34
THE ESSEX NATURALIST.
the recently-inaugurated Gilbert White Fellowship, when also the mem-
bers of the Fellowship were invited to inspect the Club's Museum in the
Romford Road.
Some 50 or more Members of the combined societies met the guide
(Mr. Percy Thompson) at Stratford railway station at 2 o'clock, and
proceeded to the old Parish Church of West Ham, where the party was
received and welcomed by the Vicar, the Rev. G. Rogers). Our mem-
ber Mr. John Avery gave an extempore account of the life of "The
Stratford Naturalist," George Edwards, F.R.S., who was buried in the
churchyard, in a now-lost grave, in 1783.
Mr. G. J. B. Fox, a member of the St. Paul's Ecclesiological Society,
then gave an address on the history and structure of the ancient edifice,
in which the visitors were assembled, and the building was carefully in-
spected, both within and without. The parish registers, with their records
of the birth and death of George Edwards, were also examined curiously.
The party next walked to West Ham Park, and was received at the
Entrance Gates in the Portway by the Park Superintendent, Mr. D. M.
Russell, who acted as a most efficient guide in showing all the various
objects of interest, whether rare trees or historic buildings, which came
within his domain.
The house in which Elizabeth Fry lived from 1829 to 1844, "Upton
Lane House," formerly known as "The Cedars," and now used as the
headquarters of the 6th Battalion of the Essex Regiment, was visited,
and a sketch of the life-work of the gentle Quaker-philanthropist was
given by our President, Miss G.' Lister, who also, when the cairn which
marks the site of Ham House was reached, gave an interesting account
of the lives and works of Dr. John Fothergill, the Gurneys, the Frys, and
the Listers, who have made the name of Upton familiar as having been
their dwelling-place.
Some of the many arboreal beauties of the Park were pointed out
by Mr. Russell, including the celebrated Turkish Hazel (Corylus colurna,
Linn.), 60 feet or more in height, one of the very few specimens of this
tree to be found in this country, into which it was introduced in the middle
of the 17th century. Unhappily, all the Cedars of Lebanon, planted
by Dr. Fothergill, have died in recent years, possibly on account of the
drainage of the sub-soil having been interfered with.
Tea was taken, by kind permission of the authorities, in the Com-
mittee Room in the centre of the Park, and this meal evoked general
surprise and appreciation by reason of the unwonted excellence of the
provender in these rationed times. After tea, votes of thanks were
accorded to all who had contributed to the enjoyment of the afternoon.
The party then made its way to the Club's Museum, where, in the
Library, the Curator, in the name of the President and Council of the
Club, welcomed the Members of the Gilbert White Fellowship to their
headquarters, and gave the visitors a brief account of the history of the
building and of the origin of the Club's Museum. An inspection of the
collections followed, and called forth expressions of appreciation from
the visitors.