in a blaze, the flames bursting out with irresistible violence through all the windows. The mass of flame that was thrown out from these openings was at times prodigious, and it cast far and wide its lurid glare on the ancient tenements of the Old Town, as well as the more modern parts towards the south. At this time a deep sensation of awe and alarm seemed to prevail among the vast multitude assembled. The recollection of recent calamities gave the most gloomy impressions; it seemed as if our ancient city was to have no respite from its disasters; as if all that was antique in it was destined to perish by a continued course of conflagrations, against which no vigilance could provide a remedy. About half-past ten the roof fell in, carrying with it all the floors, and part of the southern wall. The effect of this catastrophe was most singular :-The burning materials being in an instant thrown down in one mass of indiscriminate ruin, the light appeared to be for a moment put out, leaving only a dull, red glare from the ignited wood; this was suddenly succeeded by an almost instantaneous eruption of the most brilliant flame, which again soon passed away; and it was now hoped that the calamity was at an end. This was, however, a vain hope. The burning tenement was connected, by a common stair, with one equally large, fronting the High Street. This stair, being all of solid stone, seemed to pre sent a sufficient barrier between the houses; but at the top they were immediately connected by the roof, and here, unfortunately, the flames communicated from the one to the other. Before eleven o'clock, the top of the front tenement, and story below, was on fire, which continued to burn downward, though more slowly, until it destroyed successively all the floors, except the two above the shops. As the fire descended to the lower stories, the power of the engines began to take effect, and at the third story its fury was checked. By two o'clock in the morning it became evident that the firemen had obtained the mastery over the flames, and all fear of their extending farther was happily allayed. The engines, however, continued to play on the buildings till eight o'clock. In the premises destroyed were the printing-office of Mr John Ritchie, which he had occupied as such for twenty-seven years, and the copper-plate printing concern of Mr Thomas Smellie. Not a single article was saved by either of these gentlemen, with the exception of their books, and a few copper-plates. The distress, as may be supposed, from the nature of the tenements, mostly inhabited by poor people, is great. Many were glad to escape with their lives; every where persons were seen in great agitation hurrying away their furniture; some were anxious for relatives, and their lamentations, amid the stir and bustle of the unheeding crowd, gave an extremely touching effect to the scene. The only accident we have heard of happened to an artilleryman, who fell from a ladder, and had one of his limbs broken. The arrangements of the fireengine department were better organised than formerly, and more efficient. The alacrity, boldness, and union of the firemen, as well as their skill and promptitude, could not be exceeded. They were daring to a fault; and on many occasions their positions were ably chosen. new invention was exhibited in the firedepartment with signal efficacy and success. This was an elevated triangle, having a pivot at the top, on which a pipe, attached to one of the fire-engines, was fixed. This pipe was turned to any point by means of very simple machinery, and, from its elevated position, it did great execution. This tripod is the invention of Mr Shields, a respectable confectioner in the Canongate. One The Edinburgh Theatres.-In the Court of Session this day, Mrs Henry Royal, obtained an interdict against Siddons, Patentee of the Theatre Mr Corbet Ryder, Manager of the Caledonian Theatre, late Corri's Rooms. 46 prohibiting and interdicting the acting, at the Caledonian Theatre, all interludes, tragedies, comedies, plays, farces, or other entertainments of the stage, or any part or parts thereof, in. cluding melo-dramas and burlettas, which have been, or shall hereafter be, licensed by the Lord Chamberlain." 28.