The commercial and manufacturing metropolis of Scotland, and in population the second city in Great Britain, is situated on the banks of the River Clyde, in the lower ward of the county of Lanark, at the distance of about 400 miles N.W. of London, and 42 miles W. of Edinburgh, in 55°51'32" N. Lat., and 4°17'54" W. Long. Its greatest length from east to west is 3 miles, and its breadth from north to south 2 miles, and circumference about 8 miles. The Clyde, upon which the city of Glasgow is situated, is one of the principal rivers in Scotland, and has its rise among the mountains that separate the counties of Dumfries and Lanark. The length of this stream, from its source to its junction with the western sea, is about 100 miles. Along its whole course it is beautified by magnificent natural scenery, and embellishments of art. Its banks are crowded with the abodes of industry and a thriving population. The site of Glasgow occupies both sides of the river, and though at the distance of above thirty miles from the influx into the sea, the tide, which flows a considerable way above the town, gives it a command of trade and means of ready conveyance for commercial purposes to every quarter of the globe.

As many other towns, not only is the etymology of the name a matter of conjecture, but the earlier state of the city is shrouded in obscurity. Into the discussion of either of these our limits forbid us to enter; but it may be briefly observed as to the first, that the most probable conjecture of antiquarians and etymologists is, that Glasgow derives its name from the two Celtic words signifying "a dark glen," being, as is supposed, the ravine or wooded sloping banks of the Molendinar burn at the east end of the cathedral; and with regard to the second—concerning the origin of the city itself—it may be stated that although Glasgow is certainly one of the most ancient of Scottish towns, there is not a title of evidence to show that a single stone of it had been laid until "Rome had filled the world with her renown, and fallen at length amid the ruins of her own greatness." At the period of the Roman power in Britain, the province of Valentia in which Glasgow is situated was inhabited by a tribe called the Dammii; and on the retirement of the Roman legions, those comparatively peaceful provincials were left to defend themselves and their territory during a period of nearly four centuries, first against the incursions of the Picts, then against the invasion of the Saxons from the east, and latterly against the assaults of the martial Scots, who, emigrating from Ireland, settled in the districts now called Argyllshire and Galloway. It is considered more than probable, that Alpine, the last king of the Scots, lost his life when fighting against the Strathclyde Britons.

All Glasgow chroniclers commence their accounts of the city with the story of St Kentigern, who is supposed to have laid the foundation of the holy edifice round which the few huts or wooden houses which then constituted the town were congregated. The period at which this early seat of the church was founded, was about the middle of the sixth century. From the pious, benevolent, and amiable character of its ecclesiastical founder, he acquired the appellation of Mungo, a word used in several languages as an epithet of fondness and endearment. In the year 539, St Kentigern, then twenty-five years of age, is said to have taken leave of his episcopal instructor, St Servanus, Bishop of Orkney, and to have come to Glasgow, where from his great sanctity he was chosen by the king and clergy of the district their bishop, his consecration having been performed by St Columba. At this time Marken was king of the Strathclyde Britons; and having become jealous of the spiritual influence of St Kentigern, ultimately became his persecutor, and compelled him to seek refuge in Wales, where he sojourned several years and founded the see of St Asaph. Under the more benign rule of the successor of Marken, St Kentigern was recalled to Glasgow, where, on his arrival, having preached to a great multitude, a monkish legend records that the earth on which he stood was instantly upheaved into a little knoll so that the preacher might easily be seen and heard by all present. To this has been attributed the motto of the city, "Let Glasgow flourish by the preaching of the Word."

Following the procedure of the first teachers of Christianity, who established their churches on the spots which had been previously hallowed by the habitual performance of the people's devotions, it is commonly supposed that St Kentigern founded his church on the vestiges of a Druidical circle, which he did about the year 560; and here he continued to minister till his death, which took place in 601, leaving the infant town to spring up under the shadow of the church the foundation of which he had laid, and under which it is also said he was buried. Such is the account which unvarying tradition and ancient chronicles have handed down concerning the origin of Glasgow, and which receives additional confirmation from the armorial bearings of the see. These are, argent, a tree growing out of a mountain base, surmounted by a salmon in fesse, all proper; in the salmon's mouth an amulet, or, on the dexter side a bell pendent to the tree, of the second. Setting aside all monkish fables respecting the origin of each separate part of these armorial bearings, it may without much doubt be conceded that the tree referred to the ancient forest which surrounded the cathedral, the bell to the cathedral itself, the ring to the episcopal office, and the fish to the scaly treasures which the neighbouring Clutha then offered to its metropolitan master.

From the death of St Kentigern till the year 1050 an impenetrable obscurity gathers over the annals of Glasgow. From that period successive bishops are noticed; but it was not till the year 1115 that full light began to fall on its history. The importance of the see is then demonstrated from a preserved deed recorded in the ancient register of the episcopate. From this it appears that David, when Prince of Cumbria, ordered an investigation to be made as to the lands and churches belonging to the bishopric of Glasgow. In this document the foundation of the church, and the ordination of St Kentigern are related, and also that after his death he was succeeded by many bishops, but that in consequence of the many revolutions and confusion incident thereto which followed, all traces of the church and even of Christianity were destroyed. From this document it appears quite evident that while no traces of the church's history can be found, the cathedral itself not only existed, but was richly endowed.

David having succeeded his brother Alexander I. on the throne of Scotland in the year 1124, at once promoted his chaplain, John Aclains to the bishopric in 1129. On the nones of July 1136 the newly built church was dedicated, on which occasion King David I. endowed it with the lands of Perdeyc (Partick); and subsequently this saintly king restored to the bishop a long list of possessions formerly belonging to the see. In the reign of Malcolm, the church of Glasgow received many gifts from the crown; and during the reign of Pope Alexander III. a bull was issued enjoining the clergy and people of the diocese to visit annually the cathedral church of Glasgow.

While William the Lion was founding free burghs in Scotland, the great lords of the church obtained privileges of the same nature for the cities erected around their cathedrals. Such was the origin of the burgh of Glasgow. The royal charter rendering Glasgow a burgh, and giving it a market with freedoms and customs, was granted between the years 1175 and 1178. In the early part of this reign the cathedral possessed 25 churches, 17 of which seem to have been mensal. Between 1189 and 1192, Bishop Joceline appears to have been anxiously engaged in the restoration of his cathedral church. The original church erected by Bishop John, chiefly of wood, had been recently destroyed by fire, and Joceline founded a society to collect funds for its restoration. His energy and success in this matter must have been great, since we find that on the 6th June 1197 his new church was sufficiently advanced to be dedicated. After a long episcopate, he died at his old Abbey of Melrose on the 17th March 1199, and was buried on the north side of the choir. During the next century seven bishops occupied the episcopal chair, among the most remarkable of whom were Bondington, who greatly advanced the building of the cathedral, and Robert Wisheart, who latterly stood forward as the most strenuous opponent to the encroachments of Edward I. This monarch spent a fortnight in Glasgow in the autumn of 1301. He resided at the Friars Preachers, but was constant in his offerings at the high altar and the shrine of St Mungo. It may be stated of Wisheart, that when Wallace, almost single-handed, set up the standard of revolt against Edward, the bishop of Glasgow instantly joined him. When Robert the Bruce, friendless and a fugitive, raised the old war cry of Scotland, the same bishop supported him. And when Bruce was proscribed by Edward and under the anathema of the church, Bishop Wisheart assuaged him for the sacrilegious slaughter of Comyn, and prepared the royal robes for his coronation. Wisheart was taken prisoner in 1306 and was not liberated till after the battle of Bannockburn. He died in 1316, having lived to see Robert the Bruce firmly seated on the Scottish throne, and was buried in the cathedral betwixt the altars of St Peter and St Andrew. In 1321, John de Lindesay was elected bishop. In 1337, when, returning from France to Scotland, the ship which conveyed him and many noble Scottish ladies, with L30,000 in money, and the treaty between France and England, was taken by the English; and it is said the bishop died of grief before reaching the land. He was succeeded by William Rae, of whom nothing is known except that he built the stone bridge over the Clyde at Glasgow, and was followed by Mathew de Glendowyn, who during his episcopate made preparations for rebuilding with stone the wooden steeple of the cathedral, which had been consumed by lightning, but who was prevented from accomplishing this through death, which event took place in 1408. On his demise William de Lawedre succeeded, who built the crypt below the chapter-house, and the stone steeple as far as the first battlements. In 1425 John Cameron was elected bishop. He built the great tower of the bishop's palace, and also the chapter house begun by his predecessor. In 1447 William Turnbull was chosen bishop. During a short incumbency he obtained from King James II. in 1420 a charter, erecting the town and the patrimony of the bishops into a regality. This ecclesiastic will be ever regarded with affectionate gratitude as the founder of the University of Glasgow, which was effected through a bull of Pope Nicholas V. in the year 1451. Turnbull was succeeded by Muirhead, Laing, Carmichael, and Blackadder. During the incumbency of the last, the see of Glasgow was made archiepiscopal through the religious enthusiasm of James IV., who in early life had been a canon of the cathedral. The bull declaring the see of Glasgow metropolitan is dated in 1491. Its suffragans were the Bishops of Dunkeld, Dunblane, Galloway, and Argyle. In 1488, Blacadder, in conjunction with the Earl of Bethwell, negotiated a marriage between King James III. of Scotland and the Lady Margaret, eldest daughter of King Henry VII. of England. This union laid the foundation of the title of the Scottish kings to the English throne. Blackadder was followed by James Bethune, Gavin Dunbar, Alexander Gordon, and James Bethune, abbot of Arbroath, who was consecrated at Rome in 1552. At the Reformation in 1560, the latter archbishop retired to France, carrying with him all the relics, documents, and plate which pertained to the See. Since the renovation of the cathedral in 1129, it appears that there had been 26 Roman Catholic bishops, and four Roman Catholic archbishops. From the Reformation till the Revolution, the church in Glasgow was governed by 14 Protestant archbishops, the first, James Boyd, created in 1572, and the last, John Paterson, in 1687.

