J. W. Laurie, the pattern-maker, accused of murdering a tourist
named Rose on Goatfell, was on November 9th found guilty, and sentenced to death. The evidence, which to most men will seem absolute, did not convince one or two of the jury ; but Scotch law, wiser than our own, does not insist on a unanimity which, in Scotland especially, where people are born arguing, can seldom be honestly attained. We have said enough of the case, not in itself an interesting one, else- where, but may quote here Mr. B. St. B. Joule's testimony to a curious survival of superstition. Mr. Rose's boots were found buried under water, having been placed there, not by the murderer, but by the Highland constable, who, in accordance with ancient tradition, wished to lay the ghost of the murdered man. Mr. Joule writes from Rothesay, and is doubtless well informed ; but can this particular superstition be called " ancient " ? The world has fancied that the use of a covering for the feet is a recent innovation in the Highlands. Or was the burial of any article of dress a sufficient consola- tion to the murdered man, and the boots only buried by the constable because they were handiest for the purpose?
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