are found lying irregularly in the true peat. They are chiefly oaks, alders, willows, and firs, and appear to have been torn up by the roots; many horses heads, and bones of several kinds of deer, the horns of the antelope, the heads and tusks of boars, and the heads of beavers, are also found in it. Not many years ago an urn of a light brown colour, large enough to hold about a gallon, was found in the peat-pit in Speen moor, near Newbury, at about 10 feet from the river, and four feet below the level of the neighbouring ground. Just over the spot where the urn was found, an artificial hill was raised about eight feet high; and as this hill consisted both of peat and earth, it is evident that the peat was older than the urn. From the side of the river several semicircular ridges are drawn round the hill, with trenches between them. The urn was broken to shivers by the peat-diggers who found it, so that it could not be critically examined; nor can it be known whether any thing was contained in it.

For the mode of converting moss or peat into a valuable manure, see AGRICULTURE Index.

PEAUCIER, in Anatomy, a name given by Winslow, in his Treatise on the Head, and by some of the French writers, to the muscle called by Albinus latissimus colli; and by others detrahens quadratus, and quadrutus gene. Santorini has called the part of this which arises from the cheek musculus risorius novus; and some call the whole platysma myoides.

PEBBLES, a trivial name frequently given to different varieties of the agate. See AGATE, MINERALOGY Index.

PECARY, in Zoology. See MAMMALIA Index. PECCANT, in Medicine, an epithet given to the humours of the body, when they offend either in quantity or quality, i. e. when they are either morbid, or in too great abundance. Most diseases arise from peccant humours, which are either to be corrected by alteratives and specifics, or else to be evacuated.

PECHEM, in the Materia Medica, a name given by the modern Greek writers to the root called behem by Avicenna and Serapion. Many have been at a loss to know what this root pechem was; but the virtues ascribed to it are the same with those of the behem of the Arabians; its description is the same, and the division of it into white and red is also the same as that of the behem. Nay, the word pechem is only formed of behem by changing the b into a p, which is very common, and the aspirate into x, or ch, which is as common. Myrepsus, who treats of this root, says the same thing that the Arabian Avicenna says of behem, namely, that it was the fragments of a woody root, much corrugated and wrinkled on the surface, which was owing to its being so moist whilst fresh, that it always shrunk greatly in the drying.

PECHYAGRA, a name given by some authors to the gout affecting the elbow.

PECHYS, a name used by some anatomical writers for the elbow.

PECHYTYRBE, an epithet used by some medical writers for the scurvy.

PECK, a measure of capacity, four of which make a bushel.

PECK, Francis, a learned antiquarian, was born at Stamford in Lincolnshire, May 4. 1692, and educated at Cambridge, where he took the degrees of B. and M.

