3 50 MEMORlALS OF EDINBURGH.
This was the picturesque half-castellated edifice of Wrychtishousis, unfortunately acquired
by the trustees of Mr Gillespie, a wealthy and benevolent tobacconist who bequeathed
his whole fortune to found an hospital for the aged poor. By them it was entirely demolished
in the year 1800, and the tasteless modern erection built which now occupies its
site. The nucleus of this singularly picturesque group of irregular masonry appeared to
have been an ancient keep, or Peel Tower, evidently of very early date, around which
were clustered, in various styles of architecture, intricate ranges of buildings and irregular
turrets, which had been added by successive owners to increase the accommodation afforded
by the primitive tower. The general effect of this antique pile was greatly enhanced on
approaching it by the numerous heraldic devices and inscriptions which adorned every
window, doorway, and ornamental pinnacle ; the whole walls being crowded with armorial
bearings, designed to perpetuate the memory of the noble alliances by which the family
succession of the Napiers of Wrychtishousis had been continued from early times. The
earliest records of this ancient family which have been discovered, show that William
Napier, the owner of the old mansion in 1390, was then Constable of Edinburgh Castle,
and maintained that important stronghold at the beginning of the following century, with
the aid of Archibald, Earl of Douglas, and the unfortunate Duke of Rothesay, against
Henry IT., at the head of the whole military force of England. To this brave resistance,
which baffled all the efforts of the English monarch, and redeemed Scotland from total
subjection, the ingenious genealogist of the Napiers conceives that the peculiar tenure
of the Wrychtishousis may be referred. From old charters, preserved in the Register
House, it appears that that property was held by payment to the king of a silver penny
upon the Castle Hill of Edinburgh. “ Fourteen yeara’ services as Constable, iucluding so
memorable a siege, may perhaps account for the silver link between the Wrychtishousis
and the Castle Hill.”
The singular edifice thus intimately amociated with a historical event of such memorable
importance, formed by far the most striking example of an ancient baronial mansion that
existed in the neighbourhood of Edinburgh. Minutely examined, it exhibited the
picturesque blending of the rude feudal stronghold with the ornate additions of more
peaceful times, combining altogether to produce a pleasing effect rarely equalled by more
regular designs. The effect of this irregular group of the various styles of Scottish
architecture is described, by those who still remember it with regret, as singularly striking,
especially when viewed from the Borough Muir towards sunset, rearing its towers and
pinnacles against the evening sky. Had it remained till now, it is probable that the prevalence
of a better taste would have induced the trustees of Gillespie’s foundation to adapt
it to the purposes of their charitable institution, instead of levelling it with the ground.
Its demolition, however, was not effected even then without a spirited, though ineffectual
remonstrance, by a correspondent of the Edinburgh Magazine for July 1800, who writes
under the name of Cadmon, and urges, among other arguments, the venerable antiquity of
the building, one of the dates on which was 1376. “Above one window,” he remarks,
“was the inscription, SICUT OLIVA FRUCTIFERA, 1376; and above another, IN
DOMINCO o m o , 1400. There were several Iater dates:marking the periods, probably of
additions, embellishments, or repairs, or the succession of different proprietors. The arms
Partition of the Lennox, p. 181.
