mometer about 55 degrees in the shade.

Aberdeen, May 10. Upon Thursday laft week, in the forenoon, there appeared at Ellon, fomething very uncommon, at leaft in this country. About eleven o'clock, there was observed, to the eastward, fomething like the fmoke that arifes from a whin-bufh or wet ftraw when fet on fire, and feemed to iffue from a black thick cloud; one fide of which, a column of feeming fmoke, appeared as if it afcended, and the other fide of it, as if it defcended, and fometimes the whole column feemed to move ⚫round. Soon after, there was feen, a little below the town of Ellon, upon the river and fome of the grounds adjacent, a greyish-coloured vapour, which moved up the river, the water of which, at the furface, was whirled about, and is faid to have been raised sometimes to a confiderable height; at which time there was heard an uncommon noise, which, at firft, was thought to be thunder, but it seems plain it was not; for the found was quite different from the found of thunder; and it did not intermit, but continued equally the fame, till it ceafed altogether, which happened about two or three minutes after it was first heard. Whether this noife was occafioned by the vapour, or by the approach of a very heavy shower of uncommonly large hail, feems to be uncertain. The greyish-coloured vapour moved up the river, whirling, or at leaft ruffling, the furface of the water. When it came a little below the place where the ferry-boat paffes, it appeared, on the fouth bank, in the form of a cone, and was feen to move round rapidly, for a little; and about the fame time, one of the ferry-boats, it is faid, was whirled about again and again; and in a little after, it disappeared, and was not feen any more by the people about Ellon. No hurt was done to trees, nor any thing else, as has been reported. Some fay, that, while the vapour was moving up the river and its banks, they felt the fmell of fulphur; but others, who were equally near, fay, that they felt no fuch faell."

The General Affembly of the Church of Scotland met, at Edinburgh, on Thursday, May 20. [vol. 45. P. 334.1. After a fermon in the High Church, from Pf. cxxxvii. 5.6. by the Rev. Dr Grieve of Dalkeith, the late moderator, the mem. bers convened in the affembly-house.

Dr Grieve informed the house, that two very refpectable members had fet up as candidates to fucceed him, viz. the Rev. Dr Dryfdale of Edinburgh, and the Rev. Dr Macfarlane of Canongate.

Dr Henry of Edinburgh rofe, and, in a fpeech of confiderable length, endeavoured to imprefs the Assembly with the idea that Dr Dryfdale was ineligible, as Speaker, being one of the principal clerks of the Church. He fpoke in terms of the higheft perfonal friendship for his coprefbyter; but declared, that whatever his feelings might be with refpect to an individual, he felt more for the forms and honour of the conftitution. Having enlarged on this topic, the Reverend gentleman admitted, that one precedent exifted favourable to the wishes of Dr Dryfdale, which was, that of Dr Wishart (joint principal clerk) being chofen moderator many years ago; but as that only was to be found, he contended, that a fingle exception from a general rule, in place of detracting from its weight, added strength to its juftice. Dr Henry now threw the matter into a different light, and argued the impropriety of electing any person to be moderator a fecond time. He allowed that fuch a practice had formerly obtained, but averred, that it was now gone into defuetude, and most universally reprobated, not only on account of a feeming monopoly, but as a fatal blow to laudable ambition among the younger members. "Dr Dryfdale," said he, "Sir, fat in your chair in 1773; and it is no reflection against him, though he should never occupy it in that capacity again. Why then hang out the fignal of diftrefs, as if the Church of Scotland is in penury of a proper moderator? Sir, fhe has few honours to bestow, and of these the ought to be frugal. When the concert took place, of reinftating my neighbour in your chair, [ know not; but it would appear, its fupporters had harboured very gloomy notions of the prefent convocation, and been fufpicious that not a fingle new member would appear worthy to poffefs it. The complexion of the Houfe to-day prefents a more grateful afpect. I fee with pleafure a groupe of young gentlemen on each fide of the throne, worthy of every token of efteem we can bestow; and while fuch acquifitions are to be found, I can never agree to a repetition of the most signal mark of approbation it is in our power to confer. Not one clergyman of our Church, now alive, ever M m 2

enjoyed

enjoyed the double honour! By an easy and natural tranfition, Dr Henry then called the attention of the Houfe to the other candidate, Dr Macfarlane, on which he bestowed many eulogiums. In any other conteft, faid he, than the prefent, his name would be fufficient to infure him fuccefs; and, if he is called to prefide here, I am perfuaded he will fill the station with as much dignity as you, Sir; and I cannot pay him a higher compliment."

