tells of a Sir Robert Ogle of the 14th century, but this seems 

 the only evidence beyond the Castle walls that the keep and its 

 precincts were once the stronghold of a powerful family. 



Meanwhile heavy rain had given place to bright sunshine, and 

 the walk was continued through the woods skirting the "Wans- 

 beck to Morpeth — a delightful ramble, but rendered somewhat ar- 

 duous by the wet and slippery paths. The woods were brilliant 

 with spring flowers ; and even in the absence of rarities dear to 

 the botanist, it was no small enjoyment to be once again amongst 

 hyacinths and primroses, woodruff and forget-me-not, lychnis and 

 water avens, Adoxa, Pyrola, and Alchemilla, oak fern, beech 

 fern, and harts-tongue, all shaded by fresh spring foliage picked 

 out with white sprays of the bird-cherry. 



Arrived at Morpeth the wanderers soon forgot how tired they 

 were in sight of the liberal provision awaiting them at the Black 

 Bull. The company assembled at the tea-table numbered about 

 seventy. The only business transacted after tea was the election 

 of a dozen new members. The party subsequently sauntered 

 leisurely to the station, and by the evening train returned to 

 Newcastle. 



Second Field Meeting. — We met again on the 20th June, 

 this time for a sea-shore ramble. Prom Christon Bank Station 

 (a two hours tedious railway ride from Newcastle,) as a starting- 

 point, a party consisting of about thirty members strolled through 

 the fields to Embleton, thence along the links to Dunstanborough 

 Castle and so by Craster to Longhoughton. The village of Emble- 

 ton has little to detain the tourist. The church with its grey 

 embattled tower, and the fine old fortified vicarage (one of the 

 original three), * well rewarded the visit paid to them in passing. 

 The birth-place of Duns Scotus, too, which lay on the route 

 southwards, would doubtless have had its interest had there been 

 anyone to point out to which particular house the honour per- 

 tained of having provided a worthy opponent to Thomas Aquinas. 

 It was a splendid day. The grassy links south of Embleton, 

 covered with Geranium sanguineum in full bloom, were gay and 



* The other two Northumbrian fortified vicarages being Whitton and Elsdon. 