A. He was the author of many works, of which the first is a poem, entitled, "Sighs on the Death of Queen Anne;" printed probably about the time of her death in 1714. Two years afterwards he printed "TO'YYOX "ATION; or an Exercise on the Creation, and an Hymn to the Creator of the World; written in the express words of the sacred Text, as an Attempt to show the Beauty aud Sublimity of the Holy Scriptures, 1716, 8vo." In 1721, being then curate of King's Clifton in Northamptonshire, he issued proposals for printing the History and Antiquities of his native town, which was published in 1727, in folio, under the title of "Academia tertia Anglicana; or the Antiquarian Annals of Stamford in Lincoln, Rutland, and Northamptonshires ; containing the History of the University, Monasteries, Gilds, Churches, Chapels, Hospitals, and Schools there, &c." inscribed to John duke of Rutland. This work was hastened by "An Essay on the ancient and present State of Stamford, 1726, 4to," writter: by Francis Hargrave, who, in his preface, mentions the difference which had arisen between him and Mr Peck, on account of the former's publication unfairly forestaling that intended by the latter. Mr Peck is also therein very roughly treated, on account of a small work he had formerly printed, entitled, "The History of the Stamford Bull-running." Mr Peck had before this time obtained the rectory of Godeby near Meltou in Leicestershire, the only preferment he ever enjoyed. In 1729, he printed on a single sheet, "Queries concerning the Natural History and Antiquities of Leicestershire and Rutland," which were afterwards reprinted in 1740; but although the progress he had made in the work was very considerable, yet it never made its appearance. In 1732 he published the first volume of Desiderata Curiosa; or, a Collection of divers scarce and curious Pieces relating chiefly to Matters of English History; consisting of choice tracts, memoirs, letters, wills, epitaphs, &c. transcribed, many of them, from the originals themselves, and the rest from divers ancient MS. copies, or the MS. collations of sundry famous anti. quaries and other eminent persons, both of the last and present age the whole, as nearly as possible, digested into order of time, and illustrated with ample notes, contents, additional discourses, and a complete index." This volume was dedicated to Lord William Manners, and was followed, in 1735, by a second volume, dedicated to Dr Reynolds bishop of Lincoln. In 1735 Mr Peck printed in a 4to pamphlet, "A complete catalogue of all the discourses written both for and against popery in the time of King James II. containing in the whole an account of 457 books and pamphlets, a great number of them not mentioned in the three former catalogues; with references after each title, for the more speedy finding a further account of the said discourses and their authors in sundry writers, and an alphabetical list of the writers on each side." In 1739 he was the editor of "Nineteen Letters of the truly reverend and learned Henry Hammond, D. D. (author of the Annotations on the New Testament, &c.) written to Mr Peter Stainnough and Dr Nathaniel Angelo, many of them on curious subjects, &c." These were printed from the originals, communicated by Mr Robert Marsden archdeacon of Nottingham, and Mr John Worthington. The next year, 1740, produced two volumes in 4to, one of them entitled, "Memoirs of the Life and Ac L 2 tions

É Peck tions of Oliver Cromwell, as delivered in three pane gyrics of him written in Latin; the first, as said, by Pecquet. Don Juan Rodériguez de Saa Meneses, Conde de Penguiao, the Portugal ambassador; the second, as affirmed by a certain Jesuit, the lord ambassador's chaplain; yet both, it is thought, composed by Mr John Milton (Latin secretary to Cromwell), as was the third; with an English version of each. The whole illustrated with a large historical preface; many similar passages from the Paradise Lost, and other works of Mr John Milton, and notes from the best historians. To all which is added, a collection of divers curious historical pieces relating to Cromwell, and a great number of other remarkable persons (after the manner of Desiderata Curiosa, v. i. and ii.)" The other, "New Memoirs of the Life and poetical Works of Mr John Milton; with, first, an examination of Milton's style; and secondly, explanatory and critical notes on divers passages in Milton and Shakespeare, by the editor. Thirdly, Baptistes; a saered dramatic poem in defence of liberty, as written in Latin by Mr George Buchanan, translated into English by Mr John Milton, and first published in 1641, by order of the house of commons. Fourthly, the Parallel, or Archbishop Laud and Cardinal Wolsey compared, a Vision by Milton. Fifthly, the Legend of Sir Nicholas Throckmorton, knt. chief butler of England, who died of poison, anno 1570, an historical poem by his nephew Sir Thomas Throckmorton, knt. Sixth, Herod the Great, by the editor. Seventh, the Resurrection, a poem in imitation of Milton, by a friend. And eighth, a Discourse on the Har mony of the Spheres, by Milton; with prefaces and notes." These were the last publications which he gave the world. When these appeared, he had in contemplation no less than nine different works; but whether he had not met with encouragement for those which he had already produced, or whether he was rendered incapable of executing them by reason of his declining health, is uncertain; but none of them ever were made public. He concluded a laborious, and, it may be affirmed, an useful life, wholly devoted to antiquarian pursuits, Aug. 13. 1743, at the age of 61 years.

PECORA, in Zoology, the fifth order of the class mammalia, in the Linnean system. See ZOOLOGY.

