XXXV111. CERNE AND MINTERNE MEETING. 



want of food probably, the} 7 barked the Scotch firs, and in 

 one week did ioo worth of damage. They had to be 

 destroyed. 39 shot. 



1807, Sept. 9. 84 squirrels shot. 

 1811, Oct. i. 154 squirrels killed. 

 1813, April 16. 189 squirrels killed. 



Mr. Eaton, as acting President, returned thanks to Canon 

 Ravenhill for his paper. 



Canon Ravenhill, responding, said that he had received a 

 letter from Lord Digby, expressing his regret at not being able 

 to be with the Club that day ; but he was on a committee of the 

 House of Lords which was sitting daily from eleven o'clock till 

 four. He allowed the Club the use of the largest room at 

 Minterne for their luncheon, and wished them a fine day and a 

 pleasant meeting. 



The Hon. Secretary read a letter which he had received from 

 Col. J. Mount Batten, to whom Up-Cerne belonged, and who 

 said 



" It may be interesting to some of the party to trace the ancient aqueduct from 

 a spring at Mintenie to a leaden-lined reservoir in the grounds of Cerne Abbey, 

 and which formerly supplied the Abbey and its occupants with water. It runs 

 by gravitation from the foot of Giant's Hill, and is a fair specimen of what might 

 have been done by the Romans in early times." ' 



This the Club, on account of the length of the programme, 

 were unable to do. 



The Club then entered the house, and, having eaten their 

 luncheon, walked through the apartments to see the pictures, 

 tapestry, and various other works of art. The tapestry is a fine 

 specimen of work. That downstairs represents scenes of rustic 

 life, village sports, and a fishing scene by the seashore. That 

 upstairs depicts idyllic pastoral scenes. Leaving the house, the 

 party were shown over the hothouses, vinery, and gardens by 

 Mr. Peacock, the head gardener. He afterwards led them down 

 through the shrubbery walk garden, which has been much 

 extended and beautified by Lord and Lady Digby. This " wild 

 garden " is about a mile long, the path winding amid noble firs 



