THE HIGH STREET AND NETHER BO W. -25 5
turnpike stair has formerly afforded access to the floor above, and the general construction
of the apartment renders it exceedingly probable that it may have been used as a private
chapel before the Reformation. It is now subdivided by flimsy modern partitions, and
furnishes a residence for several families. The only clue afforded by the title-deeds
to former proprietors of any note, is, that here resided a worthy burgess of last century,
competitor with the author of the Gentle Shepherd, in his earlier occupation, and
the grandfather of one of the most eminent of the modern citizens of Edinburgh,
Lord Francis Jeffrey, with whom this old close was a favourite haunt in his boyhood.
Over the doorway of the adjoining staircase, which projects into the close,
the name of pOpIte @Opt is cut in large old English characters, with a defaced coat
of arms between, and on the lowest crow-step a shield is sculptured with armorial
bearings, and the initials I. H. The dilapidated building retains considerable traces
of former magnificence, as well as undoubted evidence of an early date. The large
windows have been each divided with a mullion and transom, and are finished with
unusually rich mouldings at the sides. The hall on the first floor, which has been an
apartment of considerable size, is now subdivided into separate dwellings by slight
wooden partitions. There can be little doubt, we think, from the style of lettering
in the inscription and the general character of the building, that this is the mansion
of John de Hope, the founder of the Hopetoun family, who came from France in 1537,
in the retinue of the Princess Magdalene, Queen of James V., and who afterwards
became a substantial burgher in the Luckenbooths, visiting the continent from time
to time, and importing French velvets, silks, gold and silver laces, and the like valuable
foreign merchandise.’ It seems to be unquestionable that no other John Hope existed in
Scotland till the reign of Charles I. ; a date long posterior to that of the building. This
was his descendant, Sir John Hope of Craighall, the eldest son of the celebrated Lord
Advocate, who was Lord President of the Court of Session during the Protectorate, and to
whom Charles 11. owed the shrewd, though unpalatable advice, ‘‘ to treat with Cromwell
In the next alley, which is termed Sandilands’ Close, a large and remarkably
substantial stone tenement, forms the chief feature on the east side, and presents an
appearance of great antiquity. The ground floor of this building is vaulted with stone,
and entered by doorways with pointed arches, and over the lower of these is a neat small
pointed window or loop-hole, splayed and otherwise constructed as in early Gothic
buildings. We present a view of one of the most interesting pieces of ancient sculpture
in Edinburgh, which forms part of the internal decorations of this old edifice. It seems
to be intended to represent the offering of the Wise Men, and is well executed in bold
relief, although, like most other internal decorations in the Old Town, plentifully
besmeared with whitewash. It appears to form the end of a very large antique fireplace,
the remainder of which is concealed under panneling and partitions of perhaps a century
old, while another, of the contracted dimensions usual in later times, has been constructed
in the further corner. It is exceedingly probable that much more of this interesting
sculpture remains to be disclosed on the removal of these novel additions of recent date.
-for the one halff of his cloake before he lost the quhole.”
* Coltneea Collectionn, Mait. Club, pp. 16,17.
occupied the two booths east of the Old Church style.
From which it appeara that John de Hope and his non Edward
