Field Meetings. 121 



great Maxwell family, but mnv in the possession of Mr Annitao-o. 

 Mr M'Millaii there i)ointed out the lid of a stone cist, an old quern, 

 and an old canoe, got in the district, but so overgrown with moss 

 that none save an antiquary's eye could have readily observed it. 

 The hermitage was next inspected, being an octagonal house built 

 of panels of bark. The noble beech trees around were objects of 

 admiration ; and to geologists the bank, which stretched far above 

 a hundred yards, was evidence of one of our old raised sea-beaches, 

 although the Solway now flows miles away. 



The party now began to find its way back to Newton-Stewart, 

 where Mr M'Millan's excellent collection of local antiquities was 

 inspected. Stone-hammers, stone-knives, and other objects of 

 prehist(jric times were shown. Then came objects of bronze 

 swords and daggers of the middle ages. The collection was rich 

 in spinning wheels of antique shape. The stone spindle whorls, 

 the distaff, and the flax were all displayed. The large shuttle of 

 the last customer weaver and the smaller one of the last linen 

 weaver in the district were shown. Besides these were excellent 

 specimens of old furniture. The fine back of an old oak chair, 

 saved from a conflagration, was most ingeniously wrought in as 

 the frame of a mirror, and occupied a place of honour above the 

 mantelpiece. We hojae Mr M'Millan will succeed to add to his 

 collection that dreadful instrument of warfare, the Galloway flail. 

 Dr Grierson, of Thornhill, after long search, was fortunate to 

 secure a specimen pre\ious to his death We fancy Mr M'Millan 

 must be a most useful man to a student of Galloway antiquities. 

 His collection of Galloway literature also should not be passed over. 



It was proposed by Dr Chinnock, and seconded by the Rev. 

 Mr Andson, that Sergeant M'Millan be made an honorary member 

 of the Dumfries Antiquarian Society. 



Saturdnii, .3/v/ of September. 



The party proceeded first by rail to Sanquhar, where they 

 were met by Mr Wilson, of the Royal Bank, and Mr Brown, bui'gh 

 assessor, and author of the excellent history of the town and district 

 recently published, who kindly agreed to act as guide to the excur- 

 sionists. The first place visited was the Parish Church and church- 

 yard. The church is a handsome edifice, with square tower, built 

 in 1827, and capable of accommodating upwards of 900 sitters. 



