I'Proc. B.N.F.a, 



proceebinos. 



SUIVIIVIER SESSION. 



HILLSBOROUGH. 



(Half-day Excursion.) 



The first excursion of the Summer Session took place on 

 the 21st May, when a very large party of members and friends 

 assembled at the Great Northern Railway Terminus and took 

 seats in the carriages reserved for their accommodation by Mr. 

 C. Wallace, the courteous superintendent of the Northern 

 portion of the line. The clouds looked threatening, but the 

 faith of the members in the proverbial " Field Club weather " 

 was strong, and, although the afternoon did not prove sun- 

 shiny, the rain held off, and umbrellas and waterproofs proved 

 de trop. On arrival at Hillsborough Station, the company 

 was augmented by some local members and by several who 

 had preferred cycling from Belfast, when it was evident that 

 this excursion had created a record in point of numbers, there 

 being upwards of one hundred and sixty-seven present. 



By kind permission of Mr. Anthony F, Maude, agent to 

 the Marquis of Downshire, admittance to the demesne had 

 been accorded, and, escorted by Mr. Bradshaw and the Hono- 

 rary Secretary, Mr. Nevin H. Foster, the members proceeded 

 to explore the manifold beauties this place affords. To 

 those who, as a rule, only view bricks and mortar and the 

 stunted vegetation of a city, this charming spot proved a 

 delightful variety; the fresh green of the trees just bursting 

 into leaf, the masses of blue hyacinths, purple orchis, wood 

 anemones, and wood sorrel, with many other kinds of wild 



