8 ANNIVERSARY ADDRESS 



" History of the Border Counties, from the Earliest Times 

 to the Union of the Crowns " was published posthumously 

 in 1776. It is based on careful independent study of 

 original authorities ; and though for a local history 

 perhaps somewhat too general in character, it remains 

 to this day a useful though not final book of reference. 

 I believe that a MS. diary of Ridpath's has lately 

 come to light, and that it will be given to the world 

 by a lady who has often graced our meetings by her 

 presence. 



Alex. Jeffrey. 



In Alexander Jeffrey's History of Roxburghshire, time 

 and improved facilities for study have revealed a fair crop 

 of errors and inaccuracies. But few historians escape this 

 Nemesis. And, this notwithstanding, there yet remains 

 in the book much interesting information of a miscellaneous 

 order, which is not found elsewhere. 



Lady John Scott. 



It has been one of the pleasures of my term of office 

 to avail myself of my privilege of choice to get the 

 Club to visit Spottiswoode and Kirkbank House. Thus 

 we have twice paid homage to a Border poetess, who 

 dedicated her gift of authentic melody and her warmth 

 of affection to celebrating the wild natural beauties of 

 this countryside, and to cherishing the memories of the 

 Past. 



And whilst we are upon this attractive subject of 

 woman-poets, let us not omit to honoui- with due meed 

 of praise the Durham singer, Dora Green well,* who has 

 likewise bequeathed to us some sweet strains of pure 

 and womanly song. 



* Born 1821, 



