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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 327
his troops, and the place was speedily retaken. Ever since the Cape has
remained in possession of Britain.
General Dundas wasappointed Governor of Dumbarton Castle in 1819. He
died at his house in Shandwick Place, Edinburgh, on the 4th of January 1824,
after a long and painful illness, “which he supported with the patience of a
Christian, and the fortitude of a soldier.”
The next of the military figures, with the volunteer cap and feather, in the
centre of the Promenade, is SIX HENRY JARDINE. His father, the
Rev. Dr. John Jardine-who died in 1766, aged fifty-one, and in the twentyfifth
year of his ministry-was one of the ministers of Edinburgh, one of the
Deans of the Chapel-Royal, and Dean of the Order of the Thistle. His mother
was a daughter of Provost Drummond, of whose patriotic exertions for the
city of Edinburgh, the New Town and the Royal Infirmary are honourable
memorials. Sir Henry was brought up to the profession of the law, and passed
a Writer to the Signet in 1790. He was appointed golicitor of Taxes for
Scotland in 1793 ; Depute King’s Remembrancer in the Exchequer in 1802 ;
and King’s Remembrancer in 1820, which latter office he held till the total
change of the Court of Exchequer in Scotland in 1831. He was knighted by
George the Fourth in 1825.
Sir Henry was the original Secretary to the Committee for raising the Royal
Edinburgh Volunteers in 1794, of which corps he was appointed a Lieutenant
on the 20th October of the same year; a Captain in 1799 ; and Major in
March 1801. He was the last individual alive enumerated in the original list of
officers ; and he was one of three trustees for managing the fund remaining, after
the Volunteers were disbanded, for behoof of any member of the corps in distress.
Sir Henry Jardine was long conspicuous as a public-spirited citizen, there
being few institutions for the promotion of any useful or national object
of which he was not a member. In the lists of the year 1838 his
name appeared as one of the Councillors of the Royal Society of Edinburgh;
one of the Vice-Presidents of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland;
one of the Extraordinary Directors of the Royal Institution for the
Encouragement of the Fine Arts,; one:of the Ordinary Directors of the Scottish
Naval and Military Academy; one of the Brigadier-Generals of the Royal
Company of Archers ; one of the Councillors of the Skating Club ; one of the
Directors of the Assembly Rooms, George Street ; and one of the Sub-Committee
of Directors of the Royal Association of Contributors to the National Monument.
He was also one of the Ordinary Directors of the Bank of Scotland ; one of the
”rustees for the Encouragement of Scottish Manufactures ; one of the Trustees
for Promoting the British White Herring Fishery j and one of the Vice-Presidents
of the Caledonian Horticultural Society.
With the charitable and humane institutions of the city the name of Sir
Henry was not less extensively associated. He was one of the Managers of the
Orphan Hospital; one of the Auditors of the Society of the Industrious ......

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142 MEMORIALS OF EDINBURGH.
to have been the same that k n o t alludes to as one of the private oratories existing in hi8
time, in which ‘‘ The baptismal fonts are still remaining.” It is described by him as a
building nigh the Weigh-house, on the south side of the Castle Hill, which has been set
apart for devotion.’ This idea, first suggested by him, of
these ornamental niches having been originally intended for
baptismal fonts, has been repeated by some of the most careful
writers on the antiquities of Edinburgh in our own day,
although the fitness of such an appendage to a private oratory
seems very questionable indeed. From our own observation,
we are inclined to believe that, in the majority of cases,
they were simply ornamental recesses or cupboards ; and
this is the more confirmed, from their most common position
being at the side of the fireplace, and the base in nearly
all of them being a flat and generally projecting ledge,
“We doubt not,” Arnot adds, “but that many more of
the present dwelling-houses in Edinburgh have formerly been consecrated to religious
purposes ; but to discover them would be much less material than difficult ! ” It may
reasonably be regretted that one who professed to treat of our local antiquities, should have
‘dismissed, in so summary and contemptuous a manner, this interesting portion of his
subject, for which, as he acknowledges, he possessed numerous facilities now beyond our
reach.
A house of a very different appearance from any yet described occupies a prominent
position on the north Castle bank, and associates the surrounding district with the name of
Scotland’s great pastoral poet, Allan Ramsay. The house is of a fantastic shape, but it
occupies a position that, we may safely say, could not be surpassed in any city in Europe,
as the site of a ‘( Poet’s Nest.” It is surrounded by a beautiful garden, and though now
in the very heart of the city, it still commands a magnificent and varied prospect, bounded
only on the distant horizon by the Highland hills. At the time of its erection, it was a
suburban retreat, uniting the attractions of a country villa, with an easy access to the centre
of the city. We have been told by a gentleman of antiquarian tastes, from information
communicated to him nearly fifty years ago, that Ramsay applied to the Crown for as much
ground from the Castle Hill as would serve him to build a cage for his hra?, meaning his
wife, to whom he was warmly attached, and hence the octagon shape it assumed, not unlike
an old parrot cage 1 If so, she did not live to share its comforts, her death having occurred
in 1743. Here the poet retired in his sixtieth year, anticipating the enjoyment of its pleasing
seclusion for many years to come ; and although he had already exhausted his energies in the
diligent pursuit of business, he spent, in this lovely retreat, the chief portion of the last
twelve years of his life in ease and tranquil enjoyment, though interrupted towards its close
by a painful malady. He was remarkably cheerful and lively to the last, and his powers of
conversation were such, that his company was eagerly‘courted by all ranks of society; yet
he delighted in nothing so much as seeing himself surrounded by his own family and their
juvenile companions, with whom he would join in their sports with the most hearty life and
good-humour.
* Amot, p. 245.
. ......

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212 MEMORIALS OF EDINBURGH.
On the south side of the Parliament Close, near to John’s Coffeehouse, was the banking-
house established by Sir William Forbes, the well-known author of the “ Life of Dr
Beattie,” as well as of other works, and one of the most benevolent and public-spirited
citizens of whom Edinburgh ever had to boast. Though descended from the ancient
Lords Pitsligo, attainted for their fidelity to the Stuarts, he commenced life as an
apprentice with the noted bankers, Messrs Coutts, and on their final establishment in
London, he founded the banking company so long known by his name.’ So successful
was he in life, that he accomplished his long-cherished purpose of recovering the
attainted estates of the Barony of Pitsligo, which are now possessed by his descendants.
Adjoining the banking-house of this eminent citizen, Kay, the ingenious delineator of
the (‘ Edinburgh Characters,” kept the small print-shop
where he vended his portraits and caricatures during nearly
the whole of his career as an artist. His windows were
alwaya filled with his newest etching, and formed a centre
of attraction to the numerous loungers of the close,
some of the most noted among whom-both lawyers and
clients-were the frequent subjects of his pencil. An
ancient thoroughfare led from the centre of this range
of buildings to the Cowgate by a broad flight of steps,
latterly called the Back Stairs, of which we furnish a
view, showing the original state of the great south window
of the Parliament Hall. It is occasionally called by
writers of last century the New Stairs, but a passage of
some kind undoubtedly led through the nether kirkyard
to the Cowgate at an early period, affording ready access
from that fashionable suburb, to the collegiate church
of St Giles’s, and the centre of the High Town. For
this the Parliament Stairs were probably substituted
about 1636, and continued from that time to form a convenient
communication between the High Street and
the Cowgate, until their recent demolition to make way for the new Court
Houses.
The booths which disfigured the old cathedral front, forming the north side of the close,
have already been mentioned ; these were almost exclusively occupied by the goldsmiths,
whose hall was attached to the Parliament House, where the lobby of the Signet .Library
now stands. Chambers furnishes in his ‘‘ Traditions’’ an amusing picture of the expectant
rustic bridegroom’s visit to the Parliament Close, on the eve of his marriage, in order to
provide those indispensable household gear, the silver-spunes. On such occasions it was
usual for the goldsmith to adjourn with his customer to John’s Coffeehouse, to receive
the order over a caup of ale or a dram, when the goldsmith was perhaps let into the
whole secret counsels of the rustic, including a history of his courtship,-in return
for which he sought to astonish hii customer with the most recent marvels of city
news. The spunes, however, we rather think, form, according to old-established
,
Now incorporated with other banking companiea under the name of the Union Bank of Scotland. ......

