The antiquities of this place are not numerous, the only object of the kind within the town being a handsome cross, with a half obliterated inscription in Gothic cha racters, brought, it is said, from Iona. In taking a short walk to the westward of the town, you pass by the two batteries which defend the harbour, and arrive at Kil kerran, a most romantic sequestered spot. In the mid dle of the burying ground arc seen the ruins of tire cha pel dedicated to St Kerran, who was one of the first Chris tian missionaries. A little further on are the remains of a castle built by James V. during his t isit in these parts, to overawe tire Macdonalds; but before his ma jesty had well left the harbour, the garrison, it is said, was taken, and the governor hanged over the walls Turning to tire south you observe some great caves in the rocks which face the Frith. One of them con• tains, on all sides, a range of natural seats ; another, which was the residence of St Kerran, is in the form of a cross, and has three fine Gothic porticoes. On the floor of this cave is the figure of a cross, together with a circular basin, cut out of the rock, and full of sweet water; from which the saint of old derived his salubrious beverage.
The town is governed by a provost, two bailics, a dean of guild, and a council; is the seat of the presbytery of Kintyre ; and returns a member of parliament, in con junction with Inveraray, nothsay, Ayr, and Irvine. Ilav ing no landed property, its funds depend entirely on dues levied on commodities from the country, on harbour dues, the rents of a mill, and church seats; for the receipt and management of all whica revenues, there is a pub lic treasurer. The parish of Campbelltown, having ori ginally consisted of four distinct parishes, is very exten sive, and comprehends a population of above 9000 souls. For their accommodation, however, there is but one ser viceable church, and the Lowland meeting-house. Ano ther church was built sonic time ago, at a great expmce, for the exclusive accommodation of the Gaelic hearers but owing, it appears, to some absurd miscalculation, the roof has assumed a most threatening attitude. 1 he pa rish living is divided between two clergymen, each of whom preaches alternately both in English and Gaelic. The public school has two masters, and is in a flourish ing condition.
The principal necessaries of life arc supplied in the greatest abundance from the vicinity ; as potatoes, butter, cheese, beef, and mutton; of all which articles consider able quantities are exported to the neighbouring mar kets. The quantity of butcher-meat, annually slaugh tered for the consumption of the town and shipping, now considerably exceeds 1000 bullocks, and as many sheep.
The only necessary of life, of which there is any consi derable importation, is oat-meal, which, to the annual amount of 3000 bolls, is brought from the Lowlands and Ireland; but, as the writer of the statistical account just ly observes, the people have themselves to blame for this apparent deficiency, upwards of 7000 bolls of grain being every year converted into whisky. Peat continues still to be used as fuel by the poorer people, though a seam of excellent coal is worked within a few miles of the town, to which the coals are conveyed by a small canal.
The situation of this peninsular town is admirably well calculated for traffic. The neighbourhood abounding in corn and cattle, provisions are obtained at a reasonable ,rate ; and the navigation to the fishing grounds, to Inve rary, Greenock, Glasgow, Ayr, and the coast of Ireland, so extremely short, that a more central position for the coasting and home trade cannot any where be found. The herring fishing still continues to be the principal occupation of the inhabitants, of whom above 700 men have been known to be out in one season. During its most flourishing period, the following was an average statement of seven years : 54 vessels, 30044 tons, 674 men, 7412 barrels of herrings. Government fostered with unsparing liberality the infancy of this lucrative trade, from which Campbelltown alone has realised a very considerable capital, perhaps not less than 60,0001. sterling. The herring fishery, however, has of late been found rather unprofitable, and at present not above 2000 tons of Campbelltown shipping are employed in it. The people of capital are now beginning to embark in the foreign and coasting trade. Already more than 1000 tons of shipping are employed by them in these new chan nels; and last year (1811), the sum of 30001. sterling was laid out here in the purchase of vessels, larger and better calculated for general business than the herring busses.
In this place there are but few manufactures. Be sides the great distillation of whisky already mentioned, the weaving of cotton was introduced some years ago ; but with what success we are not informed. Of late, a woollen manufacture has been set agoing by Mr Clarke, on a pretty large scale ; in which the various processes of carding, spinning, weaving, &c. are carried on by the new machinery.—This extensive and laudable undertak ing is patronized by the Duke of Argyle, and promises well, as a ready market is found for the cloth in the vi cinity, and in Ireland. Campbelltown is situated at N. Lat. 26', W. Long. 5° 34'. (E)