suring from 36 to 50 yards in diameter. These are supposed by some antiquaries to be remains of Pictish encampments; while others are of opinion that they were merely places of strength into which the people collected their cattle at night for security from the English borderers. There is also a third conjecture, that they were for the purpose of protecting the cattle during the night from the ravages of the wild beasts, when the country was covered with wood. This last supposition is perhaps the most correct. On the farm of Enzieholm, there are vestiges of an old fortification of a triangular form. It has the appearance of a place of great antiquity, and of considerable strength. No conjecture at this distance of time can be formed, either as to the time when it was built, or by whom it was possessed. There are remains of an old castle at Glendinning, and of another at Westerhall.

There is one blind person in the parish, and five fatuous; but none of them receive aid from the parochial funds.

Character of the People.—The tenantry of this parish bear an excellent character for integrity and honour. As farmers, they are skilful and industrious, and spare no expense either in the improvement. of their stock or of their farms. The lower classes are sober and intelligent. The generality of them are fond of reading; and, as they have an ample supply of books, the shepherds in particular have acquired a degree of knowledge and information beyond what might have been expected from their situation in life. In their dress they have nothing peculiar; the black and white plaid worn round the shoulders is universally used. No class of people are more contented with their situation. Indeed, the superior comfort of the lower classes in this parish, and in all the extensive pastoral and agricultural districts of the numerous parishes of which the Duke of Buccleuch is the sole or principal proprietor, obviously arises from the wise

and liberal policy which has characterized the management of the Buccleuch property for ages. That family have invariably let their extensive possessions to tenants on such terms as secure their comfort and independence.

IV. INDUSTRY.

Agriculture and Rural Economy.—

The number of acres arable, and of meadow land, may be computed at not in tillage, but affording excellent pasture, under wood and plantations,

1560

25547

200

Rent of Land.-As the arable land in this parish is uniformly let with the hill pasture, the rent per acre cannot be accurately ascertained. There are fifteen stock-farmers in the parish whose farms would average nearly 1800 acres each, and who employ, as shepherds and labourers in agriculture, 59 individuals. The grazing of an ox or cow costs from L. 3, 10s. to L. 4; and that of a full-grown sheep, 5s.

Live Stock. The only breed of cattle in this parish is the Galloway. It is found well adapted for the pasturage, rises to a good size, finds a ready market, and brings high prices. The number of sheep grazed may be estimated at nearly 18,000, which are all of the Cheviot breed,-to the improvement of which every attention is paid.

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Raw Produce. The whole of the grain, &c. raised in this parish is consumed by the growers in maintaining their families and servants. Wool and sheep are the staple commodities: The reclaiming of waste land by draining and building stone dikes, is carried to its utmost extent. Farm buildings are all good. No obstacle to improvements arises, in this parish, either from want of capital or of encouragement by the proprietors.

V.-PAROCHIAL ECONOMY.

Langholm is the nearest market-town, distant about five miles. It is also the post-town.

The public roads are all good, and kept in excellent repair, and afford ready communication in every direction. No mail or stagecoach passes through the parish.

Ecclesiastical State.-The manor of Westerker, with the advowson of the church, belonged to the family of Soulis, during the twelfth and thirteenth centuries. Upon the forfeiture of John de Soulis, Robert I. granted, in 1321, to the monks of Melrose the half of the barony of Westerker, to be held in free forest, and also the patronage. The monks retained the possession, till the Reformation. Before the Reformation, there was an established chapel, dedicated to St Martin, at Bogkin, in this parish, under

the mother church. Adam de Glendonyng mortified, in 1391, some lands in the barony of Hawick for the support of this chaplainry, for the safety of the souls of James, late Earl of Douglas, and Sir James Simon of Glendonyng, his brother-in-law; also, for his own soul, Margaret his wife, and their children. Bartholomew de Glendonỳng, grandson of the granter, took orders in the church, and was presented to the chapel; but Andrew, the Bishop of Glasgow, deprived him of his charge, in 1459, on account of nonresidence.

The church was built in 1788; it is in excellent repair, and may contain nearly 700 sitters. It is very centrically placed,—the farthest distance being five miles. The number of communicants is 170. The manse was built in 1783, and substantially repaired, along with the office houses, in 1821. The glebe contains twenty acres of good arable ground, and is well enclosed. The stipend, as augmented in 1820, is 14 chalders, half meal, half barley, at the highest fiar prices of the county,—with the pasturage of 44 sheep on the neighbouring farm of Hertonhill.

There is not a Dissenting meeting-house in this parish; and the number of Dissenters is, 14 Burghers, who attend a chapel at Langholm, and 2 Cameronians, who occasionally hear sermon at Ettrick.

