ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
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M.C
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
DORSET DaTQML HISTOKY
MTirdflKIM FIELD gLQB.
m\m^ M. PJCHAEDSON, B.A, F.E.S.
Hon. Secretan/.
VOLU M E XV.
©orcbCBter :
PRINTED AT THE "DORSET COUNTY CHRONICLE'" OFFICE.
1413064
CONTENTS.
Index to Plates and Engravings iv.
Notice to Members ^'•
^ List of Officers and Honorary Members vi.
«J List of Members ^'i'i-
'List of New Members elected.since the publication of Vol. XIV xviii.
"^ The Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Field Club
.. .^ during the Season 1893-4, by Nelson M. Richardson, Esq., B. A., F.E.S. .. xx. > Hon. Treasurer's Statement of Receipts and Expenditure from May otli, 1893, to
V* May 22nd, 1894 bx.
-^^ Hon. Secretary's Accounts to April 30th, 1894 Ix.
\ Anniversary Address of the President, May 23rd, 1894 Ixi.
t
An Old Hampsliire ^Nlanor House on a Byeroad to History, by Fre<leric
Fane, Esq 1
EUingham Church, by Frederic Fane, Esq. 13
On the Desirability of a Photographic Survey of the County, by Rev. T.
Perkins Is
A Sketch of the History of Old Wardour Castle, l>y Re\-. T. Perkins 2(i
Shaftesbury, by Rev. C. H. Mayo, M.A 30
The Helstone on Ridge Hill, Portesham, by B. Cunnington, Esi( 'rl
Plush.by Rev. CanonRavenhill, M.A., R.D n.-s
Dorset Lepidoptera in 1892-3, with Description of the Larva of JEpisclmia
bankesiella, Richardson, by Nelson M. Richardson, Esq., B.A., F.E.S. M
Warehani : Its Origin and History, by E. Cunnington, Esq. To
Same Additions to the Dorset Flora, by Rev. E. F. Linton 74
Briti.sh Species of Utricularia (illustrated by Dorset specimens), by Re\'. K. F.
Linton ^]
Reptiles of Dorset, by Rev. O. P. Cambridge, M.A., F.R.S., &c iin
On New and Rare British Spiders found in 1893 ; with Rectification oi Synonyms,
by Rev. O. P. Cambridge, M.A., F.R.S., &c lo:!
Dorset and King John ; Notes on the Pipe Rolls (Dorset) of that Reign,
Supplemented and Illustrated by References to the Patent and Close Rolls
of the same Period, by Rev. W. Miles Barnes . . . . 117 Notes on a Minute Book (C. 12) belonging to the Mayor and Corporation of
Dorchester (with a few passages from C. 9), by H. J. Moule, Esq., M.A. . . 142
The Ancient Free Chapel of Corton, by Rev. W. Miles Barnes 164
Some Local Stone Marks, by Thos. B. (j^ves, Esq., F.C.S liJT
Kimmeridge Shale, by J. C. Mansel-Pleydell, Esq., F.G.S., F.L.S 172
On Some of the Rarer Trees in the Gardens of Abbotsbury Castle, by J. C.
Mansel-Pleydell, Esq., F.G.S., F.L.S l>4
Report on Observations on the Appearances of Birds, Insects, itc, and tlie
Flowering of Plants and Returns of Rainfall in Dorset during 1893, by
Nelson M. Richardson, Esq., B. A., F.E.S lOr-
PLATES, ENGRAVINGS, &c.
PAGE
Miniature Effigy oi- CiirsADEU IX M.vppowDER Church xxxix.
Old Wardour Castle— •
1. llie Main Entrance .' "|
2. Entrance to Central Court . . J- 2(1
3. Staircase to the Banqueting Hall . . J
.Shaftesbury Seal "SiGiLLUM CoMMUNiTATis BuRGl Shaston" 47 Dorset Lepidoptera, Lita sucedella, L. occUatella, L. plantagitiella, with
Larv/e and Food Plants 59
Utrieularia neglecta 81
JVaMa; torr/wata; Ring Snake Variety 95
List OF Dorset Reptiles 102
New AND Rare Spiders 103
List of Spiders Recorded or Described in Accompanying Paper lis
List of Places in Dorset Visited by King John 119
Ancient Altar, Corton Chapel 164
Local Stone Marks 167
Lists of Local Stone Marks 168, 169
Kimmeridge Bay, Clavell's Tower, Coastguard Station 172
Sections in the Kimmeridge Clay from Gad Cliff (West) to Kimmerid(;e
Bay (East) 172
List of Kimmeridge Shale Beds with Economic Value 174
Comparative Table of the Value of the Illuminating Matters con- tained IN SOME of the Gas Coals and Cannels Usually Employed
for Gas Manufacture in England 183
Table of First Appearances of Birds in Dorset in 1893- 198
Table of Earliest Dorset Records of Plants in Flower in 1893 199
Table of First Appearances of Insects, &c., in Dorset in 1893 .. 2ii(i
Table shewing Distribution of Rain over 36 Rainfall Stations.. 202
Table shewing Differences in the Records of Neighbouring Stations 2(i2
Table SHEWING Distribution OF Rainfall on July 1.5th, 1893 iiu Tables shewing Distribution of Rainfall on Oct. 7th and Dec. ioth,
1893 205
Tables of Temperature at Winteubourne Steepleton and Parkstone
for 1893 208
Table OK Rainfall Returns FOR Dorset IN 1893 210.211
JVOTICE.
Meinl)ers are reniiiuled tliat payment of the cuneiit yeai.".s subscription (10s.) entitles them to the immediate receipt of the Vol. of " Proceedings " or other publications for the year ; also that jDayment of arrears entitles to previous volumes, issued in those years for Avhich the arrears are due.
All volumes are issued, and subscriptions received, by the Treasurer, Rev. 0. P. Cambridge, Bloxworth Eectory, Wareham.
Surplus Copies of former " Proceedings " (Vols. i. — xiv.) at the rate of 7s. 6d. to 10s. a volume, "Spiders of Dorset" (2 vols., 25s.), and copies of " Monograph of the British Phalangidea or Harvest Men " at 5s. each, are in the Treasurer's liands for disposal for the benefit of the Club's funds ; also copies of the " British Chernetidea or False-Scorpions " at 3s. each.
Any Member joining the Club and paying his subscription in a year for which no volume may be issued is entitled to a copy of the last previously issued.
Members are requested to give notice to the Treasurer of any change in their address.
Members desiring to withdraw from the Club are requested to give notice to the Treasurer, in order to avoid the trouble and expense incurred in sending them Notices of Meetings, &c. ; but until such notice is given they are liable to pay the Annual Subscription, due to the Club on and after January 1st oacli year.
.^^■^i(4mi=L. ..
\i: Ijovsct jjaiuiinl listorjr
AND
lnfiqiuii|iau fidrl |^lulr.
IjYAUGUBATEI) march 26th, 1875.
president :
J. C. ^lANSEL-rLKYDELL, Esq., J.R, F.Cx.S., F.L.S.
DlccsprcsiDcnts :
Rev. Sir TALDOT EAKER, Baut.
General PITT RIVERS, F.R.S.
Rev. 0. r. CAMBRIDGE, ^I.A., F.R.S., C.M.Z.S., &c.( Treasurer).
I\IORTON G. STUART, Esq., F.G.S.
NELSON II. RICHARDSON, Esq. (Ilcn. Serrefnr;,).
1f3onoi'arv> /Iftcmbcv!? :
W. CAnKUTHERS, Esq., F.lt.S., F.Ci.S., F.L.S;., r.iilish Mnsouni. S. Kensinj^ton.
R. Etheridge, Esq., F.Ii.S., F.G.S., British ]\riiseuiu, S. Kensington.
Alfred Newton, Esq., M.A., F.H.S., Professor of Zool()^■y and Com- parative Anatomy, INIagdalea College, tJaiubridge.
J. Prestwich, Esq., F.Pi.S, , F.G.S., Shorehain, Seven Oaks, Kent.
G. li. WOLLASTON, Esq., Chiselhurst.
Rev. Osmond Fisher, M.A., F.G.H., &c., Harlton Rectory, Cambridge.
Mr. A. M. Wallis, 29, Mallams, Portland.
e_!=^lfgk^=i3,,.
LIST OF MEMBERS
Jiclb (Elub.
Tlie liiglit Reveienil the Lord
Bisho]) of .Salisbury The Right Reverend tlie
Bishop of Soathwark
Tlie Right Hon. the Lord
Eustace Cecil The Right Hon. Lord Digby The Right Hon. Viscount
Fortnian The Lord Stalbriilge Acland, Captain John Acton, Rev. Edward Acton, Rev. J. Adams, A. T., Esq. Aldridge, Reginald, Esq. Allen, George, Esq. A II man, G. J., Esq., LL.D.,
F.R.S., ike, &c. Allhusen, Wilton, Esq. Andrews, T. C. W., Esq. Awdry, Rev. E. S. Baker, Dr. J. B. Baker, Rev. Sir Talbot, Bart.
( Vice-President) Baker, E. AVhitley, Esq. Bankes, Albert, Esq. Bankes, Rev. Eldon S.
The Palace, Salisbury
Dartmouth House, Blackheath Hill, London, S.E.
Lytchett Heath, Poole M interne, Dorchester
Bryanston, Blandford
12, Upper Brook Street, London Godmanstone Manor, Dorchester Hinton St. Mary Vicarage, Blandford Iwerne Minster, Blandford
Bellair, Charniouth
Poole
Strangways, Marnhull, Blandford
Ardmore, Parkstone
Clevelands, Lyme Regis
I, Buxton Villas, Rodwell, "Weymouth
Portishani, Dorchester.
13, Cornwall Road, Dorchester
Ranston House, Blandford Glencairn, Wimborne Wolfeton House, Dorchester Coife Castle Rectoiy, VVarehani
Bankes, Enstaca Ralph, Esq. Bankes, W. Ralph, Esq. Barnes, Mrs. John lies Barnes, Rev. W. ^l. Barrett, W. Bowles, Esq.,
F.L.S. Baskett, Rev. C. R. Baskett, S. R., Esq. Bassett, Rev. T. Baker, A. H., Esq. Batten, John, Esq. Batten, Colonel Mount Batten, Blount, Miss Batten, H. B., Esq. Beckford, F. J., Esq. Bennett, H. R., Esq. Bennett, Chas. W., Esq. Bishop, Rev. H. E., Esq. Blanchard, E. ^Y., Esq. Bodington, Rev. E. C. Bond, N., Esq. Bond, Rev. John Bonsor, Geo., Esq. Bousfield, Rev. E. H. Bowden, Miss Mary Bowen, J. H., Esq. Bower, H. Syndevconibe, Esq.
Biennand, W. E., Esq. Bright, Percy M., Esq. Brown, Rev. W. C. Browne, A. J. Jukes, Esq., F.G.S.
Browning, Benjamin, Esq. Budden, Alfred, Esq, Burt, Miss Emma ]}urt, F. A., Esq. Butler, C. Mc Arthur, Esq., M.S. A.
Corfe Castle Rectory, Wareham Kingston Lacy, Wimborne Summer Hayes, Blandford Monckton Rectory, Dorchester
Weymouth
Birstwith Vicarage, Ripley, Leeds Evershot
Houghton Rectory, Blandford Wilts and Dorset Bank, Blandford Aldon, Yeovil Upcerne, Dorchester Upcerne, Dorchester Aldon, V'eovil Witley, Parkstone Markham House, Wyke Regis 33, Gladstone Road, Bournemouth Hampreston Rectory, Wimborne Fernside, Parkstone Osmington Rectory, Dorchester Creech Grange, Wareham Tyneham, Wareham Seaborough Court, Crewkerne Vicarage, Milton Abbas, Dorchester We3t Walks, Dorchester Bank Buildings, Weymouth Fontmell Parva, Shillingstone, Bland- ford Blandford Bourn smoutli Vicarage, Nether Avon, Wilts
Geological Survey Office, 28, Jermyn
Street, London Weymouth Wimborne
Purbeck House, Swanage S^\■anage
Salisbury Chambers, Boscombe, Bourne- mouth
a.
Butt, Capt.
Caniliridge, Rev. O. P. (Vice- President ct Ho)!. Treasurer) Cainbritlge, Colonel J. P. Cambridge, I\li-s. Pickaul Cane, Rev. Arthur A. Carter, William, Esq. Cattle, Rev. William Chadwick, Mrs Chaftey, R. C, Esq. Chaffey, Roberts. C, E.sq. Charlton, Rev. Underhill Childs, C, Esq., M.D. Chudleigh, Rev. Augustine Church, Col. Arthur Clarence, Lovell Burchell, Esq. Climenson, Rev. John Clinton, Rev. C. H. Fynes Clinton, E. Fynes, Esq. Col fox, T. A., Esq. Col fox. Miss A. L. Colfox, W., Esq. Colfox, Mrs. Thos. Coote, Rev. H. C. Cope, Rev. J. Staines Cother, Rev. V. S. Cotton, Lieut. -Colonel Craig, Rev. Dr. Crespi, Dr.
Crickmay, G. R., Esq. Cross, Rev. J.
Cull, James, Esq.
Cunnington, Edward, Esq. Curme, Decimus, Esq. D'Aeth, C. C. Hughes, Esq. Dale, C. W., Esq. Damon, Robert, Esq. Dansey, Miss S. J. T. Dashwood. Miss
The Salterns, Parkstone, Dorset
Bloxworth Rectory, Wareham
Bloxwoith House, "Wareham
Warm well Rectory, Dorchester
14, St. John's Teirace, Weymouth
The Heritage, Parkstone
Charlton, Blandfoid
Chotnole, Sherborne
Stoke-under-Hambden, Somerset
Stoke-under-Hambden, Son)erset
Came Rectory, Dorchester
Weymouth
"West Parley Rectory, "Wimborne
St. Albans, Rodvvell, "Weymouth
Coaxdon, Axminster
Shiplake Vicarage, Henley-on-Thames
Rectory, Blandford
Wimborne
Coneygar, Bridport
Westmead, Biidport
Westmead, Bridport
Rax House, Bridport
St. John's, "\\ eymouth
Chaldon Vicarage, Dorchester
Rectoiy, Bradford Peverell, Dorchester
Ing Ravan, Carlton Road, Weymouth
Charminster, Dorchester
Wimborne
AVey mouth
Baillie House, Sturminster Marshall,
Wimborne 6, Pembroke Gardens, Kensington,
London, W. Alma House, Weymouth CJiilde Okeford Buckhorn Weston, Bath Glanvillcs Wootton, Sherborne Weymouth Faiilicld, Weymouth Hill House, Tcniplocombe, Bath
Bavis, Geo., Esq. Dij-by, J. K. D. W., Esq., M.P. Diax, W. S £., Esq. Dnicker, Adolfe, Esq. Diuitt, Rev. Cliarles
Dugniore, H. Radcliffe, Esq. Eaton, H. S., Esq.
Eilo-cumbe, Sir Robert Elford, H. B., Esq. Elwes, Captain Enibleton, D. C, Esq., F. R. Met. Soc.
Evans, Rev. Canon Evans, W. H., Esq. Everett, Mrs. Falkner, C. G., Esq. Fane, Frederick, Esq. Farley, Rev. H. Farquliarson, H.R.,Esq., M.P. Farrer, Rev. W. Farrer, Oliver, Esq. Fetherstonliaugli-Franipton,
R., Esq.
Ffooks, T., Esq.
FiUeul, Rev. S. E. V.
Fiiliter, Freeland, Esq.
Filliter, George, Esq.
Fletcher, W. H. B., Esq.
Fletcher, W. J., Esq.
Floyer, G., Esq.
Fogerty, F. G., Esq.
Forbes, Major L.
Forrester, Mis.
Forrester, Hngli Carl, Esq.
Freanie, R., Esq.
Freeman, Riev. H. R. Williams
FrL'u.-h, Alfred, E>q.
Furlong. ■, Rev. A. M.
Dorchester
Sherborne Castle
Holnest, Sherborne
Milton Abbey
Vicarage, "NVhitehurcIi Canonicurum,
Charmouth The ]\[onnt, Parkst.nie, Poole The National Club, Whitehall,
London, S.W. Dorchester
72, Market Street, Poole Bossington, Bournenioutii
St. Wilfrid's, St. Michaers R.ad,
Bournemouth St. Alphege, Parkstonp, Dorset Forde Abbey, Chard Dorchester
The C(dlege, Weymouth INIoyles Court, Fordingbridge Lytchett Minster, Poole Tarrant Gnnville, Blandford Vicarage, Bere Regis Binnegar Hall, Wareham
Moreton House, Di)vcliester
Totnel, Sherliorne
All Saints" Rectory, Dorchester
Waieham
Wareham
Fairlawn, Worthing, Sussf.x
Winiborne
Stafford, Dorchester
2, St. Peter's Terrace, Bournemouth
Shillingstone, Blandford
Bryanston, Blandford
Shaftesbury
(Jillingliam
AlVpuddlo \'icaiagc, Dorchester
\\uu\,nvnr
SI. .\udM.-vV \\\\:\, lliidroii
Fyler, J. W., Esq. Gallwey, Captain E. Payne Gal pin, G., Esq.
Gillett, Richard Win., Esq. Glyn, SiiR., Bart Glyn, Carr Stuart, Esq. Goddard, Rev. Cecil Vincent Goodden, J. R. P., Esq. Good ridge, John, Esq. Goodridge,W.P.B.,Esq., M.D. Good ridge, Miss Gorringe, Rev. T. R. Gregory, G. J. G., Esq. Greves, Hayla, Esq., M.D, Griffin, F. C. G., Esq., M.B. Grove, Walter, Esq. Groves, T. B., Esq. Groves, W. E., Esq. Hadow, Rev. J. L. G. Hall, Captain Marshall, J. P.,
F.G.S., F.C.S. Hall, Chas. Lillington, Esq.
Hanibro, Mrs. Han key. Rev. Montagu Hansford, Charles, Esq. Hardcastle, J. A., Esq. Harrison, Rev. F. T. Harrison, G., Esq. Harrison, Henry Leeds, Esq.,
B.A., M.B. Hart, Edward, Esq., F.Z.S. Hawkins, W., Esq. Hayne, R., Esq., Jun. Head, J. Merrick, Esq. Henning, Lieut. -General, C.B. Hildjs, Geo., Esq. Highton, Rev. E. Hill, llev. C. R. Hogg, B. A., Es(i.
Hethfelton, Wareham
1, Clearmount, Rodwell, Weymouth Clarendon Court, Clarendon Road,
Bournemouth
2, Gloucester Row, Weymouth Gaunts House, Wimborne Woodleaze, AVimborne Cliideock Vicarage, Bri<lport Compton House, Sherborne 102, Kent Road, Southampton Childe Okeford, Blandford Childe Okeford, Blandford ]\Ianston Rectory, Blandford Eglesfeld House, Dorchester Rodney House, Bournemouth Royal Terrace, Weymouth Fern House, Salisbury Belmont, Seldown, Poole Dorchester
18, Royal Terrace, Weymouth
Easterton, Parkstone, R.S.O. Osmington Lodge, Osmington, Wey- mouth Milton Abbey, Blandford Maiden Newton Rectory, Dorchester Dorchester Beaminster
]\Iilton Abbas School, Blandford 20, Lander Terrace, Wood Green, London
Parkstone
Christchurch
Abbotsbury, Dorchester
Fordington House, Dorchester
Pennsylvania Castle, Portland
Frome, Dorchester
Bere Regis, Wareham
Tarrant Keynston Rectory, Blandford
West Fordington Vicarage, Dorchester
Dorchester
Honeywell, F., Esq.
Hope, Chas. F., Esq.,
M.K.A.C, F.C.S. House, Edwanl, Esq. House, Hany Hamniond, Esq. Howard, Sir R. N. Howell, Rev. F. B. Hudson, Dr. Horace Huntley, H. E., Esq. Hurdle, H. A., Esq. Hussey, Rev. J. Kelly, Alex., Esq. Kerr, Dr. E.
Lamb, Captain Stephen E. liangford. Rev. J. F. Lawton, H. A., Esq., M.D. Leach, J. Comyns, Esq., M.D.
Leonard, Rev. A. Lewis, Rev. G. Brid<i;es Linlvlater, Rev. Robert
Linton, Rev. E. F.
Lister, Arthur, Esq. Lister, Miss Guilelnia Llewhellin, G. W., Esq. Lock, A. H., Esq. Lock, B. F., Esq. Lock, Miss Mary C. Lonsdale, Rev. J, H. Luff, Montague, Esq. Macdonald, P. W., Esq., M.D. Malan, E. C, Esq. Manger, A. T., Esq. Mansel-Pleydell, J. C, Esq.
(President) Mansel-Pleydell, Mrs. Mansel, Colonel Mansel, Rev. Owen L.
The Elms, Surbiton Road, Kini,'ston-on- Thames
Lindisfarne, Weymouth
Tomson, Blandford
]\Ialvern College, Malvern
Weymouth
Upwey Rectory, Dorchester
Sturminster Newton
Charlton House, Blandford
7, Gloucester Terrace, Weymouth
Pimperne Rectory, Blandford
Mayfield, Parkstone
South Street, Dorchestei
29, Great Cumberland Place, London
Nice
High Street, Poole
The Lindens, Sturminster Newton,
Blandford Vicarage, Beaminster
4, Church Street, Broadstone, Wimborne Holy Trinity Rectory, Stroud Green,
London, N. Crymlyn, Branksome Wood Road,
Bournemouth High Cliflfe, Lyme Regis High Cliffe, Lyme Regis Brookfield, Blandford Dorchester
5, New Square, Lincoln's Inn, London 42, High East Street, Dorchester Shroton Rectory, Blandford Blandford
County^ Asylum, Dorchester Blackdown House, Crewkerne Stock Hill, Gillingham
Whatcom be, Blandford Whatcombe, Blandford Smedmoie, Wareham Cliurch Knowle, Wareham
Marriott, Sir W. Sniitli, Bart. Marshall, Rev. Clias. J. Mason, He v. H. J. Mason, Philip B., Esq., F.L.S. Mate, "William, Esq. IMaunsell, Rev. F. W. Mayo, George, Esq. Mayo, Rev. C. H. Meade, ]\Iiss McLean, Dr. Allan Medlycott, SirEdwd. B., Bart. Middleton, H. B., Esq. Middleton, H. N., Esq. INIilledge, Zilhvood, Esq. Miller, Rev. J. A., B.D. ISIilne, Rev. Percy Moorhead, J., Esq., M.D. Morford, Rev. A. Moule, H. J., Esq. Murray, Rev. R. P., F.L.S. Okeden, Colonel Parry Parker, H. W., Esq. Patey, Russell, Esq. Patey, Miss Payne, Miss Payne, Miss Eleanor Payne, Miss Florence Pearce, Miss Penney, W., Esq., A.L.S. Penny, Rev. J. Perkins, Rev. T. Peto, Sir Henry, Bart. Phillijis, James Henry, Esq. Philpot, J. E. D., Esq. Philpots, John R., Esq., L.C.R.P. and S., Ed., J.P. Pike, Laurence, Esq. Pike, T. M., Esq. Pinder, Reginald, Esq. Pinney, C. F., Esq. Punting, Chas. E., Esq., F.S. A.
Down House, Blandford Shillingstone Rectoiy, Blandford Wigston Magna Vicarage, Leicester Trent House, Burton-on-Trent 62, Commercial Road, Bournemouth Symondsbury Rectory, Bridport Rocklands, Rod well, Weymouth Longburtcni Vicarage, Sherborne Brunsv ick Buildings, Weymouth St. Martin's, Weymouth Ven, Milborne Port, Sherborne Bradford Peverell, Dorchester Bradford Peverell, Dorchester Weymouth
The College, Weymouth Evershot Rectory, Dorchester
1, Pvoyal Terrace, Weymouth Poole
The County Museum, Dorchester Shapwick Rectory, Blandford Turn worth, Blandford Blandford Farrs, Winiborne Farrs, Winiborne
2, Westerhall Villas, Weymouth 2, Westerhall Villas, Weymouth Rydal, Wimboine Somerleigh Gate, Dorchester Poole
Tarrant Rushton Rectory, Blandfoiil Turnworth Rectory, Blandford Fleet House, near Weynioutli Poole Lyme Regis
Moorcroft, Parkstone Furzebrook, Corfe Castle, Warehain c/o Miss Pike, Elim, Shorthands, Kent Heronhurst, Bournemouth Brooklands, Beaminster, Dorset Lockeridgo, Mailboruugh
XV.
Pope, A., Esq. Portnian, Hon. Miss Pye, William, Esq. Pailcliffe, Eustace, Esq. Ravenhill, Pev. Canon H.,
R.D. Ilej-nolds, Alfred, Esq. lleynolds, Mrs. Artliur Reynolds, R., Esq. Richardson, N. M., Esq.
(Vice-President and Hon.
Secretary) Eicketts, Geo. H. INI., Esq.
Ridley, Rev. O. M, Ridley, Rev. Stewait Rivers, General Pitt (Vice- President) Rixon, W. A., Esq.
Robinson, Sir Cliarles, F.S.A. Robinson, Mrs. Octavius Rodd, Edward Stanhope, Esq. Rooper, T. G., Esq. Ruegg, L. H., Esq. Russell, Colonel Russell, Godfrey F., Esq. Russell-Wright, Rev. T. Schuster, Rev. W. P. Scoror, A. P., Esq. Searle, Allan, Esq.
Serrell, ]). H., Esq.
Shephard, Major C. S.
Sherren, J. A., Esq.
Smart, Rev. D. C.
Smith, Edmund Hanson, Esq.
Snotdc, S. P., Esq.
Sully, Rev. H. &.,
Dorchester
Littleton House, Rlandford
Sunnysiile, Rodwell, WeyiuouMi
Hyde, Wareham
Buckland Newton ^'icarage, Dorciiester
Mill)orne Port, Slierliorne
Bridport
Hazelbury, Cre-\vkerne
Montevideo, Chickerell, Weymoutli Nash Court, Marnhull, Sturminster
Newton East Hill, Charminster Wareham
Rushmore, Salisbury
The INlanor House, Corfe Castle, Wareham
Ne\\ton Manor, Swanage
The Cottage, Bridpoit
Chardstock House, Chaid
Pen Sehvood, Bournemouth
Sherboine
Weymouth
Kinson House, Wim borne
Purbeck College, Swanage
Vicarage, West Luhvorth
Canfoid, Wimborne
Wilts and Dorset Banking Company, Southampton
Haddon Lodge, Stourton Caundle, Blandford
The Manor House, MartinstoMU, Dor- chester
Weymouth
Milborne St. Andrew, Blandford
Charlton, Blandford
'20, Trinity-road, AVcymoutli
Britli)ort
Sparks, W., Esq.
Stephens, J. Tlionipson, Esq.
Stephens, R. Darrell, Esq., F.G.S., F.L.S., F.Z.S.
Stewart, Jas. S., Esq.
Stilwell, Mrs.
Stone, Walter Boswell, Esq.
Stroud, Rev. J.
Stuart, Morton G., Esq. ( Vice- President)
Stuart, Colonel Styring, F., Esq. Suttill, J. T., Esq, Sykes, R. Ernest, Esq. Synies, G. P., Esq. Symonds, Henry, Esq. Sydenham, David, Esq. Tanner, Rev. R, E. Templer, Rev. J. L. Tennant, Major-General Thomas, Rev. S. Vosper Thompson, J. Roberts, Esq.,
M.D. Thompson, Rev. G. Todd, Colonel Trew, Rev. C. O. Turner, W., Esq. Tweed, Rev. Canon H. E. Udal, J. S., The Hon.
Usherwood, Rev. Canon T. E. Walker, Rev. S. A. Ward, Rev. J. H.
Warne, C. H., Esq. Wane, Rev, F. Watkins, Rev. H, G, Watson, Rev. William Watts, Rev. Canon R. R.,R.D. Watts, Colonel
Crewkerne
Wanderwell House, Bridport
Trewornan, Wadebridge Deesa, Parkstone Steepleton Manor, Dorchester Sliute Haze, Walditch, Bridport South Feirott, Crewkerne
New University Club, St. James Stieet,
London Manor House, St. ISfary's, Blandford The Yarrells, Poole Bridport
9, Belvedere, Weymouth 11, Victoria Terrace, A\"ey mouth Oakdale, Farquliar Road, Edgbaston Bournemouth
11, Frederick Place, Weymouth Burton Bradstock 8, Belvedere, Weymouth Moxley, Wednesbury, Staffordshire
]\Ionkchester, Bournemonth
Highbury, Bournemouth
Keynston Lodge, Blandford
Alvediston Vicarage, Salisbury
High Street, Poole
St. John's Villa, Weymouth
c/o Lovell, Son, and Pitfield, 3, Gray's
Inn Square, London Rossmore, Parkstone Spetisbury Rectory, Blandford Silverton Rectory, near CuUompton, "
Devon 45, Brunswick Road, Brighton Bemerton, Wilts Parkstone
County School, Dorchester Stourpaine Rectory, Blandford 34a, South Audley Street, London
Weaver, Rev. F. W. Wcia-Blunaell, 11., Esq. Werninck, Rev. Wynn West, Rev. G. H., D.D. White, Dr. Gregoiy Wliiteheatl, C. S., Esq. Whitting, Rev. W. AVillianis, Rev. C. Williams, Miss E. BlacUstone Williams, Robert, Esq. Williams, Mrs. Williams, E. W., Esq. Wilton, E. H., Esq.
Wilton, Dr. John Pleydell Wix, Rev. J. Augustus Wordsworth, Rev. Canon , Wright, H. E., Esq. Wynne, Rev. G. H. Young, E. W., Esq.
Milton Vicarage, Eveicrcech, Somerset Luhvorth, ^Vareham Walditch Vicarage, Bridport Ascham House, Bournemouth West Knoll, Bournemouth Sherborne
Stour Provost, Dorset Strangeways Prison, INIanchester South Walks, Dorchester Bridehead, Dorchester Bridehead, Dorchester Herringstone, Dorset Antwerp Villa, Dorchester Road, Wey- mouth Pulteney Buildings, Weymouth Ibberton Rectory, Blandford Tyneham Rectory, Wareham Southend House, Wickwar, Glo'ster Whitchurch Vicarage, Blandford Dorchester
The above list includes the New Membeis elected in 1894.
Hcta JKcmbcrs (Elected since the ^publication of 19ol. xib.
March Iotii, 1894, Dorchester Meeting.
Church, Colouel Arthur Gillett, Richard Wm., Esq. Hawkins, W., Esq. Lewis, Rev. G. Bridges Lock, A. H., Esq. McLean, Dr. Allan Payne, Miss Florence Feaice, Miss Peto, Sir Henry, Bart. Ponting, Chas. E., Esq.,
F.S.A. Rixon, AV. A., Esq. Snook, S. P., Esq. ^Yillialns, MissE. Blackstone Wilton, E. H., Esq.
St. Albans, Rodwell, Weymouth
2, Gloucester Row, Weymouth
Abbotsliuiy, Dorchester
4, Church Street, Broadstone, Winiboine
Dorchester
St. Martin's, Weymouth
Rydal, Wimborne
Somerleigh Gate, Dorchester
Fleet House, near Weymouth
Lockeridge, Marlborough The Manor House, Corfe Castle, Wareham 20, Trinity Road, Weymouth South Walks, Dorchester Antwerp Villa, Dorchester Road, Weymouth
June 21st, 1894, Bournemouth Meeting.
Barnes, Mrs. J. Hes Sumirer Hayes, Blandford
Bassett, Rev. T. Houghton Rectory, Blandford
Bodington, Rev. E. C. Osmington Rectory, Dorchester Butler, C. McArthur, Esq.,
M.S. A. Salisbury Chambers, Boscomle, Bourne- mouth
Pike, Laurence, Esq. Furzebrook, Corfe Castle, Wareham
July 18th, 1894, Wrackleford Meeting.
Burt, Miss Emma Hudson, Dr. Horace Linklater, Rev. Robert
Watson, Rev, William
Purbeck House, Swanage
Sturnunster Newton
Holy Trinity Rectory, Stroud Green,
London, N. County School, Dorchester
August Iotii, 1894, IIrideiieap Meeting.
I.onsdale, Rev. J. H. Sluoton Rectory, Rlandfoxl
Me.ade, Miss Biunswick Buildiui^s, Weyianuth
Russell, Godfrey F., Esq. Kinson House, Wiuiborne
Wordsuortli, Rev. C'auou Tyneliam Itectory, Warfliani
SePTEMREI! OTH, 1894, RiAN.STON MEETING.
Coote, Rev. H. C. St. John's, ^Yeynloutll
Ilanibro, Mrs. Milton Abbey, Blandford
Hussey, Rev. J. Piniperne Rectory, Blandford
Mansel-Pleydell, Mrs. ^Yllatcolube, Blandfonl
Rooper, T. G., Esq. Pen Selwood, BourneuKMitli
December IOth, 1894, Dorchester Meeting.
Bonser, Geo., Esq. Seaborough Court, Crewkerne
Evans, Rev. Canon St. Alpliege, Paukstone, Dorset
Stewart, James S., Esq Deesa, Parkstone, Dorset
Ilcta |Hcmbcr5 ©Icctcb since the |Jublicatton of DoL xib.
March Iotii, 1894, Dorchester Meeting.
Cluucli, Colouel Arthur Gillett, liichard Wm., Esq. Hawkins, W., Esq. Lewis, Rev. G. Bridges Lock, A. H., Esq. McLean, Dr. AHan Payne, Miss Florence Pearce, Miss _1Mq. SiilHeiiry, Bart.
St. Albans, liodwell, Weymouth
2, Gloucester Row, Weymouth
Abbotsbury, Dorchester
4, Church Street, Broadstone, Wimborne
Dorchester
St. Martin's, Weymouth
Rydal, Wimborne
Somerleigli Gate, Dorchester
Fleet House, near Weymouth
M.S.X. '" Pike, Laurence, Esq.
Salisbury Cliambei's, Boscombe, Bourne- mouth Furzebrook, Corfe Castle, Warehani
July 18th, 1894, Wrackleford Meeting.
Burt, Miss Emma Purbeck House, Swanage
Hudson, Dr. Horace Sturnunster Newton
Linklater, Rev. Robert Holy Trinity Rectory, Stroud Green,
London, N. Watson, Rev, William County School, Dorchester
August Ioth, 1894, Bridehead Meeting.
Lons.lalo, Rev. J. II. Meade, Miss
Itussell, Godfrey F., E^q. Wunlswoith, Rev. Cauuii
Sliioton Rectory, Bland ford Brunswick Buildini;s, Weyniontli Kinson House, Winiborne Tynehaui Rectory, Wareliaui
Septkmoei; 6th, 1894, Raxston Meeting.
Coote, Rev. H. C. Ilambro, Mr.s. Hussey, Rev. J. Mansel-Pleydell, Mrs. Rooper, T. G., Esq.
St. John's, Weymouth Milton Abbey, Blandford Fiinperne Rectory, Blandford Whatconibe, Blandfortl Pen Selwood, Bournemouth
-S^oo'^^^
^hc |3rocccliings
OF THE
Sorbet Itvitural gistoii) m\b ^ntiquariiiit Jiclb €hib
During the Season 1893-4.
By NELSON M. RICHARDSON, B.A., F.E.S.
The work of the Club during the season 1893-4 has conii>rised the annual business meeting at the County Museum, Dorchester, on Thurs- day, May 18th, 1893 ; a meeting in the neighbourhood of Ringwood, in the New Forest, on Tuesday, June •20th ; a two-days' meeting in the neighbourhood of Shaftesbury on Tuesday and Wednesday, July 11th and 12th ; a meeting at Abbotsbury on Wednesday, August 9th ; and one in Central Dorset on Wednesday, August 30th ; also two in-door meetings at tlie County ISIuseum, Dorchester, on Friday, December 8th, 1893, and Thursday, March 15th, 1894.
Volume XIV. of the " Proceedings " was issued in the winter.
The Annual Meeting, which was held in the Museum on Thursday, May 18th, w as attended by about 35 members, the President being in the chair.
Election of New Members.— Tliree new members were elected.
Financial Report of the Treasurer.— The Hon. Treasurer (Rev. O. P. Cambridge) read the following statement :—
" The financial statement I have to make to you to-day is in some respects less favourable than that of last year. Still, on the whole, there is not, I think, much reason for anxiety. We have published a volume during the past year, of just short of 300 pages, exceeding in length the volume of the preceding year by over 30 pages, and exceeding that of Vol. XL (the longest before published) by about 40 pages. The plates of the past year's volume have also been many and well executed, costing our Field Club a heavy sum in spite of those plates that our excellent President paid for himself. In order to clear off our debts, therefore, and to keep within our probable income, we shall have to curtail Vol. XV. now in press and stint ourselves a little in the matter of illustrations. The arrears due to us are larger than last year (£66, as
against £53 10s.). Our receipts on account of subscriptions and arrears are, however, greater by about £5 ; but on account of sale of Proceedings Ave have only received £6 odd, as against £12 in the previous year. By my general statement you will see that if all our arrears and subscriptions for the present year were duly paid we should have an income for the year's expenses. This, with those subscriptions for the next year, usually received early in the year, would have given us ample for the defraying of the cost of a volume equal to any we have yet prDduced. As it is, I fear it is hopeless to expect all these arrears to come in, and so we must cut our coat a little more scanty to meet the diminished breadth of cloth. The influx of new members last year was considerable, but we also lost many by resignation and death. The total of members now on oar list is 291, as against 277 last year." (Applause.)
The balance sheet showed that the receipts for the year ending May 5th, 1893, amounted to £149 15s. 7d. and the payments to £148 17s. 3d., leaving a balance in hand of 18s, 4d. Arrears due to the Club for the yea'- 1892 amounted to £15, and for more than a year to £51, while the sub- scriptions still due for 1893 reached the sum of £113 10s. If these assets were taken into account and set off against the liabilities it would show a balance in favour of the Club of £143 3s. 7d.
President's Address.— The President then delivered his annivensary address, which will be found following this article in V'ol. XIV. of the Club's "Proceedings." After a graceful tribute to the memory of the late Mr. Thomas Bond, he proceeded to give a long and learned discourse on "The Genealogy of Plants duiing the Past yEons of the World's History," ending with an account of antiquarian discoveries at Rushmore, of the finding of some bones of a hesiver (Castor fber) nea,r Blandford by Mr. Galpin, of certain geological discoveries by Mr. A. J. Jukes Browne, of the Dover borings for coal and some of the fossil plants found in them, of the occurrence of five birds, believed to be Bustards, at Whatcombe, of the addition of six plants to the Dorset Flora, and of the occurrence of several rare birds in Dorset.
General Tennant proposed and Kev. Canon Ravenhill seconded a vote of thanks to the President for his able and interesting address, after Avhich the Club adjourned for three-quarters of an hour for luncheon, it being about two o'clock.
Keport of the Curator of the Museum.— After luncheon Mr. H. J. Moule read the following account of the progress of the Museum collections : —
" In beginning a report on the Dorset Museum for the last twelvomontli we will hrst take up the less essential sections of the institution, linishing
with that of most importance. Of course, in this last clause, I mean specimens of any kind belonging to Dorset. In the library we have some few valuable additions to record. In the forefront must be mentioned the third volume of General Pitt-Rivers' Excavations, a gift from the author. This volume treats partly of Bokerley Dyke, proving once for all, after endless conjectural discussions, that at least a portion of it is not earlier than the close of tlie Roman domination here. In short, tiie General's researches supply a new point in support of the opinion of Dr. Guest and others— that that part of Dorset was the scene of the great overthrow of the Teutons at the hands of the Romano- Britons, duce Arturo, Nay, it is lawful to think that Arthur may have been ' at the biggin o't.' Another valuable acquisition, also partly bearing on Dorset antiquities, is Stukeley's Itinefarium Curiosum. Our want of this book was much felt, but is now supplied through the kindness of Dr. Smart. He has also presented some interesting MS. memoranda of ancient graves found on Portland in 1851. Mr. Whitaker has given a copy of an important paper by Professor Piestwich on the raised beaches of Portland and otlier places. We have received from Mr. Hansford and Mr. Stone 28 volumes of local newspapers of the early part of this century, including several of the Dorset County Chronicle, not before in our series. Again, to close the library gifts connected with Dorset, our Club has presented Vol. XIV. of the ' Proceedings ; ' and the Rev. W. M. Barnes has given us a transcript by himself of many passages in the Pipe Rolls, relating to the county. The Rev. H. C. Reichardt has given a parchment roll of the book of Esther, in Hebrew, and has lent a most interesting MS. Virgil, of the twelfth or thirteenth century. Lastly, but unwillingly passing over other books received, I have the great pleasure of recording a new gift from our former benefactor, Mr. T. D. Galpin. He has given five valuable books, including the ' The Carrier of Columbus,' a most interesting woik, and 'Our Own Country,' in six volumes. We now hasten to notice the Museum itself. In the non-Dorset department the President presented a specimen of a New Zealand caterpillar, Hepialus virescens, killed (as is not infrequently the case with this species) by a fungus several inches long [Sphmria Rohertiana), which grows out of its body. The executors of the late Colonel Hambro have lately sent several Thibetan curiosities, including two Buddhist cylinders, or praying machines. These things were only recently discovered to be noted by the Colonel as intended for the Museum. The Rev. J. G. Barnsdale has presented a ' Samian ' patera from Whitstable. In the course of the year several loans have been placed in the Museum, particularly some fine French and Japanese works of
XXIU.
art, belonging to Mr. K. Cornish and Mr. Knapp. And, quite recently, we have had for a short time the first muster roll of the Dorsei Itegiment of Yeomanry, and two maps relating to preparations for the expected defence of the county in 1794, all lent by Mr. Fetherstonhaugh Frampton. We are brought by this loan to the Dorset department of the Museum, in -which we have had another also — namely, that of a small bronze bull found near Bridport by Mr. Kails, and lent by him through the good offices of Mr. W. B. Stone. We now come to gifts to the Dorset Museum proper. In the natural history department there are few acquisitions to record, but some of them are very good. The Rev. Sir T. H. B. Baker has presented several valuable specimens of fossil wood from Portland, especially an extremely fine root-end of a tree. Mr. White at the same time gave a choice polished specimen of silicified Isastnca oblonga. This, strangely enough, wPS found to be part and parcel of a specimen in the Damon collection. The two portions are now cemented together. We have received an inconspicuous, but rare, fossil foraminifer, Wchbina irregularis, adhering to a Gryphcca dilatata, from the Jordan Hill Oxford Clay. This specimen was found and given by a total strangei-, Mr. Formby, of Batii, who was on a passing visit at Weymouth. The President has presented a rare fossil fish, Pholidophorus brevis ; and Mr. Fetherstonhaugh Frampton and the Hon. Ivan Campbell good specimens of Lignite. The Council have bought, through the interest of Mr. Andrews, of Swanage, a very fine fossil fish, Lepidotus minor. But probably the most interesting addition to the collections of fossils or quasi fossils consists of the jaw and other bones of a beaver found in a cavity in the chalk close to the Stour, near Blandford. These were presented by our friend, Mr. Galpin. The Dorset Natural History recent collections have been enriched by the gifts of a Solitary Snipe (Scolopax major) from Mr. Crane and a 9|lb. trout fiom Major Clapcott. We come now to notice Dorset antiquities lately given. Let me say, as I fear that I always have to say on these occasions, that the list of such gifts is vastly shorter than it should be, considering the claims of the County Museum to be the home ot county finds. But, on the other hand, our twelvemonth's acquisitions, if few, include some very good things. Taking these roughly in order of their reception, I first record a flint-scraper from Buzbury given by Mv. Hogg. At first sight it looks like an ordinary hollow scraper. But, in fact, it is a curiosity, from its hollow edge being ground. A smooth flint, on which it seems to fit, was found near it. Just possil)ly it may have been used tor grinding by the hel]) of sand. Another worked Hint— viz.,
a capital liarbetl aiTowliead from near Wool— was presented by the Eev. J. Bond. Tlie Rev. G. W. Butler sent us a rude stone basin from Broadmayne and Mr. J. Burden, of Blandford, another from an unspecified Dorset locality. Both probably are corn-mortars. Next comes a group of relics of apparently Roman date found in Mr. Paine's garden at Wareham House, Fordington. They are partly given by him, partly lent by Mr. Montagu Guest, and all found through the zeal of my helper, Mr. H. Voss, in my absence from home. There are four beads, two pairs of ear-rings of thin silver wire, and remains of a comb much like one found by General Fitt-Rivers near Rushmore. But the most curious thing is a little fragment of the base of a pot of some kind of ' Upchurch ' ware. It has on it two eyelets which, close to the base, form a very uncommon feature. Perhaps the vessel was a lamp and the eyelets were to carry wires for suspension. A sediment in the vessel may be the remains of oil. In the early part of the twelvemonth Mr. Pearce Edgcumbe presented more than a hundred Roman coins, a bronze unguent spoon, and other things found in his garden at Somerleigh Court. But he has added to this gift several articles, from an 18th century foil to Roman coins, just found in three graves close to Maumbury Rings. The most noteworthy is an ' Upchurch ' cup of uncommon type. It is straight- sided, about three inches each way, and has two handles. In its rare shape and perfect preservation this little vessel is a most valuable acquisition. This is as good a general selection as I can achieve, looking through the twelvemonth's gains. Many interesting things are, however, omitted, such as most extraordinary seed vessels oi Martynia prohoscidea, given by Mr. Fetherstonhaugh Frampton. Still, I have registered enough to show that in the Dorset Museum we are not standing still. Yet I must repeat that the Museum seems to be too often overlooked when antiquities are unearthed in the county. I need not go into a report of the work done in the Museum. My task at the present moment is the pressing one of spreading out the crowded collection of Dorset birds. This has lately been made possible by the purchase of a new Avail case. Museum work does not diminish. But this is said in no tone of complaint. With the growth of work my interest in it grows too, not in an equal, but in a much greater degree."
Election of Officers.— The three officers of the Club were unani- mously re-elected, Mr. Mansel Pleydell being proposed by Canon Ravenhill and seconded by Mr. Phillips. The President, in acknowledging his re-election, spoke of the progress made by the Club in the last few- years and alluded to the fact that the " Proceedings " of the Club were appreciated not only in the county, but in the scientific world. Dorset
XXV.
afforded a tplendid field for scientific research and much that was inter- esting to the geologist.
The Rev. 0. P. Cambridge was re-elected Hon. Treasurer on the motion of Mr. Cunnington, seconded by Mr. G. Mayo, and Mr. N. M. Richardson Hon. Secretary on the motion of Mr, Phillips, seconded by Mr. Moule. Mr. Richardson, in replying, thanked his antiquarian and other friends who had helped him in various ways in connection with the meetings, and hoped that they would continue to give him their aid during the coming season.
Programme for the Summer Meetings.— The following meetings were proposed, the first four being accepted : —
(1.) Ringwood, including an invitation to tea at Moyles Court from Mr. F. Fane (23 votes). (2.) Shaftesbury, a two days' meeting (2,3 votes). (3.) Central Dorset, including an invitation to tea from Col. and Mrs. Bingham, at Bingham's Melcombe (17 votes). (4.) Abbotsbury (14 votes). (5.) Melbury. (6.) Toller Fratrum. (7.) Salisbury.
Exhibition of Objects of Interest.— These included (1) a photograph of a British camp in Rushmore, which was being excavated by Gen. Pitt Rivers, shown by the President ; (2) a bronze hatchet found by the President at Milborne St. Andrew ; (3) some bones of a beaver found by M'-. Galpin near Tarrant Keynston on the banks of the Stour, including jawbones, four vertebra^, some limb bones, and four ribs ; (4) a portion of the base of a pottery vessel found at Wareham House, Dorchester, w ith eyelet holes for suspension placed unusually low down near the bottom ; (5) a Cranborne trade token bearing the inscription of Henry Castell,1666 ; (6) a duckbill [Ornithorhynchus paradoxus) presented to the Museum by Mr. W. G. Boswell Stone ; (7) a seed vessel of Marty nia 2^rohoscidca presented by Mr. R. P. Fetherstonhaugh Frampton ; and (S) a line specimen of the Camberwell Beauty {Vanessa Antiopa) caught at Blandford, shown by Mrs. Forrester.
Paper Read.— A paper, " On Local Stone Markings," which was read by Mr. T. B. Groves and illustrated on the blackboard, will be found given at length in the present volume. This terminated the meeting.
Moyles Court, Ringwood, Meeting.— The first summer meeting of 1893 was held under favourable auspices as to weather, &c., on Tuesday, June 20th. Meeting at Ringwood Station at 10.11 a.m., the party, which numbered about 100, drove through beautiful parts of the Forest by Picket Post and Bratley wood to Broomy Lodge, where they dismounted and walked some distance to Sloden enclosure, where were situated some ancient Roman ])Otteries. What now remained of tliese
XXVI.
consisted of several small black-looking- monmls, whicli, on being opened with tlie spade, •were seen to consist of large quantities of bi oken pieces of black pottery, some showing considerable artistic shape and ornamen- tation. Mr. Fane spoke on the subject as follows :—
" It is very unfortunate that we have no one here to-day who is able to give any assistance in finding any of the objects of interest wdiich lie all about us. The barrows and Romano-British kilns which exist in many parts of the Forest were examined in many cases about forty years ago by the Rev. J. Pemberton Bartlett, and as far as I can make out, by Mr. Wise, who has made an exhaustive monograph on the Forest, about ten years later, or thirty odd years ago.
Unfortunately, since then the character of the ground surface has greatly changed, and many of the spots of interest have been taken in to the Crown enclosure. Trees, branches, and thorns have grown up to hide all previous excavations, and even the persons who then assisted in these excavations have now lost all knowledge of their whereabouts.
Mr. Wise opened many of the barrows and shows that these were universally of the most ancient Celtic character, containing a few rough cinerary urns, with no traces of body burial, the urns being so decayed as to be in scarcely any case brought out whole. With the exception of a solitary stonehammer, some doubtful slinging pebbles, and flakes of flint, no tools were found — no iron, bronze, or bonework of any sort, no teeth, bones, or horn cores of animals occur, as they so often do in Celtic barrows. The mounds which contained mortuary urns are, as a rule, more elevated than the others. The primitive rudeness of these burials all point to a people whose living was gained rather by hunting than by commerce or agriculture.
The Romano-British Potteries exist in various parts of the Forest, but mostly in very inaccessible spots. They are all of the same character.and the mounds contain vast quantities of broken pottery and clay ready for using. Tlie only clue to their dates are coins of Victorinus and Claudius Gothicus, A.D. 268, of which 1,700 were found in one of the thumb pots."
Mr. Fane called the attention of the party to the abundance of nettles over the pottery mounds, and said that it Avas stated by Mr. Wise that nettles and chick weed grew on the sites of any ancient buildings in the Forest. Mr. E. Cunnington said that the pottery there was not equal to some found in the New Forest at Crockhill, nearer to Fording- bridge, where there was a large pottery for many years, pieces fiom which were marked with flutings made for grasping with the fingers. The black Roman ware was made by the same method as a piece of his own manufacture, viz., by stifle-burning by fires of couch or other vegetable
matter, -which gcave the black colour. The pottery varied considerably in appearance in different parts of the country, according to the clay which happened to be used and the mixtures which were made. Some of the fragments in the present pottery mounds were of vessels which would hold one or two gallons. Of finer pottery there was of course the Samian, made at Samos ; but the Romans imitated it and made it all over their dominions. Mr. Cunnington exhibited an excellent specimen which was found at Bath, and observed that all Samian ware was imported.
After luncheon, which was eaten amongst the pottery-mounds, the party returned to the breaks and drove to INIoyles Court, where a paper was read by Mr. Fane " On Moyles Court," chiefly dealing with the sad and romantic history of Alice Lisle, This paper will be found in the present volume. The President, having expressed the thanks of the Club to Mr. and Mrs. Fane, tea was partaken of at their kind invita- tion, and the house, which contained many objects of interest, oak carvings, tapestry, »S:c., inspected. At 4.15 the party drove to Ellingham Church, about a mile distant, the burial place of Alice Lisle, where a short paper was read by Mr. Fane, which will be found at length in this volume ; thence, at 4.45, to Somerley, where Lord Normanton had kindly allowed the Club to see his fine collection of pictures. Having spent some time in examining tliese and the many articles of virtu, as well as some of the contents of the library, the party left to catch the 6.34 down train at Ringwood.
New Members.— Eight were elected at this meeting.
Shaftesbury Meeting (Two Days).— A meeting Avas" held at Shaftesbury on Tuesday, July 11th, 1893, and on July 12th in the neighbourhood.
The Hon. Sec. Avas assisted in the arrangement by the Revs. T. Perkins and R. Thurlow, who acted as a local committee at Shaftesbury. About 35 members met on July 11th, at midday, at Semley Station and drove to Shaftesbury, about 2i miles distant, which is situated on the top of a hill, more than 700ft. above the sea level, and commands very extensive views of the surrounding country. At 3 p.m. a meeting was held in the Town Hall, the President being in the chair. Amongst numerous articles of municipal and local interest exhibited by the Mayor and Corporation and others were the following :— The Ciiarter of Incorporation of the borough granted by Charles IL in 1666, a lease (lent by Lord Arundell of Wardour) dated Feb. 5th, 1538, from Elizabeth Zouclie, Abbess of Shaftesbury, to Sir Thomas Arundell willi tlie Luge seal of the Abbey appended, the two boiougli maces of silver, one dating
XXVIll.
back to UEdwanl IV., the other having the date 1604 inscribed, together with the Koyal Arms and initials of James I. This is also the date of the original Charter of Incorporation, Avhicli was replaced by the one mentioned above. The Communion plate of Holy Trinity Church, dated 1670, was lent by Eev. F. Ehlvers, the Rector. On the chalice is engraved " This chalice belongeth to the Holy Trinity of Shaston, 1670." A pewter flagon from St. Peter's Church dated 1770 was also exhibited, as well as many other relics of the past history of the town.
After the election of new members it was decided that Mr. Morton Stuart be asked to again represent the Club at the British Association meeting at Nottingham, but that should he be unable to do so Mr. Hansford be elected its representative. A paper was then read by Rev. C. Mayo " On Shaftesbury," which will be found in the present volume, together with an illustration of the ancient seal of Shaftesbury.
After a few remarks by the Mayor upon the maces, and from Mr. Powell on the growing perception of the public of the advantages of Shaftesbury as a health and pleasure resort, the party adjourned to the next room, where arrangements had been made for tea.
The Rev. F. Ehlvers then acted as cicerone in a walk to the chief points of antiquarian interest in the town, beginning at St. Peter's Church, an ancient biiilding. Over the door are seen amongst other armorial bearings the Arms of the See of Winchester, a sword between two keys, and inside is a brass plate supposed to have been brought from the Abbey, Avith an inscription to Stephen Payne, Esq., seneschal to the Abbey, who died Dec. 4th, 1508. On Gold Hill, close by, the party were detained a short time by a heavy storm of rain and had the opportunity of inspecting a portion of the old wall of the town (or perhaps of the Abbey) of massive construction, with large buttresses. A blocked-up door in the wall is supposed to lead into an underground passage, and some time before a bricked -in passage had been discovered under the Abbey House near, but does not appear to have been investigated. Mr. Ehlvers next led the way to some gardens where were the ruins of the Abbey, of which very little remains, and pointed out where atesselated pavement was discovered. It was hoped that further excavations might be made. The remains of Edward the Martyr and Edward the Confessor were interred at Shaftes- bury ; and the names of Gold Hill and Copper Hill were derived from the old mints granted to Shaftesbury by Athelstan. The party also inspected the modern church of Holy Trinity and the house of Miss Franks, which contained many things of interest ; amongst others a stone cross with representations of the Crucifixion and Nativity inserted in it. About 60 members of the Club and visitors sat down to dinner at the
XXIX.
Giosvenor Arms at 7.0 p.m., when, after the usual loyal toast and tlie healths of the Mayor and the President, the curfew hell, which is still nightly rung at Shaftesbury, sounded at S o'clock, and a move was made to the Town Hall, where an evening meeting Avas to he held.
A paper was read by Rev. T. Perkins " On the desii-ability of a Photo- graphic Survey of the County," which will be found in this volume. Considerable discussion ensued, in which the I'resident, Secretary, Rev. F. Weaver, Mr. T. A. Colfox, and others took part, and it was finally decided to appoint a committee, consisting of Rev. W. Perkins (-who Avas afterwards elected Director of the committee), Captain Acland, Mr. C. C. H. D'Aeth, Rev. ^V. Miles Barnes, Mr. T. A. Colfox, and the Hon. Secretary cx-officio. Details were to be settled by the committee, but the outline was that members of the Club and others ready to help should photograph all subjects of a suitable nature Avithin their allotted portion of the county, Avhicli Avas to be divided up according to convenience of Avorking, ind that these photographs should be mounted in albums and kept at the Dorset County Museum. The meeting broke up at about 10 p.m.
Second Day.— On the morning of Wednesday, July 12th, the number taking jmrt in the meeting Avas increased to about 85, including 15 of the inhabitants of Shaftesbury, Avho Avere invited by the Club to take part in the excursion. Leaving the Grosvenor Arms at about 10 a.m., the party d'-ove through pretty Avooded scenery to old Wardour Castle, a Avell preserved ruin, Avhere a paper Avas read by Rev. T. Perkins " On Old Wardour," Avhich Avill be found, illustrated by three vieAvs of the old castle, in this volume. After an inspection of the ruins, in which the large banqueting hall Avas a striking feature, the party made their Avay to the new castle, the residence of Lord Arundell, Avho courteously conducted the Club through some of the rooms containing family portraits and other pictures by Rubens, Vandyke, Sir Joshua Reynolds, Sir Thomas LaAvrence, &c., and provided refreshments for them. An irouAVood tree groAving near the ruins Avas a source of much interest. It Avas of very large size and split up almost from the base into numerous trunks. It had been brought from S. America, and certainly flourished Avell in its adopted soil.
Whilst at the neAv castle the party Avere admitted in detachments into the adjoining chapel, erected in 1776 after a design by Quarenghi, a Venetian. The altar is composed of agate, alabaster, and rare marbles ; the sarcophagus of verd-antique. In the vestry are several beautiful vestments richly embroidered. The altar piece is by Guisepe Cadiz, an eminent Spanish artist of the last century, and there are several other good paintings.
A drive of ih miles through Tisbury brought the party to Fonthill House, belonging to Mr. A. Morrison, who, though away from home, had most kindly allowed the Club to see the whole of his house and its contents, among which were specially noticeable some large vases, 4ft. or more high, of very fine cloisonne work, and other vases and ornaments of a similar elaborate and costly character. One long room contained a number of large tables, the tops of which were made of differently coloured agates, Labrador spar, malachite, and other beautiful stones ; also massive vases composed of similar materials, A heavy shower of rain overtook the party on their way back lo the carriages, which had been left at the Beckford Arms, close to the entrance to the drive, but the trees in the park afforded excellent shelter.
Fonthill Abbey was next visited by kind permission of Sir Michael Shaw Stewart, Bart., whose son, Mr. W. Shaw Stewart, led the Avay to the old oratory and read the following paper on Fonthill, with some account of Mr. Beckford's tower-building and other schemes : —
" The Manor of Fonthill, so called probably from the abundant springs that gush from the sides of its hills, derived its additional name of Gifford from the ancient family of that name, who held it with fourteen other manors in Wilts shortly after the Norman Conquest. ' Fontel ' is described in Domesday Book as part of the possessions of Berenger Gifford, in whose family it continued until King John's time, Avhen Kobert Gifford sold it to Sir Piobert Mauduit, Knt. In the reign of Edward III. his descendant, John Mauduit, obtained a charter from the king of free Avarren in all his lands at ' Funtell ' and other manors in Wilts.
The family of the Lords Moleyns were the next possessors and were succeeded by Sir Robert Hungerford, whose attainder in 1461 caused the whole of his estates to be seized by the Crown. They were then granted to Lord Weulock, slain in rebellion at Tewkesbury, and as he left no issue the estate again reverted to the Crown. The Mervyns next held the manor, and it remained in their family until 1631, the year of the attainder of Mervyn Lord Audley, when it again became forfeited to the Crown. It was then granted to Sir Francis, afterwards Lord Cottington, a distin- guished Courtier and Minister of James I. and Charles L His son. Sir Thomas Cottington, who appears to have offended Parliament by assisting the Earl of Marlborough in his attempts to relieve Wardour Castle, had the whole of his estates confiscated, and Fonthill was given to President Bradshaw, upon whose death Lord Cottington returned to his house with a large party of friends and followers, and, driving out Bradshaw "s heir, maintained himself against
any further attacks until the restoration, which confirmed him in quiet possession. It continued with his family during the succeeding reigns, and until sold to Alderman Beckford, about the niiildle of the last century, and it is now that the modern history of Fonthill interests us. The earliest account of a family house at Fontliill is derived from an old painting dated 1566, which represents an important residence of the Elizabethan type, enclosed within walls and approached by a turreted gatehouse. Tliis was probably built or greatl;y enlarged during the long occupation of the Mervyn family. Another house followed, built by Lord Cottington, and said to have been designed by Inigo Jones, who designed the archway leading into the park (and this archway still remains). This second house came into Alderman Beckford's possession A\ith the Fonthill Estate, and, after he had lai-gely improved and furnished it, it was burnt down in 1755,
The new house (one of the wings of which is now the centre of Mr. Morrison's house) was a handsome building with the centre and two wings, connected by corridors and splendidly furnished ; the entrance hall measured 90ft. by 40ft., and it was reputed to be one of the finest houses in the West of England.
The Alderman died in 1770 ; his father, Peter Beckford, had been Speaker of the House of Assembly in Jamaica, and his grandfather, of the same name, Governor and Commander-in-Chief of that island. Alderman Beckford married the daughter and co-heiressof the Hon. George Hamilton, M.P. for the city of Wells, by whom he had an only son, William, the builder of Fonthill Abbey, a minor at the time of his father's death, and reported to be the richest Commoner of his day. He represented Wells in Parliament and afterwards sat for Hindon, and married I-ady ]\Iargaret Gordon, only daughter of the 4th Earl of Aboyne. By her he had two daughters, one becoming Mrs. Ord and the other Duchess of Hamilton. He increased the Fonthill Estate by the addition of several thousand acres and soon began to rear a temporary buikling about a mile from the old house. This was the nucleus of the afterwards magnificent Fonthill Abbey, the whole of the old house, except the one pavilion or Aving (already mentioned) being demolished, and a public sale held. What is said to have cost £250,000 Avas sold for £9,000 ! In 1796 Beckford, assisted by the architect, James AVyatt, began to erect on this spot the building known as the Abbey.
The ground plan was a cross of four limbs of nearly equal length, with an octagonal tower of nearly 300 feet in height at the intersection.
The doors at the entrance were 30 feet high, opening in to a vast Gothic hall leading by steps to the central octagon, a groined room, of
great height ; this led to King Edward's Gallery, terminating in the oratory (in which we stand). On the other side were St. Michael's Gallery and the Yellow Danish Chamber, with many other rooms filled with rare books, rare Oriental china, and pictures of well known reputation.
The Abbey was evidently never intended as a permanent dwelling, timber and cement being the principal articles used in its construction, which was pushed on Avithout a single delay, fresh bands of workmen relieving at night those Avho worked by day. The first tower, 300 feet high, was consequently overturned by a sudden storm, and Mr. Beckford is said to have regretted that he did not personally witness the crash. A new one was afterwards built and also fell some 20 years later. About this time, 1800, before the old house was demolished, Lord Nelson, having passed through Salisbury, where he received the freedom of the city at the hands of the Mayor and Corporation, was a guest, with other distinguished persons, of Mr. Beckford. Seven years later Mr. Beck- ford made the Abbey his residence and spent some 13 years in solitary splendour, seldom visiting the outside world. A wall, 12 teet high, topped by a chevaux-de-frise, surrounded the grounds, which contained walks and rides planned by himself and extending to twenty miles. Many attempts were made by strangers to obtain admittance to the grounds and gardens, but few were successful. Mr. Beckford sold the contents of the Abbey (probably owing to a depreciation in his West Indian property) in 1822, 7,200 catalogues at a guinea each being sold, Mr. John Farquhar, a retired East Indian merchant, paying £330,000 for the Abbey (as it stood) and land. Other sales of the library and china and pictures ensued, the last one continuing for 57 days.
