COURT OF SESSION.-Jan. 19.-Lord A. Hamilton v. Stevenson.-In this case, a petition for Mr Stevenson, printer of the late Beacon Newspaper, had been presented to the Court, reclaiming against the interlocutor of Lord Pitmilly, Ordinary, remitting the cause to the Jury Court, on the ground of the incompetency of the action as laid, which petition the Court had appointed to be answered as to the competency, all review of an interlocutor by a Lord Ordinary remitting to the Jury Court, by representation, petition, or appeal to the House of Lords, being prohibited by the Jury Court Act. The petition was answered by Lord Archibald Hamilton, under protest that his doing so should not infer his acquiescence in the competency of the petition, which, it was contended, the Court ought not to entertain even to the effect of writing upon it, should it be found to be incom petent. Their Lordships, this day, on advising the petition and answers, found unanimously, that the procedure before the Lord Ordinary complained of by the petitioner was warranted by the act of Parliament, and refused the petition as incompetent; the Lord Justice Clerk observing, that the Court could not write upon the process, as it was not regularly before them, but that there could be no objection to their Lordships writing on Mr Stevenson's petition. JURY COURT.-Jan. 21.-Allan v. Thomson. Apology for defamation.-This cause, which has excited considerable interest, and has been the subject of much conversation in the scientific circles for some time past, was appointed for trial this day, in consequence of which, the Court was completely filled on its opening. The grounds of action alleged by the pursuer, Thos. Allan, Esq. banker in Edinburgh, were, that the defender, Dr Thomas Thomson, Professor of Chemistry in the University of Glasgow, had expressed himself to persons in that city and its vicinity, in terms which were false and injurious to the pursuer, such as, that a friend of his was about to prosecute the pursuer for appropriating to himself certain minerals, and that he had imposed upon mineral dealers. The damages were laid at £.5000. Many applications were made to Mr Allan, by the friends and the Counsel of Dr Thomson, to accept an apology rather than to carry the question into Court. Mr Allan uniformly declared, that being actuated by no vindictive motives to Dr Thomson, he would not object to receive such an apology as his friend, Mr Ferguson of Baith, approved of. It was not, however, till the evening before the trial, that the final arrangements were made, when Mr Ferguson positively refused to listen to any thing but an apology made in open Court, and on the express condi tion that Dr Thomson defrayed all the expences incurred. In consequence, when the cause was called, Mr Cunninghame stated to the Court, that the pursuer, Mr Allan, had accepted of an apology from the defender, and that, in return, Mr Allan had agreed to give the explanation which Mr Ferguson had drawn out. The learned Gentleman then read the following apology by Dr Thomson;—“ Having been led, by very false information, to accuse most unjustly Thomas Allan, Esq. Banker in Edinburgh, on a subject connected with his mineralogical pursuits, I now publicly express my sincere regret for having propagated a most groundless calumny against that gentleman, and do declare, that I now find, that so far from what was reported to me, and repeated by me, having the slightest foundation, Mr Allan, on the contrary, was the direct means of tracing and transmitting to the proper owner in London the minerals which were the subject of the charge. I trust that Mr Allan and his friends will accept of this apology for the error I have been led into.-Edin. 21st January 1822."-The following explana tion was then read by Mr Cockburn:"I accept of the apology Dr Thomson has now made, and take the opportunity which he has now afforded me, of expressing my regret for the harsh language I used towards him, which arose altogether from his repetition of injurious allegations with respect to my conduct and character."-Mr Jeffrey said he had only to regret that this accommodation had not been entered into at an earlier stage, but had been delayed till the latest moment that such a measure was practicable; he added, that as the delay was to be imputed to Dr Thomson, it was understood that gentleman should defray the whole expence incurred.