34 REPORT OF THE MEETINGS FOR 1896 



click of the shuttle could have been heard in every house. Mrs 

 Wood's Notes on the village will be read with interest. 

 (Appendix II.) 



COWDENKNOWES AND EARLSTON. 



The greater portion of the company preferred at this point 

 to enter on foot the grounds of Cowdenkaowes, immortalised in 

 Border romance and song. They had been most frankly thrown 

 open to the Club by their genial and popular proprietor — 

 Colonel Hope— whose absence from home was very generally 

 regretted. The walk was along the banks of the Leader to the 

 mansion. The stream flows through a narrow valley with steep 

 well-wooded banks, which afforded at almost every step most 

 charming views. The remains of the old tower, incorporated 

 with the mansion, were examined with interest. For centuries 

 Cowdenknowes belonged to the powerful Border family of 

 Home, and according to The Annals of Dryburgh, "the house 

 was used as a resting-place for the Kings and Queens of 

 Scotland, when they went their tours of justice round the 

 kingdom. Mary Queen of Soots is known to have resided here 

 some time on her way from Craigmillar to Hermitage Castle 

 and Jedburgh, and one room continued to bear her name — 

 'Queen Mary's room.' On the upper part of the entrance door 

 is the inscription — 'J.H.fM.K. 1594.'" It does not appear 

 that any of the old historic broom, with which Cowdenknowes 

 is usually associated, remains — 



" The broom, the bonny bonny broom, 

 The broom o' the Cowdenknowes." 



During a brief stay in Earlston, the handsome new Parish 

 Church was visited, and its relic of Thomas the Ehymer 

 inspected. This is an ancient stone which appeared in the front 

 of the old edifice, but is now in the eastern wall, bearing the 

 inscription in modern letters — 



AULD RYMR 



RACE 

 LYEES IN THIS 



PLACE 



On leaving the town, a visit was paid to the Ehymer's Tower, 

 lately acquired by the Edinburgh Border Counties Association. 

 A pleasant afternoon drive soon brought the party once more to 

 Newtown St. Boswells. 



