8 DECEMBER 1838, Page 8

SCOTLAND.

In pursuance of a promise to meet his constituents during the Parliamentary recess, Mr. Fox Maule has lately visited the Elgin district of burghs, and has at each place addressed the electors, who received him with every demonstration of respect. On the 26th ult., the honourable gentleman was at Peterhead, the day following at Macduff, and on Wednesday at Banff. In his address to the electors at the:latter place, Mr. Maille pressed on the meeting the necessity of using every possible means to prevent intimidation of electors, and adverted to the Ballot as a means of protection. He gave it as his opinion that, although the Ballot were made a Cabinet question at once, it would not succeed : the Government, he was confident, in this case, would be in a minority. He then alluded to the objection that there would be no legal means of punishing those who might be guilty of receiving a bribe at elections, were the Ballot the means of electing Members of Parliament. He allowed that the present tribunals for trying election petitions were defective—very inefficient, but still there was a chance of getting justice. For his own part, he was both ready and willing to support any measure which would secure the protection of the voter, for he held that the voter had a right to be protected in the exercise of his franchise. These observations were loudly applauded. The honourable Member, on the mune evening, addressed the electors of Cullen ; and on Thursday he visited his constituents at Elgin.— Courier.

The brig Ceres, Captain Simpson, arrived at Dundee on Friday : and Mr. Simpson reports that the people of .Mandatil informed him that the Northern Yacht had landed safely at Chrittiansand, and the crew all well. We hope that this statement is correct, but arc strongly inclined to doubt it, from the length of time which has now elapsed since the unfortunate disappearance of the vessel without any authentic news of her fate.—Cukdonian Mercury.