184 OLD AND NEW EDINBURGH. [The Royal Exchange.
rest upon the platform, support a pediment, on
which the arms of the city of Edinburgh are
carved. The drst floor of the main front is laid
aut in shops. The upper floors are occupied by
the Board of Customs, who have upwards of
twenty apartments, for this they pay to the city
a rent of A360 a year."
Arnot wrote in 1779.
The chief access to the edifice is by a very
The principal part forms the north side of the
square, and extends from east to west, 111 feet
over wall, by 51 feet broad. Pillars and arches,
supporting a platform, run along the south front,
which faces the square, and forms a piazza In
the centre, four Corinthian pillars, whose bases
costume, and having a curious and mysterious history.
It is said-for nothing is known with certainty
about it-to have been cast in France, and
was shipped from Dunkirk to Leith, where, during
the process of unloading, it fell into the harbour,
and remained long submerged. It is next heard of
as being concealed in a cellar in the city, and in
the Scots Magazifie it is referred to thus in 1810 :-
'' On Tuesday, the 16th October, a very singular
stately stair, of which the well is twenty feet square
and sixty deep. Off this open the City Chambers,
where the municipal affairs are transacted by the
magistrates and council.
The Council Chamber contains a fine tronze
statue of Prince Charles Edward Stuart, in Roman
CLERIHEUGH'S TAVERN.
