188 
the magnificent mansion in 1856 and stocked it with the valuable 
collection of pictures, bronzes and statuary, which the present 
owner, Sir Algernon Neeld, bart., had kindly opened this day to 
the view of the Bath Field Club. 
Proceeding to the mansion at 2.30. p.m., the party were most 
graciously. received by the worthy baronet and Mr, E. C. Lowndes, 
of Castle Combe, and were informed that the whole of the 
interior was open to their inspection with all its art treasures and 
valuable contents. Many stuffed birds were in cases, the spoils 
in foreign climes of the owner’s gun, and in the park for 20 years 
a flock of Rhea, a South American species of ostrich, has been 
acclimatised, and reproduces its species with slight shelter in 
winter. 
The pictures are numerous in the mansion, of the Dutch School, 
Italian and English. In the drawing-room are a Gainsborough, 
‘“‘The Mall in S. James’ Park,” and a Constable, ‘ Vale of 
Dedham,” and other pictures by Glover, Etty, Titian, and Reynolds. 
Many statues are by Baily, including his chef d’ceuvres, “ The 
Listening Eve,” “ Maternal Love,” “ The Three Graces,” “ Adam 
consoling Eve after her Evil Dream ;” and others are by Sévere 
Papworth, Wyatt, Opie, and the original “ Venus Victrix” by 
Gibson. 
The bronzes include Flaxman’s “Shield of Achilles,” “ Pluto 
carrying of Proserpine,” and many others. 
Bidding farewell and thanks to the most genial baronet, the 
return journey was made to Bath at 4 p.m., and the rain which 
had hitherto held up, came down with a pitiless downpour, which 
rendered the ascent and descent of the steep hills anything but 
pleasant, as the gradients of the roads demanded continual 
evacuation of the brakes and progress on foot. Bath, however, 
was reached at 6.15 p.m., and though marred by rain at its close, 
an instructive excursion has been added to the Club’s Proceedings. 
Chelvey, Tickenham, Wrazxall and Tyntesfield, August 21, 1894.— 
A large party of members of the Field Club, numbering 22, 
