Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1891-09-10

1t Is said that "a city set on a hill
cannot be hid" As the principal por-
ton of Edinburgh is on three hills it
can easily be seen. On Princess street
you come in contact with all the
: nobility and wealth OF all nations. 1t
is here that they delight to dwell, to do
their shopping (such rich display of
goods cannot be excelled.) But do not
forget that the most pronounced type
of the other page IF life is presented
in ten minutes walk from this grand
thoroughfare. Grassmarket and Cow
gate streets are one reeking
mass of depraved humanity. Such a
collection of drunken men and women
and destitute children hope to never
see again. Think of $50 families in
one house! l would not go through
those streets after night without ample
protection for the whole city. Now
while this condition exists beyond any
conception L must say that for grand
eur this city is a success. Its charm
ing old castles, palaces, statues, mon
uments etc. of ancient date are rare
sights. 1t is none the less interesting
from historical standpoint.
AS beheld from Gallon hill we can
see the site of the old town as it was
in its earliest days and in the golden
age of its kings and queens. The
houses present an ancient appearance,
they climb heavenward with outside
stairs and wooden paneling all
strangely peaked and gabled and over
the doors aud window caps may yet be
traced old armOr, with such dates as
1861 being quite common. On nearly
every street the long past confronts
you! The eyes of the old castle looks
down on you whenever you go. Stu
ated on a rock 45O feet above the level
of the sea and 800 above the valley
below, nothing obstructs the view.
My visit there was one of the
greatest treats of my life. You first
see a regiment of soldiers in Highland
costume and then the guide takes one
to the crown room where is deposited
the ensignia of Scottish royalty, a
crown, sceptre, sword of state etc.
Next in Queen Mary's room, about s
by feet, in which was born her illus
trious son, james 1, afterward king of
Great Britain. On every hand are
articles and sights which read of in
my boyhOod and are interesting in the
extreme.
Queen Msrgaret's chapel is another
sight. The chapel was built in 1850,
and is only 16 by 10 feet in size. Next
is Mons Meg, a famous piece of ord
nance, claimed to have been forged
in 1916. Our guide said it was burst
while firing salute in honor of the
Duke Of York in 1852. 1 was then
shown the ancient palace where long
line of Scotch kings and queens were
born. The sword of state here shown
was the one presented by Pope Julius
II to James " in 1907. After seeing
many other grand sights L next wendell
my way to the old parliament chamber,
which is a grand old building full Of
interest. 1 was then shown the grave
of John Knox which is indicated by a
brass plate in the public square.
The last parliament held here was
March 25, 1907. The room the old par
lament met in is 122 feet long and 40
feet wide and so feet high. 1t is now
the chamber fOr the supreme court of
Scotland. st. Giles church next at
tracted my attention. 1t was built in
the 9th century. Here in 1865 John
Knox prea ;hed famous sermon de-
HOuncing the marriage Of Mary with
Lord Darnley. stood in the same old
pulpit which was also the one where
James VI stood when bidding farewell
to his people before leaving for Eng
Aduus nCAS NAoASCO OidH THAI ,
church. opened in 1921. 1t was here
the great national covenant was signed.
The old church yard has many things
of great interest. Among them in the
west wall is pointed out all that is lett
of the original city wall, 1t is here
where many of Sir Walter Scott's an
cestors are buried, also Alexander
Henderson who was the founder of the
Westminster Catechism, also Martyrs
monument which marks the spot where
Is 900 of the covenanters are buried.
next went to John KNOCKS house,
one Of the oldest in the city and a
quaint old structure il is. could not
help but wonder if the great writer Of
the reformation would rest well in his
grave if he knew that his old parlor
was now a'pipe and cigar store.
Owing to the limited time was
compelled to pass the national museum
with but a passing glance at its won
derful exhibit Of everything, to go on
to Hollywood palace aid chapel. My
guide hardly gave me tins to make