Page:A Companion and Useful Guide to the Beauties of Scotland.djvu/133

This page has been validated.
PART OF SCOTLAND.
115

owing to its situation, and must be the cause of health to its inhabitants (they are very healthy); for had not the atmosphere of that city some powerful refiner, such as a constant high wind, it would, by its nauseous scents, poison the race of beings living in it.

About the middle of the High-street it is intersected by two wide streets, the one leading to the north bridge, over the dry trench to the new town; the other to the south bridge, over the Cowgate, a street so called. In passing over the south bridge, it may not be observed to be a bridge, as it is very wide, with handsome shops on each side, except over the arch. Near the south bridge is the old university, and an exceedingly handsome new college, begun some time since; but when I was at Edinburgh, it was at a stand for want of money. The very large pillars, in front of the building, are each of one huge stone. It was with infinite labour, and danger, they were brought and fixed in their places; for they were hewn at the quarry, and afterwards conveyed to the college.

George's square, in the old town, is very pleasant; nearly equal, I think, to any place in the new town.