PECQUET, JOHN, was a physician in Dieppe, and died at Paris in 1674. He was physician in ordinary to the celebrated Fouquet, whom he entertained at his spare hours with some of the most amusing experiments in natural philosophy. He acquired immortal honour to himself by the discovery of a lacteal vein, which conveys the chyle to the heart; and which from his name is called le Reservoir de Pecquet. This discovery was a fresh proof of the truth of the circulation of the blood though it met with opposition from many of the learned, particularly from the famous Riolau, who wrote a treatise against the author of it, with this title: Adversus Pecquetum et Pecquetianos. The only works which we have of Pecquet, are, 1. Erperimenta nova Anatomica, published at Paris, 1654. 2. A Dissertation, De Thoracis Lacteis, published at Amsterdam, 1661. He was a man of a lively and active genius; but his sprightliness sometimes led him to adopt dangerous opinions. He recommended, as a remedy for all diseases, the use of brandy. This remedy, however,

proved fatal to himself, and contributed to shorten his days, which he might have employed to the advantage of the public.

PECTEN, the SCALLOP; a species of shell-fish. See OSTREA, CONCHOLOGY Index.

PECTORAL, a sacerdotal habit or vestment, wórn by the Jewish high-priest. The Jews called it Hhoschen, the Greeks Xie, the Latins rationale and pectorale; and in our version of the Bible it is called breastplate. It consisted of embroidered stuff, about a span square, and was worn upon the breast, set with twelve precious stones, ranged in four rows, and containing the names of the twelve tribes. It was fastened to the shoulder by two chains and hooks of gold. God himself prescribed the form of it. See BREASTPLATE.

PECTORAL, a breastplate of thin brass, about 12 fingers square, worn by the poorer soldiers in the Roman army, who were rated under 1000 drachmæ. See Lo

PECULATE, in Civil Law, the crime of émbezzling the public money, by a person intrusted with the receipt, management, or custody thereof. This term is also used by civilians for a theft, whether the thing be public, fiscal, sacred, or religious.

PECULIAR, in the Canon Law, signifies a particular parish or church that has jurisdiction within itself for granting probates of wills and administrations, exempt from the ordinary or bishop's courts. The king's chapel is a royal peculiar, exempt from all spiritual jurisdiction, and reserved to the visitation and immediate government of the king himself. There is likewise the archbishop's peculiar; for it is an ancient privilege of the see of Canterbury, that wherever any manors or advowsons belong to it, they forthwith become exempt from the ordinary, and are reputed peculiars: there are 57 such peculiars in the see of Canterbury.

Besides these, there are some peculiars belonging to deans, chapters, and prebendaries, which are only exempted from the jurisdiction of the archdeacon: these are derived from the bishop, who may visit them, and to whom there lies an appeal.

Court of PECULIARS, is a branch of, and annexed to, the court of ARCHES. It has a jurisdiction over all those parishes dispersed through the province of Canterbury in the midst of other dioceses, which are exempt from the ordinary's jurisdiction, and subject to the metropelitan only. All ecclesiastical causes, arising within these peculiar or exempt jurisdictions, are originally cognizable by this court: from which an appeal lay formerly to the pope, but now by the stat. 25 Ilemy VIII. c. 19. to the king in chancery.

PECULIUM, the stock or estate which a person, in the power of another, whether male or female, either as his or her slave, may acquire by his industry. Romain slaves frequently amassed considerable súms in his way. The word properly signifies the advanced price which á slave could get for his master's cattle, &c. ábove the price fixed upon them by his master, which was the slave's own property.

In the Romish church, peculium denotes the goods which each religious reserves and possesses to himself.

PEDALS,

Pedals

PEDALS, the largest pipes of an organ, so called U because played and stopped with the foot. The pedals Pedarian are made square, and of wood; they are usually 13 in number. They are of modern invention, and serve to carry the sounds of an octave deeper than the rest. See ORGAN.

PEDAGOGUE, of PÆDAGOGUE, a tutor or master, to whom is committed the discipline and direction of a scholar, to be instructed in grammar and other arts. The word is formed from the Greek raidwr djayos, peurórum dactor, “leader of boys."

