part in the reigns of the early Norman kings. No place worth notice claims our attention before we arrive at HASTINGS (Hotels: See "HOTEL LIST"), (62 miles).

This is one of the Cinque Ports, and is frequented chiefly as a watering-place. It is famous in history as the place near which William the Conqueror landed, and in the neighbourhood of which he fought the great battle in which Harold was killed, the Saxons were defeated, and he won the crown of England, which has ever since remained with his descendants.

The chief places of interest to visitors are the ruins of an ancient castle, standing on the summit of the west cliff, erected previous to the Norman invasion; the Lovers' Seat and Fairlight Glen, the latter two romantic spots distant about 4 miles from the town.

About a mile to the west is St Leonards, a new town of about 3000 inhabitants, which is rapidly increasing, and may be considered the fashionable suburb of Hastings.

The Battle of Hastings, as it is commonly called, was in fact fought at Battle, where there is a station on the line, about 7 miles nearer London. Its ancient name of Epiton was altered to Battle in commemoration of the event, and a year afterwards the King founded an ABBEY there, placing the high altar upon the spot where Harold was slain; making an offering of his sword and coronation robe before it, and conferred upon the abbot great privileges and immunities; amongst others, that of pardoning any condemned thief whom he might pass or meet going to execution. The circuit of the ruins of Battle Abbey is supposed to be about a mile. Battle is a market town, and has 4000 inhabitants.

ROUTE 65.

LONDON TO BRIGHTON, NEWHAVEN, AND EASTBOURNE.

To Brighton 50 miles; fares, by express, first class, 12s. 3d.; second, 10s. Return tickets (express), first class, 17s. 6d.; second, 14s.

pass

either from the London Bridge or the Victoria Station, we Norwood Junction (81 miles), where the trains from Kensington and the stations above-mentioned unite, we reach Croydon (10 miles), a market town, rapidly expanding, owing to its proximity to London, and the facility of access afforded to it as a place of suburban residence for Londoners, by its many railway stations. This place was given to Lanfranc, Archbishop of Canterbury, at the time of the Conquest, and the manor has since always belonged to that see. The successors of Lanfranc had a palace here until 1780, when, on account of its dilapidated condition, it was sold by Act of Parliament, and is now used for industrial purposes. With the money so realized, the estate and mansion of Addington Park, 3 miles from Croydon, were purchased in its stead. The church is a fine Gothic building, containing memorials of many archbishops.

The pretentious-looking red brick building, on the top of the hill near Caterham Junction, on the right is the Commercial Tra vellers' Benevolent Society's school, and we observe upon the hill on

the left hand, an asylum for orphans. Merstham Tunnel, through which we presently pass, is nearly a mile and a quarter in length. Red Hill (20 miles), and Three Bridges (29 miles), are two places which have been called into existence, merely as junction stations. Near Red Hill is an excellent Reformatory Institution for juvenile criminals. The tourist who takes an interest in such matters will find it worth a visit. Just beyond Red Hill is Earlswood, where is a large and well-conducted Asylum for Idiots. We pass Haywards Heath (37 miles), where many London men of business have their villas, the railway furnishing ready access to the City, and before us we see the downs in the distance, stretching far away to the seacoast.

At Burgess Hill (41 miles) trains destined for NEWHAVEN (56 miles) branch off from the main line, and proceed, via Lewes, to Newhaven, from which place there is a daily line of steamers to Dieppe. The train passes rapidly by some unimportant places, and in a very short time, we arrive at BRIGHTON (Hotels: See "HOTEL LIST").

This fashionable place of resort was, about 200 years ago, a fishing town, but in the middle of the last century, attention having been called to its suitability

as

a watering-place by Dr Russell, a writer upon the medical use of sea water, it has since rapidly and continuously increased in size and importance, much of which is due to its having been selected by George IV., when Prince of Wales, as a marine summer residence. In 1801, its inhabitants were considerably less than onetenth of their present number. By the Reform Act, it became a parliamentary borough returning two members. It is protected

by the heights of the South Downs from the north winds. It belonged to King Harold at the time of the Conquest; and was plundered and burnt by the French in 1513. It was from this place that Charles II.effected his escape to France after the battle of Worcester, in a collierbrig, upon the captain of which he subsequently bestowed a pension. The Pavilion is a curious piece of Moorish architecture, with fantastic cupolas and minarets. The celebrated chain-pier, which was erected as a landingplace in 1822, is composed of four chain bridges, each 255 ft. in length, terminating in a granitepaved platform, resting upon a frame of strong oaken piles. The main chains are carried over ornamental cast iron supports, which also rest upon piles. The entire length of the pier is 1,136 ft. In 1833, it was seriously damaged by an October gale, in which the suspension-chains and rods of the third span were broken.

The fashionable promenade called the Steyne, was, previous to 1793, a piece of waste land, used by the inhabitants to dry and repair their nets, boats, &c. The Marine Parade, Brunswick Square and Terrace, Hanover Crescent, King's Road, and the new West-end Pier, which is much more frequented than the Chain Pier, and upon which a band plays every week-day, &c., furnish agreeable promenades.

The AQUARIUM, completed in 1872, is the largest and most complete in the world. It is under excellent management, and attracts visitors from all parts of the British Islands.

The Chalybeate spring is much esteemed for its medicinal qualities.

About 5 miles from Brighton, on a part of the Downs, is an extensive oval entrenchment called

the Devil's Dyke, which was probably a British encampment, and, judging from the coins found there, was subsequently made use of by the Romans.

Races are held in August on the Downs to the north-east of Brighton.

From Lewes (see previous page) we reach by the same line, 15 miles from Lewes, 65 from London, EASTBOURNE (Hotels: See "HOTEL LIST"), one of the most attractive watering-places in the Kingdom. The business portion of the town is well built, the shops are very attractive, and the

streets finely shaded by trees. That portion of the town devoted to private residences, along and near the sea, is handsomely built, some of the residences being of the costliest description. There is a good theatre, and reading rooms, cricket and other grounds devoted to public amusement. The pier and the promenade along the sea were constructed at great cost and are the finest in Europe. They afford splendid views of the sea and the neighbouring coast, including the famous promontory known as Beachy Head.