edinburgh-1951/-03_390

Transcription

NEW TOWN] HISTORICAL MONUMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION [NEW TOWN
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probably a version of the Wilson arms, which are: A chevron between three mullets, a crescent for difference. On either side of the shield runs t he motto [A]VXILIVM / A DN[O] with the translation below MY HELP IS OF YE LORD followed by the date 1586 and two sets of initials, I V and H F or H O.

(v) THE BURGH: SITES
(Notes on some vanished buildings contributed by Mr. C.A. Malcolm, M.A., PhD.)

121. Hospital of St. Thomas, Watergate. -According to Maitland, 1 who had evidently had access to the charter, this hospital was founded in 1541 by George Chrichton, Bishop of Dunkeld and previously Abbot of Holyrood, for the maintenance of two chaplains and seven poor folk. In 1582 its patronage fell to the Crown through the forfeiture of Robert Crichton, another bishop of the same see. In 1617 the Privy Council decreed 2 that the "auld chappel" was to be repaired before the king's visit to Holyrood, as it was "decayit" and formed an eyesore in the close vicinity of the palace.
1 History, pp. 154 f. 2 R.P.C., xi, pp. 40 f.

122. Hospital of St. Paul, Leith Wynd. -The mediaeval hospital of St. Paul stood on the E. side of Leith Wynd. It was founded by Archibald Crawford, Abbot of Holyrood, in 1469, when he dedicated it to "St. Paul the Apostle and Doctor."1 After the battle of Dunbar in 1650 it was used, first by Leslie and then by Cromwell, as a hospital for sick and wounded soldiers. It retained it pauper inmates until 1750, when it was sold and the paupers were transferred to the new Charity Workhouse, built in 1730. During the 17th and 18th centuries it also served as an almshouse, a house of correction, a training-school for children and a textile factory.
1 Calendar of Papal registers, xii, p. 761.

THE NEW TOWN AND INNER SUBURBS
(i) ECCLESIASTICAL

123. St. Andrew's Church, George Street. - As mentioned on p.188, Craig, in planning the New Town, proposed to end the E. vista of George Street in St. Andrew's Church, which was to stand in the centre of the E. side of St. Andrew Square. That site, however, was pre-empted by Sir Laurence Dundas in 1722 (cf. No. 127); accordingly when the church came to be built by "Major Fraser of the Engineers"1 it was placed on a site on the N. side of George Street midway between St. David Street and Hanover Street. Although 1785 is given in most works of reference as the year in which it was built it is represented on Ainslie's map of 1780, with the Physicians' Hall directly opposite on the site now occupied by the Commercial Bank of Scotland.
Standing in a small court set back from the street, the church consists of an elliptical body behind a portico, the latter surmounted by a graceful tower and spire in the manner of James Gibbs, the Aberdonian architect who practiced so successfully south of the Bordcer during the first half of the 18th century. The portico, of polished ashlar, is tetrastyle with Composite columns supporting a triangular pediment with an oculus in the tympanum. At the back of the portico is a tall central doorway with a curvilinear pediment surmounted by a window. Both openings are flanked by blind windows, framed within pilasters in antis to the columns, the lower ones having triangular pediments. The tower, also of polished ashlar, is in three storeys, and changes plan at each level, the lowest part being rectangular, the central one octagonal, the uppermost one circular. The two upper tiers are ordered, Doric below and Ionic above. The bell chamber contains a chime of eight bells provided in 1789. The graceful spire, which rises to a height of 168 ft., is said to be an addition. Apparently a competition was held for its design and this was won by a Mr. McLeish, who was rewarded with the freedom of the City and a premium of sixty guineas. Mr. McLeish's design was carried out, with some alterations, by Major Fraser in 1787.
In contrast to the portico and tower the boy of the church, which rests on an undercroft, is very plain and is carried out in droved ashlar. The principal axis runs E. and W. At either end is a lofty doorway with a triangular pediment. There are two tiers of plain windows, those of the lower tier having segmental heads and those of the upper semicircular ones. The roof is slated. The portico opens into a vestibule, which gives direct access into the church and has at each side a stair leading to the gallery. The interior was remodelled in 1862. On the N. is the pulpit, which originally had stairs at each side. Opposite this is the gallery sweeping round from N.W. to N.E. The plaster ceiling is enriched in a later version of the Adam style.
1 Transactions of the Edinburgh Architectural Association, ii. p. 220.

124. St. George's Church, Charlotte Square. - In order to close in the George Street vista, Craig, in his plan for the New Town, reserved the central site on the W. side of Charlotte Square for

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Transcriber's notes

foot notes are after each section rather than at the bottom of the page