LEITH. 1'3
on the site of the old building, erected in 1555 during the regency of Mary
of Guise, and possesses several pictures of great merit-particularly an interesting
view of Leith in the olden times, an admirable portrait of Admiral Lord
Duncan, a very truthful and highly finished likeness of the Queen-Regent by
Mytens, with Scott's grand and graphic painting of Vasco de Gama passing
the Cape of Good Hope. So the Custom House is another erection of a
large and interesting character, of the same description of building, with
pillars and pediment in front, and having in the tympanum of its pediment a
rather ostentatious sculpture of the Royal Arms. It is situated in North
Leith, just at the west end of the lower drawbridge leading from Bernard
Street into Commercial Place, with its back to the harbour, from which it is
separated by a narrow strip of pier, where small craft are usually found
moorkd.
The Ecclesiastical structures, however, are perhaps still more deserving of
attention, of which there are not a few rather stately fabrics. South Leith
Church which stands on the east side of the Kirkgate, moved back from the
thoroughfare about twenty yards, and surrounded by a graveyard, very neatly
arranged and beautifully kept, in which many af the famed and influential of
the district sleep their long deep sleep, is a noble edifice of the early Gothic
type. It has a very handsome tower, rising from the ground in the north-west
corner, and terminating in an elegant Gothic balustrade, on the right of which,
in the gable of the church fronting the street, is a magnificent window of richly
stained glass, which, when lit up by the rays of the setting sun or by the lights
within, produces a fine effect. The old church, which this has displaced,
was perhaps a still more imposing fabric. In its style it was likewise Gothic,
but cruciform in its construction, with a turret or spire of wood and metal
springing from its summit. It suffered in the conflagration of 1544, cadsed
by the invasion of the Earl of Hertford, and was diminished to the nave.
We may add that on the suppression of the church at Restalrig in 1609, this
became the parochial place of worship, and was originally dedicated to
St. Mary. St. John's Church, at first a chapel of ease, but now erected into
a separate charge, is likewise an interesting building. It has a tower of two
stages, the first quadrangular and adorned with pinnacles at the angles, the
other octangular and surmounted by a balustrade and numerous pinnacles.
Altogether the fabric is rather of the showy or flowery type, and when seen at
a distance has a somewhat gingery or fantastic appearance. Another structure
of the kind, not very far from it but in a different street, is perhaps a still
better specimen of ecclesiastical architecture: we refer to Free St. John's.
P
QUEENSFERRY TO MUSSELBURGH.
It was erected only a few years ago in consequence of the congregation being
ejected from their old place of worship by a decree of the Law Courts in favour
of the Auld Kirk. The building is of a composite character, has a very
handsome tower topped by an open crown-like spire, after the manner of St.
Giles’ in Edinburgh, and is a great ornament to the town. The Episcopal
Church, however, is decidedly the finest structure of the kind in the parish.
It is in ihe light Gothic style, and cruciform, With buttresses along its side
walls, and a fine semicircular apse on the east gable. On the south-east side
is a massive and well-Groportioned tower, springing from the ground and
terminating in a spire of a peculiarly airy and graceful appearance. The
windows are all of stained glass, with beautiful figures of Scripture scenes and
characters painted on them; the furnishings are of the most handsome
description ; and it is said to possess a peal of bells the finest in Scotland.
The churches of the United Presbyterian denomination and the other Nonconforming
bodies in this quarter are all of an humbler character, although
that of St. Andrew’s Place in the Links, and Great Junction Street, on the
margin of that broad and much frequented thoroughfare, are both very large
and massive structures, and internally not quite destitute of very comely and
effective ornamentation.
In North Leith, likewise, there are a few very stately and attractive
ecclesiastical fabrics. The United Presbyterian Church in Coburg Street,
near the Citadel, is a conspicuous erection, with a Gothic front, central
pediment and balustrade, and flanked with embrasured turrets. St. Ninian’s,
a little further to the north-west, looking into Dock Street, and quite adjacent
to the old Saxon arch which formed one of the entrances into the Citadel,
is also an interesting structure. It is of the early Gothic, with handsome
doorway and main window, sided by two small octangular towers with
pinnacles. The history of this church, if we were at liberty to give it, is well
worth relating. The North Leith Free Church in Ferry Road, too, is a
characteristic building. Not that we are quite pleased with it in many ways,
for it has always appeared to us rather dumpy and out of proportion,-the
faGade being far too heavy and massive for the rest of the edifice. Still, if
viewed quite in front, with its fine Gothic entrance, noble window of exquisite
tracery and stained glass, and tall stately tower and spire, i! produces a good
effect. The North Leith Parish Church, however, is confessedly the most
imposing structure of the kind in this quarter. Not that it has much to boast
of in the way of ornateness or elaboration ; it is rather a plain building, of an
oblong form, and distinguished for no particular style of architecture j but its
