made a long speech to the Jury, in which he endeavoured to criminate the other two, and to show that they had conspired to bring himself, an innocent person, to the gallows; but the direct testimony of Probert, with the great body of circumstantial evidence adduced, made the case quite clear against him. He was hanged on the Friday morning following, in presence of an immense multitude of spectators. He had ceased to persist in his innocence, but made no confession of guilt. Hunt's sentence has been since changed to transportation for life, in consequence of the promise that had been held out to him previous to the trial. Attempt of a man to murder his wife.— A diabolical attempt was made in Edinburgh, on the evening of the 29th ult. by a copperplate printer of the name of Mitchell, to murder his wife, from whom, in consequence of his bad conduct, he had been sometime separated. Mrs Mitchell resided with her aged mother in the Potterrow, and kept a young girl in the capacity of a servant. Mitchell used frequently to call at the house; but his wife, apprehensive of his brutal usage, always refused him admittance, and kept the door secure against his approach. As it was necessary to dispatch the girl at times upon messages, it was arranged that, when the girl returned, she should rattle the handle of the door, by way of signal, to her mistress. This came to the knowledge of Mitchell, who, upon the evening when the atrocious act was committed, and while the girl was from home, he came to his wife's door, and making use of the signal, was readily admitted. He at once seized hold of a lighted candle, and rushed into a back-room, the window of which he threw up with great violence, commanding his wife at the same time to come and speak to him. She refused; he approached her, and her mother took hold of her, to prevent her going; upon which Mitchell required to know what right she had to detain his wife from him? The old woman replied, that her daughter was under her protection. "Then," said Mitchell," I'll soon put her out of your protection ;" and drawing a table-knife from beneath his sleave, he brandished it in her face. At this time the girl returned; and Mrs Mitchell, upon seeing her, cried to her to run for assistance. Mitchell hearing this, dashed the girl to the ground, and at the same instant plunged the knife into his wife's side, and rushed out of the house. He has hitherto contrived to elude the search made for him ;. and his unhappy wife is gradually recovering from the wound, which was for some time thought to have been mortal. 19. Oil Gas Works.-We understand the Edinburgh Gas Company have at length fixed upon a situation for their works. They have bought a piece of ground, between four and five acres in extent, immediately on the west side of the bridge at Canonmills, and ranging along the north side of the water. A small part of this will be reserved for their own erections, and the rest will be feued off as building-ground for houses, according to a determinate plan, which will add to the beauty of that growing suburb of the city. The gas-work, we are informed, from the nature of the operations and the materials employed, will not produce the smallest nuisance, either by its smoke or its refuse. It is intended to be tastefully built, in a style which will reflect no discredit on the elegant buildings in its neighbourhood; and it will be set off with an ornamented chimney, which will be nearly in a direct line with Dundas Street, and have the effect of a handsome spire in the landscape. 18.-Libel on the late King.-In the Court of King's Bench, on the 15th, an action for a libel on the memory of George III. was brought, at the instance of the Constitutional Association, against John Hunt, for publishing, in a periodical work called The Liberal, (now discontinued,) a poem entitled The Vision of Judgment, written by Lord Byron. The jury found Hunt guilty of publishing the libel. Case important to Law Agents.