IMPROVEMENT OF EDINBURGH.
1812-1834.
Design for approaches to Edinburgh from the East by Regent and
London Roads, and opening up access to the Calton Hill--Sites
for the new Jail and Court of Justiciary, and buildings in
Waterloo Place--Regent Bridge--Feuing Plan for Eastern District
of Edinburgh--Improvement of accesses to Edinburgh from the
West and North, and from Granton--Removal of old “Tolbooth”
Prison--Removal of University buildings.
Ancient Edinburgh was famed for its narrow streets and crooked wynds,
and even at the period when this Memoir begins, much remained to be
done for the improvement of the various accesses to the city. These
roads, leading from north, south, east, and west, were under the
management of different Trusts or public bodies, by all of whom Mr.
Stevenson was on various occasions consulted; and the subject seems
to have had for him more than a merely professional interest, for
his advice was generally far “ahead” of the cautious views of his
employers, on whom he seems often to have had no small difficulty in
urging the adoption of sufficiently comprehensive designs. His love
for the beautiful rose above all other feelings, and he succeeded, not
without difficulty and perseverance, in securing for Edinburgh those
spacious road improvements which have undoubtedly helped her to claim
the title of “Modern Athens.”
The “Modern Athenians” who now enjoy the magnificent approach to
Edinburgh by the Regent Road and Calton Hill, or that no less
commodious access from Parson’s Green to Leith Walk, known as the
“London Road,” can hardly realise the time when the only communication
from Princes Street to Portobello was by Leith Street, Calton Street,
and the North Back of the Canongate.
At that time Princes Street was abruptly terminated by a row of houses
at the Register Office, and the Calton Hill was in a state of nature.
Mr. Stevenson’s scheme of forming a direct access to London and the
south, by making a roadway over the Calton Hill, was based on a
comprehensive scale, providing sites for public buildings, and an
extensive feuing-plan for the eastern portion of Edinburgh, all of
which were ultimately carried out under his directions.
But this scheme, boldly conceived and so beneficial to Edinburgh,
was not well received by the inhabitants. It had the _economical_
objection of interfering to some extent with house property, a liberty
to which people were only reconciled in modern times when sites had to
be acquired for railway stations. It had the _engineering_ objection
of involving what were represented in those days as dangerous rock
cuttings and extensive high retaining walls along the sides of the
Calton Hill; but above all, it had the serious _social_ objection that
its route ran through the “Old Calton Burying-ground,” and involved the
removal of the remains of those interred in it to a new resting-place,
to be provided by the Improvement Commissioners. This last objection
subjected Mr. Stevenson to some ill feeling; and the fact that the
place of interment of his own family was one of those to be removed
to the new cemetery, did not succeed in allaying the discontent. It
was undoubtedly in consequence of Mr. Stevenson’s perseverance and
unfaltering conviction that his advice was _sound_, and calculated to
benefit his fellow-citizens, that his plan was ultimately adopted and
carried out.
It is proper to notice that the new jail and the buildings in Waterloo
Place were designed by Mr. Archibald Elliot, and at a more recent
period the houses in the Regent and Royal Terraces by Mr. Playfair,
and the High School and Burns’s Monument by Mr. Thomas Hamilton, all
architects of eminence, whose works added to the attractiveness of Mr.
Stevenson’s splendid access.
In carrying the road round the part of the hill now occupied by the
High School, Mr. Stevenson had some difficulty, owing to the height
of the retaining wall, in avoiding what would have appeared as a dead
wall, and would have proved unsightly as viewed from Arthur’s Seat. He
accordingly built a strong retaining wall of masonry, which supports
the road, and is covered by an exterior wall of rough masses of stone
arranged as rustic work, which, when viewed at a distance, has all the
appearance of a face of natural rock.
In Lord Cockburn’s _Memorials of his Time_ he says:--“Scarcely any
sacrifice could be too great that removed the houses from the end of
Princes Street, and made a level road to the hill, or, in other words,
produced Waterloo Bridge. The effect was like drawing up the curtain of
a theatre.”
[Illustration:
_PLATE IV._
APPROACHES TO EDINBURGH BY REGENT AND LONDON ROADS, 1814.
_J. Bartholomew Bain._
]
In Plate IV. are traced, in red colour, the various lines of connecting
road which go to make up this grand improvement, of the value of which
those who know the locality can judge for themselves.
In the following report, addressed to the “Sheriff-Depute of the county
of Edinburgh, as convener of a committee for erecting a new jail for
the county of Edinburgh,” Mr. Stevenson details the various benefits to
be derived by adopting his proposal; and as his views on this matter
encountered, as has been stated, much opposition, I give extracts from
his report, begging of those readers who have no local interest in it
kindly to pass it over:--
“In the report which you addressed to the Commissioners for
erecting a new jail for the county of Edinburgh, the Calton Hill
is amongst other places alluded to as a site. But the difficulty
of access to that commanding and healthful situation presents
itself as a strong objection to its being adopted. As, however,
an approach to the city from the eastward, with access to the
extensive lands connected with the Calton Hill, valuable both as
building grounds and as a delightful city walk, has long been a
_desideratum_, and as the present seemed a fit time for again
attempting this measure, the reporter had the honour to receive
your instructions to inquire into the practicability of making a
proper communication to the Calton Hill, with the view of there
building the intended new jail; and he is now to submit the
accompanying survey of the grounds, together with the requisite
plans and sections connected with the design of a road from
Shakespeare Square, at the eastern extremity of Princes Street, to
join the great road to London at the Abbeyhill.
