Page:Jeanie Deans and the lily of St. Leonard's.pdf/2



In the year 1736, during the reign of George II. Edinburgh was the scene of a remarkable riot, usually called the Porteous Mob. Much discontent at this time existed among the Scots, who on account of the rebellion of 1715, in which they were so deeply implicated, fancied they were still regarded by the English Government with feelings of aversion, and malignity. The soldiery, the officers of the customs, and the excise, were still beheld by the people as enemies; and on every occasion of quarrel, the populace were ready to join in acts of violence against the servants of the government. In this temper of the Scottish people the incidents occurred which we are about to record. A contraband trader of the name of Wilson, had in combination with some others like himself, robbed the collector of custom at Kirkaldy of a considerable sum of money, the property of the government. Wilson was brought to trial, and with a confederate of the name of Robertson, was condemned to suffer the punishment of death for his crime. After their condemnation, the two criminals were according to custom, allowed to attend divine worship in the Tolbooth Church, on the sabbath day, in custody of four soldiers of the city guard. They entered the Church before the congregation were fully assembled, when Wilson, by a sudden effort of astonishing strength, grasped a soldier with each hand, seized another with his teeth, and holding them inextricably fast, called to his comrade to run, which he did, and made his