SCOTLAND.
Disturbances connected with the shipment of food have again broken out in the North of Scotland. At Wick, a vessel was about to load with grain. The people assembled in considerable numbers, and, beaded by a piper, marched to the harbour, across which they threw a bridge of boats to pre- vent all egress. They then filled the grain-vessel with stones. The civic authorities were afraid to interfere, and the place remained in this disturbed -condition for two days. At length the lighthouse steamer, Pharos, arrived in the bay, with two hundred soldiers on board; but from the high surf could not enter the harbour; and as the fishermen sternly refused the as- sistance of their boats, the landing of the soldiers was effected tardily.
Next day," says the John O'Groars Journal, " the soldiers, backed by a strong body of special constables, superintended the shipment of the grain; but carts and other requisites being wanted, and much time consumed in the process, the constables begged off The shipping accomplished, a military guard was placed over the vessel, and here the not proper commenced. The guard was at- tacked; and on being joined by their comrades, a bayonet-charge was made at the snob, and several were wounded, but not severely. This having restored order, a detachment with some prisoners were in the act of marching back, when they were assailed by a volley of stones; the soldiers faced round, and, by order, it is said, of the Sheriff, [who was hit,] they fired. A man and woman were both severely wounded; but no other serious casualty is reported. As usual, the women performed a leading part, many of them being armed with staves; and one Amazon having belaboured an officer three times with her weapon, his gallantry at last gave way, and he disarmed her by a smart sword-cut in the arm."
At Thurso, the entrance to the river was blocked up with two sloops, and two ten-pounders were placed on the beach; but no military had arrived.
A similar outbreak occurred at Castletown, in an endeavour to put a vessel to sea which had come to load with corn. The crowd ballasted the vessel with sand, and made an attack upon the crew, but without serious results.
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