8 Third General Meeting. 
The place and hour of meeting having been announced, the 
excursionists were left to choose their own course thither, amongst 
the several routes pointed out in the programme. Some took the 
way by Corsham Court, which, by the kindness of Lord Methuen, 
was thrown open for inspection. The celebrated collection of pic- 
tures was, as might be expected, the chief point of attraction, but 
the recent addition of several fine rooms and halls, has enabled his 
Lordship to set forth a number of other interesting objects, with 
the examination of which the visitors were highly gratified. The 
grounds also, around the house, filled with fine cedars, and forest 
trees of many kinds, of which the noble owner is a most diligent 
protector, combine to render Corsham Court one of the most com- 
plete of English baronial residences. 
Lacock Abbey was the next rendezvous. The peculiarity of this 
house consists in its being, in some respects, unaltered since the 
days when it was occupied by a convent of nuns. It has indeed 
undergone considerable change; but the cloistered quadrangle 
stands almost exactly as it used to be; and some parts also of the 
chapel, and the kitchen still remain. Mr. Fox Talbot and his family 
were absent from home; but a general order had been left for 
unlimited range over the apartments and pleasure grounds ; and 
domestics were everywhere in attendance, who, with an unwearied 
civility, continued for some hours to point out to the numerous 
visitors, every thing that was worth seeing and that they wished 
to see. They had however, another, and a most agreeable cicerone 
in Mr. H. Merewether, whose residence being close to Lacock, 
enabled him to undertake the office of interpreter, with a more 
familiar knowledge of the subject than others could be expected to 
possess; and we need not add, in a vein of humorous description, 
that in no degree diminished the pleasure of the listeners. 
From Lacock Abbey the company proceeded up Bowden Hill, 
through Captain Gladstone’s grounds, Spye Park, and thence to 
Bowood. 
Here they were received with a cordial welcome by the noble 
Marquis and his family, and were immediately introduced into the 
house, to examine at leisure the multitude of rare and beautiful 
