Star.
London, England, 1822-04-01 00:00:00

LITERATURE.

/

I

,`

• I

.

11
Pi'

SKETCHES OF THE CHARACTER, MANNERS, AND PRE-
• SENT STATE OF THE HIGHLANDERS OF SCOTLAND;
WITH DETAILS OF THE MILITARY SERVICE OF THE
HIGHLAND REGIMENTS. BY COL. DAVID STEWART.
It has been objected to the character of our literature of late,
that it has chiefly consisted of the repetition of old knowledge in
a-more classical, but not in a more effective, style ; that history
• has either fallen into this. comparative inferiority, or assumed a
general and philosophical form, which tends to impress the mind
of the reader rather with the particular views of the individual
historian than to give those clear and distinct impressions of the
conttmporeneous effect of events in the spirit of the age in which
they tools place—inipreeeions which alone can enable posterity
to enter into the feelings and sentiments of former times ; in a
word, that we have, in a very great dtgree, ceased to produce
works which will hereafter be referred to as the authorities and
avouchers not only of opinions, affections, and prejudices, but
. also of facts. Colonel Si EWA we* book is not, however, of this
description, fur it not only supplies a desideratum in modern
literature, but is itself, at once, so original in matter, so full and
so complete with respect to the subject, that it will unquestion-
ably occupy a distinguished place in every historical and philo-
sophical library ;—it is the moment it of the ancient race of the
Highlanders, and the poets ant.: lii.zorians of after times will be
found, in constant succ,..ssion, studying the epitaph which he has
thus inscribed to the virtues, the hospitality, the fidelity, and the
heroism of their character.
It has been obt.erved, that a combination of favourable cir-
cumstances often tends to produce, in particular individuals,
the same effect as the endowment uf great genius; the observa-
tion was never more strikingly illustrated than in the present in-
stance, for the kindness and the enthusiasm with which Colonel
gemeette is equa::y regardtel by all ranks, are here reflected
hick in so many scintillations of affectionate remembrance, that
his details, though written with the simplicity and the patience
oF a soldier, excite and affect his readers with the power and M-
C uence of eloquence and poetry. To attempt, therefore, to give
any idea of the interest which this work is calculated to inspire
by quotation, would be to act like the pedant, who produced a
brick as a specimen of a palace. The style, like the manners of
the author, is plain, but imbued with a pervading spirit of
warmth and sincerity that at once begets confidence and respect.
In the midst of all hie delightful and rontaetic anecdotes, we
place the must perfect reliance in their veracity, and without
knowing, in the perusal, when or wherefore the feeling arose,
we proceed on in the work, participating and sharing, in the
midst of our pleasure as mete readers the regret that mingles
with the author's feelings as a Highlander, ill his unobtrusive
and touching recitals of the departing virtues of his ancient and
heroic countrymen.
Perhaps few men were ever so well qualified for any task as
Colonel &Ewe RT was for the one which he has here so well per-
formed. Natural ardour of character, hereditary sentiments,
Carefully nourished in the midst of rementic scenery ; high-
mindedness, festered by entering a Highland regiment at an
early age; ricn s of disposition, which, like its emblem, fire,
begets itself, eea Inekes the friendship it fans as ardent as its
own feelings; the faculty of attracting the affections of inferiors,
and the ntainters that win the esteem of the great—all combined
to bring Colonel STEWART into the preCise situations where he
could but obtain and concentrate the various knowledge which
be has here so interestingly brought together,and to enable him,
without any apparent effort, to produce one of the most.authen-
tic and affecting works that has for many years issued from the
press—we say apparent, because the modesty of the style and
the simplicity of the arrangements may make the cursory reader
imagine, at the first view, that it is but a compilation of recol-
lections ; a moment's inspection, Iniwever, will convince him that
it is, in fact, the result of long, micute, and most intense appli-
cation, and that the traditionary and oral lore with which it is
enriched, could only have been acquired by an industry and re-
search as potent and as constant as that which has brought toge-
ther so many historical, official, and regimental details. G.

