Scotland > 1825-1826 - Pigot & Co.'s new commercial directory of Scotland for 1825-6

ltg£t^C0/g_jnSTORY OF SCOTLAND. Btrcctori?.
ferry. 7, Perth, Dundee, Forfar, St. Andrew's, and Cupar. 8, Glasgow, Renfrew,
Kutherglen, and Dumbarton. 9, Dumfries, Sanquhar, Annan, Lochmaben, and
Kirkcudbright. 10, Inverness, Fortrose, Nairn, and Forres. 11, Xinghorn, Dvsart,
Airkaldy, and Burntisland. 12, Jedburgh, Haddington, Lauder, Dunbar, and North-
Berwick. 13, Selkirk, Peebles, LinlithgoAV, and Lanark. 14, Stranraer, Wigtown,
Whithorn, and New Galloway. 15, Tain, Dingwall, Dornoch, Wick, and Kirkwall.
thU^^^^ of the Lowlanders resembles that of the English. The dress peculiar to
the Highlanders, though not so common as formerly, is still worn by many ; it is
composed of woollen stuff, called tartan, of various colours checkered. Mostly
they wear a sort of petticoat, reaching to the knees, and called a /celt. The stockings
are made of similar checkered stuff, are short, and tied below the knee with tartan
garters, formed into tassels. The Scots are uniformly sober and frugal ; instead of
Javishing their gains, they are wisely laid by, or economically expended to enable
them to live in comfort, and maWe a respectable appearance. Intelligence is more
oommon than in most countries, owing to the number of excellent parochial schools,
and the cheapness, with which education is acquired ; and there are few branches of
literature, in which the Scotch have failed in attaining a degree of excellence,
although they cannot boast of many authors at an early period, — Before the abolition
or episcopacy, the ancient church establishment, was composed of two archbishop-
rics and twelve bishopries. The national religion is now the Presbyterian, founded
on an equality among its pastors. The clergy of Scotland are well educated, and
singularly exemplary in their morals. Roman Catholics, of whom the number is
not very considerable, are tolerated, as well as Episcopalians, and Dissenters from
^'^^^^t^blished church. — There are four universities ; that of St. Andrew, founded in
1412 ; that of Glasgow, founded in 1433 ; that of Aberdeen, founded in 1500, and
that of Edinburgh, founded by James VI, in 1582.— Since the Union of the two
Kingdoms, \yhich took place in 1706, the political government has been the same
With that of England ; the civil code, however, and the manner of administering
justice are different. Of this, and of the principal events, which have occurred in
Scotland, more particular notice will b« taken in the historical description of
ii-dinburgh.
EDINBURGHSHIRE,
OR MID-LOTHIAN, is bounded on the north by the Frith of Forth, on the south
by the counties of Lanark, Peebles, and Selkirk, on the east by Haddington-
shire, and Berwickshire, Avhile the county of Linlithgow completes the boundary on
the west. Its greatest length from east to west is about 28 miles, its breadth from
north to south about 16; and it contains 354square miles, 145,000 acres of cultivated,
and 81,560 acres of uncultivated land. In the south-cast corner is the district of the
Muirfoot-hills ; these occupy about 32,000 acres, and some of them exceed 1800 feet
in height above the level of the sea. The Pentland Hills, of rather inferior elevation,
fill a space of more than 26,000 acres. It may, however, be said of this county in
general, that in variety of soil, richness of prospect, and native treasures, it is ex-
ceeded by none in Scotland. The great number of elegant seats and villas, which
adorn its surface in every direction, the rapid improvement of its agriculture, and
the inexhaustible supply of coal, limestone, and free-stone, with which it abounds,
contribute to give it this superiority. The rivers of the county have but a run of a
few miles, and are consequently small. The Water of Leith takes its rise in the
Pentland Hills, and at Leith empties itself into the Forth. As a river, it makes an
inconsiderable appearance, its waters being much divided, and contaminated by the
dyehouses and other manufactures established on its banks. However it is of great
utility, turning, in less than fourteen miles, a great number of mills, besides supply-
ing bleachfields, distilleries, skinneries, &c. with water. The North and the South
Esk unite their steams near Dalkeith, and empty themselves into the Frith at INIussel-
^urgh. The Almond and the Gala are of minor importance. The climate, though
in a pretty high latitude, nearly 56*^, is, upon ihe whole, healthy, and not unfavour-
able to vegetation ; its greatest drawback is instability ; a single day fretjuently
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