HEtORT OF MEETINGS 'TOR 1904 149 



drive, which runs parallel with the disused avenue already 

 mentioned, they reached the celebrated gates, guarded by 

 bears supporting the family-arms, which have remained 

 closed since the funeral cortege of the Countess of the 

 seventh Earl passed through them. Before leaving the 

 grounds of Traquair, the President expressed in the name 

 of the members their indebtedness to The Honourable H. 

 0. Maxwell-Stuart for the kindness and hospitality extended 

 to them during their visit, and the pleasure that had 

 been afforded them in inspecting its rare and valuable 

 treasures. 



By far the most charming portion of the day's drive lay 

 in front, skirting the banks of the water of Quair, above 

 which, in a field now named "The Infirmary," there 

 flourished the famous Birch commemorated in Crawford's 

 ballad, "The Bush aboon Traquair." On the South side 

 of the stream lies the quaint grave-yard surrounding 

 the parish church, the original burial-ground of the 

 Stuart family. Close by is situated the farm of 



Traquair Knowe, once tenanted by William Laidlaw, author 

 of the Border ballad, " Lucy's flittin'," and the scene also 

 of the meeting of the Ettrick Shepherd and Wordsworth as 

 they took their way to the historic valley of the Yarrow. 

 Passing by Orchardmains, long occupied by members of 

 the noble house of Cecil, whose zeal in the cultivation of 

 land and the improvement of the breed of horses rendered 

 their name a household word among Northern agriculturalists, 

 the party reached the handsome lodge and gateway, sur- 

 mounted by the legend " Salve," which lead 

 The Glen. to the Scottish residence of Sir Charles 

 Tennant, Bart. This baronial mansion, built 

 by Bryce in 1855, and largely added to in 1873, was at one 

 time the possession of a Lord Provost of Edinburgh, from 

 whom it was purchased by Mr John Tennant, St. Rollox, 

 Glasgow, father of the present proprietor. The house lies 

 East and West, and is flanked by wings of loftier elevation, 

 the Eastern wing being surmounted by a tower and flagstaff. 

 The main building consists of three storeys and a semi- 

 sunk flat, while the wings are four storeys high, and 

 diversified by numerous quaint turrets, crowfoot gables, and 