On 21st Dec, 1825, the principal towei fell across Fountain Court, and destroyed the hall, the octagon, and the greater part of the galleries. This was not unexpected, Mr. Beckford having informed Mr. Farquhar of the vibration and insecurity of its foundations. Only one person was hurt.
The estate was again sold by auction and divided into two. Lord Westminster buying the site of the Abbey and woods and Mr. Morrison the remaining wing of the old house of Alderman Beckford, now the residence of Mr. Alfred Morrison.
Mr. Beckford died at Bath, Avhere he built a high tower (150ft.), on Lansdown, in May, 1844, and is buried in the cemetery at Lansdown. Many of the family are buried at Fonthill Gifford, the church having been built by Lord Westminster in 1866 on the site of the old one erected by the late Alderman Beckford."
After hearing the paper, which was illustrated by an excellent model of the original Abbey,of which a small part only now remains, including one
XXXlll.
of the lei5sei- towers, -which some of the pcarty ascended, anl after a [ileasaiit walk through the woods surrounding the liouse (in which were many fine trees, including a small group of the deciduous cypress, three in number), do\\n to the edge of a picturesque lake, the party once more joined the breaks and drove to Tisbury Church, where the chief architec- tural features were pointed out by the Vicar, Rev. F. Hutchinson, who also gave a short account of the church as follows :—
" The oldest part of the church, the north porch and tower arches, date from the 13th century. The first church, of which there are traces, had a nave with low arcading, and very low lean-to aisles, of which the south-west window still remains. Early in the 15th century the nave was raised, the aisles widened, and at a still later date probably Perjjen- dicular windows were inserted and a clerestory added. The cuttings in the wall of the south aisle are believed to belong to the hammer beams of an older waggon roof. The beautiful ceiling of the south aisle has been restored, under Messrs. Slater and Carpenter. The north aisle, which has been partly destroyed by the fall of the sjiire, has this inscrip- tion— 'In the year of our Lord 1560 this hele was set up,' Hele being Saxon for 'to cover,' hence Hell, Hcllier, roofer, d-c. The north transept was dedicated as a chapel to St. John Baptist, the patron saint of the church. Its floor was formerly raised, and a crypt was under it, with round holes in the wall, which have been preserved, for rolling down sculls into the ossuary. The crypt has been filled up, the floor lowered to the level of the church, and debased windoMS replaced by one of better style and an eastern arch leading into a new organ chamber, which with two vestries was added by Mr. Chi istian, as well as a new roof. The ancient tower too narrow for the present proportions, has a second stage added in the 14th century, and a superstructure 170 years ago. At the entrance to the chancel a second arch was added, in vain, to sup])ort the tower, and a larger chancel was built either at the end of the 15th century or possibly later. The Vicar hazarded the opinion that the grotesque qualrefoils in the side windows Avere of the 17th century, iu which alone similar forms are to be found. The east window is said to have been built by Sir C. Wren, in place of a much larger one, the joints of which still remain. The roof is a new one copied by Mr. Evan Christian from the ancient one, which was decayed and hidden by a round ceiling of lath and plaster. The reredos is enriched by a bas-relief by Mr. Tinwoith, representing the appearance of the risen Lord to Mary Magdalene, y\hh the words ' Touch me not, &c.' The tomb is copied from dia wings in Palestine by General Chesney. An interesting description was given by the Vicar of the Avhole design, including the stone which was in the
shape of a flat millstone rolling in a chiselled trough, explaining the words — ' Who shall roll us away the stone,' ' for it was great.' Also he explained the mode of hurial, the sealing, &c. This was also illustrated by a model exhibition at the Vicarage.
After visiting the church tea was provided in the church room, and some of the party visited the Vicarage to see sundry heirlooms and curiosities, including a first folio Shakespeare, title deeds, temp. Edw. III., &c. Cabinets and manuscripts of Mrs, Lucy Hutchinson, authoress of the memoirs, a silver gilt cup given hj Queen Elizabeth to her cousin. Sir Francis Boteler, salvers and other plate belonging to James Brydges, Duke of Cliandos, a court suit, temp. George II., a Piayer Book belonging to Fairfax, a portrait by Janet of Grey, Earl of Dorset, father of Lady Jane Grey, and others by Vandyke, Lely, Kneller, Romney, Lawrence, &c., a large china bowl with portraits of the Emperors of the Ming dynasty of China, 400 years old, and greatly desired by the Chinese Government, Punic tessera3 from Carthage, &c., &c."
The majority of those present left Tisbury by the 5.33 down train.
New Member.?.— Five were elected at this meeting.
Abbotsbury Meeting.— The third out-door meeting of the season was held in the neighbourhood of Abbotsbury on Wednesday, August 9th, 1893, the number present being about 80. Breaks started from Dorches- ter at 10.6 a.m. and diove through Upwey to Corton, where they were joined by tlie Weymouth contingent, who had driven vid Chickerell and Langton Herring Cross. By the kind permission of Mrs. Mayo the little chapel of Corton was inspected, as well as the adjoining old house. The latter contained some old mullioned windows and four-centered arches, indicating a bnilding of the 16th century. The little chapel, containing a pre-Reformation altar, was next visited and its history and description given in a paper by Rev. W. M. Barnes, who said that he proposed to raise a fund for repairing the edifice, so that it might be used for public worship. The paper will be found later on in this volume. Tlie Rev. F. W. Weaver drew attention to what were apparently traces of frescoes on the walls.
Leaving Corton, the party drove down the valley, past West Waddon House, to Portesham Churchyard, where a paper, which is printed in this volume, was lead by Mr. E. Cunnington " On Hell Stone." It had been intended to visit the stone, but time being short tliis was omitted from the programme. ]\Ir. Cunnington exhibited in illustration of his paper somebeautifully polished neolithic Celts from Brittany.also a large painted diagram of a section of one of the barrows on Mr. John Mayo's ground,
XXXV.
and read an account of the find. The barrow Avas 114 feet in diameter. There was a dolmen 3 feet under the original surface covered over with a cairn of very large rough stones, the top one weighing no less than a ton.
The party then entered Portisham Church, where Eev. \Y. ]M. Barnes pointed out the chief features of interest, stating that the church was originally a transition Norman structure. Of this building the north wall remained, Avith the original arches built up. One of them was pierced with a 15th century window. The outer arch of the porch was of the same date, and the font showed 13th century influence. Of 13th century work the priest's doorway was a good example, and the tower ai-ch was of the same date. The window to the west of the priest's doorway with plate tracery might be late 13th or very early lith century work. A window on the north side of the nave was markworthy. It showed that the movement which resulted on the Continent in the adoption of the style known as Flamboyant was not Avithout its influence here, though here the transition from the 14th century Gothic resulted in the Perpendicular style. The Norman aisle Avas divided from the nave by the before- mentioned arches, and Avas in all probability taken doAvn late in the i4th century, Avhen that Avindow was put in. In the loth century the greater part of the church Avas rebuilt, the nave, the south aisle, the arches, the roofs, and other details being of this date. The rood-screen, Avith a loft over it, Avas also erected in the 15th century, but the loft Avas removed in the following century. The arrangement of hagioscopes on the north side Avas peculiar. It afforded evidence that there Avas an altar beneath the screen as Avell as an altar at the east end of the north aisle. The pulpit Avas Jacobean or Caroline. The parish register goes back to 1567.
On leaving the church the party drove to the Ilchester Arms, Abbots- bury, Avhere luncheon Avas provided, after Avhich an adjournment Avas made to the gardens belonging to Lord Ilchester, Avhich he had kindly allowed the Club to visit. Here the President read a paper " On some of the Rarer Trees in the Gardens of Abbotsbury Castle," illustrating it by some of the trees and shrubs groAving in the gardens, Avhich contain a great variety of interesting forms from many parts of the globe. He shoAved hoAv these lecent forms Avere allied to those of Avhich the remains Avere found fossil in the rocks and traced out tiieir geological history, also dAvelling upon their geographical distribution at different periods. His paper Avill be found later in the present volume. Lord E. Cecil, having expressed the thanks of the Club to the President, and acknowledgment havintr been made of Lord Ilchester's kindness, the party divided, the greater part ascending the hill to St. Catherine's Chapel. Here
Mr. Moule read again the paper wliicli heliad prepared on the chapel on the occasion of the last meeting of the Club at Abbotsbury, in 1886. This paper will be found in Vol. VIII. of the Club's "Proceedings." After INIr. Moule had read his paper and pointed out the beauties of the stone roof and other parts of the building the party -walked down to the hotel, where tea was awaiting them. Those who were able to remain a little longer paid a short visit of inspection, under the guidance of Dr. Hawkins, to the church and ruins of the old Monastery, and the meeting finally broke up at about half-past six o'clock. New Members. — Nine were elected at this meeting.
Central Dorset Meeting.— The fourth and last of the summer meetings of the Club was held in Central Dorset on Wednesday, August 30th, 1893, and comprised visits to Plush, Nettlecombe Tout, Mappowder, Hazelbury Bryan, and Bingham's Melcombe. The weather was all that could be desired, and the party numbered between 80 and 90. A start was made from Dorchester at 9.25 a.m., a break also leaving Blandford at 9.0 a.m. to convey the members from that neighbourhood. The rendezvous was fixed at Plush Church at 11.0 a.m., where the Rev. Canon Ravenhill read a paper " On the Parish Church of Hazelbury Bryan," which will be found in the present volume.
Leaving Plush, the party drove on to the Fox and Hounds Inn, whence they walked up the hill opposite and along a ridge, from which descended on the further side a splendidly-shaped combe like a huge amphitheatre. The highest point attained was 860 feet above the sea- level, and fine views could be seen for many miles. After a Avalk of some distance along the top of the hill, the earthwork, which was not of any striking dimensions, was reached, and Rev. Sir Talbot Baker read some notes on the subject. He said that when he was asked to prepare some remarks about the Tout he felt sonie diffidence about complying, because till then he had not even seen the hill, and even the best aichtieologists co\ild say very little about those camps. For the most part there were no remains to afibrd a clue to those who constructed the camps ; no coins, for example : Hutchins told them that no coin had ever been found on the Tout. Again, there were no inscriptions, and without inscriptions and coins dates could not be fixed. Celts and arrow heads and fiint implements could only give them an idea of distant periods, and even bronze implements would tell tlieni only of far distant dates. He tliought, theiefore, that he would rather speak of those who in all probability built those camps and give a kind of conjecture as to wliat the camps were built for. He supposed that there could be no doubt that
that was one of the camps o£ the Durotiiges, the people who inhahited the hill country of ancient Dorset. The word " Durotriges " meant " dwellers by the sea.'' Ciwsar told them that the Veneti, a Gallic tribe who occupied what they now called Brittany, were accustomed to navi(,^ate backwards and forwards between Britain and Gaul. Mr. Warne conjectured, and he believed that his opinion was sound, that the Durot- riges were a branch of the Veneti who came over to Dorset. Sir Talljot proceeded minutely to define the boundaries of the territory supposed to have been occupied by the Durotriges in the littoral district between the mouths of the Hampshire Avon and the Axe in Devon. The camps of the Durotriges were some of the finest in England, but of course Maiden Castle was the queen of all these camps. In Dorset there were 24 or 28 of these camps, counting both oppida and castra, for he failed to perceive the distinction which Mr. Warne drew between them. Those were the Durotriges who inhabited Dorset when Vespasian came over. They were described as living on milk and flesh, and it might be supposed that they covered in the tops of their pits with wattled roofs and there passed their time. They worked the country down below their camps, but used these places in times of war as camps of refuge for their cattle, cattle being in those days the staple wealth, the " money " of the people, as indeed the Latin word for money signified, pecnnia being derived from peciis, cattle. All that country round was then one vast, uninterrupted forest, of which traces still remained in the numerous trees visible in the surrounding landscape. There, probably, dwelt an earlier race than the Durotriges, about whom nothing was known save that they had no knowledge of metals whatever, and no coins" such as the Durotriges had. They had long heads and little bodies, and Avere of a very low type of mankind. The long-headed men buried their dead in long barrows, and the round-headed Durotriges in round barrows. Possibly these long-headed men were conquered by the Durotriges and lived in the swamps below those camps, which were perhaps made in order to keep them down. When tlie Roman Conqueror came circum- stances compelled him to subdue those of the Durotriges who would not submit to his yoke, and he occupied some of those camps. Athough the Tout was not one of the first-class camps, yet it stood in a magnificent commanding position at the convergence of three ridges, with three combes between. On the other side, on a fine day, he believed one could see the Isle of Wight. He did not see any sign of wheie the occui)ants of the camp could have got water. General Pitt Rivers suggested that they used skins to bring water up from the marshy places below. Of course it should be borne in mind that the whole country w as
much moister in those days before tlie bulk of the trees was cleared away. Sir Talbot deplored the fact that the rabbits were doing a great deal of havoc on the Tout. The rabbit was a useful little animal and cost nothing ; but it was doing considerable damage there, and as an archfeologist he was bound to " put his foot on it." Canon Ravenhill proceeded, after thanking Sir Talbot, to speak of the origin of the word " Tout," which he said some derived from " Tiw," the name of the old Celtic god, Avhich was represented by the Greek Hermes and the Roman Mercury, or from the Teutonic god Tuiscu. Tout meant any height of free and extensive observations and was used in this sense by Sir John Maundeville in his " Voyages and Travels." There exist near this spot the site of an ancient British village and a small Roman camp of obser- vation, but it was not possible to bring these into the programme. Luncheon was partaken of in a lield just below the Tout by permission of Mr. Cross, of Armswell Farm. Armswell— Armingeswell, Ermingeswell, or Hermingeswell— was formerly a manor in conjunction with Nether- broke, and belonged to the Abbey of Glastonbuiy. On the dissolution of the monasteries it was granted to Si'* John Horsey, of Clifton Maybank, who had Melcombe as well as Armswell. Richard Arnold, who died in 1595, married Mary, his eldest daughter. From the Arnolds it passed to the Framptons, of Moreton. James Frampton sold it to Mr. Farquharson, of Langton, one of the principal founders of Plush Church. Monkwood is a little north-west of Armswell.
After luncheon the breaks Avere rejoined, and the party drove by Monkwood Hill to Mappowder Church, where they were received by the Rev. Alfred Roberts, the Rector. He said the church was dedicated to St. Peter and Sb. Paul; but it A\as restored twenty- five years ago, the chancel being entirely new. The lavacrum for holy Avater, preserved in tlie south-east side of the porch, proved that the church was of pre-Reformation date. Mr. Roberts pointed out that the arch of the tower was Norman, whereas the arches of the nave were Per- pendicular. He said that the font was very handsome, square, of Purbeck marble, with pillars at each corner, and standing on a large stone column. There is a hagioscope in the south aisle, and there are a few steps leading to what was the rood loft. In this aisle is the tomb of the young Crusader. It is unknown who he was, whether a boy, or a full-grown Crusader, in a diminutive effigy, or how he was connected with Mappowder. In the old chancel were monuments to the Coker family, who for many generations owned the manor. The two large windows inserted on the north and south side of tlie new chancel left no space for these tablets, of great beauty and elaborate workmanship, which were removed to the
MINIATURE EFFIGY of CRUSADER, Mappowder Church.
lower walls of the tower. The stone top of the holy table was fonnd in the churchyard at the restoration of the church. It has five crosses, typifying the number of wounds on our Blessed Lord's body. The curfew is rung during the winter months. Canon Ravenhill added the following remarks :— He said the church consisted of a nave, south aisle, tower with belfry, chancel, and a south porch with diagonal buttresses. The late INIr. Carpenter (wiio, with Mr. Slater, restored and paitially rebuilt the church in 1868) had given him a copy of his interesting report on the church. He said that in July, 1866, John Legg, .Ttat. 80, told him that the chancel had been pulled down seventy years ago, that there had been a window on each side of the chancel of two long single lights ; and that the east window was like these. Mr. Carpenter, he said, inferred that there was a 13th century chancel, with a more lately inserted east window. This chancel having been replaced by a building with no character whatever, the architects in 1868 rebuilt the new chancel in harmony with the nave and richly-panelled chancel arch. The arch was necessarily rebuilt and a flying buttress added to the north. The nave, aisle, tower,and porch much resemble the coeval work of Abbot Bradford, of Sherborne, The arcade, save the west respond, was rebuilt in 1868 stone by stone. The hagioscope was then re-opened and repaired. In the eastern respond is a richly-carved corbel (as at Yetminster) to carry the rood-loft beam. Some of the old oak seats still existed. They were repaired and re-used at the restoration. The north parapet of the nave was then reset, repaired, and the pinnacles replaced. Another tower parapet was also then treated. Portions of the ancient nave roof remained and were followed in the new design. The aisle roof was not ancient, but its old corbels existed and were used for the new trusses. TliC recess in the south aisle was repaired in 1868 and the effigy of the Crusader replaced on a new marble shelf. The west window of the aisle is of an ea'ly decorated date. We may infer that the original nave was of the IStli century with an aisle added to it. In 1868 the then existing roof was of a lower pitch tlian the water tabling on the tower ; fifteen inches below it. The towei-, therefore, had very probably been added to the then existing earlier nave. At the restoration a new roof Avas erected on the tower. Canon Ravenhill then spoke of the young Crusader. He said the figure was scarcely two feet long, dressed in complete mail, close round helmet, with shield and sword. The hands were elevated, holding the heart. The head rests on a cushion. A lion supports the feet. There are no arms or inscription. The right leg is crossed over tiie left. There is a similar figure in Tenbury Church, Worcestershire. Local
xl.
tradition says this figure is of some boy who accompanied his father to the Holy Land and died in the Crusade. The 3rd edition of Hutchins states that these little monuments were erected over the hearts of persons whose bodies were buried elsewhere. William de Albini, 3rd Lord of Belvoir and Uffington, near Stamford, who founded Newstead Priory, lias his body buried at Newstead and his heart uader the high altar at Belvoir, with this inscription :—
" Hie jacet cor D'ni Willielmi Albiniaci, Cujus corpus sepelitur apud novum Locum juxta Stanfordam."
Canon Ravenhill mentioned that his attention had been drawn to the fact that the lion couchant at Mappowder betokened that the Crusader was with Coeur de Lion. With regard to the curfew he said the local tradition was that a lady once lost her way in the neighbourhood and was helped to find it by the curfew bell. Out of gratitude she left a small endowment to enable the ancient custom to be continued. Mr. H. J. Moule regretted the effigy of the Crusader had been so lamentably scraped at the restoration, so much so that all the old surface was gone. Rev. W. M. Barnes inferred from the armour that the date was about 1210 A.D.— very early in the 13th century.
The next stopping place was Hazelbury Bryan Church, where the Club was received by Rev. Canon Wheeler, who explained the architecture, &c., of the church and read some notes upon it, which will be found embodied in a paper read by Canon Ravenhill in the previous winter before the membeis of the Club, and published in Vol. XIV. of the " Proceedings " at page 95.
A drive of about five miles brought the Club to their last destination, Bingham's Melcombe, where they had been kindly invited to tea by Colonel and Mrs. Bingham. After tea, which was served on the old bowling green, Colonel Bingham read the following paper in the Court- yard :—
" This ancient mansion was formerly in the possession of the Turber- villes, but came into the Bingham family by the marriage of Robert, second son of Sir William de Bingham, of Sutton Bingham, Somersetshire, with the daughter and heiress of Robert Tuiberville, about the time of Henry III. or Edward I. The present house is supposed to have been built in the reign of Mary, daughter ot Henry VIII., although some part of it must have been of an earlier date. The main entrance is through an ancient gatehouse, the windows of which, as well as those of the east portion, have been modernised. The courtyard consists of three sides ; the kitchen and offices on the west side, the gatehouse on the south side, and
the main portion of the house on the north. The latter contains the hall and oriel in a terrace. The gable over the oriel bears the arms of the Binghanis, and the vane at the top bears the date 1677. Entering the hall, the walls of Avhich were panelled at one time Avith oak, but have been painted (but not by me), in the windows on the oriel to the south are the arms of Russell, Earl Bedford, those of England and France, the arms of Spain, and arms and quarterings of Herbert, Earl Pembroke. These are supposed to have been placed to commemorate the occasion on which Philip and Mary visited the mansion. In taking down some of the panelling in the oriel, Avhicli had decayed, two carved arches were found, one of Avhicli must have led up into the sleeping apartments. The other, having a door (as found), led down to the kitchen, as behind the door are a flight of steps. The corridor, Avhich stands in the court- yard, is of recent building, as it takes in some of the same moulding as the gable of the oriel and other carving. In the hall are portraits of Charles I., Archbishop Laud, the Duke of Norfolk, Earl Stafford, Colonel and Mrs. Penruddock ; and among the family portraits are Sir R. Bingham, Mr. Pollinger, Colonel R. Bingham, Sir J. Bingham, K.C.B., by Pickersgill, Colonel R. H. Bingham, and others. All these portraits were in such a state that they were, some of them, almost blank, but they have lately been well restored. In the dining-room is an ancient carved chimney-piece, in which is inserted a picture of a rural fete, probably Dutch. In the present servants' hall, which was the brew-house, is a table taken out of one of the ships of the Spanish Armada, and presented to the family by an ancestor of the Honourable Mrs. Brassey, who was a Miss Bingham of the Clanmorris branch, and in the old servants' hall was an interesting carving, which is being made into a cupboard. It is the arms of Bingham and Coker, of Mappowder. Thei e are also some carved panels in one of the bedrooms in the house. In the garden is an ancient bowling-green in perfect condition, the length of which is 72 yards, and also a very fine yew hedge, which is 12ft. tliick, and is considered a very good specimen. There is likewise, in the garden, a very old gaiden settle, one of the few remaining in the country, and a dove-cot in tlie form of a round tower, which is considered unique. In the lower gardens there are some trees, which are considered to be the finest in the county, especially a silver fir, which is very tall and is 16ft. round at four feet from the ground. The house has lately undergone restoration, as some of the walls and the roof were unsafe ; but care has been taken that nothing should be modernised, so mucli so that tlie stone slabs of tlie roof, which had to be taken off, have been replaced, and everything kcjit
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as much as possible in the former state, lb may interest some people to hear that one Avail in the kitchen is 8ft. thick, and that most of the vails, both inside and out, are on an average 34ft. thick ; also that some of the old oak was left to me by the late Charles Bingham, whom, I am sure, most of you have known, or heard of."
Colonel Bingham then conducted the party through the house and pointed out the chief objects of interest mentioned in his paper, including the poitraits and some of the carved oak Avhich had been rescued from the panelling, and also the table which was said to have come out of one of the ships of the Spanish Armada. Kev. Sir Talbot Bakei-, in the absence of the President, having offered the thanks of the Club to Colonel and Mrs. Bingham for their hospitality, and to the former for his interesting paper, the return drive of ten miles to Dorchester was commenced through Dewlish and Fuddletown at 5.15. p.m.
No ncAV members were elected at this meeting.
First Winter Meeting.— A meeting was held at noon on Friday, December 8th, 1893, in the Reading-room of the County Museum, Dorchester, with the President in the chair, about 35 members being present. As there had always been a little difficulty about the arrange- ments at these winter meetings, owing to the fact that the attendance in the afternoon was generally much smaller than in the morning, the Secretary invited suggestions as to any different plan. Several were made by various members, but it appeared that if the meetings were held earlier than noon it would be inconvenient for those who came from a distance, and that if they did not begin until noon a break for luncheon could not well be dispensed with. On the other hand if they were held entirely in the afternoon it would be inconvenient to many to be kept to a later hour than at present. The present arrangement, therefore, seemed to be on the whole as satisfactory as any other, and has been adhered to on the occasions of the other meeting of the Club in the present winter session and the annual meeting in May, 1894.
British Association.— Mr. Hansford, at the request of the Secretary, gave some account of the last meeting of the British Association, at which he had represented the Club. He had been requested to suggest to the Club that steps should be taken somewhat in the direction of what was proposed to be done by the Photographic Survey which had been instituted at the Shaftesbury meeting, which would however take some years to carry out to any extent. He had also been asked as to the existence of erratic blocks in Dorset. The President thereupon stated that Dorset not having been an ice county there were none.
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General Business.— Mr. Moule remarked upon the inaccuracies of the new ordnance maps as regarded ancient earthworks. The Secretary stated that a Rainfall observer was much needed at Dorchester or near it, as though, being the county town, it ought to be the centre of science as well as everything else in Dorset, there were no rain gauges so far as he knew within some miles of it.
jMr. Bankes said that he understood that there existed a local Field Club at Poole and thought that it was a pity that it should not be amalgamated with the Dorset Field Club, and similarly that it would be better to have one Central Museum in the county, to which all objects of interest should be sent, rather than a local museum in each town. The Rev. Sir Talbot Baker said that there had existed a small Field Club at AVeymouth which, he believed, was not carried on. Dr. Philpots stated that the Poole Natural History Society had been in existence for about six years, that the subscription was small and no Proceedings were published, and that he did not think that it clashed with the Dorset Field Club.
Mr. Bankes also drew attention to the occasional flooding of Charminster Church and the dampness of the churchyard, and asked for suggestions from the Club, which were not however forth- coming.
Exhibition of Objects of Interest.— The President exhibited a specimen of Verbascum Chaixii found at Abbotsbury in June last by Miss Hawkins and new to Dorset.
Mr. Cunnington exhibited two fossils— (i.) a specimen of Tercbclla Lewcsiensis, which is according to INIr. "William Davies, F.G.S. (Geol. Mag., Ap., 1879), the remains of membranous tubes of large soft-bodied annelides of solitary habits that collected and agglutinated, either for protection or disguise, the scales and the bones of fishes to the exterior surface of their tubes, which were sometimes 2ft. in length. Dr. Mantell in 1822 looked upon these as fishes, and the quarrymen call them " petrified eels." All that can be seen is an agglomeration of the scales, kc, of different fish which are now generally considereil to have formed the cases of worms. This specimen is from the chalk near Dorchester, (ii.), a specimen of Cliona cretacea, a pretty and delicate sponge, from the flint quarries two miles south of Evershot.
The first paper by the President, " The Kimmeridgc Shale in Its Economic Bearings " will be found, as well as the others read at this meeting, printed in full later on in this volume. This paper was illus- trated by six large diagrams, illustrating the faults in the strata and their general arrrangement.
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The second paper was by the Rev. W. Miles Barnes on " Dorset and King John, Notes on the Pipe Rolls of that Reign, supplemented and illustrated by References to the Patent and Close Rolls of John's Reign."
The third paper was by the Secretary, "Notes on Dorset Lepidoptera, 1892-3," at the end of -which he mentioned the progress -which had been made in the arrangement of the two insect cabinets of 20 drawers each lately purchased by the Museum, and expressed a hope that before long there would be something like a collection of Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths), and also other orders of insects to be seen in them.
A discussion ensued on the abundance of wasps which had been general in the past year, which had been alluded to in the paper. The Rev, O. P. Cambridge said that in some places they were not numerous, but at Bloxworth they were in abundance. About the beginning of September, however, the wasps suddenly disappeared, and when the apple-picking time came there was hardly a Avasp about, though a week or ten days before they had had to fight with the wasps in order to gather a peach. Why they ceased so suddenly he could not tell, as the weather continued dry. The Rev. R. P. Murray said that at Shapwick the plague of wasps lasted until well into October ; perhaps October 6th or 10th. The Rev. O. M. Ridley said that at Charminster wasps were very scarce, whereas a few miles away they swarmed.
At this point the Rev. Sir Talbot Baker took the chair, the President being obliged to leave the meeting.
The next paper, on " Wareham, its Origin, and History," read by Mr. E. Cunnington, called forth a good deal of discussion as to what evidence existed of the presence of the Romans in Wareham, Mr. Cunnington asserting that there was none. Sir Talbot Baker thought that traces of Roman origin existed there, independently of the finding of Roman remains, in the square form of the circumvallation and the position of the two principal streets, at right angles to each other. The Rev. O. P. Cambridge stated that he believed that little or no investigation for Roman or other remains had been made there by digging. Mr. Cunnington mentioned the absence of any building stone in the neighbourhood as a difficulty and did not consider that any conclusion could be drawn from the position of the streets, as Wareham had been destroyed by fire three or four times, and the modern streets might probably run quite diflferently from the original ones. This was often the case in towns, and in Dorchester, for instance, he believed that no one but himself knew where the Roman east gate was. It was not in Durngate-street, in the middle of which had been found the remains of a Roman villa. Mr. Moule suggested that as in the Roman town of
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Dorchester Roman remains were being found every week it was strange that if Wareham was also a Eoman town such remains shoukl be so rare. In reply to Mr. Cunnington's remark that there was a tendency to call everything Roman Sir Talbot Baker said that before that everything was said to be Danish !
Two papers were then read by the Rev. E. Linton on "Some new Dorset species of plants " and " British species of Utricularia, illustrated by Dorset specimens," Before his departure the President stated that he had found one of the species of Utricularia in the river Stour and Utricnlaria negleda in Morden Lake. The Rev. O. P. Cambridge welcomed the appearance of a botanical paper as they did not often appear in the Proceedings of the Club, and thanks having been given to the authors of the various papers the meeting terminated at about 4.30 p.m.
New Member.s. — Three were elected at this meeting.
Second Winter INIeeting.— The second winter meeting was held rather later in the year than usual, on Thursday, March 15th, 1894, in the Reading-room of the County Museum, Dorchester, at noon. The chair was taken by the Rev. Sir Talbot Baker in the absence of the President, about 40 members being present.
New Members.— Fourteen were elected and Mr. A. Bankes remarked that he thought it was thelaigest number ever elected at one meeting, and showed a flourishing condition of the Club.
General Business.— The Treasurer laid on the table the report of the National Footpath Preservation Society to which the Club subscribed. He also mentioned a publication by E. A. and G. F. Fry entitled " Dorset Records " which would be of interest to antiquarians.
The Secretary read the following communication from Mr. C. W. Dale :— "On January 2oth at 9.30 p.m. asl was on my way to the Sherborne Ball, about half way between the Leweston Cross and West Hill Gate, a brilliant meteor, looking like the full moon, suddenly came through the clouds and slowly came to ground in a Held on the right hand side of the road, then burst asunder and disappeared. Accounts have laiely appeared in the papers of detonating meteors falling in Ireland and England at about the same time ; one in full daylight. Some years ago a barn at Pulham was burnt down by a meteor falling upon it."
The Secretary read a letter from Rev. T. Perkins addressed to the members of the Club who were willing to take part in the proposed photographic survey of Doiset. He reminded them that the season for photographic work was at hand and requested all willing to help to
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communicate with him as soon as possible. He urged that the survey to be of any use must be thorougli as far as it went and that desultory work was of little value. Each member should do thoroughly one quarter sheet (price Is.) of the 6in. ordnance map before going on to another, and would provide for himself the materials required for making the negatives. Mr. Barnes said that the cost of printing from the negatives was compara- tively trifling and should, he thought, be also borne by the member.
ExHiBiTri.— The Treasurer exhibited a shoot of furze of abnormal growth, flattened out and unusually Lliick and strong. Other similar shoots occurred on the same bush. Similar flattened malformations of thht\es (Cardtitts lanceolatus and Carlina vulgaris) h&A been exhibited on a former occasion by the Secretary and Rev. W. M. Barnes. The Secretary exhibited an unusually laige and well-formed crystal of selenite from the Oxford clay, Chickerell, near Weymouth. Selenite was common in some parts of the clay in that neighbourhood but usually took the form of small and broken pieces and perfect crystals were rare.
Mr. Moule exhibited a large ornamental vase, made of lead, one of five similar ones which had been brought from Osmington (possibly Osmington House) and sold as old lead to Mr. Durden, of Dorchester. It was considered that they might be 150 or 200 years old, and they had apparently been at one time gilt.
The Rev. J. Bridges Lewis showed photographs of the font in Great Toller Church. The boAvl of the font was of red sandstone and was supported on a block of white Portland stone, which block he considered to be a Roman altar. The block was circular with a sheep's head at one corner.
Mr. Cunnington exhi jited four Pal.Tolithic flints found at Coneygar, Melbury Park, Portesham, and Maiden Castle. He stated that Mr. Grant Allen believed that these flints were used with the hand for break- ing ice, &c., and when lance-shaped he could not help thinking that they were used as lances.
Mr. Moule showed a diorite stone implement about 9 inches long found near Mr. Middleton's Lodge and presented to the Museum by Major Shephard.
Papers,— The Treasurer read a paper on " The Reptiles of Dorset," illustrating it by a specimen in spirits of Coronella laevis, the smooth snake, a rare harmless species, wliich occurred on heaths in his neigh- bourhood. This paper will be found in the present volume. Considerable discussion ensued, the Chairman asking for information as to the reptiles found in Ireland. The Treasurer said that he had been unable to obtain satisfactory information on that point, but he believed that some snakes
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and frogs occurred there, but not toads. The Secretary, alluding to tl)e Treasurer's scepticism as to the swallowing of her young by the mother viper, said that two of his neighbours, William and Eliza Hunt, whom he had known well for some years, and whose statements were, he considered, quite to be depended upon, stated that a few years ago, when they were about S and 12 years of age respectively, they were playing near a certain bank in Tidmoor Lane, Charleston, Chickerell, when they came upon a viper Avith several young around her, basking in the sun. The group being alarmed at their approach the old viper began to open her mouth and hiss, whereupon the little vipers made for the mouth of their mother and glided down her throat. ISIrs. Hunt remembers her children running in, rather alarmed, and saying that tliey had seen a viper swallow its young ones. The Secretary desired to place this upon record, as he, like the Treasurer, had never before met with anyone Avho had seen such an occurrence, although it was a general popular belief. He said he thought it was a rare thing to see a viper ivith its young, to which the Treasurer assented, saying that he had never seen such a sight. Mr. A. Bankes and others reconmiended Condy's fluid, ammonia, wash- ing soda, or indeed any alkali, as good in cases of snake bite. The Secretary mentioned that toads sometimes suffered from the attacks of leeches at some little distance from water, as Mrs. Eichardson had found one with several small leeches adhering to it, some little way from a pond. Also that at a reservoir in Carmarthenshire, the natterjack toads were in immense swarms, and such large quantities of them died annually in the late spring that they had to be carted away to prevent the tainting of the water caused by their dead bodies.
A jiaper on " Charminster Church and its Restoration " was then read by the Rev. Sir Talbot Baker as follows : —
"I have been asked to read a paper on Charminster Church with a view to raising a discussion on the very serious question of its removal, owing to its dampness and liability to floods, to a higher situation, which could be provided for it on the top of a hill not far off". Should this extreme measure be negatived then discussion is invited on the best )uanner of counteracting the damp and on one or two points connected with its restoration where it stands of presumed interest to antiquarians. I am aware that this church has been briefly, yet ably, treated with the other churches of the Rural Deanery of Dorchester by Mr. Barnes, (Pro. D.N.H. and A.F.C., vol. xii. p. 47 plate iv.), but the tempta- tion to examine it from under the roof of a house that had shelteretl Philip of Burgundy and Joan of Castile was too strong to make me resist the invitation to offer some remarks on the subject, even at tlic
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risk of being thought a plagiarist. The suffix Minster suggests a church of antiquity and dignity ; both qualities are united to a considerable extent in the church of Charniinster, or the minster on the Char, a stream •which, rising up the Cerne Valley, passes close to the graveyard of the church in question and falls into the Frome above Dorchester. The position of the church is pleasing. It is surrounded by a number of small hills, on the slopes of which the houses of the village are placed. The tower is said to date from 1500, and was built by Sir Tliomas Treuchard, of Wolfeton ; it is excellent in proportion and uf beautiful colour. The material employed in its construction is Ham Hill stone. It has angle buttresses up to the battlements, and the effect of the three finials by which each angle buttress on the corners is surmounted, together with an intermediate finial from the wall space on three sides, is very fine. The turret staircase is on the north-west corner and surmounted by six small finials, three of which have disappeared. This seems to be the only part of the tower needing much external repair, for the coigns preserve their pristine sharpness, and very little in the way of pointing requires to be done. The Louvre windows are very noticeable ; they occupy the whole of the upper storey on each side. They are of pierced stone, and are divided into three parts by two tran- soms ; they are slightly recessed in each wall. The initials of the founder (T.T.), which appear in several places on the western buttresses, preserve his name, and Avorthy it is to be held in remembrance by all ecclesiologists. The appearance of the body of the church, as seen from the south, is less satisfactory. A Avater table on the east wall of the tower points to the nave roof having been at some time lowered, while a similar relic on the east wall of the nave defines the pitch of the original chancel roof. The battlement of the nave roof is singularly plain. The clerestory is low. Its windows are much cut about, so as to render it difficult to determine what date to assign its construction to. But the corbels under the flat ceiling inside point to its not having been part of the original plan. The porch is entered by an arch of such clumsy con- struction that one is led at once to conclude that it is not of original Norman work, though nearly approaching the round. The piesent perch roof, too, appears from its poverty to be a modern addition. There are two corbels above the entrance door which suggest the possibility of the porches having had a stone-groined roof, though they might have supported figures. There is a curious set-off along the east wall— half- way up — apparently of the same date as the wall, of which I am unable to conjecture the purpose. There are two gurgoyles on either side above you as you enter the iwrch, the south-east one renjarkable,
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and the base of a cross on the apex of the roof. The archway leadinf,' into the church appears to be part of the first design. It is of early-pointed style, and the jambs are cut from stones of larfi;e dimensions. The general impression on entering the church is the want of lieight, but this will be partly remedied when the ceiling of the nave is removed and the roof restored to its original pitch. The nave consists of four bays. They are distinctly of the Anglo-Norman period. The cushion caps of the round columns are variously and prettily, though not very deeply, incised. The pointed arches which they support are surrounded by the nail-head mouldings ; this angle is shallow. The south aisle has a panelled roof of Perpendicular period. One corbel remains on the south side, representing a knight's head. This bears a rude strut that carries one of the beams. The south evidently was the Trenchard aisle. There are two canopied tombs, one along the south wall and one at right angles to it ; this latter has manifestly been moved from its original place to let in a more modern window. They are of Purbeck marble, but all records of the persons to whom they were erected have been removed. Eastward of these on the same Avail there is a touching tablet to a lady of the family, of which the following is the inscription, translated from Latin : — ' Sacred to the pious and honoured memory of the esteemed second daughter of Thomas Trenchard, Knight, and lately the deceased wife of William Pole, Knight, the eldest son of John Pole, Baronet, whose bones rest beneath this marble, Avhile her sainted soul triumphs in heaven and her loved memory smells sweet on earth. She died, without leaving surviving issue, on the 9th day of February, a.d. 1636. Two infants, John and William, prematurely snatched away, are buried at Colyton, in the county of Devon." Above this inscription is the monument, on whicii is sculptured a lady in flowing gown and tippet kneeling before a desk on which is an open book. On the opposite wall to this tablet are some faint traces of mural paintings. Care should be taken in moving the whitewash close by them, but I fear that nothing worth preserving would be found. There are the remains of a squint or hagioscope leading from this aisle ; proofs exist that tlie east and south window of tliis aisle were filled with painted glass ; some round panes still remaining in the top tracery of each show the old Tudor rose. The north aisle was built in 1838. It was enlarged to probably double its original size. The Avails seem in good preservation, but the roof requires immediate attention. A gallery, dating from the last century, blocks up a fine-pointed arch into the tower. If removed there avouUI be disclosed an unusual feature of village church towers— namelv, tAvo side arches opening into recesses
1.
north and sontli, the soffits or spaces between the jambs of all these arches being ornamented Avith Tudor mouldings. One of these recesses serves as a small vestry ; the other is unappropriated. It might be used for a choir vestry or a baptistry. The west windoAV is at present half blocked up. This, of course, would be remedied. We now come to the chancel, which was erected about 56 years ago and occupies but a small portion of the space of the orginal chancel that was pulled down during the Commonwealth. The chancel arch is Norman, and has also the nail- head mouldings of the same shallow cliaracter as the pointed nave arches. Complaints are made that from its smallness it obstructs the sound of the voice from a diminished chancel. How much more would it do so from the chancel restored to its original size ? It is this objection that has led to the suggestion of the arches being removed to the new north chancel wall to form the entrance to the organ- chamber, which it is proposed to build on the north side of the chancel. It would be replaced by a pointed arch, resembling that into the tower. This brings me to the second division of my paper, to which the previous sketch of what I could see of the church in an hour or two's inspection on two mornings lately is intended to lead up. It is on the question of how is this interesting church to be restored, nay, of its being restored at all where it stands, for I have been asked to offer an opinion, as I stated at the outset, on the advisability of its removal altogether to the summit of a hill on the south, just in front of the new vicarage. What, you will enquire, could justify such a question being even mooted ? The answer is the lowness of the present site, subjecting it to being flooded when the little river is overfull, and, as I am informed on reliable authority, rendering the floor of the church very damp whenever the water meailows are flooded. The subsoil of the whole area is stated to be gravel, and when the water of the meadows percolates the top soil it finds its level beneath the bed of the stream (for the meadows are on the farther side of the stream from the church and graveyard) into the gravel stratum below and comes up into the graveyard ; to the floating of the coffins occasionally in the newly-dug graves, and filling the vaults which exist underneath the floor of the church with water ; also to the rendering of any system of heating the church from a furnace chamber below exceedingly difficult, though, I think, not impractic- able. This condition of things is, no doubt, serious. The confining of the water of the little river within its bound- might be effected by a concrete or cemented dam and by widens ing the arches of the bridge which spans it at the soutli-east corner of the churchyard : which arches are obviously too small to carry
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the water in a wet season ; but the prevention of the soakage of tlie irrigated meadows above into the gravel substratum under the bed of the river into the church and its surroundings presents a problem Avhich might be hard for an engineer to overcome, and which I certainly shall not attempt to solve. I can only speak of what I saw ; and I can safely say that though my attention had been directed to the presence of damp within or without the church I did not observe many traces of its existence either on the surface of the graveyard or in the foundations of the walls outside or inside or on the floors. Compared with some other churches I have seen tliis church was dryness itself, on the days of my visits. The turf around it was not soppy and the foundations of tlie walls did not seem to be afi'ected by wet. Inside there was no striking appearance of green mould at the bottom of the walls, nor, as far as I could see, any rottenness in the floor boards. Kelatively to the river- bed the church is sufficiently protected, so that with its vaults concreted to the floor level and the foundations of the walls outsiile cemented, with a stone gutter to carry ott' the roof water sloping outwards from them, I cannot but think that it would be perfectly dry and healthy in the ordinaiy way. Against extraordinary high water such measures as forming a groined cemented bank and a widening of the arches of the bridge would be sufficient safeguards. I believe, moreover, that the gang- ways Hoor of the inside might be raised four inches (to the level of the wood boarding below the pews) so as to do away with the step down at the outer porch -without cutting off the view of the round bases of the colunms. If the irrigation soakage evil is of frequent occurrence, so as often to interfere with the decent interment of the dead, it might well be an inducement to shut up the churchyard and form a cemetery on higher ground, but not to move the church and tower — and tower — why, the taking down ami rebuilding of such a massive structure — and no man of education and taste could counsel its demolition — on another site, would cost more than its careful restoration with nave and south aisle, and I was going to say than the rebuilding the new chancel on the old lines a-ul organ-chamber to boot. Nor does the state of the walls of the body of the church justify such a step. I could not perceive any deflection of old Availing from the perpendicular, nor more than two sliglit cracks in it ; these were in the west walls of tlie aisles where they join the tower. There is nothing in the way of an ordinary restoration that I could see. The taking down the organ gallery and opening out the towei', tlie stripping the roofs : raising the nave, and restoring the south aisle, roofs, and the removing the old pews and benches (I do not recollect that any of the latter are \\'orth preserving), and replacing them with open seats.
Hi.
Whether the north aisle is to remain depends upon the state of the funds. There would be no great harm done to Wie general appearance of the church if it were to remain, the roof of course being made weathertight. It never could be made to look old, and the accommodation its additional width affords may forbid its being reduced to the narrower proportions of the south aisle, which were, no doubt, its proportions when first built. The enlargement of the chancel would give dignity to the whole edifice, and the organ chamber on the noith side of the chancel would be the proper place for that instrument. I now appproach the last, but most delicate, part of my task— the moot point of the pulling down the chancel arch and its removal to the north chancel wall, where it would form the entrance to the organ chamber. I have already stated the cause why this change is suggested. It is owing to the small size and comparative lowness of this Norman arch preventing the sound of a strong-voiced hale incumbent from being well heard in the body of the church that a measure is proposed that would meet with fierce opposi- tion from all sound archfeologists. And, indeed, it should be only a stern necessity that would justify such a step being taken. It is true that a church exists for the purpose of a congregation's orderly worship of Almighty God according to the ceremonies of the Church of England. Whatever tends to the promotion of such worship should be cherished and, as far as can be, adopted. Any hindrances to it, even to the removal of an ancient monument, should in my judgment be taken a,way. Thus, sorry as I should be to see it on archivological grounds, were a large tomb to interfere with the sight of the altar by any considerable number of worshippers and a suitable nook be found for it in some other position in the church I would not, as far as my voice would go, oppose its removal, ^•5'., I should have been in favour of the transference of the Denzil Hollis monument in St, Peter's Chuch, Dorchester. But in the case before us no such necessity as far as I can judge exists. Tiie old arch is not so small, relatively to the size of the wall in which it is placed, as others I have seen. To go no further off than Powerstock, there you certainly have a far more enriched Norman arch, but so disproportion- ately small to the dividing wall between nave and chancel as even to offend the eye as you enter the church, left in its integrity, though the chancel was entirely rebuilt at the restoration in 1858, and, no doubt, another place could have been found for it. I was frequently at Power- stock when the County School was being started, yet T never heard of the diminutive size of the chancel arch interrupting the sound of the voice. It should be borne in mind, too, that the openings into the proposed new organ-chamber from the chancel and from the north aisle,
liii.
anfl also in the opening ont of the hagioscope to the south aisle, will operate materially in spreading the voice of the officiating minister at tlie altar. Possibly, too, the cause of the difficulty in hearing a strong voice at present may arise from the very sliortness of the existing chancel, and a chancel of its original and greater length might act as a better conductor of the sound. So that, as I cannot recommend the remo\'al of the church, I can neither advise the taking down of the chancel arch from the position it has stood in for near about 700 years."
A great deal of discussion followed the reading of this paper. The Rev. W. M. Barnes said that he felt sure that the church could be made dry by cementing the floor and lower part of the walls with Portland cement as had been done in his own church at Monkton. The foundations of the nave of, he believed, 15th century work had been discovered in digging graves. The Kev. J. C. Prior (Vicar of Charminster) said the foundations of the chancel which was swept away in the time of the Commonwealth had been traced and that it was 26 feet long. The present chancel was 16 feet in lengtb. The Rev. J. Bridges Lewis said that drainage had had an excellent effect at Salisbury as regarded the dryness of the Cathedral, and suggested a similar expedient for Charminster. He also said that perhaps the ancient Norman chancel was in the form of an elongated apse, which might remove the difficulty about the sound. He thought it would be well if all people wishing to restore an ancient church would first consult a body like the Field Club and hear their views and that no one had a right to destroy or pull to pieces such ancient monuments without some such consideration. The Rev. O. M. Ridley said that after hearing Sir T. Baker's paper he quite receded fiom the idea of moving the church to higher ground. It would be much better to try some other expedient to prevent damage by floods. The Rev. J. C. Prior said that the churchyard suffered very much from water rising in opened graves, on several occasions to such an extent that the coffin had to be held down with poles, and generally baling had to be resorted to. He also spoke of the great difficulty which the narrowness of the chancel arch caused in regard to sound. It was most difficult to hear anything in the chancel of what went on in the church or vice versft, and in sjute of the strong feeling which had been expressed by the antiquarians against moving the arch he should be most glad for it to be done, as he thought the convenience of the congregation should be the chief point aimed at. Mr. Barnes suggested the moving the choir stalls out of the chancel, but Mr. A. Bankes said that he thought there was not sufficient room, as the church was a small one and the congregation often large. The Rev. O. P. Cambridge said that in his churchyard at Bloxworth baling
liv.
had often to be resorted to, tliongh it was 200 feet above the sea and not near a river. He mentioned the great advantage to the dryness of a field of keeping ditches and outlets clean and open. Having offered the thanks of the Club to Sir Talbot for his paper an adjournment of three-quarters of an hour Avas made tor luncheon, it being about two o'clock.
After luncheon Mr. Chas. F. Hope gave the Club some information about Lathyrus sylvestris, on which he had been unable to write a paper as set forth in the programme through Avant of time. Professor Wagner had succeeded in producing a variety of this plant (Wagner's flat pea or Lathyrus sylvestris Wagneri), which was of great value in agriculture. It is maintained that the plant will yield on an average 17 tons of green food (equal to about 4 tons of hay if dried) to the acre per annum in 3 or 4 cuttings which should be made just as it comes into bud, the plant then being about 15 inches high. It is stated that the plants will continue in bearing for 40 or 50 years with no manure, and will grow on waste stony ground, where nothing else will flourish, and resist the most unusual drought.
Mr. Hope has analyzed a sample Avith the folloAving result :—
Lathy) us Average Composition of
sylvestris. Green Plants for comparison.
Green. Dry. Lucerne. Vetch. Clover.
Moistur 58-63 0-00 75-3 82-0 TS'O
Fat, Chlorophyll, Wax, &c. . . 2-05 4-95 07 0-6 OS
Albuminoids (\. X ti. 33) .. 7-54 18'22 4-5 3-7 3-7
Digestible Cellulose, &c. .. 10-48 39-85 8-4 6-1 8-6
Indigestible Fibre .. .. 12-21 29-52 9-3 6-0 7-2
Mineral Matter 309 7-46 1-8 1-6 1-7
100-00 10000 100-0 100-0 100-0
Containing Nitrogen . . .. 1-11 2-S5
Equal to Ammonia .. .. 1-41 3-49
Albuminoid Ratio . . . . 1:4-5
Mr. Hope proceeded as follows : —
" About tAvo hundred and fifty plants Avere given to me by Mr. F. E. Clotten, six of Avhich Avere accepted by the Yorkshire Philosophical Society, and planted in their gardens in November, 1889, to Avhich lot the above analysis refers. The plants appeared very dry and much shrivelled, but in spite of their unpromising appearance, the Avhole of the six plants lived, but several out of the larger lot, Avhich Avce accepted by a skilled farmer, died. The six plants did not produce a robust groAvth — possibly due to the city smoke, and their uncongenial treatment before they Avere received in York. The average length of the haulm Avas about tAvo feet, and the maximum three feet, the younger part of Avhich appeared more robust and better developed than the older. All the floAvers aborted ; the blooms Avithered in August, Avhen the plants Avere cut and analyzed
Iv.
by myself, yielding the quantities stated above. The roots (vhizonio) were about as thick as a lead pencil when planted in November, 1889 ; but when one was dug up in November, 1890, to send to Egypt, they had attained the thickness of a man's thumb, many new rhizomes had been produced, reminding me of the characteristic rambling habit of the wild variety, which has not been observed to produce seed (Wagner) ; * but under cultivation, seed appears to be produced, a sample of which I have. Mr. Clotten informs me that the germination is very slow, indee<l : that he has been unjustly blamed for having doctored the seed, and that much has been dug up and destroyed before germination could take place. There appears good reason to hope for a more robust growth next season. The farmer who accepted the larger parcel reports, ' not much to eat ; hope for a better crop next year. ' The plants w^ere seedlings, and like Lucerne, it requires three seasons to arrive at maturity. Lathy nts si/lvcstris appears to contain fully twice the quantity of actual feeding material, as compared with any of our cultivated fodder crops, Aveight for weight, in the natural green condition, the great difference being in the relatively much smaller quantity of water naturally present in Latlujrus sylvcstris. It is to be regretted that Professor Wagner's analyses do not state the percentage of water. Upon comparison it will be seen that the plants grown in the Museum gardens are distinctly less valuable than those grown in Germany ; but it being well known that a bad crop is not only less in quantity, but is also much poorer in quality, there is no reason to think the virtues of the new plant have been overstated. Indeed, the general statement that the plant is twice as valuable, weight for weight, as any fodder crop grown I have already confirmed. It is well known that the young or early growth of plants has a higher percentage composition than that of the same plant when mature. It is probable that the sample analyzed by Professor Wagner refers to the succulent spring growth ; whereas the analysis I made was of the mature plant, cut in August. after blooming, which fact may be quite suttieient to account for the slightly lower quality of the produce. The palatability is a quality of very great importance which cannot be ascertained satis- factorily in the laboratory, but I understand from my farmer friend that it is all that can be desired ; cattle eat it at once.and appear to relish the same. The ether extract (otherwise called oil or fatty matter) is not as
* The legume and seed of the wild plant are figured and described in Sowerby's English Botany, Vol. iii., p. lOi), plate 402 ; also in Curtis' " Flora I.ondinensis." Mr. W. B. Barrett informs me that they are also described in " Babington's Manual," "Hooker's Flora," Br(ibisson's " Flore de Normandie,'" and Lloyd's '■ Flore do I'Ouest de la France." Non.e of these writers eive any intimation that the lUunt does not seed freely, Wagner's experience seems therefoie to be, to say the least of it, unusual.— Kn.
Ivi.
valuable for feeding pnrposes in any of oui' green crops as the oil in a cotton or linseed cake, but it is present in nearly three times the usual quantity in Lathyrus sylvestris. Albuminoids. — The compound nitrogen, according to Professor Wagner's analyses, appears to be present very largely in the form of true albuminoids, the quantity of amide nitrogen being very small. I have not ascertained this quantity, because recent experiments appear to prove that the amide compounds protect the true albuminoids from oxidation in the p'-ncess of animal nutrition. Hence the ordinary commercial method is sufficiently accurate for the farmer's purposes ; the amount of amide nitrogen in young and in the younger parts of plants is always in excess of that found in the mature plant. Cattle appear to prefer and to thrive upon young succulent herbage. The albuminoid ratio being 1 to 4.5 most nearly resembles the concentration of bran 1 : 4.2 than any other commonly-used single food. Hence it must be considered a very concentrated food, which in practice it will be found desirable to dilute with straw or turnips until the desired ratio is reached. The most approved ratio for fatting cattle being 1 : 7 at the commence- ment, which is increased gradually to 1 : 5.5 to finish. The ratio appears correct for sheep or swine without any alteration. The ratio of oats being i : 6.5, it appears more than sufficient for a horse without any corn. AYhen feeding any of our home-grown green fodder, it appears economical to purchase a more concentrated food in order to get the albuminoid ratio up to those standards which have been proved by experiment to be the most economical, but here we have what I trust may become a home- grown food which can be properly diluted with poorer home-grown pro- duce. Hence as Lathyms sylvestris becomes commonly grown the farmer will probably become more and more independent of the cake merchant. Cake being a bye-product in the production of oil will become more difficult to sell, and the market price will tend to the advantage of the farmer. At the same time we must not forget that the plant is yet in the experimental stage. What is known has not been exaggerated, but a more intimate acquaintance may cause us to moderate our present opinion. But lee us hope to the contrary. Cultivation.— T\\q plant more nearly resembles that of a Lucerne than any other at present in cultiva- tion, and in the absence of any better information, I am disposed to advise that it be cultivated upon the same lines, controlled, however, by common-sense observations. It resembles Lucerne in being a member of the same natural order, viz., Leguminoscc, in which we find some of our most useful plants such as clover, beans, peas, vetches, &c. Hence its near relations are well known and highly valued. Like Lucerne it is a perennial, and may require the three years to come to maturity.
Ivii.
Lucerne is the most concentrated food among our green crops at present cultivated, but its excellence ■will be seen not to be very consideral)le upon referring to the analyses cited for comparison at the beginning of this report. LatJujrus sijlvcstris will be seen to contain twice the quantity of food. It is difhcult to understand Avhy Lucerne has not become a greater favourite, entering more into common husbandry than it has done. The advantage of its being a perennial, lasting for ten years, does not appear to have recommended it. Hence, if it were not for the very superior value of Lathyrus sylvestris, I should fear the new plant would not meet with any greater favour than Lucerne has done. Like Lucerne, it seems well adapted for awkwardly-shaped fields near the yards, where it would be convenient for soiling purposes. For suburban dairymen, havins very little land at a high rent, it appears a very suitable plant, and one well worth a trial. Lucerne appears to yield good crops until the tenth year, when the vigour of the plant declines, and it is found necessary to plough it out, and after one or two other crops to sow the seed again ; that is to revert to the sexual generation again. How long Lathyrus sylvestris may remain profitable without a sexual generation (that is, without re-sowing) is at present unknown ; but, like all other plants I suppose it will be found necessary to renew its vigour by sexual intercourse. A familiar example may be found in the potato, in which after a greater or less number of non-sexual generations (those raised from sets), the plant becomes feeble and a prey to disease, and that particular stock goes out of cultivation to be replaced by another reared from the seed. That is the true sexual generation, which, being a general natural law, Avill, no doubt, govern the number of years an established plant of Lathyrus sylvestris will remain a profitable plant. But owing to the fact that the wild variety does not appear to have been observed in pod (see note ante), it is possible that a particular stock may last more than ten years, which will be counted as another advantage. But it would not be wise to rely upon this point until experiment has placed the matter beyond doubt. As to the weight per acre there do not appear to be any data, excepting that furnished by ISIr. Clotten, who mentions seventeen tons as the weight grown per acre. Lucerne appears to yield from three to eight tons per acre, and is cut three or four times per annum. Hence the figures do not appear to be exaggerated, as representing a very good crop. But seeing that the yield of all our crops varies between very wide limits, owing to the ever- varying conditions of soil, manure, and season, I do not think any safe estimate can be given, but if only ten tons were gained it would be eciual to twenty of anytliing else wc can grow. Everytliiug dcpeuds upon the
Iviii
environment of the plant being favourable and the number of times it is cut. I lay great stress upon the latter point, because I find no error more common than allowing, say hay, to stand until the seed is nearly ripe, whereas it should be cut before there is any seed. The damage in the decreased digestibility of the hay and the decreased quantity of aftermath is more than the average farmer thinks po3sil)le. In the proper cultivation of this new plant I suppose the colour of the bloom should never be seen. ' Cut and come again ' should be the motto. Manure. — 1 venture to differ entirely from the opinions expressed in Mr. Clotten's circular, which, in brief, is equal to saying we can by this plant draw food from the soil for ever -without returning any of it. We have no proof that a plant can derive all its food from the atmosphere, but we have very positive evidence to the contrary. We know that by continu- ally removing crops the soil becomes less and less able to produce a crop; that when we apply to a soil thus impoverished by the continual demands made upon its resources, those elements essential to a plant in a soluble form, the fertility is at once renewed. Hence, sooner or later, manure will be required, depending upon the quality of plant-food originally present, and the size of the crops removed (the demands decrease the supply). By inductive reasoning (unfortunately we have no experiments), I think nitrate of soda will not be a profitable application, neither will sulphate of ammonia. Perhaps the most generally beneficial will be lime well mixed before planting ; but here, again, everything will depend upon the nature of the soil. Farmyard manure, the best of all manures when good, may be applied with advantage. Superphosphate, and bones, and shoddy, and in some cases kainite, will all be found useful, according to the requirements of the soil. Lathyriis sylvcstris may be made into hay, treating it carefully, as in the case of clover or vetch hay, and, of course, into silage. From what I have seen of the plant I do not think it adapted for feeding on in hurdles, but suppose it will be less wasteful to soil if in yards. If sheep were folded, I think the plant would be almost destroyed ; they would get too near the crown ; in a Avord, the plant may be treated and used in a similar way to Lucerne."
The next paper was read by the Treasurer " On New and Kare British Spiders," and will be found in the present volume.
The Mayor of Dorchester and some of the Town Council attended the meeting by invitation of the Club in order to hear the next paper by Mr. H. J. Moule, " Notes on Two 17th Century Minute Books belonging to the Mayor and Corporation of Dorchester." This paper will be found later in the present volume. Thanks having been offered to the readers of the various papeis the proceedings terminated at about 4 p.m.
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Bead before the Members of the Field Club on May 23rd, ISO4.
T had made no preparation for my usual Anniversary Address, as I understood, Avhen you did me the honour last year of electing me your President, that I should be exempted from much of the literary work devolving upon the office, and be let off with an occasional Paper. I have, however, hastily written a few lines upon subjects which will, I hope, be interesting to the members. General Pitt Rivers with his undiminished industry is prosecuting the examination of the earth-works on the Rushmore Estate. He is now finishing those of Worbarrow, in the parish of Hanley, which he finds to be of the Stone age. The primary interments were found on the old-surface line, consisting of six skeletons, three were crouched, and all long- headed men. At the top of the barrow were eight secondary interments, five were decapitated, their heads missing ; the average cephalic index of the remaining three was 738, that of the 6 long- headed men G98. The average height of the former was 5ft. O'-iin., that of the latter 5ft. 2-2in. — a diflTerence of more than three inches, bearing out the idea, in General Pitt Rivers's opinion, that the primary interments were those of the Stone-age people, the
Ixii. president's address.
secondary interments were of another race which had probably- crossed with the round-headed large people of the bronze age. The skeleton of a round-headed man was found buried near the barrow with a drinking vessel of the usual type at his feet. In the old surface-line beneath the barrow there was an oblong enclosure, which included the primary interments, consisting of a trench 2ft. deep with traces of a line of piles stuck in the trench and wedged in with flhits. The ditch cf the barrow, which is 13ft. deep, contained bronze age pottery at the bottom, and Roman pottery at the top. This corresponds with the relics found in the ditch of a village close by Worbarrow, and in the ditch of the camp which General Pitt Rivers examined last year at Rushmore south lodge. In all these, Roman pottery and relics were found at the top only. No pottery, not even the smallest fragment, was found in "Worbarrow, except one small piece, found with the six primary interments on the surface-line.
Four human skeletons of the neolithic age have been recently found in a cave or fissure of a limestone cliff on the Italian frontier, near Mentone, one (the last) in January. I had the pleasure of visiting the cave last May, which stands at the base of a grand Eocene cliff washed by the waves of the Mediterranean. It measures about 80ft. long and 10ft. broad, its walls converge till they meet about 50ft. above the present floor. Three of the skeletons were found on the east side of the cave last year, about 25ft. below the original floor and near the mouth ; they were lying close to each other. The outside skeleton was that of a man advanced in years, lying on its back, the left arm stretched out along the body, the right hand resting on the femur, and near it a slightly-curved finely-edged flint implement, or blade, 9in. long and nearly 2in, broad. The height of the skeleton was not less than 7ft. The middle skeleton was that of a young woman. The head rested on the leg bone of an ox, it Avas lying on its left side with the knees slightly bent; in the left hand was a flint implement 10|in. long and 2]in. broad. The third or inside
president's address. Ixiii.
skeleton was also lying on its left side, the head resting upon a flint implement 6|in. long and 2in. broad, similar to the two others. The man had a collar of 14 deer's teeth, with fine-cut strisB, fish vertebrae, and pendants similarly striated. On and around his head were deer's teeth, fish vertebrae, and a number of little marine shells, Nassa neritia, all pierced ; under the knee of the left leg were large perforated shells of the Genus Cyprtea. The skull of the young man was also adorned with fish vertebrre and shells {Nassa), several bone pendants, and a handsome collar, which length of time had not displaced. It was composed of a double row of perforated fish-vertebrje, and one row of Nassa, Avhieh was separated at equal distances by striated deer's teeth, and arranged in perfect symmetry. Below the double row of fish-vertel^rte (four in each row) were three Nassce ; then a deer's tooth, which divided them from the next series, and so on. The collar evidenced some considerable artistic taste on the part of these savages. The skull of the man was too incomplete through posthumous deformation to permit an accurate measurement. It was decidedly of long-headed type, with an index of 63, while that of the young person was less typical with an index of 76.27. The adult is allied to the Cro Magnon type, by the pentagonal form of the skull, by the breadth of face, by the relative narrowness of the nose, by the massive loAver jaw, and the triangular shape of the chin. The teeth are well worn down, and the crowns flat, indicating advanced age. On the other hand those of the young person are little worn, and the last molar had not come into use, showing that the age was not more than 20 years. The other skeleton was discovered in the same cave some 10ft. above the three others, as it has been already said, and farther within. It Avas lying under a bed of cinders and burnt wood, mixed Avith ochreous ferruginous red-earth, with debris of broken bones and remains of animals of various species, some of which are now extinct. Upon its head and limbs were ornaments similar to those described above. The skull had well marked frontal sinuses, it was lying facing the east, and close to the wall on the
Ixiv.
