... OLD AND NEW EDINBURGH. [The Meadows
?upwards of eighty years of age, as captain-general,
and the Earl of ...
Book 4 p. 354
(Score 0.57)
![Xigh Street.] EXCISE OFFICE. 217
not only to inspire his enthusiasm, but improve his
seamanship ; and there was something prophetic
in the poem, as the frigate Azlroru, in which he
served, perished at sea in 1769.
Eastward of Knox?s manse is an old timberfronted
land, bearing the royal arms of Scotland
on its first floor, and entered by a stone turnpike,
the door of which has the legend Beus Benedictat,
and long pointed out as the excise office of early
times. ? The situation,? says Wilson, ? was peculiarly
convenient for guarding the principal gate of
das?s splendid mansion in St. Andrew?s Square,
now occupied by the Royal Bank. This may be
considered its culminating point It descended
thereafter to Bellevue House, in Drummond Place,
built by General Scott, the father-in-law of Mr.
Canning, which house was demolished in 1846 in
completing the tunnel of the Edinburgh and Leith
Railway; and now we believe the exciseman no
longer possesses a local habitation ? within the
Scottish capital.?
The interesting locality of the Nether Bow takes
the city, and the direct avenue (Leith Wynd) to
the neighbouring seaport. . . . . . Since
George 11.?~ reign the excise office had as many
rapid vicissitudes as might mark the ?areer of a
profligate spendthrift. In its earlier days, when a
floor of the old land in the Nether Bow sufficed
for its accommodation, it was regarded as foremost
among the detested fruits of the Union. From
thence it removed to more commodious chambers
in the Cowgate, since demolished to make way for
the southern piers of George IV. bridge. Its next
resting place was the large tenement on the south
side of Chessel?s Court in the Canongate, the scene
of the notorious Deacon Brodie?s last robbery.
From thence it was removed to Sir Lawrence Dun-
28
its name from the city gate, known as the Nether
Bow Port, in contradistinction to the Upper Bow
Port, which stood near the west end of the Eigh
Street. This barrier united the city wall from St.
Mary?s Wynd on the south to the steep street known
as Leith Wynd on the north, at a time when, perhaps,
only open fields lay eastward of the gate,
stretching from the township to the abbey of Holyrood.
The last gate was built in the time of Tames
VI. ; what was the character of its predecessor
we have no means of ascertaining; but to repair it,
in 1538, as the city cash had run low, the magistrates
were compelled to mortgage its northern
vault for IOO rnerks Scots; and this was the gate
which the English, under Lord Hertford, blew open](images/thumbs/old_new_edin_v2p037.gif "Old and New Edinburgh Vol. II Page 217")
... Street.] EXCISE OFFICE. 217
not only to inspire his enthusiasm, but improve his
seamanship ; and there was ...
Book 2 p. 217
(Score 0.57)
... UCKENBOOTHS AND PARLIAMENT CLOSE. 189
It used to be a very interesting sight, on a fine summer morning,’ ...
Book 10 p. 207
(Score 0.57)
... OLD AND NEW EDINBURGH. LHol~lrood.
and intriguing apostbte as one of the greatest and
best men of his ...
Book 3 p. 60
(Score 0.57)
![THE LA WNMARKET. I73
to accomplish the foresaid bigging,” &c. This royal mandate not seeming to have produced
the ready acquiescence that was doubtless anticipated, King James, in the following
August, assumes the imperative mode,--“ Whereas the said Robert Gourlay is quarelled
and troubled for diminishing of ye breid and largeness of ye passage thereof, by use and
wont j albeit ye said vennel be na common nor free passage, lyke as ye same hath not been
this long time bygane, being only ane stay hill besouth ye said new wark, and nevir calsayit
nor usit as ane oppen and comoun vennall, lyke as na manner of persones has now, nor
can justlie plead ony richt or entrie to ye said vennal, q’“ be all lawis inviolable observit
in tymes bygane has pertainit, and aucht to pertene to US; ” and to make sure of the
matter this time, his Majesty closes by authorising the buildingof a dyke across the close,
“ notwithstanding that ye said transe and vennall have been at ony time of before, repute
or halden ane comoun and free passage I ”
The result of this mandate of royalty would appear to have been the erection of the house
at the foot of the close,-the only other building that had an entrance by it,-apparently
as the dwelling for his son, John Gourlay. This ancient edifice possessed a national interest
as having been the place where the earliest banking institution in Scotland was establislied.
