The Rise and Fall of Reading Abbey. By J. B.
Hurry, M.D. (Elliot Stock. 2s. 6d. net.)—Dr. Hurry's book is an amplified reprint of a presidential address given by the author at the meeting of the Reading Literary and Scientific Society. It con- tains, to go further back, the main outlines of a work on the subject published some five years ago. The volume, of course, suggests the problem which perpetually presents itself when we read of these great monastic foundations. How was the tremendous revolution of their overthrow brought about with such ease How can we account for the fact that the very buildings were permitted to fall into ruin without an attempt at preservation ? Can we imagine such a thing happening to churches and schools ? It is quite clear that they had outstayed their welcome, at least in that part of the country where movements of modern life were active. We find in 1480 the Reading townsfolk complaining of the Abbot's greed. It seems, too, that not a voice was raised at the cruelly unjust fate of the last Abbot, for such by all accounts it appears to have been. However, these questions may wait. What we have here is an interesting history and guide.
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