NOTES FROM SCOTLAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8474, 27 January 1891, Page 6

NOTES FROM SCOTLAND.

[FROM OCR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Edinburgh, December 11. EDINBURGH AND PARNELL.

Public interest has of late been entirely absorbed in following with wondering eyes the various stages of the wrangle between the Irish party and their leader—first in " committee room 15," and now in its acutest development in Ireland. Edinburgh, as I mentioned in the last letter, felt specially aggrieved that the youngest but one of its honorary citizens, should have so tarnished his honour, and steps were at once taken after the Divorce Court exposure to bring about the expunging of his name from tin; city roll. The betrayal of Mr. Gladstone's confidential communications in the manifesto issued by Mr. Parnell, aroused increased indignation, and heightened the interest with which the citizens awaited the report of the Lord Provost's committee, to whose consideration the matter had been referred. The committee had the question under deliberation yesterday afternoon. It was soon evident that they we unanimous in the opinion that the nam« si ould be removed ; but about an hour whs spent m discussin" the mode in which it should be done. Inviewof the doubts as to the legality of their so doing, the Lord-Provost stated that he had consulted the legal officers of the Council, and had been assured by them that there was no bar to their action. A number of instances of removal of names of honorary burgesses from the Burgh records, and those of other cities, were quoted. After some discussion, it was proposed that Mr. Parnell's name, should be deleted. Mr. Pollard, who had been one of those who had taken an active part in the movement for conferring the freedom of the city on Mr. Parnell, signified his willingness to accept that motion. A number of the Councillors, however, thought that, as those who had all alom; been opposed to the granting oS the honour had good grounds for their opposition before the Divorce Court revelations, and, as they had intended to have the name removed sooner or later, something more was needed than simple deletion, and it was urged that regret should be expressed that the name had ever been inscribed upon the burgess roll. The following resolution was ultimately adopted unanimously :—" Having considered the motions of Bailie Turnbulland Councillor Pollard remitted by the Town Council, the Lord Provost's committee report that Mr. Parnell's name was put on the burgess roll, and unanimously recommend the Magistrates and Council to remove the name from the roll. Further, if this recommendation becomes a resolution of the Council, that a copy bo transmitted to Mr. Parnell." In the recent iiligent search for precedents, some very maint instances of civic rigour have been ighted on. One example may be quoted. A 7rati< burgess of Stirling was in 1724 deprived >f his rights for breaking his oath and by (Talking out of the open prison, where, by the way, he had been lodged through failure to meet the just demands of his washerwoman. In excuse he pleaded that 'he was terrified to lye in prison all night, two malefactors having been that day taken furth of the tolbooth and executed'."' The decision of the Lord Provost's committee has been received with great approval by the citizens of Edinburgh, and there is little doubt but that the Town Council will at its next meeting adopt their resolution. The Council will thus make the only amends possible for the wrong step it took in presenting the freedom to Mr. Parnell against the plainly indicated opposition of the mass of the citizens. . SOCIAL SALVATION. General Booth, in furtherance of his new plan for "social salvation," crossed the border last week, and met with a most cordial reception. He began operations at Glasgow on the afternoon of December 3, at a conference presided over by Mr. J. Campbell White, when he explained his scheme to a large number of ministers and others interested in social reform. A great public meeting was held in St. Andrew's Hall in the evening, when some 3000 persons were present, crowding every part, although the prices of tickets of admission ranged from one guinea downwards. This meeting was held under the auspices of the Glasgow Social Union, and was presided over by the Lord Provost. The General, who was warmly greeted, was listened to with the utmost attention as he explained and defended the now well-known scheme of social reform set forth in his book. In Darkest England and the Way Out." The contributions received at Glasgow amounted to i.'3-UK). of which sum Mr. Campbell White gave £1000, and ten gentlemen of Dumbarton another £1000 between them. The next day was a very busy one for General Booth. In the morning he addressed a meeting of the Glasgow Free Church College students, presided over by Professor Drummond. In the afternoon he again addressed a great meeting of 2000 students in the Free Assembly Hall, Edinburgh. Later on he was received by about 150 of the city ministers and others at a drawing-room meeting at the house of the Rev. Dr. Whyte, of Free St. George's. The Synod Hall, "where the public meeting was held in the evening, was crowded. Lord Polwarth occupied the chair, and many prominent citizens were on the platform. General Booth was heartily received, and his speech of nearly two hours' duration was followed with close and unflagging interest. He laid great stress upon the fact that his scheme would, when set afloat, speedily become self-supporting, since an equivalent of work was required for relief afforded. Such a principle was free from the charge aimed against mere charity which tended to degrade the recipient. He mentioned that the " social wing" of the army had already so far advanced with their work that in the previous week they had given 50,000 meals and beds to 7000 persons, and had 130 at work in their factories. The collection at the meeting amounted to £1300. This visit of General Booth's has given rise to a great deal of critisistn in both Edinburgh and Glasgow, and expression has been pretty freely given to the feeling that it would be better to concentrate efforts in dealing with the problems of these respective cities instead of supporting such a wide-embracing scheme as that of General Booth. The facts brought to light In this discussion show that there are a great many charitable institutions and reformatories at work in these cities, and a vast expenditure of money is annually given in support of them. In Edinburgh, for instance, it is reckoned that there are 70 institutions giving medical and other relief, 30 reformatories and industrial homes, and 40 benevolent and educational institutions, and it is believed th?t Edinburgh, with a population of under If ,000, spends the large sum of £250,000 annually in support of these charities. Ex-Bailie Lewis, who has been intimately associated with social work for many years, delivered an address on General Booth's scheme.the other evening. While generally approving of its principles, he maintained that it was but a palliative, and that no per j manent bettering of the pauper classes could be looked for until the drink traffic was effectually dealt with. There is one point which from a colonial standpoint is of especial importance in General Booth's scheme, and that Is the provision made for the thorough training that would-be emigrants for the colony " across the sea" would receive before leaving the old country. If the principle of selection of "the fittest," and prior training are adhered to this part of the scheme may be preserved from the failure which has _ attended other attempts at pauper emigration.

