14 



PRESIDENT S ADDRESS. 



village and accepting such a luncheon as the Inn (which was by 

 no means provisioned for a siege) could furnish, the walk lay by 

 field and high road past the Eoman Catholic College, and through 

 the straggling village of Ampleforth, to Byland Abbey, a ruin 

 scarcely less old, and not a whit less interesting than Bievaulx, 

 but without the same charm of situation, and, unfortunately, not 

 nearly so well preserved. It stands on a stretch of flat, open 

 ground, sheltered by the Hambleton Hills, and is not, from any 

 point, a prominent feature in the landscape. This is perhaps 

 due to the fact that nothing is left of the higher portion of the 

 building. The Abbey is of unusual length (three hundred and 

 twenty-eight feet), and has a great square-ended chancel; the 

 admixture of styles, Norman and early English, here a circular 

 arch, there a pointed window, is very striking and interesting. 

 Thence 'tis but a short walk to Coxwold, when the hard fare of 

 the morning was forgotten in the good cheer of the Eauconberg 

 Arms. A pilgrimage to the Church to see the fine old monu- 

 ments to the Earls of Eauconberg, and thence, as was natural, 

 to Shandy Hall, once the dwelling of the village parson, the 

 Kev. Laurence Sterne, and still a pretty spot though tenemented 

 as cottages — a fitting conclusion perhaps to the whole. Joining 

 the train at Coxwold the party turned homewards, with the in- 

 ward satisfaction the retrospect of a couple of well-spent days 

 affords. 



The middle of September in the north country is too late to 

 count upon much success in the search for botanical treasure, 

 and beyond those found at Gormire on the first day, but few 

 plants were met with not common in our more immediate dis- 

 trict. It was a matter of regret that, when so near as Helmsley, 

 the party were unable, from want of time, to visit Kirkdale 

 Cavern, classic ground to the geologist from its association with 

 the early researches of Dean Buckland. 



The Sixth Eield Meeting was held (or rather, I should per- 

 haps say, was not held,) at Marsden on the 11th of October. 

 Notwithstanding an abnormally rainy season, the pleasure of the 

 excursions had scarcely ever been marred by rain hitherto, but 



