PARISH OF CRAIL.

THE PARISH OF CRAIL, containing the Burgh and sea-port town of its own name, is situated in the south-east angle of Fifeshire, commonly called "The East Neuk o' Fife." It is bounded on the north by Denino and Kingsbarns, on the east by the sea, on the south by the sea and Kilrenny, and on the west by Kilrenny and Carnbee. It is of a very irregular outline, varying in breadth from a quarter to two and a half miles, and stretching westward from Fife Ness to King's Muir, a length of six miles. The surface is in general flat, naked, and uninteresting. It rises abruptly at the coast to an elevation of from 20 to 80 feet, and then swells gently to the west, without a hill or slope, streamlet or village, to relieve the monotony of its aspect. The mansion houses are Airdrie, Wormistone, and Kirkmay House. Balcomie Castle, which is situated about a mile to the northeast of the town, was at one time a place of great size and splendour, but is now reduced to one wing, which is inhabited by the tenant of the farm. Coal and limestone were at one time extensively wrought, but the former is now exhausted, and the latter is too deep to be worked with profit. Ironstone however is found, and there is an abundance of excellent freestone in several localities.

The soil varies from deep rich loam along the southern part of the Parish, to the poorer sorts of moorland at the King's Muir. Along the coast generally any kind of crop can be cultivated, and the style of farming is first class, but the land is peculiarly adapted for green crops, and immense quantities of potatoes are raised in favourable seasons. Formerly, the whole of the King's Muir was in a moorland, uncultivated state; but during the last quarter of a century, a great portion of it has been brought under the dominion of the plough. The soil however is poor, and the crops often inferior.

The Burgh of Crail stands two and a half miles south-west of Fife Ness, four miles north-east of Anstruther, and ten miles south-east by south from St Andrews. It was anciently called Caryle or Carrail, and is mentioned as a place of some importance as early as the middle of the ninth century. It was erected into a Royal Burgh by Robert Bruce, in 1360, and its charter has been repeatedly con-firmed by subsequent sovereigns. David I. had a Palace here, vestiges of which still remain, and he conferred special marks of his royal favour on the Burgh. By the recent Municipal Act, it is governed by nine councillors, including a provost, two baffles, and a treasurer, and unites with Cupar, St Andrews, Kilrenny, Anstruther Easter and Wester, and Pittenweem, in returning a Member to Parliament. The town consists chiefly of two main streets with lanes running off at right angles. The principal street is broad and spacious, and contains some houses presenting all the marks of having seen better days. Indeed, like many of the smaller coast towns, Crail suffered severely both in trade and importance by the Union with England, but a considerable change for the better has taken place of late years.

The Parish Church is so old that some allege it to be that in which David I. worshipped when he resided in Crail. It was repaired in 1828, and is a fine specimen of pointed architecture. It consists of a central nave, with aisles divided by two rows of pillars, one on each side, and contains about 1000 sittings. John Knox, the Reformer, preached in it on Sunday, the 19th of May, 1559, and next day marched to St Andrews with a multitude at his heels, to destroy the monuments of idolatry there. The notorious Archbishop Sharp was minister of Crail previous to his desertion of Presbyterianism, and his assumption of the mitre. In addition to the Parish Church, there is also a Free and a United Presbyterian Church. The Schools are -the Parish School, a Burgh School under the management of the magistrates, and several Female Schools; there is also a Subscription School at King's Muir. For a number of years subsequent to the Disruption, there was also a Free Church School in Crail, but it has been closed since 1860.

In the country, the inhabitants are almost entirely employed in agricultural operations, and in the town, as small tradesmen or shopkeepers. A number are connected with the sea, either as sailors or fishermen, about twenty yawls being employed during the season in the crab and lobster fishing. One distinguishing feature of the place is the great number of small shopkeepers and tradesmen, all eagerly intent in pushing the business or businesses in which they are more or less engaged ; and we know of no town of the same size, or so limited in extent of population, where businesses of all sorts are so much sub-divided This circumstance so far accounts for the copiousness of our Directory for this Parish.

The harbour is not large, but safe, and quite adequate to the trade of the district. About twelve small sailing vessels belong to the port, of about the aggregate burden of 1200 tons. The imports consist chiefly of coal, and the exports of grain and potatoes, and during some seasons great quantities of the latter are shipped for London and other large sea-port towns.

The POST TOWN is Crail, James Key, Post Master.--The mails from Kilconquhar and the west arrive about 11.30 A.M., and are despatched at 12.45 P.M. The mails from St Andrews and the north arrive about 12 noon, and are despatched at 6.45 P.m.

BAKERS.

Duncan, James, Crail

Guillan, Mrs David, do

Hutchon, William, do

Peattie, David, do

BANKS.

EASTERN BANK. David Mathewson, Accountant

A SAVINGS' BANK, in connection with the above, is open during Bank hours

Another SAVINGS' BANK, in connection with the National Bank, Anstruther, is open in the Town Hall every Monday evening, from 8 to 9 o'clock, Andrew M. Doeg, Cashier, James Peattie, Sec.

BLACKSMITHS.

