of thgular affair. In general, whatever may be | magistrates worth mentioning, but called witness after witnes the impelling motive by which a mob is at first raised, in the privatest manner, before himself in his own house, and the attainment of their object has usually been only enquiry without taking the least diversion, or turning his for six weeks time, from morning to evening, went on in the found to lead the way to further excesses. But not thoughts to any other business. so in the present case. They seemed completely sa"He tried at first what he could do by declarations, by engag tiated with the vengeance they had prosecuted with ing secrecy, so that those who told the truth should never be such stanch and sagacious activity. When they were tions with his own hand, to encourage them to speak out. discovered; made use of no clerk, but wrote all the declarafully satisfied that life had abandoned their victim, After all, for some time, he could get nothing but ends of stothey dispersed in every direction, throwing down theries, which, when pursued, broke off; and those who appeared weapons which they had only assumed to enable lest it should take air that they had mentioned any one man as and knew any thing of the matter, were under the utmost terror, them to carry through their purpose. At daybreak guilty. there remained not the least token of the events of the night, excepting the corpse of Porteous, which still hung suspended in the place where he had suffered, and the arms of various kinds which the rioters had taken from the city guard-house, which were found scattered about the streets as they had thrown them from their hands, when the purpose for which they had seized them was accomplished.

"During the course of the enquiry, the run of the town, which was strong for the villanous actors, begun to alter a little, and the generality, who before had spoke very warmly in defence of when they saw the King's servants in earnest to do their best, the wickedness, begun to be silent, and at that period more of the criminals begun to abscond.

tor was under some difficulty how to proceed. He very well saw "At length the enquiry began to open a little, and the Sollici that the first warrand that was issued out would start the whole gang; and as he had not come at any one of the most notorious offenders, he was unwilling, upon the slight evidence he had, that one King, a butcher in the Canongate, had boasted in preto begin. However, upon notice given him by General! Moyle, sence of Bridget Knell, a soldier's wife, the morning after Captain Porteus was hanged, that he had a very active hand in the mob, a warrand was issued out, and King was apprehended and imprisoned in the Canongate tolbooth.

This obliged the Sollicitor immediately to proceed to take up those against whom he had any information. By a signed declaration, William Stirling, apprentice to James Stirling, Nether-Bow, after the gates were shut, with a Lochaber ax, of merchant in Edinburgh, was charged as having been at the halbert in his hand, and haveing begun a huzza, marched upon the head of the mob towards the Guard.

"James Braidwood, son to a candlemaker in town, was, by a door, giveing directions to the mob about setting fire to the signed declaration, charged as haveing been at the Tolbooth door, and that the mob named him by his name, and asked his advice.

was charged of haveing boasted publicly, in a smith's shop at By another declaration, one Stoddart, a journeyman smith, Leith, that he had assisted in breaking open the Tolbooth door. "Peter Traill, a journeyman wright, by one of the declara

The ordinary magistrates of the city resumed their power, not without trembling at the late experience of the fragility of its tenure. To march troops into the city, and commence a severe inquiry into the transactions of the preceding night, were the first marks of returning energy which they displayed. But these events had been conducted on so secure and well-calculated a plan of safety and secrecy, that there was little or nothing learned to throw light upon the authors or principal actors in a scheme so audacious. An express was dispatched to London with the tidings, where they excited great indignation and surprise in the council of regency, and particularly in the bosom of Queen Caroline, who considered her own authority as exposed to contempt by the success of this singular conspiracy. Nothing was spoke of for some time save the measure of vengeance which should be taken, not only on the actors of this tragedy, so soon as they should be discovered, but upon the magistrates who had suffered it to take place, and upon the city which had been the scene where it was exhibited. On this occasion, it is still recorded in popular tradition, that her Majesty, in the height of her displeasure, told the celebrated John, Duke of Argyle, that, sooner than submit to such an insult, she would make Scotland a hunting-field. In that case, Ma-ing the places where the persons informed against used to dam," answered that high-spirited nobleman, with a profound bow, "I will take leave of your Majesty, and go down to my own country to get my hounds ready." The import of the reply had more than met the ear; and as most of the Scottish nobility and gentry seemed actuated by the same national spirit, the royal displeasure was necessary checked in mid-volley, and milder courses were recommended and adopted, to some of which we may hereafter have occasion to advert.

