REPOE,T OF THE MEETINGS FOR 1899 75 



The Darling family has been associated with the lighthouse 

 service for five generations to the writer's knowledge. He 

 knew intimately William Darling, the father of Grace Darling, 

 a remarkable man, and one probably known to many of 

 the older members of the Club. He was a man of great 

 intelligence, far above his station in life, and in appearance 

 one of Nature's nobility. He told the writer that, when a 

 lad, he assisted his father in carrying up the coals to the 

 lighthouse on the Fame Islands. During his early manhood 

 the catoptric or reflector system of lighthouse illumination 

 was introduced. His son, William Brookes Darling, was for 

 many years principal keeper at Coquet lighthouse, where the 

 dioptric or lens system of condensing light was adopted in 

 the year 1841. The son of this keeper was for many years 

 assistant keeper at the neighbouring lighthouse at Souter Point, 

 where the electric light was first permanently established 

 in the lighthouse service of this country, the flash of the 

 revolving light being equal to 800,000 candle power. From 

 these statemeuts may be seen the progress which has been 

 made in three generations of one family, the more remark- 

 able when it is remembered that stagnation' existed for over 

 2000 years, during which there were no improvements. 



What better proof can be desired that the lighthouse 

 service of this country is in thorough touch with the pro- 

 gressive, enquiring, and scientific spirit which so distinguishes 

 the Victorian era, and makes the 19th ceutury, now rapidly 

 drawing to a close, remarkable in the history of the world, 

 for its discoveries, wresting from Nature her secrets and 

 powers, and making them subservient to the wants, the 

 well-being, and the happiness of the world at large.* 



After partaking of some refreshment, provided at St. 

 Mary's Island, the drive was resumed. Time did not 

 permit of more thhu a passing glimpse of the conformation 

 of rocks at Whitley, the little fishing harbour, and the 



* The writer is indebted for the information regarding the Delaval 

 family to Mackenzie's History of Northumberland, and an article that 

 appeared in the Monthly Chronicle of North Country Lore and Legend, 

 in the month of December 1887. 



