xxxiv Journal of Procee(Hn(/f<. 



Saturday, July 25th, 1881. — Field Meeting akd Ordinary Meeting. 



This afternoon, by the kind invitation of the Rev. W. Linton Wilson, 

 M.A. (Vice-President), the Chib held a Field Meeting at Chigwell. During 

 the morning the rain poured hea\ily ; but the weather cleared somewhat 

 in the afternoon, and only an occasional shower interfered with the 

 comfort of the \'isitors. Some forty odd members and friends assembled 

 at the Chigwell Lane Station on the arrival of the 2.13 train, some coming 

 in carriages by road from Bucldiurst Hill and Woodford. Among the 

 company was Mr. Fletcher, President of the Ottawa (Canada) Field Club, 

 who was warmly welcomed. The main objects of the meeting were the 

 collection of microscopical and botanical specimens ; and members were 

 requested to bring collecting apparatus with them, and to forward their 

 microscopes to "Oaldiurst," Mr. Wilson's residence, which was to be the 

 goal of the afternoon's ramble. But unfortunately the rain had been so 

 heavy, that it was impossible to make incursions in the fields and 

 coppices with any reasonable degree of facility or pleasure, and very little 

 could be done in the way of collecting. Onr members, Mr. Oxley, 

 F.E.M.S., and Mr. Letcliford, F.E.M.S., and several others managed to 

 conduct some researches after Infusoria successfully in the back-waters of 

 the Eoding and in some ponds near Chigwell, and they afterwards 

 exhibited their spoils at the evening meeting. The bulk of the party were 

 perforce obliged to content themselves with a pleasant social stroll through 

 the lanes to the old church, discussing as they went the.//ora of the banks 

 and hedges, and recalling memories of rambles when bright sides and 

 drier surfaces had tempted our collectors into fresh fields and pastures 

 new. But in spite of these di-awbacks the walk was a pleasant one, and 

 at the old church of St. Mary's the party was reinforced by Mr. Sa^alle 

 Kent and Mr. T. Fisher Un^^in, who acted as our conductors. The church 

 had been thrown open for inspection by the Idndness of the Vicar, the 

 Rev. W. S. Meadows. Mr. Unwin read a most interesting paper on the 

 ancient and modern history of Chigwell and neighbouring hamlets, 

 commencing by referring to our great novelist's connection with the 

 village: — "Chigwell, my dear fellow, is the greatest place in the world. 

 Name your day for going. Such a delicious old inn opposite the church- 

 yard — such a lovely ride — such beautiful forest scenery — such an out-of- 

 the-way, rural place — such a sexton ! I say again name your day." 

 Thus ^^•rote Charles Dickens forty years ago last 25th of March to his 

 friend and biographer, John Forster ; and Forster adds that — " The day 

 was named at once ; and the whitest of stones marks it now in sorrowful 

 memory. His promise was exceeded by our enjopr.ent, and his delight 

 in the double recognition of himself and of Barnaby, by the landlord of 

 the nice old inn, far exceeded any pride he would have taken in what the 

 world thinks the highest sort of honour." Most of those gathered there 

 that day would re-echo Dickens's verdict on the charms of Cliigwell, and 

 Chigwell people might well be proud of their association with the author 



