FIFE, a county of Scotland, bounded on the west by Clackmannan and Perthshire, on the north by Perthshire only, on the north-east by the river Tay, on the
east by the German ocean, and on the south by the Firth of Forth. It is above 32 miles long, and 17 broad; though along the coast, from Crail to Culrofs, it extends about 40 miles in length. The face of the country is various. Towards the west it is mountainous, having the Lomond hills rising to a great height; to the east it is flat, well cultivated, and produces grain of all kinds in great plenty. It is full of towns; and has many good bays and harbours, which breed great number of hardy seamen. Formerly these towns carried on very extensive trade, but now are gone into decay; though, being all royal boroughs, they send several members to parliament. The hills are covered with sheep and black cattle; coal, with which the county abounds, is shipped off in great quantities; and the linen-manufacture is carried on to a considerable extent. The principal rivers are the Leven and the Eden, which produce trout and other fish of various kinds.—Fife is the most populous county in Scotland, having one full synod and four presbytery-seats within itself. It sends one member to parliament; and gives an Irish title of earl to the Duffs of Braco, the descendants of the ancient Thanes of Fife. Cupar is the county-town.