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Scottish Chronicle.

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GRAND MASONIC PROCESSION. Agreeably to the resolution of the Lord Provost, Magistrates, and Council, on Thursday, Sept. 8. the Foundation Stone of the new Gaol of Edinburgh was laid by the Hon. Wm. Maule, M. P. Grand Master Mason Elect of Scotland, who was attended upon this occasion by a number of respectable brethren, with the Lodges of this city, and the representatives of the other Lodges in Scotland.

The grand Masonic procession, consisting of nearly 1000 of the brethren, walked from the College of Edinburgh to the Highland-Society Hall, where they were joined by the Lord Provost, Magistrates, and Council, in their robes, preceded by the High Constables, and attended by several noblemen and gentlemen, the trustees appointed by the act of Parliament for the various improvements connected with the new Courts of Law, &c.

The streets were lined by the military. The procession was conducted with the greatest regularity; and the Masonic ceremony was performed by the Most Worshipful Grand Master with great propriety and solemnity. Sept. 1808.

MrReid,the architect, much to his credit, accommodated the brethren by the crection of a temporary amphitheatre, and, notwithstanding the wast concourse of people present, not the smallest accident took place. During the ceremony, several Masonic anthems were sung by a band of singers placed on the Grand Master's platform for the purpose.

The various current coins of the king. dom, with copies of the present newspapers, and a plan of the building, enclosed in crystal bottles, were deposited in the stone-with two plates. Upon the one was the following inscription;Q. F. F. Q. S.

A. D. MDCCCVIII. Regnante Georgio Tertio, Patre Patriæ, Edinburgi præfecto iterum Donaldo Smith Armigero,

Architecto Roberto Reid; Florentissima urbe plurimis novis et splendidis

ædificiis jam decorata, Quibus omni vitæ commoditate fruerentur cives felices, Ipsi novum hunc carcerem tandem strue

bant, quo infelicibus consuleretur; Neque miseri debitores, promiscue cum facinorosis,

Neque vel maxime nefarii, ante judicium, Squalido et insalubri carcere inclusi, Inutili et iniquo afficerentur supplicio.

TRANSLATION.

May GoD prosper this undertaking.

1808.

In the reign of George the Third, the father of his country, in the second year of the provostship of Donald Smith, Esq. the very flourishing city of Edin. burgh being already adorned with many new and splendid buildings, in which the happy citizens might enjoy every comfort of life, they at last began to build, according to the plan of Robert Reid, architect, this new prison, in which due attention should be paid to the unhappy; so that neither unfortunate debtors, by being confined promiscuously with criminals, nor even the greatest criminals, before they were brought to trial, by being confined in a loathsome

and

and unwholesome jail, should be made to suffer an unless and unjust punish

ment.

Upon the other plate were the names of all the present Grand Officers, with the following inscription :

In the absence of the Acting Grand Master, THE GRAND MASTER ELECT, Amidst the acclamations of a numerous assemblage of the Brethren,

LAID

THE FOUNDATION STONE

OF

THE NEW GAOL OF THE CITY OF EDINBURGH;

AN EDIFICE

Planned with the benevolent purpose of remedying the evils of the former prison, by a suitable regard to the health and comfort, and morals, of those whose

detention the law requires; That the unfortunate debtor, Being no longer condemned to mingle with criminals,

May not, in losing the blessing of liberty, Be exposed to lose also the innocence and religion

Which are the consolation of his dreary hours;

That even the criminal Under the severest sentence of the law May have no unnecessary addition to the punishment, which that awful sentence

and his own conscience inflict; And that the greatest end of public security may thus be obtained, At the least possible expense of individual suffering.

After the whole was concluded, the Grand Master addressed the Lord Provost in a short congratulatory speech, to which his Lordship made a reply, expressive of the propriety of the undertaking, and thanks for the attention of the Grand Master, and of the Masons of Scotland.

Upon the return of the procession, the junior Lodge walked first, and the other Lodges followed in their proper order; then the Lord Provost, Magistrates, and Council, &c. uncovered and the Grand Lodge immediately after-the Lord Provost, &c. leaving the procession at the Highland Society Hall; and the Grand Lodge returning to the College through the numerous assemblage of the brethren, who were drawn up on each side within the military, receiving the Grand Lodge as they passed with every demonstration of respect

and attachment, and followed them into the College Square according to their seniority, where the brethren were regularly dismissed.

Among the noblemen and gentlemen present upon the occasion were the Earl of Morton, Lord Visc. Cathcart, Lord Sempili, Sir P. Murray, Member for the city, &c. &c.