PRESIDENTS ADDRESS.
east side of the cave. The earth and stones around the skeleton, which appeared to form a kind of sepulchre, as well as several flint-chips, had traces of fire, which had partly calcined the lime of the breccia on which it reposed. A conical block of crystal, the point of which was broken, lay under the right hand of the skeleton, which might have been a weapon or an insignia of dignity. It was lying on its left side, the face supported by the left hand, the lower jaw was displaced from the skull. The forearm and right hand were lying across the breast, It had the appearance of peaceful repose, as if death had overtaken the man in his sleep. This appears to have been the position of most of these southern prehistoric intei-ments. The skeletons of the neolithic age in our barrows and earthworks are often in a crouching position — that is the head and knees are on the same level, which is the usual sleeping position of the North American Indians of the present day. It helps to maintain the warmth of the body better than when extended. The extended position of these Italian neolithic people indicated that they lived in a less rigorous climate. The height of this prehistoric savage was about 6ft. 6in.
An ancient lake-village was discovered last year near Glastonbury by Mr. Arthur Bulleid. The site had been an ancient shallow-lake or morass upon which a colony of the former inhabitants of this district had settled. It consists of a number of low mounds, about 2ft. in height and from 20ft. to 30ft. in diameter. One 3ft. 6in. deep, was composed of layers of clay, charcoal, ashes, and timber, resting upon wooden piles laid close together, still retaining the bark. Each of the dwellings contains a fire-hearth of stone- slabs laid upon a bed of clay ; occasionally there were two, and even three, placed one over the other, owing, perhaps, to the sinking of the floor-bed. Mr. Boyd Dawkins considers the date of this lake dwelling to be close to the dividing line between the prehistoric archseology of these islands and history. The inhabitants of the village were spinners and weavers ; they used whorls of stone and earthenware, heavy stone loom-weights to keep
president's address. Ixv.
the threads in place, bone-shuttles, weaving-combs, and bone- needles for sewing. They probably worked with the lathe, as may he inferred by the numerous chucks of Kimmeridge-shale, also lathe-turned vessels of earthenware. Crucibles and remains of smiths' bellows point to smelting. They used rings of jet, amber, glass, and bronze, bracelets of bronze and Kimmeridge- shale, glass-beads, bronze-safety-pins, and split-ring-brooches, with bone-links similar to those found in Victoria Cave in Yorkshire, There are also bone amulets. Their huts were round and made of wattle. They grew wheat, and had sheep, cattle, Bos longifrons, pigs, horses, and dogs. They ground their corn in querns, and worked their food by putting hot stones into their pots filled with cold water. They rode or drove their horses with iron snaffle-bits, their weapons of war were daggers, halberts, billhooks, and sling-stones, vast numbers of which have been found made of clay, both burnt and unburnt. Mr, Boyd Dawkins considers that the fragment of a long human skull, with a low forehead and strong frontal sinuses, implies that some of the inhabitants belonged to the long-headed section of the Britons. In his summary he says the pottery is distinctly of southern derivation and of the late Celtic type, and belongs to the late period of the Iron age, before the Roman influence had fully penetrated into Britain. The split- ring fibula and the bone-links are identical with forms of Romano- British type. The absence of Roman pottery and of coins implies that the Roman civilization had not arrived in the Isle of Glaston- bury. On a comparison with the late Celtic remains found by General Pitt-Rivers at Mount Caburn, near Lewes, it is found that the iron-tools and weapons, the earthenware sling-stones, the pottery, and various other articles, as well as the wattle-work, are practically the same and belong therefore to the same age.
The extinction of wild animals is becoming daily a question of the greatest importance, and demands the co-operation and elTorts of naturalists to prevent their annihilation. Although valuable both for food and commerce they are relentlessly pursued and massacred for momentary gain. The most remarkable instance is
Ixvi. president's address.
that of the American bison, which formerly ranged over about one- third of the North American Continent from the Atlantic shore of North America, across the Alleghanies to the prairies above the Mississippi and southward to its delta. It also wandered across Texas to North-Eastern INIexico, across the Rocky Mountains to Utah and northward to the Great Slave Lake. In consequence of the settlement of the country by Europeans the area was gradually contracted, and about 1840 it occupied the centre only of its former range. The Union Pacific Railway divided this great central herd into a southern and northern division, the former consisting of about four millions, the latter of about one and a-half millions. Between 1869 and 1880, that is to say in eleven years, the southern herd practically ceased to exist. In a short time 20 stragglers in Texas represented the last of them, a similar fate overtook the northern portion. In 1883 a herd of some 200, derived from the northern herd, was preserved by the United States Government in the Yellowstone National Park. In 1886 the taxidermist of the Smithsonian Museum of Washington was directed to secure a complete series of fresh skins and skeletons of the Bison, and finding there were none, excepting those in Yellowstone Park, he took out an expedition to Texas, where the party found a herd of 50 or 60, which had found shelter there since the destruction of the great northern herd in 1881-83 and in fancied security, but the settlement of the country by ranchmen doomed every one of them to destruction. Three were taken in the expedition and 22 afterwards. Their skins and skeletons are described as being now of almost " priceless value." The European Bison, which was once common throughout Central Europe, the Caucasus, and Carpathian Mountains, is now found only in the forests of Lithuania, where it is saved from immediate extinction by the protection of the Russian Emperor. Some jears ago the Lithuanian Bisons num- bered 1,000, in 1870 they had diminished to 528, and all attempts to domesticate them have failed. It is a sad certainty that in a very few years the Elk, or Wapiti, Mountain Sheep, Goat, Deer, Moose, and other forms will have totally disappeared.
president's address. Ixvii.
At a recent meeting of the Zoological Society African hunters from various parts of the Continent were present. All told the same tale — that animals wliich were abundant a few years ago near the coast must now be sought for a month's journey inland. It is much to be hoped that those who have authority over the vast areas which have lately come under their protection will do some- thing towards the preservation of the fauna of these territories. Unless some stringent steps are taken to suppress the wholesale destruction which is now permitted, the highlands of Africa will be depopulated of the big game, which is diminishing each year in lamentable proportions.
Aquatic animals, such as Seals, can Avith ease be entirely exterminated, especially when, like the Fur-seal, they forsake the water and resort to land for breeding. The Fur-seals of the Pacific and Antarctic are now nearly gone, except in two groups of islands — one in Alaska, and the other in Siberia, where they enjoy Govern- ment protection. Aquatic mammals which never leave the water, like "Whales and Sirenians, and do not multiply rapidly, especially when they breed near the shore, are also liable to extermination. The Arctic Sea-Cow Rhytina delleri is extinct within the present century, and the Pacific Grey-Wbale Rhackiayiedes gJmicus is practically so. In the year 1877 a close time for Seals came into operation, which includes an area between the parallels of G7° and 75° north latitude, and between the meridians of 5° east and 17° west longitude from the meridian of Greenvfich. Not a Seal is killed till April 3rd, The northern Seals are now no longer killed without mercy when they come to suckle their young, and the latter left in thousands to die of starvation. In the Zoological for Alarch, 1885, is the following account of the destruction of a colony of young Seals by sealers on the coast of Greenland: — " After great exertions had been made to work through the ice, the breeding pack was discovered covering a space of about eiglit miles in extent from east to west, and one and a-half broad. Forty-eight men were sent on to the ice to kill the young seals at one o'clock a,m. About noon on April 7th the whole brood was killed," As no other
Ixviii. president's address.
breeding Seals were met with, it may fairly be presumed that all the young broods perished. The Walrus, too, which was met Avith in the 16th century as low as the southern coast of Nova Scotia, and in the last century was common in the Gulf of St. Laurence and on the shores of Labrador, is now confined to a very limited area.
The extirpation of birds is also a subject of great anxiety to the naturalist. There is no doubt that many of our native birds are rapidly disappearing, as Lord Lilford warns us in the National Revieio of April. Not only Owls and Hawks are viewed with detestation by the average game preserver, but Magpies and Jays, which are neither so numerous as Rooks and Jackdaws, nor more destructive to eggs and young birds. The Rook will beat a hedge- row for eggs as carefully as a pointer for its game. With the greatest care of my gamekeeper Shave, I am able to save a few chance broods of Kestrels, Crows, and Magpies, and to hear the croak of a pair of Ravens which I always fain hope will breed within our precincts. There is no visible increase from year to year, for death meets the survivors outside this asylum.
Unless some restraint is imposed upon the destroyers of our sea- birds our shores and cliffs will be entirely denuded. A correspon- dent in Nature some little time ago spoke of a dealer having boasted that 9,000 or 10,000 Gulls and other shore birds had passed through his hands in one year, and that he had got 800 in one batch from one person. In 1891 Lord Lilford called attention to a scheme whereby a Birmingham Company prepared to take from the Shetland Islands during the spring of that year no less than 20,000 eggs, including many beautiful and rare varieties. His intervention was, I apprehend, the means of the abandonment of the proposed expedition.
Mr. Harting's " Handbook of British Birds " with records of our rare visitants shows that the majority of them, especially those of gaudy pluniage,as the Bee-eater, Roller, Hoopoe, Golden Oriole, &c., for the most part met their deaths in one of the maritime counties, killed before they had brought up their broods. A pair of Golden Orioles bred in the New Forest last year and returned in safety to
president's address. Ixix,
their winter quarters witli their young brood. A pair, probably the same, appeared again this year in the same locality.
A close season in France has been the means of a large accession of small birds, which is quite remarkable. The woods and groves which were silent until recently are now resonant with bird-song.
A memorandum was drawn up by Lord Onslow, late Governor of New Zealand, for the preservation of native birds in that colony by setting apart two islands for the purpose. One, Hauturn Island, which contains an area of about 10,000 acres, rising in the middle of an elevation of about 2,000 feet, was selected. There are no egg-destroyers in the island, such as the Wika Rail, nor wild pigs, which eat the young of the Mutton bird.
Our attention naturally turns to the birds which have been extirpated in modern times, of which the Dodo is the most remark^ble They were found in the Mauritius by the Portuguese in the beginning of the 16tli century. Owing to their inability to fly and unwieldiness they soon succumbed. A quantity of Dodo's bones were found in that island in a peat bed and sent to Europe. They have been described in detail by the late Sir Richard Owen. These bones showed nearly every part of the osseous structure of the bird. A bird allied to the Dodo was found in the Island of Bourbon. The Solitaire is also extinct, and another species from the neighbour- ing island of Rodriguez, two species of Parrot, a Dove, a large Coot, and a flightless and long-billed Rail. The Great Auk, allied to the Razor-bill, whose remains are found in the kitchen midden of Denmark and in Caithness, seems to have become extinct since 1844, in which year the last tAvo examples known to have lived were taken off the south-west point of Ireland. Ten years before one had been taken alive at the entrance of Waterford Harbour, and in 1841 one was taken near St. Kilda. Far less commonly known is the Labrador Duck, allied to the Eider Duck, which 50 years ago was found in summer about the mouth of the St. Laurence, and the coast of Labrador, migrating in the winter to the shores of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, &c. The last knoAvn to have been killed was in Halifax Harbour in 1852. The Spoonbill, the
Ixx. president's address.
Crane, the Great Bustard, and the Capercail, once bred in England. The latter has been lately introduced from Sweden into Scotland and is doing well. It is worthy of remark that all the four species were protected by Acts of Parliament with regard to their eggs only, leaving the parent birds in peril of their lives during the period of incubation. The Chough, which frequented our cliffs in some numbers fifty years ago, is now extinct in this country. The Kite and Hen Harrier, which were boHi denizens here, only visit us occasionally from the continent.
I must say a few words about our meteorological returns, which show some cause for suspicion that they are not always taken with sufficient accuracy, partly owing, perhaps, to the position and environments of the rain-gauges, which should be perfectly level and of a sufficient height above the surface to ensure the reception of every drop of rain. Of course two gauges near each other will show a slight discrepancy in the annual fall, as a thunderstorm will pass over one while the other will escape. General Pitt Rivers' accurate observations at Rushmore and Larmer show this, but the difference only amounts to a very small decimal fraction during the year. Some of the discrepancies, ho^'ever, in the meteorologi- cal sheet of the new volume of the Proceedings of the Club cannot be accounted for in this way.
Jin dDlb |)am]jshivc |Hiinor f)ousc mi vi f pcraab to Dbton).
By FREDERIC FANE. Esq.
0 any one descending from the West side of the plateau of the J^ew Forest into tlie valley of the river Avon, by a cait track from Bratley Wood, to the parish of EUingham, Moyle's Court is seen at the end of a vista, through the woods. A dark coloured brick mansion, its colour mellowed by more tlian three hundred years' exposure — the very high pitched roof is more that of an old French Chateau, than of the houses to which we are accustomed in this district.
jNIr. Shore, who has ably written upon the antiquities of Hampshire, states tliat the word " court " as applied to many of the old manor houses in this country, refers Avithout doubt to the former owners of the estate and the courts held to record the manoiial rights attached to its possession. William de Solariis, the founder of the Priory near here, must have been Lord of the j\Ianor about a century after the time of the Conqueror. The next possessor was Robert de Punchardon, whose family from the time of Richard I., for several centuries, held this manor. In the reign of Edward 11. {i-irca 1310), John de jNloellcs held
2 AN OLD IIAMrSHIKE MANOR HOtTSE.
Ellingliani, and another of the same name in 2 Edward III. Tlie next oAvner recorded is Florencia de Punchardon, in 19 Edward IIT., and several of tliat name held the manor in quick succession till 1392, Avhen we iirst nicct with the name of Moyle's Court, and " Ellingham ]Manor vocat. Meoles," was held hy AVm. de Botreaux. There appears to have been an intermarriage between the Punchardons and Botreaux families, and the manor passed from one to the other of these names. To the before-named William de Solariis probably belongs the ancient altar-tomb in Ellingham churchyard, M'hich is, no doubt, of the same date as the chancel of the church, probably built towards the end of the twelfth century. The name Moyle is still very common among the humbler denizens of this district, and is the same as Meoles (probably pronounced Moyles), who held the manor early in the 14th century.*
In the 16th century Moyle's Court, with the parish of Ellingham, was in the possession of a family of the name of White. A daughter, Alice, of that family, having married William, a son of William BeconsaAv, took the estate into that family. Of that marriage there were three children, of whom one was kirighted in 1627 and became Sir White Beconsaw. At his death the Moyle's Court Estate was divided between his daughters, Elizabeth, wife of Sir Thomas Tipping, and Alicia, wife of John Lisle.
Having thus traced the early history of the estate attached to Moyle's Court we may return to the house itself and the more immediate circumstances which have attached an historical interest to the place and connect it so closely Avith the short, but tragic episode, of IMonmouth's rebellion and the deeds of horror perpe- trated by Jefferies, the echoes of which are still heard throughoul: the Western Counties. The old Manor House itself, formerly much larger than it now is, Avas probably surrounded Avith moats, traces of Avhich still exist, on its tAvo sides, and a braAvling forest brook runs near the house, Avhich Avould give an amj^le supply of Avater
* For the above, relating to the descent of the property, I am indebted to Mr. T. VV. Shore, F.S.A.
AN OLD HAJIPSHIRE MANOR HOUSE. li
for (Icl'cnsivc purposes. Lying in a very secluded po.sition, fit tlie edge of tlie forest, surrounded by moors and woods, and far from any main roads, Moyle's Court must have been a locality well suited for adventure and intrigue. Smuggling was formerly rife in this district, and the scenes so graphically described in the well-known novel, " Smugglers and Foresters," the plot of which is laid in the New Forest, might well have occurred at this place.
Some mansion, of earlier date than any portion of the present building, without doubt, existed upon the same site, as fragments of stonework, with rude carvings and arched doorways, may be seen in the cellar and other portions of the premises, of a date as early, or probably earlier, than that of Henry YII.
John Lisle, who had married Alicia Beconsaw, the heiress of JNIoyle's Court, occupies a somewhat prominent place in the history of the Commonwealth. Colonel Lisle, although his name does not appear as one of the signatories upon the death Avarrant of Charles I., is reputed to have been responsible for that document, being one of Cromwell's Privy Council, and as such is styled " Lord Lisle " in Burnet's Hiutory.
In a tract, printed in 1660, entitled "The mystery of the good old cause briefly unfolded," is a catalogue of such members of the late Long Parliament, that hold places both civil and military, contrary to the Self-Denying Ordinance of April 3rd, 1645. John Lisle is described "as Barrister of the Middle Temple, Master of St. Crosses in Dr. Lewis' place (St. Cross Hospital, near Winchester), being a place for a divine with ,£800 a year, one of the Lords Commissioners of the Great Seal worth £1,500 per annum, one of the King's Judges, afterwards became a Cromwellian, and swore Oliver at his first installing Chief IMagistrate. He was President of the High Court of Justice (so called) which tried Sir Henry Slingsby, Dr. Hewit, &c., for treason against the Protector, and passed sentence of death against them.
At the Restoration, the Spirit of Revenge, which caused the exhumation of the body of Ireton and other Roundheads Avho had been prominent in the affairs of the Commonweallh, caused the
4 AN OLD HAMPSHIRE MANOR HOUSE.
Proclamation of Parliament — "That the Council of State, do forthwith take order, for stopping all the ports, to the end, that none of those, who are ordered to be apprehended, as having sat in judgment, upon the late king's majesty, may make his escape, beyond the seas." Among these persons occur the name of John Lisle and sixty-five others.
From Burnet's History, vol. iii., we read : — " That Lisle, went at the time of the restoration, beyond sea, and lived at Lausanne, where three desperate Irishmen, hoping by such a service, to make their fortunes, killed him, as he was going to church, and the assassins, being well mounted, and ill pursued, got into France. His lady was known to be much affected Avith the king's death, and not easily reconciled to her husband, for the share he had in it."
We do not know the date of this assassination, but ^Nloyle's Court again comes into notice, when Alice Lisle, the widow of Colonel Lisle, was residing with her family on her estate there at the time of the Duke of Monmouth's ill-starred attempt to ensure the Protestant succession by landing in the neighbourhood of Charmouth, in Dorsetshire.
One of the sons of Dame Alice Lisle, as she was by courtesy styled as widow of one of Cromwell's Lords, was serving in the army of James II. at Sedgmoor, the first and last battle, which destroyed all hope of success to Monmouth's expedition, whose followers dispersed and fled in all directions, while he himself, probably endeavouring to reach Southampton and so to get beyond the seas, was taken not many days after the battle in a miserable plight in the parish of Cranborne at no great distance from Moyle's Court.
The battle of Sedgmoor took place on tlu? 6th of July, 1685, and on or about the 25fch of that month a messenger from War- minster, named Dunn, arrived at Moyle's Court to ask Dame Alice if she would receive and .shelter one Hickes, whom she believed and stated on her trial to have only been amenable to the law for preaching as a Nonconformist. Whatever may have been the reply of Dame Alice to this request Hickes, of Keynsham, near Bath,
AX OLD HAMPSHIRE MANOR HOUSE. 0
and another fugitive from the field of Sedgmoor named Nelthorpc, accompanied by the messenger Dunn, appear to have made their Avay across from Warminster, tlirough Deverill, Chihnark, Sutton, Fovant, and Chalk, to ]\Iartin, on the borders of Wiltshire, wliere they were entertained l)y a Mr. Fane. It would appear that Dunn had arranged with Colonel Penruddocke, on the part of the authorities, to waylay and arrest the party at some point on the road, but for some reason, possibly with the design to implicate Dame Alice, he deferred any interference until they were safely housed at Moyle's Court, one Barter acting as guide.
Crossing the river Avon at Fordingbridge they reached their destination about ten o'clock at night on the 28th of July, and, having turned their horses loose at the gate, they were taken into the house by the steward of Dame Alice. It appears, however, that they had but a very short interview with the owner of the mansion in an upstair room, where tliey supped.
According to Burnet—" She knew Hickes, and treated him civilly, not asking from whence they came, but Ilickes told, what brought them thither, for they had been, with the Duke of Mon- mouth. Upon which, she went out of the room, immediately, and ordered her chief servant, to send an information, to the next justice of the peace, and in the meanwhile to suffer them to make their escape." During the niglit, however, Moyle's Court was surrounded by Colonel Penruddocke and some soldiers, and Ilickes and Nelthorpe were found secreted, the one in the malthou&e and the other in one of the chambers near that in which they had supped ; and, being both taken, they were subsequently hung at Glastonbury. John Hickes is styled clerk, but he was probably a dissenting minister. Nelthorpe was a lawyer who had been con- cerned in the Rye House plot.
For this offence Alice Lisle was at once conveyed to Winchester, on a pillion behind a trooper, and when the writer came to Moyle's Court about 1872 the old people at Gorely, a short distance on the road towards "Winchester, used to tell how that their ancestors had handed down that the horse having cast a shoe at that place Alice
b AN OLD HAMrSHIUE 5IANOR HOUSE.
Lisle, being surrounded at the forge by her sorrowing tenantry, liad said " Weep not, good folks, I shall soon return to you," at which the soldier grumbled out " Yes, you will, l)ut with your head left behind."
The infamous George Lord Jefferies had just arrived at AVinchester to open his commission, for what was afterwards called the Bloody Assizes ; and from the commencement of the trial of Alice Lisle it was evident that nothing would satisfy the judge but the conviction of the prisoner, whatever the evidence might be.
Burnet says — " That he was resolved to make a sacrifice of her, and obtained of the king, a promise, that he would not pardon her, which the king owned to the Earl of Feversham, Avhen he, u^^on the offer, of one thousand pounds if he could obtain the pardon, Avent, and begged it." Instead of leaving the examination of the witnesses to the counsel for the crown, Jefferies took an independ- ent position, and examined the witnesses himself, and so browbeat and worried them, that they contradicted themselves in any way that the Chief Justice desired. Some idea of his cruelty and his ferocious blasphemy, may be gathered from his treatment of the witness Dunn. It must be remembered that Lord Jefferies was a man of most notorious profligacy.
The Lord Chief Justice to Dunn — " Why, thou vile wretch, didst thou not tell me just now, that thou pluck'st up, the latch 1 Dost thou take the God of Heaven, not to be a God of Truth, and that He is not a witness of all thou saith 1 Dost thou think, because thou prevaricatcst, with the court here, thou canst do so with God, above, who know'st thy thoughts, and it is infinite mercy, that for those falsehoods of thine, he does not immediately strike thee into hell 1 Jesus God, there is no sort of conversation, nor human society, to be kept, with such people, as these are, who have no other religion, but only its pretence, and no way to uphold theriiselves, but by countenancing lying, villany, &c." Again : " A Turk, is a saint, to such a fcllov.^, as this, nay, a pagan, Avould be ashamed to be thought, to bfvye no more truth in him. Oh ! Blessed Jesus, what an age do we live in, and what a generation
AN OLD HAMPSHIKE MANOR HOUSE. /
of vipers, do avc live among. Sirs, is this wliat you call the Protestant religion ? Shall so glorious a name, be applied to so mucli villany and hypocrisy '? Is this the pursuasion, you hope to live and die, and find salvation in ? Will you, any of you, gentle- men, be contented to die, with such a lie in your mouth, &c. f
" Jesus God, was there ever such a fellow, in the world, as thou art? Prithee, let me ask thee, once again, Dost thou believe there is a God, that this God is spotless, truth, and purity, itself 1 Dost thou believe, that thou hast a precious and immortal soul, that is to live, in everlasting bliss, or eternal misery, after this life, according, as thou carriest it here, &c. 1 Thou wretch, all the mountains, and hills in the world, heaped upon one another, will not cover thee, from the vengeance of the great God, for this transgression of false swearing. What hopes, can there be, for so profligate a being, as thou art, that so impudently, stands, in open defiance of the omnipresence, omniscience, and justice of God, by persisting, in so palpable a lie, &c. ?"
The unfortunate Avitness was so l)ewildered by the torrent of abuse from the mouth of the Lord Chief Justice, that at last he bursts out, " My Lord, I am so baulked, I do not know what I say myself : tell me what you would have me to say, for I am cluttered out of my senses."
Dame Alice Lisle called no witnesses, but made defence as follow : —
'•' My lord, that which I have to say is this, I knew of nobody coming to my house but Mr. Hickes, and as for him, I did hear that he did abscond by reason of warrants that were out again.-<t him for preaching in private meetings, but I never heard he was in the army, nor that Xelthorpe was to come with him, and for that reason, it. was, that I sent for him to come by night, but for the other man Nelthorpe, I never knew he was Nelthorpe, I could die upon it, nor did know what name he had till after Ir- canif into my house, but as for ^Ir. Hickes, I did not in the least suspect him, that he had been in the army, being a Presliylerian Minister, that used to preach and not to light. My lord, 1 abhorred butli the
S AN OLD HAMPSHIRE MANOR HOUSE.
principles and practices of the late Rebellion. Besides, my lord, I should have been the most ungrateful person living should I have been disloyal, or acted anything against the present king, consider- ing how much I was obliged to him for my estate."
" My Lord, had I been tried in London I could have had my Lidy Abergavenny and several other persons of quality that could have testified how much I was against the rebellion, and with what detestation I spoke against it during the time of it, for I was all that time in London, and staid there till after the Duke of Mon- mouth was beheaded, and if I had certainly known the time of my trial in the country, I could have had the testimony of those persons of honour for me. But, my lord, I am told, and so I thought it would have been, that I should not have been tried as a traitor for harbouring him, till he was convicted for a traitor. My lord, I should take my death of it, that I never knew of Nelthorpe coming, nor anything of his being Nelthorpe, I never asked his name, and if he had told it me I had then remembered the Proclamation. I do assure you, my lord, for my own part I did abhor those that were in that horrid plot and conspiracy against the king's life. I know my duty to the king better, and have always exercised it. I defy anybody in the world that ever knew the contrary, to come and give testimony as to what they say of my denying Nelthorpe to be in the house ; I was in great consternation and fear of the soldiers, who were very rude and violent, and could not be restrained by their officers from robbery and plundering my house, and I beseech your lordship to make that construction of it, and I humbly beg of your lordship not to harbour an ill opinion of me because of those false reports that go about of me relating to my carriage towards the old king, that I was anyways consenting to the death of King Charles the First, for, my lord, that is as false as God is true. My lord, I was not out of my chamber all the day in which the king was beheaded, and I believe I shed more tears for him than any woman living did, and this, the late Countess of INIonmouth, and my Lady Marlborough, and my Lord Chancellor Hyde, if they
AN OLU IIAMPSniRE MANOR IIOUSE. 9
were alive, and twenty persons of tlie most eminent (juality could baar witness for me, and I do repeat, my lord, as I hope to obtain salvation, I never did know Nelthorpe, nor never did see liim before in my life, nor did I ever know of anyone's comir.g but Mr. Hickes, and him I did know to be a Nonconformist Minister, and there being as is well-known warrants out to apprehend all Non- conformist Ministers, I was willing to give him shelter from these warrants ; I was come down but that week into the country, when this man came to me from Mr. Hickes, to know if he might be received at my house, and I told him if Mr, Hickes pleased, he might come upon Tuesday, in the evening, and should be welcome ; but withal, I told him I must go away the Monday following from that place, but while I staid, I would entertain him, and I beseech your lordship to believe I had no intention to harbour him but as a Nonconformist, and that I knew was no treason. It cannot be imagined that I would venture the hazard of my own life, and the ruin both of myself and my children, to conceal one that I never knew in my life, and I did not know Mr. Nelthorpe, but had heard of him in the Proclamation. And for that white-headed man that speaks of my denying them, as I said before, he was one of them that rifled and plundered my house, and tore open my trunk, and if I should not be convicted, he and the rest of tliem may be called to account for what they did, for they ought not to have meddled with my goods, besides my lord, I have a witness that can testify what Mr. Nelthorpe said when he was examined, before I staid in London till all the Rebellion was past and over, and I never uttered a good word for the rebels, or ever harboured so much as a good wish for them in my mind. I know the King is my Sovereign, and I know my duty to him, and if I would have ventured my life for anything, it should have been to serve him. I know it is due, and I owed all that I had in the world to him, but though I coulil not fight for him myself, my son did ; he was actually in arms on the king's side in this business ; I instructed him always in loyalty, and sent hiui thither ; it was I who bred him up to fight for the King."
Jo Ais^ OLb itAMPSHIRfe MANOR SOUSE.
The Lord Chief Justice cliarged to the utmost against her, and three times refused to take the verdict of the Jury— in her favour ■ — until they obeyed his mandate, and found her guilty, when he immediately passed sentence upon her, condemning her to be burned the same day. " During the passing of the sentence," says Burnet, " the only person not concerned, was the lady herself, who was then past seventy, and was so little moved at it, that she fell asleep." Petitions were at once forwarded to the King, especially by her friends, the ladies St. John and Abergavenny. Strong intercession was also made by many of the nobles and others about the Court, but in vain, and the only indulgence shown by James was, that in accordance with her own petition, instead of being burnt, she should be beheaded, which sentence Avas carried into effect in the Market Place, at Winchester, on Wednesday, the 2nd of September, 1685. After the execution, the body was brought back to Moyle's Court, and interred in the Churchyard, at Ellingham.
The whole of Dame Alice's property was at once confiscated as that of an attainted felon, but it is clear that the whole process against her was illegal. The men she took in for the liight had never been tried for any offence, and were therefore, according to law, innocent. That her conduct was not a treasonable ofi'ence, has been argued at length, by Lord Macaulay.
Howe\er, a few years later, on the petition of her daughter, Tryphena, Avife of Richard Lloyd, and of Bridget Ussher, the attainder was reversed, and the property restored to the Lisle Family by Act of Parliament, dated William and Mary, 1689.
Whereas Alicia Lisle, widow, in the month of August, in the first year of the reign of the late King James the Second,, at a Sessions of Oyer et Tcrminei', and Gaol Delivery, holden for the , County of Southampton, in the City of Whachester, in the said County, by an irregular and undue prosecution, Ayas indicted for, entertaining, concealing, and comforting John Hicks, Clerk, a false traitor, knowing him to be such, though the said John Hicks \yas not at the trial of the said Alicia Lisle, attainted or convicted of any such
AN OLD HAMPSHIRE MANOR HOUSE. 11
crime ; and by a verdict, injuriously extorted and procured by the menaces and violences and other illegal practices of George, Lord Jefferies, Baron of Wem, then Lord Chief Justice of the King's Bench, and Chief Commissioner of Oyer and Terminer, and Gaol Delivery within the said County, was convicted, attainted, and executed for High Treason : May it therefore please your Most Excellent Majesties at the humble petition of Tryphena Lloyd, and Bridget Ussher, daughters of the said Alicia Lisle : That it be declared and enacted, by the authority of this present Parliament, and be it enacted, by the King and Queen's Most Excellent Majesties, by, and with the advice and consent of the Lords, Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same : That the said conviction, judgment, and attainder of the said Alicia Lisle be, and are hereby repealed, reversed, made, and declared null and void to all intents, constructions, and purposes whatever, as if no such conviction, judgment, or attainder had ever been had or made, and that no corruption of blood, or other penalty, or forfeiture of honours, dignities, lands, goods, or chattels be by the said conviction or attainder incurred, any law, usage, or custom to the contrary, notwithstanding.
Tlie Property attached to Moyle's Court, consisting of the Parishes of Ellingham and Ibbesley, and extending from Ringwood to within a short distance of Fordingbridge, and from the CroAvn Lands of the 2^ew Forest to the river Avon, remained in the family of the Lisles until the beginning of this century, when, upon the death of Mr. Charles Lisle, the estates were sold to the owner of the property on the other bank of the river, and with it passed into the hands of the Earl of Xormanton, avIiosc son is the present possessor.
When the present occupier and writer of these notes came to Moyle's Court about twenty-four years ago, the house had been uninhabited for nearly half-a-century, and the architects called in had given their opinion that nothing could be done with the place but pull it down. A great part of the old house had been already
12 AN OLD HAMPSHIRE MANOR HOUSE.
destroyed. The cellars were full of Wcater into which the floors had fallen, the windows, or rather the spaces where they had formerly heen, were boarded up, the whole place a prey to the spoiler. When bricks were required a room was pulled down ; when a fire wanted lighting a floor was I'ipped up, or a panel was broken down. The house was given up to the bats and owls. The latter resented interference strongly, and long after the house was again inhabited, screamed and hooted down the broad old-fashio4ied chimneys, till they made night a terror.
With patience and care, the house is now restored as nearly as possible as it can be, in the same style in which it originally stood. Some carvings and panellings, said to have been in the Chapel attached to the house, have been restored to the walls. The old ponds and moats have been cleared of mud, and the gardens restored to their legitimate uses, and inquisitive seekers may still be gratified by a sight of the hole in which were found, according to tradition, the unfortunate fugitives from the battle of Sedgmoor, and the history, and sad fate of Alice Lisle, Avill it is hoped be preserved in connection Avith the old house on the borders of the Forest for many generations.
€Ilingham €hxuxh.
By FREDERIC FANE, Esq.
LTHOUGH very small, the picturesque church of Ellingham is of interest both for its venerable appearance and its connection with the History of Alice Lisle, who is here buried, which you have already heard.
The church was probably built somewhere about 1230, as we find no Norman remains in or about the church that I am aware of, the earliest features of the church being Early English in character.
At that time, that is in 1163, it was given by William de Solariis to the Abbey of Saint Sauveur le Vicompte in N'ormandy, between Cherbourg and Bayeux, from which its duties were probably served, and which was under the protection of John Chandos, to whom the estate there was given by Ed. III.
The tombs which you Avill see on the floor of the Chancel belong proV)ab]y to the Friars, who came from Normandy to serve in this church until the suppression of the alien Priories by the 3rd Henry V. in 1414. The tithe was given by Henry VI. to Eton College.*
* We learn from Domesday B jok that Cola, the King's liuntsman, hold this manor in tlie time of King Edwaiil, probably a great forest official, but there is no mention of a church,
14 ELLINGHAM CHURCH.
It is possible, or rather probable, that the altar tomb near the South Porch is that of the founder, William de Solariis.
I Avoiild here remark how singular it is that all traces of ha:l>ita- tions, such as would have encouraged the building of a church, should have completely vanished from its immediate neighbourhood, as one farmhouse is now the only building for nearly three-quarters of a mile.
In the year 1746 a spirit of renovation fell upon the church- wardens of Ellingham, who proceeded to pull down the West P]nd of the church and rebuild it, in what I may term " Mausoleum Gothic ;" substantial, certainly, but pretty, certainly not. The present South Porch, ^Aith its sundial, was erected of the same style of architecture and at the same time.
The bells, of which there wore two, were sold for £37, weighing about 8cwt. and a-half, and the proceeds possibly invested in the Communion plate. You will observe the remains of a fine yew tree, as is so common, close to the old gateway of the churchyard. Why 1
The church, having no foundation, as is common in very early churches, was in a very dilapidated state, when its restoration was undertaken by the Earl of Normanton about ten years ago, and carried out in a most satisfactory manner.
If the leading principle of this restoration had been in all cases adhered to, in many of the so-called restorations of the last fifty years, we should not have to deplore the loss of so many objects and buildings of the greatest arch feo logical interest.
In this case the idea was to destroy nothing that could be preserved " bearing upon the past history of the building," and I would advocate one matter in connection with all church restoration as was faithfully carried out in this instance — viz., not to cart away the memorials of the fathers of the parish from the church floor, to fill their places with modern encaustic tiles to the benefit of contracting masons. Here every flag stone was carefully marked and restored to the precise places where olcl priest and peasant alike sleep their last sleep.
ELLINGHAM CHURCH. 15
Attached to the exteiior of the nave is a hiiikling Avhicli containi= the staircase to the rood-loft, ^vith tlie usual door communicating with the interior of the church.
In the restoration works, the rood-loft, ■which is, I believe, practically as intact as in pre-Reforniation times, was not interfered with, though the plaistcr work as now seen was probahly erected to carry the Lord's Prayer and Commandments, according to law, at the date you see, 1671. You will remark upon the ancient screen, the stand for the hour glass, Avhich has itself, I regret to say, dis- appeared. The chancel, which was of Early English work, was mostly, so far as the outer walls are concerned, rebuilt ; but one of the windows on the South side is original, that is of Perpen- dicular work. The East window, coeval with the oldest part of the church, was from 1746 to 1883 blocked up by the erection which you will see placed against the West wall of the church.
In the corner of the chancel, within the altar rails, is a brass to one of the Punchardon family, who held this manor in the period between 13L0 and 1392, or later.
In the vestry are some ancient bosses from the roof and rafter supports of the old church.
I would now draw your attention to the facing of the rood-loft and its old lettering of the Lord's Prayer and Commandments with the accompanying texts. After hearing, as you have done to-day, the sad story of Alice Lisle, it has often struck me that there is a singular coincidence between the choice of the texts wherewith to adorn this screen, which were probably painted by her order, and bearing the date 1671 and her own fate sixteen years later.
You will see one of these texts read " My son, fear God and the King, and meddle not with them that are seditious ;" in our authorised version " Avith them that are given to change." Either reading is significant. The former is taken from the Geneva lUble.
The pulpit, of probably the tinie of James I., is the one which was always in the ehuich. 'The four-post pe\V formerly app'citainin'g to Moyl6's Court was
16 ELLINGHAM CHURCH.
built in 1712, and has been moved several times. How aptly fits the quotation from fSwift's Baucis and Philemon —
" A bedstead of the ancient mode, Compact of timber many a load. Such as our ancestors did use. Was metamorphosed into pews, Whicli still their ancient nature keep By lodging folks disposed to, sleep."
The erection in front of the West door was,iDrevious to the restora- tion of the church, in front of the east window, which it completely blocked. It was probably erected by Lord Windsor, who appears to have lived at Moyle's Court for four or five years about 1 746, and is a very good example of the heavy carving of that date of the school of Grinling Gibbons. It was made as a setting for the curious Flemish picture on panel of the Last Judgment painted on panel, 1558 to 1617, by Paul Goltius A. Fleming. It is reputed to have been taken from a small oratory on board of a Spanish man-of-war, captured by a ship of which Lord Windsor was in command at the action at Port St. Mary, near Cadiz, at that period.
The Registers, the old ones being in very bad preservation, begin Avith —
Marriages. Baptisms. Burials.
1596 to 1649 1602 to 1653 1596 to 1616
The churchwardens' accounts commence in 1544. In one of the old account books is written " a special licence, dated February 19th, 1634, and 2nd year of his Grace's tran.slation (Arch. Laud), by William, Lord Arch, of Cant., and confirmed by letters patent of our Lord Charles the King (I.) to White Beconsaw, the owner of Moyle's Court, and Dame Edith, his wife, to eat flesh in the days prohibited by the law of the land," for which they are to pay yearly to the poor of the parish 13s,
ELLINGHAM CHURCH.
17
The church plate consists of a very interesting Cliahec of Cmm- well, 1652.
Engraved H. T. W. 0.
C. W.
1698
A heavy flagon and jjaten of massive silver, both dated 1742.
The only object remaining to be remarked is the altar tomb of the Lisles exterior to the south side of the nave. On it is engraved the date of Alice Lisle's death and that of one of her daughters.
It has been at various times repaired at the expense of Mr. Aimbrose Lisle Philips, a descendant of Alice Lisle.
Near the gate is a tombstone, wliicli has attracted some attention, having been brought here by gipsies a hundred years ago. The inscription is not decypherable, but upon it is a symbol of death, common in the Catacoml)S of Eome. It is the Greek <' d " for "edparos " (within a circle).
On the gi^sirnbilitu of Jl Jjhotorjraphic ^uvbcu of the €ountp.
By the Rev. T. PERKINS.
jMONG tlie mem1)ers of tlie Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Field Clul) there are doubtless many who practice the charming art of photography. I notice in the list of members the name of more than one of those who are also members of a very useful little society with Avhich I am officially connected, the Dorset Amateur Photographic Association, and I am quite sure that there are many who have abundant leisure, and who, if they would but turn their attention to photography, would ])e sure to succeed so far, at any rate, as to be able to do really useful work, and work that would be of the utmost interest to a society like that which I have the honour of addressing this evening. What I have to say will be practical ; the art side of photography will not occupy our attention on the present occasion.
I will first briefly point out what is required, and then will give you a sketch of how the work may be done. It is a work that has been undertaken in several counties already, but I have not heard of any organised attempt being made to do it in Dorset,
PHOTOGRArniC SURVEY OF THE COUNTY. 19
No one can visit, as you do, various i)arts of the country without being struck by tlie fact, -whether you deplore it, as 1 do, or not, that year by year the antiquities of the country are disappearing before the march of civilisation and the hands of the so-called restorer and improver. Well, no doubt from a sanitary point of view it may be desirable that some, nay, many, of the picturesque old cottages with their grey stone walls and overhanging thatch, low ceilings, and general atmosphere of damp and decay should be pulled down, and as the nineteenth century is an eminently practical one, and cares little about art, but desires cheapness, trimness, comfort, and smartness, it is not surprising that cottages of two or three types, all showing little real love for art or delight in the beautiful, should take their place. We have first the box-like building with its slate or tiled roof, underneath which the upper rooms are like an oven in summer, and through the interstices of which the powdery snow is driven in winter ; then we have the sham half timber houses, many of which may be seen in model villages about Shaftesbury ; and, again, we have larger houses, shops with pretentious stucco-covered walls, of which examples may be seen in this town, occupying sites which in my own memory could boast of houses which were a joy to behold. Then we see year after year old churches putting on a new appearance under the restorer's hands, walls scraped, plaster removed, old woodwork destroyed, pews and pulpits swept away, ceilings torn down to make way for open timber roofs, organ chambers and vestries, often most hideous excrescences, run out, not unfrequently necessitating the removal of good old work to make room for them ; and, worse than all, con- jectural restoration of what the architect imagines was once to be found in the building, lifeless imitations in the 19th century of features that once were full of the vitality of the builder's or carver's soul. It is, I think, one of the duties of an antiquarian society to protest against the wholesale destruction which is going on around us ; but I know from bitter experience that the protests often fall on unheeding ears, and gain for the prophets of ai-t the character of crack-brained enthusiasts. Now, it seems to me tliat if we
20 PHOTOGRAPHIC SURVEY OP THE COUNTY.
cannot check the cnrrent that will soon destroy all the valuaLle work of past a^^jes yet remaining to us, we may at any rate endeavour to secure some record, accurate and permanent, of what these things were like before the touch of the destroyer came upon them. This can be best done by photography, A photograph is worth much more than any drawing ever is from the standpoint from which I am regarding it — namely, as an absolutely truthful and accurate representation of existing facts ; that is, if the photo- grapher is careful to use suitable lenses and to select good points of view.
Next we see old-world habits and customs passing away, the smock frock of the rustic giving place to the shoddy jacket or the fashionable broadcloth. Village life is changing, the maypole is now seldom seen, the fairs are shorn of their ancient glory, the harvest home has given way to the thanksgiving service, and, perhaps, many evils die with these old things, and the changes are changes in many cases for the better ; but yet I, for one, cannot see Ihem disappear without regret. I know that one distinguished member of your clul), Avhose name is now known wherever English books are read, and whose novels have taken the foremost place in modern literature, has done much, and is doing much, to depict with his graphic pen the habits and characters of Wessex folk in present and recent times. His books are photographs, so to say, in words ; but I should also like to see photographs in permanent platinum salts of such men and women as Gabriel Oak with his sheep on the Downs, Tranter Dewy with his hogshead of cider, Old William Avith his bass-viol, pretty fickle Anne Garland at the mill, noble John Loveday in all his bravery. Old "Sir" John with his maudlin boasts about his lead-coffined ancestry at Bere Regis, and poor pure Tess among the cows on the dairy farm, or hacking swedes on the bleak hills of central Dorset. And it is not too late even now to get some such pictures, though I fear the days of grace are but few. Again, much valuable work may be done by photography to geology. And I presume this science comes within the scope of the Dorset Field
PHOTOGRAPHIC SURVEY OF THE COUNTY. 21
Club. Every one knows how the various agencies of Nature, frost and snow, rain and wind, river and sea, are altering the appearance of the land ; here old rocks are worn away, here new land is being built up of materials brought from some other place. We are apt to look upon the rocks as unchanging, and to speak of the ever- lasting hills ; but a few years' obs(;rvation will sliow how true are the words of our scientific poet when he says : —
" Nothing stands ; They melt like mist the solid lands, Like clouds they shape themselves and go. "
And now and again there are chances of securing valuable records, a landslip may for a time lay bare the heart, so to say, of some sea cliff or inland escarpment, the stratification is distinctly shown, whicli, in a few years. Nature, ever ready to heal her wounds and cover her scars with garments green, will hide away from human eyes once more ; or a new railway cutting may in like manner show some interesting formation which will, before long, be similarly covered by a sheet of turf even if in the course of the work its features are not lost. With reference to this point I may quote a few words from a letter I received a few days ago from one of the members of this society. Captain Marshall Hall. He says : — " I have several negatives of clay diggings in the Bagshott sands, and notably the cutting for the new railway near Hamworthy, now destroyed in so far as the excellent exposure goes, and therefore not capable of being photographed again."
At times, too, special excavations are made on the occasion of the visits of societies, such as your own, to interesting places. I have read in your annual volumes of chalk pits yielding before the eyes of members their store of human bones and other relics of by- gone races. Would not a photograph of such discoveries greatly add to the value of your investigations, and to that of the book in which they are described ? Drawings, no doubt, if properly done, are of high scientific value ; but every one cannot draw, and artists are prone to idealise Nature, seeking often to produce a picture
22 PHOTOGRAPHIC SUUVKY OF THE COUNTY.
rather than a bare record of facts. IS'ow, if a photograph is taken by anyone who understands what he is about, a truthful record is secured, and by mechanical means copies are easily and cheaply produced, for process blocks can be made capable of being printed Avith the letter press, the cost averaging about Is. 6d. per square inch of the block. Objects of interest are often shown at your meetings, sometimes papers on them are read ; these might well be illustrated by process blocks from negatives. But I think I have said enough to show you that there is plenty of work to be done, some of which wants doing immediately, as the time for doing it will pass away to return no more.
There are many Avho could undertake this work, photographers already who fritter away their time spoiling plates by taking photographs which are absolutely of no value, scientific or artistic, their ambition being satisfied if they got nice crisp, clear, sharp negatives, in which, even if the subject has the capabilities of making a good picture, all pictorial effect has been lost by want of artistic taste on the part of the photographer, or it may be they simply photograph again views that have been photograi^hed a hundred times already. Others there are, it may be, who are working or getting valuable pictures without knowing their value ; some possibly do their own district thoroughly, but no advantage to any, save to themselves, is derived from their work. Organiza- tion is required, systematic work is needed ; by co-operation alone thoroughness can be hoped for. Now, it seems to me that some- times societies do not do the work they might do, members join them because of the pleasant gatherings, such as this has been to-day, and the enjoyable excursion, such as we hope to have to- morrow ; but these societies have an object beyond the mere social one, and should take a serious view of the chief object of their existence. Now, perhaps, it may be said that a photographic society is the one that should undertake a photographic survey of the county ; but, unfortunately, all photographers are not antiquarians, or geologists, or scientific in the way that members of an Antiquarian and Natural History Field Club are. Many turn
PHOTOGRAPHIC SUPvVEY OF THE COUNTY. 23
their attention to the artistic side of photograpliy alone. AVhcreas you are no doubt all deeply interested in some one or more of the branches of research which your club takes into its cognizance. All you have to do, tlien, is to learn how to take a negative, and to make a print from it. I can assure you these are not liard things to do. Photography, moreover, is not an expensive hobby ; it is not one that entails much bodily labour if you confine yourselves to pictures of moderate size. And moderate sizes are all that in many cases are needed. You are widely scattered — east, Avest, north, and south — in the county, and if you, all or even a fair proportion of you, if you have not done so already, would take up photography and photograph what lies in yuur own district, in a very short time an admirable and valuable record of Dorset in its present aspect might be secured.
I would strongly advocate the sending out a request by the officers of the Society to each member asking if he or she would undertake photographic work for the Club, and, if so, what work ; then, after answers have been received, some one with ample leisure should be appointed " Director " of the photographic section, and he should assign to each member a district in which he should work.
To assist the Director of the section a Committee should be appointed, drawn from different parts of the county ; these should divide the county as equally as possible between them, taking each a certain number of C[uarter sheets of the six-inch ordnance survey maps. These should select the places to be photographed in their districts and hand over one or more cjuarter sheets of the map to each one who volunteers for the good Avork ; the quarter sheet takes in an area of 3 miles Ijy 2. Let these workers first survey the ground without their cameras, collect all the information they can about the history of the buildings and other objects they mean to photograph, and when they have thoroughly mastered all details and noted the best time for making exposures let them go over the district with their cameras and go again and again if necessary till they have got really good negatives. Then the work of printing
2-1: PHOTOGRAPHIC SURVEY OF THE COUKTY.
should begin, and here it is imperative that a permanent process should be employed, and there is one process, fortunately, the easiest of all to work after a little practice — namely, the platinotype process, which produces prints as permanent as the paper on which they are printed, that is, they are as lasting as any engraving can be. These should be sent to the Director unmounted, and he should have them mounted in albums which miglit well be the same size as the quarter sheets of the ordnance map, say about 22in. by 16in. In each album should be bound the quarter sheets of the ordnance survey of the district photographs of which it contains, and blank pages should be bound between the mounting sheets on which notes in MS. should be inserted, descriptive of the places pourtrayed on the opposite mount. Copies of the photographs taken should also be made in the form of lantern slides ; these should be deposited with the Director of the photographic section and accom- panied with notes. These could be arranged in sets and shown at winter meetings of the society, and explained by some one who, from the notes given by the original photographers, would under- take to compile a lecture.
The workers, I hope, would be so numerous and so widely distributed that nothing of interest Avould escape the notice of some one or other of those engaged in the photographic survey. If any geological section were exposed by natural or human agency it would be immediately photographed. There are, as perhaps you know, various sub-committees appointed by the British Association, which invite help in the way of photographic work The geological sub-committee would be grateful for prints of interesting geological discoveries ; the meteorological sub-committee for photographs of clouds, snow drifts, lightning flashes, and other phenomena, and these sub-committees issue printed instructions explaining the way in which the work should be carried out.
Of course, as I mentioned, pictures of village and town life, of agricultural operations and various handicrafts, should be made, and these would form separate collections in special albums and boxes of slides.
rnOTOGRAPHIC SURVEY OF THE COUNTY. 25
If once such a survey could be set on foot, I have no douht it would speedily progress, and I believe that many negatives already in existence might be available for the purposes indicated.
I have now detained you quite long enough, all I hope is that my remarks may bear some fruit. I have brought some photo- graphs of spots of interest in the district, some of the best of which might be useful if the Society should really set to work to form a collection such as I have spoken of. I would only add that there is an Amateur Photographic Association in Dorset, whose officers, I feel sure, would only too gladly give advice on photographic matters to any who de.?ire to begin or to carry on the work of photography in any of its branches, and would no doubt render valuable help to the Dorset Field Club.
^ Sketch of the iisbrn of ®lb fflurlioxiu €n5tle.
By the Rev. T. PERKINS.
"HEN I first suggested to your Hon. Sec. that it ^voukl be -well to include "Wardour among the places to be visited to-day, I hoped that you Avould have had the advantage of hearing a lecture on the history of this old castle from the present OAvner, Lord Arundell of Wardour, the living representa- tive of the family which, with the exception of a few years, occupied the castle from the year 1545, until its destruction in the Civil War ; but other engagements stood in the way of his preparing a paper, and therefore it has devolved on me to give you the necessary lecture on this occasion. But before commencing it I wish to express my thanks to Lord Arundell for kindly placing at my disposal books and manuscripts, which have been of great use to me in preparing the short eccount I am going to give you.
This is not a very ancient castle ; it is not a large one, yet it is of great interest in more ways than one. First, architecturally. If you turn to that excellent Avork, Rickman's " Gothic Architec- ture," you will find the following note in the "Historical Appendix
Proc. Dorset N.H. and A.F. Club Vol. XV. 1894.
Proc. Dorset N.H. an/1 A.F. Club Vol. AT. Is'JL
OLD WARDOUR CASTLE. 27
to the chapter on the Perpendicular Englisli Style," A.D. 1392: — " Wardour Castle, AViltshire, built Ijy John Lord Lovell, as his manor house. The walls are nearly perfect, and very fine Early Perpendicular ; they are unusually lofty, and quite contradict the popular idea that mediceval houses were always low."
The huilding belongs to a time Avhen the early castle, built solely with a view to defence, was being developed into a dwelling house. You may see the earlier phase of a castle in the tower of London, the latest phase in New Wardour which we shall visit shortly. This building occupies an intermediate position, capable of being defended, if the need arose ; it was yet built with an idea of comfort.
But not only architecturally, but historically, it is of interest. Its owners played their j^arts in history, and won for themselves renown, and these old walls themselves twice stood a siege in the days of the great Civil War, of which more presently. It was built in 1392, as we learn from the deed still in existence, dated the 16th of Richard II., granting to John Lord Lovell permission to build a castle on his manor of Wardour, in the county of Wilts. Let us pause a moment to consider the events taking place in England as these walls were rising.
The King had recently asserted his right to rule in his own person, and had freed himself from the control of his uncle, the Duke of Gloucester. John of Gaunt had at this time the chief influence over him. William of Wykeham had recently resigned the Great Seal, and, relinquishing the public life of a statesman, was turning all his energies to architecture, completing his college at Winchester, and remodelling the nave of his cathedral. The " IMorning Star of Song " was still shining in its fullest radiance ; it was a time of peace, or rather perhaps one should say a time when wars were lulled, a lull caused chiefly by the exhaustion of the nations ; the peasant rising had been quelled, and the Wars uf the Roses had not yet broken out ; not yet had that memorable conversation between Norfolk and Hereford, as they roilo together, occurred, leadinu' to charges and counter-charges, well known to
28 OLt) WARDOUR CASTLE.
every reader of Shakespeare, which gave the King an excuse for banishing both of these dangerous nobles ; not yet was " this dear, dear land, dear for her reputation through the world . . .
leased out like to a tenenaent or pelting farm."
Plenty of trouble Avas soon to fall upon the country, but for the time the king was reigning constitutionally, and the land had rest. One noteworthy act alone marks the year of the foundation of this castle — namely, the " Statute of Piciemunire."
But to return to our immediate subject — the history of this castle. Built by Lord Lovell, as we have said, it remained in the direct line until the death of his grandson in 1454. "We next find the castle in the hands of Lord Audley, to whom it was granted by Edward IV. in the first year of his reign ; possibly the castle had during the troublous times of the AVars of the Roses been con- fiscated by the White Rose party. John Lord Audley died in 1491. Next, but how, I do not know, the estate passed to Thomas Earl of Ormonde, also Earl of Wiltshire, and he in 1498 sold the castle, manor, and park to Sir Robert Willoughby Lord Brooke. He by his second wife, daughter of Richard Nevil Lord Latimer, left three daughters, the eldest of whom married Sir Fulke Greville, and having inherited Wardour from her father, she and her husband sold the property to Sir Thomas Arundell, Kniglit, in 1545. You see, we now for the first time come across the name so intimately associated in our minds with the castle. And it will be now necessary to turn back and see who these Arundells were. It will be impossible for me to enter upon a complete family history, suffice it to say that they were an old West Country family, one of whom, Roger, is named in Domesday Book as possessing manors in Dorset and Somerset. In the reign of Henry III., by marriage, large estates in Cornwall came into the possession of Reinfred de Arundell ; the chief seat of the family was at Lanherne, in the parish of St. Columbs. Inter-marriages of his descendants with the families of Chideock and Dynham and others added fresh estates to the family possessions. K"ow note this : John Lord Dynham, 5th Baron, married the daughter of Lord
OLD WARDOUR CASTLE. 29
Lovcll, the builder of tlie castle, and one of tlioir granddaughters married a Sir Thomas Arundell, whose son John was the father of two sons, the eldest of whom was Sir John Arundell of Lanherne, and the younger Sir Thomas Arundell of Wardour. Though this Sir Thomas was the first who resided in the county, his father Sir John had property in the Maiuor of Westhury, as may be seen from deeds in the muniment room at the new castle. This was an outlying part of the Chideock property which came to Sir John Arundell by marriage with the heiress of the Chideocks.
The Sir Thomas Arundell who in 1545 purchased, as we have seen, the castle which his ancestor Lord Lovell had built about 150 years before, did not live long to enjoy his new property. Those were dangerous times to live in ; recollect that that much over-praised monarch, Edward VI., ascended the throne in 1547, and the whole of his reign was a miserable time for England at large. The dissolution of the monasteries had caused untold miseries to the poor, and the king's youth gave opportunity for the intrigues of ambitious nobles, among whom the best known were the Protector, Duke of Somerset and uncle of the king, and Dudley, afterwards Duke of Northumberland, who also filled the office of Protector. It is a matter of English History how Somerset perished on the block, and Sir Thomas Arundell and two others falsely accused, as it seems, of a plot against Northumberland, were unjustly done to death in like manner in 1552. The Wardour property was then confiscated and conferred on Lord Pembroke, bat in Quocn Mary's reign the attainder was removed, and an arrangement made between Sir Matthew, the son of Sir Thomas Arundell, by wliich AVardour came back into tlie family, and has remained their's till the present day. Sir Matthew Arundell is recorded to have greatly embellished the castle. I think we shall be able to see some of his work to-day ; at any rate, the insciiption over the entrance records the fact. He seems during part of his life to have let the castle to tlie Hyde family, and to have resided in a house in Shaftesljury, which has now disappeared. To him succeeded his son Sir Thomas Arundell,
30 OLD WARDOUR CASTLE.
born in 1560, avIio in 1579 obtained permission from Queen Elizabeth to travel on the Continent, and six years later to serve in the army of the Emperor of Germany. At that time the. Turkish power extended to Hungary, and on August 13th, 1595, Sir Thomas at the siege of Gran slew the Turkish standard bearer, and carried oflf the standard. ^For this gallant deed the Emperor conferred on him the title of Count of tlie Holy Roman Empire. On his return to England he was shipwrecked, losing all the valuable jewels that the grateful Emperor had bestowed on him ; ten years later he was created Baron of "Wardour, and commanded the English forces sent to assist the Spaniards against Holland. He died in 1639 and was buried at Tisbury. He was succeeded by his son, another Thomas, who died of wounds received when fighting on the Royalist side near Bath. His death occurred at Oxford on May 19th, 1643. His wife is that Lady Arundell whose name is remembered for her spirited defence of this castle from April 30th to May 8th, 1643, against the besieging army of the Parliament. She had at last to surrender, and then the victors were themselves besieged, and after it had held out for a longer time the castle was re-taken by the Royalist army under the new Lord Arundell, who blew up part of the walls and rendered it impossible foi it to be defended much longer. The castle ever since has been an uninhabited ruin, the family residing in a neighbouring house, now the farmhouse, which you can see to the left hand, until in 1776 the new castle commenced by the eighth Lord Arundell, six years earlier, was ready for occupation.
We must now turn to the two sieges of the castle during the Civil War. AVe have two accounts of the first siege. The Royalist one is given in detail, Avhile Colonel Ludlow's is much briefer. Eor the second siege our chief authority is Colonel Ludlow, who in his memoirs gives us many interesting details which want of time will oblige me to pass over.
The story of the first siege is soon told. On Tuesday, May 2nd, 1643, Sir Edward Hungerford, commander of the Parliamentary
OLD WARDOUR CASTLE. 31
forces in "Wilts, summoned the castle to svu-rendev, sayinj; that ho had orders to search for men and arms ; but Lady Arundell, thougli she was about 60 years of age and had only 25 fighting men to defend it, refused to surrender. We are struck with admiration at her bravery when we remember that the besieging force numbered about 1,300. On Wednesday, May 3rd, the attack began, two small pieces of artillery only being employed, which did but little damage, though the firing, continued for six days, wore out the strength of the little garrison, as constant watching was necessary ; but the besiegers laid two mines in the vaults of the castle, one or both of which (for the accounts differ) they fired, doing but small damage, but proving to the garrison that they could not hope to hold out much longer. We can picture to ourselves the condition of the gallant little band of 25 against 1,300 ; the men so exhausted that they could hardly load their muskets, the women servants doing it for them, the lady of the castle rejecting all offers of quarter for herself and her daughter-in-law, the women servants, and the children, unless quarter were granted to the men also. But at last, on IMay 8th, honourable terms were offered, which she accepted. The lives of all were to be spared, the ladies were to be allowed to take with them wearing apparel anj six serving men to wait on them wheresoever the Parliament should order them to live ; and lastly, the castle was to be safe from plunder. It is stated that the victors observed only the first of these three conditions, doing much wilful damage both to the castle and the park. The ladies and children were first carried to Shaftesbury and some of them afterwards to Dorchester.
Colonel Ludlow was I hen appointed by Sir Edward Hungerford to hold the castle for the Parliament, with a company of foot and his own troop of horse. Before long tlie Earl of Marlborough advanced towards Wardour as far as Fonthill, where he was met by a party of horse sent by Sir Edward Hungerford and was obliged to retreat. Colonel Ludlow then set about preparing himself to stand a siege ; he levelled the works he had erected against the castle, broke down the vaults about it, duu a well, and laid in a good
32 OLD WARDOCJR CASTLE.
store of pi'Dvisions. Within a fortnight the new Lord Arundell, •who had come into the title hy his father's death at Oxford, after he had heard of the loss of his castle, came and called on Ludlow to surrender. This he refused to do, and Lord Arundell, not being strong enough to begin an attack, withdrew for a time. As Ludlow was in great danger of being cut off from the rest of the Parliamentary army, he was granted permission to abandon the castle if he saw fit to do so ; but thic order only quickened his zeal for the cause, and he made use of the respite to procure ammuni- tion from Southampton, and discovered some money which had been walled up by the late holders. This was, no doubt, an agreeable discovery to him; he expended part of it on his garrison, keeping a strict account for the Parliament. The enemy were now drawing near, and they managed to send a Shaftesbury boy, twelve years old, as a spy into the castle. The .precocious young gentleman is said to have previously made an attempt to poison his grandfather, and was, so he afterwards said, whetlier truthfully or not I cannot say, employed by Captain White to find out the number of men in the garrison, poison the beer, the well, and the arms, to blow up the ammunition, and then to steal a horse to carry him back to Shaftesbury, for which services he was promised the enormous sum of half-a-crown. He was admitted to the castle, as his youth freed him from suspicion, and employed as a turnspit.
The enemy now appeared ; the first notice of their coming was a stampede among the cattle. Ludlow and some of his men endeavoured to turn the cattle back and were attacked. Ludlow himself got into a hollow tree, but a bullet wounded him in the leg and kept him, he says, in bed two days. The next disaster was the bursting of a big gun in the castle roof. Some of the garrison now became suspicious of the boy, and a rope with one end round his neck and the other fastened to the end of a halbert made him confess. He said he had " poisoned " the gun that had burst and two others, but that his conscience had prevented him from poisoning the provisions. The "poison" for the cannon is
OLD WARDOUR CASTLIC. 'Hi
described as some red stuff made up in tlio form of a candle, willi which he smeared the guns. Some oil, whether castor or not is not stated, was used as an antidote, and the sick guns became convalescent. The next event was a seizure of corn and other provisions on the way to Shaftesbury market, paid for at market price, to the no small astonishment of the owners ; then Captain Eowyer, or Bower, commanding the Royalists, offered any terms to the besieged if they would surrender, but they replied that they intended to hold out. The constant conversations between besiegers and beseiged, the advice given by the former to the effect " Now you had much better give up at once," the courtesy to each other displayed l)y these old combatants, sheds a pleasing and at times a humorous light on the narrative. I cannot go through the siege in detail. Captain Bowyer, shot by Captain Bean, died of his wound and Colonel Barnes was sent to take his place : he raised a fort on the hill, in front of the castle, and occupied the outhouses, but sallies from time to time caused considerable loss to the besiegers. Negotiations ensued, Ludlow calmly offering, if not relieved within six months, to give up the castle on payment of £2,000 for the expense the Parliament had been at in keeping it. Of course the Royalists would have nothing to say to this. Provisions ran short, a captured horse was killed and eaten, the beer was all gone (tlicse sturdy old Roundheads, you see, were no teetotallers, but they had to become water drinkers whether they liked it or not) ; but still they held out. A shot from the besiegers cut the portcullis chain, so that the besieged could no longer use their gate, and they barricaded it on the inside, so that the others might not use it. All other doors were walled up, and the only way of getting out was by a window. Attempts to undermine the walls were made, but molten lead, hot water, and hand grenades o1)liged the miners to abandon the attempt. The besiegers asked and obtained permission to carry off a wounded ofliicer, and M'hile this was being done, under cover of loaded muskets on the castle top, four men got out of a window and secured the provisions the miners had left behind them,
31: OLD WARDOrR CASTLE.
