that very riotous and highly illegal proceedings, of the most disgusting and revolting nature, had occurred in a particular district of the county, and he trusted that due pains would be taken to investigate the circum. stances alluded to, and bring the guilty persons to condign punishment. His Lordship remarked, that it too frequently happened, that unfortunate women were brought forward under charges of child-murder and concealment of pregnancy. He understood that these offences prevailed most in those districts of the county where ecclesiastical discipline was more than usually rigorous, and he begged leave to suggest, that it would be more eligible for the elergy to correct vices and immoralities rather by private admonition than by public censure. He trusted that a respectable Magistrate then in his eye (the Sheriff-depute of Ross and Cromarty), would exert the influence of which he knew him to be possessed, to induce the elergy in the district over which he presided, to consider this suggestion, and he trusted that the gentleman's exertions would be found productive of the most salutary effect. Aberdeen, Sept. 26. The Court was opened by Lords Justice Clerk and Succoth. Alexander Tarland Coutts, was charged with assault and robbery on W. M'Donald, Sliach, Coul. The origin of this attack was said to be a law-suit, and that after the first meeting in a public house, Coutts endeavoured to take by force what was refused in law. The substance of the evidence was, that an assault had been committed of a serious kind, and in the affray M'Donald had lost £. 8 or £. 10. The medical evidence did not altogether coincide as to the endangering of his life. The jury found the assault was committed, but not to the danger of life, and the charge of robbery not proven. Elizabeth Grant, on her own confession, was found guilty of being habit and repute a thief. The libel was restricted to an ar bitrary punishment. Tuesday.--John Douglas, Donald M‘Kay, Arthur Smollet, and Alex. Burr, young lads, accused of the crime of rioting, mobbing, and assaulting the dwelling-house of Margaret Hall, or Dick, situated in the Justice Port of Aberdeen, upon Monday the 5th of June last, on occasion of the anniversary of his Majesty's birth. The pannels, and other disorderly persons, to the number of nearly 500, had assembled, and having proceeded to Margaret Dick's house, of bad fame, where, on being refused admittance, they handled her and several others very roughly, forced up the door, completely gutted the greater part of the house, threw its contents into the street, and committed them to the flames. All that appeared in evi. dence was, that a gross assault had been committed on the occasion in question; but, from the darkness of the night and conse. quent confusion, the identification of some of the pannels was somewhat contradictory. M'Kay, Smollet, and Burr, bore good characters, and all present regretted that they should have been concerned in such » disgraceful business.-The verdict to be returned on Wednesday. Sept. 30.-James Irving, from Banff, accused of horse-stealing. The Jury found the libel proven, but on account of former good character, recommended him to mercy. Wednesday. The Court again met this day, when the jury, which had sat on the trial of John Douglas, Donald M'Kay, Arthur Smollet, and Alexander Burr, returned a verdict, all in one voice finding John Douglas guilty of mobbing, and an active abettor and art and part in assisting "the mob, on the night libelled; Donald M'Kay guilty of mobbing, and art and part in assisting the mob, on the occasion libelled, but found the assault alleged to have been committed by him on the person of Margaret Hall or Dick, not proven; found Arthur Smollet guilty of mobbing, and art and part in assisting the mob, on the night libelled; and found the pannel Alexander Burr not guilty of any of the charges contained in the indictment. The Judges, after a suitable address to the pannels, sentenced Douglas, to transportation beyond seas for the space of seven years, and M⭑Kay and Smollet, to confinement and hard labour in Bridewell for the space of twelve calendar months. Burr was dismissed from the bar. James Esson, from Logie, Coldstone, charged with parricide, having attacked and killed his mother, being proved an idiot, the Court ordained him to be confined to the lunatic hospital for life. George Simpson, for stealing cast metal, &c. from Messrs George Simpson and Co. was outlawed, having failed to appear. Alex. Harper, ironmonger, same place, was charged as reset of the stolen goods. On hearing the examination of two witnes ses, the Depute Advocate expressed himself convinced of his innocence, and regretted that the misinformation given him had oecasioned such trouble to Harper; he aban doned the prosecution. In addressing the jury, the Lord Justice Clerk concurred fully in the Depute Advocate's opinion, and charged them to return a verdict of Not Guilty, which they instantly did. His Lordship, at the