XXX11. 



The bowl of the chalice is plain and the base hexagonal, whilst in the 

 middle of the paten is engraved a representation of the Saviour's head, 

 surrounded by a nimbus. 



Coombpyne possesses an additional interest in its connection through 

 his mother's family with Doctor Buckland, " one of the fathers of English 

 Geology." He was born at Axminster in 1784 and acquired his taste for 

 geology in the Lias quarries of that neighbourhood. Speaking of his 

 early life he wrote " that the love of observing natural objects, which is 

 common to most children, was early exhibited by my finding birds' nests 

 and collecting their eggs. I also made observations on the habits of 

 fishes in the Axe, particularly flounders, minnows, roaches, eels, and 

 miller's thumbs." He was an early friend of Miss Anning, the 

 celebrated Lyme geologist, and his association with the late Rev. W. D. 

 Conybeare, for some years vicar of Axminster, was of many years' 

 duration. 



After leaving Coombpyne a short drive through the green lanes of 

 Devonshire had to be accomplished, and Rousdon, the residence of Sir 

 Henry Peek, was reached at two o'clock, where the party was received 

 with great hospitality. Luncheon was served in the hall shortly after the 

 arrival of the party, which now numbered about 80. The chair was taken 

 by Sir Talbot Baker. After luncheon the health of the Queen was 

 proposed. The Chairman said he was glad to be able to announce the 

 recovery to health of their President, Mr. Mansel-Pleydell. He referred 

 with sympathy to the recent death of Sir Frederick Weld, who just two 

 years previously had entertained the Field Club at his house at Chideock 

 during the Bridport meeting. 



Five new members were then duly proposed and elected. The 

 Secretary read a brief description of the famous landslip, which occurred 

 on Christmas Day, 1839, and extends from the immediate vicinity of 

 Rousdon on the sea coast towards Axmouth, a full account of which is 

 given at page 883 of Pulman's " Book of the Axe." From this it appears 

 that a fortnight prior to the catastrophe the inhabitants of some 

 cottages on the Dowlands under cliff noticed a slight settlement, and on 

 December 23rd William Critchard, one of the cottagers, noticed that his 

 front door opened and shut with difficulty, and that cracks were 

 appearing on the walls. Christmas Eve was celebrated in old fashioned 

 style at Bindon Farm with the burning of an ashen faggot and merry- 

 making, in which the labourers participated. Critchard and his wife 

 locked up their cottage and spent the evening at the farm, from which 

 they returned about one o'clock in the morning, when they noticed the 

 path down one side of the cliff had sunk a foot. They went to bed, but 



