29 APRIL 1854, Page 5

SCOTLAND.

Lord Cockburn has followed Professor Wilson to the grave, surviving him only a few weeks. His last appearance in public was at the Circuit Court of Ayr, which he opened on the 18th instant. Lord Ivory relieved him of the arduous duty of presiding at a trial for murder which occupied two days; but after the conviction, Lord Cockburn returned to his solemn task and pronounced the sentence of death. That was his last act on the bench; and before a week had elapsed the judge lay dead in Edinburgh. Lord Cockburn has been so long known, as an advocate, as a judge of the Courts of Session and Justiciary, as the author of the Life of his friend Jeffrey, and to many in private life, that his death awakens general re- gret and his memory deserves all the high and affectionate eulogies which have been poured upon it from every side.

A public meeting was held at Edinburgh on Saturday, in the Council Chamber, for the erection of a monument to the memory of Professor Wilson. The Lord Provost occupied the chair ; and the speakers were of all politi- cal parties,—Mr. Robert Chambers, the Dean of Faculty, Bailie Morri- son, Mr. Adam Black, Mr. D. 0. Hill, and Sir William Gibson-Craig. It was resolved that a statue, in bronze or marble, should be erected in Edinburgh, as a public and permanent expression " to the feelings of ad- miration and gratitude with which the memory of Professor Wilson, his genius and character, are regarded by the people of Scotland."

The new buildings in course of erection at Balmoral are rapidly pro- gressing. The portion including apartments for the Princesses, Ministers of State, visitors, &e., has been roofed in, and the first story of the prin- cipal state-rooms has been built. The building will be fire-proof, patent malleable iron beams being used. A portion will be finished in the course of next autumn, but it is not intended that any part shall be inhabited during the present year.—Aberdeen Journal.

At the Ayr Circuit Court, Alexander Cunningham, a weaver of Girvan, was found guilty of shooting his wife, while she was weaving at a loom in the shop of Mr. Miller. The case was a mysterious one, and the evidence against the prisoner was entirely circumstantial; but the Jury were unani- mous in pronouncing him guilty. The sentence of death was pronounced by Lord Cockburn.

A number of young thieves in Glasgow have beaten to death a lad who formerly associated with them : they seem to have thought that he intended to betray them. Four of the boys have been arrested.

The Caledonian Railway Company have warned travellers on their line that cheats are in the habit of travelling in the carriages to inveigle people into card-playing.