Meetings of Berwickshire Naturalists' Club, by J. Hardy. 427 



Ashiesteel in 1804, and removed to Abbotsford towards the end of 

 May, 1812. Some of the Introductions to Marmion are the re- 

 flex of the impressions made by the Forest scenery on his imagina- 

 tion. A modern fishing-lodge called " The Robin's Nest" stands 

 on the bank-head opposite. It is tenanted by the " Edinburgh 

 Fishing Club." 



The company then went to the family burying-place, a square 

 enclosure in the wood, surrounded by stone walls mantled with 

 ivy. On slabs inserted in one of the walls, are inscriptions, con- 

 taining a compendium of the family history of the Eussells of 

 Ashiesteel, who after selling a property in Linlithgowshire, ac- 

 quired this estate in 1712, from Baillie of Collin. 



Lastly, the flower-garden was all too hastily gone through. 

 Its external appearance, Miss Russell states, is almost substan- 

 tially as it was in Lady Scott's time. It contains many of those 

 old-fashioned border perennials, that threaten to become as rare, 

 in the present rage for shewy colours, as those wild plants, we 

 take such infinite pains to search out among the inaccessible 

 wilds of nature. 



After a prolonged stay at Ashiesteel, the vehicles being called 

 into requisition, rapidly took the road downwards by Tweedside. 

 The Caddon burn was in flood, and its clay-stained waters were 

 observed to keep a separate side from those of Tweed, even below 

 Yair bridge. At Caddon-foot is a new church and manse placed 

 on a whinny knoll ; and a new school at the wild water foot. 

 This school represents a previous educational resort, built 

 between 40 and 50 years ago. There was one of an earlier 

 date at Caddonlee, where Dr Leyden, the orientalist and 

 poet, at the end of his second session at Edinburgh College 

 (1791-2) acted as assistant. (His recent biography says 

 this was at Clovenfords). When there he was as usual ever 

 keenly eager in pursuit of knowledge. To rouse himself 

 at three o'clock in the morning for study, when here, 

 he invented a sort of clock-work, by which at this hour of 

 summer prime, a cup of water was tilted on to his face. Mr 

 Smail makes me aware of this incident, which was told to him by 

 the late venerable Dr Riddell of Earlstoun. Dr John Lee, 

 Principal of the University of Edinburgh, a man of great ability, 

 versatile talent, and extensive learning, was, as we learn from 

 Mr Riddell-Carre's "Border Memories," educated at Caddon-lee 



