ctivities. I do not however fancy
Philately as a safety-valve. I suppose one _could_ stand up to
stick stamps in a book, and would get a certain amount of physical
exercise in going about swapping duds and duplicates, but generally
speaking it is a sedentary occupation and, to my mind, a selfish
one.

As you ask for a suggestion from me, I propose an Archaeological
Society. The pursuit of Archaeology has this advantage: it connotes
digging, an aptitude for which has been distinctly fostered here by
the allotment habit.

As for our objective, without going further than Filby there is the
alleged tunnel leading from the ruins of the nunnery to no one
knows where. It would be interesting to know whether the
thirteenth-century Lord of Filby had a private way (on the score of
feudalities) to the Ursuline convent, or whether the good nuns had a
back-way to the Old Swan for the conveyance of mead, sack and such
other strong waters as the times and licensing laws afforded.
But perhaps the tunnel, like most things, is controlled, and a
_mandamus_ (which, I take it, is a kind of ecclesiastical coupon)
would be required before we could touch it.

Of course there are a mound and the foundations of an old wall in
my paddock which the Society are welcome to tackle. Don't you think
they would do to begin on?

Yours sincerely,

ARCHIBALD C. KNOTT.

MY DEAR KNOTT,--Many thanks for your valuable help. I think you may
expect quite a good turn up of members on Tuesday. I have always
thought that the tumulus in your field might yield some interesting
archaeological find. The land and a former mansion were part of the
Convent demesne, as you probably know. I am sorry that I shall not
be present as I have to attend the Bishop's Conference at Bray
Chester, which is expected to last a week or two.

Wishing you all success and with kind regards to yourself and Mrs.
Knott,

I am,

Yours ever sincerely,

THEODORE BLAND.

MY DEAR VICAR,--Thanks for yours. I am very sorry you have been
called away at such a time.

The first meeting was so successful that a second was fixed for
Wednesday. But enthusiasm seemed to flag on Wednesday evening, as
nothing of interest had been discovered.

A few die-hards agreed to put in some hours' digging on Thursday,
when Colon