The Sun.
London, England, 1825-03-12 00:00:00

CELTIC SOCiETY.

At the Annual Dinner of the Cellio Society, on
the last Friday of February, Sir WALTER SCOTT, Bait. pre-
sided, supporter) on the right and left by Lieut.-Col. D'Este,
Sir Wm. 31‘Lcoil Bannatyne, Bart., Major Stisted, Ist Royal
Dragoons, the Very Rev. Principal Baird, and Mr. Leonard
Homer, as guests of the Sociey. The croupier' seats were
filled by Mr. Macdonald of Stain., and Sir John Scott Douglas,
Esq. of Springwood Park.
The Chairman would not restrict a Highland meeting. to
three times three, in giving honours to their first toast, " The
King," God bless him.
" The Duke of Montrose and the Celtic Society."

" The Duke of York and the Army." If any recommenda-
tion to this toast were required, I would only remind you that
there has been a recent addition to the number of regiments

wearing the tartan.

" Chiefs and Clans"—may the kindness that subsisted be-
tween their fathers be continued by their sons—may the chain

of steel that linked them together in troubled times be convert-
ed into silken cords of kindness and mutual good offices. It was
the last toast of our Sovereign at the feast which he deigned to
honour with his presence in our capital.

The neat toast I propose, gentlemen, is one which, in those
good old times, would scarcely have met a cordial -welcome ; I
am not sure that in my own border ccuntry, more than in the
hill country, mach-deference was shewn to them ; you have all
heard of the Sutherland Highlander's reasons for forbearing a
foray, " that the law had got the length of Tain ; nevertheless,
gentlemen, a bumper, and, by way of distinction, let it be in
solemn silence, to the " Supreme Courts of Law in Scotland."
The Royal Archers."
The Royal Mid Lothian Yeomanry."
"Auld Reekie—l trust the old lady will learn to adjust her
night cap without burning her fingers."
The Chairman proposed the health of Colonel D'Este.
Colonel D'Este returned thanks. He hoped the gentlemeb
would extend the kind and cordial welcome experienced by him
to his attempt, in their own language, to give them—
" The land of hills, and glens, and heroes." Tir mun beann,
nan gleanns' nam Gaisgaich.
" The new members of the Society : Mr. Macpherson Grant
of Ballindalloch, Mr. Campbell of Combie, the Hon. A. Cath-
cart, Mr. Lockhart Kinloch, Mr. Forbes, younger of New and
Edinglassie, Mr. Cumming of Logie, M. Stewart, younger of
Grantilly," &c. &c.
From the Chair.—The toast which I have now to name it
affords me much pleasure to propose. It is to one of those
gentlemen who are ever active to the discharge of their duties
as a citizen ; whose unpretending and unremitting exertions
shun the glare and acknowledgment of public observation,
and are seen only by the success and complete accomplish-
ment of the object to which they have been silently and effi-
ciently directed. Gentlemen, it is an easy matter to give one's
presence and support, in a long and wearisome speech, and a
small contribution, to any public or philanthropic measure.
Few men of any. public spirit are sparing of the one, or grudge
the other : but to give up one's tame, although immersed in
extensive and engrossing business ; to deny one's self the solace
and happiness of the few hours which such a man can give up
to the enjoyment of his family and his cheerful home, and be-
stow them on the arduous, over-looked, fatiguing, and fre-
quently thankless and disheartening details and labours.of some
extensive and benevolent undertaking, forms a severe and pain-
ful sacrifice. Who is there amongst us that can say he has
done it ? How few there are within the range of our acquaint-
ence whom we can point out as meriting so high a meed of
praise from us.—Gentlemen, 1 name Mr. Leonard Horner ; I
am happy to see him amongst us ; let us give him a Highland
I welcome.

Mr. nom;Ert returned his acknowledgments for the un-
merited distinction conferred on him—for the unexpected and
flattering terms in which his name had been introduced ; and
the cordial manner in which, altho' a stranger and a Lowlander,
it had been received. If there was any thing from which he
had a claim in the estimation of his fellow-citizens, it was in
endeavouring to,dissetninate widely among the people the bles-
sing of education.
The health of the Chairman. was proposed by Staffs, in a
speech of some length, and expressed in warm and energetic
langua,',e. He made allusion to the distinguished Baronet,
having been amongst the foremost to encourage, by. his in-
fluence, his example, and his irresistible persuasions,his friends
and countrymen to form themselves into friendly bands of de-
fence against threatened invasions—to tile professional duties
in which he was to be found engaged, and to his high literary
reputation.
After a long interval of loud and enthusiastic cheering, the
Chairman returned brief and impressive acknowledgments—
" As a yeoman soldier," he said, " he had been a very wil-
ling, but a very bad one ; as a lawyer, he must make con-
fession that he was both an unwilling and a bad one ; and
as a man of letters, he was- what his countrymen chose to think
him."
The CICAIItMAY proposed the health of Sir William Mac-
leod Bannatyne, " May he long be able to come amongst us—
a kinder or a steadier friend no man could desire."

