23 
One of the largest clumps contained about fifty clean-stemmed 
holly trees, within a space of less than 50 yards in diameter. 
With the rain rather increasing than abating, the party now 
proceeded at a sharp pace towards the castle, where they found 
excellent shelter in the long roomy colonnade fronting the flower- 
gardens. Here were displayed for their inspection a number of 
interesting articles and timber specimens, which were leisurely 
examined. The specimen which attracted the greatest attention 
from every member of the party, was an immense slab, nearly 
6 feet broad, of Scots pine, on which was fixed a brass plate with 
the following most interesting inscription :— 
“Tn the year 1783, William Osbourne, Esquire, Merchant of 
Hull, purchased of the Duke of Gordon, the Forest of Glenmore, 
the whole of which he cut down in the space of twenty-two years, 
and built during that time at the mouth of the River Spey, where 
never vessel was built before, forty-seven sail of ships of upwards 
19,000 tons burthen. The largest of them, of 1050 tons, and 
three others, but little inferior in size, are now in the service of 
His Majesty, and the Honble. East India Company. This 
undertaking was completed at the expense (for labour only) of 
above £70,000. To His Grace the Duke of Gordon, this plank 
is offered as a specimen of the growth of one of the trees in the 
above forest, by His Grace’s obedient servant, Wm. Osbourne, 
Hull, Sept. 26th, 1806.” 
Jt being now past mid-day, the whole party were entertained 
to a substantial luncheon by His Grace the Duke of Richmond 
and Gordon, in one of the roomy conservatories at the castle. 
His Grace’s commissioner, Mr Wedderspoon, presided, and Mr 
Aitken, factor on the estate, occupied the croupier’s chair. 
After the loyal and patriotic toasts were proposed by the CHarr- 
MAN and duly responded to; Mr Metuven proposed the toast of His 
Grace the Duke of Richmond and Gordon, referring in eulogistic 
terms to his kindness and courtesy in giving them permission to 
inspect the splendid woods and policies of Gordon Castle, which 
they had all so greatly enjoyed, and of which they would see much 
more before their visit was over. He desired to convey, through 
Mr Wedderspoon, their most grateful thanks to His Grace for the 
instruction and pleasure they had all derived from their inspec- 
tion that day of the grand woods and policies around Gordon 
Castle. He could see no necessity for what he believed to be the 
erroneous policy of sending students of forestry from this country 
H 
