THE
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETYAND FIELD CLUB
Adequately
to trace an exhaustive account of the Society's activities from its modest
inception to the present day, and to include all the personnel involved, may
well not be possible, but it is hoped that no major event or figure has been
omitted. The task has been to sift through an enormous amount of material,
and to glean information from, among others, the enthusiastic researches of
the late Mr. Paul Chapman, and from discussions with veteran members whose
further investigations have made it possible to shape this story of
ever-increasing interest in the wealth of natural marvels to be found in the
County.
Commencing
in 1880 the Society Journal records the major activities but the first four
years are only recorded in back numbers of the Mercury. Mr. Humfrey
commenced the research into the published reports and this work was then
taken up by Tom Barratt who took photographic copies.
Early
in 1876 several Northamptonian Natural History enthusiasts met at the
Mechanic's Institute in Gold Street to discuss the possibility of forming a
local society to further their engaging pursuits. Reference is to be found
in the Mercury dated 4th March 1876:
'The
Field Club Society are glad to learn that an effort is being made by a few
gentlemen of the town who are lovers of country sights and sounds to
establish a Naturalist and Field Club Society for the town of Northampton
and neighbourhood. Such a Society is much to be desired and we hope it will
be attended with every possible success.'
At
a further meeting about a fortnight later in the Architectural Society's
rooms, a provisional committee of seven, including Mr. Druce and Rev. R.S.
Holmes, with Mr. Jecks as chairman, resolved that the Society be launched as
soon as 30 members be found, and rules were drawn up. The Rt. Hon. Lord
Lilford, F.L.S., F.Z.S. had expressed his interest in the new venture and
had accepted the invitation to the Presidency. He was to remain President
until his death 20 years later.
Now,
after a hundred years, these occasions are seen in perspective as events
which were to become of much consequence to naturalists over a wide area.
With reasonable certainty as to date, it may be said that the inaugural
meeting of the Society was on 21st April 1876, in the Council Chamber at the
Guildhall, but many years were to elapse before a permanent home was
found. In his address Lord Lilford warned against allowing the newly-formed
Society to degenerate into the kind of picnic club which he had witnessed
elsewhere, and which died a natural death. He stressed the need for accurate
observation and suggested that one must approach a study of the works of the
Creator with an open mind, with thoughts purified and elevated-open to
wonder. The interests of the Society would embrace botany, entomology,
geology and ornithology, together with a study of such particular aspects of
natural phenomena as might form a link between them. The meeting was well
attended and Mr. Jecks stated that there were 62 members. Seconded by Mr.
Manfield, he thanked Lord Lilford for his consent to be President.
Mention
must now be made in some detail of the specific aims of the Society -'to
foster and encourage a love for the natural (and historical) features of the
countryside'. It is not always clear when the different sections were added.
They are many; where to begin?
The
countryside walk or ramble, with or without the encouraging FT- full tea
expected-has always had an enthusiastic following. The earliest recorded
occasion was in 1876, when an invitation was received from Earl Spencer to
visit Harlestone Firs. On a Monday in mid May a party started from West
Bridge at three o'clock and proceeded across moors to Dallington. On the way
Mr. Hull and Mr. Jecks drew attention to matters geological found in a
disused quarry.
The
Rev. G. Nicholson pointed out such few birds as were to be seen, including a
nightingale! Botanical interests were noted by Mr. Druce and included a long
list of flowers and plants (with Latin names) which were observed on entry
into Dallington village; some of them were rare and thought now perhaps to
be extinct. The party ended up at the Fox and Hounds at Harlestone. Eight
new members joined the Society.
A
further excursion followed on 15th June, this time to Fawsley Park, at the
invitation of Sir Rainald Knightley. Badby woods were also included. Shells
and fossils were found in gravel pits between Flore and Weedon. Considerable
time was spent at an old owl roost, the old church and the Dower house. Many
plants, some rare, were noted between Fawsley Ponds and Badby Woods. Some
members searched, some were content merely to enjoy the surroundings. A
pleasant walk to Daventry was followed by tea at the Peacock. The Rev. G.
Nicholson chaired a meeting later, but matters which might have led to
prolonged discussion were avoided at Mr. M. P. Manfield's suggestion; hence,
when ordered vehicles arrived, all were home again by 9 p.m.