The Bank of Scotland, or, as it was more generally styled by our ancestors, the Old Bank,
continued to carry on all its. business there, within the narrow alley that bore its name,
until the completion of the extensive erection in Bank Street, whither it removed in 1805.
The house bore the date 1588, the same year as that of the royal mandates authorising its
erection, and on an upright stone panel, on its north front, a device was sculptured representing
several stalks of wheat growing out of bones, with the motto, SPES ALTERA
VITAL The same ingenious emblem of the resurrection may still be seen on the fine
old range of buildings opposite the Canongate Tolbooth.
The only notice of Robert Gourlay we have been able to discover occurs in Calderwood‘
s History, and is worth extracting, for the illustration it affords of the extensive
jurisdiction the kirk was disposed to assume to itself in his day :-“ About this time,
Robert Gourlay, an elder of the Kirk of Edinburgh, was ordeanned to mak his publict
repentance in the kirk upon Friday, the 28th May [1574],for transporting mheate out of
the countrie.” The Regent, however, interfered, and interposed his licence as sufficient
security against the threatened discipline of the church.l
’John Gourlay is styled in some of his titles “ customar,” that is, one who “ taks taxatiounis,
custumis, or dewteis; ’” and his father also, in all probability, occupied a
situation of some importance in the royal household; nor is it to be supposed it was
altogether ‘‘ out of mere love and gade will” that King James was so ready to secure
to him the absolute control over the close wherein he built his house. It was a building
of peculiar strength and massiveness, and singularly intricate in its arrangements, even
for that period. Distinct and substantial stone .stairs led from nearly the same point
to separate parts of the mansion; and on its demolition, a most ingeniously contrived
secret chamber was discovered, between the ceiling of the first and the floor of the second
story, in which were several chests full of old deeds and other papers.’ A carved stone,
at the side of the highest entrance in the close, bore a shield with a martlet on it,
’ Calderwood, voL iii p. 328. ’ Vide Jamieaon’s Scottish Dictionary.
J Now in the Chambers of the Improvements Commission. . .](images/thumbs/memorials/memorials_v1_Page_206.gif "Memorials of Edinburgh in the Olden Time Page 188")
... LA WNMARKET. I73
to accomplish the foresaid bigging,” &c. This royal mandate not seeming to have ...
Book 10 p. 188
(Score 0.56)
![BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 383
Dictionary of Decision8 of the Court of Session,
vols. iii and iv. 1778. Folio.
Plan and Outlines of a Course of Lectures on'Universa1
History, Ancient and Modern, illustrated
with Maps of Ancient and Modern Geography,
and a Chronological Table. 1782. Afterwards
much enlarged, and published under the title of
Elements of Qeneral History.
Nos. 17, 37, 59, 79, of the Mirror, first publishad in
1779 and 1780; also Nos. 7, 19. 24, 44, 63, 70, 79,
of the Lounger, tirst published in 1785 aud 1786.
Account of the Life and Writings of Dr. John Grego~y,
pretixed to an edition of his works, published at
Edinburgh in 1787.
History of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, making
the First Part of the First Volume of the Transactions
of the Royal Society, printed in 1787.
Biographical Account of Lord President Dundas,
printed in the Second Volume of the Transactions
of the Royal Society.
Account of some extraordinary Structures on the
tops of Hills in the Highlands, with Remarks on
the Progress of the Arts among the Ancient Inhabitanta
of Scotland. Printed in the Second
Volume of the Tnrnsnctions of the Royal Society.
Essay on the Principles of Translation, 8vo. Pablished
by Cadell, London Second edition, with
additions, 1797. 8vo.
