The Express.
London, England, 1846-12-29 00:00:00

SCOTLAND.

DESTITUTIoN IN Tilt lllGHLANus.—Vigorroin messures
are being adopted for the relief of the destitute Iligh.ander3;
and, as a sequence to the late meeting in Edinburgh, the
leading public men of the city have been formed into five
acting committee., severally designed as follows :-1. Col-
lecting ; 2. Finance ; 3. Distributing ; 4. Statistics and Im-
provements; 5. Correspondence. There seems to be diffe-
rence of opinion as to the method oe rel. ing supplies, soma
being for subscription, others fiir church collet:tent—the
" drum ecclesiastic" being sounded for both ways. l'erhaps,
as church collections have been begun, they sliould be con-
tinued, so as to put all sects on an equality, and then re-
course mieht had to subscription afterwards.
Tue See tree TRAIN discussion is still active. The
town-council of Stirling have expressed their disapproval of
the conduct of the directors of the Edinburgh and Glasgow
line. In the coulee of the discussion, the Dean of Guild
said "he had seriously, and for some time, considered this
matter, and had at tied felt some difficulty ; but his mind
was now made up, turd lie could see no right that these
directors had to dictate to people who thought it a duty
to travel on the Sabbath. The directors of a public company,
having the sole trattiie between Edinburgh and Glasgow, had
no right to dictate to a million of people composing the
inhabitants of these two cities, and the other towns along
the line." On the vote being taken, the motion, censuring
the directors and requesting the resumption act the trains,
was; carried by eleven to three —the Provost, three Dailies,
Treaaurer, and Dean of Guild, voting in the majority. The
minority of three are Free-Churchmen. Three elders of
the eetriblishment, and all the Dissenters (with the exception
of epee, who declined voting), supported the motion. All
the town couneih; in the neighbourhood of the line --Ediu-
burgh, Leith, Falkirk, Stirling, Linlithgow, Queensterry,
Cupar' Dunfermline—have now condemned the con-
duct of the director, who have obtained eounienanCe
teem no responsible and representative public body,
except at such places as Inverness and ltotheay.
The general conduct of tke over-pious directors does nut
escape scrutiny and remark, and their inconsistency has been
shown in more than one instance. The Scotsman afford,
another instance of the readiness with which the Sabbath is
broken when the interests of the company are concerned.
On Saturday rien'night an accident (reported in this paper)
took place on the line, whereby several cattle were killed and
others seriously injured. It is said that so prompt were
the railway authorities to ascertain the extent of pecnniary
damages, that a rattle salesman was conveyed to: the scene
on Sunday morning to value the injured animals, and on
Sunday afternoon 113 f. or some such sum, was paid to the
owner as a solatium. i'lhat will the Four say to this act of
Sunday desecration on the part of their own officials? But
that is a silly question, replies the Scot/man, when the
" Four " can and do on Sunday drive in their own carriages,
work their clerk., and mend their boilers.
ANoTHEit DisASTHOUS COLLISION took plsce on the
Glasgow Line, near Bishop-bridge, on Friday, when the pee-
liengers were thrown into the greatest state of terror and
alarm. They called a meeting on the subject next day.
" It is surely high time," says the ellaseoto Retbrmers
Gazette, '• that the government should look into the state
of this railway."
MINK oi ANTIMONY.—It sou mentioned in this journal
some time ago, that a rich mine of antimony had been dis-
covered on the estate of We Marquis of Bute in the
parish of Cumnock. It has now been wrought for some
time, and is giving employment to about a dozen hands. It
is every way likely to turn out profitable to the noble pro-
prietor. The difficulty of access to it—the mine being
situated on the top of an eminence called Harehill—is
attended with considerable expense.—lfilasartwek Journal.
IN Coritnii rev I'osr.—A jury trial in Scotland has
definitely fixed the meaning of this current commercial
phrase. The case iu question was Iliggius,&e.e. Dunlop, &c.,
and though referring to pig iron, the principle involved in It
affects the whole mercantile community. The issue was re-
garding the " course of post " from a town where there was
more than one poet leaving each day, and it appears from the
decision, that a party accepting an offer by the evening post,
and omitting to write by the forenoon or day post, is still
entitled to the privilege of having accepted the offer " is
course of post." Another most important point brought out
in the examination of the witnesses, who were gentlemen of
the first mercantile standing, was their opinion that, when
an offer is made, and no time specified for a reply, yet the
party receiving the offer is bound to reply "in course
of post."
Lout) CAMPBELL—Lord Campbell's Lives of the Chan-
cellors has gained him the honorary degree of LL.D. from.
the University of St. Andrew's, of which seminary his lords
ship was formerly an alumnus. " Plain John" stands et
strong chance of being obliterated as the cognomen of the
ex-Chancellor. First he was made Sir John, then Lord
John, and now Dr. John, just as if fate were determined
that his primitive ideas of simplicity should not be carried
into effect. His lordship is treading fast on the heels of
Lord Brougham in regard to variety of acquirement, haying
begun life as a theological student, then reporter, then law-
yer, then senator, then chancellor, then author.

