HY THE EEV. CANON TKISTKAM. 23 



the Tyne to the Coquet, and this flat country is intersected by 

 only a few deep cuttings, forming the valleys of the Blyth and 

 "Wansbeck, and varied by a few long ridges, such as the one on 

 which the village or town of Bedlington stands. Everywhere 

 covered with a thick coating of drift-clay, producing a very 

 scant vegetation, the general barrenness of the district is visible 

 on all sides, and it is only in a few sheltered situations, by the 

 sides of the larger valleys, that a more luxuriant growth can be 

 attained. The valley of the river Blyth and its drainage basin 

 is one of these favoured spots, and it was to enjoy its scenery 

 and early spring vegetation that our excursion to this place was 

 fixed upon. 



The village of Bedlington appears at a short distance off to 

 stand on a hill, and it is really situated on one of those long, 

 low, sandstone ridges which are seen here and there in this part 

 of the county. The origin of these sandstone ridges is perhaps 

 due to the former glaciation of the Coal-measure surface by the 

 ice-sheet during the glacial period — the softer beds having been 

 ground down and denuded off, and only the hard sandstone 

 ridges cropping out to the west being left. 



On arriving at the village, after a walk of two miles from the 

 railway station, a short visit was made to the Church, when our 

 Chairman informed us that the Eev. Canon Whitley had ex- 

 pressed to him his regrets that several engagements that after- 

 noon prevented him from shewing the members of the Club the 

 attentions he would have wished on their visit to Bedlington. 

 After making arrangements for tea in the village the party 

 proceeded by the shortest route to Hartford Bridge. Here they 

 were hospitably entertained by Mr. Shorthose, and accompanied 

 through his beautiful grounds and also through those of Hartford 

 Hall. On account of the recent heavy rains the roads by the 

 side of the river were found to be impracticable, and almost 

 impassable for the generality of the members. Only one adven- 

 turous explorer ventured back by the river side, the rest of the 

 party returned by the regular roads. All the early spring 

 flowers were in full bloom, of such kinds as are common in all 

 damp woods in the early spring time in this district. 



