Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 6.djvu/344

 208 NOTICES OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL PUBLICATIONS. antique inausious long occu2:)ied by courtiers, or characters of note in suburbs, to Leith, so intimately associated with the liistory of the ancient capital, its harbour and fortifications, — ^the vestiges of the important fortress there erected by Cromwell, and demolished at the Kestoration. 1 iat,ment of the Citadel, Leitu In Coupei btieet The ecclesiastical antiquities of Edinburgh form the subject of a very valuable chapter. Many portions of architectural detail of the Norman age exist in the churches in and around Edinburgh, and the prevalence of remains of that period in parish churches of Mid Lothian seems to prove that a very general impulse had been given to ecclesiastical architecture about the period of the foundation of Holyrood Abbey, in the twelfth century, The "restoration" of St. Giles's church, in recent times, has added another example to the lamentable tale of destruction by which so many of our most valuable monuments have perished. But we must take our leave of a work which presents no ordinary degree of attraction. There is a charm in the associations connected with every nook and purlieu of our ancient cities, in the traditions, the landmarks of great historical events, or the vestiges of progressive changes in manners and institutions, which is calculated to excite the interest and sympathy, not merely of antiquaries, but of every class of readers. The liistory of a capital city may, indeed, be taken as the outline of the annals of a nation, and in the striking vicissitudes which Edinburgh has undergone, com- bined with the innumerable picturesque scenes which its ancient closes and wynds present, Mr. Wilson has found a theme of veiy pleasing variety. He has succeeded most happily, both by his pen and pencil, in giving to this series of reminiscences of Edinburgh in the olden time a highly agreeable and in- AiiciL-nt I'adlock <liig up in t]ie Ciruyfri.irs tcrcsting character, dmixhy.-ini, 1841.