president's address. 501 



that in truth we were but visiting two parts of the same estate. 

 The tithes of Woodhorn noiv form part of the princely revenues 

 of the Mercers Company of London, and of the endowment of 

 the church at Hampstead. 



Leaving Newcastle by the Blyth and Tyne Railway we were 

 met, on our arrival at North Seaton Station, by the Rev. E. N. 

 Mangin, the Rector of Woodhorn, and proceeded forthwith, 

 some on foot and some in carriages, to inspect the ancient and 

 remarkable church at Woodhorn. The manor, after it had 

 passed out of the hands of the Baliols, became successively the 

 property of the De Valences, Dentons, Widdringtons, and the 

 last Earl of Derwentwater. It now belongs to Major Waddi- 

 love, of Brunton, near Hexham. While we were engaged in 

 examining the details of the old Norman architecture yet to be 

 found in the church, a small silver drinking cup was handed 

 round to the visitors which bore its silent testimony to the story 

 of days long gone by, and of persecutions which drove so many 

 of the best and cleverest subjects of the monarchy of France 

 from their homes and their country for ever. The cup had been 

 used by a martyred ancestor of the rector's. In 1546 Stephen 

 Mangin was condemned to be burnt as a heretic at Meaux near 

 Paris. While tied to the stake he asked for a cup of water in 

 which he might drink to the success of the holy cause for which 

 he was suffering. It was supplied in the cup shown to the 

 members of the Club, which has always been most carefully 

 cherished as a family relic of the greatest value. 



Our party next moved across the fields in the direction of 

 Cresswell. They were met shortly before entering the grounds 

 by the Rev. J. E. Leefe, the Vicar of Cresswell, who most kindly 

 acted as guide. We spent a very happy time in inspecting the 

 large and varied collections contained in the museum at Cress- 

 well, and in seeing over the house. The members were most 

 hospitably entertained at luncheon by Mr. Baker Cresswell. 

 We next wandered through the gardens and grounds, admiring 

 not a little the magnificent evergreen shi'ubs which form their 

 most striking feature. Many were also greatly interested by 

 the very fine collection of British and other ferns, for which the 



