Marriage of the Prince of Wales.
Those who could carry their minds back to the year 1837 would still retain in their memory, as a green spot, a recollection of the heart-felt affection with which the English people welcomed her Majestys accession to the throne, and nowhere more so than those of Hastings and St Leonards. Again on the occasion of the marriage of the Queen with that prince who so nobly devoted his life to the encouragement of the arts and sciences the people rejoiced with her who did rejoice, whilst on that sad 14th of December which younger persons can recollect, and still perpetuated by the local memorial to "Albert the Good", we wept with her who wept. And once again the nation was preparing to do all honour to an event which it was hoped would exercise no small influence on the domestic happiness of her Majesty and an incalculable influence on the destinies of the nation. The veil of grief which had so long hidden our Queen from the realities of passing life was to be for a brief space tor aside, and she was to witness with the affection of a mother the betrothal of her eldest son to a Princess of Denmark. In this marriage her Majesty would see not the cold diplomatic union of the heir to the throne, but a marriage calling to mind the endearing associations of former times, and based on the surest foundations of mutual love. It was with just pride that was observed a desire to celebrate the marriage-day of the Prince of Wales in a manner befitting the occasion. It was many years since the like event occurred in this country, and under circumstances, as it turned out, how different with the former Prince of Wales, Albert Edward ought not to be placed in comparison. With the combined advantages of classical education and home training with the accumulated refinement of a civilised age- with examples of paternal and maternal solicitude unexampled in the English Court, combined with many experiences of foreign travel, Albert Edward was looked upon, apart from his kingly destiny, as the very type of a young English gentleman. The Princess, too to whom it was his fortune to be allied, was a lady endowed with the highest mental and physical gifts, and it was as sincerely hoped as it was firmly believed that it would prove to be a happy alliance. The following lines were communicated to the St. Leonard Gazette:
Some few hundred years ago-
Time exact I do not know -
Guests unwelcome came by sea
To this home of libery.
Devastating all the land
Came there many a ruthless band;
Came there also good and wise,
Who of course, were deemed a prize.
Amongst the last, Canute the great
Landed here in martial state:
And, as shewn by His'try clear,
Denmark's chief ruled many a year.
How twas told, we're all aware,
By the sea he placed a chair,
Taking calmly there his seat
daring tide to wet his feet.
