262 REPORTS OF MEETINGS FOR 1911 



Composed of red sandstone, whose grain has a very curious 

 twist, and estimated to weigh fully 15 hundredweight, it is 

 nearly cylindrical, though with a slight taper between the base 

 and rim. Its dimensions are: — Height, 2 ft. i in.; circum- 

 ference at rim, 8 ft. 2 in. ; width ot rim, 5 in. ; and depth of 

 basin, 8^ in.f 



On rejoining the brakes the party drove through the village 

 of Lilliesleaf, which extends in length to nearly half a mile, and 

 contains two-fifths of the inhabitants of the parish (five hundred 

 and forty seven). It possesses a neat United Free Church, a 

 public school, and a fine hall, erected mainly by local subscrip- 

 tions, augmented by the generosity of the late Mrs Currie of 

 Linthill, in memory of her husband. At one time numerous 

 peel-towers distinguished the village, but all of them have been 

 demolished. Continuing the drive along the road 

 Riddell. to Ashkirk, on the right hand of which, about 



half-a-mile beyond the West entrance to Riddell, 

 continues to thrive a remarkable Beech {Fay us sylvatica) recently 

 measured and girthing 19 feet 8 inches at 6 feet from the ground, 

 the party approached the " fair domain " extolled by Scott, the 

 seat of Captain Mark Sprot of Riddell, which dates from the 12th 

 century. Its situation, amid giants of the forest and ornamental 

 flower beds, supplied additional interest to the drive, which 

 from this point assumed the character of a return journey. On 

 leaving the beautiful grounds, the attention of the members was 

 drawn to a group of houses on the North side of the road, known 

 as " Miss Frances Sprot Homes." They were built and 

 endowed by that benevolent lady in 1883 for friendless and 

 deserving widows or daughters of clergymen, and other ladies 

 who had formerly been in better circumstances ; and are 

 intended to serve the same purpose as that fulfilled by the 

 Indigent Gentlewomen's Fund. The beneficiaries are elected by 

 the trustees as vacancies occur, preference being given to those 

 connected with the parishes of Lilliesleaf, Bowden, and Ashkirk, 

 if otherwise eligible There are in all six houses, each having 

 two rooms, a scullery and a garden. An allowance of one 



t The font has now been used on three occasions (March, 1913), and a brass 

 plate recording its history has been erected on a pillar beside it. 