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I28 MEMORIALS OF EDINBURGH. .
In 1595, the following entry occurs in the records of the Presbytery of Edinburgh:-
“Anent the desyre of James Reid, Constable of the Castell of Edinburgh, in effect
craving that, seing thair was ane paroche kirk within the said Castell, command wald be
given to John Brand to baptese the barnis borne in the Castell. The Presbyterie understanding
that the kirk thairof is unreparitt, willis the said Constable to repair the same,
and to dedicatt it for na uther use bot for preiching. Thairefter his desyre sal be
answerit.” Eight years afterwards, it appears, from the same records, that the question of
its being a parish was disputed, and still under discussion, and so it remains even to our
own day. When Maitland wrote, the old church was divided by floors, and converted
into an armoury and storehouse; and soon after his time, it must have been entirely
demolished.
We have been the more careful in describing the site
and general character of the ancient Church of the Castle,
in order to prevent its being confounded with a singularly
curious and interesting ecclesiastical ediiice still remaining
there, immediately to the west of the garrison chapel, the
existence of which seems to have been totally lost sight of.
Its external appearance, though little calculated to excite
attention, leaves little reason to doubt that the original
walls remain. It is still in a tolerably perfect condition,
consisting of a very small building, measuring sixteen
feet six inches, by ten feet six inches within the nave, probably
the smallest, as well as the most ancient chapel in
Scotland. At the east end, there is a neatly carved,,
double, round arch, separating it from a semicircular chancel,
with a plain alcoved ceiling. It is decorated with the
usual Norman- zigzag mouldings, and finished on the
outer side by a border of lozenge-shaped ornaments, the
pattern of which is curiously altered as it approaches the spring of the’ arch. No traces
of ornament are now apparent within the chancel, a portion of the building usually BO
highly decorated, but the space is so small, that the altar, with its customary appendages,
would render any further embellishment immaterial. There have been formerly two
pillars on each side, supporting the arch, with plain double cushion capitals, which still
remain, as well as two of the bases, but the shafts of all the pillars are now wanting, and
the opening of the arch is closed in with a rude brick partition in order to adapt the
chancel to its modern use as a powder magazine. The original windows of the chapel have
all been built up or enlarged, but sufficient remains can be traced to show that they have
been plain, round-headed, and very narrow openinga. The original doorway is also built
up, but may still be seen in the north wall, close to the west end, an arrangement not
unusual in such small chapels, and nearly similar to that at Craigmillar Castle. This
interesting edifice is now abandoned to the same uses as the larger church was in
Wodrow &fisc., vul. i. p. 463.
\’rGNETm-Mouldioga of the Chancel Arch, from the Chapel in the Castle. ......

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16 MEMORIALS OF EDINBURGH.
‘of the Chancellor, in the Castle of Edinburgh. His increasing years, however, seem to
have led to his enjoying greater liberty of person, as well as deference to his opinion.
Under the guidance of the Bishops of Aberdeen and Moray, then residing in Edinburgh,
a conference was held in the church of St Giles, between him and his rival guardians,
which, from their mutual hatred to the Earl of Douglas, again led to an amicable arrangement,
the King making choice of Edinburgh Castle as the place where he should continue
to reside.
No sooner were the rival statesmen reconciled, than they consulted together to aecure
the overthrow of the Douglas, whose exorbitant power was employed for the most oppressive
and tyrannical objects. To have openly proceeded against him as a criminal, while at
the head of his numerous forces, would only have proved the sequel for a civil war. He
was accordingly invited to Edinburgh, with the most flattering assurances of friendship.
On the way, the Chancellor met him at Crichton Castle, about twelve miles &E. of
Edinburgh, where he was entertained with every mark of hospitality, insomuch so as to
have excited the jealous fears of his friends. He rode thereafter to the Castle of Edinburgh,
accompanied by his brother and Sir Malcolm Fleming of Cumbernauld : they were received
with every show of welcome, and admitted to the same table with the King ; but, towards
t.he close of the entertainment, a bull’s head, the well-known symbol of destruction, was
set before them. They recognised the fatal signal, and sprang from the board, but being
immediately surrounded by armed men, they were led forth, in defiance of the tears and
entreaties of the young King, and immediately beheaded 66 in the back court of the Castle
that lyeth to the west ; ” or, according to Balfour, in the great hall of the Castle.’ In the
year 1753, some workmen digging for a foundation to a new storehouse within the Castle,
found the golden handles and plates of a coffin, which are supposed to have belonged to
that in which the Earl of Douglas was interred8
From a protest afterwards taken by the son of Sir Malcolm Fleming, against the
sentence of his father, as being unwarrantable and illegal, as well as from the fact of no
attempt being made to bring the Chancellor to trial for the deed when the Douglas faction
prevailed, there would seem to have been some form of trial, and a sentence of condemnation
pronounced, with the assumed authority of the King.+ The popular estimation of the
deed may be inferred from the rude rhymes quoted by Hume of Godscroft :-
“ Edinburgh Castle, towne and tower,
God grant thou sinke for sinne ;
An’ that even for the black dinner
Earle Douglm gat therein.”
The Chancellor continued to maintain possession of the Castle, even when the Douglas
party succeeded in obtaining the guardianship of the young King, and used the royal
authority for demanding its surrender. Here he held out during a siege of nine months,
till he succeeded in securing satisfactory terms for himself; while of his less fortunate
coadjutors some only redeemed their lives with their estates, and the others, including
three members of the Livingstone family, were all tried and beheaded within its walls.
History of the Douglasses, 1643, p. 165.
Arnot, p. 11.
* Balfour’s Aunals, vol. i. p. 169. ‘ Nartial Achievements, vol. ii. p. 330. ......

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42 MEMORIALS OF EDINBURGH.
magnificence, and such displays of loyal attachment, as testified the hearty welcome of
the people. The young Queen was of R most tender and affectionate disposition; she
seems to have given
‘(Her hand with her heart in it ”
to her royal lover, with a gentle spirit of resignation. So soon a8 she stepped on the Scottish
shore, she knelt and kissed the ground, praying for all happiness to her adopted country
and people ; but ere six weeks had elapsed, the pomp of worldly honour that had greeted
her arrival, was called to follow the young bride to the tomb. She was buried with the
greatest mourning Scotland ever, till that time, was participant of, in the church of Holyrood
House, near King James 11.’ Buchanan, who was an eye-witness, says it was the
f i s t instance of mourning-dresses being worn by the Scots ; and triumph and mirrinea
was all turned into deregies and soul1 massis, verrie lamentable to behold.”
Sir David Lindsay, in a poem of singular inequality, has expressed his Deploratioun of
the Deith of Quene Magdalene. He thus apostrophises (Crewel1 Deith) : -
Theif ! raw thow nocht the p i t preparatyvis
Of Edinburgh, the nobill famous toun,
Thow saw the pepill, lauboring for thair lyvis,
To mak tryumphe, with trump, and clarioun ;
Sic plesour waa never into this regioun,
A8 suld haif bene the day of hir entrsce,
With greit propynis,‘ gevin till hir Grace.‘
Thow saw makand right costlie scaffalding,
Depaintit weill, with gold, and &sure fyne,
Reddye preparit for the upsetting,
With fontanis, flowing water cleir, and wyne,
Disagysit folks: lyke creaturis divyne,
On ilk scaffold, to play ane syndrie storie,
Bot, all in greiting turnit thow that glorie.
Provest, baillies, and lordis of the toun,
And princis of the preistis venerabill,
Full plesandlye in thair processioun,
With all the cunnyng clerkis honorabill ;
The herauldis, with their awful vestimentis,
With maseris upon ather of thair handis,
To rewle the press, with burneist silver wandis.
Syne, last of all, in ordour-tl-gumphall,
That maist illuster Princee honorabill,
With hir the lustye ladyis of Scotland,
Quhilk sulde haif bene ane sicht maist delectabil :
Hir rayment to rehers, I am nocht habill,
Of gold, and perle, and precious stonis brycht,
Twinklyog lyke aterris in ane fostie nycht.
Under ane pale of golde scho suld haif paat,
Be burgeis borne, clothit in silkie fyne, ;
1 Hawthornden, p, 104. Ibid. a Pitacottie, vol. ii. p 374.
4 Presents. Disguised folk or &ora. a Macer. ......