About Die middle of January promise of relief came from Sir William Waller, but tlie relief did not come, and the besiegers renewed their efforts to lurdermine the walls ; the new com- mander of the Royalists, who had been a friend of the Ludlow family, lu'ged the Colonel to surrender and so save his life. More courtesy again, you see. Shortly after this, after remaining upon guard for two nights, Colonel I.udlow lay down to sleep, and was awakened between ten and eleven by the explosion of the mine. The doors of his bedroom were blown open, the window blown out, and a great breach made. An attempt on the enemy's part to enter was made, but the defenders, only alx)ut 100 men, barricaded the breaches and still held out. The explosion had killed three men, destroyed tire corn, and the garrison had but tour days' flesh food left.
Things were becoming desperate : some of the besieged, especially the minister, urged Ludlow to surrender ; he yielded to their entreaties so far as to call a parley, but the besiegers refused to treat now, as their previous offers had been rejected. One thing strikes us much, and that is the small loss of life ; not one of the garrison had been killed ])y shot during the storm, and of the assailants only ten.
After this followed another friendly colloquy, which, however, came to nothing ; but the besieged were l)eginning to lose heart, and so at last Ludlow offered to give up the castle on four conditions — 1. Quarter for all the garrison ; 2. Civil usage for all his party ; 3. Not to be carried to Oxford ; 4. A speedy exchange. All this was promised and Colonel Barnes asked Ludlow to come out, saying he would find the besiegers more friendly than he expected. Lord Arundell Avas very courteous, saying that though he would rather have Ludlow's company than that of his own children, yet if Ludlow desired it he Avould arrange an exchange of prisoners, Ludlow against the two young Arundells, whom Sir AVilliam Waller held. Poddington expressed his joy at seeing Ludlow alive, though sorry to find him showing so much resolution in so bad a cause. The conference ended in Ludlow agreeing to surrender, the civility
OLD WAnnOUK CASTLE. 35
of the besiegers, especially that of Lord Arunddl, as he tells ns, being so great that he sliowed liim Avliere he had buried the plate which he had foaud iu the castle, so that Lord Arundell recovered it, and there is no cause to believe that there is any hidden treasure about these ruins now. It would seem that the cunilitions agreed on by the besiegers were not fully kept, but Colonel Ludlow does not lay any blame on Lord Arumlell for the In-each of faith. Here my .short account of the sieges must end, ami wi^ will now proceed to inspect the ruins of the castle.
1413064
gkiitosburj)
By Rev. C. H. MAYO, M.A.
TN tlic paper upon Shaftesbury, which I shall have the II honour of reading before the Dorset Field Club to-
day, I propose to touch but lightly upon the general ■ history of the town, and to indicate briefly some of the leading facts which are already known to us, and then to devote my time chiefly to matters upon which new light lias been thrown by my researches, some few year2 ago, among the records of the borough. Shaftesbury is so old a town that it rejoices in the possession of a mythical history. A British King, Lud Hudibras by name, is reported to have founded it in the year 940 B.C. With the British town the name Caer Palladur has been associated — a name to which various meanings have been ascribed, upon which I shall not attempt to dogmatize. It is even uncertain whether this name is not of mediaeval or even of later invention. Another reputed name was Caer Septon, which comes nearer to the modern form. It must be clear, however, that so commanding a site as that afforded by the spur of the chalk range, Avitli steep descents to the north, west, and south, could not have gone unoccupied even from very early times ; and the entrenchments on Castle-hill — Boltbury,
SIIAFTESIiURY. 37
as they are stated to be called — the hurij or hijri(j, from -which Shaftesbury derives the latter portion of its name, must bo correlated -with the other Celtic hill-forts with which the county abounds, by whomsoever it may have been subseijuently occupied. Shaftesbury also possesses a Toot-hill — a name which has often vexed the antiquarian mind. The former portion of the name of Shaftesbury seems to be derived from the shaft-like (sceaff, A.S., shaft) projection of the promontory, on wliich the fort was made. Shastou, in Latin Shastonia, is another form of the name, the syllable Shas being contracted from SJiaftes. It should not be written Shafton.
There is no reason to doubt that Shaftesbury came under the influence of Roman civilisation. "Within two miles to the eastward ran the Rojiian way between Badbury and Ashmore, and pointing to Castle Rings, near Donhead, traced not long since by the accomplished President of this society. But, beyond the discovery of a few coins, nothing of a tangible character, so far as I am aware, can be produced as evidence of Roman occupation. The real history of the place begins in Saxon times. The town was one of the four royal burghs of Dorset, the others being Dorchester, Bridport, and Wareham. It was situated on one of the main arteries to the west, being on the direct line of road from London to S. Michael's Mount. Its importance may be gathered from the fact that in it was located the chief of the four mints established in Dorset in the Saxon age, more coins having been minted here than in tlie other three. This privilege was granted Ity Athelstan (925-941) and a penny struck here in his reign Avas in the cabinet of the late ]\Ir. Warne. The right of coinage, maintained by Saxon, Danish, and Norman kings, con- tinued here till the close of the reign of Henry III. (121G-1272) though it is not possible, at present, to construct a comi)lete series. At the time of Edward the Confessor there were three moneyers here, each paying 13s. 4d. of annual rent to the Crown and a fine of £1 on a new coinage. The Saxon age saw thu rebuilding of the town by Alfred, as recorded l)y an inscriiitinn
38 SHAFTESBUtlV.
formerly in the cliapter-house of the monastery, circa 880, aud probably after destruction by the Danes ; and the foundation by the same monarch a few years later, in 888, of a convent of nuns, under the Benedictine rule, presided over by Alfred's daughter, the lady /Etlielgifn. Hither was brought for honourable interment, 20th Feb., 980, Edward, King and Martyr, slain at Coife Castle, 18tli March, 978, and unceremoniously buried at Warehani, from which circumstance this town was frequently named " Burgus Sancti Edwardi " and " P^dwardstow." Here was buried Ealdgyth, the wife of Edmund Ironside, and here breathed his last, on the 12th November, 1035, the famous King Cnut, though he was not buried here, but at Winchester. These are the chief events of the Saxon time. When Edward the Confessor reigned there were 257 houses in Shaftesbury, many more than in Dorchester and Bridport, and only 28 less than at Wareham. Avhile in 108G Shaftesbury took the lead in this respect of all the royal burghs in Dorset. It would be hardly too much to say that from that time till now Shaftesbury has been the scene of no events of a very stirring character, though the churches or chapelries, about 12 in number, testify to its general prosperity. The chief interest centred in the Monastery, greatly frequented by pilgrims to S. Edward's tomb. The Norman period saw the rebuilding of the Abbey Church, as demonstrated by its foundations, laid bare in 1861. In 1313 Elizabeth, the wife of Kobert Bruce, King of Scotland, was conducted from Carrick to Shaftesbury for conhne- ment in the Abbey. This religious house gradually increased in prosperity, so that it was commonly reported that if the Abbot of Glaston might wed the Abbess of Shaston their heir would have more land than the King of England. The Abbess, like her sisters of Barking, Wilton, and Winchester, held her lands by an entire barony, and if only ladies had attained their rights in those days, would have been accommodated with a seat in the Upper House. The municipal chest still contains a bundle of rolls of her baronial court, "curia feodorum baronie" of the year 1453, when Edith Bonham was the Lady Abbess. At length came the fatal hour of
SHAFTESliUUY. 30
dissolution. On 23i\l March, 30 Henry VIIT., 1539, tlic Abbey, with its property, valued at from £1,1GG to £1,329 per annum, was surrendered by Elizabeth Zouche, there being then Hi nuns in residence. From that day Shaftesbury went down. Persistent litigation between the town and the grantees of the Abbey possessions in Shaftesbury soon followed, and continued for 50 years, reducing the town to poverty and indebtedness. Then some taste of the commotions of the civil war ensued, when Waller was (juartered here and in the neighbourhood, and when the clubmen, assembling in 1645, entrenched themselves on the Castle Hill. So time rolled on. At last, in lieu of the state of a princely abbess, and the frequent assembly of pilgrims journeying to St. Edward's tomb — in lieu of coining money and being the resting- place of kings and queens, Shaftc-^bury had to content herself with the humble though useful rnle of a manufacturer of -shirt buttons, and even the shirt buttons are now made by other hands. The monotony of Shastonian life was broken only by the pleasures of a contested election, which contributed to the pecuniary advantage of the free and independent voter. That source of revenue has also departed, and now that the iron horse, as he rushes from east to west and from west to east, has left Shaftesbury high and dry upon her ancient hill, she can have little hope of regaining her former glories. This is a slight sketch (jf tlie general history of the town, which other gentlemen may fill in and anqilify to-day, and I will now turn to matters of more detail, among which I may haTe some points to lay before you from my own investigations- I begin with
THE DESCENT OF THE ^lANoK.
This subject is not a little confusing and dillicull to unravel, partly from the dearth of early documentary evidence. The position seems to be as follows : — Shaftesbury was a portion of the royal demesnes, ami the inhabitants held their lands ..f tlu' king by free burgage. Un the creation of tlie Alibcy a certain puition of the demesne land must have been a.ssigned as an eu'lowmi'iit, so
40 Shaftesbury.
that, at the time of the Domesday Survey, there were 177 houses in the town, of which 66 belonged to the king and 111 to the abbess. From this division of lands and tenements must have arisen the double jurisdiction exercised in the town, and the two sets of manorial courts, which appear in later times, the one termed Curia Domini Regis and the other Curia Dominie Abbatissce, which latter attached to the abbess's fee. Both were dated by the year of the king and the abbess. E,olls of the former exist in the Corporation chest for 1446-7, 1460-1, 1471-3, 1475-6, and 1487-8, and of the latter 1352-3, 1428-9, and 1480-2. Both of these courts were held at intervals of three Aveeks, but the former on Fridays and the latter on Wednesdays, but the business transacted at the court of the abbess appears to have been extremely small, the entry for her court often consisting of but a single line. All this is simple enough, but the complication arises in regard to the devolution of the king's manor. This appears to have been divided into moieties. One of these had, at an early date, passed from the king to other hands, for John Betteshorne held it, temp. Edward III., and Margaret, his daughter, 3 Edward III., 1349, held it on the day of her death (Inv. p.m.). This daughter is said to have married Sir John de Berkeley ; at any rate a Berkeley, of that name, probably a descendant of the former, held it at his death, circa 1427-8, and Maurice Berkeley, of Beverston, Knt., also held it on his death, 5th May, 38 Henry VI., 1460. One of the Berkeleys subsequently sold it to Compton, •who, temp. Henry VII., granted it to the abbess, at a fee farm rent of £5 6s. 8d. She thus obtained possession of this moiety of the manor. But she had already acquired the other moiety in the following way. On 8th May, 1 1 Edward 1., 1283, the king devised the moiety which he had in hand to the abbess and convent, at a rent of £12, as tenant at will, which arrangement continued till 9 Richard II., 1385-6, or for about 100 years, when the Inheritance was granted to the abbess at the same rent. But the terms of this grant not being sufficiently precise for the purposes of the abbess, she asked for a grant in more specific words, and it was found by
StiAFTESBURV. il
inquisition taken at Pimpcrnc, 8th Oct., IG Richard II., 1392, that it -would not be to the king's damage to make a more particular grant, such as the ahbess required^a valualjle record inasmuch as it mentions in detail the properties and privileges conveyed. Thus the abbess held, it seems, one moiety of the royal manor from 1385 and obtained the other about 100 years later, in this way becoming the sole mistress of the town. The later history of the manor is that subsequent to the dissolution it passed into the hands of Sir Thomas Arundell, Knt., executed 26th Feb., 1551-2, ancestor of the present Lord Arundell of Wardour, and on his attainder was granted anew by Edward VI., by letters patent, dated 27tli April, 1553, for £8,440 7s. 2|d., to William, Earl of Pembroke. The Earl died 17th March, 1569-70, and the manor descended to his son Henry, the second Earl, who by deed, dated 1st Dec, 1578, conveyed it to the use of Mary, Countess of Pembroke, his third wife, for her life, with remainder to himself and his heirs. She long survived her husband, and on her death, 25th Sept., 1621, the manor devolved upon her son William, the third Earl and then to his brother Philip, fourth Earl, whose grandson Philip, seventh Earl, sold it (says Hutvhins, but the statement is probably not quite accurate), about 1680, to Anthony Ashley Cooper, Earl of Shaftesbury. The facts above marshalled are worked up from documents in the municipal chest.
THE ABBEY. It has already been stated that this monastery was founded Ijy Alfred in 888. It was dedicated toB.V.M., but on the translation of S. Edward hither it received an additional dedication, and was sulxsequently known as the Al)bey of S. ^NFary and 8. I" l\v;ird. His body was translated to another .site in tlu' cliurch, 20lli .luin-, 21 years after his removal hither. The original building, .siLuattd to the south of Holy Trinity Churchyard, gave place to another in Norman times, as .shown by the excavations made in 1801, wlu'ii the foundations of a semicircular apsidal choir and an ajisidal mnlli aisle were brought to light, together with a suptposed crypt on tlie
42 SHAFTESBURY.
north side of the north aisle. There seems also to have been a south aisle similar to the northern, hut the Avails were not fully uncovered. About 60 feet of the eastern portion of the church Avere exposed. The Avails were seven feet in thickness, and the Avidtli of the Presbytery 28 feet, indicating, on comparison with S. Alban's Abbey, a church of the presumptive length of some 350 — 400 feet from east to Avest. The seal of the Abbey, engraved in Hidclnns iii. 1, represents thft Avest front of a church of cathedral character, in the Early English style, Avith a spire shoAving above the roof. I am not aAvare that there is any evidence that a spire Avas subsequently added to the Xorman church (thougl} some have strangely supposed that the shaft of the spire gave its name to Shaftesbury), and I presume that a seal made in the 13th century Avould represent a church in the reigning style, of Avhatever kind the actual church might be. A detailed account of such altars, tiles, interments, &c., as Avere discovered during the excavations, may be read in Mr. Kite's paper in the Wilts Archceolo(/ical Magazine for October, 1862. The Abbey Avas dissolved in 1539, and it is marvellous that the church seems to have disappeared by the time of Leland's visit a few years later. Speedy must have been the Avork of destruction. Perhaps the grantee supposed that if the buildings Avere gone the chance of restitution Avould become more remote. The Abbey buildings stood to the Avest of the church. There Avere chantries to S. jN^icholas, S. Cross, S. John Baptist, S. Catherine, S. Edward, S. Mary, S. Leonard, S. Thomas, and others. Beyond the court rolls already mentioned, and certain rolls of accounts, the municipal documents do not concern the history of the abbey.
PAROCHIAL HISTOKY. Shaftesbury contained anciently about 12 churches, exclusive of the monastic church. These Avere S. Peter, now including the parishes of S. Martin and S. AndrcAV ; Holy Trinit}^, including S. Lawrence and the chapel of S. iNIichael ; S. James, including All Saints, St. John Baptist, S. Mary (avIucIi Ilutchins states to be
SltAFTESiJURY. 43
now reckoned as part of Holy Trinity) ; S. Edward ; and a chapel also dedicated to S. Edward. There were also, in the outpari.sh, a chapel dedicated to S. Anne at Gore, and a chapel at Dlintcslicjld. The parish of Cann S. Paiinhold was not situated within the borough. Of the four surviving parish churches, S. I'etur's alone dates hack to the close of the middle ages, the others having heen rebuilt during the present century. This cliUK/h you will presently have the ph.^xsure of inspecting. Though S. Peter's was reckoned the })rincipal church of the town, the cemetery most used was that attached to the Church of Holy Trinity. The latter church was rebudt in 1842 Ijy (iilbert Scott, and was one of the first churches undertaken by that architect, then famed as the designer of union workhouses. It is said that in after years he was so dissatisfied with his early ellbrts in ecclesiastical architecture that he refused to visit the spot. S. James's Church was also rebuilt in 1866-7. The l)uria] ground of S. John can be S3cn on the hill above it, and its situation has given rise to the proverb that Shaftesbury' was a i)lace where, among other peculiarities, the churchyard was higher than the church steeple. This ground was generally used for interments in preference to S. James's Churchyard, which was not enclosed till after 1724. In S. James's parish lies the Liberty of Alcester. It appears to be so named because the Abbot of Alcester, co. Warwick, held lands here which formed a sei)arate jurisdiction. Hence the name of Alcester, as applied to this jiart of Shaston, must not be taken as indicating any lioman occupation of the spot. I am amused at noting, in a certain itublication, the assertion that Shaston " rose on the ruins of Alcester." The registers of the Shaston parishes begin as follows : — S. James in 1559, Cann in 1563, and those of Holy Trinity and St. Peter's in the following century. That of S. James is by fur tlie ino>t interesting. In this [tarish lived the old family of the ^\.id;elils, of Anketil-place, a name still met with in Dorset in the contracted form of Antdl. AVilliam Anketil was M.V. for Shaston s,. far back as 34 Edward I., 1305-G. The family is now represented hy
44 SJaAFTESBURY.
a junior branch, settled in co. Monaghan, Ireland, since 1633, where it founded Anketil's Grove. From the deeds in the municipal chest a considerable amount of information may be gathered respecting chantries founded in the churches of the town. John Kilpeke, goldsmith, of Bristol, the son apparently of Robert and Alice Kilpeke, by his will bequeathed to Joane, his wife, a tenement in Goldhill, Shaston, called Kilpekesplace, directing his executors, John Belle, of Bristol, clerk, and John Hans, of the same, goldsmith, after her death, to sell and dispose of the same according to his intentions. The executors granted the premises to eight feoffees 4th June, 1444, and Joane, the widow, quitclaimed the same. A further indenture between the parties sets forth the condition on which the grant was made. The feoffees and their heirs, or the wardens of S. Peter's, Avere to hold yearly one Placebo on the 8th May, in the said church, for the souls of Robert and John Kylpeke and their wives, with six chaplains, giving to every chaplain fourpence each — and to find two wax candles of two pounds weight — and present one penny to the rector of the church or to his cliaplain on the morrow of the said day at common mass, and devote the remainder of the rent to the fabric of the said church. "William Ketylton, who founded another ohit in S. Peter's, was rector of the parish 1491-1509 ; and of S. Martin's till 1494. In the chest is the appointment, 19th April, 1510, of John INIatthewe and Mathew Peryc, to administer his will, the executors named therein having renounced probate. He is then described as late of the diocese of Coventry and Lichfield. The endowment of his ohit consisted of two messuages, "with solers, sellers, gardynes, and courtelages thereto belonging with their app'tenncs next Goldhill." An endorsement on the indenture describes it as the "conveyance of the Lamb." There was an ohit founded by John Mercer alias Poticary, in the 15th century (absurdly called Pohjcarj) in Hutchins's History). These properties, or some of them, were acquired })y Thomas Boxley, of Wimborne Minster, gent., after the suppression of chantries, and by him, on last of Sept., 1557, were conveyed to
SHAFTESBURY. 45
Edmund r)Owro, gont., then m.iyor of Shaston, and eleven otliers, doubtless for the henefit of the borough.
THE GROWTH OF THE MUXICIPALITY.
Shaftesbury is termed in Domesday " Burgus Sceptesberie," but it must be remembered that at this time the term horoiujli did not imply that the inhabitants formed a corporate body contracting Avith the king to hold their town at an annual fee-farm rent. The individual burgess, if he held immediately of the crown, was responsible to the sheriff, or other fiscal officer, for his quota of rent, taxes, or local burdens. You will read in Hutchins that Shaftesbury claimed to be an ancient borough by prescription, but he does not tell you that that claim was rejected at a trial upon a Quo Warranto, 9 Jac. I., 1611. The first accession of privileges to the inhabitants was a grant, 30th Oct., 37 Hen. III., 1252, to the king's demesne burgesses of Shaftesbury, " dominicis burgensibus nostris de Shaftesbury," providing that the justices in eyre, when- ever they entered Dorset, should visit the town to determine common pleas touching the burgesses, and the latter received the privilege of choosing two coroners to determine pleas of the Crown in the same vill. This was an important concession, as it relieved the inhabitants of summons to answer pleadings in all ordinary cases, outside their toion. There was yet no mayor of Shaston. When he was first instituted is not known, but John de Haselmere, mayor, appears in the capacity of witness to a charter dated the Sunday in the Feast of the Annunciation, B.V.M., 26 Edw. III., 1352. This charter is now in the municipal chest. This is two years earlier than Robert de Fovent, the first mayor in Hutchins's list. This official was not chosen by the burgesses in their corporate capacity, for as yet they were not a corporation, but, like the coroners, constables, and bailiff, were elected by the jury at the Manorial Court Leet, held at Michaelmas. This appears from a court roll of 1446. jNIatters continued in much tlie .same position until the granting of the first charter of incorporation to the borough. There is a statement in Iluf chins, iii. 14, that
46 SHAFTESBURY,
" Queen Elizabeth gave the first charter a.r. . . . and granted a mayor, a recorder, twelve aldermen, a bailiff, and a common conncil." There is simply no evidence to corroLoratc this state- ment, and the mayor and burgesses, in the pleas they advanced in tlie course of the numerous lawsuits in which they subsequently became involved, during which all the available ancient history of the borough was investigated, never made the slightest allusion to such a charter. The first charter of incorporation was, in fact, granted 9th July, 2 Jac. I, 1604, and still remains in the chest in a state of partial decay. It constituted the town a free borough, and the mayor and commonalty a body corporate and politic with a common seal, and contains numerous provisions for the election of mayor, recorder, and twelve capital burgesses. The charter did not give entire satisfaction to the borough, for a draft for a new charter, umlated, but apparently 1620, is preserved. This never reached a further stage, and the Corporation was conipellet^l to rest content with the status quo until 22nd March, 17 Car. II., 1666, when the charter was granted, which, with a brief exception, continued in force until the Municipal Act, 1835. This charter is printed i7i extenso by Ilutchins, and is still carefully preserved in a Avooden box among the muniments. An effort was made at Shaftesbury, as in other boroughs, in the latter part of the reigiT of Charles II., to set aside the existing charter, and with this object in view new letters patent were issued lOlh April, 1684 (erroneously ascribed in Hutchins to the next reign), which now remain in the municipal chest in great decay, testifying to the low estimation in which they were held. It purported to grant certain additional privileges to the mayor, which may be seen on reference to my book, Sliaxtonian Records, but contained this damning clause, that the Crown reserved to itself the power to remove at pleasure the mayor, deputy mayor, recorder, deputy recorder, town clerk, and burgesses. The effect of this proviso was to give the Crown complete power over the Corporation, and, if this had been heartily accepted, the townsmen would have bartered away their political freedom for i\
SIGILLUM COMMUNITATIS BURGl SHASTON.
SHAFTESBURY. 47
few benefits of a material nature. It appears tliat tliey were unwilling to make this sacrifice of their hirtliright. The charter of 1665 was never actually surrendered, but was secreted, so it i.s said, liy Atwell, the town clerk, and was again produced wlien a change in the political atmosphere rendered such a course possiljle. I may add a wortl as to the old town seals. One document in the chest, A. I). 1350, is sealed with the " Sir/iUuii) conuiiunifafis Bun/i. S/iasto7i," as it is termed. This seal, which measures 1| inches long by 1 inch broad, is a vesica containing the bare trunk of a tree, on the top of which a small bird is perched, and against the tree, on the dexter side, a lion rampant is pawing, -while on the other side of the tree, separated from it Iw a spray of leaves, is a sword, point upwards, and inclined to sinister. Around tho seal
runs the legend " + ES VS [sinister side] ENSI8. AVIS. LKO.
LIGNVM. [dexter side]," which cannot be wholly read, as the seal is imperfect. A seal remotely resembling this, and dated 1570, is figured in Hufchins, iii. 17, and is thera called the " .seal of the Corporation of Shaftesbury for warrants, &c.," and the third section or impalement of the ornament on the top of the old mace, of which an engraving is given by Ilutchins, two pages previously, also resembles it. The other seal was the " Sigillnni olficii Maioritatis Bur<ji Shasfon," and bore a cross, in the 1st and 4th quarters a Heur-de-lis, in the 2nd and 3rd a leopard's head, ■with the legend " S. officii maioris Bvnii Shaston." The present Guildhall was built in 1827, where the Goldhill Cro.ss formerly stood, and superseded the New Guildhall, which was erected about 1568 or 1569 in tho corn market, to the north of S. Peter's Church. The Old Guildhall, a still earlier building, was "the last house adjoining to the park wall, west of Goldhill Cro.ss" (//«/fAm>t, iii. 7). I may mention that my oxaminatiou of tin- documents in the chest has ena1)led me to add the names of 36 mayors to the list given by Ilutchins. One curious custom, connected with the Corporation, must not lie forgotten. It r.'lat« s to the water supply. As may readily 1)C imagined Shaftesbury was ill suppliecl with this necessary, though plentifully with Ijocv.
48 SHAFTESBURY.
Some ancient Avells of great depth exist, but water was principally brought by horse or manual labour from below the liill. Some years before Maton wrote (1797) engines had been erected to raise water 300 feet to the summit of the hill, but these had become disused, and recourse again had to the older plan. Enmore. Green was one -of the sources of the supply. There was an ancient custom for the mayor and burgesses to repair to the springs of water at Enmore Green on the Monday befure Ascension Day — (previous to 1663 the day had been the Sunday after 3rd May, Holy Cross Day) — and dance liand-in-hand round the green to the sound of music, bringing with them " a staff or besome adorned with feathers, pieces of gold, rings, and other Jewells, called a prize besome, or bezant, and to present to the bailifif of the Manor of Gillinghara, in which the springs were situated, a pair of gloves, a raw calf's head, a gallon of ale or beer, and two penny loaves of white wheat bread." The cost of the decoration of the bezant itself varied from £2 12s. 9d. in 1703 to £4 4s. lid. in 1706, but it was often adorned with loans of plate and jewellery to a considerable value. The original bezant, of gilded wood in the form of a palm tree, about three feet in height, was exhibited at the meeting of the AVilts Arch. Society in August, 1861, by Kobert Swyre, Esq., of Shaftesbury. It is now kept at Inwood.
SHASTONIAN LITIGATION.
The unfortunate series of law suits in which the town found itself involved from the date of the Charter of James I., and which for so many years troubled the corporate life of the burgesses, arose from the strained relations existing between the borough and the lord of the manor. These proceedings are scarcely alluded to in the county history. In the middle ages, during the sway of the lady abbess, this friction had not arisen; but after the dissolution, when the manorial rights had passed into the hands of a non-resident lay owner, they came to be regarded only as a source of revenue, and were leased out to an underling with but little regard to the interests of the burgesses. At the same time
SHAFTESBURY. 49
the commonalty had grown in influence, and tlie granting of King James's Charter seems to have been the signal for open war. There had been one passage of arms already, 31st March, 1590, over 22 " shop as carnificales, anglice voc. flesh shambles," but the first serious legal engagement Avas on informa- tion laid in the Exchequer Court, 3 Feb., 1607, that the mayor and burgesses had set up weights and balances in the corn market, at which they required all merchandise to be weighed, and had taken rent and profits of stalls and shambles there. This was followed in 1608 by an English bill in the Exchequer Court complaining that the defendants had set up a common beam or balance for weighing wool, yarn, and other merchandise every market day, and had taken a penny for every " way " of 301b., and had intruded on the King's soil and the shambles and stalls there. Three years after another suit was entered on much the same matters, and the mayor and burgesses were thrown on all points, except that they were found to be seized of the stalls and shambles, " in dominio suo ut de foedo sibi et succ. suis." This was a leading decision and is repeatedly referred to in the course of subsequent legal proceedings. The moving spirit in these suits was one Nicholas Gower, who was lessee under the lord of the manor, and who was determined to push his rights to the furthest possible extremity. It would be tedious to enumerate the many and lengthened proceedings which occurred on these and similar matters. It will be enough to say that the papers relating to some 22 suits are now in the municipal chest. When litigation had lasted some 30 years the mayor and burgesses, casting about for assistance from their powerful neighbours, addressed a humble petition for the mediation of Thomas, Lord Arundell, in which they state that the " Towne hath been continually vexed with suits in law for and concerning the bouchers shamloles, ffyshe cross, and sheep pens for the space of 30 yeere at leaste by Gower the father and Gower the sonne (the infoimers) to the utter impoverishing of the said towne. The towne by reason of those vexations is growne about 200 li. in debte, there are above 300 begging people
50 SHAFTESBURY.
to 1)e relevecl, and there are not above 30 houpcholclers in all the towne able to give releifFe." Again, 10 years later, they address another abject • petition to the Earl of Pembroke, and " in all humbleness cast themselves at yr. Lops, feet unfeinedly desiring yr. Lops, gracious acception of this their submission and supplica- tion unto yr. good Lops, for the settling peace and future quiett of that poore populous and allmost ruined towne." How peace was finally made between the Corporation and the lord of the manor seems to be indicated by a deed Avhich, according to the Council minute book, was extant in the town chest in 1704. It is called " a grant from the Eail of Pembroke of the fairs and markets," and three years later it is again referred to as " the ffreehold lease from the Lord Pembroke to the Corporation." If this were in existence it would be possible to trace the final issue of a long-protracted controversy.
PARLIAMENTARY REPRESENTATION. I must not conclude without adding a few sentences on Shaftesbury as a Parliamentary borough. The list of representa- tives in Hutcldns (iii. 18, from Willis's Notitia Pari.) begins 25 Edward I., 1296-7, Avhen John Cockaine and Hugh Gappe were returned to Parliament. From that day to the Reform Act of 1832 Shaftesbury returned two members, at that date reduced to one — that one member disappearing at the last Reform Bill. The right of election was settled by resolution of the House of Commons, 29 Feb., 1695-6, to reside in all the inhabitants paying scot and lot, and not in the mayor and burgesses only. There were then upwards of 300 electors. One of the most remarkable members that Shaftesbury ever returned was John Fry, a Dorset man of a family settled at Tarrant Gunville. He was elected 1647-8 and became notorious on account of his religious opinions, which were so disagreeable to the Common- wealth Parliament that his books, called " The clergy in their colours," and " The accuser shamed, or a pair of bellows to blow ofif the dust casst upon John Fry," were, by order of the House, burnt
SHAFTESBURY. 51
liy the comniou liangnian. He was one of the commission for the trial of Cliarles I., thougli, through the chance of being suspcmled by tlie House from sitting at the critical moment, he did not vote for the king's execution, nor sign the death -warrant. He was expelled from the House 22 Feb., 1650-1, but did not die till about six years later. Though already dead he was excepted out of the Act of Oblivion, and his estates were forfeited {S. ^' D. N. cj- Q. vol. 1, pp. 53 and 73.) The right of returning members to Parliament became at last a valuable source of revenue to the scot and lot voters, so that after the election of 1774, when Hans Winthrop Mortimer unseated on petition the sitting members. Sir Thos. Rumbold and Francis Sykcs, the committee of the House of Commons ascertained that a person, sworn to be Mr. Alderman Matthews, in the disguise of Punch, through a hole in the door of a small apartment, delivered to the voters parcels consisting of 20 guineas. This election gave rise to lengthy but abortive proceed- ings in Parliament, but at the assizes in 1776 Mr. Mortimer recovered £11,000 from Mr. Sykes for 26 acts of bribery.
But time warns me that I must bring to a close this tedious retrospect. Gone, alas ! is the noljle pile of abbey buildings, Avith the tomb of the martyred king. Gone well nigh all the twelve parochial churches. Gone the Butter Cross, the Fish Cross, the Goldhill Cross, and the Old and New Guildhalls. Gone are the Parliamentary representatives, and with them the parcels of golden guineas so deftly handed to the independent commonalty of the town. Gone is the stately dance of the mayor and burgesses round the springs of Enmore Green. Well may the Shastonians of to-day make the old Park wall their " wailing place " for glories never destined to return. But there is one thing they cannot lose ; for they may still look forth from their castle mounds on the lovely prospect of fertile valley, breezy down, and wooded hill, right worthy of a summer pilgrimage — a prospect which has rejoiced the hearts of kings and queens, and righteous men and women of old — and find in the contemplation of the works of Nature a satisfaction they can no longer derive from the works and art of man.
®lie gclstone on fliiige f)ill, iovtcshnm.
By E. CUNNINGTON, Esq.
^1^
"pERHAPS I may be permitted to say a few wonls in the first place as to the origin and composition of the many large rough stones, usually called Sarsens, around us at Portesham, and those following the stream down the valley to the sea. Professor Prestwich and other geologists consider them to be large masses of sand concreted together by a silicious cement. When the chalk stratum, now forming our highest hills, was at the bottom of the sea, beds of sands, clays, and gravels were deposited upon it ; when these were afterwards raised above the bed of the ocean they were denuded by the powerful action of seas, glaciers, and rivers, by which the main portion was carried away, leaving these blocks of sandy rock scattered about. In parts of Wiltshire their remains are very abundant ; they occupy for miles the bed of a valley near Clatford, Marlborough. Helstone, the name of the group of stones now before us, comes from either the Anglo-Saxon " hele," to hide or cover, or from " Hel," in K'orthern mythology the Goddess of the dead. Originally it was a long barrow, containing in its centre the nine stones supporting the large top or table-stone, lO^ft. long, by 6ft. broad, covering the usual interment. The lapse of many centuries has worn away the covering earth and exposed the stones
THE HELSTONE ON* RlDGE IlILL, PORTESHAM. 53
to view as ia many other instances. Hutchins gives us a picture of this dolmen, as I suppose it was in liis time ; there it appears as perfect as a well-made mahogany table. The poor table came to grief entirely, but was re-instated as we now see it by the late Mr. Manfield, and I venture to think you will all agree that it is well done.
The next structure is a somewhat similar one, the Grey Mare and Colt, near Gorwell. This externally is a long barrow, 54 feet long, 25 feet broad, and about 5| feet elevation, covering the dolmen or stone-chamber within. Dolmen means a stone table from two Celtic words : " daul," a table, and " maen," a stone. It has been opened at each end , at the south end are exposed the three megalithic uprights, and the top or table-stone ; each is about five to six feet high and two to three feet diameter. The total number of stones composing this dolmen is ten, as at the Helstone ; they consist of four conglomerates and six Sarsens. At the north end was apparently another interment with much smaller stones. Both of these chambered monuments date from the Stone Age. In France there are upwards of 3,000 ; some of these I had the pleasure of seeing in Brittany in 1883.
The most interesting and perfect is that of Gavr Innis in the Morbihan. The mound is 197 feet in diameter and 30 feet high; it is entered by a passage 44 feet long, leading into a chamber nine feet by eight feet. Both passage and chamber are lined by stones curiously sculptured with wavy, circular, and spiral lines. Probably the largest known of these dolmens is the one on the banks of the Boyne at New Grange, near Droghcda. It has a diameter of 316 feet, a height of 70 feet, with a passage 63 feet long, and many of the stones are there also sculptured Avitli spirals and zig-zags. The gigantic monument is further distinguished by a circle of stones standing round it. These circles of stones were generally used to indicate places of interment, and consisted of large stones in the Stone Age, as we see at the Winterbournc circle and also at that near Abbotsbury, not far from the (iorwell dolmen- These circles were smaller at a later date, as I found iu opening a
5i THE HEL8T0NE ON KIDGE HILL, PORTESHAM.
tjaiTOw on ]\Ir. John Mayo's farm near Upwey (No. 4 on my plan of these harrows). This circle Avas hid under the turf and enclosed tAVo Kistvaens with cremations in urns.
We have only time for a tihort notice of Stonehengo and Avchury temples, simply saying that Mr. Flinders Petrie writes as follows in his book on Tel-el=-Hesy or Lachish : — " This same peculiar dressing (of the Lachish Stones) is that of the stone work of the temple of Hagir Kim at Malta. This temple is called Phoenician, and what lends some support to this is that just the same system of stone tables, each on two blocks placed around the inside of the enclosure, is to be seen in the sacred enclosures of the villages in Philistia to this day. The same pock dressing is that of the Avrought stones at Stonehenge, the best examples of it being on the flat tops of the uprights of the great trilithons."
P 1 H s h .
By Rev. Canon RAVENHILL, M.A., R.D.
Vicar of Buckla.nd Ncuion nan Plush,
JT^HE Titliing of PIusli is a detached portion of the large parish of Buckland Xewton, called Boclande Abbas in olden days.
Our late Dorset poet, the Rev. W. Barnes, said '•' Newton " described Buckland as the new enclosure, Alton, the adjoining parish, being the old enclosure. Bocland, according to Blackstone, means land held by book or charter, as opposed to Folkland, which was land held by common consent.
Plusli is mentioned under the name of Plis in the Rentalia et Costumariuni of Glastonbury Abbey (cf. Somerset Record Society, Vol. v., p. 105). It formed part of the Manor of Buckland Newton, and was given with it, according to John of Glastonbury, by King Ethelwolf (838-857) to the Abbey of Glastonbury.
The late Canon C. W. Bingham told me Plis meant a coomb or dell, I knoAV not what authority he had for this derivation. (My friend, the Rev. C. H. Mayo, cannot find Plis in the Anglo-Saxon Dictionary.)
In the year 851 a great Danish invasion took place. If Xettle- combe Tout and the Roman Fosse could speak thoy would probably tell some stirring stories of those terrible times.
56 PLUSH.
Etllelwolf was the father of Alfred, whose tower* forms a Very striking object from Nettlecomb.
The grant was made to Glastonbury a century before the exter- luination of Avolves, which must have had a goodly run in the Forest of Blackmoor, adjoining Plush. The Roe Deer are still wild in this district, are on the increase, and peep their heads occasionally from the coppice opposite the new Church of St. John the Baptist.
The old Chapel was built on a very picturesque knoll about three-quarters of a mile to the north of the present building, and about the same distance from ]\[onkwood Hill, where the name reminds us of the connection Avith Glastonbury.
In the return to the Commission of 1650, the Church is described as a Chapel of Ease Lu Buckland, three miles distant. Plush then contained thirty-two families, and desired to be made a parish.
Mr. Guilliam, the curate, led a very disorderly life. His salary was £14 per annum, and "other unlawful advantages." The Tithes of this Tithing were then £35 per annum.
In the old Church, more than half-a-century ago, the Rev. William Butler (better known as Parson Billy Butler) was cautioned, when taking the duty one Sunday, not to enter the Pulpit, or he would disturb a hen sitting there. The late Lord Digby was told this by Mr. Butler.
The building, having fallen into decay, was pulled down in 1847, and the materials were worked into the new church, which was built nearer the hamlet, and was opened in 1848.
The old carved font narrowly escaped disappearing altogether. The late Charles W. Bingham had an affectionate remembrance of it in the old church, and in one of his ruri-decanal visits routed it out of a dilapidated barn, to which it had been consigned years ago.
* This Tower was built at Stourhead in the last century by Henry Hoare, Esq., to mark the Hill where Alfred is said to have erected his Standard against the Danes.
PLUSH. 57
I knew not of its existence. I was with hiui at the discovery and remember his joy. It is now placed i;nrestored in the new building. It is of very early date and beautiful design.
Plush abounds in antiquities. Entering the village horn Dorchester on the left are Lynchets or terraces, made in all probability that the slopes might be cultivated. Tumuli and pit dwellings are plentiful on the Downs ; the Roman Fosse is clearly marked, and Nettlecomb Tout* has much of its Celtic earthwork remaining.
On Whatcombe Down, between Buckland and Plush, is a small Roman camp of observation, commanding a view across the county from north to south ; also the site of an ancient British village.
In 1872 seven British urns were found in a barrow by the late Mr. Charles Miller, on the Down between Plush and Liscombe, A Plush labourer,! who assisted in opening the barrow, says these urns were only about three feet below the surface.
Alas ! for Dorset that the new museum was not then in existence ! Professor Rolleston, of Oxford, took charge of these interesting remains, and placed them in the Ashmolean jMuseum. ]\Ir. Evans, the curator, says these urns evidently contained cremated remains. Calcined bones are still in one of them. They are of rude British fabric. Tliree of them are fragmentary, with a rough indented herring-bone pattern.
In 1879 Mr. Cunnington found, under an immense cairn in a Plush barrow, an urn of dark imperfectly burnt ware, about nine inches long and nine inches broad, with faint rudiments of plain bands round it, and two out of probably four smaller knobs in the side. This urn is in our museum.
* Tills name seems to have been larL^cly applied by the .Saxons t<» hills of this kind consecrated to the worship of tlieir Ciod Tiw.— (Warnes "Ancient Dorset," p. 87.) Teute, Toute, Tiw, were synonynious witli the Greek Zeus, the Konian Jupiter. — (Max Midler, " Lectures on Language," 2nd series.) Toot-hill is found ai)plie(l to any lieight of extensive observation.— (As in Sir John Maundeville's Travels.)
t Robert Lovell, iij years sexton.
58 PLUSH.
Armswell, where the Field Club had a picnic luncheon last August, at the foot of Nettleconihe Tout, was formerly a manor in conjunction with Xetherbrook, and belonged to the Abbey of Glastonbury. It is in the Tithing of Plush. At the Dissolution of Monasteries it was granted to Sir John Horsey, of Clifton Mau- bank. Kichard Arnold, who died in 1595, married Mary, his eldest daughter. From the Arnolds the estate passed to the Framptons of Moreton, who sold it to the late Mr. Farquharson, of Lan^ton.
}'roc. Dorset . YJI S-. lECluh. \dl. XT.
-,^>''
H'-l^n M RicharHsnn px\ l.ith.Werne: x Wi,,--.,
1 Lita (Gelechia) suaedella, Rdsn 2. L.ocellateila St£
3. L.plantaqinella, Sta , with larvas and food-plants.
EXPLANATION OF PLATE.
1. Lita (Gelechia) sucedella, Richanlson. L Liiago ; \a. Larva, both
highly magnified. 16. Shoot of Suceda fruticosa (9>\m\hhy SQd.- blite), natural size, with terminal leaves spun down by larva which is feeding in.side.
2. L. ocellatella, Stainton. 2. Imago ; 2rt. Larva, both liighly
magnified. 26. Flowering .shoot of Beta maritima (wild beet- root), natural size, much contorted by operations of larva which is feeding inside. S. L. plantagine.lla, Stainton. 3. Imago ; 3rt. Larva, both liighly magnified. 36. Plant of Planiago coronopus (Buck's horn plantain), natural size, shewing middle of plant affected by the boring of the larva down the central part of the root, on which it feeds.
iorset j:c]jibo}jtcni in 1892-3,
With Description of the Larva of Epischnia Bankesiella, Rdm.
By NELSON M. RICHARDSON, B.A., F.E.S.
^^^
«i^
T is with some liesitation that I take upon myself the task of writing about the Entomology of the past season, as I have been able to do but very little collecting myself, owing to the fact that my eyes have not been in a condition to do more than a very little setting, especially of the smaller moths, and if one cannot preserve them it is of no use to catch them. I have, however, a few notes of interest to record, and the general features of both 1892 and 1893 have
been so peculiar, from an Entomological point of view, as to deserve
mention.
Perhaps the most striking phenomenon in the past two years
has been the appearance amongst us in great numbers in 1892,
and in smaller numbers in 1893, of a butterfly which is generally
a rarity, Colias Eihisa, the " Clouded yellow."
In 1892 specimens began to be seen in the latter part of ]\Iay,
and became common about the beginning of June. In Sussex »
60 DORSET LEPIDOPTERA IN 1892-3.
specimen was noticed as early as May 1 2th, in Weymouth about May 24th, in Purbeck on May 30th. The only at all satisfactory theory to account for the sudden presence in numbers of this species is that of immigration, though I believe that there is very little, if any, direct evidence of it. It is, however, a well known fact that butterflies do make very extensive migrations, as immense swarms have not infrequently been observed at considerable distances from land in the act of flight ; but I am not aware that any theory has been put forward to account for this peculiar instinct, nor is there known to be any regularity in the times of its occurrence, so that we are still quite in the dark as to its cause. The assembling of such vast multitudes into one mass is in the first place most unusual in butterflies, which are not given to such habits without some special external attraction, such, for instance, as a field of lucerne, being present. The fact, however, of this immigration seems incontrovertible, for the last appearance of the species in anything like numbers was in 1877, since Avhich time only a few stragglers in sheltered southern spots have been seen in this country, added to which is the fact that those found here in the early summer are not in sufiiciently good condition, when just seen, to suggest the idea that they have lately emerged from the chrysalis ; but, on the contrary, look like specimens which have hibernated or at all events been on the wing for some time. That they did not hibernate in this country is shown by the fact that in 1891 the insect Avas at least very scarce, as I do not find a single record of its occurrence in the Entomological magazines for that year. The last year in which it was abundant was 1877, in which it swarmed as in 1892.
In the present year of 1893 Edusa has been abundant in some parts along the S. Coast, but apparently locally, and not to any- thing like the extent, either as to numbers or general distribution, which it reached in the previous year. Personally I have seen very few specimens in Dorset this year, and Mr. Cambridge's experience is the same ; but it was abundant at Ringstead in August, and from records in the Entom. magazines it woiUd appear
DORSET CEPIDOPTERA IN 1892-3. 61
that Dorset and Devon had been the counties most affected by tliis species in 1893, as it is stated to have swarmed at Lyuio Kegis, Swanage, Poole, and Sidmouth.
Colias Hyale, tlie otlier British species of tliis genus, has very similar habits as regards this country, but tlie two species are not by any means always affected by tlie same causes. For instance, in 1842 Hyale was common, but there were no Ediisa ; whilst in 1877, when Fjdusa was abundant, Hyale was absent. In some of the S.E. i^ortions of England C. Hyale occurred sparingly in 1892, but the records in 1393 are very meagre. The one Dorset record of Hyale for the two years is for Aug. 28th, 1893, at Swanage (Ent. xxvi., 322), but is not, I consider, admissible, as the would-be captor only saio the butterfly on the wing and might very likely have mistaken its identity, as the pale variety of Edusa {Helice) would be very like it when flying.
Another species, Vanessa cardui, the " Painted Lady," appeared with C. Edusa in immense numbers in 1892, but has been scarce this year, whilst a near connection, Va7iessa Atalanta, the " Red Admiral," which is, as a rule, more regular in its ways than the Painted Lady, was not commoner than usual in 1892, but appeared in unusually large numbers in the autumn of 1893. I doubt if this species is so much given to migrations as its cosmopolitan relation V. cardui, and have no doubt that the autumn individuals of 1893 were all true Dorset natives. Another butterfly which has been in swarms this season is Polyommatus Phhvas, the " Small Copper."
In connection with the immigration of butterflies in ] 892, there appears to have been also an immigration of a few kinds of moths Avhich are generally great rarities in tliis country. For this county several are recorded by Mr. Eustace Bankes from Purljt'ck, including Catocala electa, found by him in a ghis^s frame wasji trap in his garden, and Micra parva taken in a salt marsh, also an unusual locality for it. He states (E.M.]\f. xxviii., 309) a specimen of Vanessa Antiopa, the "Camberwell Beauty," was seen on the wing by Mr. Geffckcu whilst driving from Swanage to
62 DORSET LEPIDOPTERA IN 1892-3.
Stinllaiul. Being well acquainted Avitli the species abrond he was able to identify it, as he obtained a good view of its upper side ; but where no capture is made one always feels that there is a chance of a mistake, and such records have not the value of those of actual captures.
Another great rarity which was taken in Dorset, as well as elsewhere, in small numbers, in 189*2, was Deiopeia jmlcJiella, the " Crimson Speckled Footman." One occurred at Fleet within two miles of my house, and was captured by a young entomologist, Mr. Jardine, Another is also recorded from Weymouth (Ent. Record iii., 160). Both were taken in May, an unusual time for the appearance of this moth in England, which generally occurs, when it occurs here at all, in the autumn — the continental 2nd brood. I was not myself so fortunate as to take any of these rare visitors.
In 1893 I am not aware that many rarities have been recorded, though the weather has been so unusual in its nature that it has quite upset the usual order of events, and species have appeared long before their proper time, and have in some cases had two broods where generally there is but one. The entomological records of the late Mr. Dale began in 1808 and have been continued by his son, Mr. C. W. Dale, down to the present time without intermission ; but in no year is the " Lulworth Skipper " (Hesperia Actceon) known to have appeared so early as in 1893, when it was captured on INIay 26th. Other insects were just as early ; for instance, I found that Steganoptijcha suhseq^iana, of wliich the usual time of appearance is the beginning of May, was fully out in the 2nd week in Aj^ril and almost over by INIay. Probably it Avould have been found to be on the wing at the beginning of April, had I then visited its locality.
Many other instances could be adduced and are mentioned in the P^ntomological magazines, such as a note by Mr. Bankes (E.M.M. xxix., 191), in which he enumerates several species taken on a sheltered piece of undercliff in Purbeck on May 31st, all before their usual dates.
DORSET LEPIDOPTERA IN 1892-3. 63
This wns douLtless owing to tlie long continuance of warna Aveatlier in the spring, which caused the pupcc to developc caily and produce the imagines before their proper time.
These early summer species, emerging in May, June, and the beginning of July, live through the winter cither as larvae more or less in a state of hibernation, or as pup^e. The hibernating laiva) are only waiting for heat to get on with their development, and a little warmth, whicli causes the leaves of the food plant to shoot, brings them also out to feed on them. "Whether it comes in February or April the effect is similar, and if it continues through the spring, as in 1893, so that no check is given either to food plants or larvre, the result is an early emergence of the moths.
So far as my experience of the year goes, however, I did not find that this abnormal spring produced any particular effect upon those species which emerge in the autumn about September, and I do not think that the bulk of them, with the exception, perhaps, of some species of Agrofis, are much dependent upon season for the time of their appearance. JNIany of them hibernate as moths, and lay their eggs in the spring, and in otlier cases, where the eggs are laid in autumn, the larviB do not hatch until the spring, perhaps about April. Others, however, lay eggs in the autumn which liatch in a week or two. Eut in all these cases it does not seem as if the emergence from the pujja was affected by heat ; on the contrary the moths do not naturally appear until the hottest months of the year are past and the temperature begins to diminish, and one would therefore hardly expect a hot summer to bring them out sooner. The spring comes at so early a period of their life that it does not appear, as in 1893, to exercise much influence on the period of their final stage.
Mr. Cambridge records some of his 1892 captures at Bloxworth in "The Entomologist" (xxvi., 87), amongst which the following are specially worthy of notice : — Notodonta tre/nifa, Xorfua difrape- zium, Tryplunia suhsequa (a rare moth which he used to take in his strawberry beds), Emmele$ia unifasciata, Acijptilia p)aludum
64 DORSET LEPIDOPTERA IN 1892-3.
(which was scarce), Rliodophcea advenella, Tortrix n-aice{jana, Sciapliila sinuana, EupoeciUa geyeriana, Tinea alhipundella, Tinagma hetulce (not so common as in 1891), Gracilaria imperial- ella (one specimen, the second only recorded in Dorset), Cosmopteryx orichalceUa (two specimens, new to the county), and several species of Machista—a genus which appears to be in force at Bloxworth. Micropteryx Kaltenhacldi is recorded by Mr. E. K. Bankes as new to the county, taken by himself at Corfe Castle, April 22nd, 1893, and Bryotrop>ha tetragonella, also new to Dorset, taken by Rev. C. R. Digby, at Studland, at the end of June, 1892. This is probably the last addition that Mr. Digby has made to our county fauna, and it is a source of great regret that so good an Entomologist should have left Dorset. I have no doubt, however, that he will continue his work in Hampshire and make many new discoveries, Mr. Bankes has also turned up Coleophora deauraiella in Purbeck, which is new to that district, though not to the county. (E.M.M. xxix., 46-47.)
I may mention the occurrence of a specimen of DasypoUa templi at Portland, in September last, which I have not taken there before. On the same night Epunda Uchenea was very abundant, especially during the rainstorms, which were frequent and heavy, causing Mrs. Richardson and myself to spend a good part of the time in a cave. We had two large attracting lamps and the moths came in little swarms, five or six being on the glass at once, but as soon as the storm cleared off their flight almost ceased .
On the Chesil Beach occur several species of the genus Lita, which have hitherto been much confounded together on account of their variation and general resemblance to each other. This little group has been the subject of a paper by myself in the Ent. Monthly Magazine (xxix., 241), which deals specially with four of the species, the other British species being the subject of a paper by jMr. P]. R. Bankes, which will, I understand, be published shortly in the same magazine, and which I must not anticipate. (E.M.M., XXX.,. 80.)
DORSET LKPrnorTKRA IN" 1892-3. fia
Tliere is a somewhat rare plant, Siuvjla Jrufifo.^a, whicli, with its annual congener S. maritima, grows hero and there in abund- ance along the Chesil Beach. For many years past it has been known that a small moth was attached to this plant, not only here, but also in Lancashire, Norfolk, and Essex, but it was formerly set down as one of the varieties of L. instahiUlla or one of the other species of Lita. I believe that I was the first to breed this moth in this county, having found the larva at Weymouth in May, 1885. Mr. Bankes was just a year later. I therefore undertook to describe it as a distinct epecies, which it has been generally admitted to be for some time past, and have done so in the before- mentioned paper. The species of this group found on the Chesil Beach are sucedella, plantaginella, ocellatella, indahilella, salicorni(i\ and the nearly allied obsoletella and aMj^Ucetla.
The descriptions having been published, I will not repeat them here, but merely make a few remarks upon the habits and mode of life of some of these -species. In the early part of April Siueda fruticosa, which is an evergreen perennial, shows no sign at all of larvae feeding upon it, whereas this is the time to find the larvio of instdbilella upon Afriplex portulacoides — another evergreen sea shrub of low growth, and one of the most easily recognised of the difficult Atriphx group.
ERRATUM. Page 65, line 5 from bottom, for " wood " read " hiikI.
usual species on the Chesil Beach. The egg being laid somewhere
64 DORSET LEPIDOPTEIIA IN 1892-3.
(which was scarce), Rliodoplicea advenella, Tortrix cratcegana, Sciapliila sinnana, Eupcecilia geyeriana, Tinea alhipundella, Tinagma hetulce (not so common as in 1891), Gvacilaria imperial- ella (one specimen, the second only recorded in Dorset), Cosmoj)teryx orichalcella (two specimens, new to the county), and several species of Elacliista —a genus which appears to be in force at Bloxworth. Micropteryx Kaltenhacliii is recorded by Mr. E. R. Bankes as new to the county, taken by himself at Corfe Castle, April 22nd, 1893, and Bryoh'oplia tetragonella, also ncAv to Dorset, taken by Rev. C. R. Digby, at Studland, at the end of June, 1892. This is probably the last addition that Mr. Digby has made to our county fauna, and it is a source of great regret that so good an Entomologist should have left Dorset. I have no doubt, however, that he will continue his work in Hampshire and make many new discoveries. ;Mr. Bankes has also turned up Coleoplwra deauratella in Purbeck, which is new to that district, though not to the county. (E.M.M. xxix., 46-47.)
I may mention the occurrence of a specimen of DasypoUa
templi at Portland, in September last, which I have not taken
there before. On the same night Epunda Uchenea was very
abundant, especially during the rainstorms, which were frequent
1 ~~.,,;.^„ Mrc RichardstaLandjnyself to spend a good
snortiy 111 wiv.
(E.M.M., XXX.,. 80.)
DORSET LKPinOPTERA IN" 1892-3. fii)
Tliere is a somewhat rave plant, Suwda Jnificam, wliicli, with its annual congener S. maritima, grows here and there in abund- ance along the Chesil Beach. For many years past it lias been known that a small moth was attached to this plant, not only here, but also in Lancashire, Norfolk, and Essex, but it was formerly set down as one of the varieties of L. imtabilella or one of the other species of Lita. I believe that I was the first to breed this moth in this county, having found the larva at Weymouth in May, 1885. Mr. Bankes was just a year later. I therefore undertook to describe it as a distinct fpecies, which it has been generally admitted to be for some time past, and have done so in the before- mentioned paper. The species of this group found on the Chesil Beach are sucedella, plantaginella, ocellatella, instahilella, salicornio', and the nearly allied obsoletella and atripUceUa.
The descriptions having been published, I will not repeat them here, but merely make a few remarks upon the habits and mode of life of some of these -species. In the early part of April Siueila fruticosa, which is an evergreen perennial, shows no sign at all of larvae feeding upon it, whereas this is the time to find the larvie of instahilella upon Atriplex portulacoides — another evergreen sea shrub of low growth, and one of the most easily recognised of the difficult Atriplex group.
The larva mines a leaf of the Atriplex, completely eating out the fleshy inside in patches, making the leaf appear whitish green. It also spins up the leaves against the stalk to a slight extent.
Lita sua'della burrows among the fleshy leaves of the Sua-da, which are something like thick short pine needles, spinning them down to the stalk so as to conceal it from view. The egg is apparently hatched about the end of April or beginning of jMay, and the larva is full fed at the end of May, when it leaves its burrow to spin up in the sand or wood underneath the plant on which it has fed, the moth emerging in July.
Lita plantaijimlla, which comes nearest to swideUa, feeds as a larva in a plant of plantain, Planta<jo coronojms being the most usual species on the Chesil Beach. The egg being laid somewhere
66 DORSET LEPIDOPTERA IN 1S92-3.
in the middle of a shoot, the larva gradually burrows in the root to the depth of nearly -^in., as it feeds on its substance. It spins together the central leaves of the plant to conceal itself from view, and changes to a pupa in its burrow, emerging towards the cud of June.
The most beautiful larva of these four species, which I have fully described and differentiated from each other in my paper above referred to, is that of Lita ocellatella, which is tinged with brilliant crimson and feeds on Beta maritima, the wild form of the beet root of our gardens. Many of these seaside plants have a strong tendency to assume the red tinge which has been so developed by selection in the garden beet, and it is not impossible that this may account in some measure for the bright hues of this caterjnllar, which either mines in its very thick massive leaves, or spins up amongst its flower shoots. Still there are other larvee which have equally brilliant tints, which do not proceed from this cause. The ordinary form of the moth is cream-coloured with darker markings, but a bright pink variety was figured in Vol. xii. of our Proceedings, a colour which I have not noticed in the perfect state of allied species.
Mr. Bankes having taken the other species under his wing, I leave them for the present.
As I have said, I have been able to do but little collecting this year, but we have been successful, after a protracted search of six years, in finding and breeding the larva of Epischnia Banl'esiella, of which we discovered the moth in 1887 at Portland ; and of which, in spite of hard and continuous work in pursuit of it, we had, up to 1892, only taken six specimens. It has not yet been found in any other part of the world except this small locality at Portland. There seemed to be no clue to the food plant, as the moths were taken on flowers at night, except the first two, which were flying at dusk, and the only thing was to examine the plants generally — no light matter, as Portland has a varied flora. To Mrs. Richardson belongs the credit of finding the right plant, of which we had suspicions in 1892, which were confirmed this year by the
DORSET LEPIUOPTERA IN 1892-3. 67
breeding of the moth. I regret to be obliged to -withhohl its name, but such is the rapacity of some collectors, who make a business of dealing in insects, especially moths, that the species might be exterminated from the locality were it known — an energetic collector might make great havoc in even a day.
The first time that I saw the larva was in 1889, when a captured female laid four eggs in two pairs, those of each pair being fastened together in the way of a cottage loaf. This was a most unusual circumstance, which I have not before observed in any moth ; but it was either accidental or an individual peculiarity, as it has not again occurred, though I have seen a good many more eggs. Tho egg is oval, flattened, beautifully iridescent, and covered with very minute holes and small wavy ridges, enclosing numerous little spaces with from three to six sides each. The little larvte duly hatched, but I knew not on what to feed them, and after trying many plants I got them to settle down quietly on a thistle floret near the seed at the bottom. Xow it is not at all the custom of caterpillars to seem contented with food that they cannot eat, and they generally wander about restlessly until they find some more to their taste ; so that I naturally assumed that thistle was the food plant. But my pleasure was short-lived, as they all died in a few days, and I had to satisfy myself with taking a description of them, and meditating on their amiable dispositions. I found afterwards that the larva does not live in flower heads at all, but from its earliest days spins a sort of nest round itself in a shoot of its food plant, and after a time, when this nest attains some size, lives in a silken tube in the middle of it, coming out at night to feed upon the leaves. In the autumn it thickens the middle portion of this tube, and there passes the winter. In the spring it seeks fresh food and constructs another nest. About May it closes up the ends of its silk tube, forming a rather strong cocoon, turns to a pupa, and emerges in June or July. This year, owing to the abnormally early season, there was a second brood of this moth, as well as of many others, which I proved by breeding a si)ccimen on September 26th from an egg laid in the early summer. I do
68 DORSET LEPlDOrTERA IN 1892-3.
not, however, believe that there is generally more than one hrood. Tlie larva is not very active, though it can retreat quickly into its tube when disturbed. It sometimes waves about the fore part of its body, stretching it out to nearly double its ordinary length. It is delicate and not easy to rear, so that I did not breed many moths.
Description of Larva. — The fuU-fod larva is about an inch in length and tapers somewhat towards each end, especially the head, which is less than half the width of the middle segments and rather flattened ; the head and plates are a little more polished than the body, which is dull.
The ground colour varies a little in tint and may be described as putty-coloured, witli a tinge of green, especially between the seg- ments. The head and legs are pale brown, much mottled with darker brown spots, the prothoracic and anal plates much like the body, but a little more distinctly marked, the longitudinal lines having a tendency to break up on them into darker spots, as on the head, Tiiese lines, which are somewhat broader than in the young larva, so that less ground colour is visible, are dark purplish brown, and consist of a dorsal line (a trifle darker than the rest) and five other slightly wavy lines on each side at equal distances from each other, the fourth of which contains the spiracles, the fifth lying along the ridge of the skinfold below. There is a medio-ventral line, and the claspers and underside are more or less marked with the same colour. The spiracles and warts are marked by very dark brown rings and the bristles are pale brown. The booklets, which are numerous, are dark brown.
The larva changes its appearance very little during its life, with the exception of the markings of the underside, which appear at a very early period, I believe after the first change of skin.
The pupa is about 5 lines long and very smooth and neat in ap- pearance, the different parts fitting closely together. The antennae and wing cases extend to the end of the 9th segment, leaving the remaining four segments movable. The tail is rather blunt and has about 6 small short hooked wire-like processes. The colour of
DORSET LF.riUOPTERA IX 1892-3. 69
the pupa is chestnut brown, with the wing cases greenish or entirely brown.
Further experience of tlie moth lias shewn me tliat it varies considerably, some of the specimens being very pale, almost cream- coloured, with dark grey markings on the veins and elsewliere, I have one specimen of the ordinary cinereous grey form, but with the transverse lines very distinct and dark, a handsome and unique variety. The habits of the imago seem most retiring, and this doubtless accounts for the rarity of its captures. It is one of the most difficult moths to see in the breeding cage, especially when sitting on a dead stem or piece of stick. It sits very closely and looks like an accidental slight excrescence, so that one may look for some time without noticing it.
I have mucli pleasure in presenting a specimen to our Museunn and I hope that we shall soon be able, with the help of our entomological friends, to make some show in the excellent cabinets which have been provided, so that the vurtliy Secretary and Curator may no longer have to mourn over the absence of a collection of inrcrtebrate animals.
••'■-^^^s^^j^^"
Sbiix h.im : its ©vigin \u\b listovu.
By E. CUNNINGTON, Esq.
^T/°AREHA]\I is appropriately named from Avare or weir, a dam, pool or weir ; and liara, a rich level
pasture or plot of ground near a river.