-This the Counsel for Dr Thomson acquiesced in, it being stated by the Court that it was a matter of private arrangement among the parties. The Lord Chief Commis sioner felt much gratified that this Court should be instrumental in bringing about an amicable adjustment in any case, but particularly in such a case as this, where the parties were both of highly respectable character, and eminent for their scientific knowledge. FEBRUARY. 1.-There have been some serious riots in the woollen clothing districts of Wiltshire, where great numbers of the weavers have struck work for an advance of wages, and, congregating together in large bodies, have taken the work from the looms, and in some instances have destroyed the latter. Some of the volunteers in the neighbourhood have been called out, and about a score of the ringleaders in the disturbances have been lodged in Devizes Bridewell, happily without bloodshed. 2.-Court of Session.-The Hon. Wil. liam Erskine having finished his trials as Lord Probationer, took the usual oaths and his seat on the Bench, by the title of Lord Kinedder. Lord Gillies is now one of the ordinary Judges in the First Division, and is succeeded as permanent Ordinary, in the First Division, by Lord Meadow. bank. Lord Kinedder is Ordinary on the bills. In the line of Lord Balmuto, who lately resigned his situation as one of the Lords of Session, there are only four Judges, who have sat in direct succession to each other since the Revolution, viz. 4. Her late Majesty's will, with three codocils, was proved in the Prerogative Court, Doctors' Commons, by Stephen Lushington, LL.D. one of the executors; power being reserved of making like grant to Thomas Wilde, Esq. the other executor. The effects are sworn under £.20,000. 5.-The Temple of Reason Closed. The penalties which Carlile was sentenced to pay by the Court of King's Bench, having been estrated and returned to the Pipe Office, an extent was issued from thence directed to the Sheriffs of London, and commanding them to levy for one of these penalties to the amount of £.500. At half-past three the Sheriff, accompanied by a large body of his officers, proceeded to the premises in Flect-Street, and having ejected the swarm of persons who were engaged in making purchases of blasphemous works, they immediately seized every vestige of property on which they could lay their hands, and then shut up the house. 11.-Chain Pier on the Forth.-The chain-pier at Trinity has now been exposed to a winter storm, without suffering any injury whatever. The landing-place was considerably enlarged about the latter end of last summer; and it is now reported, that there is some intention of carrying the pier 200 feet farther out, for the accommodation of numerous steam-vessels which now leave the Firth. Workmen are at present employed in carrying chains, VOL. X. formed of iron rods, from the piers to the centre, for the purpose of lessening the motion or spring produced by walking. Lamps are now placed above each pierthe outermost formed of green glass. 14-Newspapers.-The number of newspapers published in the United Kingdom at this time is 280, of which 57 issue from the metropolis; 130 from the provinces of England and Wales; 31 from Scotland: 54 from Ireland; and eight from the islands of Jersey, Guernsey, &c. More than one-fifth of the whole emanate from London. 16.-The Wellington Shield.--The magnificent Wellington Shield, forming, together with the ornamental columns, one of the finest productions of modern art, was presented to the illustrious General whose name it bears. Our readers are aware, that, on the Duke of Wellington's return to England at the peace of 1814, the merchants and bankers of London, anxious to offer to his Grace a memorial of their high admiration and profound gratitude for his public services, appointed a Committee for that purpose. Messrs. Green, Ward, and Co. of Ludgate-street, were selected to execute this work; and under their direction has been wrought the splendid trophy. The death of some of the Artists employed on the work, and other incidental causes connected with its execution, having deferred its completion till very lately, the presentation could not take place earlier; but his Grace this day attended at Messrs. Green and Ward's, accompanied by Lord Fitzroy Somerset, and was there met by W. Manning, Esq. M. P. the Chairman of the Committee, who delivered the shield and columns to his Grace, in the name of the merchants and bankers; and