Dr Henry was proceeding, when he was called to order by Professor Hill of St Andrew's, who, in a few words, pointed out the abfurdity of fuch a converfation, and to what length it might be protracted. If, faid the learned Profeffor, the Rev. and Hon. Members think any folid objection lies against my worthy friend holding the chair, they will teftify it by their votes. That, and that only, is the method of taking the fenfe of the Houfe.

Mr Chiefly at Corstorphon followed Profeffor Hill on the fame grounds.

The majority of votes were in favour of Dr Dryfdale; upon which he was chofen moderator. But a proteft was entered against the election.

Dr Macknight was appointed clerk to the Affembly pro tempore, in place of Dr Wifhart, who begged the indulgence of the houfe on account of his age and infirmities.

David Earl of Leven, his Majefty's High Commiffioner, after prefenting his commiffion, and the warrant for pay. ment of roool. royal bounty, addreffed the Affembly in a speech from the throne; to which a fuitable return was made by the moderator.

May 21. The Assembly appointed the following gentlemen to preach before the Commiffioner, viz. The Rev. Mr Douglas at Galashiels, on Sunday the 23d, in the forenoon, and the Rev. Mr Bonar of Glasgow in the afternoon. The Rev. Mr Morifon at Canifby, on Sunday the 30th, in the forenoon, and the Rev. Mr Burn at Minto, in the afternoon.

Saturday, May 22. The committee appointed to draw up an addrefs to his Majetty, having prefented a copy, the fame was approved of by the Affembly; and at their requeft tranfmitted by the Commiffioner. The addrefs appeared in the London Gazette of May 29. and is as follows.

"May it pleafe your Majefty, WE, your Majefty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Ministers and Elders met together in the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, beg leave, with all humility and refpect, to approach your Majefty's throne, and, with that affection which we owe to our gracious Sovereign, to affure your Majesty of our fincere and inviolable attachment to your royal person, family, and government.

Senfible of the many ineftimable bleffings which thefe kingdoms, and this Church in particular, derive from the beneficent reign of a Prince, who is fo juftly esteemed as the affectionate father of his people, we feel ourselves deeply interested in every event which is conducive to the profperity and happiness of your Majefty's family. While we rejoice in fuch events as contributing to your Majefty's domeftic felicity, we are at the fame time convinced, that they afford additional fecurity to thofe privileges, both facred and civil, which this nation have had the happiness to enjoy under the aufpicious government of your Majefty, and of your illuftrious

ancestors.

Animated by these sentiments, we do, with the moft cordial satisfaction, and with the most devout gratitude to Almighty God, the Sovereign Disposer of all events, congratulate your Majefty, that fince the meeting of the laft General Affembly, God, in his kind providence, hath been pleafed to add to your Majefty's family by the birth of another princefs; and to gratify the ardent wifhes of all your Majefty's loyal fubjects, by the happy recovery of your royal confort, our moft gracious Queen, from her late indifpofition.

That God may be graciously pleafed to preferve your Majefty's moft valuable life for a bleffing to your kingdom and people; that he may take under his merciful protection our most gracious Queen, his Royal Highnefs the Prince of Wales, and all your royal family; that the defcendents of your Majefty's illuftrious house may fit on the British throne, and be emi. nent protectors of the liberties of all your Majefty's dominions, to the lateft pofterity; and that your Majefty, after a long, a glorious, and a happy reign, over a free and faithful people, may, at laft, through the merits of Jefus Chrift our Lord, be rewarded with a crown of immortal glory in the kingdom of Heaven, are and

ever shall be the moft fervent prayers of, May it please your Majesty, Your Majefty's most faithful, most obedient, and most loyal fubjects, The Ministers and Elders met in this National Affembly of the Church of Scotland.

