THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
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of its contents, was apparently at one time the Chapter-house, and it was well,
while the party was there, that there should have been a drenching rain, for it
was a good reason for lingering over the inspection of very fine architectural
work, the leading characteristics of which did not escape attention, particularly
when there was so observant a guide as the Rev. J. Kenworthy. The next move
was to Coggeshall itself. At the church of St. Peter-ad-Vincula a prolonged
stay was made, most of the members being charmed with the artistic manner in
which the inside of the sacred building had been decorated and generally treated.
It is well to note in passing that, of three churches in England bearing the
same name, one is York Minster. One special feature of decorative work proved
to be the east end stained glass window, in which there are seven lovely canopies.
As was stated by an authority, that in Coggeshall Church was one of the best repre-
sentations of that kind of window dating from the Middle Ages, and of which
many are to be found to-day in the churches of Toulon and Bordeaux. The
elaborately decorated oak screen claimed attention, and it was significant that it
was executed in Coggeshall by Mr. Polley, who, having developed oak carving to
a very high degree, is able to command orders from all parts of the country as well
as abroad. The representations of angels and devils were not so good as some
would desire, at any rate not equal to existing early work. That was
owing, as one rev. gentleman said, to the circumstance that while in
simple times people believed in such things, nowadays they didn't. The wooden
statuettes of the twelve apostles in the roof, and a curious looking old font, made
probably by some rural mason about 1230, were other objects of interest. From
the church the Woolpack Inn, which stands close by, came in for inspection,
mainly on account of the 15th century woodwork and panelling, which was a
feature of the upper structure of the old hostelry. The most casual observer
could not fail to notice what abundance of carved oak work adorned the front of
houses and shops in the main street.
The velvet industry was once a flourishing one at Coggeshall, but has
declined, and there are only two or three looms now working. We visited one,
and had a talk with the old weever. A short account of the industry is given
by Mr. Miller Christy in the Victoria History of Essex, vol. II., page 465.
Luncheon was taken at the "Chapel Hotel," Market Hill, and afterwards
the Second Annual Meeting of the Survey was held, Sir J. Benjamin Stone,
M.P., in the chair. The Hon. Secretary presented a short report ou the work
done during the past year. He said that progress had been slower than they
had anticipated; however, they had received 650 contributions to date,
which was not a bad result compared with the surveys of neighbouring
associations. A series of interesting photographs had been received, giving the
result of the earthquake at Colchester in 1884. They were the sort of things
they wanted to preserve. It was very important they should have a photographic
record of olden times, such as buildings, customs, and passing events. Such a
movement merited the support of the County Council, and he hoped, considering
its great importance, it would not sutler through lack of financial assistance.
He afterwards paid a tribute to the work that was being done in the north-
western part of the county by Mr. Frank Hilton, who was securing a fine
collection of views.
Sir Benjamin Stone, who proposed the adoption of the report, said, although
they were on a photographic survey, he bad noticed no other cameras than his
own. In offering some encouraging words about photography, the hon.