LENOX, or DUNBARTON-Shire, a county of Scotland, stretching 24 miles in length and 20 in breadth, is bounded on the south by the river and frith of Clyde, on the west by Lochlong and Argyle-shire, on the north by the Grampian hills, and on the east by Monteith and Stirling-shire. Great part of this county consists of hills and heaths, fit for nothing but pasture and sport; even in the lower lands, the soil is not extremely fertile: yet the face of the country is agreeably diversified with hill, dale, mountain, heath, streams, lakes, woods, and fields of corn: the shire is likewise beautified with a great number of agreeable seats and plantations, belonging to gentlemen of fortune. Part of this county is washed by the river Clyde in its course to the sea: even at the castle of Dumbarton, the breadth of it amounts to two miles at high-water, and it continues extending in width and depth until it joins the ocean. From the mouth of the Clyde, the two bays of Lochlong and Lochlym make large indentations in the shire of Dumbarton. The only river of any consideration that runs through this county, is the Leven, the Lelanonius of Ptolemy, otherwise called Levinia, the Latin name for Lenox. The river Leven is a pure transparent pastoral stream, that warbles over a bed of pebbles, thro' a delightful vale adorned with farms, seats, woods, and plantations. It derives its origin from the great lake called Lochlomond, of which indeed it is the overflowing, and, after a delightful meandering course of five or six miles, disembogues itself into the Clyde at the castle of Dumbarton. But the greatest curiosity of this county is Lochlomond itself, a vast body of fresh water, supplied by subterra-
neous springs and rivulets, surrounded with huge mountains, extending 25 miles in length, and in some places five miles in breadth, incredibly deep in every part, interspersed with 24 verdant isles, some of which are stocked with red deer, and inhabited. Nothing can be more wildly romantic than this part of the country, during the summer-season, on the south side of the lake: the high road runs in some places through natural woods; overhung, on one hand, by steep mountains, covered with flowery heath; and on the other opening in long vists upon the lake, terminated by green islands that seem to float upon the water. Among the rivers of this shire we shall likewise mention the water of Blane, which, though itself an inconsiderable stream, hath been rendered famous by the birth of George Buchanan, the celebrated Latin poet and historian. He was born on the north side of the lake, not far from the place called Buchannan, where we may behold an elegant seat belonging to the duke of Montrose, head of the noble family of Graham, so often distinguished by its loyalty, integrity, and valour. The same part of the country gave birth to the great mathematician and naturalist, Napier lord Merchilton, inventor of the logarithms. The title of Lenox, with the property of great part of the shire, was heretofore vested in a branch of the royal family of Stuart, with which it was reunited in the person of king James VI. whose father, Henry lord Darly, was son to the duke of Lenox. This prince conferred the title upon his kinsman Esme Stuart, son of John lord D'Aubigny in France: but, his race failing at the death of Charles duke of Lenox and Richmond, and the estate devolving to the crown, king Charles II. conferred both titles on his own natural son by the duchess of Portsmouth; and they are still enjoyed by his posterity. The people of Lenoxshire are chiefly Lowlanders, though in some parts of it divine service is performed in the Erse language. The most numerous clans in this district, are the Macfarlans, the Colquhouns, and the Buchannans. They generally profess the Protestant faith, according to the Presbyterian discipline; yet some of the gentlemen follow the English ritual. The commonalty are for the most part sober, honest, and industrious; and though they live poorly, are tall, vigorous, and healthy.