Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1876-10-28
NOTES BY THE WAY.
Correspondence of the Washington Standard.
EpINBURGI, SCOTLAND.

conllninulnS anu picturesque. Inc
rock on which the fortress is built rises
to Il height of nearly 400 feet above the
level of the sea, and its battlements
towering above the city may be seen in
some directions for 40 or so miles. The
rock is precipitous on all sides but the
east; here it is connected with the town
by an open space called
THE CASTLE EsPLANADE.
This was at one time favorite prom
enade, and also at certain period the
scene of public executions. Some of
the early reformers were here burned
at the stake. Nearly the whole interest
centres in the old part of the Castle
Palace, built by Queen Mary in the lat
ter part of the sixteenth century. En-
tering from the large central court, a
projecting stair leads at once to the
Grown Room This is small, vaulted
apartment containing the insignia of
the long line of Scottish monarchs,
from the time of Robt. Bruce, consist
ing of crown and sceptre, sword and
sheath and Treasurer's rod of Office.
These were in use prior to the union,
and therefore are distinct emblems OF
Scotland's unconquered independence.
The crown is very elegantly formed,
the under part being a golden diadem,
consisting of two circles, chased and
adorned with precious stones and
pearls, with two circular arches of gold
crossing and intersecting each other
above the circles and surmounted by
globe over which rises q cross adorned
with diamonds. The flare is Of crimson
velvet turned up with ermine and
adorned with pearls. The sceptre is q
slender rod of silver, 80 inches in
length, chased and varied in form. It
terminates with three small figures rep
resenting the Virgin Mary, St. An
drew and St. James, over whose heads
rises a crystal globe. The sword Of
state is very elegant, and was pres
ent from Pope Julius II. to James ~.
of Scotland.
In the same pile of buildings, but
entered by different door, are shown
the rooms occupied by Queen Mary
when at the Castle. Here James vi.
was born in 1866. Leaving this and
going further round to the north we
came to
i ST. MARGARET's CHAPEL,
a small building 1G feet by 10 within
the nave, and said to have been found
ed by Queen Margaret in the latter
part Of the eleventh century. It is
still in very good state of preservation.
Just beside the chapel is an ancient
piece of ordinance called
MONS MEG.
It is composed of long bars of beat
iron, hoped together by close series
of rings measuring 20 inches in the
bore and said to have been made in
France in 1476. It was used at the
seige of Norham Castle, in 1914. And
was rent while firing q salute in honor
of the Duke of York's visit, in 1852.
From the Castle Esplanade looking
south, a very pleasant view is had of
HAR1oT's HOSPITAL,
an old and respected institution founded
and endowed by George Heriot, in the
reign of James vi. It has for it's OBJ
ject the board, clothing and education
Of boys, of whom very near 200 are at
present enjoying it's benefits.
The Donaldson hospital very similar
in its appointments, accommodates
about 800.
Endowed institutions for the main
tenance and education of children, is a
characteristic feature Of Edinburgh,
and there is a growing aversion to all
monastic institutions of this character,
which has resulted in the conversion
of many Of their hospitals into more
comprehensive system of day schools.
Of this class of schools is George Wat
sons College School attended by l, 100
pupils, while the school for young la
dies has roll of POO.
THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH.
This is a massive structure of heavy
Grecian style of architecture and en-
closing large central court. It has a
faculty numbering 40 and in all de-
partments about 1 500 students. A very
short distance south of this stands the
ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS,
a noble Greek edifce, chiefly of interest
to medical men, and only to the
public on account of the excellent
museum it contains.
THE MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND ART
This is a gigantic public establish
ment built and maintained by the
Government. It's collection of objects
is varied and extensive and kept in the
finest order.
THE NEW ROYAL INFIRMARY,
which is now in process of construction
for the care and treatment of the sick
in all it's details, is one of the most