ce wep ape ie ee ae a 
= 
Thursday, August 9th. 147 
reached soon after six o’clock. Punctually at 8, p.m., a 
CONVERSAZIONE 
was held in the Town Hall, the Right Rev. Tun Presipent in the 
chair, when an excellent paper on “Stanley Abbey ” was read by 
the Rev. Canon Epprvp, and then an admirable paper on “ the 
Poet Moore,” by the Rav. W. H. Hircacockx : the latter, however, 
gave rise to some discussion as to his private character, and his claims 
as a poet, which Moore possessed. This was mooted by the Vicar of 
Calne, Rev. Canon Duncan, and was carried on from various points of 
view by Mr. T. Harris, the Rev. V. F. Ransome, Mr. Barren, of 
Yeovil, Mr. H. J. F. Swayne, Mr. W. W. Ravenuiit, and others. 
But however great the difference of opinion as to Moore’s merits as 
a poet and a Christian, there was no question that the paper, as 
handled by Mr. Hitchcock, was an exceedingly able one, put together 
with great dexterity and evincing excellent taste and tact on the 
part of the writer. Nor must we omit to add that the pleasure of 
it was very greatly enhanced by two specimens of the Irish melodies, 
which were admirably sung by Mrs. Hircxcook, to the great delight 
of the audience. As both this paper and that on Stanley Abbey 
will be printed in the Magazine, we need not comment on them 
further. Tux. Presipent offered a warm vote of thanks to the 
authors of both papers, and especially to Mrs’ Hitchcock, and then 
vacated the chair, which he asked the Rev. A. C. Suita to occupy 
in his absence. The Chairman now invited Mr. PLENDERLEATH to 
read his paper on Cherhill Gleanings, which had been crowded out 
the previous evening, but that gentleman courteously insisted on 
giving way in favour of Mr. Witxrns, who read a paper on “ Ben 
Nevis,” for which he received the thanks of the Meeting ; and after 
‘sundry announcements of the arrangements for the following day, 
the Meeting terminated. 
THURSDAY, AUGUST 9ru. 
The excursion planned for to-day was called the “ Bowood Day,” 
and punctually at 9, a.m., a large party, led by the President and 
Secretaries of the Society, started in breaks and other carriages, and 
VOL, XXIV,—-NO. LXXI, L 