Book 10  p. 46
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442 MEMORIALS OF EDINBURGH.
Sir Walter Scott, who, moreover, evidently writes with an imperfect recollection of what he had heard ; whereas
Mr Sharpe’s own grandfather was proprietor of Dalry at the period, and he has himself often heard the facts
related by his father, who was present when the discovery was made. The reader, however, has now both
versions of the story, and may adopt which of them pleases him best :-
a DEAR SIR,-~ return the curious and particular account of Sir George Lockhart’s murder by Chiesley of
Dalry. It is worthy of antiquarian annotation, that Chiesley was appointed to be gibbetted, not far from his
own house, somewhere about Drumsheugh. As he waB a man of family, the gibbet was privately cut down, and
the body carried off. A good many yean since, some alterations were in the course of being made in the house
of Dab, when, on enlarging a closet or cellar in the lower story, a discovery was made of a skeleton, and some
fragments of iron, which (were) generally supposed to be the bones of the murderer Chiesley. His friends had
probably concealed them there when they were taken down from the gibbet, and no opportunity had occurred
for removing them before their existence was forgotten. I was told of the circumstance by Mr James Walker,
then my brother in office, and proprietor of Dalry, I do not, however, recollect the exact circumstance, but I
dare say Francis Walker Drummond can supply my deficiency of memory.-Yonrs truly, WALTERS COTT.
Shandwick Place, 15th Januky 1829. To E. W. A. Drummond Hay, Esq.”
.
XII. SIR DAVID LINDUY.
IN the quotation from Sir David Lindsay’s Complaynt (page 39), the text of Chalmers has been followed.
Slight as the change is that its punctuation requires to render it correct, the alteration in its sense is very con-
- siderable. It should be read thus :-
‘‘ The first sillabia that thow did mute
Was pa, dn, Lyn.
Then playit I twentie springis perqueir,
Quhilk was greit plesour for to heir.”
Upon the lute
‘‘ Any old woman in Scotland,” says Sir Walter Scott, in his notes to Marmion, will bear witnesfl that pa,
da, Lyn, are the first efforts of a child to say where’s David findsay?” A still better reading of it has been
suggested, and the true one, as we think, viz., Play Davy Lindsay. The poems of Lindsay have now ceased to
occupy the place they so long held in the library of the Scottish cottage, yet some trace of their former study
is still preserved in the common rustic expression of scepticism-It ’8 no between th brocls o’ Davy Limdsay!-
implying that not even Lindsay, whom nothing escapes, has noticed the thing in queation.
XIII. UMFRAVILLE’S CROSS.
A FEW additional notices of the Scottish Umfrafilles may perhaps help to suggest a clue ta the date of erection
of the ancient cross that formerly stood on the boundary of the Borough Muir, at St Leonard’s Loan (page 293.)
In the year 1304, Edward, Longshanks, granted an indemnity to the Scots under certain conditions, one of
which imposed a graduated scale of fines on the Scottish clergy and nobles, proportioned in ita aeve~tyto the
opposit.ion h.e ha d encountered from them, and the tardiness of their submission to his power. The heaviest of ......

Book 10  p. 481
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448. MEMORIALS OF EDINBURGH.
Till by old age you gently die,
To live immortal in the sky.
To own my faults I have no will,
For I have done both good and ill ;
Aa to the crime for which I die,
To my laat gasp, Not guilty, I.
But to this magisterial hate
I shall aasign the pristine date.
When the intrepid, matchless Charles
Came here with many Highland Car4
And o’er my top, in public sight,
Proclaim’d aloud his Father’s Right ;
From that day forth it waa agreed,
That I should a8 a %be1 bleed ;
And at this time they think it meet.
To snatch my fabric off the street,
Lest I should tell to them once more
The tale I told ten years before,
At my deatroyers bear no grudge,
Nor do you 8 t h their mason-lodge,
Tho’ well may all by-standers nee
That better masona built up me.
The royal statue in the close
Will share the fate of me, poor Crosa ;
Heav’ns, earth, and sea, all in a range,
Like me, will perish for Ezcliangc“
Few civic events connected with the destruction of old, or the rearing of new buildings, escape the poet’s
notice. One poem records the repair of the Abbey Church ; another mourns the &ling of ita sepulchres ; a
third refers to the laying the foundation-stone of St Bernard’s Mineral Well, 15th September 1760 ; while between
these are lampoons and eulogies on old citizens, most of them long since forgotten. The fate of the Nether
Bow Port, which he witnessed, forms the subject of some of hirr wittiest prose, in ‘&A Sermon preached by
Claudero, on the Condemnation of the Nether Bow Porch of Edinburgh, 9th July 1764, before a crowded
audience.” A brief extract from this will suftice for an example of his humour, which is the more curious, as
what was then extravagant hyperbole, sounds now like the shrewdest foresight :-
(‘ What was too hard for the great ones of the earth, yea even queens, to effect, is now, even now in our day,
accomplished. No patriot duke opposeth the scheme, aa did the p a t hull in the grand senate of our nation ;
therefore the project shall go into execution, and down shall Edina’s lofty porches be hurled with a vengeance.
-Streets shall be extended to the east, regular and beautiful, as far as the Frigate Whins, and Port0 Bello shall
be a lodge for the captom of tea and brandy. The city shall be joined to Leith on the North, and a procession
of &e masons shall there lay the foundation of a spacious harbour. Pequin or Nanquin shall not-be able to
compare with Edina for magnificence. Our city shall be the greatest wonder of the world ; and the fame of
its glory shall reach the distant ends of the earth.
“No more shall the porch resound to the hammer of the cheerful Zaccheus ; and hia neighbours are bathed
in team at the overthrow of his well-tuned anvil.
I‘ The Nether Bow coffee-house of the loyal Smieton can now no longer enjoy ita ancient name with propriety
; and from henceforth !& Revolutiun Cofeehousc shall its name be called.
“ Our gates must be extended wide for accommodating the gilded chariots, which, from the luxury of the age,
are become numeroua-With an impetuous career they jostle against one another in our streets, and the u n w q
foobpasaenger is in danger of being crushed to piecea ......

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256 MEMORIALS OF EDINBURGH.
Such of the title-deeds of this property as we have obtained access to are unfortunately
quite modern, and contain no reference to early proprietors; but one of the present
owners described a sculptured stone, containing a coat of arms surmounted by a mitre,
that was removed from over the inner doorway
A very fine specimen of the ancient
within the last few years at the head of
some years since, and which appears to have
been the Kennedy arms. If it be permissible
to build on such slender data, in the absence
of all other evidence, we have here, in all
probability, the town mansion of the good ,
Bishop Kennedy, the munificent patron of
learning, and the able and upright counsellor of
James 11. and 111.' The whole appearance of the
building is perfectly consistent with this supposition.
The form and decorations of the doorways,
particularly those already described, all prove
an early date ; while the large size and elegant
mouldings of the windows, and the massive
appearance of the wbole building, indicate such
magnscence as would well consort with the
dignity of the primacy at that early period.
timber-fronted lands of the Old Town stood till
Trunk's Close, behind the Fountain Well, on the
site of a plain stone tenement that has since replaced it. The back portion of the old
building, however, still remains entire, including several rooms with fine stuccoed ceilings,
and one large hall beautifully finished with richly carved pillasters and oak panneling,
which is described in the title-deeds as " presently "--i.e., in 1739--" a meeting-house
possest by Mr William Cocburn, minister of the gospel." It had previously formed the
residence of Sir John Scot of Ancrum, the first of that title, who was created a baronet by
Charles 11. in 1671. From him it was acquired by Sir Gilbert Elliot of Stobs, in 1703,
and here resided that baronet, and his more illustrious son, General Elliot, the gallant
defender of Gibraltar, better known by his title of Lord Heathfield. On the pediment
over the window of a fine old stone land on the west side of Trunk's Close, is the inscription
in bold characters :-HODIE MIHI * CRAS - TIBI - It is worthy of notice that
the same inscription is appropriately carved in similar characters over the splendid toinb
of Thomas Bannatine, in the Greyfriars' Churchyard. Several other ancient tenements in
this close are worthy of inspection for their antique irregularity of construction.
But the chief Lion among the venerable fabrics of the Old Town of Edinburgh has
long been the singularly picturesque structure which terminates the High Street towards
the east, and forms the mansion provided shortly after the Reformation, at the expense of
the town, for its f i s t parish minister, the great Reformer, John Knox. Chambers remarks
A confused tradition of its having been an Episcopal residence is still preserved among the inhabitants, founded, it
may be presumed, on the sculptured mitre. The old dame who first admitted US to inspect it, stated that it was Bishop
8undiEands' house; a name, it is perhaps unnecessary to remark, not to be found in Keith's li8t.
VroNEmE-Ancient Sculpture, Sandilands' close. ......

