From what has been mentioned relative to the moun tains on the north, and ridges of hills which descend as arms from these downwards to the maritime parts of the county ; and from the aspect of the mountain faces, and the principal dales towards the meridian sun, it may be supposed that the climate of the vales is comparatively favourable. Situated in the southern extremity of Scot land, and so far west as not to be liable to cold rains or hoars from the eastern quarter, the county of Dumfries enjoys a mild climate. It is, indeed, liable to rains front the south-west, especially in the mountainous districts; but, front the south, it is partially protected by the West moreland and Cumberland mountains; and, from the west, by those of Galloway and Ayrshire. On the whole, the climate is both agreeable and salubrious Few clay bogs of remarkable extent exist in it; and, though con siderable tracts of peat bog appear in various parts, and one of uncommon extent near Dumfries, in the maritime district,—the marsh-fever seldom occurs within the county. It is particularly well adapted for the rearing of cattle and sheep ; and all the kinds and varieties of corn which are cultivated as field crops in the south of Scotland or north of England, prosper in Dumfries-shire. The soil, however, is not commonly suitable for the bean, nor the climate for the later varieties of the pea, as ordi nary crops in the fields.
The mountains of Dumfries-shire do not form any re gular continued chain. Black Larg and Corsoncone, in the north-west quarter, are on the confines of Ayrshire ; the Lowthcrs are an elevated groupe of mountains, on the borders of Lanarkshire. Queensberry, on the same border, stands almost in the central parts of Dumfries shire, into which, in that point, Lanarkshire makes a deep inroad. This mountain appears like a central giant, sending out his arms in several directions. The most eminent of the mountains is the Harden groupe, on the confines of the shire of Peebles, being the highest land south of the Forth in'this island, excepting only Snow don in Wales. This groupe includes Hartfell and White Coom in this county, and Broad Law in that of Peebles. Ettrick-pen, on the confines of Selkirkshire, and Lochfell near it, within the county of Dumfries, in the north-eastern quarter, and the hills that separate Eskdale from Roxburgshire, all terminate the list of the principal environing mountains which defend this county from the northern blasts ; and, forming an elevated bar rier in that direction, give Dumfries-shire a favourable slope and aspect to the south.
Of these mountains, Queensberry has been included in the general survey carried on lately by order of the Board of Ordnance, and its elevation has been ascertain ed to be 2259 feet above sea-level ; the latitude of the summit being 17' 2" north, and the longitude 34' 47" west. The height of Wisp Hill in Ewes has been
also found, and is 1954 feet. The spirit-level applied Ant Oat top cf Queensberry (allowance heing made for curvature and refraction), discovers Lochfell to be fully higher, and the Lowthers and Hartfell considerably so. This last has been generally considered, from Dr Walker's computations, to be about 3300 feet above the sea ; and the Lowthers appear to be nearly, though not quite as high. The peak of Skiddaw, near the coast of Cumberland, which forms a striking object to the inha bitants of most parts of Dumfries-shire, is only 3022 feet above sea-level. From the summit of Queensberry the view is rich, embracing Annandale from the sea to Moffat, and the two finest portions of Nithsdale, the vale of Dumfries, and the circular district in which Closeburn lies. The summit of Hartfell affords a view that extends wider, but is not so rich; this mountain be ing situated rather too remote from the richer parts of the county, and having the Cloves Head, an elevated hill, though inferior in height, contiguous to it, by which the view down Annandale is partly obstructed. It reaches, however, to a vast extent, in various directions, encl. bracing a great part of the north of England, from the Cheviot Hills to St Bee's head, near Whitehaven, and reaching, in clear weather, to the German sea in one direction, and with a setting sun to Benlomond in ano ther.
The chief rivers of Dumfriesshire have already been mentioned, viz. the Nith on the west, the Annan in the central parts, and the Esk on the east. The course of these rivers is towards the south, and they all pour their waters into the Solway Frith. Among the mountains at or near their sources, the Nith is above 20 miles from the Annan, and the Amman above 10 miles from the Nith. As they descend, they approach nearer each other. The Nith, which rises in the county of Ayr, and runs the longest course, contains also most water, and receives the streams of a more extended tract of country. The Annan passes through a wider vale. The river Esk is confined in its course, and enters Cumberland before it passes into the Frith.
Into each of these rivers, various lateral streams de scend, on either hand, opening lesser vales into the prin cipal river courses. The Nith receives the waters of the beautiful river Clouden or Cairn, and those of the Shin nel, Scar, Cample, Carron, Minnick, Eschan, and Kello. The Annan receives the waters of the Milk, Dryfe, Kin nel, Ae, Wamphray, Moffat, and Evan. Into the Esk descend the streams of Ewes, and of Liddel, Tarras, Wauchopc, and Meggot.