which the assent of Parliament has been lately given.

The arms of the town-guard are the same with those which are used by the king's forces; but in doing the duty of watchmen during the night, which they did until the present police act was passed, they were armed with a weapon called a Lochaber axe, an ancient Scottish offensive weapon, the use of which has in every other place been long discontinued.

In addition to the town-guard, the city had formerly a militia of its own, called the trained bands, which consisted of sixteen companies of 100 men each, with proper officers. They were in use to parade every year at the anniversary of his majesty's birth; but only the officers now remain, who are elected annually. Of these the provost had, and still bears, though the institution for any useful purpose is entirely dissolved, the title of colonel.

For the security of the city there is likewise a Society of Constables, sixty in number, who are annually elected from the most respectable of the merchants and tradesmen. This society is under the direction of the magistrates, and is governed by a moderator or president, treasurer and secre tary

The different suburbs of the town have also constables appointed, who are likewise under the jurisdiction of the magistrates.

The old system of police having been found insufficient for the city in its present extended state, an application was lately made to Parliament for a new police bill for the city. This bill was obtained in the last session of Parliament, and was begun to be acted upon, and a police court opened in Edinburgh, on the 15th of July 1805.

Court of Police. This court is under the superintendence of a person with the title of Judge of Police, and a clerk. Under him are six inspectors, for the different wards into which the city is divided. Every public outrage, every theft, robbery or depredation, every obstruction, nuisance, or breach of cleanliness, and every imposition or overcharge in articles under the cognizance of the police act, are deemed public offences, and are prosecuted by the inspectors of the wards. The examination of the offender and witnesses are in this court taken instanter, and viva voce; and the sentence pronounced is immediately executed. The Judge of Police is em powered to punish by fines and compensation for damages, by imprisonment in jail, or by commits ment to Bridewell.

THE

BANK OF SCOTLAND.

HE Bank of Scotland was erected by an act of parliament in 1695. By the statute of erection the company were empowered to raise a joint stock of 1,200,000l. Scots, or 100,000l.

Sterling. The affairs of the company are manag ed by a governor, deputy-governor, and twentyfour directors. The capital stock is divided into shares, of which the smallest is 1000l. Scots, and the largest 20,000l. In the election of officebearers, the qualifications requisite are, that the governor must be possessed of at least 8000l. in the stock of the company, the deputy-governor 6000l. and 3000l. for each of the directors. prietors who have a share of 1000l. of stock are entitled to vote in the election of managers; and those who have stock above that sum have a vote for every 1000l.

Pro

In the year 1774, this company obtained an act to enlarge their capital to 2,400,000l. Scots, or 200,000l. Sterling. By this act it was provided, that no one individual should possess in whole more than 40,000l. in stock, and the qualification for the offices of governor and directors was doubled. The stock of this bank is at present one million Sterling.

This company has of late erected an elegant banking office at the head of the entrance to the earthen mound. In digging the foundation for this edifice, the same obstacle came in the way which occasioned an obstruction in the building, and eventually occasioned the falling, of the North Bridge. After they had dug to a great

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depth, no proper foundation could be found for the building, it being all what is called travelled earth. The quantity of this earth removed was such, that some of the neighbouring buildings, by the removal of the mass which supported them, were rent in the walls, and the inhabitants oblig ed to remove. A solid foundation was at length found, and the building reared. The quan

tity, however, of stone and mortar which are bu ried below the present surface is immense, and perhaps as much of the building is below ground as that which is raised above it. The dead wall on the north part of the edifice, where the declivi ty is greatest, is covered by a handsome stone curtain, ornamented with a ballustrade. The south front is pretty elegant. A small dome rises from the centre; and in the front are four projections. A range of Corinthian pilasters decorate the second floor; and over the door, in the recess formed by the projections, is a Venetian window, ornamented with two columns of the Corinthian order. In the formation of these columns, exact proportion seems not to have been much regarded. The building, however, is in general well finished; and from its situation forms no inconsiderable addition to the architectural ornaments of Edinburgh.