The Waverley novels, by Sir Walter Scott, complete in 12 vol., printed from the latest English ed., embracing the author's last corrections, prefaces & notes.

THE HEART OF MID-LOTHIAN. 311
one'with each hand, and calling at the same time to his- companion, "Run,
Geordie, run!" threw himself on a third, and fastened his teeth on the collar of his coat. Robertson stood for a second as if thunderstruck, and
unable to avail himself of the opportunity of escape; but the cry of " Run!
run!" being echoed from many around, whose feelings surprised them into
a very natural interest in his behalf, he shook off the grasp of the remaining soldier, threw himself over the pew, mixed with the dispersing congregation, none of whom felt inclined to stop a poor wretch.taking his last
chance for his life, gained the door of the church, and was lost to all
pursuit.
The generous intrepidity which Wilson had displayed on this occasion
augmented the feeling of compassion which attended his fate. The public,
where their own prejudices are not concerned, are easily engaged on the
side of disinterestedness and humanity, admired Wilson's behaviour, and
rejoiced in Robertson's escape. This general feeling was so great, that it
excited a vague report' that Wilson would be rescued at the place of execution, either by the mob or by some of his old associates, or by some second
extraordinary and unexpected exertion of strength and courage on his own
part. The magistrates thQot it their duty to provide against the possibility of disturbance. Th"6lered&6out, for protection of the execution of
the sentence, the greater part of their own City Guard, under the command
of Captain Porteous, a man whose name became too memorable from the
melancholy circumstances of the day, and subsequent events. It may be
necessary to say a word about this person, and the corps which he commanded. But the subject is of importance sufficient to deserve another
chapter.
And thou, great god of aqua-vitm,
Wha sways the empire of this city,
(When fou we're sometimes capernoity,)
Be thou prepared,
To save us frae that black banditti,
The City Guard!
FERGUSON'S Daft Days.
CAPTAIN JOHN PORTEOUS, a name memorable in the traditions of Edinbirg,; as wgll as ln tne records of criminal jurisprudence, was the son of
a citizen of Edinburgh, who endeavoured to breed him up to his own mechanical trade of a tailor.'The youth, however, had a wild and irreclaimable propensity to dissipation, which finally sent him to serve in the corps
long maintained in the service of the States of Holland, and called the
Scotch Dutch. Here he learned military discipline; and, returning afterwards, in the course of an idle and wandering life, to his native city, his.
services were required by the magistrates of Edinburgh in the disturbed
year 1715, for disciplining their City Guard, in which he shortly afterwards
received a captain's commission. It was only by his military skill, and an
alert and resolute character as an officer of police, that he merited this promotion, for he is said to have been a man of profligate habits, an unnatural
son, and a brutal husband. He was, however, useful in his station, and his
harsh and fierce habits rendered him formidable to rioters or disturbers of
the public peace.
The corps in which he held his command is, or perhaps we should rather
say was, a body of about one hundred and twenty soldiers, divided into