Descriptive account of the principal towns in Scotland

186
milton in the year 1451, for a Provost and Prebenda-s
ry. Hamilton is the seat of a Presbytery.
It can boast of several Benevolent and Friendly
Societies, Sabbath Schools, and other Charitable In-
stitutions. There is an Hospital founded by the fa-
mily of Hamilton, for the reception of 8 Old Men, — .
another called Robertson's Hospital for 9 Old Men, —
and Aikman's Hospital for 4 Old Men.
The Town of Hamilton is very ancient, and was
erected into a Burgh of Barony in 1 456. In the year
1548 it was made a Royal Burgh by Queen Mary;
but the rights and privileges thus acquired from the
Crown, were resigned into the hands of William,
Duke of Hamilton, after the Reformation, who, in
1 670, erected it into a Burgh of Regality, dependant
upon him and his successors, in which state it still
remains.
Hamilton Palace is a large edifice, till lately form-
ing three sides of a quadrangle, and appears to have
been built at different periods — the greater part of it
in 1690. Three years ago, very extensive additions
to the ancient edifice were begun, which are now
(182/) in a state of considerable forwardness, and
promise, when completed, to render the Palace one
of the most splendid ducal residences in our country.
Several of the rooms are large and lofty, and the su-
perb Gallery contains the best collection of Paintings
in Scotland. Daniel in the Lion's Den, and a paint-
ing of Lord Denbigh going a hunting, both by Rubens ;
are very fine, particularly the first mentioned, which
is considered one of the best pictures of that great
master. The Marriage Feast, by Paul Veronese, is
much admired, with many other valuable paintings by