Scotland.- [Creech (William)] Letters, addressed to Sir John Sinclair, Bart. respecting the Mode of Living, Arts, Commerce, Literature, Manners, &c. of Edinburgh, in 1763..., first edition, half-title (soiled and frayed at foot, repaired), modern calf-backed marbled boards, uncut, [Goldsmiths' 15518; Kress B.2469], Edinburgh, 1763 § [Grange (James Erskine, Lord)] Reasons against the Bill before the House of Lords (For Disabling the Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh...and for Fining the said City...), first edition, with final blank, 19th century morocco ruled in blind, rubbed, spine frayed at head, S.Osborn, 1737 § Tait (George) A Summary of the Powers and Duties of a Constable in Scotland..., third edition, advertisement leaf at end, a little soiled and browned, modern cloth-backed marbled boards, uncut, Edinburgh, 1815; and 3 others on Scotland including a bound volume of pamphlets and speeches relating to Edinburgh by the Scottish Liberal Party politician Duncan M'Laren of 1835-79 (family copy with bookplate of Lord Aberconway), 8vo (6)*** The second item was published in the aftermath of the Porteous riots in Edinburgh in September 1736. John Porteous (c.1695-1736) was the unpopular Captain of the City Guard of Edinburgh. After losing control of an angry crowd during a public execution in April 1736, a panicked Captain Porteous ordered his men to fire on the mob, killing a number of people. Tried and convicted for murder, Porteous was sentenced to be executed. Misjudging the level of popular anger, Walpole intervened on Porteous' behalf and had his execution deferred. An angry mob was able to overpower the Tolbooth prison guards, drag Porteous from his cell, and lynch him in the street. This pamphlet puts forward Lord Grange's argument, based on constitutional grounds, against the Lord Provost being held responsible and the city as a whole being fined for the actions of certain "wicked persons".