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I 16 OLD AND NEW EDINBURGH. p e w Town,
himself and his lady. This lintel was removed by
the late Sir Patrick Walker, who had succeeded to
the estate, and was rebuilt by him into the present
ancient house, which is destined long to survive as
the deanery of St. Mary?s cathedral. Into the
walls of the same house were built some fragments
of sculpture from a mansion in the Cowgate, traditionally
known as the residence of the French
embassy in Mary?s time. They are now in the
north wing.
On the eastern side of the mansion of Coates are
two ancient lintels, one dated 1600, with the initials
C. C. I. and K. H. The other bears the same
initials with the legend,
I PRAYS YE LORD FOR
ALL HIS BENEFErIS, 1601.
Coates lay westward of Bearford?s Parks and the
old Ferry Road. The form?er edifice, a picturesque
old mansion, with turrets, dormer windows, and
crowstepped gables, in the Scoto-French style, still
remains unchanged among its changed surroundings
as when it was built, probably about 1611, by
Sir John Byres of Coates, whose, town residence was
in Byres? Close, in the High Street, and over the
door of which he inscribed the usual pious legend,
? Blksif be God ia aC his g$%$? with the initials of
?
1 On the west a dormer gable bears the date 1615,
with the initials J. B. and M. B., and a stone built
above the western door bears in large letters the
word IEHOVA, with the city motto and the date
1614
According to the inscription on the tomb of
? the truly good and excellent citizen John Byres
of Cokes,? in the Greyfriars churchyard, as given
by Monteith, it would appear that he was two
years city bailie, two years a suburban bailie, six
THE MANYION OF EASTER COATLS.
years Dean of Guild, and that he died on the
24th of November, 1629, iri his sixtieth year.
Prior to the time of the Byres the property had
belonged to the Lindsays, as in the ratification
by Parliament to Lord Lindsay, in 1592, are mentioned
?the landis of Dene, but the mylnes and
mure thereof, and their pertenents lyand within
the Sherifdom of Edinburgh, the manes of Drym,
the lands of Drymhill, the landis of Coittis and
Coitakirs, &c? (Acta Parl., Jacobi VI.)
The mansion of Wester Coates, advertised in the
Edinburgh papers of 1783 as ? the House of Coates,
or White House, belonging to the heirs of the
deceased James Finlay of Walliford, and as lately
possessed by Lord Covington, situated on the
highway leading to Coltbridge,? was removed in

... 16 OLD AND NEW EDINBURGH. p e w Town, himself and his lady. This lintel was removed by the late Sir Patrick ...

Book 3 p. 116
(Score 0.8)

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 3 i i
no doubt that the intervention of the Directory of the great Republic will
obtain my liberty. Remember me most affectionately to all my friends, who
are the friends of liberty and of mankind.”
Muir was not disappointed in the sincerity of the French Directory, at whose
request he was delivered up by the Spanish authorities. On entering France
he was warmly hailed by the people ; and in Paris he received every mark of
respect from the government. He did not, however, live long to enjoy the
liberty which it had cost him such peril to obtain. The seeds of a decline had
been sown in his constitution before his departure from Scotland ; and the many
fatigues which he had subsequently undergone, together with the wounds he
had received in the action, proved too complicated and powerful to be resisted.
He died at Chantilly, near Paris, on the 27th September 1798, where he was
interred, with every mark of respect, by the public authorities.
No. CXXVI.
SIR ARCHIBALD HOPE OF PINKIE, BART.
THIS gentleman, who has been dubbed by the artist a “ Knight of the Turf,”
was the ninth baronet of Craighall-the original designation of the family.’
He was grandson to Sir Thomas, a distinguished member of the College of
Justice, and one of the early promoters of agricultural improvements in Scotland.
By his skill in this latter department, the Meadows, now one of the pleasantest
and most frequented walks about Edinburgh, was converted from its original
marshy and waste condition into a state of high cultivation. In commemoration
of this circumstance, it obtained the name of “ Hope Park ;” but it is still
generally known as “ The Meadows.”
SIR ARCHEALDw,h o succeeded to the title on the death of his grandfather
in 1771, does not appear to have been ambitious of obtaining distinction either
at the bar or in the senate j and the only public situation which he ever held
was that of Secretary to the Board of Police, to which he had been appointed
for life ; and, on its abolition, received a compensation in lieu of the office.
On his own estate, and throughout the neighbourhood, he supported the
character of a country gentleman, more intent on improving his lands than
desirous of engaging in those political and party animosities which so much
distract the harmony of society, and retard the progress of substantial national
improvement. On his property he established extensive salt and coal works,
from which he derived very considerable emolument, and which still continue
1 The Hopes of Craighall are the stem from which has sprnng the noble family of Hopetonu,
noticed in a precediug part of this work. The designation of Craighall wra laid aside by Lord
Rankeillor, son of the second baronet, who had been knighted by the title of-Sir Archibald Hope of
that Ilk.

... SKETCHES. 3 i i no doubt that the intervention of the Directory of the great Republic will obtain my ...

Book 8 p. 436
(Score 0.79)

Calton Hill.] THE HIGH SCHOOL. IT1
ture, including reading, orthography, recitation,
grammar, and composition, together with British
history, forms the prominent parts of the system ;
while the entire curriculum of study-which occupies
six years-embraces the Latin, Greek, French,
and German languages, history, geography, physiology,
chemistry, natural philosophy, zoology,
botany, algebra, geometry, drawing, fencing,
gymnastics, and military drill. In the library are
same form, each possessing no advantage over his
schoolfellow. ?? Edinburgh has reason to be proud
of this noble institution,? said Lord Provost
Black at the examination in 1845, ?as one which
has conferred a lustre upon our city, and which has
given a tone to the manners and intellect of its
Whether they remain in Edinburgh
or betake themselves to other lands, and whatever
be the walk of life in which they are led, I believe
I inhabitants.
all4ikelihood never will be.
In the long roll of its scholars are the names
of the most distinguished men of all professions,
and in every branch of science and literature,
many of whom have helped to form and consolidate
British India. It also includes three natives
of Edinburgh, High School callants,? who have
been Lord Chancellors of Great Britain-Wedderburn,
Erskine, and Brougham.
The annual examinations always take place in
presence of the Lord Provost and magistrates, a
number of the city clergy and gentlemen connected
with the other numerous educational establishments
in the city. There is also a large concourse of the
parents and friends of the pupils. The citizens have
ever rejoiced in this ancient school, and are justly
proud of it, not only for the prominent position it
occupies, but from the peculiarity of its constitumanity.
Dr. Carson held the office till October,
1845, when feeble health compelled him to resign,
and he was succeeded by Dr. Leonhard
Schmitz (as twenty-sixth Rector, from D. Vocat,
Rector in 151g), the first foreigner who ever held L
classical mastership in the High School. He was a
graduate of the University of Bonn, and a native
of Eupen, in Rhenish Prussia. He was the author
of a continuation of Niebuhr?s ?History of
Rome,? in three volumes, and many other works,
and in 1844 obtained from his native monarch
the gold medal for literature, awarded ?as a mark
of his Majesty?s sense of the honour thereby conferred
on the memory of Niebuhr, one of the
greatest scholars of Germany.? In 1859 he was
selected by her Majesty the Queen to give a
course of historical study to H.R.H. the Prince
, of Wales, and during the winter of 1862-3, he

... Hill.] THE HIGH SCHOOL. IT1 ture, including reading, orthography, recitation, grammar, and composition, ...

