308 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Signet Hall. He then drove to the’palace of Holyrood House; and after
being conducted through the public apartments, returned to the hotel. Next
day (Sabbath) during the interval of public service, escorted by the Lord
Provost, several of the Magistrates, and Sir Thomas Bradford, K.B., and his
Staff, his Excellency visited the Castle, went into the Crown-Room, and saw
the Regalia of Scotland. He inspected, different parts of the garrison, and
appeared to be much pleased with the martial appearance of a small body of
Highlanders then stationed in the Castle. In the course of the afternoon he
repaired to Leith, viewed the new docks, pier, etc.
Being slightly indisposed on Monday, his Excellency remained in the hotel ;
but, on the following day, he visited the Register House, Heriot’s Hospital,
and rode through several of the streets on horseback, attended by an officer of
the Staff, and another gentleman. The same evening, after dining with the
Lord Provost and a select party, he went to the Pantheon, accompanied by the
then Lord Advocate (Sir William Rae, Bart.), the late Sir John Sinclair, and
other gentlemen. The house was filled to overflowing with the rank and fashion
of the city, and he was received with every mark of respect.
On Wednesday the Ambassador was waited upon by the Earl of Glasgow,
Sir William Elliot, and various persons of distinction, His Excellency afterwards
proceeded to the Calton Hill, the hazy weather the day previous having
induced him to postpone his visit. With the promenade round the hill, and
the wide expanse of prospect afforded at every point, the Ambassador was
highly gratified, and frequently stopping short to admire the scene before him,
gave vent to his feelings of admiration by repeatedly exclaiming-“ grand,”
“ very grand,” “the finest city in Europe,” etc. No prominent object escaped
him ; and his minute inquiries sufficiently indicated the deep interest taken in
what he witnessed. Requesting to be informed the meaning of the round tower
erected on the grave of Hume, he expressed peculiar satisfaction on learning
that the memorial marked where the ashes of the Historian of England were
deposited. From the Calton Hill his Excellency rode down to Leith; and
proceeding westward, by the Fort, returned to the hotel.
On Thursday morning his Excellency departed for Hamilton Palace, on a
visit to the Duke. On his way he breakfasted with the Earl of Morton at
Dalmahoy. During his short stay in Edinburgh the attention he experienced
from the public authorities, and others who attended him in his perambulations,
called forth the most lively expressions of satisfaction. In the Print by Kay,
the Mirza is represented in his riding-dress. When here, he might be in his
forty-fourth or forty-fifth year. His manners were dignified, and courteous in
his intercourse with the authorities and other gentlemen ; but his demeanour in
the hotel did not accord so well with the refinement and amiableness of feeling
attributed to him in the reminiscences of Lord Radstock and the other writer.
Several females of respectability were insulted by him ;’ and it was necessary
His Excellency entertained the idea that, on meeting, it was the custom here for gentlemen to
One
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salute the fair sex.
moruing, when coming clown stairs, the youngest of them was encountered by the Amhassador.
Two ladieu on a visit from London resided in the same hotel with him.