16 PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS. 
Europe, once sat, and might have thought on the power and 
extent of a dominion which only our own country has equalled. 
Leaving Fallowfield, the party descended the other side of the 
hill, and thence, obtaining on the way a fine view of North Tyne, 
and the valley of the Erringburn, to Cocklaw, a good example 
of the Peel tower, and formerly a stronghold of the old Northum- 
brian family of Errington. Here, in a small chamber attached to 
the principal room of the tower, were seen the fading remains of 
rude fresco paintings, with which, in times when no wall papers 
were in existence, and when hangings were expensive, many of the 
rooms of such buildings were decorated. From Cocklaw Tower, 
the members proceeded by a pleasant route, to the George Inn at 
Chollerford Bridge, where they dined, and three new members were 
elected. A memorial to the Lords of the Treasury, praying that 
the old Chapter House of Westminster, in which many of our 
early Parliaments were held, and which is architecturally of the 
greatest value and beauty, should not be again used as a Record 
Office, was extensively signed by the members present. It is 
much to be hoped that the desecration of this splendid building 
may be stopped; it has been shown to be quite unfit for such a 
purpose as the keeping of Records, and it is most desirable that 
a work of such historic interest and artistic merit should be re- 
stored to its former splendour, by the taking away of the presses 
which conceal its features, and which render it quite unappre- 
ciable by the few who now visit it. And one great end which is 
served by a society like ours is, that through aconsideration of local 
interests, we are led to those which are general, and whilst doing 
what we can to preserve the early remains of our own district, we 
may help, as far as we are able, to stop the destruction of public 
monuments, and to restore them to their proper and general use. 
Tue Fourts Mertine was held August 18th and 19th, in the 
neighbourhood of the Breamish. At this, the most interesting 
of our meetings, I was unable, through an accident, to be present. 
I am indebted to our late esteemed secretary, Mr. Mennell, and 
to Mr. Langlands, a member of our parent club, the Berwick- 
shire, for very full notes of the different objects which were seen — 
on that occasion. 
