The Sun.
London, England, 1869-09-25 00:00:00

ZVEW BATHING ESTABLISHMENT AT

FOLKES7'ONE.

The attractions of Folkestone as a watering place
have been materially increased by the opening of a
bathing establishment, in the construction of which
a lesson has been—only too tardily—taken from
our neighbours, and an example, worthy of all com-
mendation and imitation, set to the rivals of this
rising town. That it deserves this appellation may
be gathered-from the fact that within a few years
the population of Folkestone has increased threefold,
and a fishing village of two or three streets has
become a flourishing town, comprising spacious and
elegant streets, squares, and terraces. Evidences
of further and rapid extension are to be seen on all
hands—more especially at the " West End," which,
however, promises to end only when it has reached
the vicinity of Sandgate. During the "season" the
number of visitors equals that of the permanent
residents. A local " Guide" gives the following
statistics as to the rise and progress of Folkestone :
"There can be no stronger testimony to the
growing importance of a town than that afforded
by the increase of its population. When Mated
published his " History of Kent" in 1799 there were
450 houses in Folkestone, and 2,000 inhabitants.
In 1821 there were 793 houses, and the inhabitants
were—males, 1,862 ; females, 2,127 ; making a
total of 3,989. 1n 1841 there were 975 houses, and
the population was—males, 2,126 ; females, 2,287 ;
total, 4,413, including town and parish. In 1851
it amounted to 6,637, and consisted of 3,161 males
and 3,476 females, showing an increase of 2,915 ;
the number of houses in the township inhabited
was 1,400 ; unoccupied, 100 ; giving an increase
of upwards of 300 houses. In 1861 the population,
according to the census taken in that year, was
8,507, exhibiting probably a greater proportional
increase than can be found throughout the king-
dom." The population now numbers over 12,000,
exclusive of the birds of passage and brilliant
plumage that flock to Folkestone in summer and
fly thence in late autumn.
The desirability of erecting a bathing establish-
ment was frequently mooted, but nothing was
practically effected in the matter until Mr. Gardi-
ner, a local architect, in conjunction with Mr.
Harrison, of the firm of Brockman and Harrison,
took it in hand. Mr. Gardiner visited the princi-
pal bathing establishments in France prior to pre-
paring the plans which he subsequently sub-,
mitted, and which were ultimately adopted. It
was suggested that a company should be formed,
and a capital of £lO,OOO raised in £lOO shares.
This suggestion was acted on, and several of
the leading residents of Folkestone, with Mr.
Gambrill, the then mayor, at their head,
formed themselves into a limited liability com-
pany, of which Mr. Gambrill became chairman.
The plans prepared by Mr. Gardiner were ap-
proved of, and the contract for the erection of
the building was taken by Mr. Frances for the
engineering work, and by -Messrs. Holdom and
Powell for the building. The shares, with the
exception of 25, were at once taken in the locality,
and have been paid up in full, those unsubscribed
for being still available for allotment. The
foundation-stone of the building was laid by the
mayor, Mr. Gambrill, in September, 1868, in the
presence of a number of gentlemen interested in
the prosperity of the town. The visitors on the
occasion included Baron M. de Rothschild, M.P. ;
the ,Lord Chief Baron (Sir Fitzroy Kelly) ; Mr.
Lonsdale, the recorder ; Mr. Doridant, the pre-
sent mayor; Dr. Bowles ; the Rev. Mr. Wood-
ward, vicar of Folkestone ; Mr. Bateman, 2.P. ;
and Dr. Alderson, president of the College of Phy-
sicians. ln• July last the building—the site of
which was admirably chosen—was formally opened
to the public. It is in the Italian style, freely
treated, and occupies a frontage of 117 ft by a depth
of 48ft. On the lower tier, is a large swimming
and plunge bath, and also every description of
medicated and " invalid" baths. The first floor is
devoted to a series of warm and cold baths—at
one side for ladies, at the other for gentlemen.
The baths are fitted in excellent style, and so con-
structed that the bather can indulge in sea or
fresh water at pleasure. The upper tier has an
entrance from the cliff, the house being built on
the slop of the hill, and here are situated sub-
scription and assembly rooms, reading, billiard,
and refreshment rooms, which are reserved
for subscribers to the ',baths. The assembiy-
room is frequently used as a ball-room, to
which purpose it is admirably suited. One of
the features of the establishment is a spacious
balcony running the entire breadth of the grand
saloon, from which an extensive sea view is ob-

