The Heart of Mid-Lothian - Penn State University

is frequently the case, this description of persons agreed
in general with the sentiments of their inferiors, and
considered the cause as common to all ranks. Indeed, as
we have already noticed, it was by no means amongst
the lowest class of the spectators, or those most likely
to be engaged in the riot at Wilson’s execution, that the
fatal fire of Porteous’s soldiers had taken effect. Several
persons were killed who were looking out at windows at
the scene, who could not of course belong to the rioters,
and were persons of decent rank and condition. The
burghers, therefore, resenting the loss which had fallen
on their own body, and proud and tenacious of their
rights, as the citizens of Edinburgh have at all times
been, were greatly exasperated at the unexpected respite
of Captain Porteous.
It was noticed at the time, and afterwards more particularly
remembered, that, while the mob were in the
act of dispersing, several individuals were seen busily
passing from one place and one group of people to another,
remaining long with none, but whispering for a
little time with those who appeared to be declaiming
The Heart of Mid-Lothian
66
most violently against the conduct of Government.
These active agents had the appearance of men from
the country, and were generally supposed to be old
friends and confederates of Wilson, whose minds were
of course highly excited against Porteous.
If, however, it was the intention of these men to stir
the multitude to any sudden act of mutiny, it seemed
for the time to be fruitless. The rabble, as well as the
more decent part of the assembly, dispersed, and went
home peaceably; and it was only by observing the moody
discontent on their brows, or catching the tenor of the
conversation they held with each other, that a stranger
could estimate the state of their minds. We will give the
reader this advantage, by associating ourselves with one
of the numerous groups who were painfully ascending
the steep declivity of the West Bow, to return to their
dwellings in the Lawnmarket.
“An unco thing this, Mrs. Howden,” said old Peter
Plumdamas to his neighbour the rouping-wife, or saleswoman,
as he offered her his arm to assist her in the
toilsome ascent, “to see the grit folk at Lunnon set their