542 Retrospective view cf Husbandry — Moray shir £» 



stores, -vvliich have often been interrupted for days by the magnitude 

 arid rapidity of the river in lloods, will be gratefully felt j while essen- 

 tial benefits must result from it to this county in particular by the ready 

 admission of that valuable, and much wanted article, hme, v. hich a- 

 bounds in the neighbouring county of Er.nff j from the im.mediate im- 

 provement of a large tract of level moor in tiie vicinity of the bridge 

 on %\'hich there is an intention to establish a village ; and especially 

 from the inducement it holds out to the great dealers in cattle, to ex- 

 tend the tour of their purchases to this quarter, where there are always 

 considerable quantities of stock, and which the hazardous and vexa- 

 tious interruptions occasioned by fording the Spey, have hitherto 

 tended to prevent. 



It cannot fail to give pleasure to every liberal mind, toicnow that 

 the chief obstacle to this great work has been happily overcome dur- 

 ing this summer, by the erection of the three principal Piers which 

 are noA\- quite ready to receive the arclies. . The expence of this bridge 

 (from 12 to 14000I.) is to be defrayed by Government aid, by public 

 subscriptions, and by the liberality of that i>oble family on whose 

 property it stands. When it is finished his Grace of Gordon \\\\\ enjoy 

 the gratifying reriection,that in his ovrn time he has begun ar.d complet- 

 td a magnificent castle, an elegant church, and a most useful bridge. 



Another important improvement, and intimately connected with the 

 preceding, is to be found in the unanimous resolution of our last 

 county meeting, to apply for an act of Parliament for making turnpike 

 the great leading post road, and our prirjcipal cross roads. From the 

 talents and persevering zeal of the com.mittte, to whom this important 

 matter is entrusted, every hope may be iiidulged of its eflfectual and. 

 speedy accomplishment. The advantages arising to agriculture, to 

 trade, to safe andexpeditious travelling from theintroduction of 2 i/rw/i?)^^ 

 roads has been so practically demonstrated by their adoption in every 

 part of the island, that no better argument, (tho' many must always 

 arise out of local circumstances) nor indeed any other, is necessary to 

 demonstrate their utility. This line of Turnpike, by continuing that 

 now forming in the counties of Aberdeen and Banff, will extend the 

 public accommodation in this way from the southern to nearly the 

 northern extremity of the kingdom •, and ^ve cannot doubt but it will 

 be taken up and acted on by the counties of Inverness and Ross, with 

 all that energy and spirit v. hich characterizes tliem in every public 

 r.ndcrtaking. 



A substantial and very handsome bridge of t^vo arches across the 

 J^ossle, at the east end of Elgin and near the Cathedral, which -was 

 founded in June last, is now complcated. By it the communication 

 ''vith our sea-port, Lossiemouth, and with the eastern part of the coun- 

 ty, formerly often interrupted by lloods in the river, is secured at all 

 times. Y\'hiie this essential accom.modation is provioed, the approach 

 to the town in this direction, presents a most picturesque and richly 

 varied landscape. The Avoik has been defrayed by public subscrip- 

 tions, and executed by Mr Burns. 



A few spirited farmers have suggested the idea, and are ready to 



carry 