“The Hon. Sheriff is aware that the attainment of this object
has long been wishfully kept in view by the public. It is
believed that at different times such proposals were by them
brought under the notice of Mr. Adam and of Mr. Baxter, the most
celebrated architects of their day. But still the work remains
to be accomplished, not certainly from any physical difficulty
necessarily attending its execution, but from the want of
sufficient energy to meet the expense that must unavoidably attend
an operation of this nature, involving the removal of some valuable
buildings, and otherwise interfering with private property. Were
the reporter to have in view merely the forming of an improved
approach to the city of Edinburgh from the eastward, instead of the
present inconvenient access by the Water Gate, he might here allude
to the intended London Road through the lands of Hillside to Leith
Walk, or to the once proposed line of road terminating by a bridge
from the northern side of the Calton Hill to Greenside, opposite
York Place, and the completion of this fine street by the removal
of the old and ruinous houses which still continue to encumber
its entrance; or he might take notice of the less commodious road
at one time in view over the higher parts of the Calton Hill, and
joining the lower part of Leith Street by means of an arch over
Calton Street. But all of these lines of road are _objectionable_,
in a greater or less degree, inasmuch as they include the acclivity
of Leith Street before the passenger can arrive at the level of
the North Bridge. To obtain this in the most eligible manner, we
must look to the extension of the line of Princes Street to the
Calton Hill, for although the other lines of road have been looked
forward to as improvements to a certain extent, yet still they were
defective, and must have left something undone, while the extension
of Princes Street by a bridge over Calton Street, and a road to the
Abbeyhill, seems to answer every purpose. It unfortunately happens,
however, that if carried in a direct line it must pass through the
Calton Burying-ground; and if this part of the road were made with
a curve, the most desirable effect in point of beauty would not
be produced. There was a time indeed when, without encroachment
upon the burying-ground, the road could have been made with a curve
to the southward of Hume the historian’s tomb; but of late years
the walls of the burying-ground have been extended to the verge
of precipitous rocks, so that the removal of numerous private
cemeteries would now be indispensable in carrying the road at
an elevation sufficient to command the proper view. If a lower
level were adopted in this direction, the fine prospects of the
higher road would be lost, and this line would then become quite
uninteresting, while a heavy expense must be incurred in carrying
the road through much private property, considerations which are
sufficient to render this line highly objectionable.
“But the road which would afford the easiest line of draught is
that which the reporter has delineated upon the plan by a curved
line towards the left from the eastern extremity of the new bridge,
crossing the present road to the Calton Hill, winding round the
northern side of the hill and joining the intended ‘London Road’
through the lands of Hillside near the eastern road to Leith. By
this line of road the level of Princes Street may be conceived to
become the summit level of the road, which would admit of being
made with a uniform declivity from Shakespeare Square to the
Abbeyhill, while the acclivity to Bridewell by the present road
might be greatly reduced, and the road improved in connection with
the new line of road. In the present instance, however, it is
not to the easiest line of draught as an approach to the city of
Edinburgh that the Sheriff directs the attention of the reporter,
but to a better access to the higher lands of Calton Hill, with
a view to obtain a proper site for the new jail, and therefore
only an eye view of the northern line of road is given. Yet when
a communication is opened with the Calton Hill by a bridge from
Princes Street, we may expect at some future day to see one
continuous street or drive round the hill. Before proceeding
further, a preliminary remark may here be stated, and in making
it the reporter thinks it proper to say that no one can hold the
great professional abilities of Mr. Adam in higher estimation than
he does; at any rate he is certain that it could not fall to the
lot of any individual who would feel more compunction in proposing
an alteration even upon an outward wall of a work executed under
his directions. But such is the inconvenience and even danger to
passengers attending the projection of the south-eastern angle
of the parapet wall in front of the Register Office, that in the
progress of these improvements the reporter would humbly propose,
for the greater accommodation and comfort of the public, that
this fine piece of masonry should undergo a small alteration, as
represented in dotted lines upon the plan, in order to widen the
street and improve the great thoroughfare to the port of Leith.
