ROMANCES OF THE OLD TOWN
OF
EDINBURGH.
BY
ALEXANDER LEIGHTON,
AUTHOR OF “MYSTERIOUS LEGENDS OF EDINBURGH,” “CURIOUS STORIED
TRADITIONS OF SCOTTISH LIFE,” ETC.
EDINBURGH:
WILLIAM P. NIMMO.
1867.
PREFACE.
THE stories in this volume owe their publicationto the favour extended to myBook of Legends. If I had any apologyto make it could only—independently of what isdue for demerits which the cultivators of “the gayscience” will not fail to notice—consist in an answerto the charge that books of this kind feed a toonatural appetite for images and stimulants whichtends to voracity, and which again tends to thatattenuation of the mental constitution deservingof the name of marasmus. I may be saved thenecessity of such an apology by reminding thereader that, although I plead guilty to the charge[vi]of invention, I have generally so much of afoundation for these stories as to entitle them tobe withdrawn from the category of fiction. Onthis subject the reader may be inclined to bemore particular in his inquiry than suits the possibilityof an answer which may at once be safeand satisfactory. I would prefer to repose uponthe generous example of that philanthropic showman,who leaves to those who look through hissmall windows the choice of selecting his greatduke out of two personages, both worthy of thehonour. The reader may believe, or not believe,but it is not imperative that he should do either;for even at the best—begging pardon of my fairreaders for the Latin—fides semper est inevidens inre testificata.
A. L.
York Lodge, Trinity,
January 1867.
CONTENTS.
| PAGE | |
| THE STORY OF THE TWO RED SLIPPERS, | 1 |
| THE STORY OF THE DEAD SEAL, | 13 |
| THE STORY OF MRS HALLIDAY, | 35 |
| THE STORY OF MARY BROWN, | 60 |
| THE STORY OF THE MERRILLYGOES, | 88 |
| THE STORY OF THE SIX TOES, | 115 |