The crime has been too common, and examples are necessary."
"But if this other wench," said the city-clerk, "can speak to her sister
communicating her situation, it will take the case from under the
statute."
"Very true," replied the Bailie; "and I will walk out one of these days
to St. Leonard's, and examine the girl myself. I know something of their
father Deans--an old true-blue Cameronian, who would see house and family
go to wreck ere he would disgrace his testimony by a sinful complying
with the defections of the times; and such he will probably uphold the
taking an oath before a civil magistrate. If they are to go on and
flourish with their bull-headed obstinacy, the legislature must pass an
act to take their affirmations, as in the case of Quakers. But surely
neither a father nor a sister will scruple in a case of this kind. As I
said before, I will go speak with them myself, when the hurry of this
Porteous investigation is somewhat over; their pride and spirit of
contradiction will be far less alarmed, than if they were called into a
court of justice at once."
"And I suppose Butler is to remain incarcerated?" said the city-clerk.
"For the present, certainly," said the magistrate. "But I hope soon to
set him at liberty upon bail."
"Do you rest upon the testimony of that light-headed letter?" asked the
clerk.
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