same time, passed a severe censure on the official gentleman, whose improper interference and erroneous information had been the cause of this prosecution; and added, that, should any similar proceedings again occur in the same quarter, the disapprobation of the Court would be more strongly marked. Alexander Couts was ordained to hard labour in Bridewell for 12 months, and to find caution to keep the peace for 2 years, under a penalty of 300 merks. James Tulloch, travelling shoemaker, was found, on his own confession, guilty of breaking into the shop of Mr M'Combie, Croft-head, Cabrach, and abstracting goods; he was sentenced to 14 years transportation beyond seas. A similar sentence of banishment for seven years was pronounced on Elizabeth Grant, who was tried on the preceding day, the libel in her case having been also restricted. Perth, Sept. 30. The Circuit Court of Justiciary was opened here this day by the Right Honourable Lords Justice Clerk and Succoth. After the usual solemnities, the Court proceeded to business; and the first case that occupied their attention was that of Mary Sullivan, alias Robertson, accused of petty theft, but on account of the absence of a principal witness, the trial could not proceed, and the diet against her was deserted pro loco et tempore. The court then proceeded to the trial of Thomas Methven, or Wallace, or Watson, John Dingwall, and Janet Dingwall, or Ford, charged with theft, robbery, and reset of theft. On account of an omission which rendered the indictment irrelevant, the diet was deserted pro loco et tempore, and the pannels were re-committed; but John and Janet Dingwall being charged only with the reset, were admitted to bail, on security of 600 merks Scots. John Ower, alias Robertson, accused of forgery, was then brought to the bar. Having heard the indictment read, the pannel pleaded Guilty, and the libel being accordingly restricted to an arbitrary punishment, he was sentenced to seven years transportation. John Tod and John Butchard were out. lawed for not appearing. Tod was accused of forcibly rescuing a deserter; and Butchard of theft. Monday October 2. Robert Martin, flax-dresser in Arbroath, was brought to the bar, accused of having wilfully set fire to his own heckling-house and warehouse, for the purpose of defrauding the underwriters by whom the premis ses were insured. A proof having been led, A number of appeals were then heard, GRAND MASONIC PROCESSION. On Tuesday the 19th of Sept. the day appointed for laying the foundation stones of the Regent's Bridge and New Jail, the inhabitants of this place were gratified with the most brilliant procession which ever adorned the annals of masonry. Before ten o'clock, the military had be gun to arrange themselves; and by eleven, the whole streets through which the procession was to move, were lined in the most perfect order. The music of the different lodges was 'how at intervals heard, swelling upon the ear, as the brethren, moving off from their different lodge-rooms to the appointed place of meeting in the Parliament Square, occasionally broke in upon the long suspense of the impatient and expectant multitudes; the appearance of a dull uniformity was removed, and effect given to the whole, by the different decorations assumed by the lodges in allusion to their several titles; and sometimes, too, a smile was produced on the countenances of the spectators, by peculiarities in the costume of the tylers by whom the various lodges were preceded. Among the latter, none seemed to draw more attention than a gigantic figure mounted on horseback, and decked out in all the majesty of "nodding plumes, and mail romantic," who, like the ghost in Hamlet, marshalled the way to the lodge Roman Eagle. At twelve o'clock, the Grand Lodge having in due form been opened in the High Church aisle by the right worshipful William Inglis, Esq. substitute grand master, (the most worshipful and Right Honourable James Earl of Fife, &c. acting grand master under his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, accompanied by the right worshipful and Right Honourable Earl of Dalhousie, a past grand master, having after. wards entered the lodge,) a communication ⚫ was received from the Right Honourab the Lord Provost, that the Magistrat. Council, with the Parliamentary 개 sioners, were assembled at the City Chambers, and ready to proceed. Shortly afterwards, these bodies, preceded by the city constables, and the band of the 6th regiment of dragoon guards (mounted), took their station in the High Street, where they were immediately joined by the brethren, and the procession proceeded from the Parliament Square, down the High Street, North Bridge, Register Place, Leith Street, to the Low Calton, the place where the Regent's Bridge is to stand, when the foundation stone was laid by the Grand Master, with the usual ceremonies used on such occasions. After which, the Grand Master addressed the Magistrates and Brethren in a short speech, to which the Lord