CHAPTER XXVI.

THE MARINE PAVILION AND ITS OCCUPANTS.

The ascendency of Brighton over every other marine resort in the kingdom may be regarded as having been established by the attachment to the town of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, George IV., who in 1782--when he was about twenty years of age,--honoured it for the first time with his presence on the occasion of his visit to his uncle, the Duke of Cumberland, who then occupied Grove House. The auspicious event was celebrated by the inhabitants with a general illumination, every pane of glass in the town displaying a candle stuck in a lump of clay, the primitive style of candlestick for illuminations before coloured glass well oil-lamps, called Coronation Lamps, came into vogue, previous to the adoption of gas.

The following year the Prince repeated the visit, occupying the house adjoining Grove House, belonging to Thomas Kemp, Esq., of whom it was subsequently purchased by his Royal Highness. This house formed the nucleus of the Marine Pavilion, the erection of which commenced in 1784, and the building was completed in 1787. At this period a barn stood out abruptly in East Street, at the corner of North Street, but as it incommoded the public drive it was taken down, and a handsome house,--the original of the present north-east corner of North Street,--was erected at the rear of its site, by Mr. Hall, surgeon. The other dwellings, northward to Carlisle House, were then built. The east or sea front of the Pavilion, which extended about 200 feet, consisted of a circular building in the centre supported by stone Doric pillars, and crowned with a dome, and on each side there was a range of bow-fronted apartments one story high above the basement, with balconies and verandahs. The entrance front was towards East Street. It consisted of a plain main building to which, in 1802, were added two projecting wings, that formed a square fore-court, in the centre of which was a handsome sun-dial, supported by the figure of a negro that was much admired for its beauty of design and accuracy of sculpture.

Immediately north of the Pavilion was Marlborough House, the property and residence of the Duke and Duchess of Marlborough. It was a massive square building of brick, two stories high, and a part of the east front formed a noble bow having three windows on each floor. There were six windows also on each floor in this front besides those in the bow. A range of nine windows on each floor faced the north. The northern boundary wall of Marlborough House was in a direct line with the present southern wall of the Pavilion Stables, and the cluster of elms on the gentle mound just north of the present Pavilion marks the site of the Duke's residence, which was a temple of benevolence and charity, the poor and needy, daily participating in his bounty. The following extracts from the _Morning Herald_ will show that his Grace's good deeds to the poor extended over a series of years:--

BRIGHTON, August 10th, 1796.--The Duke and Duchess of Marlborough, with their household, leave here on the 17th inst. Six weeks is generally the time for their Graces' residence here, but this summer they have overstopped their stay. The Duke of Marlborough's liberality affords a good and generous lesson to the other nobility who occasionally reside here; for the victuals and milk (the latter a scarce article in this town), that is left amongst the household, is distributed every morning, in parcels, to the poor of the place; a good day's provision for several fishermen's wife and children.

August 18th, 1806.--The Duke and Duchess of Marlborough and Lady A. Spencer seemed greatly to enjoy, from the windows of Marlborough House, the parade of the South Gloucester Militia on the Level.--A crowd of the indigent inhabitants of this place, from the kitchen of Marlborough House, returned with smiling faces, and aprons, &c., well filled with provisions, to their families, at an early hour this morning.

The entrance of Marlborough House was to the west, where the road formed the public way from East Street to Marlborough Row, which consisted of nine houses, whereof North House--that now contiguous to the northern entrance of the Pavilion Grounds--was No. 9. It was a boulder-fronted house, having adjoining it to the north, Coupland's blacksmith's shop, with three horse-shoes on a board adorning its front. These premises projected from the front line of the south side of Church Street; and, connected with them, were the dwelling-houses of Mr. Coupland and Mr. Beattie, and Beattie's donkey stables, the whole group of buildings, for many years after the Pavilion and Grounds became royal property, disgracing the approach to the Sovereign's residence and destroying the uniformity of the street. Eventually, the town purchased the property, and it was then wholly cleared away. The other houses of Marlborough Row were cant-bow fronted and were approached by four steps each. They were principally lodging-houses; but in 1800, No. 2,--opposite Marlborough House,--was in the occupation of Mr. John Wymark, baker, and in September, that year, on the occasion of a fire breaking out upon his premises, on a Saturday night, the Prince of Wales received the unfortunate family, and exerted himself in protecting their goods, which were taken for safety into the Pavilion.

The grounds attached to the Royal Pavilion and Marlborough House were, originally, of very limited proportions, those to the east front consisting only of a narrow lawn west of a direct line northward from the east front of the houses that form the north-east corner of Castle Square, on the Steine. But in consideration of the Prince and the Duke constructing in 1793, the sewer to carry off the stream which flooded the Steine in winter, the Lords of the Manor,--Brighthelmston-Lewes--with consent of the homage, gave them permission to enclose a certain portion of the Steine,--the Marlborough Steine, as it was termed,--adjoining their houses respectively; but never to build or encumber it with anything that might obstruct the prospect, or be any way a nuisance to the Steine. The ground then taken in was parted from the Steine by park palings, and posts and rails were put along the outer side to form a foot-way for the public.

In 1800, His Royal Highness purchased the principal portion of the Pavilion property to the south, of Mr. Weltjie, but no important improvements were undertaken until the following year, when, His Royal Highness having purchased the Elm Grove Gardens, the permission of the inhabitants was given him to enclose the old London Road, which ran direct northward from the top of East Street, on his making the New Road at his own expense. By this alteration, the Grove, and the shrubberies and pleasure-grounds of the Duke of Marlborough, which he likewise purchased, became united with the Pavilion Grounds.

The Promenade Grove or Public Gardens, which were under the particular patronage of the Prince of Wales, occupied the space of the present Pavilion Grounds, directly south of the Royal Stables, as also the site of the stables, and were approached by way of Prince's Place, an arched gateway occupying the space whereon stand the premises now occupied as the First Sussex Volunteer Rifle Orderly Room. Prince's Place was intended chiefly for the accommodation of the London tradesmen who came to Brighton with their wares for the season. An enclosed shrubbery of small dimensions occupied the centre of the open space, and the carriage drive was about it.

The gardens were surrounded with large overspreading elms, hence the name of the Grove, and in the hottest day of Summer a luxuriantly refreshing shade was afforded the fashionable promenaders who supported by subscription the establishment, which was open every day during the season. On Wednesdays a public breakfast was provided, when a band of music attended, and played at proper intervals select pieces of music. The breakfasts, when the weather was fine, were well attended, and boasted of all the elegance and the fashion in Brighton. Parties also, at other times went there to breakfast, drink tea, take refreshments--which were provided in abundance,--read the papers, &c. It possessed a well-appointed saloon, fitted up in an elegant style: adjoining which was an octagon-shaped orchestra. On particular nights the Gardens were brilliantly illuminated, and displays of fireworks were given; at which times the admissions were half-a-crown, and the entertainments were conducted with the greatest order and decorum. Upon stripping the walls of the house formerly inhabited by Mr. Johnson, recently purchased by Mr. Bradley, in Bond Street, a bill, having reference to these Gardens, and printed as follows, was brought to light:--

Under the patronage of His Royal Highness THE PRINCE OF WALES. PROMENADE GROVE.

