The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1869-07-30

Among these arc many curious IN ]
struments of torture, for the inven-
ton of which the people Of this
country, in past ages, seem to have
been famous. One which especially
deserves notice, and which strikes
the American tourist as being very
peculiar, Is an instrument of Scot
fish invention, called the BrGnfs- |
1t is made of very thick strap-II0b
passing around, over and BEHIND the |
head, with an iron plate about TWO |
| inches long and one and halI lhcnes
wide entering the mouth and pressing
upon the tongue. The DESCRIPTION OF
| fbe instrument has, no doubt, already
SUGGESTED to the reader that Its use is
70 SION the mouth Of an inUeterdte
| scoLI The Thunderstorm is also there
10 remind the present age Of the tor
tures it has inflicted on the innocent
victims of past ages. There, also, In
mute silence, sits that horrid instru-
ment of Scottish cruelty, called the
Maiden, which was the twin sister
of the Guillotine, and which
wooed so many Of the best people of
Scotland into her embraces, only to
stain her garments with their blood,
as she severed the chord of life with
her sharpened edge, and sent their
heads tumbling into the pit at her
feet. In this museum is also seen the
pulpit of st. Giles Church, in Edin-
| burgh. from which the Rev. John
Knox preached. Also the Solemn
League and C0UeRdnt subscribed by
Archbishop Leighton, and one OF the
banners carried by the Covenanters
Il e ~ ho
upper room in this building contains
collection of casts of ancient seulp-
ture. In the adjoining building is the
Natural Gallery of Paintings, and
contains great variety of paintings
from some of the best artists, varying
in size from one to ten feet square,
and present a fine appearance.
Cation Hill is in the Eastern part of
the City of Edinburgh. Its sum
NIT is $50 feet above the level Of the
ocean. It commands an extensive
view over the city and ocean. Upon
this hill is the monument of Lord
Nelson, presenting a clumsy and I'M
4 slightly appearance. just before one
o'clock P. II. of each day large ball
rises slowly to the top Of this tower.
At precisely one o'clock, Greenwich
time, the ball falls from the top of
the tower at exactly the same time
that the time-gun is discharged from
the battery on Castle Hill.
where the crown-room is located.
| Upon Cation Hill is also seen the
. commencement of a national nonu.
Il ment, intended to be erected to COM
memorate the heroes who fell at the
battle of Waterloo. The portico, con-
sisting of twelve columns, is all that
has been completed up to this time.
The further progress of the work has
been suspended for the want of funds
to complete it. The plan of the build
3 ing was modelled after the Parthenon,
which stands on the Acropolis at
Athens. Cation Hill is said to bear
striking resemblance to the
. Acropolis.a The Monument of
James Playfair, an eminent mathe-
matician; the monument of Dugald
Stewart, who was once a Professor of
Moral Philosophy In the University
of Edinburgh; the Royal Observa-
tory, the monument of Robert Burns,
the High-School and the Prison, all
stand upon this hill. Edinburgh
Castle is built on the top of Castle
Hill, which Is a PERCEPTIONS rock
several hundred feet high, in the south
side Of the city. This castle has &C.
commedations for 1900 soldiers and
10000 stand of arms Fronting the
North East on this hill is the Half
Neon Battery, mounted with heavy
guns. This castle was once the resi-
denee of the royal family. 1t con-
tains the CroWn-Rcom, In which we
may now see the insignia of Scottish
Royalty, consisting Of the last crown
of Scotland, a Sceptre andla Sword of
State. Also the Lord Treasurer's
Rod of office. All these articles
were found locked up in a large
stout oak box in the Crown
ROOF = 1913, where they had re-
mai. Untouched since the year
| 1707. On the ground floor of the
ssrae building is situated the room of
Mary, Queen of Scots, where she
gave birth to James vi, who became
heir to the crown of beth Scotland
and England, and under whom the
two Kingdoms were united. Upon
this hill is situated the State Prison
| in which the Marquis and Earl of
Argyle and many other adherents of
the Stewards, were confined prior to
their execution.
Upon the Bomb Battery is q large
piece Of ancient artillery, called
Mons Meg" made at Mons, Bel
GUM, In 1867. 1t is made of
iron bars hoped together. It is
about twenty inches in diameter In
the bore. The carriage Of this large
old gun bears an inscription, showing
that it was used at Norhdne Castle in
1879. lit burst in 1862 while firing a
salute. 1t was removed to London In
1684, and restored to this castle in
1929: In going from Edinburgh
. Castle to Holyrood Palace, which is
: situated IN the southeastern part OF
! the city, we pass by st. Giles Church,
2 where Rev. John Knox preached
: in his time. This building has
j been so remodeled that little re.
? mains of the original structure ex.
: cept the spire, which remains IN.
j | touched, and presents those beautiful
= irregularities which are found in the
t finest specimens of Gothic architec.
ture.- This church is said to have
been erected prior to the year 1853
) We also visited the ancient residence
] of the great Reformer, Rev. Johr
Knox, consisting of three rooms-the
) sitting room, bed room and study. IL
this building there. remains nothing
! belonging to its ancient occupant, ex.
cept his old wooden chair, which i
, By no means an easy one. In thi;
house we saw one of those instru
ments described above as the Branks
{ also q Martyrs or Witches Girdle
Z This house was provided for Rev
: Knov in 1550 Over the door of the