The Road to Dumbiedykes 



gates as we entered the roadway a 

 little while ago leading up to the old 

 brick house. And if you have read 

 to any profit the enchanting tales of 

 the last great Scottish minstrel, you 

 will not require a guide to interpret 

 the import of the strange inscription — 

 "The Heart of Midlothian" — that 

 has challenged the attention of tour- 

 ists for several generations past. You 

 are standing upon the site of the old 

 Tolbooth prison, long since demol- 

 ished, but given immortality in the 

 realm of letters by the sage of Abbots- 

 ford. Here the wayward Effie Deans 

 awaited execution, while poor Jeanie 

 made the long journey afoot to Lon- 

 don to beg for her erring sister a 

 pardon from the crown. The world 

 has almost canonized as a saint this 

 heroine, whose actual prototype was 

 brave, truth-loving Helen Walker of 

 Dundee. 



Mid-Lothian! The open country 

 round about "Edina, Scotia's darling 



[34] 



