place for Fire Engines (Cloth Fair) more than where I first called, so I shall go to this second place before I determine which to purchase of, and when I do purchase, think 'twill be quite right to emblazon the Donors thereon 'As the Gift of the Honle James Pelham and Andrew Stone, Esqre - to this Corporation' or in any other form you may think proper." (Happens there had been a fire at one of the Churches, and that the two Members for Hastings were presenting the town with a fire engine. Editor.)
Earthquake. In a letter of the 8th February, 1749. "An alarming shock of earthquake was felt in Hastings, much frightening the inhabitants. It was general throughout England.
Amusements. In letters from Mr. Collier's children to him, written from Rye and Northiam where they were staying with Dr. Frewen, are amusing references to the life of the times. "We plaid comet in the afternoon, but Wisk (whist) is our cheif game, and I have had good luck since I came, for I have won near Twenty shillings. Mr. Lamb came to visit us in his Sexton Green Waistcoat and clean White Gloves, and not one evening without company to supper with us." In another letter from Northiam "Here is cards, cards, nothing but cards going forward, that we are a most tired of them . . ."
Highwaymen. '"A highway robbery was committed yesterday between Rye and this place ; it has occasioned Mr. Frewen to leave his watch behind him."
Mr. Milward's Courtship.
Mr. Edward Milward the Elder. 5th June, in writing to Mr. Collier, acquainted him of his ill success in making his addresses to his daughter Jane Collier, and pleading her father's assistance. It would appear he was unsuccessful, for Mr. Milward ultimately married Miss Mary Collier. (The Editor has the following Note - Miss Jenny appears to have adopted a perplexing attitude towards her admirer, and perhaps disapproved, like Lydia Languish, of her suitor's conventional mode of wooing ; or perhaps, Mr. Milward may have allowed it to be seen that he thought as the Mayor of Hastings he had only to ask to be accepted. . . . However, this may have been, his new tactics seem to have met with no greater success than his former ones, and the affair went off. He subsequently consoled himself with Mary Collier, the elder sister, who was three years older than Jane.)
Church and "State." In July, 1750. Mr. W. Cranston, in writing to Mr. Collier, says " I think your notions of a postillion -- to your 4 horses quite right it being at all events safe, which before you were not." (According to family tradition, Mr. Collier used to drive the short distance to St. Clement's Church in his coach and four. This, however, was probably not until after his infirmities had rendered it impossible for him to walk. According to the same Authority, Mrs. Collier, on Sunday afternoons, seated, -
