134 REPORT OP MEETINGS FOR 1904 



In fulfilment of their expectations, members reached Eodono 



Hotel punctually at two o'clock. This is a 

 Rodono : modern structure of considerable dimensions, 



Club situated on the wooded hillside above the road, 



Dinner. and on land which formerly belonged to the 



Abbey of Melrose. Upwards of thirty members 

 and guests sat down to dinner, at which, in addition to the 

 usual toasts, the health of Mr T. Craig Brown was cordially 

 pledged, in acknowledgment of the care bestowed upon the 

 preparation of the day's Itinerar}', and his readiness to impart 

 information regarding the historical features of the drive from 

 Selkirk. Nominations in favour of Mr John Henderson, 

 Fawside Lodge, Gordon, and Mr W. J. Marshall, Berwick, 

 ■were duly intimated. After dinner an hour or more was 

 available for a ramble about the Loch, which, in spite of a 

 drizzling rain, was taken advantage of to view the monument 

 to James Hogg, now enclosed on the rising ground directly 

 opposite the neck of land separating the two sheets of water, 

 and which was inaugurated in 1860 to the memory of the 

 Ettrick Shepherd, who had expressed the hope that, when 

 he was "cauld in the mouls," there might be raised "a 

 bit monument to his memory in some quiet spot forenent 

 Tibbie's dwelling." 



At 4-45 the brakes left Rodono Hotel, and the return 



journey was begun in better weather. The 

 Return same route as in the earlier part of the day 



Drive. was followed until Hangingshaw Drive was 



entered, when, by a slight detour through the 

 grounds of Bowhill, the main road was crossed, and the 

 beautiful mansion of Philiphaugh was reached, where Mr 

 William Strang Steel, its proprietor, had time permitted, would 

 have hospitably entertained the compan}'. This was found to 

 be impracticable, and the members had rtluctantly to content 

 themselves, with a too hurried visit to his extensive gardens, 

 which greatly delighted and impressed them. Everything 

 that taste and care and means could do had been done, 

 and that successfully, to make them beautiful and effective. 

 Seldom indeed have gardens and cultivation under glass been 

 carried to such a pitch of perfection, two splendid peach 

 trees, which together completely filled one laige house, having 



