IN REPLY TO "I O NA," BY THE DUKE OF ARGYLL. WITH A REVIEW OF "THE CATHEDRAL, AND ABBEY CHURCH OF IONA,” BY THE RIGHT REVEREND THE BISHOP OF ARGYLL AND THE ISLES. DEDICATION ΤΟ THE MOST NOBLE THE MARQUIS OF LORNE. MY LORD MARQUIS, ALLOW me to inscribe the following publication on Iona to your Lordship, who, like myself, is connected with "The Land of the Mountain and Flood." It refers to that charmed Isle in West Argyllshire, which is so famed in Scottish story, as well as in the chronicles of European civilization, and which appears to intensify in interest, with the lapse of years. The subject and its religious associations have, during a lengthened period, engrossed the profound attention of many distinguished Savants, who recorded their sentiments in unison with their own peculiar bias; although, in some instances, their judgment has been egregiously distorted, and their narrative grievously at fault. It is, then, devoutly to be desired that the present work may prove not only well timed, but correctly informed that it may foster no fond iliusion-invent no new theory-propound no novel proposition-but that it may steadfastly aim at an honest exposition of truth alone, that it may stimulate inquiry into the real principles of the Ancient Church, that it may lead to a truer estimate of the Monastic discipline of the Middle Ages, and a juster appreciation of the Monastic glories of Old Catholic Caledonia. Meantime, permit me to wish very cordially to you and to your Royal affianced Princess, every spiritual and temporal blessing, while I have the honour to remain, My Lord Marquis, with the highest consideration, Your most obedient servant, J. STEWART M'CORRY, D.D. St. Peter's Basilica, Hatton Garden, Holborn Circus, London, March, 1871. |