-The following case was decided in the Justiceof-Peace Court at Beith. A law-agent was employed by the creditors of William Harvie, grocer in Dalry, to execute a poinding of certain effects in his possession, which was accordingly done, and the execution of poinding reported, and a warrant of sale granted by the Sheriff of Ayrshire. The apprized value of the goods poinded amounted to £.16 odds, but an interdict was applied for and obtained, on caution by certain relatives of Harvie, who claimed the greater part of the goods, to the amount of £.14, and the remainder was sold in terms of the Sheriff's warrant, and brought £.23s. A complaint was afterwards preferred to the Justices at Beith, at the instance of one Taylor, a servant to Harvie, against the agent for the poinding creditors, who are now bankrupts, claiming £.315s. as her half year's wages, for which she pretended she had a preference. The defence, in limine, was, that the defender, as agent, was not the proper party, and consequently not liable. But the Justices being of a different opinion, he, on the merits, contended that the wages of domestic ser. vants were not privileged claims like those of farm-servants. The Justices were of opinion that the same principle of preference applied to domestic as to farm-servants, and found, by a majority, the agent liable in the £.2u3s. recovered by him, without any deduction of the expences by which this sum was realized. 23.-New Voyage of Discovery.— His Majesty's discovery-ships, Hecla and Fury, were re-commissioned at Deptford yesterday by Captains Parry and Hoppner. The latter officer was the first Lieutenant on board of Captain Lyon's ship on the recent yoyage. Such is the confidence felt in the intrepidity, judgment, and conduct of the distinguished officer in command of the expedition, and in the attention paid by the different naval departments to the comfort of the men, that no sooner were the ships commissioned, than one-third of the crew belonging to the Fury on the former yoyage again volunteered for the Hecla, the ship bearing Captain Parry's pendant. Captain Lyon, at the same time, commissioned his Majesty's ship Griper, which ship is destined for Repulse Bay, whence Captain Lyon proceeds overland to the back of that bay, to survey the coast thence to the "Cape Turnagain," of Captain Franklin's recent discoveries. Captain Franklin proceeds by the way of New York to Fort Enterprize, with a view to survey the coast on the American continent to the westward, connecting, if possible, the survey between Fort Enterprize and Icy Cape. COURT OF SESSION.-On Tuesday the 20th instant, Mr John Hay, who was a few weeks ago incarcerated for contempt of Court, was again brought before their Lordships. The surgeons' report was read, stating their inability to give the information on the state of Mr Hay's mind, in consequence of his refusal to meet them he having disputed the right of the Court to make such inquiry. Mr Hay then proceeded to address the Court, stating the grounds of his complaint, admitting that his conduct might not be entirely blameless, but offering to prove his statements at the bar. The Judges then gave concurrent opinions, condemning Mr Hay to three month's imprisonment in the jail of Edinburgh, and further until he shall find caution to the amount of two hundred pounds to keep the peace towards the Court. 29.-Swindling.-A few days ago an advertisement appeared in one of the Edinburgh newspapers for " a young man as porter, to take out light parcels, &c." with reference to a person in Leith. A young man applied to the referee, and was engaged at the weekly wages of 18s.; being informed, at the same time, that, before entering on his duties, he must advance two pounds, to purchase accountbooks. He with difficulty procured the sum, and paid it; but on returning at the time appointed for his commencing business, he found that the advertiser had decamped with the money, without paying his room-rent. This case is pecu liarly hard, as the poor man, on the faith of the engagement, gave up another situation where he