ABBEY, EDWIN AUSTIN

(18521911), one of the foremost American figure-painters, was 6b. in Philadelphia. He was sent by Harper Brothers of New York to England in 1878 to gather material to illustrate WHerrick’s poems. These illustrations, together with his work on Shakespeare’s plays, secured his fame. From 1891 to 1902 he was engaged on a series of panels, ‘The Quest of the Holy Grail,’ for the Boston Public Library, and in 1901 he was commi ioned by Edward VII. to paint his coronation. Among his pictures may be mentioned: ‘A May-Day Morning,’ ‘Fiametta’s Song,’ ‘Crusaders Sighting Jerusalem,’ ‘Pot-pourri,’ and ‘A Measure.’ In 1896 he was elected A.R.A., and in 1898 he became an R.A., gaining later the titles of Chevalier of the Legion of Honour and Member of the alias Academy of Design of New ork, name of res, originally applied to the aged; uired a special meaning as the title of the head of a monastery. All i} members of the monastery owe implicit obedience to the abbot, whom they elect, but for the taking of important steps he must receive their consent. From his diocesan the abbot receives the insignia of his office—mitre, crosier, ring, etc. The importance of the office is shown by the fact that abbots took part in the Councils of the Church, and sat in the legislative a emblies of various European countries, The title is still retained in the older monastic orders.