 
CHAPTER I | PAGE | | BIRTH, CHILDHOOD AND EDUCATION: Born at Sedbury Park, May, 1828—recollections of early childhood—First insect observation—Girlish occupations—Education of the family—Eleanor Ormerod’s education at home by her mother—Interests during hours of leisure. | 1 | CHAPTER II | PARENTAGE: Localities of Sedbury Park and Tyldesley, the properties of George Ormerod—Roman remains—The family of Ormerod since 1311—Three George Ormerods of Bury—Reference to “Parentalia” by George Ormerod—The alliance of the family with the heiress, Elizabeth Johnson of Tyldesley—“Tyldesley’s” experiences during the Stewart rebellion in 1745—Descent from Thomas Johnson of Tyldesley—George Ormerod, father of Miss Ormerod—John Latham, fellow and president of the Royal College of Physicians, London, maternal grandfather of Miss Ormerod—Connection with the Ardernes of Alvanley and descent from Edward I.—The right of the Ormerod family to the “Port Fellowship” of Brasenose College. | 7 | CHAPTER III | REMINISCENCES OF SEDBURY BY MISS DIANA LATHAM: The Ormerod family of ten—The father and mother and their respective interests in literature and art—Sedbury Park and the hobbies of its inmates—Paucity of congenial neighbours—Annual visit to London—Drives and Excursions—The elder and the younger sections of the family—Eleanor Ormerod’s favourite sister, Georgiana—Interest in natural history and medicine—Miss Ormerod at twenty-five—Routine of life at Sedbury—Drawings by Mrs. Ormerod—The Library—Music—Models—Separation of the family. | 14 | CHAPTER IV | CHURCH AND PARISH: Tidenham parish church—Leaden font—The Norman Chapel of Llancaut—The history of Tidenham Church—Curious practices in neighbouring churches—The church as schoolroom—Pretty customs on special occasions—The discomforts of the usual service—The choral service on high days—No reminiscences of precocious piety—Impressions of sermons by Scobell and Whately—Clerical eccentricities in dress, &c.—The Oxford Movement—Dr. Armstrong—Raising the latch of the chancel door with a ruler—The woman’s Clothing Club of the parish—Lending library instituted and successfully managed by Miss G. E. Ormerod—Her accomplishments and merits as a philanthropist. | 20 | CHAPTER V | SEVERN AND WYE: “Forest Peninsula” between Severn and Wye—Ruined chapel of St. Tecla—Muddy experiences—Scenery on the Severn—Rise of Tides—Colour and width of the river—Sailing merchant fleet to and from Gloucester—A “pill” or creek—Salmon fishing from boats—“Putcher” or basket fishing—Disorderly conduct by fishermen—Finds of Natural History specimens in fishing baskets—Severn clay or “mud”—A bottle-nosed whale—Seaweeds—Fossils from Sedbury cliffs—Saurian remains—Dangers of the cliffs. | 33 | CHAPTER VI | TRAVELLING BY COACH, FERRY, AND RAILWAY: Many coaches passing Sedbury Park gates—Dangers of travelling—View of the Severn valley—The Old Ferry passage of the Severn—Swamping of a sailing boat in 1838—A strange custom when rabies was feared—Window-shutter-like ferry telegraph—The ferry piers—The first railways—Curious early train experiences. | 43 | CHAPTER VII | CHARTIST RISING IN MONMOUTHSHIRE IN 1839: Chartist rising in Monmouth under John Frost, ex-draper of Newport—Home experience—Defenceless state of Sedbury house—Trial and sentence of the leaders—Reminiscences of troubles—Attorney-General’s address to the jury—Physical features of the disturbed area—Plan of the rising—Prompt action of the Mayor of Newport—Thirty soldiers stationed in the Westgate Hotel—Advance of 5,000 rioters—Their spirited repulse and dispersal—Arrest and punishment of Frost and other leaders. | 47 | CHAPTER VIII | BEGINNING THE STUDY OF ENTOMOLOGY, COLLECTIONS OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGICAL SPECIMENS, AND FAMILY DISPERSAL: Beginning of Entomology 1852—A rare locust—Purchase of Stephen’s “Manual of British Beetles”—Method of self-instruction—First collection of Economic Entomology specimens sent to Paris—Facilities at Sedbury for collection—Aid given by labourers and their children in collecting—Illness and death of Miss Ormerod’s father—Succession and early death of Venerable Thomas J. Ormerod—Succession of the Rev. G. T. B. Ormerod—Miss Ormerod’s brothers—Especial copy of “History of Cheshire” presented to the Bodleian Library—A family heirloom. | 53 | CHAPTER IX | COMMENCEMENT AND PROGRESS OF ANNUAL REPORTS OF OBSERVATIONS OF INJURIOUS INSECTS: Preliminary pamphlet issued in 1877—Explanation of the objects aimed at—Approval of the public and of the press—Changes in the original arrangement of the subject matter—Classification of facts under headings arranged in 1881—Sources of information stated and fully acknowledged—Adoption of plain and simple language—Illustrations of first importance—Blackie & Sons supply electros of wood engravings from Curtis’s “Farm Insects”—The brothers Knight assist—Accumulation of knowledge—General Index to Annual Reports by Newstead—Manual of Injurious Insects and other publications—Notice of the discontinuance of the Annual Reports in the Report for 1900—̶
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