322 HISTORY OF THE 



city. It is built under the shelter of the South- 

 down hills, which protect it from the northern and 

 eastern blasts. Splendid squares and parades have 

 been built, besides hotels, club-houses, and other 

 establishments, for the purpose of amusement. 

 Hence it has become the resort of the idle, the 

 invalid and the fashionable, as w^ell in the winter 

 as the summer season. — It boasts also of a Royal 

 Palace, called the Pavilion, at which our recent 

 Sovereigns have never failed to pass some part of 

 the winter. In 1821, the population of this fa- 

 shionable watering place, amounted to 24,429 ; but 

 such has been the increase since that period, 

 that it is at present estimated at little short of 

 50,000 in the season. 



The races take place in the beginning of August, 



and continue three days. — The course, which is on 



Brighton downs, about a mile and a half from the 



town, is railed in, and well kept, and affords every 



accommodation to the numerous and fashionable 



visitors ; the stand is capable of containing 500 



spectators. Its height above the sea, is 384 



feet ; and from it may be seen the Isle of Wight, 



with many other beautiful objects. On White 



Hawke hill, near the race course, on which a 



signal tower has been erected, are the remains of 



an ancient fortification ; and on HoUingsbury hill, 



about tW'O miles north of the town, are vestiges 



of a large circular encampment in which are several 



