The Meldrop Hall Tasseography Experiments

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On a recent road trip in his reliable, old Citroën Deux Chevaux, the Professor was keen to show me Meldrop Hall where, many long years ago, he remembered meeting the celebrated scholar and renowned tasseographist Lord Smither Conjubilant, Baron of ‘Somewhere Just Outside Hamnish Clifford’. 

At that time the Professor was researching the role of pace-eggers in the development of both early forms of British tasseography and left-arm orthodox spin bowling. He began his tale thus:

“I was welcomed at the door by a curious footman with undeserved deference and a cup of rapidly-cooling silver needle tea. After climbing the interminable stone staircase, I came across the Baron ensconced in a bartizan with a local artisan. As I recall he was busily arranging gewgaws on a rickety shelf.”

The Entrance To Meldrop Hall

Sadly, as we approached the hall in the Professor's vintage Bentley, it was clear that the house was now in ruins. We continued forward on foot through the abandoned gardens to the front of house where the Professor surveyed the mournful sight for some minutes, before admitting: "Perhaps I don't remember it at all." 

Meldrop Hall

We made our lugubrious way back to his ancient Jaguar, as the Professor continued his forlorn reflections on that long-lost visit:

“I recall the Baron's dismay at the dearth of certified butlers, his somewhat eccentric theories on the origins of Sussex Pond Pudding and, above all, his erudition on the subject of tasseography experiments.”

One of the Baron's Tasseography Experiments

In pensive mood, we drove off into a dubious sunset in the Professor's venerable Ford Anglia.

Location: Hamnish Clifford

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