“_Description of Line of Road recommended._
“In reference to the accompanying survey and plan, it will be
proper to describe it more particularly. The first step towards
forming the proposed new approach to the Calton Hill will be the
removal of the houses which presently shut up the eastern extremity
of Princes Street, and the other property in its direction
eastward. The approach will then be made up to the proper level
by a bridge extending in length about 362 feet from Shakespeare
Square over Calton Street, towards the western extremity of the
Calton Burying-ground, through which it will pass. Thence, passing
in front of Bridewell, or between it and Nelson’s Monument, it is
continued along the southern side of the Calton Hill to the line of
wall of division between the property of the city of Edinburgh and
the lands of Heriot’s Hospital. At this position the road begins to
skirt along the southern side of the rising grounds in the parks of
Heriot’s Hospital, and crossing the eastern road to Leith it passes
behind the houses of Abbeyhill, and ultimately joins the great road
to London.
“The line of road just described has been laid out with gradients
varying from 1 in 39 to 1 in 22. The more to the eastward the new
line of road is carried before it joins the present London road,
the more gradual and gentle the acclivity becomes. To improve this
line of road still further by cutting deeper into the rock at the
summit would not only create a great additional expense, but would
place the road in a hollow, and shut out these characteristic views
of the city which are the chief inducements to the new line of road.
“In determining the line of direction for the street from
Shakespeare Square to Bridewell, it seems desirable that it
should run in a straight line. The only objection to this is
its interference with the Calton Burying-ground. In making any
encroachments upon a place of burial, there is no doubt something
very repugnant to the feelings, but in many cases this has been
found necessary for public improvements, of which we have an
example in the improved access from the bottom of Leith Walk to
Bernard Street, where the road was carried through part of the
churchyard of South Leith, and so in other parts of the country.
The reporter has been at much pains in endeavouring to avoid the
burying-ground, by attempting to turn the road more or less towards
the left in going eastward, and by this means taking only a part
from the northern side of that ground. But were the burying-ground
to be encroached upon at all, and this cannot well be prevented,
it seems less objectionable to carry the road in a straight line
through it, especially as it may be found practicable to give an
equal quantity of ground immediately contiguous to the present
burying-ground without materially trenching upon any plan that
may be in view for the erection of the prison; and as there will
be a considerable depth of cutting in carrying the road through
the burying-ground, the surface terring of the different places
of interment may be removed to the new grounds with due care and
becoming solemnity.
“The reporter gives a preference to this line, because it seems
best suited to the peculiar situation of the ground, being
calculated to show to much advantage the rugged rocks on which
Nelson’s Monument is erected, which beautifully terminates the
view in looking eastward; and in entering the town from the
opposite directions, it exhibits at one view, from a somewhat
elevated situation, the striking and extensive line of Princes
Street. Now the reporter is humbly of opinion that to attain
these objects, this line of road should be carried straight from
Shakespeare Square to the eastern side of the burying-ground, after
which it may be made to suit the position and nature of the ground
in all its windings, as delineated upon the survey.
“As this road is not only to be the great approach from the
eastward, but likewise to become the chief thoroughfare to the
extensive lands of Heriot’s and Trinity Hospitals, and to the
lands of the other conterminous proprietors, henceforth likely
to become the principal building grounds for this great city,
which is always increasing towards its port of Leith, it becomes
desirable for these purposes, and particularly to preserve the
interesting view of the Calton Hill, that this road should not
be less than seventy-five feet in breadth, or similar to Princes
Street, exclusively of the sunk areas, which is certainly adequate
to all the ordinary purposes of utility, intercourse, and elegance.
There is, however, one way of viewing the width of this part of
the road or street, by which it may appear to be too narrow even
at seventy-five feet, and that is by comparing it with the width
of Princes Street, which, including the sunken areas, measures
ninety-five feet in breadth. Princes Street, however, comes more
properly under the description of a row or terrace, and the
principal footpath being on the north side of the street, it may
consequently be apprehended that unless the new street were of an
equal width, a spectator looking from the north side of the new
street towards the line of Princes Street would command but an
imperfect view of it. This to a considerable extent would be the
state of the case even at seventy-five feet of breadth, and were
the street reduced to sixty feet in breadth, as has been proposed,
the view of the higher parts of the Calton Hill would be hid from
the pavement on Princes Street. But the narrowing of the street
even to sixty feet in width, with two elegant buildings in the form
of pavilions or wings to the bridge, would have an effect similar
to what is strikingly observable in looking from the western end
of George Street towards the Excise Office. Examples of narrowing
streets are not uncommon, as Great Pulteney Street in Bath, and
Blackfriars and Westminster Bridge Streets in London. The reporter,
however, confesses that he is not induced to consider sixty feet,
or even seventy-five feet, as the most desirable breadth for the
new bridge from any views of elegance; with him the reduction of
the width of the street is proposed rather from motives of economy
to insure the success of a great measure, than from choice in
making the design. In this situation a bridge of ninety-five feet,
or equal to the extreme breadth of Princes Street, would most
unfortunately place the new buildings upon the north-western side
so near to the houses of Leith Street, that the windows of the
houses of Leith Street and those of the new street would be shaded
by each other, so as to require the buildings at the western end
of the bridge to be kept less in height, if not to be discontinued
altogether, for a considerable way, which would render the building
grounds of much less value. Two or three of the new buildings,
indeed, might be joined or connected with the old houses, but still
the property upon the whole would be greatly injured. Considering
this, and also the additional expense of the bridge without greatly
increasing the value of the cellarage, together with the greater
trespass that would be made on the burying-ground by a street of
ninety-five feet in breadth, the reporter has been induced to
delineate upon the plan a bridge of seventy-five feet, and a road
from it to the Abbeyhill of sixty feet in breadth. Yet if it shall
appear that funds cannot be conveniently obtained to meet even this
expense, it may then be found necessary to make the whole of the
uniform breadth of sixty feet. From the annexed estimate for the
purchase of property, building a bridge of seventy-five feet in
width, and making a road from it to the Abbeyhill of sixty feet in
breadth, it appears that the expense will amount to £71,976, 14s.