Signed in our name, in our presence, and at our appointment, by JOHN DRYSDALE, Moderator. Edinburgh, May 22. 1784.

The Affembly then entered on the confideration of an appeal from a fentence of the fynod of Rofs. They gave leave to the prefbytery of Tain, to take on trials and licence Mr James Dallas, ftudent in divinity. Mr Daniel Rofe, minister of Dingwall, appeared for the appellants; and Mr Alexander Wood, minifter of Rofemarky, for the fynod. Parties being fully heard at the bar, it appeared they had no object in view, but to get the meaning of the act 1782, concerning the qualifications neceffary in fuch as are to be admitted on trials by prefbyteries, precifely explained and afcertained. The Affembly confidered the matter as of great importance, and thought it was a cause well worthy of a full difcuffion; and, after reasoning at confiderable length on the subject, they unanimously reverfed the fentence of the fynod of Rofs, and forbade the prefbytery of Tain to proceed in taking Mr Dallas on trial, both because he did not refide in their bounds, and because he neither gave close attendance on the hall for four years, nor did a term of fix years elapfe from the time of his being enrolled by the prefbytery as a student of divinity.

Monday, May 24. An overture from the fynod of Glafgow and Ayr, complaining of the grievances of patronage, and praying that the Affembly would apply to parliament for a revival of the act 1690, with fuch alterations as they might fuggeft, was read. It was moved by Dr Grieve, that, as the overtures were of great importance, an early day fhould be appointed for confidering them; he therefore propofed the next day (Tuefday). This was oppofed by Dr Henry, Mr Bryce Johnfton, &c. who infifted that they fhould lie on the table at least one day before any diet could be fixed for difcuffing them. This occafioned fome debate, but it carried to proceed on the morrow by a majority of 38.

Tuesday, May 25. The Affembly proceeded to confider the overtures from

the fynods of Glasgow and Ayr, and of Perth and Stirling, relating to the repeal of the law of patronage, &c. and after a long debate, in which little new argument was advanced, the following motion was made by Mr Solicitor Dundas, and feconded by Mr Chiefly of Corstorphine,

to reject these overtures as inexpedient, ill founded, and dangerous to the peace and wellfare of this Church." Another motion was made by Dr M Farlane, which was in fubftance, to confult the landed interest upon the overtures, &c. And it being agreed to put the matter to a vote, the affembly, after reasoning on the state of the vote, agreed that it should be Rjet, or Not; against which state of the vote Mr Bryce Johnfton protested, in his own name, and in name of all those who fhould adhere to him; and the roll being called, and votes marked, it carried, by a majority of 90, Reject.

The principal fpeakers in favour of the overtures, or against patronage, were the Rev. Dr Henry, Mr Bryce Johnston at Holywood, Mr Duff at Tippermuir, Mr Dun at Auchinleck, Dr M'Farlane, Canongate, Mr LapЛley at Campfie, &c.

Against them, or in fupport of the law, the Rev. Dr Carlyle, Profeffor Geo. Hill, Dr Gerard at Aberdeen, Dr Grieve, Mr Chiefly, Mr Douglas at Galashiels, Mr Solicitor Dundas, and Mr Alexander Ferguffon of Craigdarroch, &c.

