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122

ed valleys, on either hand, forming an agreeable contrast with the highland sterility, and bare rocks, which we had eft behind us; but here again

-the water wraith was shrieking, And, in the scowl of heaven, each face Grew dark as we were speaking."

[blocks in formation]

heads "far in the north;" Stirling | these subjects the utmost weight, who house are converted into barracks; the castle on its ledge of stone was also in are continually railing against the de- appearance of the latter is very much view, with two abrupt hills, very like generacy of modern times, and the de- hurt by having been lately white-washsome of the smaller Trosachs,--the south-cay of taste. Yet, in literature, at least, ed. The view, from the north-western ern of which we learned was the Abbey this appears to me far from being ap- rampart, of the windings of the Forth hill, from the abbey of Cambus Ken- parent; and, in the principle of taste, is very fine, and has been much, we neth in its neighbourhood; on the o- especially, if we may be allowed to form think justly, admired by travellers; ther, the residence of Colonel Hamil- our estimate by comparison, they are proceeding to the western side, a noble ton is situated; with beautiful cultivat-greatly our inferiors. The giants and view of the immense plain called the dwarfs of Gothic romance may amuse Carse of Stirling is obtained, the prothe fancy, but they make no lasting im- spect terminating with the clouded tops pression on the heart. The age of of Benlomond, Benledi, and their giCowley was an age of genius, thrown gantic brethren: beneath us was the away on quaintness and conceits. Of old race course, and the ring for tourit Waller adopted the poignant spark-naments; modern fashion retains the ling; but he threw away the tedious-former, but the days of chivalry are ness, and the prolixity of detail. Den- fled for ever. A little more to the The road to Stirling winded ser-ham added vigour to his sweetness; northward was pointed out to us the pentinely round the town, so that we and Dryden concentrated both these small hill on which the followers or had it always in view,-like the fox and qualities in himself. Yet even Dryden Prince Charles posted themselves in the grapes, though we could by no must be owned to have a great deal of the vain hope of making themselves bye road reach it. It was as well that rubbish; and, many of his verses, are masters of this fortress. Opposite to we attempted none; as we afterwards too like" prose lines, cut into ten sylla- this is the window where the murderfound, that the windings of the Forth bles." No poet of either ancient or ed Earl of Douglas was thrown over, were the occasion of it. We stopped modern times,-no poet, from Homer but as it is now walled in, we could at the bridge of Allan, where we regal- to Byron, has less dross in his compos- not approach the spot. The governor ed ourselves, and had some excellent itions, or, in other words, has written occupies the apartments to which it gooseberries. Delayed till five o'clock, with more taste, than our own country-belongs. Having walked through a when we again set out," the pelting of man and co-temporary Thomas Camp- long dark passage, on each side of the pitiless storm" continuing without bell. Almost every mind has an amia- which were crevices formerly occupied intermission, until we were just upon ble veneratiou for antiquity; and the as dungeons, we again emerged into Stirling our entrance into the an- Castle of Indolence, the Minstrel, and light. There are 34 cannon cient capital was no doubt, therefore, Childe Harold, together with Mr. ramparts. Before leaving the castle, in rather a traveller like manner. From Scott's earlier productions, derive no we inserted, according to custom, our the bridge, the prospect of Stirling re- small part of their interest and beauty, names in the album. tains some of the magnificence of for-from the adoption of the phrases and mer times;-on the left hand was the abbey of Cumbus Kenneth, and, on the right,

-twined in links of silver bright, Her winding river lay.

on the

steam-boat.

