212
THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
of gypsum. As it falls again by evaporation, the sand is partially cemented
by gypsum crystals, presently laid bare by the drifting-away of the loose
sand.
Paper Read.—Mr. Guy Maynard communicated "Notes on a Human
Skull found at Wenden, Essex, during railway excavations in 1864," which
is printed in the present part.
MEETING FOR THE INSPECTION OF THE ROMAN
WALL OF LONDON.
Saturday, 1st February 1913.
By the kind invitation of our member, Mr. Bryan Corcoran, C.C.,
the members were enabled to take a tour of the parish of St. Olave, Hart
Street, E.G., when several sections of the Roman and Mediaeval City
Walls were visited, and other interesting features of the parish inspected.
The party assembled at half-past two o'clock at the church, one of the
most ancient in the City. Mr. Corcoran took the utmost pains and care
in demonstrating the fragmentary remains of the old Roman Mediaeval
Walls, having arranged for entry into the cellers of several warehouses
and offices, where these could be seen. Owing to the multitude of places
visited, and explanations given, the Editor has found it impossible without
plans and photographs to give a consistent report. Fortunately this
omission can be easily remedied by the perusal of Mr. Corcoran's excellent
"Guide,"1 which the reader will find a most interesting and instructive
little book. On pages 53-56 is an account of the portions of the City
Wall still remaining. Nearly all these remains were seen. It has been
repeatedly stated that the Roman Wall was first erected after the middle
of the fourth century. Besant says A.D. 360. Mr. Corcoran writes :—
"Both these statements are now proved to be fallacious. Thanks to the
latest researches of Mr. Philip Norman and Mr. Francis Reader, there
is very strong grounds for believing that the Wall was built at least by
the middle of the second century, when already the trade of St. Olave's
and the surrounding parts of the city and the number and wealth of its
inhabitants demanded and were worthy of amplest protection."
On completion of the perambulation, the party returned to the Church,
where Mr. Corcoran gave an account of the very interesting building,
and its monuments and associations. It dates to a great extent from
the middle of the 15th Century. It is one of the eight surviving churches
of about 20 that escaped the Great Fire of 1666. The most notable
monuments are those to Samuel Pepys, the author of the celebrated
"Diary," and his wife. The building and the monuments are fully
described in Mr. Corcoran's brochure mentioned above. At the close
of this enjoyable visit to one of the most interesting parts of London, a
very cordial vote of thanks was passed to Mr. Corcoran for his most wel-
come kindness and the care he had taken in arranging the details of the
meeting.
1 "Guide to St. Olave's, Harl Street, in the City of London. By Bryan Corcoran, Upper
Churchwarden." Published by the Author at 31, Mark Lane, E.G. With very numerous
illustrations and plan of Old London. Price 1s. 1d. by post.