SELBORNE SOCIETY NOTICES 
139 
move was at once made for St. Michael’s Church, the party passing en route 
several men, women and children engaged in felling osiers for the purpose of 
making baskets, cages, &c., an industry that has been carried on at St. Albans by 
the same man for a great many years. Crossing over the ancient British 
Causeway the party came to very historic ground, and the route traversed was 
within the area of Roman Verulam. The guide pointed out the site of the 
St. Albans Pageant of last year, the portion of Roman wall still in good 
preservation, and known as .St. Germain’s Block, and other interesting 
mementoes of Verulam. Before reaching St. Michael’s Church, Mr. Westell read 
lengthy abstracts from Mr. C. II. Ashdown’s admirable book, “The City of St. 
Alban, its Abbey and its Surroundings,” concerning the Church and the 
illustrious philosopher. Bacon, who is buried there. The verger took the party 
in hand when the Church was reached, and pointed out with commendable 
brevity the salient features of the same. It was built by Abbot Ulsinus in 
A. u. 948, and tradition asserts that the Church stands upon the very stones that 
once supported the heathen Temple of Apollo. The Roman Forum is believed 
■to have been quite near the spot where the Church now stands ; the Roman 
theatre lies under a field on the opposite side of the road, and a line of trees not 
far away denotes the site of the Watling Street of Roman times. 
On arriving at Gorhambury House (built in 1780), Mr. Newberry, the head 
gardener, very kindly conducted the Selbornians and friends through the gardens 
and grounds, after which tea was jrartaken of in the park, under the cool shade of 
some heavily-foliaged trees, and almost under the ruins of Bacon’s house, built 
in 1563. 
Alter tea the patty proceeded across Gorhambury Park, noting among the 
birds singing, cuckoo, chiff-chaff, willow wren, lesser whitethroat, and several 
commoner kinds, whilst those botanically inclined found seveial common, but 
none the less interesting, plants. The various forms and characteristics of several 
trees were commented upon and noted. The guide gave several little dissertations 
upon birds to those members of the excursion with whom he was able to keep in 
touch, and much information was elicited of a useful nature. A fine view of St. 
Albans Abbey, St. Peter’s Church, and other parts of the City was obtained as 
the entrance gates were reached, and the party proceeded through St. Michael’s, 
Along quaint old Fishpool Street, to the Abbey Gateway (now the Grammar 
School), by the side of the Cathedral and thence to the station. This is about 
the fifteenth ramble of the Society conducted by Mr. Westell, and all seem 
agreed that it was one of the most successful that he has piloted. To the Right 
Hon. the Earl of Verulam the Society are greatly indebted for the readiness with 
which he granted permission to visit his beautiful estate and gardens. 
Saturday, May 30. — A small party r.f Selbornians met at High Barnet and 
joined, by kind invitation, the botanical ramble through Arkley Green Lane, 
arranged by the Barnet Natural History .Society and Field Club. A detour was 
made to tfie old Fold Farm, to see the moat — all that now remains to mark the 
site of a Saxon, or more probably Norman, Castle. Mr. Cruickshank, of the 
Barnet Society, gave a short and interesting address on the moated sites of the 
neighbourhood. Arkley Green Lane, a long and very narrow strip of common 
land, chiefly now used by gipsies as a camping ground, proved somewhat of a dis- 
appointment to the botanist, but to the lovers of fine trees, streams, and open 
country a great pleasure. A wayside pond white with the bloom of water crow- 
foot was passed, and hedges still snowed with the hawthorn’s flower. In places 
the lane was very swampy, but owing to the forethought of Mr. C. G. Kiddell, 
F. L.S., the local secretary, who had secured two men with planks, everyone 
crossed these patches easily. After the long walk the party were delighted by 
the kindly welcome they received from Mr. and Mrs. Giles, who had provided 
tea for them in their charming house and garden, putting their tennis and croquet 
lawns and bowling-green at the disposal of any members of the party who felt 
inclined to play. 
FORTHCOMING EVENTS. 
Council and Committee Meetings. 
Monday, July 20. — General Purposes Committe at 5.30 p m. 
Tuesday, July 28. — Council Meeting at 5.30 p.m. 