An immense concourse of spectators were assembled in the streets, at the windows, on the house-tops, even the executioner's platform not excepted. The day being remarkably fine added much to the beauty of the scene; and the regularity, precision, and decorum with which the whole was conducted, reflect much honour on those concerned in that department.

In the afternoon, the Lord Provost and Magistrates gave an elegant turtle-feast in the Assembly rooms, George street, to the Hon. William Maule, the Grand Master Mason Elect of Scotland, the otficers of the different Lodges, Lord Viscount Cathcart, Commander in Chief, and a number of noblemen and gentlemen who had been present at the interesting ceremony. After dinner a great number of loyal, constitutional, and appropriate toasts were drunk with enthusiasm, Mr Gow's excellent band of music playing suitable tunes. Every thing was conducted with the greatest harmony and good order.

The gaol now begun to be erected has long been much wanted in this city, and will be found eminently useful. The plan prepared for its construction is admirably adapted for the comfort and security of the prisoners, and the preservation of their health and morals. The other public buildings about to be erect ed in the vicinity of the goal are on a grand scale. Those containing the new library, &c. for the Faculty of Advo cates, and other accommodations for the Courts of Justice, which are already begun, form a continuation of the new Exchequer building in the Parliament Square. It runs westward from the Parliament House, and will form a most magnificent pile of Grecian architec

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COURT OF JUSTICIARY. On Monday June 13. came on the trial of James Gilchrist, stocking maker at Slatefield near Glasgow, for the mur der of Margaret Brock, his wife, on the night of the 21st of January last, by first strangling her, and then setting fire to her clothes, whereby she was so much scorched and burnt, as to occasion her death. It appeared in evidence, that the pannel and his wife, when they kept sober and attended to their work, lived upon good terms; but when they took to drinking, they frequently quarrelled, and the pannel often struck his wife :That on the afternoon of the 21st Jan. they had both got drunk, and they quar. relled; the neighbours heard her scream violently, and give a guller, as if she was choaking:-That Jean Abernethy, who lived the door above the pannel, went into the pannel's house about eight o' clock, when the pannel said his wife was gone; that the house was all dark: That when some other neighbours came with a light, they found the deceast on her knees in the kitchen, with her arms leaning on a chair, and her clothes and her body much burnt. This was the substance of the evidence.-Mr Alex. Machonochie addressed the Jury on the part of the Crown, and Mr John Reid on behalf of the pannel.

The Lord Justice Clerk, in an elegant charge to the Jury, gave a clear and correct abstract of the evidence. The Jury next day returned their verdict, finding by a plurality of voices the pannel Guilty.

After the verdict was delivered, the pannel said, "There certainly must be some understanding in this case; but I declare before God and this audience, and as I have to answer to God at the day of judgment, I am as innocent of this crime as the child unborn. I knew nothing of my wife that night till I got out of bed, and found her burnt. How ever, if it be the will of the Almighty that I am to suffer, I die innocent."

The Court then proceeded to pronounce judgment. The Lord Justice Clerk, in a most eloquent and impressive speech, addressed the prisoner on the enormity of his crime; whether guilty or innocent, which God and his own con science could alone know, he must ac. knowledge that his trial had been a fair one. The evidence against him

was circumstantial, as in all cases of that kind it must necessarily be, with that evidence a majority of the jury was satisfied; and he thought it justice to that majority to state that the whole of the Court were of the same opinion. His Lordship then adverted to the baneful effects of an indulgence in spiritous liquors; it had caused the prisoner to embrue his hands in the blood of his nearest and dearest relative, the wife of his bosom, after having lived twenty seven years a married life. His Lordship concluded his address, by entreating the prisoner to employ what time he had to live in imploring the pardon of God through the merits of his Redeemer, that he might obtain mercy in the world to come, as there was no hope of pardon in this. He then pronounced the sentence, which was, that he should be hanged at the common place of execution in Glasgow, on the 20th of July, and his body given to the Professor of Anatomy in that city for dissection.

When sentence was pronounced, the prisoner said, "If he was guilty, a hundred deaths were too little for him; but he thanked God he was innocent."

The pannel was 47 years of age, stout made, of a dark complexion, and decent appearance. He was very attentive to the proceedings, but no way agitated.

This unfortunate man suffered the sentence of the law at the appointed time and place. About one o'clock on the 20th July, he was attended in the hall in Glasgow, by the Rev. Mr MacLean, of Gorbals, Mr Brodie, Dovehill, and Mr M'Donald, Edinburgh. After long conversation and prayer, he repeated his declaration of innocence in the strongest terms. Before leaving the hall, he poured out a tumbler of beer, and before drinking it, he called to the Lord Provost, and all who heard him, to witness at the tribunal of God that he was innocent. He then appeared on the scaffold, decently dressed in black, where he again repeated his declaration of innocence. After singing two portions of the 51st and 103d psalms, with a clear and steady voice, he mounted the platform with astonishing firmness and composure, and about three o'clock, was launched into ertenity, in the presence of a greater concourse of people. than was recollected to have assembled there on a similar occasion.

