SCOTLAND.
The Council of Wick met on Tuesday for the purpose of presenting the honorary burgess ticket to the Earl of Caithness. In acknowledging the honour, he referred to the subject of the propelling of steam carriages on common roads. The Earl gave an interesting history of this inven- tion, disclaiming for himself all right to the merit of inventing it, though admitting he had been the first to employ the steam carriage to anything like the extent he had done. He detailed the construction of the engine, and referred to certain improvements which he had himself introduced, adding to the safety and simplicity of travelling, and narrating a variety of amusing and interesting incidents in connexion with his own ex- perience in thus travelling. The Countess of Caithness was present, and made a speech in reply for cheers given in her honour, she said- " I am sure that as long as Caithness can boast of a steam carriage pro- pelled on its common roads, it has no cause to be ashamed, and may claim to itself what the Americans would style the character of a go-ahead county."
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