Fourteen
enthusiastic Geologists left by the 2.14 train on 10th August to examine,
under the guidance of their President, Mr. W. Hill, the iron and limestone
pits at Blisworth. Among the various phenomena were found an echinoderm, the
palatal teeth of a shark, a good specimen of a zoophyte and a broken tooth
of a species of lizard, the Teleosaurus.
Appropriately
enough this first purely geological expedition was on a Thursday, the day
sacred to Thor the Strong, the pounding and crushing god of Scandinavian
mythology, of whom the 'Brethren of the Hammer' may, in one sense perhaps be
called the followers. Mr. Jecks spoke of the glacial drift, and contributed
an article published in the Mercury, on 26th August; the beautiful
little crystalline and spiral shells can be carefully abstracted, not
hammered out, in perfect condition. Mr. Jecks pointed out that large blocks
of ironstone are used for mantelpieces and other monumental work.
Members
were off again in early September on a further journey of discovery. Some 40
to 50 travelled by train leaving Bridge Street at 9.38 a.m. with the tag
'Naturalists' pasted on the windows! The destination was Lilford Hall.
Lord Lilford had much with which to entertain his guests. There were
serpents, lizards, owls, all of whom showed marked displeasure at being
disturbed, as did presumably the falcons and inmates of the aviaries,
together with the laughing jackass who was provoked to give forth his
inimitable cachinnation. After a tour round the grounds, members were
fortified with an abundant repast.
Later
in the month mainly geologists took part in what was to be the last ramble
of the year. They went to pits on each side of Kingsthorpe Hollow. Sir John
Robinson, Bart. joined them and they walked across to Moulton, halting at a
pit in Gypsy Lane, where Sir John pointed out the spindle tree. He took them
to Moulton Hall, and later to a pit on his property where wore found
fossiliferous rocks, oolites. Sir John arranged for them to be sent to Mr.
Hull. Mr. Jecks contributed an article on the palatal teeth found in the
jaws of Lepidotus Chorastor, and claws of crab and lobster all
discovered in a pit at Buttocks Booth. He must have been very knowledgeable
in matters connected with geology, and a great help to all similarly-minded
students. A long treatise by him on Northampton ironstone (7th October 1876)
was photographed for future reference.
'Northampton
Naturalists Society' (sic) had a large attendance for it. open meeting of
the winter session on 14th October. As Lord Lilford was unable to be
present, Sir John Robinson was voted to the chair. An inaugural address was
given by the Rev. J. R. Berkley, F.L.S.. His commentaries on over 50 years
study apparently warranted a paper so interesting and full of enlightened
information on many varied aspects of nature, that it too, was photographed.
'Evolution
is an integration of matter and concomitant dissipation of motion during
which the matter passes from an indefinite, incoherent, heterogeneity to a
definite coherent homogeneity, and during which the retained motion
undergoes a parallel transformation.' Perhaps the composer of that
masterly piece of scientific jargon, Mr. Herbert Spencer (1820-1903), who
would appear to have anticipated Darwin, found that a more pellucid style of
writing would be inadequate to enunciate the law of physical evolution. No
doubt Mr. Jecks helped to disentangle the bewildering muddle at the
Architectural Society's rooms, when he read a paper on 'Darwinism' in
November. A report appeared in the Mercury.
It
must have given great satisfaction to the nucleus of 30 who founded the
Society, to review all that they had accomplished in stimulating an
interest in natural history within the year: no figures are available to
show the increase in membership. All were fortunate to be able to achieve
their aims and enrich their knowledge of the studies they professed by the
encouragement of much complimentary talent.
Passing
on to 1877: the 'Northampton Naturalists Club' continued to hold its monthly
meetings, usually at a lecture hall in Gold Street.
In
February members went to 'some' hall where there were exhibits of
instruments particular to botany, geology and entomology; also on display
were live beetles, birds eggs and plants. The occasion was not confined to
science; it concluded in geniality, with a sing-song at the piano.
To
commemorate the first year, a soiree was held in March, and an address given
by the Rev. R. Winterbottom. Much scientific apparatus, microscopes, etc.,
together with birds eggs and lepidoptera from Whittlebury were to be seen.
There were informative comments from Mr. Druce and Mr. Jecks. Later in the
same month the Rev. Wood, late curate of All Saints, lectured on coleoptera.
