Early Descriptions of Edinburgh The Mound From: Modern Athens - Published 1829 |
Edinburgh from Calton Hill This description of The Mound refers to the engraving above. (Click here to enlarge it.) The Mound runs from upper left to centre, through point 3 on the enlarged picture. |
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The Mound Conspicuous in the scene is the earthen mound, or raised, artificial road, which forms one of the lines of communication between the Old and the New Town. This is a modern work, and though neither an object of beauty, of science, or of art, is of great public accommodation and convenience. "This huge deformity, of lumpish length," extending from Hanover-street in the New Town, to Bank-street in the Old, owes its origin to a tradesman, named Boyd, who raised some planks across the north loch for the purpose of obtaining a nearer line of communication - from the former to the latter parts of the town. The excavated materials which were dug to lay the foundations of new buildings, were ordered to be thrown into this place, and gradually accumulating, soon formed a large and substantial bank. Although its precise contents and measurements cannot be accurately ascertained, it may be calculated at 720 feet in length, 160 in breadth, and 78 feet in height. Its solid contents are estimated at two millions of cart loads, or seven thousand entire yards of earth.
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Edinburgh |