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 PREFACE.

When this work was begun some years ago, the intention of the author was simply to give an account of the rise and progress of the Burgh of Portobello; but as his researches proceeded he realized that without a description of the Parish in which it is situated the narrative would be incomplete and fragmentary.

Until s comparatively recent period the site upon which the town is built formed a small and slmost worthless part of the parish. But its rise and rapid growth have been alike remark- able, and have given it an individuality apart from its surroundings.

On the other hand the Parish of Duddingston, with its several ancient villages, presents us with many features of general in- terest surpassed by few parishes in Scotland; its proximity to Edinburgh naturally involving its annals in many incidents con- nected with the general history of the country.

No attempt had hitherto been made to gather the scattered facts of its public life or social economy into a connected histori- cal narrative, and the author has consequently had to resort largely to original sources for his information. In his researches he has been helped and encouraged by many Kind friends too numerous to name individually, but whose services are none the less gratefully appreciated. The Burgh Records of Portobello, the Records of Duddingston Kirk Session, and the Minutes of St John’s Lodge of Free Masons, Portobello, have been drawn upon largely for reliable facts, and to the custodiers of these and other Public Records his thanks are due for the facilities afforded him. Especially would he mention the kind assistance : given by Dr Thomas Dickson, late of the Register House, and by the Librarians of the Edinburgh University Library, the Advocates’ Library, the Signet Library, and the Public Library