Critical Examination of Yr. Whitaker's Course of
Hmnibal over the Alps.
New edition of Derham's Physic+Theology, with
large Notes and an Account of the Life and
Writings of the Author. Published, January
1789.
Ireland ProUting by Example, or the Question whether
Scotland haa Gained or Lpst by a Union, ilnally
discussed, 1799.
Remnrks on the Writings and Qenius of Allan
Rameay. Prefixed to a new edition of his works,
in 2 vols. 8v0, edited by the lata George Chalmers,
Eaq. 1800. 8vo.
An Essay on Military Law, and the Practice of C o d -
Martial. Edinburgh, 1800. 8vo.
Memoirs of the Life and Writings of Henry Home,
Lord games. 1807. 2 vols. 4h. Republished
in three vols. 8vo.
Historical and Critical Essay on the Life and Character
of Petmch Crown 8vo.
Published, 1798.
WILLIAM ROBERTSON (LORDR OBERTSONth),e figure next to Lord
Woodhouselee, was the eldest son of Dr. Robertson, the eminent Historian
and Principal of the University of Edinburgh. He was born in December
1754; and became a member of the Faculty of Advocates in 1775. In 1779
he was chosen Procurator of the Church of Scotland, after a keen contest, in
which he was opposed by the Hon. Henry Erskine, whose professional eminence
is so well known.
In 1805, after thirty years' successful practice at the bar, Lord Robertson
was promoted to the bench, on the death of David Ross (Lord Ankerville),
where he was distinguished not more for his legal talents than for his sagacity
and good sense. His appearance is thus described by the author of Peter's
Letters to his Kinsfolk :-
" In his [the Lord Justice Clerk's] Division of the Civil Court, one of his most respected
aqsessors is Lord Robertmn, son to the great historian ; nor could I see, without a very peculiar
interest, the son of such a man occupying and adorning such a situation, in the midst of a people
in whose minds his name must be associated with so niany feelings of gratitude and admiration.
" The son of such a man as the Historian of Scotland is well entitled to share in these
honourable feelings of hereditary attachment among the people of Scotland ; and he does share
in them. Even to me, I must confess, it afforded a very genuine delight, to be allowed to
contemplate the features of the father, aq reflected and preserved in the living features of his son.
A more careless observer would not, perhaps, be able to trace any very striking resemblance between
the face of Lord Robertson and the common portraits of the Historian ; but I could easily do so.
In those of the prints which represent him at an early period of hie life, the physiognomy of
Robertson is not seen to its best advantage. There is, indeed, an air of calmness and tastefuluess
even in them which cannot be overlooked or mistaken ; but it ie in those later portraits,
which give the features after they had been divested of their fulness and smoothnesa of outline,
and filled with the deeper lines of age and comparative extenuation, that one traces, with most
ease and satisfaction, the image of genius, and the impress of reflection. And it is to these lnst
portraits that I could perceive the strongest likeness in the general aspect of the Judge, but most
of all in his grey and overhanging eye-brows, and eyes, eloquent equally of sagacity of intellect
and gentleness of temper."](images/thumbs/kays_thumb_pages/kays_v2__Page_520.gif "Kay's Originals Vol. 2 Page 512")
... SKETCHES. 383
Dictionary of Decision8 of the Court of Session,
vols. iii and iv. 1778. Folio.
Plan ...
Book 9 p. 512
(Score 0.56)
... SKETCHES. 417
Besides the Professorship, Dr. Hope held the appointment of Physician to
the Royal ...
Book 9 p. 558
(Score 0.56)
... V. TO ABDICATION OF QUEEN MARE 75
throughout the country, requiring them to march with their adherents to ...
Book 10 p. 82
(Score 0.56)
... BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
At Surrey Chapel he was thefirst to commence the system of Sunday
school teaching, now ...
Book 8 p. 472
(Score 0.56)
... BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Similar addresses were presented by the Hibernian Medical Society and by
the American ...
