SCOTLAND.
Preparations have been made in Edinburgh during the week for opening the General Assembly, on Thursday last, with unusual splen- dour. The Earl of Bute, the new Queen's Commissioner, gave orders that the ceremony should be conducted in magnificent style, and that during the meeting of the Assembly the utmost liberality should be shown to all the members. The probable course of affairs is obscure. At the late meeting of the Synod of Lothian and Tweeddale, Dr. Cand- lish and Mr. Cunningham gave earnest of unmitigated violence in the next session, counselling unqualified opposition to the Government at- tempt at settling the question. However, Dr. Leishman, Dr. Simpson, and some others, have seceded from the ranks of the extreme party ; and it is considered doubtful whether the leaders will be supported by so large or so unanimous a majority as they were last year.
The accounts from Scotland indicate no improvement in the general distress, but rather the exhaustion of means to meet it. At a public meeting in Glasgow Town-hall, on Thursday week, a Relief Committee similar to a moribund committee which was nominated in 1837, was reappointed to devise the means of aiding the unemployed poor. The soup-kitchens at Paisley are discontinued, the subscription is ran out, and the Relief Committee are 6001. in debt. However, Government, in anticipation of the collection suggested by the Queen's letter, have authorized the issue of supplies in meal, bread, and potatoes, to able- bodied men for work done, and to the aged and sick ; but the list of recipients is speedily to be weeded of able-bodied young bachelors. According to the Caledonian Mercury, Government have granted 3001. for the benefit of the unemployed people in Dundee. It is to be laid out in paying for finishing certain local improvements.
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