HISTORICAL AND DFSCRIPTIVE NOTES. 67
escutcheon, confirm the tradition in question, the armorial bearings (three
cinquefoils) are not those pertaining to the surname of Lawson, but to that of
Liviagsfon; and moreover it appears, from the city records, that the Town
Treasurer or Chamberlain, up to Martinmas 1645, was John Fairholme, his
successor in office being John Jossie, the friend of George Heriot.
On the north wall of the mansion-house of Greenhill, in the immediate
neighbourhood of the enclosure, is a semicircular stone with the letters
already mentioned (I * L and E * R), under the date 1637 ; and on a similar
stone, in the west wall, is an ornamental escutcheon, surmounted by the
initials E - R, and charged with a saltire between a mullet in chief and a'
crescent in base, bearing a close resemblance to the armorial seal of Hugh
Rigg of Carbeny, described in Nisbet's System of UeraZdry. In all probability,
the initiaIs E + R (Elizabeth Rigg ?) indicate the wife of a certain
John Livingston, whose virtues are recorded on the monumental slab ; and
this view is corroborated by the following entry in the Register of Proclamations
and Marriages for the city of Edinburgh :--20 Aprilis 1626. Johnne
Levingstoun Merchant, Elizabeth Rig.' Above the initials on the north wall,
on a smalI semicircular stone surmounted by a crescent, are some scriptural
lines; while the ninth verse of the thirty-fourth Psalm is inscribed on a
similar stone adjoining the escutcheon on the west wall :-' 0 feare the Lord
yee His saints; for there is no want to them that feare Him.'
'
. .
KNOLL NEAR SRUNTSBIELD HOUSF.
Near the south-eastern corner of Bruntsfield Links is an interesting
knoll, from whiich the chivalrous James IV. is said to have surveyed his army
previous to the battle of Flodden. In the formation of a new street through
the grounds of Sir George Jarrender, this historical spot will probably soon
be removed, the hand of the spoiler is even now upon it.
68 EDINBURGH PAST AND PRESENT.
In addition to the small vignette of the eavtern wing of Merchiston Castle
at page 40, we give an Engraving of the room in which Logarithms were
invented. It is reached by a narrow spiral staircase, at the top of which three
'THE NAPIBK XUOM.
descending steps lead into the interesting apartment, from the wincfows of
which charming views are obtained.
ROOM IN WHICH CHALhIERS DIED.
Leaving Merchiston Castle, we reach the house, at the western extremity
of Churchhill-now occupied as a young ladies' boarding school-where the
illustrious Dr. Chalmers spent his latter years. The hallowed chamber in
~ ~ - __-
