New-York tribune., 1907-08-04
LADY STAIRS HOUSE.
Historic Building Presented to Edinburgh
by Lord Rosebery.

Edinburgh July 19-ThrouEh Lord Rosebery's
gift the city of Lady Stairs house the Scottish
metropolis has added another venerable relic TO
the historic treasures which it reverently pre-
serves. The building is intended by Lord Rosebery
TO be used extension to the Edinburgh Mu-
nIclpaI Museum. It stands apart from the main
ways the old town in the centre OF n stony
court reached by narrow closes. Lord Rosebery
acquired 1t about 1897 when destruction threatened
il. intending to make ii his town house. He had 1t
carefully restored and made habitabie but never
lived In it.
In its history the old house shows two connec-
tiou$ with the Primrose family. 1t built by
Sir William Gray. of Pittendrum. whose are
still the door. with the inscription the
Intel. "Feare the Lord and depart from evil
Sir Archibald Primrose. the first baronct, married
Agnes. the daughter of the founder. and the grand
of this union became the first vscoCnt. and
married Eleanor the daughter Of the second Earl
of L"udOun- This woman afterward married Lord
stair. and in her second widowhood ruled Edn-
burEh society from this house The story that the
house belonged 20 ancestor OF Lord Rosehery
is untrue, tho nrst Lord Primrose belonging to an
other branch Of the family. This Lord Primrose
seems TO nave been Wild and worthless person
His wife. seeing him enter her room one day with
q drawn sword says The Manchester Guardian"
escaped out of the window and never returned 10
him. The Incident, which gave Scott his idea for
Aunt MarEur"ts Mirror occurred this
Along with a companion she went in disguise Il
fortune teller. who showed her in magic mirror
marriage III u church. at " hch her husband was
bridegroom According 10 tradition she
rived 1t the church just IN time to stop the we'd
d4hEi but according t. Chambers she only discov-
cred that her husband unmarried was
cuuriIns another woman. and ruined his
plans.
Alter his death the widow, who refused place
any more Itlth IN man. free from strange
happenings She refused Lord Stair despite his
military and social attractions. but nobleman
by gaining admission to her apartments at night
and appearing cn dcshabiiIc at Il window, SO COM
promised the lady'S reputation that her scrupes
gave way, and they are said To have lived very
happily together especially Lord Stair I'm his
cups Lad wounded his wife and thenccforth gave
up the bottle. Lady Star the first person OF
quality in Edinburgh to have 4 black servant
Until the end OF the century the house remained
in the hands OF gentiefolk but after exodus to
the new town It shared the fate OF all the High
street mansions and became i nest for scores of
poor families and latterly printing house. Its
beautiful gardens We're built and parasite
buildings had grown round its walls Lord Rose
berry had these cleared away and the hous. re-
stored. and when the United Free Church by the
decision OF the House OF Lords were made home
less he offered ii to the church as u temporary
headquartcrs''
The most curious feature Of the exterior OF tho
old house IS tho octagOnal stair angle tower The
restOrers refronted two of the sides but the illus
tratIOn. which is reproduction Bruce j. Holm =
drawing in odd Houses in Edinburgh shows the
rough stonework OF which II built.