The Nobility, Gentry, and Public are respectfully informed that there will be ON THURSDAY EVENING, AUGUST 8TH, 1802, A GRAND CONCERT, of VOCAL AND INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC. After which a MAGNIFICENT DISPLAY OF FIRE-WORKS. Designs and Fire-works by MR. MORTRAM.

By Permission of Colonel Jones, the Band of the 18th Dragoons will perform on the Lawn.

Admission at Half-past Seven; Concert at Eight, and Fire-works at Nine O'clock.

_Managers_,-- MESSRS. VERNEY AND JOHNSON.

The Promenade Grove, as a place of public entertainment, closed with a Grand Gala, which terminated with the spectacle of the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, on the 19th of September, 1802.

In 1805, the Royal Stables were commenced, after the plan and under the direction of Mr. Porden. They may be reckoned as the first great architectural work in Brighton. The centre of the building which supports the dome is circular, and contains a spacious reservoir of water for the stables which surround it. In this circular area the doors of various stables, comprising sixty-two stalls, open. Somewhat elevated, a gallery leads, by way of two staircases, to the several apartments of the servants required about the stables. The circumference of this spacious building is 250 feet, and the dome which surmounts it is nearly of the magnitude of that of St. Paul's Cathedral, London. On the west side is the magnificent Riding School, 200 feet long and 50 broad; and eastward of the dome was a spacious Tennis Court. The Parochial Offices occupy much of this latter space, which had previously, by order of William IV., been added to the stables, a blank screen front to the east giving the buildings an appearance of uniformity. There are two grand entrances to the stables, the one from Church Street, through a lofty archway which enters into a spacious square court, containing the coach-houses, carriage-horse stables, and general offices. A similar archway leads to the circular dome, opposite to which is a corresponding entrance from the Pavilion lawn. On the east and west sides of the circle are similar archways leading to the Riding School and the Tennis Ground.

The neglected state of these premises is a disgrace as well to the nation as to the town; for while Englishmen pride themselves on the vaunted greatness of their country, such is the reduced condition of her military resources that she is compelled to beg house-room of the civil authorities for the accommodation of her soldiers, in a town where two ranges of barracks are inadequate to the requirements of a single regiment. The Town Council are bound in justice to the ratepayers to appropriate the premises to purposes for which little or no provision is made. The Courts of Justice in Brighton are libels on the name; the police accommodation is meagre in the extreme, persons only suspected of a crime being placed in underground dungeons similar to which criminals convicted of the darkest crimes would not by any British Government be permitted to be consigned; and while other towns with less pretensions to greatness than Brighton have their Public Baths and Wash-houses, these premises, which may be easily converted on a small outlay to meet all the requirements alluded to, are permitted to be illegally let and grossly misapplied, to the detriment of the property and the inconvenience of the inhabitants.

The most memorable event, in connexion with the Royal Stables, was the celebration of the Jubilee of the Fiftieth Year of the Reign of George III., by Mr. Philip Mighell feasting 2,000 of the poorest inhabitants of the town, by permission of the Prince of Wales, in the Royal Riding Room, on Wednesday, October the 25th 1809. The following is a copy of the letter to Mr. Mighell, conveying the sanction of His Royal Highness:--

Pavilion, Brighton, Oct. 20th, 1809.

Sir,--I am commanded by the Prince of Wales, to acquaint you that His Royal Highness will have great satisfaction in affording the accommodation of his Riding House upon the happy occasion to which your letter refers, and which His Royal Highness sees in a most laudable view.

Sir, your Obedt Servt., BENJ. BLOOMFIELD. {257}

P. Mighell, Esq.

The eventful day was ushered in by the ringing of bells, the British Flag majestically waving on the venerable tower of St. Nicholas' Church, to which place of Divine Worship the Freemasons of the Royal Clarence Lodge, and their visiting brethren from the neighbouring Lodges, proceeded in procession, about eleven o'clock, the Band of the South Gloucester Militia taking the lead, and announcing their approach by their harmony. An appropriate sermon was preached by the Rev. Mr. Tilt; at the conclusion of which--there being then no organ in the church,--the Musicians of the Prince of Wales's Band performed the Coronation Anthem. At one o'clock a royal salute was fired from the Battery, and it was repeated by a gun-brig, then lying off the town. About half-past one o'clock the doors of the Royal Riding House, in Church Street, were thrown open for the admission of the benevolent Mr. Mighell's party, in number about two thousand three hundred, exclusive of a hundred stewards, who assisted upon the occasion. The greatest order and decorum prevailed throughout the feast; everybody was happy, and not an unpleasant incident occurred to mar the harmony of the proceedings. Mr. Phillips, of the New Inn Hotel, who was afterwards known as Jubilee Phillips, had the management of the dinner, the potatoes for which were a gift, and were dug from Mr. Mighell's garden,--whereon now stands Queen Square,--by his nephew, Mr. Richard Mighell, at present of Albany Villas, Cliftonville. In the farm-yard of Mr. Scrase, about three hundred yards from the Riding House, fifteen hundred poor persons were also dined, at the expense of a party of gentlemen, who opened a subscription for the same benevolent purpose, and similar order and harmony prevailed. On retiring,--which they did about five o'clock,--the grateful recipients gave expression to their loyalty, and invoked blessings on Mr. Mighell and their other liberal friends. The Freemasons dined in their Lodge Room, at the Old Ship--then kept by Mr. John Hicks,--where, also, in the evening, was a Ball and Supper.

In 1803, the Prince purchased property in Castle Square, adjoining the old stables, and year by year, till 1806, constant additions and improvements were made to His Royal Highness's property. Castle Square, just at its junction with North Street, was, in July 1811, the scene of the last punishment by the pillory in Brighton. The culprit was a man named Fuller, a native of Lewes; at the petty Sessions of which town--Brighton then having no bench of magistrates,--he was convicted of passing at Brighton a two-penny for a two-pound note. The structure of the pillory was upon a platform raised about ten feet from the ground. It consisted of a frame connected with an upright pillar, around which it revolved, and was made with holes and folding boards, through which the head and hands of the criminal were put, and from twelve to one o'clock he continued to take the circuit of an area of about eighteen feet diameter, under the superintendence of Mr. Harry Colbron, the High Constable, who, with his Headboroughs, escorted their prisoner to the place of punishment from the King and Queen Inn, to which house he had been brought from Lewes by the authorities of the House of Correction. A great concourse of the inhabitants assembled to witness the punishment, which was conducted by Catling, the beadle. The stage and pillory were constructed by Messrs. Colbron and Saunders.