After walking through and surveydialect of our Celtic and Saxon pro-ing the town, we returned to the inn, genitors: but, even without the veil of where supper awaited us, and enjoyed eld, these would have been eminently ourselves, over the glass, until the leadbeautiful for such machinery is ridi- en god began to stretch out his potent culous, but in the hand of a master: rod over us, and to weigh down our Lord of the Isles, Canto VI. with others, when we scour off the an- eyelids by his slumbrous influence. After refreshing ourselves, at Mason's cient rust, we find, as in the case of After a short repose of four hours Inn, the sky having cleared, and the Scriblerus' shield, a shabby modern and a half, we got up to procure sconce below. sun now beginning to gild the scene It was, no doubt, from our the passages by with crimson radiance, we set out to vi- the knowledge of this tendency in our The morning was delightful, and the sit the castle on our way upwards, we nature to venerate antiquity, that Chat- sky covered with those white unduhad a sight of the old abbey, which is a terton was induced to commit his li-lating clouds which form what manoble fragment of the magnificence of terary forgeries; and that the public riners have fancifully termed a macGothic architecture. I must confess, had unpublished manuscripts of Shake-kerel horizon, from the supposed rethat to me, the architecture of the an-speare thrust upon them at the end of semblance to the back of that fish. cients appears infinitely superior to that of the moderns. In statuary and painting, their pre-eminence is undeniable; but in any other of the arts, and in all the sciences, we may claim superiority; yet there are many, whose talents and acquirements give their authority on

+ Campbell's Ballad of Lord 'Ullin's Daughter.

the eighteenth century.

Having crossed the Forth in a small Upon proceeding to the outer gate ferry-boat which was in waiting, for of Stirling castle, the sentinel procur- the moderate charge of a halfpenny ed one of his comrades to point out its each, we walked for nearly a mile over curiosities; but these I shall not at a very disagreeable clayey road, until tempt to describe; as, to avoid the im- the river again came into view. The putation of ignorance, our conductor steam-boat was quite new, and well gave names to, and anecdotes of, things painted. The windings of the Forth which, evidently, he knew nothing are truly extraordinary; and Alloa, The palace and parliament which is but 7 miles distant from Stir

about.

November 22, 1817.]

-

Journal of an Excursion to Loch Katrine.

ON THE POOR LAWS.

To the Editor of the Edinburgh Observer.

