also attended, at an after period, the annual dinners of the Society of arts, to which society he paid the two guineas, annually as president of the St, Leonards Mechanics’ Institution, that being its contribution for its affiliation with the said Society.
Mr. Burton was usually selected as chairman of the St. Leonards Commissioners, and at the ordinary quarterly meeting on the 28th of March he was present, together with his brother Decimus, when a committee’s report was presented respecting the protection of the foreshore. This report is important as disproving the ever repeated statement by certain wiseacres that the shingle always collects on the west side of the groynes, and never on the east. True it is that the general drift of the beach is eastward, but I have both known and recorded numerous instances of a westward drift during a persistence of E. and N.E. winds. The condensed report here referred to was as follows :— “After the last satisfactory report of the two new groynes, to be called Nos, 3 and 4, a continuation of easterly winds removed the shingle to an unprecedented extent westward, and the accumulation on the east side of No. 3 groyne was so great as to force it out of an upright position. When the wind shifted to the S.W., operations were undertaken to right it, and, to prevent a recurrence, iron ties were put in on the side opposite to the original ones, From No, 2 groyne, the beach was also washed out, and for the safety of the parade wall, some planks were taken off the top of the groyne to allow the shingle to pass over, whilst the wall itself had been pointed with cement. It is deemed desirable to lengthen No. 3, about 25 feet At the same meeting, Messrs. Chamberlain and How made application (which was complied with) for a lamp to be placed on or near the Mechanics’ Institution, then situated at Mount Pleasant.
At the next quarterly meeting, on the 25th of June. Mr. Burton, who was regarded as the resident- representative of the town designed by his father, was gratified at the reading of the Committee’s further report, as follows :— “Your committee record their satisfaction for the improvement that appears to be taking place in the borough generally, and in St. Leonards move particularly. Houses of a very superior character are fast rising to completion, and, doubtless, will soon come into rating. The present demand even for unfurnished houses will probably cause additional building, thus bringing an increased revenue to the town. Your committee, however, foresee the absolute necessity of an outlay of about a thousand pounds in order to maintain this improved condition, and have prepared the following estimate:—
| £ | |
| Lengthening drain opposite 68 Marina | 28 |
| New main drain from 68 Marina to the new houses westward | 60 |
| Do. west end of Market to the Haven | 75 |
| Stone pavement 71 to 77 Marina | 40 |
| Do. opposite to the Fountain road | 7 |
| Alteration of kerb in Caves road | 6 |
| Continuing kerb to W. end of Market | 17 |
| Continuing iron post to same | 75 |
| Filling-in earth to form parade as far as Putland’s ground | 16 |
| Concrete wall in front of same | 475 |
| Stuccoing retaining wall at East Ascent | 75 |
| Completing stone channel at East Ascent | 6 |
| Altering channel at back of 68 Marina | 3 |
| Total | £879 |
|---|
At the same meeting it was resolved that all persons having pigs and slaughter-houses in the town be ordered to remove them at once, Also ordered that the master of a vessel be summonsed who had unloaded a cargo of coal without having it metred or paying duty, It was further resolved that a sworn constable as parade-keeper be appointed, at a weekly wage of 14s.
These and other accounts to follow will show some of the conditions of St. Leonards in the earlier years of its existence, and how the town grew under the rule of the Board of Commissioners now defunct.
As at Hastings, so at St. Leonards, the drainage of the town was the uppermost question with the Commissioners, and at their September quarterly meeting, held at the Victoria Hotel, Mr. Alfred Burton’s suggestion was approved of to build an 18 inch brick drain through the West-Marina Market and carry it through the area of 116 Marina into a receptacle on the vacant ground to the westward, the work to be considered as of a temporary character until the Commissioners of the Pevensey Levels could see their way to permit the draining into the haven. Such a course, it was argued, could not possibly be any detriment to the said Commissioners. The several improvements recommended by the Commissioners at the last meeting were still in abeyance, the advertisement for a loan of money in the Times having brought no satisfactory response. The only portion of the work that had been carried out was the paying with York stone from 72 to 75 Marina, and the replacing of steps at the parade that had been washed away by the sea.
