Page:A Companion and Useful Guide to the Beauties of Scotland.djvu/137

Rh Abbey: its first appearance, at present, is not amiss. The tower of Duke Hamilton's apartment, that of Lord Adam Gordon's, and the gateway under the Holy Cross, to the quadrangle; with a grass plat in front, contribute to make it look somewhat palace-like; but twelve years back, I remember it resembling a state-prison. It formerly bore the name of the Monastery of Cœnobium; of Sanctæ Crucis; and the Abbey of Holyroodhouse. The chapel of the Abbey was erected by David the First, in the year 1128, in memory (as it is said) of his miraculous deliverance from the horns of an enraged hart, by the interposition of Heaven in the form of a cross. It was converted into a palace by James the Fifth, in the year 1528, who built the north wing of the present front. The form in which it now stands was completed by Charles the Second, in 1664. Whoever erected the side of the square now standing, from Duke Hamilton's apartment to the chapel, must have been a barbarian, and a murderer of taste. Look at the west front of the ruined chapel, and you will be of my opinion. The grand door of entrance was certainly there, facing the beautiful large window to the east. The whole of the west side of the chapel, judging from what remains of