Proposal for forming a Communication between the North and South Sides of the City of Edinburgh, by means of a Bridge entering the LawnMarket, nearly opposite Bank Street. Illustrated by a Plan.

TO THE EDITOR.

Sir, THE formation of a convenient communication between the North and South sides of the city, as well as of an access to the Lawn-Market, and High-Street, from the Grass-Market, easier than the West-Bow at present affords, has long been considered as a measure that would be highly condueive to public utility and convenience. The principal difficulty which occurs, and which seems to have prevented any attempt to execute such a plan, is the great expence that would be incurred in purchasing and removing so much property, which, being in the centre of the city, must necessarily be very valuable. In the accompanying plan, however, the lines of the proposed streets do not interfere with property of any great value. On the contrary, a considerable part of it is evidently in such a state of decay as will ere long require it to be rebuilt. Such expenditure, therefore, as may be necessary for purchasing property, will be amply repaid by the increased value of the ground when it is laid out in buildings, as now pro. posed.

According to this plan, streets, ornamented with elegant houses and shops, will supply the places of the dirty closes and ruinous tenements which at present encumber that part of the city; and a convenient and easy communication will be afforded to the public from George Square, and the adjacent streets, by the Earthen Mound, to those parts of the New Town which lie to the westward of the North Bridge.

Previous to unfolding my views on this subject, I conceive it proper to state, that the plan accompanying this letter is corrected from Mr Kirkwood's very accurate plan of the city, which was done from actual survey.

From A to B is a bridge, the south end of which is greatly above the level of the Grayfriars' church-yard at that point. This is rather an unusual feature in bridge building; but the practicability of constructing an abutment sufficient to resist the horizontal thrust of the adjoining arch, &c. is unquestionable; it is therefore needless at present to enter into a farther explanation: nothing more than a retaining wall on each side would be requisite from B to the Lawn-Market. The property necessary to be removed, in order to make room for the bridge, and other buildings, will be comparatively of small value: towards the Lawn Market it consists of the old houses at Brodie's Close, and on the north side of the

Cowgate

Cowgate mostly of wooden tenements. The intervening property, it is well known, is occupied for the most part by inferior dwelling-houses, wrights' shops and yards, &c.

The houses on the east side of the Candlemaker-Row are proposed to be taken down, and likewise on the south side of the Cowgate, as far as the new building just finished next the Magdalane Chapel, and rebuilt as marked on the plan. The houses on the north side of the Lawn-Market immediate ly opposite the street which would thus be opened, being of wood, are likely soon to be rebuilt, which might easily be done so as to form a very handsome termination at the north end. The opposite end, at A, being the point where the street takes a new direction, would be an excellent situation for some public monument.

The houses on the west side of the Candlemaker-Row are all supposed to be removed, and a screen-wall erected to conceal the Grayfriars' Churchyard; a retaining wall will also be necessary on the east side of the Row. The houses on this side (except two or three at the south end) are of little value, but as they do not encroach on the proposed line, there would be no necessity for their removal until an ample price could be obtained for their sites; and, from the excellence of the situation, there can be no doubt of this taking place immediately upon the completion of the street.

From the head of the CandlemakerRow the street leads in a straight line to the Meadow Walk-a handsome gateway to which would be an elegant addition to this quarter.

The grounds belonging to the Merchant Maiden Hospital and Charity Workhouse being thus rendered easily accessible from all quarters, houses in this situation would become very desirable, and would, by the feus, encrease greatly the revenue of these establishments, besides improving the street of Teviot Row. I have accord

ingly delineated on the plan such an arrangement of the streets as appears to me not inconsistent with public utility and elegance, and at the same time likely to afford a very considerable addition to the incomes of those charitable institutions. The removal of the Charity Workhouse from its present situation would be a further improvement; but if this should not be thought expedient, its appearance might be greatly meliorated at a small expence, by completing the wings, and building a screen-wall between them in an appropriate style, and at some distance from the present front; it would also be better, if the common entrance could be removed to a gate at D, or to E, if an entry at D could not be got. A small sum expended in adding mullions, pinnacles, &c. to the east end of the Grayfriars' Church would give it considerable elegance. I would also propose a handsome gateway in a style corresponding with the building to be erected where the streets meet at C.

As this plan interferes with the road from the Grass-Market towards the south by the Candlemaker-Row, it is proposed, after passing under the bridge, to take a direction along Merchant-Street, when, by removing a few old tenements, principally consisting of stables, of little value, a road is obtained passing betwixt Argyll and Brown Squares, and through the Society, which would thus join the new street on the property of the Merchant Maiden Hospital.

