

250 PRESIDENT S ADDKE^s. 



Roxburghshire, with Dr. Brace's tale from Procopius, of the 

 swarms of serpents infesting the waste country beyond the Roman 

 wall. For the sculpture represented a winged dragon, with 

 enormous coiled tail, terminated with a minor head, confronting, 

 with 'malice prepense,' a huge ox or other quadruped. I have 

 seen an engraving of a similar relievo.* Of the fine early Norman 

 church of Ay ton one light remains, giving into the present vestry, 

 and is a valuable architectural indication. There is a good plain 

 chancel arch of two orders, also Norman. The one under the 

 porch is interesting, too ; and the corbel tables of the north and 

 south walls, with the masonry of the south wall. Those who 

 know Mr. Atkinson's work on the " Dialect of Cleveland," 

 perhaps the best provincial glossary or word-book yet written, 

 will be glad that his " History of Cleveland" is now in the press, 

 though unfortunately delayed in the publication. 



In the old church-yard of Ayton the parents and relations of 

 Captain Cook are interred, far, indeed, from his own martyr- 

 grave (for to science he was a martyr) in the Polynesian Seas. 

 The Michael Postgate School, where he was educated, still exists 

 in the village, though now disused. Our walk of about ten miles 

 made the excellent dinner provided at the Golden Lion Inn, 

 whence we had set out, to be duly appreciated. The quiet town 

 of Stokesley takes its name, no doubt, like Stockton, its neigh- 

 bour, from the Anglo-Saxon Stoc, a stockaded place, fortified by 

 stakes or palisades. The members found sufficient occupation 

 after dinner in reminiscences of this and other pleasant rambles ; 

 in examining a cream-coloured sparrow shot by Mr. Thomas 

 Thompson at Winlaton in May last, which he had brought with 

 him ; and in discussing our proposed excursion for the following 

 day, when Whitby, rather than Saltburn, was unanimously se- 

 lected. No new member was proposed on this occasion. 



The second day, Thursday, was devoted to the picturesque old 

 sea-port and rising watering-place of Whitby, which we ap- 

 proached by the varied and beautiful scenery of Eskdale. In the 



* Proceedings Soc. Antiq., Scot., vol. VII. See Service's Northumbrian Legends, 

 p. 155, etc. Compare also Transactions T. N. F. Club, II., p 134-5. First Series. Mr. 

 Ingham's Presidential Address. 



