12 



The Twenty -Fifth Annual Meeting. 



embraced one hundred square miles, taking Avebury for its centre, 

 and comprized the plateau of down which lies between the vales of 

 Pewsey on the south, Swindon on the north, Bromham, Rowde, and 

 Calnc, on the west, and the vale of Ogbourne on the east. 



At the conclusion of the last paper the Chairman moved a cordial 

 vote of thanks to the several gentlemen who had addressed them, 

 and after partaking of tea and coffee, the company separated. 



EXCURSION ON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13th. 



At nine o'clock a large number of carriages assembled at the Town 

 Hall, and forming a long cavalcade, proceeded up the Granham 

 Hill, near the White Horse (made hy Mr. Greasley's pupils in 1804), 

 to Wans Dyke. This is but of low elevation where it appears beside 

 the road, but the eyes of the company were too anxiously directed 

 to the skies to note closely any terrestrial phenomena ; for it was 

 only too evident a severe thunder-storm was threatening. Thus the 

 party were content with a distant view of the more interesting 

 portion of the earthworks on Huish Hill, but it held up long enough 

 for them to enjoy the view and note the conformation of the British 

 village, apparently of very rude and early construction, and un- 

 doubted traces of the pit-dwellings of our early forefathers can here 

 be distinguished. As the party neared Clench Common the rain 

 came down in torrents, and the lightning and thunder were most 

 terrific. Shelter was taken in various localities, and indeed the 

 electric disturbances immediately overhead were a grand sight for 

 those who could divest themselves of a feeling of danger. The heavy 

 rain also prevented the party ascending to the camp on Martinsell, 

 and on its ceasing they journeyed to Wootton Rivers, where the 

 Rev. W. J. Brodribb was in waiting to show his Church, of very 

 ancient date, but restored several years ago. It contains a tomb of 

 the Rev. Sir Edward Ernie, Bart., the last of his race, who died 

 1787, and a glowing panegyric to his memory. 



A short drive brought the party to the forest, where they first 

 visited the Column, a lofty obelisk erected by Thomas, Earl of 

 Ailesbury in gratitude to God for his good gifts, to his uncle for 

 leaving him the estates, and in memory of the restoration to health 



