222 Report of the Meetings jor 1893. 



saddle bow, and galloping to the town of Duns, fastened his 

 horrible trophy to the market cross, as if in ghastly mockery of 

 the motto of his victim (le buis est vert, et les feuilles sont arces.)" 

 Michel has collected some very interesting particulars regard- 

 ing la Bastie. He was a native of Dauphiny, and was lord of 

 La Bastie-sur-Melans in that province ; and had distinguished 

 himself in the expedition of Louis XII. of France to Italy, under 

 the name of the Chevalier Blanc. He was present at the marriage 

 of James IV. of Scotland with Margaret, daughter of Henry 

 yiL, and stood high in the estimation of that monarch, who 

 seems to have found in him a kindred spirit. His arms, which 

 are engraved in the second volume of Michel's work, were, 

 d^azur au franc quartier d''or. Possessed of great abilities and 

 force of character, accomplished in the highest degree, and 

 apparently'- uniting something of noble principle with a thorough 

 grasp of affairs — a knight sans peur et nans reproche — he was not 

 exactly the kind of man to be appreciated by the rude and 

 turbulent Borderers ; but his tragic fate seems to have excited 

 wide-spread commiseration, and local tradition has prolonged 

 almost to our own day the echoes of that wail of pity and regret 

 which rose even from unfriendly lips, as the news of his 

 slaughter spread through the realm. 



WALK THROUGH LANGTON WOOD. 



The way now led throuj^k Langton Wood to Langtou House. 

 Time did not admit of the Dean — a narrow bosky ravine, where 

 it leaves Langton Edge, but lower down widening out con- 

 siderably, and imparting a charming variety to the configuration 

 of the policies — being visited. Rubus saxatilis used to grow in 

 the upper part of Langtou Dean, but has not been observed for 

 some years ; and cultivation has completely extirpated the 

 Ophioglossum vulgatum or Adder's Tongue, which was found 

 sparingly at one time on the grassy slopes to the west of 

 Eaecleughhead. 



IN LANGTON HOUSE. 



Arrived at Langton House the visitors were received and 

 welcomed by the Eev. James Beale, Duns, as representing the 

 Hon. Mrs Baillie Hamilton, and were entertained to luncheon. 

 Everything that thoughtful kindness could devise had been 

 done beforehand by that lady to facilitate the examination of 

 the priceless art treasures, antiquities, etc., for which Langton 



