14 AUGUST 1909, Page 26

The Story of Iona. By the Rev. Edward Craig Trenhohne.

(D. Douglas, Edinbergh. 8s. 6d. net.)—Mr. Trenholme has evidently worked at this book with enthusiasm. He describes the island in a spirit that shows how well he knows it ; and in writing the history of the place from St. Columba downwards he weighs and compares authorities in the most painstaking way. Doubtless he looks on some subjects from a different standpoint than ours. The irrevocable vows for which he has such a respect, for instance, have, we think, no place in Anglican discipline ; but we recognise the merits of his narrative. He rejects, we observe, the stories of St. Columba's troubles in Ireland, and sees in his expatriation nothing but missionary zeal. This may be the right view, and Baeda says nothing about them. On the other hand, these statements are not of a kind that would have been invented. They certainly have more verisimilitude than many things which Mr. Trenholme has no difficulty in accepting. St. Columba's successors are described, and the later history of the island is given. We must not forget to mention that the beautiful photographs with which the volume is illustrated are the work of a lady whose grandfather, the celebrated Legh Richmond, took a kindly interest in the island.