472 Report of Meetings. By the President. 



view of Ninewar, Kirkland Hill, Knowes and Phantassie. The 

 whole excursion was one of great enjoyment. 



Twenty-five dined in Mr Smelliw's public room, East Linton — 

 Dr P. Douglas, Kelso, in the chair, and Dr Stuart, Chirnside. 

 and Mr John Hood, Oldcambus Townhead, officiated as croupiers. 

 In addition to the usual toasts, the health of the chairman was 

 proposed by Mr Turnbull of Abbey St Bathans, the day of meet- 

 ing being the anniversary of the fiftieth year since Dr Douglas 

 joined the Club, at the head of whose membership he now stands, 

 and so worthily represents as senior secretary. The health was 

 drunk with all the honours, and was acknowledged by Dr 

 Douglas in brief but well chosen terms. 



Captain C. Lisle Cookson, Berrywell, Duns ; Mr David W. 

 B. Taifc, W.S., Edenside, Kelso; and Mr John Storie, East Lin- 

 ton, were nominated for membership. 



Notices of the papers received and of the objects exhibited 

 were then given, 



1. On Whittingham and its Owners. By James Hardy. — The facts em- 

 bodied in this paper were : — From George, Earl of Dunbar, Wbittingbam 

 passed by the marriage of bis sister Agnes, daugbter of Earl Patrick and 

 the celebrated " Black Agnes" Kandolpb — to James Douglas of Dalkeith. 

 Their charter is dated 21st Nov., 1372, and was confirmed by Robert II. 

 James, second Lord Dalkeith, bad a charter of Whittingham in 1439. For 

 bis second wife he had Janet, daugbter of Sir William Borthwick of tbat 

 ilk ; and got from James II. anotber charter of Whittingham, to bim and 

 bis spouse and their heirs, 13tb Oct., 1441. Tbeir son, Sir William Douglas, 

 was the first of the Douglases, lairds of Whittingham. Both the Earls of 

 Morton and the lairds continue, in a manner not explained, perbaps as 

 baron and feudal tenant, to bold Wbittingbam. James, third Earl of Mor- 

 ton, got charters in 1541 and 1543 from James Y. of Whittingham and 

 other lands. He died without male issue, and the descent passed to 

 collateral branches. In Oct., 1562, Queen Mary granted to James, Earl of 

 Morton (afterwards Regent Morton), the representative of the Douglases 

 of Dalkeith, all bis estates, with tbe barony of Wbittingbam, with the 

 castle (whicb shews its existence then) and mills, and the advowson of tbe 

 church ; and tbe grant, wbich was neitber owing to bis merits nor demerits, 

 but bis rightful claim, as a renewal in conveyance, was ratified by Parlia- 

 ment, 19th April, 1567. In Morton's time, the laird and occupant of tbe 

 mansion or castle was William Douglas, one of the heirs of entail to tbe 

 earldom of Morton. William Douglas joined tbe Lords of the Congrega- 

 tion, was a man of great business capacity, and a leading elder in tbe 

 Reformed Cburcb of Scotland. He was implicated in tbe slaughter of 

 Rizzio, but was pardoned 24tb Sept., 1567. He was appointed a senator 

 of the College of Justice, and resigned previous to Aug. 1st, 1590 and was 



