president's address. 101 



will never be at a loss or unamused. Moreover, and this is a 

 legitimate object of ambition, not without its attractions for the 

 young, there is no one of observation who may not expect to add 

 something of value to the sum of human knowledge. The boun- 

 daries of science are now so extended, and still extending, that 

 no man can hope, or even attempt to reach them all, and perhaps 

 we shall never see a modern Pliny ; but there is no one possess- 

 ing habits of observation and perseverance, who, if he chooses 

 for himself some field of congenial study not too widely extended, 

 and examines with patience and in detail the objects before him, 

 letting careful study precede theory, not neglecting what others 

 have made known, but at the same time giving full scope to in- 

 telligent observation — whosoever woos nature in this faithful 

 way will not go unrewarded. He will find out things new, 

 and clear up things before obscure or apprehended imperfectly. 

 Nature is so vast a domain, that there is open to every one a 

 field of independent study, rich in results, and inviting us every- 

 where to enter and enjoy. 



But apologizing for thus perhaps wandering from my subject, 

 I proceed to give some account of the excursions of the Club 

 during the past year, 1873. 



The First Field Meeting was held in May, at Holywell Dene. 

 The day being fine a party, numbering sixty or seventy, met at 

 Backworth, from whence they walked to the dene. The foliage 

 of the trees was a month behind its usual time, and so the as- 

 pect of the scenery was less agreeable than usual. On reaching 

 the Hartley Water Mill the party left the dene and went to Sea- 

 ton Delaval. Mr. Chapman, the steward, here, kindly showed 

 us round the hall, pointed out the various pictures, and described 

 the works of restoration so far as they have gone. 



The old Norman chapel was next visited with its memorial 

 pennons and old armour, and then the members proceeded to 

 Seaton Sluice, which presents rather a desolate appearance since 

 the closing of the bottle works. From Seaton Sluice we went 

 across the Links and over the rocks to St. Mary's Island, where 

 a most bountiful tea was provided by Mr. Ewens. After tea 



