The Scotsman
"A little miracle..."


Book Description
David Daiches presents a vivid kaleidoscope of impressions of Edinburgh that splendidly recreate the spirit of the place. This anthology of extracts from letters, memoirs, diaries, novels and biographies of interesting visitors and inhabitants, including the writings of Scott, Boswell, Cockburn, John Knox and many others, recreates for today's visitors the drama, the history, and the life of the city in buildings and places that can still be visited. The daring Scottish recapture of the Castle from the English in 1313; the confrontation between Calvinist John Knox and Catholic Mary Queen of Scots in Holyroodhouse; an eye-witness account of the execution of Montrose at the Mercat Cross in 1650; Daniel Defoe's account of street riots in 1706 protesting against Scotland's imminent Union with England; Thomas Carlyle walking on Princes Street and Dr. Johnson on the High Street; reeking slop-pails in the wynds and polite manners in the ballrooms...