In 1814, the Prince purchased Marlborough House; and the same year the houses and shops on the north side of Castle Square, and the whole of the old stables and coach-houses between the south side of the Pavilion, and terminating in a line with the bottom of North Street, were pulled down, and a noble range of domestic offices was erected on the site. Immediately north of the stables were the residence and grounds of Mr. Louis Weltjie, Clerk of the Prince's Kitchen. A portion of his brick-fronted house still remains, just within the southern entrance of the Pavilion Grounds. Weltjie and his wife were Germans, who had saved money while in the service of several of the nobility, and they invested it in the purchase of the property which they afterwards disposed of to the Prince, who reposed such confidence in Weltjie, that in December, 1788, upon His Royal Highness being--as was his perpetual condition,--in pecuniary embarrassment, and it had been determined by himself and his royal brothers, the Duke of York and the Duke of Clarence,--who were also in difficulties,--to speculate upon the prince's accession to power in consequence of the afflicting malady of their royal father, George III., Weltjie was selected as one of a party to effect a negociation in England, Ireland, and Scotland, of some post-obit bonds. Weltjie, however, fearing the consequences, withdrew from the project by introducing two persons of property and extensive money connexions, one of whom on the 16th of that month, perfected a bargain secured by the three royal brothers, for 30,000, payable when a _certain event_ should take place. The bonds went into "The Market," and the witless purchasers who had obtained them at a premium, being afraid to acknowledge that they held any such obligations,--inasmuch as by anticipating the death of the sovereign they subjected the parties to all the penalties of petty treason,--their redemption was never claimed. Annexed is a copy of the bond referred to:--

KNOW ALL men by these presents that We, George Prince of Wales, Frederick Duke of York, and William Henry Duke of Clarence, all living in the City of Westminster, in the County of Middlesex, are jointly and severally, justly and truly indebted to John Cator, of Beckenham, in the County of Kent, Esquire, and his executors, administrators, and assigns, in the penal sum of Sixty Thousand Pounds of good and lawful money of Great Britain, well and truly paid to us at or before the sealing of these presents. Sealed with our seals this 16th day of December, in the 29th year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord George III., by the Grace of God, King, Defender of the Faith, Anno Domini 1788.

The condition of the above obligation is such, that if the above bounden George Prince of Wales, Frederick Duke of York, and William Henry Duke of Clarence, or any or either of them, or any other of their heirs, executors, or administrators, shall well and truly pay or cause to be paid unto the above-named John Cator, his executors, administrators, and assigns, the full sum of Thirty Thousand Pounds of lawful money of Great Britain, within the space or time of six calendar months next after any one or either of us, the said George Prince of Wales, Frederick Duke of York, and William Henry Duke of Clarence, shall come to and ascend the throne of England, together with lawful interest on the same, to be computed from the day that such event shall happen, up and home to the time of paying-off this obligation, then and in such case, the same shall be null and void; otherwise to be and remain in full force and virtue.

GEORGE PRINCE OF WALES, * FREDERICK, * WILLIAM HENRY, *

Witnesses, ANDREW ROBENSON, CHARLES BICKNELL.

In May, 1813. at a Court Baron of the Manor,--Brighthelmston-Lewes,--leave was given to the Prince Regent {260} to extend the fence which surrounded the Marlborough domains to the Royal Mews, and in 1815 His Royal Highness erected the lower section of the east and north boulder-fronted wall, placing on it the dwarf palisading that now crowns it, as raised to its present height; and in 1817 Marlborough Row became the Prince's property, and its site was added to the Royal Domain, which was then made to occupy an area of about seven acres.

Prior to 1817, the royal visitors to the Prince of Wales had been his Royal Consort, the Princess of Wales, in August, 1795, his daughter, the Princess Charlotte, July 27th, 1807, his brothers, the Dukes of Sussex, York, Clarence, Kent, Cumberland, and Cambridge, and their Royal Mother, Queen Charlotte, who paid her only visit to Brighton, accompanied by the Princesses Elizabeth and Mary, on the 24th of October, 1814, and they continued their stay till the 29th of that month, during which period Her Majesty graciously ordered the distribution of 50 to the poor, and became, with a liberal donation, the Patroness of the Dollar Society for the relief of the indigent. The Princesses were also donors to the Society. The foreign potentates who had been visitors were the Emperor of Russia and the King of Prussia. Various princes of the crowned heads of Europe had also paid their respects to the Prince, whose companions were the elite, if not the most dissolute of the nobility of the day. So notorious, in fact, were the doings at the Pavilion, that Lord Chancellor Thurlow, himself not the purest in conduct nor the most refined in manners, refrained from calling upon the Prince. One day, while walking on the Steine, his Lordship was met by His Royal Highness, in company with Lord Barrymore, Sir John Lade, {261a} and other like companions. "Thurlow," said the Prince, "how is it that you have not called on me? You must name a day when you will dine with me." Lord Thurlow, casting a look round upon the Prince's friends, said, "I cannot do so until your Royal Highness keeps better company." Lord Thurlow died of the gout at Brighton, on the 12th of September, 1806, his dying words being, "I'm shot if I don't believe I'm dying."

Amongst the most notorious of the Prince's companions were the brothers Barrymore, the eldest,--who had been ordained to the church,--being known amongst them, for his irreligious propensities, as Hellgate; the second, for his immorality, Newgate; and the third, for his lameness, Cripplegate. The latter was the survivor of the infamous trio, his infirmities not permitting him to indulge in the vices which prematurely terminated the career of his brothers. They had a sister, who surpassed them in evil qualifications, and she bore, for her coarse volubility, the nickname of Billingsgate. Another of the _clique_ was Colonel Hanger, familiarly known as George Hanger, the Knight of the Black Diamond, the wit and satirist of the party. His Life, {261b} written by himself, abounds with sarcasms and truisms, but though designed to "point a moral," it does not "adorn a tale," that teems with sensualities. Upon one occasion Sheridan and Hanger were dining in the room of the old building where the Prince usually dined, termed by them, in consequence of its contracted dimensions and generally excessively heated condition, the Royal Oven. In the course of the meal Sheridan said, "How do you feel yourself, Hanger?" "Hot, hot;--hot as h--l," replied Hanger. "It is quite right," was Sheridan's severe rejoinder, "we should be prepared in this world for that which we know will be our lot in another." Reckless roistering and inconsiderate practical joking were the delight of the Pavilion party, the hours of the night being principally the time when they immoderately enjoyed themselves. Upon one occasion, on a dark evening, they procured a coffin, and having put into it something resembling a corpse, dressed in a shroud, they stood it on end, without a lid, in front of the door of a tradesman's house, at which they knocked, and then hid away. On the servant "answering the door," as it is termed, the light of the candle in her hand displayed the spectre-like figure, which so frightened the poor girl that she shrieked and fainted. The inmates of the house, taking the alarm, ran to the door, and were equally terror-stricken. Cries of help quickly brought to their assistance many neighbours; but the concoctors of the joke had taken the precaution to fix to the handles of the coffin a strong rope, by means of which they, with little trouble, drew away the cause of the alarm; and there being thus nothing left to be frightened at, the inmates of the house became, for some time, laughing stocks for their credulity.

