Clifton College Scientific Society, 49 



the room. In the centre was a fine group of plants, in the middle 

 of which was a magnificent overarching palm from the hothouse 

 of Mr Lewis Fry, below which were some striking caladiums, 

 belonging to Mrs Gouldsmith, while several tree ferns stood at 

 the base. 



' It should be added that the floral decorations were all executed 

 under the able care of Mr Joshua Saunders, whose splendid col- 

 lections also furnished very many of the plants exhibited. Up 

 and down the sides of " Big School " ranged stands, which were 

 made the depositories of countless objects of interest. Some 

 powerful microscopes, belonging to Messrs Atchley, W. L. Car- 

 penter, Hatch, Ward, Stone, and Tedden, were scattered through 

 the room, and extensively patronised. A splendid case of 

 Egyptian antiquities, lent by Mr T. Pease, of Henbury, was the 

 object of much admiration. Prominent amongst the valuables 

 we noticed the massive plate belonging to the Corporation of 

 Bristol. Some Indian curiosities, sent in by Lieutenant-Colonel 

 Lambert and Colonel Batten, were inspected closely, and so was 

 a Uttle model illustrative of Professor Wheatstone's wave theory, 

 lent by Mr Exley. Here was also a superb and almost unrivalled 

 collection of British insects belonging to the Eev. J. Greene. 

 Perhaps, however, the greatest art treasure in the bnilding was a 

 small case lent by Mr Lewis Pry, and containing antique time- 

 pieces, reliquaries, and snuff'-boxes, in precious metal and jewelled. 

 This collection, we understand, has a national reputation, and we 

 were told is valued at nearly £1000. Among a curious collection 

 of dried plants lent by Mr Herbert Thomas was a specimen of the 

 pitcher plant, together with plants gathered from the ruins of 

 Baalbec, Tyre, and Mount Tabor. There was an exquisite minia- 

 ture Indian ivory car, lent by Mr W. H. Budgett, as well as some 

 articles personally obtained in India by Miss Mary Carpenter. 

 Some beautiful medallions of Italian painters and poets, belong- 

 ing to Mr T. Proctor, were much admired. The Dowager Lady 

 Mackworth lent several things of great rarity, including a watch 

 which belonged to the ill-fated Anne Boleyn, attaclied to wiiich 

 was a necklet of Queen Elizabeth. The Japanese bronzes, lent 

 by Mr Joshua Saunders, were very fine, and so were some that 

 belonged to Mr Edlin, Q.C. We have only noticed the principal 

 among the nic-nacs with which the stands were crowded, for their 

 name was legion. There were silver idols from Burmah, a scallop 

 shell carved by the monks of Bethlehem, sponge resembling the 

 human brain, model of the remains of the Arch of Vespasian at 

 Pome, thorns such as were supposed to have been placed on the 

 brow of our Saviour, &c. Some relics of the field of Sedan, lent 

 by Mr Duncan, of Clifton, who was taken prisoner by the Get- 



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