The Republican journal., 1901-11-28

lnOurgn now, and Wn&C was our aston
ishment to learn from the only gentle
man with us that our carriage was next
the engine. We concluded that the in
tervening ones had been whirled away
into space in some mysterious manner,
and that our friends goodness
knew wherel We were consoled, how
ever, when the young man with the gun
informed us that they would arrive a
few minutes before us at a different
station. Our fears thus quieted we in
quired our way to the Windsor Hotel,
where we found the rest of the party
comfortably settled and apparently
not in the least disconnected by our
non-appearance. We accused them of
giving us the slip, and openly defied
them to lose us, even in the depths of
the Scottish wilds.
By the time we were ready for it the
seven o'clock dinner was announced,
and after that all-important meal some
of us started out for an evening walk
down the famous Princes Street; but
had not gone far when some drops of
rain warned us of an approaching
shower, and we were glad to return to
the hotel and retire to our comfortable
rooms after rather long but exceed
ingly interesting day. The next morn
ing was devoted to expeditions up and
down Princes Street and into vari-
Gus shops. At stationers' establish
ment we were specially delighted with
an enormous black cat, which was very
friendly and graciously allowed his
admirers to stroke him. After lunch,
at one o'clock, the carriage previously
ordered was at the door, and we soon
were bowling along through the resi-
dence part of the city. In and out and
around the streets we drove, when sud-
denly, and much to every body's sur
prise, we found ourselves just outside
the Castle gates, the Castle which had
seemed so very lofty few hours be-
fore when we looked up at it from our
hotel windows. Leaving the carriage
we were met by uniformed guide
who, judging from the brilliant hue of
his nose and his somewhat impeded &C
cents, would not have been a law-abid-
ing citizen of our State, at least. We
crossed the draw-bridge which was once
a trap for the unsuspecting, were shown
the famous 'Half Moon battery, and
many historic buildings now used for
barracks for part of the "Black
Watch" now stationed here. After
going through maze of small squares
and courts we emerged into a large
courtyard surrounded on all sides by
buildings, and after dismissing our
guide of the brilliant countenance, with
his fees. entered a narrow doorway and
after climbing flight of narrow stairs
saw the crown jewels of Scotland be-
fore us, and at one side the carved
chest in which they were once kept.
After examining at length the beauti-
full and historic gems we descended the
stairs and entered another narrow door
way, this time on our way to Queen
Mary's apartments. These were dark
and gloomy little rooms, far from invit-
ing, according to our modern standards,
at least. The inner room, where James
1. of England, vi. of Scotland, was
born was hardly more than a closet
We looked out of the window from
which the baby was lowered in bas-
ket, to be taken to Sterling Castle for
greater safety. From these cramped
quarters we went to the more spacious
banqueting hall, where many historic
personages have Toasted, and which is
now filled with armour and weapons of
all descriptions-spears, shields, gaunt-
lets, cutlasses, flintlock pistols, etc.
The next point of interest was an old
gun, made shortly before the discovery
of America, in much the same manner
as our modern cannon are constructed.
While we were examining this interest
ing object one of the party, CHANGING
to look down over the wall in front,
espied, on ledge few feet below us, a
dog cemetery. Here the soldiers of
many regiments had laid their four-leg-
ged friends to rest. The following in
scription impressed itself upon my
memory, as particularly Interesting
s'To Pat. the dog that followed the 72nd
in peace and war for ten
years." Many and varied were the
tributes paid the favorites of the garri-
son buried in such a historic spot. In
the rear of the old cannon was tiny
stone edifice called Queen Margaret's
Chapel and said to be the first and small
est chapel in Scotland. 1t was built for
the Queens private use. After enjoy
ing the many and beautiful views of
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