While the early history of Glasgow may be said to be almost entirely associated with its cathedral and its ecclesiastics, there are a few matters connected with its civil history which may not be uninteresting. The first charter granted by William the Lion to the city was in 1178, another was in 1190, and by a deed in 1268, still extant, it appears that the town was then governed by a provost and bailies, and that it was then in all respects an organized corporation, having persons in official situations for the investing and transferring of property, and with courts of justice for determining disputes amongst the inhabitants. In the year 1300 a battle between the Scots under Wallace and the English under Percy, was fought in the High Street, when victory declared for the former, and the latter are said to have lost their leader with 700 men. Glasgow was successively visited by the plague in the years 1350, 1380, and 1381, and numbers perished by this fearful disease. About 1524 a council convened by the Earl of Angus, and consisting of a great part of the nobility of the kingdom, was held at Glasgow, for the purpose of strengthening that nobleman's overgrown power; but the Duke of Albany being then in France, and hearing of the circumstance, and being assisted by the French king, ere long landed in Scotland with a considerable force, which so intimidated Angus that he retired from the country. In 1538 the first sacrifice of life was made by the church in the vain hope of arresting the Reformation. Jerome Russell, a member of the Glasgow convent of Franciscans, and a youth named Kennedy, of eighteen years of age, were condemned for heresy, and were burned alive, suffering most heroically. About 1542 the bishop's castle, while garrisoned by the Earl of Lennox, sustained a siege from the Regent Arran. It surrendered upon terms which were violated, and the garrison were all put to the sword. Soon after an engagement took place between the same parties at what was called the Butts, at the east end of the city, when 300 men fell, and the regent obtained a victory, in consequence of which the town was plundered. In 1560, the Reformation having taken place, superintendents took the position of bishops. In 1563 a great dearth occurred. In 1566 Queen Mary visited the city for the purpose of seeing her husband Darnley, who had been taken ill when residing with his father in his house at the Linmerfield; and in 1568 many of the citizens fought against her at the battle of Langside, which proved fatal to the hopes of that unfortunate sovereign. In 1570 the castle was again besieged, but in vain, by the Hamiltons. Episcopacy, though in a crippled state, was restored in the person of James Boyd of Trochrig. In 1578, the General Assembly having questioned the legality of the episcopal function, Boyd ceased to act. To him succeeded in 1581 Robert Montgomery, who resigned in 1585, when William Erskine, a layman, was nominated to the see and revenues. In 1588, however, the temporalities were restored to Archbishop Beaton, at whose death in 1603 Spottiswood, the historian, succeeded Glasgow. to the vacant mitre. In 1638 the famous Assembly of the Presbyterian Church was held at Glasgow, when episcopacy was abjured; churchmen were declared incapable of sitting in the Scottish parliament; and in the following year every person who refused to sign the Solemn League and Covenant was debarred from church ordinances. During the next fourteen years Glasgow suffered great calamities. In 1645 Montrose, after his victory at Kilsyth, marched into the city during a visit of the plague, and levied a heavy contribution upon the inhabitants; and in the same year three of the prisoners taken at Philiphaugh, viz. Sir Walter Rollock, Sir Philip Nisbet, and Ogilvie of Inverquherry, were executed at Glasgow. In 1648 Provost Stuart and the other magistrates were superseded in their offices for their contumacy towards Charles I., and were for some days put in prison. New municipal rulers were elected; and as a punishment on the old, four regiments of foot and horse were sent to the city, with orders to quarter solely on the magistrates, council, and session. In the following year the city was in the horrors of plague and famine; and in two years thereafter Oliver Cromwell took up his quarters, and held his levees in Silvercraig's land in the Saltmarket. When there he visited the cathedral; on which occasion Mr Zachary Boyd, the minister, having inveighed against the general, Thurlow, his secretary, said he would shoot the scoundrel. "No, no," said Cromwell; "we will manage him in his own way;" and having invited the clergyman to dine with him, Oliver concluded the entertainment by prayer, which lasted three hours! In 1652 a great fire took place, by which about one-third of the town was destroyed, the loss being estimated at one hundred thousand pounds sterling. Soon after the restoration of Charles II., Episcopacy being restored in Scotland, 14 ministers belonging to the Presbytery of Glasgow were turned out and took leave of their flocks. During the gloomy ecclesiastical period which succeeded, the citizens of Glasgow, who were chiefly Covenanters, were persecuted with unremitting fury. Numbers were hanged in the streets, while guards were placed at the city ports on Sunday to prevent the inhabitants from attending field preaching. In 1678, immediately after a second dreadful fire had sent a thousand families to the street, the Tolbooth, in which a great number of persons were confined, chiefly for religious opinions, was broken open by the citizens, and the prisoners set at liberty. On hearing that this had been done, the government of the day sent an army of Highlanders to Glasgow, where they exercised the most wanton acts of cruelty and oppression, which ere long led to the battles of Loudon Hill and Bothwell Bridge, and ended in the execution of Cargill, the minister of the Barony Parish of Glasgow, in Edinburgh, and in the martyrdom at Glasgow of James Nisbet, James Lawson, and Alexander Wood, who died "for their adherence to the word of God, and Scotland's covenanted work of reformation." On the abdication of James II., the city raised a regiment of 500 men to support their Presbyterian views; and on the 4th June 1690 the town was declared free by a charter of William and Mary, with power to elect their own magistrates, which was done by a poll of the burgesses. In 1697 the citizens suffered severely from the Darien Scheme, in which many of them adventured their means. The Union in 1707, which has since proved so beneficial to Scotland and England, was most unwelcome in Glasgow, and threatened to cause riot; but in 1715, when the Stuarts' claim to the throne was attempted to be established by the sword, Glasgow at once took her side with the House of Hanover, and raised a battalion of 600 men to aid the Duke of Argyll in quelling the insurrection. In 1725 the extension of the malt tax caused a serious tumult in Glasgow; on which occasion the house of Daniel Campbell of Sheffield, the M.P. for the city, was completely gutted, and six persons killed and seventeen wounded by the soldiers called out to quell the disturbance. The magistrates were committed to their own jail for dereliction of duty, but were soon afterwards released. In 1745, when Charles Edward Stuart again attempted to win the crown, Glasgow was once more on the side of religious liberty, and on that occasion raised for the service of the government two battalions of 450 men, both of which, it is well known, suffered severely at the fight of Falkirk. On the return of the rebels from Derby they threatened to burn the city, but were prevented by Cameron of Lochiel. A heavy contribution was levied both in money and goods, which, with the charge of maintaining the rebel army in free quarters for ten days, the period Prince Charles resided in the Sheffield mansion in Trongate, cost the community about £14,000 sterling, £10,000 of which was subsequently recovered by a grant of the British parliament. On the breaking out of the American war in 1775 a regiment of 1000 men was raised at the expense of the city; at the same time the merchants fitted out fourteen privateers, mounting from 12 to 22 guns each, and carrying in whole about 1050 men. During the spring of 1782 a most remarkable inundation of the Clyde occurred, causing great distress and misery to the inhabitants in the lower part of the town, on which occasion the river rose 20 feet above its ordinary level. When the conflict consequent on the French Revolution commenced, the military spirit of the city was roused in support of the constitution and its safety. In 1794 the town volunteers mustered 1300; and in 1798 about £14,000 was subscribed by the inhabitants for carrying on the war. On the resumption of the conflict after the short peace of Amiens, upwards of 4000 volunteers started up at their country's call. In 1813 the citizens subscribed £5200 towards the relief of sufferers in the Russian campaign, and £4554 for the sufferers in Germany. Illuminations for victories followed each other in rapid succession, there being one after the battle of Leipzig, another after the taking of Paris, and a third at the victory of Waterloo. On the latter occasion Glasgow forgot not, amid the exultation of success, the claims of the widows and orphans which the event produced. To the large fund then raised throughout the country she contributed no less than £7578, 13s. 4d. In 1816-17, great distress having been experienced by the working classes, a subscription to the amount of £12,871, 1s. 7d. was raised for their relief. This was followed by a serious outbreak of typhus fever, when another voluntary contribution was raised of £6526, 14s. Id. to meet the deadly emergency. In 1819-20 the working classes were again thrown into great distress from want of employment; and during the winter an exceedingly feverish state of mind among these persons manifested itself, and created great alarm. On Easter day of 1820 a treasonable proclamation was found posted up in the city; and the next day work was almost universally given up, and a crisis seemed approaching. On Wednesday the city presented a lively picture of a beleaguered town; but through the display of a strong military force, and the activity of the magistracy, all was soon rendered tranquil. The only result of the whole ferment which is now to be regretted is the miserable catastrophe which followed in the wake of the special commission which met soon afterwards at Glasgow to try those who were engaged in this Radical insurrection; on which occasion a poor old weak creature called James Wilson was hanged and beheaded—a punishment which, considering to what extent vile spites were then employed, is now considered to have been both sanguinary and impolitic. Of the remaining events of a purely historical character connected with Glasgow, we shall limit ourselves to only one more; and that is to the suspicious and ever-memorable visit which Queen Victoria and her illustrious consort made to the city on the 14th August 1849, being the only sovereign Glasgow, of Scotland or England who had entered Glasgow since Mary Queen of Scots, no less than 283 years before. The enthusiastic manner in which her Majesty was then everywhere greeted from upwards of half a million of her subjects on her landing at the harbour, and during her whole progress through the gaily ornamented streets, must have been highly gratifying to the object of such unbounded expression of loyalty and attachment; and when it is added that from the judicious arrangements which were made by those entrusted with the details, everything passed off without the slightest accident, it is certain that this event will ever remain an important episode in the annals of Glasgow.

