Obituary Notice of Mr Thomas Arkle. 541 



his rockeries at Woodside, where he was most successful in their 

 culture. Many pleasant and happy hours did he spend in his 

 garden, and nothing gave him greater pleasure than in going 

 round with his friends and explaining any special features or 

 interesting facts connected with the particular plant under discus- 

 sion, and no man was more liberal in sharing with others, any- 

 thing that he appreciated much himself. 



His last illness was short, he died of pneumonia at AVoodside, 

 on the 7th March 1886. 



Obituary Notice of Mr Thomas Arkle. By William 

 Thompson Hall, Dunns Houses. 



Mr Thomas Arkle was born at Carrick, near Elsdon, in the 

 county of Northumberland in the year 1807, and died at High- 

 laws in February 1886. His early years were spent in com- 

 parative obscurity, but after leaving school he still devoted much 

 of his time to private study, and by the friendly assistance of a 

 clergyman at Elsdon, he became an accomplished mathematician 

 and a fair classical scholar. Having completed his education he 

 spent a few years in desultory occupation until his marriage, 

 when he settled at Carrick as a farmer and professional land 

 surveyor, As a draughtsman he had few equals, indeed many 

 of his plans are elegant works of Art. He was frequently 

 engaged in the division of Commons, and in all matters relating 

 to land surveying he was an acknowledged authority. He acted 

 also as land agent to several gentlemen and his services in this 

 capacity were highly valued. He exhibited a cultivated taste in 

 the laying out of plantations, and in the proper division of land 

 into fields. He was for many years, clerk to theEothbury Poor 

 Law Board where he was held in the highest esteem by the 

 Guardians. He subsequently undertook a similar appointment 

 in Castle Ward Union from which he retired some few years 

 before his death. When the memorable dispute took place, 

 between the farmers of Northumberland and the authorities of 

 Newcastle Cattle Market, twenty six years ago, Mr Arkle 

 warmly and successfully advocated the cause of the farmers. 

 For his able assistance on that occasion he was presented with a 

 handsome service of plate. Mr Arkle was an accomplished 

 literary man and a great reader. He was also an excellent 



