3 JANUARY 1852, Page 9

SCOTLAND.

The Scotsman states that the Government has promised its influence in support of the bill lately approved of by the Town-Council for settling the Annuity-tax, only under the following "modifications "- " The Government, we understand, object to give any sum of money out of the Consolidated Fund, which may bear the character of a religious en- dowment ; but they have no objection to a grant for educational purposes ,• and, viewing the office of Principal in the University of Edinburgh, and also that of Professor of Biblical Criticism, in that light, they are prepared, we believe, to propose a permanent endowment of 5001. per annum for the former, and 3001. for the latter. They stipulate, however, that the life rent interest which the Rresent incumbents have, as Deans of the Chapel-Royal, in the revenue derived from the teinds, shall be preserved. The Town- Council are therefore to be taken bound to make up any deficiency that may arise between the 5001. and 300/. above alluded to and the annual produce of these teinds, on all occasions where the latter exceed the former. Upon the death or demission of either Principal Lee or Dr. Robert Lee, the whole amount of the teinds allocated to them are to fall into the possession of the Town-Council. The other Dean of the Chapel-Royal (the Reverend Dr. M'Leod, of Glasgow) is during his lifetime also to be secured in his third of the teinds; but after his death it will become the property of the Town- Council ; so that ultimately the whole of these teinds will be available for the stipend-fund of the Edinburgh city clergy."

On lately taking down a large candelabrum in the diningroom of Raith House, with a view to some repairs, the large bulb from which the branches radiate was found to be filled with gunpowder, shot, nails, and other de- istructives. The consternation caused by this unlooked-for discovery was indescribable, especially as every one is utterly at a loss to account for it. At what time, and by whom the destructive ingredients were introduced, re- mains a profound mystery. It was put up twenty-four years ago, and it would look as if the diabolical deed must have been committed before its BOA- pension.—Fifeshire Advertiser.