Although Glasgow may justly be said to be one of the most ancient cities in Scotland, it is at the same time one of the most modern of the larger towns of Great Britain. It was, it appears, a place of some consideration at the commencement of the twelfth century, when the foundation of its cathedral was laid; and yet at the beginning of the nineteenth century it had given proofs only of progress equal to those of many other towns in the empire. The fact is that to its wealthy church and its numerous body of ecclesiastics, and afterwards to the establishment of its university, the city owed all the importance which it then possessed. Glasgow only held in 1556 the eleventh place of rank among the other towns of Scotland. The agitation consequent on the introduction of the Reformed religion proved for some time prejudicial to the opulence of the city. The money which had formerly been expended among the citizens by the bishop and clergy was now diverted into other channels, and the advantages resulting from the university were also for a time lost; for as the reformers generally despised human learning, the college was in a manner deserted. According to the assessment of the burghs in 1695, Glasgow was reckoned the second in Scotland. For the great accession of wealth in little more than a century, it may be mentioned that the inhabitants had, for a very considerable time even before the restoration of Charles II., the sale both of raw and refined sugars for the greatest part of Scotland; they had a privilege of distilling spirits from their molasses free of all duty and excise; the herring fishing was also carried on to a considerable extent; they were the only manufacturers of soap, and they annually sent hides, linen, &c., to Bristol, from whence they brought back in exchange tobacco, sugar, and English manufactured goods, with which they supplied the greater part of the kingdom. Immediately after the signing of the Union an increasing impetus was given to commerce, and consequently to the progress, of Glasgow. The American colonies, hitherto exclusively the field for English enterprise, were opened up to the merchants of the west of Scotland; partnerships were at once formed, and vessels chartered, and thereafter built, for carrying on, at first an extensive barter trade, and at length a regular commercial intercourse with Virginia, Maryland, and Carolina. In 1735 the Virginian merchants in Glasgow could boast of having fifteen large vessels belonging to the ports of the Clyde engaged in the tobacco trade, besides many others which they had chartered from other ports. In short, between the years 1760 and 1775 Glasgow became the great emporium for tobacco in the empire, for while the whole import in 1772 was 90,000 hogsheads, Glasgow alone imported 49,000. This trade may be said to have got its death-blow on the breaking out of the American war; but although the period during which it flourished was by no means long, many monuments of its success and greatness have been left either in the princely estates purchased from its gains, or in the magnificent city mansions reared for the accommodation and comfort of the merchant princes who then conducted it. At that period, however, wealth was chiefly confined to those engaged in this traffic; and the style of living by the two classes into which the inhabitants were divided was more marked than that which now exists between the peer and the successful tradesman. Business Glasgow, being paralyzed for a time by the American war, a universal cry of distress was heard throughout the town. At length the exertions of the citizens were thrown into other channels;—the West Indies offered its sugar cultivation to some, and the introduction of the cotton manufacture attracted others. Through these means many years did not elapse before riches became more widely diffused, and before a more general respectability became apparent. By the time that the French revolution again brought the country into war, the city had increased very considerably, and during the few years that preceded that event, foreign commerce was found to be daily increasing, while manufacturing establishments were rising on every hand. The fruits of this industry soon exhibited themselves in the extension of the city. Handsome private mansions were being erected, while public edifices devoted to religion or amusement were seen rapidly rising throughout the city. The general character of the people, which at a more early period was remarkable for its ascetic severity and apparent sanctity of manners, had somewhat changed; and the inhabitants of Glasgow, in liberality, had become more in unison with the feeling and conduct of their neighbours. While commerce and manufactures had thus given the city a stimulating and onward progress, science and art had also added their mighty aid in effecting improvement. As a proof of this it may be mentioned that in 1759 the first act for deepening the river Clyde was obtained; and that in 1764 James Watt made in Glasgow his first model of a steam-engine, to the benefits derived from which the city and its harbour owe much of its prosperity. Necessity and utilitarianism combined to sweep away many of the old landmarks, and a desire for greater comforts brought about improvements in the cleaning, lighting, and paving of the city. With the introduction of the cotton manufacture, that of linens, lawns, and cambrics, which had been a species of staple since 1725, was superseded, but many others had been added to the handicrafts which then existed in the town. A bottle-house for the manufacture of green bottles had been erected so far back as 1730, and one for that of crystal was erected in 1777. Mr Harvey also, at the risk of his life, had introduced the inkle loom into the town in 1732; while a large manufactory of delft pottery was put in motion. The printing of calicoes, first introduced at Pollockshaws, within a short distance of the city, in 1742, had extended; while the brewing of beer and ale, hitherto restricted to mere cauldron brewing, was carried on to a great extent both within and without the town. The manufactures which were established previous to and since the commencement of this century yearly increased, and at this period Glasgow made its first great stride in population, wealth, and importance, which render it at present cosmopolitan both in its commerce and crafts. Glasgow, in fact, now unites within itself a portion of the cotton-spinning and weaving manufactures of Manchester, the printed calicoes of Lancashire, the stuffs of Norwich, the shawls and muslins of France, the silk throwing of Macclesfield, the flax-spinning of Ireland, the carpets of Kidderminster, the iron and engineering works of Wolverhampton and Birmingham, the pottery and glass-making of Staffordshire and Newcastle, the ship-building of London, the coal-trade of the Tyne and Wear, and all the handicrafts connected with or dependent on the full development of these various and important branches. Glasgow also has its distilleries, breweries, chemical-works, tan-works, rope-works, dye-works, bleach-fields, and paper manufactories, besides a vast number of staple and fancy hand-loom fabrics, which may be strictly said to belong to the locality. Glasgow, also, in its commercial relations, trades with every quarter of the globe; and its merchants deal in the various products of every country. It hence will appear that one branch of manufacture or trade may be dull, while another Glasgow may be prosperous; and, accordingly, Glasgow does not feel any of those universal depressions which so frequently occur in places limited to one or two branches of manufacture or commerce.

In order to bring the progressive and present state of Glasgow more palpably into view, the following statistical comparisons have been prepared, which will at once prove the rapid and steady advance of a city which is scarcely rivalled but certainly not surpassed by any in the world. The first and most striking evidence of the increasing importance of Glasgow will be found in the following chronicle of its progressive and present population:

| Year | Population | |------|------------| | 1560 | 4,500 | | 1708 | 12,765 | | 1763 | 28,900 | | 1785 | 45,889 | | 1801 | 83,769 | | 1851 | 347,001 |

Of the 347,001 inhabitants of 1851, 163,731 were males, and 183,270 females. It is right to state that the population within the parliamentary district, from which is excluded part of the ancient burgh, was only 329,096. Neither of these numbers, however, fully expresses the true population of Glasgow and its suburbs. Taking the whole population of the four parishes which now constitute the city and its adjoining suburbs, and which have formed the boundaries within which the mortality of Glasgow has been taken, we find that it had reached the number stated in 1851, to no less than 369,138, of which 170,179 were males, and 198,959 were females. According to calculations founded on the increase of dwelling-houses and otherwise, the population in 1855 may fairly be assumed to exceed, within the last-mentioned territory, 400,000. From Dr Strang's analysis of the census of 1851, we find the population located as follows:

| Males | Females | Total | |-------|---------|-------| | Ten parishes of old burgh of Glasgow | 70,329 | 77,786 | 148,115 | | Barony parish within parliamentary boundary | 56,670 | 65,264 | 122,934 | | Govan and Gorbals parishes, within boundary | 29,059 | 32,423 | 61,482 | | Harbours | 156,058 | 176,473 | 332,531 | | Total within old burgh and parliamentary boundary | 167,146 | 176,511 | 343,657 | | Barony parish beyond parliamentary boundary | 6,585 | 6,759 | 13,344 | | Govan do. do. do. | 5,886 | 6,064 | 11,950 | | Small portion of Govan parish, county of Renfrew, but close to parliamentary boundary | 169,617 | 189,334 | 358,951 | | Total | 170,179 | 189,959 | 360,138 |

From the same source we find the character of the population at the census of 1851 to have been 283,506 born Scotch, 64,185 Irish, 3930 English, 1065 foreigners, 815 colonists, British subjects, and 450 not ascertained. The ages being—

| Under 1 | 11,618 | | 1 and under 5 | 33,970 | | 5 | 10 | 37,657 | | 10 | 15 | 36,385 | | 15 | 20 | 40,295 | | 20 | 30 | 78,176 | | 30 | 40 | 51,024 | | 40 | 50 | 34,156 | | 50 | 60 | 20,390 | | Total | 358,951 |

While the above figures, indicating the place of nativity, show that the Irish form 15-33 per cent. of the gross population, they are far below the reality; for although the children born in the city of Irish parents, and who are imbued with all the characteristics, habits, feelings, and religious sentiments of their fatherland, have been lately most numerous, they are all placed in the census returns as Scotch. The truly Irish population may be fairly assumed to be little short of 90,000.

While the population has thus increased, it may be reasonably supposed that the means of accommodating that population have increased along with it, and the following table of the gross number of dwelling-houses, shops and warehouses, and other possessions, will best show that such has been the case, but which are limited to the parliamentary and burgh boundaries, with an assumed population, for 1855, of 375,000:

| Year | Distinct Possessions | Gross Rental | |------|---------------------|-------------| | 1845 | 65,028 | L.866,150 | | 1850 | 76,034 | L.1,017,382 | | 1855 | 82,490 | L.1,241,590 |

It hence appears that the distinct possessions have increased 17,462 since 1845, and 6468 since 1850; while the gross rental has also increased between the first and last period L.385,440, and since 1850, L.224,228. The following is a detailed statement of the gross number and rental of dwelling-houses, shops, warehouses, and other possessions within the municipal and parliamentary city, from Whitsunday 1854 to Whitsunday 1855:

| Occupied | Dwelling-houses and other premises occupied in connection with dwelling-houses | No. | Rental | |----------|------------------------------------------------------------------|-----|--------| | | Shops, warehouses, counting-houses, and other places of business, public works, &c. | 10,271 | L.565,163 |

| Unoccupied | Dwelling-houses and other premises occupied in connection with dwelling-houses | 1,175 | L.11,632 | | | Shops, warehouses, counting-houses, public works, &c. | 351 | 9,359 |

| Possessions occupied | 80,964 | L.1,220,599 | | unoccupied | 1,526 | 20,991 |

In comparing this table with that of 1851 an increase will be found, in 1855, of dwelling-houses, to the extent of 6468; of shops and warehouses, and other places of business, and of public works, of 509; while the increase of rental has been, in the course of only four years, L.76,720 on the former, and L.80,898 on the latter. The comparative numbers of dwelling-houses in three different classes of rentals, in 1851 and 1855, are as under:

| Class | 1851 | 1855 | Increase | |-------|------|------|----------| | Total dwellings at L.5 and under | 37,791 | 38,648 | 857 | | Above L.5 and under L.10 | 14,748 | 18,665 | 3,917 | | At L.10 and upwards | 14,983 | 16,655 | 1,672 |

Hence it appears that the greatest increase is in houses between L.5 and L.10, clearly indicating an improving condition in the habitations of the working-classes.