M. Fleury observes, that the Greeks gave the name pædagogus to slaves appointed to attend their children, lead them, and teach them to walk, &c. The Romans gave the same denomination to the slaves who were intrusted with the care and instruction of their children.

PEDANT, a schoolmaster or pedagogue, who professes to instruct and govern youth, teach them the huAranities, and the arts. See PEDAGOGue.

PEDANT is also used for a rough, unpolished man of letters, who makes an impertinent use of the sciences, and abounds in unseasonable criticisms and observa

tions.

Dacier defies a pedant, & person who has more reading than good sense. See PEDANTRY.

Pedants are people ever armed with quibbles and syllogisms, breathe nothing but disputation and chicane ry, and pursue a proposition to the last limits of logic.

Malebranche describes a pedant as a man full of false erudition, who makes a parade of his knowledge, and is ever quoting some Greek or Latin author, or hunting back to a remote etymology.

St Evremont says, that to paint the folly of a pedant, we must represent him as turning all conversation to some one science or subject he is best acquainted withal.

There are pedants of all conditions, and all robes. Wicquefort says, an ambassador, always attentive to formalities and decorums, is nothing else but a political pedant

PEDANTRY, or PEDANTISM, the quality or manner of a pedant. See PEDANT.

To swell up little and low things, to make a vain show of science, to heap up Greek and Latin, without judgment, to tear those to pieces who differ from us about a passage in Suetonias or other ancient authors, or in the etymology of a word, to stir up all the world against a man for not admiring Cicero enough, to be interested for the reputation of an ancient as if he were our next of kin, is what we properly call pedantry.

PEDARIAN, in Roman antiquity, those senators who signified their votes by their feet, not with their tongues; that is, such as walked over to the side of those whose opinion they approved of, in divisions of

the senate.

Dr Middleton thus accounts for the origin of the word. He says, that though the magistrates of Rome had a right to a place and vote in the senate both during their office and after it, and before they were put upon the roll by the censors, yet they had not probably a right to speak or debate there on any question, at least in the earlier ages of the republic. For this seems to have been the original distinction between them and the ancient senators, as it is plainly intimated in the formule of the consular edict, sent abroad to summon the senate, which was addressed to all senators, and to

Pediluvium

all those who had a right to vote in the senate. From Pedarian this distinction, those who had only a right to vote # were called in ridicule pedarian; because they signified their votes by their feet, not their tongues, and upon every division of the senate, went over to the side of those whose opinion they approved. It was in allusion to this old custom, which seems to have been wholly dropt in the latter ages of the republic, that the mute part of the senate continued still to be called by the name of pedarians, as Cicero informs us, who in giving an account to Atticus of a certain debate and decree of the senate upon it, says that it was made with the eager and general concurrence of the pedarians, though against the authority of all the consulars.

out.

PEDATURA, a term used in Roman antiquity, for a space or proportion of a certain number of feet set This word often occurs in writers on military affairs as in Hyginus de Castrametatione, we meet with meminerimus itaque ad computatione cohortis equitate milliaria pedaturam ad mille trecentos sexaginta dari debere; which is thus explained: The pedatura, or space allowed for a cohors equitata or provincial cohort, consisting of both horse and foot, could not be the same as the pedatura of an uniform body of infantry, of the same number, but must exceed it by 360 feet; for the proportion of the roons of one horseman to one foot seldier, he assigns as two and a half to one.

PEDERASTS, the same with Sodomites.

PEDESTAL, in Architecture, the lowest part of an order of columns, being that part which sustains the column, and serves it as a foot to stand. See COLUMN.

PEDIEAN, in Grecian antiquity. The city of Athens was anciently divided into three different parts; one on the descent of a hill; another on the sea-shore; and a third in a plain between the other two. The inhabitants of the middle region were called Пdias, Pedicans, formed from wedien, “plain," or " flat ;" or as Aristotle will have it, Pediaci: those of the hill, Diacrians; and those of the shore Paralians.

