Scotch Notes.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XV, Issue 30, 18 November 1887, Page 7

Scotch Notes.

Thi Duke of Argyll, who, on matters of science 19 much moro trustworthy than he is as a politician, has published in the Nineteenth Century for September an interesting article, in which he shows how the researches of Mr. John Murray of the Challenger expedition have destroyed some of the most chosen theories of Darwin and the evolutionists. Mr. Murray 's discovery of the falsity of Darwin's account of the formation of the atolls and coral reefs of the Pacific, as given by his Grace, is especially able. His Grace's explanation, also, of how the famous Bathybius— or protoplasm containing the germs of universal life — proved to be nothing more nor less than a substance formed by the mixture of alcohol with sea- water is very amusing. The article in question must tend largely to cry halt to those who march at full speed as the science of the day directs them.

The sudden death on the hill-side at Moyhall, Invernesshire, on September 20, of Lord Lovat has been the cause of a considerable sensation. His Lordship, who, although he was sixty years of age, seemed to give the promise of many more years of life, was a man who led an active and useful career, and was noted for his unostentatious benevolence. He was a fervent Catholic and his sorrowing survivors have the consolation of knowing that on the morning of the day before that on which he was so unexpectedly called away he had received Holy Communion. He wa9 buried with all the honours due to a Highland Chief at Eskadale, the funeral taking place from Beaufort Castle, the family seat, which was let to the American millionaire Vanderbilt, but thoughtfully placed by him at the disposal of tho family for the occasion. The Bishop of Aberdeen sang the Mass of Requiem. Lord Lovat, who married late in life, has been succeeded by his eldest son, the Master of Lovat, a boy of sixteen. — R.I. P.

The annual meeting of the Educational Institute of Scotland took place at Edinburgh on September 17. The meeting took the opportunity of renewiug their protest against what they called the " blot on the system," that is payment by results.

At the fortnightly meeting of the Edinburgh Trades Council held on September 20 a motion was passed afSrmiDg the principle of Home Rule for Scotland. The mover said that he brought the matter forward as Home Rule would materially increase the prosperity and happiness of the working classes. He added that even apart from obstruction a dead lock must frequently occur in the House of Commons, where Scotch business was altogether neglected. He quoted several instances to prove his point.

In the Aberdeen Town Council on September 19 a discussion took place on a communication received from the Free Presbytery protesting against the opening on Sundays of refreshment rooms in the Duthie Park. Much indignation was expressed at the accusation implied that the Council were lowering the moral lone of the community, and a disposition was shown to treat the communication with ignominy. The Lord Provost, however, cannily threw oil on the troubled waters by proposing that the letter be kept in retentis so that if, at the next election, representatives were returned opposed to the sale complained of the ma- ter might then be overturned. This prudent compromise and appeal to futurity was adopted unanimously.

The reproach of Ayr is about at length to be removed. An influential committee has been appointed for the erection there of a statue of Robert Burns. Several of the names of the members seem to give an assurance that the work will be undertaken with understanding and creditably carried out. That worst of all uglinesses, a bad staiue, can hardly be the result.

In the course of a lecture given by him the other night in the Reformed Presbyterian Church at Glasgow, the Rev. James Kerr said he had asked Mr. Chamberlain if he would resist the proposal to remove the disabilities inflicted by the Act securing the Protestant succession to the throne, and by other Actß admitting Protestants only to certain high offices of State. Mr. Chamberlain, said the lecturer, expressed himself as unfavourable to any change so long as the majority of the people of the United KiDgdom remained Protestants.

Scotland seems inclined to come to the rescue of the oppressed sex. At a meeting held the other night at Rothesay a resolution was passed iv favour ot conferring the right of voting at Parliamentary elections on wom^n. A letter was read from the Solicitor-General expressing his c^mpMe sympathy witn the object of the meeting. If there were not more senses than one in which women are Home Rulers, the matter might appear more satisfactory to the unprejudiced.

The veteran missionary, Dr. Somerville, who has already gone half over Europe talking nothing worth hearing in a language the various peoples do uot understand, has now set out on a like erraud to Bohemia aud Hungary. There are many waya by which men go down to the grave, but that which leads them there covered with vanity, self-sufficiency, and conceit is scarcely tho least deplorable.

A series of trips to the Coast of Norway carried on during the past few months by one of the steamship companies terminated on September 17 by the return of the last vessel of the season to Aberdeen. The undertaking proved highly successful. The tourists were numerous and great delight has been expressed by them at the magnificent scenery of the fiords.

At the fifth annual conference of the Highland Land Reform Association held the other day at Oban, a motion was passed of

sympathy with the people of Ireland "in their struggle to vindicate tho right nf pu >lie meeting, free speech, and association." The question of Home Rule for Scotland was also minutely discussed, aud a resolution approving of its principle adopted. A woman's branch of the Association was provided for, after the example of the Primrose League, to be called the " Heather League " and whose duty it should be to enlist the aid of women generally in the cause and, more particularly, to ameliorate the wretched conditon to whiob the Bex is commonly condemned in the Highland.

An exhibition of vestments and church furnishings has been held in Glasgow under the superintendence of the Marchioness of Bate. The work is carried on in connection with the Confraternity of the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and is intended for the benefit of poor parishes, which are thus provided with neceessary article* they cannot afford to purchase.

The members of the National League at Glasgow are looking forward with great interest to an expected visit from Sir Charles Gavan Duffy. The distinguished visitor will have a royal reception and an immense audience.

The approaching revision of the Totes Courts is to be the occa» sion of a lively opposition given by the 'Tories and Unionists to Nationalist voters. The various branches of the League are msking preparations for resistance, and with every prospec; of success.