“In estimating the expense of these works, the reporter has had
in view that the road should be executed in aisler causeway, and
that the whole should be executed in a substantial manner. From
the borings in the strata which have been made by the directions
of the reporter, there is reason to hope that the foundations of
the bridge will not be difficult, and he therefore trusts that the
several sums in the estimate of the expense already alluded to,
will be found adequate to this purpose.
“The expenditure will no doubt be large, but the advantages are
great in proportion.
“In considering this proposed new approach, it may be proper to
notice it particularly as the means of procuring a proper site for
the new jail and court house; _second_, as calculated to raise the
value of certain building grounds; _thirdly_, as a public road;
and _lastly_, as contributing individually to the comfort of the
inhabitants of Edinburgh.
“_Site for the Jail._
“In any display of the advantages of this measure, the motive which
led to it should not be overlooked. It was not the convenience
of the wealthy citizen, nor the increased value of ground for
building, nor even the improvement of the public roads that was
sought after. It was to obtain a healthful situation for a _common
jail_, and thereby to extend the comforts particularly of one
unfortunate class of individuals, who, perhaps from the unavoidable
circumstances of their lot, or from innocent misfortunes, are
unable to pay their debts, and are cast into prison; and even of
another class, certainly less to be pitied, who from a perversity
of disposition or the depravity of their nature, forfeit their
liberty for a time.
“In looking for a proper site for building a jail upon the Calton
Hill, the eye is naturally directed to the position of Bridewell as
a fit place for concentrating the whole establishment of prisons
for the city of Edinburgh to one spot, and if thought advisable,
to put the whole under the care of the same governor, as is the
general practice in England. A suitable site for the felons-jail
has been pointed out upon the western side of Bridewell; and
with a proper discrimination, the Sheriff proposes to erect the
debtors-jail upon the other side; and if these buildings be
constructed in the same style of architecture as Bridewell, the
whole will present one uniform front or suite of buildings. The
reporter understands, however, that the Sheriff does not wish this
to be understood as fixed, but that the opinion of the most eminent
architects should be obtained regarding the jail to be erected.
“_Site for the Justiciary Court House._
“Supposing, for the present, that the jails were arranged in this
manner, and that it were necessary in connection with them to erect
a Justiciary Court House and public offices, a place must be found
for them that shall at once be suitable in point of elegance, and
be at the same time convenient for communicating with the prisons.
In the event of adopting a street with a turn at the eastern end of
the bridge, a site for these buildings could be very appropriately
got, either facing the line of Princes Street or upon the southern
side of the arch over Calton Street. On this last spot it may
be objected that the buildings would not be fully seen till the
spectator had reached the open arch of the bridge. Both of these
situations would, however, be contiguous to the Register Office
and North Bridge, and could be made accessible to the prisons by a
private way round the southern side of the burying-ground.
“But certainly the most commanding site, in regard to elegance and
grandeur of effect, for a public building would be to place it
opposite to the prisons in the opening of the street, as marked
on the plan. In such a position, when viewed from Princes Street
in connection with the monument, the effect of these Court houses
in perspective would indeed be very fine, and in coming round the
hill by the line of road from the eastwards, it would be no less
striking.
“The site for the prisons naturally points out itself contiguously
to Bridewell, as well for the reasons already stated as on account
of its southern exposure, and it has been observed to be just at
the point of elevation for receiving a supply of water from the
city’s reservoir. But in setting down the public buildings for the
county and for the Sheriff Court at so great a distance from the
Court of Session and the other Courts of Law, the convenience of
the practitioners is a consideration of importance which presents
itself as requiring very mature deliberation, which does not
strictly come under my notice.
“_The value of Feuing Ground._
“The prolongation of the line of Princes Street by a bridge over
Calton Street is calculated in a particular manner to benefit
the extensive lands of Heriot’s and Trinity Hospitals, and the
conterminous proprietors to the eastward of the Calton Hill,
by affording a better access than can be obtained in any other
direction, especially in so far as it regards the higher grounds
of Heriot’s Hospital. But on this subject the reporter has already
submitted his opinion in so far as regards Heriot’s Hospital,
in a report to the Governors of that institution; and as the
same argument held in a greater or less degree with the other
proprietors, it seems unnecessary, in this place, to resume the
subject.
