The social pinch

The accompanying text in the volume begins as follows:

"In this Etching is represented the east corner of the Parliament Square, with a partial view of the Parliament House, as it existed prior to the late extensive alterations.

The two Chairmen, both of whom died about thirty years ago, are well remembered by the old frequenters of the Square. DONALD KENNEDY— seated on the pole of the sedan, and presenting his "mull" —was a native of Perthshire. He was married, but had no children - owing to which circumstance, we presume, Donald and his helpmate were not always on the most amicable terms, and their quarrels at length terminated in a separation. His wife, who survived to old age, was lately an inmate of the Charity Work-house. Donald Black, the other figure, came from Ross-shire, and was a bachelor.

The Chairmen of Edinburgh, chiefly Highlanders, were at one time a numerous and well-employed body, and some of them were known to amass large sums of money. The introduction of hackney-coaches, however—-together with a considerable change in the habits of fashionable life have almost subverted the once courtly sedan. Formerly they were in great demand about the Parliament Square, most members of the College of Justice having their stated Chairmen in attendance. Lord Monboddo, though he invariably went home on foot, used to employ a sedan, if it rained, to carry his wig!