January 14.—There is a long report of the nomination of candidates for the Inverness District of Burghs. The hustings were set up on the Exchange. Mr Mackintosh of Geddes proposed the re-election of Major Cumming-Bruce of Dunphail, which was seconded by Mr Gilzean of Bunachton. Captain Mackay of Hedgefield proposed Mr Edward Ellice, junior, the motion being seconded by Provost Fraser. Both candidates having spoken, a show of hands was taken, when Sheriff Edwards declared that there was a majority for Mr Ellice. A poll was demanded on behalf of Major Cumming-Bruce.

lbid.—The season had been exceptionally mild until the close of the first week in January, when there was a fall of snow, accompanied by sharp, crisp frost. The weather was not unacceptable to the farmer, and, indeed, the editor thought that no class had reason to complain, except those who figured at the hustings. "It is no easy task at any time for provincial orators and patriots to keep a crowd of people fast chained in silence, and it must be peculiarly difficult at a time when the head, feet, and hands throb with cold, and every ray of eloquence is in danger of being intercepted and absorbed by a fall of snow." On the day of the Inverness nominations, however, the frost had disappeared, and the weather was comparatively mild.

Ibid.—"We understand that after the usual examination Mr Charles Stewart, of this town, was on Thursday last admitted a solicitor before the Sheriff and other Courts in this county, and that he intends to practise in Inverness."

January 21.—On the 17th inst. candidates were nominated for the county of Inverness. The re-election of the Right Hon. Charles Grant was proposed by Mr Macpherson-Grant of Ballindalloch, and seconded by Mr Fraser of Lovat. The second candidate, Macleod of Macleod, was prevented by severe indisposition from attending, but a body of his friends marched to the hustings. Macleod was nominated by Chisholm of Chisholm, and seconded by Cluny Macpherson. On previous occasions The Chisholm had supported Mr Grant, and the latter expressed regret at his change of sentiments. This Mr Grant seems to have felt more keenly, as he had been one of Chisholm’s guardians. Mr Grant delivered a long and eloquent speech, in course of which he emphasized the idea that "the true conservative principle is wise and seasonable improvement." (See Northern Highlands, volume L, page 273.)

Ibid.—The contest in the Inverness Burghs resulted in the return of Major Cumming-Bruce by the narrow majority of four votes. The numbers were—Cumming-Bruce, 344; Ellice, 340. Forres was the stronghold of Major Cumming-Bruce. In all the other burghs he was in a minority, though in Inverness only a minority of one. The contest was fought with extraordinary keenness, and charges of bribery and intimidation were freely exchanged between the supporters of the two candidates.

Ibid.—In the Elgin Burghs there was a contest between Colonel Leith Hay, Liberal, and Brodie of Brodie, Conservative. Colonel Leith Hay was returned by a majority of 120. Mr Macleod, yr. of Cadboll, was returned unopposed for the county of Sutherland; Mr James Loch for the Northern Burghs; and the Hon. Colonel Grant of Grant for the united counties of Elgin and Nairn. For the county of Ross two candidates were nominated, Mr Stewart Mackenzie of Seaforth, Liberal, and Mr Mackenzie of Applecross, Conservative.

January 28.—The contest in the county of Inverness terminated in favour of Mr Charles Grant, but only by a majority of seven. The figures were—Grant, 260; Macleod, 253. The polling extended over two days, and there was a snow-storm at the time. The contest in Ross-shire resulted in the return of Seaforth by a majority of 40 (234 votes against 194).

February 4.—This issue contains the reports of two political dinners in Inverness. One was given on 26th January in the Northern Meeting Rooms to the Right Hon. Charles Grant. Mr J. M. Grant of Glenmoriston was in the chair. The second was given in the same place on 30th January to Major Cumming-Bruce. Mr Robertson of Aultnaskiach was in the chair. The following week Major Cumming-Bruce was entertained at Forres.

February 11.—"The Highland Society have awarded their gold medal to George Dempster, Esq. of Skibo, for a report founded on experiments of plantations made by him within the last five years on his estates in Sutherland. The extent of these within this time is above 1100 acres, and the number of trees planted about three millions. These plantations are numerous and of very unequal size, but the most important one is a tract of above 800 acres, and comprehending the greater part of that rocky ridge between Bonar-Bridge and the River Shin, which must be familiar to all acquainted with that country."

February 25.—Parliament met, and parties had their first trial of strength on the question of the election of the Speaker. The Liberals, who were in Opposition, succeeded in electing Mr Abercromby, by 316 votes against the Ministerial candidate, Sir Charles Manners Sutton, who received 306 votes.

