Broadside entitled 'Dreadful Warning To Parents'

Commentary

This report begins: 'We find that the solemn vows and promises are of so great weight, and strictly binding by the severe notice God has taken of those that have violated them, in punishing the dishonour done to his name, by various and fearful judgements ; and the dismal death this young woman died in consequence of breaking her solemn vow to the man who adored her, furnishes another striking example of the heinousness of the crime.' Printed for James Taylor, Edinburgh.

Opening with a quick hellfire sermon, this broadside tells the tragic story of two 'star-crossed lovers', and the cruel fate that apparently befell them when true love was not allowed to run its course. It is difficult to know whether this broadside story is loosely based on some incident from real life, or if it is just fiction intended for moral instruction. For while common names and general locations are included, the style and tone of the writing is very much that of an eighteenth century parable.

Broadsides are single sheets of paper, printed on one side, to be read unfolded. They carried public information such as proclamations as well as ballads and news of the day. Cheaply available, they were sold on the streets by pedlars and chapmen. Broadsides offer a valuable insight into many aspects of the society they were published in, and the National Library of Scotland holds over 250,000 of them.

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