448 Report of Meetings. By the President. 



tered for tlie occasion, and was in waiting off the Pier Head at 

 Berwick, at half-past ten in the morning, as the state of the 

 tide — which inconveniently enough happened to be about the 

 lowest in the whole year — would not admit of the embarkation 

 inside the river's mouth. On board of lier, about 50 members 

 were conveyed from the Crabwater Landing by the little steam 

 ferry "Susan." 



With a pleasant breeze from the west which ensured a smooth 

 sea, and freedom from the attacks of an enemy who had surely 

 to be reckoned with by many of us, before finally deciding to take 

 part in the expedition ; with a clear sky, and the prospect of so 

 interesting and celebrated a locality for our excursion ; with Mr 

 Cuthbertson, the Pilot, on board, to guide us safely through its 

 intricate channels and clear of its hidden dangers ; the elemeats 

 of a successful and enjoyable day were certainly not wanting; 

 aud every one seemed in good spirits. 



The Club had only twice before visited the Fames. 



The first occasion was on the 21st June, 1854, when ten mem- 

 bers were present,'^' among whom was our late lamented Secretary, 

 Mr George Tate, whose long, interesting, and fairlj' exhaustive 

 Monograph on the Fames, which apiaeared in our Proceedings 

 for 1856, (vol. iii. pp. 222-250,) testifies of the learning and 

 ability of the author, and of the importance which he attached 

 to the Fames from a Naturalist's point of view. 



The record of the 1854 visit is very short, but it alludes to the 

 gratification which was felt at seeing, at the Longstone, the 

 father of Grace Darling, and several members of the family. 



The only other record is of the date of 26th July, 1866, when 

 a detachment from the main body of the Club, which held its 

 meeting at Beadnell that day, sailed from the harbour there, 

 and visited the principal Islands. 



But to return to ourselves. 



With the wind astern, and the flood tide in our favour, 

 passing between the islands and the mainland, we arrived off 

 North Sunderland before one o'clock, where we were re-inforced 

 by about 20 more members and friends, who found it more con- 

 venient to join the steamer there, in the five boats, with three 

 boatmen in each, which had been engaged for our use, and 

 which we forthwith took in tow. 



* Dr. Johnston, Kevds. T. D. Clark, Geo. Walker, S. A. Tyler, W. 

 Darnell, L. S. Orde, Messrs. Selby, Boyd, Embleton, and Tate. 



