70 Report of Meetings for 188?. By J. Hardy. 



they were kindly entertained by the proprietor, Mr Tancred. In 

 a tastefully fitted-up hall numerous interesting articles were 

 inspected by the members. These included some old regimental 

 colours, pieces of old armour, swords, and other things from 

 Waterloo, Inkerman, and other battle-fields ; Indian curiosities, 

 weapons, dresses, vessels, etc. ; an ancient spur found on the 

 farm of Langraw ; some very sweetly-toned Burmese bells ; cases 

 of rare beetles, moths, etc. [The small brass spur for a lady, 

 was very curious, more particularly in the loops for the chains 

 or straps to fasten to the boot. A drawing has been taken from 

 it. Mr Tancred has acquired Mr Maidnient's collection of 

 pamphlets and newspaper cuttings relating to Berwickshire and 

 Koxburghshire, a most valuable acquisition for a count}' 

 historian.] After these had been duly examined, Mr Tancred 

 entertained the party to luncheon. This over, and the rain 

 having ceased to fall, adjournment was made to the gardens, 

 where an old font — or piscina, as some of the members thought — 

 was pointed out. The workmanship of this stone showed that 

 it belonged to the early Norman period, probably of twelfth 

 century date. It belonged to the old church of Hobkirk. One 

 member thought it could not be a font, as he knew of no font 

 with a hole for letting off the water, as this had. Another 

 thought it could not be a piscina, as piscinae were invariably 

 fixed in niches in the wall, and this one had never been so placed. 

 It is moulded on all sides, and has a base supporting it from the 

 ground. Many of the trees — especiall}' the larches — were 

 greatly admired for their great height and symmetry of their 

 stems. One of these is known as the " Family Tree," the initials 

 of the names of all Mr Tancred's family being cut in the bark. 

 Another is known as the "Sheriff's Tree," it having been 

 planted when the late Sheriff Eutherfurd of Edgerston was born. 

 [While this was occupying several of the party, I, as well as 

 others, went to Bonchester village and bridge (both called Bon- 

 chester Bridge), where there are a double row of houses, shops, etc. 

 On the left at the head of a grassy green haugh stood Greenrivers, 

 a bright and clean-looking square house. At the Bridge angling 

 was engaged in in the turbid waters of the Eule, now increased 

 by the rain ; the wooded banks rising above the red sandstone 

 of the river border. Langraw and Hobkirk or Hopekirk lie a 

 little farther up. The great white hill of Bonchester rose above, 

 with a wall crossing the middle part of it. It was too late to 