At the next meeting, on the 26th of December, Mr. Burton and his brother again displayed a generous spirit with a view to the town’s improvement, Mr. Decimus Burton offered to give a sufficient quantity of his land - 460 feet lineal on the south side of West cliff road (now West Hill) -- to allow the road being thirty feet in width, with two footpaths on condition of the road being of a similar width to the extreme limit, and the footpaths six feet wide. Mr, Alfred Burton also offered to give up land on the south side of the road for a similar purpose. These offers were accepted, and a rate made at 6d. and Is. in the £ as usual.
On the 29th of December, a public meeting of ratepayers was convened for the purpose of electing commissioners in the place of Mr. Charles Deudney (deceased) and Robert Hollond, M.P., Mr. Jarman and Dr. Harwood (disqualified), Messrs Hollond and Jarman were re-elected, and the Rev. G. D, St. Quintin and R. B. Brander, Esq., were elected to fill the place of two others.
Parochial Business
The St. Leonards vestry meetings which used to be held at the “Old England Bank” at Bopeep, as the only available inn within the parish before the railway station was built, were now being held at the ”Railway Terminus Inn” whose landlord (Mr. W. Payne) had removed from the old house to the new. The only business transacted at the February meeting — adjourned from January, for want of attendant parishioners — was the making of a poor-rate at 3d. At the March meeting a Highway-rate at 6d. in the £ was agreed to, and the following officers elected :— R. Deudney and E. Farncomb, overseers; Wm. Noon and Newton Parks, assessors; E. Farncomb and R, Lamb, surveyors of highways; and John Phillips, vestry clerk. At a meeting in April it was resolved that the railway from Bulverhithe to Bopeep be rated at £125 a year, and the county part at £61. Also the 8 railway. cottages at £100, less 20 per cent. and the smaller cottages at £25, lees the same percentage. At an Autumnal meeting the only business was to agree to a poor-rate at 3d. and a borough rate at 6d.
Of the 19 or 20 persons who attended those meetings, one regrets to find that the present writer is the only one now alive.
Magdalen Parish
As the larger portion of the inhabited township of St. Leonards was situated in the parish of St. Mary Magdalen, the vestry meetings were generally more numerously attended and the proceedings conducted with more animation, At a meeting in March on having the 12th day, it was ”Resolved that this vestry upon consideration of the notice given by Charles Gilbert Eversfield, Esq., to the Surveyors of his intention to dedicate certain highways, cartways, and horseways to the use of the public, and having considered the report of the appointed committee, deems that the said highways, &c., are of sufficient to utility to the inhabitants to justify their being kept in repair at the expense of the parish; but that Mr. Eversfield give an understanding that he will keep Norman road, east of Warrior square, as well as Bohemia road, in repair one year beyond the period which by law is required.“ Also “Resolved that Wastel Brisco, Esq., be requested to make some alterations in Bohemia road and at the east end of Norman road-east by widening the same where enclosed by him as suggested by the committee. This said meeting was held at the Coach and Horses, and it may be here remarked that while the St. Leonards parish had only a solitary licensed house available for such meetings, the Magdalen parish had no fewer than seven. The above resolutions being quoted simply in their briefest form, it may be well to annotate them from a reporter’s notes... The roads to be dedicated were Gensing road, 297 x 30 feet; North street, 447 x 30 feet; Shepherd street, 447 x 24; Norman road west, 612 x 40; Market cottages, 274. x 10; Market street, 444 x 30 & 20; Norman road, east, 3180 x 40; London road, 517 x 40; East street, 256 x 20; Mews road, 130 x 20; each side of Warrior square, 180 x 40; and Bohemia road, 1815 x 40, As affecting the last-named thoroughfare, the committee’s report. recommended that the stone pier built by Mr. Brisco at the back of Whiterock place, be set back so as to give the 40 feet width of road, and that he be requested to remove the post and wire enclosing a small plot of waste ground at the north-end of Bohemia road leading to Hollington, so as to give not less than 34 feet, W. Noon proposed and T. B. Brett seconded that the committee’s report be received and adopted. R. Deudney had instructions that Mr. Eversfield would put down the required gratings and would keep the roads in repair for two years — one year longer than was legally demanded. J. Austin had attended the meeting with an intention to oppose the dedication, but in consideration of Mr. Eversfield’s liberal offer, he would cheerfully. acquiesce. The resolutions were carried by 37 to 1, the dissentient being J. Peerless, who said he would appeal against the decision. Of the 38 parishioners, who took part in that meeting, George Voyney, Frederick Tree and T, B. Brett are the only survivors, al) the rest having gone over to the silent majority more than 14 years ago. The only other meeting of public interest that year was the one on Oct. 18, which was a special one to determine on the best mode of maintaining and preserving the road between the St. Leonards Archway and the Saxon Hotel from further encroachments of the sea. After some discussion, it was “resolved that a vote of confidence be given to the Surveyors, and thanks for what they had done, with a request that they will go on in the course they have pursued.” The Vestry book received the signatures of 17 persons besides that of St. Leonardensis.
