26 JANUARY 1856, Page 5

SCOTLAND.

Mr. Macaulay has announced his intention of retiring from the repre- sentation of Edinburgh. On Tuesday, his farewell address was published in that city, as follows.

"To the Riede's of _Edinburgh,

"Gentlemen—Very soon after you had done me the high honour of choos- ing me, without any solicitation on my part, to represent on in the present Parliament, I began to entertain apprehensions that the state of my health would make it impossible for me to repay your kindness by efficient service. During some time I flattered myself with the hive that I might be able to be present at important divisions, and occasionally to take a part in import- ant debates. But the experience of the hist two years has convinced me that I cannot reasonably expect to be ever again capable of performing, even in an imperfect manner, those duties which the public has a right to expect from every Member of the House of Commons. "You meanwhile have borne with me in a manner which entitles you to my warmest gratitude. Had even a small number of my constituents hinted tomes wish that I would vacate my seat, ',should have thought it my duty to comply with that wish. But from not one single elector have I ever re- ceived a line of reproach or complaint. If Iwere disposed to abuse your generosity and delicacy, I might, perhaps, continue to bear the honourable title of Member for Edinburgh till the dissolution of the Parliranent ; but I feel that by trespassing longer on your indulgence I should prove myself un- worthy of it. I have therefore determined to disselve our connexion, and to put it in your power to oboose a better servant than I have been.

put have applied to the Chancellor of the Exchequer for the stewardship of the Chiltern Hundreds, and I have every reason to believe that the new writ will issue on the first day of the approaching session. This notice will, I trust, be long enough to enable You to make a thoroughly satisfactory choice.

"And now, my friends, with sincere thanks for all your kindness, and with fervent wishes for the peace, honour, and prosperity of your noble city, I for the last time bid you farewell.

"London, .Tan. 19. • T. B. Ma.eartay." , On the same day, the General Conamitee of the Liberal deetors of Edinburgh met to consider what steps should be taken to supply the place of Mr. Macaulay. The Lord Provost intimated, that if Sir Wil- liam Gibson Craig would come forward once more, he would 'secure The votes of almost the entire constituency ; but RS that gentleman declined, from private reasons, to renew his fernier connexion with the city; the Lord Proyost . mentioned another candidate —Mr. Adam Black—well known-Ior the straightforward part he has taken in • the public business of the far many years,- and for the manly and upright conduct he has pursuecl-all occasions, as well as for the eminent talents that distin- guish Ifinif"- • - • Sir William Craig, himself present, expressed his regret that ho could not come forward, on the present-occasion, though the private conSidera- tions that prevented him might he removed hereafter. He heartily re- commended Mr. Black—" there is no man Who could more fittingly re- present Edinburgh, and no citizen more deserving of that honour." Mr. lack had long resisted their solicitations; but he had at length assented to them so far, that if he were called on by a large body of his fellow citizens, and if they thought -him qualified for the trust, he would not shrink from the discharge of any duty which they thought proper to con- fide to him. In the course of his short speech, Sir William mentioned that he had seen Mr. Macaulay on Monday, and could give them a some- what gratifying account of the state of his health. "He had had two long interviews with Mr. Macaulay; whom he had found in excellent health and spirits, though he was suffering from an asthmatic affection, which prevented his leaving the house at night, and forbade risking him- self during the day in inclement weather, and more especially prevented him from speaking in public at all. Ile had therefore, with that sensi- tiveness which was part of his character, been desirous of relinquishing the representation of Edinburgh, that they might have in his place some more active representative."

The meeting unanimously resolved that Mr. Black was a fit and pro- per person to represent Edinburgh ; a requisition to him was drawn up and signed, and a committee appointed to secure his return.

Mr. L. M. Mackenzie and two Catholic priests—Mr. Beanley and Mr. Eskdale—have died by poison at Dingwall ; and at the last accounts Provost Wirer was in a hopeless state. At a dinner at Mr. Wirer's, there had been a garnish of hemlock to the roast meat ; and, in some way unexplained, the unfortunate guests have died through the use of this poisonous herb for such a puipose.