The manufactures of Dunfermline are principally dia per and damask, for which this town has long been dis tinguished. A few years ago, the annual receipt from the sale of these kinds of cloth was calculated to amount to 150,0001.; hut of late, a great diminution has taken place. The manufacturers in Dunfermline, and its im mediate vicinity, who, in September 1813, amounted to 1114, were, until within the period alluded to, employed exclusively in the manufacture of diaper and damask, but many of the operative weavers now receive work from Glasgow, and other places, and some are still alto. gether unemployed. Great improvements have been made in the Dunfermline branch of manufactures, and there are at present many persons employed in it. For a long period, the goods manufactured were chiefly bought for the London market, by people who came and purchased them on the spot; but for the last twenty years, great quantities of them have been disposed of in the usual way, by the manufacturers going to London, and other places, and receiving orders. Previously to 1749, it was customary to weave ticks and checks dur ing the winter months; but since that time, until of late that the cotton goods for manufacturers in Glasgow, Sze. have been woven, nothing, comparatively, but damasks and diapers have been made in Dunfermline.
Dunfermline is the seat of a presbytery; and recently a sheriff-substitute has been appointed, and holds courts for the administration of justice in the western district of Fife. The magistrates also exercise a jurisdiction competent within burgh. Besides a parish church, which is a collegiate charge, there are various places of public worship, and a great variety of sects. Ralph Erskine, a leader in the secession from the established church of Scotland, in 1740, was one of the ministers of Dunfermline. There are a chapel of ease, a relief meet ing-house, two Burgher and two Antiburgher houses, two congregations of Baptists, and one of Methodists. There is no parochial school; but a grammar school, the patronage of which is in the Marquis of Tweedale, on the recommendation of the town council, has long exist ed in the burgh. Besides the doctor of the grammar school, there is a 44 master of the song," or precentor, who teaches church music, the English language, and arithmetic, also under the same patronage. But these
means of education have been found so extremely defi cient, that there are several private schools in the town ; and the council, guiltily, and most respectable inhabi tants, have lately united in subscribing liberally for the purpose of erecting and endowing an academy suitable to the place. A master has been chosen, but the ar rangements are not yet completed for settling the esta blishment. The Lancastrian system of education, in a modified shape, has been introduced with success ; and there is one gratis school for the instruction of poor chil dren. There are three subscription and one circulating libraries in Dunfermline; two subscription coffee-rooms, and various institutions of a charitable character, the particular objects of which are partly of a permanent and partly of a casual description. The poor, of whom few beg, are supported by the contributions of the hell to•s, and the collections at the church doors; but a great deal is done to prevent the increase of parochial paupers, by means of friendly and other benevolent societies. In 1812, the money given by these, chiefly to poor house holders and distressed families, amounted to about 15001. A guildhall has lately been erected, but is not yet finish ed. It is a handsome building, with a spire, and will contain rooms for public purposes, an inn, Sze. There are eight fairs in the year, and two weekly markets, one for the sale of grain, and another for butter, eggs, Ste. There are branches of the bank of Scotland, and the British Linen Company ; and four agencies for insurance companies against fire. Formerly there was a conside rable number of breweries, and a distillery; but there are now only five common brewers, three of whom make strong ale and porter. The town is amply supplied with water, brought in pipes about two miles. The streets are well lighted and paved ; and many of the houses comfortable and well built. Coal is abundant, good and cheap. There is one good inn, and above 100 of an in ferior description. The situation and vicinity of Dun fermline are extremely pleasant. See Statistical Account of Scotland, La'c. (A r.)