March
also saw the first mention of the Photographic Section, which was to capture
the enthusiasm of many members, until today it has become a separate source
of delight and instruction in the art to many. Obviously the aesthetic
appeal of the pastime is limitless; whether it be to show the grandeur of,
say, a church building, the delicate tracery of a window, etc., or to
realize the fragile beauty of a spider's web. One of the pioneers for the
Society in the photographic field was Mr. Harry Manfield, and he exhibited a
frame of views transferred to glass for the 'Magic Lantern'. In a discussion
which followed, between among others the Rev. Sanders, Mr. Law and Mr. J.
Katterns, it was the considered opinion that gaslight was not the best
medium for their presentation!
There
are pitfalls, as for instance the early ill-fated occasion when the
photographic president at the time, with party, went to take a picture of a
church interior. Exposure was calculated at 45 minutes. Meantime, all went
for a walk around the village. On return, the president found that he had
forgotten to remove the lens cap!
Further
exploration during the summer included Duston meadows, long before the days
of 'development', where botanists led by Mr. Jecks found the mouse-tail,
thought to be a doubtful native. Moth larvae were also taken. On return the
Rev. Sanders read a paper on the protective resemblance in birds and
insects.
Fungi
- edible or not? The question exercises the minds of many; Mr. Scriven's
talk at the opening meeting of the winter session in September at, the
Council chamber of the Guildhall, doubtless did much to clarify the mind of
many a puzzled member. Also during the month an outing by waggonette
included Warkton, and Brigstock feast. On the way Mr. Manfield took a photo
of Geddington cross.
Entomologists
with an urge to be able to particularize, as between one spider and another,
and one beetle and another would almost certainly have had their queries
resolved by, respectively, Canon Wormald in November, and Mr. E. Pressland
in the following January. In between, Mr. Beeby Thompson discussed in detail
the early history of photography.
Lord
Lilford presided at a soiree in February (1878) when the purport of an
address by the Rev. S. J. Sanders, F.G.S., was to emphasise the needs of a
society engaged in scientific pursuits. Apparently the talk had its
humourous moments.
Mr.
Jecks was an outstanding personality. A man of wide culture and general
knowledge, he devoted himself with boundless energy to the Society's aims
from earliest days. He undertook the arduous duties of Secretary; and his
informed mind proved invaluable in stimulating many, who otherwise seldom
met in life's daily routine, to explore the wonders of nature. When it
became known that he was leaving the district to reside in Somerset, a
meeting was called in March, again at the Architectural Society's rooms in
Gold Street. On behalf of members the Rev. Sanders presented him with 'Five
Handsome Volumes', and the Rev. G. Nicholson supported the many expressions
of esteem. All wished Mr. Jecks happiness and prosperity for the future. It
now became necessary to find another General Secretary, and at a further
meeting, under the presidency of Lord Lilford held later in the month, Mr.
Druce was elected to the office. It was also reported that there were now
100 members.
Throughout
the summer, photographers, ornithologists and botanists wore busily engaged
at Buttocks Booth, the Red House on the Kettering Road and Rushton Hall.
Lord Lilford entertained at his home, in October, and at the opening meeting
of the winter session 1878-9 he gave a talk on birds, as well as
contributing a long article to the Journal on birds most frequently to be
seen in Northamptonshire, such as the wild ducks bustling around in the
river and a heron which he saw, and there are copious notes on,
particularly, the warblera, golden, reed and sedgewarblers, as well as
whitethroats, blackcap, golderest, cuckoo and various species of wren (sic).
The habits of these birds are told in considerable detail, entirely from his
own observations. The feathered world had always been one of his prime
interests, and his enthusiasm for research into their habits and way of life
could hardly be paralleled among members at that time.
Interest
had been shown in the characteristic branching of the trees of the County,
their size, age, height and comparative length of life, and Mr. Richard
Scriven agreed to collate any information. Later in the autumn there were
lectures by Mr. Beeby Thompson and Mr. Druce, on the relative physiological
differences between the lower and higher species of animals, and
Ranunculacea. Mr. Druce also reported a gift of 20 volumes from Lord Lilford
descriptive of some 20 Egyptian birds known. as the libis', storks mostly
found in lakes and swamps. In the early summer of 1879 much was learned from
the Rev. Sanders in a talk on the caves of Britain, as for instance at
Brixham, which contained bones of bears, hyaenas, woolly elephants and other
animals now extinct. Also during the year Sir Herewald Wake discoursed on
entomology, Mr. Scriven on common ferns, Rev. Beasley on weather forecasts
(it is not known whether or not they wore less or more reliable then, than
today), and Mr. Beeby Thompson on polarization of light; the last two
respectively in January and February 1880.
