THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
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fully and ably than he could possibly describe them. No doubt they were all
aware that one of the great points in Gilberd's celebrated work was to establish
the view that the earth is a magnet. He (Lord Rayleigh) did not know that at
the present day we had very much advanced beyond that view. We did not know
how the earth was a magnet or why it was a magnet. He remembered that a
riddle was once proposed to him in the question, "What is the difference between
the North Pole and the South Pole ?" The answer—rather a pretty one—was
"All the difference in the world." (Laughter.) If the question had referred
however, not to the geographical North and South Poles, but to the North and
South Magnetic Poles, there would have been some difficulty in finding so ready
an answer. Indeed our ignorance upon the subject reminded him of an anecdote
told by Sir John Lubbock of an artist's model who had had some elementary
lessons in astronomy, and had learned of the distances between the stars and so
forth without surprise. What she could not understand was how astronomers
could find out the names of the stars. (Laughter.) In conclusion, Lord Rayleigh
said he was very happy to be present on that occasion, not only because he was
connected with both the Essex Field Club and the Gilbert Club, but also as a
resident in the county. The Essex people had every reason to be proud of Dr.
Gilberd. It was no more than the truth to say that they had not been so proud of
him as they ought to have been. Gilberd was one of the first to show the light
and to start inquiry upon the right lines. What he did was wonderful, considering
the difficulties of research at that day. He had excited the admiration of Galileo,
and to be appreciated by Galileo was appreciation indeed. He would not further
anticipate the interesting lecture they would certainly hear in the evening, and in
their enjoyment of which he should have been glad to participate but for other
engagements.
After a few words from the Mayor, who heartily welcomed the associated Clubs
on behalf of the town, and expressed his sympathy with the object which had
drawn them together, the company separated.
The programme for the afternoon included a trip by road, under Mr. Shenstone's
guidance, to the Vale of Dedham, on the Stour, many of the beauties of which
have been immortalised by the famous painter, Constable, Owing, however, to
the rain, which poured down in torrents at the time of starting (three o'clock)
many of the members declined to go, and a small party of less than twenty,
including some ladies, started for the trip, wrapped in waterproofs, and crouching
under umbrellas. The weather, fortunately, cleared somewhat during the after-
noon, and the ride was by no means unenjoyable. [Those members who did not
venture out were most hospitably entertained at "afternoon tea" by Mr. J. N.
Paxman, at "Hill House."] At Dedham Lodge the party was kindly and
hospitably entertained by Mr. R. T. Cobbold and his family, and it would be
difficult to say which was most enjoyed, the ramble through the beautiful garden,
or the feast of luscious strawberries gathered from the beds. Mr. Cobbold showed
a species of Medicago, the fruit of which so closely resembles a snail as to give it
the name of "Snail-plant." Curiously enough, Mr. Crouch happened to have
with him a specimen of Helix lapicida, which could scarcely be distinguished from
the fruit of the plant. From the Lodge grounds a charming view was obtained
of Dedham Vale, with its unsurpassed rural scenery. With many thanks to their
kind host, the party re-entered their vehicles and were driven on to Dedham, and
thence wended their way across the meadows by the river's side to Flatford Mills,
the birthplace of Constable.
Here Mr. J. C. Shenstone gave a short address on the life and work of the