Edinburgh Cross was an ancient structure of an octagonal form. It was composed of Gothic and Grecian architecture, and measured sixteen feet diameter, and fifteen in height, exclusive of a column which rose from the middle. This cross is conjectured to have been built about the latter end of the reign of queen Elizabeth. A small Ionic pillar ornamented each corner from the base, on the top of which projected a kind pf circular bastions, with modern arches between

them. The city arms were placed over the top of the arch which faced the east; and over the other there were as many heads, cut in the form of medallions, as was the town arms; but the heads appeared to be of much older workmanship than any other part of the fabric. It cannot now be discovered whom these heads were de signed to represent; but the Gothic barbarity with which they were executed bears the appearance of the lower empire. The entry to the building was by a door facing the east, from which a stair led up to the platform on the top. From the centre of the platform rose a column of a single stone, twenty-one feet high, and eighteen inches diameter, curiously spangled with thistles, and ornamented on the top with a Corinthian capital; above this there was a unicorn, very well executed in stone.

This building was pulled down in the year 1756, on account of its incommoding the street. The middle pillar is still preserved in the pleasure grounds at Drum, four miles east from Edinburgh, on the road leading to Dalkeith; and four of the heads are in the tower built by the late Mr. Walter Ross, at Deanhaugh, Stockbridge. One of them has a casque; another is crowned with a wreath resembling a turban; the third has its hair turned upwards, with the ends

standing out like points from the back part, and has over the shoulder a twisted staff, as if intendfor a sceptre. The fourth resembles the head of a woman, with folds of linen artlessly wrapt round it.

At this cross formerly all public proclamations were issued, and rejoicings held. It was the place where titled criminals suffered the punishment due to their crimes, Here also merchants and others met on the market-days to transact their business and, though a more commodious place has been since erected by the magistrates of the city for this purpose, (the Exchange), yet, either through the force of habit or attachment to the place, the merchants still continue to meet on the radiated pavement which marks the site of the ancient Cross.

In the suburb of the Canongate there formerly stood two crosses, both of which have been long since removed. One of these, however, consisting of a small column on a base of a few circular steps, is erected against the wall of the Canongate Town-house, and serves the purpose of a pillory for that district. ́.

Among the antiquities of Edinburgh may be mentioned the house of the great Scottish reformer John Knox. It stands on the north side of the foot of the High Street, and, projecting

to the street, reduces it nearly one half of its width. On the front to the west is a figure in alto relievo, pointing up with its finger to a radiated stone, on which is sculptured the name of the Divinity in three different languages:

ΘΕΟΣ

DEUS

GOD

Whether the figure is meant to represent the reformer himself, or not, is not known; but whoever it is, he seems to have been hardly used, part of the stone on which it is executed, being broken off either by accident or design, The edifice itself is one of the oldest stone houses in Edinburrgh. As in the course of the improvements of the city this building will in a few years perhaps be removed, it is to be wished that the sculptured stones could be preserved, in memory of a man, who, whatever were his faults, by his bold eloquence, and undaunted conduct, pulled down the fabric of a superstition which had shackled the mind for ages.

Immediately opposite to the house of the Reformer, on the south side of the street, and in the front wall of a house, are two heads in alto relie vo, supposed by antiquaries to be of Roman sculpture. Between the heads, on a square tablet, is engraven the following inscription:

In · Ludore

bult9 tui.be

ceris . pane

nuo. 63

"In sudore vultus tui vesceris pane.

AnnoFrom this inscription many have been led to suppose, that these figures were intended to repre