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Thames Advertiser, Volume VII, Issue 1907, 1 December 1874, Page 3

A special correspondent of the London Daily Telegraph thus describes the latest co iceit which has sprung up in Brighton" In order to establish, a reputation for wealth now-a-days, it is necessary to be the owner of a cave. A mansion is all very well, but the possession of a cave immediately stamps the owner as a person of importance. The caves at Brighton are in the cliff, and approached only from the shore, and the recent fancy is to furnish these rude holes with costly, magnificent pianos, settees, gas, furniture, books, and nicknacks, which bring their aid to make the caves into delightful smoking-rooms; and being admitted into this costliness and glitter straight: from the melancholy beach at night brings up recollections of many an Arabian Night's Entertainment, Aladdin, Morgiana, the Forty Thieves, Camaralzaman, and the Princess Badoura, all come trooping into Brighton now that the caves have come into fashion.' And no mean hospitality is exercised iu them, A worse evening might be spent than in the cave smoking-rooms, listening to stories which a visier might have loved, and which would not have disgraced a one-eyed calender, or in a cave drawing-room, whilst Scheherazade sings love music, or Bakobadour discourses impromptus by Chopin. The man who does possess a Brighton cave is as much sought after as t!ie happy owner ot the Thames villa on Sundays in the season, and it is said that the reversion of such properties is eagerly demanded. The history of Brightou would not be complete without some allusion to its underground existence. No doubt the idea will be furthor developed when fashion turns its steps towards Brighton in the autumn. John Leech, in the old days, would have illustrated for us some of the freaks of the Susses mer- [ maids/