NAIRN-, a royal borough, and county town of Nairn shire, is beautifully and commodiously situated on the west bank of the river .Nairn, whirb enters the Moray Frith eleven miles from Forres. The houses in the High-street, that lies east and west, are neat and elegant, from which many narrow lanes, extending to the river -- on one side, and to a cultivated plain of more than -la acres on the other, exhibit buildings of a very inferior construction. 'rile gaol and town-hall are situated in the middle of the street ; and the church and eernctry occupy a green head-land, projecting into the course of the river on thc southern side of the town.
The first charter now extant was granted by James VI. in the year 1539, being the renewal of a charter by Alexander I. ; and the revenue of the borough is deriv ed from a considerably extensive moor, let on various leases—from feu-duties and the tolls of six stated fairs in the year, and thc weekly market. The government of the borough is committed to a provost, :3 baillies, a dean of guild, treasurer, and 11 councillors. The whole trades form one incorporation.
The police is well conducted, and the streets are kept clean and well lighted. A considerable wing of Nairn, stretching towards thc shore, is occupied by fishermen, who use the Celtic language, which isnot understood by the other citizens ; and in consequence of this, one-half of the service of the public worship in the church is de livered in that tongue. This circumstance suggested a joke, attlibuted to James VI. who, being displeased by the compliments of a courtier on the population of the cities of England, is said to have replied, " that none of them equalled the extent of one of the cities of his na tive kingdom, which was so large, that one-half of the the inhabitants did not understand the language of the other."
The school is well conducted, and the different branch es of education are taught with success. The number of scholars is seftlom below 80, and often above 100. A school for girls is also supported at the public expense. The castle hill is situated on the south side of the town, on the banks of the river, where a royal fort once stood. 'file castle was placed, at a very remote period, nearer the shore, on the influx of the river, which flowed half a mile farther westwaril than at present, and vestiges of it are supposed yet to remain a considerable way within the bed of the ocean.
Mr. Telford has been employed in surveying the ground for constructing a commodious harbour, and it is calculated this great improvement may be made for the sum of 3000/. : the accommodation to the inhabitants of Nairn would thus be much increased, if the intercourse on the i\Ioray Frith, which must result from the Cale donian canal, were more frequent. Nine boats are em ployed in the white and salmon fishery, and 20 or 30 in that of herring. The establishment of a wool-carding manufactory has been very useful, and the plaiting of straw for England has been lately introduced. In 1794 the town contained 1100 inhabitants, and at present they arnoum to 2000.