a royal and parliamentary burgh of Scotland, and county town of Elgin or Morayshire, 64 miles north-west from Aberdeen. Pop. (1851) 6337. It stands about five miles from the sea, in a valley sheltered on the north and east by the wooded eminences of Quarrywood and Barnett Hill, and watered by the Lossie, a small river which winds round the town. The elegant villas in its outskirts, and round the village of Bishopmill, which may be almost called a suburb of the town, give it a fine appearance when approached from the south or east. The town, which is about a mile in length, is well paved and lighted, and plentifully supplied with water. It contains many handsome buildings, which, being built of the beautiful light-coloured sandstone of the district, have a fine appearance. The parish church is a handsome structure in the Corinthian style, with an elegant spire. Near it, in the centre of the street, is a fountain, which marks the site of the old jail. The other principal buildings of the town are Gray's Hospital, Anderson's Institution, museum, New Market Buildings, court-house, jail, Free Church, South Free Church, Catholic Chapel, Commercial Bank, Caledonian Bank, Trinity Lodge Rooms, &c.

The academy, which stands on the south side of the town, is one of the best in the north of Scotland. It is conducted by a rector who presides over the classical department, and several assistants who teach the subsidiary branches. Elgin likewise possesses an infant and several other schools. Gray's Hospital stands on an eminence at the west end of the town, and is a handsome edifice surmounted by a dome. The sum of L20,000 was left for its endowment by Dr Gray. It was opened in 1819 for the reception of patients from the town and county, and the average number of patients in the house at one time is 35. Adjoining the hospital is the Lunatic Asylum, built and supported by voluntary contributions, and generally containing 20 or 30 patients. Anderson's Institution, for the support of the aged and the education of youth, is at the east end of the town. Its founder, General Anderson, H.E.I.C.S., who was a native of Elgin, bequeathed the bulk of his fortune, amounting to L70,000, for the building and support of this splendid institution. It was opened in 1833. Above the northern front of the building is a group of statuary representing the founder in an attitude corresponding to his character. There are generally from 40 to 50 children, and about 10 aged people, in the institution. Attached to it is a free school with an average attendance of 200 scholars. The museum belongs to the Morayshire Scientific Association, which holds its meetings monthly in the building. The new market is a long range of building, with an entrance from the High Street, and another from South Street. Attached to it is a small theatre, which is open for apart of the year.

The ruins of the magnificent cathedral stand on the east of the town. It is described by Billings as "at once the most stately and the most beautifully decorated of all the ecclesiastical edifices of the country." It was founded in 1224, and destroyed by fire, according to Fordun, in 1270. The greater part of the present ruins are attributed to a date closely subsequent to this. It was again burnt, along with the canons' houses and a great part of the town, by the "Wolf of Badenoch," a natural son of King Robert II., in 1390. It was slowly rebuilt; a solemn agreement having been come to that each bishop should apply one-third of his revenue for this purpose till the completion of the building. In 1568, in the regency of the Earl of Murray, the lead was stripped from the roof by an order of privy-council, and shipped for Holland to be there sold. Being thus exposed to the weather, the interior rapidly decayed. In 1711 the great centre tower fell. The ruin is now carefully preserved by the Commissioners of Woods and Forests. Near the cathedral stands the bishop's town residence. The dean and canons' houses stood round about the cathedral, and some of them existed till very lately. The re- Elginshire mains of the monastery of the Grey Friars stands on the south side of the town. Of a similar monastery of White Friars on the north there is now no vestige. On the "Lady Hill" are the ruins of an ancient fortification, said to have been used as a hunting seat by one of the Malcolms; and also an elegant pillar erected to the memory of the last Duke of Gordon.

The trade of the town is chiefly connected with the weekly and other markets. A woollen manufactory gives employment to a number of hands, chiefly in making blankets, plaiding, shawls, and drugget. There are also large tan works, and an iron foundry. Elgin communicates by railway with the harbour at Lossiemouth, and along the line there is a considerable traffic. There are two newspapers published weekly in the town; and besides circulating libraries and book clubs, Elgin possesses also a mechanics' institute and a literary association. The places of worship are numerous. Besides the Established Church, there are two Free Churches, two United Presbyterian, one Independent, two Baptist, one Episcopalian, and a Roman Catholic. Of late years the town has extended considerably, and several new streets have been erected. Its municipal corporation consists of a provost, 4 bailies, and 12 councillors; and along with Banff, Cullen, Inverury, Kin-tore, and Peterhead, it returns one member to the imperial parliament.

By some historians the name of the town is said to have been derived from Helgy, a Norwegian chief, who in the ninth century overran Morayshire. Others derive the name from the Saxon Helgi, holy, and Dun, a hill. It was the favourite residence of William the Lion and the two Alexanders.

ELGINSHIRE, or MORAYSHIRE. See MORAYSHIRE.