27 JUNE 1914, Page 12

The Abbey of Dundrennan. By A. H. Christie. (Dalbeattie :

T. Fraser. 3s. 6d. net.)—Mr. Christie, who is the Minister of Rerrick, has produced a laudable study in local history with this account of the Abbey of Dundrennan, the "considerable ruins" of which stand in his parish, six miles south-east of Kirkcudbright. It was established in 1142 by the Cistercian followers of St. Bernard under the bill which bore the name, even then ancient, of Dan.draigheanan—" the fort of the thorn bushes." Mr. Christie gives an interesting account of the daily life of the monks under the Cistercian rule, and shows what a beneficent work they did as a civilizing influence.