While from the foregoing statement may be easily gathered the growing number and advancing comforts of the supply inhabited houses, and also the increasing size and elegance of the shops and warehouses, perhaps nothing indicates the progress of Glasgow more than the great and increasing consumption of water. Prior to the year 1806 the city depended chiefly for its supply on twenty-nine public wells, and a few private pump wells. About that period was formed the Glasgow Water Company to pump water from the Clyde; this was soon followed by the Cranston Hill Company, which ultimately became united. In 1846 another company was established to furnish water by gravitation, limited, however, to the supply of the inhabitants on the south side of the river, who may now (1855) be estimated at about 80,000. The daily supply in 1854-55 sent in by both establishments to Glasgow and its suburbs, amounted to about 15,300,000 gallons, which, after making a due deduction for the use of factories, dye-works, and other trade purposes, cattle, &c., left nearly thirty gallons a-day for each inhabitant, supplying also in 1854-55 within the mere boundaries of the city, no fewer than 6638 plunge and shower baths, and 12,114 water-closets in private houses. While this is certainly a very large supply of water, and such as no other town can boast of, still its quality is indifferent; and to meet this desideratum, powers have just been obtained to bring water from Loch Katrine to the extent, if necessary, of forty millions of gallons per day, and to vest the whole water supply in the hands of the corporation. After water there is nothing which marks a city's onward progress more than its consumption of gas. Previous to 1817 Glasgow was dependent, like all other places, on oil and candle for light. During that year the first Gas Light Company was instituted, which was followed by another in 1843. On the 15th September 1818, the streets were first lighted with this economical agent; and thereafter it began to be used in dwelling-houses and factories. In 1840, for example, the quantity of gas consumed in Glasgow and its suburbs was 173 millions of cubic feet, whereas, in the year 1854, it has reached the enormous amount of nearly 589 millions of cubic feet. The average cost of every 1000 cubic feet being 4s., it follows that the sum paid for gas must have amounted in 1854 to £117,800. The number of street lamps lighted by the police in 1835 was 2888, whereas the number lighted in 1854 amounted to 7500.

The first steam-engine in Glasgow connected with cotton-spinning was erected in 1792; but it was not till the beginning of the present century that any considerable quantity of yarn was spun in Scotland. In 1850 the number of spindles employed in cotton-spinning connected with or dependent on Glasgow amounted to 1,683,093, and the cotton consumed amounted to about forty-five millions of pounds, or 120,000 bales. At present (1856) the consumption does not appear to have increased. The power loom was first introduced into Glasgow in 1793 by Mr James Robertson, who brought two from the Hulks in the Thames. In the following year forty looms were fitted up at Milton, and in 1801 Mr John Monteith had 200 looms at work at Pollockshaws, near Glasgow. In 1831 the power looms in or dependent on Glasgow had increased to 15,137; in 1850 they amounted to 23,564, and produced the daily average of 625,000 yards of cloth; at present (1856) there are about 26,000 or 27,000 power looms, and consequently the daily produce is not only greater from this cause, but also from an increase in speed. The number of persons employed in the cotton factories throughout Scotland, and which may be said to be all connected or dependent on Glasgow, in 1850 was 8797 males, and 27,528 females, total 36,325, while the motive power was, steam, 71,005 horse-power; water, 2812. In addition to the cotton spun for weaving, there are several very large manufactories of sewing thread; and to that of power-loom weaving there must be added all the beautiful fabrics that are still made by the hand-loom, and which employ a vast number of persons, and a large capital. These consist of muslins, plain and fancy harness curtains, jacquets, cambrics, ginghams, checks, and coloured tissues of all kinds; while, of late years, mixed fabrics consisting of cotton and silk, cotton and linen, and cotton and wool, have all been manufactured to a great extent. To the many thousand hand-loom weavers that still reside in Glasgow, must be added those who reside in all the villages for many miles round, and even in some of the more distant towns in Scotland and north of Ireland, to form any adequate idea of the extensive and widespread textile manufacturing interests of Glasgow.

There is one branch of manufacture connected with cotton, to which it would be wrong not to particularly allude, and that is the embroidering of muslins, better known under the common designation of "sewed muslins." This is comparatively a new manufacture, having only been first started in Scotland about the year 1825. At that period there were only two or three persons engaged in the manufacture; now there are fifty or sixty. The importance of this branch may in some measure be estimated from the fact that it gives employment to a vast number of females in the rural districts for whom no other useful work is provided in the intervals of field labour. In Ireland alone, where it is practised from the Giant's Causeway to Cape Clear, and from St George's Channel to the Achill and other remote islands, it is a source of great comfort to the female population, as it enables them to add to the food and clothing of their families without entailing on them any of the evils of the factory system, the work being supplied to them by agents of the large manufacturers, scattered over all the country, and executed entirely at their own firesides. As the workers are only engaged a portion of their time at this species of industry, it is impossible to estimate their numbers; but it is computed that the amount paid in the western counties of Scotland and in Ireland reaches no less a sum than three quarters of a million sterling annually. Like all other fancy trades, it has been subject to its periods of depression; but its progress has been regular, from a total produce of a few thousand pounds a-year paid for labour in 1825, to the amount above stated, the greatest increase having, however, taken place since 1845.

The next great branches of industry, of which Glasgow Coal and the central mart, are its coal and iron trades. Although iron, coal, from a pretty remote period, has been wrought round the city chiefly for domestic uses, it has only been since the introduction of the steam-engine, and still more since the discovery of the economical mode of smelting iron by the hot blast, that the vast and closely packed mineral wealth of its neighbouring districts has been at all fully developed and turned to profit.

In 1854 no fewer than 6,448,000 tons of coals were drawn from the pits in the western districts around Glasgow, of which 2,152,800 tons were consumed in the manufacture of pig-iron, 367,200 in the conversion of pig into malleable, making in all 2,520,000 tons used in connection with the manufacture of iron; while 926,221 tons were shipped, and 148,312 tons sent beyond the boundaries by railways, leaving for the manufacturing and domestic uses of the Glasgow district 2,553,427 tons. The produce of pig-iron in the two western counties of Lanark and Ayr in 1854 was 717,800 tons, 122,684 tons of which were shipped direct to foreign countries, and 294,194 tons were sent coastwise from the Clyde, Port Dundas, and other ports of the Clyde estuary; while 22,865 tons were sent away by railways, and 171,369 were converted into malleable iron, leaving the remaining 106,497 tons for foundry and other purposes of the district. Of malleable iron there was manufactured in the district 122,400 tons. The value of the coal and iron industries to the district in 1854 was L4,872,896, of which L1,273,637 was paid in wages to 33,908 persons employed in them. The great progress of the pig and malleable iron manufactures may be best shown as follows:—in 1830 there were only 16 blast furnaces going in the west of Scotland, in 1834 there were 102, the produce of them in 1830 being 40,000 tons, whereas in 1854 the produce was 717,800. In 1842 the production of malleable iron was only 35,000 tons, in 1854 it amounted to 122,400.

Of all the branches of industry, however, belonging to Glasgow and its harbour, there is assuredly none of modern date which has made such rapid progress as that of steamboat building and marine engine making. From the first start of the little "Comet" in 1812 till 1820, there were at the most only one or two river steamers launched yearly, and of a tonnage so small as to be scarcely worth notice. About that period this manufacture received a new impulse, and began at once fairly to develop itself.

From 1821 to 1830, there were 28 steamers built, with a tonnage of 4200; from 1831 to 1840, there were 94 steamers, with a tonnage of 17,623; from 1841 to 1850, there were 167 steamers, with a tonnage of 81,447, while during the three years from 1851 to 1853 there were 206 steamers, with a tonnage of 141,713. The present magnitude of this industry may however be best appreciated from the fact that during the years 1853 and 1854 the then 32 shipbuilders on the Clyde had constructed or contracted for no fewer than 296 vessels, including both steam and sailing, having an aggregate tonnage of 168,000, for which also marine engines were made, or in progress, of 29,000 horse-power; the average of these vessels being 630 tons, and involving the enormous cost of nearly five millions sterling.

Of the many other industries existing in Glasgow, it is other only necessary to allude to the chemical works, of which branches of those of St Rollox are understood to be the largest in the world, covering as they do twelve acres of ground, and employing upwards of 1000 workmen, making use of 20,000 Glasgow, tons of salt, and consuming from 70,000 to 80,000 tons of coals annually.

The manufactured products consist chiefly of vitriol, chlorate of lime, of bleaching powder, soda, and soap. The stalks of this establishment are among the most remarkable objects in the city, one of which being 450 feet high, 50 feet diameter at the base, and 14 feet at the top. The chemicals produced elsewhere in Glasgow consist of iodine, bichromate of potash, caustic, naphtha, pitch oil, pitch, sulphate of ammonia, carbonate of ammonia, nitric acid and its combinations with lead and iron, nitric and muriatic acids with their combinations, and alum, prussiate of potash, &c. Within the bounds of the Glasgow district there are ten distilleries of spirits, producing annually when in full work about 2,500,000 gallons, and in the city and suburbs there are five breweries. Of late years the manufacture of glass and pottery has wonderfully increased, and the making of tobacco pipes is carried on to a greater extent in Glasgow than in any other place in Great Britain.

