BUTE, an island on the western coast of Scotland, lies in the mouth of the Frith of Clyde, and is separated from the district of Cowal, in Argyleshire, only by a long and narrow channel, about half a mile broad. The origin of its name has never been rightly ascertained ; though some ancient authors derive it from Both, which, in the Irish language, signifies a cell ; and they say that St Brendan, an. Irish abbot, erected a cell here in the 6th century. It has indeed been variously written, as Bote, Both, and Boot, and we find it denominated Botis by the anonymous geographer of Ravenna. The extent of Bute from north to south is fifteeh miles ; while its nkediurn breadth is little more than three ; and it contains between 23,000 and 24,000 Scotch acres. This island has rather a flat appearance, although there is a gradual ascent from the cast and west shore, but no where does the ground rise more than 400 feet above the level of the sea. The coast is rocky, and indented with several deep bays, which renders its line of circumference very irre gular. Bute enjoys the most genial climate on the west of Scotland ; the intense cold of the mainland in winter, and the oppressive heats of summer, being moderated by its proximity to the ocean ; and it has been recommend ed to persons labouring under complaints requiring a nrildl climate, as equal in most points to Devonshire, and in some even surpassing it. Snow never falls to any great depth, and seldom remains four days upon the ground. :Mists and fogs are unknown in this island, though it is sometimes exposed to heavy storms of wind and rain. Vet even these are not so frequent or severe as in some of the neighbouring districts. The high mountains of Arran, by attracting the clouds which are carried by the south-west wind along the Argyleshire mountains towards Glasgow and Greenock. where tow discnargc their contents, leave Bute comparat•ely free. It has been remarked, that the months of arch and April are here peculiarly dry ; and saute have t yen qut. s tioned whether more rain f in this island than upon the eastern coast of Stud.
The soil of Bute is ia gt.n r . and sandy ; but, if properly managed, well suited for every kind of hus bandry. Plenty of limestone is to be found in various quarters of the island ; the beds of sea shells arc appa rently inexhaustible ; and vast quantities of sea-weed are constantly thrown upon its shores. Agriculture, how ever, is here still in its infancy, and is conducted much in the same way as it was half a century ago, without any deviation or attempt at improvement. The capitals of the farmers, instead of being laid out in improving their land, have been chiefly employed in the herring fishery, which was here carried on to a considerable extent, and which was preferred to agriculture, as it afforded them a more speedy and lucrative profit. Cultivation has thus been almost completely neglected. The lands have been allowed to run waste for want of cleaning, and have been impoverished by an almost constant rotation of cropping, with little or no manure. A course of unsuccessful years, however, have reduced the number of vessels employed in the herring fishery to less than one third, by which the difficulty of procuring labourers for the purposes of hus bandry have been considerably lessened ; and a spirit of emulation in agricultural improvements has been lately excited among the tenantry, by the liberal encourage ment given by the Marquis of Bute for draining and en closing the different farms upon his property. By such exertions, it is to be hoped, that this spot, so highly fa voured by nature, will soon be rendered equal to the richest and most flourishing districts of the kingdom. I\ lost of the island is now well enclosed, and subdivided with ditches and hedges of white thorns, which are tall, thick, and vigorous. They afford shelter and warmth to the land, and make a very agreeable appearance. The roads of this island are ill-conducted, narrow, and in wretched order ; and the barbarous customs of thirlage, kane-fowls, and other services, still exist here, but which ought to be universally exploded as the last remains of feudal oppression.