-- The palace of Holyrood-house
is a jewel in architecture, thrust into a hollow where it
cannot be seen; a situation which was certainly not chosen by the
ingenious architect, who must have been confined to the site of
the old palace, which was a convent. Edinburgh is considerably
extended on the south side, where there are divers little elegant
squares built in the English manner; and the citizens have
planned some improvements on the north, which, when put in
execution, will add greatly to the beauty and convenience of this
capital.
The sea-port is Leith, a flourishing town, about a mile from the
city, in the harbour of which I have seen above one hundred ships
lying all together. You must know, I had the curiosity to cross
the Frith in a passage boat, and stayed two days in Fife, which
is remarkably fruitful in corn, and exhibits a surprising number
of fine seats, elegantly built, and magnificently furnished.
There is an incredible number of noble houses in every part of
Scotland that I have seen. -- Dalkeith, Pinkie, Yester, and lord
Hopton's [Hopetoun's], all of them within four or five miles of
Edinburgh, are princely palaces, in every one of which a
sovereign might reside at his case.
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