Edinburgh—­The Royal Institute—­Scott’s Monument—­John Knox’s Pulpit—­Temperance Meeting—­Glasgow—­Great Meeting in the City Hall.

EDINBURGH, January 1, 1851.

You will see by the date of this that I am spending my New-Year’s-Day in the Scottish Capital, in company with our friend, William Craft.  I came by invitation to attend a meeting of the Edinburgh Ladies’ Emancipation Society.

The meeting was held on Monday evening last, at which William Craft gave, for the first time, since his arrival in this country, a history of his escape from Georgia, two years ago, together with his recent flight from Boston.

Craft’s reception was one of deep enthusiasm, and his story was well told, and made a powerful impression on the audience.  I would that the slaveholders, Hughes and Knight, could have been present and heard the thundering applause with which our friend was received on the following evening.  Craft attended a meeting of the Edinburgh Total Abstinence Society, before which I lectured, and his appearance here was also hailed with much enthusiasm.  Our friend bids fair to become a favourite with the Scotch.

Much regret was expressed that Ellen was not present.  She was detained in Liverpool by indisposition.  But Mrs. Craft has so far recovered, that we expect her here to-morrow.

The appearance of these two fugitives in Great Britain, at this time, and under the circumstances, will aid our cause, and create a renewed hatred to the abominable institution of American slavery.  I have received letters from a number of the friends of the slave, in which they express a wish to aid the Crafts; and among the first of these, were our good friends, John B. Estlin, Esq., of Bristol, and Harriet Martineau.

But I must give you my impression of this fine city.  Edinburgh is the most picturesque of all the towns which I have visited since my arrival in the father-land.  Its situation has been compared to that of Athens, but it is said that the modern Athens is superior to the ancient.  I was deeply impressed with the idea that I had seen the most beautiful of cities, after beholding those fashionable resorts, Paris and Versailles.  I have seen nothing in the way of public grounds to compare with the gardens of Versailles, or the Champs Elysees at Paris; and as for statuary, the latter place is said to take the lead of the rest of the world.

The general appearance of Edinburgh prepossesses one in its favour.  The town being built upon the brows of a large terrace, presents the most wonderful perspective.  Its first appearance to a stranger, and the first impression, can scarcely be but favourable.  In my first walk through the town, I was struck with the difference in the appearance of the people from the English.  But the difference between the Scotch and the Americans, is very great.  The cheerfulness depicted in the countenances of the people here, and their free and easy appearance, is very striking to a stranger.  He who taught the sun to shine, the flowers to bloom, the birds to sing, and blesses us with rain, never intended that his creatures should look sad.  There is a wide difference between the Americans and any other people which I have seen.  The Scotch are healthy and robust, unlike the long-faced, sickly-looking Americans.