lxvi
Journal of Proceedings.
usual conversazione, after votes of thanks had been passed to the
authors of the papers.
Saturday, December 8th, 1883.
In accordance with the suggestion of Mr. William Cole, a numerously-
attended meeting was held at Mr. E. N. Buxton's for the purposes set
forth in the following circular letter, which had been issued by Mr. Cole
in an unofficial capacity, and copies sent to many members of the
Club and other gentlemen known to be interested in the rational use of
the forest as a place for public recreation and instruction :—
" Proposed Local Museum.
" Buckhurst Hill, Essex, November, 1883.
"Dear Sir,—I have the honour to inform you that a private
meeting will be held (by the kind invitation of E. N. Buxton, Esq.)
at 'Knighton,' Woodford, Essex, on Saturday afternoon, December
8th, at six o'clock, p.m., at which I hope we may have the benefit of
your presence and assistance. The object of the meeting will be to
consider a scheme for the establishment of a Public Local Museum of
Natural History and Antiquities for the Forest districts and the County
of Essex generally.
'' A building eminently adapted for such a purpose at present exists on
the forest. Queen Elizabeth's Hunting Lodge, at Chingford, was, by
the Epping Forest Act, 1878, dedicated to public uses, and vested in
the Conservators, to be by them preserved and maintained ' as an
object of public and antiquarian interest.' At present the Lodge is
devoted to private uses not contemplated by the Act. The proposal
which will be laid before the meeting asks for the active co-operation
of the Forest authorities and the Essex Field Club in the establishment
and conduct of a museum in that building, and it is believed that,
with a little energy and perseverance, the scheme could be very
successfully worked. It is proposed that the museum should be
strictly a local one ; i.e., devoted solely to the illustration and exposition
of the natural history and archaeology of Essex, and especially of the
Forest districts; the proximity of the great national collections
rendering a general educational museum unnecessary.
'' It would be easy to give many cogent reasons in favour of such an
institution. At present no strictly local museum of natural history
exists in Essex, and very great ignorance prevails as to the native
riches of the county. A large number of objects of local and scientific
value have found their way into private hands, or have been altogether
lost, owing to the absence of a fit place for their conservation and
public exhibition. The establishment of the museum would be an
educational boon to the many working men and others in East London
who take an interest in natural history pursuits, and the presence of
such an institution at Chingford would tend to raise the tone of the
visitors to the forest, and impart a greatly increased meaning and
interest to this magnificent recreation ground, which would not fail to be
beneficial in many ways.
"The chair will be taken by E. N. Buxton, Esq., D.L., Verderer
(Chairman of the London School Board), and many gentlemen interested
in the welfare of the Forest are expected to attend.