Page:History of the Fylde of Lancashire (IA historyoffyldeof00portiala).pdf/454

 comedy of 'Speed the Plough, or the Farmer's Glory;' 'Lovers' Vows, or the Child of Love'; and Coleman's admired and excellent comedy of the 'Poor Gentleman'; all of which were tolerably got up, but the scenery was not of that kind which befitted a place of dramatic exhibition." During the season three coaches ran regularly from Preston to Lytham and returned, their times of departure being—from Preston, at 12 noon, 5 in the evening, and 7 in the evening; and from Lytham, at 6 in the morning, 9 in the morning, and half-past 4 in the afternoon. In addition to these coaches, occasional public conveyances and many private vehicles brought their loads of pleasure-seekers to the village, especially during Easter and Whit-tides. Letters arrived at half-past 9 in the morning and were despatched at 4 in the afternoon. In 1828 the buildings situated in the vicinity of the beach were, commencing at the eastern extremity of the line and travelling westward, a house, occupied by Miss Dennett, Rimmer's and Butcher's cottages, the Baths with a house adjoining, two newly erected dwellings, Cookson's cottages, Rawstorne's Marine Cottage, Craven's and Hampson's cottages, Clifton Place, Buck's cottages, Silcock's and Miller's cottages, Townend's and Captain Cookson's residences, Mr. Barton's house, Captain Fell's and Mrs. Birdworth's residences, Mr. Fisher's house, Lizmahago houses, Hornby's Chinese villa, the Parsonage, in the occupation of the Rev. Robert Lister; the Parish Church, situated more inland, and Church-house, a rural place. Mr. Corry, in his History of Lancashire, published about that time, states:—"That the increase of Lytham has not been so rapid as in many villages, where the people are engaged in manufacture; but a considerable part of the visitors and settlers within the last twenty years have been opulent individuals, who were induced by the beauty of the spot and the benefit derived from bathing in the sea water, to resort to this pleasing village." The houses were unnumbered and recognised by the titles bestowed upon them, or the names of their owners. Lamps for the autumn and winter evenings were unknown in the streets, whilst libraries, news-rooms, and livery stables were things of the future. The Clifton Arns[**typo - Arms?} Hotel had recently been overlaid with a thick coating of cement resembling stone, and the Commercial Inn had undergone sundry enlargements. An ornamental enclosure or garden had been formed on