THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
309
On account of its size the party was divided into two sections ("sheep"
and "goats"), Major Lucas taking charge of the goats and Mr. Wilson
of the sheep ; each section was conducted round the grounds, and later
through the house, in. reverse directions, so as not to clash.
From the Lime Walk, which was planted about 1800 to 1810, fine
views were obtained over the Lea Valley, including the huge King George V.
reservoir and the tower of Waltham Abbey : on a clear day the dome
of Haileybury College can be seen in the distance across the valley in
Hertfordshire.
Passing through the Camping Ground, with its sleeping tents and
log cabin surrounding the central fire and assembly-place, the open-air
"Camp Museum" was visited, where various interesting demonstrations
of camp appliances, such as a Maori oven, a "reflector fireplace," an
"altar fireplace," a hunters' and trappers' fire, a "camp clothes fire,"
and a most ingenious camp loom for making temporary mattresses of
heather, were in turn inspected with great interest. Amusement was
caused by the quaint painted wooden figures of a man, of a crocodile, a
snake, and other devices attached to various posts; these are "taboo
signs" and indicate a forbidden way which is not to be followed : in the
present instance the Camp orchard, with its trees laden with blossom,
was the forbidden territory.
The open-air chapel, a grassy clearing in a belt of trees, with a rough
wood altar-table, with Cross over attached to a tall Cedar of Lebanon,
was visited ; a stone column of Doric design, which adjoins the Chapel,
was erected by Mrs. Chinnery to commemorate the recovery from illness
of her daughter Caroline. In the neighbouring shrubbery, a pedestal,
surmounted by an urn inscribed W G C, is a monument erected by the
same lady to her son Walter, who died at age 10 years 7 months in Paris
and is buried in Waltham Abbey, which, though several miles distant,
is the parish church for Sewardstone.
The stone balustrade at rear of the Hall is said to be from old London
Bridge, which was destroyed about 1824.
In the Hall itself, which was next inspected, the Koodoo Horn, which
was used by the Chief Scout in his first camp in 1907, was exhibited as
a treasured possession of the Association ; it was originally a Zulu war-
horn.
A portrait of the Chief Scout occupies the place of honour on the walls'
of one of the principal rooms, and is flanked by a portrait in oils, by Hester
W. Walker, of Mr. W. F. de Bois Maclaren, who purchased the Gillwell
Estate for the Boy Scouts' Association in 1919.
After a brief inspection of the fine museum of natural history and
geological specimens which occupies the corridor, tea was served at 5 o'clock.
After tea a short formal Meeting of the Club was held, with the President
in the chair.
Mrs. L. Christine Baillie, of 110, Hampton Road, Forest Gate, was
elected a member.
The President proposed the warm thanks of the party to Miss Hibbert-
Ware, to Major Lucas and to Mr. Wilson for their kind leadership
and other favours shown ; these were accorded by acclamation. Mr.
Wilson replied briefly on behalf of his colleagues and himself.