The Express.
London, England, 1853-05-26 00:00:00

LITERATURE

.4.s X./ridge-a Statistical /freer,/ w S-.:/a...1. By iA)I63
D.twbux, Egg. Loneon: Hightoy.
Nothing is more remarkable :hart the advance
which Scutiand has made in agriculture and menu-
f s.tures du.iug the last century. The pro,‘ortiJa of
the cultivable land to the entire amount, is only one-
third: there are vast tracts of moss, which defy the
labours of men and oxen, r.nd to put to the plough all
that can be made useful and profitable you must
ibeend in certain regions to an elevation of 1,300
feet. Time out of mind this :!ate of things has been
the subject of the ridicule of the people of more
Ifavoured regions. Churchill describes Scotland as

Never entered in Creation's book ;
and its eld shies the Preach shuddered as they saw
the country to which destiny had (to the misfortune
of both panics) doomed Mary Stuart. But to what
Natme had been illiberal to—the fortune of races
was also for a long time cruel. For while
Europe had a three aristocracy Scotland
had the fiercest, the bloodiest, and the most
r.pacious cf all ; while Europe had a degraded
and ictardiug church pressing on it—Scotland
was so much under its influence that Rubcrtirin cal-
culates that "little less than one half" of the land
was in i's possession. The lairds, who each exercised
entire feudal power over the people, also robbed and
murdered each other in their feuds, as Pitcairne's
"Criminal Trials" very curiously as well as conclu-
sively shows. The condition of the lower classes,
the state of agriculture—were abject for centuries, and '
it may perhaps be doubted whether either had
emerged from barbarism—and whether many of
the lairds (or lords) were not in that eoutution
down to the time of the Revolution. At
all events, the Scotland of two centuries
ago differed from the Scotland of to-day—
not as an undeveloped country only, from
a developed one, but rather as a totally wild differs
from a peopled and civilised and prosperous one.
What country now surpasses it in intellectual advan-
tages ? Yet at the restoration of letters it was as
far behind in intellectuality as its fields were iu cul-
tivation. "Scotland had, as might be expected,"
says Mr. Hallam, "partaken still less of Italian
light than the South of Britain." It may be added
that its men of letters drew their education from
Paris, as the theologians did theirs from Geneva.
When the Elizabethan era began in England the
sons of the Scottish gentry were being sent to:school
to learn Latin, under the authority of an act of par-
liament.

In the whole country, it is calculated that there
are 473,581 persons occupied in commerce, trade, and
manufactures; and [the calculation made tot 1t.41]
223,::37 pc: h .n 5 occupied hi agriculture.
Having toticed the principal Lets which this book
records and illustrates—we will leave it to the
reader to go there fur information on details. The
result of the whole is a spectacle of prosperity such
as makes the w•ail:ngs of alarmists look very ridicu-
lous; and leaves little reason to anybody to lament
over chieftains who have been turned out for the uni-
versal benefit. It is also a reflection which forces
itself on the reader that this immense advance of a
nation, once known chiefly by the contrast between
its fiery energy and its poverty—owes little to any
direct legislation for its benefit—owes little to its
hereditary governors in the matter—owes everything
to its own national character as developed in the way
which we have already pointed out.

Nevertheless, a decided energy had characterise
this people from the first,' and had made itself well
known to the continent, where their perjerciduni
inyeniums was proverbial. In fighting they were
quite upon a par with, and in love of fighting perhaps
rather in advance of, their neighbours. 'Mew time
came. It was the distinction of Scotland that when
the Reformation commenced in Europe no nation
took it up more thoroughly, or curled it out so
effectually. Nothing of the old system was left to
I provoke future attempts at domination by, or to give
opportuuities to the weak for fraternisation with,
the old church. In England the governments con-
ducted the Reformation ; in Scotland the Reformation
got the better of the governments. Hence it was that
afield was given to the energies of the entire country
by the establishment of a popular church—a middle
class church—a poor man's church. From this fol-
lowed the establishment of parochial schools in har-
mony with the national religion ; the clergy were
akin to tho muses by birth and traditions, and
related to the aristocracy by the sympathies of edu-
cation and culture. To this, and all that followed from
this, we must attribute the superior education and
conduct of the inferior orders in that oountry.
The work called the "Statistical Account of Scot-
land," of which there have been two issues—the old
and the new—is well known to those who take au
interest in the condition of that country. The plan
was excellent, for each parochial minister furnished
an account, copious enough, of his own parish; and
the reader derives from their labours a summary both
of the social and civil history of every separate parish
in the country. But this necessarily made the work
a bulky one ; the " Statistical Account," there-
fore, requires a shelf to itself, and is to
be found only in large libraries. The world
wanted something not lees useful, if possible, but
not quite so huge, and what tho world wanted, the
book before us supplies. Mr. Dawson has formed
his book on the plan of the Statistical Account, and
I gives a condensed account of every parish in Scot-
land. But he has consulted all proper authorities
into the bargain, and has added tables which the
world has never had but from him. The result is,
accordingly, ono of the most useful compendiums el
information which ever came under our notice.
We will now avail ourselves of his useful pagess
to illustrate Scottish improvement. And first he
agriculture, which he says has made "a more decided
progress in Scotland since 1760 or 1770 than it has
ever made in any nearly equal period in any other
civilised country." The grand characteristics of Sooteh
agriculture are stated to be—
" let. The nearly universal prevalence of leases of
a reasonable endurance.
"2nd. The absence of tithes.
" 3rd. The prevention of assignment and sub-letting
by tenants.
" 4th. The general introduction of threshing-
machines and other improved implements, and the
universal use of two-horse ploughs and one-horse
carts."