The numerous tricks practised upon the townsfolk did not in the least offend them, as in the event of any damage being done, that could be recompensed in a pecuniary way, the greatest liberality was always shown; in fact, the inhabitants had found that Royalty was the staple article upon which they existed, and they so assimilated their ideas with their position, that their chief fears were that they might by some inadvertence or mischance give the Prince offence, hence His Royal Highness was their chief study. The feeling, however, was graciously reciprocated by the Royal visitor, as exhibited upon the occasion of the anniversary of the birthday of His Royal Highness, August 12th, 1806--and it was generally so on like events--when a deputation of the inhabitants presented to the Prince the following address, to which every householder of note had previously subscribed his name:--

To his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales,

We, the Ministers, High Constable, Churchwardens, Overseers, and principal Inhabitants of the Town of Brighthelmston, with the most grateful recollection of the many gracious instances of your Royal Highness's patronage conferred upon us, to which alone are to be attributed that prosperity and those advantages unfelt by, and unknown to, any other Provincial Town, most humbly approach your Royal Highness, to express the dutiful and thankful sentiments which this recollection inspires, and more particularly calls forth on the anniversary of this day. While we entreat your Royal Highness to accept these our humble acknowledgments and congratulations, we devoutly implore the Supreme Disposer of all events long to preserve a life so invaluable to us, to whom your immediate protection is so liberally dispensed, and so dear and important in its general consequences to the nation at large.

His Royal Highness replied:--

Gentlemen,

Accept my best thanks for this Address. Be assured that I feel a lively interest in the prosperity of this place, and shall ever promote its welfare as far as lies in my power.

GEORGE, _Prince_.

It has hitherto, in general, passed current, that the predilection of the Prince of Wales for Brighton arose from the combination of the extent of the marine view which the town commanded, the salubrity of the place, and the great superiority of its sea-bathing; in confirmation of which last attraction prints are extant representing, of life size, Martha Gunn, the bather, bearing in her arms a naked "four-year old" baby, purporting to represent the youthful form of His Royal Highness, about to undergo the process of dipping; whereas it is well known that he had attained the age of a score of years before he first visited Brighton. The portrait of Martha no doubt is correct, but the infant in her arms is but an adjunct to distinguish her from the fish women, whose costume at that period was similar to the female bather. The Royal Bathing Machine, which for some years was so conspicuous on the beach at the bottom of the Steine, was that used by the Prince when he bathed under the guidance of Smoaker Miles, at the bottom of Russell street. It finished its days at the Steine, whither it was removed for the transit of His Royal Highness along the sand, at low-water, to the boat that conveyed him to and from the Royal yacht, which, during the temporary abode of the Prince in Brighton, was usually stationed, with a convoy of two ships of war, off Brighton, at the moorings, which were laid down and marked by buoys about six miles from the shore. The Royal machine was retained at the Steine, amongst the ladies' bathing machines, as it was much in request by the gentler sex, who were always anxious to occupy the machine from whence the Prince had taken a "header," or travelled to his yacht.

Much, in the way of anecdote, has been transmitted to us orally, respecting Martha Gunn, especially in reference to the Prince and the Pavilion; but, besides being a bather little of her life is known. In a rare work, "A Donkey Tour to Brighton," {264} occurs the following:--"'What, my old friend, Martha,' said I, 'still queen of the ocean, still industrious, and busy as ever; and how do you find yourself?'--'Well and hearty, thank God, Sir,' replied she, 'but rather hobbling. I don't bathe, because I a'nt so strong as I used to be, so I superintend on the beach, for I'm up before any of 'em; you may always find me and my pitcher, at one exact spot, every morning by six o'clock.'--'You wear vastly well, my old friend, pray what age may you be?'--'Only eighty-eight, Sir; in fact, eighty-nine come next Christmas pudding; aye, and though I've lost my teeth, I can mumble it with as good relish and hearty appetite as anybody.'--'I'm glad to hear it; Brighton would not look like itself without you, Martha,' said I.--'Oh, I don't know, it's like to do without me, some day,' answered she, 'but while I've health and life, I must be bustling amongst my old friends and benefactors; I think I ought to be proud, for I've as many bows from man, woman, and child, as the Prince hisself; aye, I do believe, the very dogs in the town know me.'--'And your son, how is he?' said I.--'Brave and charming, he lives in East Street; if your honour wants any prime pickled salmon, or oysters, there you have 'em.'--I promised her I'd be a customer; she made me a low curtsey, and I left her hobbling to the side of the London coach, to deliver cards from the repository of her poor withered, sea-freckled bosom; for, like a woman of fashion, her bosom was her pocket."

The Prince of Wales had an unbounded propensity for gallantry, and his companions of broken fortunes about him ingratiated themselves in his favour by pandering to his evil propensities. The Pavilion of Brighton, therefore, being secluded, was chosen as his favourite resort, whereto were brought the mistresses of his passions; and such a notoriety did the building attain that it was commonly spoken of as "the residence having at one end a harem, and at the other a chapel." An incident of one of his early visits to Brighton will exhibit his irresistance of temptation. His Royal Highness, while walking on the beach, was struck with the beauty of a nymph who was reclining by one of the groynes. Her name was Charlotte Fortescue, an illiterate female, who counteracted her defective educational qualifications by artifice and intrigue, and by her art she threw such an air of simplicity and innocence over her actions as to hide the real nature of her character from the Prince, whose exalted position she soon discovered. Again and again he met her; and believed that he had gained her confidence. Tears suffused her cheeks as she spoke of a marriage to which she was about to be forced, that would take her from her native country. The Prince eventually proposed an elopement, and in order to give a romantic air to the affair, it was arranged that the dress of a footman was to be procured for his frail fugitive, and that His Royal Highness that evening should have his phton in waiting a few miles on the London Road, to bear away his prize. However, while the Prince was dressing for dinner, Colonel Hanger, who had just commenced his life of profligacy, was announced. At dinner the Prince excused himself upon having to leave them early, as he had most important business to transact that night in the metropolis. Hanger spoke of having left there that morning in search of a girl for whom he had provided private apartments in London, and remarked, "The hussy takes it into her head every now and then to absent herself for a few days; and I have now been given to understand that she is carrying on some intrigue with a fellow at this place. Let me but catch him, and I will souse him over head and ears in the sea." A little explanation sufficed to convince them both that the runaway was none other than the female with whom the Prince was so smitten, and it was arranged, in order to outwit her, that Hanger should put on one of the coats in which she had been occasioned to see her Royal lover, and take his seat on the coach-box, instead of the Prince. That night Hanger bore off his mistress to London, much to her chagrin that the romantic elopement should have such an unexpected termination, as the manner in which His Royal Highness travelled, one horse before the others, the first ridden by a postilion, and himself managing the other two, prevented a recognition till the female footman descended from the "dicky," in London. The imposition terminated their intimacy.

