The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1886-07-03
THE CITY OF EDINBURGH.

The city of Edinburgh is certainly the
most beautiful and picturesque city in
the United Kingdom, and one of the
most picturesque in the world. Sir
David Wilkie, after long European
tour, declared that he could find in this
one city the beauties dispersed over the
Continent; it had bits as good as Prague
and Salzburg; it had the romantic sites
of Orvieto, and a magnificent sea view.
The appellation of the " Modern Athens"
originally applied to it for it's literary
fame, is not inappropriate otherwise, for
the city grows around veritable Acrop-
stone rock, eleven acres in area, towers
to the height of two hundred feet above
the surrounding country. On all sides
but one the rock is precipitous, and on
the accessible side ridge communicates
with the town by steep incline. From
the open ground in front of the fortress
the entrance is by drawbridge, then
along the north side iof the rock, through
deep gateways and beneath heavy port
cullises. The Oldest of the buildings,
occupying the very summit of the rock,
is st. Margaret's Chapel, which is as old
at least as the reign of David /. Right
and left are batteries and guard- houses,
and one of the most hideous barracks
ever erected. AS it rises on its strong
arcades it is conspicuous object. The
only merit it possesses is that from it's
height magnificent views can be OBJ
tanned, even the pale blue cone of Ben.
Lomond being discernible Next in in
terest to ST. Margaret's Chapel is the old,
Palace, which forms two sides of
quadrangle, and occupies the summit of
the rock to the south. This portion.
which is adorned with two octagon
towers surmOunted with turrets and,
elaborate battlements, contains the apart
ments of Mary of Guise and of her
daughter Queen Mary, and the room,
where James was born. An octagonal
tower of considerable height gives access
to the "Crown Room" which holds the
Scottish regalia. This room, with it's
contents, had been closed at the time of
the Union, and the "honors of Scot
land" as they are called, were hidden
from sight for upward of a century.
They consist of the crown, sword and
sceptre, the coronation ring of ruby
studded with diamonds, the sword of
State, presented by Pope Julius Ii to.
James Nv, and the jewels OF the last
Scottish princes-Henry, Cardinal York.
To the south of st. Margaret's Chapel is
the old gun called Mons Meg, which is.
remarkable for it's construction, as it is.
made from iron bars hocped together.
For long time Meg was regarded as
kind of talisman. and the public accounts
OF about four centuries ago have entries
OF payments for ribbons for Meg, and
pipes to play before her. Meg seems to
have been spoiled by too much attention,
as she always proved anmanageabls. But
the details of the Castle and the euriosi-
ties thereof, are they not writtea in the
guide-books? Like many other pict-
uresque objects, the Castle of King Ed
win looks best at a distance. From
every side it is grand, stately, imposing;
"one of the most satisfactory crags in
nature" Mr.. r. l.. Stevenson calls it
a Bass Rock upor dry land, rooted in
garden, shaken by passing trains, carry
ing crown of battlements and turrets,
and describing its war like shadow over
the brightest street of the New Town"
This bright street is Princes street,
lined with hotels and public offices, and
looking on the West Princes Street Gar
den.