It will likewise be observed, that provision is made for a new street leading from the Grass-Market to the Lawn-Market. The public buildings lately erected prevent its taking the line originally proposed. In this plan it takes a curvilinear direction, and after passing under the northernmost arch of the bridge, it forms a semi-circle, and terminates within 90 feet of the Lawn-Market, or it may take the direction shewn by the dot

ted

ted lines. In the former case, the property necessary to be taken down is of less value; in the latter, as the line is longer and terminates at a lower level, the acclivity will be somewhat more gentle.

By this plan, the ground laid out for building is more than 4200 feet in front; the average price of which is surely not overrated at 12s. per foot. This, at twenty years purchase, is upwards of £.50,000, besides enhancing the value of the neighbouring property of every description; and I be Jieve, that this sum is nearly adequate to meet the charges of building the bridge and purchasing the property through which the streets would run. It may perhaps appear at first view that, a street (long ago proposed) running in continuation of Bank-Street, and passing through Brown Square, &c. would be preferable to the line I have pointed out; but, the additional expence which would be incurred, owing to the greater value of the property through which it would pass, besides other material considerations, render it, in my opinion, decidedly inferior. I am aware that the peculiarity of the alignment I have chosen will be a counterbalance to these objections with such persons as consider the principal beauty of a street to consist in its being quite straight and of great length, but, "there are not unfrequently, in a bending alignment of street, much beauty, and perhaps the most striking effects. Public buildings break upon the eye at the most favourable point of view, shewing at once a front and a flank. They are seen at a proper distance, and under a proper angle; but, if placed at the extremity, or even at the side of a long and straight line of street, they are descried too soon, and expectation and interest have subsided ere they have assumed the form and the magnitude most calculated to please and to strike.

"It is not intended to decry a due

degree of deference to regularity of form, in so far as it can be indulged without harm; and as the first requisite in the arrangement of a town is convenience, it is of importance that, when the ground permits, the communications should be as much as possible in right lines, and the inclosed spaces formed with right angles, and this must necessarily induce regularity of form.

"On the other hand, when circumstances render it expedient, there should be no apprehension of any deterioration either of the magnificence or beauty of the design by the introduction of curves either regular or irregular *."

I have thus endeavoured to explain the views I entertain of this magnificent improvement. The advantages that would result from it are so numerous and apparent, that I flatter myself the same public spirit which has already done so much to adorn the city, will soon turn its attention to this subject, and either adopt this, or any other line of direction which may be judged preferable.—I am, &c.

H.

Observations on Canine Madness,— made at the Veterinary School of VIENNA. By Dr Waldinger.

(From the French.)

CANINE madness is a malady so

formidable, and at the same time so little known, that it were much to be wished we could trace its origin, its nature, and the means of cure, better than any authors have yet done. Unluckily, whenever a dog is suspected of madness, the only remedy thought of is to kill him immediately so that few

Report on the plans for laying out the grounds for building between Edinburgh and Leith, by the late W. STARK, Esq.

few opportunities have been given of observing the effects of the disease upon the animal. For some years past, a much better plan has been adopted in the veterinary school of Vienna. This is to shut up suspected dogs in a place destined for that purpose, where the first approach of the malady, and its progress from day to day, may be carefully examined. Dr Waldinger, a professor in this school, has given an account, in some of the foreign Journals, of the observations inade upon this subject in the course of eight years to the end of 1815.

Dr Waldinger observed in general, that of a hundred dogs who had bit men, and were brought in on suspision, not above five were really mad. There was a remarkable variety in the prevalence of this malady. From 1st January to 18th October 1814, there were only five mad dogs; from that period to 18th October 1815, there were forty-six. This last period may be considered as very extraordinary in this respect, and afforded ample room for observation.

Among these forty-six there was neither a butcher's dog nor a hunting dog; and, in general, Dr Waldinger never saw -madness manifest itself spontaneously in these species.

The food of the hunting dog is not very copious, and generally composed of vegetables, while the butchers' dog feeds copiously on the refuse of slaughter-houses, raw or half cooked. Spontaneous madness is rare among dogs who have no masters; and among those who are ill fed, and satisfy their hunger from the refuse of the kitchen. It is usually observed among such as share the food of their master, or others whose nourishment is better than poor people can generally procure.

