Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1871-09-15
CorYeSb0ndence.
LITTER FRO.u sCOTL.f.vD.
EprNpunan. SCOTLAND, Aug. 10. III.

row that it IL bridged. Everywhere spires
and towers seem TO point up, Gothic and
Egyptian styles mostly. And in the midst
of the old town, on a high, rocky elevation,
not less than 100 feet above the ravine,
stands the old Castle of Edinburgh, cover
ing large space, and whose walls and tow
ers running up still higher, gives a frown-
ing dignity to the general appearance of the
whole. Then just below the old palace, at
the north end of the city, begins to rise the
green, treelcss mountain called "Arthur's
Seat" $50 feet high. Then opposite, across
the ravne, is Gallon Hill, on top of which
stands the Nelson Monuments grand
structure, the boast of Edinburgh. Visitors
usually go up all these places to view the
city. We did so. "Arthur's Seat" il 80
called from its being the place where Prince
Arthur defeated the Saxons. 1t is so high
that we can see the highlands and the whole
country for miles on all sides; and as our
guide pointed out one noted place after an
other spoken Of in history, he wound up
trpthfully, by saying, every inch of
ground you can see is historical"
From Cation Hill We have another excel
lent view. But the most interesting point
is the old castle. This vast old Caedonian
fortress has stood the blasts of many hard
battle, and shared the vicissitudes of the
nation ever since it was built. And it has
been the residence of the early Scotch kings
from before Christ to the 10Th century, so
says history. 1t once was captured by Ran
dolph with thirty Of his followers, who
scaled the walls by rope ladder Robert
Bruce, Sir William Douglas, the "Black
Knight" Queen Mary and hosts of others
had their day here. Our guide took us into
the room where King James II, the only
son of Mary, Queen of Scots, was born, a
small room o by 8 feet, with one window,
out of which he was let down in a basket
$50 feet, to secure him from danger. Inthe
next room was on exhibition the ancient
Scotch regala, Grown jewels. They are
said to date back beyond any record. and
have figured in every period of Scotch his
tory. They have been secreted several
times, once for more than a hundred years,
and were found in chest quilt into the walls
of this castle. They were buried at one
time in Dumbarton, for many years, in a
church. The old crown, sword and sceptre
filled with Scotch pearls and diamonds,
look as if they had seen hard times. They
are said to be the Oldest of the kind IN the
world, which is probable.
"Mons Meg" an immense old cannon
which bears the figures of 1874, and is spok-
ell of in Scotch history, stands there an OBJ
ject of curiosity, looking out over those
high battlements as fearful monitor. The
Dahlgren gun used so much in our war was
copied from it. The armory, place for
10000 stand of arms, tie soldiers barracks,
the queer old statuary which ill the inches
of the walls, and the hideous sorts of ami
mails and all sorts of unearthly objects made
TO ornament the structure, are strange
enough. What the latter were intended to
represent no one can tell; they are fearful.
But it is interesting TO spend few hours
in these old castles, this one especially. 1t
,iskept up in good order, and filed with
soldiers dressed in Scottish costumes OF the
several clans.
Our guide next took us to the palace of
Holyrood, which he claimed to be the most
interesting building in historical point of
view in Scotland, and unexcelled in Eu-
rope. l think he may be correct, for we
were highly entertained for some hours
first in the picture gallery, which is filled
with royal portraits. This palace, which
was founded by King David I, about $780,
has been used by the royal family ever
since, while there was one in Scotland
and now is occupied as the apartments of
Queen Victoria when she is here. 1t is cs-
pecially sacred to Mary Stuart, Queen of
Scots. The pictures in this gallery most
interesting of all are Mary and her husband
Darnley, David !, Robert Bruce, James the
list, lid, WITH and With, Fitz James, The
Lady of the Lake, Duncan and Macbeth.
Leaving the gallery, we were next shown
Lord Darnley's rooms, from which leads a
private narrow staircase, up which Darn
ley sent the assassins to'murder David Riz-
zio, the Queens favorlte and private secre-
tary, OF whom Darnley was jealous, and for
which act he was blown up himself and
killed. One of these upper rooms was
Queen Mary's audience room, adjoining
which is the small supper room where Riz-
zo was stabbed while clinging to the skirts
of the queen. The next room is where they
dragged him out and left him over night.
The stain of blood on the floor is still to be
seen, with strong faith. Attached to the
palace are the ruins Of Hollywood Abbey;
roofiess, but beautiful in everything that is
left. 1t was here that Queen Mary was
MAJ ried to Dari1ey, and where he was bur
led. There are many old tombs in it, and
some of the royal family of Scotland. Not
far from the palace are the Queens baths,
and little further on, beyond "Arthur's
Scat" is the humble little cottage of jean
ME Dean, immortalzed by Scott in hi,
"Heart of Midlothian"
Our guide took us to the old house where
John Knox lived. 1t is said to be the same
as he left it. A little further along, on the
same street, and we come to the old grass
market, where we are shown the spot where
SO many were beheaded and burned Mt the
stake. We were also shown where Scott
was born. We next visited the museum,
the old houses of parliament, and library
of 100000 volumes with many old manu-
scripts, including those OF the immortal
Scott, the Bridewel prison, where Darnley
was killed in 1867, and many other places
of interest | cannot name. But | will say
that | do not think there is any other city
or place this side of old Rome so full of in
terest, and where one is paid so well for a
visit, as Edinburgh; and no one going
abroad should fail to come here.
One day we gave to a place five miles out
-Rosslyn. Here is an old castle and an
old chapel, the former a vast ruin, and the
latter, built in l4l6, is in good order, and
said to be of matchess beauty. l think it
is true, If carved stone can make it SO. |
wonder at the age and the talent which
could design and work out of stone such
beauty. We know nothing Of such talent
these days. The next day we took a trip
to Abbotsford, to see the baronial residence
a NT,ll. NNn1. A