86 MR selby's address. 



provender, of a homely nature, was at length procured to satisfy the 

 cravings of the appetite ; and the equanimity of the party, which had 

 been somewhat ruffled by this unlooked-for incident, was now restored 

 by the loveliness of the day, and the prospect of a delightful and in- 

 structive walk. Sallying from this ill-conducted house, the party 

 lingered for a while to view the improvements that had been effected 

 in the village, under the direction and auspices of the noble residents 

 at Etal House. Instead of the mean and dirty appearance the village 

 used to exhibit within the recollection of many Members of the Club, 

 when the Towngate was rough as well as filthy, margined by a foul 

 and open gutter, the midden in all its magnitude and glory in front 

 of each cottage door, it now presented a marked contrast in the ex- 

 treme neatness and comfort of its dwellings ; and we could not but 

 admire the neatly-kept and well-stocked gardens of the villagers, the 

 taste of many of whom in laying out and filling their little plots with 

 ornamental flowers, would not have disparaged a professed gardener, 

 and reflected credit, no less on the industry of the villagers, than on 

 the kind attention and watchful care of the patrons of the village, 

 who have been the means of infusing a taste among their dependents, 

 for a recreation at once healthy and rational. 



Leaving the village, the party directed their steps to the banks, 

 ** where flows the sullen Till ;" and availing themselves of the walk 

 tastefully laid out by Lord Frederick Fitzclarence on the eastern bank, 

 proceeded down the stream. The interest and beauty of the scenery 

 increased at every step, the banks of the river becoming steeper and 

 more rugged as we advanced, in some places exhibiting a face of 

 richly coloured rock, broken, and partially hid by patches of ivy, 

 honeysuckle, and other climbing plants ; in others, a thick entangled 

 brake of white-thorn, hazel, birdcherry, and the black or slow-thorn, 

 now exhibiting a sheet of snow-white blossoms, clothed the steep ac- 

 clivities. Amidst this scenery, its beauty enhanced by the loveliness 

 of the day, while some of the party were engaged in culling Flora's 

 lovely gifts, others were listening to the hum, or watching the flight, 

 of the insect tribe, many of which had, no doubt, that very day been 

 called into active life by the vivifying influence of the ardent sun. 

 Whilst others again, with rod and fly, tempted the trout to try " the 

 sharpness of the hook," but in vain, the brightness of the day and 

 clearness of the streams, being decidedly adverse to Piscator's art. A 

 few insects, but none of very rare occurrence, were taken by Mr Selby i 

 and Dr Johnston gathered the following species of willow upon the 



