Report of the Meetings for 1893. 235 



were preserved from 1730, a previous volume having been lost. 

 Two modern windows had been inserted, one having the 

 (modern) inscription "Soli Deo gloria, 1632," and the other 

 "Repaired 1820." An old sundial was also preserved outside. 

 The communion plate, which consists of two silver cups, tells 

 its own history in an engraved inscription: — "This cup was 

 purchased by the session of Smailholm, out of the Treasury, 

 in Mister Cunningham's time. 1736." Several of the grave- 

 stones of former ministers were pointed out, including that 

 of the Eev. Mr Cleghorn, author of a " History of the 

 Revolution of 1688." 



The conveyances being again occupied, a short drive brought 

 the company to the field-road leading to Sandyknowe Tower, 

 the school children crowding on the roadside to see the unwonted 

 sight of five laden carriages pass their way, and the youngsters 

 raising hearty cheers to show their goodwill. On dismounting 

 once more the ancient homestead of Wrangham was indicated 

 on the west, for here it was, according to some biographers, that 

 the venerated St Cuthbert spent his youth, and felt the inward 

 promptings which led him to consecrate his life to religion, and 

 where he is reputed to have received a visit from the venerable 

 Bede. Nothing now exists to mark the spot where Wrangham 

 stood save a few trees, but the name still clings to more than 

 one of the field enclosures where the trees stand. At a little 

 distance to the west, and standing clear out on an eminence 

 against the sky, stand the Brother-stones, their traditionary 

 history many a time recounted in Border story, and most recently 

 by Sir George Douglas in his " New Border Tales." 



Turning the gaze southwards, the ruins of the redoubtable 

 stronghold of Sandyknowe (or Smailholm) Tower were full 

 in view, and few would let their eyes rest upon them without 

 endeavouring to realize the picture of the place and its 

 proprietor, presented by Scott in his "Eve of St. John." 



" The baron of Smaylho'me rose with day ; 



He spurred his courser on 

 Without stop or stay down the rocky way 



That leads to Brotherstone." 



The course of the company was exactly reversed ; for they set 

 their backs on Brotherstone, and their faces and footsteps to the 

 bold Baron's Tower. The walk was toilsome, for the ground 

 was both broken and steep ; but the " stout heart" gained the 



