a royal burgh of Scotland, and county town of Haddingtonshire, or East Lothian. It stands on the left bank of the Tyne, about 17 miles from Edinburgh, on the post road between that capital and Berwick-upon-Tweed. Haddington is a town of great antiquity, but the exact date of its origin is unknown. It is first mentioned in the records of the 12th century as part of the demesne of the Scottish king. It was created a burgh by David I., who held it, along with a church and mill, and other appurtenances of a manor. Ada, wife of Henry the son and heir of this monarch, received this burgh as her dower, and was very attentive to its interests. In 1178 she founded here a convent of Cistercian nuns, and endowed it with the lands of Clerkington. After her death, the burgh became the property of her son, William the Lion, whose son, Alexander II., was born here in 1198. In 1216 Haddington was burnt, along with the neighbouring burgh of Dunbar, by an invading army under John, king of England. Being rebuilt with wood, it was again burnt to the ground in 1244. Some attributed the fire to the work of an incendiary, for it was remarked that six other Scottish towns were burnt on the same night. In 1355, it was reduced to ashes for the third time by Edward III. of England, and the monastery of Haddington, with the splendid church of the Franciscans or Grey Friars, destroyed. The choir of this church, from its great elegance, and from the number of lights kept constantly burning in it, was commonly called the Lamp of Lothian (Lucerna Laudonia). The year after the battle of Pinkie, 1548, Haddington was seized and strongly fortified by the English. An allied army of Scotch and French laid siege to it, and, after a memorable defence, it was evacuated by the English in October 1549. In 1598 this town was again consumed by fire; but in this instance the fire was entirely accidental.

Haddington, being built on low ground, little above the level of the Tyne, has repeatedly suffered from inundations of that river. In 1538, in 1421, and in 1673, the Tyne rose to a great height, and did much damage to the town and neighbourhood. But the greatest inundation took place on the 4th of October 1775, when the river rose 17 feet above its usual level, overwhelmed the suburb of Nungate on the east bank, and laid a great part of the town under water. Had the highest flood occurred during the night, the loss of life would have been very great. A tablet, recording the providential deliverance of the town, is still to be seen on one of the corners of the main street.

The ancient walls and fortifications of Haddington have now quite disappeared. Some of the old houses possessed by the nobility when Haddington was a royal residence, still exist, but in a very dilapidated state. The palace of the Scottish kings is said to have stood near the West Port, on the spot now occupied by the new county buildings, erected in 1833. The town consists of a Main or High Street, stretching from east to west, and forming a portion of the post road to Berwick. It is a spacious and handsome street, and possesses some elegant buildings. Parallel to it, on the north, runs the Back Street, having two cross streets at its eastern extremity. The town-house is a respectable and commodious fabric, with a fine spire 150 feet high, built in 1831. A few years ago, a large new prison for the town and county, on the most approved principles, was built on ground closely adjoining the county buildings; the old premises, which were connected with the town-house, having been found quite insufficient.

There are two bridges over the Tyne, one, of great antiquity, connecting the town with the suburb of the Nungate; and the other, called Waterloo Bridge, built in 1817, on the south of the town, giving access to the Bolton and Saltoun road. In the Nungate the ruins of an ancient chapel dedicated to St Martin still exist. The ancient and splendid monastery of the Franciscans was long the chief architectural glory of Haddington. It was 210 feet in length, and was surmounted by a noble square tower 90 feet high. The tower and principal parts of the building still stand, though partly in ruins. In 1811, the chancel or west end of the cross was repaired, and new forms the present parish church. For 200 years Haddington has been a collegiate charge, and has possessed the services of two ministers of the Established church. It has also two Free churches, two churches of the United Presbyterians, an Independent church, and an Episcopal chapel.

Haddington being in the centre of a highly cultivated district has long possessed an excellent weekly corn market, which is held on Friday. It is one of the ruling markets for grain in Scotland, and is resorted to by dealers from all parts of the country. A large and commodious corn exchange has been lately opened for the transaction of business. Several woollen manufactories have been tried in Haddington, but without success. There are several tanneries and breweries, and a few other branches of business, such as are usually found in a county town. The following banks have branches in Haddington:—Bank of Scotland, British Linen Company, Western Bank of Scotland, and City of Glasgow Bank.

Under the late Burgh Reform Acts, the government of Haddington is vested in a provost, three bailies, a dean of guild, attreasurer, and twelve councillors. The ordinary sheriff court during session meets every Monday and Thursday. The Small-Debt Court is also held on Thursday. Monthly Justice of Peace Courts are also held on the second Tuesday of each month. The Quarter Sessions are held on the first Tuesdays of March, May, August, and October.

The Burgh or Grammar Schools of Haddington, under the patronage of the magistrates, have usually enjoyed a high reputation. The celebrated Edward Irving was once one of its masters. There are four good libraries in the town, one of which was founded about the year 1717. Mr Samuel Brown, a native of the town, was the means of instituting in 1917 "The East Lothian Itinerating Libraries," which have done much good throughout the county. There is also a good reading-room, a savings bank, several branch banks, a town mission, and an infant-school. The United East Lothian Agricultural Society and the East Lothian Horticultural Society have their seats in Haddington. The population of the burgh and parish amounted in 1821 to 5255, in 1831 to 5883, in 1841 to 5452, and in 1851 to 5525. Haddington unites with Dunbar, North Berwick, Jedburgh, and Lauder, in sending a member to parliament. Its electors in 1855 amounted to 205.

Haddington claims the honour of being the birthplace of John Knox; but it will, perhaps, be always disputed whether that great reformer was born in the Giffordgate of Haddington, or in the village of Gifford, 4 miles to the S. of the town. It is certain, however, that he spent his early life in Haddington, and was educated at its Grammar School. The Rev. John Brown, author of the Dictionary of the Bible, and other popular religious works, was a dissenting minister in Haddington, and there spent the greater part of his useful and laborious life. It may also be mentioned that Alexander II., king of Scotland, was born here in 1198. Andrew Maitland, a native of Haddington, was married in 1657, and had nine children, whose united ages amount to 738 years.

Haddington gives the title of earl to the Hamiltons of Byres and Tyningham.

The quantity and value of grain sold in the Haddington grain market, from September 22, 1854, to September 21, 1855, were as follows:

| Grain | Quantity | Value | Highest Average | |-------|----------|-------|-----------------| | Wheat | 26,923 | L.97,137 | 9 5 85s. 16½d. | | Barley | 24,419 | 42,357 | 1 2 39 1 | | Oats | 30,548 | 32,237 | 6 5 35 6 | | Beans | 4,889 | 11,543 | 3 6 54 1 |

For the ancient and modern history of Haddington, see *The Lamp of Lothian*, by James Miller, author of *St Brides of the Bass*, and the *History of Dunbar*.