The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-01-15
OLD EDINBURGH.
The Revolutionary Modern Spirit
Threatens IN Historic Relics.

London News.
The Town Council have in contem-
plation schemes involving the removal
of almost every vestige of the sixteenth
and seventeenth centuries" in part of
Edinburgh, and, if Bailie Macpherson
has his will. they intend to substitute
terraces of mode working Glass
houses" So Mr.. Reid says in his New
Lights on Old Edinburgh" The sani-
tary refornler may rejoice. but the anti
quarry despalrS Old Edinburgh has still
many picturesque and disgusting quar-
ters. The sights partially atone for the
smells, n old coats of armor.. old tur-
rets, old names cannot be abandoned
without a sigh. However, it is the affair
of the Edinburgh people, who have a
right to decide whether they will pre-
serve a relic or destroy a Mr..
Reid has taken pains with his book. and
the huge mass of manuscript material
lately put in some order must, no doubt.
contain things of interest amid the
refuse heap. But the best of Mr.. Reds
anecdotes are not very novel. We have
heard a good deal about Miss Nicky
Murray, the assembly rooms. Lord
Braxfield, Lady Eglintoun and the rest
of them before to-day! The clever fell
low who would be none the waur o
a hanging" is an old friend. Robert
collected most of what was
worth remembering. Miss Warrander.
Or. Wilson, Miss Dunlop, Mrs. Oliphant.
Mr.. James Grant and others have
CLEANED in hisTtrack. The large histori-
oil SCeneS 1lGar the GduSeWay,' the
affairs of Queen Mary. the row over
the Liturgy, the signing of the Cove
nant, the PorteouS riot, the proclaim
ing OF King James at Edinburgh Cross
without the $4,000 foot and horse de-
sired by the songster. the clipping OF
the royal bed curtains at Hoiyrood by
a lady more fond of relics than careful
of her reputation. the insult by Paul
Jones, the house of Major Weir, the
high jinks Of the lawyers. the arrival
OF Burns. the anner and customs OF
David Hume and the literati. the revels
OF Christopher North-all these are IA
miiiar TO everybody. his tourist in
Edinburgh perhaps confines himself to
Holyrood. the castle and Princes street.
The foolish young fellow who deceived
the intelligent American had an easy
Meg" at the castle he pointed out
Arthur's seat. There it is. The name
is derived from Mons. a mountain, and
mesass big" Probably few explorers
peers dwelt of old and the taverns where
Jacobites powdered their hair before
falling to take the castle. .Singing
Jimmy Balfour' interests them not. nor
do they love n Cowgate because il is
the seat of one OF Burnsfs least ro-
mantle love affairs. But the i~nfrequent
antiquary loves to prowl about. peopling
the closes with ladies in powder. Hum
phrey Clinker on his travels, judges
wits. ~smugglers, poets and all the
masquerade OF many insaniiary CEN
turtles. Here Enie Deans lay hidden:
here Catriona peeped from the easement
at David Balfour: in this house Waiver
ley .majored before the hooking glass
wearing trsws and tartans: down this
wynd un fact as In fictipnl James Mohr
Mceiregor was led to see Preston Grange
nonny daughters, Alan RamSay's Cod
desses Three. Not being In the secrets
OF the Town Council and Bailie Mac
81 ! w. cannot say how lmrcn VIII