the county town of Banffshire, is a place of great antiquity, and according to tradition, was at times the residence of Malcolm Cammore. It was in existence at least before the days of Malcolm IV., surnamed the Maiden, who dates one of his charters from thence, and it is noticed as a royal city since 1057. Writings of Malcolm, 1152, and William the Lion, 1165, evince the certainty of this tradition. There is a charter of Malcolm IV., signed at Banff the eleventh year of his reign, which corresponds with 1163. The town lost many of its ancient grants, but these were renewed in 1324 by King Robert the Bruce, and by Robert II. in 1372.

The natural situation of the town is beautiful, having its south-eastern exposure on a gentle slope, the wide blue sea on its N., the river Deveron on the E., and on the S. the richly wooded country with the magnificent mansion and grounds of the Earl of Fife. The streets are well and regularly built and paved, and are remarkable for their cleanliness.

The principal buildings are Banff Castle, a plain modern building, belonging to the Earl of Seafield; the town-house, a handsome edifice surmounted by a spire 100 feet high; a prison; parish church, Episcopal church and parsonage, Free church, United Presbyterian, Independent, Methodist, and Roman Catholic places of worship; a mason lodge of tasteful architecture; the academy, a modern edifice of Grecian design, capable of containing 400 students, to which there is attached an extensive museum; and a large and well-conducted seminary for young ladies. There are also several libraries and reading-rooms, five branch banks, and a savings-bank, public baths and hotels, custom-house, gas and water works, &c. A well-conducted newspaper, with an extensive circulation, is published weekly. At one period, Banff carried on a considerable manufactory of stockings and linen yarn, but at present there are none of any kind. It may be hoped, however, that the advantage of a commodious harbour, and the prospect of railway conveyance by the North of Scotland line, will ere long stimulate enterprise in this direction.

The principal exports are grain, cattle, salmon, herrings, Banffshire, haddock, pork, butter, and potatoes. For the year ending 5th January 1853 the customs revenue of the port was £2,593. At the same date there were 144 vessels, with an aggregate of 12,689 tons, belonging to the port.

The salmon fishery extends for miles along the coast, a portion of which belongs to the town. The river fishing is the property of the Earl of Fife, with the sea-line towards Macduff. The latter town is about a mile to the east of Banff, with which it has communication by a stone bridge of seven arches across the Deveron.

These is also a seal and whale fishing company, with its establishment; and the steamers plying between Aberdeen, Leith, and Inverness, call regularly.

The burgh is under the jurisdiction of a provost, three bailies, and five councillors, who manage all the town's affairs. Mr Alexander Cassie of London, a native of Banff, some thirty years ago left to the poor of this town about £2,000, the interest of which is divided twice a-year among the poor.

Banff unites with Elgin, Cullen, Inverury, Kintore, and Peterhead, in sending a member to parliament. Pop. within the parliamentary boundaries in 1851, 6000; within the municipality, 3557.

The weekly market-day is Friday, on which day a corn market is held; and there are four annual fairs.