370 OLD AND NEW EDINBURGH. [Heriot?s Hospital
the four blocks at each angle of the quadrangle
are furnished with corbelled turrets, having cupola
roofs and vanes. Each of these is four storeys in
height; the other parts are three.
On the south, opposite the entrance, and facing
Lauriston, is the chapel, 61 feet by 22, neatly fitted
up, and occasioning a projection, surmounted by
a small spJe, which balances the tower on the
north For a long period it remained in a comparatively
unfinished state, when it was fitted up in
what Dr. Steven calls a ?flimsy species of Italian
architecture,? excepting the pulpit and end galleries,
which were a kind of Early English, but meagre in
their details. But forty years ago or so, Mr.
Gillespie Graham, the architect, suggested that the
chapel should be entirely renovated in a style
worthy of the building, and he offered to prepare
the designs gratuitously. This generous offer was
accepted, and it was fitted up in its present
elegant style. It has a handsome pulpit, a richly
adorned ceiling, and many beautiful carvings of oak.
In an architectural point of view this famous
hospital is full of contradictions, but when viewed
from distant points, its turrets, chimneys, and pipnades
stand up against the sky in luxuriant confusion,
yet with singular symmetry, though no two
portions are quite alike. A professional writer
says, ? we know of no other instance in the works
of a man of acknowledged talent, where the operation
of changing styles is so evident. In the chapel
windows, though the outlines are fine Gothic, the
mouldings are Roman. In the eatrance archways,
although the principal members are Roman, the
pinnacles, trusses, and minute sculptures partake
of the Gothic.??
This building has another marked peculiarity,
in the segment of an octagonal tower in frontthat
of the chapel-lighted through its whole extremity
by a succession of Gothic windows divided
by mullions alone, which produce a singularly rich
and pleasing effect.
The hospital is surroundedby a stately and magnificent
balustraded terrace, from which noble flights
of at least twelve steps descend to the ground.
In the wall over the gateway is a statue of
George Heriot, the founder, in the?costume of the
time of James VI. This, the boys on ?? Heriot?s
Day,? the first Monday of June, decorate with
flowers, in honour of their benefactor, of whom
several relics are preserved in the hospital, particularly
his bellows and cup. There is also a portrait
of him, said to be only the copy of an original.
It represents him in the prime of life, with a
calm, thoughtful, and penetrating countenance, and
about the mouth an expression of latent humour.
Heriot?s foundation has continued to flourish
and enjoy a well-deserved fame. (?With an
annual revenue,? says a writer in 1845, ? of nearly AI 5,000, it affords maintenance, clothing, and
education for, also pecuniary presents to, one hundred
and eighty boys, such being all that the house
large as it is, is able conveniently to accommodate.
Instead of increasing the establishment in correspondence
with the extent of the funds, it was suggested
a few years ago, by Mr. Duncan Machen,
one of the governors, to devote an annual ovcrplus
ofabout L3,ooo to the erection and maintenance of
free schools throughout the city, for the education
of poor children, those of poor burgesses being
preferred, and this judicious proposal being forthwith
adopted and sanctioned by an Act of Parliament
(6 and 7 William IV,), there have since
been erected, and are now (1845) in operation, five
juvenile and two infant schools, giving an elementary
education to 2,131 children.? This number
has greatly increased since then.
The management of the hospital is vested in
the Lord Provost, Bailies, and Council of the city,
and the clergy of the Established Church, making
in all fifty-four governors, with a House Governor,
Treasurer, Clerk, Superintendent of Property, Physician,
Surgeon, Apothecary, Dentist, Accountant,
a matron, and a staff of masters.
In 1880 the revenue of the hospital amounted
to &24,000. In it are maintained 180 boys,
of whom 60 are noh-resident. The age of admission
is between 7 and 10 years, though in exceptional
cases, non-residents may be taken at 12. All
leave at 14, unless they pass as ? hopeful scholars.?
They are taught English, French, Latin, Greek, and
all the usual branches of a liberal education, with
music and drawing.
Those who manifest a desire to pursue the
learned professions are sent to the adjacent University,
with an allowance for four sessions of A30
per annum; and apprentices may also receive
bursary allowances to forward them in their trades ;
while ten out-door bursaries, of;t;zo each yearly, are
likewise bestowed on deserving students at college.
On leaving the hospital the ?poore fatherless
boyes, freemen?s sonnes,? as Heriot calls them in
his will, are provided with clothes and suitable
books; and such of them as become apprentices
for five years or upwards, receive A50 divided into
equal annual payments during their term of service,
besides a gratuity of jC;5 at its end. Those who
are apprenticed for a shorter term than five years
receive a correspondingly less allowance.
One master is resident, as is the house governor,
but all the rest are non-resident.
