280 Report of Meetings for 1891. By Dr J. Hardy. 



that marked their course left. Now and then dilapidated 

 dwellings, and ruinous steadings, indicated the decay of minute 

 husbandry, the decrease of population, and the abandonment 

 or partial cessation of old lines of public traffic. 



Newton Underwood gives name to a special Limestone, and a 

 Coal accompanying it. On a hill-top on the right appeared 

 Benridge and Pigdon, with Stanton and a lengthy plantation on 

 a still more distant elevation. Then Thorphill was passed, and 

 the back of Meldon Park, which was well-wooded. Rhododen- 

 drons were used as a cover near the pheasantry. East Thornton, 

 Temple Thornton, once the preceptory of the Knights of the 

 Temple, and their successors, the Knights Hospitallers of St. 

 John of Jerusalem, with Thornton House, lay on the same side, 

 and then Low Angerton Hall on the riyht. A steep descent led 

 to a bridge that here crossed the Hart, whose limpid stream 

 wound placidly by, betwixt green grassy braes besprinkled with 

 tall trees, and having on its left bank, where it wheels a fine 

 section of shale and sandstone crag. The corresponding ascent 

 on the other side terminates with Hartburn village and Church, 

 which the residence, as vicar, of the Rev. John Hodgson, the 

 historian of Northumberland, has rendered a shrine worthy of 

 reverential visit to everyone ; whether Naturalists, Antiquarians, 

 or Topographers, who can appreciate indefatigable research and 

 unselfish intellectual labour. 



In expectancy of the Club's arrival, the Vicar, the Rev. J. C. 

 Kershaw, and his family, bade the members welcome, and 

 brought forth refreshments for those who choose to participate. 

 The old, but well preserved, grey church is described in the 

 County Histories, and in Guide Books. A marble slab in one of 

 the sedilias, bears the simple record: "John Hodgson, M.A., 

 vicar of Hartburn, died 12th June, 1845, aged 65 " ; and there 

 is a glass lancet on the south side of the chancel, dedicated to 

 his memory by his only son, Richard W. Hodgson. There are 

 two admirable monuments in the church, one by Chantrey to 

 Lady Bradford, the otlier by Ormiston to J. H. H. Atkinson, 

 Esq., of Angerton. Thomas Whittle, the poet, author of the 

 " Mitford Galloway," was buried April 19, 1731, in the church- 

 yard. Two large sandstone stone coffins, with recesses for the 

 resting place of the head, had recently been disinterred, and 

 were lying open outside. There was a magnificent old Ash-tree 



