NEWTON-UPON-AYR, a parish and burgh and market-town, in the district of Kyle, county of Ayr; containing 44S'2 inhabitants. This place derives its name from its being of more recent foundation than the county town, and from its position on the opposite bank of the river Ayr. The precise time of its erection is not distinctly known; but it appears to have obtained some importance at a comparatively early period; and an ancient castle of which the last remains have been removed within the present century, was for many ages the residence of the family of Wallace of Craigie, whose descendant Sir Thomas Wallace, the fifth baronet, built the mansion of Craigie House on the bank of the river. The inhabitants adhered to the fortunes of Robert Bruce, and distinguished themselves at the battle of Bannockburn in 1314, for which important service that monarch, after he had secured the crown, granted them a charter of incorporation. Newton may be almost regarded as a suburb to Ayr, with which it is connected by a handsome bridge, and in the trade of which it participates. Its more ancient part consists of one street of considerable length, the houses in which are irregularly built, and of very indifferent appearance: the more modern part, which has arisen within the last fifty or sixty years, comprises several streets regularly disposed, and containing some handsome houses; and a few pleasing villas have been erected. Ship-building, which afforded occupation to more than '200 men, afterwards very materially declined, but has in some degree revived, and at present gives employment to about ninety men: a patent-slip was constructed in 1831, since which time numerous vessels of different sizes have been repaired, and some ships have been built, registering from fifty to more than 400 tons' burthen, for the ship-owners of Greenock, one of which was destined for the East India trade. Rope and sail making affords employment to ten persons, who are regularly engaged for the supply of the yard. Four iron and brass foundries on a moderate scale occupy about sixty men and fifteen boys, and, in connexion with some forges, are employed in the manufacture of machinery of all kinds. Five men, also, are engaged in some salt-works. There are numerous weavers emi)loyc(l by agents for Glasgow houses; and the Ayrshire needle-work, so well known, gives support to a number of females, working muslins for the (ilasgow manufacturers. The maritime trade is almost limited tr) the export of coal: the produce of tlie collieries in the parish of St. Quivox is conveyed to this side of the river by a railroad; about 300 vessels annually depart in this trade, and the quantity shipped averages 40,000 tons. A lighthouse of stone, erectea by the Coal Company on the north-east part of the harbour, and destroyed by the encroachment of the sea, was replaced in 18'27 by one constructed of wood. The market is little more than nominal, the chief business being transacted in the market of Ayr. Some boats are employed in fishing. Facility of communication with places in the vicinity is afforded by the bridge over the river, and by good roads which are common to both Ayr and Newton; and the railway from Glasgow to Ayr has its terminal station at this place. The town received its first charter of incorporation from Robert Bruce, who conferred upon forty-eight of the inhabitants the lands of the burgh, and granted them many privileges: this grant was confirmed by charter of James VI., in 1.595 and in 1600. The lands appear to have been divided among the original number of burgesses for certain definite periods, which have been increased by successive arrangements from seven to 999 years; and to have since descended as a patrimonial inheritance to their sons, or, in failure of issue male, to have passed to such as have been elected burgesses when vacancies in the number have occurred. The government is vested in two bailies, a treasurer, and six councillors elected annually by the burgesses. Both civil and criminal jurisdiction is exercised, but the former is generally confined to the recovery of debts of small amount, and the latter to petty breaches of the peace. By the act of the 2nd and 3rd of William IV., the burgh is included within the parliamentary boundary of Ayr. The councilhouse is a plain building, surmounted with a spire. The PARISH is about one mile and a half in length and one mile in breadth. It is bounded on the south by the river Ayr, and on the west by the Firth of Clyde, and comprises 4*29 acres, of which 350 are arable, and the remainder meadow and pasture. With the exception of a rocky headland projecting into the firth at the north-eastern extremity, the coast is a level sandy beach; the surface of the interior is uniformly flat, and, from the want of wood, possesses little variety of character. In general the soil is sandy, but it has been greatly improved by good management; and several tracts, previously unprofitable, have been reclaimed and rendered fertile. The crops are, grain of all kinds, potatoes, and turnips; the system of agriculture is in an advanced state, and the lands are inclosed with stone dykes, and hedges of thorn. The farms are in the possession of the burgesses, and the recent improvement of the lands has added m»ich to the value of the freedom. Coal is found in the parish, and was formerly worked extensively, yielding to the proprietors more than £300 per annum; but since 1832 the mines have t)een exhausted, and the working of them has been discontinued. Freestone and sandstone arc quarried to some extent, producing an income of about £400. Tlie annual value of real property in Newton is £3*07. It is ecclesiastically in the presbytery of Ayr, synod of Glasgow and Ayr, and in the patronage of thirteen delegates chosen by the burgesses: the minister's stipend is £178, being augmented to that sum by a grant from government of £90, and subject to an increase arising from the scat-rents; there is a manse, and the glebe is valued at £15 per annum. Tiic cliurch, a neat substantial edifice, was erected by tlie corporation at an expense of £'2000, in 1778, and was enlarged in 1 832, affording accummodation to about 1000 persons. The members of the Free Church of Scotland have a place of worship here. Newton parochial school affords a useful course of instruction, and the master has a salary of £34 per annum, with the fees: a new school-bouse was erected in the year 1845. A parochial lihrary, established in 1829, now comprises above 500 volumes. Among the ruins of the ancient castle of Newton were found an antique mathematical quadrant, and the barrel of a very ancient gun, about seven feet in length and of massive form: they are preserved in the library of the Mechanics' Institution at Ayr.