sent the first pair *; but this is now generally believed to be a mistake, the middle stone tablet, on which is the inscription, being discovered to have been inserted at a period long subsequent to that in which the figures are supposed to have been formed. These heads were formerly in the wall of a house on the north side of the street, over the door of a baker's shop. From whence they came before that period is not known. But the honest baker, whose reading in history extended not perhaps much farther than the Sacred Volume, and probably supposing them to be representations of Adam and Eve, might have added this inscription in allusion to his trade. The sculpture of these figures is uncommonly fine; and they are conjectured by antiquaries to be likenesses of the Roman emperor Severus, and his consort Julia, from their resemblance to the heads on the coins of that prince.

At the bottom of the lane called Blackfriars wynd, and at the south-east corner, stood the house of cardinal Beaton, a turreted remnant of which is still to be seen. There are, besides in Edinburgh, various remains of ancient Romish chapels and religious houses; but none of these réquire particular description.

Gen. iii. 19.-In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread.

There watching high the least alarms,
Thy rough rude fortress gleams afar;
Like some bold vet'ran, grey in arms,
And mark'd with many a seamy scar:
The pond'rous wall and massy bar,
Grim rising o'er the rugged rock;
Have oft withstood assailing war,
And oft repell'd the invaders shock.

BURNS.

THE Castle of Edinburgh is situated on the

western and rugged extremity of the central

hill on which the ancient part of the city is built.

As before observed, it is separated from the buildings of the city by a space of about 350 feet in length and 300 in breadth. The area of the rock on which the Castle stands measures about seven English acres. It is elevated 294 feet above the level of the sea, and is accessible only on the eastern side, all the others being nearly perpendicular.

At the western termination of the Castle-hill is the outer barrier of the Castle, formed of strong pallisadoes. Beyond this is a dry ditch, with a draw-bridge and gate, which is defended on the flanks by two small batteries. A half-moon, mounted with twelve, eighteen, and twenty-four pounders, commands the whole. Within the gate is a guard-room, and a reservoir lately erected to supply the garrison with water. Beyond these, on a road winding upwards, towards the north, are two gateways, the first of which is very strong, and has two portcullises. A little from the gateway, to the right, is a battery, mounted with brass guns, near which there are store-houses for gun-carriages, and other implements of artillery. On the north is a grand store-room and arsenal, which, together with the other magazines in the fort, are capable of containing upwards of 30,000 stand of arms. In addition to these there are several other batteries at

different parts of the circumference of the rampart or wall by which the brow of the rock is encircled. But the fortifications of the Castle correspond with none of the rules of art, being built according to the irregular form of the precipice on which they stand.

The highest part of the Castle, which is towards the south-east, consists of a number of houses in the form of a square, affording a parade for mustering and exercising the soldiers. These houses are chiefly laid out in barracks for the accommodation of the officers. The buildings on the east side of the square were formerly used as the royal apartments. These apartments are of considerable antiquity; and, from the date 1556 appearing in the front wall, seem to have been either built or repaired at that period. In a small room on the ground floor in the south-east corner of the edifice was Mary queen of Scots delivered, June 19, 1566, of her only son James VI, afterwards James I. of England, a prince whose birth was fortunate for the whole island, as in his person the crowns of two nations, who had opposed each other from the earliest ages, were at last united. In another apartment in this quarter are said to be deposited the Scottish regalia. These, consisting of the crown, the sceptre, and "and the sword of state, were placed here on the

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26th of March 1707. Whether they now exist in this place is uncertain, as they have never been seen by any person since that period. few years ago, several gentlemen visited the apartment with a design to inspect the regalia, but for some reason or other stopped short in their research. From these circumstances it is conjectured that they may have been removed to London, although by the instrument and protest made at the lodging of them in this place, they could not be removed from Scotland, nor even to any other part of that kingdom, without previous intimation being made to the earl Marischal. The parliament house was formerly included in the great square on the top of the Castle; and the royal gardens were situated in the marsh afterwards called the North Loch. The king's 'stables were on the south side, where the houses still retain the name, and the place to the southwest, where the barns were established, is known by the name of the Castle-barns.

The Castle of Edinburgh being a place of little strength, is principally used as a station for soldiers. But the old barracks not being sufficient to accommodate the number thought necessary to be stationed in this part of the kingdom, a large range of new barracks was begun to be built on the south-west side in 1796, sufficient to

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