492 president's address. 



The First Field Meeting of the season was as usual in the 

 " merry month of May." The day, though not one of the very 

 brightest, was still pleasant, and one which seemed to make one 

 re-echo the poet's words : — 



" When the hour of meeting's nigh, 

 And thy heart is beating high, 



Come to the woods, lad. 

 And if the boughs are ringing, 

 With all their minstrels singing, 



Do thou, too, rejoice, 



And utter a voice 

 More glad." 



A very fair number of members met at the Central Station and 

 proceeded by the recently opened Team Valley line to Lamesley. 

 After inspecting the village Church, we proceeded on to the en- 

 trance of the grounds belonging to Beamish Hall, where we were 

 most courteously received by N. Clark, Esq., who acted for John 

 Eden, Esq., the owner. After a very pleasing ramble through 

 the gardens, park, and woods, in which many objects of interest 

 were met with in the course of our progress, we sat down to a 

 well-provided dinner at the " Shepherds' Inn," and returned to 

 Newcastle in good time, well pleased and satisfied with our day's 

 proceedings. 



The 17th of June, the day fixed for the Second Field Meet- 

 ing, broke with many threatening clouds, and the heavy drops 

 of rain which fell from time to time made it seem likely that a 

 thoroughly wet day would mar the pleasure of the excursion to 

 those brave and hopeful spirits who might venture to start for 

 Stmvarcl Peel. But instead of a small gathering, as some an- 

 ticipated, a most agreeable surprise awaited us on our arrival 

 at the Central Station and our party, gathering strength as it 

 went, numbered about sixty members when we reached Hexham. 

 The opening of the Hexham and Allendale Eailway has rendered 

 this place — one of the most beautiful parts of the North of Eng- 

 land — comparatively easy of access. A more charming country 

 can scarcely be found in England — certainly not within the limits 