The following extempore convers•Aon took place at the door
of the Forth and Clyde Canal and Coach-Office, Shakspeare-
sguarc, Edinburgh, some time since, between Mr. Scott, the
proprietor of the Office, and a neighbour of his called Dewar :
MI. D.—Eh, Maester Scott,
Cats ye change me a note?
3lr. S.-.-I'm nae vera sure—but I'U see—
Eh, Alaester Dewar,
lt's to in my power,
For my wife s gaen out wi' the key !
•
• 'Mr. William Spencer, jun. of Halifax, lately fell from the top
of an outward staircase, leading to his workshop, by part of the
railway giving way, and was so much Injured as to cause his
death, after languishing some days.
BOll,ll7llllM—An investigation on the subject of Mrs. Do- .
patty's murder, took place at this Office, on Saturday, which LANE V. THE SAME.
lasted till after ten at night. The investigation originated in This was a similar action against the same Hundred,
what a child, between sis and seven years old, had heart( Lis to recover a compensation for a like injury sustained
mother and grandmother say, relative to the murderers • but,
after the examination of several witnesses, it was supposed the by the plaintiff on the same night, from the same'
chill bad confused what he had beard read in the Newspapers cause, and under the like circumstances. The sum
upon the subject, and therefore nothing could be made of it. sought to be recovered was 1:58, and after proof of
Massios--flouss.—A banker gave information that a number the damage and occasion of it, plaintiff had a verdict..
of forged checks have lately been uttered in the following man-
lier :—A country-looking man, of respectable appearance, applies . LANCASTER. 1
to a boarding-school, and produces a letter front the counuy, re- Anthony Morris, a lad only 14 years of age,. was.
• • hilt] I° select a semi fur
nary the writer'_ win Charles,who,
guestingl • indicted for a rape on Jane Whitehurst, a girt seven'
being Elegitimate,is ill-teated by his wife. The letter ahoauthfarises , years old. Mr. ASHWORTH stated the case to the
- Wt./ , half year's expense in advance, and encloses a bill . jug and lamented that it was his melancholy duty
Clarks is to be s, at up by the coach-in a; ` L!ryt
11, generally leave a balance of £4 or £5, which i to make a charge of so much att ocity against one so
:eivts. It .is needless to day Charles never ap- . young ; but it was essentially necessary to the best
1 proves to be a forgery. This tiick has been interests of society that such crimes, when proved,
1, has at, lieett played oil with equal success
IL, where poor .Ifory Li stated to be the
should' receive the punishment of the law. He objectthen
I called Mr. Armstrong, a surgeon, who stated certain:

'acts, which are not.* for theriblie eye, but they
were such as induced thejury to say they were satis-
fied, yithout*ferther elidetce,.,that 'thw trial ought -
not to pi on. His Lordship said his opinion coincided ,
with that of the Jury.—he prisoner seat acquitted.
NORFOLK.
lIARDY AND CO. V. .ROYCN AND Cq.
The Public will recollect the distressing circum—
stance of the Yarmouth Star Coach being overturned
Scole, in February, 1821, by which Mr. Batter-,
field, traveller for the Low Moor Iron-Works, was so
seriously injured, that after lingering in great torture
filr fifty-nine days, he died there on the 15th of April.
In May last, the parties for whom Mr. Butterfield
travelled wrote the following letter to Boyce and Co.
" Low Moor Iron Works, near Bradford,. Yorkshire,
' May '22, 1821.
" Gammon/I—We are only now enabled to ascertain the
amount of the expenses incurred by us in consequence of the
injury received by our late traveller, Mr. F. Butterfield; on the
15th day of February last, by the overturning of the Yarmouth
Star Coach, at Scole Inn, near Diss, in Norfolk. The injury
received on that day caused the death of Mr. Butterfield on the
15th April last. A. there is no doubt but that the overturning of
the coach was occasioned by the wilful negligence of the
driver, we trust that you will readily repay to us the expenses
incurred on account of this accident ; they amonnt to X 560: as. 6d.
—The vouchers for the actual payment of this sum are in our
possession, and we have no objection, if you wish it, to place
them in the hands of any respectable Gentleman for your inspec-
tion. We would also hope that the deplorable situation of the
widow of the late Mr: Butterfield and six young children, left
completely unprovided for, will induce you to compensate in
some degree for the serious loss which they have sustained—a
loss which they must individually feel during life. We trust
this appeal in behalf of the unfortunate family who are the sub-
ject of it, will have the desired effect, and prevent their having
recourse to any unple..slnt proceedings.
" We are, Gentlemen, your's very respectfully,
- "II I RD, D 4 WSON, TI A R DY, and FIELD."
" Messrs. T. Boyce and Chaplain, Proprietors
of the Yarmouth Star Coach, London."

