^'^ocT'^iS'*'^™*}       British  Fhannaceutical  Conference.  539 
the  Ordinance  Survey  Offices  and  inspect  the  operations  going  on  there. 
Last  of  all  came  an  enthusiastic  vote  of  thanks  to  the  President,  for  his 
conduct  in  the  chair,  and  the  members  of  the  Conference  then  separated, 
not  without  some  misgivings  as  to  the  weather  for  the  evening  excursion. 
Any  fears,  however,  which  might  have  been  entertained  during  the 
storm  which  raged  on  Wednesday  night,  as  to  the  condition  of  the  weather 
on  the  following  day,  were  fortunately  dispelled.  The  morning  was  fault- 
less ;  the  sun  brilliant  and  the  air  delightful.  Before  half-past  eight,  the 
hour  fixed  for  starting,  members  of  the  Conference  were  making  a  forced 
march  to  the  pier-head,  many,  judging  from  an  indescribable  expression  of 
"goneness"  in  their  features,  having  evidently  sacrificed  breakfast  to  a 
heroic  determination  to  be  punctual.  The  steamer  engaged  for  the  trip  was 
one  of  the  finest  boats  in  the  Isle  of  Wight  Company's  service,  and  about 
one  hundred  and  twenty  excursionists,  including  a  fair  proportion  of 
ladies,  were  on  board,  when  a  little  before  nine  o'clock  the  signal  for 
departure  was  given.  The  run  to  Ryde  was  most  enjoyable,  affording  as  it 
did,  glimpses  of  many  objects  of  interest ;  Netley  Hospital,  with  its  magni- 
ficent fagade,  and  the  ruins  of  the  fine  old  Abbey  close  by,  well  contrasted 
the  spirit  of  the  Past  and  the  Present,  and  Osborne,  so  delightfully  situated 
amidst  the  peaceful  beauty  of  its  surrounding,  evidenced  the  gentle  spirit 
of  its  royal  occupant. 
Ryde  was  reached  at  10.30,  where  a  train  was  waiting  to  convey  the 
party  to  Brading.  Alighting  here,  a  pleasant  stroll  through  lanes  and 
fields,  rich  in  spoils  for  the  botanist,  brought  the  visitors  to  the  remains  of 
the  Roman  Villa.  An  inspection  of  the  mosaic  floors,  some  of  which  are 
in  very  perfect  condition,  and  the  many  archaeological  treasures  which 
have  been  turned  up  during  the  excavations,  detained  the  company  here 
until  12,30,  when  train  was  taken  to  Ventnor. 
A  short  distance  from  the  town,  on  the  Bonchurch  road,  a  substantial 
luncheon  was  served  on  the  lawn  in  front  of  the  residence  of  Captain 
Roache,  who  had  kindly  thrown  open  his  grounds  for  the  reception  of  the 
members  of  the  Conference.  The  majority  of  the  party  then  made  their 
way  through  Bonchurch  to  the  Landslip.  The  magnificent  scenery  of  this, 
spot  is  too  well  known  to  need  description  ;  suffice  it  to  say  that  the 
expanse  of  sun-illumined  sea  on  the  right  hand  and  the  solemn  grandeur 
of  the  gray  crags  to  the  left,  intermingled  with  the  varied  tints  of  the 
luxurious  foliage,  made  uj)  a  scene  which  by  those  who  witnessed  it  for  the 
first  time  will  never  be  forgotten,  and  which  by  those  who  had  already 
seen  it  many  times  before  will  ever  be  remembered  with  increased  delight. 
On  the  road  along  the  cliffs  to  Shanklin  stands  the  private  residence  of 
Mr.  Gibbs,  of  Ryde,  and  at  this  point  a  pleasant  surprise  awaited  the 
excursionists.  Mr.  Gibbs,  gracefully  assisted  by  his  wife,  welcomed  into 
his  house  successive  detachments  of  the  party  as  they  arrived  ;  and 
beneath  his  hospitable  roof  every  kind  of  comfort  and  refreshment  was  set 
before  them.  In  the  dining  room  were  choice  wines  and  fruits,  and  in  the 
drawing  room  tea,  coffee,  and  other  light  refreshments.  Coming  as  it  did 
so  unexpectedly,  and  dispensed  so  courteously  and  generously,  Mr.  Gibbs^" 
hospitality  constituted  one  of  the  most  delightful  incidents  of  tb.e  trip. 
