172 The Pre- Reformation Churches of Berwickshire. 



splendid and still lovely fane.*' And, to take only one other 

 instance, the chapel of Holyrood — which is not surpassed in 

 architectural elegance or historical interest by any building 

 in the three kingdoms — is now, after several abortive attempts at 

 restoration, left to crumble into ruin, while the hundredth part 

 of the sum annually expended by the nation on useless or frivo- 

 lous objects would more than suffice to ensure its preservation, and 

 that of many other fast-decaying memorials of " the auld 

 Scottish glory," for centuries to come. As long as such things 

 are possible, so long are we premature in congratulating our- 

 selves on the existence, in the minds of the people generally, of 

 a just appreciation of our ancient religious art, and so long will 

 much remain to be done before its relics can become tlie obj»^ct8 

 of that patriotic and reverent regai'd which they deserve. 



* I believe that, recently, the heritors of the parish of Melrose have 

 issued an order jirohibitiug the pasturing of sheep or cattle in the abbey 

 graveyard, and that some necessary repairs have been made on the building 

 itself. Better late than never ; bat the condition of that noble ruin is still 

 far from being satisfactory either to the patriot or the archaeologist. 



