Publisher's Synopsis
Excerpt from The Octocentenary of Reading Abbey, A. D. 1121-A. D. 1921
Doubtless during the long history of the Abbey there were at times abuses and scandals, such as have stained the memory of many a religious house. Where in this world can gold be found that is free from dross? The real ever falls short of the ideal. But, speaking generally, the Founder's lofty aims were realised; he planted a tree that bore good fruit. To-day little remains but ivy-clad, weather-stained ruins. The fire is extinguished on the altar, the voice of prayer and thanksgiving is silent, the music is hushed in the choir. Abbot, prior, cantor, sacrist, monk have made their exit for ever. But the part played by the Abbey in the making of England and of Reading will be held in perpetual remembrance. Its record will abide even when eroding time has removed the last vestiges of that chef d'oeuvre of architecture which Henry Beauclerc dedicated to the worship of the Almighty, and in which he found his final resting-place. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.
