The Seventeenth General Meeting. 



hearty welcome from Mr. and Mrs. Morrison, and had an oppor- 

 tunity of inspecting* one of the richest and most valuable collectic 

 of porcelain and china to be found in England. Many of the most 

 interesting 1 objects were removed from their cases, and some observ- 

 ations were made thereon by Mr. and Mrs. Morrison. 



It was now nearly six o'clock, and the president had invited the 

 company to dine with him at Compton Park, eight miles off, at 

 half-past five ! A contemplated visit to Chilmark Church had 

 therefore to be abandoned. It was dusk when the party reached 

 Compton, and a conversazione being announced for eight o'clock at 

 "Wilton, they had but little time to devote to an inspection of the 

 many interesting family relics to be seen at the house, through 

 which they were conducted by Mr. Penruddocke. The portrait of 

 Colonel Penruddock, his letter to his wife a few days before his 

 execution, and the cap which he wore at the time of his being be- 

 beheaded at Exeter, were naturally inspected with painful 

 interest. 



In a spacious tent erected near the house, a capital cold collation 

 was provided. Mr. Penruddocke occupied the chair, and tendered 

 a cordial welcome to his guests. At the conclusion of the 

 repast, 



The High Sheriff, in proposing " The health of the President/'' 

 said that what he had undertaken to do he had done thoroughly 

 well, and he (the High Sheriff) was quite sure that every one 

 present would only hope that the same hospitality which he had 

 shown them that day might be shown in every district into which 

 the Society might make excursions. The President had set them a 

 good example. But it was not only in the creature comforts that 

 he had thought of the Society, but it was through the assistance 

 which such gentlemen as Mr. Penruddocke gave to the objects 

 which brought them together, that the Society occupied such a high 

 place in the estimation of the public. After other remarks, Mr. 

 Ravenhill concluded by proposing the health of Mr. Penruddocke 

 and his family. 



The company then left the tent, and proceeded to Wilton, which 

 they reached shortly after nine o'clock. Mr. Swayne invited the 