Greig, James, Crail

Law, James, do

McEwan, John, King's Muir

Meldrum, Thomas, Hallflat, by Crail

Thomson, Robert, Smithfield, by do

Thomson, Robert, Tapefield, by do

BOAT SKIPPERS.

Laird, Mathew, Crail

Taylor, James, do

BOOT & SHOEMAKERS.

Alexander, Samuel, Crail

Balfour, David, Foulhoggar, by Crail

Brunton, Alexander, Crail

Horsburgh, Alexander, do

Horsburgh, James, do

Kirkcaldy, Robert, do

Law, John, do

Peattie, John, do

Robertson, James, do

Taylor, Thomas,do

Taylor,William, do

Williamson, William, do

CARRIERS.

Duncan, Thomas, Crail, to St Andrews every lawful day

King, Andrew, Crail, to Kirkcaldy, Edinburgh, &c., Monday and Thursday, returning on Wednesday and Saturday

Taylor, Robert, Crail, to Anstruther every lawful day. To Pittenweem on Tuesday and Friday

CARTERS.

Duncan, David, Crail

Elder, James, do

Fleming, James, Crail

Mackie, Frederick, do (has spring-cart for hire)

Mackie, James, do

Mitchell, Andrew, do

Peattie, Peter, Newton Wormistone, by Crail

Stobie, Andrew, Crail

CLERGY.

Barty, Mr, Assistant Minister, Parish Church, Crail

Hendry, John, Free Church, Crail

Merson, William, Parish Church, do I

Walker, Alex., U. P. Church, do

COACHES.

Duncan, Thomas, to St Andrews every lawful day

Marshall, Mrs., to Anstruther and Kilconquhar every lawful day

COAL MERCHANTS.

Millar, John, Crail

Millar, Wm., do

Scott, J., (& Brick) do

COOPERS.

Mackay, Angus, Crail

Watson, James, do

DRAPERS.

Hutchon, Andrew, Crail

Peattie, James, do

Sim, Mrs Alexander, do

Swan, William B., do

DRESSMAKERS.

Those marked thus * are also Milliners.

Berwick, Miss C., Crail

Emmerson, Miss Mary, do

Gosman, Miss M., do

Hutchon, Miss A., do

Law, Miss M.., do

McDonald, Miss M., do

* Oliphant, Miss M., do

* Taylor, Misses, do

* Wallace, Mrs C., do

Williamson, Miss C., do

*Wilson, Mrs M., do

Wyllie, Miss Margaret, do

FARMERS.

Abbie, William, Chalice Inn, by Crail

Brown, Alexander, Ribbonfield

Brown, David, Pinkerton, by Crail

Brown, John, Kirklands, by do

Carmichael, James, Wingfield, by do

Carstairs, Alex., Cairnscluse, King's Muir

Clark, James, Wormistone, by Crail

Clark, Mrs C., Airdrie

Crombie, David, Kilminning, by Crail

Deas, Alexander, Crail

Duncan, Robert, Esq., of Kirkmay, by Crail

Duncan, William, Pitowie

Farmer, William, Drumrack, King's Muir

Finlay, Thomas, Swinkey, do

Forgan, Alexander, Drumliemyre, do

Graham, James, Burnbrae do

Hannay, G. F., Esq., King's Muir Home Farm

Hutchon, Robert, Damside, by Crail

Hutton, John, West Newhall, by do

Kennedy, Ebenezer, Troustrie, by do

Key, James, Crail

Law, William, Whitehall, King's Muir

Mackie, Thomas, Sauchope, by Crail

Meldrum, Robert, Crail

Millar, David, Erbitshall, King's Muir

Mitchell, David, Crail

Morton, Thomas, Craighead, by Crail

Oliphant, Mrs. J., Smithfield, King's Muir

Ramsay, David, Muirhead, do

Sharp, George, Cabbagehall, do

Sime, Thomas, Toldrie, by Crail

Smith, Thomas, Burnside, Crail

Spence, James, Cocklaw

Stewart, James, Crail

Todd, Richard, Balcomie

Walls, William, Summerfield

Watson, Robert, Crail

Webster, George, Crail's Muir

FISHCURERS.

Bowman, James, Crail

Dickson, A., .& G., do

Hutchon, Andrew, do

Laing, George, do

Law, John do

Mackay, Angus, do

Morris, Robert, do

Peattie, J., & D., do

Watson, James, do

Young, David, do

GENTRY & PEOPLE OF INDEPENDENT MEANS.

Brown, James, Crail

Bell, Alex., Esq., do

Blyth, William, do

Bowman, James, Esq., do

Bowman, Wm., Esq., do

Duncan, David, Esq., do

Fowler, James, do r

Gay, David, do

Gillies, David, do

Hannay, George F., Esq., King's Muir

Inglis, William, Esq. , Kirkmay House, Crail

Latto, Alexander, Crail

Lindsay, D. A., Esq., Wormistone House, by Crail

Peattie, Thomas, Crail

Philip, James, Crail

GROCERS.

Those marked thus* are also Spirit Dealers.

