Page:The castellated and domestic architecture of Scotland from the twelfth to the eighteenth century (1887) - Volume 2.djvu/527

 CARDARROCH - 511 - FOURTH PERIOD the south-west angle turret bears the never-failing sun-dial. The south- most dormer in the sketch contains a shield, with the date 1615, and the initials I. B. and M. B. The former are those of John Byres, an Edinburgh merchant of eminence, by whom the house was built as a country residence. It is not clear for whom the initials M. B. stand. They would in this position naturally represent the proprietor's wife, but the monument in the Grey- friars' Churchyard to the memory of " John Byres of Coites/' mentions that it was erected " by his wife A. S. and children." Sir John died in 1629, after having filled for six years the office of Treasurer of the City, for two years that of City and Suburban Bailie, six years Dean of Guild, and two years Lord Provost. Amongst other changes which this old mansion has undergone, a north wing has been added to it, in which many of the quaintly carved stones with curious inscriptions from the demolished houses of the Old Town of Edinburgh have been introduced and preserved. It is said that amongst other stones here inserted was the lintel from the town house of the worthy merchant, situated in Byres' Close (doubtless named after him), and which was demolished about fifty years ago (see Wilson's Memorials of Edinburgh, and Cassell's Old and New Edinburgh). The lintel is stated to have contained the initials of Sir John and his wife, with the motto, ' ' Blessit be God in all his gifts," but no trace of it is now to be found. Carved stones from "the French Ambassador's Chapel " and other buildings taken down when the " South Bridge " over the Cowgate was erected, have also been preserved, either in the building or in the grounds of Coates House. CARDARROCH, LANARKSHIRE. This small house is situated about two miles from Lenzie Junction, and about six miles from Glasgow. It may be regarded as a connecting link between the old Scottish style of house and the modern. It will be seen from the plan (Fig. 937) that the building is of two dates, 1625 and 1718. The porch, staircase, and lobby are also indications of the changes gradually occurring in the internal arrangements. The porch is quite a novel and unusual feature. The house is two stories high. The staircase goes up to the first floor, and above this, reached by steep steps, is an attic over the stair. This arrangement is a frequent practice in Scottish houses, as we have already had numerous occasions to point out. The dormer window of this attic is seen in the view. At the later date, which occurs 011 the lintel of the upper floor window, the house was extended. There are some panelled rooms in the house, and some of the doors have long malleable iron hinges, not without