BOURNE (EAST), a parish (formerly a market town) in the hundred of EASTBOURNE, rape of PEVENSEY, county of SUSSEX, 7 miles (S.) from Hailsham, containing 2607 inhabitants. The living is a vicarage, in the archdeaconry of Lewes, and diocese of Chichester, rated in the king's books at £26. 1. 8., and in the patronage of the Treasurer in the Cathedral Church of Chichester. The church is dedicated to St. Mary. The town, which consists of three detached portions, is pleasantly situated beneath the brow of a lofty hill, within a short distance of the sea, and has recently been resorted to for bathing, that part called Sea Houses being chiefly appropriated to the reception of visitors, for whose recreation alibraryandreading-rooms,and a small theatre, have been established, and there are assembly-rooms at the Lamb Inn. The bold headland, or promontory, of Beachy head, formerly remarkable for the loss of vessels occasioned by the beating of the sea against it, the effects of which are visible in its numerous hollows and caverns, forms the south-west boundary of the parish. There are places of worship for Baptists, Independents, and Wesleyan Methodists. A strong circular fortification, called the dep6t, comprising barracks, storehouses, a magazine, &c., and surrounded by a deep intrenchment, has been erected on the beach, in connexion with a h'ne of Martello towers on the coast. The market was on Saturday, but has been discontinued: fairs are held on March 12th for pedlary, and October llth for sheep, &c. Coins and other relics of the Romans have been discovered at various times, particularly in 1717, when a chequered pavement and a bath were exposed to the view. At Holywell, a mile west of the town, is a chalybeate spring, the water of which has properties similar to the Clifton Wells.