Book 3 p. 111
(Score 0.79)

21 EIOG RAP HI GAL SKETCH E S.
No. CLXXVIII.
GENERAL JAMES GRANT OF BALLINDALLOCH.
GENERAL GRANT entered the army as an ensign in the Royal Regiment in
1741, at the age of twenty-one, having previously applied himself to the study
of the law. In 1747 he was Aide-de-camp to General St. Clair on his embassy
to Vienna, to which David Hume, the historian, acted as secretary. On the
journey, Hume and Sir Henry Erskine, General St. Clair’s other Aide-de-camp,
quarrelled, and would not exchange words, on which occasion Captain Grant
had the difficult task of keeping up the conversation, while all four travelled
in the same carriage, so as to conceal from General St. Clair the terms on
which the other two stood. He saw a good deal of service both in the Low
Countries and in America : in the latter he held several high commands during
the war. He was second in command to Lord Albemarle at the taking of the
Havannah, directed the attack on the Morne Fortunbe at St. Lucia, and was
afterwards Governor of East Florida, After having been for some years
Governor of Dumbarton Castle, he was appointed in 1789 to the Government
of that of Stirling, in the room of Lieutenant-General Mackay, and was Colonel,
first of the 55th, and afterwards of the 11th Regiment of Foot. He represented
the county of Sutherland in Parliament for many years, and was an intimate
friend of Lord Melville and Mr. Pitt, as also of the Earls of Sutherland and
Panmure! and of General Scott of Balconie. When walking one day with the
last of these, Nisbet of Dirleton satirically remarked--“ There go the Imepam6Zes
-an honest but a simple pair.“
General Grant was one of the most noted bow vivants of his day; and
when travelling was always accompanied by his cooks. It was an established
rule with him not to hazard his palate on any dish until its quality had been
previously ascertained. While in command of the forces in the north of
England, where he kept an open table for his military friends, he would say to
his Aide-de-camp--“ Monypenny, have you ate of that dish more than once 8”
If answered in the affiative, he would add-“Then be kind enough to help
me.” He usuallf spent the winter in London, where the Prince of Wales
and the Duke of York frequently partook of his good cheer, and where he
daily entertained small and select parties. During summer he kept open house
at his country residence of Ballindalloch, beautifully situated on the banks of
the Spey and Avon, in Morayshire ; and spared no expense on its improvement.
Some parts of the waste lands, it is said, cost him at the rate of one hundred
pounds per acre ; but he used to say that he would rather “ Buy land at that
rate on his own estate than at a very low one anywhere else.’’ It was a maxim

... EIOG RAP HI GAL SKETCH E S. No. CLXXVIII. GENERAL JAMES GRANT OF BALLINDALLOCH. GENERAL GRANT entered the ...

Book 9 p. 28
(Score 0.79)

Onmond.1 HARBOUR AND ISLAND. 31.5
In the reign of David 11. Roger Greenlaw
obtained a royal charter of the Butterland in the
town of Cramond, ? quhilk? William Bartlemow
resigned ;? and Robert 11. granted, at Edinburgh,
in the eighteenth year of his reign, a charter of
certain lands in King?s Cramond to William
Napier, on their resignation by John, son of Simon
Rede, in presence of the Chancellor, John, Bishop
of Dunkeld, and others.
In 1587 Patrick Douglas of Kilspindie became
the south as the Pinnacle. In December, 1769,
a whale, fifty-four feet long, was stranded upon it
by the waves. About a mile northward and east
of it, lies another rocky islet, three or four furlongs
in circumferkhce, named Inchmickery, only remarkable
for a valuable oyster bed on its shore,
and for the rich profusion of sea-weed, mosses,
and lichens, on its beach and surface.
North from the point known as the Hunter?s
Craig or Eagle?s Rock, westward of the harbour,
THE ?TWA BRIGS,? CRAMOND.
caution for John Douglas, in Cramond, and his son
Alexander, that they would not molest certain
parishioners there, nor ?? their wives, bairns, or
servants.?
The little harbour of Cramond is specified in the
Exchequer Records as a creek within the port of
Leith. It possesses generally only a few boats,
but in 1791 had seven sloops, measuring 288 tons,
employed by the iron works. Cramond Island, 19
acres in extent, lies 1,440 yards NNE of the
pretty village. It rises high in the centre, with
steep granite cliffs on the east, formerly abounded
with rabbits, and is generally accessible on foot
at low water. It now belongs to Lord Rosebery.
The north point of the isle is known as the Binks;
the stretch known as the Drum Sands extends for
more than a mile.
In 1639, Alexander, sixth Earl of Eglinton, h,$ed
for two days at Cramond with his contingent for
the Scottish army, consisting of zoo horse and
1,800 foot, en route for?Leith.
In the time of Charles I. Cramond gave a title
in the Scottish peerage, when Dame Elizabeth Beaumont,
the wife of Sir Thomas Richardson, Lord
Chief Justice of the Common Pleas in England,
was, for some reason now unknown, created
Baroness Cramond for life, with the title of baron
to the Chief Justice?s son and his heirs male; ??in
failure of which, to the heirs male of his father?s
body?-the first female creation on record in

... HARBOUR AND ISLAND. 31.5 In the reign of David 11. Roger Greenlaw obtained a royal charter of the ...

Book 6 p. 315
(Score 0.78)

346 OLD AND NEW EDINBURGH. [Drum.
the resort of the curious still, according to Fullarton?s
?Gazetteer,? and a long description of it
appeared in the Courant for 1873.
Gilmerton was long characterised simply as a
village of colliers of a peculiarly degraded and brutal
nature, as ferocious and unprincipled as a gang
of desperadoes, who rendered all the adjacent roads
unsafe after nightfall, and whose long career of
atrocities culminated in the execution of two of
them for a sipgularly brutal murder in 1831. Its
coal-which is of prime quality-was vigorously
worked in 1627, and is supposed to have been
famous a century earlier ; but its mines have been
abandoned, and the adjacent lime-works-the
oldest in Scotland-were worked from time immemorial.
Half a mile to the eastward lies the ancient
estate and manor-house of Drum, the residence of
old of the Somerville family, secluded from the
highway and hidden by venerable trees-a Scoto-
Normah race, whose progenitor, William de Somerville,
came into Scotland during the reign of David
I., who made him Lord of Carnwath, and whose
descendants figured in high places for several
generations. His son obtained from William the
Lion a grant of Linton in 1174, for slaying-according
to tradition-a monstrous serpent, which
was devastating the country. William, fourth of that
name, was a commander at the battle of Largs;
Thomas, hi9 son, served under Wallace ; and his
son Sit Waltet, the cqmrade of Bruce, married Giles,
the daughter and heiress of Sir Johr. Herring, with
whom he obtained the lands of Drum, Gilmerton,
and Goodtrees, in the parish of Liberton.
Unlike most Scottish titled families, the Somervilles
were ever loyal to king and country.
John: third Lord Somerville of Drum, led the
Clydesdale horse at the Battle of Sark, in 1449,
and his son, Sir John, fell at Flodden, by the side
of his royal master. James, sixth lord, served in
the queen?s army at Langside, and was severely
wounded. Hugh, his son, recovered the lands of
Gilmerton and Drum-which had gone into the
possession of the Somervilles of Cambusnethan
-and built the mansion-house of Drum in 1585 ;
and four years after it was the scene of a sad family
tragedy, which is related at some length in the
? I Domestic Annals of Scotland.?
Hugh, eighth lord, who died there in 1640, in
his seventieth year, was buried in Liberton Church;
and James, his successor, served with distinction
in the armies of France and Venice.
?( James Somerville of Drum ? (twentieth in
descent from Sir Walter Somerville), ? and tenth
lord of that ilk,? says the ? Memorie of the Sommer-
*
viles,? ?died at Edinburgh 3rd January, 1677, in
the 82nd year of his age, and was interred by his
ladye?s syde in the Abbey Church ok Holyrood,
maist of the nobilitie and gentrie in tome being
present, with two hundred torches.??
James, the tenth lord, was lieutenant-colonel of
the Scots Guards, in which his son George was
adjutant.
His eldest son, James, when riding home to
Drum one night from Edinburgh, in July, 1682,
found on the way two friends fighting, sword in
hand-namely, Thomas Learmonth, son of an
advocate, and Hew Paterson younger of Bannockburn,
who had quarrelled over their cups. He
dismounted, and tried to separate them, but was
mortally wounded by Paterson, and died two days
after at Drum, leaving an infant son to carry on
the line of the family.
A son of the twelfth lord-so called, though
four generations seem to have declined to use the
title-was killed at the battle of St. Cas in 1758 3 and
John, the fifteenth lord, is chiefly remarkable as
the introducer of the breed of Merino sheep into
Britain ; and by the death of Xubrey-John, nineteenth
Lord Somerville, in 1870, the title of this
fine old Scottish race became dormant.
Though a little beyond our radius, while treating
of this district it is impossible not to glance at
such classic and historic places as Hawthornden
and Roslin, and equally of such sylvan beauty as
Iasswade.
Situated- amid the most beautifully wooded
scenery in the Lowlands, the Castle of Roslin,
taking its name from Russ, a promontory, and Zyn,
a waterfall, crowns a lofty mass of insulated rock
overhanging the Esk. This mass is bold ?nd
rugged in outline, and at one time was convertible
into an island, ere the deep and moat-like gulley
on its western side was partly filled up.
Across this once open fosse a massive bridge of
one arch has now been thrown, and to this the path
from the village descends a rapid incline, through
leafy coppice and by precipitous rocks, overlooked
by the lofty hill which is crowned by the wonderful
chapel.
Built of reddish stone, and luxuriantly clothed
with ivy, the massive ruins form a most picturesque
object amid the superb landscape. For the most
part, all that is very ancient consists of a threefold
tier of massive vaults, the enormous strength and
solidity of which put even modern Scottish builders
to shame. Above these vaults, and facing the
vast windows of what must have been a noble banqueting-
hall, is perched a mansion of comparatively
modern date, having been erected in 1563, and

... OLD AND NEW EDINBURGH. [Drum. the resort of the curious still, according to Fullarton?s ?Gazetteer,? and a ...

