name given to three counties of Scotland, viz. Haddingtonshire, Edinburghshire, and Linlithgowshire; otherwise called East, Mid, and West Lothians.

1. East Lothian, or Haddingtonshire, is bounded on the north-west by the Frith of Forth; and on the east by the German Sea; on the south-east by Berwickshire; and on the west by the county of Edinburgh. It extends about 25 miles from east to west, and where broadest, nearly 15 from north to south. The coast, advancing northward into the Frith, forms an irregular curve.—This is one of the most fruitful counties in Scotland, producing great quantities of wheat and all sorts of grain, well-watered, and plentifully supplied with fish, fowl, fuel, and all the necessaries of life. It abounds with towns, villages, and farms, interspersed with a great number of agreeable houses belonging to persons of rank and fortune. For cultivation, populousness, and fertility, this shire may vie with any tract of land in the island of Great Britain. Over and above the farming, which turns out to great account, the people towards the sea-coast employ themselves in the fishery, salt-making, and in foreign trade; and some of the more inland inhabitants engage in the linen and woollen manufactures. Lime-stone and coal are found in most parts of the country, and great numbers of sheep are fed on the hills of Lammermuir.

2. Edinburghshire, or Mid-Lothian, is about 35 miles long, but varies in its breadth in different places from five to 16 miles. It is bounded on the east by Haddingtonshire; on the west by the shire of Linlithgow; on the south, by Tweeddale or Peeblesshire; and on the north, by part of West-Lothian and the Frith of Forth. The aspect of the country is in general level and pleasant, interspersed with a few hills, that help to exhibit agreeable prospects. It is well watered with rivers, and shaded with woods. It produces plenty of coal, lime-stone, a soft black marble, and some copper ore. The soil, of itself fertile, is finely cultivated, and yields as plentiful harvests of excellent wheat as are found in any part of Great Britain. The whole shire is interspersed with noble houses and plantations belonging to noblemen and gentlemen of fortune. The farmers are master of the science of agriculture; and wealthy in consequence of their skill, some of them paying 500l. of yearly rent. The country is well inhabited, and presents us with a good number of towns and populous villages. Along the sea-coast the common people subsist by fishing, and traffic in coals and salt, and some few carry on a smuggling commerce. Those in the inland are employed in farming, and some branches of the weaving manufacture. The sheriffdom of this shire is in the gift of the crown; and Edinburgh is a county in itself.

3. The shire of Linlithgow, or West Lothian, is bounded on the north by the Frith of Forth. The small river Almond divides it from Edinburghshire on the east. On the south-west it joins the county of Lanark; and on the west it is parted from Stirlingshire by Avon, a small river. Its form, though irregular, regular, approaches to a parallelogram. It measures from north-east to south-west, nearly 20 miles. Its breadth, except on the shore of the Frith, does not exceed 12.—The country is pleasant and fertile, abounding with corn and pasturage. Here is found plenty of coal, limestone, and lead ore; nay, in the reign of James VI, it produced a rich mine of silver.