one to two in the afternoon
The inhabitants seem insensible to these impressions , and are apt to imagine the disgust that we avow is little better than affectation ; but they ought to have some compassion for strangers , who have not been used to this kind of sufferance ; and consider , whether it may not be worth while to take some pains to vindicate themselves from the reproach that , on this account , they bear among their neighbours . As to the surprising height of their houses , it is absurd in many respects ; but in one particular light I can not view it without horror ; that is , the dreadful situation of all the families above , in case the common staircase should be rendered impassable by a fire in the lower stories -- In order to prevent the shocking consequences that must attend such an accident , it would be a right measure to open doors of communication from one house to another , on every story , by which the people might fly from such a terrible visitation . In all parts of the world , we see the force of habit prevailing over all the dictates of convenience and sagacity . All the people of business at Edinburgh , and even the genteel company , may be seen standing in crowds every day , from one to two in the afternoon , in the open street , at a place where formerly stood a market-cross , which -LRB- by the bye -RRB- was a curious piece of Gothic architecture , still to be seen in lord Sommerville 's garden in this neighbourhood -- I say , the people stand in the open street from the force of custom , rather than move a few yards to an Exchange that stands empty on one side , or to the Parliament-close on the other , which is a noble square adorned with a fine equestrian statue of king Charles II . -- The company thus assembled , are entertained with a variety of tunes , played upon a set of bells , fixed in a steeple hard by -- As these bells are well-toned , and the musician , who has a salary from the city , for playing upon them with keys , is no bad performer , the entertainment is really agreeable , and very striking to the ears of a stranger . The public inns of Edinburgh are still worse than those of London ; but by means of a worthy gentleman , to whom I was recommended , we have got decent lodgings in the house of a widow gentlewoman of the name of Lockhart ; and here I shall stay until I have seen every thing that is remarkable in and about this capital . I now begin to feel the good effects of exercise -- I eat like a farmer , sleep from mid-night till eight in the morning without interruption , and enjoy a constant tide of spirits , equally distant from inanition and excess ; but whatever ebbs or flows my constitution may undergo , my heart will still declare that I am , Dear Lewis , Your affectionate friend and servant , MATT .