123

ling by land, is 17 by water. Another Craigs, and the Calton-hill, surmounted attended the meetings which were called steam-boat was in readiness here to by Lord Nelson's monument. Arrived in London, for the purpose of taking join us, for the purpose of a race; and, at Newhaven about 12; and were just it into consideration, the Waithmans, for some time, the contest was very ar- in time to see the last heat of the race the Woollers, and the Hunts, who exduous and very equal; but at length on Leith sands for his Majesty's plate. pressed themselves desirous of getting we got and kept a-head, till our com- After refreshing ourselves, and leaving rid of any scheme for ameliorating the petitor stopping at Kincardine to take Mr. C. B-at his quarters, Mr. T. P distress of the country, as the diminuin passengers, we almost lost sight of Mr. M. B-and their journalist, pro- tion of the public distress, it was inher. The crew of our boat were much ceeded eastward to their country re- genuously confessed, might serve to elated with their success, as it had sidence. weaken their pleas for a reduction of commenced sailing in opposition to the the taxes. A farther diminution of the other. While pondering on deck over amount of the taxes, no one will deny, the notes to "the Lady of the Lake," but certainly this was neither the ocwould be a very desirable measure; I was surprised to hear the skipper call out, "in the fulness of his heart," THE late great changes in the poli- casion nor the place for urging the ar"Well done Lady of the Lake!" which tical relations of this country, with the guments for the attainment of such turned out to be the name of the ves- sudden return, at the same time, of so an object. A writer of distinguished sel. Our opponent was the "Morning many thousands of soldiers and sailors talents, one of the brightest ornaStar," the subject of an imitation of one to the peaceful occupations of life, are ments of our church establishment, of our esteemed living poets.* Being occurrences which must be sufficient has entered at some length into the but six in the morning, the air was to account for the great distress which consideration of this subject, in a late very chill when we set out, and was has been felt among the labouring poor number of the Edinburgh review. But rendered more so by the exhalation of in every district of the country; but few, I imagine, have perused the elathe copious dews which had fallen this distress, great as it is acknowledged borate article in question, without some during the night; but the sun was now to be, must have been deeply aggravat- feeling of disappointment. This genshedding forth a more genial and pow-ed, if the plan of some of our econo- tleman endeavours to prove what few erful influence; and the atmosphere was mists for disbanding at once the entire now will doubt, that a public charity so pure, that we could see the towns, number intended to be reduced of the necessarily creates more poverty than and hills, and woods, on either side, navy and army, had been adopted. it provides for,-that the aggregate to a great distance, with the utmost The poors rates, besides, in England, mass of happiness among the common at least, had previously reached a height people would have been greater than which seemed to require, at a period it is at present, if the poor laws had There was no breeze on the summer seas, not very far distant, a review of the never existed. There is, at least, little laws upon which they were founded. to be learned from such sentiments, after The calamitous situation of the country, an acquaintance with the doctrines, of therefore, must be viewed as the na- Mr. Malthus, and the train of reasoning tural effects of causes that had been by which they are supported. The plan long exerting an influence which, it which is here proposed, is not altogemay be said, was progressively increas-ther equal to the high reputation of the ing, while the crisis was accelerated writer, or deserving of the pomp with We passed within a mile's distance by the entire change of system which which it is ushered into notice. He of Inch Colm, and its famous druidical the termination of the war necessarily proposes that our present assessments ruins, which we could have much wish-involved. It must be unnecessary, in for the support of the poor shall be ed an opportunity of visiting; and here this place, to expatiate on the misery employed in building churches and again we had another distant view of which followed to the mechanic and places of instruction; and that the vo "Dunfermline grey." After passing the labouring poor, or to refer to the luntary contributions alone shall be Inch Garvie and Cramond Island, we temporary expedients of relief, which made to suffice for the support of the saw before us Inch Keith, North Ber- were employed by different public bo- poor. It is obvious that this plan could wick Law, and the Isle of May, with dies. The subject was brought before not be carried fully into effect at once; the blue summit of the Bass. Above Parliament, when a report was prepar- but it is expected that the knowledge of the Queensferry, we saw the Earl of ed by a committee of the House, and such a limitation of the provision for Hopetoun's principal seat; and, on the various plans, as might naturally be the relief of the poor, with the growing opposite side, that of the Earl of Moray. expected, have been offered, on the independence and industry of the people, In a short time we came in sight of "the Queen of the North," with its and relief of the poor. Of Mr. Owen's ter education, would soon bring it to part of individuals, for the education from improvement in morals and a betcastle, the spires of St. Giles', St. An- plan I shall not at present say any that point. He also proposes an increase drew's, St. George's, and the West thing, as I observe the subject has al- in the number of elders, and some o Church; with Arthur's Seat, Salisbury ready been brought before your read-ther arrangements, for attaining a better Vide "The Morning Star, or the steam-ers, farther than to observe, that it acquaintance with the circumstances boat of Alloa, by J-W- in the Poetic Mir- seems to have been received in the most and character of the poor.

distinctness.-

And the sky above was blue,
Save here and there a tiny cloud
Of the lucid amber's hue:

Around us sported the little waves,
They murmured on the strand;
From Greece to Greenland's icy caves,
No sky o'erhangs, no ocean laves
More beautiful a land!

ror, or the Living Bards of Great Britain." illiberal manner, by the persons who The great error of this gentleman, I

124

On the Poor Laws.

