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The
Anecdotage of Glasgow
John Smith, Bookseller, Glasgow, and
Burns the Poet |
John Smith, founder in 1742 of
the firm of John Smith & Son, booksellers, which firm still exists, was
long known as the father of The Trade in
Glasgow. When Burns, the poet, published the first Edinburgh edition of
his Poems, in 1787 he engaged Mr. Smith to
distribute the copies to subscriber's in Glasgow and its vicinity, and
to receive payment. On adjusting the accounts with the poet, Mr. Smith
would only accept of five per cent. commission for his trouble. Burns,
struck with, and surprised at such moderation, observed:
"Ye seem to be a very decent sort o’ folk, you
Glasgow booksellers, but oh, they’re sair birkies in Edinburgh."
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