As the law provides no remedy for a widow under
the circumstances in which Mrs. Butterfield was left,
the coach proprietors took no notice of the above
letter. The firm, therefore, for whom Mr. Butterfield
travelled, brought an action against them, for the
amount of the expenses at Scole, and the lass of hit
services in their business. _ _

The plaintiffs proved the coach was overturned by
the carelessness and negligence of the driver, and tlie
defendants produced no witnesses to contradict them.
In summing up, Baron RICHARDS, With gteat abi-
lity, stated the law, that the Jury could.only award
such damages for the loss of service as combined the
period of certain arrangements which it was proved
the deceased had to fulfil ; but that he was of opinion
the plaintiffs were entitled to a verdict. if the Jury
believed the accident was occasioned by the miscon-
duct of the driver, and that they ought to state what
amount they gave as damages for loss of service, and
what for expenses, separately.
The Jury, after a tew minutes deliberation, gave
their " Verdict for the Plaintiffs ; the expenses, and
£lOO for loss of service."

BUCKS.
HASSELL V. ATKINSON AND PARKINSON.

. .171ilVERSITY INTELLIGR.VC4.
•
• •
CAMBRIHDGR, MARCH n. . •
The Election Of is Ellintrian of this University, In the mom of
the late Dr. Clarke, took place on Tuesday lag. At di.: dare •E
the pee the numbers were,
For the Rev. John Midge - 1.7.11
Rev. J. C. Franks - 115
Majority In favour of the Rev. J. Legge —23
At a Congregation on Friday, the following Gentlemen were
admitted to degrees:
HONORARY DOCTOR IN CIVII. LAIC.
The Right Hon., Lord Henniker, St. John's COMTE.
HONORARY MASTER Or ARTS.
The Hon. John Henniker, of St. John's College, eldest sos 4
Lord Henniker.
- woman Or ARYL.
Robert Mizell, Esq. of Trinity College.
RACHILLOR IN CIVIL LAW.
The Rev. Joseph Stanfield, of Trinity College.
OXFORD, MARCH O.
On the 16th instant, Richard Harlington, ON. 'EA. of
Church, was elected Fellow of Drasennose College.
ECCLESIASTICAL PRONIOTIONS.
'the Rev. B. Noble, to the Vicarage of Whalley, LancatEre.
-The Rev. Francis Ellis, XA. to the Vicarage of Long Curry:
ton. Warwickshire.

This was an action to set aside the will of the late George Has-
sell, of Cholesbury, Esq. in thi: County of Bsieks, by insanity.
Mr. G. Hassell had bequeathed the whole of his property to two
attorules in London, Messrs. Atkinsion and Parkinson. In 1814,
he (Mt. Hassell) made his will, leaving the bulk of his property
as above, on condition that they should allow his sister. who was
in a bad state of health, a comfortable annuity, and left the heir
at law (the plaintiff) one shilling only.
Mr. SCAS LETT, for the defendants, commenced by enumerating
the different offices the late ?sir. Hassell had filled—the responsi-
bility he had been under—and wonld bring witnesses to prove that
money to the amount of 10,000,0001. had passed through his hands,
and at settling his accounts, after filling the office with punctuality
some years, had money due to him. He was capable also to
fill the office of I tisk Sheriff of the County of Bucks; and he
would prove to them that he was al competent to do business at
the time his will was made as any ene present. Several let-
ters were here read, which were written in a superior manner,
and had nothing in them to indisate insanity. In most of these
he made his sister the chief object of his care and affections. The
Learned Counsel allowed that within the last day or two of his
life, he was in a state of temporary derangement ; but what was
it owing to? To being inkrmed by the witness Rumsey, his
surgeon, that he did net expect his sister, his only care at earth,
to live :24 hours. Was that a surprising thing ?
Very respectable witnesses were called, among whom wore the
Duke of BUCKINCHAM, Mr. RICKPORD, the lion. CHAS. Yoder,
&c. who said that they should slot, at any part of Mr. Ilassell's
life, have hesitated for a single moment to witness the will,
and were never more surprised than at hearing of the manner or
his death. The Rev. Mr. Owen, on the part of the plaintiff,
said, that from 1818, to the time of his death, his state of mind
was bordering on insanity. He was with him at Mr. Moore's,
near Berkhamstead, when he came into his (Owen's) bed-
room, between four and five o'clock in autumn, seven or eight
years ago, and said he would not be kept in prison, and was ted
helping through the window ; he got through ; but witness lay
still in bed. Ile went to Berkhainstead, and returned at nine.
At another time he took him into a wood, and producing a pis-
tol, said " this is tho way to decide quarrels." Witness knocked
it out of his hand, tired it off, and threw it into a dell. A Bar-
rister named Jervis had made ass illegal attack on character,
in a trial at Monmouth; he asked witness's opinion about seed-
ing him a challenge, and be th.mght that quite sufficient toprove
that he was a madman.—Mr. Horwood, stewaid to Mr. llasiell,
on being asked whe:her lie was mad, admitted it; but did not
mean that he had lost his senses, but merely because he gave too
much for a horse or cow somotimes.—Benjamin Puddifoot, un-
der-bailiff, said he thought him not right, as he had ordered him
to pansp the fish-pond dry; and when he saw the frogs at bot-
tom, he said," curse you, &A— never made you stare so."—
Mr. Osborne, hair-dresser, of Aylesbury, said hefrequently came
to his shop to be shaved; sometimes would shave himself. I las
come down stairs with his handkerchief undone, and said if he
had staid longer he should have cut his throat.
The Counsel on both sides addressed the Jury at considerable
length, when the Judge summed up the evidence, as.d the Jury
returned a verdict for the defendants, thereby establishing the
will.

