THE SECRETARIES’ REPORT. 365 
The annual excursion was held on the Ist July, when a large 
party of the members and associates with their friends, including 
many ladies, spent a most enjoyable day on Dartmoor, visiting 
Two Bridges, Wistman’s Wood, Crockern Tor, &c. At the latter 
place Mr. EK. G. Bennett gave some account of the Althings and 
Stannary Courts that were held there in former days, and pointed 
out the rocks which were said to have been used as seats and a 
table at such assemblies. The weather proved unexceptional, and 
the party returned to the Bedford Hotel, Tavistock, where tea was 
partaken of. 
On the 22nd July a Field Meeting was held at Plympton, at 
which upwards of sixty ladies and gentlemen were present. The 
recently discovered site of Plympton Priory was explained by the 
President, who also read to the party assembled within the base 
court of the Keep an interesting paper on ‘‘ Plympton Castle.” 
The architecture of the churches of Plympton St. Mary and 
Plympton Erle was explained by Mr. James Hine, F.R.1.B.A. 
The party was most hospitably entertained by the President and 
Mrs. Rowe at afternoon tea, in the Guildhall of the ancient borough 
town. Lefore returning to the carriages a visit was paid to 
Plympton House, where Dr. Aldridge kindly pointed out a grand 
staircase of the time of Queen Anne, and the dairy still inlaid 
with Dutch tiles of an early date. 
The Lecture Season was opened with a Conversazione on the 7th 
October, 1880, when a message from the President, who was pre- 
vented by illness from attending, was read by the Secretary. The 
Arts Club having just closed their exhibition of paintings, which 
had been attended with success, kindly permitted their works to 
remain on the walls of the hall; these added much to the 
enjoyment of the party assembled. <A portion of the band of the 
Royal Marines played selections of instrumental music during the 
evening. 
A second Conversazione, which was largely attended, was held 
on the 13th January, 1881, and was almost entirely devoted to 
music, and, under the leadership of Mr. I’. N. Lohr ;—Messrs. Wm, 
Square and Bellamy, Miss A. Dwelley, Miss Burdwood, and Miss 
Annie Hubbard, gave some choice pieces of vocal and instrumental 
music, which were skilfully rendered. During the evening a paper 
was read by Mr. R. N. Worth, ra.s., on the “ Portrait of Sir 
Francis Drake,” the property of the Corporation, and kindly lent 
