effect are unconsciously doing battle with their own interests. Call Eversfield place Hastings, and it will no longer be regarded as part of a favourite town whose name is ever on the lips of the aristocrat seeking his own society, and the invalid seeking retirement in obedience to the recommendation of his medical adviser by whom he strictly enjoined to go to St. Leonards - not to Hastings. Not the latter towns fails to have its full share of visitors, as is proved by the last sixteen numbers of this journal, which records 853 arrivals there, as against 686 in the western district (thus, by the way, shewing that although published in St. Leonards and legally registered as such, the journal here named paid full attention to the old town). Hastings will always have its visitors. Hastings will always have its visitors(sic), but a glance at our Visitors' list will afford a pretty plain indication that those who visit St. Leonards are mostly of a class not likely to select the first-named town. For ourselves, individually, claiming Hastings as our birthplace, we can have no other sentiment towards the "home of our childhood" than a wish for its prosperity - a sentiment to which St. Leonards has an equal, if not stronger claim. Both towns must stand or fall together; and when we reflect on the gradual softening down of former asperities and the vast improvements, outwardly and inwardly which have resulted from united efforts, we cannot but regret the unwise proceeding which has so abruptly destroyed the harmony that existed. Does anyone think we are over straining the matter or attaching undue importance to it? - Let him consult the feelings of the people residing westward of the Infirmary, as we personally have done (from house to house), but which the Town Council declined to do; or of the 400 who signed a counter-memorial to the Postmaster-General, and he will soon discover the determined attitude taken to resist the alleged aggression. Already the offensive word Hastings has been obliterated, and we are assured that the operation will be repeated as often as the occasion may require, let the penalty be what it may. On the other hand the word St. Leonards, which has hitherto been confined to the heading of letters, invoices, announcements and the legal documents relating to property is now to be seen on almost every house and shop-window, whilst a hand-bill cautioning visitors not to be misled by the attempted alteration has been issued. If St. Leonards, growing into proportions which its founder never contemplated, has spread its wings over a part of the borough not originally in its provisions, and has also largely helped the old town to extend its own limits, there can be nothing to complain of. We remember when the Priory Bridge was the western boundary of Hastings, and still earlier when Hastings as a town was said to be limited to the west end of George street. It is but natural for the offshoot of a tree to be considered a branch of the -
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From Historical Hastings
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