1904-1905.] ^73 



FAIR HEAD. 



Honour to a Member. 



The third excursion of the Summer Session took place 

 on Saturday, 2nd July, the place selected for visitation being 

 the majestic headland of north-east Antrim known as Benmore, 

 or Fair Head. As early as half -past s^even o'clock the Secretary 

 was on duty at the rendezvous — the drinking fountain, 

 Northern Counties Railway Terminus — and from this hour 

 till 7-58 had a busy time in booking places for the procession 

 of members and visitors who had decided on taking part in 

 the day's proceedings. As usual, the courteous officials of 

 the Northern Counties Railway Company — now Midland 

 Railway — had reserved plenty of carriage accommodation, 

 and, prompt to time at eight o'clock, the train steamed out of 

 the station on its northward journey; Just now the country 

 was looking particularly well, and after the rain of the pre- 

 vious day the emerald hues, for which our island is celebrated 

 in song and story, were seen at their best, while the luxuriance 

 of the growing crops held out the pleasing prospect of an 

 abundant harvest. The various places of interest en route 

 were well known to the majority of the party, but some were 

 there to whom this part of the country was seen for the first 

 time, and the time passed quickly as the strangers" attention 

 was directed to one and another spot of scientific note, or by 

 reminiscence among the habitues of past scenes of exploration 

 and discovery. After passing Antrim, one of our members, 

 an Englishman, saw for the first time a " turf bog," in which 

 many were actively engaged in the work of jireparing their 

 stock of fuel for the winter. At Ballymoney the change to 

 the narrow gauge railway was promptly effected, carriages on 

 the Ballycastle line being reserved for the party, and shortly 

 after due time we glided down the glen under the slopes of 

 Knocklayd into Ballycastle Station. Here we were met by our 

 President and Mrs. Fennel! and by some members who were 

 stopping in Ballycastle, and on counting it was ascertained 

 that our party comprised no fewer than ninety-eight. At 



