192 The Fifty -Sixth General Meeting. 



Wilts, who were also appointed on the Committee : — THE EEV. 

 G. H. ENGLEHEART, F.S.A., H. BRAKSPEAR, F.S.A., and THE 

 REV. E. H. GODDARD. The proposition was seconded by MR. R. 

 STONE, and the Committee was appointed. 



During the General Meeting there had been a smart thunder 

 shower, but it ceased in time to allow the company to proceed to the 

 Parish Church, and though rain threatened during the rest of the 

 afternoon it did not really interfere at all with the carrying out of the 

 appointed programme. At thePARISH CHURCH.where about seventy 

 Members and their friends assembled, MR. A. W. N. BURDER, F.S.A., 

 read notes on the history and architecture of the building, as he 

 did also at the adjoining SAXON CHURCH, which was the next 

 point to be visited. "THE PRIORY," was then visited, and by 

 the kindness of MRS. COLLETT, the owner, the company were 

 allowed to wander over the house, and see the various points of 

 interest, the staircase, plaster ceilings, &c. Here DR. BEDDOE 

 spoke on the history of the house, which was formerly known as 

 " Methuens," and was the home of the Methuen Family. It never 

 had anything to do with any monastic institution, and the origin 

 of its present name, " The Priory," is to be found only in the 

 caprice of a late occupier. 



From this point the company walked down over the TOWN 

 BRIDGE noticing THE CHAPEL, afterwards a lock-up, corbelled 

 out from one of its piers,and on to the GREAT TITHE BARN, which 

 was explained by Mr. Burder. After this a short walk across the 

 fields and over the ancient bridge lower down brought the party to 

 THE CHANTRY, where DR. AND MRS. BEDDOE most kindly 

 provided tea. Here the curious bath, or tank, in one of the base- 

 ment rooms, as to the age of which nothing is known, was inspected. 

 After this a visit to THE HALL, where the owner, MR. MOULTON, 

 shortly described the house and its history, brought the afternoon's 

 programme to a close. Here again a storm fell conveniently 

 whilst the Members were admiring the interior of the house. 



At THE ANNIVERSARY DINNER, which was held at 7.30 at 

 the " Swan " Hotel, twenty-eight Members sat down, after which 

 the party adjourned in much increased numbers to the Town Hall 



