2 SEPTEMBER 1854, Page 3

SCOTLAND.

Viscount Duncan has issued an address to the electors of Forfarshire. After referring in words of respectful praise to the late Colonel Manic, he proceeds to state his own political sentiments : he has "never thought it advisable that religious opinions should be made the test of a man's qualification for the performance of civil services" ; he has always sup- ported Free-trade ; voted for all measures which have "tended to ex- tend the principles on which the Reform Bill was based" Land he re- minds the electors of his efforts to obtain the repeal of the Window-tax. He announces himself as a general supporter of the present Government ; but it would be his duty "to see that all the departments of the state are managed with that economy and efficiency which, in times like the present, are even more than ordinarily requisite."

The Montrose Standard mentions a rumour that Mr. Hume is about to retire from Parliament, on account of failing health.

Orders have been received in Edinburgh to prepare the Royal apart- ments in Holyrood Palace for the use of her Majesty and the Royal Family on their journey to Balmoral. They are expected to reach Edin- burgh on the 14th instant.

The new castle at Balmoral now presents a very imposing appearance, and casts the old house into the shade. When completed, it will be a very handsome and commodious edifice, worthy of the fine country in which it stands, and of the illustrious and excellent Sovereign who is to occupy it.—Edinburgh Courant. Mr. Charles Black, the junior partner of the Edinburgh'publiehing firm of "A. and C. Black," diedlest week. The following deserved tribute to the deceased, by Mae who knew him well, appears this week in the Caledonian Mercury. "-For a eousiderable timerst he had been in a feeble state of health, but attended to business as long as he was able to quit his residence; for few have biome up-against severe physical sufferings with greater resolution. It had, however, been long too evident to his friends that he was marked out for a comparatively early dissolution. Though Mr. C. Black did not take a pro- rainent part in public matters, there were few who took a more lively interest in every scheme tending either to the external improvement of the city or the social advancement of the inhabitants. From his general knowledge and active business habits, he was a man admirably qualified to bear his part in the conduct of the extensive literary undertakings of the firm. Independently of hie talents within his own and primary sphere, he was a man of cultivated taste, possessing a fine perception of the beau- Wel, both in nature and art. One of the best guide-books to the city of Edinburgh and the environs was put forth by the firm of A. and C. Black, but is well known to have been the individual work of Mr. Charles Black. This unpretending work contains no little sound and valuable cri- ticism on the works of art comprehended within the range of the volume. Having knovrn'him from boyhood, we can well testify to that amiable and courteous disposition which was experienced by all who came in contact with him in the course of a most extensive intercourse; for few were better known to the most eminent literary and scientific men of the Northern ca- pital. The death of such a man leaves a blank in the eyes of many not easily filled up."