172 MEMORIALS OF EDINBURGH.
representing the Adoration of the Wise Men, was said to be the work of Alexander
Runciman.
We have endeavoured thus far to conduct the reader through this portion of the
ancient capital, pointing out the various associations calculated to excite sympathy or
interest in connection with its time-honoured scenes. But all other objects of attraction
to the local historian, within this district, must yield before those of the Old Bank Close,
the site of which was very nearly that of the present paving of Melbourne Place. The
antique mansion, that formed the chief building in this close, excited very great and
general attention from the time that it was exposed to view in opening up the approach
to George 1V.k Bridge, until its demolition in 1834, to make way for the central
buildings of Melbourne Place, that now occupy its site. It stood immediatel) to the east
of William Little’s Land, already described, in Brodie’s Close, from which it was only
partially separated by a very narrow gutter that ran between the two houses, leaving them
united by a mutual wall at the north end.
This ancient building was curiously connected with a succession of eminent and
influential men, and with important historical events
of various eras, from the date of its erection until a
comparatively recent period. ‘‘ Gourlay’s House, ”
for so it continued to be called nearly to the last,
was erected in 1569, as appeared from the date on it,
by Robert Gourlay, burgess, on the site, and, partly
at least, with the materials of an old religious house.
Little further is known of its builder than the fact
that he had been a wealthy and influential citizen,
who enjoyed the favour of royalty, and made the
most of it too, notwithstanding the pious averment sculptured over his door, 0 LORD
IN THE IS AL MY TRAIST.’ This appears no less from numerous grants of
privileges and protections of rights, among the writs and evidents of the property,
attested by King James’s own signature, than by the very obvius jealousy with which
his favour at Court was regarded by his fellow-citizens.
One of these royal mandates, granted by the Kiig at Dumfries, 21st June 1588, sets
forth, ‘‘ Lyke 8s ye said Robert Gourlay and Helen Cruik, his spouse,’haa raisit ane new
biggin and wark upon ye waste and ground of their lands and houses foresaid, wherein
they are quarelled and troubled for enlarging and outputing of ye east gavill and dyke of
their said new wark, on with ye bounds of ye auld bigging foundit and edified thereupon,
of design, and presumed to have diminished and narrowit ye passage of ye foresaid transe
callit Mauchains Close, &c.,’ We, therefor, . . . . . give and grant special liberty
On the demolition of the building, the words I‘ 0 Lord,” which extended beyond the lintel of the door, were found
to be carved on oak, and so ingeniously let into the wall that this had escaped observation. One could almost fancy that
the subservient courtier had found his abbreviated motto liable to a more personal construction than was quite agreeable. ’ In the earlier part of the same writ, the property is styled ‘I ye landa of umq’ Alexander Mauthane, and now of ye
said Robert Gourlay.” We learn from Maitland, that in the year 1511, “ the Town Council twoarda inlarging the said
Church of St Giles, bought of AEezander MaucAanes, four landa or tenementa, in the Booth-raw,” or Luckenbo0tha.-
Maitland‘a Hist., p. 180. This can acarcely be doubted to be the same individual.
VIoaEnE-carved Stone from Old Bank Close, in the posse&on of C. K. Sharpe, Esq.