To the progressive rise and present position of the river Clyde and its harbour may be justly attributed the importance and prosperity of Glasgow. The fact is, this city now possessing an inland navigation, and a stream harbour unequalled perhaps in Europe, and which has been accomplished first by the intelligence of the corporation, and in later years by a trust formed partly of the corporation and partly from other bodies of the citizens. About the beginning of the present century the depth of the Clyde at Glasgow was scarcely 5 feet, and there were few or no vessels at its port, and these consisted of craft drawing merely a few feet of water, none certainly exceeding 30 or 40 tons burthen. In 1820 the average available depth of the Clyde at high water during neap tides was 9 feet, which admitted vessels drawing 8½ feet. In 1840 the depth was increased to 14 feet, whereas in 1855 the average depth at high water during neap tides is 19 feet. To show the greatness of the improvements that have been made, it may be mentioned that while only one vessel arrived at the harbour of Glasgow in 1835 of 300 to 350 tons burthen, there arrived during 1854 19 vessels of 1000 tons and upwards. The following is the number of the sailing and steam vessels which arrived at the harbour of Glasgow, with their registered tonnage, during the years ending July 1828, 1840, 1850, and 1854.

| Year | Under 40 tons | 40 to 60 | 60 to 80 | 80 to 100 | 100 to 150 | 150 to 200 | 200 to 250 | 250 to 300 | 300 to 400 | 400 to 500 | 500 to 600 | 600 to 700 | 700 and up wards | |------|---------------|---------|---------|----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-------------| | 1828 | 217 | 2847 | 4605 | 1399 | 213 | 20 | 14 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | | 1840 | 3255 | 4286 | 3945 | 2975 | 922 | 326 | 171 | 284 | 107 | 118 | 90 | 2 | 4 | 0 | | 1850 | 4319 | 2245 | 2894 | 3294 | 733 | 517 | 321 | 128 | 213 | 145 | 110 | 34 | 151 | 15 | | 1854 | 5570 | 1922 | 3140 | 3715 | 1830 | 524 | 214 | 450 | 126 | 425 | 109 | 35 | 49 | 30 |

The whole number and tonnage arriving at the harbour of Glasgow during the same period were as follows:

| Years | Sailing Vessels | Steam Vessels | |-------|-----------------|--------------| | | No. | Tonnage | No. | Tonnage | | 1828 | 4405 | 214,315 | 7,100 | 481,945 | | 1840 | 5337 | 271,942 | 11,149 | 894,387 | | 1850 | 5857 | 391,033 | 9,193 | 873,159 | | 1854 | 6322 | 504,008 | 11,880 | 1,690,804 |

The progress and present condition of the river and harbour, however, are probably best exhibited by the following abstract of the revenue of the trust at six different periods:

In 1800 it was L3319 15 1 In 1820 6,328 18 10 In 1830 20,296 18 6 In 1840 35,643 14 11 In 1850 64,243 14 11 In 1854 118,597 20 4

The increase of income of this trust, may be said to be mirrored in the palpable progress of Glasgow. The increase of income in little more than fifty years has been nearly thirty-fold, while during even the last four years the increase is L22,336,11s., being more in one twelvemonth than the whole revenue amounted to only twenty-five years previous.

The next striking index to the progress and present position of Glasgow will be found in the amount of duties levied at its custom-house, and the number of its registered ships.

| Years | Duties | No. of ships | Tonnage | |-------|--------|-------------|---------| | Jan. 5, 1801 | L469 13 64 | 0 | 0 | | ... 1812 | 3,124 2 44 | 35 | 2,520 | | ... 1820 | 11,000 6 9 | 85 | 6,664 | | ... 1830 | 59,013 17 3 | 233 | 40,978 | | ... 1840 | 468,974 12 2 | 351 | 71,878 | | ... 1850 | 640,568 7 9 | 597 | 137,969 | | ... 1855 | 668,556 9 4 | 601 | 192,885 |

The following is the amount of duty received at Glasgow on the undermentioned articles during the year 1854-55:

Batter L286 Raisins L2,348 Sugar L49,435 Cheese 336 Molasses 6,017 Tea 257,520 Coffee 7,123 Rum 8,577 Tobacco 243,507 Corn 10,937 Brandy 37,057 Wine 44,308 Currants 611 Genaeva 1,881 Wood 3,435

The last matter connected with the progress of Glasgow to which we will advert is her post-office. At the period of the Union the whole postage revenue of Scotland, notwithstanding the very high rates charged for letters compared with the present, was L1,194, and in 1781 the revenue for Glasgow was only L4341. In 1853, with a penny postage, it amounted to L47,063, 7s. 5d. From 1842 to 1853 the increase had been L20,353, 11s. 11d.; of money orders there were, in 1852, 144,787, amounting to L2,677,444, 2s. 4d., the increase in eight years being in number 73,985, and in money L1,333,414, 11s. 5d. Letters received and delivered in Glasgow in 1852, 15,597,504; letters received and forwarded in Glasgow in 1852, 19,493,880.

During the reigns of Catholicism and Episcopacy in Scotland, Glasgow was first the seat of a bishop, and then of an archbishop. It is now merely the place of meeting of the Presbytery of Glasgow and the Synod of Glasgow and Ayr, of the Established Church and of the Free Church, and the District Synod of the United Presbyterian Church. Ecclesiastically, the ancient burgh comprehends ten parochial divisions, the other portions of the city having, either partly or wholly, within their bounds, the parishes of Barony, Calton, Gorbals, Govan, and Maryhill. Of nine of the Established churches within the ancient burgh the Corporation are patrons. The stipends of ministers belonging to the Establishment are paid out of the teinds or seat-rents. The following table gives the statistics of the several church sects at the census of 1851.

| Religious Denominations | Places of Worship | Number of Sittings | |-------------------------|-------------------|-------------------| | Establishment | 25 | 28,206 | | Free Church | 30 | 27,449 | | United Presbyterian | 23 | 24,184 | | Episcopal | 5 | 3,690 | | Catholic | 7 | 7,914 | | Independent | 11 | 6,010 | | Baptists | 7 | 1,711 | | Other denominations | 33 | 15,114 |

It appears that Glasgow, with a population of 333,657, had no fewer than 143 places of worship, affording sitting-room for 114,278 persons; and when it is added that there were three or four chapels or churches belonging to the Establishment which were either vacant or not returned, and likewise a considerable number of places of worship belonging to other religious denominations, which, from want of returns, are not included in this list, it is perhaps not too much to say, that there were church sittings provided in Glasgow in 1851 for at least 120,000. And when it is further considered, that of the above population there Glasgow. are not fewer than 80,000 Roman Catholics, which reduces the Protestants to 253,657, and that the sittings in the Catholic chapels amount to only 7914 (there are three, four, and even six different services in each of these every Sunday), it would appear that there are 112,000 sittings provided in Glasgow for her 250,000 Protestant inhabitants.

The venerable cathedral, now in a state of complete repair, is acknowledged to be one of the best specimens of old English Gothic. It occupies a prominent position on the north east side of the city, and stands about 104 feet above the level of the Clyde. Its form is that of a large cross, with exceedingly short transepts. Its length from east to west is 319 feet, its breadth 63, the height of the choir 90, and of the nave 85 feet. At the intersection, it has a tapering octagonal spire, which rises to the height of 225 feet. Since the late removal of the galleries in the choir, and of the modern stonework between the nave and the choir, the Cathedral is now seen in all its beautiful primeval condition. In this edifice there are 147 pillars, and 169 windows, some of them of exquisite workmanship. The crypt under the choir is scarcely visible, and certainly not surpasses anything for architectural effects. St Andrew's as a modern church is one of the most elegant in the city. It is situated in St Andrew's Square, and is nearly a fac-simile of St Martin-in-the-Fields in London. St David's in the Gothic, and St George's and St Edward's in the Roman style, belonging to the Establishment, are handsome structures; while the Gothic edifices of St John's, St Matthew's, and others, belonging to the Free Church, are elegant in design, and ornamented with lofty spires. Among the many churches belonging to the dissenters, perhaps there is none more striking than the one in Renfield Street, and none so beautiful as that lately built for the Congregational body, in the western line of Bath Street, the spire of which is a model of perfection. The Catholics too, in addition to their ornate Gothic chapel in Clyde Street, have lately added several ecclesiastical ornaments to the city.

The University.—This ancient and celebrated seminary of learning was founded by a bull of Pope Nicholas V. in 1451. It formed a corporate body, consisting of a chancellor, rector and dean, with doctors, masters, regents, and students, in the several faculties into which it was divided. One of these was known as the Pedagogium, or College of Arts. This school of learning was first situated in Rotten Row. In 1459, James Lord Hamilton bequeathed to the principal regent of that college some buildings and several acres of land, on part of which the present structure was afterwards erected. The College of Arts was restored and endowed by James VI. During the period which intervened between 1577 and 1688, the university underwent many changes; but in the year 1693, each of the Scottish colleges having received a grant of £300 per annum out of the bishops' rents, the Glasgow institution again revived; and having received other public and private gifts, its progress has been since uninterrupted. The academic body of the university consists at present of the chancellor, the lord rector, the dean of faculty, the principal and vice-chancellor, twenty-two professors, and one lecturer. The whole business of the university is transacted in three distinct courts, viz., the senate, the faculty, and the comitia. (See Universities.) The students are divided into togati and non-togati; the former wear a gown of scarlet cloth, and belong to the Latin, Greek, logic, moral philosophy, and natural philosophy classes; the latter are unrestricted in their dress, except the students of divinity. There are bursaries connected with the college founded by thirty individuals, held by upwards of sixty students, from four to six years each; the amount payable to each varies from £5 to £25, a few being worth £40, and one £50. In addition to these are the more valuable bursaries bequeathed by Mr Snell and the Bishop of Rochester. The former afford £120 per annum for each of ten Scottish students at Balliol, Oxford, and the latter £15 for each of four, and which sum is generally bestowed in addition to four of the exhibitions under Snell's bequest. The present buildings were principally erected in 1598 and 1658. The spire, which is 153 feet in height, is chiefly interesting from possessing a thunder-rod which was reared under the auspices of Franklin in 1772. In the divinity and faculty halls are a few historical pictures and several portraits.

The university has had from its origin men of the highest talent, and literary and scientific eminence, among its professors and office-bearers. The names of Melville, Baillie, Leishman, Burnet, Simson, Hutchison, Black, Cullen, Adam Smith, Reid, Millar, Richardson, Sandford, and Thomas Thomson, are conspicuous, while the names of Edmund Burke, Sir James M'Intosh, H. Brougham, Jeffrey, Thomas Campbell, Alison, Macaulay, and other distinguished persons, are to be found in the lists of lord rectors.

