but a wreck of what it once was, in the remains of decayed vaults, dilapidated churches, old stone buildings, and the tottering fragments of walls and gates, emblems of desolation in it's grass grown streets. There are considerable and fine remains of an ancient convent of Grey Friars. In all it's decay, Winchilsea still retains the privilege of a parliamentary borough. Eight miles to

HASTINGS,

which is said to have derived it's name from a chief of Danish pirates. It is situated in a fine valley that forms a beautiful amphitheatre sloping to the sea on the south, and on the other sides is enclosed by lofty hills and craggy cliffs. This place was peculiarly favoured by the Conqueror William and his son Rufus; and the charter under which it is now governed, was granted by James II. The corporation returns two members to serve in Parliament, and it is the principal Cinque Port.

The present is a new town, the old one having been swallowed up by an inundation of the sea, though the time of it's catastrophe is not ascertained. As a proof, however, that the sea is constantly gaining on this coast, an entire hedge has been discovered under the surface of the sand at low water, a little to the westward of the town; and a few of the present inhabitants remember the grass growing below the high water mark, near the bathing rooms.

The town consists of two parallel streets of considerable length, running nearly north and south, with an opening to the sea; between which runs a small stream of water called the Bourne: these are intersected by smaller streets, intermixed with gardens, and a suburb extends along the beach.

The French destroyed this place in 1377, but it was afterwards rebuilt, and divided into three parishes. The churches, now reduced to two, St. Clement's and All Saints, are united in one rectory; which edifices are both ancient. In the upper church, All Saints, the pulpit cloth is formed out of the canopy which the Barons of the Cinque Ports had the honour of supporting over the head of Queen Anne, at her coronation; and in St. Clement's, or the lower church, the ceiling represents the celestial region, with the representation of Faith, Hope, and

Charity, at the corners; and there are many ancient monuments. The Town-hall or Court-house was erected in 1700, with a market place under it; and in the hall is a shield bearing the arms of France, brought from Quebec by General Murray, who resided in this neighbourhood, and belonging to the corporation, presented it to them. The Pier was destroyed by a storm in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, since which the place where vessels are worked up to with facility and expedition, by means of a capstan, has been called the Stade, at the west end of which is a fort, mounted with cannon.

The romantic walks and rides in it's elevated vicinity, and the interesting objects to which they conduct; the softness and pureness of the air, and the defence which is afforded from the violence of the winds by the surrounding hills, with the amenity of it's situation, all recommend this place to the valetudinarian. The shore gently rises, the beach is a fine sand, and the water being as pure and as fully impregnated with saline particles as any place along the coast, render it a most eligible spot for sea bathing. There are numerous machines, and very commodious baths.

The lodging houses are plentiful, and well fitted up. The assemblies are held weekly during the season at the Swan Inn; and the libraries, situated near the parade and bathing machines, are highly respectable. One has a billiard room over it; and as it fronts the sea, and is supplied with newspapers and other accommodations, is much frequented, and universally admired as a most agreeable and amusing lounge.

On the hill to the westward of the town, are the remains of the large and ancient castle, which approaches in shape to two sides of an oblique spherical triangle, with the points rounded off. The base or south side, completing the triangle, is formed by a perpendicular craggy cliff, about four hundred feet long, which was a strong fortification of itself. The area within the walls is more than an acre; and the remains of the walls, are, in some places, eight feet thick, though they are no where entire. History is wholly silent when this fortification was built, but conjecture refers it to the period when the authority of the Romans had declined in Britain. The

principal event mentioned in history, as connected with this edifice is, that in the year 1090, almost all the bishops and nobles of England were assembled here by royal authority,to do homage to William Rufus, who had then returned from Normandy. On this occasion it was, that Archbishop Anselm consecrated in the church of St. Mary the Virgin, which was within the walls of the castle, Robert De Bloct to the church of Lincoln. The church was collegiate, and had a dean and several secular canons or prebendaries, who claimed, and for a long time enjoyed, exemption from ecclesiastical jurisdiction; but were compelled by Henry the Eighth to surrender the college and deanery, which were granted by him to Sir Anthony Brown. From this castle there are a number of beautiful views.

A little to the westward of the castle cliffs is a farm house, now called the priory, originally belonging to a priory of black Canons, founded in the time of Richard I. by Sir Walter Bricet.

