THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB. 1 85 



I:i\vn under the trees, the members inspected Mr. Edenborough's large collection 

 of old watches and other plate, arranged in the billiard-room. 



Then on the lawn an Ordinary Meeting (the 125th) was held, the chair being 

 taken by Prof. Meldola, in the unavoidable absence of the President. The fol- 

 lowing were elected members of the Club : — Messrs. Thos. Bird, James Round, 

 M.P., D.L., &.C., H. S. Tabor and J. Lichlenstein ; the Rev. J. G. Hughes, Rev. H. 

 M. Milligan, B.A., and Mrs. Ferry, Mrs. Musselwhite and Miss Maud Mussel- 

 white. 



Cordial votes of thanks were accorded to Mrs. Edenborough and to the con- 

 ductors, Rev. W. S, Lach-Szyrma and Mr. Crouch, for their kind exertions in 

 making the meeting a success, and announcements of meetings, &c., having been 

 made, the meeting closed. 



The party then proceeded to \'alentines, where they were kindly received by 

 Mrs. Ingleb}', assisted by Miss and Mr. Holcombe Ingleby. The house was built 

 by a son-in-law of Archbishop Tillotson, about 1690, who often came here for 

 retirement. The " Bishop's Walk " of yew trees is in the grounds, which consist 

 of some si.xteen acres, and are exceedingly beautiful, and the rhododendrons being 

 yet in bloom added to the charm. A very enjoyable ramble was made in the cool 

 evening through the grounds and round the spacious lake. Mrs. Ingleb}^ who is 

 known so well and deservedl}' for her good works in this poor district, pointed out 

 some of the chief features of the house and the fine collection of Norse drinking 

 vessels and carved household goods, whilst her son, Mr. Holcombe Ingleby, 

 showed the fine library of the late Dr. Ingleby, his father, who was a well-known 

 Shakesperian scholar and literary man, and also subsequently escorted some of the 

 party round the grounds. Some remarks on the house, and the old vine which 

 formerly existed here, were read by Mr. Lach-Szyrma. 



Some notes were also given by Mr. Crouch, with reference to Sir Charles 

 Raymond, Bart., who lived here till the death of his wife in 1778. He also 

 owned the manors of Wyfield and Cranbrook, and built the mansion, Highlands, 

 where he resided till his death in 1788. It was he who built in 1785 the triangular 

 tower on the latter estate, which was then called Rajmond's Folly, but now Ilford 

 Castle. He intended it for a Mausoleum for his family, but it was never conse- 

 crated, and he was buried in Barking Church, where there is a monument to his 

 memory, erected by his two daughters. 



The old Manor House of Wyfield (of which Mr. Crouch exhibited a drawing) 

 was standing in 1800, but soon afterwards pulled down. It is interesting to note 

 that in 1598 it belonged to John Tedcastle, whose fine brass, with effigies of him- 

 self and wife, is still in Barking Church ; and curiously, with the date of his death 

 «o/ inserted in the blank space he left for it. 



The members found it difficult to tear themselves away from the place, so 

 pleasing in the cool evening, but at last a start was made, and the programme 

 finished by driving through Beehive to Clay Hall, where a short history of the 

 Manor was given by Mr. Crouch, and the chapel, cellar, and other remains 

 viewed. This important Manor was held by the Abbess of Barking, but was 

 leased for 150 years to the Colte family. It was afterwards held by Sir Christo- 

 pher Ilatton, of the same name, and inheritor of the estates of his more famous 

 cousin (the Lord High Chancellor), who married Mistress Ales Fanshawe, and a 

 qnaintl\- worded love letter of his was read. The date is about 1601, and it 

 begins " Sweete Mres. Ales." Then, after signing himself, " Yrs, in all harty 

 affection," he drops into rhyme in a postscript :— 



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