• evidence of which the officers were then in possession was not
se conclusive. Talbot was therefore removed from the dock,
and sworn u a witness. M. tthew Burrow and Connor were
remand. d till the next day. Ths cast against Wm. Burrow
was postponed to a later period in the day ; and no decision
had been come to upon it when our report was sent off in
the afternoon.
"' • " ''

Tug CUUNTY MUSI:1;%1, iirlaclic;ter, has recently been
enriched by several donations, and promises of support of the
undertaking continue to be received from ail quarters,
among which may be noticed that of the Speaker of the
House of Commons, who has intimated his intention of
presenting tha museum with an interesting collection of
natural curiosities recently received from New South Wales.

CIACCEsTIittatIIKE.
Tlis Manor, RIC/GED &afoot, has now been in opera-
tion for some months with the best results. Operations
we:e commenced by the master going into the street of
Lcsvin'a-mead, notorious for the general :vicious character of
its population, and collecting round him a number of the
idle and lawless boys who abound there. He told them he
was going to open a school on the following day, which would
he free to any who would come to learn how to read and
write. Souse at once agreed to try how they should like to
learn ; (alone inquired what the matter would give them if
they attended ? At nine o'clock on Sunday morning
(August 2) three boys presented themselves ut the school-
room ; and in the afternoon thirteen or foartaen came. A
short extl%ct from the master's diary will afford the best idea
of the arduous enterprise in which he had engaged ;
" That afternoon 1 shall never forget. Only 13 or 11 boys present ;
some swearing, some fighting, sonic cr)ing. One boy struck sum.
tiler's head through the window. I tried to offer up short
to prayer,
but found it iinpowilfie : the boys, instead of kneeling, began tuub.
ble over one another, and to sing !ins Gene."
Such were the materials of which the school was to be
formed : hut, by untiring patience and persevering kindness
towards the neglecte.l objects of his charge, he, in few
weeks, had obtained such an influence over his reckless
pupils, as to have a school of 30 boys, their ages varying
from 6 or 7 to 17 years, in very decent order; many making
most rapid progress in reading and writing, and a few
reclaimed from the lowest degree of moral degradation,
restored to their friends, and procuring an honest livelihood.
The residents near the school state that already its good
effects are visible in the greater quietness of Lewiu's-mead.
A more commodious place, the chal on St. James's
Back, has been hired for the use of the school; and on Tues-
day se'nuight the evening school was comment: d for the
first time, many of those friendly to the plan having been in-
vited to attend. About 40 boys belonging to the day school
were pre:ent; and, with the exception of their tattered and
scanty clothing, would hardly have been distinguishable from
the attendants of many of our ordinary charity schools, to
or.lerly was their deportment. The treasurer of the new
school having be. n requested to take the chair, congratulated
the meeting upon the success which had hitherto attended
the experiment. He stated that the friends who had esta-
blished. the " Ragged School" were resolved that no consi-
deration of expense should prevent its having a fair trial for a
year. Re observed that an evening school was particularly
needed for an older class of ho.a, many of whom during the
day are employed in some kind of work; and that it would
be espi daily advisable for lads of this description to have
Bitch a place of resort on Sunday evening.. The school
would be open to the poor of every religious creed, or
of no creed at all. The instruction would be entirely
uuseetarian ; those views only would be taught from the
Bible in which all Christians it;ree. As the school increased,
gratuitous teachers would be- needed. It was hoped that
many would be found willing to n.4st in this henevolint
work ; the services of any young men, whatever their reli-
gious opinions might he, would be thankfully accepted
as occasion offered, provided the managers had the means of
ascertaining that their moral character was unexceptionable.
It is not considered advisable to give up the name of " Rag-
ged School," but it is deemed better for the institution to
be known by those for whose benefit it is designed, as the
" Free School for the Poor.''

DEVONSIIIRF..
Two " GENTLEMEN.'—A very brutal and blackguard
tursault was committed at the Devonpirt Theatre, on
Wednesday evening. Two naval officers, whose names
we regrtt to say have not been communicated to us, for
they have not been sufficiently identified, felt disposed
in a very larkish and gentlemanly spirit to disturb the
harmony of the audience by endeavouring to interrupt
the performances. A sailor, who was paid off from the
Sappho, remonstrated with them, when one officer with a
stick struck the poor fellow and knocked off his hat, and
another immediately inflicted a terrible blow on his head,
with what is called a life-preserver, and cut it open. The
fife-preserver was taken possession of, but unfortunately
these " gentlemen" did not meet with the chastisement they
deserved. We hope they are not done with yet.

LITER.ITURE.

