Edinburgh man who is known throughout the English-speaking 'In memory of ARTHUR PENRHYN STANLEY, D.D. Born Dec. 13, 1815 and died July 18, 1881. It is good to know that we have to some extent outlived the sectarian bitterness of the past, and that St. Giles', which was ministered to by such uncompromising supporters of Christ's Kirk and Covenant' as Balfour and Henderson, can honour a great Churchman although he belonged to the national Church across the border, and not to the Church of Scotland. The difference of the attitude of Dean Hannay and Dean Stanley towards Scotland and her Church may possibly be a sign that as the years go on our national Churches are gaining more of that charity' which never faileth." 6 6 The choir of St. Giles' cannot boast of many objects of interest. An old arched recess is claimed by some as the monument to Napier of Merchiston, but it is at least two centuries too old for that honour. It has, however, been copied in the monument of the Napiers. The King's Pillar is also interesting, and the windows, though modern, are considered good representations of the antique. On the north side of the choir is the Chambers Aisle, where the brothers Robert and William Chambers are commemorated. On pillars near the north door are tablets to three ministers of St. Giles': James Balfour, whose ministry lasted from 1589 to 1613 and who 'refused to accept Episcopacy,' John Craig the ex-Dominican, and Alexander Henderson, 'Statesman, Scholar, Divine,' who 'framed the solemn League and Covenant, presided at the deposition of the bishops, and sat in the Assembly of Divines at Westminster.' He is best remembered by the prominent part he took in framing the Confession of St. Giles' Faith, especially the Shorter Catechism. There are also many monuments to Scottish soldiers who fell in India, Africa, the Soudan, etc. But nothing in St. Giles' is more interesting or more characteristic than the display of regimental colours, frayed with age and torn or discoloured in many a hardfought battle. In our more peaceful days they tell us of our ancestors who fought, not always wisely but always bravely, and are silent witnesses of the noble deeds done in the past by Scotsmen. While we are proud of these tangible proofs of the courage of Scots in the past, we cannot but rejoice that St. Giles' while still the soldier's church' is also a living proof that national feuds have long since been buried, and that Scotsmen may rejoice in the gallantry and devotion shown by Scotsmen on both sides in the civil wars. It is fitting that this cathedral church, which stands as the representative of the gospel of peace and goodwill, should contain tributes to Gavin Douglas and Regent Moray, to Henderson and Leighton, to Montrose and Argyle, to Jenny Geddes and Dean Hannay, and that we may all unite in being proud of what they dared and did for Scotland. PARLI CHAPTER VII PARLIAMENT CLOSE ARLIAMENT CLOSE is a convenient expression for the various objects of interest in the immediate neighbourhood of St. Giles'. It would be more accurate but less convenient to divide the Parliament Close into the divisions of County Square and Parliament Square. Among the many relics of the past the Mercat Croce" is surpassed in interest by none and equalled by few. But the interest is entirely that of association. It has been said with truth that in many of the most interesting parts of Edinburgh there is little to see, but a great deal to think about. Of nothing is this truer than of the Mercat Croce, unless it be the Heart of Midlothian, which is all that remains of the Old Tolbooth. The Cross is interesting as being mainly of ancient workmanship, and has a considerable interest for the antiquarian; but the greater part of its interest is unquestionably historical. Although most of the chief historical incidents connected with it have been already mentioned in earlier chapters, it may be well to indicate them briefly. The Cross seems to have existed in early times, but the first actual reference is in the reign of William the Lion, when we read, 'It is commandit by the King that the merchandises forsaid, and all other merchandises salbe presentit at the Mercat and Mercat Croce of burghis.' Here it is not actually said that Edinburgh had a Croce,' but from its size and importance we are justified in concluding 6 MERCAT CROSS that this was the case. There is a probable reference also in 1436, when some of the murderers of James 1. were 'mounted on a pillar in the Market Place' of Edinburgh-in all probability, the pillar of the Cross is the pillar referred to. We find the Cross explicitly mentioned in a charter of St. Giles' Church dated 1447: 'ex parte occidentali fori et crucis dicti burgi inter Parliament Close Edinburgh terram domini Wilhelmi Marschale et parte australi,' etc. In the reign of James III. it became more important, and from that time on was the scene of festivals, proclamations, and executions: in fact, of all public functions, grave and gay. Wilson, in his Memorials of Old Edinburgh, says it was 'garnished at one period with rich hangings and flowing with wine for the free use of the populace, and at another overshadowed by the Maiden and hung only with the reversed armorial bearings of some noble victim of law or tyranny.' The Cross seems to have been built in the prevailing Gothic style of the day. It was fifteen feet high and sixteen feet in diameter, and had four angular turrets and a central pillar. Many people who are comparatively ignorant of history, know about the Cross from Scott's description of it in Marmion: 'Dun-Edin's Cross, a pillar'd stone, Rose on a turret octagon ; (But now is razed that monument, And voice of Scotland's law was sent To return to James III. As has already been said, he In the reign of James Iv. the Cross was the scene of many interesting events. Wine flowed there on the occasion of the King's marriage, but it had not always |