This is evidently one of the strongholds of the
Durotriges, so often explained as the dwellers by
the water. Poundbury at Dorchester, Dudsbury
near Wimborne, by the side of the Stour, and
Spettisbury again are all of the same make and
cliaracteristics. These Avere not living places, but camps in time
of war or danger, and the three last mentioned appear to be almost
exactly as left by the makers eighteen hundred years ago,
I am quite content to take Dr. Guest's account of the invasion of England by Aulus Plautius in a.d. 43, as told in the Arclueological Journal of 1866, page 160, as f olloAvs : — He says that the force led by Plautius could not be much less than 50,000 men. In subordinate command were Vespasian and his brother Flavins Sabinas, and a veteran officer named Cneius 0. Geta. The fleet, no doubt, sailed from Eoulogne, directing its course to one of the three little ports on the Kentish coast that we knoAv the Romans chiefly used, viz., Ilythe, Dover, and Richborough. Dr. Guest's map of the campaign shows that it never touched any
WAREHAM : ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY. 71
part of Dorset. Nor slioukl I imagine it likely to have done .so ; these parts were most probably attacked years after, as the Romans gradually grew in strength inland.
In reading over the proceedings of the Archaeological Institute meeting at Dorchester in 1865, I find that tlie late Rev. "W. Barnes said as follows : — " The Saxon English settled in England so near the time of the withdrawing of the Roman legions that they found their castra, Avith many other marks of Roman life and handiwork, from Manchester to Dorchester, and yet, although they must have known "Wareham as early as Dorchester, they did not call it a ceaster, but took it only as a AVareham, i.e., mound-enclosure. I do not know that the sjiade reaches at Wareham any tesselated pavement, or turns up such Roman remains as betoken a long-holdon abode, nor are the walls quite up to the Roman plan in straightness or squareness of form. A British trackway leads out of the west gate of "Wareham, called the West Port, from the British word, porth, a passage." I quite agree with Mr. Barnes. I have never seen or known of Roman remains found in Wareham, but plenty of mediaeval.
Wareham stands in rather a remarkable position — a peninsula bounded on the south and north by two rivers, on the cast by Poole Harbour, a long strip of sand and gravel ; except by water, accessible only by land on the west side. The Romans found it as the Durotriges left it, and I cannot help thinking that they also left it alone ; there would be nothing inviting there.
Camden, in Gibson's edition, date 1G95, says : " Wareham, forti- fied by earthen walls, thick and high, besides the advantage of the rivers. 'Tis probable enough that this rose out of tlie ruins of a little poor place called Stowborough, for Stowborough, though but a mean place, is governed still by a Mayor, which plainly shows that it lias formerly been much more considerable."
That the Romans made use of the clay in their pottery at Nordcn I am well aware ; also their use of llu- Kinuueii.lge clay needs scarcely mentioning ; but both of these works must have been independent of. Wareham earthworks. I exhibit to-day a
^2 WAREHAM : ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY.
fragment of fluted Koman pottery almost exactly the same as that usually called ^ew Forest ware, as seen in our Museum ; also a Koman quern from the same place.
The first mention of Wareham is in the time of Alfred the Great, about 876, when the Danes took the town and destroyed its castle and nunnery. During the Danish invasions it was a theatre of war and destruction for about a century and a-half, and its fame rose from its misfortunes. This unhappy place suffered all the miseries of war : the inhabitants were driven away, or plundered and massacred, and the Avhole town reduced to a heap of ruins. In Edward the Confessor's time — about 1042 to 1066 — as recorded in Domesday Book, it had 148 houses in it ; but in William the Conqueror's time there were but 70 houses standing ; afterwards it reflourished and the Conqueror built a castle there. "In the time of Henry II., suffering much by wars and the casualties of fire, together with the sea robbing them of the haven, it is almost run quite to ruin, and the soil that was in the very heart of the ancient town produceth great quantities of garlic." When Stephen took Wareham in 1142 he burnt the town and surprised the castle.
On Sunday, July 25th, 1762, a dreadful fire broke out amongst the then thatched houses, so that in three hours two-thirds of the town was reduced to a heap of ruins. In the session of Parlia- ment following, an Act was passed for rebuilding the town and preventing future danger by fire, &c. Thatched houses, furze, and hayricks were prohibited. Several buildings in the middle of the street and others projecting into it were removed, and in about two years the town rose fairer than before.
In Britton's " Beauties of England and Wales," published in 1803, he says : "South Bridge was. an ancient structure crossing the Frome, and probably coeval with William II." He prob- ably means William I., about, say 1080, when he built the castle, and if a stone castle, I rather expect that he built the bridge to take the stone to build the castle. This bridge was doubtless the great Avant of the town of Wareham and from
WAREHAM : ITS ORIGIN AND HISKJUV. 73
■which the line of streets came in position. In 1775 this bridge, being ruinous, was rebuilt by a handsome structure of Purbeck stone having five arches. "When the causeway and bridge on the north side was made I know not, but this structure no doubt determined the line of street in that direction.
[Since publication of tliis pajjcr a letter has appeared in the Dorset County Chronicle asserting that some Roman antiquities have been found Avithin "Warehani "Walls. Hut Mr. Cunnington adheres to what he has already advanced.]
gome ^bbitions ta the Jen-set Jlova.
By Rev, E. F. LINTON.
i^s^
;HE County of Dorset l:as been so tliorouglily worked with a view to the forthcoming County Flora l»y the President of our Society and other botanists that tliere does not seem mucli probability of many additional plants being found within its limits. Yet, since this year has witnessed the discovery of some four or five native plants previously unknown lo Dorset, it is hardly the time to give up re- search. I have been asked to give some account of those recent additions which have come under my OAvn notice.
Taking them in the order of the Natural Orders, I mention first a rose which I met with last June, when exploring the chalk downs which lie between Compton and Melbury Abbas, near Shaftesbury. This ground produces some other rare and inter- esting plants — viz., Latlnjrus Aphaca, Owhanche elatior, Sutton, Allium oJeraceum, Carex humilis, &c. The rose is a variety of the species known as R. sejnuni, Thuill. {R. ar/resfis, Savi), which has the glandular leaves of s\veet-l)riar, but its scent only in a very faint degree, and is a connecting link between the sweet-briar and the dog-rose (7?. canina, L.). This rose has in the past been placed by some as a variety under R. canina, but by general consent is
SOME ADDITIONS TO THE DORSET KLOIIA. 75
now accepted as a species, and is a type Avitli sonic varieties. The Dorset form differs from any variety tliat I am acquainted with in some slight particulars, though very like at first sight the more typical form of B. sepium, Thuill., which I found two years ago on the Hampshire Downs. How the rose came to bo established on the Melbury Downs is open to question. All the evidence is against its being an introduction by the hand of man ; the locality is at a distance from hedge or cottage, where there could be no object in planting it ; nor is this a rose suitable for hedges. If introduced it Avill have been by the agency of birds, the heat of their bodies doing no injury to the hard seeds of hips and haws, holly berries, yew berries, and the like, prol)ably rather assisting more or less the i^rocess of germination. There is, however, no reason why the rose should not be a survival rather than an introduction ; it is certainly native on a similar formation in South Hants, and presumably so in the adjoining county of Wilts.
Galeopsis infennedia, Yillars, G. Ladauuin, Linn. Herb. (Fries Herb. norm.). Some explanation is necessary as to nomencla- ture. The narrow-leaved Hemp-nettle of chalky cultivated fields, ■which is Avell distributed in P]ngland and common in some parts, has usually been called G. Ladamim, Linn. It stands so in the Flora of Dorset (Lst Ed.) ; and also in the 7th Ed. of the London Catalogue, where (/. intermedia, Vill., is placed as a variety under it. In the 8th Ed. Lond. Cat. tlie common form api)ears as a species under the name G. antju^tifolia, Elirli. G. intermedia disajDpears, and is replaced by the old name G. Ladcmum, whicli, however, now stands for the rare plant and not the common one. Apparently the existing speci- men in the Herbarium of Linnaeus is not our common plant, but identical with the rarer form G. intermedia, Villars. The common form, the narrow-leaved Ilemp-neLtle, haslieeii long kiii>wii for the county. It is the rarer plant that 1 now i>ut U[ii)n reeonl, the G. Ladayium, L., of the 8th Ed. Lond. Cat., the G. Ladanuni var. intermedia of the 7th Edition. It dillers cliielly by liaving a more glandular inllorescence, broader leaves, rounded instead of
76 SOME ADDITIONS TO THE DORSET FLORA.
cuneate at tlie base, and more regularly serrate. My specimen was gathered two years ago and rightly named at the time, though I did not till lately realise that this sub-species (as Symc considered it) was only on record for Moray and Denbigh. It is probably not indigenous in either of these localities any more than in Wallis Down, near Bournemouth, where I found my specimen, on ground that was formerly part of the heath ; but, like many other corn- field weeds that seem quite at home now, it was probe bly introduced at some time or other with foreign seed.
i\Iy next plant is a Pond-weed, Avhich is given in the London Catalogue (8th Ed.) as a species, 1490, Pofamogeton decipiens* In the 7th Edition it was given as u variety of P. lucens. In Bab. Man. it stands as a species ; in Hooker's Student's Flora as a sub- species under P. lucens. As a matter of fact it is none of these, but a hybrid betAveen P. hicens^ to which it bears a good deal of resemblance, and P, perfoliatus, two of the commonest species in our rivers. It may easily be distinguished from the former by the sessile leaves, and from the latter by the much longer leaves which do not clasp the stem. It occurs in the K. Frome above "Wareliam, a little to the west of the railway bridge, where the Swanage line crosses the river. There was no sign of it in the R. Piddle at Wareliam, though both parents grew frequently together. The Dorset plants seemed to be fruiting fairly well, but from the way in which the fruits have shrunk in drying I doubt if they were effectually fertilised, or would have had any vitality. It is, of course, usual with hybrids for the seeds to be more or less imper- fect ; sometimes the ovules show no development ; more commonly there is an apparent maturing of the ovules to a greater or less extent ; and this is what had taken place in the Wareham Pond- weed. In some other examples of P. decipiens, e.g., specimens I once gathered in the canal at Navan, and specimens brought me this last summer by the Rev. R. P. Murray from a canal near Bath,
* After this i>aper was written tlie President of the Society informed nie that he had previously observed this Pond-weed in the K. Stour,-- E. F. L.
SOME ADDITIONS TO TEIE DORSET FLORA. "7
perfect seeds had to all appearance been formed ; and the fruit is usually described as being much the same as that of P. luct/is (one of the reputed parents). How the pollen is carried from one plant to another has not been ascertained ; but if the whole genus is correctly stated to be proterogynous, i.e., if the female organs are developed before the male organs, the flowers would in no case be self-fertilised ; and the wind would probably be the agent that conveyed the pollen from flower-spike to flower^spike ; and there would be no more difficulty on this score in the cross-fertilisation of one species by another species than in the legitimate fertilisa= tion of one species by its own pollen. The genus has received much close attention in recent years, and one fact that has clearly been established is that natural hybrids abound among the Poncl- weeds.
Perhaps the most interesting of the additions made to the Dorset Flora during 1893 is the little sedge Cijperics fuscus, L., an insignificant marsh plant, with nothing showy in the way of a flower, but interesting on account of its extreme rarity in Groat Britain. As it is distributed over the greatest part of the Conti- nent of I^urope, being found from Portugal to middle and South Russia, and from Denmark and r>elgium to the shores of the Mediterranean and the Levant, it is rather remarkable that it sliould be almost absent from a well-watered country with abun- dance of suitable marshy places like the British Isles. For many years only one single station has been known for it in these Isles, a wet common in Surrey. There was a time when it also grew in Chelsea, but there it was believed to be naturalised, and is now extinct. So that the Shalford Common station was the only one where there was any claim for the Cyperus to be considered indigenous. Late in August last the Rev. W. R. I^inton detected it, when out botanising with the Rev. R. P. Murray and myself, near Ringwood ; there was no great quantity, and it appeared to be confined to one small spot of ground. Having become familiar with the look of the plant I naturally thought of it when I came across some interesting marshy bits of land a few days later about Bere
78 SOME ADDITIONS TO THK DORSET FLORA.
Regis ; there was the same sort of herbage growing in the marsh, and after some research I was repaid by the discovery of several plants of the Ct/perus. A fortnight later I was in the same neigh- bourhood, and in the course of a walk I saw it again a considerable distance from the first station, one plant being of unusual size, and bearing, I should say, from 20 to 30 stbms, each with their cluster of fruit.
There is no need for me to describe here the features of this interesting sedge ; it is well described in existing manuals. The importance of the discovery is not merely in the addition of a good plant for the county, but in the testimony to the indigenous character of the species. It has been argued that a rare plant, which has only one station, was probably introduced ; and that, therefore, it is likely that the plant on Shalford Common was introduced, l^ow we find a thoroughly native station in Dorset, and another in Hants ; consequently the doubt which some have entertained regarding the Surrey station is removed.
Two more interesting plants belonging to the Cyperacece have been added to the County Flora during the past summer, both of them species that were already recorded for Hants. One is the rare Cotton-grass Eriop)liorum gracile, Koch (non Sm.). Oddly enough this species was discovered only just in time to be entered in. Townsend's Flora of Hants, some ten years ago ; and there is a very good account of it in one of the Appendices to that work. And now it has turned up in Dorset just in time to appear in an Appendix (though not in its proper order) in the forthcoming Flora of Dorset. Having already during the month of May taken the opportunity offered by the dry season of penetrating fartlier than before into some of the bogs of the New Forest and gathered E. gracile^ Koch, on three occasions, I had become familiar with its facies, and formed the opinion that it ought to be found in tliis county also. I was almost disappointed that in so likely a locality as Morden Decoy this species declined to appear, though Cotton-grass abounded. But in the neighbourhood of Littlesea last June, after examining
SOME ADDITIONS TO THE DOHSET FLORA. 7 'J
tlie Cotton-grasses of more than one bog in vain, I detectod a fair quantity of tlie right plant, first in a little swamp where I needed my companion's hand (Mr. E. M. Holmes) to reach it without disaster, and soon after on ground where it was possible to stand without discomfort or trepidation, so much was the bog dried ui). At this spot E. ijracile and the common species, IJ. cuKjustifoliuin, were growing together, so that at a little distance it was doubtful which species was before us. When close at hand there was no difficulty in distinguishing the two plants. E. gracile, Koch (which must not be confused with E. gmcile, Sm., a slender and small form of the common species), is not only more slender, but usually rather taller than average E. ayigustifulium ; the peduncles are clothed with short pubescence ; the glumes arc greener when young and eventually a lighter grey ; the tuft of cottony hairs is much narroAver and neater, liaving the look of a paint brush from the tuft being rather truncate at the end ; and the nut is narrower and of a brownish-grey. It usually grows in deep watery bogs, where there is no firm bottom for 2-3 feet, sending out slender ascending suckers, which have leaves only at first, but become flowering plants the following year ; and generally the pressure of the foot is enough to submerge, gradually or more precipitately, the soaking fibrous mass in wliich it roots.
The other Cyperaceous plant I referred to is Carex filiformis L., which was observed last May at IMorden Decoy by the Rev. R. P. Murray and myself. The day we were together scarcely any but barren plants met our view ; these were abundant, but were insufficient to name the plant with certainty. A few days later I searched other parts of this extensive bog and met with the Carex abundantly, and on this visit procured several fruiting spikes. As this Carex is found in Devon, Hants, and Somerset it was to be expected in Dorset ; its distribution in England farther north is curious ; four counties in East Anglia,then from Stafford north- wards ; I have gathered it in Skye and on the north coast of Sutherland. There is a likeness here to the distribution of Carex limosa, which is also rather abundant in ]\Iorden Decoy. This is
80 SOME ADDITIONS TO THE DORSET FLORA.
chiefly nortliern in Britain, extending from Sliropsliire nortliwards, but has one or two habitats in Dorset, Hants, and in Suffolk.
Garex filiformis is placed near one end of the long list of species belonging to this genus. Its nearest ally is C. hiiia, L., a much commoner sedge, found in nearly all counties except the extreme northern. Both have a fruit that is clothed with short appressed hair and of somewhat similar structure : but that of C. ^filiformis is narrower, and the habits of the two plants and their leaves are totally different.
Prrc.DrT.^ct X.H.S- A.F. Club. Vol. XV. m'l^.
M J S Harvbury del
Minterr^ Eros . unp .
UTRICULARIA NEGLECTA.
EXPLANATION OF THE PLATE.
1. Portion of plant of Utrkidarin ncglccta, Lelim., with the hianclips
cut short.
16. Termination of branch of ditto, forming; wintei -bml.
2. Leaf of ditto (niagnitied).
3. Bladder (highly magnitied).
4. Detached Hower of ditto, looked at from beliind. (The orilice, into
which the ovary fits, sliould be circular).
o. Part of the scajie of U. vulgaris, Linn., with Hower and fiuit. (i. Det.ached flower in profile of U. intennedia, Hayne.
The lady who has done me the favour uf malting the drawing, and tin- engraver, have done admirable work under very adverse circumstances. The imfavourable season of 1894, which made it imjrossible to get a .•<atisfactory specimen for a model, is alone to blame for any imperfection tliat may b.- detected in the flowers. E- E. L.
British g^ccics of iltvicularia.
(Illustrated hij Dorset Siiecimens. )
By Rev. E. F. LINTON.
P to the date of writing this paper Ilampsliire is the only county for wliich the four species of British Bladderworts liave been recorded- — viz., Utrkularia vulgaris, L., U. negleda, Lehm., U. intennedia, Hayne, and U. minor, L. Several counties liave been known to produce three of these, among Avhich was Dorset. Having during August last seen a good quantity of U. negleda in S. Hants, my brother, the Rev. W. R. Linton, and myself looked for it in Dorset in tlie marshy meadows near Wool, where U. vidgaris was said to grow. The first Bladderwort my brother detected proved on investigation to be U. neglecta ; and it was natural to suppose that it was this species which had previously been gathered at "Wool as U. vulgarix, as these two are sometimes confused. A little later we met with some fine specimens of U. vulgaris in one of the smallest trenches of a water meadow ; and we had the satisfaction of knowing that Dorset, as well as Hants, possessed all four species.
It is unusual for these two species, U. vulgaris and U. neglecta, to grow in the same locality. They are made to do so, I am aware, in the Hants Flora, where they are said to occur over
82 BRITISH SPECIES OF UTRICULARIA
■the same ground in District II. But the notes regarding U. vulgaris in that district are of a date when U. negleda had not been well discriminated, at least for the county ; and, after investigation, I am of opinion that all the so-called U. vuhjaris given for District II. is the other species. The fact that all the plants sent to Darwin as U. vulgaris, to aid his investigation of Insectivorous Plants, and collected from Sopley and Bisterne in District II., Avere found to be U. negleda, is evidence of such confusion having taken place.
It is my object in this paper to give some account of each of the four species, and to include a description of each. This Avill not be altogether a work of supererogation ; for one of them, U. intermedia, Hayne, is very rarely seen in flower ; so rarely that many excellent Herbaria which possess sheet upon sheet of its foliage have been utterly devoid of a flower-spike hitherto, and Boswell Syme, when he wrote the part of English Botany con- taining this genus, had never seen a flowering British specimen. (Syme, E.B., vol. vii., p. 129.) It is probable that the prolonged drought and accumulated heat of the spring and summer of 1893 had for one of its many curious results the efi'ect of generating the flower of U. intermedia. In both June and August I saw it flowering freely in two localities in this county ; and I have thus had the good fortune to observe all four Bladderworts in flower, within a short period of time.
Before taking the species seriatim I will recapitulate what has been observed in recent times about the bladders which give the name to the plants. Up to about the year 1875 the bladders, which are attached to the leaves in some species, to barren branches in another, were generally supposed to exist for the purpose of raising the plant to the surface of the water for the flowering period, by the air they were supposed to contain. In Syme's English Botany (ed. 3., vol. vii., p. 126), I read: "The name of this genus of plants is derived from the Latin word Uter, and signifies a little bottle, or bladder-, or vesicle, referring to the appendages of this sort on the stem and leaves of the species,
imiTISII SPECIES OP UTKICULARIA. ,S;3
causing them to float on the surface of the water." In \SC)^ a ^Fr Holland announced that he had observed minute water insects in the bladders ; this led Charles Darwin to study their uses and structure with great care, and the results of his observations were published in his "Insectivorous Plants" in 1875, he being just anticipated by Professor Coin, who had been engaged in similar researches and had come to much the same conclusions. Darwin found that the bladders did not contain air, but water, or at most a few casual bubbles. Consequently their final cause could not be to float the plant. Crustaceans were commonly found by him in mature bladders, and sometimes other minute creatures. Tlie bladder, which was shaped like a flattened oval flask, only with the lower edge straight, was a sort of trap, furnished with a very delicate transparent valve at it.> mouth, and witli a few small bristles, resembling the antennae of an insect, also about the mouth, which seemed to be for the purpose of guiding crustaceans to the entrance of tlie trap. The interior of the bladder is coated willi elongate papillae, arranged in fours and in pairs, wliich are ca})able of suction ; and Darwin succeeded in proving that the bladders imbibed the juices of the decaying crustaceans, which were soon asphyxiated by their confinement in the trap, and this ministered to the nutriment of the plant. The Bladderworts (at least in this country) have no root ; the bladders therefore carry on the alimentary functions that roots perform in other plants, and feed on microscopic garbage. It is noticeable that the British species are inhabitants of remarkably foul ditches or putrid bogs.
Utricularia vulgaris, L. Stems, 6-1 Sin. long, leafy throughout, usually simple, terminating in stout winter buds ; leaves deltoid- ovate in outline, spreading alternately in diftercnt directions, sessile, trifurcate from the base, branching 3-1 times, segments linear with fine marginal bristles towards the extremities, and bearing bladders |l in. long shortly stalked ; scape erect at first, then elongating procumbent and flexuous (G-Hin.), 3-12 flowered ; liracts oblong olive green often bifid ; pedicels dotted erect in bud recurved in fruit ; calyx pale olive green, half as long as the pedicel, lobes
84 BRITISH SPECIES OF UTRICULARIA.
spreading in fruit, iijiper longer ovate-acuminate, lower broadly ovate 2-toothed ; corolla, |in. vertically and across, two-fifths to |in, long, medium yellow ; upper lip suborbicular about equalling the long much inflated palate, which is marked with imperfectly anastomosing orange-brown striae and slightly downy towards the throat ; lower lip with broad margin reflexed at right angles all round, often touching and even enclosing the spur ; spur nearly straight parallel with the lower lip, very obtuse, with few purple- brown striae forming strongly-marked angles at their junction ; flower-bud glandular rather angular, the twisted corolla forming a blunt 2-dentate cone ; stigma broadly ovate, ciliate, sensitive ; capsule one-fifth inch diam., style persistent.
The Greater Bladderwort is not so common as the specific name (vulgaris) would suggest. It is indeed distributed through the country, being known for 42 English and Welsh counties and some 18 or more Scotch. But it is very local ; for instance, Herefordshire had but a single locality, and there the plant is extinct. And it remains to be seen whether U. negleda is not the plant that has been recorded as U. vulgaris in some cases — a mistake which is known to have occurred. Not that the two plants would easily be confused if both were seen and compared in the fresh state. But, as I have said, they are rarely to be found near one another; and in the herbarium, Avhen the delicate flowers have lost their shape, some of the principal points of difi'erence usually disappear. U. vulgaris has larger and greener bracts and sepals, the pedicel is stouter as well as shorter, and usually recurved in fruit ; the flower is less showy, the upper lip shorter by a little, only about as long as the palate, the palate is rather larger and more prominent, and the broad margin of the lower lip is sharply deflexed, hanging down like a rigid curtain or vallance on both sides and in front, and usually enclosing and even concealing the broadly conical spur between the two flaps. The spur is on the whole blunter ; but this is a character which varies a good deal in both species, and is not of much use for discrimination. In bud the flower of U. vulgaris is twisted into a very blunt or subtruncate
BRITISH SPECIES OF UTRICULARIA. 85
cone, which terminates in two sliort points. The stigma, which consists of two lobes or flaps in the genus, is sensitive and ciliate in this species ; the two lobes, which are spreading Avhen mature, slowly approach one another and close up Avlien gently touched.
U. negleda, Lelim. Stems 6-2iin. long, leafy throughout, branching rather freely, branches terminating in rather slender winter buds ; leaves alternately spreading in different directions, orbicular in outline, branching 2-3 times, segments capillary distinctly furnished with a few marginal bristles near their extremities and bearing shortly stalked ovoid bladders, \m. long when fully developed; scape much as in U.vuhjaris, 3-10 flowered 4-lOin. long; bracts ovate-oblong or oblong-acuminate olive trans- parently scarious ; pedicels 4-6 times as long as the calyx, rather slender, purplish, erect-patent in flower, straight in fruit ; calyx olive-brown membranous striate, upper lobe oblong subacute, lower orbicular-ovate notched ; corolla |-in. or more vertically and about Jin. long, bright medium yellow ; upper lip erect ovate- oblong about twice as long as the projecting palate, deeply channelled above, edges incurved ; palate much inflated, channelled, marked with orange-brown usually simple striae ; lower lip f to 4-5in. across with broad margin spreading horizontally and waved ; spur subacute or obtuse pointing down- ward and forward, diverging from the lip, with few dull purple- brown striae forming faintly coloured angles ; buds glandular, the twisted corolla forming a very acute cone ; stigma not sensitive, upper lobe papillose on the inner surface.
U. neglecta was given by Watson for six English counties (Topogr. Bot. Ed. II.) and no Welsh or Scotch. Since the issue of that work it has been discovered for both Scotland and Ireland ; but it cannot be said that its distribution has yet Ijeeu worked out. It is still regarded as a rare plant. It may be best distinguished from U. vulf/aris by its more showy flowers with the broad margin of the lower lip spreading horizontally ; the palate is smaif in proportion, and is exceeded U,-2 times l)y the projecting iipper lip. The flower is twisted in bud into an acute cone, nearly parallel at
8b BRITISH SPECIES OF UTRICULARIA.
first with tlie direction of the spur, but divergent (nearly to the extent of a right angle) before expansion. The pedicels are slender, long in proportion, and usually straight or nearly so ; erect or ascending in fruit (not recurved). The sepals and bracts are smaller and of a browner green. Flowerless specimens may be distinguished by the usually smaller (and more numerous '?) bladders upon the leaves, the more slender leaf-segments, and the stems being more disposed to branch than in U. vulgaris. It struck me, in the specimens gathered last summer, that it Avas more easy to shake the leaves of U. negleda out of the pencil which their segments form when drawn from the water, and that the winter buds in their early stages Avere more slender, than was the case in U. vulgaris.
These numerous points of difierence sufficiently show that these two are good species, though superficially, and especially in the herbarium resembling one another, and in the past often confused,
Reichenbach has given a leaf-distinction, which I have not succeeded in verifying, or finding confirmed by other observers. He says that the serrations of the young leaves of U. vulgaris bear a fascicle of bristles, while those of U. negleda have but a single bristle, and he doubts whether the single bristle is always present (Icon. Fl. Germ, et Helv. xx., p. 113, tab. 1822, 1824).
Utricularia intermedia, Hayne. Stems more or less branched, bearing large bladders on longish slender stalks or small branches, and producing here and there terminal leafy shoots devoid of bladders, terminating in hirsute winter buds ; bladders ^-1-oin. long (sometimes almost ^in.), usually very pale ; leaves -|-f in. long, roundish (eventually pointed) in outline, spreading regularly and nearly in one plane, trifurcate at the base, then branching alternately, rarely bearing a casual bladder, segments linear- acuminate, often rather broad, dentate towards the extremities ; scape, 2^--4in. curved below, but erect |-f of its length, 2-3-flowered, with one detached amplexicaul cordate-acuminate bract ; pedicels \-\m. long, decurved at the top, exceeding their bract ; calyx pale green, lobes ovate to ovate-acuminate concave ; corolla ^in. (as
BRITISH SPECIES OF UTRICULARIA. 87
long as broad), deep golden yellow, twisted in laid into a very acute cone ; upper lip slightly concave and arching, twice as long as the palate ; palate very prominent, folded, with purplish-brown striae ; lower lip broad, spreading, broader than long ; spur conic subacute curving in toAvards the lip ; stigma very unequally lobed, upper lobe very small, lower broadly lingulate.
The distribution of this species is very curious ; putting aside doubtful records, it skips the whole of central England, excepting ]S^orfolk, and from Dorset and Hants in the south is unheard of till we reach the three northernmost counties ; in Scotland it is more frequent, being recorded in some ten counties ; it also occurs in Ireland, chiefly in the west , I have seen it plentifully in parts of Galway.
It differs from the two previous species in being much smaller in nearly every respect ; in the disposition of the bladders (which are exceptionally large for the plant) upon branches which are leafless, or nearly so, in the neighbourhood of the bladders, though often prolonged into terminal leafy shoots ; in the distichous arrangement of the leaves, which lie almost in one plane and bear no bladders. The inflorescence is very similar to that of U. nerjleda only on a smaller scale ; the pedicels are indeed shorter in propor- tion, and the spur more acute, l)ut in the twisting of the flower in bud, in the relative length of upper lip and palate, and in the spreading margin of the lower lip, there is a close rcsemljlancc to the floral characters of U. negleda. The remarkable feature of the bladders being borne on the leafless part of the branches may, I think, be accounted for in this way. They are usually f(jund on the parts which burrow in the loose peaty mud of the bog, which is in a semi-fluid state ; consequently they are usually of a pale, whitish hue, and semi-transparent before they get clogged with the dehri^i of their animal food. The i^ame burrowing propensity prevents the development of perfcjct leaves, which are only to be found on the branches that lie exposed to the light on the surface of the submerged mud. These perfect leaves are sessile and trichotomous from the base The bladders, each on a slender stalk
88 BRITISH SPECIES OP UTllICULARlA.
of varying length, are sometimes supported by a short bract or leaf segment, sometimes by two ; these bracts or leaf segments are simple or bifurcate, suggesting the idea of a reduced leaf ; and a little consideration shows that the bladder is in fact occupying the place of a suppressed leaf, the one, or two, bracts at the base of the bladder stalk representing the other divisions of a perfect trifur- cate leaf. Darwin convinced himself that U. negleda and U. miiior were nourished on the juices of different crustaceans, suited to their respective powers of digestion ; no doubt U. intermedia also has its particular fancy, and searches for its prey amid the decaying filth of a peaty bog. This habit is by no means surprising when compared with the life of a South American species, U. montana, which is more or less Epiphytic and permeates rotten Avood and decaying mosses or loose earth with its rhizomes, which bear numerous minute bladders filled with water and provided with delicate apparatus fitted to ensnare unsuspecting animalcules and exclude undesirable rubbish !
I will treat the remaining British species briefly, partly because I can add little or nothing in the case of a plant that is already so well known ; partly because there is little likelihood of its being confused with any of the three already noticed.
U. minor, L. Stems very slender, usually little branched, more or less leafy, rarely bearing some few bladders independently of the leaves, and terminating in small glabrous winter buds ; leaves \-\n\. broad, broadly orbicular, trifurcate at the base, trichotomously multifid in linear acute segments, with no bristly hairs towards the extremities, but bearing small obovoid bladders ; scape 2-6in., very slender, erect or nearly so, purplish above, 2-3 bracteate, (below the inflorescence), 3-10 flowered ; pedicels 1-5-Jin. long, reflexed after flowering, 2-3 times as long as the calyx ; calyx purplish-olive ; lobes ovate, deeply concave corolla about |^in. long, pale lemon yellow, twisted in bud into an acute cone ; spur short obtuse, about as broad as long ; upper lip spreading waved, not arching, notched, as long as the raised horseshoe-shaped palate, margins of broadly ovate lower lip deflexed ; stigma lobe subacute.
BRITISH SPECIES OF UTRICULARIA. 89
Recorded from 32 English and AVelsli counties and some 17 Scotch, this interesting little plant is widely distributed, from the extreme south to the extreme north of Great Britain. It cannot easily be mistaken for any of the preceding : its small size, its lemon-coloured flowers, the reduction of the spur to a broad Ijluntly conical hump, about as broad as long, mark it unmistakeably. The bladders, which are very small, are usually Ijorne upon the leaves, but may also be found, one or two together, upon slender stalks direct from the stem, without any sign of leaf ; and are in that case pale in colour as if from burrowing in the loose mud (after the fashion of U. intermedia). It opens one's eyes to the wonders of the inflnitely small in the animal world to learn that the tiny bladders of U. minor have been observed to contain a greater number of crustaceans than the larger bladders of U. negleda. Darwin gives ten as the maximum counted in a bladder of the latter species, but records 15, 20, even 24, as having been observed in a bladder of U. minor !
A fifth species has been for many years suspected as British and claimed as such — viz., JJ, Bremii, Heer. But as the distinctions lie chiefly in the flower, and the flower of the supposed British plants has never been found in this country, it is needful to wait for further evidence. U. Bremii seems to come very near U. minor, difi'ering from it in the more robust habit, the more pointed conic spur, and the lower lip orbicular, spreading. There is little in the description to separate these two as distinct species.
flc^jtilcs of goviici
By Rev. 0. P. CAMBRIDGE, M.A., F.R.S., &c., &c.
Bead at the Field Club Meeting, Dorchester, March 15th, 1S94.
f^Eh^
[With Plate.]
1^
X Vol. xvii. "Zoologist " 1893, p. 174, a catalogue is given l.y Mr. Miller Christie, F.Z.S., of " Local Lists of British Mammals, Reptiles, and Fishes," arranged under counties, and he gives lists from numerous counties in England and "Wales. As respects Reptiles the only lists that appear ever to have been published of those of the county of Dorset are — (i.) "A catalogue of the Reptiles found in Dorsetshire " (written by the late Mr. J. C. Dale and published in 1837 in "The Naturalist,"* Vol. ii., p. 182), containing a record of only seveji species ; (ii.) A list given by Mr. C. W. Dale of eight species in his " History of Glanvilles Wootton," p. 37, published in 1878.
The number of si^ecies now recorded in Dorsetshire is thirteen, including the "Leathery Turtle," Sjrjhargis coriacea (Dumeril et Bibron). Only two other species of Reptiles are at present
The Naturalist" (Neville Woods), Vol. ii., pp. 182-183, London,
1837.
REPTILES OF DORSET. 91
recorJcd as Britisli — viz., the Edihlc Frog, Rana escidcnia (Duni. et Bib.), and the llawkshill Turtle, Chelonia imhricata Sclnveig ; Dorsetshire, therefore, can boast of nearly all the known Lriti-^h Eeptiles. Ko other county can at present furnish a much more imposing list, even if any one has so many species certainly recorded within its limits. * It may be remarked here, however, that the number of Reptiles found in Great Britain is but scanty when compared with those found on the Continent of Europe. The European Reptilia number at present a total of about one hundred against the meagre fifteen species of Great Britain. The Li::ards of Europe are thirty-seven as against three British, The non-venomous Snalies eighteen or twenty as against our two Biitish species, and the venomous ones four against onr one ; while as against our four species of the Frog group the Europeans count nineteen ; the three British species of Neiois being represented in Europe by seven- teen. Some of us may perhaps be inclined to think that this comparative paucity of the reptile class in Britain tells in her fa\our as an abode of the human species; but still, though one can scarcely covet the additional European venomous Rei)tilcs, y(;t all who in their researches love to see every corner and crevice of the face of Nature peopled with many and varied animal forms will, I think, agree that a few more of the lively lizards and harmless snakes would increase the pleasure of our summer rambles. In addition to these general remarks, perhaps this is the best place to refer very shortly to one or two (I am almost in- clined to call them) superstitions in respect to some of our Eeptiles. I allude first to the asserted habit of the adder, when alarmed, of swallowing its progeny ; or rather, I suppose I should say, of the young, Avhen alarmed, of bolting down their mother's throat. I have often seen this stated in i)rint in a very dear ami circumstantial way, but though I have in my time known intimately and personally a great many zealous field-naturalists
* Carnarvon has a Y\^X, of \?> si)eeies ; J)('voiisliir(\ l."> >-|iccit>s ; Somerset, 12 species ; Yorkshire, 12 species. (See Mr. Millci- L'liiislie's catalogue. )
92 REPTILES OF DORSET.
and observers I have as yet never come across one who could assure me, without the possibility of a doubt, that he had seen this occur. I need scarcely add that I have never Avitnessed it myself, and I confess that I am still very sceptical on the point. Another superstition I would refer to is the finding of toads imbedded in solid blocks of wood or stone. This has also been often very circumstantially testified to in print, and by eye- witnesses (whose testimony on such a point can, however, hardly be said to be quite above suspicion), such as that of quarrymen or others who had something to look for in the way of reward, or notoriety from the detail of the marvellous. Is^either in this case has it ever been my lot to come across anyone who had ever seen a toad dis-entombed from a piece of stone or rock. I have under- stood that a considerable reward has more than once been offered to quarrymen or others (who had asserted the occurrence of toads in solid stone as not unfrequent) to produce at once the toad and the portions of rock which encased it, but that in no case has the reward ever been claimed ; in fact, I think it may be said that no unimpeachable evidence has ever yet been offered to prove such an occurrence. Other superstitions in connection with Reptiles (notably toads) belong rather to "Folk-lore" than to K'atural History, and I fancy that our past Vols, of the Field Club Proceedings contain accounts of such from the able pens of Mr. J. S. Udal and others, so I need not allude to them further here. I would therefore only mention that out of the thirteen recorded Dorset species of Eeptiles I find twelve in the parish of Bloxworth alone.
CLASS EEPTILIA. ORDER *TESTUDINATA (Tortoises and Turtles),
* I am told by our Secretary, Mr. Kicliardson, that in 1887 or 1888 a specimen of Chdonia viridis, the green or edible Turtle, was found dead in the West Bay. (See Proc. Dorset N. H. and A. F. Club x., p. 170.) The shell of this is in our Museum, but it can hardly be placed in our list of Dorset Reptiles, as it may have been one tliat died on board ship and was thrown overboard c^i route from the tropics, or perhaps it may have been washed over here after a natural death.
REPTILES OF DORSET. 93
SPHARGIS CORIACEA, Dum. ot Eib.
Leathery Tmile. Bell's British Keptiles, 1849, p. 12.
This species reaches a weight of seven to eight hundred pound.^, and measures eight feet in length, Mr. Bell, on the authority of Pennant, records one taken on the coast of Dorsetshire and deposited in the Leverian IMuseum. Bell adds that he believes this specimen to be now in the British Museum.
ORDER SAURIA. FAM. LACERTIDiE (Lizards).
LACERTA AGILIS, Linn.
Sa7id Lizard. Bell's British Reptiles, p. 18.
The length of this reptile often reaches seven inches or slightly over. It is a beautiful .species and probably well known to most of our members who live in or near the heath districts. Its colour varies from bright green to dark rich brown, their hues being often intermingled in parts of the same individual, and always marked with numerous bright white or yellowish spots margined with black. In capturing this species care should be taken not to hold it by the tail, as it at once endeavours to get free by stiffening and snap])ing the tail oif. A new tail will in time grow from the stump, but it is always of a more stumpy form than the original one, and its junction is plainly visible. I have frequently come across individuals with such stumpy tails, and have conjectured that they may have been lost in escaping from their enemy, the Smooth Snake (CoroncUa I('ri.'<), which appears to feed upon this lizard. (See Proc. Dorset X. II. and A. R Club, Vol. vii., p. 88.)
This species may be kept alive in confinement. I have had them in a glass case, with heather and grass on its floor, for months together, feeding them with flies and other insects and keeping a small saucer always full of water in the case, though I cannot say that I ever saw one drink. They are very pretty objects when basking in the sun, but with those kept in confinement I was not
94 REPTILES OF DORSET.
able to make any observations of much interest iu respect to their ways and habits.
The Sand Lizard is not a rare species in many parts of the Dorset Heaths. As a rule those examples found on the high and dry part of the heath are browner than those found in lower damp grassy parts ; an evident adaptation to the surrounding colour, and no doubt protective.
zooTOCA viviPARA, Dum. et Bib.
Viviparous Lizard. Bell's British Reptiles, p. 34.
The smaller size, more slender form, and duller colours of this lizard will easily prevent its being confounded with the preceding (L. agilis). As its name implies, it produces its young alive, not like the preceding, laying eggs which are afterwards hatched, but producing the young just after the shell (or rather membraneous envelope) bursts within the female. Its length is from five to six inches, and although I have never found it in any abundance it is not unfrequent in all the parts I have rambled over iu Dorsetshire. It appears to be distributed generally through England, being also found both in Scotland and Ireland.
ANGUIS FRAGILIS, LiuU.
Sloic-ioorm. Bell's British Reptiles, p. 41.
No description is needed of this common and (so far as Europe is concerned), almost universally distributed reptile. Although destitute of limbs it is in its essential characters nearer to the lizards than to the snakes. Though perfectly harmless it is almost without exception disliked, and often superstitio'usly feared by English country folk. I have rarely come across a Dorset country-person who would not, if it Avere possible, destroy a slow worm. It varies considerably in size — from 10 to 14 inches— and, like the last species (Zootoca vivipara), its young are produced alive.
ORDER OPIIIDIA. FAM. COLUBRID/E (Snalces and Adders).
NATRIX TORQUATA, Ray.
Common or Ringed Snalie. Bell's British Reptiles, p. 49.
#:.*♦
o I
a: ^
<l
REPTILES OF DORSET, 95
The common snake is too well known to nood minute description. Its generally greenish olive-grey hue with the blight yellow transverse marking close behind the head, brought into greater relief by the black patch -which adjoins it, make it conspicuous at a glance to the most ordinary observer. It could only be con- fused in England with our other two species, the Smooth Snake (Coronella la-vis) and the Adder (Felias herns), and from each of these the yellow ring behind the head at once distinguishes it. It is common throughout England, and in some localities very abundant. In my own district of Bloxworth it comes up from the woods and heaths in considerable numbers every summer to deposit its eggs in fermenting heaps of dead leaves and other vegetable refuse. It appears to possess an instinctive knowledge of these heaps, as at a distance of two or three fields I have seen them emerging from the woods and making their way in a direct line for them. The common snake varies considerably in length ; the largest I ever met with myself was on Bloxworth Heath, and measured exactly 4ft. 2in. in length. I have a variety, found on Bloxworth Heath, of which I give here a figure,* and which I imagine to be unique. It is of a uniform pale whitish colour, with a avoII- defined broad longitudinal central dorsal [)ale yellow-brown band. 'No trace of the characteristic yellow ring at the back of the head was visible.
CORONELLA L.EVIS, Boic.
Sinoofh Snalic. Clermont, European Reptiles, p. 224, suli. Coluber Austriacus, Dum. et Bib. Cambr. Proc. Dors. X. II. and A. Field Club, 1886, Vol. vii., pp. 84—92, pi. vi.
In a former volume of our Procecaings I have given a figure as Avell as a full description and account of this species, so that it is not necessary to do more than allude to it here in general terms.
* The liguie given of thi.s variety lia.s been kiiidlj- iliaMn for mo Ity my nephew (liev. F. P. Cambridge). The position of tlie snake is taken from the figure of the common snake in lU'II's "]{c[itilt's of (lirat Britain," being that in which tlie peculiar variation in colour could lie most clearly and fully represented.
yb REPTILES OF DORSET.
It was first discovered in England, by the late Mr. Frederick Bond and myself, between Ringwood and Wimborne in 1853 but was only recorded as British in 1859. It is not unfrequent on the Dorset- shire and Hampshire Heaths, where it is often mistaken for the adder and suffers accordingly. It is of a browner hue than the common snake, and so far bears a superficial resemblance to the adder, but it lacks the conspicuous central longitudinal zigzag or lozenge-shaped dark-brown or blackish band on the back of the latter, and is of a more slender form. Its length is from eighteen to twenty-five inches, and it is probably ovo-viviparous.
PELiAS BBRUSj Dum. et Bib.
Adder. Bell's British Reptiles, p. 61.
This well known and justly feared reptile varies much in colour, ranging from a pale greenish hue to dark brown, black, and red- brown ; but the longitudinal row of rough diamond or lozenge- shaped dark markings along the back will always serve to distinguish it from either of our other two indigenous Ophidians. Its poison may well be dreaded, for although fatal results from its bite are, I believe, rare, yet they are often exceedingly serious. The effects of the adder's bite depend in great measure, no doubt, upon the season of the year, and on the condition of the patient's general health and constitution. Although found generally throughout England and Scotland, it is far less common in som^ localities, even in the South of England, than in others. It is certainly not abundant, though frequent in the Bloxworth district, and is found more in the woodlands bordering the heath than on the heaths themselves. Its length is from eighteen to twenty- four inches, and it is ovo-viviparous, the young bursting the egg-envelope in the act of parturition. The trivial name Viper is usually given both to the young, and to the male of the Adder.
ORDER BATRACHIA. FAM. RANADiE (Frogs and Toads).
RANA TEMPORARIA, LiuU.
Common Frog. Bell'y British Reptiles, p. 89.
REPTILES OF DORSET. 9/
It is scarcely necessary in a list like the present to give much more tlian the name of such a common and well kno-\vn reptile as this. Few animals are more remarkable, however, than those of this group in their transformations and some of their hahits. One can liardly imagine a subject of greater interest to a lover of Nature than the watching of the gradual change from the earliest tadijule state to the perfect form. The common frog does not seem to be over abundant, but is found throughout Dorset,* as well as England generally, and in most localities, tliough, of course, moisture, in the shape of river banks, wet ditches, ponds, and pools, as also damp meadows, is essential to its well being. Unlike the toad, which is found in all situations and in favourable weather is constantly on the move crossing roads and pathways in thr evening, the frog is more local and needs looking for.
BUFO VULGARIS, Laur.
Toad. Bell's British Reptiles, p. 115.
Everyone knows a Toad T)y sight — its tumid form, murky colour, warty or tuberculous skin, sluggish movements, neither a walk, nor run, nor jump, but a sottish sort of crawl, Avith, if hurried, a faint attempt at a hop, often ending in a lurch to one side or a complete roll over. Its habits, though, of course, possessing, like those of all other creatures, an interest of their own, present nothing very remarkaljle to an ordinary observer. Like the frog
* In his introductory paper to "Papers read before the Purbeck Society," 1855, the Ptev. J. H. Austin says, p. 26 :— "That he has never been able to ascertain the occurrence of the eounnon frog on the soutli side of the chalk hills of Purbeck." His information respecting other reptiles in Purbeck is also limited. He only mentions the Viper (two varieties of colour— red and ordinary) and two species of Water Eft, but conceives, though he has not any proof, that the Sand Lizard iniiabits tlie Studland and Corfe heaths. I have before me a letter from the Kev. John Bond, of Tynehani, in which he says that thei-e are certainly frogs to be found within the limits mentioned by Mr. Austin, thougli they are scarce. A few are to be found close to Tynehani, and one of remarkable size and marvellous jtower of hopping— two or tinee yards at a time -was seen in a hayfield tiiere during this past haymaking season. Tlie IJev. Charles AVordsworth, Hector of Tyneham, also tells me that llie fro^' occurs in this district, though the toad is the most common."
98 REPTILES OF DORSET,
it passes through very similar transformations from the egg to the perfect animal. Stories of toads found imbedded in substances like wood or stone have been already alluded to. Mr. Bell, in his history of British Reptiles before referred to, treats them, as he does also stories of vipers taking refuge down their mothers' throats, with scant credit, and he mentions the failure of experi- ments, conducted with a view to testing the truth of the former stories. We can understand a toad being thought an unattractive animal. It certainly is not strictly beautiful, but it is not easy to understand the intense dislike often felt towards them. A gentle- man (now no more) of my acquaintance, a man of high education, a great sportsman, and fond of natural history, could never pass by a toad without doing, or trying to do, it some grievous bodily harm, and the way in which he would quite set his teeth and " go for the toad " was a caution. I used to try and reason with him, but soon found that the source of his dislike was too deep to be removed by any attempts at reasoning. It was, in fact, a matter of sentiment far too ingrained for reason to reach. This kind of dislike is also, I am afraid, nat uncommon also among country people. I have more than once repeated a story, told me by an in- formant, who (I understood) himself witnessed the occurrence, that some years ago a rustic was found belabouring a wretched toad with a bludgeon, and ever and anon as the blows fell thick and fast the rustic ejaculated, with much concentration of venom in his utterance, " I'll larn thee to be a twoad." Unhappy toad, whose simply being what it could not help being was its great sin ! ! Was this treatment by way of beating it out of him, or into him 1 I am not now so sure that the informant who told me this story was really an eye witness of the deed, but I believe it is a true tale, though for the credit of our own county I do not believe it attaches to Dorsetshire, but to a neighbouring county. Wherever it may have been, however, let us liope that the progress and spread of education have rendered, or will soon render, such cases impossible. The free opening of our Museums, either wholly or partially, after the wise example of our own County Museum, Avill
RErilLKS OF douj^et. 99
mncli lu'lp toAvards lids. The Toad is aljvuulaiit in Dorset, as also, I believe, in most other counties.
BUFO CALAMITA.
Natter- Jack Toad. Bell's British Reptiles, p. 126.
Though recognizable at a glance as a " Toad," the Natter- jack is more readily distinguished from the common toad by a pale central longitudinal dorsal line. It is much more local than the common toad, but where found it is often, I believe, more abundant. I liave myself only met with it in Dorsetshire, in and about a pond on Bloxworth Heath, where, about the year 1850, it was very plentiful. In Lancashire, in and near the numerous ponds among the sand hills between Is^orth jMeols, Southport, and Forniby, I met with it in great abundance. Its croaking at night was very remarkable, being only a second, though, perhaps, rather feeble edition of that of tlie Edihh frog (Rana esculentaj, whose uproar robbed me of several nights' much-needed rest when living in a tent between Jaffa and Jerusalem in 18G5. I cannot speak from experience about all of them, but I fancy most of this group are noted for tenacity of life ; at any rate this is so with the Natter- jack, as the following instance sliows : Having a case of stutTed Herons and other wading birds in course of preparation at the late Mr. Richard Rolls', at Weymouth, I decided to add some Natter- jacks to it to make it more in keeping with the general aspect of the situation affected by the birds ; so from the pond on the heath above mentioned I procured about a dozen Natter-Jack toads and not being aware of any special methods of despatch, administered to each several smart blows with a walking stick, on which they quivered strongly, slowly stretched out their limbs, and became rigid, as though dead ; as indeed, I concluded them to l)e. I congratulated myself on the simplicity and etllciency of my method, and at once packed them in moss and sent them off with in.structions as to the stuffing and disposing them in the case. Some time after, calling at Mr. Rolls' shop to sec the
100 REPTILES OF DOUSET.
progress of the case, he told me that these toads liad arrived very lively and certainly not injured in the least ; that he had fruit- lessly tried several methods of despatching them, and as a last resort had consulted our mutual friend, the late Mr. "Wm. Thompson, who advised him to take them to a chemist, and try a dose of prussic acid, Mr. Thompson himself accompanying him. Half a teaspoonful of prussic acid (Scheele's strength) was administered to each toad, but apparently without the slightest effect. While Mr. Rolls, Mr. Thompson, and the chemist were debating upon the next step, a gentleman called in at the shop, and becoming aware of the dilemma, informed them of the only effectual and rapid Avay of killing these animals — a way of which I certainly was myself up to that time ignorant — that is by opening the mouth and, with a pair of sharp-pointed scissors, dividing the spinal cord at the back of the throat. This method is instantaneous and is to be commended to those who may be obliged at any time to put an end to creatures of this kind. The ISTatter-Jack is smaller than the common toad. It most probably exists in other parts of the county besides Bloxworth Heath, though I have not myself met with it anywhere else, nor have I received any certain account of its occurrence in other localities. Mr. C. W. Dale, however, tells me he thinks it has so occurred, though he cannot find any reference to it.
FAM. SALAMANDEIDiE (Neicts and Efts).
TRITON CRISTATUS, Laur.
Crested or Warty Neict. Bell's British Reptiles, p. 129.
This is the largest and handsomest of our N'ewts, growing to the length of 6 inches. Its size, dark-blackish hue and bright yellow markings, with (in the spring season) the deep flexible indented dorsal crest of the male, will suffice to distinguish this species readily. It is not rare in ponds and ditches at Bloxworth and in other parts of the county. Like the frog group, the newts pass through various stages of the tadpole form before coming to maturity. I once kept some of this species in a tank in my room,
REPTILES OF DORSET. 101
but they used to come out at night from the water and wander ahuut until confined by a perforated zinc cover to the tank. They are very handsome objects wlien swimming in the bright clear water among the water Aveeds and artificial rockwork.
LissoTRiTON PUNCTATUS, Dum. et Bib.
Smooth Newt. Bell's British Reptiles, p. 143.
The smooth Newt is smaller, and though brightly and prettily spotted is paler in colour and by no means so showy a species as the Crested I'J'ewt. Its skin is also smooth ; not tuberculous like that of the Crested Newt. This is the species usually, I believe, known as the Eft, or Evet. j\Ir. Bell (British Reptiles) gives some very interesting notes on the ecdysis, or change of skin, iu this species from the observations of my oM friend, Mr. James Salter, IM.D., F.R.S., &c. The length of the Smooth Newt is not quite four inches, and it is variable in the depth and colour of its markings. It is abundant iu ponds and watery ditches at Bloxworth and in other parts of the county.
LISSOTRITON PALMATUS, Dum. et Bib.
Palmated Smooth Newt. Bell's British Reptiles, p. 154.
This is the smallest of our three indigenous species, measuring only about two to two and a-half inches in length. The male is easily recognized by the palmation of the hinder feet (which is greater, however, in summer than in winter), and by a thread- like elongation at the extremity of a slightly truncated tail looking as if the tip of the tail had been laid hold of and the animal had escaped, leaving tlie llcshy portion iu the fingers, and so apparently reduced the tail at that point to a slender stem of vertebrce. The female has little or no similar elongation. It is a pretty little species, though generally less strongly marked than L. picnrtatm. It is not rare in puols on Bloxworth Heath, and was first discovered in this cnur.ty nrar I'oole, in a pond Ijctwecn Constitution Hill and Kinson many years ago by the late Dr. Bell-Saltcr. It has been found in a
102 REPTILES OF DORSET.
pool near Bincombe by my son, Cbas. Owen P. Cambridge; and I met with it in 1856 in jDonds near Durham.
LIST OF SPECIES.
1. Leatliery Turtle Sphargis coriacea, p. 93
2. Sand Lizard Lacerfa agilis, p. 93
3. Viviparous Lizard Zootoca vivipara, p. 94
4. SloAV-worm Anguis fragiUs, p. 94
5. Einged Snake Natrix torquata, p. 94
6. Smooth Snake Coronella Icevis, p. 95
7. Adder Pelias hems, p. 96
8. Common Frog Ea7ia temporaria, p. 96
9. Common Toad Bufo vulgaris, p. 97
10. IS'atter-Jack Toad Bufo calamita, p, 99
11. Common or Crested Newt Triton cristafus, p. 100
12. Smooth Newt Lissotritonpunctatus,-^.\0\
13. Palmated Smooth Newt ,, imlmatus,-^-^^^
Species recorded by the late Mr James C. Dale, l. c, supra.
1 . Lacerta agilis 5. Rana temporaria
2. Anguis fragilis 6. Bufo vulgaris
3. Natrix torquata 7. Triton aquations
4. Vipera communis ( = T. cristatus) ( = Pelias berus)
Species recorded by Mr. C. W. Dale, in the History of Glanvilles Wootton.
1. Lacerta vivipara 5. Bufo vulgaris
2. Anguis fragilis 6. Rana temporaria
3. Natrix torquata 7. Triton cristatus
4. Pelias berus 8. ,, punctatus
The plate represents the variety of the Coiiniiou Snake alluded to at p. 94.
Free Dorset N.H.&A.F. Clal Vol XV. PI 3. . . ,
<C?^-'
O.P. Cambridge, del'
New and Rare Spiders.
M!F8.rlai.e i. Erskme. Ut.V. Edra'
EXPLANATION OF PLATE.
Fig. 1. — Drassus mysticus, sp.n. la. Spider enlarged. 16. Palpus. Ic. Eyes from above and slightly behind.
'2. — TmcticHS Carpenteri, sp.n.
2a. Profile of male.
26. Cephalothorax and falces of ditto.
2c. Eyes from above and slightly behind.
2d. Sternum, maxilltB, and labium.
'2e. Genital aperture of female. 3. — Savignia frontata, Bl. (female).
.3«. Profile.
.S6. Eyes from above and slightly behind.
3c. Genital aperture. 4. — Cnephalocotes curt us. Sim.
4a. Profile of male.
46. Eyes from above and slightly behind.
4c. Right palpns on outer side (male).
4a'. Ditto on upper side.
4/. Spine in connection with palpal organs (male).
4e. Genital aperture (female). ^.—Caledonia Evansii, Cambr. (female).
oa. Eyes from above and slightly beliind.
56. Genital aperture.
5c. Ditto in profile.
6. — Pedcuiostcthus neglectus, Cambr. (female). 6a. Genital aperture.
n lleto anb |iiivc |lvitish gpibcrs founb in 1S93 ; tuitli llcctificittion of gDUonums.
By Rev. 0. P. CAMBRIDGE, M.A., F.R.S., &c.
Read at the Field Club Blectinrj, Dorchester, March loth, IS'.Jlf.
[With Plate.]
*i^
^TbllERE seems to have been nothing remarkable recorded either in respect to the appearance or non-appearance of spiders in the abnormal
^c^ season of 1893. The dry summer \veather which set in in IMarcli and extended to the beginning of July threw the insect tribes of all kinds quite out of their usual reckoning, but the spiders appear to have kept to their normal times, only that their numbers were certainly far less abundant than usual, especially those which ordinarily abound in early autumn. Among those met with by myself and others arc nine species new to science and four new to Lritain. Among the former three new genera of lAnijiihiina: are characterised. As regards Dorsetshire one only of the above occurred in the county ; one new species hails from Carlisle, five from Scotland, one from near Penrith in Cumberland, om- from Southwell Xottingham-
104: NEW AND RARE BRITISH SPIDBRg.
shire, and one from Hoddesdon in Hertfordshire. Three of the species new to Britain occurred in Scotland, and one in Dorsetshire.
All the above are contained in the following list, Avhich also comprises some other rare species found in Dorsetshire and other localities : —
AR ANEIDEA.
DRASSID.E.
Drassus mtstkjus, sp. n.
Adult male, length 2| lines. Closely allied to D. troglodytes, C. Koch, but differs among other characters in the eyes of the posterior row being equidistant from each other (taking into consideration the obliquity of the hind-centrals), and the whole group is more closely set together. The interval between the fore-centrals and that between the hind-centrals is almost equal, these four eyes forming a rectangular quadrangle Avhose opposite sides are respectively nearly equal to each other. The hind-centrals are oblique, irregularly oval but scarcely triangular.
The palpi are very similar to those of D. troglodytes, but the radial apophysis is not so strong nor nearly so greatly dilated at the extremity. The palpal organs are very similar.
The legs were not in sufficiently good condition to enable me to make any comparison with those of D. troglodytes, and the spider is a much smaller one than those of that species. It is evidently nearly allied to D. concertor Sim., but M. Simon says it is new to him. It is also nearly allied to D. mfuseatus Wcstr., but the position of the eyes is different, and the spider itself is much smaller.
Several examples of this spider were received from Mr. Morris Young, from Paisley, in February, 1894, captured under bark of fallen fir trees near Paisley, but all were in bad condition, having been evidently first dried and then gummed on card in spirit of wine — a process almost fatal to satisfactory identification — and although the colour was evidently gone it is probably very similar to that of D. troglodytes. In the present instance, however, in spite of its unsatisfactory condition, it seems almost
NEW AND RAUIi BRITISH SPIDERS. 105
certain that this spider is new to science and quite certainly new to Great Britain.
Agroeca celans.
Liocranum celans, Bl. Camljr., Spid. Dors. p. 41.
Adult females of this rare spider were found near Carlisle Ly the Kev. F. P. Cambridge.
DICTYNID.E. Dictyna pusilla. Didijna piisiUa, Westr. Cambr., Spid. Dors. p. 420. An adult male, at Bloxworth, in June, 1893. This is only the second record of this species in Dorsetshire.
Dictyna t a.tens. Diciijna latens, Bl. Spid. Dors., p. 50.
„ hujuhris, Cambr. Spid. Dors., p. -IGG.
non. D. Iii(jubri.-<, Cambr. Jouru. Linn. Soc. xi., p. 535. After careful comparison under a microscope of the spider described Spid. Dors. p. 466, with the types of D. Imjuhris (found in Corfu), and a series of D. lafens BL, I have reluctantly come to the conclusion that it is only a rather strongly developed example of the latter.
Lethia subniger. Letkia subniger, Cambr. Spid. Dors., p. 467. ,, Mengii, Cambr. I.e., p. 52. ,, albUpiraculis, Cambr. I.e., p. 53. ,, puta, Cambr. I.e., p. 53. Examination and comparison under a microscope jirove that the above arc all of one species.
The shining Avhite scales beneath the fore extremity of the abdomen of L. cdbi.^piranifh do not cover (as was supposed I.e.) the spiracular plates, la't indicate tlie position nf the spi'mialhecto iu coiuicclion with the generative organs. Thi'se scales, so striking in the female spider when first captured, become after a time, when
106 NEW AND RARE BRITISH SPIDERS.
in spirit of wine, dull and lustreless. In the male they are scarcely visible at any time. The whole spider after some time becomes, in spirit of wine, of a dull yellow-brown hue ; from these facts, and from a considerable variation in size, it happened that indi- viduals of this species were formerly at various times described as distinct species.
THERIDIIDiE. Pedanostethus neglectus.
Neriene neglect a, Cambr. Spid. Dors., p. 121,
The male only of this spider was described I.e. supra. An adult female — the only example I have yet seen — was found by C. 0. P. Cambridge among moss at Bloxworth in June, 1893. It resembles the male in its general characters and colour, but is a little larger, and the form of the genital aperture is very characteristic.
Microneta decora.
Neriene decora, Cambr. Spid. Dors., p. 492.
Microneta cli/peata, F. P. Cambr. Ann. and Mag., N.H., Ser. 6, Vol. xiii., 1894, p. 90.
Careful comparison of the types of the above tAvo species prove them to be identical. The examples from which 31. clypeata was described were found in Newtown Moss, Penrith, Cumberland, in April, 1893, by the Rev. F. P. Cambridge.
Microneta saxatilis. Neriene saxatilis, Bl. Cambr., Spid. Dors., p. 124. ,, Camphellii, Cambr. I.e., p. 590.
,, rustica, Cambr. I.e., p. 592. The careful examination of structural characters, difficult to be accurately seen excepting under a microscope, proves the above three spiders to be identical in their species.
GONGYLIDIUM MORUM.
Gongylidium morum, Cambr. Annals of Scottish Nat. llisty., 1894, p. 21, ph 1, fig 'Z.
KEW AND RARE BRITISH SPIDERS. 107
A singlo example of the adult female, reccivecl from ^Ir. "\V. Evans, Ijy Avliom it was found, at Aberlady, Scotland.
Batiiyphantes setiger.
Bathiiphanfes sefi</er, F. P. Canibr. Ann. and Mag., Nat. Hist., sec. 6, vol. xiii., 1894, p. 91, pi. 1, lig G.
Allied to B. Jiigriiia, CL, and also to B. parvula, Westr., l)ut is smaller. Both sizes in tlie adult state were found in Newtown Moss, Penrith, in April, 1893, by the Ptev. F. P. Cambridge.
Leptyphantes Whymperi. LopfijpUantes Wlujmperi, F. P. Cauibr. I.e., p. 93, pi. 1, fig 1. Appears to be a fine and very distinct species found on Pen Nevis in autumn by ]\Ir. Edward "\V iiymper.
bolyphantes expuncta.
Linypliia expunda, Cambr. Spid. Dors., p. 512.
Examples of this spider were sent to me for examination by Mr. G. H. Carpenter. They were found in Scotland by Mr, W. Evans, of Edinburgh.
IIlLLnOUSIA misera.
Liiiypliia tiirhatrix, Camb. Spid. Dors., p. -lo-l
,, mUcra, Camb. Ann. and Mag. N.IL, 1882 ser.
Hillhousia turbatrix, F. P. Cambridge. Ann. and JNlag. N.IL, Ser. 6, Vol. xiii., 1894, p. 89, pi., 1, fig. 3.
The genus Hillhousia was characterised (i.e. supra) by the Rev. F. P. Cambridge on tlie present and following species. It is distinguished mainly by the deeply indented posterior margin of the cephalothorax ; in other respects it is nearly allied to Tntc/irus Menge and PorrJtonima, Sim.
Hillhousia desolans. HiWioiisia demlam, F. P. Cambr. I.e., p. 89, pi. 1, llg 1. Found at Southwell, Notts, running on iron railings, in July, 1892, by the Rev. F. P. Cambridge.
