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picturesque view of the vale of the "Wear was obtained, that to the 

 east, including Frosterley, being much remarked upon. At this 

 quarry the limestone is twelve fathoms deep, and two thousand 

 five hundred tons are sent away each week, principally to the 

 Ironstone furnaces at Middlesbrough. After ascending the hill 

 side the beautiful ravine of Jack's Crags was reached. Each one 

 of the party, either alone, or with the kindly aid of friends, 

 safely made the ascent of the gorge, which at places was perilous 

 and difficult. One of the first to reach the top was Mr. John Han- 

 cock, who had carefully examined for traces of the feathered in- 

 habitants, but unfortunately without any success. In descending 

 from Thimbleby Hill (nearly twelve hundred feet), after passing 

 JN'ewlandside Hall, the ancient seat of the Wards, the quarries 

 of JS'ewlandside were inspected, where blasting by means of dy- 

 namite was being proceeded with, and which operation was 

 viewed from a safe distance with much interest. Here some 

 lead ore was shown which appeared to be rich in metal. The 

 hill side was then gradually descended, through fields whei'e 

 hay making was in process. The hedgerows were studded with 

 the "Woodruff, Asperula odorata, in bloom, its sweet aroma being 

 very grateful. In the bed of the Wear a remarkable bed of 

 Easalt first described by Sir W. C. Trevelyan was pointed out. 

 .After crossing the Wear by the picturesque stone bridge Stan- 

 hope Hall was visited. This is a large ancient building situated 

 on an eminence, and guarded with a curtain wall, to which you 

 ascend in front by a flight of many steps. It is one of the pos- 

 sessions of the Earl of Carlisle, but more anciently was the family 

 house of the Featherstonhaughs, the last male of whom fell in 

 the field in the Civil wars, soon after which the estate was sold. 

 After a short distance Stanhope Castle, the residence of Henry 

 Pease, Esq., was reached, when the members were permitted to 

 inspect the beautiful garden, vineries, and grounds. 



A small number of the party, upon arriving at Stanhope, pro- 

 ceeded to explore Stanhope Burn and the site of the Heathery 

 Burn Cave, among whom was our esteemed Secretary, Islw 

 llichard Howse, who has kindly communicated the following 

 account of their visit. 



