1_st_ _Dec._ ’92.
. . . I have a novel on the stocks to be called _The Justice-Clerk_. It
is pretty Scotch, the Grand Premier is taken from Braxfield—(Oh, by the
by, send me Cockburn’s _Memorials_)—and some of the story is—well—queer.
The heroine is seduced by one man, and finally disappears with the other
man who shot him. . . . Mind you, I expect the _Justice-Clerk_ to be my
masterpiece. My Braxfield is already a thing of beauty and a joy for
ever, and so far as he has gone _far_ my best character.
[_Later_.]
Second thought. I wish Pitcairn’s _Criminal Trials quam primum_. Also,
an absolutely correct text of the Scots judiciary oath.
Also, in case Pitcairn does not come down late enough, I wish as full a
report as possible of a Scotch murder trial between 1790–1820.
Understand, _the fullest possible_.
Is there any book which would guide me as to the following facts?
The Justice-Clerk tries some people capitally on circuit. Certain
evidence cropping up, the charge is transferred to the J.-C.’s own son.
Of course, in the next trial the J.-C. is excluded, and the case is
called before the Lord-Justice General.
Where would this trial have to be? I fear in Edinburgh, which would not
suit my view. Could it be again at the circuit town?