THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
179
wing of Dance's building before he died. In 1910 the gap was filled on
the old lines. All these and a number of minor changes in the structure
were illustrated by the prints exhibited.
The party then entered the Hall, and noticed particularly the only
original window, discovered ten years ago by Mr. Sydney Perks, the present
Surveyor, and the clear marks of the Great Fire on the stonework, which
the same gentleman disclosed by removing the paint which then covered
them. Proceeding to the Crypt, Mr. Lambert pointed out that the part
now open to the public is only half of the original substructure, which was
divided by a cross wall into an eastern and western crypt. The western
crypt, however, was destroyed in the Great Fire, and brick cellars were
built in its place. The party entered these cellars and examined the few
remaining old fragments, which were either left when the cellars were
built, or have been uncovered in modern excavations, and which show
that this part, though the same in plan as the other, was simpler in style.
The Museum was not inspected in detail, because of the shortness of
time, and the size of the party. The guide emphasised the fact that it
contained only London antiquities and called attention to the principal
acquisitions while it was closed during the war period, and to certain
rearrangements before its reopening. The accessions included Roman
pottery and other objects found in King William Street, Finsbury Circus,
and St. Martin's le Grand; wooden corbels from the Dick Whittington
Inn, Cloth Fair; wooden pilasters from the Saracen's Head, Aldgate;
the sign of the Hanseatic League, carved in 1670 by Gabriel Cibber; London
tipstaves and Constables' staves; various fire-marks; a silver chalice,
dated 1732, from the chapel of Fleet Prison; and a pewter communion
set about 1750 from Silver Street Chapel. Among the rearrangements,
a series of English wine bottles is exhibited, which show the evolution
of the bottle from the round-bellied shape of 1650 to the straight-sided
bottle of to-day.
In proposing a vote of thanks to Mr. Lambert, Miss Lister said she had
once doubted whether a visit to a museum of antiquities was quite within
the scope of a Field Club ; but she was reconciled when she saw how the
principles of evolution were illustrated in the arrangement of the exhibits.
ORDINARY MEETING (512th MEETING).
SATURDAY, 28TH FEBRUARY, 1920.
This Meeting was held at 3 o'clock on the above afternoon, in the
Physical Lecture Theatre of the Municipal Technical Institute, Stratford,
the President, Miss G. Lister, F.L.S., in the chair. 52 Members were
present.
The following were elected Members of the Club :—
Miss N. P. Hughes, of 56, King's Road, Leytonstone, E.11.
Mr. Clifford Hart, of 73, Windsor Road. Forest Gate, E.7.
Mr. Thomas Young, of 102, Cranbrook Road, Ilford.
In anticipation of the forthcoming Annual Meeting, nominations were
made for new Members of Council and Officers for the ensuing year.
Mr. Avery exhibited a series of old prints and drawings illustrating the