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From Historical Hastings
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Then there was a dread among timorous persons that as fires and fire alarms had been unusually frequent of late some accident from that source might happen. These and other causes were known to have operated at a great extent in preventing an earlier and more general preparation for the illuminations; and yet, when the day arrived people were astonished to find how much had been done to celebrate the event in a manner to preserve the prestige of our ancient loyalty. It may have been that the publication of an attractive programme of the days proceedings and the issue of the Mayors mandate for a general holiday removed all doubt as to the intention of the borough to be jolly; and hence the feeling of emulation to make merry and be glad on the day when two hearts and two nations should rejoice together as one.

The Festivities

commenced with the booming of cannon at sunrise and with merry chimes from the churches of All saints and St Clements, the then recent new bells of the latter more fully emitting their metallic euphony, agreeably to the previsions of a few years before which described them as those

Which should at least, when nuptial exist
For royalty was spreading,
Be made to play a jocund day,
In honour of the wedding.

At about 9 o'clock the children of the various schools assembled preparatory to their procession and treat, the latter consisting of a substantial meat-pie, plum pudding or other food, it the value of 6d. This was of course, after the procession, and the food thus arranged for by the committee was not in all cases adhered to. The St Mary Magdalen scholars for instance, through the liberality of F. M. Montgomney, Esq. were provided with a bun in the morning, a dinner at noon, and a bun and an orange in the afternoon. The Wellington square Sunday school children were also feasted with roast-beef and plum-pudding. The boys of Mr. Rock's evening school were supplied with a substantial dinner, and about 600 of the children too young to join in the procession, were similarly provided for. Provision had also been made for a donation of 1s. 6d. to each widow and septagnarion, numbering about 560; in addition to which through the kindness of Mr. Hume's congregation 100 pounds of meat and a suitable quantity of bread were distributed to such poor persons as did not come under the category of widows and aged persons.

At 1 o'clock a special service of music and prayers was held at the Trinity Church, the same being largely attended. The wedding

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