8 PRESIDENT* S ADDRESS. 



variety of Ajug a reptans; also, Polypodium vulgar e, P.phegopteris, 

 and P. dryojpteris. 



But although the district traversed presents little that is re- 

 markable in fauna or flora, it is scarcely to he surpassed, even in 

 the border country, in richness of historic and legendary associa- 

 tion. The annals of Thirlwall Castle go back to 1306, when 

 Edward I. made it a resting place for a night, and thenceforward 

 its story is connected with the vicissitudes of the Blenkinsopps. 

 Blenkinsopp Castle, built in 1339, the ancient residence of the 

 family (now represented by the Coulsons), with its traditions of 

 Bryan Blenkenshope and the "White Lady, had even in 1542 fal- 

 len into decay, and was before that time deserted for the neigh- 

 bouring family fortress Bellister Castle. Featherstone Castle, 

 probably dating back further than any of them, was the strong- 

 hold of the Featherstonehaughs, and thereby connected with the 

 Royalist cause in the wars of the Commonwealth. " Mumps 

 Ha'," too, is on the route; and are not the meeting of Dandy 

 Dinmont and Meg Merrilies, and the story of Ellangowan's death, 

 as good as much that is called history ? And just beyond Fea- 

 therstone is the spot where that murder took place in 1530, so 

 quaintly told in Surtees's famous ballad — 



"Hoot awa', lads, hoot awa 1 , 

 Ha' ye heard how the Ridleys and Thirlwalls and a', 

 Ha' set upon Albany Featherstonhaugh, 

 And taken his life at the Deadman's shaw ? 

 There's was Willimoteswick, 

 And Hardriding Dick, 

 And Hughie of Hawden and Will o' the Wa', 



I canno' tell a', I canno' tell a', 

 And mony a mair that the deil may knaw." 

 and so forth through half a dozen stanzas. 



Then, oldest of all, and far the most interesting, the Roman 

 "Wall, one point of which was visited by a few energetic mem- 

 bers early on in the day, and whose course was traceable for 

 miles from several places on our route. Surely I have not over- 

 estimated the antiquarian wealth of the district. 



Seventy - three members sat down to dinner, which was 

 provided at the Sun Inn, at Haltwhistlc. Afterwards Mi\ 



