PEEBLES, a burgh town of Scotland, and county town of Peebles-shire, is agreeably situated on the north bank of the Tweed, principally on a slightly elevated ridge at the junction of Eddlestone-water, with the Tweed. Peebles is a town of very considerable antiquity, and there was undoubtedly a village and a church here before the com mencement of the Scoto-Saxon period. Being only twenty one miles distance from the metropolis, Peebles was oc casionally honoured by the residence of the Scottish mo narchs till the death of Alexander III. It sent two repre sentatives to the parliament which was assembled in 1357, to provide the ransom of David II. This sovereign after -wards granted the town a charter, dated September 20, 1367, in which it is styled a royal burgh ; and this was sub sequently confirmed by James II. and VI. with additional privileges.
The town of Peebles is divided by Eddlestone•water into two parts, called the Old and New Town. The principal street, running parallel to the Tweed, is broad and clean, and contains many excellent houses. At the west end of this street, and at the point where the Eddlestone runs into the Tweed, stands the church, which is an excellent and substantial modern structure, with a lofty spire. It oc cupies the site of the ancient castle. Close to it is the county jail, which is also a substantial building. There is also here a town hall; and an elegant inn, built by Tontine, which contains the assembly rooms, and other apartments where the county business is transacted.
Before the reformation, Peebles had three churches and several chapels. The ruins of the high church dedicated to the Virgin Mary, and erected in the llth century, still exist in the church-yard, at the west extremity of the Old Town. When the church was deAroyed at the Reforma tion, the Cross-church became the parochial place of •or ship, and continued so till 1782, when the present church.
was built. The remains of the cross still exist, at the east end of the Old Town. There was formerly a mint at the head of Bridge-gate, which is still known by the name of Cunzie .Abok. The Old and New Town are connected by means of two small bridges over the Eddlestone. There is a fine old bridge of five arches over the Tweed, immedi ately below the confluence of the Eddlestone with the river, j and which joined Peebles with a new suburb, containing many excellent houses ; among which is a charity school for girls, built and supported by the liberality of Sir John Hay, Bart. Peebles possesses an excellent grammar school, which has obtained great reputation under the present master, Mr. Sloane, and is a place well fitted for the edu cation of youth.
The principal manufactures of Peebles are those of car pets and stockings, and weaving is carried on to a con siderable extent. There is an extensive brewery at Kers field, in the neighbourhood of the town.
The town is governed by a provost, two bailies, and a council of eighteen in all ; and, along with Lanark, Linlith gow, and Selkirk, it sends one member to parliament.
The principal places in the immediate neighbourhood of Peebles, are Necdpath Castle, a fine old building, the property of the Earl of Wemyss and March; King's-Mea dows, the residence of John Hay, Esq. Younger of Hayston; Cailzie, the residence of R. N. Campbell, Esq.; Venlaw, (where the old castle of Smithfield stood, said to have been inhabited by Darnley,) the property of J. Erskine, Esq.; Barns, the seat of James Burnet, Esq.; and Rosetta, the residence of Thomas Young, Esq. The population of the parish of Peebles, in 1821, was 2701.