often displayed on open stalls in the middle of the street; and it thus assumes the appearance of an English fair. This part of Edinburgh was formerly called the Landmarket, but is now corruptly termed the Lawn-market. The principal object in the View is Saint Giles's Church, at one time a cathedral, the lower portion of which, was formerly obscured by the Lucken-booths, a range of sheds. Various alterations and improvements, in the architectural features of this building, have been recently determined upon. It is not ascertained when, or by whom, this church was founded: certainly not by its legendary patron, St. Giles. From a taxation of the Deanery of Linlithgow, in the reign of David the First, it appears that the "Eccles. Sci Egidii de Edin." was then valued at twenty-six marks, yearly. It is again mentioned in 1359, when certain lands were granted by David the Second, to a priest officiating at the altar of Saint Catharine, in this church : in 1387, a contract, still extant, was made between the magistrates of Edinburgh and certain stone-masons, who agreed "to make and voute fyve Chapells on the south syde of the Paryce Kyrke, fra the west Gavyl lyand and rynan doun Est, on to the grete Pyler of the Stepyl voutyt on the same Maner by the Masounys as the vout abovye Sanct Stevinys Auter standand on the north syde of the Parys Auter of the Abbay of the Haly-rude Houss." Seven years afterwards, the south aisles were added. In the reign of James the Second, a Mr. Preston, of Gourton, bequeathed to the Church, an arm of its patron saint: in return for which, the civic authorities, in 1454, granted to his heirs the privilege of carrying it in all public processions; a privilege which they enjoyed until the Reformation. In 1462, the choir is stated to have been rebuilt ; and in 1466, the edifice was converted into a Collegiate Church, the ministers and officers of which, chiefly derived their emoluments from the numerous chaplainries and altarages with which it was endowed. After the Reformation, its revenues, ornaments, and relics, were appropriated to the common use of the inhabitants; it was divided into distinct places of worship, and Presbyterian ministers were appointed to officiate in each. Here the celebrated John Knox displayed his fanatical eloquence; here James the Sixth of Scotland delivered his farewell speech, to his subjects; and within these walls were held the numerous convocations, by which Presbyterianism was finally established in Scotland. The Church consists of a nave and ailes, a choir, transept, and central tower, surmounted by clustered pinnacles, and flying ribs resembling an imperial crown. The interior is divided into four several churches, the names of which have been already enumerated. In the back ground is displayed the tower of the Tron Church, as repaired after the late fire; and to the right of the View is seen a portion of the County-Hall, and some of the lofty buildings on one side of the Lawn-Market. GEORGE STREET, ST. ANDREW'S CHURCH, AND LORD MELVILLE'S MONUMENT. This street forms the principal longitudinal line of communication in the original New Town, which it divides into two nearly equal parts, and is itself intersected, at regular intervals, by Hanover-street, Frederick-street, and Castle-street. It is terminated to the east by Saint Andrew's Square, and to the west by Charlotte Square. The public buildings which it contains are, Saint Andrew's Church, on the north side; the Physician's Hall, nearly opposite, on the south; and the Assembly Rooms, on the same side, more to the west. For regularity and uniformity of design, this street is not surpassed by any other in the northern Metropolis; "but although otherwise handsome, it is rendered comparatively mean by its extreme breadth of roadway, extending between two rows of low houses, with broad slated roofs, unbroken and undignified by occasional projections or elevations."* In a recent work, called "Modern Athens," George street is described as "the most gloomy and melancholy that can well be imagined." It is, however, proposed to diversify its appearance, by the erection of statues at the points where it is crossed by Hanover and Frederick streets, and also in Charlotte Square. The principal object represented in the accompanying Print is Saint Andrew's Church, known by its fine tapering spire, and a bold portico, supported by Corinthian columns. In the distance is displayed part of Saint Andrew's Square; in the centre of which, forming a pleasing termination to the street, is the column raised to commemorate the late Lord Melville; whilst in the back ground is seen the "Royal Bank of Scotland." WATERLOO PLACE, THE NATIONAL, AND NELSON'S MONUMENTS. There is no portion of the New Town of Edinburgh more worthy of graphic illustration than that represented in the annexed Engraving. Public buildings, private houses, and national memorials, of varied design and styles of architecture, are here placed in juxtaposition, and altogether form a scene at once imposing and interesting. Nelson's Monument, a lofty castellated tower, in the New Town, as the castle in the Old, is one of the most prominent features; and in this view forms a pleasing termination to the street, although the proximity of the neighbouring building, called the National Monument, certainly detracts from its character and consequence. They are like two pictures in one frame, of different compositions, different subjects, and different effects: and apparently challenging rival admiration. From the eastern end of Waterloo-place a flight of broad steps * Provincial Antiquities of Scotland, v. i. p. 76. |