142 The Thirtieth General Meeting. 



Officers of the Society for themselves ; the Rev. T. Perkins for the 

 " Secretaries to the Meeting," of which he proved himself a most 

 energetic and hard-working Officer, and to whom the admirable 

 arrangements are especially due ; and lastly, Mr. Gordon Soames 

 for " The Ladies." 



The Conversazione at the Town Hall did not begin till nine 

 o'clock, when Canon Jackson read a most interesting paper on 

 " Cranborne Chase," wherein be described the strong and oppressive 

 forest laws as they affected those who (unfortunately for themselves) 

 lived within the area of the " Chase," and told of the gentlemen 

 hunters and their method of pursuing the deer, and of the poachers 

 and their plan of securing their prey, and illustrated his tale with 

 several specimens of ancient dress and head-piece, as well as fowling- 

 piece and sword, all o£ which were lent for the occasion by Mr. C. 

 Penruddocke, of Compton. 



At the conclusion of the paper, which was listened to with ex- 

 traordinary interest by the Meeting, The President offered hearty 

 thanks to the Canon, and said that he had never attended one of 

 these Meetings without having to thank Canon Jackson for an 

 archaeological treat. 



The Rev. A. C. Smith said that, as Mr. Story Maskelyne must 

 return to town the following morning, and could not accompany 

 them on the excursions, he desired to offer him the special thanks 

 of the Society for coming down — he feared at great inconvenience 

 to himself — and presiding over them that day. 



Mr. H. E. Medlicott seconded the vote of thanks, and The 

 President acknowledged the compliment, and having wished the 

 Society pleasant journeys for the next two days, took leave of 

 the Members. 



The Rev.- T. Perkins then explained certain details in the ar- 

 rangements for the following day's excursion, and the company 

 proceeded to an adjoining room, where tea and coffee had been 

 provided by the kind hospitality of the Mayor and Corporation of 

 Shaftesbury. 



THURSDAY, AUGUST 7th. 



At nine o'clock five or six breaks, containing some sixty-five 