received 12s. weekly, and is now unprovided for. We understand a number of other persons have been entrapped by this miscreant, who pretended to have come from Glasgow, and to deal in soft goods. Some of the applicants for employment he caused to procure a deposit of five or six pounds, as security for their intromissions, with the whole of which he has decamped. Execution. Yesterday morning, the melancholy spectacle of two young men expiating their crimes on the gibbet was exhibited here, at the ordinary place of execution in the Lawnmarket. The sufferers were, John Wilson and Duncan Fraser, convicted some time ago, before the High Court of Justiciary, of the crime of housebreaking. The momentary phrenzy which the former was thrown into yes. terday week, by the disappointment of his hope of respite, soon gave way, as was expected, to a more suitable temper of mind, and both he and Fraser were latterly very attentive to the instructions of those appointed to administer consolation to them in the view of their approaching fate. Upon leaving the jail on Tuesday afternoon, they evinced the greatest piety and resignation. They went to bed about eleven o'clock, and slept calmly till four in the morning, when they arose, and again engaged earnestly in devotion. The melancholy procession left the lock-up house a quarter before nine o'clock, consisting of Bailies Blackwood and Allan, preceded by the city-officers with their halberts, and followed by Wilson, leaning on the arms of the Rev. Mr Porteous and Mr Young, and Fraser assisted by the Rev. Mr Tait. The prisoners walked with a steady step, and ascended the platform, where a psalm was sung, and an impressive prayer offered up by the Rev. Mr Tait, during which the prisoners sat on chairs provided for them on the platform. After the prayer, Fraser, whose countenance and manner were at once expressive of the deepest sorrow and resignation, came forward to the front of the scaffold, and addressed the multitude, which was much greater than on ordinary occasions. He spoke with considerable feeling and energy, but in rather a hur ried manner; exhorted the spectators to take warning by the melancholy fate which they (the prisoners) had brought themselves to, by Sabbath-breaking, bad company, and similar vices; thanked the Almighty that he had not cut them off in the midst of their crimes, but had allowed them time for repentance, and hoped there was still mercy for them through Jesus Christ. Wilson did not speak, but his features exhibited more firmness than those of Fraser. Whilst the executioner was making the necessary preparations, they both prayed earnestly, and, having shaken hands, Wilson, after uttering a short prayer aloud for mercy, dropt the signal. Fraser appeared to die instantly, but Wilson's body was for several minutes convulsed. Wilson was about 26 years of age, and Fraser about 20. They were both hardened and incorrigible offenders; and the public sympathy which has been so much excited in their favour, arose partly from the unexpected respite received by Douglas, who was considered a worse felon, and partly from ignorance of their true characters. From the circumstance of their persevering in the plea of guilty, in the vain hope of a restriction of punishment, the public could not be so well aware of their desperate and incorrigible hardihood, an instance of which may be mentioned. When Fraser was apprehended on the street, he made a thrust at the watchman's neck with a penknife, which the latter fortunately warded off with his arm. Fraser's parents are both dead; but it is understood he owed little to their watch. fulness or instructions while alive. Wilson was born of respectable parents, although his life did not at all correspond with the example before him. Its dis graceful termination, we are sorry to learn, has deprived his poor father of reason. HIGH COURT OF JUSTICIARY.