The
A.G.M. in 1880 was held on 18th March, with Mr. Scriven as Chairman. Sir
Herewald Wake was appointed Vice-President in the stead of the Rev. Wm.
Thornton, who had resigned. It was decided that in future the name of the
Society should be 'Northamptonshire Natural History Society and Field Club',
as now. Subscriptions were to be 10s. annually, meetings to be 'ordinary'
and 'sectional', the latter to be of not less than six members, and the
A.G.M. was to be held on the third Thursday in February. Sir Herewald Wake
was chairman at a large attendance at a later meeting, which included Lord
Lilford, and here, occurs the first mention of the Midland Union of Natural
History Societies.
Mr.
Druce's impending resignation on leaving the town for Oxford was reported in
late July.
In
modern parlance, the highlight of 1880 was the first ever issue of the
Journal. The Committee had been somewhat apprehensive as to whether or not
they had sufficient material to warrant publication. Their fears were
groundless: there had been much encouragement from Lord Lilford, Mr. Druce,
Mr Thompson and Mr. Sharp, F.G.S. F.S.A, and there was enough relevant
matter to serve for several years. Originally intended as a quarterly
account, rising costs reduced it to half-yearly, and yet again to an annual
publication as now. Any of the volumes is of absorbing interest, as, for
instance the record in the first volume of the appearance of a golden eagle,
so far from its normal breeding haunts as Northamptonshire. In Scotland it
is protected by owners of deer forests and grouse shootings, but the one
seen by a certain John Barratt in woods near Burghley House in October 1849
was not so defended, and he promptly shot it. What pertinent comments would
James Fisher have offeredl
In
the Journal for 1881 appears a photograph of a tree at Titchmarsh, the Cedar
of Lebanon. Its girth was 21 ft. 9 in., and at three feet-21 ft. 3 in. It
was 67 ft. high and the lower branches covered a circle of about 90 ft.
diameter. The Rev. Littleton Powys, sometime rector of Titchmarsh, who died
in 1842, recorded that this tree 'was carried there by one William Nichols',
sometime parish clerk, 'who was about 20-and who judged it to be of that age
when planted'.- Mr. Nichols died in January 18.14 at the' age of 90;
presumably the tree was some 157 years old. It is doubtfill if it was in
fact 20 years old at the time he carried it? Perhaps 137 years would be more
nearly correct.
The
continued progress of the Society was reported at the A.G.M. held in the
Guildhall, 7th March 1882, though only 12 new members were elected during
the year, and almost that number wore lost for one reason or another. During
the year there were excursions to places as far afield as Castleton in
Derbyshire, and Belvoir Castle, Leicestershire. In numbers the parties
consisted of 70 and 40 members respectively. All the sections were very
active, and the geological provided a long and informative dissertation on
the history of Coal. There were authoritative sources from Prof. Hull,
LL.D., F.R.S., director of the geological survey of Ireland; from the head
of the Botanical Dept. of the British Museum; the Mining Record Office, and
the Royal Coal Commission, etc.
According
to the ninth annual report in 1885 there were now 222 members, a net
increase of 20 during the year. The annual subscription was still 10s.
Congratulations upon the Society completing its first decade, from 7th March
1876, when Mr. Jecks called the first meeting, came from many quarters. It
was on a sound financial footing; and the most energetic Sections continued
to be microscopical botanical and geological. The happenings of these early
years have been chronicled in some detail, far they pointed the way to
further expansion of the Society's aims, to additional Sections, etc., such
as the archeological, in November 1896, which opened up exciting projects;
might evidence of Saxon or Danish settlements be uncovered? The varied
spheres of action, and extensive range of field studies have since been
continued, together with the annual publication of the Journal which has
faithfully recorded them.
Then,
in September 1896, it was learned that Lord Lilford had died. A letter of
condolence was sent to the Rt. Hon. Edward N. R. Powys; his letter of
acknowledgment is attached to the Minutes, 10th September 1896. The Society
owed much to Lord Lilford's zeal and dedication. For 20 years he had been
ever ready to befriend members in their enthusiasm for anything natural
historical, or to act as host on many occasions at his home, where there was
always much to be seen. The Society sustained a sad loss.
