SCOTLAND.
We are neither surprised nor displeased at the course which the Scotch Tory landlords are taking to force the votes of their tenants. It appears that the Earl of Hopetoun, the Duke of Buccleugh, and others, are transmitting circulars, through their factors [bailiffs], com- manding their farmers to vote according to their baronial pleasure. The tenants, on the other hand, in Perthshire and in Edinburgh, are forming themselves into voluntary associations-for the protection of their rights ; the spirit of which we very highly commend, though we do not antici- pate from them much success. The fact is, the Scotch landlords have, in many instances, power to be tyrants, and a will to use their power ; and Vve sincerely thank them for using it openly,—because the people of England and Scotland have power to put down tyrants, and in twelve months hence they will show it by placing themselves under the pro- tection of the Ballot. This is the true and the only answer to these lordly oppressors. It is just, in speaking on this subject, to notice the noble conduct of the Earl of Moray. His Lordship has written to Ins tenants to say that he leaves them free as air. He says-
" Tell all the tenants, that, as regards voting for a Member of Parliament, they are as free as the air. Lord Moray would rather have ten independent voters as tenants, than five hundred who would be led, either by a dread of dis- pleasing their landlords, or any slavish motive."
This is language worthy of the descendant of the "Good Regent." As three gentlemen were riding from Dalkeith to Lasswade on Sun- day evening, the horse of one of them took fright, and galloped fu- riously along the road till it came to Lasswade Bridge ; over which it precipitated the rider, a height of probably forty or fifty feet. The rider landed in the Esk apparently uninjured ; and after receiving some -of that attention at the inn for which Muir is famed, the party rode off asif no casualty had befallen him.—Edinburgh Observer.
Previous page
