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HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE NOTES. 57 crowd, the eye rests on the Tron gial, and the words of Hugh Miller on the approach of the New Year occur to the mind-‘After marking the red glare of Ztna reflected in the waves that slumber round the moles of Syracuseafter glancing on the towers of the seven-hilled city, and the hoary snows of the Alps-after speeding over France, over Flanders, over the waves of the German Sea, it will be with ourselves, and the tall ghostly tenements of Dun- Edin will re-echo the shouts of the High Street.’ James Smith, in his sketches of Edinburgh life five-and-twenty years ago, graphically describes the scene :-‘ I sallied forth for a stroll along the busy streets. Every shop-window was looking gayer than another, particularly those of the bakers and confectioners, that presented a sight that was enough to gladden the eye of Epicurus. Currant loaves in thousands were there, buns of every hue and colour, cakes of shortbread containing proverbial expressions and happy wishes on their outside, done up tastefully with lemon-peel--“A happy New Year when it comes, an’ mony returns”--“ Mind twelve o’clock” -“Ye ken wha frae J J - ~ ~ Dinna forget ”-“ Hoo’s a’ wi’ ye ?”-cc The simple man’s the beggar’s brither ”-‘<A merry Christmas, and a happy New Year”- May the mouse never leave yer meal-pock wi’ a tear in its e’e ”-“ Happy W? muckle, and canty wi’ mair ”-“ Absent freen’s ”-“ May the last year be the warst year, an’ the next ane be the best ane.” Loud rang the cheery cries on every side--“ Almanacks 1 Almanacks ! Belfast Almanacks 1 ” I wandered up and down the streets until it was within a few minutes of the last hour of the dying year, and then joyfully formed one of the happy band of daredevils that encircled the Tron Church ; and when the momentous hour began to chime-the hour of tweZw-I joined lustily in &e cheery cry, “A happy New Year I ” that rolled on the wintry air like thunder. Friend met friend, and stranger met stranger, with the right hand extended and the everwelcome salutation--l‘A happy New Year-hurrah ! a happy New Year 1” Here’s to the Year that’s awa’ 1 ” ‘‘ Happy we’ve been a’ thegither, Canty we’ve been ane an’ a’.” “A gude New*Year to ane an’ a’, An’ mony may we see,”- GC ‘ Now and then, ora song of brilliant but unfortunate poor Sandy Hume, who now lies mouldering in the dust-a thorough musician and a true poet as well-fell on the ear like sweet music.‘ The custom is very similar at the present day. There is a tradition that the Articles of Union between England and H
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5% EDINBURGH PAST AND PRESENT. Scotland were finally subscribed in a celIar opposite the entrance to the Tron Church. The place is presently occupied by a wicker-worker j the bath on the left of the Engravingis used for steeping the osiers. CcLLAH IN WHICH THB UNION WAS SIGNED. ANCHOR CLOSE. CRAIG'S CLOSE. At the foot of Cockburn Street (so named after the famous Imd of Session, whose country residence, BonaIy Tower,' is figured at page vi), is 1 Now in possession of Professor Hodgson, Edinburgh University.
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