108 NEW AND RARE BRITISH SPIDERS.
Tmeticus NEGLECTUS.
Tmeticus negledus, Cambr. Annals Scottish K'at. Histy., 1894, p. 22, pi. 1, fig .3.
A single example of the adult female was sent to me many years ago from the Island of Colonsay Ly the late Colonel Pickard, E.A., and another was found near Penzance in August, l893, by Arthur W. P. Cambridge.
Tmeticus Carpenteri sp. n.
Adult male, length \\ lines. Adult female, 2J lines.
Cephdlothorax of male oval, much broader than long, obtuse and rounded in front ; lateral marginal constrictions at caput very slight. Caput moderately convex, a very slight dip in the profile line just in front of the thoracic junction. Clypeus impressed just below the eyes, sloping forwards and equal in height to half that of the facial space. Colour yellow-brown, the normal indenta- tions indicated by dusky brown converging lines.
Eyes on black spots, moderately closely grouped together in two transverse lines, the posterior line straight, the anterior shortest and curved. The eyes of the posterior row are equi-distant from each other, the intervals being an eye's diameter in extent, the four central eyes form a trapezoid, whose length is equal to its greatest width (behind) ; the fore-central eyes are smallest, near together, but not contiguous to each other. Those of each lateral pair are contiguous to each other and seated rather obliquely on a slight tubercle.
Legs 1, 4, 2, and 3 moderately long, rather slender, furnished with hairs ; on the genual joints one, and on the tibial joints two slender In'istle-Iike spines ; of the latter one is in front towards the hinder end, the other at the fore-end. rather on the inner side. Colour similar to that of the cephalothorax.
Palpi rather short ; the cubital and radial joints very short, but of equal length; the latter is strongest and a little produced in front, dilated at the fore extremity, with a small subangular prominence on the outer side, where there are some strongish bristly hairs ;
NEW AND RARE BRITISH SriDERS. 109
digital joint of moderate size, al)Out equal in longtli to tlie radial and cubital joints together. Palpal organs complex-, Avith various S[)ines and corneous processes, among Avliicli is a conspicuous long semi-diaphanous, strongly curved one on the outer side. These organs, however, can only be adequately explained by figures.
Falces moderately long, divergent, tumid at their base, convexly prominent in front, conical at their extremity, colour like that of the cephalothorax.
Maxilhii and Labiuin normal ; tlie latter deeply and transversely impressed, similar in colour to the falces.
Sternum heart-shaped, strongly convex, deep black-brown, shining, and covered with a few strong bristly hairs.
Abdomen oval, very convex above, and of a deep brown colour, covered thinly with short hairs.
The female (if it be indeed that of the male described) agrees with it in colours, general character and appearance, but is much larger, and the legs are more profusely furnished with liairs ; especially notable among others are some longitudinal rows of strongish bristly ones along the anterior sides of the femora, antl lieneath the tibioe of the first and second pair, and in fact the whole armature of the legs and palpi vividly recalls that of the genus Enoplognaiha, the palpi, however, liave no terminal claw as in that genus.
The tibiae of the first pair (and of the second pair in a less degree) are rather incrassated. The proportion of the legs is distinctly 4, 1, 2, 3. The genital process is moderately prominent and its form specifically characteristic. The male above described was found at Swanston, near Edinburgh, and the female on the Pentland Hills, by INlr. AVm. Evans ; they Avcre kindly sent to me by Mr. G. 11. Carpenter, with whose name I have great pleasure in connecting it. The species is nearly allied to Tmctirui^ rufus, Wider, but the structure of the palpi and palpal organs is t^uite distinct.
Tmeticus uudis.
Neriene riuUs, Cambr. Spid. Dors., p. 48-1.
110 NEW AND RARE BRITISH SPIDERS
Tmeticus Jiirjcr, F. P. Cambr. Ann. and Mag., jS".1T. 1891, vol. vii., p. 80, pi. ii., f. iv.
Porrliomma nigrum, Cambr. Proc. Dors. N.H. and A.F, Club, 1891, vol. xii., p. 92.
Subsequent examination proves tlie identity of Neriene rudis, Cambr., with Tmeticus niger, F. P. Camb.
PORRHOMMA MIOROPHTHALMA.
Linyphia microphtlialma, Cambr. Spid. Dors., p. 523. ,, incerta, Cambr., 1 c, p. 205. „ decens, Cambr., I.e., p. 217.
Porrliomma Meadii, F. P. Cambr. Ann. and Mag., N.H., 1894, ser. 6, vol. xiii., p. 101, pi. II., fig. 2.
Careful microscopic examination and comparison appear to show that the above are identical species. It has been found at Blox- worth, as well as at Hoddesdon (in Hertfordshire), and near Durham. An ordinary lens is not sufficient for the certain deter- mination of these, and many other minute and closely allied spiders.
PORRHOMMA OBLONGUM.
Linyphia oUonga, Cambr. Spid. Dors., p. 204.
Porrliomma ohJongiim, Cambr. F. P. Cambr., Ann. and Mag., N.H., sec. 6, vol. xiii., p. 102, pi. II., f. 4.
The types of this small spider (adult females only) were found running on iron railings at Bloxworth many years ago. Numerous females and one adult male were subsequently found at Hoddesdon by Mr. F. M. Campbell on railings and among grass, and in June, 1893, I met with both sexes in the adult state not uiifrcqucntly among herbage in a wood at Bloxworth.
PoRRHOMMA CAMPBELLII.
Porrliomma Camphellii, F. P. Cambr. Ann. and IMng., IS^.H., sec. 6, vol. xiii., 1894, p. 108, pi. II., fig 5.
Found at Hoddesdon by ISIr. F. M. Campbell in 1883, but only lately distinguished from P. ohlongiun and others — a single female only.
NEW AND RARE BRlTISn SPIDERS. Ill
PORRnOMMA MYOrS.
PorrJiomma vu/oj^-^, Sim., F. P. Camln". I.e., p. 107, pi. TT., iio- G.
A single specimen was found by myself at Bloxwortli many years ago, but, l)y an oversight, not before recorded as British. It may easily be distinguished by the excessive minuteness of the eye.s, which to the naked eye appear only like minute points.
Coryphaeus glabriceps.
Corijplums gJahriceps, F. P. Cambr. I.e., p. 87, pi. 1, fig 2.
The genus Corijplueus has been lately established (I.e. supra) f(~>r a spider nearly allied to Tmeticus (Menge) and PorrJiomma (Sim.) and found by the Rev. F. P. Cambridge, near Carlisle, in 1892.
Caledonia Evaxsii.
Caledonia Evaiisli, Cambr. Annals of Scottish Nat. Histy., 1894, p.p. 20-21, pi. 1, fig 4.
The genus Caledonia has been recently established for the reception of a very distinct spider (of which a fragment of the male only came to my hands). It was found by ]\Ir. "Wm. Evans, of Edinburgh, on the Pentland Hills. Aw adult female has since been received from the same locality ; it resembles the male in general characters and appearance, but the genital aperture is of an exceedingly remarkable and characteristically distinct form.
Tapinocyba subitanea.
Walclienaera suhitanea, Cambr. Spid. Dors., p. 144.
An adult male found near Carlisle by the Rev. F. P. Cambridge in 1892. This is only the second locality known for it as yet in England.
TaoxociiRUS hiemalis. Walclienaera fiiernaJi>t, VA., Cambr. Spid. Dors., p. IGO. An adult male was found in Morden ]5og near Bloxworlh in September, 1893.
112 NEW AND RARE BRITISH SPIDERS.
Typhocrestijs DIGITATUS. Erigone digilafa, Cambr. Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. 1872, p. 758,
plate Ixvi., fig. 14. Typliocrestus digitatus, Cambr., Sim. Arach. de France, vol. v., p. 584. „ „ Cambr. Annals of Scottish Nat. Histy.,
1894, p. 19, 1894. Adults of both sexes were received from Mr. G. H. Carpenter (of the Museum of Science and Art, Dublin) ; they were found by Mr. Wm. Evans, of Edinburgh, at Aberlady, Scotland, in October, 1893. This species had not before been met with in Great Britain.
Cnephalocotes curtus.
Cnephalocotes curtus, Sim. Arach. de France, vol. v., p. 704.
Adults of this very distinct species were found in Scotland by Mr. W. Evans, and forwai-ded to me by Mr. G. H. Carpenter in the Autumn of 1893. This is its first record as a British species.
Cnephalocotes elegans. Cnephalocofes elegans, Cambr. P. Z. S., 1872, p. 766, pi. 66, fig. 23. „ „ Cambr., Sim. Arachn. de France, vol. v.,
p. 703. A single adult male of this spider, new to Britain, was found in June, 1893, at Aviemore, in Scotland, by Mr. W. Evans, and sent to me for examination by Mr. G. H. Carpenter.
Sayignia frontata.
Savignia frontata, Bl. Lond. and Edinb. Philosoph. Mag., 3rd ser., vol. iii., p. 105, 1833.
Walclcenaera frordata, Bl. Spiders of Great Britain and Ireland, p. 317, pi. xxii., fig. 232, 1864, and Cambr. Spid. Dors., p. 170.
Prosoponms frontatus, Bl., Sim. Arachn, de France, vol. v., p. 576.
NEW AND RARE BRITISH SPIDERS. 113
Tliis curious liitlo ppulcr is fairly almndant in Dorsetshire and many other localities. AVhen Mr. Blackwall, who had originally described it as a six-eyed spider, became aware that it really possessed eight eyes, he transferred it to the genus Walc7ie7iaem. More recently M. Simon, in breaking up that group, included it with some other species in his genus Prosoponcus ; but it seems to me quite di.^tinct from those with which M. Simon has linked it and to require a genus to itself, no other spider appearing to come near it. Under these circumstances the original genus formed for it by ]\rr. Blackwall naturally revives, even though one of his characters for it be expunged. I do not believe that the female, of which a figure is given here, has been either described or figured hitherto. This sex is similar to the male in colours and general characters, but is destitute of the elevated caput.
Walckenaera capito. Erigone capito, "Westr. Aran. Suec, p. 213. Wdlclcenaera capiio, Westr , Cambr. Proc. Dors. N.H. and Antiq. Field Club, vol. x., p. 119, pi. A, fig. 7. ,, ,, Sim. Arachn. de France, vol. v., p. 8'23.
An adult male, the second example only as yet recorded in Great Britain, was sent to me from Paisley-, Scotland, by Mr, Morris Young, by whom it was found in September, 1893, among over- hanging grass and herbage on a bank near that town. The other recorded example was found under a stone near Ringstead, Dorset, by the Rev. F. P. Cambridge, in October, 1888.
EPEIRID.E. Epeira alsine. Kpeira aldne, "Walck. Cambr., Spiders Dors., p. 530. Adult females of this very handsome species were found })y ]\Ir. Linnaeus Greening, of Warrington, at Chattel is, Cuaibridge- shiie, in the autumn of 1892. The only previously known British localities were Tring, in Buckinghamshire, and Bloxworth, Dorset- shire. It is thus widely dispersed though rare.
114 NEW AND RARE BlUTISH SPIPERS. "
THOMISID^.
OXYPTILA SANCTUARIA.
Oxyptila sanduaria, Cambr. Spid. Dors., p. 319.
Thomisus sa7ichiarms, Cambr. Trans. Linn. Soc, xxvii., p. 405, pi. 54, No. 8.
Several adult males were found on the Rectory Walls at Bloxworth in August and. September, 1893, and one near Penzance by A, W. P. Cambridge in August. The female appears to have as yet escaped detection,
MiCROMMATA VIRESCENS.
SjMi'assus smaragdulus, Walck., Bl. Si)id., Great Brit, and Ireland, p. 112, pi. v., fig 61.
A7U7ieus virescens, Clerck. Sim., Spid., p. 138, pi. vi., Tab. 3.
Micrommata virescens, Clck., Cambr. Spid. Dors., p. 341.
On the 5th of May, 1893, I found at Bloxworth the first adult male of this large and strikingly handsome spider I had ever met with in Dorset. In the immature state, and occasionally adult in the female sex, I liave known it in our woods for many years. The bright green colour and vivid scarlet stripes of the male make it a beautiful and very showy object running over the woodland lierbage. Why the male should be so scarce in the adult state it is not easy to conjecture.
LYCOSID^.
Trochosa biunguiculata.
Trochosa hiunguictdata, Cambr. Spid. Dors., p. 544, and Annals Scottish Nat. Histy., 1894, p. 23, pi. 1, fig 1.
The adult female (new to Science) was sent to me by Mr. G. IT. Cirpenter from Scotland, where it was found at Aviemore by Mr. W. Evans in 1893. It is very like the male, but more distinctly marked and more richly coloured.
Lycosa Traillii. Lycosa TrmUii, Camln-. Spid. Dors., p. 545.
NEW AND RARE H1?ITI8H sriDEUi.S. 115
Tliis fine and very distinct species was fonnd in some abundance between Borrowdale and "Wastdale Head, Cumberland, by tbe Rev. r. P. Cambridge in June, 1893. It appears to be specially attaclied to spots thickly crowded with loose stones and boulders, among which, owing to their swift movements, it is exceedingly difficult to capture them.
SALTICIDiE. Attus pubescens. Etiophrys puhescem, C. L. Koch. Cambr., Spid. Dors., p. 408. Adult males were found on the walls of the Vicarage, Bere Regis, in July, 1893. It is a rare and local spider.
Hasarius adansonii.
Hasarius Adan$07iri, Aud. Cambr. Spid. Dorset^ p. 566.
Salficus citus, Cambr. Zoologist, 1869, p. 8,461, Ann. and Mag., KH., 1878, ser. 5, Vol. l,p. 127.
Hasarius Adansonii, Cambr. Proc. Dors. N.II. and A.F. Club xiv., p. 162.
Adult examples of both sexes of this spider were received from Paisley from Mr. INIorris Young, by whom they were found in exotic planthouses at Paisley in 1893. This adds another to the widely dispersed but similar localities, in which this, no doubt, imported species has occurred in Great Britain.
List op Spiders above recorded or described.
Drassus mysticus, sp. n. Agroeca celans, Bl. Dictyna pusilla, Westr.
latens, Bl. Lethia subnigcr, Cambr. Pcdanostethus neglectus, Cambr. Microneta decora, Cambr.
p- |
104. |
p- |
105. |
p- |
105, |
p- |
105. |
p- |
105. |
p- |
106, |
p- |
106, |
116 NEW AND HARE BRITISH SPIDERS.
Microneta saxatilis, Bl. p. 1 |
06. |
Gongylidium morum, Cainbr. p. 1 |
06. |
Bathyphaiites sctiger, F. P. Cambr. p. 1 |
07. |
Leptyphantcs Whymperi, F. P. Cambr. p. 1 |
07. |
Bolypliantes expuncta, Cambr. p. '. |
07. |
Hillhousia misera, Cambr. p. ] |
L07. |
„ dcsolans, F. P. Cambr. p. ] |
07. |
Tmeticus neglectus, Cambr. p. 1 |
[08. |
„ Carpenteri, sp. n. p. ] |
08. |
„ ruclis, Cambr. p. ] |
09. |
Porrliomma microphthalma, Cambr. p. 1 |
10. |
,, • oblongum, Cambr. p. |
10. |
Campbellii, F. P. Cambr. p. 1 |
10. |
„ myops, Sim. p. ] |
11. |
Coryphseus glabriceps, F. P. Cambr. p. ] |
11. |
Caledonia Evansii, Cambr. p. ] |
11. |
Tapinocyba subitanea, Camb. p. |
111. |
Troxochrus hiemalis, Bl. p. 1 |
111. |
Typhocrestus digitatus, Cambr. p. ] |
L12. |
Cnephalocote.s curtus, Sim. p. ] |
L12. |
,, elegans, Cambr. p. |
112. |
Savignia frontata, Bl. p. |
112. |
Walckenaera capita, Wcstr. p. |
113. |
Epeira alsine, Walck. p. |
L13. |
Oxyptila sanctuaria, Cambr. p. |
114. |
Micrommata virescens, Clerck. p. |
114. |
Trochosa biunguiculata, Cambr. p. |
114. |
Lycosa Traillii, Cambr. p. |
115. |
Attus pubescens, C. L. Koch p. 1 |
L15. |
Hasarius Adansonii, Aud. p. |
115. |
— ^>-^-^1^<— |
govsct xuxb liing John.
Notes on the Pipe Rolls (Dorset) of that Reign,
SurPLEMENTED AND ILLUSTRATED BY REFERENCES TO THE PaTENT
AND Close Rolls of the same Period.
By Rev. W. MILES BARNES.
'ERY few original records exist of a date so early as John's reign. The Patent rolls, the Close Rolls, the Charter and Curia Regis Rolls, with the Pipe Rolls, nearly exhaust the list. The most important and by far the least known of these ancient records are undoubtedly the series known as the " Pipe Rolls " or " Great Roll of the Exchequer." These documents were described and illustrations of the earliest of them extant were given in the volume of
the transactions of the Dorset Antiquarian Field Club issued last
year.
Since preparing that paper I have read the Pipe Rolls relating
to that most interesting and obscure period of our county history,
the reign of John ; and in this paper I purpose giving extracts
118 DORSET AND KING JOUN.
from the Pipe Rolls, supplemented and illustrated by extracts from the Close and Patent Rolls, of the same period.
The Close and Patent Rolls of John's reign have been printed in facsimile type by the Record Commissioners, and though out of print they are accessible, and in their modern garb they present no unusual difficulties to the reader. In the Close Rolls, though the letters relating to this reign number some thousands, there is little difficulty in finding what relates to the county, but there is a distinct difficulty in making a selection from the Patent Rolls. In the first place you cannot, as you generally can with a Close letter, see from the first words of a Patent letter whether it contains information relating to the county and likely to be useful ; so all letters patent have to be looked through, and to look through some thousands of such letters in abbreviated Latin takes time, and as the reader ought whilst reading them to bear in mind the names mentioned in the Pipe Rolls so as to recognise them again in the Patent Rolls, it will be seen that serious omissions are very likely to occur.
The extracts I have made from the original Pipe Rolls with a translation will be found in the Museum. They are too voluminous to be reproduced in their entirety here ; the notes upon them which follow here are necessarily disjointed and fragmentary, and should be regarded as a contribution of material towards a future history of the county in King John's reign.
The movements of that most restless of kings, King John, have been traced and an Itinerary compiled by Sir T. D. Hardy. The Itinerary may be accepted as absolutely reliable. " The authority for assuming the King was present in person at the several places specified in the Itinerary is derived — first, from his attestations to the Charters and letters which are registered on the Patent, Charter, and Close Rolls ; secondly, from the movements of the Court exhibited in the Rotuli misarum, or Wardrobe accounts, and in the Preestita Rolls ; and thirdly, from the internal evidence afforded by the records," says Sir T. Hardy of his compilation. As it will be useful to us I will give extracts from the Itinerary, show-
DORSET AND KING JOHN. 119
iiig in a][>lialjetical order wliat places in Dorset were visited liy the King and the dates of his arrival and departure : —
Beie Keyi.s. 1204, June 27-29.
1205, Jan. 7-8, June 25-27, Aug. 18-21.
1206, Jan. 5-7, Dec. 13- U.
1207, Marcli 28, Sep. 4-5.
1209, July 1, Sep. 18.
1210, Jan. 13, Oct. 3.
1213, June 26-27, July 4-5.
1215, Feb. 4.
1216, June 19-20. liintlon. 1213, July 26-28. Blacknioie. 1208, Sep. 25.
1209, Sep. 22, also Holwull, 1207, Sep. C. IJJandfurd. 1216, June 17.
I'.ridport. 1201, April 20.
Canford. 1200, Dec. 12-13.
1204, Nov. 14-16.
1210, Jan. 11.
1211, Feb. 7-9, 11.
1212, Oct. 12-13, Dec. 14. J213, Marcli 18-19, June 25-26.
1214, Jan. 20, Oct. 20.
1215, Feb. 1. Cliarborougli. 1204, July 24. Corfe. 1205, Aug. 22-23.
1209, July 1-2.
1210, Oct. 1.
1212, Oct. 14, Dec. 16.
1213, Marcli 17, June 21-24, 29, July 14-15, 23-25, Aug. 3, 5, 9.
1214, Jan. 21, (Jet. 17-20, Dec. 4.
1215, Feb. 1-3, April 27-28, July 12-13.
1216, June 23-30, July 1-6, 8-17, Aug. 25-26. CranlK.riie. 1200, Dec. 10.
1201, Ap. 15.
1205, Jan. 9, Aug. 16-17.
1206, A p. 15-17, May 16.
1207, Jan. 20, INIarcb 26-28, Ap. 6-8, Sept. 1-3,
1208, Nov. 6, 19.
120
DORSET AND KING JOHK.
Cranboine.
Dorchester.
Froonie. Gillingliara.
Hohvell. Karebroc. Milton. Newton.
Pooretock.
Sherborne.
Stalbridge.
Stmllanil.
Sturniinstcr.
1209, June 29, Sep. 17, Dec. 16.
1210, Jan. 22.
1213, March 16, July 6-8, 16, Aug. 10.
1204, July 3-4.
1205, Jan. 4, 5, June 16, 22-25, Aug. 24-26.
1206, Jan. 8-9.
1207, Jan. 20-22, Feb. 3.
1209, Sept. 20.
1210, Jan. 14-16, Sep. 30.
1211, Feb. 17.
1213, July 15, 26-29.
1214, Oct. 17. 1206, Jan. 17.
1204, June 23-26, Nov. 18, 30, Dec. 3-6.
1205, Nov. 10-14.
1206, Jan. 12-16.
1207, Jan. 25, Feb. 6, Ap. 4-5, July 24.
1208, March 1-2, Sep. 28-30, Nov. 14.
1209, July 3-4, Sep. 23, Dec. 15.
1210, Oct. 3, 7.
1211, Feb, 12, 15.
1212, Oct. 16.
1213, March 15, July 8-10, Aug. 1.
1214, Dec. 6-8. See Blackniore. See Charborough.
1209, July 2.
1204, June 27.
1207, Sep. 9-11.
1208, Sep. 25. 1213, July 31.
1205, Aug. 25.
1207, March 29, 30, Sep. 8.
1210, Sep. 27. 1213, July 29-31. 1207, Ap. 3.
1216, July 18, Aug. 23-27.
1207, Sept. 7.
1213, July 23-25, Aug. 9.
1207, Feb. 3, 5.
1210, Jan. 18, 20.
DORSET AND KING JOHN. 121
Sturniinster. 1214, Dec. 3-4.
1216, June 15-16. Waiehaiu. 1209, July 1.
1212, Dec. 16.
1215, Aug. 9-13, 20-22.
1216, June 18-22, July 7-9.
King John was crowned at "Westminster on Ascen.sion Day, May 27tli, a,d. 1199. For a month, or nearly so, he remained in England, visiting Northampton, Canterhury, and Shoreham. lie then crossed to Xormandy and returned circa Feb. 26, 1200, landing at Portsmouth and visiting various places in England to May 1st, when he re-crossed to France and remained there till about Oct. 4, when lie returned again to England, remaining here to tlie middle of May, 1201. It was during his stay in England at this time that he paid his first visit to Dorsetshire. He got as far as Cranborne on Dec. 10-11, a.d. 1200. From Cranborne he went on to Canford on the 12th, Christchurch on the 1.3th. He was back in Cranborne on April 15, 1201, and from thence he paid his first visit to Dorchester on the 18th, and on the 20th he went on to Bridport, thence to Exeter.
Cranborne, Corfe, Dorchester, Bere, Canford, and Gillingham were his favourite residences in Dorset.
1 JOHN, A.D. 1199-1200. Peter de Schidimor was Sheriff of Dorset and Somerset in the first year of John's reign, and the firm of the counties was Dorset, £120 ; Somerset, £360 ; e(|uivalent, perhaps, to £2,000 and £G,000 respectively. Of tlie £480 due from the two counties the sheriiF had paid £139 2s. Id. blank, and he accounts for the residue. The late King Eichard had made certain grants from the lands belong- ing to the Royal demesnes in the counties to certain persons by way of alms, as to the Carthusian friars, of Witham, to whom he assigned 100s. in Witham, and the same in lands in Bridport ; to others he assigned rent charges on lands, or grants of the lands themselves, as rewards for services rendered to the Crown, or in acknowledgment of them, and to relatives or friends of the King.
122 DORSET AND KING JOHN.
A, tlie queen mother, received £28 a year from lands in Ilcliester ; RoLert Berkeley, £30 a year ; Bailebicn, £1 10s., in Langliam, near Gillingliam ; Alan, the steAvard, £4 4s. 6d. in Dalewade and Whitewell portions of the Manor of Fordington, if " m'bris de Fordinton " is to he so rendered ; and to Turstan, son of Godfrey, 5s., in the town of Dorchester ; and to Aide de Alphia, 40s., in the hundred of Norton ; and to Robert, son of Maurice, 5s., in Alkesie.
The form in which these payments are entered is a little perplexing, and I have vainly searched for some explanation of them. In some cases the grant appears to have been a grant of the land itself, and the li' and s' indicate the number of librates and solidates of land so conveyed, each librate representing land of one pound in annual value.* In other cases the payments seem to have been of fixed value, attached to certain lands, so that the lands themselves were not alienated, but remained in the Royal demesne, and the dues upon them were collected, as they ever had been, by the sheriff, who paid the grants or pensions out of the receipts, so that they were in fact rent charges on the land, not unlike the " rentes " Avhich it has been customary, possibly from Norman times, to charge in Guernsey on lands and houses ; the grant to Geoffrey de Wandestrie of 70s. hj tale in Nordcuri must have been of this nature, for how could a payment of 70s. hi/ tale apply to a grant in land ? Yet this entry is amongst the terra) datse. Some letters patent of John's reign, throw light upon the subject, though as different deductions may be drawn from them I M'ill quote tliem without comment. By letters patent (4 John, Mem. 14) the King commands the barons of the Exchequers of Caen to pay to Almar de Tibboville £50, £25 at each of the two sessions of the Exchequer " until we have assigned them to him in land," " quousq' illas ei i' t'ra assignav'im'."
* Rex vie' Doreset' sal't. T'cip' t' q'd plena' saisin' facias li'ie facias Hob' de novo Buigo de viii li' 't c sol' t're in Fordinget', &c. (Kott. Litt Claus, John 7, 7 Hep.)
DORSET AND KING JOHN.
123
Rents gmuted by tlie King from ecclesiastical benefices in his own gift were of a similar nature. Thus there was granted to 11. do Cornhull clerk 100s. rent in the Church of Soles " Centu' solidat' reddit' i' eccles' de Soles,' " which benefice was vacant and in the King's gift (6 John, Memb. 4), and to Henry the Abbot, partly on account of his poverty, the King granted 12 marks in an eccle- siastical benefice (16 John, Memb. 14). And to John dc Fcireford "100s. of rent in an ecclesiastical benefice" (16 John, Memb. 14). There are five instances also on Memb. 13 of the same year.
Sometimes the payment was made under the name of pension. As to Eudo Martell, who had resigned the benefice of Stradbrook, but received letters patent for one besant to be paid out of the perpetual vicarage of the same Church under the name of pension, "i bisant' nomi'e pensionis " (9 John, Memb. 1), and to the Archdeacon of Suffolk who received " de pensio'e j aurci in eccl' ia de Semer' " (16 John, Memb. 10).
The payments or grants are to men of all degrees and conditions of life, and for various services or for none. After the grant to the Carthusians at "Witham comes a pension to " A, the (^uecn mother of the King, £28 a year in Ilchester." The Patent Rolls give very little information about Alienora, the Queen mother. She lived but a short time after this, for by letters patent dated April 15, 1205, the King informs the sheriff of Dorset and other sheriffs that "for the love of C4od and for the safety of the soul of our very dear mother who is recently dead " he had discharged and quitted claim on all prisoners except those taken in the late war, and the Jews who were his prisoners, and charges the sherill' to liberate all prisoners in Dorset except such as came under either of these classes (Rot. Pat., 6 John, Memb. 11 in dorso).
Robert Berkely, the recipient of £30 a year, was in the King's confidence. He was one of three persons sent on a confidential errand to the barons, knights, and freeholders of Dorset in Feb., 1215 (16 John, Memb. 7).
Towards the close of this portion of the Pipe Roll is a list of defaults at Congresbury, and of payments made in resi^ect of
124 DORSET AND KING JOHN.
tliem ; for stock on manors which were in the King's hands had to be kept np, if it was deficient the deficiency or the loss occasioned by it had to be made good ; and the stock at Congresbury was deficient. Tliere was a plough missing, for which 10s. had to be paid, and 150 sheep, for which 15s. was paid for tlie half-year, 16 cows 8s., and 16 sows also 8s. The re-stocking did not take place till the next year.
The next charge is of 40s. for robes supplied to William Alphay and Robert de Winterburn, who were in the King's service, but in what capacity there is no mention. Many persons in the King's service were supplied with clothing as well as food. So far I have found in these Rolls instances of huntsmen, falconers, crossbowmen, envoys, and officials in the diplomatic service so supplied, * and the entries for cloth are frequent. The cost of the robes shows that William Alphay and Robert de Winterburn were not employed in any mean capacity.
Next we have the charge of 15s. for bringing up to Shoreham from Corfe Castle five hostages of Joel del Maine with their two Avarders.
Then follow the returns of the Manors of Toller and Winfrith. In those days the forest ran up very near to Dorchester, and the inhabitants of Winterborne and " the other Winterborne " (al' Wint'burn') pay a fine of 20s. for liberty to break up some of it, so as to bring it under cultivation.
A certain Robert do ]\Ielcomlj made fine in the sum of five marks, " ut p'set euirare forest'," which seems to mean that he might be clear of a breach of the forest laws which he had committed ; but instead of appearing to pay the fine he went poaching the King's deer, was detected, and took sanctuary in
* Ilex Hug de Nevill mandani' vob' f['d faciatis h're Mg'ro F. Balistar, n'ro 't ux' ej' duas robas de vi'idi v'l de bnvneto (Rott. Litt clans, ,3 Jan.,
John 7, Menili. 6) 't Wallcnsi tmi garc'oi illor' una' roba' h're
facias (Rott. Litt clans, John 7, Menib. ], 18 March). Mandat' ; eid' q'd faciat h're Walt'o de Rnndevvill' j loba' de v'idi en' cnnic']i.s 't x. ni' argent' q' d'n's Rex niittit eu' i' negociu' sun' q'd desid'at i'stancia', ike. (Rot. Litt claus, John 7, Sep. 19).
DORSET AXn KING JOHX. 125
cliurch. The slicriff, however, decided that William i\o "Wrotelmni, who was the worst ofiender because he liad received the deer, was the man who ought to have been summoned, and no doubt the slieriff obtained the fine from him if he could not obtain it from the man in sanctuary, but at the time the Roll was written neither had paid. The entry runs as follows : — -"Kob' de Melecu'b ( )
v.m' ut p'set euirare forest' q'n fug'at i'eccl'ia p' venat' de q'bus AViir de Wroteha' deb' resp' qui' recognouit se eas recepisse." The clerk who made the entry left a space in which to write deb' or redd' — "owes " or " returns " after Robert de ]\Ielcomb's name — but he did not fill it in. This would, I imagine, leave it open to the sheriff to come down on either of the gentlemen in payment of the fine.
The forests were very extensive, and it was not possible to guard them perfectly, and it must have been a great temptation to individuals, especially to villagers living on the borders of a forest, to take a deer occasionally. That such ofi'enccs Avere of common occurrence we gather from the frequency with which entries of the breach of the forest laws occur in the Rolls. For the uffence of taking venison, " p' capt' venat'," Adaiii, brother of Osbert, and the village of Winford Eagle, were fined half a mark, whilst the village of Kingston was fined two marks for waste — i.e., for destruction made on the manor.
Salt was a valuable commodity in these eai-ly times. On looking over letters of licence to merchants in this reign, to see in what the trade of the country chiefly consisted, I found that .ship-loads of salt were frequently brought to and carried from England. The salt was produced in evaporating pans dug in the seashore. The sea flowed into them at high tide, the water was allowed to evaporate, and the process was repeated until there was a suHicient depth of salt to Ijc dug out. Salt pits were valuable property, and any encroachment upon the King's was severely punished. We are, therefore, not surprised to find that William de lindbui had to pay 38s. 6d. — a large sum in those days — for encroachment on salt pits, "p' p'p'stur'a saline."
120 DORSET AND KING JOHN.
"Women were less free in the 13th century than they are in the 19th. They Aveie generally in someone's gift, someone Avho had the power of disclosing in marriage of them, and of their dowers if not of their hearts. Still they could sometimes purchase tlieir freedom and marry the man of their choice. Sibil de Tingerie paid a fine of 100 marks for succession to her lands and for licence to marry whom she would, provided he was in the fealty of the King.
William de Montacute pays £100 for having seizing of his lands of Chaldesta (would that he Chaldon'?) and of the hundred of Puddletown, and Robert de Belet 60 marks for having ten librates of land in Swyre, whence he was disseized Avhen Richard was King. Walter de Turberville paid for succession to lands in Toller. Emma de Bruges, Stephen Tirel, and Alfred de Punfold make fine for various purposes.
From the tallage assessed by Master INIichael Belet, Robert Belet, and their associates, we learn that the towns in Dorset were assessed as follows : — Gillingham 12 marks, Shaftesbury (de Burgo S. Edward') 10 marks, Dorchester 12, Bridport 12, Abbess of S. Edward's 20, Winfrith 4.
The names which follow arc from the list of the first scutage assessQid at two marks for the first coronation of King John. The abbots of Glastonbury, of Sherborne, Abbotsbury, and Cerne, the abbess of S. P^dwards, Philip de Columbariis, Nicol de Meriet, William de Milliers, William de Erlega, Fulk de Alno, William de la More, Robert Belet, William son of John de Harpetrie, William de Montacute, William de Curcell, Robert de Newburgh, Richard de Atrio, William de Moiun, William Malet, William IMarcel, William de Cahaignes, some of them Somersetshire worthies.
A little further on we have the accountof Alexander de Hagebeche and Henry de Cran3burn of the issues of the manors of Tarent and Cunibe, which contain some interesting items. 59s. 4d. was the fixed rent of Tarent, 43s. 9d. that of Cumbe ; the perquisites of the Court amounted to £12 4s. 5d. fot the former, £3 10s. 4d. the latter. The custodians paid for making 33,700 shingles and
DORSET AND KING JOHN. 127
100,000 "peindni'V wlucli I tliiiik may stanJ for pliiii^lo pin? (100,000 sliiiigle pins would allow about three pin? to each shiiiglc), also 1,020 planks, the whole cost £16 3s. 5|d. Then there were three piles of tiniher, which cost 25s. 4d. All these were prepared by the King's order, and therefore they must have been used in the King's service, but where 1 The King's houses at Cranborne were repaired in this year at a cost of 78s. 2d., but green wood would scarcely have been employed for the purpose, nor could so large a fiuantity of wood have been used there. The wood must have been prepared, I think, for the new houses at Gillingham, material for the building was already being collected there ; two heaps of timber were cut there at a cost of 16s., but more of this later.
Richard, son of Edwin, and Robert Crassus, the King's huntsmen, and their assistants, with the Royal hounds, were supplied with food and cloth, and Roger Rastel and his assistants, who were Jiunting in Selwood Forest, with the Royal hounds, were furnished with necessaries whilst they were engaged there at a cost of 5Ss. 5J-d.
2 JOIIX, A.D. 1201-1202.
Robert Relet was sheriff of the two counties in this year. 'We have the same payments as in the first part of the preceding Roll, with two or three additions. Amongst the lands granted is a grant " Monach' de Rinnendon' xx. s' i' mol'ndino de Fordinton' q'<l h'nt de dono R','' so that was how the Monks of Cindon became possessed of Fordington Mill ; it was given them by King John. William de Alphay gets 20s. for cloth this year also, as he did last year.
£150 was spent on the King's houses which were being l)uilt at Gillingham. The viewers were Peter Ham and AVilliani, son nf Baldwyn ; and £20 on the Castle of Dorchester, here Philip Crubbe, Hugh son of Eve, and Richard Loke viewed the work for the King. Crubbe is the name of an old Uorchester family which has died out, but the Lock family are still resident in the town after the lai)se of nearly 700 years, and probably the family Iiave lived in the town throughout those years. One of the viewers
128 DORSET AND KING JOHN.
in each case was of a noble family, Hugh, son of Eve, and Peter Ham, son of Baldwyn, if the statement made by a writer in the Archaeological Journal (vol. 1, p. 242) is correct ; he says, " In documents whenever a Norman describes himself as ' fihu.*,' i.e., ' Fitz ' so and so, his father is always a noble."
The Castle of Corfe was also repaired at the cost of 118s. 4d. Robert de Wells, Alfred le Franceis, and Asa de Muleshani were the viewers there.
The stock on the Manor of Congresbury was deficient again this year as last, and the same payments were made on account of the deficiency, and the stock was made good this year, but in a very extraordinary manner. In the place of the 16 cows wanting, 15 cows and one " affrus " were supplied, the " affrus " being a draught ox employed in farm work, the 16 sows were replaced and one " ure." What creature this was I do not know ; possibly it was a boar. Cut in the place of 150 sheep 100 "lions" were placed upon the manor, and these " lions " have given me a considerable amount of trouble. A reader who has had a large experience in deciphering ancient records, told me tliat chetahs were formerly used in England for taking game, and that " lions " may have included with them all wild beasts of the chace. I have found no confirmation of this surmise, but Maigne D'arnis gives " Leo, ajDer ut videtur, Decimam silvestrium bestiarum sive leonum. A.D. 1035." Possibly the King wished to convert Con- gresbury into a game preserve, and so in the place of 150 sheep he turned into il 100 wild boars. The passage in the Pipe Rolls is az follows : — " Et i' iustaur' p'd'car' dcfaltar' p' c lyonib' ap' Cang'sb' liii.s' et p' XV. vacc' xlv.s' Et p' xvi. scoph' e' j.ure xvii.s'. P^t p' j affr' iii.s'." From which it will be seen that the lions cost about 6d. a-piece, the cows, the ox, and the sows 3s. each, in the money of the time. Congresbury is in Somerset, but the entry affords an excellent example of liow the manors in the King's hands in Dorset were charged for default, and how such defaults in stock were made good.
I think it was pointed out in the last paper how first the ecclesiastical bavons to avoid personal service with the King in
DORSET AND KING JOHN. 129
the fiekl, wliicli some of them no doubt felt was inconsistent witli their spiritual calling, compounded for it by the payment of a fine under the title of scutage, and how the practice spread to the secular barons also.
There were barons also, who were willing enough to serve the King in the field at home, but to whom it was inconvenient to be so frequently crossing the seas for the King's wars abroad. Hence arose the practice of paying a fine for licence " ne transfrettet " not to cross the sea for service abroad, and this fine like scutage, Avas a fixed charge on each knight's fee held. In this Dorset roll Eichard son of John pays on one knight's fee 4 marks, " ne transfrettet," and for scutage ; or lather he pays 2 marks and owes 2. William de Xewmarket pays 20s. for the same. Thomas de Grenville 10s., and William de Bratton 6s.
William of St. Mary's Church renders account of the firm of Winfrith. Randolf de Glamorgan, Robert de Mandeville, Brian Tollard, and Fulk de Cantelupe make fine for various purposes.
John de Montacute had a curious complaint to make. The Bishop of "Worcester had carried away one of the Churches from his fief, the Church of Langberg, which the said bishop had pulled down and re-erected on some one else's land, so that John lost his presentation to it, at which he was naturally aggrieved, and he paid 10 marks that inquisition might be made into the matter. It is to be hoped that John recovered his church ; the form of the entry is consistent with the supposition that he was successful in his application.
3 JOHN, A.D. 1201-2.
Hubert de Burg was sheriff, but Alan de Wicton represented him at the Exchequer. The earlier payments in the roll arc much tlie same as before. For small expenses about the King's houses at Dorchester and for the carriage of the King's wines from South- ampton to Dorchester the sheriff paid £1 Hs. Oid. John de Dorchester and "William de London were the viewers. William Aucupi, a huntsman with the royal hounds, was paid X2 1 8s. 2d, for various terms of service.
130 DORSET AND KING JOHN.
There was no war department in tlio?e times to pnrcliase whole- sale and to distiibute in the army Low-strings made in Germany. The bowmen had to weave their own strings, for Avhich the sheriff supplied them with yarn. Yarn Avas purchased this year at a cost of 15s. for the crossbowmen stationed in the King's castles of Dorset and Somerset.
£129 7s. 4d., a sum equivalent to between £2,000 and .£3,000, was the cost of the works carried out this year in the rebuilding of the King's houses at Gillingham. The viewers Avere Wido de Osteilli * William Cusin, Thomas of Shaftesbury, Hugo de Droeis, and Gilbert de Bankeham, and £10 that of the work about Sher- borne Castle, of which Avork Warner de Bradford and Hugh de Melburn Avere the vicAvers. At Corfe Castle 100s. Avas spent in repairs. There Avas spent in putting up and entertaining at Dorchester 8 carters, 3 packhorses, and 2 horses of Randolf Parmentariis and Pictavinus Avith their grooms or pages nearly a pound. Eichard de Limoges Avith 6 horses and 2 pages (probably at Dorchester) £8 19s. Thirty-six shillings Avas the cost of keeping 11 of the King's horses at Dorchester.
Kichard, son of John, William de Newmarket, and Thomas Grenville paid " ne transfrettent."
Amongst the curious facts in these rolls is the difficulty Avliieh even persons of position found in res))onding to the request for a little ready money. Many of them apparently had little. At one time it is a bishop or an abbot Avho cannot pay at once a moderate sum of money ; at another it is an impecunious knight Avho makes fine with the King in the sum of four marks, but he has not the four marks ; he has two Avhich he pays, and he OAves tAvo. Even Peter de Schidimor, aa'Iio Avas sheriff two years before, oAves six marks, his fine for keeping hounds. The same thing is noticeable in earlier reigns, but not, I think, to anything like the same extent.
* AViilo de Osteilli did not undertake this duty ANillinyly. He Avas amerced in the sum of 10 marks because he Avas not present at the Avorks about the King's houses unless he Avas attorneyed " q'n'int'fuit op'atio'i donior' R' de Gillingh' n' attornat' fuit."
DORSET AND KING JOHN. 131
"Was it that tlie enormous sum provided for the ransom of King Eichard swept the country of tlie precious metals, or was it tliat some of tliem thought it wise to conceal their wealth ? Several fines for the ransom of King Eichard remained unpaid even in this 3rd year of King John. Amongst the debtors in these parts were Eichard Luvel, William de Coldroville, Eichard de Estre, Goscelyn, son of Pagani, the Abbot of Glastonbury, Jacob de Glastonbury, Eobert Belet, "NVandril de Curcel, Andrew Talebot, and others ; and £4: 18s. only, outof <£10 8s. 9d., due from the Abbey of Hide on lands in Dorset and Somerset had been paid.
Surprise is sometimes expressed that Eichard who was so little known personally to his subjects in England, for not many months of his reign w^ere spent amongst them, should have been so beloved of the people that they were content to strip themselves of their wealth, and even their churches of plate and the precious metals, to furnish the means of his ransom, but it does not follow that Eichard was so beloved. His barons and knights could not help themselves, one of the conditions on Avliich they held their lands was that they should ransom their lord when he was taken prisoner. Had they failed to provide ransom they might have been deprived of their lands. The Knights Templars were acquitted of 50 marks due from them for tallage. They generally got off that way.
Eoger Char et Chous made a curious compact with the sheriff for having the bailiwick of Gillingham, which Eichard de Eodes had held. He promised 30 marks and 2 pipes of wine of Algers. The latter he was to supply for the use of the King, if the King went to Gillingham. If he did not go there, the wine was to be Eoger's. Eoger made a good bargin, for the King did not visit Gillingham in this year, the house was not quite finished for one thing. This incident affords indirect evidence that the King intended to visit Dorset much earlier than he did.
The marriage and wardship of heirs was often a profitable charge, and Brian de Insula paid 120 marks, and one palfrey for having the wardship and marriage of the sons of William Lrito,
132 DORSET AND KING JOHN.
of Sidelis (woiild that be Sydling'?). Perhaps Brian had a daughter Avhom he hoped to marry at some future time to the heir of Sydling. If Brian de Insula was the Earl Insula mentioned a few paragraphs further on, one of his daughters was married about this time to Robert the Chamberlain who paid 60 marks for the King's consent to the marriage.
There was little sentiment about those times, and justice, which was of a rough and ready kind, was certainly not tinged by it. Alice, wife of Robert de Waterleia, had been charged with felony. Of this she was convicted and sentenced to be burnt, which sentence was carried out (un' convicta fuit et combusta). By the law her lands and chattels were forfeited to the King ; the King, however, relinquished his right to the Archdeacon of Wells, who, on payment of a fine of 20 marks, succeeded to the property of the unfortunate woman.
The Patent Rolls which commence with this year contain nothing in this year which relate specially to Dorset. There are some letters, however, of general interest, which throw an indirect light on the customs of Dorset., Such were the licences to monks and others to import corn or sell it (Memb. 6, 7, etc.), licences to Henry de Puteac, a crusader, allowing him to mortgage his lands for two years from the day of his departure for Jerusalem (Memb. 7, see also 6). Similar letters patent to others to the same purpose show how the crusaders raised funds for their expeditions ; the mortgages are generally for a term of two or three years.
There was also a common fund from which aid was supplied, and the last entry on Membr. 6 regulates the application of the funds.
Lampreys were held in much estimation on the Continent as well as in England, and the Countess Bleis' applied through an agent and obtained permission to purchase them for her use. In 3 John, Memb. 3, is an order from the King to the burgessess of Gloucester and others that lampreys were not to be sold for more than 2s. each up to February and at a less price after. The word- ing of the letter seems to imply that there tvas a close time for lampreys " a te'p'e q"' lampree p'imo capiunt'r i' anno."
DORSET AND KING JOHN. 133
It is a curious fact that the King, who, in tlie IGth year of his reign, according to a patent letter transcribed by Hardy, took upon liimself to exterminate lieretics in Gaseony, should in the 3rd year of his reign give permission to Peter Luillus to adopt any religion lie pleased (Memb. 8), yet so it was.
The tenants of the King were restricted in the use of their woods. Lorette de Fontibus had to obtain letters patent (Memb. 7), to take from his wood of Wellendon ' what was rea.sonably necessary for building, " et focu' suu' faciend,'" but even then under the superintendence of the King's foresters,
4 JOim, A.I). 1202-3.
Hubert de Burgh was again sheriff, Alan de Wicton, as before, appearing for him at the Exchequei.
The alms are very much as in the previous year ; the Knights Templars receive 2 marks, AVilliam, son of William de Lanualein, receivbs £10 blank on lands at Shaftesbury, the Carthusians of Witham ,£10 on lands at Witham. This order of monks had been introduced into England about 23 years before, and at "Witham they had established themselves first ; they afterwards had houses at Charterhouse, Skene, and elseAvhere. £28 was assigned to the Queen Mother on lands in Ilchester ; the other payments under this head are very much as in former years.
For the pay of falconers and for the keep of 1 1 falcons and one girfalcon from March 13 to November 16 £8 15s. 8d. was spent, and for the pay of the six falconers who carried the said falcons beyond the sea £G was the cost incurred. The King was not in England this year, and the falcons were probably conveyed to him in France by way of Weymouth or Wareham if ihcy were at Dorchester, and it is probable that they were, for liicliard de la \Vade and his man were paid 113s. id. for their expenses and for the keep of the King's falcons (mewed at Dorchester) from April 1 to INIichaelmas Day.
Walter de Winterbornc was master of the lloyal hounds in tliosc parts, and his pay for 6S days was £G. 2s. lOd., including half a
l34 DORSET Ai^T) KING JOHN,
mark, a gift from the King. Four hawk bearers were paid £i and 3 falconers 40s.
The stipend of tlie King's chaplain at Dorchester was 50s. William Wallensi, yeoman of the King, with his 12 boar hounds (" xii. mastinis suis porcariis," tho' porcarius generally signifies a swine herd), was paid 10s. for his expenses from Mfirch 21 to May 21. A member of the Wallensi family, a John Wallensi, got into trouble about this time ; he had slain Roger, the Chaplain, and Agnes de Styrchleleg ; he fled from justice, and was in consequence outlawed. He obtained the Royal pardon and was allowed to return on giving pledgss for his fidelity, when the King's pardon was granted ; under such circumstances there was generally a clause put in requiring the recipient to stand trial if the relatives of the jjersons slain desired it. Thus Henry de Stratton was pardoned the outlawry promulgated against him for the death of INIichael, vassal of William, son of Roslin, ita t'n q' pl'g' salvos i'veniat standi recto si quis erga ip'm loqui volu'it 't se defendendi p' corp' suu' ad corp' s'n' alia lege (Litt. Pat., 4 John, Memb. 11). As there is no mention here of such a condition the inference is that the man- slaughter was considered justifiable (Litt. Pat., 3 John, Memb. 3, in dorso).
A large sum of money was spent on the King's houses in Dorset this year in preparation for the King's intended visit. £47 13s. 2d. Avas spent on the houses at Bere, where John de Turberville was one of the viewers, 100s. at Sherborne, 100s. on the Castle of Dorchester, about the houses of the King at Corfe the large sum of £275 Os. Id. (equivalent perhaps to £4,000 of our money), and for the repair of the Castle there 20s. (query, were the King's houses at Corfe within the Castle or without it. Why was this distinction made ■?) On the Tower of Sherborne 10 marks was laid out.
An approver was allowed 16s. as pay for 192 days Of approvers I have spoken in a former paper.
To H., the King's Clamberlain, £4 2s. 6d. was paid of an advance made by him for the sustentation of the prisoners who were in his custody at Corfe, Wallingford, and Sherborne, " so that the money
DORSET AND KING JOHN. 135
may bo returned to the Chamberlain from tlie chattels of the aforesaid prisoners."
Who were these prisoners 1 It seems probable that they were some of the Knights who Avere taken at Mirabeau,
John Avas in France throughout the 4th year of his reign, and in the course of his Avanderings he arrived at Bonport from Xeubourg on Tuesday, July 30th, and on the following day he departed for Chinon, but on the Avay he received news that his mother was closely besieged at Mirabeau, whitlier he hastened Avith all speed ; he arrived on Sunday, August 1st, and captured the Avhole of the Knights, more than 200 in number, Avho Avere besieging the place, and his nephcAV Arthur Avas also delivered to him therp, so complete Avas the victory that " no one," John said in a letter to the barons, " no one saved himself by flight." These Knights Avere sent as prisoners to various castles in England and Normandy. Corfe, Wallingford, and Sherborne, the three places mentioned in the above extract from the Pipe Roll, received some of them. The advance made by the King's Chamberlain for the sus- tentation of the prisoners shoAVs that they Avere political prisoners and that they Avere persons of consequence. How long they continued to receive sustentation from the King's Chamberlain is a questionable matter. The Mai gun annals state that 22 of the Knights taken at ]\[irabcau Avere starved to death in Corfe Castle. This seems probable, for on February 4th following, letters patent Avere sent to the constables of Bristol, Nottingham, Walling- fcrd, Sherborne, Southampton, Marlborough, Porcester, Norwich, Oxford, Windsor, Northampton, and of other castles, giving strict orders to their custodians to send to Corfe Castle certain of the Knights, 24 in number, Avhose names are given, and Avho were contined in these castles. In the Pipe Rolls for the next year, 5 John, the Sheriff of Dorset makes a charge for supiilitvs to 14 prisoners only at Corfe and Sherborne and for clothing fur four of the prisoners. That some of these Avere prisoners who had l»cen in captivity for some time, and Avere therefore none of the Knights taken at Mirabeau, seems probable from the fact that the payment
136 DORSET AND KING JOHN.
is stated to be for many years. Some of the Mirabeau prisoners had, therefore, disappeared by that time, and, so far as record evidence goes, there is no further allusion to them ; they disappear from Corfe and leave no trace. There is no mention of any of them in later letters which mention Corfe prisoners.
Mr. Bond in his history of Corfe Castle points out that a close letter sent to the constable of Corfe suggests that John had sinister designs in collecting and sending these prisoners to Corfe. " Constab' de Corf scHjif p litt'as clausas q' faciat id q'd Thomas Cl'icus de cam'a 't Hug' de N"eviir ei dicent ex p'te R' dc p'isonibus qui ei lib'abunt'r " what was to be done Avith them was evidently something which it was not advisable to put on paper.
The Erettons were given to making encroachments on the King's salt pits. In 1 John it was William de Bretton who was fined for encroaching on them ; now it is Walter de Bretton who has to pay 5s. lOd. for the same offence.
The payment of the ransom of Richard was not complete even in this fourth year of John ; 121s. 9d. was paid of the hidage levied in Dorset and Somerset for this purpose.
Hugh de Wells owes 3 palfreys for the grant of a charter from tha King for having liberties in the town of Wells with fairs and markets.
The chattels of fugitives from justice, men who were charged with some crime, but who would not stand trial, Avere forfeited to the King, and Peter de Schidimor accounts for 10s. 6d., the value of the chattels of Peter, and 2s. that of John ; but Avhat Peter de Schidimor, who was Sheriff in the first year of John's reign, had to do with it in the fourth year is not clear.
On the list of fines on Knights' fees of the third scutage is the Abbot of Glastonbury and the Abbot of Shaftesbury, who pays on 7 Knights' fees, the Abbot of Cerne on 2, of Abbotsbury on 1, and Sherborne Abbey on 2J. There are a large number of names on this list.
William de IMarcuilJ, Robert AVells, Elena Ostiarius, William de St. Clare, and Thomas de Windsor make fine for serjcanty, tlie first-named for passage and relief also.
DORSET AND KING JOHN. 137
There are also fines of the Knights of the lionor of Dunstcr, also of Bologne and of Bath.
Whilst the subject of prisoners is before us it will be convenient to make some further remarks concerning them. Prisoners -svere supplied Avith food, and their chattels were frequently taken by the .Sheriff to pay for it ; by licence other articles might be supidied to prisoners as robes and money to the Lord de Crassay "qii diu fu'it i p'isona n'ra." P.R., 4 John, August 19.
Prisoners in custody for certain offences might obtain their liberty by making fine with the King ; the fines paid by prisoners to be discharged from custody were sometimes paid partly in kind. Thus John le Tengre undertook to pay 100 marks and " 10 fine hares, fair and good," of which he was to pay 40 marks and 5 hares before his discharge, and his sons were to be received as hostages for the remainder, which was to be paid in two portions, and on payment of the second portion the hostages were to be freed. (P.K., 8 John, April 28.) Wiomar' Erito made a similar arrangement, hares and all, and Rob. Weldebof, who was taken prisoner at Carrickfergus and imprisoned at Gloucester, promised 30 marks and one good hunter (chascur), and as four of his friends gave security for the payment he was discharged at once. (P.R., IG John, December 21.) Hostages were also supplied with food at their own cost or that of their friends, but the men of Anjou must have been astonished at receiving, as a mark of the King'a favuui', a letter declaring that on account of the love he bore them he quitted their hostages of all expenses which they owed for food, for 35U silver marks of which he requested payment before Michael- mas.
Salt, wine, corn, and leather were apparently the principal articles of trade with this country, and Wareham seems to have had its share of the trade such as it was. Alexander of Warchaiii, received licence from the King at Gilliugham uu January 12, 12U7, to carry one cargo of .salt and leather into Normandy. (I'.K., 7 John, January 12.) Lucas, of Wareham, safe conduct for himself and his ship in trading throughout the country on his iiayuig upon
138 DORSET AND KING JOHN.
his effects and merchandise the right and due customs. Large quantities of wine were imported into the country and much presumably was made here. The seneschall of Poitou and Gascogne was commanded to pay £80 sterling for 80 barrels (doliis) of wine, which was bought by Pascald, the merchant de Belvoc', for replen- ishing the store in Corfe Castle ; the letter is dated 18 John, July 16, and was written at Sturminster Newton in the Castle, of which the remains are still standing on the hill above Sturminster Bridge, for the ruins, so far as my remembrance goes, show this date. The King was at Sturminster for two days on this occasion — namely, on "Wednesday and Thursday, June 15 and 16 ; on the 17th he went on to Blandford. This Avine, judging from the price, was intended for the King and his court ; the same price was paid for 26 tuns of wine (if the dolium and tonel were the same) to Bernard de Burdegal (P.R., 4 John, April 30), and even more was paid on the day for 103 tuns of wine supplied by those merchants — namely, 300 marks, which Avas about the rate of £2 a tun.
5 JOHN", A.D. 12034.
There are the usual payments in the earlier part of the roll.
Fifty shillings, the pay of the Chaplain at Dorchester Castle, is continued ; 50s. is evidently his fixed stipend. The keeper of the King's houses at Gillingham receives 30s. 5d. through Hugh de Neville.
Two of the King's falconers — one a horseman — with one assistant were at Dorchester from Michnelmas Day to S. Dionicius' Day (October 9) ; the falcons Avere in the charge of the same falconers to November 3, Avhen Adam de Mora took charge of them to November 30, when they were sent to the King in France, the bearers of them receiving 40s. for their pay, The King, Avho had been in France for many months, returned to England on December 6, so he had not the enjoyment of them for long. The -pay of Robert de "Winterburn, the King's huntsman, Avas in ariear, but he received 110s. of the amount due to him and two marks for food supplied to the hounds ; the 76s. 3d., the balance of his pay
DORSET AND KING JOHN. 139
to November 30 two month?, was paid to him a little later ; from wliich entry Ave learn that the pay of a Royal huntsman was about £23 a year, or £400 a year in our money. In which Winterborne did he live? Was it Winterborne Abbas'? The cost of the 14 prisoners at Corfe and the garments for four of them have been noticed. £18 19s. 6d. was spent on the repair of the King's houses at Dorchester and of the vivarium there, but whether the vivarium was a stew pond in the meadows below the hill on which the Castle stood, or a reserve for deer, &c., is not apparent. Two approvers at Ilchester were paid 12s. 4d. for 74 days — twopence a day. A penny a day per man Avas not large pay, but it Avas sufficient ; it Avas the pension frec^ucntly granted by the King to his aged servants.
Sciatis q'd dedimus Joh'i de Constanciis lib'acio'em uni' den singul' diebus p'cipiend' toto temp'e vite sue ad scacc'm n'rm, &c. (Rot. Pat., Memb. 18.)
Their armour for trial by battle came to 17s, 8d. Notes on approvers, their armour, and trial by battle Avill be found in the former paper.
There was a very large expenditure on Corfe Castle this year, being no less than £246 10s. 4d. in money of that day. AVilliam de Boscus and Robert de Clavill Avere the vicAvers.
£56 17s. 7d. Avas spent on the King's chamber at Bere, Avhcre Elijah de Bere and Gilbert Calve Avere the vicAvers. Nicholas de Meriet paid 45 marks for Hugh Hakepeat " ut p'sit se rcdd'e religioni," " that he might return himself as professed in religion." Would that necessarily mean more than that he miglit return himself as a " cleric," and so perhaps be able to claim " benefit of the clergy " and other privileges 1
There Avas some mistake about the "donum ; " 45 marks charged to the men of Wareham and 30 marks to the men of Cranbornc should have been charged to W. de Faleisia. Osmund of Sher- borne, Avas also charged 10 marks, for Avhich the Bp. of Salisbury should have responded, and Richard Fromund 20 marks, Avhich Avas due from the Bp. of Winchester. According to the evidence
140 DORSET AND KING JOHN.
of the Sheriff, Brice Passmorc, Godfrey Capel, Walter de IlorJwell, Warin dc Bichford, Eobert de Cumweie, Adam clerk of BacwcU, and Humphrey de "Wirkishal also appear on this list.
Henry de Turberville paid 10 marks for having seizin of 10 librates of land in Parue.
Hugh de Nevill was credited £75 for the purchase of one thousand fat hogs for the King's use, hut he was only able to purchase 500. Most likely these were for provisioning the King's Castles in Dorset and Somerset.
For enclosing the King's garden at Marlborough £10 5s. Gd. was spent.
There is a long list in this roll of persons charged to the third scutage ; the list shows the number of Knights' fees and parts of Knights' fees held by each, with a supplementary list under tlie head " Illi hilt quiet' p'bria." Those who had quittance by brief.
There was trouble with the bakers even in those early days, and regulations had to be made for the supply of bread of standard weight. At Winchester the white loaf was to be 30 sols, in weight (IJlb. ?), and tlie loaf of black bread 65 sols., and each baker had to imprint his seal upon his loaves, and guardians of the assize were appointed to see that the regulations were duly carried out. (P.K., 5 John, April 15.)
The letters patent of this year reveal a curious story about King John, which is new to me ; the story of
KING JOHN AND THE JEWELS OF S. EDMUND, as gathered from the Patent Rolls, is as follows : —
The King crossed from France to Portsmouth on Saturday, De- cember 6th. He was at Marlborough on Friday, 10th, at Newberry on the 12th, Havering on the 16th, and Ongar on the 17th. Fiom thence he went to Bury S. Edmunds, Avhere he visited the tomb of the martyr, S. Edmund. Amongst the offerings at the tomb of this martyr in the Abbey Church were a fine sapphire and an equally fine ruby. Now John had a weakness for jewels. This is shown by the lists of his treasures committed to . various persons to be kept for him, and he coveted these precious stones,
DORSET AND KING JOHN. 141
and \voul(l have glad]}' appropriated thein. Eut even a King could not take jewels which were the property of a saint without tlio permission of their owner. Very likely the monks in the hope of saving their jewels pointed, this out to him. At any rate the Avording of his letter shows that he admitted that the jewels did belong to the .saint and that no one could give him permission to take them. But a King who covets the jewels of a dead .saint and is not troubled with a sensitive conscience will soon discover a way of possessing himself of them — John did — and the monks must have been much taken aback by the King's proposal. He could not appropriate the jewels, that he admitted, but he might borrow them. So he took the precious stones and promised the monks for the loan of them 16 marks a year, to be paid faithfully at his treasury, and the money might be used for the repair of the martyr's tomb. As to the jewels they should be returned and replaced on the tomb at the King's death. The Abbot and Convent of S. Edmunds, knowing the King as they must have known him, must have parted with their jewels regretfully ; they could scarcely have entertained a hope of ever seeing them again, and as a matter of fact it is probable that they were in the King's treasure chests when those chests were over\vhelmed l)y the sea at Newark. But the monks were equal to the occasion. If they must lose their jewels they might at least obtain a concession from t'ue King which would bo of equal value to them and their house, so they followed the King to Lilley, where, two days later, they obtained a charter from him, which was to the effect that on account of " the reverence he had for the blessed martyr, Edmund " (whose jewels, remember, he had taken), he allowed the Alibot and Convent of S. Edmund's to revoke those of their lands and tene- ments which had been alienated by the custodians of their manors, whether monks or laics, without the consent of the Alilxit and Convent.
^ote^ on -a JUimtte f ooh (C. 12) belonging to the ItUpor m\b €orpration of govchcstcv,
With a few Passages fkom C. 9.
By H. J. MOULE, M.A.
t^^^^
sm^ —
TAVICE-TOLD tale is a synonym for dismal dulness. Now I am about to tell what, in part, lias already been publislied to the world, and this makes me fearful lest I should be unable to galvanise the subject into any measure of interest for the members of the Club. Yet I have resolved to throw myself on your in- dulgence and do my best. For Minute Book C. 12, although it has been dipped into, has never, to my knowledge, been quoted in any approach to a complete way, and seems to deserve it.
It is a i^archment-bound small folio, a shabby looking volume without, and roughly kept within ; the writing is by a variety of hands, some of them far from skilful hands. It seems to have been an exceptional thing for the Town Clerk to make the entries.
NOTES ON A MINUTE BOOK. 143
Perliaps the nature of them may account for this. For T suppose his duties were primarily with tlic ]\Iayor and Town Council acting in their judicial and legislative capacity. Xow C. 12 appears to he the record, for by far the most part at least, of business done by the Mayor and Town Council as a general Financial Committee. The phrase used in this volume is not the Mayor and Town Council, but the Mayor and this Company order this or that. Ly the way this is not the Company of Freemen, the President of which was not the Mayor. The entries in the Book begin on June 30, 1637, and end on Nov. 24, 1656, but with a most vexatious hiatus. After Feb. 27, 1642 (3) we find this entry :— " By reason of the Warres this book was discontinued for fower yeares, and Another booke was made use of for the Towne business, &c." To my great regret I have not succeeded in my eflforts to find this book. C. 12 has been carefully read and pretty largely extracted from, and so has the chief division of C. 9. This is a small folio of from 200 to 300 pages, bound in limp parchment, only about two-thirds full, and endorsed as containing Orders, Copies of Letters, Choice of Officers of Dorchester, Choice of Almspeople, and Compositions for Town Leases. The first division is on ff. 1 to 56, and extends from June 18, 1629, to Dec. 17, 1661, with one or two much later entries.
