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of the season was favoured by the most charming weather, and 
was attended by the President and 19 Members of the Club. 
The primary object of the day was a visit to the renowned semi- 
tropical gardens of the Earl of Ilchester at Abbotsbury, the 
Swannery in the Fleet and the remains of the Abbey. 
A very slow train by the Great Western Railway, leaving Bath 
at 10.18 a.m., brought the Members to Dorchester, the Roman 
Durnovaria at 12.45 p.m., and the King’s Arms Hotel provided a 
very necessary luncheon before the long drive to Abbotsbury was 
undertaken. 
For three miles out of Dorchester the road is due West along 
the Icknield Street until Black Down, 817 feet, rose on the left 
with the Monument of Admiral Sir Thomas Hardy on its summit, 
when a branch road to the South was taken to the village of 
Portisham, and thence to Abbotsbury, eight miles from Dorchester. 
Passing the ruins of the Abbey, which are inconsiderable in 
extent, but sufficient to show the former magnificence of this. 
Benedictine Monastery, founded in the reign of Canute, 1026, by 
Orc and his wife Thola, and, according to local legend, consecrated 
by 8. Peter himself, who miraculously appeared for the purpose, 
the chapel of 8S. Catherine is seen on the left, perched on a 
commanding height. It is built entirely of stone without timber 
in the Perpendicular style, and was a votive Chapel for sailors. 
shipwrecked on the Chesil Beach. The wonderful gardens of the 
Earl of Ilchester are situated a short half-mile from the village, 
and the head-gardener, by the instructions of his Lordship, was 
awaiting the arrival of the party, and conducted them all over the 
grounds, pointing out the rare and choice shrubs and trees which 
take kindly to this favoured spot, and luxuriate in the balmy 
climate. Owing to the situation of these gardens, opened to the 
sea air on the South, and sheltered from the cold North winds by 
a lofty chalk down, and to the soil being of a rich ferruginous 
colour, semi-tropical plants flourish here, and withstand without 
protection the severest winters of our climate. Mr. Bowden, the 

