Preface to the First Edition

It is not without considerable hesitation that the following pages are submitted to the public; for the Writer cannot conceal from himself the fact that the lighter matters they contain are very foreign to his ordinary pursuits and avocations. Although nearly thirty years have passed since the idea was first entertained of snatching from oblivion the salient characteristics of a few of the more remarkable Clubs connected with a City which has always been famous for the number and variety of its social fraternities,—and although, too, even at that early period, an attempt was made to sketch some of the more notable of these, it was not till accident, about eighteen months ago, brought again one or two of the long lost and very imperfect pencillings under the Author's notice, that the thought occurred to him of entirely remodelling them, so as to render those social Clubs the vehicle through winch the ever-changing manners and habits of Glasgow society might be properly portrayed and chronicled. The Writer then began to collect his materials, from various public documents, and from the information of private individuals whose memories still preserved such fast-fading subjects: and he has, during the intervals of his leisure hours, arranged these floating facts and traditions in the form in which they are now presented,—if not with that spirit and playfulness which a more practised penman might have displayed, yet, it is to be hoped, with that truthfulness which may at least render the following pages not altogether unworthy exponents of the norm] history of Glasgow daring the past and present Centuries.

To these brief preliminary remarks, the Author has only to add his sincere apology for the imperfect manner in which he has performed his somewhat difficult task, trusting that, while his deficiencies cannot be wholly overlooked, the multifarious duties and anxieties incident to an important public office will, in some degree, extenuate any inaccuracies lie has committed, and induce his readers to treat with indulgence that which an otherwise exacting criticism might condemn.

22 Woodside Place
GLASGOW 1st November, 1855.

The flattering manner with which the First Edition of this Work was received, has induced its Author to put a Second to press. In doing so, he has attempted not only to correct any errors which had, unfortunately, been committed; but he has likewise been enabled to make many additions, arising out of the hints and suggestions sent him since the publication of the Volume. To Mr Gabbiel Neil of this City, in particular, he is under great obligations for many antiquarian memoranda, which either have formed new facts, or been interwoven with the old. To the Metropolitan and Provincial Press, for the manner in which the Work has been noticed, the Author cannot but feel deeply grateful—and he only trusts that his renewed attempt to render it a vehicle for depicting the ever-changing Manners, Habits, and Feelings of Glasgow Society, and the West of Scotland, during the past and present Centuries, will be received with the same indulgence which has characterised the criticisms already so numerously passed on "Glasgow and its Clubs."

22 Woodside Place, Glasgow,
30th October 1856

Contents

The Battle of Garscure, from Reminiscences of a Member of the Grog Club
The Glasgow Homer, yclept Blind Alick, by a Member of the Camperdown Club
Early Honorary Burgesses of Glasgow

Minute Book of the Board of Green Cloth 1809-1820
With Notices of the Members