The library was commenced almost simultaneously with the foundation of the college, and consists of upwards of 60,000 volumes, among which are some very rare and beautiful editions of the classics and several valuable MSS. The bibliomaniac may here see Zacharias Boyd's metrical version of the Bible, and a splendid copy of the Alexandrian version of the Scriptures. The library is supported from the interest of money left for this purpose, and the fees of students, but chiefly from the grant of upwards of L700 per annum, which the college receives from the Exchequer as an equivalent for the loss of the Stationer's Hall privilege.

Immediately behind the university buildings stands the Hunterian Museum, a beautiful fabric erected in 1804, from a design by Starkie. The building exhibits six Doric columns, bearing a pure Doric frieze and entablature, and surmounted by a glass cupola. It was reared for the reception of the magnificent collection of curiosities which the late Dr William Hunter bequeathed to the university, where he was educated. The contents of this valuable museum have been valued at L130,000. The medals alone are estimated worth L40,000; and the library, together with the rich collection of illuminated manuscripts, have been estimated at little short of the same sum. The naturalist will find here a beautiful collection of minerals, shells, quadrupeds, birds, insects, and fossils; the physiologist, an apartment filled with the most curious anatomical preparations; while the devotee of art will be gratified with some of the best specimens of Rubens, Guido, Domenichino, Murillo, Correggio, Giordano, N. Poussin, Zacherelli, Salvator Rosa, Snyders, Woonix, Weuvemans, and Reynolds.

Immediately behind, and surrounding the museum are the College Gardens, set especially apart for the use of the students. They Gardens, are planted with trees, and ornamented with walks and shrubbery. This spot may be said to have obtained a semi-classical notoriety, from being the scene chosen by Sir Walter Scott for the rencontre of Rasleigh and Francis Osbaldestone, in the romance of Rob Roy.

Anderson's University.—This institution was founded by Mr John Anderson, professor of natural philosophy in the University of Glasgow in 1795, and endowed by him with a valuable philosophical apparatus, museum, and library. It is governed by 81 trustees, and is intended as a means of bringing a literary and scientific education more within the reach of the mass of the community. Every branch of study taught in the college, with the exception of divinity, is given here. Drs Garnett and Birkbeck were the original professors of natural philosophy and chemistry; and it was here that the first mechanics' class was established in Great Britain. The number of students in the session 1854–55 amounted to 1685, being an increase since 1852–53 of 578.

The High School or Grammar-School in John Street, High School, under the charge of the Corporation, is the oldest educational institution in the city. It appears a grammar-school existed in Glasgow in the early part of the fourteenth century, being then dependent on the Cathedral church. Up to 1834 its masters only taught Latin and Greek, but at that period the school underwent a complete alteration. Two of the classical masterships were suppressed, and in lieu of these, teachers of English grammar, foreign languages, writing, arithmetic, geography, mathematics, and drawing, were introduced. The name was also changed from the Grammar to the High School.

The Mechanics' Institution, which was founded in 1823, The Mechanics' Institution, is situated in Hanover Street. Lectures are here given on chemistry, natural philosophy, and popular anatomy, while teachers give instruction in English grammar and composition, drawing and music. Attached to the institution are a reading-room and library, the latter containing upwards of 5000 volumes. There are two normal schools for the training of teachers; the one under the control of the Established, and the other under that of the Free Church. There has also been established an excellent school of design, which is well attended, while, during the last few years, several educational institutions of a semi-public semi-private kind have been formed, chiefly in the western parts of the town, for the instruction of the children of both sexes of the higher classes. The number of elementary schools is very great, and daily increasing. According to Dr Strang's tables, the education statistics of Glasgow, at the census of 1851, were as follows:

- Number of week-day schools ........................................... 281 - Number of evening schools ............................................. 109 - Day scholars on books .................................................. 31,508 - Day scholars attending 31st March 1851 ......................... 28,356 - Evening scholars, adults, attending ................................ 5,090 - Total day and evening scholars attending, being .............. 38,446

out of a population of 34,343 at 5 and under 10 years of age, and 33,202 at 10 and under 15 years of age.

These figures, however, do not express the precise educational destitution, the number between 5 and 10 years of age being estimated at about 6000 or 7000; and although the number in this last category has of late years been gradually reducing through the increased zeal of ecclesiastical educationalists, as well as the benevolence of general philanthropists, still there is left a wide field of ignorance to cultivate, and which, it is feared, can only be reclaimed by some governmental and unsectarian system of tuition. One of the most striking facts connected with the educational statistics of Glasgow is, that in 1851 there were 436 Sabbath schools, which were attended by 43,056 young persons.

Although Glasgow can boast of having had many learned and able men at various times born or resident within its borders, still its inhabitants cannot lay claim to having much of a literary character. About the middle of last century a literary society was established, consisting chiefly of the professors and clergy of the city and neighbourhood, and reckoned amongst its distinguished members, Professor Simson, Adam Smith, Traill, Reid, John Millar, and the Messrs Foulis the celebrated printers. Another literary and commercial society was also formed about the beginning of the present century, in which Drs Chalmers and Wardlaw, and other able men, took an interest, and where essays are still read, and discussions take place on the literary, commercial, statistical, and political topics of the day.

A philosophical society was also established in 1802, which, uniting as it now does the man of science with the practical chemist and mechanic, forms a most effective nucleus for mutual encouragement and advancement. In 1808, a society for promoting astronomy was formed, which in due time erected an observatory, at first placed on Garnethill, which was thereafter removed to a rising ground about two miles west of the city, where it now stands. It is occupied and conducted by the professor of astronomy in the University. In addition to an Antiquarian Society, there is the Maitland Club, an institution similar to the Bannatyne of Edinburgh, for the printing of curious and rare manuscripts, illustrative of the history, literature, or antiquities of Scotland. Nearly 100 quarto volumes have been already printed by this brotherhood. There are 21 newspapers and mercantile lists published in Glasgow, irrespective of a host of penny papers which the altered state of the law has produced, some of which have a very large circulation. The first newspaper published in the west of Scotland was the Glasgow Courant, which appeared in the year 1715; since which time many have been established and disappeared. The first circulating library was established in Glasgow in 1753, and lent out books at one halfpenny per volume. At present there are many circulating as well as public and private libraries. We have already alluded to that of the College, and we may now mention those belonging to Anderson's University, to the Faculties of Physicians and Surgeons, and Procurators, the Philosophical Society, and also to those founded by Mr Stirling, and established under the title of the Glasgow Public Library.

In consequence of an invitation from the magistrates, Letterpress George Anderson was induced to come to Glasgow in 1638, printing and here printed an account of the celebrated Assembly of the Church of Scotland which met in that year. The printing of books, however, does not appear to have succeeded well until the Messrs Foulis commenced in 1741, after which and during a succession of years they sent forth from their press works, and particularly editions of the classics, which for accuracy and beauty have never been surpassed in Great Britain. Letterpress printing is now carried on to a very great extent. Besides the great number of newspaper printing offices, many of which have steam-presses, the printing of books is pursued with great vigour and to a considerable extent.

The Corporation.—From the period when Glasgow was Civic first created into a royal burgh by William the Lion about tatusia, 1178, numerous alterations have taken place in its political and municipal constitution. At present, it possesses all the advantages of being a royal, municipal, and parliamentary burgh. It is governed by a lord provost, 8 bailies, and 39 councillors, in addition to whom the dean of guild from the merchants, and the deacon convener from the Trades' Houses, are members of council ex officio. During the term of their office, the bailies are justices of the peace within the county of Lanark, while two out of the council are chosen for holding a species of admiralty jurisdiction over the River and Firth of Clyde. The income of the burgh in 1855 was £20,124, 6s. 8½d., and the expenditure £19,139, 16s. 9d. The sheriffs, consisting of the principal and three substitutes, who have a co-ordinate jurisdiction with the magistrates, hold regular criminal, civil, registration, and small-debt courts; and during three times in the year a circuit court of justiciary is held in the city. Since the passing of the Reform Bill, Glasgow sends two members to the House of Commons. The number of registered electors on the roll is 19,500, although scarcely 6000 are actual voters.

The Merchants' and Trades' Houses.—These two bodies or minor corporations formerly exerted considerable political power; but since the passing of the Reform Bill they have restricted their attention chiefly to the management of their property and funds, and which they expend on the support of their aged members and on education. In 1854 the Merchants' House consisted of 1500 members, of whom 36 are directors. Persons on entering pay £10, for which they have a right to participate in the property and privileges of the institution. The Merchants' House has existed since 1605. Its annual revenue is considerable; and during the year 1854 it distributed in charity amongst its decayed members £1656, 7s. 5d. The Trades' House is an equally ancient, honourable, more numerous, and wealthy body. In 1846, its revenues, with those of the fourteen incorporations, of which it is the representative, amounted to no less than £10,972, 19s. 5d., while the number of freemen on the roll was 3234.

The Dean of Guild Court.—This tribunal, to which is referred all questions regarding the boundaries and construction of streets and buildings, consists of the dean of guild, with four assistants from the Merchants' House, and four from the Trades' House; the town-clerks are assessors.

The Police.—Previous to 1800, when the first police act was obtained for the city, the peace was chiefly maintained by the citizens themselves, under what was called "watch and ward," with the assistance of the town-officers. Since that period, the establishment, which was governed by commissioners chosen by the rate-payers, was successively remodelled by different acts of parliament, and in 1846 the commissioners were superseded, and the whole management of the officers of police, statute labour, and sewerage of the city, was placed under a committee of the town council, consisting of the lord provost, the 8 bailies, the dean of guild, the deacon convener, and 18 of the councillors. The chief superintendent of the police is chosen by the lord provost, the sheriff of the county, and the 8 bailies. There are six police courts held within the city, which are presided over by the bailies assisted by legal assessors.

During the year 1853 there were 16,777 persons brought before the magistrates in these courts. The cost to the community of the city police in 1854, including lighting, cleansing, fire department, and interest on debt, was £64,726, 8s. 7d. The fines recovered amounted to £2,904, 13s. 9d. The police force consisted of 1 chief superintendent, 6 assistants, 13 lieutenants, and 612 other persons; in all 632. The paving and keeping the streets during 1854 cost £23,809, 11s. 11d. The annual assessment at present (1856) for police and statute-labour purposes is 1s. 6d. per pound on the rental of the city.

