The Ninth General Meeting. 9 



THURSDAY, August 7th. 

 The heavy clouds and occasional storms of rain prevented the 

 excursionists from starting punctually at half-past nine, as on the 

 day previous. Still, nothing daunted by threatening weather, very 

 nearly the same company and in the same carriages, left Malmesbury 

 for their second day's exploration of the neighbourhood. They 

 visited in succession the Churches of Little Somerford, Great 

 Somerford, Sutton Benger, Draycot, Stanton, and Leigh Delamere, 

 the two latter of which occupied a considerable time, and attracted 

 universal interest : then halting for a few moments at Leigh Dela- 

 mere School, to examine the elegant bell turret which once 

 surmounted the old church, they went through Sir John Neeld's 

 grounds to Grittleton. After luncheon in the School, which was 

 very prettily decorated by the kindness of the Incumbent the Rev. 

 T. B. Lancaster, Canon Jackson announced that he had received a 

 letter from Sir John Neeld, regretting his absence and inability to 

 do the honours of his house, in consequence of recent domestic afflic- 

 tion, but deputing him (Mr. Jackson) to act as cicerone in his stead, 

 and conduct the company through the galleries, and show them the 

 works of art collected therein. The company then adjourned to 

 the mansion, where they spent a couple of hours. Grittleton Church 

 was next visited, and then, after a peep into the hospitable Rectory 

 and its pretty gardens, the excursionists separated, heartily 

 delighted with their three days tour. 