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30 MEMORIALS OF EDINBURGH.
the various royal servitors, affording a curious insight into the crafts of the period.
brief extract will s&ce :-
A
Cunyouris, carvouria, and carpentaris,
Beildaris of barkis, and ballingaria ;
Masounis, lyand upon the land,
And schip wrichtis hewand upone the strand ;
Glaaing wrichtis, goldsmythis, and lapidaria,
Pryntouris, paptouris, and potingaris ; &c.
The introduction of printers in the list, shows the progress literature was making at this
time; as early as 1490, the Parliament enjoined the education of the eldest sons of all
barons and freeholders, in the Latin language, as well as in science and jurisprudence;
but it was not till 1507 that the art of printing was introduced into Scotland, under the
royal auspices, when a patent was granted to Walter Chepman and Andrew Myllar, conferring
on them the exclusive privilege of printing there. Some of Dunbar's own poems
seem to have been among the very first productions that issued from their press, and form
now very Bcarce and highly valued reliques of the art. It affords evidence of the success
that attended the printing press, immediately on its introduction, that, in the year 1513,
Walter Chepman founded a Chaplainry at the altar of St John the Evangelist, on the
southern side of St Giles's Church, and endowed it with an annuity of twenty-three
marks.' But, perhaps, the most lively characteristics of the times,. occur in " The
Flytings " of Kennedy and Dunbar, already referred to,--a most singular feature of the
age, afterwards copied by their successors,-in which many local and personal allusions
are to be found. These poems consist of a series of pungent satires, wherein each depicts
his rival in the most ridiculous characters, and often in the coarsest language.
This literary gladiatorship originated in no personal enmity, but seems to have been a
friendly trial of wits for the amusement of the court. A few extracts, in connection with
our local history, will suffice, as specimens of these most singular literary effusions. Dunbar
addresses Kennedy,'-
Thou brings the Carrick clay to Edinburgh Cross,
Upon thy buitinga hobbland hard aa horn,
Strae wisps hing out quhair that the wata ar worn ;
We sal1 gar skale our Schulia all thee to acorn,
Come thou again to skar us with thy straea,
And atane thee up the oahy as thou gaes.
The boys of Edinburgh, as the bees out thaws,
And c y s out ay, Heir cum8 our awin queer Clerk I
Then fleia thou like a houlat chaist with craws,
Quhyle all the bitches at thy buitinga bark,
Then carlings cry, Keip curches in the merk,
Our gallows gapes, 10 I quhair ane graceless gaes :
Anither saya, I see him want a eark,
I red ye, Kimmer, tak in your lining dais.
1 Maitland, p. 271.
a These extracts from a' The Flyting" are taken, with a few verbal exceptions, from Ramssy's Evergreen, an being
more easily understood by the general reader, than the pure version of Mr Laing. ......

Book 10  p. 32
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ST LEONARD’S, ST MARY’S WYND, AND CO WGATE. 321
character, and with a shield in the centre, the armorial bearings of which have been
replaced by a brewer’s barrel, the device of its modern owner and occupant. We have
found, on examining ancient charters and title-deeds referring to property in the Cowgate,
much greater difliculty in assigning the exact tenements referred to, from the absence of
such marked and easily recognisable features as serve for a guide in the Bigh Street and
Canongate. All such evidence, however, tends to prove that the chief occupants of this
ancient thoroughfare were eminent for rank and station, and their dwellings appear to
have been chiefly in the front street, showing that, with patrician exclusiveness, traders
were forbid to open their booths within its dignified precincts. Another feature, no less
noticeable, is the extensive possessions which the Church held within its bounds. An
ancient land, for example, which occupied the site of one now standing at the foot of
Blair Street, on the west side, is described in the titles of the adjoining property as pertaining
to the Altar of St Katharine, in the Kirk-of-Field. In 1494, Walter Bertram,
Provost of Edinburgh, bestowed an annual rent from his tenement in the Cowgate “to a
chaplain of St Lawrence’s Altar, in St Giles’ Church.” In 1528, Wm. Chapman “ mortified
to a chaplain in St Giles’ Kirk, at Jesus’ Altar, in a chapel built by himself,” a
tenement and piece of ground in the same street, reserving to ye patrons yrof 26s. 8d.
for repairing the chapel with skletts and glass.” Both Walter Chepman and Thomas
Cameron have already-been named aa similar donors. We shall only notice one more
from the same source :-“A mortification made be Janet Remedy, Lady Bothwell, who
was before spouse to Archibald Earl of Angus, mortefeing to a chaplain in the Marie
Kirk in the Field, beside Edinburgh, her fore land of umqle Hew Berries tenement, and
chamber adjacent y’to, lying in the Cowgait, on the south side of the street, betwixt Ja.
Earl of Buchan’s land on the east, and Thos. Tod’s on ye west.”l We have dready
referred to U the Erle of Maris, now present Regent, lugeing in the Kowgait,’Pin 1572,”
and other eminent laymen will presently appear among the residenters in this patrician
quarter of the town.
The destruction of an ancient tenement in the Cowgate, in the month of June 1787,
when clearing the ground for the building of the South Bridge, brought to light some
curious memorials of an earlier age. The workmen employed in its demolition discovered
a cavity containing a quantity of money for the reception of which it appeared to have
been constructed. The treasure was found, on examination, to consist of a number of
small coins of Edward L commonly called Longshanks, who, in the year 1295, defeated
the Scots at Dunbar, and soon after compelled the Castle of Edinburgh to surrender to his
.
A perfect inventar of Pious Donations. MS. Advocated KO., Diurnal of Occurrenta, p, 299.
2s ......

Book 10  p. 349
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I02 MEMORIALS OF EDINBURGH.
which he was burned, on the sloping bank at Greenside,’ has been rescued, only within
the last year, from all profane associations, by the erection of the new Lady Glenorchy’s
Chapel thereon. The fall of this great master of the black art would seem to have been
peculiarly fatal to its votaries ; as many as ten witches were burnt in the city during the
6ame year.
In the following pear, while the Palace of Holpood was undergoing repair for the
residence of the Duke of York, afterwards James VII., the unhappy prisoners taken at
the battle of Bothwell Bridge were brought to Edinburgh, and the greater number of
them confined for five months, during the most inclement season of the year, in the inner
Greyfriars’ Churchyard, that long narrow slip of ground, enclosed with an iron gate, which
extends between the grounds of Heriot’s Hospital and the old Poor’s House. They were
exposed there during the whole of that period, without any shelter from the weather;
yet the whole of them remained faithful to their principles, although they could at once
have procured their liberty by acknowledging the rising at Bothwell to have been
rebellion.
In 1680, the Duke of York arrived in Edinburgh, as Commissioner from the King to
the Scottish Parliament, along with his Duchess, Nary DEste, daughter of the Duke of
Modena, celebrated by Dryden and other wits of the time for her beauty. The Lady
Anne, his daughter, afterwards Queen Anne, also accompanied him on this occasion, and
greatly contributed, by her easy and affable manners, towards the popularity which he
was so desirous to acquire. The previous vicegerents had rendered themselves peculiarly
obnoxiouti to all classes, and thereby prepared the people the more readily to appreciate the
urbanity of the Duke. “ He behaved himself,” says Bishop Burnet, ‘‘ upon his first going
to Scotland, in so obliging a manner, that the nobility and gentry, who had been so long
trodden on by the Duke of Lauderdale, found a very sensible change; so that he gained
much on them all. It was visibly his interest to make that kingdom sure to him, and to
give them such an essay of his government as might dissipate all hard thoughts of him,
with which the world was possessed.’’ To the success with which he pursued this course
of policy may be, to some extent, attributed the strong attachment which the Scottish
nobility afterwards displayed to the House of Stuart, which led to the rebellions in 171 5
and 1745.
A grand entertainment was
provided for him in the Parliament House, which was fitted up at great expense for the
occasion. The Duchess, the Lady Anne, and the principal nobles at the Scottish Court,
were present on the occasion, and the expense of the banquet was npwards of d214,OOO
Scottish money.
During the Duke’s residence at Edinburgh, a splendid court was kept at Holyrood
Palace. The rigid decorum of Scottish manners- gradually gave way before the affability
of such noble entertainers ; and the novel luxuries of the English Court formed an additional
attraction to the Scottish grandees. Tea was introduced for the first time into Scotland
on this occasion, and given by the Duchess, as a great treat to the Scottish ladies who
The city spared no expense to welcome the Duke of York.
Chambers’s Minor Antiquities, p. 85.
Burnet’s Hist., Edin. Ed., vol. ii. p. 322.
On the authority of ‘‘a gentleman who had the spot pointed out to him
by his father sixty years ago ” (1833). ......