March 4.—The Editor of the "Quarterly Journal of Agriculture" was at this time strongly urging the introduction of "public mechanical carriages," to be driven by steam on the highways, which he wished to have altered for the purpose. His idea was premature. The day of the motor car was a long way off.

Ibid.—Ministers were beaten on the Address by a majority of seven, but Sir Robert Peel still declined to resign.

March 18.—There was a combined meeting of the members of the Northern Institution and the Directors of the Royal Academy. The Museum had by this time been transferred to the Academy directors. Among the contributions made at this meeting was "a beautiful and extensive collection of rocks, minerals, and fossils from the neighbourhood of Cromarty," presented by Mr Hugh Miller. The General Secretary, Mr Anderson, explained the geological structure of the Moray Firth., with special reference to the lias deposits. Along with the recognised specimens was a collection of fossil fishes, which Mr Miller had recently discovered in one of the upper beds of the Old Red Sandstone, close to the town of Cromarty. The Secretary read an extract from Miller’s Traditions of Cromarty, then in the press, descriptive of the geology of the district.

March 25.—Dr Gray, who bequeathed £20,000 to build and endow a hospital at Elgin, left another considerable sum to his wife. This lady, who had died recently, bequeathed £4000 for the purpose of building a new church in Elgin.

April 1.—Macleod of Macleod, who contested the county of Inverness with the Right Hon. Charles Grant, died at Altyre House, near Forres., on the 25th ult., in his 47th year. "The honourable gentleman had been for some months indisposed; and though unable to appear on the hustings as a candidate at the last election, he exerted himself very much in the canvass, during the most stormy and inclement weather. This laid the seeds of an illness under which, after various partial recoveries and relapses, he has prematurely sunk." Macleod had promoted a petition to set aside the return of Mr Grant, but it was understood that it would now be dropped. For a time Macleod sat in the House of Commons as representative for the burgh of Sudbury, in Suffolk. "His strong desire, however, was to represent his native county in Parliament, and to this object he had directed all his energies for upwards of ten years, devoting to it no small share of his life and fortune. In 1818 he concurred with the late Glengarry in the election of Mr C. Grant (whom he afterwards so often and so strenuously opposed), when the right hon. gentleman was first returned member for this county; but even at this time Macleod confused that it was ‘an object of his early ambition to enjoy the station, as representative for Inverness-Shire, which so many of his immediate ancestors had filled for a length of time.’ Mr Grant on all occasions expressed his high regard for his opponent, and admitted that his personal virtues, his name and long line of ancestry, rendered the representation of his native county to him a fair object of honourable ambition." The remains of the chief were conveyed to Dunvegan, in Skye.

April 15.—The resignation of Sir Robert Peel’s Government is announced. It is acknowledged that the spirit and ability with which Sir Robert had carried on the fight had "extorted the praises of his most bitter opponents."

Ibid.—The number contains the first account of a murder which created great excitement in the district. The body of a middle-aged woman was found in a ruined hut in a plantation on the heights of Kilcoy, in the Black Isle. It had been covered up with turf and stones, but a party of women and children sent to work in the plantation observed a glove, part of a veil, and the point of a shoe protruding. The story, as ultimately put together, was a singular one. The dead body was that of Jane Brechin, a woman from Montrose, about fifty years of age, and her murderer was a man John Adam or Adams, originally from the same district, and thirty-one years of age, who was living at the time of the murder in Dingwall, under the name of John Anderson. Adam and Jane Brechin had been fellow servants at Montrose about nine years before, and had been spoken of as sweethearts, in spite of the disparity of their years. Adam however, disappeared and enlisted, and while his regiment was stationed in Derbyshire he won the affections of a girl named Elliot, whom he persuaded to elope with him under promise of marriage. He did not fulfil his promise, but they travelled northward till they reached Dingwall, where they lived together as Mr and Mrs Anderson, the man working as a labourer. They took up their abode there about a year before the murder. Meantime Jane Brechin had started a small shop in Montrose, and had some money in bank. There she was found about Martinmas 1834 by Adam, who had paid a visit to the place. He stated to the woman that he was a sawyer at Inverness, and that if she married him he would take a shop for her there. Against the advice of her friends, who thought Adam too young and "no like her ava’," the poor woman consented to the union, and Adam returned to Montrose in March 1835 and married. She had sold off her stock and drawn from the bank £113. The couple came to Inverness, where Adam took lodgings in Chapel Street; but he must have changed his story by this time, as he told his wife he had to go to Beauly. He revisited her several times, and having told her and the persons with whom she stayed that he had taken a house between Tarradale and Redcastle, they left Inverness one evening and took the boat across Kessock Ferry. The woman was never again seen alive. Adam did not care to take her to Dingwall, where he was living as a married man. When he was apprehended a sum of £75 was found under his pillow. Adam is described as an exceedingly handsome man, six feet one high. He denied his guilt, and maintained a cheerful and buoyant demeanour. The cool and unconcerned attitude of the man was one of the extraordinary features of the case.

