Report of Meetings. By the President. 443 



when wielded by a Great Wizard of the art ! In our minds, as 

 we surveyed the celebrated scene, how much more closely were 

 the famous sites identified with the fictitious than with the real 

 dramatis personce. 



To Ford Church next, where the E,ev. H. M. Neville, rector, 

 was waiting to receive us, to show us inier alia, his Church 

 Registers dating back to 1683, and his communion plate, which 

 is not antique. He also pointed out a newly discovered frag- 

 ment of a recumbent effigy, which, until lately, had been one of 

 the paving stones of the west end of the Church. Two words 

 of the inscription 



QUONDAM DNATRIX, 



are still visible. 



Ford Castle was next examined, and, it seems needless to say, 

 the room, in the uppermost story of the N.W. Tower, which King 

 James occupied when his army was encamped at Flodden — with 

 its secret staircase to the room below, which was discovered 20 

 years or so ago, while repairs were being carried out. 



The unfortunate monarch, as is well known, was at that time 

 troubled with a "kind o' dizziness," which would not let him 

 ** gang aboot his business." 



From the large windows, which are a subsequent insertion, a 

 magnificent view of the luxuriant vale of the Tweed backed by the 

 bold rounded outlines of the Cheviots is obtained, and the nearest 

 ridge, which though now covered by highly cultivated fields and 

 plantations, is the identical locality where raged the famous 

 " battle of the warrior with confused noise." 



Under the refined taste of Lady Waterford, Ford has become 

 one of the loveliest places in the county, and with real pleasure 

 we proceeded to walk through the grounds, and to inspect the 

 School, with its beautiful mural frescoes by her Ladyship's own 

 hand. 



Our drive was next to Etal, which at various times, as well as 

 Ford and Flodden, has been so often visited, and so amply de- 

 scribed by members of our Club, that it seems unnecessary to 

 dwell upon it. The Etal property has seen many changes, is now 

 the property of the Earl of Erroll, and is in the market. 



Some of us having entered the public room of the little Inn at 

 Etal, Dr Frank Douglas remarked that he well remembered 

 attending a Club Meeting in that very room exactly 40 years ago. 

 I was interested, of course, at hearing that, but afterwards, on 



