86
THE ESSEX NATURALIST.
ther." Thomas became a wealthy clothworker of Coggeshall. This
noble building, which up to comparatively recent times was divided
up into cottages, has been worthily restored to something like its original
condition by Mr. Noel Buxton, and now fully merits the description of "a
remarkably complete example of a richly ornamented merchant's house
of c. 1500" given it by the Historical Monuments Commission.
The party spent over an hour in wandering through this interesting
old house and its charming old-world garden ; on the motion of Mr.
Avery, seconded by Miss Willmott, a resolution of thanks to the generous
donor was unanimously passed in the following form :—
" This meeting of the Essex Field Club, assembled in the historic
house, Paycockes, desires to express its grateful appreciation of the
public spirit and generosity of its member, the Right Honourable Noel
E. Buxton, in presenting this magnificent gift to the nation."
The party next proceeded to the line parish church of St. Peter ad
Vincula, where Mr. Hall gave an interesting account of the fabric and its
monuments.
Repeatedly during the day, Mr. Hall was asked to exhibit, to various
interested members of the party, a fine example of an unpolished flint
Neolithic axe, now in his possession, which was found on May 10th, 1909,
by Mr. E. Adams, in the Vicarage Field at Coggeshall, just opposite "Pay-
cocke's." The specimen is six inches long, the cutting edge (which is
unused), being two inches wide: it is a skilfully flaked implement and
carefully worked to a fine cutting edge.
. Tea was taken at the old Woolpack Inn adjoining the church and a
brief inspection was made of this interesting 15th century house ; after
which, by special invitation of Mr. G. F. Beaumont, F.S.A., and Mrs.
Beaumont, who had only that afternoon returned from Switzerland, a
visit was paid to their garden at "The Lawn."
Here a meeting of the Club was called, with the President in the chair,
when a certificate of nomination for membership was read, and our inde-
fatigable conductor, Mr. Hall, read an account (prepared by Mr. Beau-
mont) of the history of the Woolpack Inn, which we had just visited.
On the President's proposition, the cordial thanks of the party were
accorded, by acclamation, to the Rev. W. C. Hall for his untiring leader-
ship throughout the day, and also to Mr. and Mrs. Beaumont for their
kindly invitation to inspect their garden.
Before leaving Coggeshall, some of the party visited the Misses Spurge's
depot for the local "Essex" tambour-lace which is made in the town,
and various purchases were effected.
At 7 o'clock the motor bus was again requisitioned for the return journey
to Kelvedon, which was reached in time to allow of a hurried peep at the
old arched causeway over the Blackwater, believed to be portion of the
original Roman Road from London to Colchester.
At 7.35 o'clock the train to London was caught, and a most interesting
day's expedition brought to a close.