or ARGATHIA, in Scotland, which, together with Perthshire and the Western Islands, is said to have constituted the ancient Kingdom of the Scots, while the rest of Caledonia was subject to the Picts and Romans, comprehends Kintyre, Knapdale, Argyle Proper, Cowal and Lorn. It is bounded on the south by the Irish sea and the Frith of Clyde; on the east, by Perthshire; on the north-east, by Lochaber; and on the north-west, by several islands. The extent of it from south to north, between the Mull of Kintyre and the point of Ardnamurchan where it joins the shire of Inverness, is about 114 miles; and the breadth in some places, including the isles, to 70. This country, like all other parts of the Highlands, affords a very wild and horrid prospect of hills, rocks, and huge mountains, piled upon each other in a stupendous and dreadful disorder; bare, bleak, and barren to the view; or at best covered with shagged heath, which appears black and dismal to the eye, except in the summer, when it is variegated with an agreeable bloom of a purple colour. The coast of Argyle is rocky; yet indented with bays and inlets, that afford good harbours for shipping. The country is well watered by rivers, brooks, and lakes, abounding with fish; the vales and flat parts of it are cultivated for corn; the mountains feed an innumerable quantity of black cattle, which run wild among the hills in winter as well as summer; the heath and woods, of which there is a considerable number, afford shelter to deer, roebucks, and all sorts of game in great plenty: the circumambient sea, with its locks, bays, and harbours, pours forth myriads of fish; but the innate wealth of the country is dug from the bowels of the mountains in iron, copper, lead, and other metals and minerals.

Argyle is the seat of a provincial synod, consisting of five presbyteries and 49 parishes; and gives the titles of duke and earl to the noble family of Campbell, the most powerful of all the Scottish nobility. The Duke of Argyle is, by hereditary right, great master of the king's household in Scotland; admiral of the Western isles; general of Denoon castle; keeper of Dunstaffnage and Carrick; and, before the jurisdictions were abolished, enjoyed other hereditary offices, which rendered