Scotland/Scots > Black's picturesque tourist of Scotland

64
EDINBURGH.
the termination of their apprenticeship. Those destined for any
of the learned professions are sent to college for four years,
during which period they receive ,£30 a-year.
In 1836, an act was obtained from Parliament, empowering
the Governors to extend the benefits of the Institution, and
employ their surplus funds in establishing Free Schools in the
different parishes of the city. Ten of these schools are already
in full operation, in which very nearly 3000 children, of both
sexes, are instructed in the usual branches of a parochial educa¬
tion, the females being, in addition, taught sewing and knitting.
This great scheme of instruction, when complete, must prove of
incalculable benefit to the community, as the advantages of a
substantial education will be brought within the reach of every
citizen, however humble. In addition to these liberal provisions
for the instruction of youth, there are also ten bursaries, or
exhibitions, open to the competition of young men not connected
with the institution. The successful competitors for these
bursaries receive £20 per annum for four years. The princely
provision thus made for the welfare of his countrymen amply
justifies the sentiment put into the mouth of the founder by
Sir Walter Scott—“ I think mine own estate and memory, as
I shall order it, has a fair chance of outliving those of greater
men.”
The Meadows and Bruntsfield Links (Anglice, Downs),
south side of the town, may be visited with Heriot’s Hospital.
In the year 1722 a marshy ground, anciently called the Burrow-
loch Boroughmuir, in the southern environs of the city, was
inclosed, drained, planted with trees, and traversed by extensive
broad walks, for the accommodation of the citizens. The public
grounds, which receive the appellation of the Meadows, and
bear some resemblance to the Green Park in London, are
bordered on the south-west side with extensive open downs,
called Bruntsfield Links, which are also open to the public,
and form a place of agreeable recreation for youth, as well as
an excellent golfing ground.
In a stable at the head of the links Bruce wrote the most of
his travels in Abyssinia. It was then a solitary hut quite in the
country, and so far from town as to afford perfect retirement
and seclusion.
Newington, Bruntsfield, GreenhiU,Morningside,and Canaan,