So that his better part, we trust,

Hath made the Port of Heaven.”

The following quaint inscription, copied from the Abbey of Melrose, consecrated in 1146, is of much historical value. From it, it would appear that one John Murdo superintended most of the ancient ecclesiastical edifices in Scotland:—

“John Murdo some tym callit was I,

And born in Parysse certainly,

And had in kepying all mason werk

Of Sanctandroys, the hye kyrk

Of Glasgu, Melros, and Paslay,

Of Nyddysdale, and of Galway,