at the same time expressed to him the sentiments of respect and attachment with which they, in common with a grateful country, are animated towards his Grace's person. The illustrious Duke made an appropriate reply to this address, and testified his high admiration of the singular richness and beauty of this most valuable present. The shield is circular, and in diameter about three feet eight inches: in the centre is represented the Duke on horseback being crowned by Fame, surrounded by fourteen equestrian figures, his chief officers: on the outer border of the shield are depicted, in ten compartments, the battles and other chief events of the Duke's life up to 1814: the columns represent allegorically the fruits of the victories given on the shield. 21.-Mr Hume.-At a meeting of the Common Council of London, the freedom of the city was presented to Joseph Hunc, Esq. M.P. - 3 F murders, of burning of houses, and al. most every other description of outrage, committed chiefly in the counties of Limerick and Cork. Although in the course of last month sentence of death was pronounced against thirty-five individuals, convicted under the Whiteboy Act, several of whom have been executed, these dreadful examples appear to make no impression on the deluded and despe rate peasantry. The Insurrection-Act is now also in full operation; and under it a number of individuals have been ap prehended, tried, and sentenced to transportation, for being out of their houses after the hour prescribed. APPOINTMENTS, PROMOTIONS, &c. I. CIVIL. Jan. 30.-The Honourable Sir Charles Paget to be groom of the bed-chamber in ordinary to his Majesty. Feb. 1.-Mr James Gibson Thomson, to be Consul at Edinburgh and Leith for the King of Prussia. 21.-The King has been pleased to nominate and appoint Dr Robert Christison, son of the late Professor Christison, to be Professor of Medical Jurisprudence and Medical Police in the University of Edinburgh. 27.-The Magistrates and Council of Edinburgh elected George Joseph Bell, Esq. advocate, to be Professor of the Law of Scotland, in the room of the Hon. Mr Baron Hume. II. ECCLESIASTICAL. Jan. 17.-The Rev. William Duff ordained and admitted minister of Grange, presbytery of Strathbogie. 30.-The Rev. James Mein ordained pastor of the United Associate Congregation of Nairn. Mr James Thomson, preacher of the gospel under the United Associated Synod, unanimously called to be pastor of the United Associate Congregation, Glenluce. Feb. 6-The Rev. William Welsh ordained pastor of the Relief Congregation of Falkirk. 7.-William Anderson ordained minister of John Street Relief Congregation, Glasgow. 18.-Mr David Alison, preacher of the gospel, was unanimously called to be pastor of the first congregation in Arbroath, in connection with the United Secession Church. 19. The United Associate Congregation of Perth, under the ministry of the Rev. Mr Aikman, voted an unanimous call to Mr James White, preacher of the gospel, to be their co-pastor. - Mr Thomas Brown, jun. ordained assistant and successor to his father, the Rev. Mr Brown, Innerkip. III. MILITARY. 1 Life G. Lt. Hon. A. C. Legge, to be Capt. by purch. vice Martin, 93 F. 17 Jan. 1822. Cornet & Sub-Lt. Gore, Lt. by purch. Gren.Gds. Capt. Clarke, Adj. vice Gunthorpe 31 Jan. 1822. 1 F. Ens. Campbell, Lt. vice W. Wetherall, dead 23 June 1821. Ens Church, from h.p. Ens. 23 Dec. 1821. Lt. Pounden, from h. p. 55 E. Lt. (paying diff.) vice Everett, 33 F. 14 Feb. 1822. Bt. Lt. Col. Faunce, Lt. Col. vice Piper, dead 24 Jan. do. Bt. Lt. Col. Willson, Maj. Serj. Maj. R. Mullaly, Quar. Mast. vice Doran, dead 6 Dec. 1821 Gent. Cadet R. Milner, from R. Mil. Coll. Ens. by purch. vice Grey, 33 F. 7 Feb. 1822. Bt. Lt. Col. Bird, from h. p. 87 F. Maj. vice Thorne, canc do. G. W. Story, Ens. vice Moncrieffe, canc. do. Lt. Croad, from h. p. 66 F. Lt. (paying diff.) vice Hemmans, 78 F. do. 2d Lt. Havelock, from Rifle Brig. 1st Lt. by purch. vice Bridgeman, 28 F. Ens. Berridge, Lt. vice 24 Oct. 1821. M'Dougall, dead 8 Sept. 1820. 24 Jan. 1822. by purch. vice 24 Oct. 1821. W. O. Gunning, Ens. Lt. Everett, from 1 F. Lt. vice Pagan, 36 7 do. Lt. Peacoke, Capt. do. 14 do. 40 W. Stenhouse, Ens. do. vice Dawson, 9 F. 24 Jan. do. prom. 31 Jan. 1822. Lord F. L. Gower, Cornet & Sub-Lt. by purch. D. W. Barelay, Ens. do. do. 58 Hosp. Assist. Huey, Assist. 