REPORT OF MEETINGS FOR 1905 2l1 



became Doctor of Theology in Merton College, Oxford. As 

 guide, philosopher, and friend of the party for the day, Captain 

 Norman was careful to avoid any positive statement on a 

 subject which has long vexed the dwellers on both sides of 

 the Border, and even recently, under the shadow of the 

 postern-gate of Dunstanburgh, evoked patriotic feeling, and 

 the expression of ecclesiastical remonstrance. Discretion rather 

 than fear, however, dictated his attitude, for in spite of the 

 acknowledged fact that at the end of one of his manuscripts, 

 now in the Library of Merton College, there is subscribed 

 this memorandum: — "Here endeth the lecture of John Duns, 

 who was born in a certain hamlet of the parish of Emylton, 

 called Dunstan, in the county of Northumberland, belonging 

 to the house of the scholars of Merton Hall in Oxford," Captain 

 Norman possessed the additional information, received from the 

 late Mr C. B. P. Bosanquet, of Rock Hall, an intimate 

 friend of the late learned Bishop Creighton, formerly Fellow 

 of Merton College and vicar of Embleton, that doubts regard- 

 ing the authenticity of this note had been entertained by the 

 Bishop himself, as well as by some of the College authorities. 

 The point will probably never be definitely decided, and will 

 remain, like many another kindred problem, a topic for 

 discussion at future Naturalists' meetings. A room in the 

 building was shown as that in which the famous scholar first 

 saw the light, and a refreshment of strawberries from the 

 adjoining garden thereafter helped to sweeten the relations 

 between the upholders of Dunstan, Northumberland, and those 

 of Duns, Berwickshire. 



Ee-entering the carriages, the members proceeded to Embleton, 



which was reached at 4-45. Here dinner was 

 Club served in the Dunstanburgh Castle Hotel. Mr 



Dinner. Wm. B. Boyd, President, occupied the chair, 



and proposed the usual toasts, which were duly 

 honoured. Members returned home vid Christen Bank Station, 

 whence trains were timed to leave for the South and the 

 North at 6-11 and 6-58 respectively. 