Book 10  p. 111
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40 MEMORIALS OF EDINBURGH.
* * *
Ilk man efter thair qualitie,
Thay did solist his Majestie,
Sum gad him ravel1 at the rakket,
Some harlit him to the hurly hakket.
And sum to schaw their courtlie corsis,
Wald ryid to,Leith, and rin tbair horsis.
at the last thair vaiked ane benefice quhilk pat thame all at variance for the dispositioun
of the same.”l And so, after dividing with more or less success the patronage of the
crown, the nobles parted in greater disagreement than ever ; “ bot Bischope James
Beatoun remained &till in Edinburgh, in his awin ludging, quhilk he biggit in the Frieris
Wynd.” ’
C1525.1 The nominal rule of the youthful Sovereign proved of little avail to stay the
turbulence of hia haughty nobles ; Angus again seized the government, nominating his
uncle, Archibald Douglas, Provost of Edinburgh. And such waa the power he possessed,
that, under his protection, the assassins of M’Lellan of Bombie, who was slain in open
day at the door of St Giles’s Church, walked with impunity about the streets ; while the
Queen herself deemed his safe conduct. necessary, while she resided in Edinburgh, though
the Parliament was sitting there at the time. And so the King returned again to honourable
durance in the dilapidated palace of the Castle ; or only made his appearance to act
as the puppet of his governor.
At this time it was that Arran and his faction demanded that the Parliament should
assemble within the Castle, to secure them against popular coercion ; but Angus, and
a numerous body of the nobles, and others, protested ‘‘ that the Parliament be kept
in the accustomed place, and that the King be conveyed along the High Street, and
in triumph shown to his own people.” And this being denied them, they surrounded the
Castle with two thousand men in arms, completely preventing the supplies of the garrison.
Those in the Castle retaliated, by firing on the town : but their differences were happily
accommodated, and “ the King in. magnificence and pomp is convoyed from the Castle to
his palace at Holyrood House, and the Estates assemble in the wonted place of the town
of Edinburgh.”
C1526.1 The Earl of Lennox assembled a numerous body of adherents in the following
year, and marched towards Edinburgh to the rescue of the King; but Angus not only
caused the provost to ring the alarum bell, and raise the town in his defence, but he persuaded
the Eing, though much against his will, to head the burgher force against his own
friends. “Then the King caused sound his trumpets, and lap upon horse, and caused
ring the commoun bell of Edinburgh, commanding all manner of men to follow him ; so he
issued forth at the Wast Port, and the touoes of Edinburgh and Leith with him, to the
number of thrie thousand men, and passed forwards with thame,” but only to arrive
in time to witness the death of the Earl of Lennox, and the complete discomfiture of his
Paw.
C1528.1 Frequent attempts were made thereafter for the King’s delivery from this thraldom
; but that which so many had failed in securing, he at length effected, by his’ own
Pitscottig vol. ii p. 312. Ibid, p. 313. 8 Hawthornden, p. 93. ......

Book 10  p. 43
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64 MEMORIALS OF EDINBURGH.
including the Earls of Argyle and Glencairn, and the Lord James Stewart. The place of
meeting was the Quarry Holes, or as it is not inappropriately styled by the writers of the
time, the Quarrel Holes ; a famous place of meeting for duels and private rencontres, at
the east end of the Calton Hill, in the immediate neighbourhood of the Palace of Holyrood-
and there the two first-named Earls engaged, that should the Regent fail to fulfil
the conditions of agreement, and especially that of the dismissal of the French troops, they
would willingly join forces with them to enforce their fulfilment.‘
Although the main body of the reformers had withdrawn from
Edinburgh, Nome of the leaders continued to reside there, and the
people refused to yield up St Giles’s Church to be again used for
means, to recover it. She had already received notice of further
assistance coming from France, and did not choose to provoke a
quarrel till thus reinforced. As one means of driving them from
the church, the French soldiers made it a place of promenade during
the time of service, to the great disturbance of the Congregation. But though the preacher,
Mr Willocks, denounced them in no measured terms from the pulpit, and publicly prayed
God to rid them of guch locusts, the people prudently avoided an open rupture, (‘ except
that a horned cap was taken off a proud priest’s head, and cut in four quarters, because
he said he would wear it in spite of the Congregation.”
In the month of September 1559, Sir Ralph Sadler arrived at Berwick from Queen
Elizabeth, and entered into secret negotiations with the reformers, paying over to them,
for their immediate use, the sum of two thousand pounds, with the promise of further
pecuniary assistance, for the purpose of expelling the French from Scotland, so that it
could be managed with such secrecy as not to interfere with the public treaties between
the two nations.
The Queen had
already received a reinforcement of a thousand French troops, who disembarked at Leith
in the end of August, and with their aid she immediately proceeded to enlarge and complete
the fortifications of that port, while she renewed her entreaties to the French Court
for further aid.
Shortly after, the Bishop of Amiens arrived at Edinburgh, aN legate from the Pope, and
earnestly laboured to reconcile the reformers to the Church ; but any little influence he
might possibly have had, was destroyed in their eyes by the discovery that he had arrived
in company with a second body of French auxiliaries.
The Congregation at length marched to Edinburgh, towards the end of October, with
a force amounting to twelve thousand men, resolved to dislodge the French garrison from
Leith ; and the same day the Regent hastily retreated from Holyrood Palace, and took up
her residence within the protection of the fortifications at Leith.
The Congregation proceeded in the most systematic manner,-conmittees were chosen
for the direction of civil and religious affairs, and a letter was immediately addressed to the
,
I the service of the mass, although the Regent sought, by various
The preparations for war were now diligently pursued by both parties.
* Bishop Keith, vol. i. p. 224. * Calderwood, vol. i. p. 502.
VIQNETTE--COFbel from the old south door of St ailea’a Church. ......

Book 10  p. 69
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272 MEMORIALS OF EDINBURGH.
Wynd, and paid up the cloiss which is under the Endmyleis Well.9’ 1 Jvhether this be
the same well is doubtful, as no close lower down appears as a thoroughfare in early or
later maps ; it is evident, however, that the name of the Fountain Close is derived from
some other, and probably much more -mportant, conduit than the plain structure beside
John Knox’s house, which has long borne the same designation.
On the east side of the close, directly opposite the entrance to Bassendyne’s house, an
ancient entrance of a highly ornamental character appears. It consists of two doorways,
&th narrow pilasters on each side supporting the architrave, which is adorned with a
variety of inscriptions, as represented in the accompanying woodcut, and altogether forms
a remarkably neat and elegant design. “his is the mansion of Adam Fullerton, whose
name is carved over the left doorway-an eminent and influential citizen in the reign of
Queen Mary, and an active colleague and coadjutor of Edward Hope in the cause of the
&formation. In 1561, his name appears as one of the bailies of Edinburgh, who, along
with Archibald Douglas of Kilspindie, the provost, laid hold of a poor craftsman who had
been guilty of the enormity of playing Robin Hood, and condemned him to be hangeda
procedure which ended in the mob becoming masters of the town, and compelling the
magistrates to sue for the mediation of the Governor of the Castle, and at length fairly to
succumb to the rioters.’ Only two months after this commotion, Queen Mary landed at
Leith, and was loyally entertained by the town of Edinburgh-Adam Fullerton, doubtless,
taking a prominent part among her civic hosts. In the General Assembly held at
Leith, January 16, 1571, his name occur8 as commissioner of the town of Edinb~rgh.~
On the 23d of June following, during the memorable siege of Edinburgh by the Regent
Mar, in the name of the infant King, the burgesses of the capital who favoured the Regent,
to the number of two hundred men, united themselves into a band, and passing privately
to Leith, which was then held by the Regent’s forces; they there made choice of Adam
Fullerton for their captain.l The consequence of this was his being “ denuncit our souerane
ladiea rebell, and put to the horne ” on the 18th of August following ; and “ vpoun
the tuantie nynt day of the said moneth, James Duke .of Chattellarault, George Erle of
Huntlie, Alexander Lord Home, accumpanyit with diuerse prelatis and barronis, past to
the tolbuith of Edinburgh; and thair sittand in parliament, the thrie estaitts being convenit,
foirfaltit Matho Erle of Lennox, James Erle of Mortoun, John Erle of Mar,” and
many other nobles, knights, and burgesses, of the Parliament, foremost among the latter
of whom ia Adam Fullerton, burgess of Edinburgh, “ and decernit ilk ane of thame to
Pitcairn’s Criminal Trials, Supplement, p. 567. Diurnal of Occurrents, p, 283 ; ante, p. 69.
Booke of the Univeraall Kirk, p. 208. ‘ Diurnal of Occurrenta, p. 227. Ibid, p. 239. ......

