REPORT OF MEETINGS FOR 1908 251 



the Museum by the family of William Ker Esq. of Gateshaw ; 

 the Burgh stocks, lately discovered while repairs were being 

 made on the Town Hall ; a church bell, consisting of a 

 single sheet of iron rivetted on two sides, and said to have 

 been found in the neighbourhood of Ednam ; a case of 

 bronze medals commemorating events in the career of 

 Napoleon I. ; another of Scott relics ; a manuscript poem in 

 early English style, entitled — " Sir Bevys of Hampton " ; 

 an extensive collection of metallic minerals ; and another of 

 British birds comprising over 500 specimens of about 230 

 species, many of them rare and valuable. More than usual 

 interest was manifested in the Hangman's ladle, a scoop 

 with which that functionary took toll of every bag of meal 

 or flour sold in Kelso market, and thereby secured an honest 

 livelihood ! A copy, in three volumes, of Percy's " Eeliques 

 of Ancient English Poetrj' : consisting of old Heroic Ballads, 

 Songs, and other pieces of our earlier poets: published London, 

 MDCOLXV," which proved a source of inspiration to Scott, 

 while a pupil for a brief period at Kelso Grammar School, 

 was shown in excellent preservation. The thanks of the 

 members were conveyed to the genial Convener, whose diligence 

 and devotion cannot be too highly commended. 



On their way to the Railway Station a few visited the 

 ruins of the ancient Abbey, founded by King 

 Kelso David I. at Kelso in 1128, and dedicated to 



Abbey. the Virgin Mary and St. John the Evangelist. 



So many gifts in lands did it receive that in 

 course of time it became one of the richest foundations in 

 Scotland. It was destroyed in September 1545 by the English 

 under the Earl of Hertford, who brought cannon against it, 

 and on its reduction converted it into a fort from which to 

 overawe the country. In 1647 it was restored for Divine 

 worship, a small part of the building being reserved for a 

 prison; but it was again deserted in 1771, about which time 

 the present Parish Church was built. The ruins were cleared 

 in 1805, and repaired in 1866 by the 6th Duke of Eoxburghe, 

 whose successor was interred there in 1892. 



As an indication of local journalistic enterprise, a copy of the 

 Kelso Mail, containing an account of the day's proceedings, 

 was presented to the members before leaving the town. 