Sirfr3l.l7ll.taEon BANNAT Y *** in returnings thanks for
the handsome manner in which the Chairman had been pleased
to take notice of his name, took at the same time the opportu-
.nity of expressing his satisfaction in being called to meet his
countrymen, the members of this Society. In the happiness
and the honour of the Highlands of Scotland, which it is the
object of their institution to support, he could only say, that it
would be when he ceased to breathe that he should cease to feel
a warm interest.

The CHAIRMAN' begged to propose a toast ; and although
he had been obliged to abstain from making speeches on
these already given, because in truth he had not time to think
of any thing new, and cordially disliked repetitions;
.lie would
beg a little attention to this present toast. It was devoted to
those Gentlemen, Members of the Society, who had been
the first to return reports of the Society's proceedings ;
to give us evidence of the advantages to be expected from the
Society's exertions. The Society, as a body of gentlemen, con-
nected with the Highlands, had directed their fends exclusively
to promoting the interest of education therein ; they applied to
this funds, and exerted their extensive influence ; they went
hand in hand with the clergy of the country, and obtained,
without one exception, the support and cordial co-operation of
every clergyman within whose bounds their first experimental
essays had been made. It was true that the Society were par-
tial to the dress of the.,Highlanders; it was perfectly true that
they encouraged its use ; and with the puny exception of one or
two visionaries, he had never heard of any Highlander, or any
one acquainted with tfie history of the country, and character of
its inhabitants, who 'growled disapprobation. Why should it
not be encouraged? You have just heard that the native of a
mountainous country loves it with surpassing love, and blesses
it with his latest breath. May not this noble feeling he cherish-
ed by the freedom with which he wanders and revels througii.
its wild and impressive scenery. The moor, the forest, and the
rough mountain side, are as free to the peasant as to the Peer.
He may explore the loveliest spot of a wild and wooded glen,
without being '= prosecuted as the law directs." He may bask
him in the glad sunshine, amidst the green braken and the
heather, unscathed by " man traps" and unharmed by " spring
guns." It is the land of the free, and therefore it is dear to its
sons. And who is there that would see its graceful and charac-
teristic " Braken" in the land of the far strangers. .
" The clime of the east, the land of the sun,".
but would hail it as a vision of early years, of early home, and
all that endears a home. It is mingled inseparably, be assured,
with the best feelings of the Highland. I had nearly said of the
Scottish heart, and its associations are as happy and as varied,
as are its own bright and blendid hues. Gentlemen, "join with
me in the wish that long may the tartan wave from the shoulder
of every pretty man ; and be ours the care and steady purpose,
as it has been that of those gentlemen with whose names I Con-
clude, that its hardy, gallant, and loyal wearers may be distin-
guished, not less by their graeeful national dress, than by su-
perior intelligence. The conveners are, General Campbell of
Lochnell ; Colonel Stewart of Garth ; Mackenzie of Stiath-
garve ; Macdonald of Ballysheran ; Macdougall, younger sf
Macdougall; and Macleod of Macleod.
The CHAIRMAN regretted exceedingly, and took blame to
himself in not sooner proposing the health of the Rev. Prin-
cipal who had just moved from the room. He begged' to pro-
pose the venerable Principal, not alone from the high situation.
he filled as being at the head of the University of this capital,
but also as Convener of a Committee appointed by the last As-
sembly of our Church, for inquiring into the state of education
u
in the Highlands. His activity and perseverence are quite un-
equalled.ashbise
satisfactoryte onytototlyieou;
lextensive
usefulness must
hope that he will have the kindness to come amongst us at our
And, l,n
utlu, r Gentlemen,
measures
must
next meeting.
Among the latest of the toasts was a health to the Author of
Waverley, proposed by Mr. Leonard Homer. "I cannot say,"
we think, vierethe words of the distinguished Baronet's remark,
" that I am particularly acquainted with the Gentleman ; but
he is very strongly recommended to us, and, if you please, I
shall give the time to his honours." Right loudly were the
honours rung.; and thus, after a Manner, Sir Walter Scott may
be said to have conferred his public honaurs on the A4thor of
Waverley.—(gdiOurgli Observer, March 8.)

GAME LAWS.

FOR THE SUN.

Ma. EDITOR—As the above Laws are under
the consideration of the Legislature, and as there

is some doubt as to the various qualifications now

existing, permit to me ask, through the medium
of your columns, whether, under the Act 27 Geo.
3d, chap. 25, section 8, which recites the 10th'
William 3d, section 2 and 10, the said qualifica-

tions are not threefold, namely, " being pos-
sesseil of personal property to the amount of one
thousand pound sterling, or the son of an Esquire,
or the being seized of a freehold estate of the
annual value of 1001. sterling ? J. A.

