Mr. HEWGILL inquired if there had been any increase in the number of nightingales in Dorset and the West of England of late years, as he noticed a great number at Burton Bradstock in 1912.

Mr. BLATHWAYT replied that the nightingale had been spreading westward all over England during the last 10 or 20 years, and was now found in Devonshire, where it used to be unknown.

Mr. A. POPE alluded to the falling off in the numbers of the corn-crake or landrail.

(3). “The Flora of Japan," by the Rev. C. H. B. WOODD, illustrated with samples of his collection of pressed specimens.

SECOND WINTER MEETING.

Tuesday, February 19th, 1918.

The second winter meeting was held in the Reading Room of the Dorset County Museum at Dorchester on Tuesday, February 19th. The proceedings commenced at 12.45. The chair was occupied by the President (Mr. Nelson M. Richardson), who was supported by five Vice-Presidents, -the Rev. Herbert Pentin, Captain John E. Acland, Captain G. R. Elwes, Mr. Alfred Pope, and Mr. Henry Symonds. About twenty-five members were present.

Five candidates for membership were elected by ballot. NATURAL HISTORY AND RESEARCH.-On the proposition of the PRESIDENT, seconded by Mr. PRIDEAUX, it was resolved to forward a memorial to the Committee of the Privy Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, urging an extension of their proceedings at the earliest possible opportunity to the natural history sciences, and the addition to their assessors of a representative of these sciences.

Attention was called to the delay in the publication of the volume of the Club's Proceedings for the year 1917, which should have been in the hands of the members some time during the autumn. The HON. SECRETARY explained that the regrettable delay was due in no way to the printers, but to the author of the phenological report, a valuable feature, being so busy with war work that it was difficult for him to find the leisure needed to enable him to complete the report.

Captain ACLAND observed that many members of the club subscribed purely for the sake of the volume, which was excellent, and well worth the 10s. a year which they paid for membership.

The PRESIDENT observed that Mr. Parkinson Curtis's reports were admirable. He hoped that the manuscript would soon be forthcoming, so that the volume might be completed and published.

DORSET BOOKS FOR THE USE OF JUDGES ON CIRCUIT.Captain ACLAND said that he had been assured that Judges on circuit and members of their retinue took much interest in the county and wished to have the opportunity of studying some books on Dorset. He had been asked if the Club would lend a set of their volumes, to be kept at the Judge's lodgings at the County House. The request was granted on the motion of Captain ELWES.

EXHIBITS.

BY THE REV. C. H. B. WOODD (whose second Christian name is Hampden, and who traces his descent from Ruth Hampden, the patriot's fourth daughter):—

John Hampden relics,-including a piece of needlework done by Ruth Trevor, Hampden's grand-daughter; an engraved portrait with the appellation "Vindex Libertatis; a silver tankard commemorating jointly Oliver Cromwell and John Hampden his cousin, the cover of which was inscribed with the date 1653 and the words Pax queritur bello; a beautiful miniature of Hampden; and a lock of his hair, cut off in 1828 when the body was exhumed by Lord Nugent in order that the reputed cause of his death might be verified. (No wound was found in his shoulder, but his right hand had been shattered by the bursting of his pistol.)

BY MR. H. SYMONDS :—

A volume of the Sherborne Mercury for 1744, containing particulars of the then "battle of Ypres," from which the British were driven out by the French. When a castle held by the French surrendered to the English, the French commandant made his offer in Latin; but the English commander, who accepted the surrender, evidently felt unequal to give his answer in the Classical tongue so replied in English.

BY MR. A. POPE :

An early Victorian reading screen.

BY MISS DICKER :

A beautiful piece of tapestry worked by a member of her family in Stuart times.

BY CAPTAIN ACLAND:

A sampler of 1683.

Two old Spanish garters stamped with the mottoes, “Va a quedar usted contento" and "Tal vez dicera que si.”*

BY CANON FLETCHER:

(1). A leaflet printed in Paris in 1871, showing the exorbitant prices which prevailed during the siege of Paris by the Germans. A turkey fetched 190 francs (nearly £8), a goose 150 francs, a chicken 60 francs, 500 grammes (about 1lb. 14oz.) of ham 50 francs, the same quantity of mutton 12 francs, of ass and mule sausage 10 francs, of butter 60 francs, of margarine 18 francs.

(2). Some oyster shells which had been used in binding the mortar in the late 14th or early 15th century addition to the Norman tower at Wimborne Minster.

(3). Fragments of Roman pottery dug up in the Wimborne Cemetery; a further link (with the tessellated pavement and other remains) with the Wimborne of Roman times.

BY MR. WINWOOD:

An ancient metal tobacco jar, with traces of enamel, which had been in his family for 150 years.

*These may be translated "Go and remain content," and " Very probably you will say 'Yes.'"

PAPERS.

The following papers were read :

(1). Civil war coins believed to have been struck at Sandsfoot and Weymouth in 1643-44," by Mr. HENRY SYMONDS. (Printed).

The PRESIDENT congratulated Mr. Symonds on adding a new interest to Sandsfoot Castle and a new mint to Dorset.

(2). The introduction to "Abbot Bere's Survey of the Glastonbury Lands in Marnhull," by Canon MAYO, read by the Hon. Secretary.

(3). "Pipe Leases for Dorset," by Mr. E. A. FRY. (Printed).