president's addeess. 105 



Clayton, Esq. The next point made for was Crag Lough, and 

 from thence the visitors proceeded along the Roman "Wall to 

 Housesteads (Borcovicus) and to Sewing Shields. The Anchor 

 Inn, at Haydon Bridge, was the termination of the day's excur- 

 sion, where ample justice was done to a good dinner. Two hew 

 members were elected afterwards, and the party returned to 

 Newcastle delighted with the scenery, the weather, and the eru- 

 dition and urbanity of their experienced and kind guide. 



The last Field Meeting of the year was held at Marsden, on 

 October 9, but owing to the prevalence of a cold boisterous wind, 

 and the fall of several heavy showers, the day was by no means 

 agreeable for an exploration amongst the high cliffs of the coast. 

 All things considered, however, the attendance was a very good 

 one, and as the visitors were precluded from enjoying themselves 

 by a vigorous search for specimens, they were compelled to rest 

 contented with friendly and scientific conversation indoors. An 

 excellent tea, served in the well-known hall in the rock, was 

 much relished, the Rev. Gr. Cooper Abbes presiding. A friend 

 who accompanied me, and was compelled, like myself, to leave 

 Marsden soon after four o'clock, in order to get home the same 

 night, and who had been much in the West of England, remarked 

 that he had seen nothing in Devonshire or Cornwall finer than 

 Marsden in the way of rock scenery. Certainly in the early part 

 of the afternoon the rocks showed remarkably well, the peculiar 

 creamy tint of the Magnesian Limestone giving them a rich and 

 most pleasing appearance, making them an excellent subject for 

 an artist. After tea, Mr. E. C. Robson, of Sunderland, exhibited 

 drawings of some ancient British vases, which had been found 

 in the course of excavation at Humbledon Hill. They seemed 

 to be hand-made, dried in the sun, and contained what appeared 

 to be the burnt bones of some human being. They were found 

 near two skeletons of great size, and as specimens of antique 

 pottery were of great interest and value. 



This concluded the Field Meetings of the year, and never 

 having attended any of the meetings, to my shame be it spoken, 



