SCOTLAND.
The agricultural labourers of East Lothian held a meeting at Redding- ton, last week, for the purpose of concerting measures for the advancement of their wages. The meeting principally consisted of committees or re- presentatives from the different parishes throughout the county; and reso- lutions to the effect that the wages of the labourers be advanced to 12a. weekly, together with certain other perquisites, making in all about 401. yearly, were unanimously passed. A central association was formed, into which every member is to pay a weekly sum; and it was announced that a thorough organization was to be immediately effected throughout the county. The speakers emphatically deprecated a strike, and seemed to think that the intellectual improvement of the labourers was one of the essential means for ameliorating their physical condition. The excitement is strong, and meetings are being held in every parish. We understand that the demands of the agricultural labourers relate rather to the mode than the amount of payment. Payments in kind and the " bondager " system are the two principal subjects of complaint. A number of the principal farmers, we believe, are willing to pay the 12s. a week in money, but demur to give these wages in addition to free houses and other perqui- sites at present possessed by the labourers.—Scotsman.
A smart shock of earthquake was experienced at Perth, Crieff, Caper, Dollar, and other places, at twelve o'clock on the night of the 24th of last month. The Perth Courier says—" It is most generally described as being rather tremulous than undulating: and in high tenements heavy articles of furniture were vio- lently shaken, bells were rung, and crockery-ware overturned. Every family was alarmed, and many rushed out into the streets under the impression that their houses were falling. Such as were walking at the time describe the ground as shaken under their feet, mach like the tremulous motion in steam-boats. The duration of the shock, by all accounts. mast have been from fifteen to twenty seconds; although the fears of many led them to think it longer." A writer at Crieff gives this account of the phenomenon—" At twelve o'clock, perhaps two minutes after it, a low rumbling noise resembling distant thunder, but one which a practised ear could at once detect to be the herald of an earthquake, was heard. For five or six seconds it approached nearer and nearer, and waxed louder and louder; then came a heavy underground knock or two; then a sensible up- heaving and downfalling, accompanied by a violent shaking of everything on the surface, and the thunder-like noise continuing for six or eight seconds, and died away in the distance. This may not have been the heaviest shock of earthquake that has occurred in Crieff for the last fifty years; but it certainly was a very smart one, and caused many a timid heart to quake. The air before and at the time of the shock was calm and still, but in a short time thereafter a fresh breeze sprang up."
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