Ibid-—"The news of the resignation of the Peel Ministry having reached Elgin on Saturday afternoon, the church and jail bells rang a merry peal, by the order of the Magistrates and Town Council: the greatest enthusiasm and joy prevailed among the inhabitants at the prospect of a Liberal Ministry being restored to power."

April 22.—The formation of the new Government is announced. Lord Melbourne became Prime Minister, Lord John Russell, Home Secretary; Lord Palmerston, Foreign Secretary; and Mr Charles Grant, Secretary for the Colonies. There was no mention of Lord Brougham, and it was soon discovered that he was not to be a member of the Government. Preparations were in progress in the county of Inverness on the understanding that Charles Grant was to be raised to the peerage.

April 29.—The news having arrived in Lochaber that Lady Vere Cameron had given birth to an heir to the family of Lochiel, great rejoicings took place. The tacksmen and clergy on the estates, "from Ballachulish Ferry to the marches of Knoydart," met and dined together on the 16th inst., at the Neptune Inn, Banavie, to celebrate the occasion. The 23rd was selected for the lighting of bonfires, which blazed on many a prominent peak. "There could not be fewer than 2000 persons present at the bonfires, all of whom were plentifully, though not improperly, supplied with mountain dew, by the munificence of Lochiel, to drink health and prosperity to the young chief of the Camerons.

Ibid.—The contest for the representation of the county of Inverness had now begun. Mr J. M. Murray Grant of Glenmoriston was the Liberal candidate, and Chisholm of Chisholm the Conservative.

May 6.—Colonel Leith Hay was re-elected member for the Elgin District of Burghs. He had been appointed Clerk of the Ordnance.

Ibid.—"We understand that Lord Southampton has taken the shootings, hunting and fishings of Lochbroom, on the property of Duncan Davidson, Esq. of Tulloch. This is a very extensive range, embracing a considerable portion of hilly country, and supplies abundance of red deer, grouse, and black game. The River Broom is also an excellent angling stream."

May 13.—The Right Hon. Charles Grant was gazetted to the peerage under the title of Baron Glenelg of Glenelg, in the county of Inverness.

Ibid.—The nomination of candidates for the county is reported in full. Mr Macpherson Grant of Ballindalloch proposed Mr Grant of Glenmoriston, the motion being seconded by Rev. Mr Beith. Mr Mackintosh of Geddes nominated the Chisholm, and Mr Walker of Crawfordtown seconded. The polling began on the 11th, and all the returns had not been received when the paper went to press. It was known, however, that The Chisholm had been returned. The next issue gave the figures as follows :—For Chisholm, 268; for Glenmoriston, 240; majority for the Conservative candidate, 28. If Macleod had lived, there was an impression that he would have been elected without a contest. This, however, seems hardly credible, when one perceives the heat which the contest between Chisholrn and Glenmoriston evolved. There was no disorder, but much angry recrimination.

Ibid.—There was a long discussion in the Synod of Moray on the question of the funds of the Established Church of Ireland. Rev. Mr Clark, Inverness, moved a series of resolutions denouncing the proposal to apply any portion of these funds to any other than religious and Protestant purposes. Mr Matheson, of Kilmuir, seconded. Rev. Mr Fraser, of Kirkhill, considered that the motion would be interpreted as political, and that it was inexpedient for the Synod to range itself on the side of a political party. He moved that the resolutions be not adopted, and was seconded by Mr Brodie of Lethen. On a division thirty members of the Synod voted for Mr Clark's motion, and only three for Mr Fraser’s.

Ibid.—It is incidentally mentioned, in an article on Lord Brougham, that "he wrote seventeen long letters with his own hand within four hours after his memorable speech in Inverness, all which were duly forwarded by ‘that night’s post.'"

May 20.—"The Town Council of Nairn held lately a special meeting for the purpose of congratulating John Cunninghame, Esq., advocate, late Sheriff of Nairnshire on his promotion to the high office of Solicitor-General; on which occasion he was admitted a freeman burgess and guild brother of the ancient burgh. In the record of Mr Cunninghame’s admission, the Council express their high sense of his honourable and independent conduct as a judge, during his connection with the burgh and county, and their respect for his private character."

