The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1869-09-09
: $ortlgn CoftrsPonoents.
LETTER FROM EU ROPE.
4 Visit to Eltabwgh- Ho1yrood Palace and
A6bey-Edo.6urgh Castle Monuments
-A Novel Erltibition-PelJorm
ing Fieas, &c, Sc, SC,
LoNDoN, Aug. 9th. 1860.

j.
- EDITOR FREEMAN-m my last letter l
mentioned Edinburgh the next point of in
terest in my trip, and foHnd several days
could be spent there very pleasantly Two
hours ride by rail from Glasgow sets the
tourist down in.this city, tine ca pital of Scot
land, beautiful in point of lccation and sec
ond to no other city in historical interest
1t Is divided into two parts, the old town.
and new town, by deep raviue. most like
ly at one time unsigltly and uniuteres ting,
but now a beautiful garden with fountains
and flowers. The city has population of
about l70 600, and contains many fac
buildings, monuments, etc. The chief OBJ
jects of interest aIe HolyroUd House Cor Pal
ace,1 ami Edinburgh Castle. Tue former or
igirally built about 100, is fine old build
ing, though it must be confessed that 10 the
renewing of all these old buildings, so much
Of the modern is introGuced, that the awe
which age inspires is of;tmes wanting, The
palace is occupied by the royal family when
they visit Edinburgh. The points of Interest
within the building are the Picture Gallery
with numerous grim looking specimens of
royalty, done IN oil, also portraits of Mac
Ieth, Malcolm, Robt. Bruce etc Two in
terestlng chambers. Queen Mary's audierce
room and Queen Mary's chamber. are to be
Sect in the latter the old fashioned bed.
stead still standing as the unfortunate queen
left it, while her table, work box and work
itself are close at hand. Adjoining the pal.
ace is Holyrood Abbey, the walls standing
but no roof on, though the beauty of the
gothic entrance and windows is only partial
ly impaired. 1t is somewhat curious how
traveier on this side will recognize the pub
lie buildings he sees while travelling. from
illustrations Of them, seen probably in his
school history or geography when school
boy. Years ago saw Holyrood Abbey in
panorama, in the days when panorama as
were my delight, and my first view of the
building during my visit to it. must have
been from the same point at which the view
saw years ago was taken, for in a moment,
without guide, or guide book, could have
sworn it was the Abbey from my very rec
objections of the picture. Several old tombs
are noticeable in the pavement, though none
Of historical note that remember. My next
visit was to Edinburgh Castle. or the Castle
as it is called by the Scots. The Castle, an
extensive building. is situated upon 81 rocky
enlinence, overlooking the city and is ap-
preached by narrow and winding passage
way. The building itself possessed more in
terest for me than belongings, though what
is known as the Regalia room, where the re-
gala of Scotland is kept,i found interest
ing to many. Another object of interest
within the walls is a cannon of great size
and queer constructions, and of considera BILE
age, knotcn to have been used at the siege of
/ Norham in 1914, and not thought to have
been new then. IT may have been useful
then and probably did Effective service. but
in these days of improved engines of des-
truction. would not be of any account
Several fine monuments are among the sights
of the city, those of Nelson and Scott per
haps the finest, and the latter, beautiful
gothic structure, cOoer5iig a magnificent stat
ue of Scott Of colossal size. On Calton Hill,
quite an emineuce. thirteen fine white mar
bic pillars are visible from an parts of the
city. which after considerable inquiry
found was the National Monument and
upon further inquiry, learned that it was
sort of second edition of our Washington
monument, inasmuch as after an expendi-
ture of f13 900 in the erection of the thir.
teen pillars, the funds gave out and no more
being collected the structure remains uufiu
ished. Leaving Edinburgh, | returned to
Glasgow and from there came by Liverpool
to London. where am now writing To
describe London. would require that lrT-ite
a guide book I; describing the public build
ings / have visited on this and on other oc-
casions. would lead some to suppose that I
was copying a guide book TO give you sta
tistics Of the city's progress or figures in re-
latioE to its population would make very
dry reading So propose to give your read
ers description of one of the most curious
exhibitions | have ever seen, and one, the
existence of which l would have doubted,
but for the evidence of my own sight. Pass
ing down Regent street a few days ago, 1
saw a large window placard, ''ProflKitch@
ingman's Performing Fleas. on exhibition
daily and seeking thesentrance paid my
| shilling and soon gained the audience room,
when found several ladies' and children
| deeply interested in the performance of the
| representative of class of insects for
] which ladies seldom form any warm attach