[November 22, 1817.

think, was to limit his views to instruc- was intended to remove. 2dly. By the founded on their inability to procure a tion. Every man who contemplates tendency of such establishments to in- return for that industry which they are plans for changing the condition of the crease population beyond what is re- able to exert, every reasonable claim labouring poor should begin, like the quired, in place of allowing population will be satisfied, if they are presented missionaries of some particular sec- to be regulated by the demand for la- with an object for their industry, and taries, with providing, not food and bourers. I am willing to allow the a return for its exercise. It were well clothing, but the means of obtaining fullest weight to these objections; but if they themselves were forced to seek them, to furnish employment and the would naturally expect that every esta- for the one, and, like the inhabitant of implements of industry. In the same blishment of the kind now proposed, every other country, to take the market way, I would propose that establish would be carefully limited to that point value of the other. But the greatness ments should first be formed for tak- which circumstances imperatively re- of our manufacturing population, the ing away all pretexts for idleness, and quired. If a place could be formed sudden decrease of our commerce, the then proceed with plans of moral and where the persons admitted should re- increase of our numbers, long use, and religious instruction. I am so far from ceive no more than three-fourths, or the dismissal from the service of the state undervaluing the importance of educa- two thirds, or even a half of the market of thousands who were formerly maintion and good morals, that I think the price of their labour, we should never tained by it, render a return to this nahappiness and the security of society be in danger of finding such asylums tural state impraticable for the present, depend on the progress which its mem- increasing unnecessarily, to the detri- and will probably render it so for as bers have made in good morals. But ment of any other class of society. It long a time as any of this generation to talk of instruction to a man who may be true, as Mr. Malthus asserts, has to live. Necessity, therefore, will feels the gripings of hunger, is to in- that society is not bound to support all its impose on the cornmunity the burden sult his sufferings. We cannot re-members, but I think it is no less evi- of affording support to those who are move from mankind the temptation to dent, that every individual ought to have destitute of the means of obtaining emdo wrong, but we should, at least, en- an opportunity of providing himself with ployment; but neither necessity nor deavour to remove from every one the the means of subsistence, and then we humanity call upon the public to mininecessity of committing crimes, or of might say with the apostle, without any ster, as hitherto, to habits of vice and dying of want. It is impossible to violation of our feelings of charity,-He excess, and to cherish idleness by an walk a few miles into the country with- that will not work, neither shall he indiscreet profusion. Our fatal desire out being assailed by the voice of sup- eat.-With these remarks I shall lay be- to promote the comfort of the poor has plication, and of having our sympa- fore your readers the substance of a plan already rendered every eighth person a thies awakened by some tale of misery. for the relief of the poor, which was beggar, in a country where the demand I am far from maintaining that full sometime ago laid before Parliament, and reward for industry have been credit is due to every such representa- and which I believe is not so well greater than in any other in Europe. tion of poverty, though it is probable known as it ought to be. If a method could be devised, cheap, at this time, at least, they too fresimple, and of easy execution, to afford quently have their foundation in truth. Substance of a Communication which was to every person, of either sex, and of There may be many instances of fraud; made sometime ago to the Chairman every age, who was capable of labour, but in supplying work to the honest the means of finding employment, we of the Committee on the Poor Laws. and industrious, the impostor will be should go far to lay the axe to the root detected. Both Mr. Colquhoun and Mr. Or the two classes of people, who, of all this monstrous system of abuse Malthus are of opinion, that indigence is by usage or the law, are the subjects of and error. 'Tis then the two classes the principal cause of the increase of parish support, the one consists of those of poor would be entirely separated; crimes. If there be any truth in this re- who are disabled by age or natural in- no one whom nature had not unfitted mark, I am afraid it will be found that firmity from earning to themselves a for toil could be held to have a claim little progress will ever be made in re-subsistence; the other, of those who for public support; and the whole obforming the manners of the poor, unless possess the physical power, but who ject of the laws would be confined to a a plan is adopted of a somewhat more are supposed to be destitute of the part of the poor which does not, percomprehensive nature than that which means to obtain that return for their haps, exceed one-fifth of those to whom has been recommended by some writers.labour which will afford them a livli- assistance is now afforded. These Mr. Colquhoun and Mr. Owen have hood. The first deserves all the sym-things are necessary, if we would ac each of them laid before the public pathy which is due to age and misfor-complish this great work: the labourplans for giving employment to the tune; and though it would be well that ing poor must be contented to receive poor. The principal objections to esta- the task of relieving their wants were the market value of their labour, as blishments of this kind are two,-1st. exercised by those on whom nature imThe difficulty of finding a market for the poses it as a duty, yet, in the present increased productions of labour, with- corrupt state of this part of society, we out throwing into idleness those who cannot always intrust those unhappy are at present employed, and thus, by persons to kinsmen, who may be undepriving a certain number of work- just and cruel, and whom custom has men and their families of the means of long released from a natural obligation. support, to aggravate the evil which it But of those whose claim to support is

