go 
expediency of such a comparatively uninteresting place being chosen 
for the Annual Excursion. At the close of the day, however, every 
one was agreed that a more enjoyable excursion could not have been 
spent. Ze feature was the charming variety it furnished, each of the 
spots visited affording new and attractive points of interest : first an 
old family mansion, with a dash of historical and antiquarian interest 
connected with it ; then reminiscences of African travels and exploits ; 
then a beautiful combination of the artistic and the picturesque such is 
not often met with. 
The members and friends left Brighton by the 7.55 a.m. train, and 
arrived at Groombridge at half-past nine, where they were met by the 
Rey. B. Whitelock, M.A., the Curate, who kindly acted as cicerone 
during the greater part of the day, and who at once conducted them to 
“ Groombridge Place,” the historical residence of the Rev. J. J. Saint, 
the Rector of Speldhurst, and Lord of the Manor, by whom they were 
most hospitably entertained. ‘To partake of tea, coffee, &c.,” was the 
invitation ; but the e¢ cefera formed the most prominent feature in the 
halt for refreshment; a repast, in which elegance was united to 
substantiality, being spread in the quaint old hall of the mansion, and 
the ladies of-the family doing the honours of the table. 
The repast completed, and grace having been sung by the Rev. 
J. H. Cross, Dr. King, and Mr. Dennant, from music composed by Mr. 
Cross during the journey by train, Mr. Saint gave his guests an account 
of the history attaching to Groombridge Place. 
The present structure, a brick mansion with stone dressings, 
enclosed within a broad and deep moat, supplied with water from a 
stream flowing through the garden, was erected in 1660 by a Mr. John 
Packer, on the site of an old castle that originally belonged to William 
Russell, who came over from Normandy with William the Conqueror ; 
it was subsequently alienated, in 1405, to Thomas Waller, of Lamber- 
hurst. 
Here Charles, Duke of Orleans, one of the few lyrical poets of 
noble blood which France has produced, was detained a prisoner. The 
Duke was taken prisoner by Sir Richard Waller, the then proprietor of 
Groombridge Place, at the battle of Agincourt, who discovered him 
amongst a heap of slain. At first he refused both meat and drink, but 
was persuaded out of his resolution to starve himself to death by Henry 
V., who declined to accept ransom for him, and gave him into the 
