The cloister garth is still traceable and is unencumbered with buildings, except one detached gable, evidently of ancient date, but the history and use of which cannot now be determined (see Fig. 760). It contains two shields, but the armorial bearings have entirely disappeared. This view from the south-west point, which includes the above ivy-clad gable in the foreground, with the remains of the chapter house and an ancient tree on the opposite side of the cloister garth, is one of the most striking and picturesque aspects of the abbey. The chapter house is separated from the south transept by a narrow passage or slype, from which a door opened into the transept. The size of the chapter house has been about 30 feet by 20 feet, but only a few feet of its walls remain. It has been lighted by a large traceried window looking to the east (see Fig. 760). The refectory is said to have been on the south side of the cloisters, but it has now disappeared. MELROSE ABBEY, ROXBURGHSHIRE. Amongst the picturesque and beautiful remains of our ancient church architecture, the ruins of Melrose Abbey most deservedly occupy a distinguished place. Apart altogether from the charm which attaches to this edifice from the poetic interest which has been thrown around it, and the attractive nature of the beautiful locality, the architecture of the building is of a high order, and particularly valuable from the richness and completeness of its details, which afford a fine illustration of a period of Scottish architecture the examples of which are not numerous. The building stands in the sheltered and cultivated vale of the Tweed, surrounded by gentle pastoral hills, presenting one of those peaceful sites dear to the Cistercians, by whom the abbey was colonised. It was founded by David I., who brought to it from Rievalle, in Yorkshire, the first monks of the Cistercian order in Scotland. A more ancient Abbey of Melrose had existed from the seventh century, on a broad meadow, nearly surrounded by a “loop” of the Tweed, about two and a-half miles lower down the river. It was established about the year 650, and the first abbot was Eata, one of the chosen band of disciples educated by Aidan, the missionary from Iona, who converted the heathen Northumbrians, and founded the Abbey of Lindisfarne. In the primitive monastery of Old Melrose St. Cuthbert spent much of his early life before passing to more distinguished charges at Hexham and Lindisfarne. Here also the monks of Lindisfarne, when expelled by the Danes, found refuge, bringing with them St. Cuthbert’s sacred body, which, after many wanderings, found a final and worthy resting-place at Durham. This establishment at Old Melrose suffered many vicissitudes, and in the eleventh century was a ruined and desolate place. It afterwards became the retreat of a few monks, amongst whom was Turgot, the confessor and biographer of Queen Margaret, and subsequently Bishop of St. Andrews. A chapel was erected and dedicated to St.