Descriptive account of the principal towns in Scotland

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In the Castle Wynd stands Argyle's Lodgings,
ibuilt in 1633, by Sir William Alexander of Menstrie,
Secretary to Charles the First. It afterwards came
into the Argyle family ; and here Duke John resided
in 1/55. It is now occupied as the Military Hospi-
tal. At the top of the High Street stands Marr's
W-ark, begun in 1572, during the Regency of that
nobleman, but never finished. On the north side of the
town several new streets have been laid out, and contain
many elegant modern houses ; and great improvements
are making in the old part of the town. The town is
abundantly supplied with water, brought in pipes from
Gillies Hill, at a distance of three miles.
Stirling is a town of much gaiety and elegance, con-
taining many genteel families of moderate fortune,
who reside here, and who contribute much to enrich
and enliven the place ; attracted thither, not only by
the beauties of the town, but by the fame of its Aca-
demy and Schools. The Academy, the Grammar
school, and the English schools are all large and com-
modious, placed in airy and agreeable situations, and
taught by masters of the first respectability The
private schools for ornamental education are of a su-
perior class. Stirling gave birth to Robert Rollock,
the first Principal of the College of Edinburgh, 1583,
— Dr John Moore, author of Travels in France, &c.
and many other literary characters.
There are three Hospitals, or Alms-houses, in
Stirling. The first was endowed by Robert Spittal,
Tailor to King James the Fourth ; it was built in
1530, for the support of poor tradesmen ; the revenue
of this house is about £550 per annum. He also built
the Bridges of Doune and Bannockburn, and executed