A former chief magistrate of
Glasgow had risen to great estate from small beginnings, and was
notorious for his nigardly disposition. While Mr. Thorn was one day
talking with this gentleman on the street, a beggar made up to
them, and was rather roughly ordered off by Mr. Ingram. Thom could not
lose the chance of a good hit; and holding out twopence to the
mendicant, accompanied it with the telling remark:
"Hae, man, ye may be Provost of Glasgow some day
yet."
A footnote to the anecdote adds:
"Archibald Ingram, provost in 1702 and 1763, for whom ‘Ingram Street’
was named."