The Rev. !antes Powell, to the Vicarage of Lanz, S.a ltor„
Falop.
Wednesday, the Rev. Mr. Caston was ordained Mini ter ci
the Independent Chapel on Nodebill, Newport, Isle of Wigkt.
The Rev. James Anderson has been ordained and admitted
assistant and successor to the Rev. William Anderson,
of St. Fergus.
Thursday se`nnight, the Rev. Dr. fee, of St. Andrew's, was
admitted First Minister of the Canongate Church, lislUtbur:ll,
in the room of the Rev. Dr. Stewart, deceased.
March 14, the Rev. David Garment, late of Glasgow, was
Admitted assistant and successor to the Minister ut` Itossketn.

The Rev. Alexander Clark %VAR, on Thursday f.e.nrsight. 4r-
&lined and admitted one of the Ministers of Inverness.

lIRTHS.

Saturday sennight, the Lady of the 12ty Francis Dyton, of
a daughter, which ur% ived only a few days.
_ _

March 22, at Barton Rectory, Warwickshire, the Lady of
the Rev. J. Scho!• field, of a daughter.
Tn Ilarnilton-pl.tce, Lady Foley, of a daugh'cr.
Sunday sienvight, at the house of Henry Macs, F. 9. M.P.
Old Palace-yard, the Hon. Mrs. Stapleton, of a daughter.
March 18, at Boulogne-sur-Mer, the Lady of Captain Ekon,
R.N. of a daughter.
Yesterday, at Ludgate-hill, Mrs.Wil.iam Irme, of a daughter,
her t: nth living child.

William Osborne, who was ordered for execution
to-morrow, has been respited during pleasure.
Aupe, the Turk, who appeared as prosecutor at the Maid-
stone Assizes, last week, against certain persons for robbing
him, was a young man of very fine and expressive countenance,
and with all the energy and vivacity so natural to Asiatics, the
manner in which he gave his testimony was a most pleasin,,; dis-
play of expressive action and cluinge of countenance. It was a
tine study for an actor. Ills story could be read,iti his action.—
When he was sworn. he took, withevery appearance of profound
veneration, his Alcoran from his bosom. 4 was carefully enve-
loped in a long piece of tvylow silk. An officer was about to
take the book from his hand, when the' liellevir in Mahon:et dis-
played great agitation. The bare idea- tithe holy volume beivig
defiled by the hand of a Christiau sesnaud to 11111:ins with fun--
ror. The blond rushed into his cheeks, his eye; flashed fine, sold
he evinced the strongest marks of indignation. Ills attitude, the
peculiarity of his dress, and the other circunutatices of his situa-
tion, threw around him an interest which was extremely grati-
fying to an attentive observer. The gestures of the indignant
Islasselman were understex,d, and his book remained inuouched
by the hands of nub:Revere. When he was desired by the in-
terpreter to swear, hu lifted his eyes towards fixavrN, with a
solemn seriousness, as if addreasing a short and silesit prayer to
Alla, after which he opened his. Alcoran, put it to his lips, thicn-
to his forehead, amid lastly above hi.. head. To judge from ape'
pearances, he seemed to he most seriously ithpresserr With a
sense of the solemnity of his appeal to the'Prophet to *:tnesstbe•
truth of the circumstances he was about to detail. Witeuinforniml
of the result u: the trial he-evinced great satistactiuu.

, . tr
. t being LiFg aaaaaa al, e.
him t.li tay a Inilf )
i • • . cm --• and Co..
i.
. few days. 'l'he bills
tl:e applizant recei
veare, and the bill i
11' k ir,ry S lIC eCaa i U I . 1
i;I
Olt lela li
ale ac. 1.1311,.
liccolLys kiult:‘..lvit.
.Ji.