the spectators which is the useful end of
all such inflictions, and in consideration of which alone, unless in very
particular cases, capital sentences can be altogether justified.
    On the 7th day of September 1736, these ominous preparations for execution
were descried in the place we have described, and at an early hour the space
around began to be occupied by several groups, who gazed on the scaffold and
gibbet with a stern and vindictive show of satisfaction very seldom testified by
the populace, whose good nature, in most cases, forgets the crime of the
condemned person, and dwells only on his misery. But the act of which the
expected culprit had been convicted was of a description calculated nearly and
closely to awaken and irritate the resentful feelings of the multitude. The tale
is well known; yet it is necessary to recapitulate its leading circumstances,
for the better understanding what is to follow; and the narrative may prove
long, but I trust not uninteresting even to those who have heard its general
issue. At any rate, some detail is necessary, in order to render intelligible
the subsequent events of our narrative.
    Contraband trade, though it strikes at the root of legitimate government, by
encroaching on its revenues, - though it injures the fair trader, and debauches
the mind of those engaged in it, - is not usually looked upon, either by the
vulgar or by their betters, in a very heinous point of view. On the contrary, in
those countries where it prevails, the cleverest, boldest, and most intelligent
of the peasantry, are uniformly engaged in illicit transactions, and very often
with the sanction of the farmers and inferior gentry. Smuggling was almost
universal in Scotland in the reigns of George I. and II.; for the people,
unaccustomed to imposts, and regarding them as an unjust aggression upon their
ancient liberties, made no scruple to elude them whenever it was possible to do
so.
    The county of Fife, bounded by two firths on the south and north, and by the
sea on the east, and having a number of small seaports, was long famed for
maintaining successfully a contraband trade; and, as there were many seafaring
men residing there, who had been pirates and buccaneers in their youth, there
were not wanting a sufficient number of daring men to carry it on. Among these,
a fellow called Andrew Wilson, originally a baker in the village of Pathhead,
was particularly obnoxious to the revenue officers. He was possessed of great
personal strength, courage, and cunning, - was perfectly acquainted with the
coast, and capable of conducting the most desperate enterprises