PLATE IV.

Ancient Remains of the Stade, Hastings.North-East View.

FROM the direction of the Stade, and from the appearance of the ground in digging for the foundation of new buildings, there is reason to suppose that it joined Castle-hill; and, running in an easterly direction, formed a good harbour for ships, as, in that case, it could protect them from the heavy gales which blew up Channel from the south-west, as here described.

Hastings had formerly a good harbour; a large wooden pier, of a semicircular form, ran out, in a south-easterly direction, below the spot where the Fort now stands, admitting large vessels to lie, and unload alongside; but, in the beginning of Queen Elizabeth's reign, the pier was destroyed by a storm; since which, the Stade has continued to retain its present appearance. Large pieces of timber, the remains of the pier, are still to be seen at particular times at low water; and several rows of piles are visible every day at half ebb, which shew the direction in which the pier ran. Camden states, that Queen Elizabeth granted a contribution towards the forming a new harbour,

which was begun; but the money was quickly appropriated by certain individuals to their own private uses, and thus the public good was neglected.

The method of getting vessels up and down the Stade, preparatory to their taking in, or discharging their cargoes, is exceedingly curious, and cannot fail to excite the surprise of those who never witnessed such a process before. The vessel is wound up by a capstan, with three or four horses, according to her burden, which is accomplished with great facility. The method of launching vessels is still more curious, and the facility and expedition with which it is accomplished is astonishing;pieces of wood, well greased, are laid for the keel and side of the vessel to run upon; a large wooden screw is then applied to her bows, with which she is set a-going; when she has run as far as is necessary, she is stopped at pleasure, by cables wound round the capstan; pieces of wood, called troughs, are re-laid, and she is put in motion again, and so on till she is sufficiently advanced to float when the tide returns. The regular fishing boats are drawn up by one horse, as described in the drawing, and all of them with great facility.

On the right of the Stade is a Fort, part of which appears in the annexed drawing; this fort mounts ten twenty-four pounders, and is an excellent

barrier against the incursions of the sea in violent gales of wind. Adjoining the Fort is seen the Custom-house Watch-house.

The plate represents a number of vessels driving in under a south-westerly gale, against which the ancient pier would have formed a complete protection.

PLATE V.

Church Street, St. Clement's.-North-East

View.

IN this street are the remains of several ancient buildings. In St. Clement's Church, which is seen in the drawing, there is a handsome altarpiece by Mortimer; and on the ceiling is a representation of the heavenly regions, with the figures of faith, hope, and charity. The Font is a curious piece of antiquity, of which an ample description

On each side of

is given under its proper head. the south window in the tower of this church, is placed a cannon-ball, which were fired on the town during the late war by the French, but without doing any material injury; in remembrance of which, they were thus placed there by the inhabitants.

PLATE VI.

Font in St. Clement's Church, Hastings.

THE Font, as described in the drawing, is supposed to be of Norman workmanship, and is a curious specimen of antiquity. It is of an octagon form; on the squares of which are carved, in basso relievo, the instruments of our Saviour's passion. In the shield, on the left compartment, is seen the cross; in the left centre, are the pincers; in the right centre, the sponge and spear; and in the right is the hammer. The shields above are intended to describe those on the opposite side of the octagon; namely, that on the left, the cock; left centre, the pillar and scourges; right centre, blank; and that on the right, the beacon, as used by the Romans,—the ladder, and a spear which is defaced.

It is regretted that the zeal which is every where manifested for improvement should sometimes disfigure some of the most curious remains of antiquity, by painting, white-washing, &c., of the truth of which remark, this Font is a striking instance; the paint that now covers its surface having materially diminished its former beauty.

PLATE VII.

Hastings Castle and Priory, taken from the Ditch.

UPON a rocky cliff, to the westward of Hastings, are the remains of a spacious and very ancient Castle, as represented in the annexed plate, in shape, nearest two sides of an oblique spherical triangle, having the point of the angle rounded off. The base, or south side, completing the triangle, is formed by a perpendicular craggy cliff, in length, measuring about four hundred feet, which seems to have had no wall, or other fortification; indeed, such would have been altogether unnecessary, nature having made it sufficiently inaccessible on that side which is opposite the sea. Its eastern side is formed by a plain wall, without tower or defence, which measures nearly three hundred feet. The adjoining side, which faces the north-west, is about the same length as the rock, namely, four hundred feet; a perpendicular let-fall upon the south side, or rock, from the angle formed by the junction of the walls, measures about two hundred and sixty feet; consequently, the area included is nearly one acre and a fifth. This calculation, however, is not given as strictly correct, the curvature of the figure being very irregular.