xxvi Journal of Proceedings. 



high ground to the South of the Camp, very grand and impressive 

 were the atmospheric effects exhibited in the valley stretching below 

 us to the Kentish Hills on the other side of the Thames. But even our 

 enthusiasm was soon put to too severe a test, and as the flashes of 

 lightning increased in number and lurid brilliancy, and the rumbling 

 thunder of the ever approaching storm became louder and louder, a 

 general stampede took place. In parties, some in carriages and some 

 on foot, we made for our promised haven, the "Forest Hotel," 

 at Chingford. Some of the number took refuge at the " Robin Hood," 

 and secured conveyance from thence. Mr. Barnes and Mr. Distant 

 felt the effects of one of the electrical discharges as their carriage ran 

 along the Lower Road. However, all were eventually safely lodged 

 in the Hotel, and enjoyed the excellent " high tea " provided for us by 

 the manager, Mr. Jesse. After tea, a move was made to the fine room 

 known as the Banquetting Hall, w-here the President expressed the 

 pleasure he felt at seeing so large a meeting assembled in spite of the 

 adverse meteorological conditions. It was a very gratifying indication 

 of the vitality of the Club. He remarked that the early archaeology of 

 Essex came legitimately within their scope ; and at a very early stage 

 of the Club's existence he felt that it would be very desirable for it, as 

 a scientific body, to take up this question of the Forest Earthworks, 

 with the view of settling, or attempting to settle, their date. He con- 

 gratulated the Club on its having been able to secure the co-operation 

 of their eminent conductor, one of the highest authorities in the 

 kingdom on subjects of that nature, upon whom he would call to 

 favour the meeting with the benefit of his opinion. 



General Pitt-Rivers said that Mr. Meldola had spoken in very 

 flattering terms of his (the General's) qualifications for the post he had 

 the honour to occupy that afternoon. He confessed he was somewhat 

 taken aback at seeing himself announced as conductor of the meeting, 

 inasmuch as although he had been engaged for many years in studying 

 ancient camps in many parts of the kingdom, he had not before had 

 the pleasure of viewing these remains in Epping Forest. However, 

 they had had the benefit of the best local knowledge as represented in 

 Mr. Cow'per, and the assistance of the very excellent tracings prepared 

 by Mr. D'Oyley ; these plans formed a great step in advance toward 

 obtaining a knowledge of the remains. In fact he felt that his office as 

 conductor was not a case of the blind leading the blind, but rather an 

 instance of the blind attempting to lead those who could see. He 

 believed there could be no question that both the remains they had 

 visited that afternoon were veritable Camps, such as were found in 

 other parts of the country. He did not himself think there was any 

 evidence for supposing that either of them were Roman. They might 

 be of the Roman age, or possibly of more recent date — Saxon or 

 Danish, or even later in time. Roman Camps are generally rec^ 



