 of a
common cabbage. They are small and conical, of a yellowish colour, with a very
thin skin; and, over and above their agreeable taste, are valuable for their
antiscorbutic quality - As to the fruit now in season, such as cherries,
gooseberries, and currants, there is no want of them at Edinburgh; and in the
gardens of some gentlemen, who live in this neighbourhood, there is now a very
favourable appearance of apricots, peaches, nectarines, and even grapes: nay, I
have seen a very fine shew of pine-apples within a few miles of this metropolis.
Indeed, we have no reason to be surprised at these particulars, when we consider
how little difference there is, in fact, betwixt this climate and that of
London.
    All the remarkable places in the city and its avenues, for ten miles around,
we have visited, much to our satisfaction. In the Castle are some royal
apartments, where the sovereign occasionally resided; and here are carefully
preserved the regalia of the kingdom, consisting of a crown, said to be of great
value, a sceptre, and a sword of state, adorned with jewels - Of these symbols
of sovereignty, the people are exceedingly jealous - A report being spread,
during the sitting of the union-parliament, that they were removed to London,
such a tumult arose, that the lord commissioner would have been torn in pieces,
if he had not produced them for the satisfaction of the populace.
    The palace of Holyrood-house is an elegant piece of architecture, but sunk
in an obscure, and, as I take it, unwholesome bottom, where one would imagine it
had been placed on purpose to be concealed. The apartments are lofty, but
unfurnished; and as for the pictures of the Scottish kings, from Fergus I. to
king William, they are paltry daubings, mostly by the same hand, painted either
from the imagination, or porters hired to sit for the purpose. All the
diversions of London we enjoy at Edinburgh, in a small compass. Here is a
well-conducted concert, in which several gentlemen perform on different
instruments - The Scots are all musicians - Every man you meet plays on the
flute, the violin, or violoncello; and there is one nobleman, whose compositions
are universally admired - Our company of actors is very tolerable; and a
subscription is now on foot for building a new theatre; but their assemblies
please me above all other public exhibitions.
    We have been at the hunters ball, where I was really astonished to see such
a number of fine women
