The proximity of Brighton to London, the short time in which the transit between the towns is accomplished--less than two hours, and the numerous trains which run during the day, give it at all times a decided advantage over other sea-bathing towns on the south coast, and make a popular excursion for those whom business or taste confines to the capital, and who cannot enjoy a lengthened stay at the coast. The high grounds on the land side of Brighton afford unusual facilities for horse and carriage drives, and thus agreeably diversify the amusements of the day--an opportunity of which the inhabitants and visitors freely avail themselves. Of the bathing accommodations we have left ourselves no room to speak; but we may say they are of the highest character, replete with every convenience, and on a scale becoming a town of sixty thousand permanent residents. [Illustration: HASTINGS.] HASTINGS. The town of Hastings is situated on the coast of Sussex, about sixty-four miles S.S.E. of London. It has been supposed that the place was so called from Hastings, a Danish pirate, "who, where he landed for booty, built sometimes little fortresses; as we read, in Asserius Menevensis, of Beamflote Castle built by him in Essex, and of others at Appledore and Middleton in Kent"[12]. This conjecture, however, does not appear to be well founded; for there can be little doubt of the place having been called Hastings about the year 780, in the reign of King Offa, whereas Hastings, the pirate, did not invade England till about 880, in the reign of Alfred the Great. "Some there are," says Camden, "who ridiculously derive the name from the English word _haste_; because, as Matthew Paris writes, 'apud Hastings ligneum _agiliter_ castrum statuit Gulielmus Conquestor'--at Hastings William the Conqueror _hastily_ set up a fortress of timber." Truly, as old Fuller might have said, there has been more _haste_ than speed in the endeavour to provide this place with a godfather. It is said that the old Saxon town of Hastings stood considerably to the southward of the present one, and that it was destroyed by the incursions of the sea previous to the Conquest. The town, however, would appear to have been in a short time rebuilt; for William the Conqueror, soon after landing at Pevensey, marched to Hastings, from whence he advanced about eight miles into the country, where he encountered the English army under Harold, at the place since called Battle, in commemoration of the event.