The Express.
London, England, 1847-01-05 00:00:00

SCOTLAND.

111011 /AND FUN ERALS.—Tilere is at present (step she
i larrrucss Couri,r) a general movement throughout the
towns and Till iges of the north, to do away with the eater-
tainment usually afforded on the occasion of funerals, so our-
theneotne to the humbler classes of the people, and which
often degenerates into excess. A striking memento of
the old Highland funerals may still be seen a few
miles from Corpach, near the western terminus of the
Caledonian Canal. On the southern hank of the Canal
is an ancient burying ground, and beside it a
curious green mound of earth in the form of a horse-
shoe, which was constructed in thet singular shape some
ceeturies ago, in order to accommodate the attendants at
funerals. Alter the Mtettu .nt the people were seated on
the grass in the curve, while the opvni..g gave access to the
servautsto bring in the wine and spirits consumed on such
oc:asieus. It its still the custom to held tore orgies MCA-
sionally in this sequestered spot, and many a fervid Gallic
uddresi and full qoaich Lave been poured out to the memory
of the variousperres cotamiued to the " narrow house" in
tae adjoining restiugedece. The bagpipe, ton, sometimes
vLkd the wild notes of a "laatent," which heightened the
effect of the strange scene.
DESTITV I lON IN THE ILIOULANIII or EICOTLAND.—The ,
accounts from the highlands and islands of Scotland are will
very deplorable. the labouring population of Sutherland-
shire, Koss-shire, haverness-shire, Argyleshire, uud of the
Hebrides aiel the Zetlend !stands, are et this moment its a
Mate of half starvation, and severe as are the suffcrinci of
the ele_stituM Irish, we believe they are quite equalled by
those of the poor inhabiteets of the highlands, and blends of
Scotland. But there arc no coroners' inque eta in Scotland,
and but few local newspapers, end hence, though deaths from
starvation take place, the public are uninformed of their oc-
currence. Ceder these circumstances, the Edinburgh Com-
mitt, e fur the Iteli fof Destitution in the Highlands have
deti ruined to appoint a deputation to proceed to London fur
the eureose of holding a public meeting, to draw attention
to the ewe of the uncomplaining victims of .amine in Scot-
land. Oa Tuesthey last, took place the first meeting of the
committee appointed i September last, at a general meet-
ing in Be—shire, to carry out the resolutions fur procuring
supplies of grain, and opening depots where needed. Mr.
limes stated that, from the best information he cauld °blight,
there was not in Easter Hoes a stuck of grain available, at a
reasonable rate, for fore:, to supply the population fort months.
In the parish of 1.4111 the dealers had not a tcu days' stock
of meal on hand. There was, therefore, a necessity of pro-
curing a supply of meal for Easter Roes without delay.
Mr. Matheson, M.P., stated that he had made inquiries to
some of the parishes with which he was connected, with a
view to provide necessary supplies of food. From Res die
he had not yet had information, but in Cromarty and Tarbet
ho understood there was no destitution requiring sue!,
aid as he had contemplated. Mr. Cameron, though not
possessing specific information, and though there might be
no scarcity of grain in the low country parishes of Wester
Rosa, had every reason to believe that there existed
among the poorer Hamm a large amount of destitution.
The stock of food possessed by families in a comparatively
better position would soon be exhausted, and if supplies
were not obtained and depots opened, the probability was,
that the people would soon be reduced to extreme privation.
After come further discussion the meeting resolved uuani-
mouldy that .500 bolls of oatmeal, and 500 of barleymeal,
should be procured and placed in depots at I vergordon,Tein,
Ardgay, and Portmehomack, or other convenient places, fur
Laster It ass ; and that a similar quantity of oat and barlevmeal
should he purchased rid pl iced in stores at Dingwall,
ton, and Avovh, and Muir of Ord, for West er Ross. As soon ei
Indian corn may be bought at a reasonable rate, 600 quar-
ters of it were to be obtained and distributed throughout
the storm. In all caste, information is to be obtained that
such supplies are needed before the stores art opened, so
that that r gular traders may not be interfered with
These quantities of food are to Ire disposed of at such rates
as aid Lover charges. That these 'unpins may be ob-
tained, the collector of the county and eunveuer of the
committee were authorieed to effect au arrangement with
the National or other Bank, for opening au account to the
extent of 4,000/. If difficulty was found in making inch
an arrangement, Mr. Matheson intimated his willingness
to edvauce the sum required. After authorising the con-
vener to call another meeting when necessary, the corn:nit-
: tee broke up. Mr. Matheson, M.P., has already advanced a
sum of 20101. for the Taiu or Router Ross dietr.ct, in order
that no further delay may take place.
SCOTCH BANKS.—C \NDID CON I'ESSIO:S.—In the monthly
circular of a respectable house, doing business as brokers in
Seotlend, we read " The comparative monopoly which our
Seetch hanks obtained by Sir Hobert h'eel's judicious altera-
tions of the currency is now beginning to tell to their
advantage."