PITTENWEEM, a parish and sea-port (small) and burgh (royal), in the district of St-Andrew's, county of Fife, 10 miles (S. by E.) from St. Andrew's, and 24 (N. E.) from Edinburgh; containing 1339 inhabitants, of whom 1320 are in the burgh. This place, the name of which is of doubtful etymology, appears to have derived its earliest importance from the foundation of a monastery for canons regular of the order of St. Augustine, but of which neither the exact date, nor the name of the founder, is known. The establishment was subordinate to the priory of St. Andrew's; it was amply endowed, and continued to flourish till the Reformation. Several of its priors were distinguished for important services rendered to their country: John Rowle, prior of Pittcnweem, in 1542 was a lord of session, and in 1544 one of the lords of Articles; he accompanied the Regent Murray into France in 1550, and died in 1553. On the dissolution of the priory in 1561, its revenues amounted to £412 in money, exclusively of large payments in kind. la 1583, William Stewart, captain of the King's Guards, obtained a grant of the priory and lands, and became commendator of Pittcnweem; and in 1609 his son Frederick was created Lord Pittenwecm by James VI., but, dying without i.ssue, the title became extinct. In 1651, Charles II., on passing through the town on his route to Anstruther House, was hospitably entertained by the magistrates and council, with every demonstration of loyalty and respect. The TOWN is situated on the northern shore of the Firth of Forth, and has one principal street from which diverge several others of inferior extent. Many of the houses are of ancient appearance, though well built; but considerable additions have been made, consisting of ranges of modern building, and numerous handsome houses have been erected within the last twenty years on the north and east sides of the old town. There are no manufactures of any sort carried on, nor any trade (except the fisheries) beyond what is requisite for the supply of the neighbourhood, for which purpose there are some good shops. The inhabitants are principally employed in the fisheries, which are both lucrative and extensive. Cod, ling, skate, and haddocks are taken in abundance off the coast, and large quantities are cured and sent to Edinburgh and Glasgow, and to Liverpool and London: the herring-fishery, also, has been recently attended with considerable success, and promises to become in due time a source of great benefit to the town. There is a small yard for repairing the vessels used in the fisheries; likewise some mills, a granary, and a bleach-green. Pittcnweem harbour, though exposed to easterly winds, affords good accommodation; it has been much improved at the expense of the corporation of the town, and, should the herring-fishery continue to increase, it will be made still more commodious. Steamers to Edinburgh, Dundee, and the north of Scotland, ply daily during the summer; and facility of communication with the interior is maintained by the coast road to the east of Fife, and by other roads that pass through the parish. By charter of James V., bestowed on John, prior of Pittcnweem, in 1542, the town was erected into a royal burgh; and in 1593 James 'V^I. granted to the bailies, council, and burgesses a portion of the ancient priory, with other privileges and immunities, which were ratified in a parliament holden at Edinburgh by Charles I. in 1633. The government is vested in a provost, three bailies, a treasurer, and nineteen councillors, annually elected under the provisions of the act of the 3rd and 4th of William IV. There are no incorporated trades possessing exclusive privileges, and the fee paid for admission as a burgess is trifling. The magistrates have civil and criminal jurisdiction throughout the royalty, and hold both civil and criminal courts, in which the town-clerk acts as assessor; in the former causes to any amount are decided, but in the latter only petty offences. The town-hall, to which a small prison is attached, is part of the buildings of the old priory. Pittcnweem is associated with Anstrutlier Easter, Anstruther Wester, Crail, Cuiiar, Kilrenny, and St. Andrew's, in returning a member to the imperial parliament. The PARISH is about a mile and a quarter in length, and less than thrce-q