JAMES VI. TO RESTORATION OF CHARLES 11. 97
to the street, at the head of the West Bow, till 1822, when it was hastily pulled down, to
widen the approach to the Castle, preparatory to the public entry of George IT.
When the authority of the English Parliament was completely established in Edinburgh,
the leaders of the army proceeded to arrange matters according to their own views. General
Lambert applied to the Town Council of Edinburgh (‘ to appropriate to him the East Kirk
of Edinburgh, being the special kirk, and best in the town, for his exercise at sermon.”
The request was granted, and the pulpit was thereafter occupied by “ weill giftit ” captains,
lieutenants, and troopers, as well as occasional English ministers, while others of the
troopers taught in the Parliament Houae,l and like convenient places of assembly.
The citizens of Edinburgh were alarmed at this time by the settlement of a number of
English families in Leith, and proposals for the fortification of the town, that threatened
them with the loss of their highly-prized claim of superiority. The question afforded matter
for appeal and tedious litigation, and the rights of Edinburgh were only secured to them
at last on condition of theif contributing 225000 sterling towards the erection of a citadel in
Leith. I
The fortification which was erected, in consequence of this arrangement, was almost
entirely demolished shortly after the Restoration, to the great satisfaction of the jealous
citizens of Edinburgh, who seemed to dread no enemy so much as the rival traders of the
neighbouring port, The cemetery belonging to the ancient Chapel and Hospital of St
Nicolas was included within its site, and some of the old tombstones removed to the burying-
ground at the river side. One small fragment of the citadel still remains on the north
side of Couper Street, of which we furnish a view. Many still living can remember it
to have stood on the beach, though now a wide space intervenes between it and the new
docks ; and the Mariners’ Church, as well as a long range of substantial warehouses, have
been erected on the recovered land.
So acceptable had the sway of the Lord Protector become with the civic rulers of Edinburgh,
notwithstanding the heavy taxes with which they were burdened for the maintenance
of his army, and the general expenses of the government, that they commissioned a large
Nicol’s Diary, p. 94.
V I G N E T T ~ i t a d d , kith.
N
