66 ACCOUNT OF THE GENERAL MEETINGS AND ANNUAL MEETING, 
Leaving the village, the party, under the guidance of the 
President (Miss Roper), proceeded up the lane from Judge 
Jeffreys' Tree. Turning into the fields they reached the top of 
the hill overlooking Wrington, from which a magnificent view was 
obtained, including the Mendips, Crook's Peak, Brean Down, 
Worle Hill, the Steep and Flat Holms, the Quantocks, &c. A 
descent was then made to Barley Wood, celebrated as the resi- 
dence of Hannah More, now owned by Mr. H. H. Wills, whose 
kind permission to explore the grounds was highly appreciated. 
On their way to the house the party noticed Mrs. More's memorial 
urn to her friend, Bishop Porteus, who died in 1808. Reaching 
the house, they were cordially greeted by Mrs. Wills. A short 
time having been spent in admiring the gardens, they sat down to 
an open-air tea, after which a vote of thanks to Mr. and Mrs. 
Wills was proposed by Miss Roper, and seconded by Dr. Prowse, 
to which Mr. W T ills replied. The party was then conducted round 
the gardens by Mrs. Wills and her niece. The gardens are notable 
for their extent and the variety of their flowering plants. Return- 
ing to Wrington a visit was made to the fine parish church." 
Mr. J. W. White has handed in the following account of the 
above excursion : — 
The Members of our Society may well place among the most 
pleasant remembrances of their Jubilee year the successful excur- 
sion to Wrington and Barley Wood on the afternoon of June 14, 
when by the courtesy of Mr. and Mrs. H. H. Wills the beautiful 
grounds and gardens of their historic mansion, formerly the 
residence of Mrs. Hannah More, were placed at the Society's 
disposal. There was a full attendance, the day was lovely, and 
the district around Wrington was looking its best. In order that 
full use of the opportunity should be made, the visitors on arrival 
were induced by their President to make the ascent of West Hill, 
whence a most extensive view over the Vale, the Mendips, and the 
Bristol Channel, was obtained. The way thither lay past the 
ancient Gallows Tree at the cross roads, and through pastures gay 
with luxuriant crops of grass and wild flowers then ready for the 
scythe. On returning, the grounds of Barley Wood were reached 
by woodland paths that led to grateful shaded seats upon the 
lawns. A little later the party was warmly welcomed by Mr. and 
Mrs. Wills, and conducted to one of the rose-embowered terraces 
where tea had been provided in sumptuous fashion by the hos- 
Ditable hosts. All this kindness was gratefully acknowledged 
by the President and Dr. Prowse who voiced the visitors' thanks 
for their reception and entertainment. Some portraits and other 
relics of the venerable lady who originally owned the property 
were viewed with interest, and then a charming hour flew quickly 
in the lower gardens and conservatories, ablaze with colour and 
admirably cared for. Amongst the more showy favourites of 
cultivation it was gratifying to see a place reserved for one or two 
of the rarer wild flowers of the neighbourhood : in particular, 