May 20.—"The Inverness Packet left Burghead on Thursday, 23rd April, for London, where she arrived on the 27th of that month—discharged her cargo there, and having unloaded, sailed on the 7th curt., and arrived at Burghead on the morning of the 12th—having been, on her passage, up and down, only nine days, exclusive of the time she was detained in London. The vessel had full cargoes on both trips."

May 27.—This issue contains a review of Hugh Miller’s first important prose work, "Scenes and Legends of the North of Scotland." The reviewer expressed the opinion that the book "places the author among the best popular writers of the day."

June 3.—In the General Assembly Dr Chalmers reported on the liberal support given to his scheme of Church Extension. A majority of Presbyteries transmitted overtures approving of the Veto Act. Generally there was at this time great activity in connection with Church affairs. The Irish Church question was hotly discussed during the recent election for the county of Inverness.

June 10.—Two petitions were presented on the 2nd inst. in the House of Commons against the return of The Chisholm. One was by Glenmoriston and the other by Sir David Brewster and Hugh Davidson of Cantray, electors. The same evening Chisholm took his seat in the House.

Ibid.—Disease threatened the potato crop. There had been a partial failure the previous year.

Ibid.—The Provost of Forres, Mr Gordon, died in Glasgow. His remains were taken home, and the following issue describes the funeral.

June 24.—The death of William Cobbett is recorded. A column is devoted to a sketch of his career. "His laborious life, chequered by so many strange vicissitudes, terminated on Thursday last at the ripe age of seventy-three. His death will cause a blank in the world of English politicians and periodical writers. Perhaps no man in Britain was better known, down to the minutest circumstance in his history, character, habits, and opinions." Now Cobbett is all but forgotten.

July 8.—A new taste seems to have sprung up for the more valuable and curiously fine patterns of clan tartan for ladies’ dresses, &c. Mr Macdougall draper, here, has an immense variety of the different patterns, some of them exceedingly rich and beautiful. Lord Brougham and others have rendered them fashionable in London, and orders to a great amount for them have been executed in Inverness."

Ibid.—The issue contains the first of a series of sketches by the editor, giving an account of a trip from Inverness to Oban, lona, and Staffa. In the same number it is stated that a proposal had been made to appropriate part of the buildings at Fort-George to the purposes of a central prison for the Northern Counties. This idea never bore fruit, but prisoners were actually confined in the Fort.

Ibid.—"On the 27th June a gentleman angling in Loch-Moy caught a salmon with a small trout fly, which weighed upwards of 10 lbs. This is the first instance of a salmon taken in Loch-Moy, and the wonder is how it could possibly get there." Loch-Moy drains into the Findhorn, but the stream is small.

July 15.—The petition against the return of The Chisholm as member for the county of Inverness was rejected by the Committee of the House of Commons appointed to hear the case. The point at issue was whether voters from the Grantown district, "which is totally separated from Inverness-shire, being surrounded by the counties of Moray and Nairn," were entitled to vote. The number from that district who had voted for Chisholm was 29, and his majority in the contest was 28. The petitioners founded on a clause in the Reform Act which provided "that all properties lying locally within the limits of any county shall, for the purposes of this Act, be held to be part of the county with which they are locally included." The Parliamentary Committee, however, held that no vote could be questioned by a Committee of the House of Commons which had not been objected to previously at the local Courts of Registration. This decision disposed of the case for the petitioners.

Ibid.—The Sheep and Wool Market held the previous week had proved a very stiff one, though in the end an average amount of business was done. "last year prices were too high for the purchasers both of wool and sheep, and this year there has been a reduction of about 4s per stone on Cheviot wool, 6s on the double stone of blackfaced, and 3s on Cheviot wedders per head.. Ewes were greatly in demand, and the unfavourable spring having operated very injuriously in some of the districts, lambs were scarce and fetched good prices." Cheviot wedders fetched from 22s to 27s 6d; blackfaced from 15s to 18s 9d; Cheviot ewes from 18s to 20s 6d; blackfaced from 10s to 13s; Cheviot lambs from 8s to 11s; blackfaced from 7s to 8s. Cheviot washed wool per stone fetched from 19s to 20s 6d; unwashed 15s to 16s; blackfaced per double stone 19s to 20s 6d; cross, unwashed, 12s to 14s; do. washed, 14s to 15s. "In order to improve their flocks, twelve of our principal sheep farmers last year agreed to have a show of tups at this market, after which they were to make arrangements for exchanging them. The exhibition took place on Thursday, when Mr Shirreff, Barnyards; Mr Laidlaw, Knockfin; Mr Sellar, Morvich; Mr Gentle, Dell; and Mr Mactavish, Garthbeg, produced some fine specimens of one and two-year-old tups. It would be highly to the advantage of the different flocks in the North if this exhibition were continued."

