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The beautiful ruins of the cathedral and its precincts naturally 
attracted the greatest attention; while the site of the ancient 
castle of Elgin, of which only a small portion now remains, and 
the handsome monument to the last Duke of Gordon, both 
situated on the rounded crest of the Lady Hill, with the numerous 
quaint old houses, and other objects of antiquarian note, served 
to occupy, in a pleasant and interesting way, the time still at 
the disposal of the company. 
At 7 o'clock, the Annual Dinner of the Society was held. 
For greater convenience the main body dined in the Gordon Arms 
Hotel, and another section in the Palace Hotel. At the former 
Mr John Methven, senior Vice-President of the Society, presided, 
being supported by Lord Provost Law, of Elgin, on his right, 
and Mr Hugh Steuart, Town-Clerk, on his left. At the latter, 
Mr Buchanan, Penicuik, occupied the chair. After dinner, the 
whole company assembled in the Gordon Arms Hotel. 
Apologies for absence were read by the Secretary, from Mr 
Yool, factor to the Duke of Fife, Mr Dewar, wood-manager to 
Lord Lovat, and others. 
The usual loyal and patriotic toasts were duly pledged, Mr 
Steuart replying for the volunteers, and Mr Gossip, Inverness, 
for the navy. 
The CuarrMAN then proposed the health of the Lord Provost, 
Magistrates, and Town Council of the Cathedral city of Elgin. 
They all knew that Elgin was an important market-town as well 
as an educational centre for the north of Scotland, and a favourite 
health resort. Referring to the past, he said, that in the time of 
Edward I., wild boars and other animals of the chase were hunted 
in the primeval forests that then covered the fertile land of this 
district of Moray; but all that was now changed, and Elgin was 
the centre of one of the most important agricultural districts in 
Scotland. He had not himself seen better wheat in any part of 
the Lothians than grew in Morayshire, and they had that day 
seen such grand trees as could not be easily surpassed in any 
part of the kingdom. 
Lord Provost Law, in replying, thanked them all for the cordial 
way in which they had responded to the toast, and he offered the 
Society, in the name of the citizens of Elgin, a hearty welcome 
to the ancient city. He then proposed the toast of the evening, 
“The Royal Scottish Arboricultural Society.” The Society had 
been established about forty years ago with a small beginning 
