[245] I was indebted to my friend Dr John Brown (_Horæ Subsecivæ_, p.
42) for drawing my attention to a quotation of Seneca by Beyerlinck
(_Magn. Theatr. Vit. Human._, tom. vi. p. 60), involving this fine
expression. Some one, however, has searched all over the writings of
Seneca for it in vain.
[246] The close entering by the archway at the east end of the house,
now called ‘Bakehouse Close,’ was formerly ‘Hammermen’s Close.’
[247] ‘The Speaking House’ is now recognised as a town mansion of the
Huntly family. It is said to be associated with the first marquis, who
killed the ‘Bonnie Earl of Moray’ at Donibristle, and died in 1636 at
Dundee on his way north to Aberdeenshire. His son, the second marquis,
who was beheaded in 1649, was residing in this house ten years prior
to his execution, and in it his daughter Lady Ann was married to Lord
Drummond, third Earl of Perth.
[248] Which he named Gosford, after the estate in East Lothian, which
was acquired by Sir Archibald’s ancestor, a wealthy burgess in the
reign of Queen Mary. The Viscounts Gosford take their title from the
Irish estate.
[249] In his MS. Diaries in the Advocates’ Library.
[250] In an advertisement in a Jacobite newspaper, called _The
Thistle_, which rose and sank in 1734, the house is advertised as
having lately been occupied by the Duchesses of Gordon and Perth.
[1868. It is in the course of being taken down to make way for a
railway.]