Ibid.—"The estate of Glentromie, in Badenoch, was purchased on Wednesday last by Mr Baillie of Bristol (formerly M.P. for that city) for the sum of £7350. This was £2050 above the upset price, and is said to be an instance of the highest price ever given for land in the Highlands."

Ibid.—In connection with the announcement of the appointment of James Loch, M.P., as Deputy-Governor of the British Fishery Society, in place of William Smith, deceased, the opportunity is taken of commemorating Mr Smith’s interest in the Highlands. He was long and honourably known as M. P. for Norwich and was associated with the labours of Romilly, Wilberforce, and Sir James Mackintosh. But in addition to this, we are told that few men were so zealous as Mr Smith in forwarding every object connected with the improvement of the North of Scotland. "This was exemplified in the establishment of Pulteneytown, Wick, and the harbour there, and the active part he took in the promotion of the Highland roads and bridges and the Caledonian Canal. The time he devoted to these objects, in attending meetings, and in consulting and corresponding with individuals and public bodies, was immense, and would have formed almost sufficient employment, without reference to other duties, for many a public man less benevolent, persevering, and enthusiastic."

July 22.—An appeal is made for funds for the Nairn Academy. In 1832 one class-room had been fitted up and opened. A second classroom had been erected at the same time, and it was now proposed to fit it up and make further educational provision.

July 29.—This issue contains a memorial sketch of Mr Evan Baillie of Dochfour, who had recently passed away at the age of 95. "He had witnessed the battle of Culloden, when a boy, from the heights above Dochfour; he had served in the army in the reign of George the Second; he was three times returned as representative in Parliament for the ancient city of Bristol; he was one of the very few men in our day who has met at one interview with Burke, Johnson, and Reynolds; and after a long, active, and successful public life, he had the rare felicity to return to his native country, blessed with health and affluence, to spend the evening of his days in quiet retirement among the scenes of his birth." Going into details, the writer states that Mr Baillie entered the army as ensign at the age of fifteen, and was employed on active service abroad, especially in the West Indies. He was at the siege of Havannah in 1762. On the restoration of peace, seeing no prospect of promotion, he retired from the army, and embarked in the West Indian trade, finally settling at Bristol, which he afterwards represented in Parliament. By the death of his elder brother in 1799, Mr Baillie succeeded to the family property of Dochfour, and resided there during the last twenty years of his life. "Mr Baillie was a perfect model of the gentleman of the old school; tall and handsome in his person, of polished manners and of the most punctilious honour and correctness in all his transactions and intercourse with society."

Ibid.—A report prepared by Mr Maclean, Mr Mitchell, and Mr May, was submitted to the Town Council for the improvement of the banks of the river. It provided a handsome walk between the Stone Bridge and the Islands on each side, "and an ample carriageway along the bank between the two bridges." Also, we are told, "it provides for the uniformity, strength, and beauty of the banks, and suggests a general improvement calculated altogether to combine utility and ornament, and to promote the safety and comfort of the inhabitants." The expense was estimated at £1200, and the question of ways and means was a matter of serious consideration.

Ibid.—The Presbytery of Inverness met to consider the constitution of the proposed new church for Inverness (the West Church). The town ministers, through Rev. Mr Clark, had submitted a plan to the Assembly, which had given it a qualified approbation, and remitted the subject to the Presbytery. The question was whether the church should be subject to a general Session, comprising all the ministers of the town, or should have a separate constitution. The town ministers were in favour of a general Session, and their motion was carried by a majority of one.

August 5.—The Northern Missionary Society held its annual meeting at Dingwall. The collection amounted to £17 12s 7 1/2d; subscriptions and donations, £35 9s 6d; total, £53 2s 11 1/2d.

Ibid.—A Prussian vessel foundered recently off the island of St Kilda, and the crew of eleven got safe to land. They remained a fortnight before finding an opportunity of crossing to Skye. "The expenses of these eleven men for fourteen days, including board, lodging, and all conveniences, amounted to just five shillings." The islanders nowadays have a better knowledge of the value of money.

Ibid.—The right of shooting and fishing over the upper district of Strathconon, in Ross-shire, is advertised to let. It is stated that grouse were most abundant, and there were ptarmigan on several of the hills. The ground had been let for three years previously, and its tenants certified that it afforded excellent sport. One of them wrote that an ordinary shot might with great ease bag 20 brace of grouse a day, and he also said that "he and one companion killed 13 brace of ptarinigan in about half-an-hour." A shooting ledge was in course of erection.

