|
PREFACE
The history of the Scottish nation has,
unfortunately, been stained with many foul crimes, perpetrated either to
serve personal ends and private ambition, or under the pretence of effecting
the increased welfare of the people. These have given life to a large amount
of literature, much of it from the pens of some of the most distinguished
legal and antiquarian authors the country has produced, such as Amot,
Pitcairn, MacLaurin, Burton, and others. But of all the criminal events that
have occurred in Scotland, few have excited so deep, widespread, and lasting
an interest as those which took place during what have been called 'the
Resurrectionist Times, and notably, the dreadful series of murders
perpetrated in the name of anatomical science by Burke and Hare. The
universal interest excited at the time of these occurrences, also, has
called forth a great quantity of fugitive literature; and as no narrative of
any considerable size, detailing in a connected and chronological form the
present was required to fill up an important hiatus in the criminal annals
of his country.
In the preparation of this work the Author has had a double purpose before
him. He has sought not only to record faithfully the lives and crimes of
Burke and Hare, and their two female associates, but also to present a
general view of the Resurrectionist movement from its earliest inception
until the passing of the Anatomy Act in 1832, when the violation of the
sepulchres of the dead for scientific purposes was rendered unnecessary, and
absolutely inexcusable. He has, in carrying out this object, endeavoured to
give due prominence to the medical and legal aspects of the whole subject;
and to the social effects produced by the movement throughout the century
and a half during which it flourished in Scotland. In order to do this the
Author has consulted books, newspapers, and documents of all kinds, and has
sought, where that was possible, to supplement his information by oral
tradition. But in addition, he has, in the body of the work, and in the
Appendix, brought together stray ballads, and illustrative cases and notes,
which help to give a better and fuller understanding of the historical
aspect of the question, and of its influence on the minds of the great bulk
of the Scottish people.
The Author has to express his thanks to the many gentlemen who have kindly
allowed him access to their rare and valuable collections, from which he
derived great assistance in the course of his investigations.
Glasgow, May, 1884.
Introduction to Chapter 5
Chapter 6 to Chapter 10
Chapter 11 to Chapter 15
Chapter 16 to Chapter 20
Chapter 21 to Chapter 30
Chapter 31 to Chapter 40
Chapter 41 to Chapter 43
Appendix |
