K E L S O. 



433 



Keltt. instances have been set down on the confines of two 

 ' ~~ ' lands, which were the natural rivals of each other, 

 and frequently engaged in the most inveterate hostility. 

 But, is it not probable, that these establishments, 

 which belonged to a religion common to both coun- 

 tries were intended as moral bulwarks against military 

 violence, and that while the ecclesiastics generally en- 

 joyed security in the midst of public alarm, their con- 

 secrated enclosure* were designed to afford a refuge to 

 all who might be admitted ; and even by softening the 

 feelings, and awiiig the consciences uf invaders, might 

 in some measure form a protection to the towns and 

 villages in their sacred vicinity ? Certain it is, that 

 while castles and fortresses were often demo. 

 these sacred edifices, in general, remained secure, and 

 that they suffered more from the seal of the refor: 

 in a few years, than from all the conflicts of contend- 

 ing nations during many ages. 



j, . . _ There arc, in the parish of Kelso, the rites of two 

 bouK*. other religious houses; the one a convent of 1 i 



cans, on that part of the beautiful peninsula formed by 

 the Twee- 1 and Teviot, opposite to Kelso, near which 

 the farm house of Friar* stands. About thirty years 

 ago, a gothic arch, and some other fragments remain- 

 ed, but no vestige of them is now to be >o-n. The 

 other religious building, called Mutton Diru, which has 

 also disappeared, was a place of refuge and comfort for 

 pilgrims the intirui, ami tlir indigent. It was situated 

 a little to the south of the river Teviot. 



The modern parish churc-li is a very large octagon. 

 Besides the est ,'iurch, there are places oi 



ship belonging to -copaliani, Cameronians, 



I Burgher*, Antiburghers, and Relief. 



Population. The popuLtt pari-h was -WL.'*. by the cen- 



sus taken in 17!'.: in 1806 it was 46S4. ami in l.sil 

 4408. The population uf Ikt lean was, 1557 ; 



and in 1806, 3962. 



There are two established school*, \ is. the Latin and 

 the English schools ; and one, for the instruct: 

 girls only, supported by subscription. It-, chief con- 

 tributors are the Duchess of Roxburgh, and Lady 

 Diana Scott. A society, the members of which sub- 

 scribe a penny a- week each, was begun in 1815, for 

 assisting indigent parents in ruction of their 



children ; 'thi society sends its pupil* indiscriminately 

 to any of the sclio 



Poor-rates have been established at Kelso for long 

 period. Till within the last twenty-five years, the 

 heritors were used to pay their part of the poor-rate* 

 r assessment, and the inhabitants of the town 

 ..- by a kind of voluntary contribution; but 

 that time the proprietors of house* have been an- 

 nually asewed in the same way as the proprietor* of 

 . The whole assessment, ten year* ago, including 

 :e of officer*, &c. was 645. The asset 



ir, is .f I'-o, lit-ing at the rate of 

 Is. 3d. |>-T poand on the real rental of lands and home*. 

 The v >uers, on the roll, amount 



to 140, a- -4ge allowance may be about Is. Sd. 



per week. or fifty other persons receive 



occasional or ' '<('')' 



Corporation There arc here several corporation boxes, and male 

 r 'i -. friendly societies, one of therm having a widow's fund 



attached to it, and called the " Gardener'* .So< 

 PriciuMr and a " / ety" wi Muted some 



"in year- , onuses to do much good, and tends 



jiirit uf the age. A friendly, or 



'' ..pi.- ', '. . .. :.ll |j'.ill ot III it t KlllllWrti. W.IS 



ojx i ;. ears ago, and was the first that was re- 



<ll. PART II. 



gularly organised on this model in Scotland. These KvI-. 

 novel institutions tend to preserve a humane, social, ""\ ""' 

 and independent spirit, among the lower orders, and 

 a kindly intercourse between them and their superior?, 

 to whom they look for counsel and assistance in con- 

 ducting them; and also to counteract some political 

 evils of great and alarming extent. 



Kelso, though it be the most populous town in the Government, 

 county of Roxburgh, is not the county town. It was 

 erected into a burgh of barony, as is believed, in 1 605. 

 It is under the jurisdiction of a baron bailie, and fifteen 

 stent-masters, or town-councillors, of whom a majority 

 (eight) are nominated by the duke, or his bailie ; and 

 the remainder by the five incorporated trades, and the 

 merchant and butcher companies, one from each. 



The small revenue of the town arises chiefly from an 

 annual tax, or steut, levied on the inhabitants, chiefly 

 according to their rents. The weekly market is held 

 on Friday, in the square, where a great quantity of 

 grain is sold, and entirely by sample ; and whither mer- Markets. 

 chanU from Berwick often resort, to purchase for expor- 

 tation. There are three great markets held here near 

 ie, and three about Martinmas, at which 

 farm-servants of all descriptions are hired. More agri- 

 cultural luisinea* is transacted regularly at Kelso, than 

 at any other place between Berwick and Dumfries. 

 The sy>Uni of husbandry, in this and the adjoining 

 coun' i model for the country at large; 



and the fanners are men of great skill and enterprise, 

 and nut (infrequently of capital, though many have suf- 



fered severely from the pressure of the two last years. 

 KeUo owes its support chiefly to this class, and their 

 numerous dependant* ; its article* of trade and manu- 

 facture, of which shoemaking is the most extensive, 

 being such a* are consumed in the district. The Bor- 

 der Agricultural Society, which is very flourishing, 

 thouK live years standing, holds its prize ex- 



in, and sales of stock, in this place. A Horti- 

 cultural Society, of a humbler nature, and supported 

 chiefly by practical gardeners, was soon alter institu- 

 ted, and goes on well. 



I lie town and neighbourhood are well accommoda- Libraries, 

 ted in literary information, by three subscription libra- 

 ries ; the oldest instituted about sixty years ago, under 

 the name of " KcUo Library." There are also two 

 newspaper*; the AV/vo Mini, instituted in 1797, by 

 Mr. James Ballantyne, now of Edinburgh, and still 

 published twice in the week; and the Kelso Weekly 

 Journal. 



A dispensary, for supplying the indigent of the town Dispensary, 

 and country with advice and medicine, was instituted 

 about forty year* ago. The late excellent Mrs. Baillie 

 of Mellerstain (Jerviswood), was its chief original pro- 

 moter. A commodious building has been more re- 

 cently erected for carrying on the designs of the cliari- 

 ty ; and there are in it rooms capable of admitting a 

 few surgical cases. Fever-wards, on a small scale, are 

 immediately to be added. 



A handsome, and much- wanted bridge, was built Bridget. 

 oveif the Teviot about 25 years ago, a Tittle above its 

 confluence with the Tw <). The new bridge over 

 Tweed, called Kelso .Bridge, was begun in 1800, to 

 supply the place of one which had been swept away 

 by the overflowing of the river in 1797. It consist* 

 of five noble elliptical arches, and is one of the chief 

 artificial ornaments of the place. It was built by Mr. 

 Murray, under the direction of Mr. Hrnnie. The ex- 

 pence, with the approaches, &c. amounted to about 

 18,000. 



3 i 