FRENCH PAPERS.

( From the Etoilc, dated Thursday. )
MADRID, FEB. 24

This morning, at eight o'clock, an extraordinary courier ar-
rived from France, who alighted at the Office of the Minister of
Finance, and tyhose dispatches relate to the loan.
The King had forbidden himself all labour in the Cabinet
with his Ministers, except in cases of the highest importance,
His Majesty has not long enjoyed the repose which he had pro-
mised himself, and which is so necessary to his health. }le
assembles continually the Council of Ministers, and even pre-

sides in it.
Persons initiated in state matters affirm that the dispatches of
Russia and England, which have been presented to him by the
Ambassadors of these Powers, are the cause of this activity is
our Cabinet.
AlDecree of his Majesty for the suppression of smuggling has
just appeared. Moveable columns will be employed to travers
the provinces, and to check its pernicious effects. The evil is
too inveterate. Let us have good custom-house officers, well
clothed, well paid ; they will at length become less venal, and
contraband trade will gradually cease. , ,
M. Sobrado, sen. of the Supreme Council of Castile, and
President of the Tribunal of Purifications, has just been exiled
to Alcala de Henares, instead of having taken the portfeuille , '
of the Department of Justice, as was reported. Some persons
think that his discharge is owing to the recal of Messrs. Villa-
gamez, Maris, and Larrumbide to the Council of Castile, to
whose.dismissal he is said to have greatly contributed last year ;
but this assertion seems in opposition to what was stated at the
time, namely, that those Councillors were dismissed for having
opposed the liberal system adopted by the ex-Ministers Cruz •
and Ofalia.
The greatest activity is exerted in the War Departments for
the organization of the army. It is observed with pleasure that
the Government will not approve of all the military commis-
sions granted by the Provincial Royalist Juntas, or by their
Military Chiefs. Through great esteem is felt for the good
principles, the talents, the merit, the education, and the services
of most of those officers, inferior commissions are given them,
to avoid the fault which was committed after the war of inde-
pendence, when all the officers were confirmed in the rank which
had been given them provisionally.—lt is known how some of
them returned such generosity.
PARIS, MAncli 9.
The Government of Baden has laid before the Second Cham-
ber a project of law, to enact that the election of the Members
shall be sexennial; that the Assembly of the States shall meet,
once every 3 years, and that the budget shall be decreed also for

3 years.
( Franz the Journal des Dcbats of Tuesday.)

FRANKFORT, IMARCIT 4•

The States-General of the Kingdom of Bavaria, those of tile'
Grand Duchy of Baden, and also of Nassau, all assembled at one
time, offer an interesting spectacle, but there is a little inquie-
tude mixed with the feeling of joy caused by this activity in
our infant institutions ; but this inquietude is fortunately ba-
lanced by the confidence of the German people in the intentions
of their Sovereign.

The King of Bavaria has again, it is said, been solicited by
a Foreign Power to restrain the publicity of the Sittings of
the States-General. It is not thought he will yield his con-
sent, inasmuch as the Bavarian Journals have never given and
more than a sketch of the debates long. after their conclusion.

UNIVERSITY INTELLIGENCE.

OXFORD, MARCH 11.—On Thursday last the following de'
green were conferred :

The Rev. John Page, late Fellow of Brasen ose College, novi
Vicar of Gillingham, in Kent, Doctor of Divinity, Grand

Compounder.

The Eev. Richard Howard, of Jesus College, Rector of Den-
bigh, Denbighshire, Bachelor and Doctor in Divinity, by ac-
cumulation, Grand Compounder.

The Rev. 'Walter King Coker, of Oriel College, Bachelor in
Divinity, Vicar of North Curry, Somersetshire.
Masters of Arts.—Rev. Thomas Tudball, of Balliol College*
Grand Compounder ; Richard Thomas Lancaster, Exeter
College ; Richard Greswell, Fellow of Worcester College.
Bachelors of Arts.—Edward Rose Breton, Queen's College;
Richard Foley Onslow, Christ College.

ECCLESIASTICAL PREFERMENTS.
On Thursday the 3d instant, the Rev. James Robertson
Holcombe, M.A. and Fellow of Jesus College, in this Univer,'
city, was collated, by the Lord Bishop of Salisbury, to the 111'
carage of Steverton, in the county of Berks, on
,the nomination
of the Dean and Chapter of Westminster.
His Majesty haN been pleased to present the Rev. George
Chandler, LL.D. Rector of Southall), Warwickshire, to die
district parish of Christ Church, St. Marylebone,,London.
The Rev. J. Baldwin, to the vicarage of Leylafid, nal
Preston. •
The Rev. Robt. Churchman, to the rectory of SwainsthorPo'
Norfolk.
The Feoffees of the Free Grammar School of Hales Owen
have elected Mr. John Lomax to be Master of the mid school'
in the room of the Rev. R. Robertson, deceased.