Education. There is only one parochial school,-with the maximum salary, and the legal accommodations. The branches of instruction taught are, English, writing, arithmetic, geography, Latin, and Greek. The average number attending the school in summer is from 40 to 45, and in winter 70. The school is centrically placed, and there is no need of an additional one. The probable amount of school fees received may vary from L. 21 to L. 22. There is also, a small school kept by a woman, who teaches English and sewing. At the village of Jamestown, where the miners and their families formerly resided, sometimes a school is opened for the winter months. The people are alive to the benefits of education; and there is a visible change in their conduct and morals since the facilities of education were increased. There is not an individual betwixt six and fifteen years of age who cannot read and write.

Literature. In the year 1795, a library was instituted in this parish, which contains many valuable works, several of which were presented by the late Mr Telford, civil-engineer. So much was he impressed with the advantages arising from select libraries, that he bequeathed to this library the handsome sum of L. 1000, the

interest of which is annually to be laid out in the purchase of books. The sole management of this bequest is vested in the minister and kirk-session.

Charitable Institutions.— A friendly society was instituted in the year 1789, which has all along been in a flourishing condition, and is of great benefit to sick members. At this time, it has a capital of L. 300. The terms of admission are regulated according to the age of the applicants. The quarterly contribution from each member is 1s. 7d. The sick receive weekly for three months 4s., and after that period 2s. 6d. The allowance for funeral expenses is L. 1, 10s., and each member gives the widow, or nearest relation, 1s. There is no saving bank; and the nearest is at Langholm.

Poor and Parochial Funds.-Poor rates were instituted in this parish in 1773. The assessment for the last year amounted to L. 80, or about 4s. 6d. per cent. upon the valued rental. The weekly collections average 5s.;-from which sum L. 1, 10s. is paid quarterly to the assessment. There is also a sum of L. 230 at interest in the bank, with another of L. 100, the interest of which is given to the schoolmaster for registering all the children baptized in the church. The dues of proclamation, fines exacted for irregular conduct, and fees for the use of the mortcloth, go all to the session funds,-except one shilling, which is given to the session-clerk for every marriage. The number of poor on the roll is 18, besides a few who occasionally receive relief. Perhaps there is no parish in Scotland where the wants of the poor are so well supplied, or their comfort better looked after. No public begging is allowed. None, except real objects of charity, or those upon whom misfortune has suddenly fallen, seek relief from the poors' funds.

Inns.-There is only one inn in the parish.

Fuel.-Peat is very much used, and costs per cart load 2s. Many families use coal, which is brought from the pits at Canobie, a distance of twelve miles, by a very good road.

MISCELLANEOUS OBSERVATIONS.

Great improvements have taken place, in this parish, since 1793. Every new improvement in agriculture has been introduced that promised to be advantageous. In the improvement of pasture ground by draining and building of dikes, great advantages have resulted both in drying the sheep walks and in affording shelter, so that the diseases, poke and rot, formerly common, are now almost unknown. The facilities to markets, by good roads in all directions, have been greatly increased.

November 1835.

PARISH OF EWES.

PRESBYTERY OF LANGHOLM, SYNOD of DUMFRIES.

THE REV. ROBERT SHAW, MINISTER.*

I. TOPOGRAPHY AND NATURAL HISTORY. Name.-THIS parish was anciently called Ewesdale, which has now been contracted into Ewes, the name of the river, from the Celtic Uisge, signifying water.

Extent, Boundaries.-This pastoral and mountainous parish is situated in the north-east corner of the county, and is bounded on the south by Langholm. It extends 8 miles in length, and about 5 in breadth, and contains 24469 Scotch acres, or 344 square miles.

Soil, &c.-The appearance of the country on both sides of the Ewes is hilly; and the hills are nearly green, with the exception of some small pieces covered with heath, which afford both protection and food for the various species of game.

In the low land along the banks of the river, the soil is light and gravelly; and on the high grounds, it has a tendency to a deep loam. In favourable seasons, good crops of oats, barley, potatoes, and turnips are raised on the low grounds.

The climate upon the whole is salubrious, and no epidemic was ever known to prevail in the parish. The common diseases are, rheumatism, consumption, and catarrhs, arising from the dampness of the climate, or the sudden changes from heat to cold.

Rivers.-The water of Ewes runs through the parish for eight miles, has its source near Moss Paul, in the northern extremity of the country, and falls into the Esk at Langholm, two miles below its southern boundary, dividing it nearly into two parts. In the east part of the parish, the water of Tarras takes its rise, and, running almost south-west, falls also into the Esk, about three miles below the town of Langholm.

Mineralogy.—The prevailing rocks in this parish belong to the transition class, and of these the most abundant are greywacke and greywacke slate. Greenstone also occurs, and on the summits of some. • Drawn up by a Probationer of the Church of Scotland.