-On the 19th instant, Margaret Boag was arraigned on the charges of having mur. dered an old women, named Elizabeth Low, or M'Laren, at Dunning, Perth. shire, in the month of February 1818; or of theft and reset of theft, in stealing from the house of the deceased a quantity of linen in webs and sheeting, and various other articles, the property of the late Elizabeth Low, and having the same unlawfully in her possession. The prisoner pleaded generally Not Guilty. After some endeavours on the part of the pri soner's counsel to establish an irrelevancy in the indictment, which the court overruled, a jury was chosen, and the trial proceeded. A great number of witnesses were examined on the part of the Crown; but their testimony failed in fixing the murder on the prisoner. From the number of articles belonging to the deceased, which were proved to have been found in the pannel's possession, the Jury had no doubt that the other charges in the indictment were fully made out, and they convicted her accordingly. The charge of murder they found Not Proven.The Court sentenced Boag to transportation for life. APPOINTMENTS, PROMOTIONS, &c. I. CIVIL. Jan. 20. William John Crosbie, Esq. (Secretary to his Majesty's Legation in Swisserland,) to be Secretary to his Majesty's Legation at Florence. -Richard Pakenham, Esq. to be Secretary to his Majesty's Legation in Swisserland. II. JUDICIAL. 9. Sir Robert Gifford to be Chief Justice of the Common Pleas. -William Alexander, Esq. to be Chief Baron of Exchequer. -Sir John Singleton Copley to be his Majesty's Attorney-General. 12. Chas. Wetheral, Esq, to be Solicitor-General. IIL. ECCLESIASTICAL. Dec. 12. The First United Associate Congregation in Selkirk gave a call to the Rev. Andrew Lawson of Ecclefechan, (youngest son of the late learned Professor Lawson,) to be their Minister. Jan. 3. The Rev. Christopher Greig, of Leslie, has been elected, by the heritors, &c. of the Parish of St. Ninians, to be Minister of the Parish, vacant by the resignation of the Rev. Wm. Shirreff. 5. James Raymond Johnstone, Esq. of Alva, has presented Mr James Smith, A. M. to the Church and Parish of Alva, Presbytery of Stirling, vacant by the translation of the Rev. Andrew Bulloch, A.M. to Tulliallan. 14. The Congregation of Old Presbyterian Dis. senters, in Craigs of Stirling, formerly under the Exchanges. Bt. Major Ellard, from 13 F. with Capt. Debnam, 65 F. Capt. Mildmay, from Coldst. Gds. with Capt. Hall, 35 F. Richardson, from 63 F. with Capt. Marshall, 91 F. Lieut. Cubitt, from 6 Dr. with Lieut. Snow, h. p. 4 Dr. J. C. Cowell, from 1 F. with Lieut. Bennett, h. p. 24 F. Morrison, from 58 F. rec. diff. with Lieut. Fenwick, h. p. 7 F. Knight, from 75 F. rec. diff. with Lieut. Champaign, h. p. 22 F. Marshall, from 75 F. rec. diff. with Lieut. Young, h. p. 17 F. Lieut. & Adj. Dunwoody, from 7 Dr. Gds. rec. diff. with Lieut. Doyne, h. p. 18 Dr. Cornet and Sub-Lieut. Brett, from 2 Life Gds. with Cornet Williams, 16 Dr. Ensign Reed, from 34 F. with Ensign Milner, h. p. 6 F. Resignations and Retirements. Major Gen. Alexander, late of 1 Gar. Bn. Surgeon Oliver, West Norfolk Mil. C. Butler, h. p. Appointments Cancelled. Lieut. Partridge, 11 Dr. Deaths. General Dundas, Colonel of 71 F. Gov. of Dumbarton Castle 16 Jan. 1824. Lieut. Gen. Sir F. J. Wilder, from 35 F. Barlow, of late Cheshire Fenc. Inf. at St. Faith, near Winchester 13 Nov. 1823. Nepean, of late Banff Fenc. Inf. Lieut. Col. Fraser, Cape Corps Assist. Surg. Leonard, from h. p. Waggon Train, Assist. Surg. Ril Brig. Bt. Maj. Eeles, Maj. by purch. vice Ross, African Col. Corps 8 Jan. 1824. 1st. Lieut. Gossett, Capt. by purch. do. 2d Lieut. Logan, 1st Lieut. by purch do. 19 Oct. do. Major Ball, 85 F. Genoa. Capt. Carey, 3 Royal Vet. Bn. Galway Douglas, late 7 do. Jersey Chapman, Royal Invalids Art. Dexeter, h. p. 3 F. 24 Dec. 17 Nov. 9 Dec 14 Dec. Gent. Cadet. J. St. V. Saumarez, from 1 W.I.R. Lieut. Hemsworth, Capt. 25 Dec. 1823. Ensign Brannan, Lieut. Lewis, Lieut. do. Amiel, h. p. 8 W. I. R. Chelsea Lieut. Keayes, 47 F. 26 do. Wemyss, Lieut. 27 do. J. Russell, Ens. 25 do. A. Caddy, Ens. E. H. Finney, Ens. 27 do. Macpherson, Adj. of 67 F. Oct. 1823... 