JOHNSTONE, a modern and thriving village of Scotland, in the county of Renfrew, at the distance of about three miles west from Paisley. It owes its origin entirely to manufactures, as about forty years ago only a few cottages stood where now is seen a town consisting of two large squares, many considerable streets, and public works. It is regularly laid out, there being one main street, which is crossed by others at right angles. The houses are substantially built, and for the most part two stories high. There are within the precincts of the place seventeen cotton mills of various extent, and other three in the neighbourhood. There are also in the town two brass and two extensive iron foundries; five machine manufactories, and a public gas-work. Besides a chapel of ease belonging to the Scotch church, there is here a United Secession and Relief church, a Universalist, and Methodist chapel. In Johnstone are also a town school, a subscription library, two news-rooms, a mechanics' institution and library, and sundry benevolent and religious societies. The Ardrossan Canal from Glasgow terminates in a basin at the east end of the town. In its neighbourhood are four collieries, which are of great advantage to a place to which coal is of essential importance. The population in 1811 amounted to 3647, and in 1818 to 5000.
JOHNSTON'S ISLE, a small island in the Eastern Seas, surrounded by a cluster of others. It is covered with verdure and cocoa-nut trees. Long. 131. 12. E. Lat. 3. 11. N.