Hunting the Hare, 307 



awaiting a favouring gale, and thus I while the time 

 away, as I saunter quietly home from a ride with the 

 Thanet Harriers for the last time this season, as they 

 will not hunt after the first week in March. Vast im- 

 provements have been made in Ramsgate. The 

 splendid hotel, designed and commenced by Pugin — 

 the Granville — is in full swing ; by the way, the baths 

 at this establishment are of a very superior description, 

 and worthy of a visit ; and as alterations and enlarge- 

 ments seem the order of the day, I presume it is a 

 success, which will, doubtless, be still further increased 

 if it is true that the managers of the Chatham and 

 Dover line intend to greatly accelerate the speed 

 of some of their through trains. When this is done, 

 and a low scale of charges established, sufficiently so 

 to draw visitors, Ramsgate may hope to some extent 

 to compete with Brighton. The enormous outlay 

 which has been expended in improving the Grranville 

 estate, which cannot be less than a quarter of a million 

 in amount, has certainly altered the prospects of this 

 hitherto unfashionable but yet extremely healthy 

 place of seaside resort ; and it is to be hoped that the 

 present proprietor (Mr. E. Davis) will reap the benefit 

 of his spirited exertions to provide attractions for those 

 visiting Ramsgate when on pleasure bent or seeking 

 for health and recreation in this highly-favoured 

 locality. 



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