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THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
the approach to London; the absence of pottery or other relics seemed to show
that it had not been inhabited for any long period.8
Mr. Tower then led the way across the park to the Hall, where the company
were most hospitably entertained at "afternoon tea."
Morant says that the name Weald signifies wood, and that this place was one of
the first inhabited parts of the Forest of Essex. The manor of South Weald7 was
one of the seventeen lordships wherewith Earl Harold, in 1062, endowed his
Abbey of Waltham, under the charter of Edward the Confessor. This charter
was confirmed by Henry II., and again by his son, Richard I. By Act of
Parliament, in the reign of Henry VIII., the monastery, manor, and ancient deer-
park became vested in the King, and were conferred by him on Sir Brian Tuke,
1540, by whom they were alienated to Sir Richard Riche, and by him sold to Sir
Anthony Browne, the founder of the Brentwood Grammar School. Sir William
Scroggs succeeded the Browne family, and his son sold the estate to Sir Erasmus
Smith, from whom it passed in the year 1755 to Thomas Tower, Esq., second son
of Christopher Tower, Esq., of Huntsmoor Park, Bucks.
The Hall is a large ancient mansion of the 16th century, with antique chimneys
and a more modern Ionic front. It has been most elaborately restored, and many
of the rooms are of large size, and contain a magnificent collection of paintings,
tapestry, and china. Queen Mary, when Princess Royal, is said to have resided
for a short period at Weald Hall, and the royal arms are still to be seen in the
room called "Queen Mary's Parlour."
Mrs. Tower was indefatigable in showing the treasures of her beautiful and
antique home to the visitors. Among the works of art specially noticed were, in
the fine entrance hall, a large painting of Weald Hall, by "Old Greffie," and a
marble bust, by Canova, of the First Napoleon, which was given by Admiral Tower
to Earl St. Vincent, and returned by Lady Jervis, after the Earl's death. In the
dining-room is a sea-piece by Vandervelde, three woodland scenes by J. Ruysdael,
the "Lady Abbess" by Van Heist; Dead Game by Hondekoete, and a most
interesting portrait of Napoleon I. by David, presented by his sister, Caroline,
Queen of Naples, to Mr. Tower's great uncle, Captain (afterwards Admiral) Tower
of H.M.S. "Curacoa," July 1814. The room contains a beautiful collection of
oriental china. The ceiling is by Adams, in his best style.
In the north drawing-room the tapestry is by Klein, after designs by Salvator
Rosa, and there are large pieces of ancient Japanese embroidery. Among the
pictures may be noticed the "Sleeping Boy" by Sir Joshua Reynolds, Anne of
Denmark by Van Somer, and Lady Farnborough by Cosway.
In various rooms were also seen a Rubens, and pictures assigned to Titian,
Raffaelle, Corregio, Vandyck, Wouvermans, &c., and a choice collection of water-
colours by De Wint, Prout, Copley, Fielding, T. S. Cooper, F. M. Richardson,
Birket Foster, F. Taylor, Keeley, Halswelle, &c., &c. Mrs. Tower also pointed out
some newly discovered work, forming portions of the ancient building and its orna-
mentation, including some old oak carving and frescoes.
Before leaving the members joined with Mr. Chancellor in thanking Mr. and
Mrs. Tower for their hospitality, and for the pleasure given in viewing this fine
house and its rich art treasures, not a corner of which, said Mr. Chancellor, was
without interest, and very few houses in the county could be compared with it.
6 But of course, only properly conducted excavations could lead to any certain conclusions.
Any relics on the surface would long ago have disappeared from various causes. —Ed.
7 For this account of South Weald and the Hall the Editor is largely indebted to the courtesy
of Mr. lower.