Star.
London, England, 1808-05-16 00:00:00

TO THE EDITOR OF THE STAR.

SlR—Understanding that some landholders in the
North of Scotland afFeet to be afraid of the measure
recommended by the Committee of the House of
Commons, to substitute the use of sugar in place of
grain into the distilleries, I beg leave to state, for the
reformation of the public, a few facts relative to the I
present situation of that part of the country, which
will convince every unprejudiced person, that such a
law would be the greatest boon that could be confer-
red on the people.
Owing to the failure of the late crops, the scarcity
and high price of victual, and the low rates and dull
sale of cattle, the inhabitants of that extensive district
have been reduced to a state of absolute penury and
distress. The incessant rains at the end of summer, the
lateness of the harvest, the premature frosts, and the
storms which succeeded, completely blasted the crops.
Cattle are every where low, and in most places un.
saleable. The fisheries, on a great part of the coasts,
have almost entirely failed. Unfortunately there is
little trade, and scarcely any manufactures ; so that
the inhabitants, deprived of their usual resources, are
cut off from every hope. In this situation many of
the parishes are left to depend on the charity of the
benevolent for the preservation of life, and subscrip-
tions hate been raised in different parts of the country
to supply their immediate wants. J3esidcs several pri-
vate contributions, the Marchioness of STAFFORn,
characteristic generosity, has sent a very large sum of
money to be distributed among the necessitous ob-
jects of the county of Sutherland ; and Sir Joim
SPNCLAM has purchased a considerable quantity of
meal for the inhabitants of Thurso, and the surround=.
ing district in the county of Caithness. But it is dot
on general descriptions of distress that the public are
to rely. I will state a few, out of many facts, in.
particalar parishes, authenticated by the most indu-,
bitable evidence, that will speak with all the eloquence
of truth.

In the parish of Durness, where there are at pre-
sent IRS families, consisting of 910 souls, the crops
have completely failed ; the very seed has been used
to keep the people and cattle alive ; and, on the 9th
of April last, the apparent provision was not suffici-
ent to serve for ten days : about 400 bolls of mcal,
200 barrels of potatoes, and 100 bolls of oats, were
stated as requistte for immediate relief. In the parish
of Assint, where there are nearly 3000 inhabitants,
there was not on the 4th of April above one week's
store of meal, no potatoes, and the fisheries had
proved unsuccessful. In the parish of Edrachilis,
there was not, on the I 1 th of April, above two
weeks provision ; and 250 bolls of meal, .50 bolls of
oats, and 130 barrels of potatoes, were mentioned as
immediately necessary. In the parish of Tongue,
where there are about 240 families, averaging five
souls each, there was not, on the 4th of April, above
ar month's supply, and 550 bolls of meal were re-
quired for instant want. In the parish of Creech, on
the 4th of February, there was no victual to be pro-
cured ; and ip the parish of Lairg, on the 15th of
that month, the people were entirely without corn for
themselves, or provender for their cattle.
These, Sir, are a few facts, and only a few, out of

. _
many instances, for the same dearth and distress pre-
♦ails over a great part of the north and north-west
country of Scotland. They address themselves, in
the first place, to the benevolent who feel an interest
in the sufferings of their fellow creatures and coun-
trymen, and particularly to those who are more im-
mediately connected with Scotland. In the next
place, they prove to a demonstration that the Land-
holders have no reason to fear, at present, a want of
consumpt for their superfluous produce, and that
they ought cordially to co-operate with every measure
which may be calculated to preserve the grain from
being► converted into the manufacture of ardent spirits;
and this, in place of being the staple of life, provin
the source of misery and the instrument of death.
I am, Sir, your humble servant,
A CALEDONJAN.

May 4, 1101.

'MESSRS. LEIGH and Co. Surgeons, confine their
.Lvi• attention to the treatment of certain Complaints, contracted
in an unguarded hour, and that Debility whichis caused by youth-
ful habits. Mr. Lawn having heen enraged in this esdusive
branch for the last eleven years in this house, it is presumed that
the advantage of such experience gives the utmost success to that
assiduity with which they devote themselves to the Cure of these
Oomplaints.—lii an cases of recent occurrence the cure is speedy,
and pain and danger are equally avoided. In every complicated
case, and in these distressing deficiencies, which are the conse-
quences of youthful impeudence, or the enervating indulgences of
maturity in warm climates, their mode of treatment ensures a safe
and permanent restoration to vigorous health. 11w terms are
statedon the first interview, or in answer to letters, containing a
bank note, and in every case the most inviolable secrecy is ob-
served.—Nu. CP, Arundel-street, near Temple liar.
There is an additional entrance in Water-street adjoining.