XXX11. 



Luncheon, provided by Mr. Lawrence, of the George Hotel, Chard, was 

 served in the schoolroom of the parish. The route now led to Leigh 

 House, an excellent specimen of Elizabethan architecture, the property of 

 Colonel Henley, and now in the occupation of General Anderson, who 

 extended a hearty welcome to the party. The front of the house is in the 

 shape of an E 5 it bears the date of 1611 on a lead pipe, though this has 

 probably no connection with the actual structure. The interior is very 

 interesting in the matter of the decorated ceilings and carved mantelpieces 

 with which many of the rooms are adorned. 



Forde Abbey the piece de resistance for the day was reached at three 

 o'clock. It is the seat of C. H. Evans, Esq., and is situated on the banks 

 of the river Axe. The view is not extensive, but the surroundings are 

 extremely beautiful, and the place is certainly one of the most perfect of 

 the conventual establishments formerly so common in the country. The 

 paper descriptive of the history and architectural features of the abbey, 

 from the pen of Mr. J. S. Udal, will be found at p. 136 of this volume. 

 Additional information was given by the Rev. C. A. Bragge, vicar of 

 Thorncombe, Major Davis, and the housekeeper of the Abbey. The day 

 had now become beautifully clear and sunny, and, after examining the 

 interior of the building, the party sat about under the trees, or wandered 

 through the grounds and along the banks of the Axe until it was necessary 

 to start for the railway station. An excellent photograph of the members 

 was taken in front of the house by Mr. W. C. Waldron, of Chard, before 

 leaving. Owing to the unavoidable absence of the President on this 

 occasion, the duties devolved on the Rev. Sir Talbot Baker, Bart., a 

 Vice-president of the Society. The entire party reached the station in 

 plenty of time for the 5.43 train for Yeovil, and this brought a very 

 successful meeting to its close. 



A MEETING was held at Whitchurch Canonicorum on Monday, August 

 15th, at which the President, Treasurer, and about 45 members and friends 

 were present. The day was beautifully fine, and the programme was an 

 attractive one. A start was made from the Bull Hotel, at Bridport, about 

 twelve o'clock. The site of the George Inn, where Charles II. stayed 

 when attempting to escape to France, is now occupied by the premises 

 of Messrs. Beach and Barnicott. From Bridport the drive lay over 

 Symondsbury Hill, leaving the village on the right, passing Chideock 

 parish, and surmounting Chideock Hill, from which a fine view of the Vale 

 of Marshwood and Charmouth Bay was obtained. Thence passing Haddon 

 Hill with its gravel quarries, the route led down a steep and narrow lane, 

 whence the fine tower of the church at Whitchurch was seen in front, and 



