188 president's aj)dkess. 



been but six incumbents of the benefice. These were Leonard 

 AVastcll, appointed in 1651; Cuthbert Chambers, 1712; John 

 Johnson, 1714; George Bram well, 1761; John Theakstone, 1784; 

 R. H. AVilliamson (the father of the present Patron and late 

 Rector), 1832. To Mr. AVilliamson his son succeeded; but, 

 after holding the living a few years, he resigned it, and appointed 

 as his successor the present Rector, the Rev. J. Irwin. 



From Hurworth the party proceeded to the site of Neasham 

 Abbey ; but there are but faint traces now existing of this an- 

 cient ecclesiastical edifice. It was granted, at the suppression, 

 to James Lawson. It was a Benedictine I^unnery, dedicated to 

 the Blessed Virgin. The date of its foundation is not clearly 

 known. 



On the way to Keasham Hill, where, fi'om the grounds of Mr. 

 "Ward's house, a magnificent view up Tcesdalc for many miles 

 was obtained, Mr. Wilkinson's pack of Otterhounds was passed. 

 There appears to be still plenty of sport for them in the lower 

 reaches of the Tees. A singular circumstance occurred a few 

 months before the visit of the Club. An Otter, migrating from 

 the Tees to one of the brooks which fall into the river on the 

 north side, was killed by a passing train, which came up as it 

 was crossing the railway to reach its destination. 



Dinsdalc was the next halting place of the party, and here 

 many objects of interest presented themselves. The Rev. J. W. 

 Smith, the worthy Rector, though not a member of our Club, 

 has long been a regular contributor to our ^leteorological Obser- 

 vations. He received us very cordially and hospitably. In his 

 garden we saw a fine bush of mistletoe growing upon an apple 

 tree, which was loaded with blossoms ; and in various places wo 

 saw birds sitting upon their eggs, in nests which they had built 

 open to the gaze of the passer by, and close to the elbow of the 

 gardener when working in the adjoining beds. One singular 

 case was a wooden letterbox, hanging just inside the gate, which 

 had been regularly built in by Blackcaps for the past ten years. 

 These facts were eloquent, though silent, witnesses to the kind- 

 heartedness and genuine love of Nature of the worthy Rector 

 and his family, and also to the quiet and retired character of the 