In chapter XLII I have described the maritime casualties of in 1849 of at Hastings or among Hastings vessels elsewhere. I have now to speak treat of the wreck of the Perseverance at St. Leonards on the 27th of January. This unlucky vessel was beached near the Saxon Hotel for the purpose of discharging her cargo, which having been accomplished, she was ballasted, and efforts were made to get her again to sea in the presence of a south-west gale. In such attempt a part of the capstan gave way, and the vessel was driven over a groyne east of the slipway, where she became helplessly broadside to the waves. Her doom was now in evidence, and the next thing to be done was to rescue the crew. These were saved by being drawn through the surf with ropes fastened to them, most of their clothes being necessarily left on board, and ultimately lost. In a very short time the vessel’s bulwarks were stove in and her deck broken up. She was owned by Messrs. Putland, Winter and Chester, and was built about six years previously at Sunderland. Four days after the wreck the hull of the Perseverance was hauled up close to the parade wall, and repairs were commenced, it being found on examination that she had withstood her tremendous buffeting with less damage than was anticipated.
And, now, ere leaving the topic of the sea and its associations, I will cribb from the Hastings News a letter contributed thereto by the late Dr. MacCabe dated, July 3rd, 1849. It is addressed to the Editor thus:
”Sir, In the last number of your progressing paper you favoured your readers with Mr. Campbell’s beautiful ‘Address to the Sea’ which I saw him compose, as he was then my friend and patient. A short time after that talented effusion was written. I met him at dinner in London, at the residence of Dr. Madden, the gifted writer of 'Travels. in Turkey,’ ‘Infirmities of Genius,’ &c. There were also present some other literary men — the learned Dr. Beattie, author of ‘Travels in Germany,’ and (as it has since appeared), one of Mr. C.'s executors and the author of his life, the late respected Dr, James Johnson. . . Soon after dinner the two-Penny postman — or, at least, his knock — was heard at the door and a letter was handed to the host (in fact the anonymous author), Seeing him smile on reading the letter, we all requested that he would make us participate in the pleasure he appeared so much to feel; to which request, he, with affected coyness, assented, and read aloud the lines I now have the pleasure of enclosing, to the great amusement of those present, and to none more than to Mr. Campbell himself, who laughed most heartily.
— I am,
sir, yours &c.,
P. F. M.”
Soon after Sending the above letter to the News, the late P. F, Maccabe, a Popular local physician, who had been twice Mayor, was himself out of health, and went from Hastings for a change of air. The parody which accompanied his letter, and which here follows, is described as {{Quote| “A SEAVIEW (NOT CAMPBELL’S) FROM ST. LEONARDS.”
“I hate your hoary face, gruff sea! ,
T'were vile hypocrisy in me
To say I love you,—If I do,
May I be d—round, and Campbell, too!
Great Briny Being! at whose roar
My stomach heaves, and every pore
Exhales a moisture, damp and cold—
I know your horrors well of old!
To me more welcome is the growl Of
Thames street fish-fags, or the howl
Of hungry wolves, than your dull moan,
And yonder shingles surly groan,
That man, by Jove, who gives the sea
The preference to land must be A fool — or a philosopher
Whom no privations can deter,
-