The Prisons.—After the removal of the Old Tolbooth at the Cross, which, like other jails in the country, was very indifferent, a new prison was erected at the south end of Saltmarket street; but this being found both inappropriate and inadequate, a large prison has been since erected on the site of the bridewell in Duke Street, and which now contains the whole criminal and civil prisoners of the city and neighbourhood. This establishment contains about 554 cells; and during the year 1854 there were 4209 criminal and 169 civil prisoners passed through the prison, the daily average being, of criminals 574, and of debtors 17. The average cost per head of the criminals was £1.17, 0s. 10½., less earnings £1.2, 14s. 5½. Nett cost £1.14, 6s. 5½.

Houses of Refuge.—These asylum, chiefly for juvenile delinquents, are perhaps the best conducted in the country. Here the offspring, generally, of degraded parents, brought up in idleness and vice, and exposed to the crying necessities of hunger, and thereby easily induced to enter on a career of crime, find instruction and a home. Where, too, not a few of the many children rather of misfortune than of vice have been arrested in their criminal course, and have thus been saved from the cruelest of all woes, that of becoming, through the punishment of a prison, additional victims of that melancholy mass of "dishonoured ones," whom the conduct of a cold and unpitying world renders utterly irreclaimable. Of these houses there is one for boys and another for girls. In the former 229 boys were admitted during the year 1854, while in the latter 130 were living in the house on the 30th June of the same year.

The poor.

The Poor.—Glasgow, as regards poor-rates, is divided into four parishes—viz. Glasgow Proper, the Gorbals, the Barony, and Govan; the two latter being only partly within the parliamentary city. The following were the numbers on the poor-roll in 1854 in the various parishes.

| Glasgow Proper | Gorbals | Barony | Govan | |----------------|---------|--------|-------| | No. on Out-door Roll | 3126 | 290 | 2991 | 585 | | ... of Orphans on do. | 528 | 12 | 348 | 28 | | ... of Paupers in Poor-house | 955 | 10 | 834 | 388 | | ... in Lunatic Asylum | 138 | 9 | 116 | 21 | | ... in Deaf and Dumb do. | 3 | 9 | 2 | 2 | | ... in Blind do. | 1 | | | |

The cost per head of the out-door poor for year 1854, exclusive of expenses of management, was Parish of Glasgow £5, 1s. 2d., Gorbals £2, 7s. 6d., Barony £3, 10s. 8d., Govan £5, 16s. 2d. The cost of orphans per head, including clothing and school fees, being, Glasgow £5, 11s. 2d., Gorbals £3, 4s., Barony £6, 14s., Govan £5, 19s. 6d. The number of casual poor receiving relief during 1854 was, Glasgow 1809, Gorbals 166, Barony 1907, and Govan 1694.

Markets, abattoirs, and consumption of food.

In former days, Glasgow was celebrated for its market places; at present the greater part of the business formerly transacted in markets is now carried on in private shops. The only markets now worthy of notice are the cattle and horse market, situated at the east end of the town, which is of great extent, and most conveniently laid out for the purposes intended; and the large structure called the "bazaar," situated in Candleriggs Street, for the sale of vegetables, fruit, butter, cheese, eggs, &c.

In illustration of the business transacted in the former, it may be mentioned that in the year 1854 there were 36,009 oxen, 114,780 sheep, and 59,737 lambs, and about 9500 pigs, sold within its walls, besides a very large number of milch cows and horses. In the latter, there was of fruit, 620 tons of apples, and upwards of a million lbs. of pears, plums, cherries, gooseberries, and currants; of onions 918 tons, and of cheese 1100 tons. There are three public shambles in the city, in all of which there were slaughtered, during the year 1854, oxen 27,881, calves 2004, sheep 94,027, lambs 44,698, goats 36, and pigs 4633. The annual amount of fresh and salted butcher meat used in Glasgow, has been calculated at 45 millions of pounds weight, which, at 8d. per lb., is little short of £1,125,000. The fresh fish sold or consumed in 1854 was 3367 tons, which at 3d. per lb., amounted to £94,276. The bread consumed was calculated to be 144 millions of pounds weight, which, taking the 4 lb. loaf of both qualities to be on an average 8d., shows a gross cost of £1,200,000.

There are three great fairs in Glasgow during the year, Fairs, the chief of which is that held in the month of July. This great carnival lasts for a week, and affords the chief holidays for the working classes.

The leading commercial institution in Glasgow is The Chamber of Commerce, which was instituted in 1783, under the auspices of Patrick Colquhoun, Esq., author of the State of the Police of London, at that time a merchant in Glasgow, for the purpose of encouraging and protecting trade, and keeping a watchful eye on whatever might be supposed to affect the commercial interests of Glasgow and its neighbourhood. It is governed by a chairman and 30 directors. The next in importance is the Royal Exchange, and Lloyd's Room, where the merchants daily congregate to transact business and to insure vessels against sea and fire risk. The annual subscribers to this institution are about 2000. There are also several other mercantile associations, such as the East India Association, the West India Association, &c., for the protection of their several particular interests. There are eleven banks and branch banks in Glasgow, which are all joint-stock companies. Five are properly Glasgow institutions, originating and having their principal establishments there; the rest are Edinburgh establishments, or partly Edinburgh and partly Glasgow.

Of the former are the Union Bank of Scotland, a handsome building situated in Ingram Street; the Western, a Venetian edifice on the east side of Miller street; the Clydesdale, a plain building in Queen Street; the City, a rather elegant structure in Virginia Street; and the North British, which does not issue notes, George's Street. Of the latter are the Royal Bank, Bank of Scotland, British Linen Company, Commercial, National, and Edinburgh and Glasgow. The edifices in which these establishments carry on their business are particularly handsome, and have of late years added much to the beauty of the city. The first local bank in Glasgow was the Ship, which began business in 1749; and the next greatest local bank was the Glasgow; both of these have merged in the Union Bank of Scotland.

In 1815, the first attempt made in Glasgow to establish a national institution for the accumulation of the savings of the community was the Provident Bank. This, and some others of a like kind, in 1836 were all merged in the National Savings Bank, which, during a career of 18 years, has not only received sums to the extent of £3,325,168, 11s. 8d., and repaid of these £2,640,422, 17s. 7d., but has credited depositors with interest to the extent of £1,19,631, 14s. 10d., and had at the close of 1854 an accumulated deposit of £659,460, 10s. 4d. The number of deposits during the year was 87,100, of which number 73,645 were in sums varying from one shilling to five pounds.

There are few cities in which more charitable institutions are to be found than in Glasgow. Here are retreats for the poor and aged, houses for the houseless, hospitals for the sick, homes for the deaf, dumb, blind, and insane, and schools for the ragged and neglected. The sums annually dispensed by the Merchants and Trades' Houses and Incorporated Trades, and by other societies, go far to keep down the regular poor-rate; while this unseen charity preserves many thousands from feeling the degradation of public pauperism. Among the more important institutions may The public buildings, exclusive of the churches, banks, and others which we have already mentioned, may be limited to the following:—The Royal Exchange, the most elegant edifice in the city. The portico consists of twelve fluted Corinthian columns supporting a rich frieze and pediment. The north and south sides of this building are ornamented with a handsome colonnade of similar columns, while the back is chiefly occupied by a large window. If the exterior does honour to Mr David Hamilton, its architect, the interior is no less worthy of his acknowledged taste and talent. The newsroom, which is 122 feet in length by 60 broad, is fitted up according to the purest principles of Grecian architecture. Its roof boasts all the rich ornament of the Corinthian, and is supported by eighteen fluted columns of the same order, surmounted by a beautiful entablature. The Royal Infirmary, founded in 1792. It is in the Roman style of architecture, from a design by Adams. It is situated in a wide place near to the cathedral. It has accommodation for about 240 medical and surgical patients, with a fever hospital capable of holding 220 more. The New City and County Buildings, in connection with the New Merchants' Hall, by Wilson and Thomson, form a magnificent pile, from a design by Messrs Clarke and Bell. In these buildings are all the municipal and county offices—the Council Chamber, Sheriff and Dean of Guild Courts, Justice of Peace Court, and the hall for the meetings of the Merchants' House. The Trades House, in Glassford Street, having a very fine hall for the meetings of that important body. The Justiciary Court, and other courts of justice, are situated at the south-west corner of the public green. These form a large and elegant building of the Grecian Doric, from a design by Starke. The front of this edifice will remind the virtuous of the Athenian Parthenon, while he will scarcely fail to regret that such a building should have been injured by so low a situation. This building, which is 215 feet in length by 114 in breadth, cost the corporation upwards of L34,000. Its interior has lately been altogether altered, and contains three public courts of justice, with every accommodation for jurors, witnesses, &c. The Tontine, at the Cross, containing the Old Exchange-room and the Town Hall, is one of the most striking structures in the city. The front of this building is supported by an elegant piazza, which is surrounded by two stories crowned by an enriched entablature, a balustrade, and vases. In the Town Hall are portraits of all the British sovereigns, and an excellent picture of John Duke of Argyll, by Ramsay. Not far from this handsome building is the spire of the old Tolbooth, which stood on the site of the adjoining Town Hall. The top of this spire is surmounted by a light and airy piece of open stonework in the shape of an Imperial crown, in which is placed a set of musical bells, which are daily played between two and three o'clock. Of the other public edifices, we can only allude to the Town's Hospital, Hutchison's Hospital, the Trades' Hall, the Assembly Rooms (now the Athenaeum), the Corn Exchange, the Western Club House, and the Lunatic Asylum at Garnavel.

Previous to the year 1768 there was only one bridge across the Clyde at Glasgow; and this continued for nearly six centuries to be the only communication between the north and south sides of the river. In that year a new one was founded, under the title of the Jamaica Street Bridge. Both of these structures have lately been swept away; and the bridges, now five in number, which span the Clyde at Glasgow, are all of modern construction.