These quarters usually composed so many different factions. Pisistratus made use of the Pediaans against the Diacrians. In the time of Solon, when a form of government was to be chosen, the Diacrians chose it democratic; the Pediaans demanded an aristocracy; and the Paralians a mixed government.

PEDICLE, among botanists, that part of a stalk which immediately sustains the leaf of a flower or a fruit, and is commonly called a footstalk.

PEDICULUS, the LOUSE, a genus of insects belonging to the order of aptera. See ENTOMOLOGY Index.

PEDILUVIUM, or BATHING of the FEET. The uses of warm bathing in general, and of the pediluvium in particular, are so little understood, that they are of ten preposterously used, and sometimes as injudiciously abstained from.

In the Edinburgh Medical Essays, we find an ingenious author's opinion of the warm pediluvium, notwithstanding that of Borelli, Boerhaave, and Hoffman, to the contrary, to be, That the legs becoming warmer than before, the blood in them is warmed: this blood rarefying, distends the vessels; and in circulating imparts a great degree of warmth to the rest of the mass; and as there is a portion of it constantly passing through the legs, and acquiring new boat there, which heat is in

the

Fedilu- the course of circulation communicated to the rest of the vium blood, the whole mass rarefying, occupies a larger space, The and of consequence circulates with greater force. Pedlar. volume of the blood being thus increased, every vessel is distended, and every part of the body feels the effects of it; the distant parts a little later than those first heated. The benefit obtained by a warm pediluvium is generally attributed to its making a derivation into the parts immersed, and a revulsion from those affected, because they are relieved; but the cure is performed by the direct contrary method of operating, viz. by a greater force of circulation through the parts affected, removing what was stagnant or moving too sluggishly there. Warm bathing is of no service where there is an irresoluble obstruction, though, by its taking off from a spasm in general, it may seem to give a moment's ease; nor does it draw from the distant parts, but often hurts by pushing against matter that will not yield with a stronger impetus of circulation than the stretched and diseased vessel can bear: so that where there is any suspicion of scirrhus, warm bathing of any sort should never be used. On the other hand, where obstructions are not of long standing, and the impacted matter is not obstinate, warm baths may be of great use to resolve them quickly. In recent colds, with slight humoral peripneumonies, they are frequently an immediate cure. This they effect by increasing the force of the circulation, opening the skin, and driving freely through the lungs that lentor which stagnated or moved slowly in them. As thus conducing to the resolution of obstructions, they may be considered as short and safe fevers; and in using them we imitate nature, which by a fever often carries off an obstructing cause of a chronical ailment. Borelli, Boerhaave, and Hoffman, are all of opinion, that the warm pediluvium acts by driving a larger quantity of blood into the parts immersed. But arguments must give way to facts: the experiments related in the Medical Essays seem to prove to a demonstration, that the warm pediluvium acts by rarefying the blood.

A warm pediluvium, when rightly tempered, may be used as a safe cordial, by which circulation can be roused, or a gentle fever raised; with this advantage over the cordials and sudorifics, that the effect of them may be taken off at pleasure.

Pediluvia are sometimes used in the smallpox; but Dr Stevenson thinks their frequent tumultuous operations render that suspected, and at best of very doubtful effect; and he therefore prefers Mons. Martin of Lausanne's method of bathing the skin, not only of the legs, but of the whole body, with a soft cloth dipped in warm water, every four hours, till the eruption; by which means the pustules may become universally higher, and consequently more safe.

PEDIMENT. See ARCHITECTURE.

