32& Anniversary Address. 



was made to cross the Tweed, but the boat was so leaky, 

 and the river so shallow in some parts, that it was con- 

 sidered advisable to give up the attempt, and the party took 

 the road by the riverside. The Anchusa sempervirens and 

 Lathrea squamaria were gathered by the way. We reached 

 the train at Maxton, and arrived in due time for dinner at 

 Mrs Brydon's Hotel. 



The third Meeting of the year was held on Wednesday, 

 August 25, at Earlston. The old Tower, the dwelling place 

 of Thomas the Rhymer, was inspected. It appeared to have 

 been a place of little importance. Carriages were employed 

 to carry the party to Carolside, one of the residences of 

 Lord and Lady Reay. The house stands amid fine old woods, 

 and the fallow deer glided gracefully by as we drove down 

 the steep hill leading to the house. The gardens attracted 

 our attention : in the borders were many hardy perennials 

 not often seen in such places. In the stove the show of 

 Gloxinias was much admired. After going over the gardens, 

 the party again took carriages for Chapel-on-Leader. The 

 house is a good specimen of modern Scottish domestic 

 architecture, and is situated in a scene of great beauty. The 

 place had been recently sold to Mr Henry Roberts. 

 Galashiels. It seems at one time to have been connected 

 with Dryburgh Abbey. 



The party next drove to Whitslaid Tower, an old pele 

 standing on a commanding eminence. It must in olden 

 times have been a place of great strength from its difficult 

 approach, and the ease with which it might have been 

 defended. A large ash tree had taken root in the vaulted 

 roof, but had been blown down some time before our visit. 

 Mr Romanes met the party here, and kindly undertook to 

 be our guide to Lauder. As we entered the town, he gave 

 us an account of it, which shewed how little change had 

 taken place from ancient times. We were conducted to the 

 old Tolbooth, and heard some amusing stories of those who 

 had been imprisoned within its walls. The Church was 

 visited, but it contained no architectural features, Mr 



