The Sun.
London, England, 1849-08-02 00:00:00

_de6
relieve the dese ution of the distressed diAriets of the
Highlands had heretofore been totally ineffectual,
because they only sought to mitigate the evil after
it had made its appearance, instead of averting its
recurrence by timely improvement. The Patriotic ,
Society, conscious of this mischievous mistake, wished
to apply a remedy based upon principles that lay at the _i
very foundation of all permanent national prosperity
and safety. It sought to enable the poor to help e
themselves in developing the resources of the land
and the sea ; and wherever the limited support it hale
yet received had allowed its operations to be brought -
to bear, they told with effect in districts where they
were most needed, They laboured to introduce
practicable and better methods of cultivation, end
thereby to extirpate the present. wretched era:: and
ceteist syetern ; and the society could already point
to 500 improved crofts in Garloch, upon which
several hundreds of improved cottages had been built
under the direction of Dr. Mackenzie, the honorary
secretary. An improved dwelling wag already erected
on almost every holding, which, mainly owing to its
interior arrangements, when compared with the pre-
vailing Highlend black hut, might be called a palace.
Strict regulations were enforced as to rotation of
crops and those other arraegeinents which are
essential to render small holdings productive. The
secret of the success already obtained was, first, intel-
ligence, system, and energy on the part of the philan-
thropist and skilful agriculturist whom the soci▪
ety
possessed as its honorary secretary; secondly, the
constant supervision of the people by his subordinate
agricultural inspectors, who not only directed them
what to do, but gave them no peace till they saw
it
done. Under this system, waste land had been drained,
stones dug out, miles of road formed through the
holdings, which, at Strath, had a beautiful slope to
the bay of Gairloch. There could be seen the cow
stall• fed on green crop, as in Holland ; the fertili▪
sing
csubstancesi
no of the
tank,by raencda,r ebf
yu ltyh
epi rr e sseprpvlei de
aft from
to
;thee,
land, at a show of roots, held in November, turnips,
grown by the crofters, were produced which would
have done credit to the Lothians. Last year clover
was grown ; and the people found that notthe climate,
but their faulty husbandry, was the cause of that bar-
renness which formerly prevailed, and under which
their cattle were usually by spring so exhausted from
starvation as to require to be lifted on their feet before
they could rise from their miry beds. The timber for the
cottages was obtained free from the estate, and 51.
was the whole outlay in hard cash upon each cottage.
The society wished to promote the introduction of
agricultural education into elementary schools; and
at Gairloch the honorary secretary had established
a model farm of five acres, which the boys en-
tirely c.alti,atod with the spade. This system
of amelioration the society has been invited by
various proprietors to extend from Shetland to
Mull ; and it was necessary to organize auxiliary
branches of the society in every village before the
social evils of the Highland peasantry could be
effectually dealt with. For this purpose, however,
funds were wanting; and he hoped that those who
were blessed with the means would willingly lend a
helping hand in promoting the social redemption of
so interesting and deserving a race. The society had
also established allotment gardens at Edinburgh, In-
verness, Portobello, and Perth, and was actively
engaged in improving the residences of-the labouring
classes in towns, as regards comfort, cleanliness, and
sanitary regulations. Another of its objects was to
promote the extension of the fisheries, and the safety
and welfare of those employed in them ; and it was
now engaged in getting up various simple aquatic life
preservers, and in digesting plans for extending the
fisheries. Having dwelt upon the permanent im-
provements advocated by the society, such as paro-
chial farms, fishery and rural improvements, and the
cultivation of flax and hemp, as recommended by Mr.
AVarnes, he pointed out the unnecessary abandonment
in Ireland and in the Highlands of rearing pigs,
owing to the failure of the potato, when the Jerusalem
artichoke was even more available and valuable as
food for pigs than the potato ever was. Mr. Bond said
the measures of permanent amelioration to which he
had referred required time and at least some little
outlay. The condition of the people, however, was
such that in a vast number of cases they could not
raise five shillings if you were to offer them the
world for it. He had therefore been planning minor
but immediate resources for his destitute constituents.
There was a suggestion which he would take the
liberty of throwing out for public consideration, in
connexion with the discovery of means for supporting
the poor. A large number might be employed in the
manufacture of " kelp ;" but kelp could not be manu-
factured at a profit without a bonus from the Govern-
ment or some remission of taxation. In the western
islands the sea-weed was thrown up in banks six or
seven feet high every day, and only had to be spread
out and dried. Na capital was required—the fingers
of the people were all that was necessary, and that,
therefore, was one of the most available means for
affording employment. But he could mention others
still. On the coast of both Ireland and Scotland cod
fish abounded; and all the use that was made of the
oil obtained from it by the people, was to burn it in
lamps for their cottages. But cod liver oil was a
valuable article, being sold at 3s. Gd. the quart bottle
in Edinburgh, and at 75., he believed, at Cheltenham ;
and by the use of merely a tin cullender, any old
woman could extract it from the cod liver. Another
article of some importance.was the cranberry;- High-
land cranberries were highly prized, and the gather-
ing of them offered another means of employment,
and as thousands now confronted in the Highlands
with famine did not in prosperous times taste animal
food for years together, he recommended the domes-
tication of rabbits among them, and concluded with
an energetic appeal in behalf of the Highland
peasantry.
a en.l
eli
former ef
rLe
homeNe
methen
si
opgfr
year,
tpehoaesr dowmit
with
hei t :thee
the
of r-
appointment
The
enendyto.
no3flbrtrh.
athei n
addition of the names of the Lord Mayor as the
annual president, and Mr. P. Scrope, M.P., as a com-
mitteeman ; and the motion having been duly se-
conded, was unanimously adopted.
Thanks having been voted to the Right Hon.
Chairman, on the motion of Captain BELLEW, for his
kindness in presiding over the meeting,
The Loan MAYOR returned thanks, and said he
was glad, not only as chief magistrate of the city of
London, but as a Scotchman, to assist in furthering
the objects of all charitable institutions.—(Hear.)
Though not a Highlander himself, yet he had great
respect for a race of men who in time of great distress
had remained loyal, peaceable, and contented ; and he
thought they were on that account entitled to the
sympathy and active aid of those whom Providence
had blessed with a superior lot.—(Cheers.)
The proceedings then terminated.

