The Sun.
London, England, 1865-02-25 00:00:00

NORTH WILTS.

Lord Charles Bruce has issued an address to the
electors, offering himself as a candidate, in the room
of Mr. Sotheron Estcourt, who in the course of two
or three weeks will apply for the Chiltern Hundreds.
Lord Bruce states that he is prepared to give
an independent support to her Majesty's present
Administration, believing that in the conduct of
domestic affairs they have been successful in light-
ening the burdens of taxation, while, at the same
time, the great but necessary establishments of the
country have been maintained at a high pitch of
efficiency. He approves the financial policy of Mr.
Gladstone, and believes the Government are entitled
to credit for their successful maintenance of peace.
The Conservatives are not yet prepared with a can-
didate, but the electors are asked to abstain from
promising their votes. An influential Conservative
will probably be in the field in a dad or two. An
address to Mr. Estcourt, expressing regret at his
retirement, and thanking him for the manner in
which he has discharged his duties, is being generally
signed throughout the division.

MR. STIRLING, M.P.—We are glad to state that
the health of this respected gentleman is now quite
re-established, and that he is at present on his way
home, after a residence of some months on the con-
tinent, with the view of immediately resuming his
Parliamentary duties.—Edinburgh Courant.
THE HoN. E. P. BOUVERIE, M.P.—A report that
Mr. Bouverie was about to forsake his seat for the
Kilmarnock burghs at next election is totally un-
founded. The hon. gentleman has no such intention.
—Greenock Advertiser.

DEATH OF A HERMlT.—Duncan Marshall, the
well-known hermit of Kilmun, Argyllshire, died a
few days ago, at Dunoon, in his 85th year, and was buried
on Tuesday last, according to his earnest desire while
in life, underneath a flat on Rushfield-hill, two miles up
from the public road, where his heritage was situate.
Duncan was born and brought up in this quarter, and fol-
lowed the occupation of a fishermo. He was eccentric in
his disposition from an early age, and his intellect showed
considerable -weakness, but still he was kind and gentle,
and became a favourite in the neighbourhood. Having taken
a fancy to a piece of ground at the foot of Rushfield-hill,
about a mile and a half up from the head of Holy Loch or
Kilmun, and about the same distance from Loch Eck, at a
point remarkable for the picturesque grandeur of its High-
land scenery, having before it the entrance to three magni-
ficent glens which open up from the head of the Holy Loch
—viz., Glen Lean, Glenmissen, and the Valley of the Eck—
he applied to Mr. Campbell of Monzie, the proprietor of the
Kilmun estate, for the ground on which to build ahermitage.
Mr. Campbell at once granted it free, and here for many
years Duncan has lived, his only companions being a few
pet goats. During the summer months the hermitage
was visited by parties from all quarters who were spend-
ing their holidays at the coast, and Duncan was at times
besieged by visitors. Lately he made a further request to
Mr. Campbell, that he should be buried on this flat two
miles above the hermitage, which was granted, Mr. Can'P
bell assuring him that he would see to it and
pay all the
expenses. Health began to fail Duncan, and three years
ago he was, much against his will, removed to Dunoon,
where he died. Mr. Campbell, although not now pro-
prietor, on hearing of Duncan's death, communicated
with the new proprietor, Mr. Patrick of Benmore, who
cordially agreed to join Mr. Campbell in carrying out the
hermit's desire, and while Mr. Campbell agreed to pay all
the expenses Mr. Patrick sent his factor and a body of stout
Highlandmen to carry the coffin up the hill. The funeral
was attended by about 100 persons, of whom 88 went to the
top, notwithstanding that the snow on the hillside was
knee-deep and most dangerous, the ascent occupying two
hours. The services were conducted by the Rev. Dr. Clark,
of the united parishes of Dunoon and Kilmun.--Scotsman.

GOING CIRCUIT.—The Quincy Whig says that
Professor Quinn, of New York, who is out west on a
lecturing tour, has reached that place direct from St. Paul
on skates. The distance is nearly 850 miles, which he skated
in just two weeks, stopping, meantime, to lecture at many
points on the way.