Book 6 p. 346
(Score 0.78)

CRAMOND. 89
property of the bishops, which was not inconsiderable, was very unjustly
seized on by the greedy hand of Sir James Elphinstone, subsequently Lord
Balmerino.
Chambers tells us that on
the opposite bank of the creek of the Almond, on a craggy eminence, was
placed a fortification, and from that circumstance the name Car-Almond,
vulgarised into Cramond, is derived-Car-Almond meaning simply the Castle
on the Almond, Maitland, on the other hand, maintains that the name is
Saxon in its derivation, and signifies the mouth of the Cra. ‘Originally,’ he
says, ‘the name was Cra-muthe,’ as he has so read it amongst the benefactions
made to the church of Lindisfern, or Holy Island in Northumberland,
and which is synonymous with Cramond. ‘Now,’ he continues, ‘as there is an
easy transition between Cra and A, the name of the river may have been
changed from Cra-mter to AZmon-water.’ It is only right to add, however,
that our authority does not by any means dogmatise here, but only ‘humbly
submits it to the judgment of the curious reader.‘
Within the parish, and on one of the north-eastem slopes of the Corstorphine.
Hill, stand the fine old mansion-house and lands of Craigcrook Castle.
It belonged at one time to a certain John Strachan, Esq., of whom we know
nothing more than that at his death, in the year 1720, he mortified it as a
charitable gift-the income then amounting to A300, but now considerably
more than doubled-to be disbursed in annual sums of &3 each to a
specified number of poor old men, women, and orphans, in the city of Edinburgh.
But other memories, and no less dear, than those of the benevolent
Jolin Strachan, linger about it. Here, in this very romantic and picturesque
old mansion, with its battlemented walls and slate-covered turrets, clad with
ivy and roses, and nestling so warmly in its arbour of foliage, resided for
many years that sweet-blooded and noble-souled man, Lord Francis Jeffrey, of
Edinburgh Review renown, and here too were composed many of those
brilliant and trenchant articles which adorned the pages of by far the ;blest
Quarterly of the period. That Jeffrey’s pen was occasionally dipt in gall,
and that bitterly cruel and savagely earnest words now and then were born
of it, is true enough-the case of the poor, consumptive, richly-gifted Keats
is to the point,-but such fierce and terrific onslaughts appear rather to have
been accidental to the man than of set purpose: his papers on the whole
evincing a genial, generous, and encouraging tone, in perfect accord with his
naturally kind and amiable disposition. Subsequently, and not over twenty
years ago, the poet Gerald Massey, likewise, spent a short time in this same
The origin of the name is yet a mooted point.
M

... 89 property of the bishops, which was not inconsiderable, was very unjustly seized on by the greedy hand ...

Book 11 p. 142
(Score 0.77)

130 MEMORIALS OF EDINBURGH.
The high estimation in which this huge cannon was anciently held, appears from numerous
notices of it in early records. Mons Meg was taken, by order of James IT., from
Edinburgh Castle on 10th July 1489, to be employed at the siege of Dumbarton, on which
occasion there is an entry in the treasurer’s books of eighteen shillings for drink-money to
the gu‘nnkrs. The same records again notice her transportation from the Castle to the
Abbey of Holyrood, during the same reign, apparently at a period of national festivity.
Some of the entries on this occasion are curious, such as,--‘-‘ to the menstrallis that playit
befoir Mons down the gait, fourteen shillings ; eight klle of claith, to be Mons a claith to
cover her, nine shillings and fourpence,” &c. In the festivities celebrated at Edinburgh
by the Queen Dowager, Mary of Guise, on the marriage of her daughter, Queen Mary, to
the Dauphin of France, Mons Meg testified with loudest acclaim the general joy. The
treasurer’s accounts contain the following item on the occasion :-64 By the Queenis precept
and speciale command, to certane pyonaris for thair lauboris in the mounting of Mons furth
of her lair to be schote, and for the finding and carying of hir bullet after scho wes shot,
fra Weirdie Mure,’ to the Castell of Edinburgh,” &c,.
In the list of ordnance delivered by the governor to Colonel Monk, on the surrender of
the Castle in 1650, Meg receives, with all due prominence, the designation of L4 the great
iron murderer, Muckle Meg.” ’ This justly celebrated cannon, after sustaining for centuries,
in so credible a manner, the dignity of her pre-eminent greatness, at length burst
tu tor of Bomby, the Sheriff of Galloway, and chief of a powerful clan, carried him prisoner to Threave Castle, where
he caused him to be hanged on “The Gallows Knob,” a granite block which still remains, projecting over the main gateway
of the Castle. The act of forfeiture, passed by Parliament in 1455, at length furnished an opportunity, under the
protection of Government, of throwing off that iron yoke of the Douglasses under which Galloway had groaned upwards
of eighty years. When James 11. arrived with an army at Carlingwark, to besiege the Castle of Threave, the N‘Lellans
presented his Majesty with the piece of ordnance, now called Mons Meg, to batter down the fortlet of the rebellious
chieftnin. The first discharge of this great gun is mid to have consisted of a peck of powder and a granite ball, nearly a~
heavy as a Galloway cow. This ball is believed, in its course through the Castle of Threave, to have carried away the
hand of Nargaret de Douglas, commonly called the Fair Maid of Galloway, as ahe sat at table with her lord, and waa
in the act of raising the wine-cup to her lips. Old people still maintain that the vengeance of God was thereby evidently
manifested in destroying the hand which had been given in wedlock to two brothers, and that even while the lawful
spouse of the first waa alive. As a recompense for the present of this extraordinary engine of war, and for the loyalty
of theM‘Lellans, the King, before leaving Galloway, erected the town of Kirkcudbright into a royal burgh, and granted
to Eraany Kim, the smith, the lands of Mollance, in the neighbourhood of Threave Castle. Hence the smith waa called
Mollance, and his wife’s name being Meg, the cannon, in honour of her, received the appellative of “Mollance Meg.”
There is no smithy now at the “Three Thorna of Carlingwark; ” but a few yeara ago, when making the great military
road to Portpatrick, which passes‘ that way, the workmen had to cut through a deep bed of cinders and =has, which
plainly showed that there had been an extensive forge on that spot at some former period. Although the lands of Nollance
have now passed into other hands, there are several persona of the name of Kim, blacksmithn, in this quarter, whb
are said to be descendants of the brawny makers of Mollance Neg. It is likewise related, that while Brawny Kim and
his seven sons were constructing the cannon at the “ Three Thorns of the Carlingwark,” another party was busily employed
in making balls of granite on the top of Bennan Hill, and that, aa each ball was fioiahed, they rolled it down the
rocky declivity facing Threave Castle. One of these balls is still shown at Balmaghie House, the reaidence of Captain
Oordon, in that neighbourhood, and corresponds exactly in size and quality with those carried with the cannon to Edinburgh.
AB the balls in the Castle are evidently of Galloway granite, a strong presumptive proof is afforded that Mons
Meg was of Galloway origin, Some years ago, Threave Castle waa partially repaired under the superintendence of Sir .
Alexander Gordon of Culvennan, Sheriff-Depute of the Stewartry ; and one of the workmen, when digging up iome
rubbish within the walls, found a massive gold ring, with an inscription on it, purporting that the ring had belonged to
the same Margaret de Douglas,-a circumstance seeming to confirm a part of the tradition. This curious relic was
purchased from the person who found it, by Sir Alexander Gordon.-In addition to this, Symson, in his work written
nearly an hundred and sixty years ago, says : “ The common report also goes in that country, that in the Isle of Threaves,
the great irodgun in the Castle of Edinburgh, commonly called.Mount Meg, waa wrought and made.” This statement
should, of itself, set the question at rest. For further evidence, see History of Galloway, Appendix, vol. i. pp. 2638.
.
’ Wardie is fully two miles north from the Castle, near Granton. ’ Provincial Antiquitieq p. 21.

... MEMORIALS OF EDINBURGH. The high estimation in which this huge cannon was anciently held, appears from ...

