262 Report of Meetings for 1880, by James Hardy. 



was hereabouts that the canal conveying -water to the abbey 

 crossed the Wansbeck by a wooden tube, of which the olden 

 people recollect the two ends sticking out of the bank. 



I now adopt a part of Mr Thomson's report: — "It was 

 specially noticeable that in the valley of the "Wansbeck apples 

 and pears were much more plentiful than they are on Tweedside. 

 Some of the trees were heavily laden with small though tempt- 

 ing fruit. The birch and the hawthorn, as well as some branches 

 in chestnut trees, were observed to be colouring, and assuming 

 their autumn tints. The Font joins the Wansbeck at this point, 

 being about as full in volume as the main stream. The Font is 

 presently spanned by a fine old single arched bridge. [The pool 

 above the bridge is used for washing sheep.] Mitford village, 

 consisting of a few pretty cottages, was once a more important 

 town than Morpeth, but it has dwindled down to its present 

 dimensions. It however boasts of an inn, and here sundry weary 

 and thirsty travellers shunned a short and drizzling shower. 

 The inn was very comfortable and tidy, and ornamented by 

 many fine asters and other equally beautiful flowers in vases, 

 which we suppose were the remnants of the horticultural exhibi- 

 tion held there a day or two previously. In a garden close to 

 the inn the effects of the severe winter were very visible. A 

 variegated holly tree showed only the faintest signs of vitality, 

 while a plum tree had been completely killed. The gooseberry 

 bushes were also damaged. Passing onward, and rejoining the 

 Wansbeck, a building which was once a snuff mill is seen on our 

 right. The lade which conveyed the water to the mill is nearly 

 silted up. A modern bridge is now under foot. The river is 

 apparently undermining the foundation. Though the bridge is 

 founded on a rock, the strata are friable, and crumble away 

 when acted on by winter frosts and floods. On a height on our 

 left are the ponderous ruins of the ancient castle of Mitford, 

 which was built in the twelfth century by William Bertram, who 

 also founded Brinkburn Priory. The ruined walls of the keep 

 are greatly cracked. The situation is very fine, on a sort of 

 peninsula Hke Newminster, and in ancient times it must have 

 been a somewhat important stronghold." 



The ruined keep is surrounded with wood, which contains 

 some noble ashes ; sheltered behind the walls was a thicket of 

 hollies. The pink-flowered Herb-Bobert {Geranium Rolertianum) 



