motherly—and we pine for other climes. We do not seem until we leave to realise the fact that there are spots in England that are of more historic interest, certainly to us, and of equal beauty, both of scenery and surroundings, than any abroad. The traveller when he visits a foreign country, for health or pleasure, seeks its most interesting places. He inquires what cathedrals there are worth visiting, what museums there are to be seen, what battlefields to be inspected, and so on, and then, hurrying over them as if it were a duty to do so, is only able to carry home the faintest idea of all he has seen. Still, within the British Islands there are neighbourhoods as romantic and as interesting as those that are looked at with such rapture, or it may be with feelings of awe or pleasure, abroad. There are spots hallowed by time and the records of two thousand years, and localities that have given birth to men who have made the history of the world and influenced the progress of civilisation for nearly twenty centuries, but being at home few people ever visit them. The Londoner really knows less of the interesting sights of London than the country cousin who comes up for a week or a fortnight every few years, and the average Englishman altogether knows less of the celebrated shrines of his own country than he does of those of others. Who ever in these days visits the field of Bosworth, or of Bannockburn, or of Culloden, or a hundred other places that are so associated with the history and destinies of the country of his birth, whose traditions in every way he ought to be justly proud of? On the other hand, who goes to Brussels without seeking the field of Waterloo or the Wiertz Museum? And the same applies to other places. It may be said that these are of more recent date; but what educated Englishman, journeying within a hundred miles of Marathon, would not wish to visit the spot, the history of which will last as long as humanity peoples this globe? The Pilgrim Fathers left these shores two hundred and fifty years ago, and their descendants, our kindred in blood, in language, and in feeling (long may they be so) across the sea, when they visit the "old country," seek out those landmarks over which time and history have thrown an undying halo. No American comes to England without visiting Stratford-on-Avon, for Shakespeare belongs to them as much as he does to us. Do we at home do so? It has become a custom of recent years that at certain seasons of the year those who can should take a holiday, and this means that the majority flock abroad to all sorts of places on the Continent, and for all sorts of purposes. As one who knows something of Continental life, I cannot help being surprised that so much travelling is done abroad, when there are so

many places equally enthralling, and in every way as suitable, as a change for the valetudinarian or for purposes of pleasure, in our own country. Continental habits, unless in the very first-class hotels, such as the Métropole at Monte Carlo or Cannes, where everything is perfect, or other hotels conducted by Englishmen or those who cater for English people, are anything but pleasant to those who are used to the decencies and conveniences of life at home. The sanitary arrangements of hotels abroad that are within the reach of the middle classes are in every way abominable. There is a want of cleanliness throughout, and the same applies to the railway stations and all places that for the different purposes of life the traveller uses. It seems incredible that at large railway stations on the Continent the conveniences should be as filthy as they are. Everyone must be familiar with the fact that Continental hotels expect the visitors to bring even their own soap to wash with. The same carelessness in the matter of sanitary arrangements must also necessarily prevail in the matter of food and water. It would be easy to enlarge on this subject if it were advisable to do so; but as Continental places throughout have to cater so much now for the educated and wealthy classes, one of the first and most important requirements to please them are proper sanitary arrangements. When will the foreigners learn this? It is true that those at home are not all that they should be in crowded towns and villages, but they are far superior to those abroad. It cannot be a source of wonder that English travellers who go for pleasure often go to places abroad simply to catch typhoid and other ailments that are due to the filthy condition of the houses or hotels that they stay at, and the utter deficiency of sanitary precautions they exhibit. In the absolute track of the tourist in all countries matters are rather better than in the less-frequented parts. It is, however, certain that millions of money are spent every year by the pleasure seeker on the Continent that might be spent with far more profit and entertainment at home, and from John O'Groat's to Land's End there are localities that are as suitable for every condition of the invalid as there are abroad. The man who lives to eat, instead of eating to live, seeks Homburg when he might possibly derive as much benefit at Harrogate or Cheltenham. The man whose nervous system is below par frequently goes to a relaxing climate that is utterly unsuitable for him, when he might find a more bracing and more suitable one at home. Indeed, for this purpose and every other, the subject of this article-Bexhillon-Sea-is absolutely perfect. It is only in dealing with ailments. more particularly connected with the respiratory organs that

possibly at one season of the year (December, January, and February) more suitable places exist than in England; though England itself, from the extreme end of Cornwall to the South Foreland, offers localities that are admirable even in this case. It is not every person who can seek in the winter the blue skies and sunny shores of the Mediterranean, and bask under the orange groves of Cannes or Beaulieu, Nice or Monte Carlo, and numbers of other places that really at certain months of the year approach as near a Paradise on earth as anything can.

Some time ago I wrote an article on Homburg showing its manifold advantages, and this brought down upon me a storm of abuse that I could not point out something nearer home in the way of a health resort-something, if I may use the hackneyed phrase, "not made in Germany," that would be equally enjoyable either for pleasure or for the valetudinarian. Undoubtedly there is no difficulty in doing this. Broadly, one might say of those who are seeking change, "If you live in the North go South, and if you live inland choose the seashore."

