vi Journal of Proceedings.
Railway.; but the labour and credit of organizing the successful opposition
to this atrocious Bill had in great measure fallen upon and belonged to
their colleague, Mr. Francis George Heath, and he was sure the Club
would accord that gentleman a very hearty vote of thanks for his spirited
exertion in the cause. Mr. Fisher Unwin heartily seconded the motion,
but warned lovers of the Forest that in all probability the snake was but
scotched, not killed. Vandalism was evidently rampant in certain high
places, and attempts to destroy the Forest would still be made.
The vote was unanimously passed, amid cheers.
At the Conversazione various fossils were exhibited (and presented to
the Club) by Mr. A. Tozer; a very curious instance of fasciation in the
common garden "Sweet-William" (Dianthus) was shown by Mr. Oldham.
It had appeared two years running in plants in his garden at Woodford.
Mr. Letchford showed under the microscope specimens of the fine
Infusorian, Bowerbankia imbricator; and Mr. English brought up a case
of specimens of preserved Fungi, intended for the forthcoming Fisheries
Exhibition at Norwich. The collection comprised thirty-nine species,
many of considerable rarity and interest. In view of the Club's visit to
Waltham Abbey, Mr. Unwin exhibited his collection of views of the Abbey
Church and Town. Mr. Waller, of Tottenham, sent specimens of mosses
from Epping Forest, including Didemnum glaucum in fruit, which he
considered to be a rare event.
Saturday, April 2nd, 1881.—Field Meeting.
In view of the doubtful quality of the weather to be anticipated at the
early season of the year, it was decided to hold the first Field Meeting at
Waltham Holy Cross, Mr. George H. Birch, M.R.I.B.A. (Hon. See. to the
London and Middlesex Archeological Society) very kindly offering his
valuable services as cicerone at the Abbey. The bulk of the members
travelled by train from Liverpool Street Station to Waltham, others by
road in a drag from Buckhurst Hill; and the united parties assembled at
the Abbey-gates at about four o'clock, between seventy and eighty in
number. The visitors were met at the Church by our learned Conductor,
our members Dr. Priest and Mr. W. T. Wakefield, Rev. F. Johnstone,
Mr. Churchwarden Gardener, Mr. W. Winters, F.R.H.S., and other local
gentlemen. Much regret was expressed at the enforced absence, through
illness, of the Rev. J. Francis, M.A., the Vicar, who had taken great
interest in the proposed Meeting.
The company having assembled in the nave of the grand old building,
Mr. Birch commenced a chatty description of the Church, explaining its
architectural features and dwelling upon the historical memories still
lingering around the fane of "Harold infelix"—our last English king.
He pointed out that but a comparatively small fragment of the original
had lasted to our times, but doubtless the part in which they then were