xxx. PIRST stfMMER MEETING. 



place and many of the ancient dene holes, had also been 

 instrumental in removing not a few of the objects which were 

 of interest to naturalists. 



Luncheon was partaken of in picnic fashion on the Weares, 

 after which, by the courtesy of Mr. Henry Sansom, the 

 members were conducted into the grounds of Pennsylvania 

 Castle. On the way Mr. Pentin pointed out, with regret, the 

 ruinous condition of the picturesque Carolean Cottage, bearing 

 the date 1640, which Mr. Thomas Hardy made the home of 

 Avice in his novel The Well Beloved. The party then visited 

 Baron Nolcken's lodge, Governor Penn's billiard house, Rufus 

 Castle, and the ruined Church of St. Andrew, where ash and 

 sycamore trees are springing up in the nave.* After rambling 

 round the gardens of Pennsylvania Castle, tea was partaken of, 

 and hearty votes of thanks were accorded to Mr. Sansom for 

 his kindness in permitting the members to visit his grounds, 

 and to Mr. Pentin for so ably acting as a guide. 



A short business meeting followed, when six members w r ere 

 elected by ballot, and six were nominated for membership. 



The President took the opportunity of congratulating Canon 

 Fletcher on " the beautifully-produced book,t which had been 

 prepared under his editorship, and was mainly due to his pen, 

 and which was marked by the fine qualities of antiquarian 

 knowledge and scholarship." It had been written by request 

 of the Cathedral Chapter for presentation to the Bishops and 

 Deans from various parts of the world who took part in the 

 commemoration of the 700th anniversary of the stonelaying of 

 the present Cathedral at Salisbury which had taken place a 

 fortnight previously. 



On the way homewards the party stopped at the offices of 

 the Bath Stone Firms in order to inspect the line collection of 

 fossilised cicads, ammonites, &c., and their casts. 



* The antiquities of Portland are dealt with at some length in an Article 



in D.F.C. Proceedings, Vol. XXXVII, pp. 228-253. 

 t Xotcs on. Salisbury Cathedral, Salisbury Messrs. Brown, The Canal, 



and Mr. H. Simmonds, High Street. Price, 3/6. 



