Conversazione. 



147 



bell -turret for which the Church is noted ; and then, through lovely 

 scenery, and through well- wooded and well- watered valleys, and 

 up and down precipitous hills, to the hospitable and beautiful 

 mansion of Castle Combe. Here they were welcomed and splen- 

 didly entertained, to the number of about 120, by the generous 

 owner, Mr. Lowndes, who had prepared a sumptuous repast for 

 them under a spacious marquee. When the appetites of the hungry 

 archooologists had been satisfied, Mr. Lowndes in a few hearty 

 words cordially welcomed them to his domain, and expressed the 

 pleasure he felt at seeing so large a party as his guests. 



To this Sir John Awdry replied in suitable terms ; and in the 

 name of the Society thanked Mr. Lowndes for his hospitality. 



This called forth a round of applause, and with three times three 

 the name of Mr. Lowndes was cheered. 



And now for an hour the archaeologists dispersed through woods 

 and gardens, some of the more enterprising climbing to the site 

 of the old castle, and even mounting to the top of the tower 

 erected by Mr. Scrope ; others contenting themselves with a stroll 

 through the beautiful gardens, or resting under the shade of the 

 old trees. The Church was in due course visited ; and then, taking 

 leave of Mr. Lowndes, the whole party climbed the steep hills with 

 which Castle Combe is environed, and drove on to Grittleton. 



Here they received a cordial welcome from Sir John Neeld, and 

 were hospitably entertained with tea and coffee and other suitable 

 refreshments ; and then for above an hour the pictures and statues 

 and the other splendid works of art with which Grittleton abounds 

 were admired by the large number of visitors who soon spread 

 themselves over the suites of rooms and galleries. Nor were the 

 beautiful gardens, nor of course the Church, forgotten ; and then, 

 with hearty expressions of gratitude to Sir John Neeld for his kind 

 reception, the archaeologists drove back through Kington St. 

 Michael to Chippenham. 



THE CONVERSAZIONE. 

 Precisely at 8 p.m., as announced in the programme, the enthu- 

 siastic members of the Society again met in the New Hall, when 