they would be forced to do in any country but their own; and if the community shall supply them with objects of industry, they must look for no better return for it than will afford them food and raiment, which we may consider as the minimum rate of labour in a prosperous country. The communi

November 22, 1817.]

On the Poor Laws-Walks in Edinburgh, &c.

125

ty, again, in affording the materials of is reason to believe, will exceed the necessaries of life, for a longer time
industry, and in placing them within whole working poor of the kingdom, than he could consume in travelling to
the reach of every person, must be who, in ordinary times, cannot other- one of these manufactories; and the
careful to hold out no boon for the peo-wise be employed. But to accommo- most forlorn wretch would instantly
ple to labour for the public rather than date any increase of number, temporary have the power of becoming an indus-
for themselves, or for those who can buildings of wood could be erected. trious member of that society, to which
employ them.
The whole expence of each of these he might otherwise have proved a bur-
establishments may be computed at den and a curse. Many of the crimes
£160,000, or £8,800,000 in all; and and misfortunes of the poor might be
that temporary buildings, with the ne- traced to those intervals of idleness and
cessary furniture to accommodate discontent which the want of employ-
100,000 persons more, could be erect- ment occasions, and which are the
ed for £1,200,000, making a total ex- times when the minister of blasphemy
pence of ten millions.
and treason is able to make his most
numerous proselytes.

WALKS IN EDInburgh, &c. Netherbow-Singular tradition-Murder of Begbie-Contrasted with that of Sir George Lockhart by Chislic of Dalry. Continerced from p. 103

