50 



green lanes and roads of the beautiful and picturesque 

 countr of Somerset to Ford Abbey, a well preserved 

 Monastic building of tbe time of Henry VII., although 

 portions of the structure (the chapel especially) dated from 

 a much earlier period. Here the Society was most hos- 

 pitably entertained by the owner of the property. Visits 

 were also paid to the old Manor House of Donyatts, near 

 Ilminster ; to the ancient remains at Chard, and to Jordans 

 the Manor House of the " Spekes." " I know not, Mr. Pre- 

 sident," concluded Mr. Brent, " that I ought to add 

 more— too much, perhaps, has been said already. We 

 are all pilgrims in pursuit of two branches of science — 

 the old and the new ; the unexhausted remains of 

 antiquity, and of that beautiful world now pre- 

 sent around us— the ever varying Nature, the same, 

 yet constantly exhibiting new forms of beauty and 

 enchantment. Day by day, hour by hour, we hope 

 to add a stone or a brick to that great edifice built up to 

 modem science ; or rather, a great temple, as surely we may 

 call it, erected to the munificent Author of all we have, or 

 hope for. A further revelation of the wonders of design, 

 the depth of knowledge, exhibited in created things around 

 us, must be a tribute and an oflering to Him — however 

 silent, and, at tbe moment, however unacknowledged. I 

 would conclude with giving " The Prosperity of the East 

 Kent Natural History Society," and would couple the sen- 

 timent with the name of our worthy President, Colonel 

 Cox, one who is our chairman at this meeting, and one who 

 has his whole heart and soul in forwarding the welfare of 

 the Society and science in general, not only by the talents 

 and energy he contributes, but by his constant attention 

 and watchfulness over its interests. (Loud applause.) 



The President responded to the toast. He said he was 

 very glad indeed to have heard the very interesting state- 

 ments which had been made by Mr. Brent as to his visit to 

 Somersetshire. He quite agreed with him as to the very 