Ibid.—There is a list of sportsmen at shooting quarters in the Highlands. The number of names given is about forty, but the list does not profess to be exhaustive.

August 19.—"Eighty-eight boxes of game have during the week passed through the coach office here, and a considerable number have been sent South by the Caledonian coach along the Highland road. On the evening of the Twelfth a box was forwarded to his Majesty from Inverness, believed to be from Lady Saltoun. Several were sent to the Duke of Wellington, the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, Lady Blessington, the Bishop of Norwich, and other personages of rank and distinction."

Ibid.—"We understand that Lord Glenelg, Secretary for the Colonies, has appointed our townsman, John Anderson, Esq., W.S., Special Justice of the Island of St Vincent. Mr Anderson has been long and favourably known as the Secretary of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, to whose Transactions he has contributed various papers. He is also the author of a History of the Clan Fraser, and other works illustrative of the Highlands."

August 26.—The following is quoted from an Edinburgh paper :—"The plan and regulations proposed by the ministers of Inverness for a new church in that important and influential quarter of the Highlands of Scotland, were approved unanimously by last General Assembly; and in terms of a remit from last Assembly the Commission have just decerned and ordained that the same arrangement shall be binding on the future as well as on the present ministers of Inverness; and that the new church shall be in all respects on the same footing as the two original Parish Churches. No appearance was made on behalf of a minority of the Presbytery, who, in the Court below, endeavoured to oppose a scheme which has now received the final sanction of the Church of Scotland." Subscriptions are intimated for the new building, amounting to £810.

September 2.—"Dr John M’Culloch, author of the celebrated Tour in the Highlands, and other works, met with his death last week in a very melancholy manner. He was thrown out of a gig at Penzance, in Cornwall, and his foot caught in the wheel, by which his leg was broken in two places, and also some of his ribs. Amputation was resorted to, but in a short time mortification ensued, and death terminated his existence. It is scarcely three months since he was married. Dr M’Culloch was an able geologist, and as a general writer distinguished for learning and acuteness; hut his work on the Highlands is disfigured by the grossest prejudice and misrepresentation."

Ibid.—The Rev. Finlay Cook, late of Inverness, was on Wednesday, the 19th ult., inducted by the Presbytery of Caithness into the pastoral charge of the parish of Reay. Owing to the number of people present, the services of the day were held out of doors.

September 9.—The Duke of Sutherland and his young son, the Marquis of Stafford (aged seven), were presented with the freedom of the burgh of Tain. The Duke had recently acquired property in the neighbourhood.

Ibid.—"About thirty recruits were enlisted here for the auxiliary forces, under General Evans, in support of the Queen of Spain. Only ten, however, have actually gone; they sailed to Greenock via the Caledonian Canal. The remaining twenty were found missing in the hour of cause, and will probably (to the great regret of the police) continue in the town." The struggle was then going on between the Carlists and the forces of Queen Christina. General De Lacy Evans commanded a British contingent.

September 16.—Mr Grant of Corrimony, "the father of the Scottish bar," died at Lakefield, Glen-Urquhart, on the previous Sunday. He was in his 93rd year. "Mr Grant was an accomplished scholar and antiquary, and, what is not often united to these qualities, he was a first-rate musician, both vocal and instrumental. He was author of a work on the Origin of the Gael, and he also wrote treatises on the origin of language and society. He was early distinguished for his liberal political principles, and associated with Henry Erskine and other eminent men of that day, and subsequently with Sir James Mackintosh, Mr Homer, &c. He retained his faculties to the last, and from the extent and variety of his attainments was a delightful companion."

Ibid.—The close of a stormy session of Parliament is recorded. The bill for the reform of the English corporations excited great controversy, and was only passed at last by the Commons accepting certain amendments pressed upon them by the Lords.

Ibid.—The same issue contains an account of a disturbance which took place in the town of Dingwall in 1730. The story appears to be compiled from the Corporation records.

September 23.—There is a long report of the trial, at the Inverness Circuit Court, of John Adam for the murder of his wife, Jean Brechin, on the heights of Kilcoy, in the Black Isle. The circumstances have already been given in these Notes. The prisoner had issued three declarations. The discrepancies between the first two and the third were so marked as to form by themselves strong presumptive evidence against him. Besides this, there was abundant and conclusive evidence. The jury brought in a unanimous verdict of guilty, and the prisoner was sentenced to death. At the same circuit there was an important civil case relating to the will of one Alexander Mackenzie, Fortrose. The will was sustained.