Book 10  p. 295
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176 MEMORIALS OF EDINBURGH.
and especially of U one bearing the manifest badge of Antichrist,” viz., his badge as a
knight of the order of Saint Esprit? They accordingly intimated to their congregations
a day of fasting and prayer on the occasion, which was duly observed, while the Frenchman
was having his farewell repast.
In the year 1588, the King sent Sir James Stewart, brother
of the Earl of Arran, to besiege Lord Maxwell, in the Castle
of Lochmaben, where he was believed to have collected a force
in readiness to co-operate with an expected army from Spain,
against the government. The Castle was rendered on the
faith of safety promised to the garrison by Sir William
Stewart; but the King, who had remained at a prudent distance
from danger, now made his appearance, and with characteristic
perfidy, hanged the most of them before the Castle
gate. He returned to Edinburgh thereafter, bringing with
him the Lord Maxwell, “who was warded in Robert Gourlaye’s
hous, and committed to the custodie of Sir William
Stewart.” Scarcely a week after this, Sir William quarrelled
with the Earl of Bothwell, in the royal presence, where each
gave the other the lie, in language sufficiently characteristic
of the rudeness of manners then prevailing at the Court of Holyrood. They met
a few days afterwards on the High Street, each surrounded by his retainers, when a
battle immediately ensued. Sir William was driven down the street by the superior
numbers of his opponents, and at length retreated into Blackfriars’ Wynd.’ There he
_.stabbed one of his assailants who was pressing most closely on him, but being unable to
recover his sword, he was thrust through the body by Bothwell, and so perished in the
afTray,-an occurrence that excited little notice at that turbulent period, either from
the citizens or the Court, and seems to have involved its perpetrator in no retributive
consequences.
The next occupant of note was Colonel Sempill, a cadet of the ancient family of that
name, and an active agent of the Catholic party, who “came to this countrie, with the
Spanish gold to the Popish Lords.’’ The Earl of Huntly, who had shown himself favourable
to the Spanish emissary, was commanded, under pain of treason, to apprehend him ;
and he also was accordingly warded in Robert Gourlay’s house, seemingly at the same time
with Lord Maxwell. In this case, it proved an insecure prison, for he (( soone after brake
waird and escaped, and that by Huntlie’s moyen and assistance; ’” and on the 20th of May of
the following year, Huntly was himself a prisoner, “wairded in Robert Gourlay’s h ~ u s e , ” ~
from whence he was soon afterwards transferred to Borthwick Castle. But not only was
this ancient civic mansion the abode or prison of a succession of eminent men, during the
troubled years of James the Sixth’s residence in Scotland; we find that the King himself,
in 1593, took refuge in the same substantial retreat, during one of those daring insurrections
of the Earl of Bothwell, that so often put his Majesty’s courage to sore trial, and drove
him to seek the protection of the burgher force of Edinburgh. LL The 3d of Apryle, the
Birrel’s Diary, p. 24. . ’ Calderwood, vol. iv. pp. 678-681. * Ibid, vol. v. p. 65.
YIQNETTE-carved Stone from Old Bank Close, in the collection of A. 0. Ellis, Esq. ......

Book 10  p. 191
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73 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
been thirty-nine years a Judge of the Supreme Court. It is somewhat remarkable
that he and his two immediate predecessors occupied the same seat on the
bench for a period of ninety years; Lord Ropton having been appointed a
judge in 1710, and Lord Tinwald in 1744.
By his wife, Lady Grace Stuart, daughter of James second Earl of Bute,
and sister of the Prime Minister, John the third Earl, his lordship had seven
sons, all of whom predeceased him. The second of these was Lieutenant-
Colonel John Campball, whose memorable defence of Mangalore, from May 1783
to January 1784, arrested the victorious career of Tippoo Sultan, and shed a
lustre over the close of that calamitous war.
Lord Stonefield resided at one time in Elphinstone’s Court, and latterly in
George Square. Of his lordship’s professional history no record has been
preserved. As a scholar, his attainments were considerable, and as a judge, his
decisions were marked by conciseness of expression and soundness of judgment.
He was a zealous and liberal supporter of every scheme tending to promote the
welfare and improvement of his native country.
No. cxcv.
JOHN HOME, ESQ.,
OF NINEWELLS.
JOHHNO MEo, r HUME,o f Ninewells (for they are truly the same name) was
the elder and only brother of Da,vid Hume, the historian.’ They were the
children of Joseph Home of Ninewells and Catherine Falconer, who was a
daughter of Sir David Falconer, Lord President of the College of Justice.
There were two subjects of playful controversy between the historian and his kind friend John
Home, author of the Tragedy of Douglas, etc. One waa about the preference of port or claret as
the better liquor. David was an advocate for port ; John was strenuous for the honour of claret, aa
the approved and genuine beverage of the old Scottish gentleman, in untaxed times, before the
union of the kingdoms. The other controversy related to the just spelling of the surname, Home or
Hum. David inclined, though with due temperance, for Hume, for which he found authority in
the inscription on an old tombstonr, and in some other memorials of past times. John rejected
this opinion of David’s as heterodox, and stood up stoutly on all occasions aa the hed of the
How faction.
With reference to these two matters, the historlan, in a codicil to his settlement, written with
his own hand, expresses himself as follows :-‘‘ I leave to my friend John Home of Kilduff ten dozen
of my old claret, at his choice, and one single bottle of that other liquor, called port. I also leave to
him six dozen of port, provided that he attests, under his hand, signed John Humq that he haa himself
alone finished that bottle at two sittinge. By this concession, he will at once terminate the only
two differences that ever arose between as concerning temporal mattera.” This writing ie preeerved,
but not entered on record. Mr. Humo died on the 25th of the
same month. On one
occasion, David jocularly proposed to John, that they should terminate the controvenry about the
name, by casting lots. “Nay, Mr. Philosopher,” said John (for so he often addressed him), “that
is a most extraordinary proposal indeed i for if you lose, you take your own name ; and if I lose, I
take another man’s name.”
It is dated 7th August 1776.
He had for some weeka been io a condition of evident and increasing decay. ......

Book 9  p. 95
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264 MEMORIALS OF EDINBURGH,
in an advertisement of the year 1798, as ‘‘ the Auld Cameronian Meeting-house.” Tradition
pointed out the upper flat of the same tenement as having been the’lodging of
‘.i Nicol Muschett of ill memorie,” while a student at college, though it appears, from the
evidence on his trial, that his
final residence was in Dickson’s
Close. This ancient tenement,
which was latterly regarded with
interest, as bearing the oldest
date on any p‘rivate building in
Edinburgh, excepting that already
described in Blyth’s Close,
has been recently entirely demolished,
and replaced by a plain
unpretending erection.‘ But we
have since discovered a stone in
the possession of James Gibson Craig, Esq., bearing the much earlier date of 1506, which
was removed from a house taken down some years since, near the foot of this same wynd,
on the opposite side. The stone appears to have formed the top of a dormer window,
being triangular in shape, and surmounted by an unusually large crescent. The date is
cut partly in Arabic and partly in Roman numerals, thus :-15VI. The site of this
ancient fabric is now a ruinous waste, rendering it impossible to recover any traces of its
proprietors, either in early or later times.
Immediately adjoining the former building, on the west side of the wynd, is the venerable
mansion of the Earls of Morton, an ancient timber-fionted land, already referred to in the
description of Brown’s Close, Castlehill,’ with its fine Gothic doorway, and sculptured tympanum,
containing a coronet supported by unicorns. Such portions of the stone front as
remain exposed, exhibit the feature, which occurs so frequently in buildings of an early
date, of moulded windows originally divided by stone mullions. The desolate and deserted
aspect of the vice-regal residence, comports with the degraded state of this once patrician
locality, now ‘‘ fallen on evil days and evil tongues.’’ It has long been entirely shut up,
defying as completely dl attempts at investigating its interior, as when Queen’s m n and
King’s men were fighting in the High Street, and Kirkaldy of Grange was bent on driving
the Regent and all his followers from the town. The evidence of this mansion having
been occupied by the Regent Morton is not complete, though it is undoubtedly of an earlier
date, and appears to have been possessed by. his immediate ancestors. The earliest title
which we have 6een is a disposition by Archibald Douglaa, younger of Whittinghame, one
of the senators of the College of Justice, in which it is described as “that tenement which
was some time the Earl of Mortoun’s.’’ From this it may be inferred to have been the
residence of his direct ancestor, John, second Earl of Morton, who sat in the Parliament
of James IV. in 1504,’ and whose grandson, William Douglas of Whittinghame was
created a senator of the College of Justice in 1575. He was a contemporary of his kins-
.
The ancient tenement at the head of Monteith’s Close bore the date 1562, with an inscription over the doorway
Ante, p. 138.
of a remarkably fine inner turnpike, but it waa demolished several years before the one in Blackfriars’ Wynd.
a Douglae’a Peerage, vol. ii. p. 269. ......

