Transactions. 37 



2\st June, 1884. 

 Dr Gilchrist presiding. Fifty members present. 



A Special Meeting of the Society was held on this date at Two 

 P.M., in Lincluden Abbey, to afford the members an opportunity 

 of seeing the different parts of the ruin which had been uncovered 

 by the recent excavations carried on by Captain Maxwell. 

 Messrs Barbour and M 'Do wall were present, and pointed out the 

 different points of interest in the building, and gave a short 

 account of its history. (For detailed description see the Proceed- 

 ings for 1st February, 1884, and 7th March, 1884.) 



In the earlier part of this month (June) extensive alterations 

 having been made on Mr Muirhead's property at the foot of 

 Friars' Vennel, the Committee visited the site on the 7th and 

 12th, with the view of examining some objects of antiquity laid 

 bare by the excavations, and, if considered desirable, to carry the 

 exploitations further at the Society's expense. Mr Barbour was 

 requested to watch the operations, and to collect sufficient data, 

 if possible, to finally settle the disputed question concerning the 

 number of arches which the Old Bridge originally had, and to 

 report at a future meeting. 



The following communication on the subject was read at this 

 meeting : — 



The Dimensions of the Old Bridge of Dumfries. 

 By Mr J. Barbour. 



Following out the wishes of the Committee of tliis Society, I 

 beg to make a short statement in reference to certain masonry 

 found in the course of excavations at Mr Muirliead's property. 

 Bridge Street. The old buildings on the south side of 

 the narrow street, which extends between Bridge Street and 

 Brewery Street, at a point exactly opposite the Old Bridge, were 

 demolished to make way for improvements when in tlie course of 

 excavating the foundations, the juasonry referred to was brought 

 to light. The Committee of the Society resolved upon an investiga. 

 tion, and with permission of the proprietor of the building site, 

 and of the Town Council, they continued tlie excavations to the 

 extent considered necessary. 



The work, when cleared, was carefully examined, and I have, 

 as desired, taken measurements of it and prepared drawings, 

 which I exhibit. 



