Glasgow and its clubs, or, Glimpses of the condition, manners, characters, & oddities of the city, during the past & present centuries / [John Strang].

  • Strang, John, 1795-1863.
Date:
1856
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Glasgow and its clubs, or, Glimpses of the condition, manners, characters, & oddities of the city, during the past & present centuries / [John Strang]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    162/626 (page 148)
    Among the many topics of interest which from time to time attracted the attention of the Gaelic Club, pecu- liarly connected with the native language and momitain manners of Caledorda, there appears to have been none that excited more discussion and more difference of opinion than the Gaelic toast of “ Horn, corn, wool, and yarn.” As a means of better clearing up the difficul- ties which surrounded this rather occult subject, the late Mr. Robert Dennistoun—then a zealous member of the brotherhood—drew out a statement which, in a great measure, set the matter at rest, and by which he won for himself not a little fame. In this document, which Sutherlandsliire. In 1803 these works contained about 6,000 spindles; and from 80 to 100 weavers were located in the village. Want of success ohHged the concern to dispose of the works, which were soon thereafter destroyed by fire. While Mr. M'Intosh was thus employing his time as an energetic mer- chant and manufacturer, we find that about the year 1794 he embarked with extraordinary zeal and success in raising recruits in Glasgow for the King’s service; and in this respect he was very instrumental in filling the ranks of the Gordon Highlanders, and of the 133d (then commanded by Colonel Simon Fraser), of the 78th, and of the North Lowland Fencibles. After the peace of Amiens, and when war again broke out with France, Mr. M'Intosh was once more at his post, and was speedily successful in raising a battalion, 700 strong, called the “ Glasgow Highland Volunteers,” but which, from never having been in the army, he declined to command. In 1804 the Canadian Fencibles, when stationed in Glasgow, having mutinied. General Wemyss made application to Mr. M'Intosh to interfere; and he having hastened among the soldiery, and addressed them in their native tongue, the soldiers, electrified by his Gielic address, instantly returned to their quarters and resumed their duty. Mr. M'Intosh, about this period, took a deep interest in City affairs, and became the chairman of the Chamber of Commerce; but while thus busied in mercantile pm-suits and many benevolent objects, he was called to make a journey to Eng- land, in the summer of 1807, on returning from wliich he was seized at Moffat with inflammation, and there expired on the 26th July of that year. Among the men to whom Gla.sgow is indebted for its onward progress, there are few who have surpa.sscd Mr. George M'Intosh in activity, public spirit, and beneficence. The acts of his life showed that business, carried on for the acquisition of wealth, is perfectly consistent with beneficence;