Field Meetings. 22.7 



British grave in a coppice near the village of Irvingtown. A 

 circular stone cairn, from 35 to 40 feet in diameter, has been 

 raised over the grave, and from this circumstance we may con- 

 clude that it enclosed the remains of a chief or other person of 

 consequence ; but the stones have been in great part removed, 

 and the flat stones forming the sides of grave, in the centre of 

 •the pile, are seen in position. They have probably, however, 

 been pressed together and some removed, so that no exact 

 measurements are obtainable, and auj' bones or other remains 

 which the tomb may have contained have disappeared. 



Resuming the drive, and passing the busy Cove Quarries, the 

 party next halted near the old tower of Woodhouse, where they 

 were met by Colonel Irving of Bonshaw, who was for the after- 

 noon their guide, philosopher, and host. The laird of Bonshaw is 

 a stalwart borderer, with all the old border fire, and a passion for 

 the border land and the clan, who took part in the Abyssinian 

 expedition under Lord Napier of Magdala, and closed an active 

 military career as Colonel of the Manchester Regiment. 



Merkland Cross was visited on the way to Bonshaw. This 

 is a sandstone shaft, with circular floriated top formed of three 

 fleurs-de-lys, the total height, exclusive of the base, being 9 feet 

 9 in. It stands a little off the public road, in a field on the 

 Woodhouse property and adjoining the hamlet of Merkland. It 

 is believed to mark the spot where John, Master of Maxwell, was 

 killed in 1484. 



Bonshaw Tower was the final stage of the outward journey, 

 and here a most hospitable welcome was extended to the visitors 

 by Colonel and Mrs Irving and their family. The old tower is in 

 excellent preservation, and owes much to the protecting hand, 

 intellig-ently directed, of the present proprietor. In close proximity 

 to it is the mansion-house, erected, as a date stone over its south 

 entrance indicates, in 1770. That stone also bears the initials of 

 William Irving, the owner of the period, and his wife, Janet 

 Douglas, a daughter of the Marquis of Queensberry. Colonel 

 Irving has closed this door and connected the tower and mansion 

 by a covered hall, giving access to both, and the tower is in 

 regular occupation. Over its doorway is the pious inscription in 

 antique lettering : " Soli Deo honor et gloria." (Honour and 

 glory to God only.) Set into the roof of its small square porch is 

 a stone having engraved on it the sacred monogram in Hebrew 



