THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
227
from thence to Bishop's Stortford, Wallbury, Harlow, Latton, Epping, and on to
London.''
A short drive through most pleasant country lanes, and under a fine avenue of
trees in the park, brought the party to Hyde Hall, where all were most kindly
and hospitably received by our host and hostess, Mr. and Mrs. T. J. Mann.
All who were then present remembered with pleasure the visit paid last year to
Mr. Mann's house at Bishop's Stortford, when so many were for the first time
initiated into some of the mysteries of the Falconer's art, of which Mr. Mann is an
ardent disciple (see full report of the meeting, with paper by Mr. Mann on
"Modern Falconry," in Essex Naturalist, vol. ii, pp. 207-227). Hyde Hall is
in Sawbridgeworth parish (pronounced "Sapsworth" or "Sapser"), standing on
elevated and wooded ground which, although on the east bank of the river Stort,
is in Hertfordshire, and forms a little tongue of land completely cut out of Essex
on three of its sides. Portions of the house are ancient, but it was partly rebuilt
in the castellated form in 1806-7, under the direction of the junior Wyatt, and the
old quadrangle was converted into a spacious entrance-hall. It took its name from
the Hide Family who succeeded the Mandevilles, and from them passed by marriage
to Thomas Joceline, anno 33 Henry III, and it has continued in the Jocelyn
family (now holding the Earldom of Roden in the Irish Peerage) to this day as
one of their seats. In Sawbridgeworth Church are several very handsome
monuments and brasses to the Jocelyns, Leventhorpes, and others.
At the Hall the members had ample opportunities of seeing Mr. Mann's Hawks,
which were on view either in the mews or on the "blocks," including a fine
"tiercel" or male peregrine, a sparrow-hawk, and a beautiful little merlin (all
"birds of the year"), the celebrated Irish Goshawk "Shadow of Death," which
attracted so much attention at the Meeting at Mr. Mann's last year. Three falcons
and a tiercel were at liberty, "flying at hack" in the park, and one was put out
of a tree by the keeper, and was seen to fly down the valley. Mr. Mann also showed
his collection of pictures and engravings illustrative of field sports, and his small but
well preserved collection of birds, and the English collection of Lepidoptera.
Luncheon was served in the most sumptuous manner in a large marquee in the
park, about 140 guests being entertained. Shortly afterwards an Ordinary
Meeting of the Club (the 105th) was held in the large hall of the Mansion, Mr,
E. A. Fitch, President, in the chair.
The following were elected members :—Mrs. E. Durrant, Mrs. E. M. Shadrake,
Mr. F. Morley Hill, F.S.S. ; Rev. H. W. Jukes, M.A. ; and Mr. W. Hart
Pertwee.
The President said that as they were now holding an Ordinary Meeting, he felt
no scruples in asking the Members to pass a most hearty vote of thanks to Mr. and
Mrs. Mann for their great kindness in receiving the Club. Prof. Meldola seconded
the motion, which was passed by acclamation.
Mr. Mann assured the members that their visit to his house was a very welcome
one. He asked the Club to do all in its power to assist in the preservation of the
raptorial birds. Their constant destruction by gamekeepers and others was doing
irreparable injury to the natural history of the country.
A vote of thanks was also passed to Mr. Houblon for the permission given to
assemble in Hatfield Forest.
Mr. Edward Taylor, F.L.S., exhibited a large and interesting collection of
Palaeolithic and Neolithic Stone Implements, many of which had been found in
Essex in the neighbourhood of Bishop's Stortford, &c Mr. Taylor gave the history,
and commented on the special features of many of the specimens exhibited.