318 Field Meetings. 



caria was also pointed out. It is seventy-six years old, and 

 one of the first to be brought to this country. Where the lower 

 branches had begun to decay they were lopped off, and that 

 part of the tree has sent out a vigorous new growth. Two 

 upright stones in another part of the grounds claimed some 

 attention. These bore certain markings, the indentations 

 including the cross and other faint symbols of sculpture which 

 seemed to favour the theory that they had at one time served 

 as tombstones. Mr Alex. Bryson, Dumfries (who was one ot 

 the party, and who knows the district well), stated that the 

 stones had been carted from High Auchinlarie Farm at the 

 instance of the late Sir William Maxwell, some ntty or sixty 

 years ago. Close by were seen other two stones, one almost 

 square and the other pear shaped, which bear very perfect 

 examples of the mysterious cup and ring-markings, regarding 

 which the archfeologists and antiquaries in different parts of 

 the country have made repeated attempts to account for. 



Entering the mansion-house, the walls of tlie hall were 

 found to be hung with several interesting portraits. Chief 

 among these were portraits of Colonel William Maxwell and 

 his wife, Nicolas Stewart, who have already been referred to. 

 Colonel Stewart had a varied and romantic career. He took 

 part in the stirring events of "the kiUing time," was a friend 

 of the Earl of Argyle, and was with that nobleman at his 

 execution. Colonel Maxwell went to Holland, where he 

 became a favourite officer of the Prince of Orange. He 

 returned to England with the Prince, and was given command 

 of a regiment. He went to Ireland, and took part in "the 

 Battle of the Boyne and other engagements. The Prince, 

 afterwards King William III., showed his appreciation of the 

 Colonel's devotion to his cause by presenting him with a gold 

 ring, which was shown to the party. The ring, which rather 

 resembles a small brooch, and was originally worn with a ribbon 

 circlet for the finger, has a design of the Crown and crossed 

 swords and monogram worked in gold thread together with 

 some of the Prince's hair. On the back the date of the giver's 

 death is engraven, "Obit. 2 Mar. 1702; Aet. 51." The case 

 m which this interesting relic reposes also contains the wedding 

 ring given by Colonel William Maxwell to his bride, Nicolas 



