REPORT OF MEETINGS FOR 1902 217 



whose dense mass were displayed the uprearing crests of 

 varied conifers, while here and there a grim rock face peeped 

 out through the thick screen of vegetation. The sloping 

 sandy humus is a most favouring bed for the shrubs that have 

 here been planted. Among conifers which were apparently 

 absent were Abies Excelsa and Pinus grandis ; one cluster 

 only of Hemlock Spruce was noticed by the naturalists this day. 

 Our attention was attracted by some well-grown Araucarias, 

 wliich showed that drooping curve of the lower limbs whereby 

 this tree gains so much in dignity and grace as it grows 

 older. 



Turning at last, after more than a mile of wandering in 

 pleasant proves, where the rhododendron bloom in its beauty 

 held promise of still greater brilliance, we came back at a 

 higher level, among Scotch firs of some 35 years growth, to 

 the mansion. Cragside, designed by Norman Shaw, E.A., 

 has a most picturesque and unique appearance as viewed 

 from the grounds. It is built in a composite style of archi- 

 tecture, partly Gothic and partly Elizabethan. Here Mr 

 Bell, private secretary to Mr Watson- Armstrong, received us, 

 and, in the absence of its owner, showed us some of the 

 treasures which the house contains. 



Chief among these were the pictures. There were three 

 very fine Turner water-colours— Kidwelly Castle in South 

 Wales, the Lake of Lucerne, and Dunstanburgh Castle; some 

 charming sketches by David Cox, Copley Fielding, and Birket 

 Foster ; two fine cattle pictures by Peter Graham, one entitled 

 " Moorland Rovers " ; a Millais, " Jephtha and his daughter " ; 

 a cattle scene by T. H. Cooper; a sea piece by Turner; 

 and a Vicat Cole, sunset over moorland ; and on the stairs 

 was hanging a Mosque Interior, by Leighton ; and a small 

 Landseer. a view of a highland loch. In the drawing room 

 was the elaborate and admirably worked mantel and chininey 

 corner of Carrara marble, Mexican onyx, alabaster, and 

 Eosso Antico, erected at the time of a visit paid to Cragside 

 by the present king and queen, about 17 years ago, when 

 they were Prince and Princess of Wales. A memorial album 

 recording the Eoyal visit was shown, constructed of oak 

 taken from Hadrian's bridge across the Tyne at Newcastle, 

 dating from the year 120 ad. Amongst cuiios were an 

 cc 



