THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB. 155
programme was rendered by the Orpheus Orchestral Society, assisted by
singers of marked talent. During an interval the Mayor cordially welcomed
the Club to Saffron Walden, and the President responded, thanking him
for his reception. Tea and coffee were served and the town regalia was
displayed to the visitors. The Mazer Bowl, belonging to the Guild of the
Holy Trinity, from which Samuel Pepys drank at his visit to Walden on
Feb. 27, 1659 (as recorded in the famous "Diary"), was specially brought
from its resting place in the strong room for inspection by the visitors, and
was reverently handled by a favoured few. Pepys' description still holds
good; he writes: ''They brought me a draft of their drink in a brown bowl
tipt with silver, which I drank off, and at the bottom was a picture of the
Virgin with the child in her arms, done in silver.''
The fine 17th century Maces of the Corporation were also exhibited.
On Sunday morning, by courtesy of the Librarian, Mr. A. E. Gower,
the rooms of the Literary and Scientific Institution were visited, and the
fine library of over 20,000 volumes was specially opened for the visitors'
inspection. The collection contains the libraries of the late George Stacey
Gibson and Joshua Clarke, both Essex botanists. Among the treasures
exhibited were three portfolios of local prints and drawings, including items
of considerable value and interest, and a fine series of illuminated manuscripts
recently donated to the Institute by Miss May Gibson.
Leaving the Institute, the party then proceeded to the Museum and spent
a couple of hours, under the guidance of the Curator, Mr. Collar, examining
the various objects of interest exhibited. The specimen of the now extinct
Passenger Pigeon (Ectopistes migratorius), shot years ago at Royston, at-
tracted special attention.
In the afternoon the Friends' School was visited. The party assembled
in the Lecture Room and Library and listened to a most interesting address
by Mr. Morris (who is Science Master here), on the past history of the school.
It was founded by the Society of Friends at Clerkenwell in the year 1701,
as a workhouse or almshouse for old people and a school for orphans and
the children of poor Quakers. As the years passed the scholastic side
developed, and the industrial side atrophied, until in 1811 the Old Friends
were sent to their respective meetings for maintenance and the Institution
became entirely scholastic. In 1786 the Institution was moved to Islington,
and in 1825, owing to the encroachment of London, a move was made to
Croydon. In 1879 history repeated itself, and the School was again removed
to its present situation at Saffron Walden.
After the address a detailed inspection was made of the main building,
the swimming bath, sanatorium and grounds. The recent additions of a
Chemistry Laboratory and Art Room and new class rooms were greatly
admired.
The weather on Monday morning was by no means promising, but in
spite of the signs the party left the Hotel at 9 a.m. in a motor char-a-banc
and proceeded to Hadstock via Little Walden. A mile out of the town a
halt was made to examine the remarkable gorge cut in the valley bottom
by the Slade, which is rapidly deepening its bed. A gorge some 50 yards
long and 20 feet deep has been excavated during the past thirty years and
its extension is only retarded by a field bridge and cement apron, which is
being rapidly undermined.