THE NEW MONUMENTS. — INCHCOLM. 119 



Plaj'fair, Nelson's Tower, the New Observatory, and the gigantic columns of 

 the National Monument* — rising in splendid gradation, crown the eminence, 

 as permanent records of the nation's prosperity. In this respect, indeed, 

 the Calton-hill may be considered as the common pedestal to a series of 

 trophies — opera hand ignara Minervee. 



On the left of the new approach leading along the south side of the hill to 

 Waterloo-bridge, is the monument erected in honour of the poet Burns. It 

 occupies a position just where the hill, by a rapid declivity, merges into the 

 Canongate. The site, although much less elevated than that of the other 

 monuments, is sufficiently conspicuous for him who, having a temple in every 

 Scottish heart, can afford to have his monument even in a corner. 



The High School is another magnificent structure, erected in the same locality. 

 It is composed of a centre and two wings, with a lodge at each extremity. The 

 centre is a portico of six columns of the Grecian Doric, to which the ^vings 

 are joined by a colonnade of the same order. The other monuments within 

 sight, are those of George IV. and Pitt — at the intersections of George-street 

 with Hanover and Frederick-street — and the Melville column in St. Andrew's- 

 square. The Register House, the Bridewell and County Prisons, are indivi- 

 dually noble specimens of modern architecture. The two last of more recent 

 construction, and overhanging the precipice in the castellated style, produce 

 an effect in fine keeping with the adjoining scenery. The governor's house, 

 overlooking the prison, and situated on the rocky ledge of the hill, is singularly 

 bold and picturesque. With respect to the capricious style observed in these 

 structures, and to which some have objected, it may be stated on a great 

 authority,! that if the Gothic style could be any where adopted with propriety, 

 it is certainly in subjects like the present, where the gaol of the metropohs, 

 built on the very verge of a precipice, overhangs the buildings beneath like an 

 ancient citadel. 



Nearly opposite Aberdour are the sacred ruins of Inchcolm — as noticed 

 in the preceding sketch. The monastery on this island, the ancient iEmonia, 

 belonged to the canons regular of St. Augustin. It was founded by Alexander I. 

 of Scotland, in 1123, and dedicated to St. Columba, Abbot of lona, by whose 

 interposition the royal founder was supposed to have escaped shipwreck. 

 The tradition reports that the king, while crossing the frith at Queensferry, 



* The similarity of the Calton-hill to the Athenian Acropolis, suggested the plan and architectural pro- 

 portions of this temple, for which the Parthenon was adopted as a model. The foundation was laid with 

 great ceremony on the occasion of his Majesty's visit to Scotland in August 1S22. 



t Prov. Ant. of Scot, by Sir Walter Scott, vol. i. p. 4S. 