NOTE TO CHAPTER VII.
MEMORIAL CONCERNING THE MURDER OF CAPTAIN PORTEOUS.
The following interesting and authentic account of the in-
quiries made by Crown Counsel into the affair of the Porteous
Mob, seems to have been drawn up by the Solicitor-General.
The office was held in 1737 by Charles Erskine, Esq.

tions, was also accused of haveing lockt the Nether-Bow Port when it was shutt by the mob.

"His Majesties Sollicitor having these informations, imployed privately such persons as he could best rely on, and the truth was, there were very few in whom he could repose confi dence. But he was, indeed, faithfully served by one Webster tenant Alshton, who, with very great address, informed himself, a soldier in the Welsh fuzilcers, recommended to him by Licu and really run some risque in getting his information, concern haunt, and how they might be seized. In consequence of which, a party of the Guard from the Canongate was agreed on to march up at a certain hour, when a message should be sent. The Sollicitor wrote a letter and gave it to one of the town officers, or dered to attend Captain Maitland, one of the town Captains, promoted to that command since the unhappy accident, who, indeed, was extremely diligent and active throughout the whole; and haveing got Stirling and Braidwood apprehended, dispatched the officer with the letter to the military in the Canongate, who immediately begun their march, and by the time the Solicitor had half examined the said two persons in the Burrow-room, where the magistrates were present, a party of fifty men, drums beating, marched into the Parliament close, and drew up, which was the first thing that struck a terror, and from that time forward, the insolence was succeeded by fear.

"Stirling and Braidwood were immediately sent to the Castle, and imprisoned. That same night, Stoddart the smith was seized, and he was committed to the Castle also; as was likewise Traill the journeyman wright, who were all severally ex

I owe this curious illustration to the kindness of a profes-amined, and denied the least accession.
sional friend. It throws, indeed, little light on the origin of the
tumult; but shows how profound the darkness must have
Deen, which so much investigation could not dispel.
"Upon the 7th of September last, when the unhappy wicked
murder of Captain Porteus was committed, His Majesty's Advo-
cate and Sollicitor were out of town; the first beyond Inverness,
and the other in Annandale, not far from Carlyle; neither of
them knew any thing of the reprieve, nor did they in the least
suspect that any disorder was to happen.

"When the disorder happened, the magistrates and other persons concerned in the management of the town, seemed to be all struck of a heap; and whether from the great terror that had seized all the inhabitants, they thought ane immediate enquiry would be fruitless, or whether being a direct insult upon the prerogative of the crown, they did not care rashly to intermeddle; but no proceedings was had by them. Only, soon after, ane express was sent to his Majesties Sollicitor, who came to town as soon as was possible for him; but, in the meantime, the persons who had been must guilty, had either run off, or, at least, kept themselves upon the wing until they should see what steps were taken by the Government.

"When the Sollicitor arrived he perceived the whole inhabitants under a consternation. He had no materials furnished him; nay, the inhabitants were so much afraid of being reputed inform rs, that very few people had so much as the courage to speak with him on the streets. However, having received her Majesties orders, by a letter from the Duke of Newcastle, he resolved to sett about the matter in earnest, and entered upon ane enquiry, gropeing in the dark. He had no assistance from the

"In the meantime, the enquiry was going on, and it haveing cast up in one of the declarations, that a hump'd-backed creature marched with a gun as one of the guards to Porteus when he went up the Lawn Market, the person who emitted this declaration, was employed to walk the streets to see if he could find him out; at last he came to the Sollicitor and told him he had found him, and that he was in a certain house. Whereupon a warrand was issued out against him, and he was apprehended and sent to the Castle, and he proved to be one Birnie, a helper to the Countess of Weemys's coachman.

