"THE CRIMINAL RECORDS OF A COUNTRY ARE A HISTORICAL MONUMENT OF THE IDEAS OF A PEOPLE": FIRST EDITION OF ARNOT'S CELEBRATED CRIMINAL TRIALS IN SCOTLAND, 1785

(SCOTLAND) (LAW) ARNOT, Hugo. A Collection and Abridgement of Celebrated Criminal Trials in Scotland, from A.D. 1536, to 1784. Edinburgh: for the author; by William Smellie, 1785. Quarto, 19th-century full brown calf, raised bands, red morocco spine label. $650.

First edition of Arnot's collection of famous criminal trials in Scotland, with a section on trials for witchcraft that Arnot roundly condemns.

Arnot "became an advocate on 5 December 1772, but his legal career faltered on account of his reputation for irritability, sarcasm, and caustic language. In 1776 he published the satirical Essay on Nothing, first delivered as a paper to the Edinburgh Speculative Society. His History of Edinburgh appeared in 1779, and his Collection of Celebrated Criminal Trials in Scotland was published in 1785; both works were pirated in Ireland. Arnot published the Collection at his own expense in defiance of the Edinburgh booksellers, and the gross proceeds were £600" (ONDB). Bound with List of Subscribers. Lowndes, 72. See Marvin, 70 (1812 second edition, octavo).

Foxing to first few and last few leaves, including title page. Spine and board edges dried and scuffed, joints starting but holding. A very good copy.