stipend of both is the same, namely, 16 chalders, half meal, half barley, payable in money, at the highest fiar prices of the county, L. 5 Sterling for communion elements, and L. 2, 15s. 6d. to each of the ministers, according to use and wont. The number of communicants male heads of families is about 260. The charge is about to be uncollegiated quoad sacra. A new church, capable of containing 1100, and proposed to be in connection with the establishment, is now building.* Of the various sectaries prevailing here, the Relief is the most prosperous. There are two meeting houses of this persuasion, one built in 1761, in Muir Street; and another erected in Brandon Street in 1832. The old congregation give their pastor L. 200 per annum, including a manse; the second congregation give L. 100 per annum, without a manse. An Antiburgher meeting house was erected at Blacks-well in 1761, and a New Light Burgher house, near the church, towards the end of last century. These are not in so thriving a state as their neighbours. A tabernacle, in connection with the Congregational Union of Scotland, has lately been re-opened in Black's-well, and an interim preacher appointed. The Old Scots Independents have a meeting house in an upper chamber in the Back-of-the-barns. The Macmillans or Cameronians have also preaching in a hall once a month, and are attempting to establish a station here. The Roman Catholics have public worship once a month in the Mason's Lodge. It is well attended by the Irish. The priest comes up from Glasgow. There are few of any other sect. There are several Bible and Missionary Societies, and also a very useful Orphan Society, for which frequent contributions are made. The collections at the church door on public occasions are usually from L. 12 to L. 18. The Cameronians have lately obtained a disjunction from the congregation at Wishaw-town, and meet regularly here once a month; as do also the Roman Catholics once in six weeks. The A proportion of not less than one-sixth of the whole is reserved for the poor. Fifty of the sittings are let at 2s. each, and the rest rise by a graduated scale of 3d. on each row till they reach 6s., which is the highest price of any in the church. number of families Dissenting or Seceding is 907; of Roman Catholic families, 45. Education.-Number of schools in this parish at last examination, and the number of scholars attending each. The The salary of the grammar-schoolmaster is L. 34, 4s.: and his fees may amount to L. 50. As session-clerk he has about L. 30 per annum. The fees paid at the grammar-school are 7s. 6d. for Latin, and 10s. 6d. for Latin and Greek, per quarter. The ladies' school fees are from 5s. to 10s. 6d. per quarter. grammar-school of Hamilton is of ancient date, and has no doubt been instrumental in producing that superior civilization, courtesy of manners, and ardent pursuit of literature, for which many of the inhabitants of the place are supposed to be distinguished. In 1588 we find Lord John Hamilton granting a bond, still in possession of the corporation, settling for ever on that school the yearly sum of L. 20 pounds Scots. The present school-house is a venerable pile, near the centre of the town, containing a long wainscotted hall, emblazoned with the names of former scholars, cut out in the wood, as at Harrow. Many of these are from foreign climes, and from all parts of Britain. Pillans, Whale, Gillies, and other eminent teachers have been masters of this school; and the present teacher, the Rev. George Shaw, is not inferior in classical attainments, assiduity and success as a teacher, to any of his predecessors. The ladies' schools have also been of great service in instructing the understandings, and in contributing to the accomplishments, useful and ornamental, of the female sex. The Hamilton Sabbath School Society has under its charge 7 schools and 238 scholars. The number of scholars attending the Societies' schools are not so numerous as formerly, as a number of the town clergy have commenced Sabbath schools connected with their own congregations. These schools include above 300 young persons. Library, &c.-There is a public subscription library in the town, which was instituted in 1808, principally through the instrumentality of the late Dr John Hume. It now contains upwards of 3000 volumes. For many years it prospered exceedingly; but since the managers began to be chosen by popular election it has been gradually on the decline. There are several other public libraries, but all of them are on a smaller scale.— A mechanics' institution was established about eight years ago, a good library collected, and lectures delivered regularly once a fortnight on a variety of interesting topics; but as soon as the novelty of the thing ceased, its supporters gradually dropt away. But the inhabitants of this parish are not singular in preferring that sort of knowledge which costs the least trouble and expense. It has revived again with great spirit. Poor. The charitable institutions and other provisions made for the poor of this parish are considerable. 1. The Duke's Hospital. This is an old building, with a belfry and a bell, at the Cross of Hamilton, which was erected in lieu of one which formerly stood in the Netherton. The pensioners used to reside here, but it is now more profitably let out for their behoof. It contributes to the support of 12 old men, at the rate of L. 8, 18s. each per annum, with a suit of clothes once in two years. It is proposed to increase the number to 15. 