THE AMERICAN
JOURNAL OF SOCIOLOGY
Volume IV MARCH, I SqQ Numbers
THE WORLD'S FIRST SOCIOLOGICAL LABORATORY.
Old Edinburgh was a city set on a hill. From the castle to the palace, the main street of the old city runs along the top of a ridge which was left between two deep grooves caused by gla- cial action. The location of the city on the ridge was due to the presence of the castle built on the precipitous rocks at its western end. The thoroughfare from the castle on the heights gradually descends to Holyrood Palace, and has been the scene of storied pageants without number. No city in western Europe is richer in historical associations ; still the city of Edinburgh is no more remarkable than its topography, and is indeed depend- ent on the latter.
Professor Geddes, speaking of the permanence of physical characteristics, says : "What was decided among the prehistoric protozoa cannot be annulled by act of Parliament." With equal truth it may be said, the destiny of Edinburgh carved out in the ice age may be aided or retarded, but cannot be obliterated, by the deed of man. The history of its civilization is recorded in the progress from the warlike castle on the rocks, along the descending thoroughfare, to the domestic palace in the peaceful valley at the foot of Salisbury Crags.
"Even thus, methinks, a city reared should be
Yea, an imperial city that might hold Five times a hundred noble towns in fee .... Thus should her towers be raised ; with vicinage Of clear bold hills, that curve her very streets. As if to indicate, 'mid choicest seats Of Art, abiding Nature's majesty. " 577
