The first interview in 1786 (Smith and Deacon Brodie)

Category

Library Item

Item no

13549

Title

The first interview in 1786 (George Smith and Deacon William Brodie)

Description

Two smartly dressed men are standing together. One of them is wearing dark coloured clothes and hat and the other man is wearing a light coloured coat and breeches and he holds his hat in his hands. They both wear shoes with buckles and are leaning on walking sticks. There is a chicken on the ground between them and the head of a dog is visible at the right of the picture.

Artist / maker

Kay, John

Date

1788

Size

18.5 x 11.5 cm

Type

Etching

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

The accompanying text in the volume begins as follows:
"This Print is illustrative of the supposed first meeting of Deacon Brodie and his accomplice George Smith.[...]
In describing this affair we will quote in part the language of the declaration, which is graphically illustrative of the career of Brodie, who had actually been a participator in almost all the forementioned depredations:-
'That Brodie told the declarant that the shop at the head of Bridge Street, belonging to Messers. Bruce, would be a very proper shop for breaking into, as it contained valuable goods; and he knew the lock would be easily opened, as it was a plain lock, his men having lately altered that shop door, at the lowering street: that the plan of breaking into the shop was accordingly concerted between them; and they agreed to meet on the evening of the 24th of December 1786, being a Saturday, at the house of James Clark, vintner, where they generally met with company to gamble...' "

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Related subjects

Animals > Birds > Chickens

Animals > Mammals > Dogs

Clothing and dress > Accessories > Hats

Clothing and dress > Accessories > Walking sticks

Clothing and dress > Garments > Coats

People > Adults > Men

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

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