44 Anniversary Address. 



described as possessing considerable interest. They informed 

 us that Cromwell encamped there and halted some days, 

 during which his soldiers, who had no love for the Presby- 

 terians, did great damage, destroying the building and carry- 

 ing off the church-bell to Stan wick, in Cumberland. This 

 tradition is confirmed by the following extract from the 

 kirk-session records given in the Old Statistical account of the 

 parish : — 



" 17th January, 1649. The English army commanded by 

 Colonels Bright and Pride, and under the conduct of General 

 Cromwell, on their return to England, did lie at the kirk of 

 Castletoun several nights, in Avhich time they brak down and 

 burnt the communion tables and the seats of the kirk ; and 

 at their removing, carried away the minister's books, to the 

 value of 1000 merks, and above, and also the books of session, 

 with which they lighted their tobacco-pipes, the baptism, 

 marriage, and examination rolls, from October, 1612, to 

 September, 1648, all which were lost and destroyed."* 



Notwithstanding the many defections caused by the in- 

 exorable railway trains, a large party sat down to dinner, the 

 President and Sir William Jardine occupying either end of 

 the table. After dinner an interesting conversation took 

 place with reference to the early history of the club, of which 

 Sir William is one of the earliest members. He stated that he 

 expected to find Dr. Baird at his house on his return, and 

 all regretted that he had not come in time to attend this 

 meeting of the club, of which he and Mr. Embleton are now 

 the oldest surviving members. 



Our last meeting at Longhoughton, on Thursday the 26th 

 August, was extremely interesting. The day was beautiful, 

 the attendance large, and everything combined to render the 

 occasion one of the most successful of the season. Pursuant 

 to the invitation of the Rev. R. W. Bosanquet, the members 

 assembled at the ancient manor house of Rock hall, where 

 they partook of an excellent breakfast, after which they 



• Vol. XVI., 68. 