PEDLAR, a travelling foot-trader. See HAWKERS. In Britain (and formerly in France) the pedlars are despised; but it is otherwise in certain countries. In Spanish America, the business is so profitable, that it is thought by no means dishonourable; and there are many gentlemen in Old Spain, who, when their circumstances are declining, send their sons to the Indies to retrieve their fortunes in this way. Almost all the commodities of Europe are distributed through the southern continent of America by means of these ped

lars. They come from Panama to Paita by sea; and in the road from the port last mentioned, they make Peura their first voyage to Lima. Some take the road through Caxamalca: others through Truxillo, along shore from Lima. They take their passage back to Panama by sea, and perhaps take with them a little cargo of brandy. At Panama they again stock themselves with European goods, returning by sea to Paita, where they are put on shore; there they hire mules and load them, the Indians going with them in order to lead them back. Their travelling expences are next to nothing; for the Indians are brought under such subjection, that they find lodging for them, and provender for their mules, frequently thinking it an honour done them for their guests to accept of this for nothing, unless the stranger now and then, out of generosity or compassion, makes a small recompense.

In Poland, where there are few or no manufactures, almost all the merchandise is carried on by pedlars, who are said to be generally Scotsmen, and who, in the reign of King Charles II. are said to have amounted to no fewer than 53,000.

66

PEDOMETER, or PODOMETER, formed from us, pes, "foot," and μlgor," measure," way-wiser; a mechanical instrument, in form of a watch, consisting of various wheels with teeth, catching in one another, all disposed in the same plane; which by means of a chain or string fastened to a man's foot, or to the wheel of a chariot, advance a notch each step, or each revolution of the wheel; so that the number being marked on the edge of each wheel, one may number the paces, or measure exactly the distance from one place to another. There are some of them which mark the time on a dialplate, and are in every respect much like a watch, and are accordingly worn in the pocket like a watch. Sce PERAMBULATOR.

PEDRO, DON, of Portugal, duke of Coimbra, was the fourth child and second surviving son of King John of Portugal, and was born March the 4th 1394. His father gave him an excellent education, which, joined

to strong natural abilities and much application, rendered him one of the most accomplished princes of his time. He was not only very learned himself, but a great lover of learning, and a great patron of learned men. It was chiefly with a view to improve his knowledge that he spent four years in travelling through different countries in Europe, Asia, and Africa, with a train suitable to his quality; of which travels there is a relation still extant, but so loaded with fabulous circumstances, that it wounds the reputation it was designed to raise. At his return he espoused Isabella, daughter to the count of Urgel, and grand-daughter to Don Pedro, the fourth king of Portugal, which was esteemed a very great advancement of his fortune. He was elected into the most noble order of the Garter, April 22. 1417, in the fifth year of the reign of his cousin Henry V. a grandson of John of Gaunt, by the father's side, as our duke of Coimbra was by the mother. In 1440 he was declared regent during the minority of his cousin Don Alonso V. son of King Edward, who died by the plague. He found some difficulty at first in the discharge of his of fice, both from the queen-mother and others. But, upon the whole, his administration was so mild and so just, that the magistrates and people of Lisbon concurred in demanding his leave to erect a statue to him. The re

Fedro

gent thanked them, said he should be unwilling to see a work of their's demolished; and that he was sufficiently Peebles- rewarded by this public testimony of their affections. shire. The queen dowager wished to raise disturbances in Portugal by aiming to recover the regency to herself; but the steadiness of the regent's administration, the attachment of the best part of the nobility to him, and his enjoying, in so absolute a degree, the confidence of the people, not only secured the interior tranquillity of the state, but raised the credit likewise of the crown of Portugal to a very great height in the sentiments of its neighbours: for, in the course of his regency, he had made it his continual study to pursue the public good; to ease the people in general, and the inhabitants of Lisbon in particular, of several impositions; to maintain the laws in their full vigour; to give the king an excellent education; and if that had been at all practicable, to diffuse a perfect unanimity through the court, by assuaging the malice and envy of his enemies. The king when he came of age, and the cortes or parliament, expressed their entire satisfaction with the regent's administration; and all parties entirely approved of the king's marriage with Donna Isabella, the regent's daughter, which was celebrated in 1446. The enmity of his enemies, however was not in the least abated by the regent's being out of office. They still persecuted him with their unjust calumnies, and unfortunately made the king hearken to their falsehoods. The unfortunate duke, when ordered to appear before the king, was advised to take with him an escort of horse and foot. In his passage he was proclaimed a rebel, and quickly after he was surrounded by the king's troops. Soon after he was attacked, and in the heat of action he was killed: nor was the envy of his enemies even then satiated; his body was forbid burial; and was at length taken away privately by the peasants. His virtue, however hated in courts, was adored by the uncorrupt part of his countrymen. At length, though, by an inspection of his papers, the king saw, when it was too late, the injus tice that had been done the man who had behaved so well in so bigh and difficult an office; and whose papers only discovered signs of further benefit to the king and his dominions. In consequence of these discoveries, the duke's adherents were declared loyal subjects, all prosecutions were ordered to cease, and the king desired the body of Coimbra to be transported with great pomp from the castle of Abrantes to the monastery of Batalha; where it was interred in the tomb which he had caused to be erected for himself. The royal name of Don Pedro occurs often in the history of Portugal, and many who bore the name were singularly distinguished either for great abilities, or external splendour. See PORTUGAL.

