I 18 MEMORIALS OF EDINBURGH.
memory, have devoted his picturesque old domicile to destruction. The Collegiate Church
of Mary of Guelders is destined to a similar fate; and, in truth, it would seem as if a
regular crusade had been organised by all classes, having for its object to root out everything
in Edinburgh that is ancient, picturesque, or interesting, owing to local or historical
associations, and to substitute in their stead the commonplace uniformity of the New Town.
One effect, however, of all this has been, by so greatly diminishing these ancient fabrics,
to awake an increased interest in the few that remain, while, even by the demolition of
others, many curious features have been brought to light, which would otherwise have
remained unknown.
It is earnestly to be desired that a lively veneration for these monuments of past times
may be more widely diffused, and produce such a wholesome spirit of conservatism, as may
at least preserve those that remain from reckless destruction. An antiquary, indeed, may
at times seem to resemble some querulous crone, who shakes her head, with boding predictions
of evil at the slightest variance from her own narrow rule ; but the new, and what
may be called- the genteel style of taste, which has prevailed during the earlier portion of
the present century, has too well justified his complaints. The old Parliament Close, with
its irregular Elizabethan Court homes, and the ancient Collegiate Church (which on that
side at least was ornate and unique), have been remodelled according to the newest fashion,
and, to complete the change, the good old name of Close, which is pleasingly associated
with the cloistral courts of the magnificent cathedrals and abbeys of England, has been
replaced by the modern, and, in this case, ridiculous one of Square. In full accordance
with this is the still more recent substitution of the name of North British Close for that
of Hrtlkerston’s Wynd-the only thing that remained about that ancient alley to commemorate
the death of David Halkerstoun of Halkerstoun, while bravely defending this
passage against the English in 1544. Modern imitations of the antique, such as have
been attempted in the newest thoroughfares in the Old Town, are easily erected, with more
or less taste, and as easily replaced. But if the Old Town of Edinburgh is once destroyed,
no wealth can restore the many int.eresting associations that still linger about its ancient
halls.
VIGNETTE-Ancient Doorway in Halkerston’a Wynd.
