10 - PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS. 
stock, in 1751, at a meeting (convivial) in the town, suggested the establish- 
ment of an Infirmary. 
St. Mary's Well.—Many marvellous cures performed; it is still said 
that no reptile can live in it. 
Longevity at Newbrough.—Alice Wilson, aged 111, April, 1763, 
Jane Hogarth, aged 106, April, 1765. 
He also observed, that “it would be a good thing if any one 
living in the district which we visit, would draw up for the 
meeting an account of remarkable places, legends, quaint stories, 
people, ruins, churches, &c., belonging to the spot; we might by 
this means rescue many an old history worth preserving from 
oblivion.” 
The Rev. W. T. Shields related that he had noticed on the high 
road, near Lanchester, several small birds, evidently killed by the 
hailstones of the severe storms that had recently occurred; and 
after the events of the day had been discussed, a vote of thanks 
enthusiastically carried to those who had so hospitably entertained 
the party during the day, and nine gentlemen elected members 
of the Club, the meeting broke up, and a somewhat hurried walk 
to the Fourstones Station, enabled the members to return by the 
evening train to Newcastle. One of the most gratifying circum- 
stances attending this meeting, was to notice the number of youths 
who zealously took part in the various proceedings of the day, prov- 
ing that the study of nature, out of doors,so peculiarly fitted for the 
young, was making great progress in the district, and promising 
a band of recruits to maintain the effective force of the Club in — 
future years. 
‘The Firta Fiery Meetine was held on Wednesday, the 22nd of 
August, on the banks of the Wear, in the vicinity of Brancepeth. 
I was unable to be present, and have to depend chiefly on the 
notes of our worthy Secretary, for an account of the meeting, at 
which thirteen members were present. The day was most 
unfavourable, and the wanderings of the party carried on under 
umbrellas in a heavy continuous rain. They quitted the rail- 
way at the Willington Station, and following the course of the 
Wear, proceeded as far as Sunderland Bridge, retracing their 
steps to Brancepeth. Mr. Perkins collected a few insects, of which 