“_As a Public Road._
“As a new approach to the city of Edinburgh from the Abbeyhill to
the central parts of the city, avoiding the inconvenient acclivity
and awkward termination of Leith Street, or the still more
intricate and incommodious access by the North Back of Canongate,
this road will be regarded by the Trustees for the highways within
the county as an improvement of the first importance. As a road,
it is at once direct and obvious. By an extension of this line of
road to Leith by the eastern road, or still more to the eastward
through the lands of Restalrig, this access will be found of very
general utility, while the traveller thus entering Edinburgh will
be presented with the most characteristic views of the city, both
old town and new town, calculated to inspire the highest opinions
of its picturesque beauties.
“_To the Inhabitants of Edinburgh._
“As a great addition to the individual comfort and convenience
of the inhabitants of Edinburgh, the bridge over Calton Street
will open an elegant access to the lands of the Calton Hill, from
which the surrounding country forms one of the most delightful
prospects of distant mountain ranges,--detached hills and extensive
sea-coast, with numerous ships ever plying in all directions,
together with the finest city scenery that is anywhere to be met
with.
“Those who have admired the city of London from an eminence have
indeed seen more extended lines of street bounded perhaps by a
richer country, yet it is very deficient in that variety and
boldness of feature which is so striking in this place. When it
is wished to extend this walk to the eastward, the new road will
lead the pedestrian commodiously to the bottom of Arthur’s Seat,
round the eastern side of which a path to Duddingston, branching
out in various directions in its course round to Salisbury Crags,
might, in a very delightful manner, be imagined to complete an
afternoon’s excursion. Let those who have not a lively picture in
their mind of the prospect from the Calton Hill walk along the line
of the projected road, and upon attending to it they will meet
with such a richness and variety of scenery as will satisfy them
how greatly the ornament of the city, and the pleasures of the
inhabitants and of its occasional visitants, would be promoted by
the continuation of the line of Princes Street towards the lands
of Calton Hill. Whether therefore we consider a bridge over Calton
Street as calculated to improve the approach to the city from the
eastward, or as rendering accessible many acres for building, and
villa grounds which must otherwise remain as grass fields for an
indefinite period, or as opening an easy way to the rising grounds
of the Calton Hill, in all these and in other important purposes
the reporter is humbly of opinion that this measure ought to be
regarded as the greatest object which has engaged the attention of
public men since the erection of the North Bridge, which was a very
bold and enterprising undertaking for any period of provincial or
even of metropolitan history.
“Under these circumstances, it must be doubly gratifying to learn,
that notwithstanding the facility which an improved access must
afford in laying out the city grounds of the Calton Hill for
buildings, it is understood to be the intention of the Lord Provost
and Magistrates, in framing the Bill for an Act of Parliament
for regulating these works, to provide, with a proper liberality
and a due regard for the immediate and ultimate interests of the
community, that these lands shall in all time coming be preserved
open and free as at present from all common buildings. It is also
hoped that the Hon. and Rev. Governors of Heriot’s Hospital, with
enlightened sentiments, will preserve the view of Holyrood House
and its connecting scenery, by restricting the buildings on the
southern side of the new road through the Hospital’s land to such
limits as may seem for that purpose to be necessary.”
The Bill for this new approach to Edinburgh was passed in 1814, and,
on the 9th of September 1815, the foundation stone of the Waterloo
Bridge was laid with great masonic ceremony, bearing the following
inscription--
REGNANTE GEORGIO III. PATRE PATRIAE
URBIS PRAEFECTO ITERUM
JOANNE MARJORIBANKS DE LEES EQUITE BARONETTO
ARCHITECTO ROBERTO STEVENSON
CIVES EDINBURGENSES
NOVUM HUNC ET MAGNIFICUM
PER MONTEM VICINUM
AD SUMMAM URBEM ADITUM MOLITI
IN HOC PONTE NOMEN JUSSERUNT INSCRIBI
PROREGIS GEORGII AUGUSTI FREDERICI.[7]
which I quote, because Mr. Stevenson, in his notes, mentions a curious
circumstance in connection with it:--“The late James Gregory, then
Professor of the Practice of Medicine in the University, the well-known
author of the _Conspectus Medicinae Theoreticae_, was applied to by
the Commission for the improvement to put the inscription in classical
Latin. The Doctor came to me to say that he must style me _Architect_,
there being no such word as _Engineer_ to be found in the history of
the Arts, and so it stands in the inscription. I wanted the Doctor
to introduce the term Engineer, as it was very desirable to have
the profession recognised in works now exclusively entrusted to the
engineer.”
Mr. Stevenson’s original feuing plan, already referred to, for the
Calton Hill had three ranges of terraces at different levels, as shown
by a picture in my possession, from which Plate V. has been engraved.
The middle line of terrace shown in the drawing corresponds to the
Regent Terrace as ultimately constructed.
