COUNTY OF FIFE. THIS fine and populous county extends nearly 60 miles in length, and about 16 in breadth. The Frith of Forth waters the southern, and the British ocean the eastern borders; on the north-east and north, the Frith of Tay is its boundary; on the north-west it is bounded by the shires of Perth, and on the west by those of Kinross and Clackmannan. This county comprehends a superficies of nearly 480 square miles; the number of inhabitants in 1801, was 93,743, being nearly 196 to the square mile, a much greater proportion than is to be found in any other county in Scotland. It contains no fewer than 13 royal burghs which enjoy parliamentary representation, and 10 or 12 more, which have lost that privilege from their inability to defray the then necessary expence. The face of this county is agree ably diversified; it is hilly on the west and north-west line, extending in a ridge east almost the whole length of the county. To the south and north-east the land rises gradually from the shore, and exhibits fine prospects of fertile and well cultivated fields; and woods, and plantations, surrounding gentlemen's seats, over the whole district. Largo Law, rising above the fine bay of that name, Kelly Law, and Duniker Law, form agreeable exceptions upon the eastern peninsula. By far the greatest eminences are the three Lomonds, or Lamonds, whose conical tops are seen at a considerable distance from the east. Fife was once an earldom in the M'Duff family, created by Malcolm III. for the services performed by the Thane of Fife, in restoring him to the throne of Scotland. The title still remains in the family of Duff. Having two of its sides begirt with the Friths of Forth and Tay, the towns and villages are thick planted on its borders. From its situation, it must have been inhabited at an early period; the fishing, coal mines, and advantages for navigation, would attract settlers; the coast would therefore be the first peopled, and best cultivated; this appears to have been the case in the time of James VI. who compared the county of Fife to a grey mantle with a gold fringe. Many of the boroughs on the coast are said to have enjoyed his peculiar regard and attention, hence so many got royal privileges. Though the coast be in general rich and well cultiva ted, the interior was, till lately, greatly neglected. Planting and improvements now go on with great spirit in most quarters. The rivers are inconsiderable; the Eden and Leven are the largest. The black cattle raised in this county were long esteemed the largest and the best that were produced in Scotland; but in this many other counties now rival Fife. The best crops are barley, oats, pease, and potatoes; fine wheat is also raised on the coast district. Fife can boast of possessing several ancient seats of royalty. At Dunfermline, Kinghorn, Falkland, and St Andrews, vestiges of regal splendour may yet be seen. The abbeys of Dunfermline, Balmerino, and Lindores, with that of Inchcolm, were among the most ancient and richest in Scotland. The whole of the south and west division lies upon coal; in many places there is excellent limestone, particularly at Innerteil, near Kirkcaldy, in which entrochi, patella, and many marine exuviæ, are found in great abundance. Ironstone of a good quality abounds in many places; that species called septarium is found in great plenty on the shore, betwixt Kinghorn and Kirkcaldy. On the Easter Lomond lead has been found. Rubies or garnets of a fine water were formerly found at Earls Ferry; it is said Lady Anstruther is possessed of a pair of buckles set with garnets, found near Ely House. On the banks of the Eden, near Cupar, both chalcedony and agates have been found, that were valued by the lapidary; besides several other stones and minerals, to be noticed under the parishes where they are got. It has been observed, that landed property in Fife alway sells at a higher price than in any other county in Scotland; this is said to be owing chiefly to the more minute division of property here, than in most other counties; few gentlemen possess. ing such large estates, as to set them far above the rank and socie ty of their neighbours. |