Edinburgh Bookshelf

Kay's Originals Vol. 2

Search

148 BI 0 GRAP HI C Af, SKET C HES. apprentices, some of them of dissolute habits-having formed themselves into an organised band, armed with bludgeons, sallied forth about midnight on the work of mischief-knocking down all who came in their way-robbing the victims of their watches and money-and maltreating those who resisted in the most brutal manner. Dugald Campbell, a police officer, died of his wounds next day ; and Mr. James Campbell, a clerk in an office at Leith, died from the same cause on the 7th January following. By the exertions of the magistrates, who were engaged nearly the whole night, several of the depredators were caught in the act, with the stolen booty in their possession; and the utmost vigilance was afterwards used, by rewards and otherwise, in order to disband and root out the dangerous association. Three of the youths-pursuant to a sentence of the High Court of Justiciary-were executed in the High Street, on the 22d April 1812, opposite the Stamp Office Close-a gibbet and scaffold having been erected for the purpose. An immense concourse of people assembled to witness the execution, which was conducted with more than usual solemnity. The culprits behaved with becoming propriety and fortitude. No. CCXXI, JAMES HUME RIGG, ESQ. OF MORTON, ISAAC GRANT, ESQ. OF HILTON, ARCHIBALD MACARTHUR STEWART, ESQ. OF ASCOG, THE HON. CAPTAIN (AFTERWARDS GENERAL), JOHN LESLIE, AND CAPTAIN IVILLIAM WEMY PS. THE first individual portrayed in this Print is JAMES HUME RTGG of Morton. His name was originally Rigg,' that of Hume having been assumed on obtaining, by the death of a relative, the estate of Gammelshiels, in Haddingtonshire. He succeeded his elder brother, Thomas Rig, in the estate of Morton about the year 1780.' hlr. Rigg was an extensive shareholder in the Bank of Scotland, or "' Old Bank," as it was commonly called ; but, although possessed of a very ample fortune, it was rumoured that he was somewhat parsimonious. The young lady whom he married-a &er of the late Sir John Sinclair of Ulbster-being of a more liberal disposition, it frequently happened that their opinions in matters His father, Mr. Sheriff Rigg, married a Miss Cunningham of Enterkin in Ayrshire.
Volume 9 Page 197
  Shrink Shrink   Print Print