the capital city of the kingdom of Scotland, situated W. long. 3°, and N. lat. 56°.

We shall not spend time in fruitless inquiries into the antiquity of this city, or the etymology of its name; both of which seem to be fabulous and uncertain. It is conjectured by some to have owed its origin and name to Edwin king of Northumberland, about the year 600; is taken notice of by authors in the 854 as a small and inconsiderable village, and only about the middle of the 14th century as the capital of Scotland.

Edinburgh is situated upon a steep hill, rising from east to west, and terminating in a high and inaccessible rock, upon which the castle stands. At the east end, or lower extremity of this hill, stands the abbey of Holyrood-house, or king's palace, distant from the castle upwards of a mile; and betwixt which, along the top of the ridge, and almost in a straight line, runs the high-street of Edinburgh. On each side, and parallel... rallied to this ridge or hill, is another ridge of ground lower than that in the middle, and which does not extend so far to the east; that on the south being intercepted by Salisbury-rocks, and Arthur's-seat, a hill of about 650 feet of perpendicular height; and that on the north by the Calton-hill, considerably lower than Arthur's-seat: so that the situation of this city is most singular and romantic; the east or lower part of the town lying between two high hills; and the west or higher part rising up towards a third hill, little inferior in height to the highest of the other two, upon which, as has been observed, the castle is built, and overlooks the town.

The buildings of the town terminate at the distance of about 200 yards from the castle-gate; which space affords a most delightful as well as convenient and healthful walk to the inhabitants. The prospect from this spot is perhaps the finest anywhere to be met with, for extent, beauty, and variety.

In the valley or hollow betwixt the mid and south ridge, and nearly parallel to the high-street, is another street called the Cowgate; and the town has now extended itself over most part of that south ridge also. Betwixt the mid and north ridge was a loch, which, till of very late, terminated the town on that side. From the high-street towards the loch on the north, and Cowgate on the south, run narrow cros streets or lanes, called wynds and closes, which grow steeper and steeper the farther west or nearer the castle; so that, were it not for the closeness and great height of the buildings, this city, from its situation and plan, might naturally be expected to be the best aired, as well as the cleanliest in Europe. The first, notwithstanding these disadvantages, it enjoys in an eminent degree; but we cannot compliment it upon the latter, notwithstanding every possible means has been used by the magistrates for that purpose.

The steepness of the ascent makes the access to the high-street from the north and south very difficult; and has no doubt greatly retarded the enlargement of this city. To remedy this inconvenience on the north, and with a view to extend the town on that quarter, a most elegant bridge is presently thrown over the north loch, which will join the north ridge to the middle of the high-street, by so easy an ascent as one in fifteen; and in pursuance of this design a plan of a new town to the north is fixed upon, and is actually carrying into execution with surprising rapidity, and with an elegance and taste that does honour to this country.

The principal public buildings in Edinburgh may be reduced to four, viz. St Giles's church, the palace of Holyrood house, Herriot's hospital, and the Royal Infirmary.—St Giles's church is the most ancient church in Edinburgh, in so much that it is not known when or by whom it was founded. It stands on the south-side of the high street, about a quarter of a mile below the castle. It is a very large, irregular, and heavy building, except the steeple, which runs with a square stalk from the middle of the structure, and terminates in the form of an imperial crown, and is reckoned the finest in Britain for elegance and symmetry.

The abbey of Holyrood-house was erected by David I., anno 1128, in memory, as is said, of his deliverance from the horrors of an enraged hart, by the interposition of heaven in the form of a cross. It was first made a royal palace by James V. about the year 1528, who built the north wing of the present front, which evidently appears older than the rest. It was completed in the present form by Charles II. in the year 1674; and is justly reckoned a most magnificent and elegant building.

Herriot's hospital was founded, July 1, 1628, by the magistrates of Edinburgh, in virtue of a donation of L. 43,608 : 11 : 3, bequeathed to them by George Herriot, goldsmith and jeweller to James VI. "for the maintenance, relief, bringing up, and education of so many poor fatherless boys, freemen's sons of the town of Edinburgh," as the above sum should be sufficient for. This hospital contains at present about a hundred and forty boys, who are well educated and taken care of. It has, notwithstanding the large sum laid out in building the house, a great annual revenue; which, as it consists mostly of lands, must always keep pace with the nominal value of money. This hospital is finely situated on the west end of the south ridge, almost opposite to the castle; and is perhaps the most magnificent building of that kind in Britain.

The Royal Infirmary was founded in August 1738, by the magistrates of Edinburgh, in virtue of a charter from the crown, for the reception of poor diseased persons; and by conduct in the management of its funds, which arose mostly from the public contributions, and were but very scanty, has proved an ineffable blessing to this country. This hospital stands near the east end of the south ridge; and is thought by some to be rather too magnificent, considering the purpose for which it is designed, and the narrowness of the original funds.

Edinburgh, as not being properly a sea-port town, has never been remarkable for trade. The chief advantages it enjoys arise from the supreme courts of justice, which are there held; and from its college, which has become famous over Europe, particularly for physic.

EDITOR: A person of learning, who has the care of an impression of any work, particularly that of an ancient author: thus Erasmus was a great editor; the Louvain doctors, Scaliger, Petavius, F. Sirmond, bishop Walton, Mr Hearne, Mr Ruddiman, &c. are likewise famous editors.