September 30.—At the Northern Meeting the Duke of St Albans and Lord Frederick Beauclerk were present wearing the Highland dress. The Meeting nominally extended over three days, but the actual days were Thursday and Friday. On Friday forenoon the company were entertained at Dochfour with a boat race, rifle practice, and pigeon shooting. "The rifle shooting was at a hundred yards’ distance, and though Captain Horatio Ross of Rossie was one of the marksmen, the palm of victory was carried off by Cluny Macpherson." The example of Mr Baillie is commended to the attention of neighbouring proprietors. "Since the disuse of horse-racing, our visitors have had no morning amusement during their attendance here, and the want of it has been sensibly felt."

Ibid.—The Commissioners of the Scots Burghs had published part of their Local Reports, extending alphabetically from Arbroath to Fortrose. Several items are extracted in this issue. Dingwall suffered from a debt, amounting to £2367. Part of it consisted of a sum of £800 of damages, which the burgh had incurred through alleged failure in the custody of a prisoner confined for debt. This charge Seaforth had undertaken to pay. The greater part of the balance consisted of law expenses in connection with a fishing process. Dingwall had an average rental from fishing and lands of £273 7s 2d, and an expenditure of £181 14s 10d. The kirk-officer was stated to have a salary of five shillings a year! Dornoch rejoiced in the annual income of £3 15s, being the rent of the burgh links and the amount of the customs and market dues. It paid £40 3s 4d yearly to the Town-Clerk and officers, the difference having been made up for many years by the Duke of Sutherland. The burgh of Forres had the handsome income, for its size, of £619 19s 9d, considerably more than half of which arose from land rents. The total expenditure, including improvements, charities, &c., came to £528 18s 10d, and there were no local taxes. This was surely a happy burgh! On the other hand, the burgh of Fortrose was entirely in the hands of a person named Roderick Macfarquhar, who, for twenty-three years had "managed its affairs exclusively, suffering no one to participate with him in power." This gentleman was able for some reason to act as a local monarch. "On one occasion, it is related, a party in the Council voted against Mr Macfarquhar, and he burned out the whole opposing members, five the first year and two the next, stating that ‘as they could not agree in politics, a separation was desirable.’ He put in a rather heavy pecuniary claim against the burgh, and this may have been the secret of his ascendancy.

October 7.—No fewer than four otters appeared in the River Ness under the Old Stone Bridge. A crowd gathered and several shots were fired. One otter was killed, the rest escaping. The paragraph states that the River Ness was at times much infested with otters.

Ibid.—A sheep farmer, Thomas Hall, was drowned in the River More, in Gildermory, Ross-shire. He was crossing a ford on horseback on a stormy sight, when a great body of water rushed down the river, carrying away horse and rider. They were swept into Loch-More.

October 14.—A "grand promenade" was held in the Ness Islands on Saturday, the 10th inst. It was arranged by the Committee which had been carrying out the improvements of the islands. Communication with both banks of the river had now been completed by the erection of suitable bridges; the two islands had also been joined by a new bridge, and the walks trimmed up. The promenade came off with success, though the day was showery. Proceedings began at four o’clock. The programme included the performances of a band and piper, and a display of fireworks prepared and superintended by Mr Gyngill, of the Royal Gardens, Vauxhall. The proceeds were applied to the Improvement Fund. Admission was—for ladies and gentlemen, 2s; for children and servants, 1s; and there were from 300 to 400 present.

October 21.—John Adam was executed on the previous Friday for the Mullbuy murder. His character was one of singular hardihood. He slept soundly the night before his death, and in his waking hours talked with his wanders about his adventures in the army and other indifferent topics. The execution took place at the Longman. Owing to the density of the crowd the culprit was conveyed in a carriage. He was dressed in a long camlet black coat, provided for the occasion. The spectators numbered over 8000 persons. Adam to the end refused to confess his crime. Afterwards, however, it turned out that he had acknowledged it to a fellow-prisoner, to be made known after his death. His execution was the last to take place at Inverness.

