GREENOCK, is a sea-port town in Scotland, situated on the Frith of Clyde, about 22 miles below Glasgow, and 46 above Ayr. It contains malty neat and well built hou ses, but its streets are irregular and narrow ; and its gene ral appearance is far from being elegant. Of late years, it has extended very much to the west, and there, as might have been expected from the opulence and taste of the in habitants, a great improvement has taken place, both in the general plan and in the structure of individual edifices. The principal public buildings of Greenock consist of the infirmary, which was erected in the year 1808 at an ex pence of nearly 24001. and contains good accommodation for a considerable number of patients ; the theatre, erect ed the same year, at an expence of 25001. ; a bridewell, erected in 1809, at an expence of 13401. ; and a tontine inn, erected in 1802, at at expence of 10,0001. There are three established churches, viz. the West Church, which serves the country part of the palish, is very old, and very uncomfortable ; the New Church, built in 1762, a large commodious place of worship in the centre of the town, and having a steeple attached to it 146 feet high ; and the East Church, originally built in 1774 as a chapel of ease, but erected into a parish church in 1809. There is also a Chapel of Ease for the Gaelic population, built in 1791, at an expence of 17001. and containing 1600 people. Be sides these, there are various dissenting meetings : the Burgher meeting, erected in 1791, at an expence of 13001. and containing 1000 sitters ; the Antiburgher, erected in 1803, at an expellee of 1122/. ; the Relief, erected in 1808, at an expellee of 2,200/., and containing 1700 sitters. There is also a Tabernacle, a Methodist meeting, and a Roman Catholic chapel. A Unitarian preacher in the theatre on Sunday evenings. There are public schools for all the various branches of literature and science. A free school, established in 1790, is under excellent management, and gives useful and religious education to hundreds of poor boys and girls, at an expence of 6s. 8d. per annum for each child. In 1812, a society was instituted in Greenock and Port Glasgow fur the encouragement of arts and sci ences. About 150 subscribers, at 5s. each per annum, were obtained, and the whole funds are distributed in prizes to persons of genius and merit. For some years, there has been connected with this an exhibition of paintings. Since
1793, there has existed an institution, under the title of the Greenock and Innerkip Farmer and Agricultural Society. There are several subscription and circulating libraries, with extensive collections of brooks. One newspaper, the Greenock Advertiser, is published thrice a week. The poor, who are very numerous, are supported partly by the public collections, partly by voluntary assessments, and partly by the interest of sums, which from time to time have been bequeathed to them by the charitable. There are various societies established by particular trades and professions, whose principal object is to afford relief to their decayed members: Such as the Ship carpenters So ciety, instituted in 1732 ; Master NVrights Society, insti tuted in 1734; Shoemakers Society, instituted in 1754; Journeymen Coopers Society, instituted in 1792 ; Widows Society, instituted in 1796, &c. The Merchants House Society was instituted in 1787; five guideas are paid on admission, and 5s. annually for the support of those fami lies or individuals belonging to it, who have grown indi gent. There was formerly in Greenock a society, de signed the Clyde Marine Society ; but in 1786 it was in corporated by act of parliament with the Glasgow Marine Society. This institution is very rich and very useful. There are several banks and branches of banks establish ed at Greenock, which do a great deal of business. .
The old harbour of Greenock, begun to be built in 1707, contains about. 10 acres. These are inclosed within two circular quays, in the middle of which is another quay built in 1712, projecting like a tongue. The original cost was 10,000 merks Scots, or 56251. sterling, which was to be defrayed by a malt duty, and was liquidated in 1740, leaving a surplus of 1500/. In 1801 and 1803, acts of par liament were obtained for enlarging and improving the harbour ; and when all the plans are executed, the accom modation for shipping, &c. in this port will be of a very complete and superior kind. The new harbour will con tain about 8 acres of ground, which were obtained from Sir John Shaw Stuart and Lord Cathcart at 5 guineas per fall, and a shilling per fall of feu duty. During the last ten years, 85,0001. have been expended in extending the harbours, by building new quays, sheds, &c. and an ad ditional sum of 25,0001. will be required to finish the work, including the expence of building a new graving dock.