CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

I

HAVE spoken of the discreditable proposals for building up the valley between the old and new town by erecting a second side

to Princes Street, and putting a cross street on the Mound, and building shops on the North Bridge. A first step in this amenity destroying policy was taken in the erection of what were called the "New Buildings," on the site now occupied by the North British Railway Hotel. For about a century that line of street buildings presented its coarse rubble back to Princes Street, without one redeeming feature in its ugliness, made,as it was,even more objectionable by tradesmen's advertisement names in great letters, conspicuous in white or gold, so that they could be read afar off by those in Princes Street. Such buildings, once erected, could never be removed, unless to give place to other buildings. It is certainly a matter for regret that the view from Princes Street out towards the sea, with the Bass Rock and North Berwick Law in the distance, has been finally closed up. Had the New Buildings not shut out that view, it may be doubted whether the Post Office would have been built on its present site. If the low building of the old Theatre Royal, and the disreputable Shakespere Square beside it had been removed, and if there had been no New Buildings at the end of Princes Street, the open view eastwards would have been of high value to the city's charms. But it was not to be,

and one can only have a modified satisfaction in the fact that the rubble backs of the bald New Buildings have been superseded by a structure which at least does not present an unrelieved and dirty back wall to the passer-by. It is to be regretted that this is all that can be said regarding the outlook at the east end of our glorious thoroughfare. And no one can fail to see, when descending the hill of the North Bridge, how cruelly the chaste and beautiful front of the Register House is obscured by the Post Office and the Railway Hotel.

During my time two widenings of Princes Street have been carried out-both absolutely necessary in view of the increase of traffic. Let it be remembered that if the Town Council's scheme for building a south side to Princes Street had been accomplished, not only would the amenity-the priceless amenity-of that glorious terrace have been ruined for ever, but the street must have remained a paltry narrow passage for all time. There would have been hopeless congestion as the city grew and the traffic increased. The putting down of tramways on Princes Street, although providing for the convenience of the citizens, could not but be deplored on æsthetic grounds. The presence on such a street of great, broad, double-decked vans, running on fixed rails, having to pick up and drop passengers in the middle of the street, and unable to give accommodation of passage to other vehicles, necessar