October 28.—It is stated that a striking instance of the increased value of Highland pastoral districts occurred the previous week in the sale of the Cromartie lands, in Ross-shire. The Fannich lot, rented at £180 per annum, sold for £6550, about thirty-seven years’ purchase. The Lochbroom lot sold for £9200, being thirty-four years’ purchase. The sale took place at Edinburgh, and was pretty sharply contested. The upset price of the two was £13,150; it rose £2000 higher, when the two lots were knocked down at £15,756, to Mr Murdoch Mackenzie, late of Ardross, then of Dundonell. The editor says that a very few years before these prices would have been considered ruinous. He attributes the rise to the prosperity of sheep-farming and the improved means of communication. Sport had also by this time come to be a considerable asset. "Even unconquerable barrenness," we are informed, "is now turned to good account. At the present moment, we believe, many Highland proprietors derive a greater revenue from their moors alone, for grouse shooting, than their whole rental amounted to sixty years since. The passion entertained by English gentlemen for field-sports has been fostered by the increased means of communication northwards, and up and down the country, from the highest hill to the deepest and most distant glen. The sportsman throws himself into a steamer at London, and in forty-eight hours or less he is in Edinburgh or Aberdeen. Another day and he is in the heart of moor and mountain, where he may shoot, saunter, or angle to his heart’s content." The country inns had by this time vastly improved.

Ibid.—On the previous Wednesday the electors of the combined counties of Ross and Cromarty, resident in Dingwall and neighbourhood, entertained their representative, J. A. Stewart Mackenzie of Seaforth, to a public dinner in the Caledonian Hotel, Dingwall. There was a crowded attendance, and many speeches were delivered. The dinner was mostly political. Mr Roderick Macleod, yr. of Cadboll, M.P. for Sutherland, was in the chair. Major Gilchrist of Ospisdale and Captain Sutherland of Udoll were croupiers.

Ibid.—The Rev. Alexander Duff, who had just received the degree of D.D. from Marischal College, Aberdeen, addressed a meeting in the High Church on the subject of India The address made a powerful impression. A collection at the close amounted to £42 18s.

November 4—There is an article on railways, which were now being promoted at a great rate. It is stated that no fewer than thirty-two companies had recently been projected. The formation of lines connecting London with important provincial centres was in contemplation. The newspapers were apprehensive of the results of this "fever of speculation?’

Ibid.—The ferry boat In the MeikIe Ferry struck on an anchor within fifteen or twenty yards of the shore, on the Tain side, and filled. There were seventeen persons on board, and their lives were in great danger. One passenger, Mr J. H. Richardson, a shipping secretary from North Shields, attempted to swim ashore, but was carried away and drowned. A ferryman managed to swim to a small boat moored in the neighbourhood, and so rescued the rest of the passengers.

November 11.—Mr John Fraser (father of the late Dr Donald Fraser) was re-elected Provost of Inverness.

Ibid.—It appears from the report of a county meeting in Ross-shire that eight men, convicted of assault, had been sentenced to imprisonment at Fort-George. This was because there was no proper gaol in Dingwall. The meeting, by a majority, agreed to advance aliment, claiming the right of relief against "the said prisoners, the burgh of Dingwall, the Board of Excise, and all concerned."

November 18.—"On Wednesday last Mackintosh of Mackintosh removed from Daviot House to Moy Hall, the beautiful residence of his ancestors, which had for several years been occupied by the late Dowager Lady Mackintosh, who held a life-rent of the family mansion." The tenantry turned out and gave the chief a hearty welcome, and in the evening the hills were Iighted up with bonfires. Lady Mackintosh died on the 17th ult. She was the widow of Sir AEneas Mackintosh, and daughter of Sir Ludovick Grant of Dalvey.

December 2.—The death of James Hogg, the Ettrick Shepherd, is announced, and the poet is made the subject of an interesting article.

Ibid.—An Auxiliary Missionary Society had recently been formed in connection with the Presbytery of Nairn. The first annual meeting was held on the 19th ult., and it was announced that within the bounds of the Presbytery £66 1s 8d had been subscribed.

December 16.—"On Wednesday, the 9th inst., a party of the Atalanta revenue cutter, consisting of an officer and four men, whilst discharging their duty in Strathglass, were attacked by a band of smugglers, about fourteen in number, and driven back with great violence. One of the men was so severely cut and bruised about the head that it was found necessary to convey him to Inverness in a cart for surgical aid."

December 23.—The death is announced of Campbell Mackintosh of Dalmigavie, who had been 50 years acting Town-Clerk of Inverness, 25 years Collector of Taxes for Inverness-shire, and 51 years in extensive practice as procurator and land steward. He was in his 78th year. A cordial appreciation is given of his character. In the same issue it is announced that the Town Council had resolved to appoint Mr Alexander Shepperd, solicitor, as Town-Clerk in succession to Mr Mackintosh. Mr George Cameron gave in his resignation as Town Chamberlain, and Mr Robert Smith was appointed to the office in his stead.

December 30.—Towards the close of the year the Right Hon. Sir John Sinclair, Bart, died at the age of 81. In the departments of trade, agriculture, and finance, Sir John had performed services which made him one of the consion as Town Chamberlain, and Mr Robert Smith was appointed to the office in his stead.