Book 10  p. 286
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70 MEMORIALS OF EDINBURGH.
meanwhile, the deacons of the corporations were summoned to the rescue of the Provost
and Bailies, ‘‘ but they past to their four-hour’s penny, or afternoon’s pint,’’ returning for
answer, that since tiley wilt de magistrates alone, let them rule alone!
The Provost was compelled at last to seek the mediation of the Governor of the
Castle, but the rioters did not disperse, nor permit the magistrates to escape from durance,
until after nine o’clock at night, when a public proclamation was made at the Cross,
engaging that they should not pursue any one for that day’s work.’
On the 19th of August 1561, Queen Mary landed at Leith, where she was received
by the Lord James, her natural brother, and many of the chief nubility; and conveyed
in state to the Abbey of Holyrood House. On the news of her arrival, the nobility and
leaders, without distinction of party, crowded to Edinburgh, to congratulate her on her
return to her native land, and tender their homage and service, while the people
testified their pleasure by bonfires and music, and other popular demonstrations of
rejoicing.
Magnificent entertainments were provided by the town of Edinburgh, as well as by
the chief nobility, and everything waa done on her arrival to assure her of the perfect
loyalty and affection of her subjects ; yet, if we may believe Brantome, an eye-witness, the
Queen could not help contrasting, with a sigh, the inferiority of the national displays on
her arrival, when contrasted with the gorgeous pageants to which she had been accustomed
at the Court of France.’
Contrary to what had been anticipated, the Queen received the Lord James into special
favour, and admitted him to the chief control in all public affairs ; but notwithstanding
the countenance shown to him, and other leaders of the Congregation, the religious
differences speedily led to dissensions between the Queen and the people. All toleration
had been denied to those who still adhered to the old faith, and both priests and laymen
were strictly enjoined by the magistrates of Edinburgh to attend the services of the
Protestant Chrches. Some of them, instead of joining in the worship, had availed
themselves of this compulsory attendance to unsettle the faith of recent converts, on
which account they were ordered by proclamation to depart from the city within
forty-eight hours. The Queen remonstrated without effect, and the proclamation was
renewed with increased rigour; whereupon she addressed a letter to the Council and
community of Edinburgh, commanding them to assemble in the Tolbooth, and
choose other magistrates in their stead. The Council obeyed her commands, without
waiting to learn whom she would recommend for their successors,-a procedure
which excited her indignation little less than the contempt of the magistrates she
had deposed.’
Shortly after this, Knox visited the Queen at Holyrood, and had a long interview
with her, during which he moved her to tears by,the vehemence of his exhortations.
The Lord James and other two courtiers were present, but they withdrew sufficiently
to permit of perfect privacy in this first conference between the Reformer and Queen
Mary. The interview was long, and the Queen s&ciently patient under his very plain
spoken rebukes and exhortations, but they parted in the same mind as they had met;
Diurnal of Occurrents, p. 284,5. Knox’s History of the Reforniation, 4to, p. 253, where the culprit ia styled Balon.
* Brantome, vol. 5. p. 123. Tgtler, vol. vi. Council Register, Oct. 8, 1561. Maitland, p. 21. ......

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48 MEMORIALS OF EDINBURGH.
found to throw the weight of their influence into the scale of liberty and right, it is only
because the interests of England chanced to tally with such views.
One of the most eminent Scotsmen of this period was the celebrated Cardinal Beaton.
As the head of the Scottish clergy, he was naturally opposed to the entire system of policy
pursued by Henry VIII., and was mainly instrumental in preventing the promised interview
between James V. and the English Monarch at York, and thereby bringing on the
war, the disastrous issue of which is justly considered to have occasioned James’s death.
This sudden event, as it overturned many of the schemes of the Cardinal, set him only
the more zealously to devise others. Immediately thereafter, he produced a will of the late
King, in which he was nominated Regent, with three of the nobility as his assistants, and
which he caused forthwith to be proclaimed at the Cross of Edinburgh.
Historians are generally agreed as to the forgery of this will, yet the Earl of Arran, who,
next to the infant Mary, was heir to the crown, cheerfully acquiesced in its arrangement,
and showed himself willing to co-operate with the Cardinal in his ambitious designs. A
numerous part of the nobility, however, to whom the Cardinal was an object of detestation,
as his projects were altogether incompatible with their own selfish views, soon wrought
upon the imbecile Earl to desert his faction, and while the matter was still in suspense,
the opportune arrival of the liberated prisoners from London, now in the pay of the English
Nonarch, on the 1st of January 1543, completed his overthrow ; and, notwithstanding his
having already assumed the Regency, he was set aside, and the Earl of Arran elected in his
stead.
The grand scheme of the English Monarch at this period, from the failure of which
originated all the enmity he afterwards manifested towards Scotland, was the promotion
of a marriage between hie own son, af’temrds Edward VI., and the young Queen of
Scotland.
On the 8th of March a Parliament assembled at Edinburgh, to which the English
Monarch sent an ambassador with offers of lasting peace should they comply with his
proposed alliance. The Cardinal, who saw in this the certain downfall of the Clurch,
brought the whole influence of the clergy, as well as that of the Queen Dowager, Mary
of Guise, to bear against it, but at the moment without effect. The Cardinal, by a
vote of Parliament, was committed a prisoner to Dalkeith Castle, under the care of
Lord Seton, and everything was forthwith settled with England on the most friendly
terms.
About the Bame time, Marcus Grymanus, patriarch of Aquileia, or, according to Lesly
and others, Contareno, patriarch of Venice, arrived at Edinburgh, as the Papal Legate,
commissioned to use all his influence to prevent the proposed alliance between the Scottish
Queen and Prince Edward of England, and bearing the amplest promises of assistance
from the Pope, in case of a rupture with that crown. ‘‘ After he had been courteously
and splendidly entertained at Edinburgh bp persons of the greatest rank, he departed in
the beginning of March, and was so well pleased with the reception he had met with, that
wherever he went afterwards, he spoke of the magnificent civilities of the Scottish
nation.” Bishop Leslie thus records a costly entertainment furnished to him in the
Scottish capital. ‘‘ The Earle of Murray makand him the banquet in his house, although
Bishop Keith’s History of Scotland, 1845, vol. i. p. 96. ......

Book 10  p. 52
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 465
changes were effected in the forms of process j and the Jury Court, as a separate
judicature, was abolished. Mi. Bell was appointed one of the Principal Clerks
of Session in 1831, in the place of Sir Walter Scott. In 1833 he waa called
upon to act as chairman of the Royal Commission to examine into the state of
the Law in general. He died 33d September 1843.
VI1.-WILLIAM ROSE ROBINSON, of Clermiston, in the county of
Edinburgh, late Sheriff of Lanark, passed advocate in 1804. His father,
George Robertson of Clermiston, was a Writer to the Signet. Prior to his
being appointed to the office of Sheriff; which compelled his residence in the
west country, Mr. Robinson had very good practice as an advocate. He married,
8th April 1811, Mary, second daughter of James Douglas, Esq., of Orchyarton,
by whom he left several children. He died in 1834, and was succeeded
as Sheriff of Lanark by Archibald Alison, Esq.
VIIL-JOHN WRIGHT, lecturer on law-formerly noticed (vol. I. p, 268).
1X.-JOHN GRAHAM DALYELL, afterwards SIR J. G. DALYELKLn, ight
and Baronet, the author of a valuable work on the Early Superstitions of Scotland,
was born in 1778, and admitted advocate in 1797. He was the second
son of the late Sir Robert Dalyell, fourth Bart. of Binns, Linlithgo-wshire, by
Elizabeth, eldest daughter of Nicol Graham, Esq., of Gartmore, and early in
life distinguished himself by the publication of various works illustrative of the
history and poetry of his native country ; amongst which may be enumerated
Fragments of Scottish History, 4to ; Scottish Poems of the Sixteenth Century,
2 vols., 12mo ; an edition of Richard Bannatyne's valuable Memorials, 8vo ;
and various tracts on the Chartularies of Ancient Religious Houses in Scotland.
He was also deeply versed in natural history, and gave to the world Dissertations
on the Propagation of Zoophytes ; the History of the Genus Planaria ;
and an edition of Spallanzani's Tracts, in 2 vols. 8170. He was successively
President of the Society for encouraging the Useful Arts in Scotland, Vice-President
of the Society of Antiquaries, and one of the representatives of the Fourth
District in the Town-Council of Edinburgh. In the year 1837 the honour of
knighthood was conferred, by letters patent under the Great Sed, for his
attainments in literature. He succeeded his brother as sixth Baronet in 1841,
and died 7th June 1 85 1.
X.-FRANCIS JEFFREY, afterwards LORD JEFFREY.
a biographical sketch, of his lordship have already appeared
A Portrait, with
XI.-JOHN JARDINE passed advocate in 1799. He was the only son of
the late George Jardine, who was for upwards of fifty years a distinguished
Professor in the University of Glasgow, and who introduced that system of
practical discipline in the Philosophy Classes, for which that seminary has been
since so much distinguished, and which is fully explained by the Professor in
VOL. II. 30 ......

