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.
Preface to the Second
Edition
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
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