The approach on the northern side of the hill, known as the “London
Road,” was executed according to Mr. Stevenson’s design immediately
after the completion of the Regent Road and Waterloo Bridge; and the
whole of the new lines of road, as shown in red in Plate IV., were, as
I have stated, part of the same design.
Mr. Stevenson’s further contributions to the improvement of the
approaches to Edinburgh were made between 1811 and 1817 to the
“Trustees for the Post-road District of Roads,” the “Trustees of the
Middle District of Roads,” the “Commissioners for forming and feuing
Leith Walk,” and the “Trustees of the Cramond District of Roads.”
These were the several authorities at that time in power, under whose
directions he laid out the access to Edinburgh from Stockbridge by
Royal Circus, and from Inverleith by Canonmills to Dundas Street, and
from Canonmills to Bellevue Crescent. More recently the access from
Granton Harbour to Inverleith Row on the east, and to Caroline Park on
the west, were designed and executed under his direction in connection
with his design for Granton Harbour, made to the Duke of Buccleuch in
1834.
To Mr. Stevenson’s engineering skill, therefore, it may truly be said
that modern Edinburgh owes much of its fame as a city of palaces,
commanding views of the Firth of Forth and surrounding country which
cannot be surpassed.
[Illustration:
_PLATE V._
DESIGN FOR BUILDING ON THE CALTON HILL.
by
Robert Stevenson, F.R.S.E. Civil Engineer.
W. & A. K. Johnston Lithog. Edinburgh. G. C. Scott, Delt.
]
THE OLD TOLBOOTH PRISON.
While Mr. Stevenson was elaborating his designs for the new approaches
to the city, his attention was naturally directed to the crowded state
of the buildings in the old town; and as we shall see, he did not fail
fully to appreciate this evil, or forget to suggest a remedy for it in
his plans of improvement.
The old “Tolbooth” prison, in the High Street of Edinburgh--the scene
of so many incidents in the _Heart of Midlothian_--was still the
only stronghold in which debtors and criminals were indiscriminately
confined. Its position in the centre of the High Street, at St. Giles’
Church, was very objectionable, and the erection of a new jail, in a
more favourable situation, had been often proposed, but never carried
out.
In pursuance of this desirable object, Sir William Rae--the
Sheriff-Depute of Edinburgh--in 1813, accompanied by Mr. Stevenson
as a professional adviser, visited many of the principal jails in
England, including Newgate, Kingsbench, Cold Bath, Oxford, Gloucester,
Chester, and Lancaster, to inquire into their general arrangements and
accommodation.
Sir William Rae also remitted to Mr. Stevenson, in conjunction with
Mr. Crichton, architect, to report on the condition of the ancient
“Tolbooth;” and from the conclusion arrived at by the engineer and
architect, most people of the present day will readily sympathise with
the Sheriff in his ardent desire for the erection of a new building.
Their report is curious, as conveying an idea of the state of prison
discipline in the early part of this century, and is interesting in
connection with the antiquities of Edinburgh. Messrs. Stevenson and
Crichton say:--
“Agreeably to the directions of the Honourable the Commissioners
for erecting a new jail, the reporters have examined both the
exterior walls and the interior parts of the present jail,
and they now report that this building, which was erected in
1562, originally formed the western extremity of a continuous
range of buildings in the middle of the High Street, called the
Luckenbooths. A few years ago these buildings were partly removed,
leaving the old jail in an insulated and unsupported state. The
street at the north-eastern angle of the buildings was at the
same time lowered several feet; and these changes, together with
the defective state of the masonry, appear to have produced the
following effects upon the eastern and northern walls of this now
shattered fabric.
“The eastern wall or gable is rent in three places. Two of these
fissures extend from the ground to the top of the building, and the
wall is found to bulge or bend outwards.
“On the northern side there has been a junction of the walls of
two separate buildings, forming what is called the _debtor_ and
_criminal_ sides of the prison, which seem to have been erected at
different periods. At this place there is a very apparent opening
from the bottom to the top of the prison, and the eastern or
criminal end appears to be settling at the north-eastern angle, as
further appears from the doors of the guard-house and black hole,
situate in that quarter of the building, having at different times
required some alterations to make them move upon their hinges.
“This wall, like the eastern one, is also bulged outwards to the
extent of from six to ten inches in different places.
“The roof of the prison is likewise unsafe, particularly upon the
criminal or eastern side, where the rafters have sunk in the middle
and pressed the side wall outwards at the top.
“_Interior of the Prison._
“Upon examining the interior of the prison, it was found that the
several _cracks_ and _fissures_, already described as observable on
the outside of the building, were also most distinctly visible from
within, and that the northern wall in several of the apartments
appears to have separated from the floors. In confirmation of
these facts, which appear particularly to claim the notice of
the Honourable the Commissioners, it was distinctly stated to
the reporters by Mr. Sibbald, the head jailer, that he had been
conversant with this prison about twenty-two years; that about
seven years ago he became principal jailer, and had ever since been
in the habit of making requisitions for the necessary repairs,
which were always executed at his sight; that these openings and
fissures, which now appeared obvious to the reporters, had been
frequently plastered over with lime, sometimes previously to
whitewashing the apartments, and at other times at the earnest
request of the prisoners, to stop the current of air, which annoyed
them, and still these fissures appeared to be getting wider; that
in every instance where the walls had been attempted to be forced
by the prisoners, the mortar was found to be loose and soft,
without having taken bond; in particular it was stated that two of
the prisoners had lately excavated about two cartloads of rubbish
from the walls with a small piece of iron, in the course of a few
hours.