A choice of extracts will now Ije read, thrown together under three lieads: — 1. The dealings of Mayor and "Company"' in Church matters, especially as relates to the Rev. J. AVhite ; 2. The defences of the Borough ; 3. The care of the Borough and of the poor. The paper will end with some few unclassified remarks. The Rev. J. White, of Winchester and New Colleges, Rector of Holy Trinity and St. Peter's, Dorchester, was a leading promoter of the Puritan migration to New England, where his name and fame yet flourish greatly ; and a man who, with all faults, had a sway here in Dorchester, which must have been founded on i)iety and ability. Proof of his high position here was given in a paper on C. 8, which is printed in Vol. X. of the Club I'roceeilings. As a supplement to this a few passages from C. 12 and one from
144 NOTES ON A MINUTE BOOK.
C. 9 are here p^ronped together. On July 10, 1640, it is Master White who is applied to through Master Mayor to effect a recon- ciliation between Constable Bale and one Gollop. But the next passage speaks for itself as showing a great, if selfish, value for Master White. "Nov. 12, 1647 — Whereas the warden of new colege being dead and a new warden being to be chosen there is greate doubt that Master Jo : Wliite our minister is to be chosen, and therefore to prevent it and to farther the busines about ffordington Parsonage that the towne send Master Benne and one of the Company w**" him to labor in the busines." Master White was chosen, but declined the wardenship (see Hutchins). Further " this day it was agreed that on IMonday next at eight of the Clocke in morning this Company be desired to be all here present and to make choice of an Assistant minister to helpe Master White in his weaknesse." In Oct., 1647, it had been agreed to pay £200 a year " out of ffordington parsonage" for this purpose. His weakness continued, and indeed ended shortly in his deatli. The "Company" continued likewise to arrange matters for him. On May 12, 1648, "it is ordered . . . that Master White and Master Ben bee desired to take course that on euery Sabboth day in morning when Master White shall be unable to preach himself that Master Ben may preach at Peters Church where this Company are for the most part, w^^^ wee understand also will give very good satisfaction to the Towne in general." Let us hope that the regard for Master White did not chiefly evaporate in words and in going about to hinder his promotion to a distant position. But the following entry has an ugly sound. "June 23, 1648. Upon the failing of Master White's quarterly paym'^s f^om the parishioners of Trinity and Peters the same not making up the
some of fower score pounds per annum for his
additional mayntenance" he is to have £15 a quarter partly from the " Steward of ffordington parsonage." This was *less than a
* He died suddenly on July 21, 1648, and lies in St. Peter's porch, where a memorial plain "brass" ought to be placed, we venture to
sussest.
NOTES ON A MINUTE BOOK. 145
month before liis death, the grief at which was deep. Three days after it took place Uie following entry was written in Minute and Account Book C. 9, f. 37 :— " 24 July, 1648. It is ordered by i\Iaster Maior and the Company that Master Savage on the compan^s desire to [do] give in their names to Master White's executo' five pounds to give it to the poore in Master White's name. And that Master Savage doe cause the porch to be hung w*-*" black at the funerall and for one monetli after and yf it be stolen the Company will satisfie him for it." In a less degree another entry tells of good feeling towards the deceased. This is in C. 12 under the above date. "It was agreed . . . that the ffeoffees of Trinity Parsonage be desired to give power by their warr* to authorize Xathaniel White his father's executor to receive
all tithes .... until there shall be a minister
brought into the place of Master White " Again,
several years after, C. 12, Feb. 8, 1651 (2), a sum of £3 9s. Id. " balance of his father's Ace* due from the Erewhouse" is ordered to be paid to Capt. Nathaniel White, and out of respects to his father and the family it is ordered that he shall have given him out of the Erewhouse . . . the some of five pounds more as a boone at his departure towards Garnesey." It may be here said, by the way, that from one or two passages it seems that the Guernsey garrison was partly manned by Dorchester folks and refreshed with Dorchester beer from the borough brewhouse. One more entry re- lating to the Whites may be quoted. "Jan. 26, 1648 (9), Master Samuel White to be paid £4 14s. Od. layed out for the ministers •w^^ have preached liere in Towne since his father's death. And forty shillings more for the entertainment of several ministers. . . . . . at several times. And that his brother Nathaniel shall be desired by Master Gower (the new Eector) to pay him. . . ." Such are the chief notices in C. 9 and 12 of the W'hite family. Passing on to other ecclesiomunicipal matters we find the Mayor and Company in great thoughts of heart about a fit successor to Master White. It may be noted here that the living of Holy Trinity, of old in the gift of the Crown, as St. Peter's still is, is in
146 NOTES ON A MINUTE BOOK.
the gift of tlie Trustees of the Grammar School and Napier's Mite Almshouse. AVhether Master Mayor and the Company dealt in the matter as patrons, or only as influential advisers, at the time of Avhich we are speaking, I know not. In either case they busied themselves much in the matter. On Sept. 22, 1648, Master Ben, Rector of All Saints', is to be " desired with the assistance of [Master Cole]. . . to ride unto Exter" to treat with one Master Ford and also with Master Gower, and to propose " for the encouragement of the minister " that he shall have .£120 p. ann : and " 60'' in lew of the Ester Booke," and a house, "and that 4 sufficient men shall engage to pay him 40" euy quarter, clear of all taxes." Master Ben, we cannot but fancy, may have thought that a good Rector of Holy Trinity would not be so far to seek, and that he need not be sent riding up and down to search for one. But after journeying to "Exter" and, it seems, having come to an understanding, not with Ford but with Gower, he is despatched in the other direction. On Oct. 19, 1648, "it is agreed that Master Ben be desired to ride into the Isle of Weight to have conference with Master Marshal, Master Charroll, Master Vines,
and Mr. Seaman of the *Assembly noAV at Newport
touching Master Gower and to know their judgm^^ of
his .... fittness to succeede Master White in this Towne." Their " judgm^s" were favourable, doubtless, for in C. 9, under Jan. 24, 1648 (9), is a record of Gower's induction. He is said to have been " chosen by the major part of the feoffees of the said Parsonage, with approbation of the inhabitants of Trinity and Peter's." Master Gower seems to have won the good-will of the burgesses. At least the providing a new parsonage looks like it. On March 24, 1651 (2) we find mention of a house " w^** Master Loder hath purchased for this Companie to be a house for the minister." And on March 31 we find £100 named as " the fine agreed upon with ]\raster Gardiner for his house upon the Cornhill." It is true that this fine and £50 for repairs were to be paid first, indeed, by the
* In connection probably with the nef>ociations with the King which were begun on Sept. 18, 1648. Pict : Hist : of England, iv., 384.
NOTES ON A MINUTE BOOK. 147
steward of Seaton Parsonage money ; hut were to be " made good " to him " out of the sale of the old Trinity Parsonage house, the harne adjoining, and the garden Lehind the George, -with the passage forth into the back lane belonging to the George." I may say, in passing, that a portion of this old Parsonage remains, and to some of the New England descendants of Puritans is almost like the Black Stone to the Moslem. Further, I have heard, but also heard it contradicted, that a house in Cornhill, next door to the Antelope on the south, was formerly St. Peter's Rectory. IMay this be the house referred to above 1 The mention of Seaton brings us to what seems to me a curious practice of the Mayor and Company. This was the buying of " parsonages," whereby in short that body became lay rectors and patrons of the livings. Seaton in Devon was long theirs. One or two other parishes are named as being negociated for at least. But I would speak particularly of Fordington. Fordington tithes are triply applied. Until about twelve years ago there was a Fordington Stall at Sarum, of which Canon Pearson was the last holder. Now I assume it is swept into the Ecclesiastical Commission. Then there is a Lay Eectory ; and lastly the Vicarage. I do not see the event recorded, but it is my surmise that on the Puritan sup- pression of Chapters Master jNEayor and Company bought the whole prebendal, rectorial, and small tithes and presentation to the living such as it was. With the scanty data in our possession we ought not to be very hard on Master Mayor and his fellows. Still their providing for the spiritual wants of Fordington seems not to have given entire satisfaction. On Nov. 1, 1648, " ffordington men were heere w^^ Master Maior and desires a minister and INIaster Maior put them off till Friday sennight in the afternoone." Now the ever useful Master Ben had been asked to " enquire out an able mynister" for Fordington as long l>efore as April 21. This minister was to have the " Vicaridgc House " and £20 a year "out of the Inipropriat Parsonage of ffordington," with some prosi)cct of £20 more out of Seaton Parsonage. Poor i>ay, even iu those times. It seems to have attracted only a very young
148 NOTES ON A MINUTE BOOK.
divine. On Juno 1, 1649, a substantial " angmentacion of his
niayntenance" is ordered for " Master John Loder now preacher at
ffordington .... if ffordington men will make the Vicar-
idge worth fiftie pounds p annu . . . [and] that Master John
Loder ... do submit himself to be ordained minister, within
throe monethes, or as soon as by his age he be capeable of ordin-
acon." This came to pass it seems, for he remained minister of
Fordington until Apr. 4, 1656, when he notifies lo the Mayor and
Company that " hee was by the providence of God likely to remove
to London in Case hee and his wife should like the aire Wh yet
they are uncertaine of, wherefore hee craves leave of the Comp^ to
retaine his propriety in Ifordington until Mich^a^." The Loders
quickly decided in favour of London air, as appears from the next
quotation. Arrangements for stipend were again faulty in 1656.
On April 30 " there was an answere given to ffordington men in
order to their demands for more niayntenance to their minister."
The Company say that by " ordinance of parliam*" they are bound
to pay only <£40 a year, which they have done. They promise,
however, that " when they have another minister " at Fordington
the Company will " endevor to give him satisfaction." It was the
least they could do, for while Fordington was put off with £40 a
year out of its tithes for its sole minister, on June 20, 1656, the
Company were treating with Master Gower for bringing in an
assistant minister for Trinity and St. Peter's " that may enjoy the
80" p Annii granted upon the charter of ifordington parsonage."
This brings in the subject of lecturers, of which the clear-headed
Selden *says : " If there had been no friars, Christendom might
have continued quiet and things remained at a stay. If there had
been no lecturers, which succeed the friars in their way, the
Church of England might have stood and flourished at this day.
Lecturers do in a parish church what the friars did heretofore,
get away not only the alTections but the bounty that should be
bestowed upon the minister. Lecturers get a great deal of money,
• Table Talk, Cassell's Edition, pp. 71 and 99.
NOTES ON A MINUTE BOOK. 149
because they preach the people tame, as a man wafeclies a hawk ; and then they do Avhat they list with them," Master Gower was much of the same opinion as to the encroaching character of lecturers. He promises his help in finding an assistant " if the Comp^ will declare under their hands that they repute him minister of Trinity and Peters in succession to Master White notwithstanding such third minister to bee now brought in. . . . ." An entry in C. 9, of a few days later — viz., June 26, 1657, seems to be in full compliance with Gower's demand. Various negociations were accordingly made with a view to engaging a " lecterer," but no result appears to be recorded in C. 12 or 9. It is now time to bring to a close this already too long section on Church affairs. It ends with a few isolated remarks on points therewith connected. Here is an order about official church going. Oct. 29, 1652. "It is ordered that from hence forward the precedent Mayor shall be desired to sit in seate with Master Mayor at Peters Church at all times, especially the Sabbath Dayes." Here is a record which, as far as I know, stands alone in C. 8, 9, or 12, as showing due feeling to the Episcopate. July 28, 1637. " It is agreed that the Bishop be entertained at his visitacon and
be sent unto to Bristoll and invited it is resolved
to move Master Dashwood to lodge him and Master Maior at a publike charge to entertayne him." And the Mayor and nine of the Company agree to subscrilie 10s. each. Finally, as regards this section, let me note that the old Church terms, such as Good Friday, " Christide," and even " 0' Lady Day " continued in use, the last occurring so late as July 18, 1656.
2. The defences of the Borough, including both men and their arms and also fortifications. Now this is the subject concerning which this book has already been quoted in Hutchins' " History of Dorset " and elsewhere. Still it seems best to give some sort of complete sketch here of the passages relating to this section, without omitting those in Hutchins, But first let me say how very great a loss it is to all interested in the history of Dorchester that in C. 12 precisely the most interesting years, as regards the
150 NOTES ON A MINUTE BOOK.
Civil War, are unrecorded. The discovery of the " other liook " referred to at the beginning would be a welcome find indeed. It need hardly be said that all the orders in the 17th century relating to intended defence of Dorchester are connected with the Civil War. This may, therefore, be a good place to note, by the way, two entries about one great cause of that war — viz., ship money. In C. 9 we find " Kov. 23, 1636. Rate to y^ King's Shipping." And it is recorded that at a meeting of the Mayors of Dorset and and the Sheriff at Blandford about " a rate to be set " for £5,000 for a ship, the Sheriff rated the corporate towns thus : —
Poole and members |
£30 |
Lyme Regis and members |
£40 |
Dorchester ,, |
45 |
Bridport „ |
20 |
War eh am „ |
25 |
Blandford ,, |
25 |
Corf e Castle „ |
40 |
- Shaston, infected with |
|
Weymouth and Melcombe |
the Plague ... ... |
00 |
|
Regis and members . . . |
35 |
Again in C. 12, under the date Jan. 22, 1639 (40), a warrant from the Sheriff for raising £60 in the town for ship money is recorded. And almost directly after — post hoc if not propter hoc — on Feb. 12, 1639 (40), in connection with a Town Lease is a direction " to make up the Towne wall sufficiently between the garden [in question] and Master Hiat's garden before harvest next." *But it was on July 1, 1642, that the Dorchester folk began really to stir in the matter of holding the town against the foe. On that day the Mayor and Company had before them " a noate of the Stoare of powder in the magazine in the Shirehall, Sept. 27, 1639." County Powder 39 cwt 18 lbs ; also 3 barrells of the " Towne Store." This last was ordered to be moved to the " Counting House in the Towne Brewhouse " with the town's lead and match. On July 19, 1642, was brought to " Master Maior from the Postmr of Shaston " a copy of an
* There is in these books an earlier mention of walls. In C. 9, under Nov. 12, 163.3, there is complaint tliat Fordinyton people have taken the ditclies wherewith "this Towne is surrounded, and now they seeke to gayne from us parte of this Towne Walles. "
l^OTES OX A MINUTE BOOK. 151
ordinance of Parliament. It empowers the Mayor and his fellows to muster the inhabitants who are " fitt for the warres and them array, weapon, traine, exercise, and put in readines " to resist attempts against the town. This ordinance is to be handed to the judge at the assizes to shew why " The Souldiers do in their amies watch the magazine . . . ." Daring the assizes the gates and wards are to be made fast every night at 8. This was entrusted to Master E. Dashwood for " Bankes his doare ; " Master Bushrode for the east end of the town — viz., the East Gate and Standish's Corner and Boyes' Corner ; Master J. Bray for Glip- path ; Robert Manuell for the West Gate ; and T. Poole for the " Fryery Lane." On Oct. 7 in this same year, 1642, fresh orders Avere given. " Henry Bushrode is appoynted to keepe the key and to see the two east Gates and that on Gallcwes hill shut at night and opened in morning and is to have for his paines 6' 8* a quarter. Henry Mory is appoynted to the like for the 2 West Gates and at Glippath for the like reward. Roger Turner is appoynted for the like for the 3 sowth gats at 5^ a qter. They are to open all the gates at breake of day and to shut all the back gats at candle lighting and the East, West, and Sowth mayne gates between 8 and 9 at night." Again under Jan. 11, 1642 (3), we find the following order : " Keiers for the gate. It is ordered that the Keyers of the Gates shall wayt at the 3 several maine Gards from the time of the discharging of the ward until the Watch come in place and so likewise in morning to stand at the gates betwixt the Watch and the Ward. And not to deliuer the Keycs to any unless to the Captaine of the Watch or to the rounders or by their appointment." These two passages are those quoted in Hutchins' History. It is impossible of course here to go into the questions to which they naturally give rise. I can simply repeat what I have more fully said elsewhere, that, patched up here " made good " there as we saw, rebuilt in another place, in my humble opinion it Avas yet, speaking roughly, the Roman wall that the "rounders" perambulated in 1642. The latest direct mention of the gates i.s on May 26, 1642— viz., "Master Steward shall pay to Henry
152 NOTES OX A MINUTE BOOK
Bushrode 24^ for keeping, shutting, and opening the east gate for 16 weeks." But the gates come into a little mention in a passage or two about the garrison. This garrison, at least its pay, was a difficulty. On Dec. 2, 1642, it is ordered that "the pay for the souldiers raised and mayntained by seuall persons and now under command of Captaine Lewes shall be collected for all tymes to come . . ." by Master Josiah Terry for Trinity parish, Master Natth'- Bury for Peters, and W. Day for All Saints. Again, on Jan. 11, 1642 (3), "There shall be two companies raised in the Towne ... in each ... 80 men. whereof as many musketeers as may be, and none of Cap : Churchille's company to be under the command of Cap : Jos : Paty, the other under Cap : John Seaward and eiiy man to be paid 2^ weekely .... to watch eiiy third night and to appeare at their colo" to be exercised one afternoone in a weeke and to be paid 12<* a day. . . . ." Then in the margin are the names of the captains, lieutenants, ensigns, Serjeants, and drummers of each company. By Jan. 24, 1642 (3) one hundred and forty men were enlisted, and we read that besides these in pay, and those who contribute the pay " there are in seuall bowses fitt to watch by 7 in the night at the bow guard (that is, by the way, at Cornhill Corner) and 9 in the day to ward, 230. . . ." Of these " 2 [are] to ward at euy towne gate, 1 at Glippath and 1 at the Gallowes and one upon the Tower [of St. Peter's], and upon euy Saboth day and fast day 2 on the tower. . . ." Very good, but on Feb. 3, 1642 (3) we find an order that, as many had refused to pay this rate, imposed for pay of 160 soldiers, at 2s. a week, to watch, ward, and muster one afternoon weekly, this payment shall cease and the constables "shall againe warne both watch and ward." That is, we may perhaps take it, the burgesses were called on to do personal, unpaid service in turn. However, as to the garrison, it is ordered that "those souldiers bee not disbanded but be mustered once a weeke, thursday yf it may be or els friday and shall be paid viii<* a peece weekly for their mustering." It looks suspicious, too, that on Feb. 24, 1642 (3) £6 are ordered for the three captains of the Town
NOTES ON A MINUTE BOOK. 153
(including Capt. Churchill perhaps) to pay " poore souldiers " that served the 2 days this week in the Borough (1) arms. Somehow this brings to mind the recruit who served at the wappenshaw in the TuUietudlem arms. Whatever were the difficulties, however, the Mayor and the " Company " persevered. On Feb. 27, 1642 (3) " By consent of the Mayor and Capital Burgesses the Church- wardens and Overseers of each of the 3 parishes have made a rate for payment of soldiers." The names and addresses of twenty- eight "as now this day listed " are given. The odd thing is that, except W. Wilson, "late of this town stuflF-weaver," not one of them belonged to Dorchester, one comrng from so far off as Taunton. Here this group of warlike notices must end, brought to a sudden full stop by the vexatious "discontinuance of this booke by reason of the Warres." The substituted book would perhaps give us quite new lights on various points now dim and doubtful. Especially there is the sojourn of Cromwell at Dorchester, so imperfectly recorded in history. But, as yet, that much-desired book appears not.
3. The Care of the Borough and of the poor, taken separately. Thoughtfulness for the well-being of the borough is shown in the very first page of the book. On July 14, 1637, "Master Maior ppownded that a day be considered for ' a meeting of all the Company to examyn the debte of the corporacon and what meanes may be used to come out of debt. . . ." It was decided to meet on July 31 at 7 a.m. I have not observed any record of •what was done. The borough finance was complicated as to sources of income, There were fines on renewal of lives in leases of market standings, and no doubt in other leases. There were rents of various pieces of property, such as two plots called the ♦School Closes, apparently where the Grammar School cricket ground and Messrs. Pope's malthousc now are. There was income, over and above stipends, from Seaton, Fordington, and other " Parsonages." And there was this " Brewhouse." I am not able
* But from one entry this rent seems to have gone to school salary.
154 NOTES ON A MINUTE BOOK.
with certainty to speak of the institution, altliough pretty sure that a thorough collation of the mentions of it in C. 12 and other minute books avouIJ render a clear description possible. As far as I can make out it stood adjoining the "hospital" or workhouse, where South Terrace now is. It seems to have been for some years worked by the Corpoiation with a staff of four men, and the beer sold at a profit, whether retail as well as wholesale I know not. Further the brewhouse was the spot where other borough business went on. Tliere was a small sum of money, about £200, belonging to it, apparently a benefaction intended to be lent at moderate interest to tradesmen and others. Besides this it was at the Brewhouse premises that on one occasion at least (see Feb. 23 and June 11, 1649) a "ship loade of Newcastle coles" was received and sold at no small profit. On Sept. 17, 1649, it was resolved to let the Brewhouse at £200 a year, the tenants further to take over '-'several parcels of Fast Money and Almshouse Money ■\yoh ai-e jiow in the Brewhouse being 226 10 8," and for this they are to pay a yearly interest of £20. This seems to have been carried out, for on April 26, 1650, mention is made of the " (farmers of the Brewhouse." Whether it was pure love of temperance or paitly jealousy of rival beer sellers seems a little doubtful as the motive of the following entry: — Apr. 22, 1640. E. Streete desired a license to sell beer "in the lower parish" (All Saints). This " was denied. The Company will sett up no more alehouses." Before quitting beer there is one more passage which should be noted. On June 27, 1 640, owing to the " making of mault and drying it in oaste in this borrough" being dangerous, all malters are to dry all their malt " with coal in killes." This precaution leads us to mention of others against fire, which in 1613 and at other times was such a terrible destroyer of Dorchester. On May 13, 1640, the churchwardens of St. Peter's are ordered to send for 24 "tankards," 12 to be "hanged up in the church." These were leather fire buckets I suppose. Again on Dec. 8, 1653, two men for each parish are told off " to see and veiw iif there bee any badd or dangerous chymnyes or mantells . , . and to see
NOTES OX A MINUTE BOOK. 155
tliat all psons kecpe their wells, buckets, rope?, tanckctts, nialkiiis,
and ladders fitt to make use of uppou occasion " Ijut
the great effort against fire was made on June 15, 1G49, when all the inhabitants were summoned to meet the justices and company at hall to confer about " something beneficial to the Towne'' at 8 a.m. " And that then it be proposed to them what each one will contribute towards the raising of XXX'' or XL'' for Ijuj'ing of a brazen Engine or Spoute to quench fire in times of danger." Then on Dec. l4, 1649, there is an order for £35, more or less, to be paid to Master W. White for the same, " which he bought at London. And that the Towne Steward do in the most convenient place in the Shirehall make a place with fir boards for the securing and placing of him for the best ease and conveniency of use." From other sources I gather that this " brazen spoute" was simply a great syringe, held uj) by two men and worked by a third. Master Mayor and Company were as watchful against pestilence as against fire. In C, 9, under June 6, 1636, we read that "the wagoners shall be Avarned in regard of the pnte danger of sicknes in and from London to forbeare to bring any more passengers without sufficient billes of health under the hands of the ministers and churchwardens from London. . . ." Again in C. 9 on Oct. 7, 1636, it is ordered that no goods brought by Richard Shank, "one of the waggon cariers," or any other carrier, from London are to be admitted to Dorchester without the consent of the Mayor and Company. Again on Oct. 20, 1641, waggoners are ordered to bring no one from London by reason of " the sicknes of the pestilence." Moreover quarantine Avas enforced. In C. 9 under July 10, 1637, it is minuted that " AVhereas J. Greene . . . . tailor, contrary to orders went to London and has since returned and gone to his house the backway . . . . it is therefore ordered that the barne of Kaph Perryn in flVome White- field be procured to harbor the said Greene in or otherwise in the Coller Maker's howse there, and two wardemen bee set lu attend them (his family was willi liiiii), and tlii^ charge for tJH'iv dii't and phyaick to bee borne ... by the whole Towne out of the
l56 NOTES ON A MINUTE BOOK.
money remayning in the Churchwardens' hands at the last fifast, vizt., XVIII'^- weekly." At the same time T. Walden for a like offence was placed in that building, of the two above, not occupied by Greene. In C. 12, under July 26, 1637, we find an order for taking off this quarantine after the people had been " kept out of the towne ... by the space of XIX. daies." Precautions were taken against infection from other places also. For instance, on May 29, 1640, on account of a report that the plague is at Taunton " a ward is to be charged " at West Gate and at Glippath. Nor was this relaxed until Dec. 8, " God having in mcy stayed His hand w°^ lay heauie in seuerall p*^ of this Cuntrie." In other respects, too, thoughtfulness for the burgesses is shown. One or two entries only, taken almost at random, must suffice as proof of this. On Jan. 20, 1636 (7), the Fordington people are reported as having made •' a comon trade way with their horses, cartes, and cariage over the bowling ally." The offenders are to be presented next law day. Then as to the Town Library, the Catalogue of which is in the Corporation strong room (C. 10), and some of the books are at the Grammar School, at least probably they are from that library. On March 24, 1540 (1) it is ordered that Master Forward, Usher of the Free School, is to be Librarian at 20s. a year, with four sacks of coal " to air the roome and books." He is to suffer no clothes to be hung in the room. Again, on Jan. 29, 1639 (40) there was an order made "to have a buy law made and confirmed at next Lawday for paving the streets at euy man's charge, except X li. out of the Brewhouse to pave publik places." Space will not allow us to say more about the Grammar School than that the Mayor and Company took great interest in its affairs, although officially not in their hands but under "feoffees," In particular they exerted themselves mightily to get rid of Master Reve, an inefficient master. Under care of the borough we may class a discussion with the Earl of Suffolk. From the Weymouth borough archives, and doubtless from many other sources, Ave may learn that in times when Members of Parliament were paid it was a common plan for rich and influential men to get from Corporations
NOTES ON A MINUTE BOOK. 157
leave to nominate tlieir members of Parliament and to undertake to pay them. On this understanding it was, I suppose, that the Earl of Suffolk proposed Sir Dudley Carleton as an M.P. for Dorchester. But on Feb. 26, 1639 (40), after a second considera- tion of this, the Mayor declared that most of the Company desired to choose townsmen. And on March 13 this was carried out by the Mayor, Burgesses, and Freemen choosing *" the Hon'^*^- Denzill Hollis Esq," and Master Dennis Bond^ one of the capital burgesses, to "be burgesses in the fParliament to be holden on April 13." "We must now take up an interesting branch of this section — namely, the care of poor and distressed persons, on the spot or at a distance. For the help of the Dorchester poor there were the hospital and the fuel house, j The former, as far as I can gather, was for the employment there of v/omen and children, and for teaching reading to some of the latter. At one time the making of "bone lace " (whatever may be the exact meaning of this) was the chief work ; but on Sept. 11, 16-40, there was an order to stop this and to teach spinning or " burling " instead. Then on Feb. 6, 1649 (50), there is a resolution to consider "the setting the poore on work in spinning of worsted, and knitting of stockings and also of setting up a trade of making sackcloth." It gives a vivid idea of the spreading of trades over the land then, as contrasted with the centralisation of them now, that the sackcloth _ weaver of Great Toller was to be consulted. It is not expressly said, but seems pretty surely to be the case, that this last resolution applies to the hospital. I do not see in C. 12, or elsewhere that I can recall, that the hospital was such in the strict £ense of a guest house, affording the poor an actual dwelling like a work house. But it is clear that the hospital whether of itself, or viewed as one establishment with the Brewhouse, possessed funds. AVhcther these partly consisted of profits on the stockings, &c., made in the hospital, or not, I am not sure. An instance of the use of the
* Buried in St. Peter's Church.
t This must be the Long Parliament.
X See Hutchias' Hist, of Dorset, 3rd Ed., ii,, 397.
158 NOTES ON A MINUTE BOOK.
funds Avill l.e quoted presently. Eut now \vc turn to the Fuel House. Its situation in the town is not indicated as far as can be seen. Its purpose was the storage of fuel when cheap, to be sold at a low price to the poor in wiii'ter. For intance on May 19, 1641, there is a memorandum of there being in store 30,000 "turffs" at 20s. per thousand, and 13,400 faggots at 30s. In Ireland turfs would mean peats, but not here. There is indeed peat in the West Ward ; l)ut the turfs came it seems from Puddle- town Heath, where sphagnum grows only in small patches, now at least. On May "ll, 1652, W. Levett is made overseer of the fuel house, and he is " to go into the Heath the next weeke to buy turfe and agree for the carridge of the said fewel." The turf was doubtless the top " spit," comprising the heath, grass, and the roots of the same. Such turf was used largely in my remembrance, if not still. On March 29, 1650, it was reported that the sale of fuel, during the past winter doubtless, produced £19 15s. lid., meaning a loss of at least £10, as is gathered from other entries. We now pass to the care of the poor in sickness. On Dec. 1, 1640, there was an order to pay £5 to Peter Sala Nova for cutting off Giles Garrett's leg. This sum was to come out of the £10 yearly payable out of the hospital " for pious uses." Soon after, on Feb. 17, 1640 (1), there is another bill, of £6, from Capt. Sala Nova, as ho is here called. This man's name occurs several times in the Archives of Weymouth, where he seems to have lived. His name looks as if he Avere from Italy, but he was in some way connected Avith Ireland, To forestall one out of another group of quotations, on Feb. 11, 164] (2), INIaster Mayor was requested to give, out of a Fast day collection of £45, £3 to "Peter de Sala Nova his wife's mother and sister and her husband wliich came lately out of the Kingdom of Ireland for feare of the Rebelles." He was by no means the only medical person employed. There Avas a quasi " parish doctor " paid by the Mayor and Company. On Feb. 15, 1649 (50), Master Losse gets £8 as "fee as iihysician in taking care of the poore of the Towne " for a year, for instance. Put this toAvn doctor does not seem to have been always expected, or
NOTES ON A MINUTE BOOK. 159
pevliops trustoil, to take serious cases in hand. For example on June 14, 1654, there is an order for the widow Devenish "to he sent downe to Master fforrester for cure of her distemper." This was serious evidently, for the pay was to be more than £15 ; " out of the Towne purse V li., out of her OAvne state V li., out of honest people's purses V li., and so pportionably." During that year Master Colston received only £4 10s. for " physick given to the poor." Besides these and other doctors there were doctoresses. Canander Haggard had had £3 on account. On Jan. 5, 1654 (5), there was an order " to pay her " £3 more "for finishing the great cure on John Drayton otherwise Kense." Can this odd name he a mistake for Cassandra 1 Several other lady doctors are mentioned, for instance "Master Phillipp Davis his wife of Martinstowne." It is noteworthy that on Apr. 27, 1649, £1 was ordered for "the wedo louiburd to helpc hir to the bath," for relief of rheumatism, I suppose. But .some, not for illness but for poverty, were helped farther than Bath. On Apr. 4, 1651, a church collection is proposed " towards the conveyance of 3 familyes w'^^ are poore and unable to subsist here into Ireland for the planting of that Country." AVhich was done, for on Apr. 24, Benjamin Hoskins is ordered to have £1 for his horses to Bristol and conveying thither of three poor families going to Ireland under Capt. llidout. But this invasion of Ireland might be called only (jaid pro quo. IMuch money had been given to Irish fleeing hither from the rebels in their own country. Indeed one instance looks as if the Irish were at that time more upheld when in want than the English. On July 2, 1642, two distressed persons were relieved. An Irishman was to have £2. The widow " of a certain man of Wymborne killed by theeves and robber.s, who were (I suppose the man and his wife) the children of godly parents and under that consideracon tlioir condicon tendered to the people," was put off with los. But the £2, above, was a trifle compared to like payments before and after that date. On Apr. 20, 1642, Master Whiteway is to be "intreated" to receive the Lady Kerry and her con)[iany, his charges to be paid back out of " the money for the distressed in
160 NOTES ON A MINUTE BOOK.
Ireland." At the same time £3 are to be given " to Master White of Ireland his phamyly." And similar sums were given to the same "phamyly" repeatedly. Then long after, on Nov. 18, 1653, it is recorded that the overseers of St. Peter's had spent £7 16s. 9d. " upon extraordinary charges of people avc^ come out of Ireland." Again, we find large sums sent to the distrest in England also, whether from fire or pestilence. One example of each must suffice. On July 23, 1640, Master White and the other ministers are to be moved to collect for the distrest in Taunton, at this time of pestilence." No less a sum than £60 10s. was sent. And a few days after, on Aug. 5, they sent £40 to Yeovil where fire had caused great loss. It may be here noted that, while a post to London is spoken of, on one occasion a small sum was given to the poor here because the Company did not know how to send it to " Lancasheere," for which it was subscribed.
It is now fully time to close this paper with a few quotations which cannot well be classified. First, as to the trade of the borough. The evidence on this subject in C. 12 is not full. There were a number of standings in the market. On one occasion 19 are enumerated as in the East and W^est Rows. This looks as if they were in some place running North and South — namely, in Bull Stake (miscalled North Square) or Cornhill. If so these 19 were only a part of the total number. For there were some, apparently many, in High Street. For instance, one is described as being in front of Trinity Church door. Some of them were held by people from a distance, a chandler from Cerne Abbas, for example. Dorchester was much connected with the then great fair on Woodbury Hill. On Aug. 31, 1653, a remittance to poor folk at Marlborough is ordered, but "deferred until after Wood- bery fair." But more noteworthy is an order of Sept. 1, 1648, that " , . . In respect the publike thanksgiving falls out to be on W^oodbery fair Eve, at av^'^ time most of the Towne will be from hoine. Master Ben be desired to observe the Wednesday following for a day of thanksgiving." I find a passage which seems to imply that at least one Dorchester man was a merchant to other
NOTES ON A MINUTE BOOK. 161
countries, not only a retail dealer. On March 11, 1G52 (3) Master Mayor Cole and H. Hobbs agree that the latter " shall serve Master Mayor aforesaid as an apprentice the space of six yeares in New England. . . ." We liave seen that Master Mayor and the Company took much thought about relieving the poor. They also strove to please the rich and powerful. One r|uotation on this matter must suffice. On July 18, 1656, " It was resolved that Master Bury and Master Val : (?) Stansby bee desired to ride to Blandford on Wednesday next to invite General Desborough to a private lodging at Master Stansby "s house, and that there bee a Gallon of sacke and a sugar loafe psented to him from tlie Towne together with a fatt sheepe." In the margin is written " Send a gallon of White and Clarret." Then follows, " That the Judges also bee psented with a gallon of wine, 2 sugar loaves, and a fatt sheepe." It was wise to mollify Desborough. He, you remember, was one of the major-generals just lately commissioned by Oliver to carry out his military despotism. It is rather a long leap down from Pasha Desborough to Town Beadle Nathaniel Bower. But as we are now taking up isolated quotations we may here record that on June 3, 1640, it was ordered that a new coat should be made for that official. It was to be of black cotton " gathered and wth ii long skirts." In this dress he "shall walk with a painted staff of his office." But to his lasting disgrace he would none of these insignia. This is recorded on June 5, and furtlier that he was dismissed and banished from Dorchester for his bad taste. The last of the many points touched on in this long }iai>er must now be disposed of. I confess myself one of those fossilized persons who wished that St. Peter's clock and chimes could liave been improved instead of being improved away. I should have wished it much more earnestly if I had then known what Ibis book, C. 12, tells us. Whether any part of the niecliani.-<m of the clock and chimes was original I know not. It i.- very probable, although the chime-barrel itself was modern. But the; original machinery was two hundred and fifty years old, and was paid for by St. Peter's parishioners. On Apr. 29, 1640, it was "agreed on
162 NOTES ON A MINUTE BOOK.
that the town chest be not charged \\^^ Peter's parish Clocke and Chimbs, but that the prish may pay wt is expended." Yet the clock was kept in order by the town, at least later. On Dec. 27, 1650, "J. Eoberts and Matthew Benn have undertaken betwixt them to keepe the Clocke at Peter's Church in good order . . . and that Bennett shall ring eight a Clocke at night and four in the morning." So does Haskett now at eight, giving the day of the month after on the treble ; but in the morning he is two hours later in summer and three in winter than Bennett was. Now this talk of hours puts me in mind to close this long paper. Long indeed, but most imperfect. It began, and it ends, witli a plea for indulgence. The silver lode of Laurium was mined by the Athenians and smelted. But it has paid the moderns to smelt the slag over again. So this book, C. 12, has been worked by me indeed, but not worked out, I painfully feel. This needs an expert, and an expert with unbounded leisure. My ignorance as to various anomalies which more or less dimly show themselves in C. 12, and similar books has been a dreadful difficulty. I can but name the apparent distribution of church collections by Mayor and Company instead of by Minister and Churchwardens as one puzzle, and the outlay on and control of the Shire Hall by the Mayor, &c., as a second, and the questionable status of Dorchester as capital of Dorset as a third, out of several matters on which I am at a loss. Without going beyond the few dingy minute books in the Town Hall strong room there are materials whereof a thorough expert would do for Dorchester at least as much as has been done in " Social Life in a Southern County " for Lyme Regis. Perhaps the coming author may be among this company. Veniat, For even as I have written my dull tale a vision has shone clearly, and more clearly, of a very charming little old borough. The making up of the wall, tlie gates slamming to at candle lighting, the Mayor and ex-Mayor "sitting in seate" solemnly in St. Peter's, the laying in of turf and furze for the lowly, the laying out of sack and claret and fat sheep and sugar loaves for the high and mighty, the exodus of "mostc of the
NOTES ON A MINUTE COOK.
163
towne"-folk on Woodbury Eve, the mullion windows of tlie Shire Hall, the dozens of " standings" on market days — surely here is the making of a picture for the coming word artist who shall cause the minute books to sit for the portrait of old Dorchester. Veniat venturus.
-<(2^
"She Ancient Jfvcc &upd of €ovton.
Head before the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Field Club on Wednesday, August 9th, 1893.
By the Rev. W. MILES BARNES.
II fZORTON CHAPEL, a higlily interesting iDuikling, was II a free chapel. A free chapel Avas so called because
it was exempt from the jurisdiction of the Diocesan. Those chapels are properly free chapels which are of the King's foundation and by him exempt from the Ordinary's Visitation. Also chapels founded within a parish for the service of God by the devotion and liberality of pious men, over and above the mother church, and endowed with maintenance by the founders, which was free for the inhabitants of the parish to come to, were therefore called free chapels (Jacob's Law Dictionary, a.d. 1744). Free chapels, possibly through fear of the abuse of their freedom, were generally on lands which belonged, or had belonged, to the Royal demesnes. I do not find Gorton amongst the "terrse regis" in Doomsday, though it appears to have been held of the King after the Gonquest by Roger de Gurcelle. There is mention of the chapel in 1341, when Hugh Gourtney, Earl of Devon, held both the manor and the chapel, but the chapel must have existed long
ANCIENT ALTAR, GORTON CHAPEL.
THE ANCIENT FREE CHAPEL OF CORTOJi. 165
before that time. Until further documentary evidence is fortli- coming (and it is not improbalile that some further information may be gleaned from ancient documents) it will be safest to fix the date of it from the architectural details of the building. The oldest feature in it is the S. doorway, which could not be much later than Transition Norman of the latter end of the twelfth century, Henry II.'s reign, and it may, I suppose, be much earlier.
It seems probable that the original building to which the door- way belonged was a rectangular building without chancel, and that the chancel was added in the 13th century ; the east end of the church, the walls, with the east and south windows, as well as the piscina, are of that date. The square head of the south window, ■which was originally a 13th century lancet window, as well as the head and tracery of the east window, are of course of later date ; they are insertions of the loth century, probably by one of the Courtneys, and about the same time the brackets for the images on either side of the altar were inserted in the walls. The ancient altar step and some of the tiles still remain in situ, and I have seen portions of encaustic tiles which were found in the building, but none of the fragments were large enough to show the pattern. The north doorway blocked up may be traced in the wall outside.
But the most interesting and remarkable feature of the church is the altar, which still remains in its original position. What the date of the altar is it is impossible to say definitely ; it could not from its construction be later than 1400; its form, and the details, such as they are, speak of still higher antiquity. There must have been an altar here in the 13th century, but the rude work- manship of the altar slab, so much ruder than the 13th century work contained in the building, lead one to suppose that the slab belonged to the earlier chapel, and was removed and set up here, as you see it now, wdien the 13th century chancel was built.
It might be asked how it was that notwithstanding the stringent orders for the removal of stone altars from all parish churches this one was allowed to remain. The answer seems to be that free chapels were suppressed and the revenues taken away by the
1^6 THE ANCIEJsT FREE CHAPEL OF COilTOJJ.
Chantry Act in 1 Ed. VI., whereas the order to remove stone altars was issued in 1550 — three years later. As the chapels were then closed for public Avorship this order did not afifect them. Gorton Chapel seems, however, to have been used as a private cliapel after this date. For when two years later again — namely, in 6 Ed. VI., 1552, by Royal Commission, inventories Avere taken of "all manner of goodes, plate, juells, vestryments, belles, and other ornaments belonging to or apperteyning to any churche or chappell " the whole of the ornaments then in the chapel — namely, a chalice, one vestment of blue velvet, one bell, one surplice, and two tableclothes — were committed to the charge of custodians for the King, and nothing was left for the service of the church as there would have been had the chapel then been used for public worship. The custodians were Sir Thomas Waters (curate), William Hebbes, and Owen Hebbes (Record Office, press mark " Q.R., Church Goods, Dorset, ^"). There was, therefore, a curate, though there were no public ministrations, and the presumption is that he was then serving as private chaplain to the Hebbes. Of the other custodians, one, Owen Hebbes, who died in 1567, was Lord of the Manor and chapel.
§oiue fociil gtone IHiuiis,
By THOS. B. GROVES, F.C.S., &c.
(The Numbers in Brackets refer to the Plate of Marks.)
=*j^
dTfcHP] occasional finding of Roman remains at Portland gives reason to suppose it was at some time occupied by that people. But there is not, so far as I am aware, any evidence of their having utilised the vast beds of valuable stone lying at their feet within a few yards of the surface.
In the report with reference to the selection of stone for building the new Houses of Parliament, presented ]\Iarch, 1839, it is stated that the old Church of St. Andrew's, near Bow and Arrow Castle, the Castle itself, and Wyke Regis Church, all 15th century buildings, if not in the case of Bow and Arrow Castle more ancient, are built of Portland stone. Coker, however, states the old Church of St. Andrew, dated 1475, was built of Caen stone, imported from Normandy, implying that the Portland quarries had not been opened at that time ; but in this he is probably in error.
It seems that prior to the 17th century Portland stone was not raised for export, but only for local use. 'Die BampU'ting House at Whilchall was the fust public building in which it was used,
1G8 SOME LOCAL STONE MARKS.
Imt since that time (about 1610) it has been extensively employed in many of the more important public buildinos of the Metropolis, as it was found to have in addition to the usual qualities of a good and beautiful freestone the advantage of being able to resist the pernicious influence of the atmosphere of London. "We must therefore not expect the stone marks used in the Island to date back to a remote antiquity — tliey are not " wold as Aggern " — though at first sight they seem to offer a field for antiquarian research and look somewhat cabalistic. This is partly owing to the fact that Roman numerals composed of straight lines are more easily cut Avith the chisel than are the usual Arabic figures, more or less curved in outline.
The convenience, the necessity in fact, of marking blocks of stone, so that the merchant and the builder might know by rapid inspec- tion the weight, quality, and quarry source of each block is evident ; the more so as the strata yielding stone are numerous, and the quality often varies according to geographical position.
The earliest marks that I have seen I copy from a manuscript account book kindly lent me by our hon. member, Mr. Abraham Wallis. They date from 1816 and refer to quarry marks only. They are precisely similar to those in use now. They are as follow : —
Robert Attwooll, Vernyeats Quarry (4) John Rod „ „ (5)
William Attwooll „ „ (6)
Edward Schollar, Tonge Quarry (7) Newman Thomas ,, ,, (8)
Thomas Read, Dungeness (2) (9)
Henry Hind, Green Hole (2) (10)
John Pearce ,, ,, „ (11)
Jonathan Sweet ,, ,, ,, (12)
At this time block stone was worth 22s. per ton.
I may here explain that a merchantable block of Portland stone is usually inscribed with 4 marks — 1st, the quarry owner's trade mark ; 2nd, the number of the block ; 3rd, the quarry mark ; 4th,
SOME LOCAL STONE MARKS. 1G9
the contents of the block in cuhic feet, 16 of whicli go to tlic ton. On rare occasions a 5th mark is added to indicate the bed from Avhich the block "was taken. Thus (13) would mean Whitbed, (H) Basebed.
Some of the principal (juarry owners now use marks as follows : — Weston (15), Pearce (16), Barnes (17), K. Giles and Co. (18), Steward and Co. (19).
The quarry marks indicating the precise spot whence the stone was taken are of course much more numerous. Each quarry is worked as a rule by four men and a boy. Some of their marks now, or recently in use, are these ; the name being that of the foreman : —
S. Stone, Independent Quarry (20)
E. Pearce, „ „ |
(21) |
J. A. Stone, „ ,, |
(22) |
T. Rod, Barleycroft |
(23) |
W. Flew, Mutton Cove „ |
(24) |
J, Comben, Trade „ |
(25) |
W. Otter, Weston |
(13) |
J. Hodder, „ |
(26) |
J. G. Pearce „ |
(27) |
A. W. Otter „ |
(28) |
J. Elliott, „ |
(29) |
and so on.
The capacity of the block is expressed in modified Roman numerals, indicating cubic feet. A fraction less than one-half is not counted.
Thus (30) means 3 cubic feet, (31) 3i ditto, (32) 5 ditto, (33) 5i ditto, (34) 10 ditto, (35) lOj^ ditto, (36) 15 ditto, (37) 20 ditto, (38) 40 ditto, and so on.
All these marks, with the exception of the contents marlc and block number, which are painted on by the foreman (usually in red), are cut on the Ijlock with a chisel at the (piarry. The measuring is done with a two or three foot rule made of a thin strip of iron and marked in inches and three inches, thus (1).
170 SOME LOCAL STONE MARKS.
According to Mr. Wallis, however, these measures are not the normal or statute feet and inches. He informs me by letter that " the proper length of a three-foot rule for Portland stone is really 3ft. 0|in. A quarter of an inch on the foot is generally allowed, but the rule is sometimes longer, because by cutting the strokes the iron is lengthened. The quarrymen like to have the rule a little longer, so that the stone shall hold the measure after it has been squared with the tool. If the stone did not hold its thick- ness at one side by one inch it would make 1| cubic feet difference in the size of a block 4ft. x 5ft. x 3ft. Sin. Moreover all the blocks are measured one inch longer than they are called. Tliis extra inch Avas in former times allowed for jack-holes that they were obliged to make in turning the stone about before the ' crane ' was introduced."
A block completely marked would look something like this (2).
The explanation is this : the block belongs to Giles and Co., as quarry owners. It comes from H. Otter's quarry (Whitbed), contains 29ft. Gin. cube or 1 ton, 13ft. 6in., and the number of the block is 222. I am indebted for this drawing and other informa- tion to Mr. Stroud, of Weymouth and Dorchester, so far as concerns Portland stone.
Through the intermediacy of Mr. Jas. Andrews, of Swanage, I have been favoured with an able and interesting account of the marks used in the Purbeck quarries and compiled by Mr. F. A. Burt, a considerable quarry owner and a member of our Field Club.
Blocks of stone not being obtainable in Purbeck, the cubic con- tents are not required. The marks therefore have reference to superficial feet in the case of "flag," and "pecks" in the case of " sinks." It is interesting to note tliat the notation is identical with that in use at Portland, so that I need not describe it in detail. Mr. Burt is unable to explain Avhat sort of " pecks " the quarrymen mean. The term seems to be used in a conventional sense only. They allege that the custom was followed by their fathers and grandfathers before them. The peculiarity is this, that in order to get at the so-called capacity, the sink is measured on
SOME LOCAL STONE MARKS. 171
the outside for length and width, and on the inside for depth. As an illustration, a "sink" superficially 3ft. Sin. by 1ft. 4in. and 4in. in depth would be reckoned as of 6 peck dimensions. Pui'- beck " curb " and " steps " are sold liy the foot run and are not marked. They are measured with a line or cord which, when new, contains about 25ft., but as it shrinks or stretches with wet or dry ■\veather, it is usually measured or tested every time it is used. It might at tiures be many inches or even a foot longer or shorter than it should be, thus introducing serious errors in commercial transactions. The rule used for this testing, as well as for measuring all kinds of stone as to breadth and depth at or from the quarries, is a piece of wood 24ins. long, Ifins. Avide, and fin. thick. It is marked at every inch with a cut or notch, and at every Sins, with holes burnt in — in much the same way in fact as the iron rule in use at Portland, except that the middle mark is not F but (39).
This rule is made by the mason or quarrier, and is called the " stick of inches " (40). Mr. W. M. Hardy informs me that it is als3 called a " tuvvot," i.e., two foot, and that it has an evil reputation owing to its being used across the backs of loitering boys " gone too long after father's dinner, or stopping about when sent after the donkey."
Purbeck marble being a more valuable commodity is sold at per foot cube or per ton. It is marked as the stone is, but, owing to its greater density, only 12 cubic feet would go to the ton. Purbeck stone is reckoned at 14 cubic feet per ton. The trade in this favourite marble, unsurpassed for quiet etfectiveness, dates back to very early times ; many, if not most, of our Abbey Churches and Cathedrals containing abundance of it.
Finally, I am imlebted to ]\Ir. Hardy for rubl)ings of marks found on certain ancient stones when restoring Studland Church. They apparently have nothing to with measurement, but are mason's marks indicating the position the particular stone was to occupy in the building. This is their figure (3), and they are placed on tlic bottom of the stone. Similar marks have also been observed at Wimborne Minster and on stones of 17th century date elsewhere.
KIMMERIDGE BAY. Clavell's Towek, CoastgUxVrd Station.
flimmcriligc §hale.
By J. C. MANSEL-PLEYDELL, Esq., F.G.S., F.L.S.
'HE Kimmeridge Clay derives its name from the village of Kimmeridge, in the Isle of Purheck. The formation extends from St. Alban's Head to GadclifF ; hoth of these headlands consist of Port- land stone, Portland Sands, and Kimmeridge Clay at the base, and constitute the range of hill which terminates at Gadclifif on the west. The junction of the Portland Sands with the Kimmeridge Clay is well shown throughout the whole distance Ijy a series of parallel launchets on the scarjj of the hill. The Shales* upon which the Sands rest are well exposed on the
* Kimmeridge Shale, its origin, history, and uses by Burton Gear, pp. 22, 1886.
^tiTnlA-li^lhl fvnmrlsBrcadJipJicJi
A
KIMMERIDGE SHALE. 173
coast-line, the cliffs averaging a height of about 190 feet. Thej' consist of bituminous clays and dirt-beds, intercalated by 20 tabular layers of argillaceous limestones. At St. Alban's Head, which is its most westei-ly extension, the series is more than 600 feet thick. It appears on the opposite side of the Channel at Boulogne, testifying to the continuity of England with France. It is probable the Shales derive their bitumen from the Saurians, and the myriads of molluscs whose remains are compressed in the laminated, paper-shales, and other fossiliferous beds of the series. Between St. Alban's Head and Chapman's Pool the beds are much disturbed and partly covered over ; on its western side 20 beds rise from the shore in succession. Soon after the two first show themselves a fault throws them down out of sight. They soon appear again followed by ton others in succession, each separated by a clay-bed. The Kimmeridge Coal consists of two beds, one locally called Blackstqne (2 feet thick), the other Bubbicum (fifteen inches thick), succeeded by ^''os. 13 and 14, Avhich rise from the shore wlien Xos. 1, 2, 3, and. 4 have reached the top of the cliff. Those re-appear on the west of the anticlinal and dip into the sea near Gadcliff. Xos. 1.^, IG, 17 rise from the shore within a distance of 250 yards. No. 16 is inter- calated by a thin band of indurated schiste aliout 1 inch thick, giving it the appearance of a double band. There are several down- ward faults which in some cases send the beds below the sea-level, but only to re-appear and commence again their slow ascent ; in other cases a bed is brought down to the level of a lower one, giving the appearance that both belong to the same. At Tower Hill, on the eastern flaidc of Kimmeridge Bay, the bods are thrown down some hundred feet. Nos. 16 and 17 are the first to appear on the western side of Kimmeridge Bay, and run parallel to the shore-line a considerable distance. Xo. 17, which through three downward faults forms the three dangerous ledges of Charnell, Broad-Bench, and Long-Ebb, is locally called Flat Ledge.
It is probable the Shales were laid down in deep water beyon<l the limits of an estuary of a large river, which carried down the
174
KIMMERIDGB SHALE.
spoils of the land through which it passed, including trunks of trees, limbs, leaves, seeds, and other vegetable and animal remains ; the heaviest Avould be the first to sink, the lightest would be carried farthest out to sea, and after undergoing chemical changes by the agency of the sulphate of lime in the sea-water would become incorporated with the muddy deposit.
Local Names of Beds which have more or less some Economic Value.
Kimmeridge Coal Cement Beds
10 |
White Lias |
11 |
Shaky Ledge |
12 |
Grey Ledge |
Blackstone » |
|
Bubbicum \ |
|
13 |
East Ledge -^ |
14 |
West Ledge j |
15 |
Yellow Ledge |
16 |
Whale's-back |
17 |
Flat Ledge |
Limestone
The frequent occurrence of lathe-made discs of Kimmeridge Shale, found in the neighbourhood and in other parts of the county in connection with ancient interments, as late as the period of the Roman occupation, indicates that in those early days the Shales had some value in the estimation of I he people living in those days ; but there is no record of the Shale having been employed for economic purposes until towards the end of the 16th century, when Lord Mountjoy erected a manufactory for the extraction of alum from the Shale, which from some unrecorded cause was abandoned. Sir William Clavel), who was the owner and Lord of the Manor, took on the woiks and used the Blackstone to heat the furnace. The Blackstone crops out at Cuddle-hill on the east side of Kimmeridge Bay where are a number of depressions and refuse-heaps, the sites of adits and shafts in connection with those early works. The system of mining them must have been attended with difficulties, for instead of working the shafts up the inclines of the strata to avoid the flooding
KIMMERIDGE SHALE. 175
of the waters they worked down, wliich incurred frequent swamp- ings and the necessity of making fresh adits, the evidences of which are on all parts of the hilL
■ Sir WiUiam carried on the works with success, hut disaster over- took liini just as everything looked most hopeful, when they were seized under the plea that they were an infringement upon a Koyal Patent. Nothing daunted, Sir William converted them into a manufactory of glass and salt ; he constructed a massive stone-pier to facilitate the removal of the products. This was probably after the year 1613, as he offered his " glass-works" to the King, which he described as consisting of 40 pans, capable of yielding 500 tons of alum annually, and he undertook to erect a pier at his own expense, of which the remains were seen at low tide only 50 years ago. All traces of it are now obliterated and a modern quay occupies the site. All preliminary arrangements were terminated by the action of Sir Robert Mansel, who possessed a Royal Patent which he maintained was infringed upon by Sir William Clavell. When the case was heard before the Privy Council Sir William Clavell was sentenced to impri.sonment in the ^Marshalsea Prison and the confiscation of the works. The following is a copy of a petition from Sir William Clavell to the Privy Council (reign James I.).
" To the Piiglit Honorables the Lords of His Majesty's Privy Council, the liunible petition of Sir William Clavell showing that there being a difference between your petitioner and Sir Robert Mansel, Knight upon a Patent granted by the late King's Majesty touching the making of gla^:.s, your petitioner about two years past was, upon complaint of the said Sir Robert Mansel, called before your Lordships at this honorable Board touching the same, where your petitioner received this seizure by your Lordships. That his glass-hou.ses and furnaces, built by tiie con.sent and allowance of Sir Robert Mansel, should be razed and lUtorly demolished, to your petitioner's great loss and prejudice, and lliat yoiu- petitioners glass brought to London should be .seized and (kdiveied to the said Sir Robert Man.sel, and tliat your petitioner .'^lioiild lie imprisoned in the prison of the Marshal.sea, ail which was fiillilled upon your Lordships' petitioner,according to his great grief and di.sgrace. That, notwithstanding the said Sir Robert Mansel bearing further malice
176 KIMMERIDGE SHALE.
to your petitioner, was not with all this satisfied, but shortly after com- menced suit against your petitioner in His Majesty's Court of Exchequer, upon the same pretences, and for the same matters hereby your Lordships formerly settled and adjudged on by his Bill there exhibited and ready to be showed to your Lordships may now plainly appear, that after a year's suit and full hearing a determination of the cause in the said Couit of Exchequer, the said Sir Kobert Mansel upon further purpose to weary and threaten your petitioner renewed his said suit for the said cause in the same court where yet tliere still dependeth to your petitioner's extreme charge. That herewith not contented the said Sir Robert Mansel hath since commenced likewise suits in His Majesty's Court of King's Bench against your petitioner, for the very same matters here also com- plained of and hath endeavoured to get your petitioner arrested there- upon. Now your petitioner being in continual vexation by the restless courses of the said Sir Robert ]NTansel,it is humbly prayed that your Lord- ships would be pleased either to dismiss from this Honorable Board and to repair your petitioner for the punishment and prejudice he hath undergone already in the performance of your Lordships' said seizure and to leave your petitioner to take his course by the ordinary proceedings of the laws of this kingdom (which is allowed to all His Majesty's lawful subjects) against the said Sir Robert Mansel, as the said Sir Robert Mansel hath done against your petitioner, or ehe to take such course as in your Lordships' wisdom shall be thought most fit to confine the said Sir Robert Mansel to be bound by the order of this most Honorable Board to which this petitioner hath always (and now will) most willingly submit, which request the petitioner hopeth will be most consonant and agreeable to justice, and for this, your Lordships' favour, the petitioner will now pray for your Lordships," &c. This was not granted him until 1635.
These Shales have been long known from a very early period to he good fertilizers. A writer in The Gentleman's Magazine for the year 1768 mentions the benefit some clay -ground derived from the application of the ashes of Kimmeridge Shale from tlie Isle of Portland, and in an article by Dr. Meyer in the Geological Transactions for 1811 he speaks of it in similar laudatory terms as liave other later writers done.
More than 40 years ago a party of chemists and engineers, under tlie conviction that the Shales of Kimmeiidge were of considerable commercial value, formed the " Bituminous Shale Company,"
KIMMERIOGE SHALE. 177
commencing with a capital of £25,000, and liaving obtained a lease of the cliffs, the}^ erected at Weymouth retorts and other appliances for the manufactory of varnish, paint, lubricating grease, pitch, naphtha, and paraffin. The shale was subjected to destructive distillation, and after the volatile products had been driven off, an average of about 10 per cent, was left as residuum. The retorts were then emptied and the coke thrown into ovens to prevent volatilization of the ammonia. The ammoniacal liquor and the tar were then mixed with the coke, and a manure was produced equal, it was said, to Ichabod Guano.
It was not long before an action was commenced against the company for an infringement on Young's Patent. On the hearing of the case Vice-Chancellor Stuart ruled that the manu- facture of offensively smelling and unmarketable oils could not be held to be an anticipation of Young's process. During the trial there was an attempt to identify Kimmeridge Shale with coal, but as it was not an element in the trial the question was not argued.
The company carried on the works with every appearance of success, but, owing to the capital of the money being locked up, and an indictment for a nuisance being preferred against it at this crisis, added probably to defects in the process adopted, the affairs were wound up on the 7th March, 1854.
The property then passed into the hands of Messrs. Ferguson and j\Iuschamp, and the works were removed from Weymouth to Wareham with the object of develoj^ing the manurial value of the shale. To attain this Icwt. of sulphuric acid and 3cwt. of water were added to a ton of residuum taken from the retorts, instead of the tar and ammoniacal liquor, and the distillation was effected at a low temperature, by which the destruction of the organic matter which impregnated the shale was avoided. A quantity of manure produced under this treatment was sold at the rate of £i a ton. Testimonials came in on all sides speaking favourably of the superior quality of the manure, especially in its prevention of the wire-worm, grub, and larva\
178 KIMMERIDGE SHALE.
The following is the analysis of the manure, by M. Dufiucsne,
Belgian chemist : —
Soluble Bonephospliate '39
Carbon 48-12
Vegetable Matter 12-56
Hydrogen 7-09
Organic Sulphate of Lime 5 "08
Charred Animal Matter 4"85
Silica 4-59
Sulphate of Lime 4-22
Essence of Naphtha 3-51
Soda -. 3-11
Organic Nitrogen 2-95
Potash 2-07
Phosphate of Lime 1'37
Arsenic •■• '09
100-
Messrs. Ferguson and Muschamp's process preserved the valuable volatile products. A ton of shale produced 7i gallons of naphtha, 10 gallons of illuminating oil, 12 gallons of lubricating oil, 1201b. of pitch, ll^cwt. of coke, and a small quantity of pure white parafhn Avax. The pitch yielded an excellent varnish, remarkable for its durability and brilliancy, which was adopted by the Board of Admiralty. Through an insufficiency of capital and other causes the company was obliged to wind up, and the works were suspended for some time, when they fell into the hands of Mr. Wantostrocht, who formed a company, under the presidency of the Duke of Malakoflf (Marshal Pelissier), of Crimean celebrity, whom, on the occasion of his visit to inspect the works, my father, an old Peninsular officer, invited to Smedmore. He had not met a French Marshal since the battle of Salamanca, at which he had a horse shot under him.
The new company fitted up the works Avith the most modern and complete machinery, and devoted special attention to the distillation of oil. At the same time they contracted to light Paris with gas. About 50 tons of oil and 500 tons of manure were
KIMMERIDGE SHALE. 179
manufactured per month, and the gas was utilised to lieat the furnaces and light the works. 1,U9 tons of the shale were exported to Australia. Xew York, Boston, Brussels, and Dieppe, 1,170 the following year. A light iron jetty, designed by Mr. Evan Hopkins, was erected in the year 1859, and a massive stone pier was commenced near the one erected by Sir William Clavell some 250 years before.
The following is an account of the process of distillation : — The retorts were charged with about 5cwt. of shale previously broken into pieces, 2in. square, and the temperature maintained as nearly uniform as possible. The crude oil stood in tanks for 48 hours to let the ammonia water subside, and then passed into a still. The first product was a light oil making over proof 75° ; the second was a heavier oil containing paraffin.
Dr. Ure gives a more detailed account of these oily products obtained by distillation at a low temperature. No. 1, an offensively smelling dark-brown oiI,suspended in an aqueous liquid,charged with sulphuret hydrogen, carbonic acid, and ammonia ; on being distilled with water and purified it furnishes an oily liquid. No. 2 when purified gives out the odour of the finest varieties of coal-gas and naphtha, and is a mixture of several chemical substances ; when heated with concentrated nitric-acid this oily liquid is divided into two portions, one of which (No. 3) is dissolved by the acid, while the other (No. 4), being insoluble, floats on the surface of the solu- tion as a light colourless oily liquid, resembling in its general character the hydro-carbons of Boghead tar, and of petroleum. No. 3 when mixed with water furnishes a dense heavy yellowish oil with the odour of nitro-benrole. AVhen suffi- ciently purified it is applicable for all the purposes for which benzole is employed — namely, for dissolving India-rubber and gutta- percha, for removing stains from fabrics, preparing varnishes, and making artificial oil of almonds, &c. The tar-like residuum distilled without water at rather a high temperature, gives off other volatile products. The first portion thus obtained is amber-coloured, possessing an offensive sulpliurous
23-5 |
|
19-5 |
|
2-3 |
|
•9 per |
|
36-7 |
|
&c.... |
18-0 |
180 KIMMERIDGE SHALE.
smell which, however, is lost on exposure to the air, Avhcn the oil becomes darker. This oil is acted on by sulphuric, nitric, and hydrochloric acids, especially by the first. The remaining portion of the oil, when washed with water and afterwards distilled with steam, furnishes a perfectly colourless oil with the properties of paraffin. This last, which forms but a sinall portion of the original oil, behaves in all respects like the paraffin oil obtained from Boghead Cannel, and is applicable to lubrication and all the other uses of that liquid.