Book 10 p. 141
(Score 0.77)

.BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 203
NO. LXXXIV.
THE EARL OF ERROL
AND
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE LORD HADDO.
THE first of these “Noble Friends” (to the left), is GEORGE, fourteenth
EARL of ERROL. He was born at Slanes Castle’-the principal seat of
the family-in Aberdeenahire, in 1767. His father, James Lord Boyd, was
the eldest son of Lord Kilmarnock, who suffered in 1746 on account of the
Rebellion. Lord Boyd held a commission in the 21st Regiment of Foot at the
time, and fought against the young Chevalier, whose cause his father had
espoused. In 1758, on the death of his grand-aunt, he succeeded to the title
as thirteenth Earl of Errol. The hereditary honour of Lord High Constable of
Scotland was conferred by King Robert Bruce upon his lordship’s ancestor in 13 15.
GEORGEt,h e subject of this sketch, succeeded to the title, while yet at
Harrow School, by the death of his father in 1778. He purchased a cornetcy
in the 1stDragoons in 1780, being then only thirteen years of age. He afterwards
held commissions in various regiments-was Major of the 78th Foot in
1793, and latterly Captain of a company in the 1st Regiment of Foot Guards.
At the general election in 1796, his lordship was elected one of the sixteen
representatives of the Scottish Peerage. On this occasion the Earl of Lauderdale
entered a protest against the votes of British Peers created since the
Union ; and also protested against the return of the Earl of Errol. In pursuance
of this protest, Lauderdale presented a petition to the House of Lords
against Errol, on the ground that, not being paternally descended from the High
Constable, he did not hold his title consistently with the original charter.
The petition was referred to a committee of privileges, and counseI were heard
on both sides. The case was finally determined on the 19th of May 1797.
The Lord Chancellor spoke at great length on the subject : He stated that the
petition laid its principal stress on the Earl of Errol not being a male descendant,
to which the original charter no doubt was limited; but it should be
recollected that it was no uncommon thiig formerly for the nobility to surrender
their honours to the King, for the purpose of having them renewed, with
some additional privileges, or relieved of some restrictions. This had been the
case with Gilbert, tenth Earl of Errol. He surrendered his honours to the King
in 1660, and had his charter renewed, which, instead of confirming it to male
The old CastIe of Slanes, formerly the principal residence of the Earls of Em& waa deatroyed
as far back aa the early part of the reign of Jam= VI. The greater part of the lands belonging to
the barony are now in the possession of Colonel John Gordon of Clnny.

... SKETCHES. 203 NO. LXXXIV. THE EARL OF ERROL AND THE RIGHT HONOURABLE LORD HADDO. THE first of ...

Book 8 p. 286
(Score 0.77)

294 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
No. CCLXIX.
SIR JOHN MARJORIBANKS, BART.,
LORD PROVOST OF EDINBURGH, IN HIS ROBES.
THEl ate SIRJ OHXN~A RJORIBANKS was the eldest son of Edward Marjoribanks,
Esq., of Lees, near Coldstream. This gentleman was a native of Linlithgowshire,
and owner of the small estate of Hallyards. He married a daughter of
Archibald Stewart, Esq., Lord Provost of Edinburgh at the commencement
of the Rebellion in 1745, and who was afterwards tried on suspicion of
favouring the Pretender.’ For many years a wine merchant in France, Mr.
Marjoribanks resided at Bordeaux till 1770, when, on succeeding to the estate
of Lees: as heir of entail, he returned with his family to Scotland.
Sir John, who was born at Bordeaux, entered the army in early life, and was
afterwards a Captain in the Coldstream Guards. He married, about the year
1790, Miss Ramsay of Barnton. Shortly afterwards, he sold his commission,
and bought the estate of Eccles: in Berwickshire, to which he retired. Here
he remained for a number of years ; and by his judicious management in farming
a’great portion of his own lands, nearly doubled the value of the property
in the course of a few seasons.
The father of a numerous family, Sir John at length removed to Edinburgh,
a town residence affording greater facilities for the education of his children.
He now became a partner in the banking-house of Mansfield, Ramsay, and Co. ;
and, entering the Town Council in 1811, was chosen to fill the office of Chief
Magistrate in 1814-15. In the latter year he was created a Baronet; and
succeeding, by t,he death of his father, to the estate of Lees, was elected M.P.
for the county of Berwick.
While Lord Provost of Edinburgh, Sir John displayed much zeal in carrying
forward the improvements of the city; and he may be considered as the
chief promoter of the New Jail and the Regent Bridge, This elegant approach
(opened when Prince Leopold entered the Scottish metropolis in 1819)
had been projected so early as 1784,’ under the Provostship of Sir James
Provost Stewart went to London, where, meeting with the support of the Jacobite party, he
* This beautifully situated property belonged to a family of the name of Pringle, and fell to Mr.
became a banker, and realised a considerable fortune.
Marjoribanks as their heir-female.
This estate waa sold by Sir John, and purchased by Jamas Greig, Esq., W.S.
A plan of the improvement was drawn out bp a person of the name of Kyles, on whose death
the late Dr. Duncan had it engraved by subscription for the benefit of the widow and children.
Kyles wa8 suppwed to have been the original projector.

... BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. No. CCLXIX. SIR JOHN MARJORIBANKS, BART., LORD PROVOST OF EDINBURGH, IN HIS ...

Book 9 p. 391
(Score 0.76)

209 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
ments of Major and Muster-Master General to the corps. The late Mr. Smellie
introduced the poet Burns to this corps in January 1787, when Lord Newton
and he were appointed to drill the hard, and they accordingly gave him a
most severe castigation. Burns showed his good-humour by retaliating in an
extemporaneous effusion,’ descriptive of Mr. Smellie, who held at that time the
honourable office of hangman to the corps.
The eccentricities of Lord Newton were frequently a source of merriment
amongst his friends. He had an unconquerable antipathy to punning, and in
order to excite the uneasiness he invariably exhibited at all attempts of that
nature, they studiously practised this novel species of punishment in his
company.
His lordship had two estates (Newton and Faichfield), and was fond of
agricultural improvements ; although, like most other lawyers who cultivate
their own lands, he did not know much about farming. One day, when shown
a field of remarkably large turnips, he observed that, in comparison, those on
his own grounds were only like “ gouf ba’s ” (golf balls),-an expression which
his waggish friends frequently afterwards turned to his annoyance, by asking
him how his “ gouf ba’s ” were looking.
We have already mentioned that Lord Newton was an uncompromising Whig.
From his independent avowal of principles, and occasional vehement declamation
against measures which he conceived to be wrong, he was dubbed by his
opponents the “Mighty Goth.” This, however, was only in the way of goodnatured
banter : no man, perhaps, passed through life with fewer enemies, even
among those who were his political opponents. All bore testimony to his
upright conduct as a judge-to his talents as a lawyer-and to his honesty as
a man.
Lord Newton died at Powrie, in Forfarshire, on the 19th of October 181 1.’
His lordship, who is understood not to have relished fernale society, was never
married ; and the large fortune which he left was inherited by his only sister,
Mrs. Hay Mudie, for whom he always entertained the greatest affection.
This excellent piece of good-natured satire appeara in Bums’ Works under the title of {‘A Fragment.”
9 Lord Newton, when an advocate, continued to wear the gown of Lockhart, “Lord Covington,”
till it was in tatters, and at last had a new one made with a fragment of the neck of the original
sewed into it, whereby he could still make it his boast that he wore “Covington’s gown.” Lord
Covington died in 1782, in the eighty-second year of his age. He practised for upwards of half a
century at the bar previous to his elevation to the bench in 1775. He and his friend, Ferguson of
Pitfour, rendered themselves conspicuous by becoming voluntary counsel for the unfortunate priaonem
tried at Carlisle in 1746, for their concern in the Rebellion, and especially by the ingenious means
they devised to shake the wholesale accusations against them.
The linea will be found inserted in our sketch of Mr. Smellie.

... BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. ments of Major and Muster-Master General to the corps. The late Mr. Smellie introduced ...

