and in particular the supplying air to the furnace previously heated, " hot blast" 

 as distinguished from " cold blast" furnaces. 



Biingewood Forge and Furnace was one of the very last Forges in which 

 iron was smelted by wood charcoal, and this fact itself is a great tribute to the 

 character of the iron it produced. It had a very high repute, and waa supposed to 

 be equal to the best Swedish iroH. 



It is still within the memory of man that bands of mules, or pack horses, 

 in single file, carried iron ore down the steep slopes of Biingewood Chase, in 

 the direct route from the Clee Hill to the Forge by the river ; or that the jingle 

 of their tinkling bells was pleasantly heard in the distance as when laden 

 with charcoal from the remote parts of the forest they made their way 

 through the trees. There are stUl those who can remember the busy 

 scene at the Forge with all its life and activity ; and who can recall vividly the 

 picturesque effects produced the column of sparks rising high above the woods, 

 brightly reflected from the river below, with the deep shade of the tree? around 

 it, as seen from a distance on a winter's evening. 



To a later period stiU the ruins of the Forge remained ; but these are 

 now gone. The Tin Mill has disappeared also, and though abundant proofs of 

 their existence remain for those who search for them ; to a superficial observer 

 they will all be overlooked in the beauty of the scenery around him, and then 

 the name of the bridge before you, "The Forge Bridge", alone remains to 

 carry its memory to future ages. 



Such is all the information now procurable of Brlngewood Forge and 

 Furnace, but justice would not be done to our Club if a passing tribute were 

 not paid on this occasion to those gifted grandsons of the great ironmaster, 



RICHARD PAYNE KNIGHT 



THOMAS ANDREW KNIGHT, 



Bona of the Rev. Thomas Knight, who lived at 'Wormisley Grainge. Their early 

 years were passed in the seclusion of its beautiful scenery, and they imbibed 

 that love of nature, which would have made them fully appreciate the objects 

 of a Naturalists Field Club. They were both self-educated men — life students — 

 and both became distinguished for their great ability and high mental culture. 



RiOHAED Payne Knight succeeded to the Downton Estate on the death 

 of his father in 1764. Shortly after succeeding to the property he took up the 

 study of Greek, entered into the subject with great enthusiasm, and soon 

 published works on Greek Literature. He travelled into Italy and made a very 

 valuable collection of antiquities and works of art, Greek bronzes, and coins, 

 &c. He was member of Parliament for Leominster from 1780 to 1784, and 

 was then returned for Ludlow and represented that town for 22 years. But 