It
now became desirable to resolve the question of the future Presidency, and
the office of Vice-President. These matters were the subject of discussion
at three committee meetings, the first on 9th March 1897, when it was
decided that the President should be elected annually, and Vice-Presidents
be asked to fill in the position in rotation. This was recommended by Mr.
Thompson at the A.G.M. 12th March 1901. At a further meeting on 23rd
February 1904, it wars agreed to put forward at the A.G.M. a resolution to
the effect that henceforward the President should he placed on the list of
Vice-Presidents for two years, rather than increase the list indefinitely,
and this procedure has since been followed.
At
the turn of the century the Club had every reason to congratulate itself on
the success of its endeavours to foster an interest in nature's wonders, the
limitless variety of creation and phenomena, far beyond human imagination.
The library was by now quite extensive; some regret was expressed that the
books, available to all members, appeared to be largely unread. Then, too,
the Journal had provided a mine of information: as one example, the writer,
a mere tyro in natural history studies, had no knowledge of the great
English earthquake of 1884, until he was intrigued to read an account of it
by Mr. Markham, that about 9.17 a.m. on 22nd April the shock was felt in
many counties, with some damage in Essex. In Northampton Mr. Jos. Jeffery
and his wife 'felt the room in which they were sitting "move to and
fro" '. Others reported that lustres on vases jingled. Similar
experiences befell residents in some 15 villages in the County, but without
damage.
In
the early years of this century, proposals for the exchange of publications
were received from a number of other societies, such as Missouri Botanical
Gardens, Nottingham Naturalists Society, an Archeological Society in
U.S.A., and the Instituto Geologico do Mexico, although the two latter
invitations were declined. After exchanges a number of copies of the Journal
wore no longer available. Inevitably the question arose as to how many
should be printed, and it was agreed to increase the annual publication to
250. Requests have since been received from the Smithsonian Institution, in
1913, the Cotswold Naturalists Field Club, 1914, Illinois University, 1915,
the National Library of Wales, who asked that it be presented as a gift, in
1916; the list is endless. Annual publication is now in the region of 400.
In
February of that year Sir Herewald Wake asked the Society to give its
attention to the exposure in Northampton Market of goldfinches for sale.
Consequently the Society urged the Borough Council to exert its influence to
ensure that all birds scheduled in an Act of 1880 be protected from exposure
and sale, for whatever purpose. This was followed up in March, and in April
1925, when a letter to The Times was drafted in consultation with Sir
Herewald.
'The
Society had reached its age of discretion in 1897. It celebrated its Jubilee
in 1926 for which year the Rt. Hon. the Earl Spencer was unanimously elected
President; and a Committee meeting in May decided to hold a reception in the
autumn and a conversazione preceded by a dinner. Then would follow an
exhibition to extend over jorne three or four days possibly in November at
the Exhibition Room in Guildhall Road to illustrate progress over 50 years.
Admission was to be free.'
It
is clear that over a long period, the Society was glad to accept the
hospitality of various friendly organizations. To browse through the
Journals, and Minutes of the first 80 years, is, upon occasion to come
across-'The Committee met for the first time in its new rooms at . . .'; to
try to sort out where they were, from one year to the next, nay, from one
month to the next, is to become quite bemused. Thus, the first-ever meeting
in 1876 at the Mechanics' Institute in Gold Street, was followed later in
the year by one in the Council Chamber at the Guildhall. In 1878 there were
meetings in the Architectural Society's rooms in Gold Street, and later at
somewhere in Newland. Mr. Parker Gray offered two rooms in College Street,
in 1907, at an annual rental of £15. This was taken up, but apparently
difficulties arose with Mr. Parker Gray, and so, three months later, the
scene had shifted to 1a Sheep Street, Messrs. Wallace Henderson were
approached, and they found accommodation which consisted of two rooms-with
use of lavatory, for three years, at £3 p.a.; and so, on 4th October 1907,
'the Committee met for the first time in its new rooms at 63 Abington
Street'. By now they were used to being beset continually by one problem or
another, even to the droll circumstance recorded in February 1909 -'Miss
Timson, having expressed the wish to give up the keeping of the Society's
keys, it was decided to make an offer of 5s. a year, as an inducement to
continue'! Then in the late '20s, a change was made to rooms in Bridge
Street. Here it was necessary to climb a narrow staircase, from which, upon
occasion, certain young people found it amusing to remove the electric light
bulbs, and consequently the ascent was made in darkness. It all made for
hazardous adventure.