Provost made an eloquent reply, which was loudly applauded. When silence was restored, the brethren again formed themselves in their proper order, and the procession moved off to lay the foundation of the new jail on the Caltonhill. Arrived at the proposed site of the new jail, the Lord Provost, Magistrates, Commissioners, and the Grand Master, &c. took their different stations on the platforms prepared for them, when the foundation stone of the building was laid with similar ceremonies as those used at the Regent's Bridge. On this occasion the Grand Master, the Lord Provost, and Sir William Rae, Sheriff of the county, severally addressed the gentlemen present. The procession then returned, the junior lodge, which had been the last, being now the first, the Magistrates and Commissioners being placed in the centre, and the grand office-bearers, preceded by the attendant proxies, closing the whole. When the junior lodge arrived opposite the Royal Exchange, it stopped, and the procession opened to the right and left, within the military; while the Lord Provost, Magistrates, and Parliamentary Commissioners, followed by the Grand Master, office-bearers, and attendants, passed up the centre, the brethren being uncovered. After the Magistrates had returned to the City Chambers, the Grand Master and brethren proceeded to the Parliament Square, in their first order, the junior lodge, which had been the last to leave, being now also the last to enter the square. The masters of lodges and their wardens left their lodges, and with the proxies and their wardens, joined the grand lodge in the Church Aisle, when, after a short address from the Substitute Grand Master, the lodge was closed. The procession throughout was conducted with a propriety and regularity that left nothing to be desired. Every thing was arranged with the most perfect decorum. To the officers commanding the military who lined the streets, not only the bodies forming the procession, but the public in general, are highly indebted. It would be impossible to say enough of the order and precision of deportment which was preserved, mainly through their arrangements. Notwithstanding the unfavourable state of the weather, on no occasion, perhaps, was there ever seen so immense a crowd of spec tators. Every window was filled; every corner from which a view of the procession, as it moved along, could even partially be commanded, was crowded to excess. The streets, the Bridge, and front of the Regis. ter Office, formed one continued throng; and the Caltonhill, covered to the very sum mit, harmonised with the whole, and finished off the scene with admirable effect. There was, in short, nothing to regret;— and it is pleasing to learn, that, notwithstanding the great concourse of spectators, not the slightest accident occurred. The number of Masons in the procession was upwards of 2000. FLOODS IN SCOTLAND. We have received particulars of the ra vages occasioned by the desolating floods in the south of Scotland, and we are concern. ed to learn, that the deplorable accounts come short of the dreadful truth: many who had removed their crops above the highest flood-mark, found it soon after a float. In the town of Dumfries, the water was in considerable depth in the houses for above six hours, and in the sunk cellars much damage was done. In the neigh bourhood of Sanquhar, part of the wooden. bridge, the damheads for draining Mr Ba ker's coal-work, that for driving the wheel of the forge at Crawbridge, also that for driving the card machinery at Holm-house, are swept away. Hay-ricks were carried down the current as they stood on the fields, and one being arrested in its progress, was left in its original shape.-On the river Annan, the destruction was equally great-about 2000 stooks being carried off from two farms. At New Galloway, on the 15th ult. the weather was close and sultry, but in the evening, a most tremendous storm came on;-the lightning was fierce and jaggedballs of fire were seen to fall from the clouds-at one time a hissing sound was heard, similar to the discharge of a rocket, and the rain fell in torrents. Some corn was burnt, and two persons were stunned and thrown down by the lightning, but re ceived no other injury. From that period, the weather was stormy until the evening of Monday the 26th ult. when a dreadful tempest of wind and rain arose, which continued till Tuesday. Vast quantities of corn, trees, &c. were swept away by the inundation, and four persons being surrounded by the water, were saved by the exertions of Mr Gordon, younger of Kenmore, and some others. The bridges of Ken and Allangibbon have been materially injured. The Fleet also carried off much corn and hay.