2-970-105 - /Heritage Images

Eight Hours at the Sea-Side - drawn by John Leech, 1856. Whit-Monday Bank Holiday on Brighton Beach. 'Great credit is due to the managers of the South Coast Railway for their determination to supply to the labourers of mind and body the means of breathing for eight hours at least the invigorating sea-breeze, and to give change to the mind deadened by the association from week's end to week's end with brick walls, or whizzing wheels, or blazing furnaces, or other implements of labour. We do not know at what charge this holiday is procurable; but it seems to be so valued that those who use it are to be reckoned by thousands'. Note bathing machine for ladies in the background. From "Illustrated London News", 1856.