[263] Record of that Society.
[264] The date over the exterior gateway of the Tailors’ Hall, towards
the Cowgate, is 1644; but it is ascertained that the corporation had
its hall at this place at an earlier period. An assembly of between
two and three hundred clergymen was held here on Tuesday the 27th of
February 1638 in order to consider the National Covenant, which was
presented to the public next day in the Greyfriars Church. We are
informed by the Earl of Rothes, in his _Relations_ of the transactions
of this period, in which he bore so distinguished a part, that some few
objected to certain points in it; but being taken aside into the garden
attached to this hall, and there lectured on the necessity of mutual
concession for the sake of the general cause, they were soon brought to
give their entire assent.
[265] The announcements of entertainments given at this fashionable
place of amusement in the eighteenth century make amusing reading
to-day. ‘February 17, 1743. We hear that on Monday 21st instant, at the
Tailors’ Hall, Cowgate, at the desire of several ladies of distinction,
will be performed a concert of vocal and instrumental music. After
which will be given gratis _Richard the Third_, containing several
historical passages. To which will be added gratis “The Mock Lawyer.”
Tickets for the Concert (on which _are_ [sic] printed a new device
called Apology and Evasion) to be had at the Exchange and John’s
Coffee-houses, and at Mr Este’s lodgings at Mr Monro’s, musician in the
Cowgate, near Tailors’ Hall. As Mrs Este’s present condition will not
admit a personal application, she hopes the ladies notwithstanding will
grace her concert.’
[266] Among the audience on the first night of the performance of
_Douglas_ were the two daughters of John and Lady Susan Renton, one of
whom, Eleanor, was the mother of Charles Kirkpatrick Sharpe, to whom
the author in his ‘Introductory Notice’ expresses his indebtedness
for assistance on the first appearance of this work. And it was for
attending one of the performances that the minister of Liberton
Church brought himself under sentence of six weeks’ suspension by the
Presbytery of Edinburgh—a sentence modified in consideration of his
plea that though he attended the play, ‘he concealed himself as well as
he could to avoid giving offence.’
[267] Maitland, in his _History of Edinburgh_, 1753, says that the
encouragement given to the diversions at the house ‘is so very great,
’tis to be feared it will terminate in the _destruction of the
university_. Such diversions,’ he adds, ‘are noways becoming a seat of
the Muses.’
[268] The Theatre Royal in Shakespeare Square, where the General Post
Office now stands.