By adopting a plan founded on these principles, we should enable every person to procure to himself a maintenance, without being beholden to any species of degrading charity: we should not interfere injuriously with the price of labour, but should suffer it to rise or fall, as it ever ought, with the de- Thus far might the suggestion of mand for it, and the profits of it: we Mr. Owen be adopted. Land in the should teach the labouring classes to neighbourhood might be rented and resort to the frugal habits becoming laid out for garden-ground, to be cultheir condition in life, and most suited tivated, according to certain rules, by to their own happiness and virtue; and the members of the establishment, and we should wonderfully simplify the the produce sold to defray the rent and business of legislating for the poor, by expence. This system, however, would rendering none but the really helpless need to be limited by the extent of the Those scenes which are remarkable the objects of parish support. All but market for the produce. Every per- for striking occurrences excite a deep these unfortunate persons might have son, male or female, young or old, interest, and often afford us a high graemployment, if they chose to accept of should be entitled to demand work in tification. We linger with delight on such an equivalent as the profits of it these establishments, and to be imme- the spot which has been rendered mecould afford if they would not,-if diately accommodated with a lodging. morable by deeds of virtue and hero-they would consume none of their lux- Every family should obtain one apart-ism. The great Engligh moralist has uries when the rate of labour was low, ment; and all the children above the truly said, that it is impossible to abthe folly and punishment would be age of three should be received into stract the mind from all local emotion; their own. If the poor of England lodging houses fitted for their recep- and "whatever withdraws us from the shall be able to indulge in habits un- tion. The rate of labour should be power of our senses, whatever makes known to the poor of any nation in fixed at a sum which should be merely the past, the distant, or the future, preEurope, it will be well; but it is time sufficient to procure the necessaries of dominate over the present, advances us the means were supplied from the pro-life; but a cheap and regular supply in the dignity of thinking beings." fits of their own labour, and not from of those necessaries should be secured," That man," he continues, "is little to the bounty of the community. proper market-places being provided, be envied, whose patriotism would not In suggesting a plan for effecting and contracts entered into with trades- gain force upon the plain of Marathon, the object in question, it is taken for men for the supply of the requisite or whose piety would not grow warm-.. granted that it is possible to employ our provisions: These provisions the inha- er among the ruins of Iona ;" and, in population in objects of useful indus-bitants should be suffered to purchase the same strain of sentiment, I would try. In every county one or more to themselves, no farther interference ask, who could traverse with cold inlarge manufactories, of that sort which being made with their manner of liv-difference and stoical insensibility the will give the greatest employment to ing. The inhabitants should be free- field of Culloden or of Waterloo, where human labour, might be erected at men, not slaves,-labourers for their the fate of an empire, in the one case, the public expence; and that these be own support, and not dependents on and of Europe, in the other, was decidsurrounded by buildings fit to accom- alms. They should live as if they ed by the skill and courage of conmodate, on a medium, from 2,000. to were at home, subject only to such re-tending hosts? 4,000 persons, besides children; and gulations as should be necessary to se- But the interest excited by the rethat in these establishments, every pro- cure the peace of society. collection of past events, which are asper measure be taken to separate the The expenditure of the sum requir-sociated with visible objects, is not conyoung from the old, that the former ed for erecting these establishments, fined to emotions of a pleasurable chabe kept from the contamination of would at once give employment to racter; for it extends to those of a very vicious habits, and carefully instruct- many thousand mechanics and labour-opposite description. The spot which ed. It is probable that fifty-two for ers. In the course of twelve months the murderer has stained with blood, or England and Wales, and three for Scot- many of these manufactories would be the place which is marked by some faland, will be sufficient. These, at the erected, and in the course of three tal disaster, is eagerly sought out, and medium rate of 3,000 persons for each, years the whole plan would be com- anxiously visited. will accommodate 165,000 persons, be-pleted. No person then would need sides children,―a number which, there to be idle, or to suffer the want of the

These reflections, which I must not venture to indulge in at present, were

196

and

Walks in Edinburgh, &c.

