Descriptive account of the principal towns in Scotland

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ted by Queen Mary, in the month of May, of the same
year. In consequence of these charters, the Burges-
ses elect their Magistrates annually, viz. two Bailies,
and two representatives of each of the seven incorpo-
rated trades, which, with fifteen standing Councillors,
elected for life, manage the affairs of the town. Ha-
wick possesses all the immunities and privileges of a
Royal Burgh, except that of sending Members to
Parliament. The revenue of the Town, amounts to
4 or £500 per annum. The whole of the Town is
well paved and lighted, and is most abundantly sup-
plied with excellent spring water, conveyed to every
part of the Town by leaden pipes.
Hawick carries on a very extensive manufacture of
Stockings, which employ between five and six hun-
dred Stocking Frames. In the Spinning and Carding
of Wool, chiefly Lamb's Wool, much business is done.
There are eight or ten Carding and Spinning Mills,
some of them on a large scale, wrought by water, and
containing Machinery of the most improved construc-
tion. It is computed, that from eight to nine hundred
thousand pounds weight of wool, is annually carded
and spun into yarn, and that of this quantity, one half
is made into Hose in Hawick, and the remainder sold
in Glasgow, and other manufacturing towns in Eng-
land ; Carpets, and Blankets, are also manufactured
here, to a considerable amount. The Tanning of Lea-
ther, and the Dressing of Sheep and Lamb Skins, are
important branches of trade, and the making of Gloves
and Thongs, employ a number of hands. Corn and
Flour Mills, are on the banks of the rivers, and there
is a large Brewery in the Town. A Branch of the