44 Anniversary Address. 



the Elodden Elag at Selkirk. Probably botb flags, whatever 

 their origin, were similarly ornamented, because both at one 

 time belonged to Corporations of Weavers. 



It had been intended to arrange for a botanical excursion up 

 the Jed, but the rain of the previous night had so saturated soil 

 and herbage that the idea was abandoned. On the suggestion 

 of Sheriff Eussell it was therefore agreed to drive to Edgerston, 

 in the belief that the proprietor, Mr Oliver Eutherford, although 

 the Club came upon him without warning, would make us wel- 

 come to visit his grounds. About half -past twelve o'clock the 

 party in two well-filled conveyances left the town by the Bridge 

 near the new Parish Church, and drove up the valley of the Jed 

 for Edgerston. " Sylvan Jed " wore its fairest garments in 

 honour of our visit, the clear light bringing out all the beauty of 

 the scenery, and the balmy air allowing us to enjoy each succes- 

 sive picture of wood-crowned red cliff and scaur, and tower, and 

 gleaming water, and distant hill. Since autumn had touched 

 the woods with his magical finger, no high wind had occurred to 

 strip the trees of their leaves, and the landscape in umbrageous 

 richness and variety of tint baffled description. It must be left 

 to the memory of those who had the good fortune to see it on 

 that fair September day, and to the imagination of those who did 

 not. Every variety of tint was presented to the ravished eye, 

 green and yellow of every hue, gold, and crimson, and scarlet, 

 and rich russet, with here and there dark masses of pine. The 

 long perpendicular cliffs of red sandstone springing boldly from 

 the margin of the river served as a foil to the gorgeous colours, 

 and down the runnels which broke their surface at intervals, 

 drooped festoons and fringes of foliage from the rich woods 

 above, graceful ornaments softening but not weakening the com- 

 manding features of the rocks. One maple as we drove up the 

 steep end of the Edgerston avenue next the house attracted the 

 eyes of all, — a brilliant flaming flower amid sober surrounding 

 green. 



Nor was the interest of history, legend, and story, aroused by 

 each weU-known Border name as we wound our way upwards, 

 less intense than the enthusiasm excited by the lovely autumn 

 scenery. The old Burgh we had left, Jedburgh itself, — Inch- 

 bonnie, — the Capon tree, — Lintalee, stronghold of the Douglases, 

 — Eerniehirst, the home of the Kerrs, — Mossburuford, at one 

 time the residence of a valued member of the Club, the late Mr 



