Report of Meetings for 1879, by James Hardy. 21 



After gaining the rise a fine free view was obtained. Far away, 

 like an unfolded mantle, a shower hung suspended above the 

 dark blue Eildons, considerably augmenting their grandeur. In 

 other directions the prospect was very extensive, and abounding 

 with objects of interest. 



At Grahamslaw, the tenant, Mr James Cunningham, met the 

 members and courteously conducted them through the grounds. 

 The garden is large and well sheltered ; there is a vivid verdure 

 on the grass round the house ; and the well-grown trees are leafy 

 and umbrageous ; three elms were specially conspicuous. In the 

 garden was a capacious stone bowl, with carvings of fruit and 

 foliage on the exterior, sharply but roughly cut ; which some, 

 from its having an aperture beneath to admit of the percolation 

 of water, pronounced to be a font ; while others regarded it as 

 possibly a fancy of some of the Bonnets of Marlefield. There is 

 no history attached to it. Sheriff Russell called attention to a 

 moth of the Plusia Gamma. This moth has been very abundant 

 this season on the Borders, as well in summer as in autumn. In 

 the Ehine district, between Neuwied and Siegen, and in Saxony, 

 and elsewhere in Germany, its caterpillars have this summer 

 been quite a plague, having destroyed large fields of sugar-beet, 

 and damaged the crops of vetches, pease, beans, potatoes, and 

 young clover ; and machines had to be invented for collecting 

 them ; from 6 to 8 bushels of caterpillars being collected in a 

 day. A butterfly of the Cynthia Cardui was also seen in the 

 morning, another of the Lepidoptera that has gained notoriety 

 this season, especially in Switzerland, where migratory bands, in 

 the early part of the year, attracted public attention. The larva 

 fortunately lives on thistles of various kinds. 



We are not told the name of the old possessor of this part of 

 the barony of Eckford. In 1547, one " Jhon Grymslowe," who 

 submits among other Eoxburghshire gentlemen to the power of 

 the Duke of Somerset, may from his name, be regarded as the 

 occupant at that period.^ It had been spoiled in 1523 and 1545. 

 It is variously written Gramislaw, Grymslaw, Grynislawe in the 

 Retours. In 1826, Grahamslaw was occupied by John Eiddell, 

 Esq. ; under whose direction both banks of the river were 

 planted, and the walks were laid out.f 



* Patten's Account of Somerset's Expedition, p. 89, 

 f Mason's Border Tour, pp. 193-4, 



