xlii
Journal of Proceedings.
bedding had spoilt our taste; it recalls Lady Corisande's garden
described in "Lothair;" full of sweet-scented honest flowers, unmarred
by the often perverted skill of the florist, and with many a tall tree and
cool leafy nook. The garden gate opens into a fine avenue of Limes
and Chestnuts, and so into the Churchyard. You cannot but note and
admire the lofty red-brick tower of the Church, weather-beaten and
ivy-clad ; the ancient and well-kept cottage of the sextoness, with latticed
windows and clean white-washed walls, serving to "set off" the red tower
hard by ; the Yews and Shrubs bordering the trim walks, or shielding
many a stately tomb and daisy-studded grave; tall Elms, untrammelled
and luxuriant, surrounding and framing in the whole, It is a charming
spot on a sunny summer morning, fresh and secluded—the prettiest of
God's-acres!
The Church, dedicated to All Saints, is of great interest to the Anti-
quary and Genealogist. The date of its erection is probably not known,
but on the south side of the tower is a stone recording the contribution
of Sir John Crosbie and Dames Anne and Agnes "his wyfs" towards
the making of "thys stepyll." This worthy merchant lived in the reigns
of Henry VI. and Edward IV., and died in 1475, so that the church can
claim a very considerable antiquity. In the nave is a brass plate to the
memory of the Rev. William Kyrkaby, who was rector of Theydon
Garnon, and died in 1458. The church was restored, chiefly by the
present Rector, between the years 1863 and 1873. All visitors must be
struck by the unusual number and interest of the monumental tablets,
many of them relating to personages figuring in our English annals.
Sir Cavendish Foster conducts us over the church, and carefully points
out the special objects worthy of attention. He had himself prepared
copies of many of the more notable inscriptions for our information. It
is curious, but exasperating, to note how studiously the Puritans have
chipped out or otherwise erased all phrases savouring of the "Scarlet
Lady"; not a single "Pray for the soul" escaped their zeal, and all
the older monuments are thus disfigured. We examined the register,
which commences in the year 1558, and contains many curious records
of social manners. There is a large muniment chest full of documents,
which would no doubt repay a careful investigation. Altogether a most
interesting building; and on the motion of our President we cordially
thank Sir Cavendish for his kindness and courtesy.
And now what is to be said as to the rest of our walk ? The rain
begins in good earnest soon after leaving Theydon Garnon, and our
subsequent adventures are to be wept over rather than recorded.
Botany, of course, is at a discount; practical meteorology absorbs our
whole faculties, and "Forward as quickly as possible" is the word of
command. Two or three of the more enthusiastic do indeed stop to
note the extreme abundance of the curious plant Bartsia (Euphrasia)
odontites in one meadow, along with the charming little Lotus corniculatus;