Some Records of a Cistercian Abbey. By the Rev. G.
E. Gilbanks. (W. Scott.)—Holm Cultram Abbey was founded by Prince Henry, son of David, King of Scotland. It had a high rank among the religions foundations of the North. But it paid the penalty of its distinction. The Scots, who burnt monasteries across the Border as relentlessly as if they bad been Persians in Greece, laid it waste more than once. And it had trouble of its own. Mr. Gilbanks, who is justifiably proud of the church which he serves, as being one of the very few Cistercian buildings still used for worship, has done his best with a scanty supply of material. Little is known of most of the ecclesiastics who filled the Abbot's chair, and the other inmates of the monastery. Certainly the most famous was Michael Scott, who came here to end his days. Unhappily, that is almost all we know of his connection with the place. Mr. Gilbanks deserves the thanks of the ecclesiastical arche=ologist for this volume.—With this may be mentioned The Registers of Conway (Chas. J. Clerk, 25s. net), the parish registers of Conway from 1541 down to 1793. There are some miscellaneous records and a transcription of the monu- mental inscriptions within the church. A second volume is to follow. We wish that the same could be done for all parishes.
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