LIVINGSTONE, a parish, in the county of Linlithgow; containing, with part of the village of Blackburn, about 1000 inhabitants, of whom about 140 are in the village of Livingstone, 9,^ miles (\V. by S.) from Mid Calder. This place derived its name from a personage of consequence in early times, called Levin; and the old charter name of the parish was villa Levini (Levinstun). Livingstone Peel, in the time of David I., was the baronial residence of the family of Livingstone, whose descendants were elevated to the peerage by the title of Barons Livingstone, and of whom Alexander, the seventh baron, was by James VI. in the year 1600 created Earl of Linlithgow. This title, however, became extinct on the attainder of James, the fourth earl, for his participation in the rebellion of 1715. Of the ancient castle there were some remains till the middle of the last century, consisting chiefly of the fosse and rampart; but they have entirely disappeared; and the more modern mansion of the Livingstone family was taken down by the present ])roi)riet()r, the I'^.arl of Rosebery, soon after he purchased the lands. About half a mile northeastward of the castle, was once a building said to have been a hunting-lodge of the kings of Scotland during their residence in the palace of Linlithgow, and of which the fragment of a square tower was remaining within the last forty or fifty years. The I'AUisH was formerly of much greater e,\tent than at present, as it included the parish of Wliitl)urn, which was separated from it in 1/30. It is now about seven miles in extreme length from north-east to south-west, and something less than one mile and a half in breadth, comprising an area of 5800 acres, of which, with the exception of nearly 300 acres of woodland and plantations and 200 acres of moss, the whole is arable and pasture. The surface, though boldly undulated, scarcely rises into hills of any striking height, except in the north-eastern extremity, where the Dechmont-law, or Knightsridge hill, attains an elevation of 686 feet above the level of the sea, commanding an extensive and richly-diversified prospect. The lower grounds are watered by the river Almond, which in its course through the parish is but a moderate stream turning some mills, though, when flooded, it frequently bursts its banks, and expands into considerable breadth. In general the soil is clay, much improved by draining and manure; the crops are favourable, and the lands not under the plough afford good pasturage for cattle, of the Ayrshire and Teeswater breeds, with occasional crosses. The lands are well inclosed, and all the more recent improvements in husbandry have been adopted. The plantations consist of spruce, larch, and Scotch fir, with an intermixture of the hard-woods: they are well managed, especially those on the lands of the Earl of Rosebery, the yearly thinnings of which are considerable. The annual value of real property in the parish is £4556. Limestone, coal, and whinstone are the principal substrata; but they have not been wrought to advantage. Compact basalt is found near the base of Dechmont-law; and still nearer the base, on the eastern side, is fine blue shale: the summit is greenstone. There are several quarries of whinstone and sandstone; and near the village of Blackburn is a quarry of lakestone, producing excellent stone for laying ovens; it is regularly wrought, and stones are sent from >t to all parts of the country. Excellent clay for tiles is found at City, and wrought to a considerable extent. Blackburn House is a handsome mansion, pleasantly situated in grounds embellished with thriving plantations. The village of Livingstone has a public library containing about 300 volumes, supported by subscription: at the village of Blackburn, which is described under its own head, the cotton manufacture is carried on to a considerable extent. Facility of intercourse with the adjacent district is maintained by good roads. Ecclesiastically the parish is within the bounds of the presbytery of Linlithgow, synod of Lothian and Tweeddale. The minister's stipend is £188. 12., with a manse, and a glebe valued at £18 per annum; patron, the Earl of Rosebery. Livingstone church, rebuilt in 1*32, and recently repaired, is a neat structure containing 263 sittings. There are also places of worship for members of the Free Church and Independents. The parorhial school, a handsome edifice built in 1844, is attended by about seventy children; the master has a salary of £34, w ith a commodious house and garden, and the fees amount to tibout £35. There is also a school at Blackburn, supported by subscription.