54
THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
Stairs there being only one of the numerous heads. Since that time, however,
the remainder has been washed away. Looking across the vast expanse of sands,
which at high water are covered with about four feet of water, the shipping and
the Nore Lightship, which were visible in the distance, engaged interested'
attention. Mr. McConnell remarked, "I am quite satisfied now that the earth
is round, for I have seen the rotundity with my own eyes. On the Broomway one
could see so many miles in a straight line, along a perfectly level floor, that the
bulge of the earth was quite plain to be seen, just as it is on the prairie."
The curious "kettle" or "kiddle" nets set up on the sands were noticed,
V-shaped with the apex pointing away from the shore, so as to catch the fish as
the tide runs out. They are described in Day's Fishes of Great Britain and
Ireland and in Laver's Mammals, Fishes, etc., of Essex. And everyone was
struck with the countless millions of worm-casts studding the sands for miles and
miles. We could not stay to examine them, but they probably were caused by
the great Lug-worm (Arenicola) and possibly also by Terebella conchilega,
which is so common on the shallow-water sand-banks of the Colne Estuary.
On arrival at Wakering Stairs, two brakes were waiting, and on these the party
mounted for the final stage of the jaunt Passing St. Nicholas Church, the brakes
proceeded through the quaint old village of Great Wakeling—a long, straight
street, about a mile in length—and along the main road through Southchurch
to Southend, Little Wakering Church being seen in the distance, and making a
pretty picture against the fresh green of the trees. The country in this part is
practically all under cultivation, and very fruitful, often being set down as
amongst the best cultivated in Essex. The ride of about six miles was greatly
enjoyed by all, the road before Southchurch Church was reached being just now
very beautiful. A few yards past the church the Southend tram terminus is
reached, and then the road, lined with houses and shops on both sides, which
have sprung up during the last few years, runs straight into Southend. "And
so ended one of the pleasantest days I have ever had in my life. In the twelve
hours we had driven, sailed, walked, waggoned, driven again, and then trained
home a distance of about 50 miles (though London friends of the party had done
double this) and had a very varied experience, and seen a good deal more of the
marsh country."
Mr. Miller Christy took a "snap-shot" photograph from one of the
waggons during the journey over the sands. It is reproduced on Plate III,
as it is thought that it will afford a good notion of the wild desolateness of
this curious region.