YORKSHIRE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.
LEEDS, TUESDAY EVENING.—To-day has been the
first of the annual meeting of the Yorkshire Agri-
cultural Society at Leeds, yesterday having been
occupied with a preliminary trial of implements at
Kirsal.

At nine o'clock this morning the implement yard
in Wellington•street was thrown open for the admis-
sion of visitors. Rain fell very copiously
.during the
night, and the morning wore a threatening aspect.
These two circumstances not only diminished the
pleasures and comfort of the show-yards, but to some
extent indisposed many to visit the exhibition during
the day. Nevertheless the show-yard has not been
by any means deserted. The ill effects of an unpro-
pitious morning were in a great measure counter-
balanced by an afternoon of most cheering brilliancy.
Happily much is not looked for on the first day of
exhibition, which is viewed as merely preliminary of
the great show of to-morrow, or no very great en-
couragement would be derived from either the pro-
ceedings or receipts of the day.
The show of implements is, in one respect at least,
remarkable—namely, in its extent, which is twofold
that of former years ; and it has the very praise-
worthy merit of displaying a greater regard to prac-
tical utility than, perhaps, any exhibition which the
Yorkshire Society has previously held. The imme-
diate vicinity of Leeds, and indeed, it may be added,
the West Riding, does not, however, seem to have any
great proportion of claim to this general commenda-
tion ; for though contributing to the show some
valuable implements, the most conspicuous stands are
claimed by distant competitors.
At three•o'clock to-day the annual meetingw tooko
place at the Court-house, but the businreas
a formal nature, being the selection,
orn
re-
election, of the council of t year and a vice-.
tsherasa
s
president for the ensuing
Ilotham, whose place yo a
.t
;11- ta
otifie placearl
is
loef, Lord
w
The president for next
the president
year, it is probable,
willsuPwPilirth•
bee Lord;Feversham, who,
we believe, occupied that distinguished post a few
years ago.
WEDNESDAI 'EVENING.—The judges of cattle en•
tered upon their labours at a very early hour this
morning, and when our account left they had not
issued their report.

SHOCKING SUICIDE BY AN ARMY OFFICEU.--
CHELTENHAM, TUESDAY.—A melancholy case of self-
destruction has occurred in this town, and has caused
much excitement. The deceased is Captain Robert
John Colville, an Assistant Commissary-General of her
Majesty's forces, and was in his 71st year. Latterly hi
had betrayed symptoms of aberration of mind. Miss
Johnson, a relative of the deceased by marriage, kept
his house, at No. 2, Paragon-terrace, Cheltenham, and
last saw him alive when she went to church in the
morning. Ho was unusually solemn in his manner at
breakfast, but otherwise appeared in good health.
09n ,
Miss Johnson's return from church, about one 070 !t
she missed the deceased, but at last discovered ha 3 in
the water-closet with his throat cut from earntowas enr, and
t
a bloody razor lying by his side. A u
for, but although not dead, he was beyond
and died in half an hour after he was discovered. Ho
appeared sensible, and
attempts after several to speak,
sgael? human aid,
'1
_
was heard to say "I am dying." An inquest has been
held on the body, and a verdict of Temporary Insanity
returned.

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