2. Aikman's Hospital. This hospital was built and endowed in 1775 by William Aikman, Esq. proprietor of an estate in the parish, and some time merchant in Leghorn. The house stands in Muir Street. Four poor men have here a free house, L. 4 per annum, and a suit of clothes every second year. 3. Rae's Mortification. Mr John Rae, and a few other welldisposed people, formerly inhabitants, mortified money to the care of the town-council, the interest of which, L.9, 2s. 4d., appointed for the relief of poor householders, is mostly paid to the poor yearly. Mr Robertson was a 4. Robertson and Lyon's Mortification. native of Hamilton, and sometime sheriff-clerk of Lanark. It contributes L. 4 yearly to nine poor men. 5. Miss Christian Allan, who died in 1785, bequeathed to the care of the kirk-session, for the behoof of the poor, L. 50, the interest of which is paid yearly. Besides the above, the kirk-session have, 1. An orchard at Fairneygair, left some years ago by Mr William Torbet, which lets at L. 10 per annum. 2. A legacy of L. 50, the interest of which is to be divided among five poor female householders named by the kirk-session. 3. A legacy of L. 50, of which little more than L. 30 was realized, to be expended in clothing the most indigent of the poor. 4. A donation of L. 100, the interest to be applied in educating twelve poor children. The collections at the church door amount per annum to about L.90; average amount of mortcloth dues per annum, L. 30. The average weekly number of persons on the session funds is 14. There are 238 poor people on the parish, supported at the rate of about L. 14 per week, or L. 800 nearly per annum. The allowance to each individual is from 6d. to 2s. 6d. per week. Immense numbers of beggars go about seeking alms; and people with passes from Glasgow (often forged) are numerous and troublesome. Of late, many little children, from six to twelve years of age, are permitted to beg from door to door. Something ought to be done, for the sake of these poor creatures themselves, to put down this practice; as it is well known that their parents are often able enough to work, and do work, but take this cheap mode of supporting their miserable offspring. Prison. The old prison in Hamilton was built in the reign of Charles I., and, although a handsome building in its day, has now gone much into disrepair. It has been bought up, and will soon all be removed, except the steeple, town clock, and bell. As this is the place of confinement for the delinquents of the Middle Ward, it may not be uninteresting to show the number of debtors and criminals confined here for the last twelve years. Besides the following, it ought, however, to be recollected, that many prisoners from this ward are taken to Glasgow. Year. Criminals. Debtors. Year. Criminals. Debtors. Fairs.-Hamilton in former times was a great mart for lint and wool, and was attended by persons from all parts of the country. At present, however, that trade has taken a different channel, and only a small quantity of lint (and no wool) is now sold here. Our fairs have in consequence dwindled into a mere shadow of what they once were, and at present are little better than larger market days. There are five principal fairs in the year. The absurd practice of keeping up the old and new style is still observed in our fairs; but, fortunately, the terms are now all kept by the new style. Inns, &c.—There are two inns in the town which keep post chaises, one that hires out gigs and cars. There are several excellent and very respectable secondary inns and taverns for the accommodation of travellers, &c. There are 110 public-houses in the town and parish, in which ardent spirits or malt liquors are sold. MISCELLANEOUS OBSERVATIONS. An English traveller who visited Scotland in 1723, thus describes the people: "The common people wear all bonnets, instead of hats; and although some of the townsmen have hats, they wear them only on Sundays, and extraordinary occasions. There is nothing of the gaiety of the English, but a sedate gravity in every face, without the stiffness of the Spaniards; and I take this to be owing to their praying and frequent long graces, which gives their looks a religious cast. Certainly no nation on earth observes the Sabbath with that strictness of devotion and resignation to the will of God. They all pray in their families before they go to church, and between sermons they fast; after sermon, everybody retires to his own home, and reads some book of devotion till supper, which is generally very good on Sunday, after which they sing psalms till they go to bed. There is no dinner prepared on the Sabbath, and, in inns, travellers are obliged to put up with bread and butter, or a fresh egg, or fast till after the evening sermon, when they never fail of a hot supper." According to custom, the eating department forms a considerable item in this English gentleBut the fasting here spoken of, and what relates to dress, (and, it is to be feared, some other practices,) have long passed away. man's account. About the middle of last century, and a good deal later, the practice of hard drinking was very common. About the time of the American war, politics and infidelity began to be introduced. Of late a reaction has taken place. Infidelity is no longer fashionable, and religion is now either warmly embraced, or, if neglected in its essential duties and requirements, it is uniformly spoken of with respect. Trade has also been equally fluctuating as manners, religion, and morals. At one period the malting trade formed no inconsiderable branch of industry in this town. Many memorials of this trade are still to be found, and the richest and oldest society in Hamilton is |