Saturday 02 Jan 1819 (p. 3, col. 4-5) SCOTCH NEWSJAN. 1. Liddesdale Annual Ball, was held on Wednesday evening in Mr. ARMSTRONG's Long Room, at Newcastleton, and was numerously attended by all the Beauty and Fashion of that wide and romantic district. The sprightly dance commenced at the usual hour, and was only interrupted by the company's partaking of the excellent entertainment which Mr. ARMSTRONG had provided for the occasion; after which, it was renewed with increased spirit, and did not terminate till the dawn invited their departure. This romantic country, so celebrated by Walter SCOTT, once the secure retreat of marauders, is now honourably distinguished for the hospitality, urbanity, and respectability of its inhabitants. Sunday, the 27th December, being the anniversary of St. John the Evangelist, on Monday, the Brethren of the Lockerby Quhytewoolen Lodge, No. 262, met in their Lodge-room, to celebrate a day so dear to the craft. After the business was arranged, the Brethren moved in procession through the different streets of the village by torch light; the evening being calm and pleasant, and the procession well illuminated, it had a very brilliant appearance. The procession over, the Brethren returned to their Lodge-room, where many excellent and appropriate toasts were given; and at eight o'clock the Ladies were ushered in, and a ball commenced; and we may with safety say, that never, on any former occasion, was the beauty and fashion of the place more fully displayed. It is but justice to add, that Mr. LAWRENCE's wines were, as usual, of the very best quality. The Brethren, as on all other occasions, were happy and comfortable, and the evening was spent with that love and harmony which always distinguishes the fraternity. Every one lamented that a December night was too short for such a pleasant and agreeable meeting. Sunday last having been the anniversary of St. John the Evangelist, a Provincial Meeting of the Free Masons of the Dumfries district was held there on Monday to celebrate a day so dear to that body. The Grand Lodge was opened in the Court-house, by Maj. MILLER, the M. W. Provincial Grand Master, and walked in procession to St. Michael's Church, where a most appropriate sermon was preached by the P. G. Chaplain. As the Grand Lodge were returning to the Court-house, a balloon, of very considerable dimensions, was sent up from Mr. M'PHERSON's, near the New Church, and rose most majestically to an amazing height, when it appeared diminished to a small speck in the azure sky. It then slowly descended in the view of a multitude of spectators assembled to see the procession and reached the ground in a field near Cresswell. The Lodge opened again in the evening, when the meeting was enlivened by some admirable specimens of vocal music. For some weeks past, considerable depredations have been committed amongst the shops of Dumfries, and various articles of value have been stolen. On Wednesday se'nnight, three drapers' shops in the High Street were robbed, one of two webs of pillow fustain; another of two pieces of sarsnets, and another of some ribbons; also a shop in English Street of a cheese. The sarsnets, ribbons, and cheese have been recovered. A woman from the neighbourhood of Annan has been committed to prison, on suspicion of being concerned in the above depredations. The Duke of Buccleuch intends leaving Ditton Park, on Monday for the continent. We are sorry to state, that his Grace's bad health is the sole reason of his leaving his native country, his illness unfortunately continuing to increase since the death of the Duchess. His Grace will not make any stay at Paris, but will immediately proceed to Toulouse. The younger branches of his Grace's family will reside, during his absence, with Lord and Lady MONTAGUE at Ditton Park. The Spinners employed in Messrs. John CLARK, & Co.'s Mill, at Mile End, neighbourhood of Glasgow, impressed with a sense of their obligations to Mr. John CLARK, jun. their master, waited upon him on Christmas morning, and presented him with a handsome Silver Snuff Box, bearing the following inscription:"Presented by the Spinners of Mr. J. CLARK, jun. in token of their esteem for him as their Master. 25th Dec. 1818. Case of Uncommon Integrity.Copy of a letter to the proprietors of the Lord Nelson Coach, Glasgow, dated the 14th ult.:"GentlemenSeveral years ago I defrauded you by bribing your drivers three different times to take me on your coach as a hanger, although I may be ashamed to own that it was not want that made me do so. I beg you will accept the £1 note enclosed, as an equivalent from your humble servant, "PETER RESTITUTION."