Morrison’s report of the trial, which is much the most accurate and complete, was published on 6th September, 1788. The editor writes in his preface, “It was thought better to state the proceedings by way of dialogue, in the same manner as all the English trials are published, than in the form of narrative--the usual manner or collecting both the depositions of witnesses and the pleadings of counsel in Scotland.” This was an innovation which rendered the report more interesting and valuable than its competitors. An account of the trial by Charles Elliot, the publisher, had been announced, but it was arranged that Morrison should prepare it, Elliot furnishing him with his MS. and publishing the book. It is interesting to know from a contemporary account that Deacon Brodie, while in prison after his sentence, “has read all the publications respecting his trial, and has given it as his opinion that Mr. Elliot’s account was the best.” The advertisement states--“There will be published on Monday an appendix to this trial, which will be given gratis. Those who have already got copies may send for the appendix.” With regard to this appendix, Morrison has a note that he had originally intended publishing certain interesting documents in his report, but had been informed by a friend of Brodie’s “that Mr. Creech had engaged upon his honour not to publish anything in his account of the trial, either in the form of anecdote or otherwise, that did not occur in the course of the trial itself.” Creech, however, published some additional matter, and Morrison considered “he was entitled to put the purchasers of his account on a footing with those who had purchased Mr. Creech’s.” The three appendices given in the first edition of Creech’s report were therefore issued by Morrison, as above mentioned. 3. Extract from the Accounts of the | Trial | of | William Brodie and George Smith, | Before the High Court of Justiciary, | on Wednesday, the 27th and Thursday the 28th Days of August, 1788, | For Breaking Into, and Robbing | The | Excise Office of Scotland, | On the 5th Day of March last. | Illustrated with Notes and Anecdotes. | Containing also, | Several Curious Papers | Relative to the Trial; | as also, several | Transactions of the Criminals. | “_Read this and tremble! Ye who ‘scape the laws._” Pope. | Edinburgh: | Printed by A. Robertson, Foot of the Horse Wynd. | M,DCC,LXXXVIII. Octavo, pp. vi.+72. The advertisement of this account of the trial, which was published on 15th September, 1788 states--“The whole will be neatly printed on a fine paper and new type in three numbers at 9d.; the second number will be published on Saturday, the 20th; and the third on Friday, the 25th curt. And an additional number, price 3d., containing several occurrences, &c., from the day of their sentence till the 2nd of October next. _N.B._--Commissions duly answered, for ready money only.”