“It is therefore humbly concluded, from the information obtained
by the reporters upon the spot, but especially from their own
knowledge and observation, that there are data for assuming
that the eastern and northern walls of the prison have deviated
considerably from the perpendicular of their original elevation;
that there is reason to consider them still continuing to deviate
from the perpendicular; and that finally, in the decayed state
of this building, it is impossible to warrant its stability for
any given period of time. The reporters should even consider the
continuing the use of this building for one year longer than is
indispensably necessary for the erection of a sufficient jail, an
evil if possible to be avoided, as involving imminent danger to the
wretched inmates, and much hazard to the public at large, from its
position in the heart of the city.
“It would accordingly be very desirable that some support could
be given to this old building immediately, but unfortunately
its position renders this quite impossible without seriously
obstructing the High or principal street of the city. Had it formed
any part of the Honourable the Commissioners’ instructions to the
reporters to take notice of this jail as a place of security for
the safe custody of prisoners, it would only be necessary for them
to refer to what is herein stated regarding the insufficiency of
the walls, and to remark that the floors, being wholly composed of
timber, are neither proof against the simplest accident by fire
nor against the slightest attempt at escape by the prisoners. It
is truly surprising that any criminal of a desperate character can
be retained within its precincts to abide the pains of law, which
nothing but the active vigilance of its keepers could insure.”
This ancient prison-house was removed in 1817, and in his Notes to the
_Heart of Midlothian_, Scott says:--“That with the liberal acquiescence
of the persons who had contracted for the work, he procured the
stones which composed the gateway, together with the door and its
ponderous fastenings, to decorate the entrance to the kitchen court at
Abbotsford.”
THE REMOVAL OF THE COLLEGE.
There is yet another report which, though its interest may only be
local, I think is worthy of a place in this Memoir, as it not only
shows Mr. Stevenson’s firm conviction in the ultimate success of his
Calton Hill improvements, but is a pleasing record of his interest in
the scene of his early studies.
It is not, I believe, generally known that Mr. Stevenson made an
unsuccessful attempt to have the University buildings, then in
progress, removed from the old town to the _site_ proposed to be opened
up on the Calton Hill; and the remarks he then made, addressed to the
Right Honourable Sir John Marjoribanks, Lord Provost of Edinburgh, may
have interest even at the present day, as shadowing forth views which,
in the now altered relations of the new and old town, have been to some
extent realised.
“In making the following observations at the desire of the Lord
Provost regarding the completion of the College of Edinburgh, the
memorialist would be understood as referring to the _site_ of the
building rather than to the merits of any particular design, of
which he does not presume to give any opinion, as it is a matter
which more properly falls under the observations of the architect
than the engineer.
“In treating of the fitness of the present site of the College of
Edinburgh, it may be proper to take some cursory notice of the
situation of the Old College, as connected with the houses and
streets in the neighbourhood, and then show the alterations which
the University grounds have undergone since the design was first
formed of rebuilding the College.
“_Old College._
“In so far as the memorialist can recollect the exterior of the
area of the Old College, it was occupied by a range of _low_
buildings of only two stories, particularly upon the southern and
western sides, and was again divided by a range of buildings into a
small lower court towards the north, and the present main courtyard
on the south, and these two courts communicated with each other
by a spacious flight of steps, so that the principal or higher
court was comparatively open and free to the influence both of the
sun and of the air. Nor was there any obstruction to this state
of things beyond the precincts of the College for a considerable
period after the New College was commenced, and until the elegance
of the building stamped a new value upon all the surrounding
property. But, unfortunately, by this time the funds for the works
fell short, and the operations were stopped. The Magistracy, also,
who originally entered upon this great work, in rotation retired
from office, and the same zeal was perhaps not felt by those who
immediately succeeded; and we are now left to regret the shortness
of the period of human life, which has removed the man who
conceived the magnificent design of this building, which is now so
completely invested with streets as to be rendered nearly unfit for
the purposes of its foundation.
“_New College._
“The _site_ of the New College of Edinburgh, as already stated,
does not possess any of those properties which are considered
essential to the convenience and eligibility of a public school.
