cxlviii Journal of Proceedings.
though plastered in imitation of stonework. The plan of this house is
quadrangular, 95 ft. in breadth, 74ft. in depth, consisting of a centre and
two wings connected at the back by a wall, thus forming an open court
yard, and at the angles of the house were two towers containing newel
staircases ; one of these was destroyed early in this century. From the
top of western tower, now remaining, a fine view may be obtained. The
interior is floored with chestnut beams sixteen inches square with joists
of oak, but the portion now occupied at the western end is quite modern-
ised and the wing used as stables and coachhouse. Many of the fine
carved stone mantels were removed to Parsloes, the ancient seat of the
Fanshawes, about two miles away. Over the great hall, on the first floor,
some mural paintings still exist, with panels of ships, &c., but the
remainder of the interior is a prey to neglect and desolation."
On the return journey, a short visit was paid to Uphall Farm, where,
by Mr. Hollington's permission, the ramparts of the ancient camp there
—one of the largest earthworks in Essex—were only cursorily inspected,
for time was running on, and Mr. W. Cole deferred giving an account
of what is known of the camp. One result of the visit, however, is that
Mr. Hollington has given the Club permission to carry on some investi-
gations here. [Mr. Cole's notes on the camp are reserved for publication
in the proposed Catalogue of Pre-historic Remains in Essex, which has
been long under consideration.]
Leaving Uphall Camp, the party drove by Ilford and Little Ilford to
" The Cedars," West Ham, where they were most hospitably entertained
at tea by Mr. and Mrs. Royle.
After tea, the President moved a most cordial vote of thanks to Mr. and
Mrs. Royle, which was carried by acclamation and acknowledged in a few
brief words by Mr. Royle ; and Mr. Crouch then made the following
remarks :—
" We are much indebted to Mr. and Mrs. Royle for the very kind and
hospitable recaption they have given to us this evening ; and we have
another interest connected with the house to which I would call your
attention, for I conceive it would ill become us to meet within these
walls without some mention of the illustrious lady who for the last
sixteen years of her eventful and philanthropic life resided herein.
Mrs. Elizabeth Fry was the third daughter of John Gurney, and was
born at Norwich in 1780, of old Norman family and Quaker lineage. At
six years of age her father removed to Earlham Hall, some two miles
from Norwich, and at the age of twenty she was married in the Friends'
Meeting House, at Norwich, to Joseph Fry, a city merchant, son of
Joseph Fry, of Plashet House, about a mile away from here. They lived
some time in London, but on the death of Mr. Fry senior, they removed
to Plashet House, and there, until 1828, she lived, bringing up a very
large family, and engaged in all manner of works of benevolence, visiting
the sick and poor, and feeding the destitute ; but amidst all these labours
of love the greater and better known work of her life was begun, in
visiting the depraved women of Newgate, and aiding the endeavours of
her brother, Joseph John Gurney, her brother-in-law, Sir Thomas Fowell
Buxton, and other friends on behalf of the criminal classes—the question
of capital punishment, and the then deplorable state of prison discipline
in general. But reverses happened, and they had to leave Plashet
House, and after some months of trouble, came in the summer of 1829 to
this house then known as Upton-lane House, and was thus again close