The Conversazione. 



13a 



the Society would last two or three years, and then they should hear 

 no more of it. There had been two or three attempts at something' 

 of the kind, but they had all failed: he was happy, however, to see that 

 day that Mr. Neeld's prediction was not realized. With respect to 

 parochial history, he believed it was in the power of every clergyman 

 to contribute largely, and yet very simply, to the history of his 

 parish. Ever since he could remember he had always kept a record 

 of every circumstance that had happened in his parish, not only 

 of ecclesiastical but secular matters, and he had thus been able on 

 one or two occasions to refer back and furnish useful information. 

 This record would be left as a sort of legacy to his successors. There 

 was no trouble in doing this, and after a little time it began to be a 

 source of some pleasure. Any clergyman could do it, and keep a 

 copy in his register chest. 



The Rev. H. Hayward was convinced that his bishop (of Gloucester) 

 would readily give the whole weight of his influence to carry out such 

 a scheme as that mentioned by the Rev. A. C. Smith. 



After other toasts of a complimentary character, not forgetting 

 Mr. Shopland, Mr. Edwards, and others who had worked on the 

 Society's behalf, and concluding with the ladies, the party then ad- 

 journed to the Town Hall. 



THE CONVERSAZIONE. 

 At half-past seven the President took the chair, and first called 

 upon the Rev. "W. C. Plenderleath for a paper on " The Parochial 

 Registers of a Country Village," which was listened to with great 

 interest, but which we need not now enter upon, as it will be printed 

 in the Magazine. On its conclusion the Rev. F. Goddard said that 

 the formation of surnames in country parishes had been alluded to. 

 He had known instances where a woman after marriage was still 

 known by her original name. A woman named Ann Bathe was 

 Ann Bathe still for years after her marriage. In another case, Ann 

 Church married a man called Christopher Rivers, but instead of 

 being called Ann Rivers she was known as Ann Christopher ever 

 afterwards. 



The Rev. G. S. Master (of Dean) said that his register went 



