of salmon. But the third and last is, from her native original, and gradual descents; because so calmly to mingle her streams with the ocean. Not that we now consider her florid meadows, nor shall we recount her nativity from Tintaw, (Tintoc,) because so strongly opposed and presumed from Erricsteen, distant from thence some few odd miles.

Theoph.-If you please, let that argument drop till farther opportunity.

Arn.—I am thinking to do so, and proceed to discourse this eminent Glasgow. Which is a city girded about with a strong stone wall, within whose flourishing arms the industrious inhabitant cultivates art to the utmost. There is also a cathedral (but it's very ancient) that stands in the east angle, supervising the bulk of the city, and her ornamental ports. Moreover, there are two parish churches; but no more to the best of my observation. Then, there is a college, which they call an university; but I'm at a stand what to call it, where one single college completes a university.

Now, let us descend to describe the splendour and gaiety of this city of Glasgow, which surpasseth most, if not all the corporations in Scotland. Here it is you may observe four large fair streets, modelled, as it were, into a spacious quadrant; in the centre whereof their marketplace is fixed; near unto which stands a stately tolbooth, a very sumptuous, regulated, uniform fabric, large and lofty, most industriously and artificially carved from the very foundation to the superstructure, to the great ad

miration of strangers and travellers. But this statehouse, or tolbooth, is their western prodigy, infinitely excelling the model and usual built of town halls; and is, without exception, the paragon of beauty in the west; whose compeer is nowhere to be found in the north, should you rally the rarities of all the corporations in Scotland.

Here the reader (it's possible) may think I hyperbolize; but let him not mistake himself for I write no ambiguities. Truth stands naked in plain simplicity; and partiality I abhor as a base imposture. He that reads my relation, and the morals of this famous Glasgow, will vindicate my description, and place the fault to him that invents the fable; for it's opposite to my genius, as also to my principles, either to deface a beautiful fabric, or contract a guilt by magnifying it beyond its due merit. I have, and therefore shall, as near as I can, in an equal poise balance things aright. Permit me, therefore, as a licentiate, to read you but a short, yet pertinent lecture, and I'll tell you what entertainments we met with in Glasgow, as also what hopes we have to meet with the like in the circuit of our intended northern progress. But this I offer to the dubious only; if, peradventure, there be any such as scruple, I'll refer them to the natives to evidence for me, which I am satisfied they will with ten thousand manifestoes.

In the next place, we are to consider the merchants in this eminent Glasgow, whose storehouses and warehouses are stuffed with merchandise, as their shops swell

big with foreign commodities, and returns from France, and other remote parts, where they have agents and factors to correspond, and enrich their maritime ports, whose charter exceeds all the charters in Scotland; which is a considerable advantage to the city-inhabitants, because blest with privileges as large, nay, larger than any other corporation. Moreover, they dwell in the face of France, and a free trade, as I formerly told you. Nor is this all, for the staple of their country consists of linens, friezes, furs, tartans, pelts, hides, tallow, skins, and various other small manufactures and commodities, not comprehended in this breviat. Besides, I should remind you, that they generally exceed in good French wines, as they naturally superabound with fish and fowl; some meat does well with their drink. And so give me leave to finish my discourse of this famous Glasgow, whose ports we relinquish to distinguish those entertainments of Dumbarton, always provided we scatter no corn.

Theoph.-What to think, or what to say of this eminent Glasgow I know not, except to fancy a smell of my native country. The very prospect of this flourishing city reminds me of the beautiful fabrics and the florid fields in England, so that now I begin to expect a pleasant journey. Pray, tell me, Arnoldus, how many such cities shall we meet with in our travels, where the streets and channels are so cleanly swept, and the meat in every house so artificially dres't? The linen, I also observed, was very neatly lapped up, and, to their praise be it spoke, was lavender proof; besides, the people were

decently dressed, and such an exact decorum in every society, represents it, to my apprehension, an emblem of England, though, in some measure, under a deeper die. However, I'll superscribe it the nonsuch of Scotland, where an English florist may pick up a posie; so that should the residue of their cities, in our northern progress, seem as barren as uncultivated fields, and every field so replenished with thistles that a flower could scarcely flourish amongst them, yet would I celebrate thy praise, O Glasgow! because of those pleasant and fragrant flowers that so sweetly refresh'd me, and, to admiration, sweetened our present enterments.

Note by Sir Walter Scott.-The panegyric which the author pronounces upon Glasgow gives us a higher idea of the prosperity of Scotland's western capital, during the middle of the 17th century, than the reader perhaps might have anticipated. A satirist with respect to every other place, Frank describes Glasgow as the "nonsuch of Scotland, where an English florist may pick up a posie." Commerce had already brought wealth to Glasgow, and with wealth seems to have arisen an attention to the decencies and conveniences of life, unknown as yet in other parts of Scotland.

1661. From Stirling we went, Aug. the 22d, to Glascow, which is the second city in Scotland, fair, large, and well built, cross-wise, somewhat like unto Oxford, the streets very broad and pleasant. There is a cathedral church built [repaired] by Bishop Law;

they call it the high kirk, and have made in it two preaching places, one in the choir, and the other in the body of the church; besides, there is a church under the choir like St. Faith's in London; the walls of the church-yard round about are adorned with many monuments, and the church-yard itself almost covered with grave stones; and this we observed to be the fashion in all the considerable towns we came to in Scotland. The bishop's palace, a goodly building near to the church, is still preserved. Other things memorable in this town are,-1. The college; 2. A tall building at the corner, by the market-place of five stories, where courts are kept and the sessions held, and prisoners confined, &c.; 3. Several fair hospitals, and well endowed; one of the merchants now in building; a very long bridge of eight arches, four whereof are about fifty feet wide each; and a very neat square flesh market, scarce such a one to be seen in England or Scotland.-Rae's Account of Glas

gow.

1689.-Glasgow is a place of great extent and good situation; and has the reputation of the finest town in Scotland, not excepting Edinburgh, though the royal city. The two main streets are made crosswise, well paved and bounded with stately buildings, especially about the centre, where they are mostly new with piazzas under them. It is a metropolitan see, and at the upper end of the great street stands the archbishop's palace, formerly without doubt a very magnificent structure, but