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Kay's Originals Vol. 2

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222 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. Thus, so far from misapplying their funds, they might at once produce E beautiful summerhouse, or termination of a vista, and discharge an imperious debt they owe to their countrymen and t o posterity-the preservation and transmission of those specimens of Scottish workmanship of remote ages. Such a building, composed chiefly of antique carved stones, may be seen near St. Bernard‘s Well, in the policy, or pleasure-grounds of the gentleman last-mentioned ;l and Portobello Tower, built by Mr. Cunningham, consists principally of the sculptured and ornamented stones found in the houses which were pulled down to make way far the South Bridge.”’ The suggestions of the I antiquary were not attended to by the Managers. The Hospital, which was opened in 1802, is capable of containing sixty-six pensioners, but the Governors have never been able to make provision for more than forty-two persons.8 The internal management is committed to the charge of a House-Governor, or Chaplain, and a Governess, who act under the immediate direction of the Treasurer-the whole being under the control of the Board of General Governors. In the Council Room of the Hospital is a capital painting of the founder, by Sir- James Foulis of Woodhall, Bart., in which the venerable proprietor of Spylaw is represented as seated on a rudely formed chair, or summer-seat, in the garden, with his hands resting on his staff. His countenance has all the mildness of expression observable in the Etching by Kay.‘ The School endowed by Mr. Gillespie stands entirely detached from the Hospital. The number of children taught average one hundred and fifty. The first teacher was Mr. John Robertson, who held the situation at the opening of the school in 1803 ; and was aided by an assistant. 1 “ Mr. Walter Ross, a gentleman of much taste and suavity of manners, whose memory is cherished by all who knew him, and know how to estimate probity, honour, and rare accomplishments, of which Mr. Ross possessed an eminent share indeed. The delight which he took iu works of art and antiquities led him to collect some curious fragments of old buildings about Edinburgh, some of which he has preserved by fixing them in and about the tower, under which his remains lie buried: In the middle of the field in which this turret is built, a huge block of freestone stands erect ; it is partly cut out in the form of a human figure, and, if report speaks truly, it was intended by the then magistrates of Edinburgh to form the effigy of Oliver Cromuell : but the Restoration put an end to the design ; and the fine equestrian statue of Charles II., to be seen in the Parliament Square, was, by the prudent magistrates, ordered in its stead. In consequence, the above shapeless mass lay upwards of a century and a half neglected and unknown, till Mr. Ross, having obtained possession of this precious piece of antiquity, placed it upright with its face fronting the city; in which position it remains a standing joke against the unsteady loyalty of the times.”-Camphell‘s Journdy from Edinburgh. Among other curiosities collected by Mr. RQSS, were four heads, in alto relieve, which formerly were placed over the arches of the Cross of Edinburgh : also the baptismal fonts belonging to St. Ninian’s Chapel, which stood near the Register House. a Many of the carved stones of Wrytes House are preserved at Woodhouselee. a In a late article in the Scottish Pilot newspaper, this circumstance WBS earnestly recommended to the notice of the public, with the view of promoting the funds of the Institution. “The cost of the establishment,” says the statement, “for the maintenance of each Inmate, is from &12 to 215 per annum-the rate varying according to the price of provisions and other contingencies. If the latter sum ia assumed to be necessary, and BS the Governors can dispose of money bearing interest at five per cent. a-sum of S7000, or thereby, would sufiice for the required object-the support of twentyfour additional inmates-that being the number of vacancies in the Institution.” ‘ At the time Kay executed the Print he resided in one of the flats above the shop of the tobacconists, from wbom, it is said, he received five pounds to suppress it. It is more probable that the five pounds were given for the miniature. The one appean to be a copy of the other.
Volume 9 Page 295
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