255 



opposite side, standing out from the bare moorland, was the prin- 

 cipal elevation of the Crags, where once the Falcon, and still the 

 E-aven, annually breeds. The visitors had not time to enter the 

 "Wedderburn or the Priest's Cave, but passing along the northern 

 edge of the Crags they picked up the Sundew, Brosera rotundi- 

 folia, which, together with the boggy ground, was almost dried 

 up. Then, refreshed by the cool breezes of the Crags, one hun- 

 dred feet high, they plunged into the deep woods clothing the 

 northern escarpment, and revelled in the luxuriant crop of Blea- 

 berries, Vaccinium myrtillus. Time pressed however, and by 

 devious ways they returned to their comfortable hostelry and ob- 

 liging hostess. Miss Dunn (whose death we have since been sorry 

 to see recorded in the newspapers). Here, as on the previous 

 days, the party, numbering fourteen members, were well and 

 plentifully catered for and diligently waited upon. After dinner 

 three new members were elected, after which the majority of the 

 party drove back to Alnwick, by Lemmington Bank, and in due 

 time regained Newcastle. 



This Special meeting was one of special interest and of special 

 pleasure. The weather was unusually hot, the days clear, the 

 nights moonlighted ; Wild Roses and Meadow-Sweet lining the 

 roads, and fields of White Clover, perfumed the air for miles. 

 Eoses of all kinds, mingled with Woodbine, clustered on the 

 porches and fronts of cottages and in gardens ; new mown hay 

 on the higher grounds lent its fragrance to the fresh and bracing 

 air; and altogether the scene was all that fancy could have 

 painted, and will long remain a pleasing recollection in the minds 

 of all the party. 



We were greatly indebted to Francis Charlton, Esq., and Mr. 

 Toplcy, fellow members, for a variety of information respecting 

 the different seats of the landed proprietors, and the topography 

 and geology, as well as the history, of the distiict of Whittinghum. 

 Spenser's picture of Summer was at this time appropriate : — 



" Then ciime the iolly Summer being (light 

 In a thin silken cassock coloured grcene, 

 That was unlyned all, to be more light ; 

 And on his head a girlond well bcscenc 



