They are small and conical, of a yellowish
colour, with a very thin skin and, over and above their agreeable
taste, are valuable for their antiscorbutic quality -- As to the
fruit now in season, such as cherries, gooseberries, and
currants, there is no want of them at Edinburgh; and in the
gardens of some gentlemen, who live in the neighbourhood, there
is now a very favourable appearance of apricots, peaches,
nectarines, and even grapes: nay, I have seen a very fine shew of
pineapples within a few miles of this metropolis. Indeed, we have
no reason to be surprised at these particulars, when we consider
how little difference there is, in fact, betwixt this climate and
that of London.
All the remarkable places in the city and its avenues, for ten
miles around, we have visited, much to our satisfaction. In the
Castle are some royal apartments, where the sovereign
occasionally resided; and here are carefully preserved the
regalia of the kingdom, consisting of a crown, said to be of
great value, a sceptre, and a sword of state, adorned with
jewels -- Of these symbols of sovereignty, the people are
exceedingly jealous -- A report being spread during the sitting of
the union-parliament, that they were removed to London, such a
tumult arose, that the lord commissioner would have been torn to
pieces, if he had not produced them for the satisfaction of the
populace.
Pages:
383
384
385
386
387
388
389
390
391
392
393
394
395
396
397
398
399
400
401
402
403
404
405
406
407