PARISH OF BALFRON.

PRESBYTERY OF DUMBARTON, SYNOD OF GLASGOW AND AYR.

III - POPULATION.

The number of the present population of the whole parish is 2057; and there has been no increase for several years. Of these about 1700 are in the village. The number of proprietors having land of the yearly value of L.50 and upwards is 16. Scarcely any of these can be properly said to be resident in the parish, and of all the evils which can be inflicted upon a parish none can be more ruinous than a non-residing proprietary.

Land-owners.-The names of the present proprietors are, Mr Spiers of Elderslie; Mr Campbell of Boquhan; Mr Kay of Wright's Park; Mr Spiers, present proprietor of Culcreuch Mr Galbraith of Balgair; Mr Napier of Ballikinrain; Commissary- General Dunmore or Kilfasset; Mr James Campbell, merchant, Glasgow; Mr Samuel Cooper of Smithston and Ballindalloch: Mr Patrick Neilson of Camoquhill, merchant, Glasgow; Mr Alexander Neilson, part of Camoquhill, writer, Port-Glasgow; Mr Pollock of Camoquhill; Rev. Dr Graham of Balfuning and Indians; Dr Blair of Ibut; and the Trustees of the late James Morrison, with other smaller portioners.

Habits, &c.-It must be confessed that killing game without a license is very prevalent. The general habits of the population may be stated to be cleanly. It is quite impossible to view a weaving population, such as ours, notwithstanding all their disadvantages, and not be struck with their intelligence. The knowledge which they exhibit, and their acquaintance with certain subjects, is indeed astonishing.