Scotland/Scots > Black's picturesque tourist of Scotland

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EDINBURGH.
Horse Inn is understood to be the oldest place of the kind in
the city, and as seen from the North Back of the Canongate,
exhibits perhaps more distinctly the characteristics of one of
our ancient hostelries. It was at this inn that Dr. Samuel
WHITE HORSE CLOSE.
Johnson lodged in 1773. The house is now partitioned into
dwelling-houses of the lowest class.
The Abbey Court House, as will be seen from the plate on
the door, is the place where protections are given to debtors,
who, once their feet touch this hallowed ground, are free to
roam at large over nearly the entire royal domain of Holy-
rood, which includes nearly the whole of Arthur’s Seat.
On the side of this building the traces of pointed arches will
be observed. These indicate the place where the old port or
gateway to Holyrood joined the Abbey Court House, and which
formed the main entrance to the Palace. The abbot’s house
was connected with this on the north side, and with it formed
one of the most ancient buildings in connection with Holyrood.
The hereditary keeper had his lodging in the gate-house, until
its removal in 1753.