of concerting measures for ascertaining the question, how far they were entitled by law to parochial relief. A schoolmaster and a writer's clerk were in the company, the rest were, apparently, very poor people. Seven more men of the last description were taken up by warrants in the course of the night, and another on Sunday, making in all twenty-six.
27. Attempt at Rescue—On Tuesday, the 25th instant, two men were apprehended in Anderston, and committed to jail under similar charges with the above. On their way to prison, near the Broomielaw, a considerable crowd collected, who attempted a rescue. The soldiers were obliged to fire, but no person was hurt. Three of the ringleaders of this mob were apprehended, and also lodged in jail.
28.—Petition of the Livery.—A meeting of the Livery of London was held in the Common Hall, for the purpose of petitioning parliament against the suspension of the Habeas Corpus Act, when Mr Waithman, in a long speech, declared it as his opinion, that there were no grounds to warrant such an encroachment upon the liberty of the subject; and after ridiculing the contents of the green bag, and the alarm which they had excited, a petition, founded upon resolutions which had been proposed by Mr Favell, was unanimously agreed to. A similar petition was also unanimously agreed to be presented to the House of Lords.
MARCH.
1.—New Village.—The Earl of Fife has generously offered to settle on his estates various families of the western islands, who were ready to emigrate to America; and we observe, with pleasure, that he is building a new village near Keith, where every encouragement is offered to the settlers.
General Assembly.—The Right Hon. Lord Napier having retired from the office of Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, the Right Hon. the Earl of Enrol is appointed to that high station.
3.—Violent Gale.—This morning it blew a strong gale of wind from the W. N. W. It was high water at Leith 34 minutes past two in the morning, about which time the tide ran strong into the harbour; for which several vessels were obliged to make, owing to the violence of the gale; some attempting to go out at the same time, they ran foul of each other, and great confusion and damage ensued. Out of ten vessels thus circumstanced, no less than five sunk at the Ferry-boat Stairs, and, it is feared, will be totally wrecked. Several small boats were also dashed to pieces, but happily no lives were lost.
3.—Deaf and Dumb Institution.—The annual general meeting of the members of the Deaf and Dumb Institution, and public examination of its pupils, took place in the Assembly Rooms on Monday, 24th ult. The proficiency of the pupils, forty-eight in number, in all the branches of education, was calculated to give universal satisfaction; and it is scarcely possible to imagine a more truly gratifying spectacle, than the exhibition of so many young persons, rescued from the most deplorable state of infirmity and privation, and introduced, by the exertions of enlightened benevolence, to all the usefulness and comforts of social life, and to the enjoyments, the hopes, and the consolations of rational and immortal beings.
4.—Hoarding of Silver.—Lately, an old man, apparently poor, with a very clownish gait, was observed walking to and fro before the British Linen Company's bank at Dumfries; after considerable hesitation he ventured in, and inquired for "the head o' the house."—"I am the head of the house," said Mr C.; "what was it you wanted?"—"I want to ken gif ye hae power to tak the auld siller?"—"Oh yes I take the old silver; how much have you? perhaps five pounds?"—"I hae mair than that—I hae five hunner punds!"
5.—Curious Fact in Natural History.—Some time ago, at Lochmaben, two crows, which had been accustomed to build on the same tree, being considered troublesome by consuming the seed-corn, were ordered to be shot. Immediately after, a number of crows assembled, and made a considerable noise, apparently communicating with one another. Two of their number were then deputed to attend the young brood belonging to the crows which had been killed, and which duty they diligently performed, and brought the young ones to maturity.
5.—Robbery of the Mail.—On the 3d instant, the mail between Edinburgh and Stirling was robbed of a parcel containing bank notes amounting to £5000. The robbery must have been committed by three men, who had previously taken places. The parcel was safely lodged in the coach; and one of the men, having a greatcoat thrown over his arm, got into the coach, and was shortly after followed by the others, who did not appear to have any knowledge of each other. Just before the mail started, the man who first entered said, that he had forgotten certain papers and documents, without which it would be fatal to his interest to proceed on his journey, and he quitted the coach with his coat across his arm in the same manner as he entered it, taking with him, however, (as it is supposed) the parcel concealed under his coat. The other persons quitted the coach before its arrival at Stirling, at which place the notes were made payable, and where the robbery was discovered. Notwithstanding the most diligent search, by officers from Bow Street and Edinburgh, no traces of the delinquents have yet been found.
6.—Melancholy Accident.—On Sunday afternoon, the 2d instant, as Mr Perry, manager at Messrs Todd & Shortridge's printfield, with two boys, his children, was
