‘Yesterday, one Margaret Gibson, for the crime of theft, was drummed through the city in a very disgraceful manner. Over her neck was fixed a board with spring and bells, which rung as she walked. At some inches distant from her face was fixed a false-face, over which was hung a fox’s tail. In short, she was a very odd spectacle.’—E. E. C.
Dec. 10.
‘A gentleman travelling to the south was attacked on Soutra Hill by two fellows armed with bayonets, who desired him to surrender his purse. The gentleman putting his hand beneath his jockey-coat, presented a pistol, and asked them whether that or |1728.| his money were fittest for them. They earnestly begged he would spare their lives, for necessity had forced them to it, and they had never robbed any save one countryman an hour before of 6s. 8d. The gentleman put them to this dilemma, either to receive his bullets or cut an ear out of each other’s heads; the last of which with sorrowful hearts they performed.’—E. E. C.
Dec.
The prospectus was issued of a weekly paper under the name of The Echo, to contain, besides news, literary matter for the instruction and amusement of society. The undertakers expressed themselves confident of assistance from ‘persons of taste, wit, and humour, with which they know our nation abounds.’ The price to be 2s. 6d. a quarter.—E. E. C.
Dec. 24.
‘A fire broke out in the house of William Gib in Kittlenaked, and burnt four cows to death; but how the fire happened is not known.’—E. E. C.
1729. Jan. 14.
‘We hear that the Lady Cherrytrees died some days ago in the 104th year of her age.’—E. E. C.
Jan. 28.