FIELD MEETINGS. Ail 
said that, as it was chiefly through his recommendation that 
the members of the Society were led to visit that district, 
he had, therefore, personally to thank Mrs Brown and himself 
most cordially for their great courtesy and kindness. The mem- 
bers had had an opportunity of seeing the beautiful and natural 
arrangement of the grounds, but they could have no idea of the 
taste and skill, to say nothing of the cost, which it had taken 
to bring these to their present state and condition. It might truly 
be said of this place, as did the poet when describing the high- 
ways then recently opened in the Highlands, who said— 
Had you seen these roads before they were made, 
You would hold up your hands and bless General Wade. 
Had they seen this place before Mr Brown took it in hand and 
as they saw it that day, whatever they might do in the way of 
blessing, he was sure they would be struck with surprise and 
admiration. In the early part of last century that wayward 
genius, John M‘Taggart, sang of Borgue as “a parish famous for 
its Browns and Sproats, the like ot’s no on this side John 0’ 
Groats!’’ They had ample proof now before them that since 
then the race of Browns had in no way degenerated, as we held 
whoever made a portion of his Majesty’s dominions beautiful, as 
Mr Brown had done these, deserved well of his country. The 
visitors would presently have an opportunity of seeing the interest 
he was taking in antiquarian research, through having had the 
accumulated rubbish removed from the Broch at Roberton, 
whereby its form and structure could now be seen, and it would 
be interesting to get the expert opinion of the society as to its 
probable origin and the purposes for which it might possibly 
have been used. While tendering thanks, it was with the hope 
and trust that Mrs Brown, himself, and family might long be 
spared to enjoy the fruits of his most interesting labour. 
Mr Barbour also added a few remarks, and expressed the 
wish that Mr Brown and his family would long live to see their 
work come to maturity. 
Mr Brown, in reply, said the visit of the society to Knock- 
brex had been a great source of pleasure to Mrs Brown and 
himself, and it was a pleasure they had greatly looked forward 
to. Anyone of an artistic temperament was always welcome to 
Knockbrex. They valued the kind remarks that had been made, 
