8 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
No. CLXXIII.
THE LAWNMARKET COACH ;
A JOURNEY ALONG THE MOUND.
THIS Print is commemorative of an affair connected with the formation of the
Mound, or “ Mud Brig,” as, in olden time, it was not unfrequently called by the
lower classes. The inconvenience arising from the want of direct communication
between the Lawnmarket and Princes Street began to be seriously felt as
the New Town extended towards the west. In 1783, when the Mound was
first projected, Princes Street was built as far as Hanover Street.
Prior to this, some individuals in Edinburgh had formed an association for
the purpose of furthering Burgh Reform. Among the members were Lord
Gardenstone, Robert Grahame of Gartmore, William Charles Little of Liberton,
and several other gentlemen holding similar opinions. This movement in the
capital was speedily responded to in the provinces, and delegates were despatched
from almost all the Royal Burghs in Scotland to co-operate with the
committee formed in Edinburgh. The first Convention was held in Mary’s
Chapel, on the 25th March 1784-Mr. Little of Liberton,’ president-at which
resolutions were passed declaratory of their rights as citizens.
Some of the original promoters of the Burgh Reform Convention, encouraged
by the success of their political exertions, began to agitate on the subject of local
improvements. Residing chiefly either in the Lawnmarket or its neighbourhood,
they had long felt the want of some kind of communication with Princes
Street more direct than by the North Bridge. They at first thought of applying
for aid by petition to the Town Council; but, recollecting how obnoxious
their late proceedings must have rendered them to the corporation, they abandoned
the idea, and resolved to open a subscription, which they did at “ Dunn’s
Hotel,”’ for the purpose of constructing a thoroughfare. The subscription was
Mr. Little lived in a house at the bottom of Brodie’s Close, Lawnmarket, built by his ancestor
William Little, a magistrate of Edinburgh in the reign of James VI., and xhich was entailed in the
family; it wa8 afterwards occupied by Deacon Brodie, from whom the Close obtained its name.
The tenement was demolished to make room for the city improvements. Several of the carved
stones, and other parts of the house, have been taken to Inch House (Mr. Little’s residence near
Liberton), as relics of the habitation of the predecessors of the family. Mr. Little afterwards
resided in a house forming the angle between Potterrow and Bristo Street, which was known, from
its shape, by the name of the Ace of Czuhs.
a A small phblic-house in the Lawnmarket, at the mouth of the uppermost entry to Jam&
Court, kept by Robert Dunn, much frequented by the merchants at that period, and termed
‘‘Dum’s Hotel,” by way of burlesque-Dum’s elegant hotel in Princes Street having been then
newly opened.