-Mails in Scotland.-During the year 1824, the toll-duties levied on mail-coaches in Scotland amounted to £15,428. Of this the Glasgow and Carlisle mail paid £.3101. The Edin. burgh and Aberdeen, £.2840. The Aberdeen and Inverness, £.1650. PortPatrick and Carlisle, £.1528. The Edinburgh and Dumfries, £.1434. The Edinburgh and Carlisle, £.1168. Edinburgh and Glasgow, £.839. Edinburgh and Berwick, 4.803. Edinburgh and Glasgow by Falkirk, £.685. Edinburgh and Stirling, £.602. Glasgow and Perth, £570. Glasgow and Greenock, £.210. APPOINTMENTS, PROMOTIONS, &c. I. CIVIL. Feb. 2. John Earl of Hopetoun to be his Majesty's Lieutenant and Sheriff Principal of the shire of Lilithgow, in the room of the Earl of Hopetoun, deceased. His Grace the Duke of Northumberland, Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, to be his Majesty's Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the King of France, on the occasion of his Most Christian Majesty's Corona tion. -The Right Hon. Frederick Lamb to be his Majesty's Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary at the Court of his Catholic Majesty. II. ECCLESIASTICAL. Jan. 27. The Rev. James Nicol, A.M. was ordained by the Presbytery of Kirkaldy to the Church and Parish of Leslie. Feb. 1. The Rev. William Ramsay, was ordained Minister of the United Associate Congre gation, Crieff. -The United Associate Congregation at Banff gave a harmonious call to Mr William Paterson, Preacher, to be their Pastor. 2. The King has been pleased to present the Rev. Norman Macleod to the Church and Parish of Campsie. -The King has also been pleased to present the Rev. Dr Lawrence Adamson to be First Minister of the Church and Parish of Cupar. 8. The United Associate Congregation of Kilconquhar gave an unanimous call to Mr George Kennedy, Preacher, to be their Pastor. 16. The Lord Provost, Magistrates, and Council, agreed to present the Rev. Dr Robert Gordon, Minister of Hope Park Chapel, to the New North Church, vacant by the translation of the Rev. Henry Grey to St Mary's. 18. The King has been pleased to appoint the Rev. John Birrell to be second Minister of the Church and Parish of Cupar. 79 23. The Congregation of Queen-Ann-Street, Dunfermline, elected Mr William Nicol to be their Minister, by a majority of two. There were three other candidates. III. MILITARY. ? Dr. Gds. Lieut. Caldwell, Capt. by purch. vice Lateward, ret. 83 Ensign Hodgson, from 45 F. Lieut. vice O'Brien, dead do. 88 89 20 Jan.1825. Cornet Stewart, Lieut. do. C. B. Pitman, Cornet 4 T. W. Lloyd, (Riding-Master,) Cornet without pay 27 do. 91 1 Dr. 8 Assist. Surg. Barry, from 75 F. Assist. Surg. vice Tedlie, 98 F. Corporal Miller, from R. Horse Gds. (Riding-Master,) Cornet J. Kennedy, Cornet by purch. vice Gilpin, prom. 30 Dec. 1824. Paymast. Leech, from 65 F. Paymast. vice Storey, h. p. 62 F. 27 Jan. 1825. Capt. Le Guay, from 1 Vet. Bn. Capt. 13 do. vice Suckling, 90 F. Lieut. Walpole, Capt. by purch. vice Hill, ret. Ensign Buller, Lieut. Hon. G. W. F. Kinnaird, Lieut. 13 Jan. do. do. 2d Lieut. Hon, C. D. Blaney, from Rifle Brig. Lieut. by purch. vice Bell, prom. 27 do. Capt. Suckling, from 1 F. Capt. vice Cox, h. p. 13 do. Capt. Hay, Maj. by purch. vice Walsh, ret. Lieut. Burne, Capt. Capt. Franklyn, from h. p. 24 vice Craig, 2 Vet. Bn. Assist. Surg. Lyster, from 7 Surg. vice Tilt, h. p. Capt. Beauclerk, from h. p. Capt. vice Hill, 1 Vet. Bn. 3 Feb. do. F. Capt. do. Rifle Brig. P. T. W. Campbell, 2d Lieut. vice Gascoyne, 54 F. 99 20 do. 14 do. Ensign Shelley, from 15 F. 2d Lieut. by purch. vice Blayney, 89 F. 27 do. 1 W.I.R. W. Russell, Ensign vice Ellis, dead 3 Feb. Lieut. O'Meara, from h. p. Afr. Corps, Paymast. vice Stopford, dead 13 Jan. 1R.V.Bn. Capt. Hill, from 99 F. Capt. vice Le Guay, 1 F. do. 20 do. Craig, from 94 F. Capt. vice Macdonell, ret. list Unattached. Lieut. Lord W. Paulet, from 7 F. Capt. by purch. vice Bt. Maj. Briscoe, R. Art. ret. 12 Feb. 1825. Ordnance Department.