—— 
el es 
Bird 
Transactions. at 
21st June, 1884. 
Dr Gixucurist 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‘Dowall 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 lst 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 
explorations 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 
ineeting :— 
The Dimensions of the Old Bridge of Dumfries. 
By Mr J. Barpour. 
Following out the wishes of the Committee of this Society, I 
beg to make a short statement in reference to certain masonry 
found in the course of excavations at Mr Muirhead’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 the course of 
excavating the foundations, the masonry 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 the 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. 
