PERTH. The capital of Perthshire, Scot land, a city, royal and Parliamentary burgh, on the Tay:, 45 miles northwest of Edinburgh (Map: Scotland, E 3). The charming scenery of the immediate vicinity, the Tay, sweeping south ward along its eastern side, and the superb back ground of the Grampians. on the north, render the site of the 'Fair City' exceedingly beautiful: while the important role it has played in the his tory of the country claims for it a high rank i among the cities of Scotland. The river is spanned by two handsome bridges, and there are two beautiful public parks, called the North and South Inches. Among the most interesting pub lic buildings are the Church of Saint John (whence Saint Johnstown. or Saint John's Town, the old name of the city) : the Episcopal Cathe dral of Saint Ninian's; the county building; the town-house, part of which is as • old as 1210; King James V I .'s Hospital; the infirmary; and the city prison. At the head of the South Inch stands the penitentiary, or general prison, where all criminals sentenced to imprisonment for long periods are confined. The town also contains a statue of Albert, Prince Consort, a public library, the museum of the An tiquarian Society, public seminaries, and other oducatibnal institutions. It has ink, glass, cot
ton, and dye works, iron foundries, breweries, linen and wincey manufactures, shipbuilding yards, distilleries, and extensive bleaching fields. The salmon fishery on the Tay is very valuable. The total quayage of Perth harbor is 1225 feet, and vessels of 200 tons can draw alongside. Perth has a charter as a royal burgh from King Wil liam the Lion (1165-1214). Perth was the scene of the murder of the Earl of Cornwall, by his brother Edward in 1336; of a combat be two n two highland clans ( 1396), described in Scott's Pair Maid of Perth: of the assassination of James 1. in 1437, notwithstanding the heroic action of Catharine Douglas, who died to pre vent the entry of the murderers by making her arm do duty for the missing bar on the door; and of Knox's Reformation sermon. Population, in 1891. 30,000: in 1901, 32,872. Consult Pea cock. Perth: Its Annals and Archives (London, 1849).