232 FreL_p MEETINGS. 
which suggests that a brass plate had been inserted; but if so, 
the plate has disappeared, and the cross bears no chiselled record 
of its purpose. 
Among several curious stones in the burial ground is one 
with a grotesque piece of sculpture, shewing a lady, like Annie 
Laurie, “jimp aboot the middle,’’ and with the lacing of her 
dress prominently displayed. The gossips have it that it is the 
effigy of a victim of tight lacing; but it does not shew intrinsic 
evidence of being anything but a crude attempt at an ordinary 
piece of sculpture. Below there is a smaller figure suggestive of 
a knight on mail-clad horse. 
The visitors were entertained to tea; and before rising from 
the table Mr Barbour, architect, a vice-president of the society, 
tendered their very cordial thanks to Sir Edward and Lady 
Johnson-Ferguson for the delightful day they had spent at Spring- 
kell. Sir Edward assured the visitors it had been a great pleasure 
to them to welcome the Antiquarian and Natural History Society. 
They undoubtedly had very many beautiful things there, the 
result of the acquisition of a number of generations, and he 
thought half the pleasure of possessing them was to allow their 
friends to see them. 
Mr W. J. Payne, solicitor, Annan, was admitted a new 
member. 
FAIR HELEN OF KIRKCONNEL-LEE. 
‘“‘[T wish 1 were where Helen lies! 
Night and day on me she cries ; 
O that I were where Helen lies, 
On Fair Kirkconnel-lee. 
“‘Curst be the heart that thought the thought, 
And curst the hand that fired the shot, 
When in my arms burd Helen dropt, 
And died to succour me! 
‘©O think ye na my heart was sair 
When my love dropt doun and spak nae mair! 
There did she swoon wi’ meikle care, 
On fair Kirkconnel-lee. 
“As I went doun the water side, 
None but my foe to be my guide, 
None but my foe to be my guide, 
On fair Kirkconnel-lee. 
