SCOTLAND.
In our second edition last week, we mentioned that Sir Jobn Camp- bell had become more liberal in his professions, as he advanced in his canvass. In his interviews with the electors at the district meetings, he bad recovered a considerable portion of the ground which he lost by parts of his first speech ; and, as appeared from an extract which we made from the Courier, had become aware of the necessity of re- pudiating the narrow views of the mere Ministerial Whigs. He hair since been persevering in the same course, and his prospects have cone
sequently been brightening. His electiou, we suppose, is certain. A correspondent of the Courier, indeed, affirms that Sir John Camp- bell will represent Edinburgh "as sure as the sun shines in heaven: but, as the contest would be just on the point of termination at the hour this journal is published, it is useless to dwell on such specula- tions. Sir John Campbell himself has taken every precaution in big power to insure success ; and two of his personal friends left Lon- don so late as Thursday in order to he in time to give their votes this day. The news of the fracture of the Grey Administration (which the Conservatives sent off by express to Edinburgh on Tuesday night, and the Whigs the next morning), would tend in no inconsiderable degree-to augment the interest and excitement of the contest.
The nomination of candidates for Leith took placeon Tuesday. Mr. Murray and Mr. Aitchison were both attended to the hustings by it numerous body of voters. The candidates made short speeches, amidst considerable clamour, and the show of bands being in favour of Mr. Murray, a poll was demanded for Mr. Aitchison.
The General Assembly of the Church of Scotland is now in sessios
at Edinburgh. The principal business transacted has been the ex. amination of the Commissions of the members, which is conducted with unusual care, indicating the importance attached to a vote in the Assembly at the present time. The great question to be decided is the one regarding patronage. It is considered probable that the majority will vote for allowing the congregations a veto on the ap- pointment of their ministers, and thus deal a deathblow at the patron- age system now maintained in the Scottish Church.
Previous page
