THE CONVERSAZIONE. 181 



Blatchley, Mr. H. A. James, Dr. Pullar, Dr. R. Smith, Mr. J. Walker, 

 and Dr. Wilson. The company were received by the President, 

 Mr. Blatchley, and Dr. W. R. Smith. Refreshments were served in 

 the ante-room, which was suitably fitted up, and during the evening 

 Mr. Pollock's band occupied the orchestra. So pleased were visitors 

 with the exhibition, that the stewards induced the contributors to 

 allow their contributions to remain a second night, which they almost 

 unanimously did, Mr. Fisher coming again from Stroud especially to 

 exhibit the wonders of his department. 



EXCURSIONS. 



Friday was devoted to excursions. Five had been arranged for, but 

 the weather was very unsettled, and the number of the excursionists 

 fewer than had been provided for. It was, therefore, determined to 

 limit the excursions to two — one, which we may describe as the 

 popular one, to Hayles Abbey, Sudeley and Winchcombe, and the other, 

 confined to an invited party, to Mr. H. J. Elwes's seat at Preston, and 

 to Cirencester (Corinium.) 



Hayles Abbey, Winchcombe, and Scheley. 



This party, over sixty in number, was under the guidance of Dr. 

 R. Smith and Mr. J. Middleton. The weather was showery, and it 

 was thought better to drive direct to Hayles Abbey without dwelling 

 upon the interesting points en route. The brakes drove through 

 Bishop's Cleeve, (passing the old Tithe barn on the way.) G-otherington, 

 and round the base of the hills to Hayles Abbey, where the visitors 

 alighted to inspect the ruin so interesting to archaeologists. The history 

 of the Abbey and its architectural features, so far as they can be now 

 traced in the old archways and remains, were very fully and interest- 

 ingly explained by Mr. Middleton. The party returned to the vehicles 

 and drove back to Winchcombe, where they found a substantial and 

 very welcome luncheon awaiting them. 



Winchcombe Church was visited after luncheon, and its details and 

 architectural features explained by Mr. Middleton. He said the 

 church was an interesting example of what was comparatively rare in 

 England — a church built all at one time, from one design, and even 

 now quite unaltered, except with regard to its furniture and fittings, 

 the originals of which have all perished. The consequence was that 

 the church had a less picturesque, but more harmonious appearance 

 than the usual parish church, built at various periods. The style of 

 the whole is late Perpendicular. Except the somewhat mutilated 

 rood screen, nothing now remains of the old stalls or other fittings, 

 with the exception also of a very rich and delicately carved organ case 

 of 17th century work. The font and its cover are of about the same 

 date, and so is a very handsome brass chandelier still hanging in the 

 nave. There is a fine embroidered altar frontal, dating from the 16th 

 century, and some interesting communion plate, viz., chalices of 1570 

 and 1677, patten 1686, and flagon 1709. There is also an oak alms box, 

 with three locks, for the vicar and two churchwardens, according to 

 the Injunctions of Edward VI., 1547. 



From the Church the party, still under the guidance of Mr. Middle- 

 ton, walked to Sudeley Castle, where they were received by Mr. and 

 Mrs. Dent. The visitors were then conducted through the various 

 rooms of the Castle, whose varied objects of interest were explained 

 by Mrs. Dent, assisted by Mrs. Talbot, Mrs. Traill, and other ladies. 

 A paper giving a short history of the Castle was read by Mr. Middleton, 

 who also pointed out the various objects of interest in the chapel, 

 where Mr. J. D. Smith played a voluntary on the chapel organ. As 