Book 8 p. 284
(Score 0.75)

C0NTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
THE CANONGATE.
@AGE
I& Origin-Songs concerning it-Reaords-Market Cross-St. John's and the G i h Crosses-Early History-The Town of Her-
Canongate Paved-The Governing Body-Raising the Devil-Purchase of the Earl of Roxbwgh's "Superiority"-The Foreign
Settlement-George Heriot the Elder-Huntly's HouseSu Walter Scott's Story of a Fire--The Mo- Land-How of Oliphant
of Newland, Lord David Hay, and Earl of Angus-Jack's Land-Shoemaker's Lands-Marquis of Huntly's House-Nisbet of Duleton'd
Mansion-Golfers' Land-John and Nicol Paterson-The Porch and Gatehouse of the Abbey-Lucky Spellcc . . . . . . I
CHAPTER 11.
THE CANONGATE (continwd).
Execution of the Marquis of Montrose-The First Dromedary in Scotland-The streets Cleansed-Raxbugh House--London Stages of r71a
and 175+-Religious Intolerance-Declension of the Burgh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
CHAPTEK 111.
THE CANONGATE (con#i+vwd).
Closes and AlleF on the North Side-Fiesh-market and Coull's Cloxs-Canongate High School-&e's Close--Riillach's Lodging-New
Street and its Residents-Hall of the Shoemakers-Sir Thos Ddyell-The Canongate Workhouse-Panmure HousbHannah
Robertson-The White Horse Hostel-% Water Gate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
CHAPTER IV.
THE CANONGATE (continued).
Closes and Alleys on the South Side-Chessel's Court-The Canongate Theatre-Riots Therein-"Douglas" Performed-Mr. Diggea and Mra.
Bellamy-St. John's Close-St. John's Street and iks Residents-The Haaunennan's Clo~-Horse Wynd, Abbey-House of Lord Napier 22
CHAPTER V.
THE CANONGATE (roniinued).
Separate or Detached Edifices therein-Sir Walter Scott in the Canongate--The Parish C%urch-How it came to be built-Its Official
Position- Its Burying Ground-The Grave of Fergusson-Monument to Soldiers interred the-Ecceotric Henry PrentiaThe
Tolbth-Testimony as to its Age-Its latu uses-Magdakne Asylum-Linen Hall-Many House-Its Hstorical Associari ons-The
WiotooXo-Whiteford Howe-The Dark Story of Queuriberry House . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 7
CHAPTER VI.
THE CANONGATE (coduded).
mthiin H u t - M PalmerstowSt. Thomas's Hospita-The Tennis Court and its Theawe4&wen Mq's --The Houxr of Croftan-
Righandclock-mill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
CHAPTER ' VII.
HOLYROOD ABBEY.
Foundation of the Ahbey-Text of King David's Charter-Original Extent of the Abbey Char&-The sc-alled Miracdau b - T h e
Pawnages of the Canons-Its Tbirtyanc Abbots-Its Relics and Revenues . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

... I. THE CANONGATE. @AGE I& Origin-Songs concerning it-Reaords-Market Cross-St. John's ...

Book 4 p. 385
(Score 0.74)

56 EDINBURGH PAST AND PRESENT.
On the following day her Majesty unveiled the Albert Memorial in
Charlotte Square. James Smith in his poem-a copy of which the Queen
was graciously pleased to accept-writes :-
’ ‘ Welcome to lair Dunedin’s bowers :
Her lordly halls and regal towers,
Enwreath’d with bannerets and flowers,
Fond wishes breathe to thee.
Hark to the shouts that greet thy name !
Hark to the bugle’s loud acclaim I
Roll on, the chariot of thy fame,
Queen of the Brave and Free I
Through mighty myriads, vast and dense,
Thou rovest void of fear ;
The people’s love thy sure defence,-
Thy buckler, sword, and spear.
God’s blessing possessing,
Thy days illustrious shine
With glory; while o’er thee,
Peace, love, and joy entwine.
Lo I mid the warlike trumpet’s blare,
And cheers that rend the balmy air,
Behold unveil’d a Statue Gr,-
True likeness of the dead !
Calmly majestic and serene;
Prince Albert looks upon his Queen,
Who thinks on all that once hath been,
And lowly bows her head.
Memorial from the hardy North,
Embalm’d in sighs and tears;
Fond tribute to departed worth,
Through all the rolling years
Descending, unending ;
The grandeur, the splendour
Proclaiming, Queen of Fame,
That crowns thy Husband’s name.’
On this occasion the sculptor, John Steell, R.S.A., and Professor Oakeley,
received the honour of knighthood, and Lord Provost Falshaw the dignity
of a Baronetcy.
With reference to an earlier Royal visit to Holyrood, the Queen in her
Diary says:--‘We saw the rooms where Queen Mary lived, her bed, the
dressing-room into which the murderers entered who killed Rizzio, and the
spot where he fell, where, as the old housekeeper said to me, “if the lady
would stand on that side,” I would see that the boards were discoloured by
the blood. Every step is full of historical recollections, and our living here
is quite an epoch in the annals of this old pile, which has seen so many
deeds, more bad, I fear, than good.’
Let 11s now suppose ourselves, as the scene in thk Engraving suggests, by
the Tron Church on a New Year‘s eve. Looking down the street, the house
of John Knox projects a little into the roadway; nearer the eye, on the right
of the picture, a modem turret leaning against the midnight sky marks the
site of old Blackfriars’ Wynd; while in the foreground the tall ‘lands’ on the
left tell us where Fergusson the poet was born, and
’ Whaur . . . Ramsay woo’d the Muses
In days long past.‘
A light from Hunter Square falls upon the church, and looking above the

... EDINBURGH PAST AND PRESENT. On the following day her Majesty unveiled the Albert Memorial in Charlotte Square. ...

Book 11 p. 87
(Score 0.74)

BI 0 GRAPH I GAL SKETCH E S. 317
cxxx.
CAPTAIN JAMES JUSTICE OF JUSTICE HALL,
AND
A LADY IN THE COSTUME OF 1790.
SIR JAMESJ USTICdeEsc,e nded from a family of that name in England, came
to Scotland about the end of the seventeenth century, and held the office of
Clerk to the Scottish Parliament. He acquired the estate of Crichton, with the
celebrated castle, in the county of Edinburgh, which he left to his son, James
Justice, Esq., who was one of the principal Clerks of the Court of Session. This
gentleman was very fond of horticulture ; and was the author of a book entitled
“Justice’s Scots Gardener ”-a work which, as the result of practical experience
with reference to the soil and climate of Scotland, was formerly in great repute,
and is still worthy of consultation. The author was so great an enthusiast in
this favourite pursuit, that he spent large sums in importing foreign seeds,
roots, and trees. The collecting of tulips being one of the fancies of his day,
Nr. Justice was so deeply affected with the mania, that he has been known not
to hesitate giving 350, or sometimes more,’ for a single rare tulip root. The
extravagance of this propensity, with other causes, rendered it necessary for
him to part with his estate of Crichton; and about the year 1735 it became
the property of Mark Pringle, Esq.’ With the residue of the price of this large
property Mr. Justice purchased some lands in the vicinity of the village of
Ugston, or Oxton, in the parish of Channelkirk and county of Berwick, where
he built a mansion-house, which he called Justice Hall-a name which it still
retains.
By his second marriage Mr. Justice left an only son (the subject of the
Print), who was born about the year 1755 ; but at what period he succeeded
his father is not exactly known. He entered the army as an officer in the
marine service ; served abroad during the American war, and attained the rank
of Captain. He was above six feet in height and well proportioned. His
“he rage for tulips was, for a long series of years, peculiar to the Dutch, who used to give very
large prices for single roots of a rare description. For a short period it was very prevalent in Britain,
where a gentleman is reported to have given a thousand pounds for a black tulip-he being at the
time the owner of another root of the same description. Upon making the purchase he put the
root below hi heel and destroyed it, observing that nuw he was the possessor of the only black tulip
in the world I ! !
a This gentleman killed William Scott of Raehurn, great grand-uncle of Sir Walter, in a duel.
They fought with swords, aa was the fashion of the time, in a field near Selkirk, called, from the
catastrophe, the Rseburn Meadow. Mr. Pringle fled to Spain, and was long a captive and slave in
Barbary.-l;ockhart’s f i f e of Scott, p. 4, vol. i

... 0 GRAPH I GAL SKETCH E S. 317 cxxx. CAPTAIN JAMES JUSTICE OF JUSTICE HALL, AND A LADY IN THE COSTUME OF ...