Book 8 p. 359
(Score 0.56)
... MEMORIALS OF EDINBURGH.
reflections on “ this worthy and memorable motto! ” The visit of Taylor to the ...
Book 10 p. 447
(Score 0.56)
... BI 0 GRAPH1 GAL SKETCHES.
No. cxc.
DR. ANDREW DUNCAN, SEN.,
PROFESSOR OF THE THEORY OF MEDICINE IN THE ...
Book 9 p. 70
(Score 0.56)
... 24 MEMORIALS OF EDINBURGH.
anticipated, on the loftiest and least accessible part of the rock on which it is ...
Book 10 p. 135
(Score 0.56)
![Cramond.] CRAMOND BRIG. 317
Robert Bruce, ?the King?s meadow and muir of
Cramond I? are mentioned. Among the missing
charters of Robert III., are two to William Touris,
?of the lands of Berntoun))? and another to the
same of the superiority of King?s Cramond.
William Touris, of Cramond, was a bailie of the
city in 1482. These Touris were the same family
who afterwards poFsessed Inverleith, and whose
name appears so often ill Scotstarvit?s ? Calendar.?
In I j38 the family seems to have passed to Bristol,
in England, as Protestants, Pinkerton suppose$, for
and has already been referred to in a preceding
chapter. In February, 1763, there died in Barnton
House, in the sixty-fourth year of her age,
Lady Susannah Hamilton, third daughter of John,
Earl of Ruglen, whose son William was styled
Lord Daer and Riccarton. She was buried in the
chapel royal at Holyrood.
In 1771 the Scots Magazine records the demise
of John. Viscount Glenorchy ?at his house of
Barnton, five miles west of Edinburgh.? He was
husband of Lady Glenorchy of pious memory.
VIEW BELOW GRAMOND BRIG, (Alter a Phufog-rajh by G. W. WiZsom & Co.)
1r1 that year a charter of part of Inverleith is granted
to George Touris, of Bristol; but Lord Durie, in
1636, reports a case concerning ?? umquhile James
Touris, brother to the laird of Inverleith.?
As stated elsewhere, Overbarnton belonged, in
~508, to Sir Robert Barnton, who was comptroller
of the household to James V. in 1520, and who
acquired the lands by purchase with money found
by despoiling the Portuguese ; but a George Maxwell
of Barnton, appears among the knights slain
at Flodden in 1513. He obtained Barnton by a
royal charter in 1460, on his mother?s resignation,
and was a brother of John, Lord Maxwell, who
also fell at Flodden. This property has changed
hands many times. James Elphinston of Barnton,
was the first Lord Balmerino, a Lord of the Treasury,
In after years it became the property of the
Ramsays, one of whom was long known in the
sporting world.
The quaint old bridge of Cramond is one of the
features of the parish, and is celebrated as the
scene of that dangerous frolic of James V., related
in our account of Holyrood. It consists of three
Pointed arches, with massively buttressed piers.
It became ruinous in 1607, and was repaired in
1619, 1687, and later still in 1761 and 1776: as a
panel in the parapet records. Adjoining it, and
high in air above it, is the new and lofty bridge of
eight arches, constructed by Rennie.
A little to the eastward of the village is Cramond
House, a fine old residence within a wooded
domain. Sir John Inglis cf Cramond was made](images/thumbs/old_new_edin_v6p136.gif "Old and New Edinburgh Vol. VI Page 317")
... CRAMOND BRIG. 317
Robert Bruce, ?the King?s meadow and muir of
Cramond I? are mentioned. Among the ...
Book 6 p. 317
(Score 0.56)
... OLD AND NEW EDINBURGH. [The Mound.
design, which shall consist of two departments : the
m e appropriated to ...
Book 3 p. 92
(Score 0.55)
... the time of her accouchement drew near, she
was advised by the Lords of Council to remain in
the fortress and ...
Book 1 p. 46
(Score 0.55)
... SKETCHES. 91
The seconds think it proper to add, that both parties behaved with the utmost
coolness ...
Book 8 p. 129
(Score 0.55)
... College Church (restored) . . . . 289
Victoria Street and Terrace, from George Iv. Bridge. ...
