RENFREW-SHIRE, a county of Scotland, styled by way of eminence the barony, because it was the ancient inheritance of the Stuarts, is a small county, extending about 20 miles from north to south, and 13 from east to west, parted from Dumfries-shire by the river Clyde on the west, bordering on the east with Lanark-shire, and on the north with Cunningham. The face of the country is varied with hill and vale, wood and stream; crowded with populous villages, and adorned with the seats of gentlemen. The soil is in general fertile, producing rye, barley, oats, pease, beans, flax, and some wheat: it likewise yields plenty of coal, and turf for fuel; and affords abundance of pasturage for sheep and cattle. The inhabitants are lowlanders, and Presbyterians; wealthy and industrious, addicted to traffic, and particularly expert in the linen manufacture. Their genius is stimulated to commerce, by the example of their neighbours of Glasgow, as well as the convenience of the river and frith of Clyde, along the course of which they are situated. Renfrew, the county town, standing on the small river Catheart, which flows into the Clyde at the distance of five miles from Glasgow, is a small but ancient royal borough, the seat of the sheriff's court and of a presbytery. The town is neatly built, and the inhabitants enjoy a tolerable share of commerce.—Renfrew was originally joined to Lanark, but was made an independent sheriffdom by Robert II. who had a palace here.