Ears Of Wheat From A Cornucopia.

an inch m diameter , Avhich ran from the walls of the building , in the direction of a fine spring now called Kyles Well . This pipe had a considerable descent , and could not have been used for the purpose of drawing water from the Avell to the

abbe 3 . Through it , therefore , in all probability , blood or some liquid resembling it , had been caused to flow into the fountain , and thus the credulity of the people was imposed upon by the appearance of a miracle , Avhich served to enhance the fame of

the monastery and the power of its priesthood . A few particulars , supplementary to those Avhich we have already introduced in connection with the subject of our illustrations , may in the eyes of brethren having a taste for archaslogical pursuits

possess interest sufficient to justify their reproduction here . It would appear that Kilwinning was celebrated as the site of a relligious institution five hundred years before the founding of the monastery . To quote from that learned and

able antiquarian , the author of the 'Historical Memoir * ' already noticed , —The abbey of Kilwinning- is one of the few religious houses which trace

a connection Avith the early hagiology of Scotland . The syllable ' Kil , ' so common iu Ireland , and throughout those parts in Avesfcern Scotland which Avere colonised from Ireland , has been generally translated by the English word ' cell , ' and which

is here prefixed to the name of Sfc . Winning . In that curious and volunrinous repository of superstitious piety , the' Breviary of Aberdeen , ' recently reproduced in fac simile by the zeal and munificence of the Maitland Club , appears a brief

biographical account of St . Winning . Of princely Milesian origin , he Avas born towards the close of the seventh century , in Ireland , then the great source of Christian missionaryism in the Avestern regions ,

and his education Avas suitable to his eminent quality . But from his earliest years he discovered an exclusive inclination to solitude and reliaious meditation ; and finding the circumstances of his high rank to be quite insufferable to his devotional

aspirations , he resolved , in concert Avith a few others , his chosen companions , to devote himself exclusively to the propagation of the sacred truths of Christianity among the heathen tribes of the northern regions adjacent . And Avith this view

the party forthwith privately commenced the construction of some sort of temporary vessel—float or raft , it is called—and thus in the boundless strength and confidence of their faith , resolved fco commit themselves , Avithout further preparation of means ,

to the winds and waves , leaving * it entirely to Providence to direct their course to Avhatever shore their services might be most needed in the holy mission of his service . The voyage did not , however , it appears , in all respects prove so

miraculously prosperous as the voyagers in their enthusiasm might have been led to anticipate ; , and after a long perilous tossing hither * and thither , they at last reached the mouth of the Garnock water in the sandy bay of

Cunningham , Aveary , Avoru out , and at the point , of perishing with cold and hunger * . Neither knowing Avhere they were nor Avhat to do , they essayed to procure some fish from the desertstream . But all in vain ! They could discover

nothing ; and in an agony of despair , the poor saint , apprehensive they Avere thus cruelly thwarted , by some malignant genius loci , in his exasperated , feelings cursed the river , that it should never * more be blessed as the habitation of fish , a doom from

Avhich it only escaped by changing its course and flowing in a new channel , as afterwards believed L . . But however ungracious the spirit of the .

Garnock may have been in thus refusing * a supply offish to the poor famished saint and his followers , ifc is certain he did not on that account turn away from the locality , for it is recorded that in a vision he Avas directed by au angel to build his church on

the identical beautiful spot now occupied by the shattered fragments of the once glorious abbey which , at the distance of four centuries afterwards ,, came to replace the humble cell of St . Winning . The territorial possessions of the Abbey of

Kil-Avinning appear first to have been erected into a regality , in favour of Abbot William Boyd , about the year * 1450 . Hew , second earl of Eglinton , Avas served heir * to his grandfather , the first earl .

m the hereditary office of Baillie of the regality of the Monastery of Kilwinning , December 4 th ,. 1545 ; and not improbably the family may have held this appointment from the beginning . Subsequently Hew , third Earl of Eglingfcon , had a

charter from Gavin Hamilton , commendator of Kilwinning , May 19 fch , 1552 , of the office of "" Chamberlain , justiciary and bailie of all the . lands belonging to the said monastery , " he had likewise a charter of the feu-duties

belonging to it , Aug . 24 th , 1565 . The lordship of Kilwinning was first secularised and granted , by the CroAvn to William Melville , commendatorthereof , in 1591 , and 10 years afterwards he alienated it to the Earl of Eglinton ; which aliena-