Memorials of Edinburgh in the Olden Time

All Books Kay's Originals Vol. 1 Kay's Originals Vol. 2 Memorials of Edinburgh in the Olden Time Edinburgh Past and Present Old and New Edinburgh Vol. I Old and New Edinburgh Vol. II Old and New Edinburgh Vol. III Old and New Edinburgh Vol. IV Old and New Edinburgh Vol. V Old and New Edinburgh Vol. VI

Go to: « Kay's Originals Vol. 1 « Kay's Originals Vol. 2 Memorials of Edinburgh in the Olden Time Cover Title Pages Contents List of Illustrations Preface Part 1: Historical Associations Part 1 Ch 1: Earliest Traditions Part 1 Ch 2: From The Accession of The Stuarts to the Death of James III Part 1 Ch 3: From the Accession of James IV to the Battle of Flodden Part 1 Ch 4: From the Battle of Flodden to the Death of James V Part 1 Ch 5: From the Death of James V to the Abdication of Queen Mary Part 1 Ch 6: From the Accession of James VI to the Restoration of Charles II Part 1 Ch 7: Historical Incidents after the Restoration Part 2: Local Antiquities and Traditions Part 2 Ch 1: The Castle Part 2 Ch 2: King's Stables, Castle Barns, and Castle Hill Part 2 Ch 3: The Lawnmarket Part 2 Ch 4: The Tolbooth, Luckenbooths, and Parliament Close Part 2 Ch 5: The High Street Part 2 Ch 6: The High Street and Nether Bow Part 2 Ch 7: The Canongate and Abbey Sanctuary Part 2 Ch 8: St Leonard's, St Mary's Wynd, and The Cowgate Part 2 Ch 9: The West Bow and Suburbs Part 2 Ch 10: Leith, and The New Town Part 2 Ch 11: Ecclesiastical Antiquities Appendix » Edinburgh Past and Present » Old and New Edinburgh Vol. I » Old and New Edinburgh Vol. II » Old and New Edinburgh Vol. III » Old and New Edinburgh Vol. IV » Old and New Edinburgh Vol. V » Old and New Edinburgh Vol. VI

ST LEONARD’S, ST MARY’S WYND, AND CO WGATE. 327 gentlemen, January 22, 1729 ; ” and Chambers has preserved, in his “ Minor Antiquities,” the bill of fare presented in the same place on the 20th of March 1747, “ By Desire of a Lady of Quality, for the Benefit of a Family in Distress ; ” probably one of the last performances there by a regular company. A handsome tenement stands immediately to the west of the Tailors’ Lands, surmounted with two ornamental gables, bearing on them the initials of the builders, and over the main doorway the following inscription :- R - H 0 MAGNIFIE THE LORD WITH ME AND LET US EXALT HIS NAME TOGETHER. I - H ANN0 DOMXNI 1643. Over another door of the same tenement, a sculptured tablet bears the device of two sledemen carrying a barrel between them, by means of a pole resting on the shoulder of each, technically styled a sting and lileg. It is cleverly executed, and appears from the character and workmanship to be coeval with the date of the building in which it is placed, although the purposes to which the neighbouring property is now applied might suggest a much more recent origin.’ Various antique tenements of considerable diversity of character remain to the westward of this, all exhibiting symptoms of ‘‘ having seen better days.” The last of these, before we arrive at the arches of George IV. Bridge, is another of the old ecclesiastical mansions of the Cowgate. It is described in an early title-deed as “ some time pertaining to lime Hew M‘Gill, prebender of Corstorphine,” and, not improbably, a relative of the ancestors of David Macgill of Cranstoun-Riddel, King’s Advocate to King James VI., who is said to have died of grief on Sir Thomas Hamilton, the royal favouriteafterwards created Earl of Melrose and Eaddington-being appointed his colleague. We find, at least, that the property immediately adjoining it, now demolished, belonged to that family, and came afterwards into the possession of his rival. The operations of the Improvements Commission were no less effectual in the demolition of the interesting relics of antiquity in the Cowgate than elsewhere. Indeed, if we except the old Mint, and the venerable Chapel of St Magdalene, no other site could have been chosen for the new bridge where their proceedings would have been so destructive. On the ground now occupied by its southern piers formerly stood Merchant’s Court, a large area enclosed on three sides by antique buildings in a plain but massive style of architecture, and containing internally finely stuccoed ceilings and handsome panneling, with other indications of former magnificence suitable to the mansion of the celebrated Thomas Hamilton, first Earl of Haddington, the favourite of James VI., and one of the most eminent men of his day. Some curious anecdotes of TAM 0’ THE COWGATEa,s the King facetiously styled his favourite, are preserved in the Traditions of Edinburgh, derived from the descendants of the sagacious old peer, and many others that are recorded of him suffice to confirm the character he enjoyed for shrewd wit and eminent ability. Directly opposite to this, a building, characterised by very remarkable architectural features, was peculiarly worthy of the attention of the local antiquary. Tradition, which represented the old Earl of Had- At Society, in the immediate neighbourhood, a company of brewers was eatabliahed -so early 1598.-Hist. of Kiiig Jamea the Serb, p. 347.

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