The following is an analysis of the Kimmeridge Blackstone by Dr. Hoffman, of the Koyal School of Mines :— f Mineral Matter
Coke ... 43-0 (cavbon
Oily and Solid Volatile Light Oil (Naphtha) ...
Products ... ... 39-0 "^^^^ ^'^ containing 1
1^ cent, of Paraffin ... Gas, Water, &c 18-0 Gas, Water, Ammonia,
100-0 1000
And of the Kimmeridge Shale (which is of an inferior quality) Dr. Hofi'inan's analysis runs thus : —
[ Insoluble residue 34 1
Coke 71-5 i Carbon 15-0
\ Hydrogen 24
{Naphtha 27 Heavy Oil containing 1 -3 per cent, of Paraffin 295 Pitch 2-4
Gas, Water, &c 13-9 Gas, Water, &c 13-9
100-0 100 0
Mr. Patterson, of Warrington Gas Works, in his report dated June, 1876, says — "The fossilized oil constitutes the chief value of the shale, and I cannot but think that it may be used in a satisfactory and profitable way in the manufacture of paraffin- oil and other products incident to its distillation. The result of several processes of this kind conducted at a temperature of about
KIMMfiUIDGE SHALE. 181
900° Fh. yielded per ton an average of 67-25 gallons of ci-ude oil, 11-00 gallons liquor containing 6 per cent, of ammonia, equal to 275 ounce liquor per gallon, and from 1,118 to 1,1871b. of coke. The latter containing sufficient carbon to work off the shale for oil purposes." And adds : " The crude oil contains some 20 per cent, of naphtha and 3 per cent, of paraffin."
Another analyst, Dr. Gesner, says the Blackstone yields 50 gallons of oil per ton containing 9 per cent, of tar of a specific gravity -910, and that the oil contains a greater number of the equivalents of carbon than those derived from coals or bitumen.
The company getting into difficulties was dissolved in 1872, and in 1876 a new company was formed to utilise the coke and the residue from the destructive didillation as sanitary and purifying agents under the distinctive name of Sanitary Carbon, possessing deodorising, decolorising, and antiseptic properties similar to those of animal-charcoal and far superior to the coke of ordinary bitumen.
The value of carbon produced from Bituminous Shale, as comparable with that of animal charcoal, has long been known, for we find in Muspratt (under Boneblack, p. 342) the follow- ing :—
Substitutes for Bone Charcoal.— Of the subsitutes whicli have been proposed for bone charcoal . . . the best knoivn is that obtaineil from Bituminous Shale. This mineral is constituted, like bone, of an earthy and organic constituent, and yields a similar Charcoal.
But it is added —
The rare occurrence of the substance places it beyond the reacli of most manufacturers.
While shales generally have either a vegetable or mineral origin, that of Blaclidone contains fossilised organic remains, and as carbon is the only ingredient in animal-charcoal which possesses any antiseptic and kindred properties, and the Blackstone yields a preponderating amount of carbon, the value of it in a sanitary point of view was supposed to be very great.
182 kiMMERIDGE SHALE.
It should be taken into consideration that animal-charcoal con- tains only 10 per cent, of carbon, Sanitary Carbon contains, as shown in Dr. lire's Dictionary, 72 8 per cent., and by M. Duqnesne 48"l2 per cent, of carbon, and 21*84 per cent, of other allied filtering media, or a total of 70'06 per cent.
The efficacy of this mateiial, when applied to the purification of sewage, has been conclusively demonstrated, not only by experi- ments, but also by actual practical use.
Among the experiments may be mentioned one conducted by the proprietors, when a mixture of raw London sewage, drainage waters from Cornish tin, iron, and clay-mines, and indigo, cerise, green, and purple dyes, was filtered through the sanitary carbon, and at the present time, some three years after the experiment, the purified liquid is quite transparent and bright ; and another by H. C. Bartlett, Esq., Ph.D., F.C.S., who says :— " The decolorising power of this Char is very conspicuous in removing the colouring matter of almost every dye including every present
solution of the aniline dyes I have now a sample
of urinous slops which was taken more than two months back in a condition of putrid decomposition. It was filtered once through a small quantity of the sanitary carbon, by which means all putres- cent smell was immediately removed, and since then, although exposed to a temperature at which decomposition is most active, no further decomposition has taken place and the sample remains entirely free from smell."
To this purpose of filtration of sewage water, the sanitary carbon is exactly suited ; it combines properties not met with in any other filtering medium, arrests mechanically any objectionable matters held in suspension, and chemically retains within itself the valuable products which have hitherto been allowed to run to waste, to the pollution of the rivers and watercourses of the country, and the endangerment of the public health.
KIMMERIDGE SHALE.
183
Comparative Table of the Value of the Illuminating Matters contained in some of the Gas Coals and Cannels Usually Employed for Gas Manufacture in England.
Name of Coal. |
fill |
k Is |
■I.I H |
|
5^3 |
rr |
r- |
||
Dukinfield Cannel |
11,250- |
22-5 |
1,5-20 |
253-72 |
West Yoikshiie Coal and lion |
||||
Company's Cannel |
10,330 |
21-3 |
1,350 |
247-09 |
Baitonlisher |
9,398 |
25-32 |
1,272 |
237-95 |
Allanton |
10,561 |
22-32 |
1,272 |
2.35-72 |
Menyton... |
10,105 |
22-59 |
1,-2S8 |
2-28-27 |
BLACKSTONE |
11,300 |
20- |
817 |
2-26- |
Duke of BridgeAvater's Cannel |
||||
(screened) |
10,190 |
20-3 |
1,460 |
206-85 |
West Pelaw Main |
9,500 |
15- |
1,568 |
142-5 |
Wald ridge |
10.000 |
14-2 |
1,530 |
142- |
New Pelton (average) West Pelaw Main |
9,911 9,800 |
13-5 13-5 |
... |
1,33-89 132-5 |
Towneley Main |
9,100 |
14- |
i;o23 |
■ 127-4 |
The Blackstone has au advantage over common coal in requiring half the time only in the production of an equal amount of gas, and consequently a considerable economy of fuel. The supply at Kimmeridge is inexhaustible, and the position of tlie beds favour- able for working. Science has shown the value of these shales, the volatile matter of the best bed (Blackstone) being 73 percent., leaving 27 only solid matter. Their capacity for the production of valuable oils and other ingredients must remain undeveloped until a system of deodorization has been discovered in the chemist's laboratory, and until then every attempt to bring the sliale into a marketable condition must as hitherto end in disappointment.
0ome of the '§.ixxtx ^vtts in the §nvbcns of c^bbotsburp tostk.
Bead before the Members August 17th, 1S93.
By J. C. MANSEL-PLEYDELL, Esq., F.G.S., F.L.S.
T have selected a few of the rarer trees which grow here and traced the history of their origin from very ancient periods. Several Earls of Ilchester have in succession placed their inherited love of nature, especially that which relates to floriculture and arboriculture, in developing the natural resoiirces of the soil and situation of this favoured spot. These Gardens are protected on all sides by sheltering hills, on the north by the range surmounted by Abbotsbury Castle Rings, on the south and west by St. Catherine's and Linton Hills, Avhich ward off the south-west gales so fatal to trees and shrubs on our coasts. In addition the Gulf Stream lends its aid to maintain a flora compar- able to that of the Western Piviera. The height and size of many of the trees show the care, thoughtful selection, and scientific knowledge the Earls of Ilchester have bestowed for so long a period upon the Gardens, by which they have attained their present perfection.
RARE TREES IX ARBOTSBURY CASTLE GARDENS. 185
Passing over the earliest forms of vegetable life exhibited in Cellular Cryptogams, Algoe, Lichens, Fungi, I shall mention incidentally the three chief divisions — Vascular Cryptogams, (Ferns, Equisetacere Lycopodiaceje); GymnospermejB, seeds naked (ConiferiB, Cycadese, Gnetacese); Angiospermce, seeds contained in a receptacle, Monocotyledons, having one seed-leaf or cotyledon, and Dicotyledons having two seed-leaves, with a pith and true separable bark and growing by concentric zones. The Conifers appeared for the first time in the Carboniferous age. In the succeeding ages, from the Permian to the Tertiary, they increased largely both in genera and species. There was a marvellous and energetic impulse at the beginning of the Cretaceous age, which brought about the introduction of the monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous plants, which have since developed iuio the different genera and species which now cover the face of the earth. During the lengthened duration of the Tertiary period the world underwent great climatic changes owing to extensive accessions of land and diminution of sea. The union of continents and the extinction of vast inland lakes in Asia, Africa, and Europe, by upheavals of mountain chains and the elevation of land had considerable influence upon the temperature of the globe. These modifications were not accom- plished all at once, but gradually, affording time for those plants which were sufficiently hardy to submit to these changes. During the early Tertiary period {Eocene) tlie climate continued tropical, or at least sub-tropical. In Dorsetshire and the South of England, France, and Northern Italy, are found remains of Palms, both fan- shaped, and pinnate-leaved forms, seeds of Nipa, a plant now only met Avith in the salt-marshes of the coasts and islands of the Indian Seas and the Philippines, Aralias, and Oaks allied to some now growing in the tropics. The numerous plant relics from the London Clay of the Isle of Sheppy equally attest to the tropical character of the flora of that age. Palms of that age can be traced through Northern Germany and Switzerland. Of the fossil plants which can be determined with any certainty, only a few belong to the southern hemisphere ; the rest have their living
186 RARE TREES IX ABBOTSBURY CASTLE GARDENS.
representatives in the northern. Going from east to west the zone occupied by the northern forms readies from Japan to Northern China, by Amour to Central Asia, Siberia, the Caspian, the north of Persia, Caucasus, Europe, the Atlantic and Pacific sides of North America, from Spitzbergen, Greenland, Alaska, to the Azores, Canaries, North Africa, Arabia, and the Malay Archi- pelago. Tropical forms, although not a majority, are met with in this extensive area, but only in isolated stations, separated widely from each other, leading to the supposition that they belong to an anterior homogeneous vegetation. The latest geographo-botanists, such as Engler and Drud, show this to be the case. The northern forms, which occur at the present day in high latitudes and on the tops of mountain-ranges, belonged, without doubt, to a flora which occupied vast regions extending to the mountain ranges of Central Germany, the glaciers of the Alps, the valleys of the Danube and the Rhine, and the plains of Lombardy. The Alpine and northern forms were thus able to spread and maintain themselves in many a favourable station, and with the retreat of the glaciers the hardiest plants re-occupied the homes they had abandoned, but some failed to do so, among them SaUshuria adianfoides, of which we shall have to speak farther on. During the middle of the Tertiary age (Miocene) the flora of the world underwent further important transformations, bringing in the new forms, which now grow only in Asia, Africa, and America, but are extinct in Europe. It is from plants of this period we are able to trace some of the immediate ancestors of our living species. A large amount of fossil remains of the Abietacese Conifers are found in the later Eocene beds. The scales of the cones of Pinus have been found in Siberia and ia the Himalaya, showing a previous connection with districts so widely separated. The Oligocene beds of the South of France contain Pinaster, Pinea, and Strohus. The flora of this period is remark- able for its richness and variety of species, in contrast to North America, which shows a great poverty especially of Monocotyledons. The Palms had entirely disappeared from Europe. A Drac£Bna, allied to D. Draco, which now grows in the Canaries and in Western
RARE TREES IX ABBOTSBURY CASTLE GARDENS. 18?
Africa, flourished in the Oligocene beds of the South of France, but is now lost. The Canaries is its most northern limit. The remains of Dicotyledons comprise Alder, Birch, Cupuliferae (Hazel, Hornheam, Beech, Chestnut, Oak), Salicacere (Willow, Pojjlar), V\mcicess(Blm, Plane), Fig, Laurel, Maple, Araliacete (Aralia, Ivy), Mijrtle, Box, Water-Lily, Judas-tree, Caruh-tree, Oleacese (Olive, Ash), Catalpa, Viburnum, &c.
Salisburia sijn Gingko. The Taxinese, whose seeds are not collected round the axis of a cone, made their appearance before the true conifers. There are six families belonging to the Order, of which Salisburia is one. Its leaves are coriaceous, fan-shaped, and deciduous. It differs so much in habit and foliage from all other conifers that in the absence of flowers and seeds it would be almost impossible to assign its proper place in the Vegetable Kingdom. The male-flowers are on slender axillary catkins, the female are fascicled and pedunculate, The trunk lacks the regularity of the Pine or the Araucaria ; it is less upright, the branches divaricate, spreading, not verticillate. but irregular upon the axis. Passing over Gingkophijllum flabellatum. Sap. from the English Coal measures and G. Grassata, Sap. from the Permian as doubtful progenitors of Salisburia adiantifolia, undoubted forms of the genus appeared for the first time in the Permian age, followed by G. primigenia, Heer. and G. antarctica, Sap. in the Rhoctic and twelve species in tlie Oolites of Great Britain, Siberia, Spitzbergen, Southern Russia, Amour, and Japan. The Spitzbergen-beds contain a flora similar to that of Scarborough, Gingko has been met with in both. The Wealden yields one species, the Lower Cretaceous Beds of the Polar regions and Northern Germany yield at least four, of which G. tenuistriata occurs in the Lower Cireensand of the two widely-separated districts of Greenland and Portugal. The Eocene Gingko eocenica and the ^fiocene G. adiantoides of Greenland and Italy come very near to Salishuriu' adiantifolia. Mr. Starkie Gardner found seeds in the London Clay of Shopj-y, which he considers to be those of G. eocenica and identifies
188 RARE TREES IX ABBOTSBURY CASTLE GARDEN'S.
G. adiantoides in the basalts of Ardtun Head, Isle of Mull. It is found in Greenland, Italy, and in the Saghalien Islands, and entirely disappeared from Europe in the Upper Miocene age. The genus once so widely spread and indigenous in Europe, and Avhich commenced its southward migration from the Polar regions as long back as in the Eocene age, is now reduced to one species in the far East, and owes its i^reservation to the agency of man. It is capable of sustaining the ordinary temperature of Europe, as we see here in. these gardens. It flowers and seeds in the Botanical Gardens of Montpellier, and can live at Copenhagen, Lat. 55° 41' N., where the mean temperature is about 46° Fah. It attains a height from 60 to 70 feet. The small leaf-bearing twigs are thick, decidu- ous, and tubercled, bearing a tuft of four or five closely-packed, stalked leaves. The fruit is a one-seeded drupe with an outer fle?hy covering. The Gingkos of' the Jurassic age bore persistent leaves.
Taxodium.
Flowers monoecious, branches slender, clothed with linear deciduous leaves arranged in two rows, some of the branchlets fall in the autumn. The Genus first appeared in the Arctic regions in the later Cretaceous age, which were then interspersed with large lakes fed by thermal calcareous, ferruginous springs. A considerable number of conifers were introduced into Europe during the Tertiary age in company with heecli, Liquidambar, Tulip-tree, Lime, Elm, Sassafras, &c., which were subsequently distributed over the temperate zone, and formed vast forests. Europe was at that period broken up into islands. Taxodium has not varied much from its j)rimordial type, and differs little from its living representatives, Taxodium distichum and T. mucronatum, both limited to IS". America, the former to the Southern States, the latter to the mountainous districts of Mexico.
T. distichum can scarcely be distinguished from the early Oligocene and Miocene genus ; hence Professor Heer named it T. disticlmm. — miocenicum — and is one of the most widely distributed of Tertiary plants.
rare trees in abbotshury castle gardens. isu
Sequoia.
Sequoia made its first appearance in the Wcalden age and had its fullest development and widest distribution in the Cretaceous Beds. No less than 30 species have been met with between the Wealden and Miocene ages from the Polar regions to Nebraska, ajttd in the South of France and Italy. It is now restricted to two species, both in a limited area of N. America. S. senipervirens end on the coast of California and S. giganteani, Terry (Wellingtonia), in the Sierra Nevada. The leaves are polymorphous, varying with the species ; some are forked or falcate ; others linear and straight. They differ so much in form and size that the early botanists considered branches from the same tree to belong to a different species. The male-cones are persistent, and at the summit of the lateral branches. In the living species the female cones are solitary ; but in some of the fossil forms they are clustered.
The foliage of S. senipervirens is distichous, that of >S'. gigmitea is spirally imbricated. The former, better known as Red ivood, occupies a sandy ridge rising to a height of 2,000 feet in dense forests, 20 or 30 miles wide from the south of Santa Cruz to the southern border of Oregon. Professor Boland says its distribution depends upon the sandstones and oceanic fogs.
Count Saporta speaks of a forest composed of Sequoias in the Cretaceous beds of PatterfcU in the Polar regions, carpeted with ferns and cycads. It is probable that the distichous and imbricated foliage was united in the same spe^;ies in its earliest form. In the Tertiaries of Greenland S. sempervirens and ^. Langdorji arc distichous. Sequoia is met with in the Eocene basalts of Mull, in the Miocenes of the Baltic, Switzerland, Germany, and Italy. It predominated in the later Kocene (Oligocenc) ; afterwards it showed symptoms of decline and disappeared entirely with the exception of the t\vo living species.
Araucaria. Araucaria appeared for the first time in the Secondary age. It has been found in the Stonesfield States of Oxfordshire, and in the
190 RARE TREES IN ABBOTSBURY CASTLE GARDENS.
Inferior Oolite of Bruton,in Somersetshire, in the Yorkshire Oolites, and the Wealden of England. It is dioecious or rarely monoecious, cones terminal, leaves globular, coriaceous and spiral. A. Goepperti was found in the Eocene beds of Bournemouth by Mr. Starkie Gardner, associated with a rich flora comprising Ferns, Smilacece, and Avoids^ from which he concludes that the Eocene bush-growth on the alluvial banks of the great Bournemouth river, and its probable extension along the coast of a submerged continent, must have been similar to that of the present day on the Brisbane river, and on the shores of Moreton Bay, on the east coast of Australia. The long embedded plants of our Eocene coasts seem to have risen up and to live again in these far distant regions, and through them we are able to picture the long sandy surf-beaten coasts, and fringed with Araucarias, Gum trees. Palms, and Ferns of the present pine-clad Bournemouth. It is a native of the southern hemisphere, trunk erect, branches horizontal and decumbent. Araucaria imbricata forms vast forests extending from the south of Chili to Brazil. A. Brazilefisii has a similar distribution. Araucaria has not been found in the Cretaceous Beds except in New Zealand, where two species have been found in the coal-bearing beds of that formation.
There is a group of Australian species, all needle-leaved and of gigantic size, of which A. exceha attains a height of 230 feet with a trunk 90 feet in circumference.
Cryptomeria. Cryptomeria belongs to the Taxodinece. It is represented by only one living species C.Japonica, a native of China and Japan, and can apparently be traced from C. Sternberr/n, Gardn. found in the Eocene basaltic tufas of Ballypaladay and Glenarni in Antrim and Ardtun Head, Isle of Mull. It has close affinities both with Taxodium and Sequoia, at first it was relegated to Araucaria, after- wards to Sequoia. The attachment of the cones to the branches proves it to be a Cryptomeria. There is nothing to distinguish it, at least in appearance, from the Japanese type.
RARE TREES IX ABBOTSBURY CASTLE GARDEXS. 191
The flora, with which C. Sternhcrgii, is associated in the tufas of Antrim and Mull, bears a close resemblance to that of the Lower Cretaceous beds of Dakota, in Xorth America. It is singular that this genus, which once grew and flourished in Dorsetshire, is at this moment restricted to a very limited area at the other extremity of the northern hemisphere. Varieties of C. Japonica have been produced by cultivation, of which many diverge from the original type.
Palm.
This is the first Monocotyledon we have had under observa- tion to-day. The date of the earliest Palm is probably the period of the Chalk-marl, there are undoubted proofs of it in the European beds of that age, the two principal species are Flabel- laria chamceropifoUa, Goepp, with leaves resembling the living Chamaerops, and F. lonrjiraclns, Ung., resembling PJiomicopliorium Sechellarum, "Wendl., a native of the Sechelles, inserted and cultivated in our Palm-houses. This priman-al Palm is inter- mediate between the fan-shape and pinnate-leaved. During the Eocene Age a vegetation prevailed resembling that of Australia in the present day, when the Palms were as abundant as they are now. A Sabal occurs in the Eocene beds of Corfe Castle, a fragment of which is preserved in the County Museum. In the Oligocene age the Palms reached 51° X. lat., and in the Miocene Age the latitude of Greenland. The changes through which Europe and America passed during the whole of the Tertiary period sufficiently account for the extinction of some species and transforma- tion of others. The northern limit of the Palm is now much farther south than it was at one time, the Sabal flourishes on the eastern and western sides of the norlhern heniisj)hcre. ChanKcrops grows at Nice in 43' ■11' N. L. There are 10 or 12 species of tliis gi'uus, most of them are dwarf, but a few attain a height of abuvit oO feet. Their range is very wide, extending to Northern Asia, Africa, America, and Southern Europe. Tlu' leaves are i>laited like a fan, the petioles usually prickly ; the leaves of the Phoenix, of wliich the Date-Pahn is a species, are pinnate ; Chamcenqjs humiliti is usually
192 RARE TREES IN ABBOTSBURT CASTLE GARDENS.
dwarf, not more than 3 or 4 feet high, sending up numerous suckers, but if these are not allowed to grow, the tree will produce a trunk several feet high.
Aralia.
The Aralia belongs to a sub-order of the Umbelliflorte, differing from the Umbellifers in its seed, which is in the form of a berry ox drupe. The family is a large one, with varied foliage and stems pvickly or smooth. It first appeared in the Upper Cretaceous beds of North America, Greenland, Siberia, and sparingly in Europe. 4.formosa occurs in Europe and in Colorado. The number of species increased during the Tertiary period, some of which extended as far east as the Himalaya. The Aralias are now restricted to the Eastern States of North America, New Zealand, Japan, and are chiefly tropical. The best known species is A. spinosa (which grows freely in these gardens). The four others which grow here are A. Sieholdi, with large coriaceous leaves, A. Mandshwia, A. Chinensis, and A. pentaphyUa.
The Common Ivy belongs to this Order. Its first appearance was in the Upper Cretaceous beds of North America and Green- land. Hedera primordialis, Sap., of the same age differs little from the Irish Ivy, and jST. platanoides, Lesq., from the Cretaceous beds of Kansas is fouiid in the tufas of Denmark and of La Celle, South of France.
JUGLANS.
The Walnut family passed from the Upper Cretaceous, through the Tertiary, to the Quaternary Age. It has been found in the Upper Cretaceous beds of Greenland and Atane, and in the Tertiary beds of the polar circle. J. arctica from the Upper Cretaceous beds of Greenland is probably the ancestor of /. nigra, the Black Walnut now living in North America. The Walnut is no longer indigenous in Europe except in the mountainous districts of Greece. It extends from tlie Trans-Caucasus to the East Indies. /. laciniata is a variety of the Common Walnut, /. regia. The Miocene beds of QCningen have furnished /. acuminata, and the tufas of the South of France, /. minor.
RARE TREES IN ABBOTSBUKY CASTLE GARDENS. 193
LiQUIDAMBAR.
This genus, which belongs to the order Saxifraginoe, made its first appearance in tlae Cretaceous age, Liquidamhar interjri folia, Lesq., occurs in beds of that period at Kebraska and Kansas in North America and several species in the Tertiaries of Europe, notably L. Goepperti in the Lower Eocene of the Paris basin and L. europieum in the Oligocene and Upper Pliocene of Switzerland, from Bonn to Northern Italy, Silesia, Greenland, and in the Quaternary beds of Massa in Central Italy. During the Upper Tertiary age Liquidamhar flourished on the declivities of the Pacific of North America, where it is now extinct. L. europceum has been mistaken for the ]\raple, Ijut its alternate leaves readily distinguish it.
The Abbotsbury Liquidamhar is L. Styracijiuum, L. The leaves change to a bright red, and afterwards remain on the tree some time.
LiRIODENDRON.
Liriodendron belongs to the order Magnoliacea?, and made its first appearance in the Lower Cretaceous beds of North America, Kansas, Nebraska, and Atan, in Greenland, the majority of the fossil species have been obtained from these beds, including L. Meeckii. L. Procaccinii clossly resembles the living L. tuUpifera, its geographical range is considerable (Sinigaglia, Eriz, Bilin, Iceland, and the Pliocene of Meximieux, France). The only other European Liriodendron is L. Gardina from the Eocene of Bournemouth, The Tertiaries of North America, Green- land excepted, have no fossils of this genus. According to Saporta the fossil-leaves of the Liriodendron found in Ireland belong to a species peculiar to the beds of that island ho names it L. i^Jandicnm, Sap. et Marion. The cliaracteristic shape of the leaf has not varied since its first appearance, with the exception only of slight variations; leaves entire or with simple or bipartite lobes ; obtuse and acuminate leaves are often found on the samo branch. L. fulipifera, lln' Tulip-trco, was considered to be the only living species, Saporta reports a Chinese
194 RARE TREES IN ABBOTSBURY CASTLE GARDENS.
species in the Kew Herbarium Avith deeply-cut leaves. L. iulipi- fera inhabits the Atlantic declivities of North America from Florida to Canada.
There is clear proof that a material cooling of the Polar regions commenced towards the early part of the Cretaceous age, when many Dicotyledonous plants were introduced, the remains of Avhich have been found so plentifully in North America and Greenland. These colder conditions caused a migration southward of those plants which were not hardy enough to maintain themselves in their original homes, or had not succumbed to the rigours of the climate. Many plants which once lived within the Polar Circle during the Cretaceous age, are not met with in the oldest beds of the Tertiaries of those regions ; the English and Scotch Eocenes have yielded several, which bear a close relation to the Polar Cretaceous flora.
Jicprt on ^bscrbations on the
Appearances of givb?, Ensects, &\:,, anb the
JflotoevinLj of plants anb Jietnrns of
liainfall
In Dorset dukinCx 1893.
By NELSON M. RICHARDSON, B.A., F.E.S.
iiS^t.
INCE I wrote the 1893 Report the numher of jNlembers in tlie Club has increased considerably, and I am glad to find that there is a corresponding increase in the number of observers of I'lants, Birds, and Insects. Xine have this year sent in their returns, as against seven last year, two of these being confined to birds and one to plants. The observers are the following :— J. C. Manscl-rieydell, "Whatcombe, near lUandford ; X. ]\I. Kichardson, Chickerell, near Weymouth ; E. K. T.ankes, Corfe Castle ; Kev. 0. P. Cambridge, IJloxworth ; H. J. ]\[oule, Dorchester ; T. K. Atkinson, Sherborne ; Rev. W. J. Rowley, AVooUand ; Colonel F. J. Stuarl, Llandford ; J. Andrews, Swanago, the two last noting Birds only. The observers are designated in the lists by their initials.
Several rare birds have been observed in Dorset which it is convenient to notice hfre, though they hanlly conn- .-trictlv within the limits of this Iteport.
196 RETURNS OF RAINFALL, ETC., IN DORSET.
Baillon's Crake. Mr. Andrews sends me the following note : — *' A rare bird Baillon's Crake — which Mr. Mansel Pleydell writing to the Dorset County Chronicle states is the first properly authen- ticated specimen found in this County — was captured in the stable of a builder's (Mr. Hardy's) yard at Swanage on June 1st, 1893. The bird was identified by Mr. Hart, of Christchurch, as follows : — " Distinguished from the Little Cralie by its smaller sizes (scarcely Tin. in length), its olive legs and feet and the white outer web of the first primary." This bird is very nicely set up by Mr. Hart, and Mr. Andrews will be pleased to show it to anyone interested.
Merlin (J. C. M. P.). A Merlin seen at Yerwood December 26th.
Siskin (J. C. M. P.). One washing itself in a pool on the roadside near Crawford Bridge.
Black Guillemot (J. C. M. P.). One picked np alive near the Industrial School, Milborne St. Andrew, on December 13th, driven inland about 16 miles by the storm of the previous day.
Golden Oriole (E. R. B.). One heard singing and seen in the garden at Langton Matravers Rectory, near Swanage, by the Rev. L. Lester May 9th.
Hoopoe (E. R. B,). One seen many times at Corfe Castle Rectory on April 7th.
"VVoodchat Shrike (E. R. B.). One seen at Corfe Castle by Rev. Owen L. Mansel on April 21st.
Short-eared Owl (E. R. B.). Shot near Lulworth Castle September 18th, a remarkably early date,
Iceland Gull (Lams icelandicus) (E. R. B.). Female, in winter plumage, shot in Poole Harbour by Mr. Gerald R. Peck, of Min^erne Grange, Parkstone, on February 6th, 1893. Ifot previously recorded from Dorset.
Black-winged Stilt (Hiinantojms cayididus) (E. R. B.). Charles Orchard, a well-known and experienced farmer of Warehani, declares that he observed and watched a large flock of this species in Worbarrow Bay, Purbeck, in the summer of 1893.
Variety of Chaffinch (T. R. A.). A nearly white female Chaffinch often seen near Sherborne.
RETURNS OF RAINFALL, ETC., IN DORSET. 197
Mr. Moule alludes to the migration of the Otter, which the water keeper at Dorchester tells him does not frequent the upper waters of the Frome until about Christmas.
Mr. E. R. Bankes sends the following note on the season : —
" 1893 will long be memorable on account of its exceptionally high temperatures, the almost unparallelled duration of ' the great drought,' and the wonderful amount of sunshine recorded. It ojiened with a .spell of severe frost, but this was succeeded by mild weather before the end of January. February was very mild with an almost unpreceilented amount of rain. With March began the very warm and brilliant weather which made the year so remarkable and continued with very few interruptions till about the beginning of October. The last three months were unusually mild with very few frosts, but a considerable rainfall. December l'2th will always be memorable on account of the terrific gale, the most severe and destructive within living memory, tliat swept over the county and did an incalculable amount of damage to houses, buildings of all sorts, ricks, trees, i^-c, almost wrecking a good m;iny of the villages near the coast. It is Avorth mentioning that Christnuas Day and the three following days were so wonderfully mild and sunmierlike that blackbirds, thrushes, and many other birds were in full song all day, while the woodpigeons were cooing loudly— even long befoie it was daylight. From an entomological point of view the year was n'ost disappointing : numbers of good local species of Lepidoptera were either exceedingly scarce or could not be found at all, and an exceptionally large proportion of larvae were stung by ichneumon Hies. No rare or interesting species of butterflies K)r nmths came over to us from the Continent as was the case with several kinds in 1892, but descendants of the " Clouded Yellows " (C. cdttsa) that then visited us were met with in moderate numbers in the autumn. On tiie other hand tlie 'Painted Lady' butterflies (V. card id) that migrated to this country in goodly numbers at the same time had apparently to all intents and puiposes failed to continue their lace, for hardly a single specimen was obser\ed durmg the whole year. The one redeeming feature was the line weatiier, which was all that the collector wished and enabled him to meet with and secure all the species that were not ' considcuous by their absence.' Wasps, aphides, and a small snow-white insect named Alcurodcs brassicK that attacks the cabbages, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts appeared in immense numbers and Mere very troublesome in the gardens."
Amongst the Birds may be noted — Swanage, ]Marcli 13th, as early for the Wheatear, Corfe Castle, March lotli, as early for tlie Chiff-chaff, Corfe Castle, April Sth, for tlie Cuckoo, the same date as at Wuatcombe last year. Cokfe Castle and Bloxworth, April 3rd, for the Swallow is earlier than any date last year j in fact, the dates for most of the birds show a season of
198
RETURNS OF RAINFALL, ETC., IN DORSET.
earlier arrivals than in 1892. The forwardness of the season is also shown hy several of the records of insects being earlier than those of 1892. The two hybernated butterflies on the list (Brimstone and Painted Lady) are 19 and 25 days earlier in leaving their winter quarters than in 1892, which testifies to the warmth of the early spring, whilst the appearance of a viper on February 7th confirms this, as do also the early dates of several FloAvers. I append the following tables : —
First Appearance of Birds in Dorset in 1893.
si |
i |
aj| |
^■| |
||||
-i |
i |
-1 |
fe i |
4 |
n |
||
Flycatcher |
May 10 |
May 6 |
May 7 |
||||
Fieldfare |
Dec. 10 |
Dec. 31 |
Aug.26 |
Nov.19 |
|||
Blackbird |
Feb. 2^ |
||||||
Redwing |
Dec'. 10 |
Dec. 31 |
|||||
Nightingale .. |
Ap. 10 |
Ap.22* |
Ap. 11* |
Ap. 17 |
|||
Wheatear |
Mar.3C |
Ap.' 26 |
Ap. 1 |
Mar. 30 |
Mar. 13 |
||
Willow Wren . . |
Ap. 7 |
||||||
ChiffCbaff |
Ap. 3 |
Mar.23* |
Mar.l5^ |
Mar. 22 |
Mar. 29 |
||
Whitethroat .. |
Ap. 23 |
Ap. 9 |
|||||
Skylark |
Feb. 7* |
Mar. 7* |
|||||
Rook |
|||||||
Cuckoo |
Ap. 13 |
Ap.20» |
Ap. 8* |
Ap.l2* |
Ap. 17 |
||
Swallow |
Ap. 9 |
Ap. 15 |
Ap. 3 |
Ap. 3 |
Ap. 10 |
Mar. 18 |
Ap. 4 |
Sandmartin |
Ap. 10 |
Ap. 4 |
|||||
Swift |
Ap. 28 |
May 9 |
Ap. 30 |
May 1 |
May 5 |
||
Nightjar |
Ap. 16 |
May 19* |
May 11 |
Ap'.' 10 |
|||
Turtledove |
Ap. 18 |
Ap.20t |
|||||
Woodcock |
Oct. |
Oct. 20 |
|||||
Corncrake |
May 18 |
MiV2r |
Ap.' 14 |
May 1 |
|||
Wryneck |
Ap. 28 |
||||||
Redbacked Shrike .. |
|||||||
Redstart |
* Song flrat heard, t Near Warebam. Wheatear at Swanae'e, March 13., E. R. B.
Bloxwortii.— First rasping notes of Parus major (Grr at Tit), January 28. Chift-Chaff's song, March 25.
Blandford.— Swift last seen, August 11. A young unfledged Woodpigeon at Houghton, October 25.
CORFB Castle.— Woodcock and Fieldfare exceptionally scarce.
WiiATcoMiiB.— Blackbird, nesting, March 7 ; first egg, March 15 ; Skylark, nesting, April 5 ; several second broods, October 18. Swallow last seen, October 4. Woodcock last seen, March 9.
Weymouth.— Ohifif-Cbaff last seen, October 10. Whitethroat last seen, October 13. Swallow last seen, October 31.
S^\'ANAoE.— Swallows observed on November 24 and again on Novenaber 30, these dates '^eing the latest recorded of any Swallows in England. See Field, December, 1893.
RETURNS OF RAINFALL, ETC., IN DORSET.
199
Earliest Dorset Records of Plants in Flower in 1893.
Wood Anemone Lesser Celandine Marsh Marigold Dog Violet ' . . Greater Stitchwort Herb Robert .. Horse
Chestnut Bush Vetch
/Leaf (. Flower
Blackthorn
Hawthorn Ivy
Dogwood Elder .. Wild Teasel
/Leaf ' Flower /Leaf ( Flower
/Leaf \ Flower /Leaf \ Flower J Leaf ) Flower
Devil's Bit
Knapweed
Field Thistle
Coltsfoot
Yarrow ..
Ox-eye Daisy
Mouse-ear Hawkweed
Harebell
Greater Bindweed
Water Mint ..
J Leaf ( Flower / Leaf \ Flower /Leaf 1 Flower
Ground Ivy Wych Elm
Cowslip. . SpottedOrchis{Lear^
Mar. 12 Feb. 10 Ap. 1 Mar. 4 Mar. 25 Ap. 20 Ap. 10 Ap. 24 Ap. 9
Man "24
Ap!' 21
Nov. 3
May |
20 |
Feb. |
b |
Ap. |
28 |
Mar. |
2 |
May |
29 |
May |
25 |
Mar. |
4 |
Aug. |
5 |
Ap. |
26 |
May |
26 |
July |
U |
Aug. |
9 |
Aug. |
9 |
Feb. |
XV |
Mar. |
15 |
Mar. 18
Mar. 2
Mar. 31
Mar. 18
Ap!" 15
Jan. 27 Mar. 18
Ap. 19 Ap. 2
Ap.' May |
17 18 |
Mar. |
18 |
Ap.' |
19 |
May |
18 |
Ap. |
28 |
July |
15 |
June 10 Ap. 26 Mar. 18 June 20 May 11 May 18 |
|
May |
26 |
Mar. |
24 |
Feb. |
25 |
Jan.' Ap. |
23 5 |
Ap. Ap. |
20 9 |
Mar. 19 Feb. 2 Mar. 24
Ap." 5
Mar.' 8 Ap. 16 Ap. 11 Mar. 10 Mar. 13 Mar. 9 Ap. 17
Ap." 4
Jan'.' 31
May 8
May 18 July 8
June 14 May 2
Mar. 28 Mar. 30 Mar. 12 Mar. 17 Jan. 28 15
Ap. 2.
Mar. 12 Ap. 4
Mar. 12 Ap.' ' 18
Mar. 21 Mar. 25
Mar. 6 Feb. 7 Ap. 6
Ap." 4
Mar." 25 Ap. 6
M*r. 10 Mir. 21 Ap. 20
Feb. 1 May 10
June 26
June 20
Feb. 1
June 24 July 19
Ap.
< |
a |
C5 |
|
E-i |
|
Feb |
7. |
Ap. |
13 |
Mar |
24 |
Ap. |
23 |
Ap. |
23 |
Feb. |
27 |
June |
16 |
Ap." |
7 |
«^' |
«' i |
►^ s |
|
^U |
^^ |
Mar. 16 |
|
Feb. 8 |
|
Mar, 16 |
|
Mar. 13 |
|
Mar. 24 |
May 15* |
Ap. 3 |
May 23* |
Mar. 30 |
May 4* |
Mar. 10 |
May 22* |
Ap. 7 |
May 15* |
July 24 |
Oct. 3* |
May 7 |
|
Mar. 20 |
June27* |
June 22 |
|
Aug. 11 |
|
Ap. 25 |
July 10* |
Feb. 13 |
|
July 7 |
|
July 7- |
|
May 18 |
|
July 17 |
|
June 22 |
July 13* |
Mar. 13 |
Aug. 4* |
Feb. 8 Junel9* Feb. 16 I May 25*
May 12 Feb. 23
' Ripe Fruit.
DoRCHESTBR.— Second bloom8--Le8ser Celandine, December 20 ; Dogwood, September 19, abundant ; Elder, September 19. In the South Walks some chestnut leaves were falling on June 19.
Sherborne.— Primrose in flower January 13. /i''«n rtcrc/i.MV in flower May 3. Dog and Field Roses blooming again freely in the .lutumn. Hazel in full bloom again by Octolier 1.
200
RETURNS OF RAINFALL, ETC., IN DORSET.
First Appearance of Insects, &c., in Dorset in 1893.
1-5 ^ |
^ i |
=^1 H "1 |
^ 6 S |
^1 |
||
Rose Beetle Cockchafer Bloody-nose Beetle .. Glow-worm Common Hive Bee, h. Wasp (Vespa vulgaris), h. . . Lir?e GardenWhiteButterfly Small „ Orange Tip Butterfly Meadow Brown Butterfly .. Wall Butterfly Brimstone Butterfly h. Painted Lady Butterfly, h. . . Cinnabar Moth Currant Moth Viper Frog Spawn |
Miy 6 Apf 1 Mar! 2 Mar 25 Ap. 1 Ap. 1 Ap. 2 May 25 Mar! 15 Mar. 7 Feb! 7 Feb. 10 |
May 5 July 1 Mar. 4 Mar. 4 J Har. 29 Mar. 28 Ap. 24 June 8 Ap. 22 June 25 Ap. 1 Ap. 18 |
May 3 May 8 June 15 Feb! 7J Ap. 20 Mar. 29 Ap. 20 Ap. 19 Mar. 4 May 9 |
May 1 Feb! 5 Mar. 31 Mar. 24 Ap. 2 Mar. 2 |
Mar! 23 Mar. 23 |
June 15 Ap. 10 |
* Scarce, f In fair numbers. } Abundant.
Hybernated.
Whatcombb.— Young Viper, Sin. long, April 29. My keeper shot 8 adders rolled in a knot on a sunny spot in Clenston Wood, February 9, J C. M. P.
Dorchester.— A specimen of the Small Garden White Butterfly indoors on March 19.
PuRBECK.— Meadow Brown Butterfly at Gadcliff, May 31 ; Kimmeridge, June 2, E. R. B.
Sherbornb.— Wood White and Red Admiral Butterflies and Humming Bird Moth all plentiful, and several Clouded Yellow Butterflies caught.
Viper, 3iin. long, killed near Weymouth, J. R. A.
Hamwortht. - Mr. J. M. Henderson notices the abundance of Moths and Butteiflies, especially Clouded Yellows.
RETURNS OF RAINFALL, ETC., IN DORSET. 201
REPORT ON RAINFALL IN 1893.
I have this year received reports. of Rainfall from 3G stations, all Dorset with the exception of two just over the Wilts border and one just over the Devon border, Avhich are useful for comparison. Three of the stations reported from in 1892, viz. : Tarrant Keynston (G. Galpin), Bloxworth House (Colonel Cambridge), and Poole (J. H. Phillips) are unrepresented ; while on the other hand there are seven additions, some of which are especially welcome, as filling up gaps where no observations have before been recorded. Sherborne, Puddletown, Winfrith, &c. still remain the centres of large districts in which the rainfall is unobserved. The additional stations are Holwell (Mrs. Warry), Horton (Rev. Geo. Wellington), Swanage (F. A. Burt), Rousdon (C. E. Peek), Coneygar Hill, Bridport (H. Gordon), West Bay Road, Bridport (H. Gordon), and Winterbourne Steeple- ton (H. Stilwell).
The higliest record of Rainfall is, as usual, from Hazelbury Bryan, almost exactly the same quantity as in 1892, 37-i2in. Canon Wheeler writes me : " I have two gauges, one in a somewhat high part of the garden, the other about 200 yards away. They never record exactly the same quantity. When I had to investigate for the elaborate reports of the Tyneside Field Club the returns from many stations in Northumberland and Durham, the same fact often struck me. How it can be accounted for is somewhat difficult to say." The next highest record is, as in 1892, from Cheddington, 34-60in., against 31-99in. in that year. After this come Melbury, Rusiimore, Cattistock, and Larmer, all about 32in., Steepleton, SO'Slin., Wiiatcombe, 29"57in., Parkstone, Beaminster, Creech Grange, and Corfe Castle, all aljout 28in., Bloxwortii (Rectory) which stood 4th on the 1892 list being this year only 1-lth with 27"05in., whereas Parkstone, Avhich is this year 9th, was in 1892 2-lth. The smallest Rainfall was at Smedmore, 20-20in., which liad the lowest record in 1892. Then follow Portland, 20-33in., AVeymouth, 22-73iu., Hamworthy, 23-34iu., Swanage, 23-4Gin.
202
RETURNS OF RAINFALL, ETC., IN DORSET.
The talDle below gives the record for 1893 in inches (omitting the decimal portion), showing the distribution of rain over the 36 stations and tlie number of stations recording similar amounts.
Amount in Inchep. |
20 |
22 |
23 |
24 |
25 |
26 |
27 |
28 |
29 |
30 |
32 |
34 |
39 |
No of Stationa. |
2 |
1 |
2 |
9 |
5 |
3 |
2 |
4 |
1 |
1 |
4 |
1 |
1 |
It will be noticed that the difference of l-QOin. in 1892 between Wtke Regis (Mrs. Pretor) and Weymouth (R. Met. Soc.) is very nearly maintained this year,Mrs. Pretor's record being l'75in. above the Weymouth one. This tends to show that the difference is due to some permanent cause. In five months out of the twelve Weymouth has the larger record, whilst the great differences between the two occur in October and December, and amount to l-16in. and 'SSin. respectively, which bring up the Wyke Regis record so much above that of AVeymouth.
Steepleton, which is divided from Portisham by the hills on which Hardy's monument stands and is barely three miles distant, shews a record of 5'48in. more than Portisham. This hardly comes up to the difference of 12-85in. between Hazelbury Bryan and HoLWELL, five miles away, but is nevertheless very striking.
I have placed a few of the more interesting differences in the records of neighbouring stations in the form of a table as below.
Higher Record. |
Lower Record. |
Approxi- mate Dist. apart in Miles. |
Difference in Records |
in Inches. |
|||
Swanage (Andrews) |
Swanage (Pi x) |
near |
■01 |
Swanage (Andrews) |
Swanage (Burt) ... |
near |
1-26 |
Kusliniore |
Larnier |
1 |
•37 |
Parkstone |
Poole (West St.)... |
1 |
4-34 |
Wyke Regis |
Weymouth |
2 |
1-75 |
Steepleton |
Portisham |
3 |
5-48 |
Cheddington |
Beaminster |
3 |
6-2.3 |
Corf e Castle |
Smedmore... |
3 |
7-26 |
Creech Grange |
Smedmors |
3 |
7-36 |
Hazel. Bryan |
Stur. Newton |
5 |
1214 |
Hazel. Bryan |
Holwell |
5 |
12-85 |
RETURNS OP RAINFALL, ETC., IN DORSET. 203
The gauges of Messrs. Andrews and Pix at Swanage continue to agree to within -Olin. as iu 1892, that of the former being still that small amount ahead of the latter,
N'o. OP Wet Days. The greatest number of days with a fall of -Olin. or more recorded was 164 at Gillingham, other high records being Eeaminster, 163; Cheddington, 162; Cattistock, 161. The lowest are Smedmore, 69 ; Creech Grange, 95 ; Melbury, 108; IIamworthy, 111 ; Bloxworth, 113. Strange to say at Swanage Mr. Pix records 139 against 122 only from Mr. Andrews in spite of the agreement of the annual totals of the gauges. "Wyke Eegis receives more rain than "Weymouth, but it falls in 132 days instead of 142.
Wettest Month, Towards the N.E. of the County the wettest month was as a rule February, the next July, with October closely following ; but in other parts there seems to have been less rain in February, making July generally the wettest and October next. The full record is. Wettest month, July at 19 stations; February at 13 ; October at 4, Second Wettest Month, October at 18 stations ; July at 7 ; February at 6 ; and December at 4.
Highest Monthly Records. — The two highest records are, as might have been expected, at Hazelbury Bryan; T'lSin. for February and 6-65 for December. April was the driest month except at two stations (August at Smedmore and ^March at Portland), and the amount recorded for April was nil at Holwell and did not exceed -lOin. at 15 others. March and May were also very dry and also August, especially on the South Coast stations (under lin. at 15 stations).
Heavy Rainfalls. — July. The most general fall of over lin. which has occurred this year, is recorded for July 15th, but took place probably at most stations on July 16tli and is by some observers recorded for that date. As the same fall is doul>tlo.ss referred to, I will make but one tal)le to .show the distribution, giving the station and the fall iu 24 hours in inches.
204
RETURNS OF RAINFALL, ETC., IN DORSET,
•g o |
i 1 3 o |
o t 1 |
1 |
a 1 |
1 |
1 |
1 i |
1 |
1 1 |
ST 1 i CO |
< <1> a a i |
1 |
1 CS 1 |
f .2 1 •1 1" |
1 |
5 |
c 1 t |
1 |
1 1 |
1 1 |
1 2 |
s I •a ■c |
a |
|
s |
?^ |
9 |
g |
g |
? |
s "^ |
S |
S |
! |
? |
? |
g |
s |
g |
5 |
^ |
I |
* Recorded for July 13 probably by mistake.
The heaviest fall appears to have taken place at Wtke Kegis and along the coast to the Eastward ; to the North and West it diminished until it had decreased to "6 Tin. and •72in. at Gilling- HAM and Sturminster Newton. At Eushmore there is no record of rain on the 15th, though on tlie 14th and 16th more than -Gin. fell on each day. At Chalbury I'OSin. fell on the 11th, and Mr. E. H. Barnes records 1 "43111. and three other falls of over lin. during the month.
Mr. Andrews, of Swanage, says that the fall of r84in. on July 1 5th (St. Swithin's Day) was the heaviest fall recorded there in 13 years. As sujDerstitions come within the limit of subjects discussed by the Club, it may have some slight weight with those who still believe that it will rain for 40 days after a wet St. Swithin's Day, to note that even when St. Swithin's Day was the wettest in the year, of the 40 succeeding days at Cheddington, only 18 days, at Whatcombb 14 days, at Swanage 11 days, had any rain ; but a fine St. Swithin's Day at Eushmore produced only 26 fine days -and at Larmer only 24 fine days out of the succeeding 40. This may be a little affected by the fact that a day of rainfall is, or should be, measured (for the sake of convenience and uniformity) from 9 a.m. on one day to 9 a.m. on the next, and does not therefore exactly correspond with St. Swithin's Day, which would begin at midnight, but the evidence is strong nevertheless !
September. — On the 8tli a fall of l"01in. is recorded from Shaftesbury, but nothing over lin. from elsewhere during this month, except a fall of l"15in. at Melbury on the 28th.
RETURNS OF RAINFALL, ETC., IN DORSET.
205
October. — The most extensive heavy storm of the year, with the exception of that on July 15th, took place on October 7th. I append, as in July, a table to shew the distril)ution and the fall in inches.
In a few cases the record is for October 6th or Sth.
a 1 5 |
2 i 1 g |
i |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 1 c B |
1 |
1 |
8 |
< i 1 1 |
i |
£ i ? |
1 |
? 1 |
□ f |
1
g5 |
1 1 1 s |
In this storm the condition of things Avas rather reversed from that of July I5th, and the S. stations (except Portland) received less than the N.E., Hazelbury Bryan and Rushmorb having the greatest falls.
On October 17th there was another storm of less magnitude, some of the falls noted being as follows : — Lytchett Minster, 1 'OGin. ; Poole, -Slin. ; Hamworthy, •79in. ; Whatcombe, •87in. ; Swanage, •65in. ; Smedmore, -GOin. ; Portisiiam, -O'in. ; Rushmore, 'O^in.
December, — At nearly all the stations the 19th (or in a few cases the 20th) is mentioned as the day of greatest fall in this month, though as a rule the amount is less than lin. I subjoin a table as before, as I think that it is instructive to compare the falls at the various stations.
'-■I |
||||||||||||||||||||
r |
I 1 |
|||||||||||||||||||
s a |
1 I 1 |
a 1 o |
!c B ,3 K |
>- 1 |
^ 8 |
1 61. |
i 1 |
1 |
S |
1 1 1 |
1 1 i |
1 5 |
i 1 |
O 6 |
a |
< 01 1 1 |
i |
ffl 1 1 |
1 |
|
S |
9 |
§ |
S |
S |
s |
! |
^1? |
s |
o o5 CT5 cf5 |
B |
S |
?^ |
,1, |
?!?;? |
This fall is interesting on account of tlie long maximum line stretching from S. to N.E., via Cueddinuton, Cattistock, Melbury, Hazelbury Bryan, and Rushmore.
206 RETURNS OP RAINFALL, ETC., IN DORSET.
February. A fall of l-15in. occurred at Hazklbury Bryan on the 20th of this month.
Prolonged Drought. This drought, which took place in March, April, and May, had a most serious effect upon the grass and otlier crops, making the produce very small.
Ml'. Barnes (Parkstone) says " March ; only five days rain and none after the 16th. April; very dry, no rain at all till the 23rd, the absolute drought thus lasting 37 days. May ; no rainfall till the 14th and only a little on that day and the 15th, a partial drought having lasted 76 days, viz., from 1st March to 15th May, during which only 0"60in. fell."
Mr. Andrews (Swanage) says : From February 28th to June 23rd, or nearly four months, only 0-99in. fell ; there were two long periods of total drought, viz., 37 days (March 17th to April 23rd), and 35 days (May 19th to June 23rd).
Rev. G. H. Billington (Chalbury) says : " In only two of the last 28 years have we had less Rainfall, viz., in 1870, 23-85in. on 124 days, and in 1887, 22-46in. on 125 days," his total being 24-04in. in 138 days.
At Wareham the fall (25-18in.) was the lowest for ten years except that of 1887 (20-88in.).
At Cheddington it was lower in 1892, 1889, and 1887.
Mr. C. E. Peek (Rousdon) says that the Rainfall for 1893 (26-52in.) Avas 5-81in, below the average. It was a dry year, but less so than in 1887 (25-33in.) and 1892 (25-75in.). The Rainfall of March, April, May, and June amounted to only 1 99in., or 7-67in. less than the average. The occurrence of four consecutive months with a Rainfall of less than lin. each is almost unique in this country.
I give Mr. Peek's report on the gale of December 12th, which was most destructive in its effects in most, if not all, parts of Dorset, and which is noted by several observers.
Report for December, 1893, Rousdon.
Wind. — The wind movement amounted to 12,467 miles, which was 302 miles below the average. The greatest movement in one
RETURNS OF RAINFALL, ETC., IN DORSET. 207
(lay was 794 miles on the 13tl', and the least 120 miles on the 6th ; while the daily average was 402 miles. On the morning of the 10th a fresh southerly wind reached a movement of 50, 60, and 70 miles per hour, at 9, 10, and 11 a.m. respectively. On the 12th a strong gale from the S.S.AV. set in, and the movement rapidly increased from 48 miles an hour at 10 a.m. to 79 miles an hour at 2 p.m., and by 3 p.m. it had fallen to 51 miles. This gale seems to have reached its greatest force about 1 p.m., when the wind came in terrific gusts which must have been very nearly 100 miles per hour. In the town of Lyme Regis several houses were unroofed, chimneys were blown down, and much glass broken by the falling slates and tiles. The hourly movement of 79 miles has only been exceeded once during ten years' observations, viz., on i^ovember 1st, 1887, when a movement of 83 miles an hour Avas registered at 7 a.m., and for si\ consecutive hours on that morning the velocity was over 60 miles per hour. South-westerly and north-westerly winds were most prevalent.
Amongst other observers Mr. Mansel-Pleydell ("Whatcombe) says "The great storm of December 12th fell with terrific and disastrous force here."
Mr. 0. Farrer (Binnegar), says "Violent gale on December 12th acquiring very destructive force about two p.m., fortunately soon lessening. Aneroid fell then to 29in."
Mr. R. H. Barnes (Parkstone), alludes to " The destructive storm of almost hurricane force on the 12th and the great variations in the height of the barometer, the extremes being 2S"54in. and 3074in., and these occurring within nine days of eacli other, the 20th and 29th."
The notes on temperature and barometer which have been .sent to me are as follows : — Rev. II. Fix (Swanage) : Greatest cohl 18° on January 2nd. Rev. G, H. Billington (Chalhurv) : Shade temperature highest 84° on June lUth and 20th; lowest 19' on January 2nd and 3rd. Barometer readings at 9 a.m., highest 30-74in. on December 30th ; lowest 28-SOin. on February 1st, but 28'60in. at 2 p.m. on December 20th.
208
RETURNS OP RAINFALL, ETC., IN DORSET.
Rev. 0. P. Cambridge (Bloxworth) : The three hottest days were June 15th, 16th, and 17th when tlie thermometer stood at 117°, 120°, and 129° in the sun, and 88°, 89°, and 89° in the shade.
Mr. H. Stilwell (Steepleton) sends tlie following table of Meteorological Records, observed at Steepleton Manor, near Dorchester, during the year 1893 : —
Month. |
Temperature. |
|||||||||
Extremes recorded of |
Averages for the Month of |
|||||||||
1.1 |
1 |
4 |
i |
15 |
1 |
1 |
! |
Lowest on Grass. |
Daily Mean Temper- ature. |
|
January |
. 51-3 |
23 |
13-2 |
3 |
6-6 |
3 |
41-2 |
29-4 |
26-1 |
35-5 |
February |
. 53-0 |
3 |
25-4 |
6 |
195 |
f) |
46-9 |
35-3 |
33-1 |
41-1 |
March |
. 63-8 |
30 |
22-0 |
19 |
17-2 |
19 |
54-6 |
33-4 |
28-6 |
43-7 |
April |
. 75-6 |
«1 |
21-8 |
14 |
17-2 |
14 |
63-0. |
37-6 |
31-6 |
49-7 |
May |
. 72-5 |
b |
36-5 |
12 |
27-3 |
64-7 |
44-0 |
37-3 |
53-7 |
|
June |
. 84-9 |
18 |
35-2 |
1 |
310 |
1 |
70-1 |
48-5 |
43-6 |
58-5 |
July |
. 80-0 |
2 |
450 |
1 |
38-6 |
1 |
68-4 |
52-8 |
47-6 |
60-1 |
August |
. 81-0 |
16 |
41-3 |
X9 |
32-4 |
29 |
70-5 |
52-2 |
45-8 |
608 |
r 74-0 |
14 |
33-7 |
'M |
250 |
22 |
64-7 |
46-5 |
38-4 |
55-2 |
|
October |
. 63-6 |
9 |
27-5 |
31 |
16-6 |
31 |
57-4 |
42-8 |
35-4 |
49 9 |
Novembe |
60-2 |
3 |
21-4 |
1 |
13-0 |
1 |
47-7 |
36-4 |
30-7 |
42-1 |
December |
54-0 |
13 |
20-4 |
31 |
11-8 |
30 |
46-8 |
34 4 |
27-5 |
40-8 |
For the ye |
ar 84-9 |
June 18 |
13-2 |
'f |
6-6 |
Jan 3 |
58-0 |
41-2 |
35-5 |
49-3 |
The following table is extracted from an elaborate one received from Mr. K. H. Barnes (Parkstone) : —
Month. |
11 |
11 |
£ 8 3 |
|i |
Min. on grass. |
ill |
|||
g| |
Si |
S^IS |
S3 |
JJi |
Mean. |
Lowest |
-«| |
= S| |
|
January.. |
41-3 |
31-6 |
36-6 |
51-7 |
16-8 |
23-3 |
5-3 |
86 |
7-6 |
48-2 |
37-0 |
42-6 |
53-9 |
28-7 |
28-6 |
16 5 |
84 |
7-6 |
|
March .. |
55-9 |
37-5 |
46-4 |
65-4 |
27-4 |
26-0 |
15-2 |
74 |
4-8 |
April .. |
65-2 |
41-5 |
52 8 |
77-0 |
31-1 |
31-1 |
17 4 |
60 |
2-8 |
May |
67-9 |
46 4 |
56-5 |
74-7 |
39-3 |
56-7 |
26-2 |
66 |
5-8 |
June |
71-8 |
511 |
60-7 |
87-9 |
40-4 |
41-8 |
27-5 |
65 |
44 |
July |
70-7 |
54-4 |
62-0 |
81-2 |
50-6 |
47 8 |
411 |
75 |
6-8 |
August . . |
73-4 |
54-3 |
63-3 |
84-6 |
44-3 |
45-3 |
32-8 |
71 |
5-9 |
Srpienriber |
67-4 |
47-8 |
57-1 |
76-6 |
35-8 |
38-2 |
24-9 |
71 |
6-4 |
59-2 |
44 1 |
51-4 |
65-8 |
30-3 |
35-4 |
167 |
82 |
6-6 |
|
November |
477 |
36-3 |
42-0 |
61-5 |
27-2 |
28-8 |
14-9 |
84 |
7-1 |
December |
47-0 |
34-2 |
40-9 |
550 |
20-5 |
23-1 |
10-0 |
88 |
6-3 |
Note. — Relative humidity is reckoned from 0 or absolute dryness to 100 or complete saturation. The mean relative humidity is the mean of that at 3 p.m. and of the mean of those at 9 A.M. and 9 p.m. It must be remembered that in fine bright
RETURNS OF RAINFALL, ETC., IN DORSET. 209
Aveather there is often (particularly in .spring and antumn) heavy dew morning and evening, the humidity being a.s great or nearly so as if there were rain and fog.
The amount of cloud is reckoned from 0 when the .sky i.s cloud- less to 10 when the sky is quite covered, and the mean is found as above. It may be remarked that it is less cloudy on the average from 9 P.M. to about 11 p.m. than at any other time of the day.
For the years 1882-1893 inclusive the mean temperatures of July and August are exactly the same G0°1 and the highest, and the mean temperature of January 39°'l is the lowest ; but the mean of the minima in March, 33'-7 is the lowest ; Ai)ril is the driest and least cloudy month with mean rainfall l'64in., mean relative humidity 72, and mean amount of cloud 60.
In conclusion I have to thank those members and other observers who have sent me their returns of Rainfall. I shall be much obliged if they will kindly do the same with regard to the year 1894. I received a few daily records of rainfall, but nearly all are on Mr. Symons' small forms, which, if accompanied liy additional notes on any heavy falls of lin. or more in 24 hours, and any other matters of special interest, are for the purposes of this report nearly as good as a daily record. I think that there is a little variation in the time of day at which the record is taken by different observers. This should be 9 a.m. always, and the amount of rain then found in the gauge should be credited to the previous day. Thus a heavy storm at 7 to 8 a.m. on July IGth would be included in the return for July 15th. This rule should be carefully adhered to for the sake of uniformity.
I would strongly urge, in accordance with Mr. Symons' recommendation, that every gauge should be provided with a receiver capable of holding at least Gin. of rainfall. If tl.c receiver is too small, the gauge overflows, tlie returns for the year are rendered inaccurate, and the particulars of an unuiually heavy fall lost.
A table of the Rainfall is given on the following pages :—
210
RETURNS OF RAINFALL, ETC., IN DORSET.
i |
o |
g |
S55SS |
g |
S K |
^ |
g |
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S3 |
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tO(0 |
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Q |
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ro |
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to |
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CM |
CM |
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S |
S; |
:2S2g |
S |
>§ s |
£ |
s |
s |
§ |
55 |
S8 |
g 3 |
S |
|
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^ |
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(M |
ro >0 |
ro |
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t |
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s |
s |
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^s |
s; fs |
^ |
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rH ^M |
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CM |
CM |
rHCM |
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lo |
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£ |
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W K. |
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gS22 |
g |
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CM |
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CM |
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CM OJ |
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8 |
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s s |
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si-«. |
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Heig above level fee |
g |
^ |
SSS" |
s |
s i |
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1 |
s |
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liiiiiM 6 Ibl^ll^^S |
iJiilli4tfi |
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1 |
Ipl |
6 |
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1 m |
1 C3 |
2 1 |
is n |
1 o |
Iff in |
RETURNS OF RAINFALL, ETC., IN DORSET.
211
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s? |
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^ |
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§? S S |
23 |
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g |
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CM ro ro |
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rij |
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2 |
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S S g |
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■-^ |
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ggs |
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g! |
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ss |
iQ |
ro «9- |
s |
5 |
s |
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i |
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"3- <»• * |
mm |
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t |
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£8 |
3 |
s |
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g? g 5; |
2S |
s |
s |
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0 |
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d a |
w |
COKJhO |
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CM |
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5! |
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^ s s |
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s |
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^ |
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6>. 3 |
SS3 |
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§ 0 s |
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1 >> 5 a |
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rva |
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g |
55 |
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s s s |
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23 |
s |
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8 S § |
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CM |
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83 § S |
ss; |
fi |
s |
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■Ry |
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J= |
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S' |
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S ? S |
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ro |
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S S S |
ss |
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g |
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CM |
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^ |
ro |
^ ^ CO |
CM |
CM |
CM |
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«- a •" |
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No. 0 dayao which •Olin.o more fell. |
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S : § |
•iX |
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g^g |
en |
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S 53 !S |
g?s |
§ |
s |
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K |
S S S |
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si.s^ |
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l|l-^ |
COC-IO |
i |
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rf3 |
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s |
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1 ? ?.? |
^^ |
^^— -^ |
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a |
si" Hi 55^ |
VII |
III |
III IF |
2 II |
ii |
5 |
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11 |
i |
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11 |
J o |
1 li |
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i 1 |
0" |
jj |
1 |
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n^ri |
d |
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> >■ D |
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CD |
3) |
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* |
0 |
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WHO |
< |
^ |
« ^ .• |
<A'J. |
hi' |
^ |
03 |
0 |