To detail the numerous acts of gallantry of the Prince and his associates would in nowise add to the improvement and enlightenment of the present age; nor is it necessary to give a biographical sketch or even a list of all his companions. His connexion, however, with Mrs. Fitzherbert {266} demands some mention to be made of that excellent lady who received the most cordial kindness and formal honours from the first families of distinction in the land. The Royal Marriage Act, which passed soon after the commencement of the reign of George III., in consequence of the marriage of the Duke of Cumberland with Mrs. Horton, and the Duke of Gloucester with the Countess of Waldegrave, declared that the descendants of George II., except the offspring of such of the Princes, as were married to, or might marry foreign Princesses, were incapable of marrying till the age of five-and-twenty years, without His Majesty's consent previously obtained; or after the age of five-and-twenty, in the event of His Majesty's refusal, without the consent of both Houses of Parliament. The marriage, then, between the Prince of Wales and Mrs. Fitzherbert, which Horne Tooke declared did take place, inasmuch as he was acquainted with the English clergyman who performed the solemn ceremony on the 21st of December, 1785, was null and void. Mr. Fox, in the House of Commons, denied that there had been marriage; but his denial was an act of expediency, as, according to the Act of William III., the admitted marriage of the Prince of Wales would have prevented his taking upon himself the Regency of the country, as the people, from his having married a Papist, would have been absolved from their allegiance. Amongst the real friends of the Prince his connexion with Mrs. Fitzherbert was an event of much gratification; for irregular as might have been its nature, it preserved him from the vulgar propensities to which he had been previously prone. Dowers and legacies of two previous marriages qualified her to command all the elegancies of fashionable life, and to perform many noble acts of charity. A separation only took place in 1795, when the Prince was about to marry (for the payment of his debts), the unfortunate Caroline of Brunswick. In such high esteem was she held by the Royal Family that upon William the IV. ascending the throne, he, with his Royal Consort, Queen Adelaide, paid her numerous visits of courtesy. The remains of Mrs. Fitzherbert, upon her decease, 27th March, 1837, were deposited in a vault beneath the Roman Catholic Church, St. George's Road, where a handsome marble monument, by Carew, has been erected to her memory. Her age was eighty-one.

Some romantic notion gave forth the rumour that a subterranean communication existed between the Royal Pavilion and Mrs Fitzherbert's house, on the Steine. A greater fallacy never gained credence. All that she possessed, connected in any way with the estate, were the stables in the New Road, immediately north of the row of trees which bounds the Pavilion Grounds on the east. These stables--erected in 1806--are now used as the chief dept of the Borough Fire Brigade, under Inspector Quartermain. They were immediately contiguous to the Burial Ground of the Society of Friends,--now the Corporation premises for depositing the Town Surveyor's materials,--and for a window in the stables that overlooked the ground Mrs. Fitzherbert paid one penny per month, as will appear by the following minute of the Committee of Friends:--

Brighton, 13th of 11th month, 1806.

Committee for the management and disposal of Lands at Brighton belonging to the quarterly meeting of Friends of Sussex.

This committee having taken into consideration the request of Maria Fitzherbert for permission to continue the window in the north side of her stables which looks into the premises belonging to Friends,

This committee, unwilling to pursue a conduct which may assume the appearance of acting otherwise than neighbourly (notwithstanding injury may arise to the said premises by complying with such request), consents to the window not being stopped up for the present, upon condition of Maria Fitzherbert's agreeing to pay one penny per month for such permission, and also undertaking to brick-up the same, at any time within one week after notice for that purpose from any of the trustees or committee for the said premises, and in default thereof that any of the Friends be authorized to brick-up the said window at the expense of the said Maria Fitzherbert, and that such agreement be prepared, signed and delivered to the said committee within two weeks from the date hereof, otherwise the foregoing proposals to be void.

William Tuppen is requested to take a copy of the above minute to Maria Fitzherbert, and obtain her sentiments thereon, and report the same to this committee.

Signed in and on behalf of the committee,

JNO. GLAISYER.

A subterranean passage is in existence from the Pavilion to the Stables, and was the medium by which, in disguise, the Prince and his friends went to and returned--comparatively in private--from their nocturnal rambles. Its immediate connexion with the royal suite of rooms was by means of a trap in the floor of one of the apartments, beneath which was an intricate staircase that gave him a means of ready exit; as, besides using it on occasions of fun and frolic, his constant fear of attempts upon his life from political motives,--as on the occasion of his being shot at with an air-gun, on his return from opening Parliament in 1817,--or in consequence of his numerous amorous peccadillos, rendered a means of escape desirable, and he was enabled also, in case of emergency, to attain with great facility the various galleries that ramified the roofs of the building.

The New Road--previously the garden of Mr Furner, the Prince's gardener,--was formed in 1805, by privates of the Royal Artillery; and on Monday, August 12th,--the anniversary of the birth-day of the Prince of Wales,--His Royal Highness gave the men employed on the work a guinea each. In 1807, there was a west entrance to the Pavilion Grounds, directly opposite the Theatre. On the 14th of August, that year, it happened that the Prince, purposing going out that way in the evening, found the gate shut and locked. His Royal Highness called out to his attendants to break the gate open,--an order which they attempted to obey, but found themselves unequal to the task. The Prince smiling, desired them to stand aside, as he had no doubt but his strength was sufficient to force the place, though their's had failed. In an instant he wrenched the gate from its hinges, and with his party passed on to the Theatre.

The trees in the New Road were not planted till 1812. The double row of elms immediately west formed the east range of Elm Grove, and in 1817 became the first resort of the rooks, which had been driven away from Preston Rookery by Mr. Stanford. These birds do not winter in Brighton, but come from Stanmer Park--whither they migrate,--annually towards the end of February.

