150 REPORT OF MEETINGS FOR 1907 



end a doorway, of which only one jamb with the bolt-hole 

 remains, conducting to a large apartment on a higher level, 

 which may have served as a dormitory. That the work of 

 decoration had been interrupted may be gleaned from the 

 unfinished state of the bosses of the bays and of the two 

 West columns of the chapel, all of which have been no more 

 than blocked out of the solid stone. At the foot of the 

 stair-case may be seen the chapel well, above which is a gang- 

 way leading to the hermit's orchard, from which fruit trees 

 have been reported even in more modern times. An air of 

 mystery encircles the place, and has given rise to many 

 legends of love and devotion, the most popular of which has 

 been woven by Bishop Percy into a favourite ballad, entitled 

 "The Hermit of Warkworth"; but regarding the origin of 

 the Hermitage and the name of its founder history is silent. 

 A record exists, however, which confirms the grant made in 

 1531 by the Earl of Northumberland from the township of 

 Warkworth of a portion to George Lancastre, "a well 

 benyfyced man," in virtue of his holding the office of 

 chaplain of the Hermitage. 



Owing to the dull and disagreeable state of the weather, 

 members were deterred from making any extensive inspec- 

 tion of the neighbourhood ; but in the course of the 

 day's excursion they noted the following plants: — Barharea 

 vulgaris ; Cheiranthus cheiri ; Stellaria nemorum ; S. holostea ; 

 S. uliginosa ; Ribes alpinum ; Saxifraga granulata ; Apitim 

 graveolens ; Torilis anthriscus ; Anthriscus sylvestris ; Choero- 

 phyllum temulum ; Lapsana communis ; Veronica montana ; 

 and V. arvensis. 



The members walked back to Warkworth, 

 Club where they dined at the Sun Hotel, under 



Dinner. the presidency of Mr Wm. B. Boyd, and the 



usual toasts were pledged. 



A nomination in favour of Miss Constance 

 Nomina- jj (^^^^^^ gj^^j^ g.j,^ Norham, was duly 



****"• intimated. 



