144
THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
host, Mr. Seabrooke, did everything in his power for the comfort of the visitors,
and undertook the provision of the apparatus for descent into the pits and the
engagement of the labourers, etc, By his foresight the many parties during the
day were pleasantly and safely shown the whole of the workings.
The "Conductors" were Mr. T. V. Holmes, F.G.S., Mr. Seabrooke, and
Messrs, W., B. G., and H. A. Cole.
A very large number of members and visitors were present, coming by train
to Grays, and so to the wood either on foot or in conveyances. Demonstrations
were frequently given in the workings during the day by the Conductors. It is
unnecessary to describe the Deneholes afresh, as all the points of interests have
been so thoroughly explained in the numerous papers and reports in our
Transactions and in the Essex Naturalist by Mr. T. V. Holmes and Mr.
W. Cole. Although many gentlemen specially interested in the hypotheses con-
cerning the origin and use of the deneholes were present and engaged in
discussions during the day, no fresh facts bearing on the subject were elicited.
The morning was bright and warm, but at about I o'clock very heavy clouds
came over, and soon it was seen that a violent storm was in progress in
Kent (we heard afterwards that three men were struck by lightning at Erith, one
being killed). The cuckoo was greatly in evidence in the wood. The only
insects worth noting was a specimen of Acidalia trigeminata, and Mr.
Thompson found Arctia villica. Most of the party lunched in the little cottage
in the wood.
At about 5 o'clock the party walked or drove to the "Elms" at Grays,
where they were most kindly and hospitably received by Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan
Seabrooke and family. A lavish and most welcome "high tea" was served
under the shadow of the trees on the lawn. Afterwards the party wandered
about the beautifully picturesque garden of about 18 acres, full of plants of great
interest; much of the ground is devoted as a "garden wild," Mrs. Seabrooke
being an enthusiast in the cultivation of the flowers of our English woodlands
and hedgerows.
Later in the evening the storm reached Grays and some of the party made for
the station, but many remained in the house to hold a short meeting, when Mr.
Miller Christy (president), in the chair, proposed that a most cordial vote of
thanks should be accorded to Mr. and Mrs. Seabrooke for their reception of the
Club that afternoon, and for the great interest and trouble Mr. Seabrooke had
taken in arranging details and hiring machinery and men.
This vote was carried by acclamation, and, in reply, Mr. Seabrooke expressed
the pleasure that the visit had given to all members of his family.
VISIT TO THE LAINDON HILLS, ESSEX, IN CONJUNCTION
WITH THE GEOLOGISTS' ASSOCIATION.
Saturday, July 13th, 1907.
The Directors were Dr. E. A Salter, D.Sc., F.G.S., Mr. Thomas W.
Reader, F.G.S , and Mr. W. Cole, F.L.S.
This was the second meeting in this district in company with our very good
friends the Geologists' Association. A long account of the first assembly on
June 9th, 1888, will be found in the Essex Naturalist, Vol. ii., pp. 126-131,