“What, Frank, has been the most interesting object you have seen?”
“The Cannongate. I read its history in the guide-book, and I spent an hour in the place. One could seem in fancy to live there hundreds of years.”
“King James rode through this street on his way to Flodden,” said Master Lewis. “Montrose was dragged here upon a hurdle. It was in a church here that Jenny Geddes bespoke the sentiment of the people by hurling her stool at the head of the Dean, who attempted to enforce the Episcopal service.
“‘I will read the Collect,’ said the Dean.
“‘Colic, said ye? The De’il colic the wame of ye!’
“Here came John Knox, after his interview with Queen Mary, cold and grim, and unmoved by her tears. Here rode the Pretender. Here dwelt the great Dukes of Scotland and the Earls of Moray and Mar.”
THE DEATH-BED OF FRANCIS II.
“I wished I were a poet, a painter, or an historian, when I was there,” said Frank. “It is said Sir Walter Scott used to ride there [!-- original location of 'The death-bed of Francis II' --] [!-- blank page --] slowly, and that almost every gable recalled to him some scene of triumph or of bloodshed.”