|
 The
Hospital was designed to be approached from the town of Edinburgh,
with its "show front" towards the town. To make 
the ascent from the Grassmarket more accessible for transport, Heriot
Bridge, the narrow street leading to the Hospital had an arch constructed
upon it which projected into the middle of the Grassmarket.
In
the north face is the impressive main door leading into a vaulted
entrance known as the Pend. On either side of the door are two Doric
pillars, standing on massive pedestals and supporting an entablature,
the cornice of which is sixteen feet high. The frieze, containing
four panels, is enriched with ornaments illustrating the origins and
purposes of the Hospital.
 The
first compartment (on the left) represents George Heriot as
a goldsmith at his forge in the act of blowing bellows, with an antique
seat and table. Over his work bench, with its receptacles of leather
for the filings of the precious metal, are the tools of his craft
arranged in orderly fashion on a rack. There is also the motto FUNDENDO
FUNDAVI (By founding, i.e. the metals, I have founded i.e. the Hospital).
In
the second compartment appears an altar with a heart on it
and above the name of God in Hebrew, surrounded by a halo. On the
right stands a female figure (a widow) with a baby in her arms with
two naked children clinging to her. On the left side of the altar
is another figure (representing Charity). The Motto in this compartment
is HIS COR INCALUIT (For these my heart has glowed).
 The
third compartment has five boys dressed in the uniform of Christ's
Hospital London (the model chosen by Heriot for his own Hospital).
Two of their guardians (governors) are also depicted. Above them a
hand, with the Founder's initials, points from the clouds, and bears
the motto SIC VOS DEUS, UT VOS EOS (So may God treat you, as you treat
them).
In
the fourth compartment, are several pupils and their teacher
at lessons. The motto in this panel reads DEUS NOBIS HAEC OTIA FECIT
(God has given us these calm enjoyments).
Four
small and richly-carved obelisks surmount the cornice above the Doric
pillars. Over the door an arched recess, between the windows of the
first floor, contains
the armorial bearings of George Heriot, namely:
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Argent
(shield), on a fess (horizontal band) azure, three cinquefoils
(five-petalled flowers) of the field, in base a mullet (five-pointed
star) sable.
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The
motto, IMPENDO, has been translated into I DISTRIBUTE CHEARFULLIE (or
I spend on others). Below the Arms is the inscription INSIGNIA GEORGII
HERIOTI FUNDATORIS PIETAS LIGAT ASTRA TERRIS (The Arms of George Heriot,
the Founder, Piety binds Heaven to Earth).
The
recess is flanked by Corinthian columns with spiral flutings. The cornice
is surmounted by a tablet with the initials G.H.; on it are seated two
cherubs supporting a pedestal crowned with the figure of a boy working
on an anvil. This  Corinthian
order rests on the more massive Doric below it. In the centre of the
Doric frieze is a monogram in raised letters containing the name of
George Heriot. The soffit is decorated with a laurel branch, charged
with three roses and a star, again referring to the arms of Heriot.
Other noteworthy features are the tidy Mannerist corner
designs, for the "best known example of a building decorated with buckle
quoins is the fantastic Heriot's Hospital". Perhaps these were an addition
by John Mylne, the master mason of the Hospital from 1643 until its
opening in 1659. |