Book 8 p. 446
(Score 0.74)

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 47
well known to the citizens of Edinburgh? He was an enthusiastic agriculturist,
and brought his lands to a high state of perfection. Hence the artist has made
him the champion of that branch of industry which is still held by many political
ecbnomists to “ maintain all.”
The dignified attidude in which the agriculturist is portrayed refers to the
extreme hauteur of thid gentleman, who had no small idea of his own consequence.
. Proceeding between Musselburgh and Dalkeith one morning after a
heavy fall of rain, he thought proper to ride on the footpath. Meeting a plainly
dressed old gentleman walking, in his usual haughty manner to supposed
inferiors, he ordered him out of his way. The unknown person remonstrated,
observing, that a gentleman of his appearance ought to know that the footpath
was set apart for pedestrians. “Fellow !” said Rocheid, “do you know who I am! ”
“ No, sir,” was the reply; “ I have not that honour.” “ Why, sir, I am James
Rocheid, Esq. of Inverleith, Justice of the Peace, and one of the Trustees of
this road; and who are you, sir, that presumes to question my conduct 9”
‘‘ Sir,” replied the old gentleman, “ you may be a Justice of the Peace, although
you seem more likely to break the peace than keep i t y o u may be a Road
Trustee, although a worse one can hardly be figured-and as to who I amwhy,
I happen to be George Duke of Montague.”’ The confusion of Rocheid
may easily be imagined, He attempted an apology; but the Duke coolly turned
upon his heel and walked on.
Mr. Rocheid seems to have had a predilection for obstructing pedestrians.
He was in the custom of driving his carriage dongst a private foot-road from
Broughton Toll towards Leith, to the great annoyance of those who had been
at the expense of making it. After ineffectually remonstrating against this
most unwarrantable proceeding, the following notice was inserted in one of the
Magazines for January 1773 :-
“ A CARD.
“ The ladies and gentlemen, who by subscription raised a foot-way, leading from Broughton Toll
towards Leith, present their compliments to the young Nr. R-h-d and his companions, and beg
they will order their footmen to keep the carriage road, and not follow their lead in a direct line;
for, what is spirit in the one character, is insolence in the other.-Broughlon, Tuesday even. Jan. 28.”
During the political trials of 1793-4, Mr. Rocheid obtained a good deal of
local notoriety. He was one of the jury on the trial of Muir of Huntershill,
and was on very intimate terms with the Senators of the College of Justice,
several of whom were in the habit of dining frequently at Inverleith. While
at dinner there on one occasion, prior to the trials of Margarot and Gerrald, the
Lord Justice-Clerk (Macqueen of Braxfield) is said to have made use of those
unbecoming expressions with which these individuals openly charged him in
court.
Mr. Rocheid died in October 1824.
His residence waa Inverleith House on the north side of the city, close to the Botanic Garden.
The villas of Inverleith Row are built upon this property.
fl His Grace was the Duchess of Buccleuch’s father, and then on a visit at Dalkeith Palace.

... SKETCHES. 47 well known to the citizens of Edinburgh? He was an enthusiastic agriculturist, and ...

Book 9 p. 63
(Score 0.74)

B I 0 GRAPH I C AL SI< E T C HE S. 165
he continued regularly to visit his friends in Scotland ; and, among others, the
Hon. William Maule (afterwards Lord Panmure), of whom he always spoke in
terms of high respect and esteem. After the Doctor became unable to travel,
Lord Panmure, in his journeys to or from London, was in the practice of calling
for him at Alnwick-a mark of attention of which he felt proud.
For many years Dr. Turnbull was senior freeholder in the counties of Fife
and Kincardine. About the beginning of the century, upon occasion of a
general election, a venerable Baronet, at the head of one of the courts of law,
stood as candidate to represent the latter county in Parliament ; and an application
was made to the Doctor for his vote. He promised to vote for the
candidate, provided he would answer certain questions. This having been
assented to, the Doctor proceeded to put his interrogatories-one of which was,
Why the candidate challenged Mr. Fox to fight a duel? The answer to the
question did not give entire satisfaction ; but the Doctor agreed to support the
candidate, on the condition that, “ if returned member for the county, he would,
in his place in Parliament, vote against war and oppression of every kind, both
at home and abroad, and against iniquity and injustice, whenever such might
be attempted.” He required a guarantee for these conditions, which was
immediately offered by the candidate.
On Mr. Kay’s first publication of this Print, in place of taking offence, as
others had done, at the freedom used, the Doctor purchased a large number for
distribution among his friends. He merely remarked that the artist had in one
respect not done him justice, as the picture represented him wearing unblackened
shoes, whereas his shoes were daily cleaned and blackened.
As a landlord, Dr. Turnbull was liberal and indulgent in no ordinary degree;
and although in many things he required strictness and punctuality, his principle
was, never to exact from his tenants more than they were easily able to pay for
their lands. Besides, he took great pleasure in administering to their comfort
and happiness, and nothing afforded him more satisfaction than to hear of their
prosperity.
From his early introduction into society, about the middle of the last century,
Dr. Turnbull, in dress, habits, and manners, naturally belonged to the “ olden
time ; ” and having been acquainted with many of the most eminent men of his
day, he possessed a fund of amusing anecdote and interesting information
rega.rding the past. He was a man of rather eccentric habits ; yet his sterling
integrity of principle, and his never-ceasing charity and good will to his fellowcreatures-
qualities which might have covered a multitude of sins-nobly
redeemed a few innocent and harmless peculiarities. Withal, he possessed in a
high degree the air and manner of a well-bred gentleman and man of the
world-and had received from society all its polish and refinement, without
contracting any of its heartlessness and insincerity. To the last his affections
were warm, his benevolence active, and his sympathy with the cause of liberty
unchilled even by the frost of age. He died at Alnwick in 1831, in the eightyfourth
year of his age.

... I 0 GRAPH I C AL SI< E T C HE S. 165 he continued regularly to visit his friends in Scotland ; and, among ...

Book 9 p. 222
(Score 0.73)

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 13
was the eldest surviving son of James Rurnett, Esq. of Monboddo, in the county
of Kincardine, where he was born in the year 17 14.
His lordship received his initiatory education chiefly at the school of Laurencekirk,
and afterwards was sent to King’s College, Aberdeen, where he distinguished
himself by his proficiency in ancient literature, the study of which, in
after life, became his ruling passion, and engrossed his attention to the entire
exclusion of the productions of modern talent.
Having been early destined for the bar, he proceeded, after completing his
literary education at Aberdeen, to Groningen, where he studied Civil Law for three
years. At the end of this period he came to Edinburgh, where he happened to
arrive on the forenoon of the day which concluded with the public murder, as it
might be called, of Captain Porteous. When about to retire to rest, his lordship’s
curiosity was excited by a noiqe and tumult in the streets, and, in place of
going to bed, he slipped to the door half-undressed, and with his nightcap on his
head. He speedily got entangled in the crowd of passers-by, and was hurried
along with them to the Grassmarket, where he became an involuntary witness of
the last act of the tragedy. This scene made so deep an impression on his lordship
that it not only deprived him of sleep during the remainder of the night,
but induced him to think of leaving the city altogether, as a place unfit for a
civilised being to live in. From this resolution, however, he was subsequently
diverted, on hearing an explanation of the whole circumstances connected with
the proceeding. His lordship frequently related this incident in after life, and
on these occasions described with much force the effect which it had upoii him.
Lord Monboddo passed his Civil Law examinations upon the 12th of February
1737, and being found duly qualified, was admitted a member of the Faculty
of Advocates. In 1767 he was appointed a Lord of Session, and assumed the
judicial designation by which he is now best known. It is a remarkable circumstance,
that the seat on the bench occupied by his lordship was enjoyed by
only three persons (himself being one) during the long period of one hundred
and ten years.
Lord Aionboddo’s patrimonial estate was small, not producing during the
greater part of his life more than SE300 a year; yet of so generous and benevolent
a disposition was he, that he would not raise his rents, nor dismiss a poor
tenant for the sake of augmentation. It was his boast to have his lands more
numerously peopled than any portion of equal extent in his neighbourhood.
When in the country, during the vacation of the Court of Session, he wore
the dress of a plain farmer, and lived on a footing of familiarity and kindness
with his tenantry that greatly endeared him to them.
His lordship’s private life was spent in the enjoyment of domestic felicity
and in the practice of all the social virtues. Though his habits were rigidly
temperate, there were few things he so much delighted in as the convivial society
of his friends. He was a zealous patron of merit, and amongst those who
experienced his friendship was the poet Burns.
Notwithstanding the amiable character of Lord Monboddo, and his many

... SKETCHES. 13 was the eldest surviving son of James Rurnett, Esq. of Monboddo, in the county of ...

