23 JUNE 1894, Page 25

Jedburgh Abbey and the Abbeys of Tettiotdale. By James Watson.

(David Douglas.)—Here we have a handsome new edition of a work which has long been out of print, and which, dealing with one of the most interesting features of "the enchanted Borderland," was very well received at the time of its first appearance. It deals with the Abbey of Jedburgh from every possible point of view—historical, ecclesiastical, architectural— and indicates the changes effected upon it by such widely different events as the War of Independence and the Reformation. The chapters dealing with this period in whole or in part, should be cart-

fully read by all who are apt to take the familiar exaggerated view of the damage done by the "rabble" of John Knox to the ecclesiastical edifices of the ancient Church. In his new edition, Mr. Watson introduces "several new features, including the Temporality and Spirituality of the Abbey ; an Account of the Notable Persons buried in the Abbey; and several Charters relative to the Monastery." At the same time he appears to have quite abandoned any hope he may have ever entertained that the chartulary of the Abbey will be discovered. Thus "all chances are gone of ever having a consecutive and continuous history of the Abbey, such as might otherwise have been." He has, however, made quite the most of his subject. The illustra- tions of the book deserve a word of hearty commendation; they are numerous and lifelike.