The great additions to the Royal Pavilion, or rather its reconstruction, so as to remain and adopt some portions of the original building, commenced in 1817, Nash being the architect. It is of no fixed style of architecture, but is a composite of the Moorish and Chinese. An Indian style was offered by Repton, who on the publication of it, upon its being rejected by the Prince, adopted the term "Pavilion," both in the plates and in the letter-press. The style selected is admired by some persons, but much ridiculed by critics. Sidney Smith said "the building looked as if the dome of St. Paul's, London, had come down to Brighton and pupped;" whilst William Cobbett observed that "a good idea of the building might be formed by placing the pointed half of a large turnip upon the middle of a board, with four smaller ones at the corners." The Pagoda towers, which form the north and south wings, are much admired for the beauty of their proportions, and for their inversion from the roof in a spheroidical elevation. They are covered with thin plates of iron, coated with mihl or mastic of great durability. The domes, and the minarets, which consist of open cupolas on tall pillars, have a similar covering of mastic.

In adapting the north pagoda to a concert room, every attention was paid by the architect to combine the harmony of the music in the perfect equilibrium of tone produced by each instrument. The Prince of Wales, who was a fine judge and promoter of music, made many suggestions to counteract the too great elevation of the ceiling, which somewhat destroyed the combination and vibration of sound, and under his accomplished taste the acme of scientific proportions of combination and sound was attained. The first time that this music room was used was about the middle of January, 1818, the performers being the Prince Regent's private band. The organ, by Mr Lincoln, was not erected till the end of that year. The organ previously used in the Pavilion was taken there on the 18th of November, 1805. The instrument now used in the room formerly stood in the Royal Chapel, and was the gift of her present Majesty to the town.

It is unnecessary to give a detailed description of the whole of the apartments of the Pavilion, or the furniture therein; it will suffice to say that with the exception of the Chinese Gallery, and the suite of rooms which forms the east front, there was not, while it remained Royal property, a room that would content any commoner of substance. The throne room, with its tawdry adjuncts, was vile in taste and of meagre proportions; wholly devoid of the grandeur and nobleness which should attach itself to Royalty. A casual observer of the present day would be led to suppose that the apartment was the lodge-room of some benefit society, or the smoking crib of George IV., the raised canopied dais being appointed for the chairman at Lodge Meetings, or for His Gracious Majesty when he presided over his Royal Pavilion midnight orgies. The whole of the King's Apartments, as they were designated, were of a like character; but they afforded him a contentment, inasmuch, as, from his bedroom,--by the secret stairs to which the bloated Marchioness of Conyngham descended from her chamber,--to the capacious marble bath where his Majesty laved, there was a seclusion to which in his later years he became habituated. The upper rooms of the Pavilion, are, for a Palace, low pitched, of very contracted dimensions, and from two windows alone, those in the large dome, is a sufficient view of the sea obtained to permit of the building being termed a Marine Pavilion. The furniture throughout the building was costly in the extreme, but incongruous. Huish, in his "Memoirs of George IV.," says:--"Nothing could exceed the indignation of the people, when the Civil List came before Parliament in May, 1816, and 50,000 were found to have been expended in furniture at Brighton, immediately after 534,000 had been voted for covering the excess of the Civil List, occasioned entirely by the reckless extravagance of the Prince Regent, whose morning levees were not attended by men of science and of genius, who could have instilled into his mind wholesome notions of practical economy; but the tailor, the upholsterer, the jeweller, and the shoemaker were the regular attendants of his morning recreations." On one of these occasions his servant entered his apartment at the Pavilion with the information, "_She_ is come, your Royal Highness." "She!" exclaimed the Prince, "who is _she_?" "_She_ is come," repeated the servant. "I ask," replied the Prince in an angry tone, "who is _she_?--where does _she_ come from?" "It is _Shea_ the tailor, from London, your Royal Highness." The Prince smiled, and the _Shea_ was admitted immediately into the royal presence.

Irrespective of the great alterations and improvements at the Royal Pavilion marking an epoch for Brighton, in 1817, that year is also memorable in the town for the 5th of November riot, which then took place, referred to in page 114, and thus satirised by Thomas Herbert:--{271}

THE CARD, OR POSTER.

'Twas t'other day a printed card, A sort of petty war declared Against some little boys! Three silly men, to say no worse, Must needs pursue a foolish course To rob them of their joys! This, being canvassed round and round, At first produc'd a whispering sound Which soon grew into noise.

THE MORNING.

The morning lowers And heavily in clouds brings on the day Big with the fate of three deluded men.

A council, now, these three conven'd, To see what mischief could be schem'd, Their victims to annoy; This caus'd a dinner to be had, Our heroes being very sad, To renovate their rage; And at the dinner they got drunk-- Which soon produc'd a mighty funk, They wanted to engage.

THE DINNER {272a}

The dinner's over and the table clear, Each has a bumper of his favorite cheer, Now up erect the company arise, The Regent's health! the soaking hero {272b} cries;-- The Regent's health! repeats the sable Knight, {272c} We must him cheer or else it wont be right! Most certainly repli'd the chief, half soaken, With three times three 'twill be a loyal token; For three times three, my boys, prepare your lips, And you, dear sable, please to give the hips. The glass pass'd round, with sentiment sublime, Some choosing punch and some prefering wine; Until at length, they growing pretty mellow, 'Tis said, their chief these words aloud did bellow:-- Stand by me, boys! I'll teach 'em such a story! If you'll stand firm I'll lead you on to glory. When having drank as long as they were able, While some sat up and some lie under table, I must go home exclaim'd the soaking chief-- Remember boys, you come to my relief! And so must I--repli'd the sable hero, And off they trudge like Beelzebub and Nero.

AT SOAKER'S DOOR.

_Soaker to Black_.--My dear friend Black I'm much afraid There'll be a row--the soaking hero said. _Black_.--I think so too, indeed, upon my word, So I'll go home and sharpen up my sword. _Soaker_.--That's right my boy, then shortly after tea Come here again, I shall you want to see, And as I fear this job will end in strife-- I'll just step in and reconcile my wife. _Black_.--That's spoken well, and so my friend will I, Then for the present you--I'll bid good by. _Soaker_.--Good by my friend, good by--good by--good by.

AT BLACK'S.

_Mrs. Black_.--My husband, dear, what makes you look so white? My heart forebodes 'twill be a shocking night. _Black_.--Should it be so, pray don't you be alarm'd-- You know, my dear, I always go well arm'd. _Mrs. Black_.--Alas, my dear, you look as almost dead-- A dreadful stone may smite you on the head. _Black_.--Suppress these fears, with tears flush in his eyes, Suppress these fears, the trembling _hero_ cries; Should in the riot your dear husband fall, The will he made conveys to you his all. So one sweet kiss! and then, I go away, 'Tis duty calls, I must my love, obey. Then for his sword the fear-struck hero cri'd-- The cause demands it, so, my dear, don't chide; His sword is brought, and buckl'd round his waist, With great precision, like a man of taste-- Away he swaggers, and his hands he rubs, Looking, quite bold, like a new jack of clubs.

