liament. The population of the borough and Cinque Port was 11607 in 1841 Hastings is 64 miles distant from London. About seven miles north-west from Hastings is the market-town of Battle, which takes its name from that memorable contest, commonly called the Battle of Hastings, which put an end to the Saxon line of kings, and placed the crown of England on the head of a Norman. In the year following his victory, William, in fulfilment, it is said, of a vow made on the night previous to the battle, caused to be founded a splendid abbey, which, however, was not completed till seven years after his death. His conquering sword, and the robe which he had worn at his coronation, were offered at the altar. Here also was deposited the "Roll of Battle Abbey," consisting of a table of the Norman gentry who came into England with the Conqueror. This abbey was one of the mitred ones which conferred on the abbot the honour of a seat in Parliament. At the dissolution of the monasteries a grant of the house and site of the abbey was made to Sir Anthony Browne, the ancestor of the Montague family, who continued to reside here in a part of the abbey which had been converted into a mansion, till the beginning of the seventeenth century, when it was sold to Sir Thomas Webster; and it is now in the possession of Sir Godfrey Vassal Webster, his descendant. The abbey when in its complete state formed a square, three sides of which are now partly occupied with its ruins. The town of Battle is celebrated for its manufacture of gunpowder. Ten miles east from Hastings stands the ancient town of Rye, situated on a rock near the mouth of the Rother. It was strongly fortified in the reign of Edward III., and part of the walls and some of the gates are still standing. Its harbour having been choked up by sand, a new one has been formed by cutting a large canal in a more direct line to the sea, sufficiently spacious to admit vessels of 200 tons up to the quay. The only objects worthy of notice are, the church, a very large stone building; Ipres Castle, originally built for the defence of the town, by William de Ipres, in the twelfth century, now occupied as a prison; the TownHall and the Market-place; and the remains of the town gates and walls. The fishermen of Rye send considerable supplies to the London market. Rye has for centuries been celebrated for a very extensive illicit trade, which is now, however, greatly diminished. Rye is one of the Cinque Ports; and, before the Reform Bill passed, returned two members to Parliament. It now, in conjunotion with some of the neighbouring parishes, returns one. The population of Rye, in 1841, was 4031. To the westward of Rye is the disfranchised borough of Winchelsea, formerly a place of considerable importance, but now greatly reduced, in consequence of the sea having deserted it. A part of one of its churches is all that remains out of three which it formerly possessed. It contains two monuments of Knights Templars, and there is a third in the vestry. The whole of Old Winchelsea was swallowed up by the sea in a tempest. The new town was built by Edward I. Between Winchelsea and Rye, and about two miles from the former, are the ruins of Winchelsea or Camber Castle, built by Henry VIII. ON RIGHT FROM BRIGHT. Preston. At a considerable distance! towards the right is Stanmer Pa. Earl of Chichester. Standean. Keymer. Wakehurst Park. Crawley. From 44 41 Burgess Hill Station. 9 37 Cuckfield, A handsome town, and ren- Hayward's Heath 34 Balcombe Station. About 1 mile from the sta- The tunnel, about one m. 13 Cuckfield Place. Petland Wood. 16 A few miles to the left of the line is the borough of Horsham, a place of considerable interest. It is situated on the Adur, 29 miles N.E. from Chichester, and 35 S.S.W. from London. It returns one member to Parliament. Brighton is 50 miles distant from London by Red Hill and Croydon; 52 by Reigate and Sutton; 58 by way of Horsham and Dorking; and 51by the Railway. The station at Brighton is remarkable for the lightness and elegance of the roof by which it is covered. Great care has also been taken to provide for the comfort of passengers, and the accommodation of goods. Addington House, once 13 Godstone Road Station. 37 the residence of Lord Liverpool, is the East India Company's College, where from 10 130 to 150 students are generally under instruction. Dulwich and Beulah Spa are the chief attractions on the Croydon line. Dulwich is 1 m. from the Dartmouth Arms Station. The gallery is open to the public by tickets, to be obtained gratis of the principal printsellers in London.* 5 1 Croydon, A town of considerable an- Dartmouth Arms. Where the railway joins the Greenwich line. Croydon Station. 40 ON LEFT FROM BRIGHT. Reigate, situated on the Mole, and built upon a rock of white sand, much valued for the manufacture of fine articles of glass. An object of much curiosity here is the Baron's Cave. Gatton Hall, the seat of Lord Monson, is seen to great advantage from this part of the line. Gatton was formerly a pocket borough. Lord Monson purchased it for L.100,000 a short time before it was disfranchised. Epsom, famous for its salts, which at one time sold for 5s. an ounce. Here the Brighton Railway joins the Croydon line. 45 Eden Park, London Bridge. 51 * Dulwich is remarkable for its college, founded 1639 by E. Alleyn, Esq. for the gratuitous instruction of the inhabitants. The picture gallery was erected, 1813, by Soane, in pursuance of the will of Mr Desenfanto, who left his collection of paintings to the British nation at the death of Sir F. Bourgeivis. |