The country about Hastings abounds in pleasant walks and rides. Fairlight Downs, Broomham Park, Battle, Bexhill, and Pevensey, which last will be given in our route from Hastings to East Bourne. From the summit of Fairlight Down, both the marine and land prospects are highly gratifying. Broomham Park is the seat of the Ashburnhams, and Guestling contains monuments of the families of Ashburnham and Cheney in it's church. Sir William Ashburnham, Bart. and Lord Bishop of Chichester, is interred here in the vault of his ancestors.

BATTLE

derives it's name from the decisive defeat of Harold, King of England, by William, Duke of Normandy; who is supposed to have landed from his fleet at or near Pevensey, and after burning his ships, to have mustered bis army and marched to action, when he obtained that decisive victory on the 14th of October, 1266, the birth day of Harold; a circumstance which gave great, but delusive, hopes to that monarch, and by which he insured to himself and his posterity the crown of England. After which the abbey of Battle was founded in memory of this great combat, by the Conqueror, on the spot where the victory was gained. It was endowed with many valuable priEur. Mag. Vol. 81. March, 1822.

vileges, and lands to a great amount; while it's abbot had the honour of the mitre, and a seat in the supreme legislature of the kingdom. This abbey displays in it's ruins ample marks of it's ancient magnificence; and many of it's parts discover much architectural beauty, and appear to have been the work of different ages. The remains of it, now the seat of Sir Godfrey Vassall Webster, Bart. are extremely spacious, a part of it only belonging to the mansion, as the whole fabric covers an extent of ground not less than a mile in circumference.

An embattled gateway, at the entrance of the abbey, remains entire, with it's towers, corbels, battlements, and portcullis; standing at the end of the principal street of the town, and giving an appearance of grandeur and solemnity, well appropriated to the use of the magistracy.

Battle is itself a small market town, and is principally famous for a manufacture of gunpowder.

From Hastings the coast bends southward, with a low shore along Pevensey level, to a blunt high promontory, called Beachy Head, which now becomes a grand object to the south-west.

At Bexhill, which is pleasantly situated on an eminence, were formerly some barracks, and there is still an excellently accommodated public-house. We next came to Pevensey, a small village, but once a town of importance, and a sea port. It is supposed to have been one of those that were ravaged by Earl Goodwin, in the time of Edward the Confessor; and gives it's name to the bay in which it is situated.

Pevensey bay is celebrated in historical anuals, for having been the landing place of William the Conqueror, when he came to assert his right to the English crown against Harold, who being engaged in opposing an invasion in the north, had left this part of the coast so defenceless, that the Norman Duke and his followers effected their landing without difficulty or resistance. The battle of Hastings soon followed; and the intrepid Norman mounted the throne, which became vacant by the death of his unfortunate rival in this well fought field.

Pevensey castle, the only object deserving attention in this bay, is unquestionably of great antiquity, though G g

the era of it's foundation cannot be ascertained. From the various strata of Roman bricks still to be seen here, it was probably constructed on a fortress belonging to that nation, of which it bears undoubted vestiges.

After the conquest it passed into different hands, sometimes reverting to the crown, and sometimes in the possession of subjects; a portion of the honours of Pevensey being given by Henry IV. to the Pelham family, which they still enjoy. The principal estate, however, and the castle, belong to Lord George Cavendish. Pevensey Castle is an irregular polygon of great extent, flanked by round towers. The entrance is on the west side by a bridge; and it is surrounded by a ditch, except on the east, where there is another approach. The circumference of the inner castle is about seventy five rods, and of the outer walls two hundred and fifty. The interior of the inner castle consists, principally, of six complete arches in large towers or bastions, of which two are considerably larger than the rest, and are supposed to have been the kitchen and hall. It is still a noble ruin. Few countries can produce so many castles as the island of Great Britain, for which various causes may be assigned. None more than the feudal system, which lasted long in England, and was carried with a very high hand, producing a number of fortresses in every part of the kingdom; which the reign of Stephen contributed very greatly to encrease: while in the northern counties, the continual warfare with Scotland had the same effect. Many of these buildings now fallen into ruins, remain objects of great beauty, grandeur, and sublimity, particularly interesting to the antiquarian and historian. Wales particularly produces many fine specimens.

EAST BOURNE.

