Page 78. "Hail to the Cenotaph of Scott!" Sir Walter Scott's Monument, Princes Street, Edinburgh. The most elegant and beautiful fabric, even in the "City of Palaces," or, I daresay, anywhere in Europe. Page 78. "And Kemp deplore." Alluding to its very talented, but unfortunate architect, who, a few years ago, was drowned in the Edinburgh and Glasgow Canal. Page 79. "O to survey Thy antique relics, one and all, A summer's day." Instead of a summer's day, we had but a few minutes to view that celebrated seat of departed royalty. It is well worth the attention of the antiquary, but by no means suited to the pocket of every one. The avaricious demands made on one's generosity are absolutely disgusting. Page 80. "Eternal credit on a Steel!" The name of the Sculptor. Page 80. "O Wilson, hallowed be thy name." The distinguished Professor Wilson, a man whose fame is in every mouth, both as a philosopher and poet. Page 81. "Frowning Crags by Nature piled, Alluding to Salisbury Crags and Arthur's Seat, which, by their romantic and magnificent appearance, are by all allowed to be the ornament and glory of Modern Athens. Page 82. "Next thy Necropolis all hail!” I well recollect, on this sequestered and engrossing eminence, occupied as the last resting-place by thousands, we spent about an hour and a-half. It was as delightful a day as ever dawned upon the world, and our walk through the city of the dead was a finished treat. The tombs, monuments, and statues of statesmen, warriors, philosophers, priests, and poets, were to me, I remember, a source of exquisite gratification; but I forbear description, feeling myself incompetent for the task. Page 84. "With all its sweet transporting views." The view from Paisley Cemetery, in my opinion, is fully as good as that from the top of Edinburgh Castle. It is so varied and extensive, as seldom to be equalled, at least in Scotland. The Cemetery itself is spread over a pretty high eminence, and was only in process of completion when we had the pleasure of visiting it. Page 85. "The friendly, gifted, generous Knox." Mr Knox, I have much pleasure in stating, was the first individual in Paisley with whom I became acquainted. I recollect the circumstance happened over a refreshment in an inn, previously to the railway train passing Paisley for Greenock. The gentleman alluded to above is well known in Paisley, both as an eminent artist and pattern designer. He was the kindest man, I solemnly aver, I ever met with in this world. The variety and extent of his generosity and kindness, from modesty, I forbear to reveal; but the memory of which shall ever be identified with all I love and revere in man. Even to have been with him an hour, would almost have tempted one to believe that he belonged not to our fallen species. Heaven reward him, for I owe him much, "far, far beyond what I can ever pay." Page 85. "I've stood above, with pensive thought, The remains of Highland Mary, as many know, are deposited in the West Churchyard of Greenock. Over the spot there is a monument to her memory, about eighteen or twenty feet high. About six feet from its base, there is a small ornamented cornice projecting. A little between this cornice and the base is inscribed "ERECTED OVER THE GRAVE OF HIGHLAND With the following couplet from "Mary in Heaven”— "My Mary, dear departed shade, Where is thy place of blissful rest ?" A little higher there is another similar cornice; and between these two cornices the figures of Burns and Highland Mary appear-she having a scarf over her shoulders; Burns a plaid. He is holding her by A the right hand, and with a book or Bible in the other. This scene is intended to commemorate the last time ever the lovers met, which was on the banks of the river Ayr, near the town of that name. few feet higher up the monument, is the figure of a woman, pretty large, resting over an urn, with her right hand supporting the right side of her head; the left arm, being bare to the shoulder, seems to be bent over the urn, catching it gently at the bottom with the fingers. The word "Mary" is seen on the urn. About a foot from the head of the figure there is a star carved on the stone, and within a few inches from the top of the monument. The whole is polished ashlar, except a few inches at the base. |