2o6 THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB. 



rendered most valuable services in arranging the details of the meeting. Mr. H. 

 A. Cole embellished the circular with four sketches, made on the spot a few days 

 liefore the meeting. 



The large party (consisting of over sixty persons) arrived at Hertford Station 

 at 10.40 a.m., and at once proceeded on board the SalJsinry, which was moored at 

 Dicker Mill Bridge, on the Lea Navigation, and the start was made at a quarter 

 jKist eleven. 



To quote from the circular of the meeting, the Count}' Town of Hertford is a 

 place of considerable interest. The Castle (now a private residence) is reputed 

 to have been built b)- Alfred the Great, but others say that Edward the Elder 

 founded it A.D. goq. It was one of the residences of the Saxon Kings. In 1345, 

 Iving Edward II. gave the Castle to John of Gaunt. Uueen Elizabeth lived 

 here tor a lime. The Parliamentary Army had its headquarters at Hertford in 

 1647. En roii/c', towards Ware, can be seen Gallows Hill, remarkable as the site 

 of the execution of a ringleader of a mutiny which, at one time, threatened 

 destruction to the Parliamentarj' cause, but which was crushed by Cromwell's 

 prompt action. 



The morning was lovely, but some threatening clouds promised showers at 

 least. These, however, fortunately did not reach us during the day, although 

 heavy storms were experienced in some districts on either side of the river. 



After passing the junction of the River Beane at Ware Park Mill, and the 

 Balance Engine of the New River Company, where that Company draws its 

 statutory volume of water (limited by Parliament to 22,500,000 gallons daily} 

 from the Lea, it may be said that the business of the day commenced. 



According to promise, Major Flower presented to each member and visitor a 

 copy of his pamphlet, "The River Lea up to Date," and also exhibited some 

 interesting maps of the Watershed of the Navigation, and on the invitation of the 

 President (Mr. Chancellor) he stopped the barge on a picturesque part of the 

 river, half-way between Hertford and Ware, and addressed the meeting as 

 follows : 



Major Flower's Address. 



Major Flower said : " Before giving you a slight sketch of the River Lea 

 and its tributaries above Hertford, I must, in the name of the Lee Conservancy 

 Board and my own, wish the Essex Field Club a hearty welcome to the Lea 

 Watershed. The barge on which we are assembled is placed at the disposal of 

 the Club with every good wish, that all ma}^ enjoy a pleasant day, and that each 

 will leave it at the close of our voyage down the Navigation with some ap|>reciaiioM 

 of the value of the work of nearly half a century in abating pollution to the ii\'er, 

 and with some knowledge of what the River Lea is. 



"We have lelt Hertford, and started on our journey at a point on the 

 main river, or rather in the navigable part thereof. This Navigation is of 

 great antiquity. We read that the Danes sailed up the stream, it is said as far 

 as to Ware. King Alfred followed them, entrenched himself lielow AVare, cut 

 channels and drained the Lea dr}', rendered their retreat by water an impossibility, 

 and they were compelled, therefore, Lo escape across country, and found refuge in 

 Gloucestershire. The Navigation does not extend farther than just above the 

 ' Town Mill Bridge ' in Hertford, about half a mile abo\e the place where we 

 embarked. 



'■ The River Lea rise^ in Bedfordshire, aboiu thiee miles north-west of l.iuon, 



