cx Journal of Proceedings.
upon its more remarkable features. He thought that it was now
generally conceded that the building dated from early in the 12th
century, and mentioned that he had lately discovered a charter in the
British Museum, proving that the Castle was in existence in 1103. The
visit to the Museum under Mr. Acland's guidance was necessarily a
hurried one, and the party would gladly have spent a very much longer
time over it; but the order of the day's proceedings prevented that.
The visitors, therefore, had to tear themselves away from the Castle,
comforting one another with the hope that, in some future excursion of
the Club to Colchester, a more convenient opportunity might be found
for properly inspecting the building and the museum.*
Luncheon, to which a large party sat down, was taken at the " Cups
Hotel;" the chair being filled by Mr. E. Meldola, V.P. (Prof. Boulger
being unable to attend).
The Chairman congratulated the members of the Society on the fine
weather they had brought, and said, speaking on behalf of the local
members, he knew that he might welcome the Essex Field Club to Col-
chester. They were also glad to welcome amongst them Mr. Joseph
Clarke, of Saffron Walden, and Mr. Fitch, of Maldon. Any naturalists
requiring information during the day as to the local flora and fauna
could obtain it from Dr. Laver or Mr. Shenstone, who had kindly offered
their services as " referees."
Luncheon concluded, the party was driven to Mersea, a number
of breaks and carriages being supplied for the purpose from the " Cups
Hotel." Thanks to the splendid weather the drive was very enjoyable,
and the fact that it was through the " Earthquake District," made the
journey more interesting. All along the route through Abberton and
Peldon were to be seen newly-erected chimneys, freshly-tiled roofs, and
in some instances re-constructed gables, all of which had been rendered
necessary to repair the havoc wrought by the great earthquake of the
22nd of April last. These numerous instances of modern work on
ancient buildings—new pieces of cloth on old garments—gave to the
villages a most peculiar appearance. Some of the cottages which
were damaged beyond repair have been allowed to remain in their
tumble-down and ruinous condition, and the tarpaulin spread over the.
roofs to keep out the rain which fell a few days after the earth-
quake had not been superseded by tiles. Mr. Meldola and Mr. Cole
pointed out the lines of damage throughout the districts traversed, par-
ticular attention being called to Peldon Mill, the circular brick
foundations of which were cracked in several places, and the upper part
of a square chimney had been fractured transversely, the top portion
being twisted round in a direction from west to east. A little further on
the condition of "Strood Villa," the residence of Dr. Green, attracted
* The Club has visited the Castle on three subsequent occasions, and the reader
is refered to vols, ii., iii. and iv. of ' Essex Naturalist' for reports of these meetings,
which contain much local information.—Ed. (1891.)