Five or six miles from Pevensey, and about twenty from Hastings, brought us to East Bourne, pleasantly situated at the extremity of the South Downs, near the English channel, supposed to have been the Roman city of Anderida, which is supported by prevailing tradition. In 1707 a tesselated pavement and a Roman bath were discovered here, and foundations of buildings are frequently traced in different parts of the parish. It is an hundred within itself, and holds a

court leet annually, with other privileges. The church is a large antique structure, containing some handsome monuments.

The local beauties of East Bourne are various and attractive; but as the town is at some distance from the shore, what are termed the sea houses are the general resort of the company. The prospects are fine; the soil fertile; the trees more luxuriant than are generally found on the sea coast: the walks and rides are very pleasant, and what is a principal object to many visitors, the bathing is very good.

About a mile and a half to the eastward of the sea houses, at Langley Point, are two forts, erected on the beach for the protection of the coast. These command Pevensey bay to a considerable extent; and about a mile behind them, on an eminence, called Anthony Hill, are placed some pieces of heavy cannon. Other military posts have also been erected here.

There are two good inns; the Lamb, at which is a subscription ball-room; and the New Inn, where every proper attention is paid to the guests; and nothing seems wanting to render this a most desirable summer retreat, except more lodging houses near the sea.

The Theatre in South-street is small and neat, and has a tolerable company of performers during the season.

The Library is most pleasantly situated facing the sea, where the daily papers, and various publications of interest or amusement, are to be read; and there is likewise a billiard table.

The Chalybeate spring rises about a mile to the westward of the sea houses at a place called Holywell. It has been understood to be similiar to the Bristol waters, but seems to be little used.

At South Bourne, distant a little more than half a mile, is the handsome seat of Lord George Cavendish, called Compton-place. It stands in a lawn, surrounded with lofty trees, pleasure grounds, gardens, and plantations, which render it one of the principal embellishments of this part.

The house and grounds of Mr. Gilbert display much taste. Besides which we found many pleasant villas dispersed about, which give a most interesting appearance to the scene. The rides and walks to the forts, the

pleasant villages of Willingden and Wilmington, and to Hurtmonceaux Castle, are highly gratifying.

The origin of Hurtmonceaux Castle is unknown; but it appears that Roger de Fiennes obtained a licence from Henry the Sixth, to render it a fortress and enlarge the park. It is a solid structure of brick, surrounded with a deep moat. The apartments were spacious and lofty; and from an incident that happened here, Addison's well known play of "The Drummer, or Haunted House," had it's origin..

From East Bourne we proceeded through East Dean, Friston, near which is Friston-place, the seat of the Hon. C. Jenkinson, and Exeter bridge, to SEAFORD,

nearly eight miles. This town possesses the privileges of a Cinque Port, and in contradiction to some of our largest towns in England, sends two members to Parliament. It's forts are in a state of defence; but it has no market, and it's trade and harbour are now of little consequence; in fact, it is nothing more than a small fishing town, though of late years more improved by taking up the fashionable trade of a bathing place, which almost every petty place upon the coast now assumes something of. Another four miles from Seaford brought us to

NEWHAVEN,

a small town, chiefly inhabited by maritime persons, situated near the mouth of the river Ouse, with a small harbour defended by a battery. This

harbour was long choaked up and useless; but an act having passed in 1731 for repairing it, some trade has since been brought to the place. Several ship-builders also reside here, and some large vessels are constructed. Near the entrance of the town, and close to the churchyard wall, stands an obelisk, erected to commemorate the melancholy fate of Capt. Hanson and his crew, in his Majesty's ship Brazen, which was wrecked here in a violent storm, on the morning of the 26th of January 1800, when out of one hundred and five persons,only one escaped.

At the distance of five miles from Newhaven we came to Rottingdean, a small ncat village, stretching through a valley, with the church standing on the hill's summit. Of late years it has been frequented by genteel company. There are machines for bathing immediately under the cliffs, which gives it a degree of privacy; and there are good houses and neat cottages, with lodgings of various descriptions, and other accommodations suited to those who prefer retirement to the gaiety and bustle of Brighton. It's rural aspect, and the seclusion of it's situation, might lead the contemplative mind here to forget the world, and suffer time to glide away in oblivious forgetfulness; while it's vicinity to the gaiety and amusements of Brighton, enables it's visitors speedily to quit the dullness of rural retirement for the attractions of fashionable society. (To be continued.)