an ancient royal burgh, and chief town of the county of Selkirk, in Scotland. It is situated on an elevation overlooking the valley of the river Ettrick, 33 miles S.S.E. of Edinburgh, and commands an extensive view. It consists chiefly of one street, which expands at the market-place into an open space; in which is a fine monument and statue of Sir Walter Scott. The town has not increased in size or importance for centuries; but it has been much improved of late years, and now contains many good houses, with a town-hall, having an elegant spire 110 feet in height, and containing apartments for the burgh and sheriff courts. There are five places of worship—one belonging to the Established Church, one to the Free Church, two to the United Presbyterians, and one to the Episcopalians. A new prison has been erected at the north side of the town; and it also possesses several excellent schools, a savings bank, three libraries, and a reading-room. Selkirk was formerly famed for the manufacture of shoes, in which it had an extensive trade; but it has now no manufactures of any consequence, except those of tweeds, blankets, and hosiery; which have been recently introduced here from Galashiels. The burgh is governed by a provost, two bailies, and twelve councillors; and it votes with the county in returning a member to Parliament. During the wars between England and Scotland, the citizens of Selkirk were famed for their courage. A party of them, under the command of the town-clerk, William Brydone, fought with much gallantry at the battle of Flodden. Brydone was afterwards knighted for his conduct; and the town received from James V. a grant of a thousand acres, as a recompense for the courage of the burghers; but it was totally burned by the English, in revenge for the bravery displayed by its citizens. A mile north from the town is Philliphaugh, where the celebrated Marquis of Montrose was defeated.