No one can have travelled in Scotland without

hearing all sensible men speak of the advantages of
the system of " leases." Perhaps, also, we may
quote apropos of them a remark of Sir Walter
Scott's (History of Scotland) on tho advantage that
followed from the fact of leases being granted by the
proprietors as a provision for younger sons, which
brought a good class of men into the tenantry.
Doubtless the reasons are numerous and various for
this improvement; suffice it for the present to state
the fact in the form of sheer money.
T.n the time of the close of the Ame-
rican war, the " whole rental of Scotland
could not have exceeded 1,500,0001. In 1795
it rose somewhat above 2,000,0001." It
amounted in 1815 (exclusive of houses) to 5,278,6951.
The capital embarked in farms, we learn also, has
been estimated at 35,000,0001. It is still progressive.
Societies exist foe its improvement and development
—not only great one'', likethe Highland Agricultu•
ral (founded in 1783), but local ones. Turnip culture,
the introduction of bone manure and guano, furrow
draining, are among the potent agencies of this im-
provement (Introduction, p. 29). The period of the
various reforms may be traced in the work, under
the .'hends of the counties where they have been
made. In Dumfriesshire, for example, ten times
as 'many turnips are now ;raised as there were in
1830.

"The introduction of the sheep-farming systeminto
the Highlands," mays Mr. Dawson (übi sup.), " has
effected a radical change in the economy of the
northern counties." This change sweeps away the
cotters, who have been emigrating far and wide.
This is a development which seems to be still in a
very painful stage, but to be unavoidable. Formerly,
the parishes bordering on the lowlands were occu-
pied by " small tenants or crofters, who lived in cot-
tages erected by themselves, and were not unfre-
quently in distress, as the crofters of the Hebrides
are now. The advance of industry and wealth swept
away the cottages and united many crofts into one
farm. Some of the inhabitan ts emigrated to the colonies,
some were absorbed into the population, which
increasing manufactures gathered round them. . .
The change has now extended to the remotest parts
of the Highlands, and, whether for good or evil, is
steadily advancing." This is the testimony of Sir
John (p. 537), and will acquaint the reader
with what is progressing in the northern history at
this moment. So is terminating that most ancient
form of society, the clan system, the evil having
now got fairly uppermost, and displayed its impossi-
relli2 to last in the most practical form. The old
of clans are vanishing, and their posses-
sions beginning to be made useful ; in the south
the lairds have been and aro wiser—they get
up cattle-shows and make speeches at agricultural
dinners!
Let us now cast a glance at Scottish commercial
progress, the chief part of which dates from so late
as 1736, in which year tho exports amounted in
value to 535,3761., and the imports to 465,411/. (see
Introduction, p. 38). Mr. Dawson gives us a table
embracing every year from 1824 to 1851. Three ex-
tracts will very well show the progress :
Imports. Exports.
1824 £3,145,958 .... £1,169,220
1837 6,130,371 .... 7,384,886
1851 8,921,108 .... 17,871,80

THE EXPRESS, THURSDAY EVENING, MAY 26, 1853.

La) ilnteUtgence.

EQUITY COURTB.-YEBTERDAY.
Hama Toz Loma Ca►ac&LLOi.
RAIL V. BIILL.—JUDGMENT.