7 Feb. Surg. vice 4 Dr. G. R. Bolton, Cornet by purch. vice Hunter, prom. 24 do. St. John, 61 F. 14 do. 59 Lt. Farmer, from 91 F. Capt. by purch. vice Lovewell, ret. Surg. Colclough, from h. p. 23 Dr. Surg. vice O'Connor, h. p. 17 Jan. 18 Barlow, prom. 24 Oct. 1821. 9 16 I. E. W. Browne, Cornet by purch. vice Cannon, canc. 14 Feb. dead Bt. Maj. Halford, Maj. Franklin, dead Ens. Jones, from h. p. 62 F. Ens. vice 25 Dec. 1821. Serg. Maj. W. Ellary, Quar. Mast. vice Bt. Lt.Col. Walker, Lt. Col. vice M⚫Leod, 14 Feb. 1822. do. Assist. Surg. St. John, from 58 F. Surg. vice Gill, 50 F. do. Lt. Hart, Capt. vice Moorehouse, dead 10 June. 5 May 1821. Capt. Hooper, from 3 F. rec. diff. with Capt Rolland, h. p. 3 Dr. G. Lieut. Willett, from 6 Drag. rec. diff. with Lieut. Warrand, h. p. 22 Dr. M'Nair, from 10 F. with Lieut. Broom, 67 F. Hamilton, from 61 F. with Lieut. Deacon, 73 F. Francis, from 57 F. rec. diff. with Lieut. Le Marchant, h. p. 10 F. Waters, from 78 F. rec. diff. with Lieut. Mitchell, h. p. 92 F. Smith, from 84 F. ree. diff. with Lieut. Stewart, h. p. 63, F. Reynolds, from Rifle Brig. with Lieut Brownrigg, h. p. Ensign Campbell, from 54 F. with Ensign Malim. h. p. 58 F. Ensign Payne, from 56 F. rec. diff. with Ensign Noyes, h. p. 58 F. Paym. Grosser, from 88 F. with Paym. Robinson, h. p. 69 F. Resignations and Retirements. Colonel Hon. A. Abercromby, Coldst. G. Captain Lovewell, 7 Dr. G. Surg. Gen. & Inspector, Dr. Irwin, Ordnance Med, Dep. Appointments Cancelled. Major Thorne, 16 F. 2d Lieut. Daniel, 21 F. Cornet Ld. F. L. Gower, 10 Dr. Ensign Moncrieffe, 17 F 24 Dec. 1821. 1 do do do. 24 do. 7 Nov. do. 2 Dec. do. 24 do. 2d Lieut. Benn, from h. p. 2d Lieut. 2d Lieut. Deschamps, from h. p. do. Gent, Cadet G. Burroughes, do Gent. Cadet C. Strickland, do. 7 Nov. 14 Dec. 15 do. 16 do. Vet. Surg. Cadoux, from h. p. Vet. Surg. vice Stockley, h. p. 15 Dec. 29 Nov. 1821. 28 Oct. Ensign Loraine, 4 F. Barbadoes Johnstone, 51 F. Corfu 23 Dec. 10 Nov. Skinner, 38 F. Jamaica 28 do. M Math, of late 3 Vet. Bn. Coutance 19 do. 20 Dec. 17 Nov. 26 Dec Medical Department. Montgomery, h. p. York Light Inf. Vol. METEOROLOGICAL TABLE, Kept at Edinburgh, in the Observatory, Caltonhill. N.B.The Observations are made twice every day, at nine o'clock forenoon, and four o'clock afternoon. The second Observation in the afternoon, in the first column, is taken by the Register Thermometer. THE rain that has fallen since our last, amounts to something more than three inches, and the greater part of this has fallen since the 5th of the present month, in the shape of snow and sleet. Some beans were sown in the Carse of Gowrie about the 20th of February, and that operation was nearly over by the 4th March. Since that period, a total stop has been put to the operations of seed-time, and doubts are entertained that beans and pease in the ground may be in danger of splitting, where the land has been flooded. The soil, on low-lying, retentive lands, will not, for some time, be in proper condition for receiving bean or oat seeds. On dry bottoms, sowing may soon be resumed; and ploughs are already at work, preparing for pease, oats, &c.— The mean temperature for the last two weeks in February, was 42°30'; for the last thirteen days, 39°20'. Boisterous winds, accompanied with sleet, snow, and rain, have been frequent; and though the frost has been at no rime very intense, yet the appearance of growing wheat is as unfavourable as it has been, at the same period of the season, for many years past. The mild, genial weather in the winter and spring months, brought forward a luxuriant and tender foliage on fallow wheat, which was unable to resist the action of the late squally weather: this crop, after fallow, will therefore, in numerous instances, be much thinner than was anticipated. Turnips are now nearly off the ground: those that are still in the field, are considerably run, and consequently less nutritive. Many complain of a scarcity of fodder, and lean cattle, in consequence, are offered at extremely low prices. Sheep are also selling at very inferior prices. Draught Horses are in demand, but bring lower prices than last Spring. The Fiars for Perthshire have been struck. Best wheat amounts only to 28s.; best barley to 18s. ; and best oats, 15s. 3d. This may be quoted as something above the present prices for barley and wheat. The Fiar Prices in the neighbouring Counties differ little from those above quoted. Such prices are considered by the Farmer as totally inadequate to meet rent and expences. Perthshire, 13th March 1822. |