238 president's addeess. 



they followed the north bank of the Wansbeck in its bending 

 course. The water channels were flooded by early winter rain 

 from margin to margin, thus making the narrow path so muddy 

 and slippery that it was difficult to walk on it. But we were 

 enlivened by occasional halts to listen to some tradition of the 

 past — about the Chapel of our Lady, or the old folk-lore of the 

 district. The lofty banks, almost hiding the small stream, 

 glowed with the autumnal tints of the overhanging woods. 

 Such few flowers and fungi as remained at this late season were 

 gathered ; but it was lamentable beyond expression to find that 

 no trace could be seen of the beautiful ferns, so ornamental and 

 so graceful, which once adorned this bank of the river. Plants, 

 perhaps a century old, had been ruthlessly torn up from their 

 natural home, to droop and die in a few days in some neighbour- 

 ing town. The most graceful plant found in any abundance was 

 the pendulous rush, still fresh in the sheltered hollows. 



At the Mill the party was met by T. Sample, Esq., and con- 

 ducted to the Castle, arriving there just in time to obtain welcome 

 shelter from a heavy shower. They were kindly shown over 

 the restored and delightfully situated building, in olden times 

 a feudal home and stronghold, and until within a few years a 

 romantic weather-worn ruin, in which state it was seen when 

 our Club first visited it. The walls of the old castle are of im- 

 mense thickness. Their original proportions are retained, subject 

 to modern convenience and comfort. 



Sheltered and refreshed by the kind hospitality of Mr. Sample, 

 the party sallied out to see the spacious gardens, laid out on the 

 large haugh near to the Castle. Here were strange plants from 

 various remote parts of the world, growing in great luxuriance, 

 in an isolated and sheltered corner, surrounded by the water and 

 the wooded heights of the Wansbeck. Many of th-ese plants 

 were rare, quaint, and, for garden flowers, of gigantic size. All 

 of them seemed thriving and healthy. For admission to the 

 gardens the party was indebted to the Hon. and Eev. W. C. Ellis, 

 vicar of Sheepwash. 



A short visit was made to the Church adjoining the Castle, 

 and then, led by Mr. Arkle, a short cut was taken to Morpeth. 



