s the nearest land to the northern continent of Europe, and lies within 300 miles of the cape, which is called the **Naze of Norway**. Through this channel the grand body of the herrings pass in their annual migrations from Shetland and the north seas to the more southern latitudes, attended with the all-devouring cod and ling; on which account Peterhead, or, as it is sometimes called, **Buchanef**, hath always been the second station of the Dutch buffets after leaving the Shetland islands. Tradition says, that some hundred years ago the Dutch offered Lord Mareschal, then the proprietor of the coast, to cover a small island called **Inchkeith** with silver for the property of it to carry on their fisheries, which for obvious reasons could not be accepted. Be that as it may, the Dutch, in time of peace, still frequent the coast in July and August, and sometimes 100 sail are seen within sight of land, busily employed in the herring and white fisheries. The natives, to whom this treasure properly belongs, have lately made some attempts towards the white fishery, of which they cure and vend, chiefly at the London market, 4000 barrels of delicate small cod and ling annually. They also fit out some vessels for the Hebride fishery off Barrahead for the Barcelona market; and they claim the merit of having taught the islanders how to take and cure the large fish which abound on their coasts. They have often gained the highest premiums allowed by government for curing white fishes.

Few harbours in Great Britain are of more importance to navigation than this of Peterhead, as, in case of violent storms from the easterly points, large vessels embarked betwixt this and the mouth of the Forth have not a port that they can safely take at every time of the tide, that of Aberdeen excepted. If therefore they cannot make their way to sea in the teeth of a strong easterly wind, or double this headland that they may gain the Murray Firth, they must inevitably come on shore. This harbour lies on a spacious bay, where vessels of any burden may ride in all other winds, and is therefore the general rendezvous of the shipping which frequent the northern seas, where they cast anchor on clean ground, and ride safely till the storms have abated. But though nature hath done so much for the benefit of navigation, something is left for the exercise of human aid. The harbour can at present contain in perfect safety 40 or 50 sail of vessels drawing 12 feet water, and is capable of being extended so as to admit a greater number of ships drawing 20 feet; by which means not only casual merchantmen but small ships of war with their convoys would... Peterhead, would find this a most desirable refuge when pursued by Peterhoff superior force. The harbour is defended by a good battery. A considerable trade is carried on from this place directly to the Baltic for deals, iron, hemp, tar, and other articles. There is also a manufacture of sewing thread, which employs many young girls. A mineral well in the summer-months gives great gaiety to the place; its salutary virtues have long, and we believe very justly, been celebrated. The waters of this spring are powerfully diuretic, and are thought to be efficacious in removing complaints in the bowels.

Twelve pounds avoirdupois of this water were analyzed by Dr Laing, who found it composed of

| Component | Weight (grains) | |-----------------|-----------------| | Muriate of iron | 30.75 | | Carbonate of iron | 3.25 | | Muriate of lime | 7.00 | | Siliceous earth | 2.00 | | Sulphate of lime | 2.00 | | Soda | 13.25 | | Muriate of soda | 7.5 |

Carbonic acid gas, 83.5 cubic inches. The ingenious author of the above analysis recommends this water very much in cases of scrofula. Its most valuable property is tonic, which is no doubt derived from the iron that enters into its composition.

There are here many elegant houses for the accommodation of strangers. There is also a ball-room, under which there are two salt-water baths. These baths are much frequented in nervous disorders: their effect in strengthening the constitution is often surprising. Owing to the open peninsula situation, the air of this place is esteemed peculiarly pure and healthful; even the fogs rising from the sea are thought to be medicinal: the town is therefore much enlivened by the concourse of company who frequent it on these accounts. Upon the whole, the town is neat and well built, the houses are handsome, and the streets tolerably spacious and very clean; and it has every appearance of a thriving, plentiful, and happy place. In 1793, the population was 4100, being an increase of 1613, since 1755; and in 1801, the numbers had increased to 4491.