THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
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herbarium specimens, etc., etc. It was understood that the Museum and
building is to be presented to the town.
Mr. Andrews was indefatigable in demonstrating the treasures of his
museum, and he was most cordially congratulated on having brought
together such an interesting collection, and on his generosity as to its
ultimate public disposition. The museum should be carefully examined
by all visiting the interesting old town of Hertford.
At the Folly Bridge, the steam-barge "Salisbury" belonging to the
Lea Conservancy Board (which had been hired by the Club) was soon
in readiness and the party embarked.
It is unnecessary to give any very detailed account of the voyage
—various objects of interest noticed during the day having been des-
cribed in former reports mentioned above.
Between Hertford and Ware, to the south of the river, the noted
Chadwell Spring, the original source of the New River, was visited. Chad-
well Spring is a circular basin in the Upper Chalk at the foot of Chadwell
Hill, having a diameter of about 90 feet; the maximum depth of the
basin is about 16 feet. The springs rise nearly in the centre of the basin
in several well-defined fissures.
The statutory intake of the New River from the Lea, at King's Mead,
Hertford, known as the "New Gauge," was demonstrated by Mr. Wood.
The water passes through a floating weir, the bottom edge of which is
always maintained at a constant depth below the surface of the water
in the River Lea. The width of the weir cannot be increased, but can be
diminished to any extent. The maximum rate at which water can be
taken through the gauge is 2,300 cubic feet per minute, equal approxi-
mately to 22,500,000 gallons in 24 hours. The old floating gauge, erected
in 1733, was also inspected.
On arrival at Ware, the party again disembarked, and some visited
the house and grounds known as the Priory, which was most kindly thrown
open for their inspection by the owner, Mrs. R. B. Croft. In a Patent
Roll of 12 Edw. III. (=A.D. 1339) is mention of a Grant to Thomas Wake
of 1 messuage and 7 acres of land in Ware, for newly erecting an
Oratory, houses, and other buildings for the Friars of the Order of Friars
Minor, commonly called Grey Friars. Portions of the original building
are incorporated in the present residence, which dates mainly from the
eighteenth century. A small quatrefoil opening (now closed) in the N.
wall is stated to be the spot where "doles" were distributed by the monks
to poor wayfarers. A good example of a mediaeval oak king-post roof-
truss, with four struts, is to be seen in one of the modern attics. Founda-
tions of other buildings have been traced beneath the lawn to the N.
of the present House.
A large boulder of Hertfordshire Conglomerate was seen in the grounds
of the Priory.
Others of the company, geologically inclined, and under the direction
of Mr. Barrow and Mr. Whitaker, walked up to the large gravel pit situated
in the Watton Road, about half-a-mile N.W. of Ware, at about 200 feet
above O.D. (surface). The section shows some 40 feet of interbedded
Glacial gravel and sand, with contorted masses of Chalky Boulder Clay
in the gravel towards the base of the section. The constituent rocks