Brown, John, Crail

Brown, Mrs, do

Dickson, Archibald, do

Fleming, James, do

Fowler, Mrs M. A., do

Gosman, John, do

* Hutton, Thomas, do

Laing, George, do

Law, John, do

*Morris, Robert, do

Peattie, John, do

Ritchie, William, do

* Sime, David, do

* Taylor, Miss J. M. , do

Taylor, Mrs. James, do

INSURANCE AGENTS.

Key, James, Post Master, Life Association

Mathewson, D., Banker, Minerva, Phoenix, and Norfolk Farmers' Cattle

Oliphant, P., Banker, English & Scottish Law

Peattie, James, Draper, Scottish National

Scott, William, Inspector of Poor, Royal

Sim, G., Draper, Insurance Co. of Scotland

IRONMONGERS.

Fowler, Mrs. M. A., Crail

Morris, Robert, do

Sime, David, do

JOINERS & WRIGHTS.

Anderson, John, Crail

Balsillie, John, do

Bonthrone, Andrew, Newton of Wormistone

Brown, J. , (Cartwright) Crail

Brown, John, do

Gowans, David, Newton of Wormiston

MASONS.

Gosman, John, Crail

Guthrie, John, do

PAINTERS & PAPERHANGERS

Brown, John, Crail

McGregor, John, do

POTATO MERCHANTS & AGENTS.

Bowman, James, Crail

Dickson, Archibald, do

Millar, John, do

SHIPMASTERS.

Balmanno, George, Crail

Black, Andrew, do

Crawford, John, do

Davidson, Alexander, do

Dickson, Thomas, do

Gay, Alexander, do

Gay, George, do

Gay, James, do

Hill, John, do

Hutchison, John, do

Millar, David, do

Millar, Thomas, do

Millar, William, do

Mitchell, Archibald, do

Scott, John, do

Watson, Robert, do

TAILORS.

Those marked thus * are also Clothiers.

*Berwick, A., Mount Pleasant, King's Muir

* Hutchon, Andrew, Crail

Laing, George, do

* Peattie, James, do

Swan, John, do

*Swan, W. B., do

TEACHERS & SCHOOLS.

Dishington, Edward, King's Muir

Duncan, William, Parish School, Crail

Herd, Miss, Female School, do

Hutchison, Wm. B., Burgh School, do

Lawrence, Miss, (Female) Music & Modern Languages, Crail

Thomson, Miss, Female School, Crail

Webster, Jas., (retired) Parish School, do

VINTNERS.

Bowman, James, Crail

Greig, Mrs Alexander, do

Henderson, Miss M., do

Key, Alexander, King's Muir

Laird, Matthew, Crail

Moore, J., Golf Inn, do (Hotel license)

Taylor, Mrs. Eizabeth, do

MISCELLANEOUS.

Anderson, James, Flesher, Crail

Bowman, James, Ship Carpenter, do

Brown, John, China Merchant, do

Brown, Mrs. Alexander, Straw Bonnet Maker, Crail

Brunton, Thomas, Harbour Master, Crail

Cuthbert, David, Slater, do

Doeg, Andrew M., Agent for Lloyd's, do

Duncan, Robert, Esq., Potato Merchant, Kirkmay, by Crail

Greig, James, Vermin Trap Manufacturer, Crail

Johnston, William, Gasfitter, and Gas Maker, Crail

Key, J., Brewer & Maltster, Crail

Lawrence, G., M. D., Medical Practitioner, Crail

Mathewson, D., Crail, Librarian, Public Library, open every Tuesday evening, from half-past 7 to half-past 8 o'clock,

Sec., Golf Club, and Agent for Lawson & Sons Phospho Peruvian Guano

Milne, James, Town Officer, and Keeper of Town Hall, Crail

Milner, John, Brick & Tile Maker, King's Muir

Morris, Robert, Crail, Agent for P. & P. Campbell, Dyers, Perth

Ramsay, J., Veterinary Surgeon, Ragfield, by Crail

Ross, David, Barber, Crail

Scott, Wm., Inspector of Poor, Collector of Poors' Rates, and Secretary to Gas Co., Crail

Stewart, James, Corn Miller, Crail

Taylor, Thomas, Letter Carrier, do

Thomson, W., Isle of May Boat-master, do

Wallace, David, Market Gardener, do

Watson, James, House Thatcher, do

Webster, J., Registrar & Session Clerk, do

Wilson, Alexander, Umbrella & Parasol Maker, Crail

Wilson, Mrs., Staymaker, Crail

ADD

Lindsay, Alexander, Teacher, King's Muir

Stalker, Mrs. Wm., China Merchant, Crail

Swan, David, Tailor & Clothier, do

Swinton, David, Baker, do

DELETE

Dickson, Archibald, Grocer, Crail

Dishington, Edward, Teacher, King's Muir

Fowler, James, of Independent Means, Crail

Gullan, Mrs David, Baker, Crail

Gay, Alexander, Shipmaster, do

Miller, Thomas, Shipmaster, do

Swan, Wm. B., Tailor & Clothier, CraiI

Wilson, Alex. , Umbrella Maker, do

Wilson, Mrs. Alex., Stay Maker, do

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