LONGTOWN, a market-town in the parish of
ARTHURET, ESKDALE ward, county of CUMBERLAND,
8 miles (N. by W.) from Carlisle, and 309 (N.'N.W.)
from London, containing 1812 inhabitants. This is a
small town on the south bank of the river Eske, over
which is a stone bridge, near the junction of that river
with the Liddel. The situation is pleasant and healthy,
the houses are neatly built, and the streets are spacious,
but not regularly paved nor lighted: the inhabitants
are supplied with water from wells. Many of the lower
class are employed in weaving for the manufacturers
at Carlisle. The market, originally held on Thursday,
is almost disused, except for provisions; but there is
another on Monday, principally for bacon and butter;
a fair is held on the Thursday before Whit-Sunday, for
horses; and there are statute fairs on the Thursday in
Whitsun-week, and the Thursday in Martinmas, for
hiring servants. The county magistrates hold a meeting
here on the last Thursday in every month. Courts leet
and baron are held at Easter and Michaelmas; at the former
the constables are appointed. There is a place of
worship for Presbyterians. In 1754, Lady Widdrington
gave a rent-charge of £40, for the support of charity
schools in the parishes of Arthuret and Kirk-Andrews,
of which, £8 per annum is paid to a schoolmaster at
Longtown; and a school for the instruction of an unlimited
number of children is supported by Sir James
R. G. Graham, Bart. This place is eminently indebted
to the liberality and public spirit of the late Dr. Graham,
who was mainly instrumental in raising it from
the state of a poor village to its present improved condition.