a town of Scotland, in the county of Lanark. It is pleasantly situated upon the banks of the Clyde and Avon, near their confluence, in the midst of a highly fertile and cultivated district. The town originated in the fifteenth century, under the protecting influence of the lords of Hamilton, who constituted a place called the Orchard, between this point and the Clyde, the principal messuage of the barony, and which is still the chief seat of the Hamilton family. There may however have been a hamlet here prior to this transaction. In the vicinity was situated the church of the parish, which in 1451 was elevated to the dignity of a collegiate foundation. In 1732, when a new church was built, the old one was almost entirely pulled down. East from the modern church, which occupies an eminence, and is an elegant structure, the present town of Hamilton has been reared. It consists of several streets of well-built houses, somewhat irregularly dispersed, but handsome in appearance. There is a neat town-house and a commodious market-place. Besides the parish church, there are four meeting-houses for dissenters. The weaving of cotton goods is here carried on to a considerable extent; and there is also a good inland trade, Hamilton being the capital of a populous agricultural district. It possesses two academies, three hospitals, and several other charitable institutions. The town is governed by a provost, three bailies, and eight councillors. The justices of peace hold regular courts; and the town has a stamp-office, tax-office, and post-office. In the vicinity are spacious cavalry barracks, which are generally occupied. The great objects of attraction in this quarter are the palace of the Duke of Hamilton, and the surrounding pleasure-grounds. This Hamilton, magnificent mansion, which was rebuilt in the years 1695-1696, is finely situated on a flat expanse of ground between the town and the river Clyde. It has recently been greatly modernized, and increased in size and accommodation. Several of the rooms are large, particularly the gallery, which contains a splendid collection of pictures. Hamilton is situated at the distance of about ten miles and a half from Glasgow, fifteen from Lanark, and thirty-six from Edinburgh. The population amounted in 1821 to 6000, and in 1831 to 9313. Hamilton is attached to the Falkirk district of burghs in sending a member to parliament.