Book 8 p. 23
(Score 0.72)

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 63
Session he resigned his seat, to the surprise of many, in favour of Sir Adam
Fergusson, Bart., as he found his professional avocations required an attendance
quite incompatible with his Parliamentary duties.
, At Michaelmas 1784, in compliance with the urgent request of the Town-
Council, he was elected Lord Provost of Edinburgh ; and he speedily evinced
his public spirit by setting on foot various projects for the improvement of the
city, not the least important among which was the rebuilding of the College.
The access to Edinburgh from the south, on account of the narrowness and
steepness of the lanes, was not only very incommodious but even hazardous ;
and, accordingly, it had been proposed to open a communication between the
High Street and the southern parts of the city and suburbs by means of a bridge
over the Cowgate. This scheme, although its great importance was abundantly
obvious, appeared so expensive, and was attended with so many other difficulties,
that every previous attempt had proved unsuccessful, and it required all
the address and influence of the Lord Provost to carry it into execution.
In order to defray the great expense, Sir James devised means which, to men
of less discernment or knowledge in business, appeared very inadequate to the
purpose. His scheme was this: The property which lay in the line of the
intended communication, and to a considerable distance on each side of that line,
was to be purchased at its real value at the time ; and after the communication
was opened, such parts of the ground thus purchased as were not to be left
vacant, were to be disposed of for the purpose of erecting buildings, according
to a plan prepared for the purpose. Sir James conceived that the sale of these
areas, in consequence of the great improvement of their situation, would raise
money sufficient, not only to pay for the first purchase of the property, but also
to defray the expense of building the bridge, and whatever else was necessary
for completing the communication. But lest there should be any deficiency,
and in order to afford security for borrowing the money which might be requisite,
the trustees for carrying on the work were to be empowered to levy a sum
not exceeding 10 per cent of the valued rents of the houses in Edinburgh and
the environs ; and, to remove all cause of complaint, he proposed that if any of
the owners of the property to be purchased should not agree with the trustees,
the price of their property should be fixed by the verdict of a jury? consisting of
fifteen persons, to be chosen by lot out of forty-five proprietors of houses or
lands in the city or county, named by the Sheriff in each particular case.
These proposals were published in November 1784, and met with the same
reception which has often attended schemes of still greater importance and more
extensive utility. They were censured and vigorously opposed. A man of less
ardour and public spirit would have yielded to the discouragements which Sir
James experienced on this occasion. Fortunately he was of such a temper that
they served only to stimulate his exertions, without rendering him less prudent
in his measures. An Act of
Parliament was obtained for carrying into execution not only the plan which has
been mentioned, but likewise several others, of great importance to the city ;
His perseverance surmounted every opposition.

... SKETCHES. 63 Session he resigned his seat, to the surprise of many, in favour of Sir Adam Fergusson, ...

Book 8 p. 90
(Score 0.71)

THE CA S TL E. I33
David I. to Holyrood Abbey, in the description of the lands lying under the Castle.
the old song, entitled
added some verses, the laird addresses his mistress?-
In
The Young Laird and Edinburgh Katy,” to which Allan Ramsay
My dear, quoth J, thanks to the Night
That never wisht a Lover ill;
Since ye ’re out of your Nither’s sight,
Let ’8 take a walk up to the Hill.
In a footnote the poet adds--“ The Castle Hill, where young people frequently take
the air on an evening,” but the local allusions of the earlier stanza are not carried out in
his additions,’ This favourite walk of the citizens has been greatly improved since then,
by levelling and the construction of parapet walls. In an act passed in the reign of Queen
Anne, for the better keeping of the Lord’s Day, it is specially mentioned, along with the
King’s Park ahd the Pier of Leith, as the most frequent scene of the Sunday promenadings
that then excited the stern rebukes of the clergy ; and, notwithstanding the great changes
that have occurred since that period, the same description might still be given, with the
single addition of the Calton Hill to the list.
1 The Castle Hill was very often made the scene of public executions, and waa particularly famous for the burning of
witches, and those convicted of unnatural crimes. In the reign of James IT., in 1538, John Lord Forbes was beheaded
here, and a few daya afterwards, the Lady Glamis, sister of the Earl of Angus, was burnt alive, on a charge of high
treason. Here also, during the following reign? Foret, the Vicar of Dollar, and several others of the earliest reformers,
perished at the stake, The Diurnal of Occurrents records many other executions, such as-“September Ist, 1570,
thair wer tua personis brint in the Castell Hill of Edinburgh, for the committing of ane horrible sinne.” Bhel again
mentions, e.g., July 1605, “Henry Lourie brunt on the Castell Hill for witchcraft, committed and done by him in Kyle; ”
and in Nicol’s Diary, from 1650 to 1667, including the period of the Commonwealth, executions on this spot occur with
painful frequency, as on the 15th of October 1656, when seven culprits, including three women, were executed for
different crimes, two of whom were burut. Again, “ 9th March 1659, thair wer fyve wemen, witches, brint on the
Castell Hill for witchcraft, all of them confeasand thair covenanting with Satan, sum of thame renunceand thair
baptisme, all of thame oft tymes dancing with the DevilL” In the reign of Charles I. a novel character was assigned to
it. The Earl of Stirling, having obtained leave to colonise Nova Scotia, and sell the honour of the baronetage to two
hundred imaginary colonists, the difficulty of infeoffing the knights in their remote possessions was overcome by a
royal mandate converting the soil of the Castle Hill of Edinburgh, for the time being, into that of Nova Scotia, and the
new baroneta were accordingly inrested with their honours on this spot.

... CA S TL E. I33 David I. to Holyrood Abbey, in the description of the lands lying under the Castle. the old ...

Book 10 p. 144
(Score 0.71)

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.

... MEMORIALS OF EDINBURGH. Such of the title-deeds of this property as we have obtained access to are ...

Book 10 p. 277
(Score 0.7)

424 BI 0 GRAPH I C AL S KETC HE S.
Mr. Cauvin was for many years treasurer to the Friendly Society of Restalrig,
whose funds he carefully managed, and in whose concerns he took a
benevolent and most anxious interest. When the ancient chapel was restored,
after his death, there was inserted in the wall of the interior an urn of white
marble on a black slab to his memory, with a short inscription.
The Hospital, for the erection and endowment of which Mr. Cauvin
bequeathed the greater part of his fortune, was opened on the 30th of November
1833. Its management is vested in certain individuals nominated by the
Founder,’ and in the Lord Provost of the city, the Principal of the University
of Edinburgh, the Rector of the High School of Edinburgh, the Ministers
of Duddingston, Liberton, and Newton, the Proprietor of the Lands of
Niddry, and the Factor of the Marquis of Abercorn. The trustees afterwards
assumed Mr. Pillans, the Professor of Humanity in the University, to act along
with them. The recipients of the charity are required, upon admission, to be
of the age of six, and under that of eight years, and are maintained for six
years. It is enjoined that they shall chiefly be the sons of persons of the two
classes with which the Founder himself was so long connected, namely, Teachers
and Farmers. His words are-“ An Hospital for the relief, maintenance, and
education of the sons of respectable but poor teachers j the sons of poor but
honest farmers ; whom failing, the sons of respectable master-printers or booksellers
; and the sons of respectable servants in the agricultural line.” Accordingly,
seventeen sons of teachers, and three sons of farmers are at present (1838)
enjoying the benefits of the foundation. They are instructed in the ordinary
branches of education, and also in Latin, Greek, French, Mathematics, etc.
It is apparent from the following declaration, made by the Governors in the
Regulations which have been framed, by the testator’s directions, for the
management of the Institution, that they have availed themselves of the discretionary
power with which they are invested, for advancing the cause of
education in this country by raising the profession of teachers to greater usefulness:
--“And, first of all, We, the said Governors, taking into consideration that the
Founder was for the greater part of his life a public teacher, and that he has
shown especial good-will to the profession he belonged to, by preferring to the
benefits of this charity the children of teachers, do hereby declare generally, That
we regard it as a leading object of the Cauvin Institution, to lay the foundation
of a professional education for schoolmasters, so that as many of the boys as
circumstances shall permit be prepared to become skilful and accomplished
teachers.” The training of a few, therefore, for the profession of public teachers
may be regarded as a distinguishing feature in this Seminary ; and in this manner,
from time to time, many young men may go forth from its walls qualified for
entering upon the duties of public tuition with decided advantage.”
These were, Archibald Nisbet, Esq., of Carfin ; Jam- Fergusson, Esq., W.S.; John Tweedie,
Esq., W.S.; the late Robert Stewart, Esq., Deputy-Presenter of Signatures ib the Exchequer ; Mr.
David Scott, Northfield ; the 1ate;Mr. John Johnstone, Southfielrl; Mr. George Knight, teacher in
Edinbnrgh ; and Mr. Andrew Scqtt, W.8.’ Mr. Stewart and Nr. Tweedie did not accept.

... BI 0 GRAPH I C AL S KETC HE S. Mr. Cauvin was for many years treasurer to the Friendly Society of ...

