Blair Collection > Book of Common Order, commonly called John Knox's Liturgy

x Preface.
himself, or at that of the Earl of Argyll, his
patron, or in some measure at that of the leading
ministers in the Church at the time. Let that
be as it may, Carswell executed the work, and
did so in a highly creditable manner. The book
has become so scarce that there is only one
perfect copy of it known to exist. That copy
is in the possession of the Duke of Argyll. There
is one imperfect copy in the British Museum,
which was originally found in the house of a
farmer in Stratherrick, near Inverness, and another
in the Library of the Edinburgh University.
The value set upon the work by scholars may
be seen from the following extract from a
letter of the Rev. Dr. Reeves of Armagh to
the Editor : —
' Having lately learned that of the only three
' known copies of the work but one is perfect,
' and that that one is in private possession, namely,
' in the Library of his Grace the Duke of Argyll,
' and subject to all the contingencies in the many
' degrees which occupy the space between the
' four cardinal points of mischief — fire, damp,
' worms, and thieves — my anxiety has become
' more intense, and I have resolved on appealing
' to you to take active steps for the perpetuation
' of this literary treasure. Here is a chapter in
' the History of Scotland, and much more, a mine
' of philological treasure in one important branch