MANSION OF BEORGE, l?? MARQUIS OF HUNTLY:
RAKESOUSE CLOSE. CANONGATE
THE CANONGA TE AND ABBEY SANCTUAR Y. 293
style that prevailed at the date of its erection. Between the windows of the first and
second floor of the tower an ornamental sun-dial appears, and underneath the lower window
a carved tablet bears the following inscription :-
@S. Li. fB .
PATRLEET POSTER1IS59, 1.
There are two bells in the tower, the oldest of which has this favoltrite motto, with the
date, cast on it:-so~I DEO HONOR ET GLORIA, 1608. The larger bell, as appears from
its inscription, was cast in 1796. Over the inner doorway, which leads both to the courthouse
and the prison, are these appropriate words-EsTo b u s ; and on the most conspicuous
part of the edifice, between the large windows of the council hall, tl highly
ornamental panel, surmounted by a pediment adorned with a large thistle, bears the
following legend:--J. R 6, JUSTITETI API ETAS VALKDE BUNT PRINCIPIS ARCES. Within
the panel the burgh arms are emblazoned, viz.-a stag’s head with R cross between the
tynes, in commemoration of the monastic legend to which the origin of Saint David’s
Abbey and its burgh is referred; and underneath the motto, SIC ITURAD ASTRA; an
unfailing subject of mirth to the profane wits of the capital, as an avowal by the old vassals
of the Church that they now seek the way to heaven through the burgh jail.
The independence of the burgh of Canongate was of
brief duration, the magistrates of Edinburgh ha-i-ing
purchased the superiority of it from the Earl of Roxburgh,
and procured a charter of confirmation from
Charles I. in 1636. It was till lately governed by it,s own
magistrates, and a baron bailie elected by the Edinburgh
Town Council, who thus came in the place of
the Abbot of Holyrood as over-lords of the burgh.
These held weekly courts for the punishment of petty
offenders, and the settlement of disputed questions on
small debts ; and in general exercised full control over the
public affairs of the burgh.
The ancient market cross formerly stood nearly opposite
to the Tolbooth. It is represented in Gordon’s
map, as mounted on a stone gallery somewhat similar
to that of the neighbouring capital, though on a smaller
scale. This has long since disappeared, but the elegant
cross, represented in the accompanying vignette, still
exists attached to the south-east corner of the Tolbooth.
Ita chief use in latter times was as the pillory ; and the iron staple remains to which the
culprit used to be secured by an iron collar round the neck, styled the Jougs, a species
of punishment which continued in use within the recollection of some of our older
citizens.‘
“31th October, 1567. The quhilk daye Bessie Tailzefeir being accusit be the bailleis and eounaall of the
sclandring of Thoa Huntar, baiiie, . . . thakfoir ordanit the said Bessie to be bmnkit the mome and set upone
