This is an unusual view of Edinburgh, looking towards the city centre from where the bridge at Canonmills crosses the Water of Leith just north of the New Town. In the foreground two women have just finished laying out their linen to bleach in the sun and some sheep graze and doze lazily in the meadow. In the background, the outline of Calton Hill is silhouetted against Arthur's seat. Nelson's Tower can be seen, but as yet no National Monument, which was still being constructed.