Book 9 p. 567
(Score 0.7)

10 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
at thc shop door of Mr. George Boyd, as significant of the wares in which he
dealt. Bailie Duff is said to have actually attended a meeting of the Club on
one occasion.
The first of the six individuals in harness, and mounted by a postillion, is
MR. JOHN LAUDER, coppersmith, whose shop was nearly in the centre of the
West Bow,’ right-hand side in ascending.
Mr. Lauder was a fair gpecimen of the ancient shopkeepers of the Bow-one
who did business cautiously and leisurely, but to some purpose, having realised
a good deal of money. He was a member of the notable “ SPENDTHRICFLTU B,”
which, say the Traditions, “took its name from the extravagance of the
members in spending no less a sum than fmjpence haypenny each night !” The
social indulgence of the party consisted in a supper, at the moderate charge of
twopence halfpenny, and a pint of strong ale, which made up the sum total of each
member‘s debauch, The news of the day supplied the topic of conversation,
which, together with a game or two at whist, constituted the amusement of the
evening.’
The Club continued to exist in another part of the town (Clyde Street),
although somewhat altered in constitution, and a little more extravagant in expenditure.
A respectable septuagenarian whom we have consulted, although
young at the period referred to, was a contemporary of several of the original
members. They all wore cocked hats; and it was one of the fundamental
rules that the members should remain covered throughout the evening, except
during the time grace was asked at supper-a fine being imposed on those who
neglected to eomply with this rule. Well does our worthy informant recollect
the sober contour of old “Johnnie Lauder,” as he reverently doffed his hat to
This ancient street, now nearly annihilated by improvements, wm then almost entirely occupied
by tradesmen connected with the anvil. Fergusson, in his poem of Leith Races, thus ulludeq to the
craft :-
“ The tinkler billies 0’ the Bow,
Are now lass eident clinkin’ ;
As lands their pith or siller dow,
They’re d&n’, an’ they’re drinkin’.”
Some curious reminiscences are presemed of this community of hammermen, their peculiarities,
and the effect produced by the noise of their combined avocations. The father of the late Dr. Andrew
Thomson, when he came first to Edinburgh, took lodgings in that famed quarter of the city. The
first day or two he felt so annoyed by the continued sound of the anvils, that he resolved on seeking
out a-more retired abode, and acquainted his landlady with his intention. The old lady, by no
means willing to lose her lodger, insisted that he should make a trial for other eight days. He did
so, and was astonished to find how soon he got familiarised with the noise. Day after day he felt
the hammering grow less offensive, till at length it not only ceased to disturb him, but, strange to
say, absolutely became necassary to his repose ; and, on removing, in after life, to another quarter
of the city, he experienced considerable difficulty in accustoming himself to the absence of it.-The
inhabitants of the Bow have been frequently heard to declare that they got less sleep on Sunday
morning than on my other, which they attributed to the want of the usual noise.
The SPENDTH~IwPTas properly a Whist Club. They played at carda from eight o’clock till ten,
and then commenced with a Zittlc to eat and something to drink,

... BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. at thc shop door of Mr. George Boyd, as significant of the wares in which he dealt. ...

Book 9 p. 12
(Score 0.69)

THE HIGH STREET. 227
melancholy interest, disguised though they are by the changes of modern taste and
manners. The name of the Bishop of Orkney appears at the bond granted by the nobility
to the Earl of Bothwell, immediately before he put in practice his ambitions scheme against
Queen Mary; so that here, in all probability, the rude Earl, and many of the leading
nobles of that eventful period, have met to discuss their daring plans, and to mature the
designs that involved so many in their consequences. Here, too, we may believe both
Mary and James to have been entertained as guests, by father and son, while at the same
board there sat another lovely woman, whose wrongs are so touchingly recorded in the
beautiful old ballad of ‘‘ Lady Ann Bothwell’s Lament.” She was the sister of the first
Lord Holyroodhouse, and is said to have possessed great personal beauty. She was
betrayed into a disgraceful connection with the Honourable
Sir Alexander Erskine, a son of the Earl of Mar,
of whom a portrait still exists by Jamieson. He is
there represented in military dress, with a cuirass and
scarf; but the splendour of his warlike attire is
evidently unnecesary to set off his noble and expressive
countenance. The desertion of the frail beauty by this
gay deceiver was believed by his contemporaries to have
exposed him to the signal vengeance of heaven, on his
being blown up, along with the Earl of Haddington, and
many others of noble birth, in the Castle of Dunglass
in 1640, the powder magazine having been ignited by a
servant boy out of revenge against his master.’ Adam
Bothwell lies buried in the ruined Chapel of Holyrood,
where his monument is still to be seen, attached to the
second pillar from the great east window that once overlooked
the high altar at which Mary gave her hand to
the imbecile Darnley, and not far from the spot-if we
are to believe the contemporary annalist-where she
yielded it to her infamous ravisher.
The fore part of the ancient building in the High Street has been almost entirely
modernised, and faced with a new stone front, but many citizens still living remember
when an ancient timber faqade projected its lofty gables into the street, with tier above
tier, each thrusting out beyond the lower story, while below were the covered piazza and
darkened entrances to the gloomy “laigh shops,’’4 such as may still be seen in the few
examples of old timber lands that have escaped demolition. But this ancient fabric is
associated with another citizen of no less note in his day-“The glorious days of auld,
1 A rude version of this beautiful ballad was printed in 1006, and others have since been given of it by Percy, Jamie-
Scot-
A alight confusion occura in his account, where she is atyled the daughter of Bothwell, Bishop of
The dates seem to leave no doubt that the father waa John, his son, the first who obtained the title of
’ In a Sasine of part of this property, it is styled, “that western laigh booth, or shop, lying within the fore tenemeut . as also that merchant shop entering from the High
son, Kinloch, t c . ; Mr R. Chambers, however, was the first to publish the true hishry of the heroine, in his
tiah Ballads.”
Orkney, tc.
Lord Holyroodhouse.
of Y r Adam Bothwell, under the laigh stair thairof .
Street,” tc.
.
VIoNElTE.-Adam Bothwell’s houae, from the north.

... HIGH STREET. 227 melancholy interest, disguised though they are by the changes of modern taste and manners. ...

Book 10 p. 247
(Score 0.68)

THE LA WNMARKET. I79
to the torture, by special authority of the Estates, to discover if he had any accomplices.’
The very next day he was dragged on a hurdle to the Cross, his right hand struck off
while dive, and then hanged, with the pistol about his neck, after which his body was
hung in chains on the Gallow-lee, between Leith and Edinburgh, and his hand affixed to
the West Port.’ The Castle being then under siege, and held out by the Duke of
Gordon on behalf of King James, a parley was beat by the besiegers, for a cessation of
hostilities during the interment of the President in the Greyfriars’ Churchyard, which
was readily granted.’
The house of Dalry belonged
latterly to William Kirkpatrick,
Esq., of Allisland, whose grandson
related to us that the servants were
afraid to venture alone. into the
back kitchen, and would not, on
any consideration, approach it after
dark, uuder the belief that Chiesly’s
bones had been carried off by his
relatives and buried there, and that the ghost of the murderer haunted the spot. On
his grandfather repairing the garden wall at a later period, an old stone seat, which stood
in a recess in the wall, had to be removed, and underneath was found a skeleton, entire,
except the bones of the right hand ;-without doubt the remains of the assassin, that had
been secretly brought thither from the Callow-lee.
Great exertions were used with the Improvements’ Commissioners to induce them to
preserve the interesting fabric associated with such various characters and national events,
but in vain ;-civic rulers are ever the slowest to appreciate such motives. The demolition
of this, as well as of several surrounding buildings, brought to light numerous fragments
of an earlier erection, evidently of an ecclesiastical character, several of which we have had
engraved. These were used simply as building materials, the carved work being built into
the wall, and the stones squared on the side exposed. Numerous fragments of shafts,
mullions, and the like, also occurred among the ruins ; and an inspection of the earliest
writs and evidents of the property, serve to show that a building of considerable extent
had existed here prior to the Reformation, in connection with Cambuskenneth Abbey.
It is styled, in the earliest of these, “ all and hail1 these lands, houses, and stables, biggit
and waste, lying within ye tenement sometime pertaining to the Comendator and Convent
of Cambuskenneth,” and included both William Little’s mansion to the west, and a portion,
at least,of the buildings in Gosford’s Close, to the east. But the most interesting
and conclusive evidence on this subject is derived from these sculptured fragments rescued
from the ruins of the more recent building ; and judging from them, and from the plainer
1 It is a curious fact connected with the trial, that the Estatea of Parliament paged a special act empowering his
judges to examine him by the torture, although, only ten days after this trial, they declared King James to have
forfaulted the Crown, by illegal assumption and exercise of power, and “that the use of torture, without evidence, is
contrary to law.” ’ Crim. Registers of Edinburgh. h o t ’ s Crim. Trials, pp. 168-173.
Siege of the Castle of Edinburgh, 1689, Bann. Club, p. 47.
YIGmmE.-Carved stone from Old Bank Close, in the collection of A. G. Ellia, Esq.

... LA WNMARKET. I79 to the torture, by special authority of the Estates, to discover if he had any ...

Book 10 p. 195
(Score 0.68)

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