THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB. lOQ 



Chancellor, J. P. (President), the Mayor and Mayoress of Chelmsford, and the 

 Mayor of Colchester. Unfortunately, several well-known scientific members 

 were unable at the last moment to attend, including the Vice-Presidents, Mr. E. 

 A. Fitch, and Dr. H. Laver ; Mr. Shenstone came on board for a short time at 

 Dedham. 



Starting from Colchester station about 10.40 in dull weather, which was ex- 

 pected by the weather-wise to clear up, the party drove in three brakes to 

 Nayland. It was a pleasant drive through Myland — with the far-famed Col- 

 chester rose gardens on either side of the way — and through the long village of 

 Great Horkesley. 



There was not much in the way of scenery, however, until the hill above 

 Nayland was reached. From that point a glorious view of the valley of the 

 Stour is obtained, stretching out as far as the eye can see on either hand, and 

 bounded in front by w-ooded slopes, WMth the square tower of Stoke-by-Nayland 

 Church standing out boldly amidst the dark green foliage. This was the finest 

 panoramic glimpse obtained during the day of " Constable's country," and it was 

 presented under just such a sky as the great artist himself loved to paint. 



Descending the hill about a mile, the party alighted at the Anchor Bridge, 

 where two of Mr. Stannard's barges were in readiness for the voyage down the 

 Stour. Before starting, attention was called to the ke3-stone of this bridge, the 

 curious point being that it is carved with the letter A and a Bell, with date 1775, 

 a rebus on the name of the builder, a man named " Abel." Mr. Crouch men. 

 tioned that for the upkeep of this bridge the rent of a small farm in Layer is 

 used. It was for a long time in the hands of trustees, but now the rent is 

 divided between the two counties, who jointly repair it. 



Nayland village is in Suffolk, and was not visited, but mention may be made 

 here of an oil painting by John Constable, R.A., which is over the Communion 

 Table in the Church. The subject is Christ with outspread hands blessing the 

 bread and wine, and the general effect is pleasing. It was painted in i8og. The 

 only other subject of the kind he painted was in 1804, as an altar-piece for 

 Brantham Church, and depicts Christ blessing little children. In this the figures 

 are life-size, all standing, except the infant in His arms. At one time some fine 

 brasses were here, the matrices of six large ones may still be seen, one with 20 

 children, each separate brass figures — but only two effigies, the head of a lady 

 with " butterfly head dress " and some crotcheted canopies remain. 



The barge was neatly-lined with "Hessian,'' and with an awning, supported 

 by poles draped in red, afforded very comfortable accommodation for the party. 

 The barges used on the Stour Navigation, and some peculiarities of the method 

 of towing, excited much interest amongst visitors from a distance. These nearly 

 flat-bottomed craft, which fit the locks to a hair's breadth almost, are built to go 

 in pairs, end on to each other. The towing horse was attached not to the barge 

 containing the company but to another chained in front. From the sternmost 

 boat a long kind of bowsprit projects over three-parts of the length of the boat 

 in front, and this is used as a steering-pole — such being its name in fact — for 

 both vessels. 



It seemed a marvel, as one observed, that the tail doesn't sometimes wag 

 the dog ; but, as a matter of fact, an immense amount of leverage is required to 

 get round the sharp turns of the river, and the arrangement is an interesting 

 adaptation of means to ends. As far as the towing is concerned, most honourable 

 mention must be made of the horse — a grand Shirebred — employed in that work. 



