4 JUNE 1910, Page 29

The Scottish Staple in the Netherlands. By M. P. Roosebohm.

Nijhoff, The Hague. 15s. net.) —This is an account, derived from original documents, of the commercial relations between Scotland and the Netherlands. The main interest is of course commercial, but the narrative touches on political, and even on ecclesiastical, history. So in 1614 Mr. Alexander McBurn, minister of Newburn, in Fife, was appointed " Pasteur of the Scottish nation at their Kirke in Campheit (Peere)." A " reader " was appointed at the same time, whose duties were to include some secular matters. Besides "taking up the psalm " and keeping an

" authentik seseionn book," he was to " inspect all wares coming from Scotland to Zetland." Altogether, this is a contribution of no small value to Scottish history.