CHAP. IF. MASON AT EDINBURGH. 305 



Shortly after, when work became slack in the district, 

 Telford undertook to do small jobs on his own account 

 such as the hewing of gravestones and ornamental 

 doorheads. He prided himself especially upon his 

 hewing, and from the specimens of his workmanship 

 which are still to be seen in the churchyards of Lang- 

 holm and Westerkirk, he had evidently attained con- 

 siderable skill. On some of these pieces of masonry 

 the year is carved 1779, or 1780. One of the most 

 ornamental is that set into the wall of Westerkirk church, 

 being a monumental slab, with an inscription and mould- 

 ing, surmounted by a coat of arms, to the memory of 

 James Pasley of Craig. 



He had now learnt all that his native valley could 

 teach him of the art of masonry ; and, bent upon self- 

 improvement and gaining a larger experience of life 

 as well as knowledge of his trade, he determined to 

 seek employment elsewhere. He accordingly left Esk- 

 dale for the first time, in 1780, and sought work in 

 Edinburgh, where the New Town was then in course 

 of erection on the elevated land, formerly green fields, 

 extending along the north bank of the " Nor' Loch." A 

 bridge had been thrown across the Loch in 1769, the 

 stagnant pond or marsh in the hollow had been filled 

 up, and Princes Street was rising as if by magic. Skilled 

 masons were in great demand for the purpose of carrying 

 out these and the numerous other architectural improve- 

 ments which were in progress, and Telford had no diffi- 

 culty in obtaining abundant employment. He remained 

 at Edinburgh for about two years, during which he had 

 the advantage of taking part in first-rate work and main- 

 taining himself comfortably, whilst he devoted much of 

 his spare time to drawing, in its application to architec- 

 ture. He took the opportunity of visiting and carefully 

 studying the fine specimens of ancient work at Holyrood 

 House and Chapel, the Castle, Heriot's Hospital, and the 

 numerous curious illustrations of middle age domestic 



VOL. II. X 



