In the centre of the square fronted by this edifice, stands a Doric pillar, intended as an expression of the respect in which the public held the virtues of Charles, emphatically designated the Good Duke of Queensberry. This column was reared about the year 1780, by the gen tlemen of the county, who certainly did not anticipate. that in less than thirty years, it would he so far dilapidated by neglect, that not a trace of the inscription should re main.
It has already been stated, that there are two churches. The original parish church, St Michael's, which stands at the south-east end of the town, was rebuilt in 1745, with a tall and handsome spire. It is surrounded by a crowded burying-ground, which contains several remark able monuments. Here rest the ashes of Burns, over whose grave a splendid mausoleum is about to be reared as a tribute to his genius. The New Church, for it still preposterously retains that designation, occupies the site of the castle which the Lord Maxwell erected out of the ruins of the friary, and its walls are partly built of the materials which that once magnificent fortification afford ed. This church is also furnished with a steeple. A third steeple, attached to what was formerly the court house, obtrudes itself rather awkwardly upon the high street, that it may take its station directly in a line be twixt the two first.
We have already mentioned the bridge built by the Lady Dervongillon over the Nith. That venerable fa bric, after having withstood the floods of nearly six cen turies, though still fit for service, yet having been built before the common use of wheel carriages, was found from its narrowness to be extremely incommodious. Ac cordingly, in 1792, the foundation stone of a new bridge, to consist of five wide arches, was laid a little higher up the river; and, in 1795, this new communication with Galloway was opened. The structure impresses the mind with the idea of strength rather than elegance; neverthe less it is handsome.
The academy is a splendid building, in a fine airy si tuation, erected several years ago by subscription, but for want of funds, left in an unfinished state. It is sup plied with masters of eminence for teaching English, writing, arithmetic, and mathematics; French, Latin, and Greek. There is an evident taste in the place for literary information. There are two public subscription
libraries, each of which is well furnished; and in 1812, public reading rooms were opened for about 80 subscri bers, where there is also an infant library, and where the most esteemed periodical works are taken in.
Among other useful establishments, is the Dumfries and Galloway Horticultural Society, which was formed in this town in 1812, for the purpose of encouraging in dustry, improvements, and useful discoveries, connect ed with gardening, by a judicious distribution of prizes. In the immediate neighbourhood of Dumfries, not less than one hundred acres are occupied by gardens and nurseries.
Nor are the inhabitants less distinguished for their be nevolence to the afflicted. They have an infirmary, in cluding a lunatic asylum, and a dispensary; and there is also an hospital for the superannuated, widowed, and orphan poor. Both of these institutions are under ex cellent management. There is also a female society for educating the children of the poor on the plan of Dr Bell.
The tarts Is well supplie ! with prmisions. The weekls It aik( t i held c, ry s , hut there are extranr ii, tr% markets Get Inaek t atti,, of ‘Nitiell sor prism ; nu• hers ate sold ut 11 ',nada) atal 1.tr tittto_ . T. r- are aIs, fit, f horses in 0 t tin r and FeLt it.rs. .1t this latter t ir, A I tut laity or hare , s 15 .11 itually 11 sp Ih? it of, than in any o.I :Dan ID S't er. t.n an at ci.n•c. It t-n ' Vt iy great quantities of pork are hrotight in by the fainters at the proper season. anti seta oil' oy dealers to In cured, chi fly to Et. ,lat, '. The torts carries on ro inattufactere on a large ac,i1:. The niattufat Lute of hats at d ,tockings is the most flourishing. That Cie commerce. of Dumfries, however, is rapidly 1% seen by the fullu%%ing table of the at crag,: num ber of vessels enteled and co_ared at tne poi t of Dum fries, (a hielt includes Anna,t). A% ith their !Amite to and the sum total of the hands employed, for periods of five 3 cars itteltLive.
The chief articles of expot t are grain, potatoes, and wood; the latter, however not in large quantities. The articles imported are wine, cork, groceries, iron, fo reign timber, slates, lime, and coals. The two latter come 1rum the coast of Cumberland.