factory. The proceedings were watched with apparent interest by a considerable number of persons. Capt. Gough was in command.
A St. Leonards Cadet Corps.
Now that (in 1900) a Boy’s Brigade has been established in St. Leonards it is the more appropriate to notice the formation of a Cadet Corps in 1862, the year still under review. It was in the month of June that it became known that the formation of such a corps had been suggested by a gentleman, as a means of taking from the streets many of the lads who having nothing to engage them in their spare hours, found for themselves such amusements as did not redound to their own credit nor to the comfort of good society. It was thought also, that if drilled and disciplined by a competent instructor they might become candidates for vacancies that would of necessity occur in the ranks of our valuable corps of Rifle or Artillery Volunteers. It took a few weeks to practically put the idea into operation, but it was eventually accomplished and on the 7th of October this new Cadet Corps assembled in the Magdalen Schoolroom for a preliminary inspection. Mr. Descou, the Rev. W. W. Hume and other promoters of the movement, were present, and three days later, the first drill meeting took place in the Alfred-street Reading-room. On the 14th of October the Corps met for the 3rd time and went through their drill in such a manner as to elicit the warm approval of their instructor. They were nearly 100 in number, and the favour with which the formation of the Corps was viewed by the boys themselves had in it a promise that could not well be overrated. Certain it was that they evinced an alacrity and a perception in their exercises that for so short a time quite surprised those who saw them. A fife band in connection with the corps was being formed under the superintendence of Mr. Funnell, and when they had all donned their uniform, it was anticipated that this new attraction would be one of no ordinary interest. Among those who witnessed the drill were the promoters – Mr. Descou and the Rev. W. W. Hume; also Master-Gunner Coleman, Sergt.-Major Murray and Sergt.-Major Picknell.
Pic-Nics.
On Wednesday, the 31st of July, a party of the St. Leonards resident gentry was observed setting out from the Marina for an afternoon’s recreation at Herstmonceux Castle. The company consisted of nearly 40 persons, among whom were C. R. Harford, Esq., Col. Shakespear, the Misses Taylor, Capt. Gough, the Rev. B. C. Barnes, the Rev – Richards, the Misses Stonestreet, &c, &c. On arrival at the Castle, the company seated themselves on the ground a la gisie?, and partook of refreshments in an enjoyable manner. The wines were said to have been provided by Mr. Harford and Col. Shakespear, and pronounced to be of unusually good quality. The remainder of the day was spent in a manner calculated -
