TRADITION OF MARLIN THE PAVIER—HOUSE OF PROVOST EDWARD—STORY
OF LADY GRANGE.
Where South Bridge Street now stands, there formerly existed two wynds,
or alleys, of the better class, named Marlin’s and Niddry’s Wynds. Many
persons of importance lived in these obscurities. Marlin’s Wynd, which
extended from behind the Tron Church, and contained several bookshops
and stalls, the favourite lounge of the lovers of old literature, was
connected with a curious tradition, which existed at the time when
Maitland wrote his _History of Edinburgh_ (1753). It was said that the
High Street was first paved or _causewayed_ by one Marlin, a Frenchman,
who, thinking that specimen of his ingenuity the best monument he could
have, desired to be buried under it, and was accordingly interred at
the head of this wynd, which derived its name from him. The tradition
is so far countenanced by there having formerly been a space in the
pavement at this spot, marked by six flat stones, in the shape of a
grave. According, however, to more authentic information, the High
Street was first paved in 1532[176] by John and Bartoulme Foliot, who
appear to have had nothing in common with this legendary Marlin, except
country. The grave of at least Bartoulme Foliot is distinctly marked by
a flat monument in the Chapel-Royal at Holyrood House. It is possible,
nevertheless, that Marlin may have been the more immediate executor or
superintendent of the work.
Niddry’s Wynd abounded in curious antique houses, many of which had
been the residences of remarkable persons. The most interesting _bit_
was a paved court, about half-way down, on the west side, called
Lockhart’s Court, from its having latterly been the residence of
the family of Lockhart of Carnwath.[177] This was, in reality, a
quadrangular palace, the whole being of elegant old architecture in one
design, and accessible by a deep arched gateway. It was built by Nicol
Edward, or Udward, who was provost of Edinburgh in 1591; a wealthy
citizen, and styled in his _writts_, ‘of old descent in the burgh.’
On a mantelpiece within the house his arms were carved, along with an
anagram upon his name: