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liol to the crown of these realms, having very fre-
quently become a strong-hold for the enemy, and
too often a means of oppression and an annoyance
to the inhabitants was levelled, to the rock at least,
by Sir WiDiam W allace ; or more probably by Ro-
bert Bruce when he came to peaceful possession of
the throne, and had been acknowledged by all the
estates, and by the clergy, — especially by those of
Dundee.
On the grounds lying among those rocks (which
by the way have all the appearance of having been
at one time under water), on those sloping to the
cast and south, and rising very gently towards the
west, the more modern and largest part of the town
has been built. Tins at different times has been
very much improved ; but more has been done for
the convenience and ornament of the town within
the last forty years than at any period of its history.
The improvements in the country in general have
been very great during that time, from the rapid
advance in arts and sciences, agriculture, manu-
factures, commerce, and architecture ; and Dundee,
from the public spirit and vigilance of its rulers, has
kept pace with the foremost ; and works are going
on or projected, which, when completed, will ren-
der it the most commodious place for trade of any
in Scotland.
The great Church; though now in the centre of
the town, must have stood in the fields, when first
built by the Earl of Huntingdon, as appears from
its being named " the kirk in the field." The great
Church of St. Clement, the patron and tutelary
saint of the town, together with other religious
!

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