126 SCOTLAND ILLUSTRATED. 



from which the scene was contemplated with peculiar advantage. " When viewed 

 from the Calton-hill, the mind was lost in wonder at the absolute profusion of 

 splendour which riveted the eye upon Waterloo-place, and then forced it to 

 seek relief in the more mild and chastened lustre of Prince's-street, reflected 

 upon the conterminous dark abj'ss of the North-loch." The gigantic outline 

 of the castle — as in the great annual illumination of St. Peter's and St. Angelo, 

 at Rome — was rendered visible by numberless torches which blazed on its 

 battlements, and in fitful flashes opened up to view, amid the darkness of the 

 night, the various embrasures and fosses of the ancient fortress, and cast a 

 lurid glare from the base to the summit upon the immense superficies of the 

 rugged rock on which it reposes. " All around and below looked like a city 

 in conflagration. Here a sullen glow, and there a broad biu-st of fire — dark 

 and ridgy roofs edged witli light — steej)les and pillars that, as the flame flashed 

 partially upon them, seemed yielding and wavering to their fall — the sky, a lurid 

 smoky arch, that brightened and darkened with every change below ; and, 

 far above roof and tower, Arthur 's-seat, ' like a minor volcano,' throwing up a 

 column of flame into the very heavens." 



On Saturday, the 17th, the king held his first levee in Holyrood-house, 

 where upwards of two thousand representatives of the talent, wealth, and title 

 of Scotland appeared in court and state uniforms. On Monday a second levee 

 was held, at wliich the public bodies came in procession, and the Commission 

 of the General Assembly complimented the king in an appropriate and classic 

 oration. Besides the sovereign, many chieftains of clans, noblemen and gentle- 

 men appeared in the highland garb, among whom were observed the dukes 

 of Hamilton and Argyll, the earl of Breadalbane, Lord Gwj-dir, and Lord 

 Glenorchy.* On Tuesday, the long-deserted saloons of Holyrood-house were 

 enlivened by a drawing room — one of the most brilliant assemblies of beauty, high 

 birth, and fashion, that ever flattered the eye of a monarch. Not less than 

 two thousand six hundred of the nobility and gentry were present. 



" Brighter tlian the gems they wear, 



Strewn star-like in tlieir night-iJark hair. 



There shone the eyes of Scotland's fair — Carle, now the King's come! 



" The loveliest of the lovely flowers 

 That bloom in Scotia's birkcn bowers, 

 Smile — ' Welcome to our loyal towers!' — Carle, now the King's come!" 



• Sir William Curtis, also, appeared in the same attire : and it was remarked, whenever his Majesty and 

 the worthy alderman met, that neither could refrain from smiling— probably at the singularity of thcii 

 appearance in the " garb of the Tartan Confederacy." — IlUt. Jcc. 



