A park,playground,music,boats,covered conveniences for bathing,without the expense of hiring a machine,and other arrangements for the comfort and enjoyment of the people would be provided.
The estate would form one of the Colonies of the general enterprise,and on it would be grown fruit,vegetables,flowers,and other produce for the use of the visitors,and sold at the lowest remunerative rates.
One of the first provisions for the comfort of the excursionists would be the erection of a large hall,affording ample shelter in case of unfavourable weather,and in this and other parts of the place there would be the fullest opportunity for ministers of all denominations to hold religious services in connection with any excursionists they might bring with them.
There would be shops for tradesmen,houses for residets,a museum with a panorama and stuffed whale;boats would be let out at moderate prices,and a steamer to carry people so many miles out to sea,and so many miles back for a penny,with a possible bout of sickness,for which no extra charge would be made.
In fact the railway fares and refreshment arrangements would be on such a scale,that a husband and wife could have a 70-mile ride through the green fields,the new-mown hay,the waving grain or fruit laden orchards;could wander for hours on the seashore,have comforting and nourishing refreshment,and be landed back at home sober,cheered and invigorated for the small sum of 3s.A couple of children under 12might be added at 1s.6d.--nay,a whole family,husband,wife and four children,supposing one is in arms,could have a day at the seaside,without obligation or charity,for 5s.
The gaunt,hungry inhabitants of the Slums would save up their halfpence,and come by thousands;clergymen would find it possible to bring half the poor and needy occupants of their parishes;schools,mothers'meetings,and philanthropic societies of all descriptions would come down wholesale;in short,what Brighton is to the West End and middle classes,this place would be to the East End poor,nay,to the poor of the Metropolis generally,a Whitechapel-by-the-Sea.
Now this ought to be done apart from my Scheme altogether.The rich corporations which have the charge of the affairs of this great City,and the millionaires,who would never have amassed their fortunes but by the assistance of the masses,ought to say it shall be done.
Suppose the Railway Companies refused to lend the great highways of which they have become the monopolists for such an undertaking without a subvention,then the necessary subvention should be forthcoming.
If it could be made possible for the joyless toilers to come out of the sweater's den,or the stifling factory;if the seamstress could leave her needle,and the mother get away from the weary round of babydom and household drudgery for a day now and then,to the cooling,invigorating,heart-stirring influences of the sea,it should be done,even if it did cost a few paltry thousands.Let the men and women who spend a little fortune every year in Continental tours,Alpine climbings,yacht excursions,and many another form of luxurious wanderings,come forward and say that it shall be possible for these crowds of their less fortunate brethren to have the opportunity of spending one day at least in the year by the sea.
