431 

 THE ANNUAL EXCURSION, 1890. 



The following account is abridged jrom that which appeared in the "Royal 

 Cornwall Gazette." 



The Annual Excursion took place on Thursday, September 

 4th. The company assembled at the Town Quay, Truro, and 

 embarked on the ' New Resolute,' which left just before ten 

 o'clock for the Helford River, calling at Falmouth. On leaving 

 the harbour and passing out into the open sea a south-westerly 

 course was taken, and after an hour's run, the steamer entered 

 Helford River. 



The approach of the steamer was signalled by a flag being 

 run up to the top of the flagstaff on the tower of Bosahan. The 

 magnificence of Helford River was much admired, its noble 

 breath, its guard of two old Roman forts on Dennis Head, one 

 afterwards used by the Royalists in Cromwellian times, and the 

 peaceful sanctuary of Mawnan on the other side of the river. 

 Beyond Mawnan, in a little nook, was Durgan. " One of the 

 warmest spots in Cornwall, and most suitable for a health resort," 

 was written on a map of the district, prepared by Mr. Whitley, 

 for the use of the excursionists. Further up the river was the 

 ferry with the houses of the coastguardsmen streaked in white. 

 On the left, in a most commanding position, was Bosahan, to 

 visit which, Mr. A. Pendarves Vivian, a former president of the 

 Institution, had most cordially invited the members. A landing 

 was effected at Bosahan beach, and the party were met by Mr. 

 Vivian, who personally conducted them along most beautiful 

 paths cut through an uprising coombe full of well-grown timber, 

 ferns, and undergrowth of indigenous plants ; passing through 

 a little gate, these gave way to Australian and other tropical 

 plants which Mr. Vivian had collected in many of his voyages 

 abroad. A gum tree (Eucalyptus), one of the giant trees of the 

 Australian forests, forty -feet high and of only four years' growth, 

 was much admired. Higher came a path of cryptogams, and 

 in a sort of crater rockery grew maidenhair and other ferns, 

 brought from Teneriffe, and a tree-fern grew a little beyond. 

 On approaching the house Lady Jane Vivian extended a cordial 

 welcome to the visitors. 



