A Fatal New Year

A custom ‘‘more honoured in the breach than in tile observance,” had long prevailed in Edinburgh, of usher-
big in the new year with boisterous merriment in the street. This led, on the public clocks in the High Street
announcing the advent of tbe year 1812, to riots of a must serious description. A band of young men attacked all whom they met, committed many robberies, and murdered a policeman. Three of the culprits were executed on a gibbet erected in the High Street, 22d April 1812.

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