to afford the utmost pleasure to the whole of the party.
Another Fashionable Pic-nic party from St. Leonards on the 8th of August, the place of rendezvous being this time, Bodiam Castle. The party was again composed of about 40 persons, among whom were noticed Col. and the Misses Shakespear, Mr. Harford, Capt. Gough, the Misses Harford, the Misses Taylor. Mr. Fuller, Mr. V. Crake, the Rev. B. C. Barnes, &c. Unfortunately, the weather, though fine at St. Leonards, was too much of a pluvial character a few miles in land, to admit of perfect enjoyment within the Castle walls, and so, with a purpose to ensconce themselves in a drier atmosphere, the ruralists deemed it prudent to adjourn to a barn, where they quickly surrounded a spread of viands rich and rare. A “weeping sky” in the neighbourhood of Bodiam is by no means an unusual occurrence, if it be true, as we were once assured that the old Castle gets “christened 300 times a year”; but how far such a statement was likely to console those temporary Bodiamites who on that occasion forsook the bland air of St. Leonards for an archaeological ramble is not here attempted to decide.
Another Party was “organised” on the following Monday, and the weather proving more favourable, the pleasures of the day were said to have been complete.
On the same afternoon a gipsy fête held at Phillips’s farm, in connection with the band of the 2nd Sussex Artillery Volunteers, and which proved to be a successful affair both as to the pecuniary interest of the band and the enjoyment of the company.
A Fourth party of “Gipsy” Folk was got together on the 14th of August, consisting of the teachers of the St. Leonards Wesleyan Sunday School. The party numbered about twenty, who, having met at the School room, in Shepherd street, there entered into “particulars” as to the probability of more genial weather looming in the distance. Presently, a “clearing-up shower” made its appearance, followed by Sol’s cheering radience(sic), and off trudged the party with blythe hearts to the Old Roar, where they partook of tea, and, after partaking of some out-of-door amusements, bent their steps homeward, singing songs of gladness.