The south coast is the Riviera of England, and the characteristics of its climate are as various as may be found on the Riviera from San Remo to Cannes or Antibes. It is true that it has not the background of the Alps to break the keen northern blasts, nor the luxuriant foliage, even in the depth of winter, of such places as Cannes, Nice, Beaulieu, and Monte Carlo; but it has many advantages even over these favoured spots. The Riviera is only within reach of the very rich, it is far away, and though the railway communication and trains de luxe have made it very accessible, it is beyond the reach of the many. It therefore behoves the Englishman who wishes to be within reach of his business and within easy reach of those who, for motives of health, seek the genial and bracing spots that dot the south coast, to consider which is the most suitable in every way, either as a sojourn for pleasure or as a permanent abode. Of course it is a great desideratum to the Londoner that such a sunny spot should be within easy access by rail, and that at the same time it should possess every attribute that is conducive to health and long life. I do not myself think that the denizens of large towns like London should go to another large town like Brighton, but should rather choose an open locality where the soil is dry and the water and the sanitary arrangements are perfect, in fact, a growing place where modern requirements in the way of exercise and pleasure, such as golf, bicycling, cricket, &c., are within ready access, where facilities for building are easy and land not too

dear. The health resorts of the south coast are multitudinous, but I know of no one that, taken altogether, comes up in my opinion to the rising watering-place of Bexhill-on-Sea. It has unique advantages. The property that has been built over of recent years, and that will be built over, belongs to an enlightened English nobleman 1 (who has every reason to study its prosperity), and therefore is under his absolute control.

Every street has to be wide, and every house that is built has to be perfect in its sanitary arrangements as well as comfortable, and is, as far as human foresight can go, constructed to be healthy in every way. As those most important requirements of health, water, sanitation, climate and soil, have come to be considered essential matters, it is of great importance to look for a place where all these can be obtained in combination, and here they can. In looking over this interesting and rapidly-growing town, one cannot but reflect what possibilities it has as a permanent residence for those who wish to enjoy health and long life, or as a health resort for those who require a change of air after illness. The owner of the soil has evidently thought the same thing, for he seems to have catered for the enjoyment of the visitor and utilised all the advantages that the place offers. There is a splendid cycling track of asphalte, suitable in all weathers, and open only to cyclists; and I may say parenthetically bicycling furnishes the most exhilarating, healthy, and life-prolonging exercise I know. It is adapted for every age and every temperament.2 There are golf links, and there is a wide and broad expanse of interesting country to be explored. Indeed, the coast on each side of this rising town teems with interest, Over eight hundred years ago the armed hosts of William the Conqueror landed here, and a few miles off was fought the battle of Hastings. The history of Bexhill-on-Sea and its neighbourhood dates further back than the time of the Conqueror, for the Castle of Pevensey was a Roman fortress. Being as easily accessible from London, it has many great advantages over Brighton and other large towns, and undoubtedly its climate is unique ; and so absolutely suitable is it for all purposes of health that on some rising ground to the north of the town has been built a large Convalescent Home to accommodate, I believe, a hundred people. It has long been noted for the longevity of its inhabitants; and, indeed, it is a standing joke that a person.

'Earl De La Warr.

* In no case can any harm arise from this exercise if a proper "saddle" is used, and the "Pattisson's Hygienic Saddle" is by far the best and most comfortable of all saddles, and cannot do harm.

VOL. CCLXXXII. NO. 1995.

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may live there just as long as he chooses. There can be little doubt that the extreme healthiness is due to the purity and bracing character of its air. Its climate is different to that of Hastingsabout four miles off; and if one looks around and notices the absence of such towering hills as environ the older town, he may ascribe this change to that cause. Facing almost due south, it is partially screened from the northern blasts, while, on the other hand, it is exposed to the invigorating south-west and north-east winds. It is, therefore, more bracing than the lowlands of Hastings; and, being considerably quieter than that resort or St. Leonards or Eastbourne, is a fine place to which "run-down" humanity, in search of rest, may retire to "pick up" waning health either as a permanent home or temporary change. When its central position between Hastings and Eastbourne and the "lions" of the district are considered, many may feel inclined to make it a permanent home in preference to the larger places mentioned, accessible in a few minutes when desired. Healthy and invalid alike are interested in the question of water and sanitation. In these particulars Bexhill-on-Sea reaps the full benefit of its recent growth, for the drainage is as good as the latest development of hygienic science can provide, and its water is excellent.

Chief among the attractions of the town is the grand promenade, which for the space of some two miles extends along the shingly shore, and the shore is mostly of shingle, save when the receding tide uncovers a stretch of beautiful sand. At present the place is only in the state of adolescence, but it has already added to its natural charms a pretty public garden-where an excellent band plays-amid the pleasant walks and trees of which will be found the now well-nigh indispensable tennis courts. The immediate country

abounds with shady country lanes.

Of course, like many other sea-bathing places, it has hotels, and its accommodation for visitors, whatever their income, its Kursaal, with library and reading-rooms,1 its cricket, splendid bicycling track, football and golf-ground, and other requirements for sports and pastimes. I have often thought that the man or the company who would build a large mansion, on the same principle as the Queen Anne's mansions in London, in a place like this would make a fortune, and be at the same time a very great benefactor of his species. This would yield a far safer dividend than bogus mining companies that spring up daily like mushrooms to swindle the public and enrich the promoters and brokers. There are a certain number of people who like, as it were, to have a house of their own for possibly a part of a week, or 'Erected by Earl De La Warr.