SCOTLAND.
Some admirers of Mr. Thomas Carlyle conceived the idea of putting him in nomination as a candidate for the post of Rector of the Marisehal College, Aberdeen. Through Mr. John Forbes they applied for permis- sion and obtained a negative in the following characteristic form.
"Chelsea, 11th February.
"Dear Sir—I am much obliged to you and your young friends in Maris- &al College ; but there are two reasons why, as appears to me, you ought not to proceed with your nomination. The first is that you have no good likelihood, so far as I can guess, of carrying your election. This is a very important preliminary reason. The second is, that being extremely busy in these months, and otherwise averse to travel, and, in truth, an enemy rather than, a friend to public haranguing as at present practised, I do not think it likely I could get to Aberdeen on such an errand, even if you were unexpectedly successful. Pray desist, therefore. To me the honour is without importance at this stage of my life, and, in fact, has no value at all, except as testifying your regard to me, of which I can now otherwise hold myself assured. And to you have not I already spoken '—to such of you as care to listen—and, with a great deal of deliberation, given you the truest advice I had ? Accept many thanks from me, and believe, all of you, voters for and voters against, that nobody, elected or eligible, can wish. you more truly than I do continued increase of intelligence, and of all the nobleness that should go along with it. And so, with sincere regards and thanks, "I remain yours faithfully, T. CARLYLE. "Mr. John Forbes, Marischal College, Kingsland House, Aberdeen."
The Presbytery of Edinburgh have called Dr. Robert Lee, minister of the old Greyfriars Church to account for making innovations at variance with forms of the Established Church in conducting public worship. The innovations charged savour of an approach to Episcopalian modes of proceeding. A committee has been appointed to investigate the matter.
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