40 



The visitors were divided into two groups and each, in turn, 



was conducted through a number of the principal apartments by 

 the Earl, who explained the many priceless and ancient heir- 

 looms of which he is the proud possessor. Among the many 

 beautiful works of art and objects of historical interest, may be 

 specially mentioned the large folding screen given by an Emperor 

 of China to Catherine of Russia, and afterwards presented to 

 one of the Earl's ancestors. It is of delicate and artistic Chinese 

 workmanship, the Celestial characters being in Soapstone. In 

 the Library, particular attention was draw T n to the manuscript 

 scores by Handel, a gift from the great Composer himself. 



After seeing the principal objects in the Mansion, the party 

 was taken on a tour of observation of the principal trees and 

 shrubs in the Park, under the guidance of Sir Daniel Morris and 

 Mr. Drake (Lord Malmesbury's agent). The Lebanon Cedars, 

 the large-fruited Cypress, the South Californian pine,' the 

 Californian Redwood, the American Mammoth trees (Welling- 

 tonia), and the Scotch firs being the most prominent amongst the 

 many fine trees which adorn the place. 



After enjoying the hospitality of their distinguished hosts, the 

 party left for Bournemouth. 



Bradford=on- An excursion was made to Bradford-on-Avon on 

 Avon. the 14th August. Thirty-three members left the 



Bournemouth West Station by the 8.37 a.m. 

 train for Bath, where they were met by the Rev. H. H. Winwood, 

 M.A., F.G.S., who kindly acted as conductor. The party drove 

 through Batheaston and, crossing the old Ford by the modern 

 bridge, passed Bathford on the left hand, and then ascended on 

 to the plateau, from which a magnificent view was obtained of 

 the Wiltshire Downs. The first halt was made at Kingston 

 House, one of the finest Jacobean Mansions in the district, built 

 by a Mr. John Hall, who settled here in the 17th Century. It is 

 now the property of Mr. Moulton, and is in a splendid state of 

 preservation. 



The party then walked through the town to the ancient bridge 

 spanning the river, with its curious domed structure built at the 

 end of one of its piers. It is not certain what it was orig'nalW 

 built for, Aubery, in 1670, mentions it " As a little chapel, as at 

 Bath, for Mass " — it was probably used to receive tolls from 

 passengers, and in more recent times has been turned into a lock- 

 up- 



After lunch a visit was made to the Tithe Barn at Barton 

 Farm, with its fine old 14th Century timbered roof still in good 

 preservation, supporting the shingle roof. It was formerly rhe 

 property of the Abbey of Shaftesbury. At the farmhouse, the 

 " Hall," the solar or day room of a chamber of the same date as 

 the Barn, was next inspected. It was probably the residence of 