Wednesday, May 26. The Affembly, agreeably to their refolution of yesterday, proceeded to confider the overtures from the fynods of Aberdeen, and of Angus and Mearns, the purport of which were, that the law of patronage, as it prefently ftands, by the 12th of Queen Anne, ought to be continued, and the act 1690 fhould not be revived. The overtures being read, together with the reasons of diffent and complaint by Mr John Biffet, it was moved by Prof. Hill of St Andrew's, and feconded, "That the Affembly give the following deliverance upon the above overtures. The General Asfembly having confidered the overtures from the fynod of Aberdeen, and the fynod of Angus and Mearns, do refolve, that it does not appear to this Affembly, that there is any reafon for an innovation being made in the mode of fettling vacant parishes." Another motion was made by Mr Bryce Johnston, and feconded, "That the overtures be rejected, without affigning any reafon." After fome reasoning among the members,

the

the vote was put, to approve of the first motion, or reject the overtures; and the roll being called, and votes marked, there appeared for the first motion, 108, for rejecting, 77, majority 31. Against which fentence Mr Bryce Johnston diffented in his own name, and of all who fhould adhere to him, who are allowed to do so to-morrow.

A motion was afterwards made by Alexander Ferguffon of Craigdarroch, Efq; Advocate, "That in the inftructions to be given to the commission to be appointed by this Affembly, the article which requires the commiffion to apply to parliament, at a convenient feafon, for deliverance from the grievance of patronage, be left out of said instructions." After reafoning upon this motion, the affembly adopted it without a vote, and appointed accordingly.

Thursday, May 27. The Affembly took up the caufe of the parish of Moy. Mr James McIntosh, minifter of that parish, had been libelled by his parishioners for committing fornication with Barbara Main, his maid-fervant; and the prefbytery of Inverness, after leading a proof, pronounced a sentence of depofition against him. This fentence was brought by appeal before the fynod of Moray, who, in place of giving a decifion upon it, entered into a fhameful tranfaction with Mr M'Intosh, which came before the Affembly in May 1782, when we had occafion to explain it. The caufe was again brought before last affembly, when the following judgement was pronounced: "Not being ripe to give judgement in the caufe, remit to the prefbytery of Inverness to take fuch methods as the laws of the church provide for examining witneffes, and particularly Barbara Main, and the perfons mentioned in her declaration," &c. These people were accordingly examined, and the prefbytery reported the proof to this Affembly After hearing Mr Robert Corbet for the profecutors, the procurator was of opinion, the Affembly being only a court of review, could not proceed in the caufe, as the prefbytery had given no judgement upon it. After fome converfation on this point, it was agreed, without a vote, to remit the cause to the prefbytery of Inverness, who are to allow Mr M Intofl an exculpatory proof upon the additional evidence, and then to give judgement on the whole caufe. Counsel for the profecution, Mr Robert Corbet; for Mr Mac intosh, Mr William Stewart.

Friday, May 28. The Assembly heard an appeal from a sentence of the prefbytery of Lochmaben. Dr William Bryden, minister of Dalton, was accused by his parishioners of adultery with Anne Dalziel, and a libel was given in to the prefbytery, which they found relevant, and examined several witnesses in fupport of it.-Anne Dalziel emitted a declaration before the prefbytery; the profecutors infifted the fhould be put upon oath, which the prefbytery refused. This was the first point appealed. The Affembly, in regard there are facts and circumftances in Anne Dalziel's declaration contradicted by the other witneffes, refufe to admit her to be examined upon oath; and decern accordingly. The next point was objections to two witneffes, on account of their being related to the profecutors. The affembly repelled the objections, and allowed the witnesses to be examined, cum nota.

Saturday, May 29. The Affembly unanimously confirmed the appointment of the Rev. Dr Macknight, and Sir Harry Moncrieffe, to the office of Joint Collectors of the Widows Fund.

Paffed an interim act, empowering ordained affiftants to fit and vote in churchcourts, in the absence of the parish minifters.

A long conversation then took place on granting of licences for marriage.—It appeared that two perfons, who had been refused a licence from the members of the prefbytery of Perth, and who, there was reafon to believe, were neither of them at liberty to marry, had come to Edinburgh, where the feffion-clerk granted them a certificate, declaring them free and duly proclaimed, upon which they were actually married.—The Affembly appointed the procurator to enquire into the circumstances of the particular cafe which was under the confideration of the committee, and if he finds them fuch as to warrant a profecution of the feffion-clerk of Edinburgh, that he be authorised to carry on a procefs before the competent courts against the faid feffion-clerk; and likewife ordered the clerk in future to give a note of the names of fuch people as demand certificates, to the ministers of the parish where they refide, before the proclamation takes place.