The Kamschadale feeds his dog on dried fish bones; in the burning climate of Indostan, as well as in Turkey, dogs live, in a manner, only upon. alms; and notwithstanding the great

number of these animals, madness is not spoken of in these countries.

Mad dogs are numerous in Hongary. Their masters usually give them the remains of their table, the meats of which are usually very salt, and seasoned with onions and Turkey pepper. Several kinds of exotic spices given to dogs are a mortal poison to these animals; may we not then infer, that a food too highly spiced predisposes them to contract this malady? Other causes, however, are required to develope it.

Most of the dogs which become mad of themselves were bastards, whose primitive race could scarcely be distinguished. In general, they were wicked and inclined to bite, even before their malady. They were usually dogs who inhabited the same apartment with their masters, sheltered from cold, little exposed, and too much pampered.

Neither rigorous cold nor great heat are causes of madness. The cold of Kamschatka, and the heat of Indostan, prove this.

During the eight years that I have been called to examine dogs suspected of madness, I have seen this disease show itself only after the time of heat in these animals, either in spring or autumn. Yet it does not appear that unsatisfied desire is the cause of madness. Whoever has observed the fury with which dogs bite each other while they are pursuing a female, will think it not improbable that madness may be produced by the bite of a dog agitated by two such violent passions; particularly as the dog who gave the bite has often remained himself in good health.

It is known that the voice of an enraged man becomes hoarse, and his mouth dry and bitter. Is it not the same with an enraged dog? The harsh sounds which be emits in his wrath against his adversary, and the gnashing of his teeth, seem to indicate that the throat becomes too narrow.

When

When he goes away he coughs, as if he wished to expectorate something which pained him. The same, perhaps, is the cause of madness in wolves, who live at perfect liberty, Why do we always see mad dogs after there has been a great fire?Do anguish and fear produce this effect upon these animals ?

The following are the phenomena observed in all cases of madness:

Mad dogs, even before the disease breaks out, have something very peculiar in their eye, an enlargement of the pupil, a timid look, which inspires terror, but which cannot be described by words. They refuse to eat, are in bad humour, conceal themselves in dark and shady corners, and even at this period of this malady, appear to be incommoded by too strong a light. They scarcely obey the voice of their master, and prefer repose. Some even at this period shew a horror at water, others appear to desire it, dip their mouth in it, appear to drink, without the quantity diminishing in the vessel.

Such is the manner in which the two first days are usually passed; on the third the voice alters. The first attempt which they make resembles barking, but it changes into a continued howl. The muscles at the top of the oesophagus and of the trachea appear to be in a state of convulsive contraction, and narrow the passage of the voice.

About the third day the dogs become restless; they tear with their teeth the place on which they lie. They often make darts with their mouth through the air, as if they wished to catch flies; you would say that they saw, floating before their eyes, objects which do not exist. They often make darts on their own body, as if they were tormented by insects, which they do not attempt to seize, as in health, by small and frequent strokes; but, after having made one strong bite into their own hair, this in

voluntary activity ceases; and, as if they discovered the reality, they cast around them a gloomy look, and repeat the stroke in every direc

tion.

The mad dog runs in a straight line, and appears no longer to have clearly the sense of sight. When the fit begins, he attacks furiously all the objects he meets. When he is too much fatigued, he seeks a dark place, and remains for some time tranquil. In running he holds his head half down, but his neck remains stretched. He is distinguished from a dog in pursuit of game, only by the latter holding his nose close to the ground.

When the dog affected with hydrophobia perceives water in his prison, he covers it with straw; and if, by means of a syringe, it is thrown into his open throat, he catches at this water, appears furious, but swallows nothing.

The mad dog, whether affected with hydrophobia or not, as well as he who, not being able to shut his throat, is incapable of biting, give signs of rage and fury whenever a mirror is presented to them; but still more when the rays of the sun are collected, and the reflexion thrown on their eyes; and the one that dreads the water, as well as the one that does not, seeks objects which he can bite he who keeps his throat open is agitated, and seeks to conceal himself.

Mad dogs, not affected with hydrophobia, when they find nothing to bite, tear themselves; particularly their tail, their thighs, their sides. Mad horses also, in the want of other objects, bite themselves; they do not endure the light, and when it is directed upon their eyes by a mirror, fall into convulsions, and become furious.

At the commencement of the second day after the appearance of the disease, the throat becomes of a deep red, the tongue is inflamed, and the dog, panting, holds it hanging out of his mouth,

As