Since the date of the last Account, several of the disadvantages therein referred to have been removed.

1. The principal heritor now generally resides in the parish, though he has been two years absent in England: and the residence of such a landlord is a mighty blessing to the poor.

2. The parish has now, what it had not then, Justices of the Peace,-Sir A. Edmonstone, and his factor; also a bailie and council.

3. The communication with Glasgow, and Falkirk, and Stirling is now very cheap and easy, at all seasons when the canal is open. Ere long, the proposed railway betwixt Glasgow and Edinburgh, may come within one mile of this parish. Gas has been introduced into our shops and places of worship. The church has been heated with stoves. The streets have been very much improved of late by levelling, removal or out-stairs, and nuisances. With such a command of water as we possess, and other advantages, it is rather surprising that we have no great public work of any kind. The consolation here is, that morals might not be improved by such erections and the consequent immigration.

Revised and completed April 1841.