Repoets op Societies. 



47 



West Riding Consolidated Naturalists' Society. — The sixth 

 excursion meeting of this Society took place Sept. 9th. Though heavy 

 showers continued to fall at intervals during the day, there was a good 

 attendance of members. The country investigated lay round Lower 

 Whitley, the route taken by the various parties being from Ravensthorpe 

 by way of Whitley Woods ; from Mirfield by way of Hopton, Liley Lane, 

 and Upper Whitley ; from Kirkheaton by way of Hagg Hill, &c. One of 

 the principal places visited was Hopton New Hall, the residence of Mrs. 

 Marriott, where the conservatories, &c., were open Cor the members to 

 inspect. The Hall is a light and elegant fabric, in the early English style 

 of architecture, and the grounds are all laid out with great taste. The 

 Hopton woods, as well as those of Whitley, contain some rather rare 

 plants, &c., some of which were gathered on the occasion. The most 

 interesting place visited during the ramble perhaps was Whitley Hall, the 

 residence of E. A. Leatham, Esq., M.P., with its extensive park and 

 woods. This estate was in the possession of the ancient family of the 

 Bellomontes — now Beaumonts — in the reign of Henry III. The oldest 

 part of the present hall was built in the reign of Elizabeth by Sir Richard 

 Beaumont ; it was considerably enlarged in 1704, and with several 

 additions since made, forms a large quadrangular building, with court- 

 yard and two fine fronts. On the western side of the principal front 

 stands the family chapel, formerly noted for the finely carved oak 

 fittings of the style or workmanship of Gibbons. From a small temple 

 situate in an elevated part of the park is obtained a fine view of part of 

 the western moors, looking towards Blackstone Edge, &c. The difierent 

 investigating parties united about five o'clock at Whitley Lower, when, 

 having partaken of refreshments, the whole company adjourned to the 

 Church School, where tables had been arranged with the various collec- 

 tions made during the afternoon. The president (J. Wainwright, Esq., 

 F.L.S., of Wakefield) occupied the chair, and the Rev. W. Fowler, M.A., 

 vicar of Liversedge, the vice-chair, supported by the other ofilcers Of the 

 Society, Mr. J. M. Barber, of Heckmondwike, and Mr. W. D. Roebuck, 

 of Leeds, the honorary secretaries. The president briefly addressed the 

 meeting, informing the members that in consequence of arrangements he 

 had made for visiting Palestine, Egypt, &c., he would not be able to be 

 with them at their next meeting, but assured them that in whatever part 

 of the world he might be at the time, he should think of them and their 

 proceedings, which he hoped would be carried out for the benefit of the 

 Society. He had given notice at the last meeting that he should that day 

 bring forward two resolutions materially altering the present constitution 

 of the Society, but having been informed by the hon. sees, that it was 

 very unusual to bring forward business that would alter the " constitu- 

 tion " of the Society excepting at the annual meetings, he would leave 

 his proposition with the vice-chairman to bring forward then. After 

 referring to the unfavourable state of the weather for excursions, and the 



