244 president's address. 



continued to fall, and prevented even the geologists from diverging 

 into Work's burn, we found a convenient refuge in the commo- 

 dious and handsome Town-hall of Wark, lately erected at Mr. 

 Taylor's cost, and fitted also for the purpose of a Mechanics' 

 Institute and Library. After resting here, when some pre- 

 historic spear-heads and axes of bronze were shown, found very 

 recently in the Chipchase Park House quarry, from which was 

 obtained the stone for building the Town-hall itself, we returned 

 to the Station Inn. A few of the braver spirits of the party 

 nearly fulfilled the programme, and, being carefully directed, 

 reached the ancient British camp. The large majority were well 

 content to find themselvess shortly afterwards partaking of the 

 excellent tea provided by Mr. Porter, of the Chipchase Arms Inn, 

 who made every exertion for the comfort of his numerous guests. 

 Ten new members were elected ; after which Dr. Bruce was in- 

 duced to give us some reminiscences connected with the ancient 

 Court Leet and Court Baron of AVark, which he had attended for 

 many years, now a thing of the past, like other peculiar customs 

 and social usages of the Anglo- Scottish Borders. These he culled 

 for our pleasure, who were willing listeners, from his abundant 

 stores of antiquarian and legendary lore. A brief memoir " On 

 the History and Architecture of Chipchase Castle" having been 

 read by the President, which will appear in the " Transactions," 

 the members left "Wark by the 8*15 p.m. train for Newcastle, 

 after, I trust, a not unpleasing or unprofitable afternoon's ex- 

 cursion, despite the unfavourable weather. 



The Fourth Field Meeting took place at Holy Island, on 

 Monday, August 2nd, when about thirty members were present, 

 but the exigencies of home-duties, unfortunately, with the dis- 

 tance to be travelled on a Monday morning, when unaccommo- 

 dating railway junctions intervene, prevented me having the 

 pleasure of joining the party. 



The Central Station was left about six o'clock for Belford, 

 where breakfast, acceptable no doubt after so early a journey, 

 was prepared at the Blue Bell Inn. Through the kindness of 

 the Rev. William Atkinson Clark, his residence, Belford Hall 



