THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB. 
herbarium specimens, etc., etc. It was understood that the Museum and 
building is to be presented to the town. 
Mr. Andrews was indefatigable in demonstrating the treasures of his 
museum, and he was most cordially congratulated on having brought 
together such an interesting collection, and on his generosity as to its 
ultimate public disposition. The museum should be carefully examined 
by all visiting the interesting old town of Hertford. 
At the Folly Bridge, the steam-barge " Salisbury ” belonging to the 
Lea Conservancy Board (which had been hired by the Club) was soon 
in readiness and the party embarked. 
It is unnecessary to give any very detailed account of the voyage 
—various objects of interest noticed during the day having been des¬ 
cribed in former reports mentioned above. 
Between Hertford and Ware, to the south of the river, the noted 
Chadwell Spring, the original source of the New River, was visited. Chad- 
well Spring is a circular basin in the Upper Chalk at the foot of Chadwell 
Hill, having a diameter of about go feet ; the maximum depth of the 
basin is about 16 feet. The springs rise nearly in the centre of the basin 
in several well-defined fissures. 
The statutory intake of the New River from the Lea, at King’s Mead, 
Hertford, known as the “ New Gauge,” was demonstrated by Mr. Wood. 
The water passes through a floating weir, the bottom edge of which is 
always maintained at a constant depth below the surface of the water 
in the River Lea. The width of the weir cannot be increased, but can be 
diminished to any extent. The maximum rate at which water can be 
taken through the gauge is 2,500 cubic feet per minute, equal approxi¬ 
mately to 22,500,000 gallons in 24 hours. The old floating gauge, erected 
in 1733, was also inspected. 
On arrival at Ware, the party again disembarked, and some visited 
the house and grounds known as the Priory, which was most kindly thrown 
open for their inspection by the owner, Mrs. R. B. Croft. In a Patent 
Roll of 1 2 Edw. III. (=za.d. 1339) is mention of a Grant to Thomas Wake 
of 1 messuage and 7 acres of land in Ware, for newly erecting an 
Oratory, houses, and other buildings for the Friars of the Order of Friars 
Minor, commonly called Grey Friars. Portions of the original building 
are incorporated in the present residence, which dates mainly from the 
eighteenth century. A small quatrefoil opening (now closed) in the N. 
wall is stated to be the spot where “ doles ” were distributed by the monks 
to poor wayfarers. A good example of a mediaeval oak king-post roof- 
truss, with four struts, is to be seen in one of the modern attics. Founda¬ 
tions of other buildings have been traced beneath the lawn to the N. 
of the present House. 
A large boulder of Hertfordshire Conglomerate was seen in the grounds 
of the Priory. 
Others of the company, geologically inclined, and under the direction 
of Mr. Barrow and Mr. Whitaker, walked up to the large gravel pit situated 
in the Watton Road, about lialf-a-rr.ile NAV. of Ware, at about 200 feet 
above O.D. (surface). The section shows some 40 feet of interbedded 
Glacial gravel and sand, with contorted masses of Chalky Boulder Clay 
in the gravel towards the base of the section. The constituent rocks 