Book 2 p. 394
(Score 0.55)
... VI.
FROM THE ACCESSION OF YAiMES VI. TO THE RESTORATION OF
CHARLES II. #
the scene of many of the ...
Book 10 p. 89
(Score 0.54)
... EDINBURGH PAST AND PRESENT.
The great east window has been allocated to the Right Hon. the Lord Provost,
Sir ...
Book 11 p. 99
(Score 0.54)
... BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
it was not long before he was elected Deacon of the Incorporation, and
consequently ...
Book 8 p. 465
(Score 0.54)
... SKETCHES. 209
but the lectures of Mr. Smellie, under the auspices of the Antiquarian Society,
is a ...
Book 8 p. 294
(Score 0.54)
... MEMORIALS OF EDINBURGH.
Mackenzie, and who sat for nearly half a century on the Bench under the title of ...
Book 10 p. 284
(Score 0.54)
![BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 365
Mackcoull appeared dreadfully agitated when unexpectedly interrogated as to
the fact of his residence in New Street, Canongate, in November 1806. He
stared wildly, and throwing himself back in his bed, as if in a convulsion-fit, it
was some time ere he had self-possession enough to answer that he was then in
the West Indies! The inaccuracy of this statement he admitted on being
reminded of his visit to Dublin ; but losing all temper, he proceeded incoherently
in his remarks, and his visitor withdrew.
Although Mackcoull had not been living, or even on good terms with his
wife for several years prior to his condemnation, she came forward voluntarily,
supplied him liberally with everything he could wish, and visited him in jail
previous to her leaving Edinburgh for London, where she intended doing all
she could to procure a reprieve, which was actually accomplished.’ On the
14th July, he was respited for a month; and in three weeks after, during his
Majesty’s pleasure. Towards the end of August he fell into a decline, which
affected his faculties so much that he became silly and childish ; and he is said
to have been so disturbed in his sleep by terrific dreams, and his cries and
imprecations were so horrific as greatly to annoy the inmates of the adjoining
cells. He became extremely emaciated ; his hair rapidly changed from black
to grey, and he appeared so much altered that few would have known him.’,
He died in the county jail of Edinburgh on the 22d of December 1820, and
was decently interred, at the expense of his wife, in the Calton burying ground.
[A “ hIemoir of the Life and Trial of James hlackcoull or Moffat ” w8s published, containing a
full account of his trial before the Jury Court and High Court of Justiciary at Edinburgh, and
“printed for John Anderson juu., 55 North Bridgo Street, Edinburgh, 1822.” The memoir cont
a k a portrait of the criminal.]
No. CCXCI.
BE ET T Y D I C K,
TOWN-CRIER OF DALKEITH.
FROMtim e immemorial it was customary in the cities and towns of Scotland to
have an official ycleped “ the Town-Crier ;I’ and, although greatly modified, the
That one who had been such a pest to society should have experienced the Royal clemency is
matter of astonishment. In explanation, it is affirmed that Mackcoull had at one time communicated
some important information to one of the Secretaries of State, for which he refused any reward,
saying, that if ever he should require any favour he would let the Secretary know. Doubtless he
had in view the probability that some time or other he might require the extension of the Royal
mercy in his favour. It is not unlikely that the interest he had thus acquired in a high quarter,
contributed to inspire him with that reckless confidence he manifested throughout his trial.
Mackcoull’s most remarkable feature was his eye, which was full, clear, and piercing-so much
so that a single glance was exceedingly disagreeable. When intensely ked, there was a malignancy
in his gaze that made one’s blood run cold. It was the “evil eye” with a vengeance, and had he
lived where that superstition prevails, hw approach would have been the signal for flight.](images/thumbs/kays_thumb_pages/kays_v2__Page_493.gif "Kay's Originals Vol. 2 Page 485")
... SKETCHES. 365
Mackcoull appeared dreadfully agitated when unexpectedly interrogated as to
the fact ...
Book 9 p. 485
(Score 0.53)
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