32 fteld Meetings. 



about one hundred years ago the Nith was here crossed by a 

 ferry boat, and it seems the ford was a dangerous one, 

 from there being a cross erected a short distance off, which 

 still remains, protected by an iron railing. These crosses 

 were in olden times always erected at places of danger and 

 difficulty, such as mountain passes and fords. Well, at that 

 time, a party returning from Dalgarnock Fair, then one of 

 the most important in the district, found the Nith in full 

 flood, but determined to cross at all hazards. The party 

 numbered six, and just as they were about to move off a tall 

 man in black clothes stepped into the boat, which was shortly 

 swamped and all its occupants drowned. The bodies were 

 all recovered except that of the unknown personage, who was 

 supposed to have been the Evil One. This sad accident 

 roused the district to the necessity of having a bridge built, 

 and a subscription being set on foot the present structure 

 was soon erected. This story was of peculiar interest, from 

 one of our members who was present being nephew of one 

 of the drowned persons. 



FIELD MEETINGS OF 1878. 



The First Meeting was held at Lincluden and Holywood 

 on Saturday, May 4th, when, although the weather was 

 most unpromising, fourteen members attended. The party 

 left Maxwelltown about eleven o'clock, and the first place 

 visited was Lincluden Abbey. Mr J. Glover Anderson con- 

 ducted the party round the ruins, pointing out the sites of 

 the various buildings and pertinents which composed the 

 ancient structure. He also directed attention to the pecu- 

 liarities cf the architecture which distinguish Lincluden, and 

 slso the uses and signilicatiou of several parts of the chancel. 

 Seme regret was expressed that nothing had been done to 

 protect the ruins from mischievous youths and others, who 

 apparently look on the ruins as a playground specially 

 erected for their benefit. After a vote of thanks had been 