[November 22, 1817. suggested by different objects which | Leith Wynd and Canongate, is me- had arisen in his mind of some foul met my eye in the course of a walk the morable in the neighbourhood for some transaction, were now in a great meaother day; and in this contemplative traditionary stories of dreadful disasters sure confirmed, particularly when takmood I was proceeding from the Cross which have befallen its inmates, as well en in connection with what he observtowards the Netherbow, when my at- as for predictions of future calamities. ed of the persons who acted the part tention was arrested by two flat stones To this story Mr. Scott alludes in his of chairmen, and who, from their dress in the middle of the street, which yet Poem of Rokeby, and adds a note il- and conversation, belonged to a very remain the awful memorials of one of lustrative of the legendary narrative different station of life. Brooding over the most systematic outrages on the which is not yet forgotten in that quar- the dreadful close of this tragic scene, property of the citizens ter of the city. The spot occupied by he felt some relief in communicating persons that ever was known, and of the exem- the corner building just mentioned the awful secret to some of his confiplary punishment which was inflicted was, about the beginning of the 18th dential friends. In this way it became on three young men, the eldest not ex- century, covered by a spacious edifice, a confused popular tradition, which has years of age; who, the town residence of a noble Scottish fixed itself in the minds of future geceeding twenty-two by a public execution, expiated their family, and, from the incidents which nerations. When all the parties in this crimes on the very spot on which they are detailed, has been the scene of some foul and mysterious transaction had were committed. Few readers need be dark and atrocious deed. About mid- been long removed from this sublunary In the informed, that the event now alluded night a clergyman was called up to ad-scene, a fire broke out in the house to refers to the riots and robberies which minister the consolations of religion to erected on the same spot. disgraced the metropolis in the last a person at the point of death. He height of the conflagration, the crowd night of the year 1811, and which were was placed in a sedan chair, which was drawn to the place beheld or fancied planned and perpetrated by a wicked brought by those who desired his at- they saw an apparition, in the midst of band of young men associated for the tendance, to convey him to the spot; the flames, of a beautiful female in a he was carried to a remote part of the rich antiquated night-dress, who, in purpose. The Netherbow Port, near which my town, commanded to suffer himself to the Scottish dialect, uttered the followremarks terminated in a former com- be blindfolded, and the command was ing prediction, the belief of which has munication, is connected with some im- enforced by a pistol being presented; not yet vanished from the minds of "Anes BURNED, twice burned, portant events. It stood at the narrow and after many turnings and windings the older inhabitants of that part of the part of the High Street, near Leith he was transported up stairs to a lodg-town! The period is not far distant Wynd. The original building was re- ing. When he was introduced into a but the third burning will be the warst o' moved in 1571, when a new structure bed-room the bandage was removed a'." was erected in its stead farther to the from his eyes, and what was his sur-when the belief in this prediction was eastward. This last was pulled down prise when he beheld a lady on a bed so powerful that a fire near this fatal in 1606, and another edifice was rais-just delivered of an infant, and still spot excited more than usual alarm, ed on a spot still farther to the east-more so when he was ordered to per- that the prophetic denunciation was ward. This port was doomed to de. form the proper religious service for a about to be accomplished. The origin molition in 1736, in consequence of person at the point of death. He ven- of this story, although derived from a the supposed or real neglect of the mu- tured to suggest that no alarming myterious source, is pretty obvious; nicipal authorities in not preventing symptoms appeared, but remonstrance but the tradition, in gliding down the the unfortunate Captain Porteous from or remark of any kind was vain. The current of time, has been veiled with a Passing along this part of the street, being sacrificed to the fury of a law- order to perform his sacred duty was motley garb of legendary matter. less rabble, after being condemned to peremptory; and, with reluctance and death for ordering the town-guard, no small degree of agitation, he fi- for several years after the atrocious which he commanded, to fire on the nished the pious task imposed upon murder of Begbie was committed, I crowd assembled at the execution of a him. He was then hurried into the was in some measure drawn by irresistcriminal, and disposed to be riotous, chair; and while he was carried down ible curiosity to take another look of and after being reprieved; but the bill stairs, the report of a pistol struck a the fatal spot; and in these repeated having passed the House of Lords was knell to his heart; he was conveyed visits, fancy sometimes represented the rejected in the other house, and the home in perfect safety, and a purse of probability of the occurrence of some building remained till the year 1764, gold was forced upon him, accompanied unforeseen incident which, in the end, when it was entirely removed as an with a threat, that the least allusion to might lead to the discovery of the perincumbrance to the street. This fabric what he had witnessed, would be fatal petrator of the horrid deed. The mur The divine, as might be der now alluded to was committed on was adorned with a tower surmounted to his life. by a spire. A view of it was taken by expected, passed a restless night; and the body of a person of the name of one of the Runcimans just before it when the melancholy news was an- Begbie, porter to the British Linen was levelled with the ground, and an nounced to him in the morning that Banking Company, and, on an evenetching by the same artist sometimes the house of a family of great distinc-ing in the end of October 1806, just finds a place in the portfolio of the cu- tion was consumed by fire, and that as he had returned from Leith with a the accomplished and beautiful daugh-large parcel of notes, and as he was enrious collector. ter of the proprietor had perished in tering the office near the Netherbow. the flames, certain suspicions which Endless rumours were afloat long after

The lofty pile of building which forms the corner of the street between

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