HISTORICAL AND DESCRTPTIVE NOTES. 77
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little to the east of Winchburgh station, the old square keep is distinctly seen
from the Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway. It is well known that the unfortunate
Mary Stuart found shelter within its massive walls, on her flight from
Loch Leven to the disastrous field of Langside, in 156%. Her loyal host and
protector' was long commemorated by a brief inscription on an oblong stone
tablet surmounting the east window of the Castle. Unfortunately, the tablet
has disappeared within the last few years ; but the restoration of the inscription
is contemplated by the Earl of Hopetoun, to whom the ancient structure
now belongs. The tablet appears on the following page.
THE OLD YEW TREE
While leaving the more historical features, let us glance for a little -at the
picturesque, and from the Dean Cemetery, with its memories of departed
1 George, seventh Lord Seton, who was Provost of Edinburgh in 1557. He was the elder
brother of John, first Baron of Cariston in the county of Fife, and half-bro:her of Mary Seton, one
of the ' four Maries ' in attendance upon the beautiful Scottish Queen. The office of Provost was
also held by his distinguished son Alexander, Earl of Dunfermline (younger brother of the first
Earl of Winton). from IS+ to I*. Lord Dunfermline, whose armocia1 ensigns appear
in the upper portion of the great south window in the Parliament House, was appointed President
of the Court of Session in 1593, and discharged the duties of Chancellor of Scotland from
1604 till his death at Pinkie in 1612. Impartial as a judge and able as a statesman, he is praised
by both Spttiswoode and Calderwood
78 EDINBURGH PAST AND PRESENT.
genius-where lie bnriecl John Goodsir, ‘ Christopher North,’ Sir William
Allan, Jeffrey, Cockburn, Rutherfurd, Playfair, David Scott, Dr. Warburton
Begbie, and other illustrious men-we ramble on by the village of
the Water of Leith, the Dean Bridge, St. Bernard’s Well, and visit the Royal
Botanic Gardens, in order to enjoy the delightful vistas of the city, and to
turn to the old yew-tree flourishing as in its younger days when it grew in
the Physic Gardens. To the north-west lies Fettes College, a magnificent
modern edifice; nearer is situated Inverleith House, for many years the
residence of the learned Professor Cosmo Innes. Warriston Cemetery is the
last resting-place of Adam Black, the eminent publisher, Professor Simpson,
Sir George HaNey, and Alexander Smith, whose words-as we look at
Mr. Bough’s drawing (see Frontispice), taken from a point close by, occur
to the mind-‘ with castle, tower, church spire, and pyramid rising into
sunlight.’ Returning cityward by Pitt Street and Dundas Street, we turn
to the right, along Queen Street, passing No. 52, where Sir James Simpson
died. The first opening on the left is North Castle Street, with its memories
of Sir Walter Scott. 6 French critic has said that it was appropriate that
the three Graces and the nine Muses should take up their abode there-at
No. 39. How fondly Scott loved this residence is told in his own touching
words:-‘Mardz 15, 1826.This morning I leave No. 39 Castle Street for
the last time. ct The cabin was convenient,” and habit had made it agreeable
to me. . . . So farewell, poor No. 39 ! What a portion of my life has been
spent there ! It has sheltered me from the prime of life to its decline j and
now I must bid good-bye to it.’ (See Engraving, page 51.)
TABLET FORMFRLY AT IIUDRY CASTLE.