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244 MEMORIALS OF EDINBURGH.
dreaded. In this dilemma he had recourse to Will Armstrong, a worthy descendant of the
famous mosstrooper executed by Jamev V.,-who owed to the Earl’s good fiervices his
emape from a halter. Will promptly volunteered to kidnap the President on learning
that he stood in his patron’s way, and watching his opportunity when Lord Durie was
riding out, he entered into conversation with him, and so decoyed him to an unfrequented
spot called the Figgate Whins, near Portobello, when he suddenly pulled him from his
horse, muffled him in his trooper’s cloak, and rode off with the luckless judge trussed up
behind him. Lord Durie was secured in the dungeon of an old castle in Annandale called
the Tower of Graeme, and his horse being found on the beach, it was concluded he had
thrown his rider into the sea. His friends went into mourning, his successor was
appointed, the Earl won his plea, and Will was directed to set his captive at liberty. The
old judge waa accordingly seized in his dark dungeon, mufHed once more in the cloak,
and conveyed with such dexterity to the scene of his capture that he long entertained the
belief he had’ been spirited away by witches. The joy of his friends was probably
surpassed by the blank amazement of his successor, when he appeared to reclaim his old
office and honours. Accident long after led to a discovery of the whole story; but in
those disorderly times it was only laughed at as a fair ruse de gumre.‘ In the ballad the
bold moss-trooper alights at Lord Durie’s door, and beguiles him with a message from “the
fairest lady in Teviotdale.” Sir Walter, however, confesses to such ekeing and patching
of the traditionary fragments of the old ballad, that we must content ourselves with the
fact of the stolen President’s dwelling having stood on the site of the Heriot’s school in the
Assembly Close. Of this there can be no doubt, as it ia referred to in the boundaries of
various early deeds, in most of which the alley is styled Durie’s Close.
The Covenant Close has already been referred to:
with its interesting old land, surmounted with three
crow-stepped gables, forming the most prominent
feature in the range of the High Street as seeu from
the south. The front lands immediately below this
and the adjoining close again direct us to associations
with the olden time, though only as occupying the
site of what once was interesting, for fire and modern
reform together have effected an entire revolution in
this part of the town. Over the doorway immediately
above Bell’s Wynd an escallop shell? cut upon the
modern stone lintel, marks the site of the ‘‘ Clam
Shell Turnpike,” an edifice associated with eminent
characters, and some of the most interesting eras in
Scottish history. Maitland only remarks of it, in
this close there ‘( is an ancient chapel, which is still
plainly to be seen by the manner of its construction, though now converted into a dwelling-
1 Chrktie’s Will, Border Minstrelsy. There is little doubt of the general truth of thia tradition.
Ante, p. 93.
The leading facts,
though without the names, are related in Forbes’s Journal, and Scott tells UE that some old stnnzas of the ballad were
current on the Border in hia youth.
VIGNETTE-CIBIII Shell Turnpike, from Skena Taken down lT91. ......

Book 10  p. 265
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62 MEMORIALS OP EDINB UR GH.
land, romed in the mind of Elizabeth that vindictive jealousy, which so largely contributed
to all the miseries that attended the course of Mary of Scotland, from the first moment of
her return to her native land.
From this time forward a fatal change took place in the policy of the Queen Regent.
She abandoned the moderate measures which her own natural disposition inclined her to ;
she lent herself en’tirely to the ambitious projects of the French Court and the Chiefs of
the house of Guise, and the immediate result was a collision between the Catholic and
Protestant parties. Some concessions had been granted at the request of the Lords of
the Congregation ; but now these were entirely withdrawn, a proclamation was issued for
conformity of religion, and several of the leaders of the reforming party were summoned
A provincial synod, worthy of notice, as the last ever held in Scotland during Roman
Catholic times, was convened on the 2d of March, this year, in the Blackfriare’ Church,
Edinburgh, to consult what wae required for the safety of the Church thus endangered.
Resolutions were passed for the amendment of life in the clergy, and the removal of other
crying abuses ; but it can hardly be wondered at that their general tone was by no means
conciliatory ; the decrees of the Council of Trent were again declared obligatory ; the use of
any other language than Latin, in the services of the Church, was expressly forbid ; and,
by an act of this same synod, Sir David Lindsay’R writings were denounced, and ordered
to be burnt.’ According to Calderwood, this, the last synod ‘of the Church, was dissolved
on the 2d of May, the same day that John Knox arrived at Leith,-too striking a coincidence
to be overlo~ked.~
The conducting of the public religious services in an unknown language had long
excited opposition ; and the popularity of such writings as those of Dunbar, Douglas, and
Lindsay, in the vernacular tongue, doubtless tended to increase the general desire for its
u8e in the services of the Church, as well as on all public occasions.
In Kitteis Confeessioun, a satirical poem ascribed to Sir David Lindsay, the dog-lath of
an ignorant father-confeseor is alluded to with sly humourto
answer for their past deeds.‘ . . I
He speirit monie strange case,
How that my lufe did me embrace,
Quhat day, how oft, quhat sort, and quhair 1
Quod he, I wad I had been thair.
He me absolvit for ane plack,
Thocht he with me na price wald rnak ;
And rnekil Latine did he mummill;
I heard na thing bot Aumrnill burnmill.
The poet was already in his grave when his writings were thus condemned. The last
years of hie life had been spent in retirement, and the exact time of his death is unknown,
but‘Henry Charteris, the famous printer, who published Lindsay’s works in 1568, says
that This occurred
in 1558, from which it may be inferred, that he died towards the cloae of the previous
year, 1557.4
shortly after the death of Sir David, they burnt auld Walter Mill.”
1 Tytler, vol. vi. pp 109,110. Pitscottie, vol. ii. p. 526. * Calderwood, vol. i. p. 438. ’ Chalmera’ Sir D. Lindsay, vol. i p. 42. Keith, vol. i p. 156. ......

Book 10  p. 67
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58 MEMORIALS OF EDINBURGH.
hands, whatever might be the feelings of a few interested partizans of the Regent
Arran.
In the midst of these transactions, and while the Queen Dowager was skilfully arranging
for the transference of the government into her own hands, the death of Edward VI.
had created a total change in the neighbouring kingdom, and rendered the position and
future line of policy to be pursued by Scotland in its intercourse with England altogether
difFeren t.
Probably, no ruler ever assumed the reins of government in Scotland with such general
approbation of the people as the Queen Regent now did. She had already manifested
both skill and judgment in attaining the Regency. She had secured it, although a decided
Catholic, with the full concurrence of the Protestant party; and while, by her prudent
concessions to them, she had won their favour, she had managed this with such skill as in
no way to alienate from her the powerful Catholic party, among whose leaders were some
of the chief men of learning and ability at the Scottish Court.
But it has ever, even with the wisest rulers, proved a more dacult thing to maintain
authority than to acquire it. To the peoplerindeed, any government capable of securing to
them the free exercise of their rights, and curbing the licentious turbulence of the nobles,
must have proved a change for the better. Yet, in her very first proceedings, she attacked
one of the most deeply-rooted national prejudices, at once disgusting the nobility, and
exciting the jealousy of the people,-by placing many of the most important offices of state
in the hands of foreigners, and rousing a spirit of opposition to the government which led
to the most fatal results.
Meanwhile, the Regent devoted herself sedulously to the promotion of peace. A cordial
union was established with England, and a Parliament assembled at Edinburgh, June 20th,
1555, many of whose enactment8 were well calculated to promote the interests of the nation.
One of them, however, entitled “ An Act anent the speaking evil of the Queen’s Grace,
or French-men,” affords evidence not only that the jealousy occasioned by the presence of
the foreign troops was unabated, but that the unpopularity of her auxiliaries was already
extending to the Queen Regent.
Several of the new statutes are directed to restrain the laxity of the people in their
religious observances. One is entitled “ Anent eating of flesh in Lentron (Lent) and other
daies forbidden.” Another of these Acts ‘‘ Anent Robert Hude and abbot of Un-reason,”
exhibits symptoms of the spirit of jealous reform, that was now influencing both parties
on every question in the remotest degree affecting religion. It is the first attack on those
ancient games and festivals, which this spirit of reform succeeded at length in banishing
entirely from Scotland. The Act prohibits, under severest penalties, the choosing any such
personage as Robin Hood, Little John, abbot of Un-reason, or Queen of May; and adds (‘ if onie weomen or others, a6out wmmer trees singing, make perturbation to the Queen’s
lieges, the weomen perturbatoures sal1 be taken, handled, and put upon the cuck-stules of
every burgh or toune. ’” It may well be regretted by others, besides the antiquary, that
the singing about summer trees, as it is poetically expressed, should have excited the
jealousy of any party, as detrimental to the interests of religion.
.
Scots Acta, vol. i. p. 294. 9 Ibid, vol. i. p. 307. ......

Book 10  p. 63
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