Monday, May 31. The report from the committee appointed to endeavour to obtain an exemption from the window

and

and house duties for the clergy in Scotland being read, it appeared that the Board of Treafury had fent an order to the Exchequer to authorife fuch exemp. tion. The thanks of the house were ordered to be tranfmitted to the Right Hon. Henry Dundas of Melville, and Mr Ludovick Grant, writer in Edinburgh.

The Affembly afterwards heard counfel in the caufe relative to the settlement of the parish of Cathcart. As this caufe is fomewhat fingular, we shall state the particulars of it:

Some time ago the parish of Cathcart became vacant, and Colin Rae, Efq; of Little Govan, the undoubted patron, proposed to supply the vacancy by prefenting a very refpectable young man, with whom he had been much connected; but finding that he would not be generally acceptable to the people, he generously gave up the defign, and a very popular minifter was propofed, who was alfo rejected by the people. Still, however, defirous to please them if poffible, Mr Rae having advised with a very popular clergyman in the neighbourhood, refolved to propose Mr Buchanan of Lefmahago, as one who promised to be universally acceptable. Mr Rae fent for seven men who had been formerly deputed to him by the people; he informed them of his defign to prefent Mr Buchanan, which they unanimously approved of, and highly applauded. Mr Rae, however, defired them to converse with their neighbours, and fend him word that evening or early next morning, if they fhould change their mind; and having read to them the copy of a letter which he meant to fend to the heritors, and told them he would fend it off next morning, if he did not hear from them that evening, or early in the morning. Accordingly he fent off the letters; and about eleven o'clock, after the letters were dispatched, the above perfons fent word that they had changed their mind. Mr Rae not then having it in his power to gratify them any further, prefented Mr Buchanan, who, upon the moderation of a call, was chofen by four. teen of the most refpectable heritors of the parish, making a clear majority of the conjunct body of heritors and elders, and poffeffing almoft the whole valued rent; befides which, there was a concurrence of a confiderable number of the heads of families. Notwithstanding of

all which, the fynod of Glasgow refused to fuftain even this call, and obliged the patron to appeal to the General Affembly.

The Affembly reversed the sentence of the fynod of Glasgow, and ordered them to proceed in the fettlement with all convenient speed, according to the rules of the church.

The caufe of Mr Maclaggan of Melrofe was remitted to the commiffion, as was alfo Mr Fortune's caufe. The Affembly referred all other caufes, not difcuffed by them, to their commiffion, with power to determine the fame. An overture from the fynod of Perth and Stirling concerning parochial schoolmasters being read, it was moved, that the Affembly declare the parochial schoolmasters are a body of men who have been highly useful in diffufing knowledge and learning among the people of Scotland; and that, in the opinion of the Affembly, their prefent provifion for maintenance is generally too fmall, and therefore think they deferve farther encouragement from the public. The Affembly having confidered the above motion, did agree unanimous. ly thereto.

The Affembly was then diffolved by his Grace the Commiffioner, and the next Affembly appointed to be held, in the fame place, upon Thursday the 19th of May 1785.

An advertisement to the following purport appeared in the Edinburgh papers, dated, General Post-office, May 26.

"Notice was given by a former advertisement from this office, That the packet-poftage of 1 s. for a fingle letter, and fo in proportion, between London and New York, might or not be paid beforehand : but difficulties having arifen in the collection of the packet-postage in North America, it now becomes neceffary to inform the public, that both the inland and packet-poftage on all letters from any part of Great Britain or Ireland for North America, which are forwarded from London on the first Wednefday of every month, muft abfolutely be paid quite to New York, and alfo to Halifax, without which they must be opened, and returned to the writers. By order of the Poftmaster-General,

DAVID ROSS, Sec.

MAR