THE MARRIAGE OF THE PRINCE OF WALES.
To the EDITOR of the HAMPSHIRE TELEGRAPH
Sir, I propose to mark the event of the Prince of Wales’ wedding day by a large bonfire on the summit of War Down, which is the highest point of the South Down range in this neighbourhood, and it occurs to me that if you would make the proposal known in your paper others would illuminate the Downs in their proximity in the same way, and thus at a very slight expense and with but a very moderate amount of co-operation a grand effect might be produced, which would last long in the memories of old and young. Of course such arrangements should be made as would ensure a coincidence in the time of lighting the several fires. If others, therfore, choose to follow my example, I beg to inform you that my bonfire will commence punctually at 10 p.m.
I am, yours, &c.,
LOTHIAN NICHOLSON, Lieut.-Colonei, R. E.
Ashhurst St. Mary, Petersfield.
To the EDITOR of the HAMPSHIRE TELEGRAPH.
SIR,— I have just returned from the Commissioners’ Hall, where I was invited by circular to meet the mayor to consult with him about the best way of raising money to entertain in some way or other the Sunday and day scholars of the district on the occasion of the wedding of the Prince of Wales.
To my surprise and astonishment I found the hall closed, and no mayor and no meeting. I trust that second and better thoughts have prevailed with our local authorities. It does appear unwise and imprudent to attempt to get up a pauper feast for Sunday school children. They are as a rule not the children of the poor and needy; the great majority of them are the children of the industrious classes, who would feel humbled at the proferred gift.
I have read over your report of' the meeting of the Town Council, and I regret exceedingly the decision come to on that occasion by the majority, viz., neither to recommend a general illumination, nor to have any fire-works in the borough.
I am quite sure that the decision of the majority will not be accepted with pleasure by the school children, for which so much is proposed to be done. On the contrary, I am convinced that if the question was put to the children whether they would be feasted through the eye or the stomach, nine out of every ten would instantly prefer the former.
I am old fashioned enough to believe that no better way has yet been found for expressing national joy than by an illumination and fireworks.
I have had the management and supervision of working men in large numbers, and know their feelings well. I can assure the gentlemen (the majority of the Council) that they are not the exponents of the feelings of the working classes.
You have only to touch their hearts and ask them to sympathise with suffering or to share your joys, and you will find large hearts and open purses,—as in the case of the dockyard workpeople who, in the course of a few months subscribed 319l. to the suffering people of Lancashire.
Amongst this class the feelings of loyalty and attachment to the throne, to the Queeni, and to the Royal family are warm and deep, and it only wanted to be called forth generally by our local rulers, when I am quite sure the working people would have been delighted with the opportunity of illuminating, &c., and thus marking with a bright and illuminated day their hard working and plodding days.
I have done with fault finding in the hope that the spirit of the town will yet rise above the decision of the majority of our rather close-fisted Town Council, and that we shall yet have some worthy and becoming public rejoicing on that auspicious day.
I have now to make a suggestion which will recommend itself, I hope, to the public by its extreme simplicity, as well as by its economy, viz.,that one, two, or three bonfires be prepared on Portsdown Hill; these will be seen not only from Portsmouth, but along an extended district of country, as well as by the Royal and happy pair at Osborne.
The materials can be easily procured, as they are in abundance in the neighbourhood. Permission will, no doubt, be readily granted by the War-Office authorities for the ground; and, lastly, I would suggest that a Committee be appointed to receive subscriptions and to carry out the suggestion to its completion.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
AN OLD BOY IN ALL SAINTS’ WARD.
Landport, February 16th, 1863.