Anniversary Address. 329 



Romanes guided a party to see the lands which are still 

 farmed after the system alluded to in Sir Henry Maine's 

 " Village Communities." The President and a few other 

 members visited Mr Turnbull, keeper of the gas works, who 

 exhibited a fine collection of Lepidoptera. 



The fourth Meeting of the year was held at Peebles. I 

 was unable to attend, owing to an attack of neuralgia. Mr 

 Hardy has kindly supplied me with the following minutes: — 

 The Peebles Meeting was perhaps more full of enjoyment 

 than any of the Club's members have experienced this year, 

 or in any year. The day was excellent, the scenery new 

 and impressive, the heather bloomed in rich masses on the 

 hill slopes, the company was genial and willing to be pleased, 

 and the cares of the world for one day at least had fled. 

 Professor Veitch took the guidance amidst scenes about 

 which he had both written and sung, and which he 

 thoroughly knew with boyhood's intimacy. The distance 

 was too great to permit of actual research ; but in a country 

 where every mile or half mile, scenes of local and general 

 interest came into view, there was no want of themes for 

 eloquent discourse, or opportunities for imparting valuable 

 information. There were some thirty-three or thirty-four 

 present, some of them strangers, who begged to be allowed to 

 accompany the party. Neidpath Castle was first touched at, 

 its interior examined, and the extensive view of wild sur- 

 rounding mountains, and the pretty town in the vale beneath, 

 hastily photographed in the memory. 



After passing much fine scenery, and two open glens each 

 worthy of a special visit to their far winding reaches, Stobo 

 Church was attained, which by previous arrangement was 

 opened ; and then the Stobo Gardens were viewed with 

 great interest ; and the company proceeded through the 

 policies with their adornment of fine trees, to the Castle, 

 and were cordially welcomed by Sir Graham Montgomery # 

 who conducted them through the mansion, and explained 

 the family and other pictures and paintings, and the works 

 of art. Refreshments were handed round, and the drivers 



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