372 Anniversary Address. 



this had been done in every parish in Scotland. Since then 

 I have examined this work called the " Statistical Account 

 of Scotland ;" but this partakes more of the character of a 

 gazetteer than what I think would be required for our Club. 

 These accounts vary very much, some are very elaborate, 

 being divided into five sections, embracing the Topographi- 

 cal appearance of the parish, all branches of Natural History, 

 its Civil History, its Population, including the character of 

 the people, then the Industry, Agricultural and Rural 

 Economy, and lastly the Parochial Economy. In Northum- 

 berland we have three very imperfect histories of the County, 

 and the last and fourth history is a mere fragment, very 

 excellent as far as it goes. Now if some one in each parish 

 would endeavour to draw up its history, part of which 

 would be most suitable for our transactions ; one person 

 might be found to take charge of the geology, another of 

 the natural history including all branches, recording what 

 birds have been shot, what plants and reptiles and animals 

 and insects have been seen ; some one else might take charge 

 of the names of places, and fields and springs, trying to 

 give the derivation of the words, which is a most fascinating 

 study. Ancient buildings, such as Churches, Peel houses, 

 and British and Roman Camps, Folk lore, legends, local 

 songs, history of strange and remarkable men, some one 

 else might treat of. 



We have a list of landowners in the county of Northum- 

 berland in the year 1663. Taking it as a basis, it would 

 be interesting to trace if possible the different families into 

 which properties have passed to the present time. Again, 

 Parish Registers often contain matter of great interest. 

 Certain portions of such a parish history might be of great 

 value to a Society like ours, and if extended might be made 

 of use in case Mr. Hodgson's history was ever to be finished. 



The only duty now incumbent on me is to nominate my 

 successor, who is Archibald Campbell Swinton, Esq., LL.D., 

 of Kimmerghame. 