AT SOAKER'S.

_Mrs. Soaker_.--Oh, if, my dear, you must to night go out, I pray, my love, mind what you are about. _Soaker_.--My honor calls, indeed, my dearest wife! My love, my joy, my only hope, my life! And should the rebels your dear husband kill, In yonder drawer you'll find his honest will. I must away, my dear, 'tis growing late, So kiss me love, and give me up to fate.

AT SOAKER'S DOOR.--BLACK AND SOAKER MEET.

_Soaker_.--At yonder corner when a man you place, Bid him stand firm, and not our cause disgrace; At that place, too, another must be fixed; Likewise a third, the interval betwixt: And the rear guard--as well as our van Must all stand firm, ay, even to a man.

THE STEINE.

The signal made--the blazing foe appears-- Had you been there, you must have smelt their fears. The scene was grand, illumining around, You might have pick'd a sixpence from the ground; The lookers on appearing at first glimpse, Just like the Old One, and so many imps; With heart-felt joy, and truly loyal shout, 'Tis now the boys the tar tub roll about; Oh, 'twas a pity such a noble sight, Should be the signal for a bloody fight. The soaking hero runs amidst the crowd, And in a rage vociferates aloud-- Patrole! d'ye hear! you're deaf upon my soul! These villains take and lodge in the black hole! The battle rages and the missile flies, To fetch the troops the soaking hero hies; He skulks away to the sage monster's {273} house As much alarm'd, as e'er was eat-caught mouse.

AT MONSTER'S HOUSE.

And when arriv'd at this great legal source, He pli'd the knocker with uncommon force-- The door is open'd, in our hero goes, And to the bear disgorges all his woes. Assist us, sir, or else, this very night, I and poor Sable shall be murder'd quite! At this request the learned bear turns out, And looks like one they, sometimes, lead about. I'll pretty soon, he roars, the rabble clear, I'll read the riot act, I've got it here! Go get the troops, and then we need not fear! How many troops? the soaking hero cri'd, All that you can, the learned bear repli'd.

THE BARRACKS.

Now to the Barracks flies the soaking chief, And calls for troops; assuming, bold and brief; I want some troops, to sergeant he did say At your peril dare to keep away! The sergeant-major to the guard-house hies, Turn out the piquet, there, he loudly cries, The word is pass'd, the soldiers prompt obey, And to the Steine that instant march away.

THE STEINE.

The troops arriv'd close to the learned bear, He reads the proclamation in their rear, And off he sculks half dead with dread and fear! The soaking chief, like one bereav'd of wits, And almost going into fainting fits, Charge on, exclaimed, no mercy I'll afford! Why don't you charge? You heard me give the word. Charge! charge! charge! charge! the sable knight replies, Charge! charge! again the soaking hero cries. The charge is made, alas, poor luckless Rowles, Thy life is gone, through these ambitious fools; The battle's ended, and they look around, When some are lying stretch'd upon the ground; Some too with cuts and bruises there are found, Just at the end of this disgusting scene, A man of peace was walking on the Steine, The soaking hero cri'd What brought you here? Go home! go home! roar'd out the learned bear, To these insults the man of peace replies, With indignation beaming in his eyes, Nothing I said, nor nothing have I done; So when I please I, therefore, shall go home. You won't go home, roar'd out the learned boar, So mind to-morrow, from me you shall hear. You look disdainful in my very face! I'll bind you o'er to keep the public peace; In this, believe me, though it seems absurd, The learned monster strictly kept his word; The peaceful man, however hard his fare, Was bound, they say, next sessions to appear! A frantic mother running on the Steine, A poor man ask'd, have you my Billy seen? The man repl'd, I havn't, on my soul; You'd better ask, I think, at the Black Hole. The wretched woman now borne down with grief, Flies to that place in hopes to find relief, Raps at the door, Who's there? with voice quite grim, The night watch cried, we cannot take more in. 'Tis full of young and old, besides a quaker prim. _Woman_.--Oh, pray sir, pray, relieve a mother's fear, And tell me if you have my Billy here? _Watch_.--Ay, that he is, I'm sure beyond a doubt, And so to-morrow you may bail him out. _Woman_.--She walks away, but still she sheds a tear-- And calls for imprecations on the bear.

* * * * *

Next day the learned bear flies to his station, To be the judge of his own depredation; 'Tis now the foaming monster roars aloud, With face as black as a November cloud. Bring in your charge, but mind I say, At your perils let him get away. Now with a double guard there enters in A child, but just escaped from leading string. The monster with a dreadful stare, at large, Against the pris'ner ask'd what was the charge; The sable hero, with assurance ample, 'Tis dreadful, sir, exclaim'd, beyond example! As I stood on the Steine with sword in hand, I saw him brandish a huge fire brand. Oh, fy, saith pris'ner, what a wicked fib. 'Twas but the paper of a discharg'd squib. Pris'ner, your age? exclaim'd the learned bear, While down his little face would steal a tear. The truth, come tell me, or I'll commit you straight; I am, saith pris'ner, somewhat turn'd of eight. The monster roared, with truly savage grin, Discharge the brat, and bring another in.

THE DEATH.

Alas, alas! poor lifeless Rowles, It grieves me to relate-- Thy fam'ly lost its dearest friend By thy untimely fate.

May Providence then guide the law, Thy slaughter be avenged; And may the halter catch the right, For equity's just end.

Oh, may thy widow find support, Thy family to rear: And may she live to bring them up, The living God to fear.

The visits of George IV. to Brighton were discontinued in 1824, in consequence of a deep resentment which His Majesty felt at some personal affront that was given by some of the inhabitants, to his then favourite mistress, the Marchioness of Conyngham, who was the Lady Steward of the Royal Household, and arrogated to herself the privilege of arranging the _entree_ to the King, and of possessing control over the commonest domestics of the establishment. Her effrontery, however, was too intolerant for some of the townsfolk to brook; and, their virtuous indignation being aroused, they indulged in remarks upon her, and were so indifferent in courtesy towards her, that His Majesty considered the affront as almost given to himself. In fact, the extraordinary ascendency which the Marchioness had obtained over the royal mind, was then so apparent in all the King's actions that he was a Sovereign governed by one subject, and that subject more influential and powerful in her authority than the first minister of the State. Upon the retirement of the King from Brighton, the Princess Augusta was a frequent visitor to the town, her residence, by permission of her Royal Brother, being one of the private houses, to the west, just within the then southern entrance to the Pavilion Grounds.

