Page:Alloway Kirk or Tam o Shanter a tale and man was made to mourn a poem with a sketch of burnss life.pdf/11

11 the sum of £50 or upwards. Seven members from the town council of Ayr, annually chosen. The Sheriff Depute of the county for the time being. The nearest heir male of the deceased John Fergusson of Doonholm, Esq. Five contributors representing the minor subscribers.

The number of teachers are six, besides their assistants. French, Italian and German, taught by a learned gentleman from France.

A flourishing banking company has existed in Ayr for many years. Ayr has a considerable harbour; but navigation is much impeded by a bar, which is occasionally thrown across the mouth of the river, particularly by N. W. winds; a new act of parliament is obtained to improve it; the depth of the water, even at spring tides, seldom exceeds 12 feet. About 6000 tonnage and 500 seamen are employed in the coal and grain trade. This parish claims