256 MEMORIALS OF EDINBURGH.
Such of the title-deeds of this property as we have obtained access to are unfortunately
quite modern, and contain no reference to early proprietors; but one of the present
owners described a sculptured stone, containing a coat of arms surmounted by a mitre,
that was removed from over the inner doorway
A very fine specimen of the ancient
within the last few years at the head of
some years since, and which appears to have
been the Kennedy arms. If it be permissible
to build on such slender data, in the absence
of all other evidence, we have here, in all
probability, the town mansion of the good ,
Bishop Kennedy, the munificent patron of
learning, and the able and upright counsellor of
James 11. and 111.' The whole appearance of the
building is perfectly consistent with this supposition.
The form and decorations of the doorways,
particularly those already described, all prove
an early date ; while the large size and elegant
mouldings of the windows, and the massive
appearance of the wbole building, indicate such
magnscence as would well consort with the
dignity of the primacy at that early period.
timber-fronted lands of the Old Town stood till
Trunk's Close, behind the Fountain Well, on the
site of a plain stone tenement that has since replaced it. The back portion of the old
building, however, still remains entire, including several rooms with fine stuccoed ceilings,
and one large hall beautifully finished with richly carved pillasters and oak panneling,
which is described in the title-deeds as " presently "--i.e., in 1739--" a meeting-house
possest by Mr William Cocburn, minister of the gospel." It had previously formed the
residence of Sir John Scot of Ancrum, the first of that title, who was created a baronet by
Charles 11. in 1671. From him it was acquired by Sir Gilbert Elliot of Stobs, in 1703,
and here resided that baronet, and his more illustrious son, General Elliot, the gallant
defender of Gibraltar, better known by his title of Lord Heathfield. On the pediment
over the window of a fine old stone land on the west side of Trunk's Close, is the inscription
in bold characters :-HODIE MIHI * CRAS - TIBI - It is worthy of notice that
the same inscription is appropriately carved in similar characters over the splendid toinb
of Thomas Bannatine, in the Greyfriars' Churchyard. Several other ancient tenements in
this close are worthy of inspection for their antique irregularity of construction.
But the chief Lion among the venerable fabrics of the Old Town of Edinburgh has
long been the singularly picturesque structure which terminates the High Street towards
the east, and forms the mansion provided shortly after the Reformation, at the expense of
the town, for its f i s t parish minister, the great Reformer, John Knox. Chambers remarks
A confused tradition of its having been an Episcopal residence is still preserved among the inhabitants, founded, it
may be presumed, on the sculptured mitre. The old dame who first admitted US to inspect it, stated that it was Bishop
8undiEands' house; a name, it is perhaps unnecessary to remark, not to be found in Keith's li8t.
VroNEmE-Ancient Sculpture, Sandilands' close.
