MIDDLEBIE, a parish, in the district of Annandale,
county of Dumfries, 2^ miles (N. E. by E.) from
Ecclesfechan; containing, with the villages of Eaglesfield,
Kirtlebridge, and Waterbeck, 2150 inhabitants, of
whom 1482 are in the rural districts. This place, which
consists of the united parishes of Middlebie, Pennersaughs,
and Carruthers, derives its name from a Roman
station in the old parish of Middlebie, which formed the
central post between the stations of Overbie or Upperbie
in the parish of Eskdalemuir, and Netherbie in the
county of Cumberland. The station, situated at Birrens,
is considered one of the most perfect and interesting
remnants of Roman antiquity in Britain, and is identified
with the Blatum Bulgium of Antonine. It occupies an
eminence on the north bank of the Mein near its confluence
with a smaller stream, and is of quadrilateral
form, surrounded by five ramparts of earth and four
fosses. Parts of it have been damaged by the inundations
of the river, but the praetorium is still in good preservation.
Within the area have been found a statue
of the goddess of the Brigantes, and also of Mercury,
with a votive altar dedicated to the latter, numerous inscribed
stones, and various other relics of Roman antiquity.
Nearly adjoining was a less important camp.
which, being situated ou the lands of a small proprietor,
has been completely destroyed.
The PARISH is partly bounded on the south-east by
the Kirtle Water, and is about nine miles in length and
four and a half in breadth; comprising an area of 30,000
acres, whereof nearly JOOO are arable, 350 woodland and
plantations, and the remainder (of which 2000 might be
made arable) pasture, moor, and waste. Its surface,
though generally level, is diversified with gently-rising
hills of moderate height, which, towards the eastern and
north-eastern boundaries, attain almost mountainous
elevation, and are finely contrasted with intervening
valleys of great fertility and in a high state of cultivation.
The Kirtle has its source among the hills near the
north-eastern boundary of Middlebie, and, flowing southward,
intersects it in part of its course for some distance,
and then forms its boundary for the remainder of its progress
in connexion with the parish, running through
much romantic scenery. After passing through the parish
of Kirkpatrick-Fleming, it falls into the Solway
Firth at Kirtle-foot, in the parish of Graitney. The
river Mein has its source within the parish, and after
constituting a portion of its western boundary, joins the
Annan at Mein-foot, in the adjoining parish of Hoddam.
There are also several small rivulets, which, as well as
the larger streams, abound with trout; and the parish
contains numerous springs of excellent water.
The SOIL is various, but generally fertile; in most
places, clay alternated with loam and gravel; and in the
higher districts, of inferior quality, but well adapted for
pasture. The crops are oats, barley, wheat, potatoes, and
turnips, with the usual variety of grasses. The system
of husbandry is in a very advanced state, having been
greatly accelerated in its progress by the encouragement
of the landed proprietors. Much waste land has been
improved by draining, and brought into profitable cultivation
by a liberal use of lime, of which abundance is
burnt in the parish. The lands have been inclosed; and
the farm-buildings, formerly of inferior order, have been
generally bettered: they are now substantial and well
arranged, more especially on the lands of the Duke of
Buccleuch, the principal landed proprietor. On the hills
there is excellent pasture for cattle and sheep, of which
considerable numbers are reared. The cattle are mostly
of the Galloway breed, but the cows on the dairy-lands
of the Ayrshire; the sheep are usually the white-faced.
Large numbers of sheep are bought in the autumn, and,
when fattened in the pastures, sold in the following
spring to dealers for the English markets; whither, also,
many young oxen arc sent. Swine are fed by tlie cottagers,
and great quantities of bacon are forwarded to
Newcastle; it finds a ready sale, and returns a considerable
profit. The plantations consist chiefly of the
various kinds of fir, interspersed with the other usual
trees; they are mostly well managed and in a thriving
state, and though not extensive, add much to the beauty
of the scenery. The principal substrata are sandstone
and limestone. It is supposed that coal, also, may be
found at a considerable depth below the surface; and
though some attempts have been made without success,
they have tended rather to increase the probability of
its being eventually wrought. The limestone is of excellent
quality, and is extensively (piarried for u.se in
farming, and also for building ])urposes; it has contributed
greatly to promote the improvement of the
lands not only in this parish, but in the surrounding
districts, to which much of it is sent. The annual value
of real property in Middlebie is £8192.
There are some seats here, the residence of the smaller
landholders, the principal of which are Kirtleton, Blackwoodhouse,
and Burnfoot, the first an ancient, and the
two last modern mansions, delightfully situated on the
banks of the Kirtle and the Mein. The several villages of
Eaglesfield, Kirtlebridge, and Waterbeck are described
under their respective heads. The cotton and linen
manufactures are carried on, affording employment to a
considerable number of the inhabitants; a circulating
library has been established, and there are several friendly
societies. Facility of communication is maintained by
good roads, of which the turnpike-road from Glasgow to
Carlisle passes for two miles through the parish; the
statute roads here have been much improved within the
last few years, and are kept in excellent repair. Great
facility of intercourse is also afforded by the Caledonian
railway, which has a station near Kirtlebridge; it crosses
the Mein Water by a viaduct of five arches of thirty
feet span each, and is carried over the beautiful river
Kirtle by a noble viaduct of nine arches, each thirty-six
feet in span. For ecclesiastical purposes the parish
is within the bounds of the presbytery of Annan and
synod of Dumfries. The minister's stipend is about
£220, with a manse, and a glebe valued at about £40 per
annum; patron, the Duke of Buccleuch. The church,
erected in the year 1S21, is a plain structure, containing
700 sittings. There is a place of worship in the village
of Waterbeck for members of the United Presbyterian
Church. Two parochial schools are maintained, together
affording instruction to about 150 children; the
master of each has a salary of £25. 13., without either
dwelling-house or garden, and the fees average £25 per
annum to each. There are still some remains of a
stronghold called Blacket House, one of the ancient
fortresses occupied during the border warfare; the ruins
consist chiefly of the tower and portions of the walls,
and are rapidly going to decay. Numerous fossils and
organic remains are found in the limestone quarries;
and there are several mineral springs, some of which are
strongly impregnated, but they have long been disused
for medicinal purposes. Among the most distinguished
persons connected with this parish was the late Dr.
Currie, of Liverpool, author of the Life of Burns and
other works, whose father was minister. The Duke of
Buccleuch takes the inferior title of Baron Middlebie
from this place.