CIVIL APPOINTMENTS.

Whitehall, Sept. 6.-The King has been pleased to nominate and appoint Robert Blair, Esq. of Avontown, Dean of the Faculty of Advocates, to be President of the College of Justice in Scotland, in room of the Right Hon. Ilay Campbell, resigned.

The King has also been pleased to grant the dignity of a Baronet of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, to Ilay Campbell, Esq. of Succoth, Doctor of Laws, and the heirs male of his body lawfully begotten.

The Right Rev. Dr Dampier, Bishop of Rochester, is translated to the See of Ely, in room of the Hon. Dr Yorke, deceased.

Sept. 17.--The King has been pleased to appoint the Rev. John Cook, Professor of Hebrew in St Mary's College, St Andrew's, to be Professor of Divinity in that College, in room of the deceased Dr Robert Arnot; and the Rev. Daniel Robertson, minister of Meigle, to be Professor of Hebrew, in room of Mr Cook.

The University of St Andrew's have conferred the degree of Doctor of Divinity on the Rev. Professor Cook, and on the Rev. George Cook, minister of the gospel

at Laurencekirk.

The King has been pleased to present the Rev. Hugh Ross to the church of Fearn, vacant by the death of Mr William Simpson, late minister there.

The Earl of Hopetoun has been pleased to present the Rev. Robert Colvin, D.D. to the church of Johnstone, vacant by the translation of the Rev. Dr Sibbald.

The Magistrates and Council of Glasgow have elected the Rev. Dr Gavin Gibb, minister of Strathblane, to be minister of St Andrew's Church in that city, in room of Dr William Ritchie, translated to the High Church of Edinburgh.

The King has been pleased to appoint Robert Reid, Esq. architect in Edinburgh, to be his Majesty's architect and surveyor in Scotland.

Master and Assistants of the Merchant Company of Edinburgh, elected Sept. 5.

Alex. Bonar, Esq, Banker, Master.Assistants, Mess. Archd. Mackinlay; Robt. Allan; James Carfrae; Alexander Smith; Richd. Bannatyne; Charles Baxter; Wm. Creech; David Clark; William M'Lean, Peter Wood; John Walker; Archibald Campbell; Mr Adam Freer, Treasurer.

The Lord Provost, Magistrates, and Council of Edinburgh, have conferred the freedom of that city on Dr James Gregory and Dr Andrew Duncan, sen. Physicians, and Professors of Medicine in this University.

MILITARY APPOINTMENTS General Sir William Medows is appointed Governor of Hull, vice the Earl of Clanricarde, deceased; and General F. E. Gwyn, Lieutenant-Governor of the Isle of Wight, vice Sir W, Medows.

Colonel Janies Robertson, on half-pay of the 924, is appointed Lieut.-Governor of Fort George, vice the Hon. Col. Stewart, deceased.

lonel of the 16th foot, vice Gen. Bowyer, Gen. Sir Charles Green is appointed Co

deceased-Brevet Lieut.-Colonel Daniel 29th foot, vice Lieut.-Colonel Lake, deceaWhite, is appointed Lieut. Colonel of the sed-Major Hewgill is appointed Colonel of the York Light Infantry Volunteers, vige Sir Charles Green, promoted.

MARRIAGES.

Cooper, Balfron, to Miss Susanna DinwidAug. 9. At Glasgow, the Rev. John die, Glasgow.

11. At manse of Udney, the Rev. Dundaughter of the late William Forsyth, Esq. can Mearns, minister at Tarves, to Eliza, of Huntly.

17. At Dunbar, the Rev. Adam Thomson, Coldstream, to Isabella, eldest daughhouses.. ter of the late Mr James Turnbull, Lee

18. At London, James Stuart Hall, Esq. late of Madras, to Janet, fourth daughter in Edinburgh. of the late Mr James Hunter, merchant

22. At Glasgow, Dr John Heenan, to Miss Alexander, daughter of Mr F. Alexander.

24. At Dundee, the Rev. David Dickson, one of the ministers of St Cuthbert's, to Miss J. Jobson, daughter of James Jobson, Esq.

27. At Forres, Mr John Cumming, te Miss Sophia Bannerman, of Banff.

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nufacturer, to Miss Sutherland. At Saltcoats, Mr James Dunlop, ma

29. At Ardgowan, John Cuningham, Esq. son of Sir William Cuningham of Robertland, Bart. to Miss Janet-Lucretia Wallace, daughter of the deceased John Wallace, Esq. of Kelly.

