Hastings from the Minnis Rock, High Wickham.
The Minnis Rock, with three openings, has existed for centuries, and those possessing old property in All Saints' Street, will, on reference to their deeds, invariably find it described "as bounding and butting unto the King's High Way, there leading from the Sea Gate to the Minnis," or sometimes spelt "Minnesse," denoting that the place was a prominent boundary mark in the very remote times. It is supposed by some to be an instance of a rock hermitage and the only one, except at Buxteds, in this county. Moss mentions that, in 1783, this "cave" was inhabited by an aged couple, who were discharged from the Workhouse for some misbehaviour, and eked out a miserable existence here, sleeping on the bare rock, and picked up such casual donations as the passers by who visited the spot gave them. The Minnis is now much neglected, and the arches choked up with rubbish, although the Corporation has placed a cautionary notice board near by. There are so few landmarks of "Bygone Days " left to us, that the Corporation would be wise if the Minnis was cleaned out and kept as a show place, with a descriptive reference of its antiquity placed upon it.
North Entrance to Hastings from Barley Lane in the Coaching Days.
This view shews one of the coaches leaving Hastings, going up the Old London Road, and a picnic party on the slopes leading up to High Wickham, (originally named Prospect Place see Powell's Plan), with All Saints' Church and the open space where the Old Market was.
Old Hastings from the Torfield North Entrance.
The houses in the left-hand foreground are Old Hastings House and Torfield House ; All Saints' Church, near it is Hastings House, described elsewhere, and above it is shown the carved rock on the face of the East Hill, with three lancet-shaped carvings intended to represent windows, by whom and with what object this carving was done is not known. The writer recently visited this spot, which is easily reached from the summit of the hill, from which there is a fine view of the Old Town, the Castle, and Beachy Head.
These carvings are cut in to a depth of six or eight inches, and in front of the rock is a plateau. Some years ago Mr. A. Pain, of Ashburnham Road, who is a native of Hastings, made excavations here, but was unsuccessful in bringing to light any results of antiquarian importance. It was once a favourite rendezvous for smugglers, who frequented the spot to partake of brandy and milk, and to spin yarns of their encounters with the Blockade Men.
Hastings from the North.
Shewing High Wickham, the Cupola, All Saints' Church, on the right the late Mr. Frederick North's house Hastings Lodge and the Castle and Windmills on the West Hill. We now approach the north entrance to the old Cinque Port in the Bourne Valley, or that " New Burg " which sprang up after the Battle of Hastings, and was divided by the Bourne Stream which had its rise on the Fairlight Down.
The Bourne Stream.
It is referred to by all the best known Authorities in Guide Books, and shewn in all the maps known to us. Jeake, the Historian of the Cinque Ports (1737), called it a " Freshwater." Barry, in his Guide to Hastings (1797), states " Hastings is abundantly supplied with most excellent fresh water from the Bourne Stream, -
