148
THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
In addition to the above, other donations should be mentioned which have
been extremely useful : Messrs. Chapman and Hall, a copy of Oliver's plates of
the Natural Orders of Plants to "cut up," Messrs. Cassell and Co., some plates
of birds. Mr. Edward Stanford., a mounted copy of the official Map of Epping
Forest. Mr. B, Winstone, a framed set of the illustrations by Mr. H. A. Cole in
his book on the Epping Highway Trust, as well as other pictures. Mr. W. C.
Waller, an ancient Deed relating to the Forest (framed). Sir John Evans, one of
two ancient ornaments found at High Beach. The Epping Forest Committee,
a complete set of the Reports of the Committee and other documents. Mr. Deputy
Halse, a copy of Fisher's "Forest of Essex." Mr. H. Day, some objects found
in the bed of the Lea. Mr. Coales, some specimens of Forest Lepidoptera. Mr.
Gellatley, some Glacial Fossils from High Beach. Mr. Brown, C.C, framed
copy of cards issued on the occasion of the first visit of the Corporation to the
Forest, and of the Queen's visit. Mr. F. Coles, specimens of Forest Fungi and
Galls ; while my brother, B. G. Cole, and myself have placed, or are placing, a
large number of specimens from our own collections in the Museum.
With the very moderate sum placed at the disposal of the Committee to
begin with, it would have been quite impossible to complete the fitting up of
the rooms without the valuable aid afforded by Mr. H. A. Cole, who has not
only actually made many of the cases, but has also devoted a large amount of
labour and much time to the varied details of "fitting up." Mr. H. A. Cole and
myself also devoted a fortnight of our vacations to continued work day by day
in the Museum to get it ready for the opening, and Mr. Lockyer gave us his
valued services for two days in writing labels, etc.
Among our lady members, Miss Wilson has cleaned and mounted specimens of
plants, and Miss J. E. Cole, Miss Cole, and Miss Adeline Cole, have devoted much
time to mounting specimens and plates, writing labels, and other work.
The issue of the extended "Guide" to the Museum has been deferred pending
the completion of some of the collections. For the opening meeting I drew up a
"Short Account of the Museum," of which an edition of 1,500 copies has been
printed, in order to enable it to be used in making known the aims and objects of
the Museum.
Mr. I. Chalkley Gould has written an excellent descriptive pamphlet of his
collection, and has had it printed on terms very favourable to the Club, he him-
self generously defraying part of the cost.1
As the members of the Club are aware, the Museum was publicly opened by
the Chairman of the Epping Forest Committee, Mr. Deputy Halse, on Saturday,
November 2nd, 1895. It is unnecessary to detail here the events of the meeting,
which was attended by most of the members of the Epping Forest Committee, and
by many scientific gentlemen, including Sir Wm. Flower, Director of the British
Museum of Natural History. The meeting was well reported in several news-
papers and journals, and I would particularly call attention to Sir Wm. Flower's
remarks as printed and commented upon in "Nature" and in "Natural Science."
The Club may be congratulated on having made a good beginning with this
little Museum. But we ask our friends to remember that it is but a first
sketch, as it were, of what might easily be made a most interesting and instruc-
1 "Notes upon the Romano-British Settlement at Chigwell, Essex, with a description of
the articles exhibited in the Epping Forest Museum," 1895. Price 6d., post free.