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to have extended along the grassmarket and all round the back of the castle. for in digging the foundations of the castle bridge peat [was ]
discovered containing some branches of trees: about 17 ft [feet] below the surface. The city therefore would have a belt of quagmire. all round
its walls answering the purpose of a moat except at the eastern extremity where the artificial defences were probably stronger, this
marsh is represented on the plan by a slightly shaded space.
When cannon were introduced which was probably a little after the year 1400, the necessity would be felt of having the houses immediately
under the fort clear, that an enemy in possession of the town might not avail himself of them to conceal or favour his approaches. [Some]
time after this change took place we suppose the town wall was continued across the castle hill. about the foot of the
esplanade & then westward in the line h i g. & the town was thus seperated from the castle by a clear space.
Suburbs would of course rise up gradually beyond the wall. From King David's grant 1128. we may infer that the [canongate]
was inhabited before that time. (Arnot. chap [chapter] 1) The cowgate is said to have been built about 1500. but doubtless many [---]
existed there & to the southward for centuries before, These were inclosed by a second wall built after the battle of Flodden. in [---]
of which parts are yet standing. It proceeded from the castle across the west end of the grassmarket . up the vennel, through [grey]
friars church yard to bristo port, then eastward inclosing the college. passing up Drummond street, down the pleasance
along st. mary's wynd and leith wynd. In Leith wynd. the Pleasence and Drummond St. it is still entire, this is marked on [the]
sketch by the line a. k. l. m. n. The wall enclosing Heriots Hospital and the Charity Workhouse of which a great part [---]
yet standing was built in 1622. We take these dates from Mr Lothians plan, not having time to consult Maitlands [history]
or Mr Chamber's. antiquarian researches, in which we presume, information on these matters will be found, we ought to add
that our own knowledge of the antiquities of the town is but limited. The small sketch at the head of the map. represents an imaginary
section across Cowgate High St [Street] and North Loch, nearly in line l. b. u R on the map and is meant to show how the [surface]
appeared before the cowgate was built, 1 the present situation of the cowgate, 2 the marsh afterwards used as a burying ground
3 the two wall on the south side of the ridge of which the foundations were lately exposed, 4 the High church. 5 the [---]
on the north side which was probably very slight. 6. North Loch. 7 the site of Princes St. The slope on the south side of [---]
High St. [Street] must have been much steeper than it is now. for all the foundations towards the cowgate show a great depth of
artificial soil, & the lowest part of the hollow would then be from 30 to 60 feet. north of the cowgate. The original [---]
within the boundary. a b c d e f g comprehends a space about 800 yards long by 250 broad measuring about 40 acres
& part of the surface was probably never built on. though the hasty and fragile nature of the ancient tenements renders [conclusion]

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Transcriber's notes

Words lost in fold

This Name Book refers to Edinburgh 1852 - Sheet 35
OS large scale Scottish town plans, 1847-1895 - Scale: 1:1056