12 Dec. Hon. James De Courcy, of late Invalids, Lieut. Gov. of Gravesend and Tilbury, Kin13 Jan. 1824. Atkinson, of late 7 Vet. Bn. Bristol Robertson, h. p. 8 W. I. R. Stromness, 17 Dec. 1823. Leslie, h. p. 27 F. do. Heelis, h. p. 29 F. 23 do. 12 Nov. 26 do. 27 do. Orkney 3 Dec. 25 do. Gregg, Royal Marines 25 Sept. 1822. 26 do. Burrow, do. Thomas h. p. do. 27 do. Wightman, h. do. Bt. Maj. Nicolls, from 72 F. Maj. vice Grant, African Col. Corps 8 Jan. 1824. Lieut. Macpherson, Capt. 25 Dec. 1823. Ensign Wells, Lieut. Sparks, Lieut. Holt, Lieut. R. M. Sutherland, Ens. P. Kettlewell, Ens. Ceylon R. 2d Lieut. Skinner, 1st Lieut. vice Au 28 Jan. 1824. Gent. Cadet T. W. Rogers, from Royal 7 Dec. 19 Sept. 1823. 23 Oct. Miles, 1 W. I. R. Demarara Paymast. Dewes, h. p. 28 F. Stubbington, Hants 6 Nov. 5 do. Ensign Sankey, 90 F. Cerigo, Mediterranean ber, 83 F. Cape C. Mil. Coll. 2d Lieut. 7 do. J. R. Reyland, from R. Mil. Coll. 2d Lieut. 8 do. Colonel Ross, from Rifle Brig. Lieut. do. Col. vice Fraser, dead Unattached. Quart. Mast. M'Cann, h. p. 2 Dr. Gds. Commissariat Department. Dep. Com. Gen. De Bels, h. p. Medical Department. Staff Surg. Burmester, Jamaica Beaumont, h. p. Exeter 22 Jan. 1824. Assist. Surg. England, of late 5 Royal Vet. Bn. Faulkner, of late 1 Royal Vet. Bn. 2 Dec. 1823. Potton, Bedfordshire Robertson, h. p. 58 F. Jamaica 18 July Barnett, h. p. Ordnance Med. Dep. 31 do. at Calcutta Erratum in Last Month's List. For Surg. Oliver, West Norfolk Militia, Dead, Read Surg. Oliver, West Norfolk Militia, Resigned. I i METEOROLOGICAL TABLE, Kept at Edinburgh, in the Observatory, Caltonhill. N.B. The Observations are made twice every day, at nine o'clock forenoon and four o'clock afternoon. The second Observation, in the afternoon, in the first column, is taken by the Register Thermometer. THE mean temperature for the two last weeks in January was about 39°, and for what has past of the present month about 40°5. The depth of rain since our last amounts only to one inch and two tenths. Frosts have been frequent at night, but seldom so severe as to prevent the operation of plowing in the day-time. The early opening of spring-flowers point out the genial temperature of the earth, and the consequent forward progress of vegetation. The snow-drop was in full flower by the 20th of January, and the winter-aconite by the 24th. Turnips are fast running to flower, and, in some fields, the blossom is open. Young and late-sown wheat has had a most favourable season hitherto, and for the most part looks fresh. Young clover has a promising appearance, and early pastures have that fresh and verdant appear. ance usual about the end of April. The only draw-back is the abundance of slugs, which the frosts have not hitherto been keen enough to extirpate, and which detroys young wheat plants, particularly after pease or beans. Cattle on upland farms have been almost constantly out at pasture, hence the appearance in the barn-yard is still bulky, and fodder will, in general, be plenty. The forward state of turnips have rendered the bulbs of little use in the feeding-byre, and potatoes must be substituted for keeping a fat stock to supply the butcher-market throughout the spring-months. Sheep are, for the most part, in good keeping condition, and those on turnips have improved considerably where the ground was dry. Seed oats are in demand in the northern districts, and some has been sold as high as 25s. per boll. All sorts of grain have experienced brisk sales since our last, with prices gradually advancing. Last week old wheat was sold at 40s. and new at 33s.; barley from 29s. to 32s.; oats, 21s. to 25s. for mealing. Some beans for seed brought from 27s. to 30s. ; current price 21s. to 27s.; it would appear, however, that prices, for the present, had reached their "ne plus ultra." On Monday last, they have retrograded considerably in London. This will be felt to-morrow in our northern markets-an extensive fall is not, however, at present contemplated. Perthshire, 12th February 1824 |