"Thereafter, ane information was given in against William M'Lauchlan, ffootman to the said Countess, he haveing been very active in the mob: ffor sometime he kept himself out of the way, but at last he was apprehended and likewise commit ted to the Castle.

"And these were all the prisoners who were putt under confinement in that place.

"There were other persons imprisoned in the Tolbooth of Edinburgh, and severalls against whom warrands were issued, but could not be apprehended, whose names and cases shall af— terwards be more particularly taken notice of

"The friends of Stirling made an application to the Earl of Islay, Lord Justice-Generall, setting furth, that he was seized with a bloody flux; that his life was in danger; and that upon ane examination of witnesses whose names were given in, it would appear to conviction, that he had not the least access to any of the riotous proceedings of that wicked mob.

"This petition was by his Lordship putt in the hands of ham Majesties Soll citor who examined the witnesses; and by the am

testimonies it appeared, that the young man, who was not above eighteen years of age, was that night in company with about half a dozen companions, in a public house in Stephen Law's closs, near the back of the Guard, where they all remained untill the noise came to the house, that the mob lind shut the gates and seized the Guard, upon which the company broke up, and ke, and one of his companions, went towards his master's house; and, in the course of the after examination, there was a witness who declared, nay, indeed swore, (for the Sollicitor, by this time, Information was given that he was lurking at Falkirk, saw it necessary to put those he examined upon oath,) that he where he was born. Whereupon directions were sent to the met him (Stirling] after he entered into the alley where his mas- Sheriff of the County, and a warrand from his Excellency Geter lives, going towards his house; and another witness, fellow-nerall Wade, to the commanding officers at Stirling and Linlithprentice with Stirling, declares, that after the mob had seized gow, to assist, and all possible endeavours were used to catch the Guard, he went home, where he found Stirling before him; hold of him, and 'tis said he escaped very narrowly, having been and that his master lockt the door, and kept them both at home concealed in some outhouse; and the misfortune was, that till after twelve at night: upon weighing of which testimonies, those who were employed in the search did not know him perand upon consideration had, That he was charged by the de-sonally. Nor, indeed, was it easy to trust any of the acquainclaration only of one person, who really did not appear to be a tances of so low obscure a fellow with the secret of the warwitness of the greatest weight, and that his life was in danger rand to be putt in execution. from the imprisonment, he was admitted to baill by the Lord Justice Generall, by whose warrant he was committed. "Braidwood's friends applyed in the same manner; but as he stood charged by more than one witness, he was not releasedtho', indeed, the witnesses adduced for him say somewhat in kis exculpation--that he does not seem to have been upon any original concert; and one of the witnesses says he was along with him at the Tolbooth door, and refuses what is said against him, with regard to his having advised the burning of the Tol-up, 'tis believed Taylor was the person; and 'tis further proba booth door. But he remains still in prison.

of shadowy depth, exchanged with partial brilliancy, which gives character even to the tamest of land scapes, the effect approaches near to enchantment. This path used to be my favourite evening and morning resort, when engaged with a favourite author, or new subject of study. It is, I am informed, now become totally impassable; a circumstance which, if true, reflects little credit on the taste of the Good Town or its leaders.*

