of Weir is chiefly remarkable from his being a man of some condition, (the son of a gentleman, and his mother a lady of family in Clydesdale,) which was rarely the case with those who were the victims of such accusations. Whether the crimes which he confessed were the diseased fancies of a mind labouring under temporary insanity, or whether he was in reality a man of atrociously depraved life, does not very clearly appear. After his condemnation, he doggedly refused to have recourse to prayer, "arguing, that as he had no hope whatever of escaping Satan, there was no need of incensing him by vain efforts at repentance." The modern improvements in this part of the city have now swept away all vestiges of the house, which, ever after the death of Weir, enjoyed the reputation of being haunted. So general was the horror entertained for the crimes of the man and the terrors of his abode, that no family was ever found hardy enough to occupy the house as a residence.

In the Grassmarket-situated, as we have already mentioned, at the foot of the Bow-a weekly market is held on Wednesday for grain, horses, cattle, and sheep. At its south-west corner it is entered by the WEST PORT, the scene of the appalling atrocities of the monster Burke. As the name of this wretched man has now become the current term to distinguish the crime for which he suffered, we need scarcely remind our readers that his victims were destroyed by strangling, and that his object was not to possess himself of their property, for they were all of a humble rank in life, but to convert their bodies into a source of gain by selling them to the anatomist.

Proceeding along the Bridge, Heriot's Hospital will be seen occupying a fine situation on the right. At the southern end of the Bridge, upon the right hand, is the entrance to THE GREYFRIARS' CHURCHYARD, in ancient times the garden belonging to the monastery of Greyfriars, which was situated in the Grassmarket. In this churchyard are interred George Buchanan, the accomplished Latin poet, and preceptor of James VI., Allan Ramsay, the Scottish poet, Principal Robertson, the historian, Dr. Black, the distin* SIR WALTER SCOTT'S Letters on Demonology and Witchcraft, p. 330.

guished chemist, Dr. Hugh Blair, Colin Maclaurin, Dr. M'Crie, the biographer of Knox, and other eminent men. The two Churches in the burying-ground, known by the name of Old Greyfriars, and New Greyfriars, were completely destroyed by fire in January 1845. Of the former, Principal Robertson was pastor for many years. Leaving the churchyard, and advancing a few yards up the Candlemaker Row, a broad road will be seen upon the right conducting to the CHARITY WORKHOUSE. The grounds around the house are laid out as a kitchen garden for the establishment, and the inmates are frequently employed in its cultivation. The house itself is a large building of the plainest description. The funds by which the institution is supported are derived from an assessment on house property, collections at the church-doors, and occasional donations and voluntary contributions from the citizens. The average number of inmates is about 750.*

After passing the Work-House the stranger will take the road to the right, and in a few minutes he will reach the gate of

HERIOT'S HOSPITAL.

This handsome edifice, one of the proudest ornaments of the city, owes its foundation to George Heriot, jeweller to James VI., whose name will probably be more familiar to the ear of strangers as the "jingling Geordie" of “The Fortunes of Nigel."+ The design, which is attributed to Inigo Jones, is in that mixed style which dates its origin from the reign of Elizabeth, examples of which are afforded by Drumlanrig Castle in Dumfries-shire, Northumberland House in the Strand, and many other edifices throughout the kingdom. Its form is quadrangular, the sides each measuring 162 feet, and enclosing a court of 92 feet square.

* Besides this institution, the parish of St. Cuthberts and the Canongate have each a house for the reception of paupers, with peculiar funds, and separate boards of management.

"For the wealth God has sent me, it shall not want inheritors while there are orphan lads in Auld Reekie."-Fortunes of Nigel, Chapter IV.

A brief outline of the benevolent founder's history is given in the Note to Chapter II. of the same work.