The Lord Chancellor save judgment in this case, which
was meekest some time since. The facts were as follows:
Charles Salmon, by his will, dated March, 1831, be-
queathed to his wile, Elizabeth Salmon, all his personal
estate for her own benefit, excepting his leasehold house, in
Dorset-street, and another in East-street, Manchester-
square, the rents of which he gave to her during her life,
and after her death they were to be sold, and the proceeds
divided between his daughter Mary Ann, the wife of
Robert Maynard, his daughter Elizabeth Emma,
afterwards the wife of Edwin Trail, and his son
Charles Salmon and William Salmon equally. His wife
and Thomas Bull were sprinted executors. The testator
died in October It'34. He widow proved the will and took
possession of his personal estate, including the rents el the
houses above mentioned, and paid his debts. At the time of
his death, the testator was in partnership with Thomas
8011, and the cepartoership was continued by the widow
until 1336, when a settlement of accounts took place, in
the course of which certain leasehold meson-
ages were assigned to each party. In one of
the assignments in gelation from Bull to Mrs.
Salmon there was a covenant by Mrs. Salmon
to pay the rent and observe all the covenants
in the original lease, made by the testator and Thomas
Bull, as copartners and joint tenants, and on behalf of
their heirs, administrators and assigns, and indemnify Thos.
Bull therefrom. Mrs. Salmon died in November, 1836, end
Thomas Bull took out probate to the will of the testator,
and in the following December sold the premises in Dorset-
' street and East-street, and the children of the testator all
joined in the assignment to the purchasers ; and the money
having been invested in the lends, three of the children re-
ceived their share (If the fund; but the fourth,Elizabeth Emma
Trail, tiled a bill against the administrators of Bull (who
died in 1840) and against Edwin Trail, her husband, for
the purpose of obtaining her share of the purchase-money
for the premises in Dorset-street and East-street. The de-
fendants, by their answer, stated that since the other shares
had been paid, it was found necessary to retain the other
share, in order to indemnify Salmon's estate against any
possible breaches of the covenants by Mrs. Salmon
on the assignment of 1836, and it was declared
that no assent had been given by Mrs. Salmon or
Thomas Bull to the bequest of the premises in Dorset-street
and East-street. The ease was beard before Sir 3. L.
I Knight Bruce, when Vice-Chancellor, who directed a re-
ference to the Muter, to inquire whether there had been
any such assent by Mrs. Salmon or Bull ; and he reported
that there had been such assent, but could not state the pre-
cise time of such assent. After this the Vice-Chancellor
decided that the assent had been given. An appeal was
brought before Lord Cottenbam, who directed a further in-
quiry to the Master, and on his report being made, the
case came before Vice-Chancellor Parker on exceptions to
the report, on which hie Honour decided that the anent
had not been given, and hence the present appeal.
The Lord Chancellor, after elaborately reviewing tho
case, stated that in his opinion no assent had been given
by the executors to the bequest, and that the decision of
the court below was correct, and must be affirmed.
The appeal was therefore dismissed.

COURT OF QUEEN'S BENCH.—YEeniDAT.
&mum ut BANco—Boon Lao Camels. Ns. it:111CIL COLV

am% axe trlgliONN.

Lord Campbell stated that the court wouli not have the
benefit of the prewnee of Mr. Justice Erie for the next few
days, in consequence of the death of a valued friend, Mr.
Dampier.
BRADSHAW O. SIMON.—LIDRL.

This was an Raton for libel, tried at the sittings after lad
term

—The plaintiff was the Superintendent of the Denbigh
police force, and the defendant the proprietor and publisher
*of a small monthly newspaper called the Denbigh,
and Vale of Clyde Adoerliser. The libel tousisted of
certain paragraphs in tho paper speaking of the causes
which had led Ur. Bradshaw to quit his former situation.
The jury upon the trial found • verdict for the plaintiff
with 261. damages.
Mr. J. Brown now moved for a rule nisi for a now trial,
upon the ground that the verdict was against evidence.
Lord Campbell (before whom the trial took place) maid
that he bad summed up in favour of the defendant ; never-
tholes. the question was for the jury, and he was not in-
clined to quarrel with their decision.
Rule refused.

Rs SILL.—THE BRIGHTON CARD CHEATING CASH.
It will be recollected that during last term a rule wu
made absolute for striking Mr. Sill off the roll of &tunnies,
in consequence of his connexion with the Brighton Card
Cheating Cue.
Mr. Sill, in person, now moved for a rule, calling upon
the Incorporated Law Society to show cause why the
former rule should not be rescinded, on the ground that it
wu made absolute upon a different ground from that on
which it was obtained. It was obtained on the ground of
his conviction, and had been made absolute upon a general
view of his conduct.

Lord Campbell said Oat there was no foundation for the
present application. The whole transaction had been
brought fully before the court when the rule was argued,
and notwithstanding Mr. Sill's great ingenuity and ability
in explaining his share in it, he (Lord Campbell) and his
learned brothers had unanimously come to the conclusion
that Mr. Sill ought to be struck off the roll.
Mr. Justice Crompton fully concurred with the Lord
Chief Justice.
_ _

Mr. Justice Coleridge, not having been present at the
argument, gm no opinion.
Rule refused.

