REPORT OF THE MEETINGS FOR 1896 43 



then on to Cowdenknowes, embalmed in song and story, where 

 " The Homes had aince commanding," but now the seat of 

 Col. Hope, a member of our Club, 



Leaving Cowdenknowes, the drive is over the slope of the 

 White Hill, and down the ''White toun gait" into Earlstoun, 

 when the company, after visiting the church (an account of 

 which has been given in " The Proceedings " by Mr Ferguson), 

 will proceed to Rhymer's Tower, now the property of " The 

 Border Counties' Association." 



The last occupant of the Tower was Dr Murray, about 160 

 years ago, the friend and correspondent of Boerhaave, and 

 who from possessing a musical clock, an electrical machine, 

 and the power of curing strange diseases, was looked upon as 

 being almost as great a wizard as the Ehymer himself. 



From here some of the members may be inclined to cross the 

 Leader, and view the grave and Throuch of James Blaikie, who, 

 when only 48 years of age, not only had his tombstone prepared, 

 but his grave dug in his garden, and morning and evening 

 offered up his devotion — kneeling in his grave. 



From here the drive will be down the Leader, passing Dry- 

 grange with the milk-white yowes, 



" Twixt Tweed and Leader standing." 



Cross the Tweed by the "Fly bridge " at Leaderfoot, passing on 

 the left Eavenswood, the then owner of which perished in Sir 

 John Franklin's last expedition to the North Pole, and a little 

 farther down the river, Old Melrose, the site of the ancient 

 monastery of the Culdees, arriving back at St. Boswells about 

 four o'clock. 



Newham Boa, Twizel House, and Belford. 

 By the President. 



The second meeting of the year was held on Wednesday, 

 24th June. The attendance was smaller than usual, owing 

 probably to the wet weather on the previous day. In the 

 early morning the outlook was the reverse of promising, but 

 fortunately no rain fell ; and although the weather throughout 

 the day was dull and threatening, the programme laid down 

 was carried out in its entirety. Members arrived by train at 



