1880—81] JOURNAL— SHROPSHIRE, RIDLEY HALL, Etc. 231 



Sept. 21. I called upon Mr. Witting, the surgeon, about the 

 Cambrian Archaeological Meeting of next year, and met there the 

 Rev. C. Noel-Hill, the rector. They both agreed to do all that they 

 could to promote its objects. I then went to Brockhurst Castle, 

 where there are the foundations alone remaining, as shewn in the 

 Ordnance map. 



Sept. 23. We went by train to Craven Arms and Much Wenlock, 

 where we were kindly admitted to see the house formed out of the 

 domestic building of the abbey (said to be the prior's lodgings). 

 They have been very little altered, and even the old doors and 

 shutters remain in use. There is a beautiful corridor along the 

 front giving access to the rooms. The remains of the church and 

 chapter-house are very fine. We also saw the fine carved chairs, 

 etc., in the town hall. We then went by train to Buildwas, and 

 saw the remains of the abbey. 



Sept. 24. We went through Cundsytch Valley to All Stretton, 

 then crossed the railway and returned by the Watling Street, which 

 Ave found in very bad repair. The valley above All Stretton is very 

 beautiful. 



Sept. 27. Left Church Stretton. 



Sept. 28. To Tutbury, to see the fine Norman church and castle. 

 Then to Lichfield, to visit Mrs. Babington, sen. 



Sept. 30. To Yoxall Lodge, to see the residence of my uncle 

 Gisborne. Found it very much altered from what it was in his 

 time ; the house for the better, the grounds for the worse. 



Oct. 2. Home. October was a very remarkable month in the 

 oscillations of the barometer. 



1881. Jan. 10. The Rev. H. E. Brooke came. We gave a tea 

 to the persons employed by the post office as postmen, etc., thirty- 

 nine in number, at the Alexandra Hall. Mr. Brooke addressed 

 them; they presented an inkstand to A.M.B. 



Jan. 18, 19. A very heavy snow-storm, and gale of wind, and 

 low temperature. 



Jan. 27. Thaw now came after an extreme continuous cold, 

 almost unprecedented. 



Jan. 28. Opening of Ridley Hall. 



Feb. 7. Dr. and Mrs. Asa Gray came to stay with us. He 

 wanted to examine the Herbarium. 



Feb. 8. Had a small dinner party to meet them. 



Feb. 9. The Rev. W. W. Newbould came. 



Feb. 11. Dr. and Mrs. Gray departed. 



Feb. 14. Newbould left. 



