This lithograph depicts the central part of the sea front at Brighton viewed from the original Suspension Chain Pier at Brighton. The chain pier was built as a landing stage for pleasure cruisers and packet ships from Dieppe  as the town did not have a natural harbour.  But it became a popular attraction for locals and visitors who were charged a twopenny entrance fee and could visit the shops at the base of the towers. It was captured in paint by JMW Turner and John Constable amongst others. 
 
The designer of the pier was one Captain Brown. On retiring from the Navy he turned his hand to the design of chain piers, having already used chains with limited success on ships' rigging. Built upon wooden piles of Norwegian fir, the towers for the pier were constructed from cast iron with Brown’s patent wrought iron chains connecting them. Wooden platforms were then hung from the chains to create the connecting walkways.
 
The weather finally did for the pier in 1896 when it was completely demolished by a storm. By that time, the pier was already in decline and due for demolition to make way for the new Palace Pier. 
 
On the shoreline The New Steine and the Rock Gardens. Rock Gardens were named after Rock House, built by John Smith  on a site that marked the easternmost part of the town  

Rock House was built in 1788 by Mr John Smith, this and Rock Buildings were on the further extremity of the town (now Lower Rock Gardens).  At the time he was considered He was considered mad for building so far out of town but the house had magnificent views out to sea and inland. Subsequently there was an enclosed pleasure garden where the public could walk. Its north wall abutted St. James's Street.