SELKIRK, a royal burgh of Scotland, and capital of the county of the same name, is finely situated on a commanding eminence below the confluence of the rivers Yarrow and Ettrick, and about I& mile above the junction of their united streams with the Tweed. This town has of late been greatly improved, and con tains several good houses. The principal buildings are a new town-house, with a handsome spire and clock, and containing apartments for the Sheriff court and the business of the burgh. A new prison has been erected at the back of the town. It is encircled with a lofty which incleses an area accessible to the prisoners. The other buildings arc the parish church and the Secession meeting-house. The prin cipal manufactories here are an inkle one, which has been long established, and a tan-work; and the mak ing of stockings and the spinning of woollen yarn are carried on to a considerable extent.
This burgh has been celebrated by the devoted bravery of its citizens at the battle of Flodden. 01100 who followed James IV. to the field, only a few sur vived. A standard taken from the English on the occasion, by a member of the corporation of weavers, is still in their possession; and the sword of William Brydone, the town clerk, who led the citizens to the battle, and who was knighted for his valour, is still in the possession of his descendant, an inhabitant of Selkirk. The English were so exasperated at the bravery of that band of citizens, that they laid Selkirk in ashes. James V. however, in reward of their emi
nent seri-ices, granted them a thousand acres of Sel kirk Forest, which are now worth about L.1500 per annum, and are divided into a great number of small properties. In their annual survey of this tract, the English standard is carried before the corporation of weavers.
A battle was fought on Philiphaugh, opposite to the town, on the 15th September, 1645, in which General Lesly completely defeated the Marquis of Montrose.
Selkirk unites with Peebles, Lanark, and Linlith gow, in sending a member to Parliament. The town is governed by two bailies, a dean of guild, a treasur er, and 29 councillors, in all 33. The revenue derived from three large commons, mills, feus, and other sources, is about L. 1000 annually.
The vicinity of Selkirk, towards the united streams of the Yarrow and Ettrick, is beautiful; and a fine view of it is obtained from the town. The chief ob ject of interest here is the ruin of Newark Castle, situated on a peninsula formed by the Yarrow, which i has cut its course through rugged rocks enveloped in wood. Haining, the seat of John Pringle, Esq. of Clifton, is situated close to Selkirk; and Yair, the seat of Alexr. Pringle, Esq. of Whitebank, situated on the banks of the Tweed, is celebrated for its picturesque beauties. Sunderland Hall is beautifully situated at the junction of the Tweed and the Ettrick, about two miles below Selkirk.