THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
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succeeded by his grandson, Thomas, as 2nd Baronet, who died in January.
1919, in his 93rd year.
Thomas, Lord Dacre, greatly altered Belhus, which was in a very bad
state of repair when he succeeded to it: he laid out the grounds and
formed a considerable piece of water, under the advice of "Capability"
Brown. He also formed a fine Library, and got together from members of
the family a remarkable series of family portraits, most of which are still
at Belhus. They represent all the heads of the Lennard family since
Elizabethan times until to-day, and if none of them are by such popular
artists as Gainsborough, Romney or Raeburn, they are nevertheless
a fine collect ion, covering as they do a period of over 300 years.
Practically no part of the historic house was withheld from the curious
inspection of the visitors, who pryed into the very attics, and the final
touch to a most charming visit was afforded by an ascent of the Tower,
from the roof of which a fine prospect over the well-timbered Park, and
beyond over the Thames valley to the heights of North Kent, was enjoyed.
Taking leave of Lady Barrett-Lennard at about 6 o'clock, the visitors
were conducted by Sir Thomas through the Park and kitchen garden
and Oak Wood to Little Belhus farm, where Sir Thomas left us, accom-
panied by the renewed thanks of the party.
By favour of the owner, Mr. Manning, the oak-panelled Drawing
Room and delightful enclosed garden of Little Belhus were inspected
by the Party, which then hurried by field paths to Ockendon Station,
where the 7.12 o'clock train to London (via Upminster) was duly caught,
and an end brought to a most enjoyable excursion.
ANNUAL FUNGUS FORAY (506th MEETING).
Saturday, 18th October 1919.
The Annual Fungus Foray was held in Epping Forest on the above
date, in ideal weather, the Forest being resplendent with autumnal tints—
a quite exceptional display, due to the long-continued fine, dry weather
and the absence of wind. Members and friends in considerable numbers
availed themselves of the opportunity to view the feast of colour which
the woodlands offered, and some 100 persons joined the Foray, of whom
no less than 57 were of the Morning, or chief working, Party. As on former
occasions, some Members of the Gilbert White Fellowship, of the
Toynbee Nat. Hist. Society, and of the School Nature Study Union, were
present by invitation of the Club.
Unfortunately, the weather, which was so grateful to human kind, was.
by no means favourable to the growth of damp-loving fungi, and the
woods, usually gay with toadstools of varying hues, were on this occasion
almost bare of such. However, the paucity in numbers of the larger,
more conspicuous Agarics led to more careful search for smaller specimens,
and, as a result, some of the less-conspicuous ascomycetes and bark-fungi,
which tend in normal seasons to be overlooked in the widespread display
of their more conspicuous brethren,were sought out, so that the gatherings,
as eventually laid out on the tables at the Headquarters, made by no.
means a poor display, and included some interesting forms.