xxxiv Journal of Proceedings.
Saturday, July 25th, 1881.—Field Meeting and Ordinary Meeting.
This afternoon, by the kind invitation of the Rev. W. Linton Wilson,
M.A. (Vice-President), the Club held a Field Meeting at Chigwell. During
the morning the rain poured heavily ; but the weather cleared somewhat
in the afternoon, and only an occasional shower interfered with the
comfort of the visitors. Some forty odd members and friends assembled
at the Chigwell Lane Station on the arrival of the 2.13 train, some coming
in carriages by road from Buckhurst Hill and Woodford. Among the
company was Mr. Fletcher, President of the Ottawa (Canada) Field Club,
who was warmly welcomed. The main objects of the meeting were the
collection of microscopical and botanical specimens; and members were
requested to bring collecting apparatus with them, and to forward their
microscopes to "Oakhurst," Mr. Wilson's residence, which was to be the
goal of the afternoon's ramble. But unfortunately the rain had been so
heavy, that it was impossible to make incursions in the fields and
coppices with any reasonable degree of facility or pleasure, and very little
could be done in the way of collecting. Our members, Mr. Oxley,
F.R.M.S., and Mr. Letchford, F.R.M.S., and several others managed to
conduct some researches after Infusoria successfully in the back-waters of
the Boding and in some ponds near Chigwell, and they afterwards
exhibited their spoils at the evening meeting. The bulk of the party were
perforce obliged to content themselves with a pleasant social stroll through
the lanes to the old church, discussing as they went the flora of the banks
and hedges, and recalling memories of rambles when bright skies and
drier surfaces had tempted our collectors into fresh fields and pastures
new. But in spite of these drawbacks the walk was a pleasant one, and
at the old church of St. Mary's the party was reinforced by Mr. Saville
Kent and Mr. T. Fisher Unwin, who acted as our conductors. The church
had been thrown open for inspection by the kindness of the Vicar, the
Rev. W. S. Meadows. Mr. Unwin read a most interesting paper on the
ancient and modern history of Chigwell and neighbouring hamlets,
commencing by referring to our great novelist's connection with the
village:—"Chigwell, my dear fellow, is the greatest place in the world.
Name your day for going. Such a delicious old inn opposite the church-
yard—such a lovely ride—such beautiful forest scenery—such an out-of-
the-way, rural place—such a sexton! I say again name your day."
Thus wrote Charles Dickens forty years ago last 25th of March to his
friend and biographer, John Forster; and Forster adds that—"The day
was named at once; and the whitest of stones marks it now in sorrowful
memory. His promise was exceeded by our enjoyment, and his delight
in the double recognition of himself and of Barnaby, by the landlord of
the nice old inn, far exceeded any pride he would have taken in what the
world thinks the highest sort of honour." Most of those gathered there
that day would re-echo Dickens's verdict on the charms of Chigwell, and
Chigwell people might well be proud of their association with the author