30. At Campbelton, Mr Duncan MacGown, merchant, Greenock, to Miss Jackie Campbell, youngest daughter of the late Mr Lachlan Campbell, surgeon in Campbeltown.

31. William Foote, Esq. Alloa, to Marjory, eldest daughter of Mr Morison of Greenfield.

At Cheltenham, Captain John Blake, 13th foot, to Mrs Erskine, widow of Major Gen. Erskine of Cardross, and only daughter of the late Lieut-Gen, Sir William Myers, Bart.

At

› At Iver, Robert Anstruther, Esq. to Miss Holt.

At Gretna Green, Lewis Frazer, Esq. of the 15th foot, to Catherine, daughter of J. Williams, Esq. of Wilcroft, near Hereford.

Sept. 1. At Edinburgh, Mr Andrew Heriot, merchant in Glasgow, to Agnes, daughter of the late Mr William Hogg, of the Hon. East India Company's service.

1. At Glasgow, Mr John Keir, preacher of the gospel, to Miss Mary Burnet, daughter of the late Mr James Burnet.

2. At Edinburgh, the Rev. David Wauchope, to Mary, eldest daughter of the late Sir William Dick of Prestonfield, Bart.

2. Capt. Walter Brown, jun. of Currie, to Catharine, daughter of the late James Renton, Esq. Berwick.

6. At Douglas Castle, Adam Thomson, Esq. of Knockbreck, to Miss M'Haffie.

8. At St. Mary Stoke, A. H. Stewart, Esq. to Miss Bleaden, daughter of John Bleaden, Esq. of Stoke Hall, Ipswich.

14. At Whittingham, Mr Charles Shirreff, merchant, Leith, to Miss Coxon, daughter of the late Mr Henry Coxon, Howbaulk, Northumberland.

At the manse of Fyvie, Mr Lewis Nicol, advocate in Aberdeen, to Miss Elizabeth Touch, daughter of William Touch, Esq. late of the Royal Navy.

BIRTHS.

May 13. At Gibraltar, the Lady of Lieut. Colonel Ross, 57th regiment, a daughter. July 22. At Kilgraston House, Mrs Grant of Kilgraston, a son.

22. At Wemyss Hall, the Lady of James Wemyss, Esq. of Winthank, a daughter. 25. At Edinburgh, the Lady of Dr Thatcher, a daughter.

25. At ditto, Mrs Johnston, wife of Mr Henry Johnston, surgeon, a daughter.

26. At ditto, Mrs Wishart, York Place, a daughter, still-born.

28. At ditto, Mrs Maxwell Gordon, a

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Mrs Buchan, of Auchmacoy, a son. 17. Mrs Silver, of Netherlee, a daughter. 20. At London, Lady Anson, two boys, one of them still-born.

21. The Countess of Bristol, a son. 21. Lady Ossulston, a daughter. 21. The Lady of the Hon. Lawrence Dundas, a son.

24. Lady Petre, a daughter.

24. At Mells Park, Somersetshire, the Lady of Colonel Horner, a daughter.

24. At Farnbro', Warwickshire, Lady Mordaunt, a son.

25. At Gloucester Place, London, the Lady of H. T. Hardacres, Esq. of the Royal Navy, a son, after having had eight daughters in regular succession.

28. At Powis, Mrs Leslie, a daughter, her fourteenth child.

28. At London, the Lady of H. Thornton, Esq. M. P. a daughter.

29. At Arnot house, the Lady of Thomas Bruce, Esq. of Arnot, a son.

29. At London, Lady Popham, a son, be ing her ninth child.

Lately, at Cleland House, the Lady Marton Dalrymple, Esq. a daughter.

Sept, 1. At Kirktonhill, Mrs Taylor, of Kirktonhill, a daughter.

2. At Annanhill, Mrs Cuningham of Thornton, a daughter.

4. At Milrig, Ayrshire, Mrs Gordon of Milrig, a daughter.

9. At manse of Cariston, the Hon. Mrs Lyell, a son.

11. At Cambethan House, Mrs Lockhart of Castlehill, a son and heir.

11. At Rankeillor, Fifeshire, the Lady of the Hon. Lieut.-General John Hope, of Craighall, a son.

The Duchess of Beaufort, a daughter. At Brighton, Mrs T. Turner, a daughter, being her twenty-fourth child.

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Births in India.-At Bengal, the Lady of James Law, Esq. a daughter. At Russapuglah, the Lady of Hehry Young, Esq. Assistant Surgeon, a son. At the Residency, the Lady of William Russell, Esq. a daugh

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