Page:The castellated and domestic architecture of Scotland from the twelfth to the eighteenth century (1887) - Volume 2.djvu/565

 MAGDALENS HOUSE 549 FOURTH PERIOD undoubtedly in the western wall. Fig. 970 shows how simple,, and yet how natural and pleasing, the design of the exterior is. The three dormer windows to the south contain in the west window the arms of Sir John Hamilton, Lord Magdalens, and his initials I. H.; in the east window, the arms and initials of his wife, Katherine Sympson ; and in the centre window their united monogram, and the date 1628. The pediment of the latter is shown in the restored dormer to the left of the staircase turret in Figs. 968 and 969- A slated roof is now substituted for the original tympanum over the latter dormer. These drawings also show the simple style of ornament then in use. The tympanum of the entrance doorway contains a shield bearing the Hamilton and Sympson arms, beneath which wreaths branching on either side bear the cinquefoil and crescent of the respective families, an heraldic fancy not uncommon at the time, and the initials I. H. and K. S., with the date 1628. The upper window in the turret has one of the Scriptural mottoes so much used at this period. There appears to have been gilding on the angel in the tympanum. FIG. 970. Magdalens House. Exterior from the South-East. The elevation of the house would be much more effective at the time it was built, as the road which runs along the south side was then about 2 feet lower. This also explains the present lowness of the archway from the said road into the courtyard. This charming example of Scottish Renaissance work is situated close to Prestonpans Station, and in a garden which, together with the house, belongs to J. F. Hislop, Esq., and adjoining Preston Tower, the family seat of the Hamiltons of Fingalton and Ross, afterwards of Preston. The mansion was built by Sir John Hamilton, a Senator of the College