204 FirLtD MEETINGS. 
there is quite a small area under glass. It is, however, well 
laid out, though from a utilitarian point of view, the flower dis- 
play not being specially prominent. 
The connection of the Johnstone family with the lands of 
Raehills commences so early as the reign of King David the 
Bruce, from whom a member of the family whose history has not 
been traced obtained a charter of certain lands in the barony of 
Kirkmichael. But these lands passed out of his hands in the 
beginning of the following century, and though they reverted to 
a branch of the family for the few years between 1605 and 
1612, it was not till 1659 that they resumed undisturbed posses- 
sion. The owner at this time was the second Earl of Hartfell,. 
afterwards created first Earl of Annandale, who married Lady 
Henrietta Douglas. His son, William, who was a famous 
statesman, is described as the greatest of all the long line of his. 
family. He lived in the reign of six sovereigns, and played 
various parts, taking a hand in the Revolution of 1688, though 
he was afterwards restored to royal favour and was created 
Marquis of Annandale in 1701. He was succeeded by two of 
his sons, neither of whom had issue—so that the marquisate 
became dormant in 1792—and one of his daughters married 
the Earl of Hopetoun, who adopted Raehills as his principal 
Annandale residence. Their great-grand-daughter, Anne, mar- 
ried Sir William Johnstone Hope, who served with distinction in 
the time of Nelson, being attached to the Bellerophon. A pic- 
ture of the Admiral and Lady Anne and their family occupies 
a prominent position in the dining-room at Raehills, and there 
is a half-length portrait of the Admiral in the Court-house, 
Dumfries. Their eldest son, Mr John James Hope-Johnstone, 
was for long convener of the county, and there is a full-length 
portrait of him in the Court-house. In 1825 he claimed the title 
of Earl of Annandale, but this was repelled by the House of 
Lords, who again in 1879 adhered to their resolution. His 
grandson, Mr John James Hope-Johnstone of Annandale, who 
was M.P. for the county in 1874-1880, is the present laird of 
Raehills. It may be mentioned that the famous Ben Jonson 
was really not a Jonson, but a Johnstone, a descendant of the 
Annandale Johnstones. 
Before leaving, Mr James Barbour, architect, Dumfries, 
in a few appropriate words voiced the visitors’ appreciation of 
