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holiday.—He proceeded to say—The party arrived in the dim 
twilight of a summer’s evening at Oxford, and found comfortable 
quarters in the Randolph Hotel. After breakfast next morning 
the members were marshalled by Mr. Roberts (the Secretary) 
to proceed to the river for the purpose of visiting Abingdon, 
Burcot, and Dorchester. There we made the acquaintance ot the 
son of Professor Rogers, Mr. Arthur Rogers, who most materially 
added to the interest of our trip. Mr. Balfour had arranged with 
the Professor himself to show us the various points of interest in 
Oxford, but he was unexpectedly prevented from doing this, and 
sent his son who proved himself an admirable substitute. On 
descending the steps of Folly Bridge we found that through the 
kindness of Mr. Balfour two pretty steam launches were waiting 
to convey us down the river. It was most delightful under such 
favourable circumstances to see the ever varying beauty of the 
Thames as it steals along from Oxford. The glimpses of the 
towers and spires of the various churches and colleges added to the 
interest of the scenes. After floating down the river for about 
two miles we came to the well-known Iffley mill and lock. This 
mill is not famous on account of its size, but on account of its 
picturesqueness. Past Kennington, Rose Island with its old- 
fashioned Swan Inn, and Sandford, we soon come to what is 
considered by many the most delightful scenery of the Upper 
Thames, Nuneham. Everything that money and taste could do 
has been done to make it attractive. The distant view of 
Abingdon from the river is very fine, the spire of St. Helen’s 
Church standing up boldly against the sky. Pictorially Abingdon 
is a most attractive spot. At the landing we saw Mr. Payne 
waiting for us at the request of Mr. Balfour. We found him a 
most courteous and pleasant guide ; we visited the Town Hall of 
Abingdon under his guidance, and found the curious old plate 
belonging to the Corporation specially brought out for our 
inspection. Next we saw the Council Chamber, which is filled 
with portraits ot local worthies, and then visited the old church 
of St. Nicholas, 600 years old. The voyage from Abingdon to 
Burcot was a succession of enjoyable scenes. The trees planted 
along the banks of the river are specially fine. Noble elms and 
Lombardy poplars are dotted here and there in graceful lines. 
The wild flowers on the banks had a size and freshness not to 
be seen in more northern climes. But it was the refreshing 
quietude of the river which most impressed us. By far the best 
picture in this part is the village and the Church of Clifton 
Hampden which is seen inland, standing on the slope of a 
lofty eminence, with a fine sweep of cliff and woodland scenery. 
Burcot is most charmingly situated on one of the quiet reaches 
for which the Upper Thames is so famous. It is sufficiently 
distant from’ Oxford to have that seclusion which is so delightful 
