LESMAHAGOW, a parish, in the Upper ward of the county of Lanark, 6 miles (S. W. by W.) from Lanark, and '-2'2 (S. S. E.) from Glasgow; including the villages of Abbej'-Green and Turfholm, Boghead, Crossford, Hazelbank, Kirkfield-Bank, Kirkmuirhill, and New Trows; and containing 690*2 inhabitants. This place is supposed to have derived its appellation from a Celtic term signifying " garden," and from the name of its tutelar saint, who is said to have had a cell here about the sixth century. In 1140, a monastery was founded by David I. for Tyronensian monks, wherein he placed brethren from his abbey of Kelso, to which it became subordinate: the last remains were removed on the erection of the present church. The parish is about twelve miles in length and eight in breadth. It is bounded on the north-east by the river Clyde, and comprises 4'2,840 acres, of which -26,900 are arable, 1500 woodland and plantations, 600 acres coppice, and the remainder moorland pasture, and waste. The surface is generally elevated, and towards the west and south-west rises into a range of hills, forming a boundary between the counties of Lanark and Ayr; the highest of these hills are 1*200 feet above the level of the sea, and all afford excellent pasture for shee|). Besides the Clyde, the chief rivers are, the Poniel water, which has its source in the south-west of the parish, and after a course of njore than seven miles, falls into the Douglas; the Logan, the Nethan, and the Kype waters, which rise in the hills on the west, and, receiving numerous smaller streams, join the Clyde; and the Cander, which, on quitting the parish, separates for a few miles the parishes of Slonehouse and Dalscrf, and flows into the Avon. The banks of the Nethan are richly ornamented with plantations, and studded with handsome villas and neat farm-house.s. Tlie Kype displays little beauty in its course, and frequently, after rain, descending from tlic higher lands with impetuous violence, does much damage to the cultivated plains. There are springs of excellent water m various parts, and several impregnated with iron and other minerals; many of them issue in streams sufficiently powerful to give motion to mills and machinery. The falls of the Clyde are noticed in the account of the parish of Lanark, which is separated from this parish by the river. The SOIL is chiefly clay of a yellow colour, with tracts of lighter and more friable quality, and some portions of gravel and sand; the crops are, grain of all kinds, potatoes, and turnips. The system of husbandry is advanced, and draining has been practised to a considerable extent; the lands have been inclosed, chiefly with hedges of thorn and beech, and partly with stone dykes; and the farm-houses have within the last few years been greatly improved. Much attention is bestowed on the management of the dairy; the cheese made on the several dairy-farms is principally the Dunlop kind. The cattle are of the Ayrshire breed; and the sheep, of which large numbers are fed in the hilly pastures, are the old black-faced, these being better adapted to the nature of the soil than the Cheviots. The woods are judiciously managed, and the plantations are also kept in good order, and are very flourishing; the annual produce from both is estimated at about £700 per annum. Coal is wrought in several parts. A fine kind of cannel coal is found at Auchinheath; it occurs in seams varying from ten to twenty inches in thickness, and is sent in considerable quantities to the gas-works in Glasgow and other places. The rocks are rhiefly whinstone; limestone of good quality is also abundant, and is extensively worked. Ironstone occurs in several places, but not in such abundance as to have led to the establishment of any works; lead-ore, likewise, is supposed to exist, and several attempts have been made to procure it, but hitherto without success: few minerals, indeed, have been found. Petrified shells are thickly embedded in the limestone, as also are the fossil remains of various animals. The annual value of real property in the parish is £27,0.^6. Several handsome seats have been erected by heritors residing on their lands, and all of them are embellished with flourishing plantations: Stonebyres is a fine mansion, the oldest portion of which was built in I39.S, and a more modern in 1.596; a splendid addition in the same style of architecture was made in 1844. The inhabitants of the parish are partly employed in the mines and quarries, and in (ilasgow manufactures: many of them reside in the villages, which are all separately described. Fairs for hiring servants are held in March and October, and a cattle-fair in the spring. Facility of intercourse is maintained by good roads, which have been greatly improved within the last few years, and of which tlic turnpike-road from Gla<^gow to Carlisle, and that from (ilasgow to Lanark, pass, the former for eight, and the latter for about five, miles within the parish. In 1847, the Caledonian railway company obtained an act for the construction of a branch from their Clydesdale Junction line to the Lesmahagow and Douglas mineral fields; also an act for an extension of the Motherwell branch of the Clydesdale Junction line to the Auchinheatli mineral field. A post-oHice has been established; and there is a small lil)rary, supported by subscription. Ecclesiastically the parish is in the presbytery of Lanark, synod of Glasgow and Ayr, and in the patronage of the Duke of Hamilton. There are two ministers, the church having been made collegiate at the Reformation: the minister of the first charge has a stipend of £283. 4. 2., with a manse, and a glebe valued at £20 per annum; the minister of the second charge has an equal stipend, with a manse, but no glebe. Lesmahagow church, built in 1804, is handsome and substantial, and is adapted for a congregation of 1330 persons. There are places of worship for members of the Free Church, Independents, Reformed Presbyterians, and the United Presbyterian Synod. The parochial school affords a liberal education, and is well attended; the master has a salary of £34, with £45 fees, and a house and garden. A school for teaching girls to read and to sew is supported by subscription; it is situated in the village of Abbey-Green, and is attended by about thirty children. In different parts are other schools, the masters of which receive annual donations from the heritors, in addition to the fees. The poor have the interest of various funded bequests yielding about £100 per annum; the principal is a bequest of £"2600 by the late Dr. White, of Calcutta. There are three friendly societies, which have contributed greatly to prevent applications for relief from the parochial funds; and also a savings' bank, duly encouraged. Some slight remains exist of the ancient castle of Craignethen. Roman coins have been found near the site of a Roman road which within the last few years has been totally obliterated by the progress of cultivation; and many ancient cairns have been removed, to furnish materials for stone dykes. A Caledonian battle- a.xe, and about 100 silver coins of Edward I., were dug up in opening ground for laying down a drain.