168 
REPORTS OF SOCIETIES. 
July, 1892. 
the Guildhall, where the poet witnessed the first dramatic repre¬ 
sentation his eyes ever looked upon when a boy of five. Passing 
into the Armoury, Mr. Laffan gave the visitors a most interesting 
account of the frescoes of the Royal Arms of England, dating from 
1666, and after visiting other scenes associated with the great master¬ 
mind, the rev. gentleman most hospitably invited all the members to 
partake of tea at the school house, au invitation gratefully accepted 
by the majority of the party. Before leaving, the Rev. T. Auden 
proposed, and the Rev. R. C. Wanstall seconded, a most cordial 
vote of thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Laffan for their kindness and hos¬ 
pitality. A hurried visit was then made to “ New Place ” (site of 
Shakespeare’s home), the almshouses, and Shakespeare’s birthplace, the 
party returning to Leamington for dinner. After tea in the large room, 
the lion. sec. referred to the obligation he was under to Mr. S. S. 
Stanley, hon. sec. of the Warwickshire Archaeological Society, who 
had helped him in arranging the comprehensive programme, and 
rendered such assistance during the day as guide, and then called 
upon Mr. Stanley to read a paper on “ Stratford-on-Avon before the 
time of Shakespeare.” The paper afforded much instruction to the 
visitors, and on the proposition of the Rev. T. Auden, seconded by Mr. 
E. Jones. Mr. Stanley was heartily thanked. On Thursday, the party 
left Leamington for Stoneleigh Abbey, the seat of Lord Leigh, who 
had most kindly given permission to visit the Abbey, gardens, and 
deer park. The ancient Norman church of Stoneleigh was next 
visited—rich in memorials of the Norman period. The vicar (the 
Rev. J. Thorn, formerly of Whitehall, Broseley) welcomed the 
club, and from the reading desk gave a short description of 
the church. On the proposition of the Rev. R. Woods, seconded 
by Mr. F. Sandford, a cordial vote of thanks was passed to Mr. 
Thorn. The party next visited Coventry, where the members 
had luncheon at the Craven Arms Hotel. They were met by 
Councillor Andrews, vice-presidenr of the local Archaeological 
Society, and Mr. Fretton, F.S.A., who acted as cicerone to the 
party, and accompanied them to St. Michael’s Church, St. Mary’s 
Hall, Trinity Church, St. John’s Hospital, and various ancient 
houses, &c. Before leaving the party, Mr. Andrews received a 
hearty vote of thanks, proposed by the Rev. F. W. Kittermaster, 
and seconded by Mr. Hodges. Mr. Andrews expressed the plea¬ 
sure it gave him to accept the invitation of the hon. sec. to meet the 
club. The drive home from Coventry was through the park aud 
Bagmton, and after dinner in the evening the beautiful gardens at 
Leamington, which were illuminated with thousands of lanterns, were 
visited. The first place visited on Friday was Kenilworth Castle, the 
chief features of interest being pointed out by Mr. Fretton. The 
party then examined the remains of the Augustinian Monastery, 
recently unearthed. After luncheon the members drove to Guy’s Cliff, 
and on to the church at Warwick, and Leycester’s Hospital. At the 
Museum they were met by the Rev. P B. Brodie, F.G.S., who 
described the most striking features of the collections, calling attention 
especially to the unique specimens of Hyperodapedon , from the 
Warwickshire Keuper, and to a very fine example of Ichthyosaurus 
from the Lias. Mr. Brodie was the guest of the club to dinner at the 
Crown Hotel, Leamington ; and after dinner, at the desire of the 
president, he gave the club an interesting address “ On the Fossil 
Insects found in the Lias of Warwickshire.” Cordial votes of thanks 
were passed to Mr. Brodie, and to Messrs. Fretton and Stanley, who 
had done so much to elucidate the archaeology of the localities visited. 
