Star.
London, England, 1819-03-31 00:00:00

SCOTS POORS RATES.

Mr. IZENNEDY, after apologizing for bringing
forward a measure connected with so important a
subject as the Poore Laws, moved for leave to bring
in a Bill to-regulate the relief granted to the poor in
Scotland ; the object cf which was to prevent the
progress of evils in Scotland, similar to those which
had arisen in England.
Mr. 11. BLAIR seconded the Motion. _

Mr. HUME said, that thank were due to the Ho-
nourable Mover for his :mention to this suSject. The
object, he understood, was to settle who the persons
were by whom the funds raised for the relief of the
Poor in Scotland should be managed.—Leave given.
The Reports of the Freight Money Distribution, and of the
Innkeepers' Bill, were agreed to.—The Bills to be read a third
time to-morrow.—Adjourned.

ALDERMAN ;MOD's ELECTION DINNER.
Yesterday a number of Gentlemen dined together
at the London Taven, to celebrate the Election of Mr.
Alderman Woon. W. WI LriA .7.1 S iu the Chair. The
company was highly respectable, and the occasion
truly interesting. The usual toasts expressive of re-
spect and regard for the King and Prince Regent
being drank, with appropi late demonstrations.
The CHAIRMAN, after an eloquent eulogium upon
the Duke of Sussex, read a letter ft Qin his Royal High-
ness, excusing his absence on account of indisposition.
Upon the health of Mr. Alderman WOOD being
proposed by the Chairman, the worthy Alderman re-
turned thanks for the high honour conferred upon
him, and said, th at while he continued to possess
the confidence of his constituents, he should do all in
his power to render himself worthy of their favour.
The CHAIRMAN, in moving the thanks to the three
other Representatives of the City, expressed his re-
gret that one of them ( !Ir. Wilson) was now absent.
Although that Gentleman might differ in political
opinions from those present, vet he believed that the
vote he gave was a consei...ntious one.
Mr. Alderman WArrintAN and Mr. Alderman
THORP returned thank.
The healths of Lord .lonN RUSSELL, Lord En RING..
TON, and Mr. HuTcttiNsoN, M.P. were also drank,
and their acknowledgments retarne.l in sp:ches.
The health of ‘, the ft ie:,cl of the friendiess," the
Hon. Mr. BENNET, was next drank with applause.
Mr. BENNET e:tpresLed his pleasure at being
able to meet the friends of his worthy and mo,.t
valuable friend, Mr. Alderman Wood. Mr. Alder-
man Wood had been termed an Oppotitionist : i.e
did not think that this was a :air term to apply to
any man, as it was one which was much misunder-
stood. If by the phrase was meant a man who would
vote for a good Government, instead of a bad one—
who would vote for the alleviation of the burdens of
the people, instead of loading them with more op-
pressive taxes—who would vote for the liberty of his
countrymen, instead of the sus/Jewion of the Habeas
Corpus Act and Indenmity Bills, then he would
agree that it was a most fit and proper term. With
itgard to the character of the worthy Alderman, his
fAcw.citizens and those preser.t had only seen him
performing, as a Magistrate, the vigorous duties of
office;his sht he (Mr. Bennet) was more acquainted
with his private character, and had seen him e:,er•
cising his humane dispcsition in alleviating the dis.
tresses of the unfortinlate, and in supFcrting the
drooping head of the broken-heartedApp/ass
The festivity of the evening was kept up until twelve
o'clock, when the Mectintt dispersed.

EDINBURGH SOCIETY of HIGHLANDER&
Friday se'nnight the first Ani.iversary Ball of this.
Society was held in Nl‘F.waN's Rooms, Edinburgh..
It was attended by about forty Gentlemen, all dressed
in the full Highland garb, and in the tartan of their
respective clans. Upwards of fifty Ladies were pre-
sent, who, in compliment, appeared each with some
emblem of the country whose language and dress the
Society aims at perpetuating, and whose comfort and
prosperity their rands are destined to promote.
Every thing at this Meeting conducted ac.
cording to Highland custom. aam's Gather•
ing' was played by the Society's piper at t e com-
mencement, and the Ball opened with the « R el of
fullock" by four of the office-bearers, The pipe fro.
quently relieved the fiddles in the orchestra, and hr.
sides many reels, the company on every occasion pro-
menaded to its proud and inspiring marches.
No Nleetieg like this has been witnessed in the
Scottish metropolis since the time of Prince Charles,
in 1745, when he gave a splendid ball in the Palace
to hi:. Chieftains, who attended in the ancient and
warlike dress of their country. There are, besides
this circumstance, many proud recollections, which
consecrate the national garb of our ancestors ; and it
would express little indeed to say, that this was a
novel and beautiful sight, while it is impossible to
convey an idea of the uninterrupted festivity that
animated every heart and lightened every step
throughout the evening ; and though the ball-room
boasted of charms which even poetry could not flat-
ter, it seemed less delightful to contemplate the beauty
than the happiness of every Lady's look.
There were many contrasts and illusions, which,
besides its nationality, tended to give a peculiar charm
to this evening's entertainment. It has been the ens►
tom hithertq to look upon the " Garb of old Gaul' as
the distinctive symbol of a martial, rude, and adven-
turous race. We have associated with it, too often,
only deeds of violence and danger, and beard of it,
of late, only as it shone through the battle field—a
beacon to the brave, and a bulwark to our country ;
but how fine and cheering a relief was here pre.
sented !—to see That garb, which, amid wages of de-
solation, and against the proude. t foes, had redeemed
at Bannockburn, and secured at Waterloo, the free.
dom of its country, the emblem of courteous gallan-
try, and innocent festivity—to see the dark warrior
plumes, that once frowned over darker brows, now
mocked by the social and joyous looks beneath—the
terrible dii k sleeping, like a Lady's ornament, by the
side, and the tartan plaid waving like a flag of peace
and promise, amid the profusion and happiness of
the scene!
The dancing continued till the -
advanced ; and when the dawniur

separate, they seemed to part as
that were never again to meet.

e _6

he morning was fai
ng hinted to them to
reluctantly as friends