As to the manufactures carried on in the county, that which is upon the greatest scale, and in which large ca pitals are embarked, is the distillation of spirits, (whisky.) There are no less than six lage distilleries in this small district : Kilbagie, in the parish of Clackmannan, is the most extensive. These works yield to government a revenue of about L. 723 per annum, on each gallon of the licensed still, when working from grain, and em ploy a great number of people ; part of the spirits is sent to London, but the greater part to Leith and Glas gow. When the distillation from corn is allowed, great numbers of cattle are fed at these works from the grains and dreg, and the consequent produce of manure has greatly contributed to the high improvement of the ad joining lands. It is estimated that every gallon of licen sed still will produce grain and dreg to fatten, in the best manner, two oxen of 40 stones (Dutch) each ; but when sugar is used in distillation in place of grain, no cattle are fed. These works are carried on in the most scien tific, regular, and systematic manner ; and, it is remark able, that the workmen employed at them are a very so ber set of people, notwithstanding the free access they have to spirits at all times.
Ales are made to a considerable extent in Alloa : they have a name in the market, and are in great request both in Scotland and England.
The making of pig-iron is carried on at the Devon iron-works, in the parish of Clackmannan, where there are two blast furnaces, impelled by a powerful steam en gine. About 60 tons of pig•iron is produced here weekly ; a small part of it is used by a foundry at the works, but the greater part is sold to other founders. The manu facture of coarse woollen cloth, named serges, has for a long period of year been carried on at Tillycoultry, and still continues ; and there is a woollen manufactory at Alloa on a small scale ; there is, besides, manufactures at Alloa for common glass bottles, bricks, tyles, ropes, sails, common pottery, and leather. There is a bleach field of considerable extent at Dollar, chiefly employed by the Dunf,:xmline table damask manufactories, and the distillation of the pyroligneous acid is carried on in the parish of Clackmannan : the acid is sold to the chemical works at Glasgow, and the charcoal to the founders. This is an object to which more attention might be paid in Scotland, where woods are cutting, provided there is a full demand for the acid. Ship-building is carried on at Alloa, where there is an excellent graving dock for vessels of large burde::. There are many muslin wea vers all over the county, but these are all employed by Glasgow houses.
There is much machinery in the county, driven by water, steam, and horses ; it is generally constructed on the most approved principles, and some of it very power ful. There is a steam engine at Saucily, which lifts, from the depth of 280 feet, a million gallons of water every 24 hours.
Regarding antiquities, the towers of Clackmannan and Alloa are upwards of 500 years old, and there is an old baronial tower at Sauehy in a retired situation. The abbey tower of Cambuskcnneth, in the parish of Logie, is also of considerable antiquity : In this abbey it is said that several of the kings of Scotland are buried, and in particular James. III These towers are of a rectangular form, and built with large square stones, the masonry plain and substantial ; the walls of Alloa tower being eleven feet thick. Castle Campbell, in the parish of Dollar, named also Castle Gloom, is a ruin of ancient date ; the time of its being built is not exactly known, but it was in possession of the Argyle family in 1465 ; it is roost romantic, wild, and gloomy, as to situation; is built on an insulated conical hill, above which the sur rounding hills rise to a great height immediately adjoin ing, excepting on the south. There is a singular nar
row cut made in the solid rock, from the south front of the castle to the bottom of the glen, named Kemp's Score ; it is said to have been a stair for procuring water for the castle. John Knox, the celebrated reformer, preached in front of this castle ; and here the sacrament of the supper was dispensed amongst the first times it was dispensed in Scotland. Roman and other ancient coins have been found in this county, and also a few very ancient weapons.
With respect to eminent persons, natives of this county, the names of Bruce, Erskine, and Abercromby, are conspicuous : they arc enrolled in the page of history, and in other parts of our work they have received the tribute which is due to their memory.
The county roads are excellent, and in every direc tion, which have tended much to improve the country. An improved cast-iron rail-way is laid from the Alloa colliery to the harbour, where a horse brings down eight tons of coals, and returns with the empty waggons, so that one man and one horse do as much work in one day, as 27 horses and 27 men did in the same time GO years ago. There is a good ferry at Alloa to the opposite side of the river ; and three packets sail regularly betwixt Alloa and Leith. Amongst the projected improvements in this district, a survey was made by Mr Rennie, the celebrated engineer, in order to ascertain the expence of throwing a bridge across the Forth at the Alloa ferry. lie pronounced the work practicable, and gave a hand some design for an iron bridge, the estimate for which was 150,0001. This bridge would be of great benefit, but the expence is such as to prevent the plan front being executed at present. Another evident improve ment which has been projected, is a canal front Alloa through the Carsc of Stirling. This would be of the greatest benefit, as by its means lime and coal could be carried with case into a country in great want of these articles. Grain, slates, &c. would be returned ; as the ground through which the canal would pass is flat, and composed of clay, the expencc would be very moderate. A project was brought forward many years ago, by the commissioners for the improvement of Scotland, to ren der the Devon navigable ; a plan and estimate was made, but no steps were taken to carry the scheme into effect. A branch from the before-mentioned projected canal would be more suitable for trade, on account of the heavy floods which occasionally happen in the Devon.
There are several artificial collections of water in the county for the purpose of driving machinery, the largest of which is Gartmorn Dam, made about 100 years ago by John, Earl of Mar i it covers 120 Scotch acres of land ; the supply of water is brought from the Black Devon by an aqueduct some miles in length ; an engineer from Wales was brought by the Earl to give his advice regarding this work, and for improving the hydraulic engines, by which all collieries, not level free, were then drained.
All kinds of timber grow well in the county, and there are many trees of very large size. The plantations arc increasing every year, and are very thriving.
There are no poors rates in the county, the poor be ing supported by collections at the church doors and voluntary contributions. A gentleman of the name of M•:cab some years ago bequeathed, by his will, a large sum for the education of the poor of the parish of Dollar, which sum is now accumulated to above 40,0001.: it is not easy to conceive how so large a sum is to be applied in strict conformity to the destination of it.
The exports are chiefly coals, spirits, pig-iron, bottles, bricks, tylcs, and ales. The imports are chiefly gratin, sugars, timber, lime-stone, malleable iron, and groceries.
The valued rent of the county, according to the ccss books, is 26,4821.: 10 : 10, Scotch money. The popula tion in 1811 was 11,719 souls. (a. a.)