The Heart of Mid-Lothian, Volume 2

  NOTE L.--CALUMNIATOR OF THE FAIR SEX.

  The journal of Graves, a Bow Street officer, despatched to Holland toobtain the surrender of the unfortunate William Brodie, bears areflection on the ladies somewhat like that put in the mouth of thepolice-officer Sharpitlaw. It had been found difficult to identify theunhappy criminal; and when a Scotch gentleman of respectability hadseemed disposed to give evidence on the point required, his son-in-law, aclergyman in Amsterdam, and his daughter, were suspected by Graves tohave used arguments with the witness to dissuade him from giving histestimony. On which subject the journal of the Bow Street officerproceeds thus:--

  "Saw then a manifest reluctance in Mr. -------, and had no doubt thedaughter and parson would endeavour to persuade him to decline troublinghimself in the matter, but judged he could not go back from what he hadsaid to Mr. Rich.--Nota Bene. _No mischief but a woman or a priest init_--here both."