26 Anniversary Address 



sidering the elevation of the place. A large ash. tree, blown 

 down in 1879 in the park behind the house, had a circumference 

 at 1 foot from the ground of 1 8 feet 6 inches ; its diameter being 

 6 feet 6 inches. A wire railing crossing it has grown into the 

 trunk since 1850, to a depth of 1 foot and for a length of 5 feet 

 6 inches. A plane tree at present standing in the churchyard 

 has a circumference at 3 feet from the ground of 1 2 feet 6 inches. 

 A beech tree in the park has a circumference at 3 feet from the 

 ground of 1 3 feet 8 inches. Fearful havoc was committed in the 

 woods on the estate by the autumnal gales. Near the mansion- 

 house is a large rookery. Since many of the tall trees have been 

 prostrated by the winds of October and November several of the 

 rooks have this year selected very humble trees to nest in. A 

 heronry once existed here, but is now deserted." 



The party re-assembled at the Church, and parting, with warm 

 thanks, from our kind and hospitable friends who had done so 

 much to make our visit pleasant and profitable for the work of the 

 Club, we turned our faces southward. On the return journey no 

 incident worthy of note occurred, beyond a fresh feast of the eye 

 from Langton Edge, and the party reached Dunse in time for 

 dinner at 4 o'clock, the Langton House detachment having 

 already returned. 



In the course of the day some members of the Club visited 

 Dunse Castle gardens, where what is said to be the oldest myrtle 

 in Scotland was pointed out. Mr Watson's rock-garden at 

 Dunse also attracted much attention. 



The following is Dr Douglas's account of the visit to Langton 

 House. "About 14 or 15 members of the Club accepted the 

 polite invitation of the Hon. E. Baillie Hamilton to visit Lang- 

 ton, and see the treasures of art which it contained. The mem- 

 bers were most courteously received by Mr Hamilton, who 

 kindly explained the subjects of the numerous objects of interest 

 which the Mansion House contained. The pictures, most of 

 which were left by the late Marquis of Breadalbane to his sister 

 Lady Elizabeth Pringle, were numerous and many of great 

 value ; chiefly were to be remarked a magnificent work of 

 Eubens — John Baptist's head brought on a charger to Herod ; 

 Landseer's grand picture of the Stag at Bay, familiar to all by 

 its numerous engravings ; three other pictures of Landseer illus- 

 trating scenes near Taymouth ; paintings by Guide, Carlo Dolci, 

 Eaffaelle, Titian, Murillo, Velasquez, Weenix, and many other 