Happily
there was a change in fortune. In 1952 Mr. and Mrs. Humfrey provided a room
free of charge, in Castilian Street, and this was followed in 1957 by the
gift of the 'Humfrey Rooms', in Castilian Terrace. Both Mr. and Mrs. Humfrey
had long been enthusiastic members, she particularly in all matters relating
to photography, and her husband in entomological studies. Entirely due to
their generosity, the Society, at long last, had a home of its own. It had
been 12 months previously that Mrs. Humfrey first expressed a wish to
provide suitable premises, or lecture hall, at the rear of 16 Castilian
Street. The project was now an accomplished fact.
On
Friday, 6th December 1957, a large assembly was addressed by the then
President, Gordon Osborn, M.INST.M., who welcomed the Mayor, Councillor F.
P. Saunders and the Mayoress of Northampton, and James Fisher, B.A., M.B.O.U.
After Mrs. Humfrey had spoken, she handed the key to Mr. Fisher, who
performed the opening ceremony. A prayer of dedication was offered by the
Rev. H. E. Ruddy, M.A., F.R.A.S.; and his Worship the Mayor, followed by A.
E. Tyrell, A.C.I.S., A.A.C.C.A., who was the Hon. Secretary and Treasurer at
that time, congratulated the Society on this memorable occasion, with every
good wish for the future. After an interval for refreshments, James Fisher
gave an illustrated lecture on St. Kilda. He had long been captivated by the
wild life to be found on this island to the west of the Outer Hebrides, and
his discourse outlined much of what it had to offer the naturalist. The
Rt. Hon. Lord Henley, J.P. proposed a vote of thanks, seconded by Mr.
Humfrey. Both Mr. and Mrs. Humfrey were made life honorary vice-presidents.
There
was now but one more need; a laboratory so that researches might be followed
up, and findings clarified and displayed in an attractive way.
Mr.
and Mrs. Humfrey again generously offered help, to transpose fancy to fact.
The possibility of building an extension was investigated in 1966, with the
result that on 6th December 1967, exactly 10 years after the opening of the
rooms, the Northamptonshire Natural History Society and Field Club found
itself perhaps better equipped than any in the country. The rooms ware packed
that night. Among those present were the President Eric Roberts, the
President-Elect Vivian Leleux, and Vice President Messrs. E. L. Edens, Paul
Chapman and H. G. James, together with the Secretary Winifred Cowley, and the
Treasurer F. M. Edwards. Also on the platform were James Fisher and
Christopher Marler. An autograph book containing photographs of the occasion
and the signatures of some 140 members, was presented to Mr. and Mrs.
Humfrey, with sincere thanks and expressions of warm regards and esteem. After
inspection of the laboratory, the keys were given to Mr. N. A. Pearce,
Chairman of the Trustees. An interval for refreshments followed, and then Mr.
Christopher Marler exhibited a film 'In search of animals and birds'. The
evening concluded with a vote of thanks by Mr. Gordon Osborn.
The
Society has been fortunate in receiving a number of valuable donations and
bequests over the years. Some of these have been carefully recorded in the
minutes of committee meetings while other donations just as valuable have been
quietly donated and no records survive at all. Gifts in recent years of
special scientific interest have included The J. W. Dickens bequest of £250
for the purchase of laboratory equipment, the collections of birds eggs and
also of Lepidoptera from the late W. R. Spencer and the gift of a very good
geological collection from Mr. Harrison. A notable collection still being
added to is the very fine collection of sands which are housed in a cabinet
presented by Gordon Osbom in memory of his wife Dora.
It
remains but to say that since composing this brief account, the Society has
suffered the grievous death of Mr. Stuart Humfrey, on 9th June 1975. To know
Stuart was to be enriched. His unfailing good humour always put you at your
ease, no matter how irrational your personal foibles. Doubtless this bonhomie
was largely due to two circumstances above all others: his lineage; there
were five generations of Humfreys, rectors of Thorpe Mandeville, extending
over some 200 years; and his chance meeting with the ophthalmic surgeon Mr. E.
H. Harries Jones, whose practice he joined, and whose daughter Lysbeth, he
married. It was a happy union. His prowess in sport, particularly cricket and
golf, and his knowledge of entomology have been told elsewhere. All members
will wish to extend their sympathy to his widow and family; there are many who
will feel a deep sense of personal loss.
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