PEDUNCLE, in Botany. See PEDICLE.

PEEBLES, a royal borough and county town of Peebles-shire or Tweedale, is situated on the banks of the Tweed, 22 miles south from Edinburgh. Peebles was a royal residence in the time of James I. of Scotland; and here it is supposed, he composed the poem of "Peebles at the Play." Peebles has considerable woollen manufactures, and excellent beer. The population in 1801 was 2088, and in 1811, 2485.

PEEBLES-SHIRE, or TWEEDALE, a county of Scotland, extending 36 miles in length and about 10 in It is bounded on the east by Ettrick Forest, breadth.

shire.

on the south by Annandale, on the west by Clydesdale, Peeblesand on the north by Mid-Lothian. Tweedale is a hilly country, well watered with the Tweed, the Yarrow, and a great number of smaller streams that fertilize the valleys, which produce good harvests of oats and barley, with some proportion of wheat. All the rivers of any consequence abound with trout and salmon. The lake called West-Water Loch swarms with a prodigious number of eels. In the month of August, when the west wind blows, they tumble into the river Yarrow in such shoals, that the people who wade in to catch them run the risk of being overturned. About the middle of this county is the hill or mountain of Braidalb, from the topof which the sea may be seen on each side of the island. Tweedale abounds with limestone and freestone. The hills are generally as green as the downs in Sussex, and feed innumerable flocks of sheep, that yield great quantities of excellent wool. The earls of March were hereditary sheriffs of Tweedale, which bestows the title of marquis on a branch of the ancient house of Hay, earls of Errol, and hereditary high constables of Scotland. The family of Tweedale is, by the female side, descended from the famous Simon de Fraser, proprietor of great part of this county, and who had a great share in obtaining the triple victory at Roslin. The chief town in Tweedale, is PEEBLES, a royal borough, and seat of a presbytery, pleasantly situated on the banks of the Tweed, over which there is at this place a stately stone bridge of five arches. In the neighbourhood of Peebles, near the village of Romano, on the river Lyne, we see the vestiges of two Roman castella, or stationary forts; and a great many terraces on the neighbouring hills, which perhaps have served as itinerary encampments. In the shire of Tweedale there are many ancient and honourable families. Douglas of Cavers, who was hereditary sheriff of the county, it is said still preserves the standard and the iron mace of the gallant Lord Douglas, who fell in the battle of Otterburn, just as his troops. had defeated and taken Henry Percy, surnamed Hotspur. In the churchyard of Drumelzier, belonging to an ancient branch of the Hay family, the famous Merlin is supposed to lie buried. There was an old traditional prophecy, that the two kingdoms should be united when the waters of the Tweed and the Pansel should meet at his grave. Accordingly, the country people observe that this meeting happened in consequence of an inundation at the accession of James VI. to the crown of England. The valued rent of the county is 51,937). 13s. 10d. Scots, and the real rent is estimated at 29,8201. sterling.

The population of this county, in 1801, amounted to 8717, and in 1811 to 9935. The following is the population at two different periods by parishes.