The fisheries have been, at all periods, esteemed of the first local importance to Hastings, as connected with the commercial interests and prosperity of the town and neighbourhood, and, as such, have not been unnoticed by government. In 1626, the 2d of Charles First, a petition was presented by the mayor, jurats, and common-council of Hastings to the king, for a grant to make a haven there, stating the great decay of their pier; the danger of its being carried away by storms, and the loss of their fishing-trade thereby. On the 30th of March in the same year, the king referred this petition to the privy-council; the proposal was to get a general collection throughout England and Wales to begin the work, and one penny per ton of all vessels passing by Hastings, and arriving at London, Hastings, or any part between them, all the duties of the haven going to maintain it. (2) As connected with this petition, and preparatory probably to an intention of carrying its object into effect, a return was made, under the seal of the office of mayoralty, to the duke (1) At an assembly, held July 12, 1697, It was ordained, "that no fishing-boat belonging to this town shall go to sea on a Saturday night, and if any does go, to forfeit £5, to be levied upon the master of such fishing-boat, his goods and chattels; and every stranger offending, to forfeit and pay £10, if he presume to bring his fish on shore, to sell it at any time on the Sunday, till after 12 o'Clock at night, to be levied upon them. (2) Burrell MSS. of Buckingham, lord-warden of the Cinque-Ports, of the number of vessels and their respective tonnage; also the number of mariners, sailors, and fishermen belonging to Hastings, which stood as follows, viz. 28 barks, from 18 to 40 tons, amounting, in the whole, to 670 tons; mariners, sailors, and fishermen, 127. But if it were ever purposed to give effect to the prayer of this petition, it would seem to have been abandoned, as nothing further appears to have been acted upon, in that or any subsequent reign, for its accomplishment. In 1645, the 21st of Charles First, (1) the mayor and jurats of Hastings petitioned parliament, complaining of the great number of French fishermen fishing on the coast, with rashnets, not allowed to themselves, nor to the French on their own shores, and staking those prohibited nets, and other engines, on the seas of this coast, with anchors and stones, thereby destroying the young fry, to the great injury of their fishery ; and that the same was likely to lead to the decay of it, and the utter impoverishment of all the fishing-towns and places on this coast. It does not appear how far this representation was, at the time, attended to; at all events, the apprehension as to the annihilation of these local fisheries, seems, happily for their interests, to have been at no period realized. BATHING-MACHINES, WARM-BATHS, &c. The great source of the present prosperity of Hastings may be traced to its increasing attractiveness and resort, as a sea-bathing place, to which, independently of the local beauties and other advantages it possesses, fashion seems materially to give importance. Principally to this all-powerful cause it is, that we see this, as well as other watering-places, increase in extent and consequence, and become raised, from the huts and mean dwellings of fishermen, to be the abodes of wealth and splendor. Few watering-places exhibit more striking instances of this fact than Hastings, Brighton, and Worthing. (1) Burrell MSS. For the accommodation of visitants resorting hither for the purpose of sea-bathing, there are about 30 bathing-machines, which stand to the west of the town, close to the walk styled the Marine-parade. At low-water a fine level sand extends to a great distance, and the shore has such a gentle ascent, that the advantage of immersion may be enjoyed at any time of the tide. Convenient warm-baths were also some years since erected, by a subscription of the inhabitants. During the season, assemblies are held weekly, as has been stated, at the Swan-inn, where there is a suitable room, with a gallery for music. In short, from the many agreeable walks and rides, and the variety of interesting objects with which the vicinity of Hastings abounds, together with the grandeur of its sea-views, this place is certainly intitled, in a very superior degree, to the favourable notice of those whom health, or pleasure, annually allures to the coast. LODGING-HOUSES, &c. The lodging-houses in Hastings, as well as other wateringplaces, are usually let by the week or month, as most agreeable to the parties, and the prices vary according to the season of the year. From July to November, the general rate is about one guinea per week for a bed; and at this rate if five beds, two sitting-rooms, kitchen, &c. are attached; under five beds, one sitting-room and other conveniences. Houses close to the sea, from their situation, let higher, and those at a distance rather lower. In winter, the houses in the town are preferred; and for one, with eight or nine beds, the price is about five guineas per week: plate, linen, &c. form a separate charge. The boarding-houses, which, for visitors, are a very great accommodation, comprise all the advantages of hotels, without their noise and bustle, possessing all the comforts of private houses, without any attendant inconveniences. There are many advantages attending these establishments. In them an individual is enabled, for the moderate sum of £2 12s. 6d. per week for board and lodging, to live in the |