the name of two cities in Scotland, called the Old and New Towns, situated on the German Ocean, in W. Long. 1. 40. and N. lat. 57. 19.

The Old Town lies about a mile to the north of the Old Town, new, at the mouth of the river Don, over which is a fine bridge, of a single arch, which rests at both sides on two rocks. The old town was formerly the seat of the bishop, and had a large cathedral commonly called St Machar's. This two very antique spires, and one aisle, which is used as a church, are now the only remains of it. The bishopric was founded in the time of David I. who translated it from Mortlich in Banffshire to this place. The cathedral had anciently two rows of stone pillars across the church, and three turrets; the steeple, which was the largest of these turrets, refted upon an arch, supported by four pillars. In this cathedral there was a fine library; but, about the year 1560, it was almost totally destroyed. But the capital building is the King's college, on the south side of the town, which is a large and stately fabric. Aberdeen. It is built round a square, with cloisters on the south side. The chapel is very ruinous within; but there still remains some wood-work of exquisite workmanship. This was preserved by the spirit of the principal at the time of the reformation, who armed his people and checked the blind zeal of the barons of the Mearns, who after stripping the cathedral of its roof, and robbing it of the bells, were going to violate this seat of learning. They shipped their sacrilegious booty, with an intention of exposing it to sale in Holland: but the vessel had scarcely gone out of port, but it perished in a storm with all its ill-gained lading. The steeple is vaulted with a double crofs arch; above which is an imperial crown, supported by eight stone-pillars, and closed with a globe and two gilded crofs. In the year 1631 this steeple was thrown down by a storm, but was soon after rebuilt in a more stately form. This college was founded in 1494, by William Elphinstone bishop of this place, Lord Chancellor of Scotland in the reign of James III. and Lord Privy Seal in that of James IV. But James IV. claimed the patronage of it, and it has since been called the King's College. This college, and the Marishall-college in the New Town, form one university, called the University of King Charles. The library is large, but not remarkable for many curiosities. Hector Boethius was the first principal of the college; and sent for from Paris for that purpose, on an annual salary of forty marks Scots, at thirteen pence each. The square tower on the side of the college was built, by contributions from general Monk and the officers under him then quartered at Aberdeen, for the reception of students; of which there are about a hundred belonging to the college, who lie in it.

New Town. The New Town is the capital of the shire of Aberdeen. For largeness, trade, and beauty, it greatly exceeds any town in the north of Scotland. It is built on a hill or rising ground, and lies on a small bay formed by the Dee, deep enough for a ship of 200 tons. It is about two miles in circumference, and contains 13,000 souls, and about 3,000 in the suburbs; but the whole number of inhabitants between the bridges Dee and Don, which includes both the Aberdeens, and the interjacent houses or hamlets, is estimated at 20,000. The buildings (which are of granite from the neighbouring quarries) are generally four stories high; and have, for the most part, gardens behind them, which gives it a beautiful appearance. On the high street is a large church, which formerly belonged to the Franciscans. This church was begun by Bp William Elphinstone; and finished by Gavin Dunbar, Bishop of Aberdeen, about the 1500. Bp Dunbar is said likewise to have built the bridge over the Dee, which consists of seven arches. In the middle of Castle-street is an octagon building, with neat bas-reliefs of the kings of Scotland from James I. to James VII. The town-house makes a good figure, and has a handsome spire in the center. The grammar-school is a low but neat building. Gordon's hospital is handsome; in front is a good statue of the founder: it maintains forty boys, who are apprenticed at proper ages. The infirmary is a large plain building, and sends out between eight and nine hundred cured patients annually. But the chief public building in the new town is the Marishall-college, founded by George Keith earl of Marishall, in the year 1593; but since greatly augmented with additional buildings. There are about 1,400 students belonging to it. In both the Marishall and King's-college the languages, mathematics, natural philosophy, divinity, &c. are taught by very able professors. The convents in Aberdeen were: One of Mathurines, or of the order of the Trinity, founded by William the Lion, who died in 1214; another of Dominicans, by Alexander II.; a third of Observantines, a building of great length in the middle of the city, founded by the citizens and Mr Richard Vais, &c.; and a fourth of Carmelites, or White Friars, founded by Philip de Arbutinot in 1350.

Aberdeen once enjoyed a good share of the tobacco trade; but was at length forced to resign it to Glasgow, which was so much more conveniently situated for it. At present, its imports are from the Baltic, and a few merchants trade to the West Indies and North America. Its exports are stockings, thread, salmon, and oatmeal. The first is a most important article, as appears by the following state of it. For this manufacture, 20,800 pounds worth of wool is annually imported, and 1,600 pounds worth of oil. Of this wool is annually made 69,333 dozen pairs of stockings; worth, at an average, 1 l. 10 s. per dozen. These are made by the country-people, in almost all parts of this great county, who get 4 s. per dozen for spinning, and 14 s. per dozen for knitting; so that there is annually paid them 62,329 l. 14 s. There is, besides, about 2,000 l. value of stockings manufactured from the wool of the county. The thread manufacture is another considerable article, though trifling in comparison of the woollen. The salmon-fisheries on the Dee and the Don are a good branch of trade. About 46 boats, and 130 men, are employed on the fish; and, in some years, 167,000 lb. of fish have been sent pickled to London, and about 930 barrels of salted fish exported to France, Italy, &c. The fishery on the Don is far less considerable.—Aberdeen, with Aberbrothick, Brechin, Montrose, and Inverbervie, returns one member to Parliament.