An Autobiography of an Ancient Athlete & Antiquarian

AUTOBIOGRAPHY 205 by boat. While away it was the bitterest late frost I remem– b er, cutting down all vegetation, especially of potatoes. On the 30th H.G.R. and wife, and G.L.R. came to stay for Whitsun, and we took a motor-boat from Coltis– hall to Horning Ferry. I had a scare about light and air in respect of my old Putney house, but on taking Dr. Blyth's independent opinion he reassured me, and I was much struck with his knowledge of the law and sound common sense. Our F. and D. archery party at Lammas, though well attended, was definitely stopped by the incessant rain after lunch, and 110 arrows were shot. On the 12th of June R.H. and Miss F. came down. On the Monday I shot just a little better at the Beeston Archery Meeting at North Walsbam, 16 for 60, though just beaten by D.A., 64. D.M.R. came down on the 18th to 20th June, and we drove to Horning, coming back the other side of the river, chased by a heavy storm which just missed us. Just about now was an extraordinary a 2. itation against the pulling down of the "Lynn Shambles." This was possi– bly the plainest and ugliest building in Lynn, resembling nothing so much as "a packing case which a child had turned into a doll's house by the aid of a fret-saw." It was only built in 1793, and its removal had been urged by Taylor in bis " History of Lynn" which was published 51 years only after its erection. Yet the " Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings," and a local artist, Mr. Dexter, protested strongly but ineffectually against its removal in face of the opinions of nearly every expert in the county, and in spite of the admitted fact that it was, as one writer said, an incongruous wart on a magnifi– cent parish church. Betty came down for the evening of the 22nd (to say g ood-bye) and left early next morning. At the Whitsun Meeting I shot a little better, making a total of 8 r and beating Harvey. Blake shot extremely well, doing 163 for 29. On Monday the 28th to the 5th of July I tried a drastic treatment for eight days. At the Gately Meeting I shot a little, but only a little, better. I slept there, and tasted "mati" for the first time. Next day Purdy came over, and we dug at the circular mound with no effect, :finding nothing but some charcoal. p