a parish of Middlesex, on the north-east side of London, containing no less than 12 hamlets. At the bottom of Hackney Marsh; through which the river Lea runs, between Old Ford and the Wyck, there have been discovered the remains of a great stone causeway, which, by the Roman coins, &c., found there, was no doubt one of the famous highways made by the Romans. The church here is of a very ancient foundation, so old as Edward II. That part next London is called Mare-street; the middle Church-street; and the north part Clapton; Dorlestone and Shakeswell are on the west, and Hummerton, which leads to the Marsh, on the east. Here are three meeting-houses and several boarding schools, besides the free-school in the churchyard, a charity-school, and 17 almshouses. It was from this place that the coaches let to the people in London first received their name; for in the last century, many people having gone on visits to see their friends at Hackney, it occasioned them often to hire horses or carriages, so that in time it became a common name for such horses, coaches and chairs, as were let to the people of London; and the name has now diffused itself not only throughout Britain, but likewise Ireland.

Hackney-Coaches, those exposed to hire in the streets of London, and some other great cities, at rates fixed by authority. See COACH.—These first began to ply in the streets of London, or rather waited at inns, in the year 1625, and were only 20 in number; but in 1635 they were so much increased, that King Charles issued out an order of council for restraining them. In 1637, he allowed 50 hackney-coachmen, each of whom might keep 12 horses. In 1652, their number was limited to 200; and in 1654, it was extended to 300. In 1661, 400 were licensed, at 5l. annually for each. In 1694, 700 were allowed, and taxed by the 5 and 6 of W. and M. at 4l. per annum each. By 9 Anne cap. 23. 800 coaches were allowed in London and Westminster; but by 8 Geo. III. cap. 24. the number is increased to 1000, which are to be licensed by commissioners, and to pay a duty of 5s per week to the king. On Sundays there were formerly only 175 hackney-coaches to ply, which were to be appointed by commissioners; but their number is now unlimited.

The fare of hackney-coachmen in London, or within ten miles of the city, is 12 shillings and sixpence per day, allowing 12 hours per day. By the hour it is 1s. 6d. for the first, and 1s. for every hour after; and none are obliged to pay above 1s. for any distance not exceeding a mile and a half; or above 1s. 6d. for any distance not exceeding two miles. Where hackney coachmen refuse to go at, or exact more than, their limited hire, they are subject to a forfeit not under... Haddington, County of, otherwise called East Lothian, is bounded by Mid Lothian on the west; on the north by the frith of Forth; on the east by the German ocean; and it is separated from the county of Berwick by the Lammermuir hills. It is about 25 miles long, and from 12 to 16 broad, being computed one of the most fertile counties in the kingdom, producing abundance of wheat and every species of grain. Even the mountainous part of it towards the south is admirably adapted to the rearing of sheep. The inhabitants on the sea coasts employ themselves in fishing, making of salt, foreign trade, and the exportation of corn. Several branches of the linen and woollen manufacture have been established in the interior of the county, and are in a flourishing condition. There is a manufacture of sulphuric acid (oil of vitriol) established at Prestonpans, and one for sal ammoniac near the same place.

It contains three royal boroughs, viz. Haddington, North Berwick, and Dunbar; besides a number of well-peopled villages and towns, such as Tranent, Prestonpans, Aberlady, Dirleton, &c. In this county also there are many seats of noblemen and gentlemen, such as those of the duke of Roxburgh, marquis of Tweeddale, earl of Haddington, Lord Blantyre, earl of Wemyss, Lord Elphinstone, earl of Hopetoun, Sir James Hall, Hay of Drummelzier, &c. &c. In this county there is abundance of coal of an excellent quality, of freestone and limestone; ironstone is found in the parish of Humbie, and in the vicinity of Stenton there are some traces of an ore of lead. It is divided into 24 parishes. The population in 1801 amounted to 29,986 souls, and the actual rent of the whole has been estimated at £168,878l. 5s. 10d. sterling. The following table exhibits a view of the population of this county, according to the Statistical History of Scotland.

| Parish | Population in 1755 | Population in 1790-98 | |-----------------|-------------------|----------------------| | Aberlady | 739 | 820 | | Athelstaneford | 691 | 927 | | Bolton | 359 | 235 | | Dirleton | 1700 | 1200 | | Dunbar | 3281 | 3700 | | Garvald | 774 | 730 | | Gladsmuir | 1415 | 1380 | | Haddington | 3975 | 3915 | | Humbie | 1570 | 676 | | Innerwick | 941 | 960 |

Decrease, 743