tained. It may be mentioned that the annual
subscription is 255., for the season of six months
18s., and for lesser periods proportionately low ;
while the tariff to non-subscribers for the baths is

extremely moderate, notwithstanding that the
whole of the bathing arrangements, including the
sea-bathing from machines, is under the control of
the company. Those who remember " Folkestone
as it was" in respect of sea-bathing--and that not
very long since—will know the room for improve-
ment there was in this respect, and the improve-
ment has been thoroughly effected. New and im-
proved machines have taken the place of the dingy
structures which formerly existed ; order has taken
the place of confusion ; and that the results of the
transfer of management has been appreciated by
the public is shown by the fact that during June,
July, and August nearly 20,000 persons have
bathed, exclusively of the large numbers who fre-
quent the "establishment." The returns in both
departments exceed the expectations of the com-
pany, and show that the income for the
few months that the company has been in
operation is about £5OO in excess of the expen-
diture. After the manner of the e3tablish-
ments at the opposite side of the Channel, the
company has organised a series of entertain-

inents, including balls, which take place each
week, and are open to subscribers and their
friends; and flower shows, one of which took place
on Friday and Saturday last, and attracted a large
and fashionable attendance. The show was a great
success, and included contributions of exotics and
hot-house plants from the con3ervatories of Mr.
Mackeson, Sandgate, Mrs. Ellis, of Ewe], near
Dover, and numerous other private growers, who
sent in roses, dahlias, gladiolas, asters, verbenas,
and cut flowers in great variety and of high culti-

vation. Prizes to the amount of £7O were offered,
and were closely competed for by nurserymen and

amateur growers. The band of the 4th King's Own
attended each day, and it may be stated that
bands of the regiments at Dover and Shorncliffe
play on stated days each week. The show took
place under marquees on the picturesque lawn in
front of the establishment and in the grand saloon.
The principal prizes were awarded to Mr. Wood-
ford, gardener to the Duke of Abercorn, for a
choice specimen of the coleus, and for ornamental
foliage and other plants ; Mr. Boothroyd, gardener
to Mrs. Ellis ; Mr. Peden, gardener to General
Sir J. Bligh, K.C.B. ; Mr. Lilley, gardener to the
Recorder ; Mr. Fentiman, gardener to Mrs. Hol-
man ; and Mr. Emerson, gardener to Mr. Macke-

son, who sent a large collection of rare plants for

the laudable purpose of encouraging floral exhibi

tions. Mr. B-any- ard, of Ashford, was a large con-
tributor ; as was also Mr. Edwards of the Pavilion

Hotel. A number of ladies sent in some very ele

gant epergnes and bouquets, the principal prizes
_ _ _.

for which were awarded to the Misses Paull, of

Ileden Court, Canterbury ; Miss La Coste, of Fol-
kestone ; and Mrs. Bunyard, of Ashford. A gra,
tifying feature of the show was the contributions
of cottagers, consisting principAlly of hardy flower-
ing:, and window plants, and aho a variety of kitchen
gim'en ve,t,,etabl,s and some tempting fruit. The
P i7-;',3 Were (li,tributed by Mr. Julius Thompson,
the manager of the establit,hment, the success of
which is in no small degree owing to his exertions
and administrative capacity. It should be added,
that the opening ceremony wal on the invitation of
Mr. Doridant, the mayor, attended by the prefet
of the Department of Calais, the sub-prefet, the
maire of Boulogne, and the chief magistrates of
several towns in the vicinity. A similar French
invasion took place during the mayoralty of Mr.
Gambrill. Thndistinguished visitors found that in

whatever capacity they came they were certain of
a warm reception ; and they were not slow to re-

turn in kind the courtesy- and hospitality which
they experienced.