128 Mr. A. JeiFiey on Ancrmn. 



imperfect sketch or contribution towards the elucidation of a 

 subject which is now attracting much interest amongst men 

 of science. For a young and active enthusiast in the 

 matter, I could not imagine a higher pleasure than a whole 

 summer's devotion to the study of the Berwickshire Kaims. 

 With map and level in hand, pure air, simple and wholesome 

 fare, and plenty of good sound physical exertion, he would 

 soon get enamoured of his subject. The scenery around him, 

 would, especially in the lengthening shadows of a fine summer 

 evening, present features, which, besides being in themselves 

 ^' things of beauty " would possess in his eyes a deeper and 

 more intellectual charm. He would observe with delight the 

 terraces eroded so long ago by the ocean upon what are now 

 hill sides, waving with grain or shewing the green and purple 

 tints of grass and heather — these erosions marking the stages 

 at which the land had rested awhile in the course of its long 

 continued upward progress. He would also notice the effect 

 of the ancient waters in rounding off all surface angularities 

 and in excavating the existing water courses, and would 

 retire imbued with the deep and solemn feeling of grandeur, 

 order, and beauty, which a new insight into any of the physical 

 operations of the great and adorable Creator never fails to 

 produce. 



Ancrufn, in Roxhurghsliire. — By Alexander Jeffrey, 

 F.A.S., Scotland. 



Ancrum occupies a lovely situation on the river Alne. The 

 name has no doubt been conferred by the British people, and 

 is descriptive of its site on one of the crumbs or bends of the 

 stream. The course of the river for many miles from where 

 it joins the Teviot, is remarkable for numerous bends or 

 curves. The Church and Town existed at a very early 

 period. In the Inquisitio Davidis, in 1116, the church 

 appears as belonging to the Bishop of Glasgow ; Alnecrumba 

 Trevieronum."^ * The lands were at an early period erected 

 into a regality, which James IV. confirmed in 1490. The 

 teriitory remained with the Bishops of Glasgow till the Refor- 

 mation. It is now in the hands of the Duke of Roxburghe. 

 The Bishops of Glasgow had a palace here which in modern 

 times has been popularly called the Malton Walls, mistakingly 

 supposed to have been the property of the Knights of St. 



* InquisJtionis Davidis, 1116. Registrum Glas., vol. i., p. 7. 



