PLACES AND^PEOPLE ABROAD.       165
inaccessible part of the rock upon which it stands, and
where a foe was least expected, and putting the guard to
death ; and at another time, by a party of soldiers dis-
guising themselves as merchants, and obtaining admis-
sion inside the castle gates. They succeeded in prevent-
ing the gates from being closed until reinforced by a
party of men under Sir Wm. Douglas, who soon over-
powered the occupants of the castle.
We could not resist the temptation held out to see the
palace of Holyrood. It was in this place that the beau-
tiful but unfortunate Mary Queen of Scots resided for
a number of years. On reaching the palace, we were
met at the door by an elderly-looking woman, with a red
face, garnished with a pair of second-hand curls, the
whole covered with a cap having the widest border that I
had seen for years. She was very kind in showing us
about the premises, especially as we were foreigners, no
doubt expecting an extra fee for politeness. The most
interesting of the many rooms in this ancient castle is
the one which was occupied by the queen, and where her
Italian favorite, Rizzio, was murdered.
But by far the most interesting object which we
visited while in Edinburgh was the house where the cele-
brated Reformer, John Knox, resided. It is a queer-looking
old building, with a pulpit on the outside, and above the
door- are the nearly obliterated remains of the follow-
ing inscription: " Lufe. God. Above. Al. And. your.
Nichbour^ As you. Self." This was probably traced
under the immediate direction of the great Reformer.