Ancient Things in Angus

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1881 edition. Excerpt: ... ANCIENT THINGS IN ANGUS. The history of Aberbrothock Abbey has already been so fully written, by Mr Hay and other historians, that little more can now be ascertained concerning it. The awakened interest increasingly manifested for the preservation of the Ancient Things still existing amongst us, will doubtless ultimately lead to the enactment of measures calculated to redeem the precious relics of former times from the exclusive custody of private persons, and thus render them more generally applicable to public purposes. They belong to the history of our nation, and are associated with every phase of it, from the first rude development of our primitive ancestry to the more polished product of modern civilization; they should therefore be recognised as national property, and carefully protected from spoliation and further decay. Whatever was in the first instance the complexion of their origin, we can now regard them all. with perfect complaisance, free alike from prejudice and superstition. It is true the time was when the case was very different; which is the best excuse that can now be offered for the misdoings of our forefathers with reference to these things. The important measures which have recently been adopted by the town authorities of Arbroath, in order to display to greater advantage le tout ensemble of the Abbey buildings, and particularly their having purchased the Abbot's House, in order to its remaining for ever public property, are in a high degree creditable to the public spirit of the townsmen of that ancient burgh. It is to be hoped that the Council will persevere in the good work in which they have made so excellent a beginning, and be liberally supported therein by the Crown authorities (who are the custodiers of...