Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-12-01

scend stairs on the other. Their are double
tracks all the way. We made the fifty miles
in about one and half hours.
Edinburgh is a wonderful city. We took
carriages at the station, and started on our
way around the city to see the wonders. IL
rained half the time or more, as the fashion
is here. We got wet, and when we were
partly dried, we got another wetting, and so
on all day. After riding awhile through the
streets, we took what is called the Queens
Drive, a handsome circuitOus avenue, skirt
ed with trees and green fields, and views of
CRAIG MILLAR CASTLE,
a relic Of the ancient days The janitor was
absent, and whilst we were waiting for him
in the open air, there was a smart shower
At last we were admitted inside, and clam
bered up in and around the ruins, explored
the rooms which remain in shape to be ex-
plored, and viewed the extensive and diver
sified prospect from the top of the castle. 1t
is an old rough stone building, originally
larger than it is now, and the environs are in
closed by heavy stone wall, at the corners
of which are curious towers, once, probably
used for watch towers. Inside are rooms in
all sorts of rude shapes, many
Of them lighted only by narrow
apertures in the wall The dining hall
is large and high, and was the prin-
from story to story The woodwork is most
ly gone. 1t is almost incredible that this
rude rough structure, more like prison than
n dwelling should have been habtable in the
time of Mary Queen of Scots. Yet this Is
asserted to have been favorite country resi-
dence of hers, and they showed us the room
where she slept when here. Its history runs
far back of her reign, and no doubt it has
been the scene of many strange events, ana
perhaps crimes. 1t now only exists to CRAFTY
the curiosity of travellers and sight-seers 1t
stands in a beautiful rural district, in view OF
variegated and striking scenery.
Leaving this ruin, we re-entered the car
riages, and and rode along a fine, smooth
avenue on the slope of Salisbury Craig pas
sing the highest point called Arthur's Seat,
and i'm view of more or less of the city, till
we reached
HoLYRooD PALACE.
This was erected. in part. before the time of
Queen Mary, and is still kept in repair, and
in fact some of the rooms are used as royal
residence when Queen Victoria is in Edin-
burph. which is but seldom. Soldiers were
guarding the entrances, and had their sentry
boxes close at hand. The palace is a large
and handsome stone building, inclosing two
inner courts, one of which is called the
Queens chapel. There are halls, reception
rooms, picture galleries, &c. But the most
interesting rooms were Queen Mary's own.
Her bed still stands there, surrounded now by
iron ratings. We were shown the little closet
where she was about to sup with Rizzio. her
music master, when the ruffians, instigated
by Darnley, her husband, rushed in and mu-
dered him. They dragged his body into an
other room and left it there discoloration
of the floor, which is still visible. is supposed
to have been caused by his blood.
In vault of the palace is the
cemetery where many of the old
kings of Scotland lie buried. Across the
street is a fountain, ornamented with multi
tude of stone figures and faces, representing
persons distinguished in Scotch history and
literature, even including Queen Elizabeth of
England, and the Devil himself. We stood
some time in a light shower of rain, whilst
Scotchman explained the figures.
On the opposite corner, is a stone building,
a part of which was used in old times as a
debtors prison. 1t is still a sort of sanctu-
airy for unfortunate debtors. Any one in dan
ger of being arrested for debt, may fly to
this refuge, and is safe from arrest whilst he
remains in sanctuary. 1t has large limits
outside, and the debtor may walk around
Holyrood, and its grounds, and the vicinity,
but cannot cross q certain line in the street
leading into the city, except on the Sabbath,
without arrest. This is one of the old Gus
toms which have crystalized, and no change
Of times affects them in those old fashioned
countries.
Our next ride was to
JOHN KNox's HOUSE.
Whilst we were waiting to get in, our whole
party got another wetting, more abundant
than before. The house stands on High
street, and is an old fashioned three-story
stone building. The first floor is occupied by
shops. You ascend by stairs to the second
story. The rooms are plain and large.
corner of the house projects into the street,
and from a window looking up High street,
Knox used to preach to the multitude in the
street. Here the fearless old reformer lived
and died; but like Wicklif Luther and Wes-
ley, his teachings and his influence live after
him, and will never die.
This street leads uptO
EDINBURGH CASTLE,
an enormous structure, with massive stone
walls, standing on a rocky cliff in the midst
of the city. Its solid walls are impregnable,
if indeel any human erection is so. 1t is
preserved and guarded by the government.
The various parts of the castle cover
large area, with interior courts, crossing
which we got wet repeatedly. We trav-
ersed various passages, halls and rooms. and
ascended and descended huge stone staircases.
Officers and soldiers were everywhere about the
premises. In the room where the crown jew
els Of Scotland were kept surrounded by
strong iron railing, were several crowns bril-
liant with gold and precious stones of untold
cost, swords with scabbards of solid gold, &c.
We were shown Queen Mary's rooms, and the
closet scarcely large enough for bed, where
her son James was born, afterward King
James I. Of England and VI. of Scotland.
Out of the window of this room, he was.
when an infant, let down in some way, ]
should judge nearly 100 feet, into the street
below, to the Catholics. who took him away
and had him baptised in their own faith. The
Frotestants afterward captured him and had
him educated as Presbyterian. A fortress
like this castle is a curiosity to us moderns,
and furnishes some faint idea of the ancient
modes of fertilization and warfare.
Whilst in the castle grounds, we noticed
various old cannon, and amongst the rest
"Mons Meg" considered in its day monster
for his size and death dealing power. But
modern manufacturers have thrown this and
all old time cannon into the shade. From
these grounds fine views can he had of the