Page:History of the Fylde of Lancashire (IA historyoffyldeof00portiala).pdf/357

 outside. In 1876 an extensive enlargement, consisting of a south wing, containing 39 bedrooms and 6 sitting-rooms, was made to the establishment. The cliffs fronting the estate, formerly rugged and uneven, were sloped and pitched to form a protection from the inroads of the tide, whilst a broad marine promenade was made along the whole length of the park, about a mile, and fenced with an iron railing on its open aspect. The main promenade of the town was continued round the west side of the park as far as the Gynn, but on a lower level than the walk just indicated. Shrubs were planted and toll houses, with gates, fixed at the entrances to the estate, all of which was enclosed with railings. The splendid residences denominated Stanley Villas, Wilton Parade, Imperial Terrace, and Lansdowne Crescent were not dilatory in rearing their several heads in a locality so congenial to their aristocratic proclivities, the foundations of the last being prepared in 1864.

In 1864 the Lane Ends Hotel was levelled to the ground, and the present handsome structure, in the Italian style of architecture, raised on the site, being re-opened again two years later. The foundation stone of the United Methodist Free Church was laid in Adelaide Street on the 30th of March, in the year specified, by James Sidebottom, esq., of Manchester, service being held in the building in the course of a few months; whilst the newly-arrived lifeboat was launched, and the first supply of the Fylde Waterworks Company passed through their pipes to Blackpool on the 20th of July. The station of the lifeboat, named the "Robert William," is situated near the beach at South Shore, close to the Manchester Hotel; and here we may mention that this boat, under the skilful and intrepid management of its crew and coxswain, has been instrumental on several occasions in affording aid in time of shipwreck. Amongst these instances may be noted the rescue of a crew of fourteen persons belonging to the barque "Susan L. Campbell," wrecked on Salthouse Bank on the 11th April, 1867, assistance being rendered also to the barque "A. L. Routh"; and the rescue of the crew of the schooner "Glyde," stranded on the South Beach on the same eventful morning. The annual expense incurred in the support of this valuable institution is defrayed by voluntary contributions.

The unflagging efforts of the inhabitants to promote the comfort