The one immediately close to the harbour, called the Glasgow Bridge, being the lowest of the series, was begun in the year 1832, from a design by Thomas Telford of London, and finished at a cost of L34,000, and including compensation to owners and tenants of adjoining property, of L40,000. It consists of seven arches, is 560 feet in length and 60 feet over the parapets, and is cased with Aberdeen granite, but, with all this breadth, it is already found narrow enough for the great traffic. It is altogether a graceful, light, and elegant structure. The next bridge eastward is Portland Street Suspension Bridge, consisting of a single span of 412 feet for foot passengers, and cost L8,000. It was commenced on 24 Dec. 1856, but not opened till May 1853. The third occupies the site of the ancient structure erected by Bishop Rae, from a design by Messrs Walker & Burgess of London, and is called the Victoria Bridge; it was commenced in 1850. It is built of heavy blocks of freestone, and cased with Dublin Bay granite. Victoria Bridge is altogether one of the most beautiful and strongest erections in Europe. It consists of five arches, each of which forms a very flat segment of a circle. The span of the centre arch is 80 feet, and the rise 10 feet 6 inches; the span of each of the adjacent arches is 75 feet, and the rise 9 feet 4½ inches; while the span of each of the outward arches is 67 feet, with a rise of 7 feet 2 inches. Each of the two centre piers is 10 feet in thickness. The total length of the bridge to the end of the wing-walls is 467 feet; and the total river space occupied by piers 38 feet. This bridge is 60 feet broad over the parapets. The fourth, called Hutchison's Bridge, is built on the site of one which was commenced in 1794, but carried away by a flood before completion. The present structure, which was begun in 1829, and completed in 1834, at a cost of L20,000, is from a design by Mr Stevenson, is of freestone, with five arches, and is only 34 feet broad between the parapets, and possesses none of the beauty of either of the other stone structures. Lastly, a Suspension Bridge, just finished, situated a short distance eastward from Nelson's Monument, and which has been erected at a cost of about L5,500. The three stone bridges are managed by trustees, consisting of the town-council and certain gentlemen named by the counties of Renfrew and Ayr. The revenue from toll-dues for the year 1854–55, was L5,555, 10s. 5d.; the expenditure L3,220, 18s. 4d.; and the debt L60,045, 1s. 2d.

The public monuments consist of an obelisk on the public Monuments green, erected by subscription to the memory of Lord Neilson; and a pillar, surmounted by a statue by Forrest, in the Necropolis, in honour of the reformer John Knox; and a column, with a statue, in the centre of George Square, in memory of Sir Walter Scott. There are three equestrian statues in the city; the oldest, that of William III., presented by Governor Macrea, and erected at the Cross; the next is that in bronze of the Duke of Wellington, by Marochetti, having bronze bas-reliefs on the pedestal, representing his first and last great battles—it was erected by private subscription, at a cost of L10,000; and last, that of Queen Victoria in St Vincent Place, also by Marochetti, erected by subscription, to commemorate her Majesty's visit to Glasgow in 1849. There are four pedestrian bronze statues scattered over the town; the first, that of Sir John Moore in George Square, by Flaxman; the second, that of James Watt, also in George Square, by Chantrey; the third, that of James Oswald of Auchincruive, late M.P. for the city, in Crescent Place, by Marochetti; and the last, of Sir Robert Peel, not yet placed. There are likewise three marble pedestrian statues; the first, of William Pitt, by Flaxman, erected in the Town Hall at the Cross; the second, of James Watt, by Chantrey, in the Hunterian Museum; and the third, of Kirkman Finlay of Castleward, late M.P. for the city, by Gibson, placed at the entrance to the Merchants' Hall, in Hutchison Street.

The Theatre-Royal, situated in Dunlop Street, and lately rebuilt, is a large and elegant structure, in which, in addition to the usual performances of tragedy, comedy, and farce, has of late years been added Italian operas. The first regular theatre opened in Glasgow was in 1764, which having been burned, a new one was erected on the site of the present Theatre-Royal in 1785, which having been found, from the increasing taste for theatricals, too small, was abandoned, and a splendid edifice was erected by subscription in 1805 in Queen Street, at a cost of L18,000. This, too, having been consumed by fire in 1829, the present theatre was got up entirely through the exertions of the late Mr J. H. Alexander, long its indefatigable manager. There is another theatre, situated in West Nile Street, called The Prince's, which is opened during summer.

The City Hall is situated in Candleriggs, and was originally erected by the corporation to meet the demands for great public meetings. It has latterly been remodelled, and Glasgow.

is used for concerts, lectures, &c. A splendid organ has also been added to it at a cost of little less than L1500. This hall can easily accommodate 2000 or 3000 persons.

The McLellan Rooms.—These consist of three large saloons, recently erected by the late Mr Archibald McLellan, with the view of giving accommodation to a large and valuable collection of pictures which he bequeathed to the citizens. They are tastefully fitted up, and occasionally serve the purposes of the old dancing assembly rooms in Ingram Street, now converted into an Athenaeum.

The Public Green.—This large and well-kept park has been long famed, and is situated at the south-east side of the city. It consists of about 130 or 140 acres. It is much used by the population as a place of recreation, and by the military as a place of drill.

The Botanic Garden lies about a mile north-west from the city, and extends to about forty acres. It occupies the slope which overlooks the wooded banks of the Kelvin. It is tastefully laid out in plots and walks, and boasts a rare and valuable assemblage of curious trees and plants brought from every quarter of the globe. It is furnished with hot and green houses, and water-tanks and rock-work suitable for all kinds of plants. It has two collections, arranged according to the systems of Linnæus and Jussieu, for the use of the students of botany attending the university; the college having contributed L2000 for the exclusive privilege of their professor giving prelections there. On certain days the working classes are admitted at a charge of a penny each; and as a proof that this boon is taken advantage of, it may be mentioned that during the fair week of 1854 no fewer than 24,822 visited these gardens.

The West-End Park.—The corporation, with the view of improving the city and benefiting the health of the citizens, lately purchased the lands of Kelvin Grove, &c. at a cost of L100,000. Part of this has been assigned for the sites of handsome domestic residences, and part for the formation of a park for the recreation of the public. The latter is nearly completed, after a plan by Sir Joseph Paxton, and when finished will be one of the finest promenades connected with any city in Europe. The views from the high grounds are splendid, commanding the whole valley of the Clyde, the mountains of Dumbarton and Argyll, Gottfeldt in Arran, Benlonond, &c., while the lower grounds are ornamented with the finest timber, and the flowering shrubs which originally awakened the poet's lyre in praise of "Kelvin Grove."

The climate of Glasgow, like most parts of the island, is variable. Lying in the narrowest part of the isthmus betwixt the Forth and Clyde, the air is frequently refreshed by temperate breezes from the sea. The wind is southwest and west for nearly two-thirds of the year. Fogs are not so common as on the east coast; but there are more rainy days than in Edinburgh. The winters are mild, and the springs free from the biting east winds so prevalent on the sides of the Firth of Forth. The following is the meteorology of Glasgow for the years 1851, 1852, 1853, and 1854:

| Year | Rainfall (inches) | |------|------------------| | 1851 | 37.22 | | 1852 | 37.75 | | 1853 | 37.22 | | 1854 | 37.75 |

In consequence of burial records having been regularly kept since 1699, the mortality of Glasgow has been always well known; and from these tables it appears, that during the years from 1848 to 1854—which, however, include two visitations of cholera—the deaths amounted to 86,934, being an annual average of 12,417, which, measured by the real population of 1851, shows 1 death in 29 of the population. This, however, is a high exceptional figure of mortality, arising altogether from the presence of cholera. The census year, taken alone, which may be considered a fair average twelvemonth, having only shown 1 death to 33.5. One peculiarity, however, connected with Glasgow mortality is very striking, and that is the great proportion of deaths being under five years of age.

During the seven years from 1848 to 1854 the annual average number of infantile deaths was 5536; and when measured in the population of 1851 under five years of age, shows the deaths of 1 to 8.19, the proportion of infantile deaths to the whole deaths during the same period being 44.65 per cent. The diseases which have chiefly carried off the infant population during the last seven years were, measles 1 in 795, whooping-cough 1 in 339, scarlatina 1 in 711, croup 1 in 2118, and small-pox 1 in 816.6, of the mean population of 1851. The leading agent in swelling the annual bills of mortality among adults is consumption, that insidious and fell distemper having carried off, from 1848 to 1854, 14,933 individuals, or annually on the average of 2133, being 1 in 168.84, or 0.59 per cent. of the mean population of 1851. It appears that this malady destroys regularly every year more than one half of the number which cholera carried off during each of its three visits to Glasgow. It appears also that this distemper has much increased in this locality since the close of the last century, the deaths from phthisis in 1775 being only 1 in 267, whereas in 1854 the mortality was 1 in 168. Upon the whole it appears that while Glasgow shows itself unfavourable to human life during childhood, and that particularly among the working classes, it exhibits the best climate available to adults, being in this respect one of the healthiest cities in the kingdom. The number of deaths in 100 living from fifteen to sixty years of age, being 14.41, London 15.6, Birmingham 15.0, Manchester 1.83, and Liverpool 1.76.

To meet the requirements of the large mortality of Glasgow there are twenty-two places of sepulture; and although it is to be regretted that so many of them are still found surrounded by the crowded habitations of the living, it is, at the same time, satisfactory to know that extramural burial is daily on the increase. Every succeeding year shows a growing taste on the part of the living to imitate the civilized nations of antiquity by carrying forth their dead beyond the boundaries of the city. Of late years several beautiful garden cemeteries have been formed, such as Sighthill, Dalbeth, the Southern and Eastern Necropolis, &c., on the plan of the Glasgow Necropolis par excellence, which may be fairly accounted the parent garden cemetery of Great Britain. This picturesque burying-ground occupies a rocky eminence on the east of the cathedral, is adorned with trees, shrubs, and flowers, and is already crowded with many striking and elegant monuments. It possesses several winding walks, and affords, from almost every point, the most splendid views of the city and neighbourhood. The singular diversity of its soil and substrata proclaims it to be, of all other spots, the most eligible for a cemetery, calculated, as it is, for every species of sepulture, and suitable for every sort of sepulchral monument.