THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
109
Chancellor, J.P. (President), the Mayor and Mayoress of Chelmsford, and the
Mayor of Colchester. Unfortunately, several well-known scientific members
were unable at the last moment to attend, including the Vice-Presidents, Mr. E.
A. Fitch, and Dr. H. Laver ; Mr. Shenstone came on board for a short time at
Dedham.
Starting from Colchester station about 10.40 in dull weather, which was ex-
pected by the weather-wise to clear up, the party drove in three brakes to
Nayland. It was a pleasant drive through Myland—with the far-famed Col-
chester rose gardens on either side of the way—and through the long village of
Great Horkesley.
There was not much in the way of scenery, however, until the hill above
Nayland was reached. From that point a glorious view of the valley of the
Stour is obtained, stretching out as far as the eye can see on either hand, and
bounded in front by wooded slopes, with the square tower of Stoke-by-Nayland
Church standing out boldly amidst the dark green foliage. This was the finest
panoramic glimpse obtained during the day of "Constable's country," and it was
presented under just such a sky as the great artist himself loved to paint.
Descending the hill about a mile, the party alighted at the Anchor Bridge,
where two of Mr. Stannard's barges were in readiness for the voyage down the
Stour. Before starting, attention was called to the keystone of this bridge, the
curious point being that it is carved with the letter A and a Bell, with date 1775,
a rebus on the name of the builder, a man named "Abel." Mr. Crouch men-
tioned that for the upkeep of this bridge the rent of a small farm in Layer is
used. It was for a long time in the hands of trustees, but now the rent is
divided between the two counties, who jointly repair it.
Nayland village is in Suffolk, and was not visited, but mention may be made
here of an oil painting by John Constable, R.A., which is over the Communion
Table in the Church. The subject is Christ with outspread hands blessing the
bread and wine, and the general effect is pleasing. It was painted in 1809. The
only other subject of the kind he painted was in 1804, as an altar-piece for
Brantham Church, and depicts Christ blessing little children. In this the figures
are life-size, all standing, except the infant in His arms, At one time some fine
brasses were here, the matrices of six large ones may still be seen, one with 20
children, each separate brass figures—but only two effigies, the head of a lady
with "butterfly head dress" and some crotcheted canopies remain.
The barge was neatly-lined with "Hessian," and with an awning, supported
by poles draped in red, afforded very comfortable accommodation for the party.
The barges used on the Stour Navigation, and some peculiarities of the method
of towing, excited much interest amongst visitors from a distance. These nearly
flat-bottomed craft, which fit the locks to a hair's breadth almost, are built to go
in pairs, end on to each other. The towing horse was attached not to the barge
containing the company but to another chained in front. From the sternmost
boat a long kind of bowsprit projects over three-parts of the length of the boat
in front, and this is used as a steering-pole—such being its name in fact—for
both vessels.
It seemed a marvel, as one observed, that the tail doesn't sometimes wag
the dog ; but, as a matter of fact, an immense amount of leverage is required to
get round the sharp turns of the river, and the arrangement is an interesting
adaptation of means to ends, As far as the towing is concerned, most honourable
mention must be made of the horse—a grand Shirebred—employed in that work.