The Royal Pavilion was a favourite autumn and winter residence of William IV. and Queen Adelaide, who made their first visit to Brighton on Monday, August 30th, 1830. Their Majesties effected many important alterations upon the Royal Property, causing the erection of the ivy-clad range of buildings known as the Dormitories, extending along the south margin of the western lawn, from Prince's Place to Carlisle House. A southern entrance to the Grounds was erected in 1831. It stood across the top of East Street, in a line with the north side of North Street; but upon the Royal Pavilion estate becoming the property of the Town of Brighton, in 1850, the building was taken down; as, besides the structure being in nowise handsome, it was a screen that completely hid the Pavilion, and hemmed in the property now known as the Pavilion Buildings. The elegant northern entrance--a noble and faultless building, exhibiting every characteristic of boldness and stateliness,--was erected in 1832.

During the occupation of the Royal abode by William and Adelaide,--when it received the name of The Palace,--it was a continued scene of regal festivities, juvenile parties being very frequent. The present Duke, then Prince George of Cambridge, was a great favourite with Their Majesties, who specially humoured his fancies and frolics. Royalty, however, is very tenacious of its dignity; whereof the following is a proof: Upon occasions when the youthful aristocracy were invited to the Palace, it was invariably usual for the arrangements of the evening to be under the immediate superintendence of the celebrated _maitresse de danse_, Madame Michau, who, not unfrequently, was assisted in her duties by her son, now well-known as Mons. James Michau, and the arrangement graciously received the Royal sanction. With the Prince and his youthful associates the son of the dancing mistress was considered fair game for their sporting humour; they therefore resorted to practical joking upon him, well-knowing that difference in position forbad his making a retort. But it happened upon one occasion that either the Prince exceeded his usual indignities, or that young Michau was not in a philosophic placid temper, as he offered a remonstrance, which excited a blow from His Royal Highness, resulting in a bout of fisticuffs, from which the Prince came off second best. The indignity, thus justly administered, was forthwith resented, the Royal communication, through Mr. Gee, Her Majesty's page, being that Madame Michau's services would not again be required. A retributive incident shortly after occurred that entirely put an end to the Palace youthful gatherings. Prince George, for a diversion, had purchased a mechanical mouse, and, having wound it up, he placed it upon the floor, when it chanced to travel in the direction of the Queen. Her Majesty had not observed the toy until it closely approached her, when, feeling a sudden alarm, she rose hurriedly, uttering an ejaculation of fear, a procedure so undignifying to her exalted position that she immediately retired, and no other juvenile party at the Palace ever after took place.

Queen Victoria paid her first visit to Brighton, October 4th, 1837, and had a most enthusiastic reception. Her Majesty's second visit took place the following Autumn. In February, 1842, the Queen and Her Royal Consort, Prince Albert, made the stay of a month in Brighton; and on the 7th of September, the following year, Her Majesty and the Prince Consort landed from the Royal Yacht, at the Chain Pier, on their return from a visit to Louis Philippe, at Chateau d'Eu. The circumstance of their landing is commemorated by Mr. R. H. Nibbs, in a most exquisite painting which is placed amongst the local works of art that adorn the Borough Council Chamber, at the Town Hall. The Queen and Prince Albert embarked on the 12th for Ostend. In September, 1844, the last royal visit was made to the Pavilion, the Prince of Wales, the Princess Royal, and Prince Alfred being sent down for the benefit of their health. Their stay extended to a fortnight. Hopes were entertained that Her Majesty would again visit Brighton; but time passed on, and at length it was announced that the Queen had purchased an estate in the Isle of Wight, where she would have a marine residence, in the strictest sense of the word, easy of access, and so admirably situated that she could, with the greatest facility, indulge in her favourite pastime--a water excursion.

Gradually the Pavilion became despoiled of its costly furniture and fittings, many of the latter being ruthlessly torn down and destroyed. Eventually it was announced that the building was to be razed to the ground, the materials sold, and the land disposed of for building purposes. In November, 1848, it became known that the Royal Commissioners of the Woods and Forests intended to introduce a Bill the next Sessions of Parliament, for the sale of the property, to obtain funds for further improvements at Buckingham Palace. The Town Commissioners put in their claim for a restoration by the Crown of the road which formerly went through the Pavilion Grounds, from south to north from East Street. It was also pointed out that some portions of the ground that had been sold to the Prince Regent, had restrictions against building, which restrictions could not be removed without the consent of the Lords of the Manor.

The Bill for the disposal, however, passed, and on the 27th of July, 1849, a Vestry meeting of the rated inhabitants, determined upon purchasing the property for 53,000, the sum required for it by the Commissioners of the Woods and Forests. Another Bill had yet to be obtained to give the Town Commissioners power to purchase the estate. Such an opposition to the purchase in the meantime sprung up amongst some of the ratepayers, and at a Vestry meeting called to approve of the Bill, that, after two days' polling, the amendment, in effect "that the purchase be stopped," was only lost by a minority of 36, the numbers being: for the purchase, 1343; against it, 1307. The Bill was read in the House of Commons a second time, without opposition, on the 14th of February, 1850; and was read a third time in the House of Lords on the 2nd of May, 1850. The money for the purchase, and 7,000 for the expenses of obtaining the Bill, and to restore the building, amounting in the whole to 60,000, was borrowed of the Bank of England, and on the 13th of June, 1850, the Commissioners of the Woods and Forests were paid the sum required. The building is not yet wholly appropriated, but, immediately upon the completion of the purchase, the late Mr. Christopher Wren Vick was employed to effect the work of restoration, and he succeeded in obtaining the original blocks from which the former paper-hangings of the grand suite of rooms were printed, and also in engaging Mr. Lambelet,--who has since died in poverty--the artist who executed the original decorations. On the 21st of January, 1851, the Pavilion was reopened with a grand ball of the inhabitants; since which time numerous balls, concerts, and meetings of scientific, benevolent, and other societies have taken place there, and it has now an excellent gallery for paintings, and several rooms have been set apart for the Brighton Museum, an institution that is well deserving of support. Paintings, by purchase and gifts, adorn many of the walls of the building, and in the Vestibule and Chinese Gallery are some excellent specimens of sculpture, principally by our local sculptor, Mr. Pepper. The most prominent is a full length statue by Noble, of the late Captain Pechell, son of the late member for Brighton, Sir G. R. B. Pechell, Bart. The gallant young officer fell during the Russian War, in the Crimea.

Besides the Pavilion and Grounds, the estate has many private houses, including the magnificent range called Pavilion Buildings. The debt consequent upon the purchase is being gradually reduced, and the opponents to the purchase not feeling the burthen which they dreaded, have the gratification of knowing, that, as a lung to their magnificent town, they have that which no other town in the kingdom possesses,--an extensive park of its own in its very centre.