Indications of the rapid stride which the colonies are making towards supplying the articles of food required for " home" consumption are very apparent. The London correspondent of Scotland writes as follows : —The Victorian Government is doing its best to foster the agricultural and dairy industries of che colony by finding outside markets for their products. The incoming mail steamer brings a consignment of about 80tons of butter, and a similar quantity will arrive each week for a short time. ■ Our colonies are certainly .beginning to take an important position in connection with the food supplies of the country, and increasing quantities may be expected from them year by year. Cheese and mutton now come regularly from New Zealand, butter from Victoria, fruit and grain from some of the other Australian colonies, and it is well known that Canada is a large exporter of all agricultural and dairy products— flour, meats, live cattle and sheep, butter, cheese, eggs, and poultry. The food bill for Great Britain every year amounts to a good round sum, and "the larger share of that is distributed among the different colonies the better it will be for the Empire generally.

What is nicer this hot weather than a cup of Arthur Nathan's Reliable Tea? It is so delicious and invigorating. Any grocer will supply it at 2s and 2s Gel per lb. Certainly the finest procurable. 29 Miss Mary Anderson, our beautiful cousin, is good enough to say of Pears'soap : —''l have used it for two years with the greatest satisfaction, for I find it the very bent." fears' soap for toilet.and nursery. Specially prepared for the delicate skin of ladies and children. "Cleaning Silver."—All difficulty in keeping silver, eloctro-plate, &a, untarnished, ami ■with a brilliant polish, may be obviated by using Goddard's Non-Mercurial Plato Powder. Sold eveay: where in boxes, Is, 2s (id, and Is 6d. Four Gold Medals awarded—New Zealand, 1882, Calcutta, 1884, London, ISSS, Now Orleans, 1885.—Sole Manufacture, J. Goddard Leicester, England.