“At the time of the Union, the Scottish regalia were, with much solemnity, deposited in a strong iron-barred room, entered from a narrow staircase; but most probably prudential reasons have long ago led to their destruction or removal. They were too dangerous insignias of royalty to lie within the reach of the disaffected during the rebellions of the last century. Towards its close, however, some doubts were raised, and a warrant to search was issued to certain official persons. Nothing was found but an old locked chest covered with dust, and the deputation _did not think that they were authorized to break this open_. So the search was abandoned, and an opportunity, _not likely to recur_, of ascertaining whether the regalia were really in existence, was lost.” The _italics_ are ours. In 1818, the regalia were found in a search ordered by George IV.—then Prince Regent—in that same old chest, which is still in evidence at the back of the jewel room. [Illustration: SEAL OF HOLYROOD ABBEY.] Holyrood Palace, founded by David I., in 1158, was originally an abbey of St. Augustine canons. The ruins of the church evidence the grandeur of the ancient structure. Of a later date is the north-west wing of the palace,—a portion of which was a royal residence of successive sovereigns. One of the complaints against James III. was that he here preferred the society of poets and musicians, to that of the ruder nobility. James IV. was also partial to artists and literary men. In his _Marmion_, Sir Walter Scott has the quatrain:— “Still is thy name in high account And still thy verse has charms,— Sir David Lindsay of the Mount, Lord Lion King-at-arms!” Sir David was in the first half of the sixteenth century the leading poet in Scotland. When a boy he was page of honour to the infant king, James V.,—carrying him on his back,—his playmate, and, in a sense, his tutor. Sir David addresses the king, giving some early reminiscences:— “And the first words that thou gan’st mute Were, ’pay Da Lin;” upon the lute Then played I twenty springs and three,— With whilk richt pleasurt thou would be.”