206 THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
rendered most valuable services in arranging the details of the meeting. Mr. H.
A. Cole embellished the circular with four sketches, made on the spot a few days
before the meeting.
The large party (consisting of over sixty persons) arrived at Hertford Station
at 10.40 a.m., and at once proceeded on board the Salisbury, which was moored at
Dicker Mill Bridge, on the Lea Navigation, and the start was made at a quarter
past eleven.
To quote from the circular of the meeting, the County Town of Hertford is a
place of considerable interest. The Castle (now a private residence) is reputed
to have been built by Alfred the Great, but others say that Edward the Elder
founded it A.D, 909. ft was one of the residences of the Saxon Kings. In 1345,
King Edward II. gave the Castle to John of Gaunt. Queen Elizabeth lived
here for a time. The Parliamentary Army had its headquarters at Hertford in
1647. Eu route, towards Ware, can be seen Gallows Hill, remarkable as the site
of the execution of a ringleader of a mutiny which, at one time, threatened
destruction to the Parliamentary cause, but which was crushed by Cromwell's
prompt action.
The morning was lovely, but some threatening clouds promised showers at
least. These, however, fortunately did not reach us during the day, although
heavy storms were experienced in some districts on either side of the river.
After passing the junction of the River Beane at Ware Park Mill, and the
Balance Engine of the New River Company, where that Company draws its
statutory volume of water (limited by Parliament to 22,500,000 gallons daily)
from the Lea, it may be said that the business of the day commenced.
According to promise, Major Flower presented to each member and visitor a
copy of his pamphlet, "The River Lea up to Date," and also exhibited some
interesting maps of the Watershed of the Navigation, and on the invitation of the
President (Mr. Chancellor) he stopped the barge on a picturesque part of the
river, half-way between Hertford and Ware, and addressed the meeting as
follows :
Major Flower's Address.
Major Flower said : "Before giving you a slight sketch of the River Lea
and its tributaries above Hertford, I must, in the name of the Lee Conservancy
Board and my own, wish the Essex Field Club a hearty welcome to the Lea
Watershed. The barge on which we are assembled is placed at the disposal of
the Club with every good wish, that all may enjoy a pleasant day, and that each
will leave it at the close of our voyage down the Navigation with some appreciation
of the value of the work of nearly half a century in abating pollution to the river,
and with some knowledge of what the River Lea is.
" We have left Hertford, and started on our journey at a point on the
main river, or rather in the navigable part thereof. This Navigation is of
great antiquity. We read that the Danes sailed up the stream, it is said as far
as to Ware. King Alfred followed them, entrenched himself below Ware, cut
channels and drained the Lea dry, rendered their retreat by water an impossibility,
and they were compelled, therefore, to escape across country, and found refuge in
Gloucestershire. The Navigation does not extend farther than just above the
'Town Mill Bridge' in Hertford, about half a mile above the place where we
embarked.
" The River Lea rises in Bedfordshire, about three miles north-west of Luton,