by two bakers, who put a Lochaber-axe into his hand. The jury, wisely judging this poor creature could be no proper subject of punishment, found the panel Not guilty. The same verdict was given in the case of Thomas Linning, also mentioned in the Solicitor's memorial, who was tried in 1738. In short, neither then, nor for a long period afterwards, was any thing discovered relating to the organization of the Porteous Plot. The imagination of the people of Edinburgh was long irritated, and their curiosity kept awake, by the mystery attend ing this extraordinary conspiracy. It was generally reported of such natives of Edinburgh as, having left the city in youth, returned with a fortune amassed in foreign countries, that they had originally fled on account of their share in the Porteous It was from this fascinating path-the scene to me Mob. But little credit can be attached to these surmises, as in of so much delicious musing, when life was young most of the cases they are contradicted by dates, and in none and promised to be happy, that I have been unable to supported by any thing but vague rumours, grounded on the ordinary wish of the vulgar, to impute the success of prosperous pass it over without an episodical description-it men to some unpleasant source. The secret history of the Por-was, I say, from this romantic path that Butler saw teous Mob has been till this day unraveled; and it has always the morning arise the day after the murder of Porte been quoted as a close, daring, and calculated act of violence, of ous. It was possible for him with ease to have found a nature peculiarly characteristic of the Scottish people. Nevertheless, the author, for a considerable time, nourished a much shorter road to the house to which he was hopes to have found himself enabled to throw some light on this directing his course, and, in fact, that which he chose mysterious story. An old man, who died about twenty years was extremely circuitous. But to compose his own ago, at the advanced age of ninety-three, was said to have made spirits, as well as to while away the time, until a a communication to the clergyman who attended upon his death bed, respecting the origin of the Porteous Mob. This proper hour for visiting the family without surprise person followed the trade of a carpenter, and had been employ or disturbance, he was induced to extend his circuit ed as such on the estate of a family of opulence and condition. by the foot of the rocks, and to linger upon his way His character, in his line of life and amongst his neighbours until the morning should be considerably advanced was excellent, and never underwent the slightest suspicion. His confession was said to have been to the following purpose: While, now standing with his arms across, and That he was one of twelve young men belonging to the village waiting the slow progress of the sun above the hori of Pathhead, whose animosity against Porteous, on account of the execution of Wilson, was so extreme, that they resolved zon, now sitting upon one of the numerous fragments to execute vengeance on him with their own hands, rather than which storms had detached from the rocks above he should escape punishment. With this resolution they crossed him, he is meditating, alternately, upon the horrible the Forth at different ferries, and rendezvoused at the suburb catastrophe which he had witnessed, and upon the called Portsburgh, where their appearance in a body soon called melancholy, and to him most interesting, news which numbers around them. The public mind was in such a state he had learned at Saddletree's, we will give the of irritation, that it only wanted a single spark to create an explosion; and this was afforded by the exertions of the small and reader to understand who Butler was, and how his fate determined band of associates. The appearance of premeditawas connected with that of Effie Deans, the unfortution and order which distinguished the riot, according to his account, had its origin, not in any previous plan or conspiracy, nate hand-maiden of the careful Mrs. Saddletree. but in the character of those who were engaged in it. The story also serves to show why nothing of the origin of the riot has ever been discovered, since, though in itself a great conflagration, its source, according to this account, was from an obscure and apparently inadequate cause. I have been disappointed, however, in obtaining the evidenceing of Dundee in 1651. Stephen Butler (called, from on which this story rests. The present proprietor of the estate on which the old man died, (a particular friend of the author, undertook to question the son of the deceased on the subject. This person follows his father's trade, and holds the employ ment of carpenter to the same family. He adinits, that his father's going abroad at the time of the Porteous Mob was popularly attributed to his having been concerned in that affair; but adds, that, so far as is known to him, the old man had never made any confession to that effect; and, on the contrary, had uniformly denied being present. My kind friend, therefore, had recourse to a person from whom he had formerly heard the story; but who, either from respect to an old friend's memory, or from failure of his own, happened to have forgotten that ever such a communication was made. So my obliging correspondent (who is a fox-hunter) wrote to me that he was completely planted: and all that can be said with respect to the tradition is, that it certainly once existed, and was generally believed

CHAPTER VIII.

Arthur's Seat shall be my bed,

The sheets shall ne'er be press'd by me;
St. Anton's well shall be my drink,
Sin' my true-love's forsaken me.

Old Song.

Reuben Butler was of English extraction, though born in Scotland. His grandfather was a trooper in Monk's army, and one of the party of dismounted dragoons which formed the forlorn hope at the storm

his talents in reading and expounding, Scripture Stephen, and Bible Butler) was a stanch independent, and received in its fullest comprehension the promise that the saints should inherit the earth. As hard knocks were what had chiefly fallen to his share hitherto in the division of this common property, he lost not the opportunity which the storm and plunder of a commercial place afforded him, to appropriate as large a share of the better things of this world as he could possibly compass. It would seem that he had succeeded indifferently well, for his exterior circumstances appeared, in consequence of this event, to have been much mended.

