Domestic Notices : — Scotland. 363 



degree of slope as the ascending road, and, like it, following all the irregu- 

 larities of the surftice, to which an adherence to this degree of slope might 

 lead, till it reached the gate of entrance at the King's Park. These two 

 roads would, of course, cross each other at a number of places. Where 

 they did so, let the one always cross the other over or under a bridge; not 

 narrow architectural bridges, with parapet walls, like the viaducts of 

 public roads, but simple rustic tunnels, like those which conduct (or did 

 conduct thirty years ago) the eastern approach to Duddingstone House 

 over the canal in the park. The length of the three arches of that viaduct 

 is three or four times the width of the road, so as to admit of the latter 

 being bordered by grass and trees, in such a way as to prevent the persons 

 on the road from discovering that they are on a bridge. In laying out 

 the roads, convenience and economy might lead sometimes to the ascend- 

 ing road passing under the descending one, and sometimes to a contrary 

 arrangement. This, and a thousand details which will occur in practice, 

 would be easily adjusted. 



" These two roads, being laid out, would probably give five miles of 

 ascending, and five miles of descending road; which, judging from the road 

 over the Simplon, might be trotted up and trotted down with ease. When 

 the roads were newly made, the hill would have the appearance of being 

 cut into winding terraces; but if the hill were properly sprinkled over 

 with trees and shrubs, not to speak of tombs, monuments, and chapels, 

 the effect, in a few years, would be totally different. 



" In arranging the ground on each side of the road, I should propose 

 that the flat and comparatively inconspicuous places round the base of 

 the hill should be thinly planted with trees, in the park style ; and, as 

 being nearest the town, this part might be devoted to the burial of those 

 who did not choose, or who could not afford, to purchase their lair, or 

 erect grave-stones. Happily, in Scotland these are but few. Then, on 

 the rock which forms the summit might be erected, as a crowning orna- 

 ment to the whole, an open circular temple, the basement story of which 

 might be occupied by tea-rooms, reading-rooms, &:c. The whole of the 

 space between the base and the summit, not occupied by what I would 

 call temporary public burial-places, might be sold to different parishes for 

 the purpose of building churches or chapels, with burial-grounds attached 

 to each ; or to any of the different sects of religion in Edinburgh, for 

 the same purpose. The space not occupied in this manner would, of 

 course, be let out to individuals for private burial-places, and for the 

 erection of tombs or other monuments to the memory of their friends, 

 or of great men of the past or present age ; and I do not see why the 

 spaces not wanted for the purposes mentioned might not be let out for 

 a number of years, for the formation of small fancy gardens, or even sum- 

 mer houses, or ornamental cottages. Among all these objects, trees, 

 flowers, and plants would be introduced, according to the taste of the 

 occupant ; care being taken, by a superintending committee, that the roads 

 were kept in perfect order, and nothing erected or planted that was 

 glaringly absurd. 



" Such is the general outline of the style in which I would lay out 

 Arthur's Seat as a public cemetery and park. Perhaps there would not 

 be many parishes or sects who would choose to build their churches or 

 chapels on it ; but I cannot help thinking a number of both would do so 

 in time; and the objection of distance would be readily got over by Sunday 

 omnibuses, which, for a few halfpence, would convey those who could 

 not walk to and from the hill. At all events, by sprinkling the whole hill 

 over with trees, as soon as the roads were laid out, one of the most sin- 

 gular and interesting promenades in Europe would be formed. 



" It has long appeared to me (and I suggested the idea in the Enci/do- 



