32 REPORT OF THE MEETINGS FOR 1899 



At Legerwood farmhouse the company were hospitably 

 entertained to luncheon by Mr Leadbetter. The house is very 

 prettily situated in the centre of an important arable farm 

 extending to 1600 acres, and occupies rising ground, which 

 commands a wide and delightful view of Border landscape. 

 Mr Leadbetter also kindly exhibited a large antiquarian 

 collection, which included a bride's ladle, deposit of salt 

 taken from the bottom of an Atlantic steamer's boiler, a 

 piece of iron which had been stripped from a railway rail 

 at white heat (when the brakes were suddenly applied to 

 avert a collision), Welsh and Highland " cruisies " with rush 

 wicks, bronze spear-head found at Ploughland Burn, Lanark- 

 shire, and many other curiosities. A pair of Whooper swans 

 in the lobby also attracted attention. They were fine adult 

 birds in snow-white plumage, and had been shot in the 

 neighbourhood by Mr Leadbetter a few years ago. 



Before reoccupying the brakes, a very cordial vote of 

 thanks was given to Mr Leadbetter, on the motion of the 

 President. 



Resuming the drive, the brakes soon entered the policies 

 of Chapel-on-Leader by the north entrance. The name of 

 the estate is derived from the Chapel of St. John, near 

 Kedslie, subordinate to Dryburgh, but no remains of it now 

 exist. The plain, old fashioned mansion was reached by a 

 sweet winding avenue. The house is most exquisitely placed 

 in the valley of the Leader, and is furnished with great 

 taste. The well-kept gardens were visited, and much admired ; 

 but not least enjoyable was the view of the finely wooded 

 vale of Leader, obtained from the south windows. As far 

 as the eye could reach the glen was clothed on either side 

 by a varied assortment of magnificent trees in the first flush 

 of their summer beauty. The estate was acquired by the 

 late Mr Roberts of Gralashiels a good many years ago. By 

 the kindness of Mrs Roberts, refreshments were served to 

 the company. 



Leaving by the south avenue, and crossing the Leader by 

 a neat suspension bridge, a drive of a mile or so on the 

 Lauder and Earlston road brought the party to the entrance 

 to Carolside, situated in the vale of the Leader, and the 

 Berwickshire residence of Lord and Lady Eeay. It is a 