The troop to which he belonged was quartered at the village of Dalkeith, as forming the body guard of Monk, who, in the capacity of general for the Commonwealth, resided in the neighbouring castle. When, on the eve of the Restoration, the general commenced his march from Scotland, a measure pregnant with such important consequences, he new-modelled his If I were to choose a spot from which the rising or troops, and more especially those immediately about setting sun could be seen to the greatest possible ad- his person, in order that they might consist entirely vantage, it would be that wild path winding around of individuals devoted to himself. On this occasion the foot of the high belt of semi-circular rocks, called Scripture Stephen was weighed in the balance, and Salisbury Crags, and marking the verge of the steep found wanting. It was supposed he felt no call to descent which slopes down into the glen on the south-any expedition which might endanger the reign of eastern side of the city of Edinburgh. The prospect, the military sainthood, and that he did not consider in its general outline, commands a close-built, high-himself as free in conscience to join with any party piled city, stretching itself out beneath in a form, which, to a romantic imagination, may be supposed to represent that of a dragon; now, a noble arm of the sea, with its rocks, isles, distant shores, and boundary of mountains; and now, a fair and fertile champaign country, varied with hill, dale, and rock, and skirted by the picturesque ridge of the Pentland Mountains. But as the path gently circles around the base of the cliffs, the prospect, composed as it is of these enchanting and sublime objects, changes at every step, and presents them blended wit.1, or divided from, each other, in every possible variety which can gratify the eye and the imagination. When a piece of scenery Go Leautiful, yet so varied,-so exciting by its intricacy, and yet so sublime,-is lighted up by the tints of morning or of evening, and displays all that variety

which might be likely ultimately to acknowledge the interest of Charles Stewart, the son of "the last man," as Charles I. was familiarly and irreverently termed by them in their common discourse, as well as in their more elaborate predications and harangues As the time did not admit of cashiering such dissidents, Stephen Butler was only advised in a friendly way to give up his horse and accoutrements to one of Middleton's old troopers, who possessed an accommodating conscience of a military stamp, and which squared itself chiefly upon those of the colonel and paymaster. As this hint came recommended by a

formed around these romantic rocks; and the author has the pleasure to think, that the passage in the text gave rise to the undertaking.

* A beautiful and solid pathway has, within a few years, been

The Laird of Dumbiedikes had hitherto been moderate in his exactions, perhaps because he was ashamed to tax too highly the miserable means of support which remained to the widow Butler. But when a stout active young fellow appeared as the la- Dumbiedikes had been by this time transported in bourer of the croft in question, Dumbiedikes began to the best bedroom, used only upon occasions of to think so broad a pair of shoulders might bear an death and marriage, and, called, from the former of additional burden. He regulated, indeed, his manage- these occupations, the Dead-Room. There were in ment of his dependents (who fortunately were but few this apartment, besides the sick person himself and in number) much upon the principle of the carters Mr. Novit, the son and heir of the patient, a tal! whom he observed loading their carts at a neigh-gawky silly-looking boy of fourteen or fifteen, and a bouring coal-hill, and who never failed to clap an ad- housekeeper, a good buxom figure of a woman, beditional brace of hundred-weights on their burden, so twixt forty and fifty, who had kept the keys and ma soon as by any means they had compassed a new naged matters at Dumbiedikes since the lady's death norse of somewhat superior strength to that which It was to these attendants that Dumbiedikes address had broken down the day before. However reason- ed himself pretty nearly in the following words; temable this practice appeared to the Laird of Dumbie- poral and spiritual matters, the care of his health and dikes, he ought to have observed, that it may be over- his affairs, being strangely jumbled in a head which done, and that it infers, as a matter of course, the was never one of the clearest. destruction and loss of both horse, cart, and loading. Dumbiedikes, selected as descriptive of the taciturn charac ter of the imaginary owner, is really the name of a house bordering on the King's Park, so called because the late Mr. Braidwood, an instructor of the deaf and dumb, resided there with his pupils The situation of the real house is different from that sasigned to the ideal mansion.