The palace of Holyrood-house is an elegant piece of architecture,
but sunk in an obscure, and, as I take it, unwholesome bottom,
where one would imagine it had been placed on purpose to be
concealed. The apartments are lofty, but unfurnished; and as for
the pictures of the Scottish kings, from Fergus I. to king
William, they are paultry daubings, mostly by the same hand,
painted either from the imagination, or porters hired to sit for
the purpose. All the diversions of London we enjoy at Edinburgh,
in a small compass. Here is a well conducted concert, in which
several gentlemen perform on different instruments -- The Scots are
all musicians -- Every man you meet plays on the flute, the violin,
or violoncello; and there is one nobleman, whose compositions are
universally admired -- Our company of actors is very tolerable; and
a subscription is now on foot for building a new theatre; but
their assemblies please me above all other public exhibitions.
We have been at the hunters' ball, where I was really astonished
to see such a number of fine women -- The English, who have never
crossed the Tweed, imagine erroneously, that the Scotch ladies
are not remarkable for personal attractions; but, I can declare
with a safe conscience, I never saw so many handsome females
together, as were assembled on this occasion.
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