Instead of being in a retired situation with sequestered
walks, like the other colleges of the United Kingdom, it is
closely surrounded by paved streets, which are the most public
thoroughfares for carriages in the city, insomuch that the
memorialist has witnessed the annoyance of Playfair’s mathematical
class by a ballad-singer, and he has oftener than once seen the
Professor of Moral Philosophy put to silence by the disloading of
a cart with _bars of iron_ in College Wynd; and at all times the
driving of a single carriage briskly in the streets which surround
the College is sufficient to disturb, and even to interrupt,
the classes. To this it may be replied that double windows will
prevent such interruptions; but these would obscure the light
which already, from the late erection (on all sides) of very high
buildings, is much injured.
“So strongly is the memorialist impressed with these views, from
what he has himself as a student experienced, and from what he has
heard from others, that he cannot resist bringing them forcibly
under the notice of your Lordship in connection with the erection
of a building for one of the first seminaries of education in
Europe.
“When your Lordship’s predecessors in the office of the magistracy
adopted the plan of Robert Adam, the most eminent and justly
celebrated architect of his day, the site was comparatively free
from the objections stated. It is not therefore the plan which
is objectionable, but it is the neighbourhood which has been so
altered and changed as to be very unsuitable to the elegant design
of the architect.
“From causes to which it is unnecessary to allude, the building
of the New College has only advanced about one third towards the
perfecting of the design, and a sum of money is now expected to be
procured for its completion. The present moment is therefore one
of the greatest importance for considering the deficiencies of the
present site, and if found materially defective, as humbly appears
to your memorialist to be the case, it were much better to change
the site of the building while it may be done without much loss,
and execute the design in a more eligible situation.
“It must always be kept in view that when this design was made the
grounds were open to the free circulation of the air and the full
influence of light. But now the case is materially altered, and
if the design is executed under such a change of circumstances
the direct rays of the sun will hardly ever reach the area of the
courtyard, especially in the winter months, neither will there
be that free circulation of air which is essential to health and
comfort, and moss (byssus) will make its appearance upon the lower
parts in the interior of the courtyard, which is very unsuitable in
a magnificent building such as Mr. Adam’s design for the College of
Edinburgh.
“At the period when the rebuilding of the College was determined
upon there was perhaps little choice as to the spot for its
erection; the number of students, now greatly on the increase,
was at that time much smaller, and the College grounds were then
much more relieved and uncumbered with other buildings, a state of
things which most unquestionably would have been preserved had the
building proceeded as was expected; but in the lapse of about one
third of a century many changes take place, and the slow progress
of the building necessarily produced a want of energy in the
official people to prevent the use that has since been made by the
respective proprietors of the surrounding grounds.
“At the present crisis, however, your Lordship will now feel
yourself called upon in a review of these circumstances to consider
what is proper to be done upon a great scale for the ultimate
best advantage of future generations in a matter of great public
interest. Under these impressions a field of operation is just
opening for your Lordship’s consideration, in a prolongation of
Princes Street in a direct line to the lands of Calton Hill and
Heriot’s Hospital, now in progress under the auspices of your
Lordship. To take a minute view of this improvement would be
tedious, and would require the notice of more particulars than
these observations are intended to refer to. But in a general
way it may be noticed that there is ample space and freedom for
the execution of Mr. Adam’s design on the lands to which the new
approach will lead by a very easy access.
“It may be objected to the removal of the College that it would be
inconvenient for the students; but for those who are perhaps the
most numerous, living in the New Town, a site for the College on
the north side of the town would be the most convenient, and for a
different class lodgings at a cheap rate would be procured quite at
hand in the Canongate.
“A more powerful objection would perhaps arise from the contiguity
of the present site of the College to the Infirmary and other
institutions connected with the education of the medical classes,
but these may also be got over by a little arrangement in the
present hours of the classes, and one would not despair of seeing
a more direct road projected from the Calton Hill to the southern
side of the town were the College removed to that neighbourhood.
With regard to any real loss to the students, it is not believed
that such could be instructed were this proposition fully
considered. But those who would perhaps be the most clamorous are
the persons who have made the most of their property by building
immense piles of lodging-houses in the immediate vicinity of the
College, and have thus ruined the neighbourhood.
“With regard to the funds for this change of site, your memorialist
is of opinion that the removal of the College from the present
valuable grounds in the central parts of the city, for buildings
applicable to commercial and economical purposes, would be attended
with an increase of funds towards the new erection;--for the lower
part all round would be opened for valuable shops, while the higher
parts would answer for dwelling-houses and other purposes. The part
of the front would be easily convertible into a house for the Royal
Bank, which seems much wanted, and in short it may be confidently
stated that upon the whole there would be no loss, but gain, by the
change of position, while very many advantages could be pointed
out as attending such a measure, were this the proper place for
entering more fully into the subject.
“The proposal stated is not new; it has been often under the
memorialist’s consideration, and he has heard it favourably spoken
of and received by several of the Professors of the University, in
particular Professors Leslie and Playfair, and others eminently
qualified to judge correctly upon the subject.”
With this report I conclude what may be fairly held to be of purely
_local_ interest, but which nevertheless I have thought worthy of a
place in the memoir of one whose great anxiety ever was to secure the
amenity of Edinburgh, and make it attractive not only as a place of
residence but as a seat of learning.