thrown open on the ground floor for the inspection of the company, and the tables in the dining room presented a magnificent and tempting display. From these tables luncheon was partaken of at from four to five o’clock, after which, the spacious drawing-room became the resort of a brilliant company. This room, which was of great length and extended over the whole width of the house had a splendid appearance. The ceiling was beautifully carved and gilded, the floor was composed of polished oak, and the walls were adorned with costly paintings. The band of the 4th Cinque Ports Artillery (of which corps Mr. Brassey was lieutenant) played on the lawn during the afternoon, and Coote and Tinney’s London band played for the dancing in the evening.
An Organophonic and Ventriloquial Entertainment was given in the St. Leonards Assembly Rooms on Sept. 4th, by Mr. Alexander, Mdlle Berlinde, Mynheer Van Foot, and Mr. Hoffman. The audience was a small one. (For other entertainment see next chapter)
Fancy Fair
A Grand Bazaar and Exhibition of Fine Arts was held at the Music Hall, Hastings, of which the Rev. J. A. Hatchard, of St. Leonards, was the originator, and an energetic worker. Its purpose was for the completion of of the Holy Trinity Church, at Hastings, and the restoration of the church at Whatlington. The weather was beautifully fine, and the event was inaugurated by the ringing of the St. Clement’s new set of bells, as well as by the hoisting of bunting on public flag-staffs. In the hall itself was a gorgeous display of fancifully and usefully prepared articles, tastefully arranged on a dozen stalls, the attendants at which were the Dowager Lady Ashburnham, Lady Hancock, Mrs. Frewen, Lady Ashburnham, Mrs. Hatchard, Miss Sayer, Lady Grey de Ruthyn, Mrs. Gough, Mrs. Gardiner, Miss Holford, Miss Ashburnham, Miss Morgan, Mrs. Tilson-Marsh, and Miss Robertson. These ladies were assisted by Miss Boger, the Misses Grenside, the Misses Herschell, the Misses Macgregor, the Misses Balley, Miss Flower, Miss Seacombe, the Misses Taylor, Mrs. Seacombe, Miss Oxenden, Miss Pennington, Miss Street, Miss Hewett, Miss Phillips and the Misses Frewen. The ante-room was set apart for refreshments, and an upper room was occupied as a picture gallery, where were displayed a large collection of valuable paintings and other works of art. Kluckner’s band played selections of music and the whole affair was in every way successful. The first day’s receipts were £244 2s. 7d; the second day’s nearly £170; the third day’s £115; and the fourth day’s, over £55. The total of receipts was over £680. An additional £60 was handed to Mr. Hatchard as the honorary secretary, the donors specifying to which church it was to be applied. Of the entire sum £440 was handed over to the Rev. Dr. Crosse for Holy Trinity, and the balance, after settling the a/cs. was to go to Whatlington.
