THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB. 185
lawn under the trees, the members inspected Mr. Edenborough's large collection
of old watches and other plate, arranged in the billiard-room.
Then on the lawn an Ordinary Meeting (the 125th) was held, the chair being
taken by Prof. Meldola, in the unavoidable absence of the President. The fol-
lowing were elected members of the Club :—Messrs. Thos. Bird, James Round,
M.P., D.L., &c., H. S. Tabor and J. Lichlenstein ; the Rev. J. G. Hughes, Rev. H.
M. Milligan, B.A., and Mrs. Ferry, Mrs. Musselwhite and Miss Maud Mussel-
white.
Cordial votes of thanks were accorded to Mrs. Edenborough and to the con-
ductors, Rev. W. S. Lach-Szyrma and Mr. Crouch, for their kind exertions in
making the meeting a success, and announcements of meetings, &c., having been
made, the meeting closed.
The party then proceeded to Valentines, where they were kindly received by
Mrs. Ingleby, assisted by Miss and Mr. Holcombe Ingleby. The house was built
by a son-in-law of Archbishop Tillotson, about 1690, who often came here for
retirement. The "Bishop's Walk" of yew trees is in the grounds, which consist
of some sixteen acres, and are exceedingly beautiful, and the rhododendrons being
yet in bloom added to the charm. A very enjoyable ramble was made in the cool
evening through the grounds and round the spacious lake. Mrs. Ingleby, who is
known so well and deservedly for her good works in this poor district, pointed out
some of the chief features of the house and the fine collection of Norse drinking
vessels and carved household goods, whilst her son, Mr. Holcombe Ingleby,
showed the fine library of the late Dr. Ingleby, his father, who was a well-known
Shakesperian scholar and literary man, and also subsequently escorted some of the
party round the grounds. Some remarks on the house, and the old vine which
formerly existed here, were read by Mr. Lach-Szyrma.
Some notes were also given by Mr. Crouch, with reference to Sir Charles
Raymond, Bart., who lived here till the death of his wife in 1778. He also
owned the manors of Wyfield and Cranbrook, and built the mansion, Highlands,
where he resided till his death in 1788. It was he who built in 1765 the triangular
tower on the latter estate, which was then called Raymond's Folly, but now Ilford
Castle. He intended it for a Mausoleum for his family, but it was never conse-
crated, and he was buried in Barking Church, where there is a monument to his
memory, erected by his two daughters.
The old Manor House of Wyfield (of which Mr. Crouch exhibited a drawing)
was standing in 1800, but soon afterwards pulled down. It is interesting to note
that in 1598 it belonged to John Tedcastle, whose fine brass, with effigies of him-
self and wife, is still in Barking Church ; and curiously, with the date of his death
not inserted in the blank space he left for it.
The members found it difficult to tear themselves away from the place, so
pleasing in the cool evening, but at last a start was made, and the programme
finished by driving through Beehive to Clay Hall, where a short history of the
Manor was given by Mr. Crouch, and the chapel, cellar, and other remains
viewed. This important Manor was held by the Abbess of Barking, but was
leased for 150 years to the Colte family. It was afterwards held by Sir Christo-
pher Hatton, of the same name, and inheritor of the estates of his more famous
cousin (the Lord High Chancellor), who married Mistress Ales Fanshawe, and a
quaintly worded love letter of his was read. The date is about 1601, and it
begins "Sweete Mres. Ales." Then, after signing himself, "Yrs, in all harty
affection," he drops into rhyme in a postscript :—
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