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 Arabice et Latine, 4to. 1800, Lond. Relation de l’Egypte, par Abdallatif, traduit par M. Silvestre de Sacy, de l’Institut de France, 4to. Paris, 1810. ABERDEENSHIRE. The account given of this shire in the body of the work, is, in some particulars, incorrect, and in others, inadequate to its present state and circumstances. It is situate in the north-east of Scotland, between 56° 52′ and 57° 42′ of north latitude, and between 1° 49′, and 3° 48′ of longitude west from Greenwich. It is bounded by the German Ocean on the north and east; by the counties of Kincardine, Forfar, and Perth, on the south; and by those of Inverness, Moray, and Banff, on the west. Its greatest length is 85, its greatest breadth 40 miles; and its bounding line about 280 miles, of which 60 are on the sea-coast. By a careful measurement of Arrowsmith’s map, it is found to contain 1960 square miles, an area equal to 1,254,400 English, or 994,520 Scotch acres; of which somewhat more than one-third is under cultivation. It is usually described under five divisions. First Marr, which is a mountainous district, particularly Braemar, the Highland subdivision; few of its bounding mountains being less than 3000 feet, and several of them more than 4000 feet above the level of the sea. Red-deer are here found in great numbers, sometimes 300 in a flock; and moor game abounds in this as in all the more elevated parts of the county. Second, Formartin, of which the land on the sea coast is low and fertile; but hills and mosses are spread over the interior. Third, Buchan, the most extensive division next to Marr, which has been greatly improved of late by the cultivation of turnips and clover. Fourth, Garioch, a large and beautiful valley, naturally very fertile. Before the introduction of the modern husbandry, it was termed the granary of Aberdeen. And, fifth, Strathbogie, the greater part of which consists of hills, mosses, and moors. On a comprehensive review, it may be said, that, with the exception of the sea-coast of Buchan, which is flat, and of the south-west division, which is mountainous, Aberdeenshire is in general a hilly country; though it contains many large and fertile tracts, in a high state of cultivation. In extent, it is very nearly one-sixteenth part of Scotland.

Aberdeenshire is not rich in mineral productions. No coal has been found in it, and limestone is by no means abundant. Slate quarries are wrought to a small extent on the hill of Foudland, in the Garioch division; manganese is found near Aberdeen; and black lead has been discovered in the neighbourhood of Huntly. The mountains of Braemar contain these precious stones called Cairngorums by the country people, who go thither in whole families to search for them during the summer season; and they are sold sometimes at high prices, chiefly to the London jewellers. But granite is the most abundant mineral, and has brought considerable sums into the county, besides supplying the inhabitants with excellent stones, for building and other purposes. As many stones are sometimes raised from an acre of land under preparation for tillage, as bring from L. 30 to L. 50, for paving the streets of London. ‘The exportation of granite to the capital employs about 70 vessels of 7000 tons, and 400 men; and the value of all the stones exported yearly is stated at L. 40,000.

The principal rivers are the Dee and the Don. The gross annual produce of the salmon-fisheries on these two rivers is estimated at nearly L. 35,000. The Ythan and Ugie within the county, and the Deveron and Bogie on its boundaries, are also considerable streams. Muscles are plentiful near the mouth of the Ythan; and pearl muscles have been sometimes discovered at its lower extremity. One of the jewels of the ancient crown of Scotland, a valuable pearl, is said to have been found here. There are also several lakes throughout the county well stored with pike, trout, eels, and other kinds of fish. The county is noted for its chalybeate springs at Peterhead and Frasersburgh.

The district of Marr, containing almost half the county, abounds in natural woods and plantations, which are a source of wealth to their proprietors, and of profitable employment to the inhabitants. This country is so well adapted to the growth of trees, that it is only necessary to shut out the cattle by enclosures, and the birds and winds supply it with seeds that soon rise into vigorous plants. These woods consist chiefly of Scotch fir; and the timber, especially what grows in the forests of Braemar, has been found superior to any that Scotland has imported from the north of Europe. About a tenth part of the whole surface of the county is under wood; and the trees found in the peat mosses indicate the existence of still more extensive forests in former ages.

Ruins of ancient edifices are seen in different parts of the county. In the Garioch district, the vitrified fort Dun-o-Deer, built on the summit of a beautiful conical hill, which springs about 300 feet from its base, is supposed to be 1000 years old; and is said to have been the residence of King Gregory the Great (as he is called by the old Scotish historians) who died in 892. The ruins of two buildings, supposed to have belonged to Malcolm Kenmore, who died in 1004, are still pointed out. One of them, situate at Castletown of Braemar, was his hunting-seat; the other stands in a small island in Loch Kanders, and must have been inaccessible, except when the lake was frozen. A wooden bridge, which connected tt with the land, has been found in the lake. The castle of Kildrummy, which, in 1150, was the property of David, Earl of Huntingdon, must have been a princely edifice, covering nearly an acre of ground; and its venerable remains still shew the power and grandeur of the chieftains by whom it was inhabited. In the same district are some ancient subterraneous retreats, supposed to have been used by the Picts as places of refuge from an invading enemy.

The agriculture of Aberdeenshire has been considerably improved of late years; and wheat, as well as other grain, with potatoes, turnips, and clover, are now cultivated according to the best courses of modern husbandry. Farms, however, are still generally of a small size, compared with these of the south-eastern counties; and the buildings, though 