140 president's address. 



It would be doing injustice to all who were present at this 

 successful expedition, if I were not to say how greatly its plea- 

 sures were enhanced by elements of gratification which we have 

 no right to reckon upon simply as a naturalists' field-club. I 

 allude not only to the hospitable welcome, cordial and liberal as 

 it was, with which we were received and entertained, but to the 

 opportunities given to us of seeing the noble establishments on 

 the property of Mr. Beaumont, for the education of the children 

 of parents engaged in his mines, and the intelligent and kindly 

 arrangements of our host and colleague, Mr. Sopwith, for the 

 instruction, the social enjoyment, and general well being of the 

 adult population who are happily under his care. 



The Fourth Field Meeting of the year was on the 20th of 

 August, at Staworth Peeh The day was propitious, and ought to 

 have attracted a fuller muster of members than attended. There 

 were but ten, and the little band was broken up into several sub- 

 divisions, rather to enjoy the sunshine and scenery on the banks 

 of the Tyne and the Allen, and by the ruins of Langley Castle 

 and Staworth Peel, than on any special scientific destination. 

 When we met together at our well provided board at Hethering- 

 ton's, at Haydon Bridge, and the spoils of the day had to be 

 produced, I believe the specimens were chiefly icthyological, 

 and yet we had not trout enough for a dish. 



There is little left at Staworth, save one columnar gable, yet 

 the Peel is well worthy of a visit, from the singular beauty of the 

 site, occupying a peninsula commanding a view over several folds 

 of the valley. Langley Castle is in fine preservation, solid and 

 spacious. I cannot but remark, that I think we ought to make 

 examination of our border castles and mansions a more prominent 

 object with us, when they lie in the course of our expeditions, 

 than they hitherto have been made. I venture this remark from 

 having observed how much our opportunities are prized by 

 writers of authority. In the last (fifth) edition of "Parker's 

 Glossary of Architecture,'' he dwells much on the interest attached 

 to our border fortresses, of which he says Belsay is the finest ; and 

 he remarks, also, on the fortified rectory houses, such as Edling- 

 ham, Rothbury, and Elsdon; and I would add, too, as worthy of 



