ELGIN. CATHEDRAL. GORDON CASTLE. 153 



of a sacred edifice in the north of Scotland. The others are the Infirmary,* tile- 

 Episcopal Chapel, and a richly endowed institution for the support of old people, 

 and for the education of the poorer classes.* The streets, like those of some other 

 old episcopal towns, abound with picturesque and fantastic-looking houses, which, 

 besides every variety of shape, often display projecting wooden balconies and 

 piazzas, overhanging and partly encroaching on the public way. But the pride of 

 Elgin is its venerable Cathedral, long styled the " lantern of the North," similar 

 to that of Haddington, which was anciently designated the " lamp of Lothian." 

 Of this magnificent temple the two square towers alone are left standing, each 

 eighty-four feet in height, but which were formerly terminated by lofty spires. 

 The large intermediate door-way, and part of the great window above, are entire. 

 The body of the cathedral measured two hundred and eighty-two, by eight-six 

 feet, over the walls: the transept was one hundred and fifteen feet in length; 

 while, in the centre of the whole, a superb tower, supported on massive pillars, 

 rose to the height of two hundred feet. But it is not necessary here to enter 

 into a minute detail of its admirable proportions and elaborate workmanship, 

 the latter of which is not surpassed by that of any existing edifice in the king- 

 dom. The whole was surrounded by a wall of nearly a thousand yards in 

 circuit, with entrances by four different gates. The resident officials consisted 

 of a dean, a chancellor, archdeacon, chanter, treasurer, and twenty-four canons, 

 each of whom had a house and garden within the precincts. This magnificent 

 pile was founded in July, 1224, by Bishop Andrew Moray, and completed 

 afterwards, through the exertions of several popes, who directed collections to 

 be made for that purpose in various parts of Europe, and sent artisans and 

 architects from Rome to forward and superintend the execution of the work. 

 The scene represented in the engraving, is that of its destruction in 1390, by 

 the ferocious " Wolf of Badenoch" son of King Robert II., already noticed in 

 these pages who, having been excommunicated for some heinous outrage by the 

 bishop of Moray, assembled a tumultuary army of Highland vassals, and burned 

 this stately pile, " without," says Scott, " incurring punishment, or even 

 censure, from his feeble-minded sovereign, for an act which combined the glaring- 

 crimes of rebellion and sacrilege." Its rebuilding was commenced by bishop 



* Grey's Hospital," for the sick poor of the town and county, was founded and amply endowed by 

 Dr. Grey, of the East India Company's service, a native of Elgin ; and opened for the reception of patients 

 in 1819." The " Elgin Institution" was founded hy another philanthropic native of the same place, and 

 long in the same service, Lieutenant-General Anderson consisting of an Hospital, a School of Industry, 

 and a Free School in which latter department, two hundred and thirty children are now (1835) receiving 

 a gratuitous education, suited to their future prospects or capacities. These noble monuments of native 

 philanthropy are the source of innumerable blessings to the town and county. 



VOL. II. R R 



