xlii Journal of Procecdimjs. 



bedding had spoilt our taste ; it recalls Lady Corisande's garden 

 tlescribed in "Lothair;" full of sweet-scented honest flowers, unmarred 

 l\\- the often perverted skill of the florist, and with many a tall tree and 

 cool leafy nook. The garden gate opens into a fine avenue of Limes 

 and Chestnuts, and so into the Churchyard. You cannot but note and 

 admire the lofty red-brick tower of the Church, weather-beaten and 

 ivy-clad; the ancient and well-kept cottage of thesextoness, with latticed 

 windows and clean white-washed walls, serving to "set oft" the red tower 

 hard by ; the Yews and Shrubs bordering the trim walks, or shielding 

 many a stately tomb and daisy-studded grave ; tall Elms, untrammelled 

 and luxuriant, surrounding and framing in the whole. It is a charming 

 spot on a sunny summer morning, fresh and secluded — the prettiest of 

 Gods-acres 1 



The Church, dedicated to All Saints, is of great interest to the Anti- 

 quary and Genealogist. The date of its erection is probably not known, 

 but on the south side of the tower is a stone recording the contribution 

 of Sir John Crosbie and Dames Anne and Agnes "his wyfs " towards 

 the making of "thys stepyll." This worthy merchant lived in the reigns 

 of Henry Vl. and Edward IV., and died in 1473, so that the church can 

 claim a very considerable antiquity. In the nave is a brass plate to the 

 memoi-y of the Rev. William Kyrkaby, who was rector of Theydon 

 Garnon, and died in 145S. The church was restored, chiefly by the 

 present Rector, between the years 1863 and 1873. All visitors must be 

 struck by the unusual number and interest of the monumental tablets, 

 many of them relating to personages figuring in our English annals. 

 Sir Cavendish Eoster conducts us over the church, and carefully points 

 out the special objects worthy of attention. He had himself prepared 

 copies of many of the more notable inscriptions for our information. It 

 is curious, but exasperating, to note how studiously the Puritans have 

 chipped out or otherwise erased all phrases savouring of the " Scarlet 

 Lady"; not a single " Pray for the soul" escaped their zeal, and all 

 the older monuments are thus disfigured. We examined the register, 

 which commences in the year 153S, and contains manj- curious records 

 of social manners. There is a large muniment chest full of documents, 

 which would no doubt repay a careful investigation. Altogether a most 

 interesting building ; and on the motion of our President we cordially 

 thank Sir Cavendish for his kindness and courtesy. 



And now what is to be said as to the rest of our walk ? The rain 

 begins in good earnest soon after leaving Theydon Garnon, and our 

 subsequent adventures are to be wept over rather than recorded. 

 Botany, of course, is at a discount ; practical meteorology absorbs our 

 whole faculties, and " Forward as quickly as possible " is the word of 

 command. Two or three of the more enthusiastic do indeed stop to 

 note the extreme abundance of the curious plant Bartsia (EufJirasia) 

 odontites in one meadow, along with the charming little Lotus corniculatus; 