-The Urr broke down its embankments, which was accompanied with the natural effects of such a disaster,-The Tweed, which rises in the borders of Dumfriesshire, was remarkably swollen, and covered part of the road to Edinburgh. The bridge at Drummelzier was carried away, which occasions great inconvenience, there being no other bridge over the Tweed for upwards of 20 miles. The recent violent rains had the effect of causing a great overflow in the North and South Esks, and we are sorry to learn that the victual on the haughs suffered considerably. The devastations, we are sorry to learn, have not been confined to the south of Scotland; the river Dee, in Aberdeenshire, has deluged the surrounding country; in Braemar, two farmers had the greater part of their crops carried away by that river having overflowed its banks. Mess. Alex. Henderson Thomas Miller, Ordinary Council Dea cons. nity of the chair, during the period for which he had held the office of chief Magistrate of this city; as they considered it to be matter of congratulation to the community, when a person, combining so ⚫ many important qualifications, in point of rank in society, personal character, talents for business, and public spirit, was at the head of the affairs of the metropolis of Scotland. He farther alluded to the magnificent improvements and public works at present going on; in particular, the Regent's Bridge and Caltonhill road, and to the parliamentary grant for finishing the College, now in operation, all obtained through the Lord Provost's personal exertions; and concluded with moving, in which he was seconded by Convener Denholm, "That Sir John Marjoribanks, the Lord Provost, be requested to sit for his picture, to be painted at full length, in his robes of office, and placed in the Council Hall, as a lasting memorial of the gratitude and esteem of the Council, with an inscription expressive of their sentiments, and containing a reference to the public works projected, begun, or finished, under his auspices, when in office. This motion was cordially and unanimously agreed to, and Sir John Marjoribanks, by whom any proposition of the kind was totally unexpected, in a reply distinguished by its appropriateness and feeling, consented to the request of the Council. On the 23d of September Mr Sadler ascended in a balloon, from Newcastle, at three o'clock on Saturday afternoon, in the view of an immense concourse of people.After a flight of about seventeen minutes, he descended safely at a place between Earsdon and Hartley; a distance of about ten miles from Newcastle. At the Michaelmas Head - Court for Perthshire, his Grace the Duke of Athol, Lord Lieutenant of the county, proposed, that the noblemen and gentlemen of the county should second the wishes of the citizens of Perth, who proposed to erect a monument to the memory of the late Provost Marshal of that city.-This was unanimously agreed to, and his Grace subscribed fifty guineas. The subscription paper was afterwards handed round, and subscribed by the Earl of Mansfield, Lord Lynedoch, Sir Patrick Murray, Mr Drummond, &c. &c. The remains of Robert Burns, the celebrated Scots Bard, have been removed to the vault of the mausoleum now erecting to his memory in St Michael's church-yard of Dumfries. The Marquis of Huntly has, we understand, erected at Moyhall, a tribute of respect and attachment to the memory of his late gallant companions in arms, Colonel Cameron of the 92d, or Gordon Highlanders, Lieutenant Colonel Sir Robert Macara, and the other officers of the 42d regiment, who fell op the memorable day of Waterloo. On the 5th curt, the foundation stone of a monument, in honour of the victory of Waterloo, was laid at Newabbey, Dumfries. shire, by William Miller, Esq. Provincial Grand Master Mason for Dumfries-shire. A very numerous attendance of the brethren were present. Two new Professorships have been creat ed by the Crown in Glasgow University.Mr John Burns is appointed Professor of Surgery; and Mr James Towers Profes sor of Midwifery. On Wednesday, the 6th inst. the Asso ciate Burgher Synod, which was held at Edinburgh, determined that Mr Brash, a preacher, who had two calls, one from the Associate Congregation of Ecclefechan, and another from that of Campbell Street, Glasgow, should be colleague and successor to the Rev. William Kidston, Glasgow. On the same day, Mr Andrew Scott, preacher, who had a call from the Associate Congregation of Cambusnethan, and another from that of Lilliesleaf, was determined to be ordained pastor of the Associate Congre gation of Cambusnethan. APPOINTMENTS. [From the London Gazette.] Whitehall, June 22. The Prince Regent appointed Major-General Sir James Kempt, Knight Commander of the Most Honourable Military Order of the Bath, to be a Knight Grand Cross of the said Order, vice Lieutenant General Sir Thomas Picton, deceased. And also appointed the following officers to be Knights Commanders of the said order, viz. Major General George Cooke, vice Major General Sir Robert Rollo Gillespie, deceased; Major General Peregrine Maitland, vice Major General Sir William Ponsonby, deceased; and Major General Frederick Adam, vice Major General Sir James Kempt. Sept. 9. The following Foreign Generals were appointed Honorary Knights Grand Crosses of the Order of the Bath : |