—Royal Artillery. Maj. and Lieut. Col. Power, Lieut. Col. vice W. Dixon, dead Capt. and Lieut. Col. Smith. Maj. 26 Dec. 1824. do. 2d Capt. and Maj. Greene, Capt. do. 2d Capt. Sweeting, from h. p. 2d Capt. do. 3 B Lieut. Col. de Burgh, from 2 F. with Lieut. Col. Williams, h. p. Unatt. Bt. Lieut. Col. Dodgin, from 66 F. with Major Patrickson, 99 F. Capt. Hutton, from 31 F. with Capt. Bray, 88 F., Pasley, from 47 F. with Capt. Pennycuick, h. p. 78 F. Silver, from 53 F. with Capt. Conroy, 96 F. Lieut. Allan, from 7 F. with Lieut. Gordiff, 98 F. Wood, from 14 F. with Lieut. Tinling, 67 F. Snow, from 47 F. with Lieut. Ashe, 65 F. Cornet and Sub-Lieut Capel, from 1 Life Gds. with Ensign Baring, 5 F. Ensign Ward, from 48 F. with Ensign Mackworth, 63 F. Paymast. Dawe, from 31 F. with Paymast. Monk, 53 F. Parker, h. p. 28 F. Barrack-Master at Drogheda, Drogheda Fraser, h. p. 50 F. 30 May 15 April Woodmeston, h. p. Royal Marines, London 22 Jan. 1825. Paymast. Dillon, h. p. 3 Vet. Bn. Plymouth Lieut. Vinicombe, 50 F. Lieut. Clarke, h. p. 84 F. Dublin 24 Dec. Quart. Mast. Stewart, h. p. 76 F. Banff, N. B. 12 Jan. 1825. Blanche, h. p. Reay Fencibles Clare, 15 F. Cork 15 Dec. 1824. Commissariat Department. Assist.Com: Gen. Rossiter, Demerara 30 Dec. 1824. Medical Department. Surg. Gill, 50 F. Jamaica 11 Dec. 25 Nov. Colombo 22 July Surg. Ripking, h. p. 3 Huss. Ger. Leg. Hanover 21 Oct. 1824. Mingay, W. Suffolk, Mil. 30 May Assist. Surg. Dr Greig. h. p. 22 Dr. India Grierson, h. p. 1 F. Dumfries 2 Jan. 1825. Hospital Assist. Carolan, h. p. Chatham 18 do. Dec CORN MARKETS. Edinburgh. 1825. Wheat. Bls. Prices. Av.pr. s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d. Feb. 16 989 30 0 380 34 9300 54 0170 21 016 0 20 0 23 861 30 3 37 6 34 7300 34 0 17 0 21 0 170 21 0 March 2 830 31 0 40 0 35 8310 35 019 0 25 0 180 22 0 9 806 30 0 41 0 36 0 300 36 0 18 0 26 0 18 0 22 0 Barley. Oats. Pease. Quarterly Average of Grain which governs Importation : Wheat, 66s. 4d.Barley, 38s. 3d.-Oats, 23s. 2d.-Rye, 39s. 11d.-Beans, 39s. 1ld. Peas, 44s. 1d. METEOROLOGICAL TABLE, Kept at Edinburgh, in the Observatory, Caltonhill. N.B. The Observations are made twice every day, at nine o'clock forenoon and four o'clock after noon. The second Observation, in the afternoon, in the first column, is taken by the Register Thermometer. THE operation of plowing met with no interruption from the 11th till the 26th of February: on that day, a heavy snow fell along the east coast, and sleet and rain in the inland parts of the country; this was followed with keen frost, which continued, with little variation, till the 7th of the present month. In the early districts, sowing of beans commenced about the 23d of February; the subse quent storm prevented that operation from being completed, and sowing was not again resumed till the 11th of March. In many instances, the soil is still too wet for that operation. Farm labour is in a forward state; plowing for seedfurrow is for the most part over; and sowing for oats will commence within a week, in early situations, if the weather permit. Vegetation is about the same stage of forwardness as at the same period last season. Wheat, in exposed situa tions, suffered considerably by the frosts in the beginning of February and March. The mean temperature of the two last weeks in February was 39°; of the first week in the present month, 34° 5'. Depth of rain and melted snow since our last, 24 inches. Sheep are in a more healthy state than was expected, from the wet and variable weather in the early part of winter. Turnips for the feedingbyre are about over; those that still remain, in the field are into flower-stem; consequently the bulb is of little use in feeding. Potatoes are scarce and highpriced, and few are used as substitutes for turnips, in feeding of cattle. The consequence is, a large supply of fed beasts have been brought to market, and prices have fallen nearly one shilling per stone. Milch Cows are lower-priced than in winter. Lean stock maintain good prices. Good draught horses brought very high prices at the late markets, nearly as high as at any time during the war. Sheep were plenty in the weekly markets of Edinburgh and Glasgow, and fair prices were obtained. Wheat has advanced in price; in the Edinburgh mar. ket it is stated as high as 40s. In Perth and Dundee, 35s. has still been about the maximum. The demand for barley is brisk, and 32s. has been obtained for or dinary samples. In beans and oats there has been little alteration. Perthshire, 14th March 1825. |