History of Me Counter-Revel d Wingland. By ARMAND
CARREL. Bogue's European Library.
We are glad to see in an English dress the his-
torical work upon England of this conscientious and
able French writer. With the amplest materials,
we have no account of Charles the Second's reign at
once readable and fair. Independent of this, the
views of foreigners are always valuable, always ori-
ginal to us on such subjects, and most useful when
they take, and treat of, a single epoch.
The author of the volume is well known to have
been bred in the military school of St. Cyr, and to
have spent his early years of manhood in the French
army, which at that epoch was still surrounded
with the fervour and the impatience of im-
perial heroism. Carrel soon raved conquest and
insurrection, so incompatible with the quiet life of
an officer serving the Restoration. So that the
invasion of Spain by the Due d'Angoulcnte, soon
placed him in ranks hostile to his countrymen ; front
whence he passed toa French prison, on an indictment
for treason. His youth disposed his judges to par-
don him, and Carrel, exchanginr, the sword for the
pen, came to Pails.
Chance here made I.im secretary to Augustin
Thierry, the historian of the Norman conquest,
who, like Guizot, Miehelet, and others of his contem-
poraries, made most use of young aid, in hunting out
facts, diving into old volumes, and collecting vast
materials, which Thierry wove into his valuably-
embroidered web. History writing thus became
the momentary profession of Carrel. A history
of Scotland and one of Greece were the fruits.
He then tried journalism, which did not seem at
first to smile on him. So he tried bookselling, which
he managed by sitting in the back-parlour of the
shop, and writing the work at the head of the present
article. It sold, and made a reputation for the author,
but it did not suffice to save the bookseller from bank-
ruptcy. It was one of those literary missiles, which
almost every literary youth then fired at the
Bourbons.
Soon after, the bark was launched which Carrel
was destined first to engage in, and then command
with such honour and renown, till its quarrels occa-
sioned his untimely end. The National was set on
foot by young Liberals who were discontented with
the old prosing spirit of the Constitutionnel at that
time, and who were determined on having a younger
and more lively organ. Thiers, Mignet, and Carrel
were the three young men who set it up ;
all three historians, living by their pen, and not
barked in any professional career. Thiers was of
Nrse the leading spirit, from the width and pre-
cision of his studies. In his early volumes of the
revolution, Thiers had fathomed the mysteries of
finance, as well as of administration, and he was more
an fait at the task of editor, than either Mignet or
Carrel. The National lasted long enough previous
to the revolution of 1830' to make the political
reputation of 'fhier's and Mignet. The former's
career is known. Mignct is keeper of the Ar-
chives. Carrel was offered one of the best
Prefectures in France by the new government. He
refused—he believed in the triumph of pure repub-
licanism; distrusted the star of Louis Philippe, and
made therein a capital and irrevocable mistake.
But we are not going to follow the political career
of Carrel, except in so far as to show that we have a
History of the Counter-Revolution, as the French call
the reign of Charles and James 11., written by one of
the most talented of French public men.
tribe Bram.
ST. lAMES's.—In consequence, we suppose, of many
of the fashionable frequenters of this theatre having gone to
spend their holidays in the country, and of the number of
domestic parties, it was very thinly attended last evening.
The principal piece was Moliere's comedy, " L'Ecole des
Maris," a play which, though it does not rank among his
masterpieces, is not unworthy of his genius. Its subject
and principal incidents are evidently taken from the
" Adelphi" of Terence. Two brothers have two young girls,
sisters, for wards, whom they are about to marry. The
elder brother has brought up his intended with indulgence,
and allowed her all the freedom and amusement befitting
;er youth ithe other has kept his ward in a state of restraint
kid seclusion. The result is, that the one returns the affec-
so of her kind guardian, while the other finds a young
er, with whose help she effectually deceives her Argus,
escapes from his power. The manner in which a simple
-endered quick-witted by love, mystifies hs r guardian,
him the go-betw. en between herself and her
is exceedingly amusing; and the dialogue of
piece has much of Moliere's wit and wisdom.
play was well acted ; Cartigny, especially, in the part of
karelk, the duped guardian, was admirable. It was
—..,wed by two little pieces, of one act each, in which Perlet
performed. One of them, "Le Parrain," was new, we be-
lieve, in this country. It turns on the distresses of an old
bachelor, penurious and refired in his habits, who is forced
he service of being godfather to the child of a worthy
who happens to be his neighbour. The whimsical
in which he is involved, particularly his imaginary
;cry of infidelity on the part of his neighbour's wife,
rendered amusing by Perlet's quiet humour; but the
was not worthy of his talents. We could have wished,
ed, during the engagement of this excellent actor, to
seen him in a series of more important characters than
-fthose in which he has hitherto appeared.

Prefectures
refused—hi
1.1 1.1
lieanism;
• made there
1`
But we I
of Carrel,
ifistory of
the reign ,
the most I
I . I;
ST. J. 131
of the fashi
i T spend their
domestic p 3
The princi
Maris, ' a
masterpiece
I and princi
t .1
" Ade:lphi"
sisters, for
elder broth
i and allow(
11 I her youth i
and sedum
tion of her
4 I
lover, with
and escape
girl, rende
making h
lover, is
I I I the piece
The play 1
i P 1 ' tSgaitarelli
followed b
tperformedusl
' I bachelor,
into the se
•
1 citizen wb
serapes in
discovery
• were rend
rcrlteedva: di
have
1. have seen
most of tt
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r
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