COURT OF EXCHEQUER.—YEsTsaDAT.
Birrixos ix liAito?.—Biacias Qua HAL?! Pouxcx, AND EAIIOIIII

Awaisop.Trr, An. 16.;;Ii.
EMMETT O. TOTTENHAM.

The Lord Chief Baron is giving judgment said that this
case had been tried before Mr. Baron Alderson at the but
Maidstone MMUS, and a verdict found for the plaintiff
upon the 2nd and 3rd issues, with leave to the defendant to
move, and a rule had been obtained to enter the verdict for
the defendant. The case had been heard yesterday, and
the court had taken time to consider. The court was now
of opinion that the rule should be made absolute to enter
the verdict for the defendant on the 2nd and 3rd issues, or
the plaintiff to be noosuited. The ground upon which they
had come to this conclusion was, that in their judgment,
when a plaintiff sued upon a bill of exchange, in which he
bad no interest, and of which he had not possession, be was
not entitled to maintain the action, and it was stated is the
pleu upon which this rule bad been obtained, that the
plaintiff was not the holder of the bill, and this had been
made out, in point of fact, at the trial. The court had
better eminent the plaintiff to give him the opportunity
of having another trial.
Rule accordingly.

INSOLVENT DEBTORS' COURT.—YESTERDAY.
Emma Tim CEIMO COMMOVONSL
IN THZ MATTER Or JOHN ISAAC ADAMS.

Mr. Cooke applied, on the part of the assignees, for an
order of the court to make a surrender of some copyhold
property to a purchaser. The insolvent was entitled,
among other property, to a reversionary interest in a copy-
hold estate, and as directed by the act an entry should be
made on the court roll of the =inv. Aa application had
been made for that purpose, and the steward of the manor
had refused to allow sash an entry, as the indent was not
one of the customary tenants.
The Chief Commisaioner asked what this court was re-
quired to do.
Mr. Cooke said it was necessary for the court to make
an order. The property was inconsiderable, but as it was
about to be sold it was accessary for this court to make an
order, u the steward of the manor had refused, and be
thought very properly, to consider the insolvent—he being
a stranger.
His Honour declined to make the order as required.

SURREY SESSIONS.—YECITIDAY.
Bias Thom PVCZIA, EFO, MID • Ba3lol OF KAMA

ROBBIkY or 173 Bovzszioxs.

Isabella Robinson, 21, servant of all work to Mr. Davis,
a publican in the New Cat, pleaded guilty to two indict-
meats charging her with stealing 178 aevoreigae, a veil,
three towels, and other property, belaying te bee master.
Both Mr. Robinson and Mr. Charnoek oxplaised to the
court the circumstances of the case, old& have recently
.

been reported, and alleged that the Prisoner, having meek
to the bar parlour to wash it every morning, took advantage
of the opportunity by taking money from the cash-box.
She had en illegitimate child by • young man, and was
then pregnant with another, and it was: the prosecutor's
belief that she bad been induced to commit the robbery by
other persons. The prosecutor instructed them to recom-
mend her strongly to mercy.
The Chairman said that she was guilty of stealing pro-
perty to a very serious amount, and had she not received
such a recommendation from the prosecutor the court would
either hare transported her or given her a long punishment.
The sentence of the court was that she be Imprisoned in
the House of Correction at Wandsworth for three months.

ROYAL LETTER.—Ono of the Madrid journal. of
the 19th gives a translation of the letter written by the
Queen of England to the King of Spain to announce the
birth of a prinee ; it is as follows :—" My dear Brother,—
Clod having deigned, in his infinite goodness, to give me a
prince, who was born on the 7th of the present Imonth, at
ten minutes past one in the afternoon, at Buckingham
Palace, I cannot allow to pus over such a happy event,
which has filled me and the prince my husband with joy,
without announcing it to your Majesty. Persuaded that
/otuarkeldiljeasethwaitilooreanceiravelthiousrnra I within thirmi
jurteerathwhich
this occasion of offering to yourp Majesty the plea-
sureassurance
of my invariable esteem, and of the cordial affection with
which I em, my dear brother, your Majesty's affectionate
eater,—Vtcrottia R.—Buckingham Palace, 30th April."
FATAL BLow.—An inquest was held yesterday,
by Mr. iferford, at Manchester, on the captain of a canal
boat, named James Russell, who had been killed by John
Ainseow, the captain of another boat. The two men had
quarrelled about money, at a tavern in Liverpool-road, and
got np to fight. Ainseow struck his antagonist on the left
temple, and this, the first blow, proved mstattly fatal. The
jury found a verdict of " Manslaughter" against Aicscow,
and he wu committed for trial at the neat Liverpool
AMIN&