me secret
corruption, they taunted each other, and came to high words, and finally
to an open quarrel, actually shaking their neeves across the table, and,
I'll no venture to deny, maybe exchanging blows.

Such a convulsion in the sober councils of a burgh town was never heard
of. It was a thing not to be endured, and so I saw at the time, and was
resolved to turn it to the public advantage. Accordingly, when the two
angry men had sat back in their seats, bleached in the face with passion,
and panting and out of breath, I rose up in my chair at the head of the
table, and with a judicial solemnity addressed the council, saying, that
what we had witnessed was a disgrace not to be tolerated in a Christian
land; that unless we obtained indemnity for the past, and security for
the future, I would resign; but in doing so I would bring the cause
thereof before the Fifteen at Edinburgh, yea, even to the House of Lords
at London; so I gave the offending parties notice, as well as those who,
from motives of personal friendship, might be disposed to overlook the
insult that had been given to the constituted authority of the king, so
imperfectly represented in my person, as it would seem, by the audacious
conflict and misdemeanour which had just taken place.

This was striking while the iron was hot: every one looked at my
sternness with surprise, and some begged me to be seated, and to consider
the matter calmly.--"Gentlemen," quo' I, "dinna mistake me. I never was
in more composure all my life.--It's indeed no on my own account that I
feel on this occasion. The gross violation of all the decent decorum of
magisterial authority, is not a thing that affects me in my own person;
it's an outrage against the state; the prerogatives of the king's crown
are endamaged; atonement must be made, or punishment must ensue. It's a
thing that by no possibility can be overlooked: it's an offence committed
in open court, and we cannot but take cognizance thereof."

I saw that what I said was operating to an effect, and that the two
troublesome members were confounded. Mr Hickery rose to offer some
apology; but, perceiving I had now got him in a girn, I interposed my
authority, and would not permit him to proceed.

"Mr Hickery," said I, "it's of no use to address yourself to me. I am
very sensible that ye are sorry for your fault; but that will not do. The
law knows no such thing as repentance; and it is the law, not me nor our
worthy f