GLASGOW MORALS AND MANNERS IN THE OLDEN TIMES.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1238, 6 April 1880, Page 3

GLASGOW MORALS AND MANNERS IN THE OLDEN TIMES.

(From the Glasgow Herald.) The year 1745 witnessed the daring and romantic attempt of Prince Charles Edward to regain the throne of his ancestors. The disastrous effects of the fatal and foolhardy enterprise were pretty keenly felt by the citizens of Glasgow. Indeed, the memorable visit of the Prince, and his Highland host, left recollections the reverse of pleasant. Today the pathetic songs and ballads, bear- j ing on the career of the unfortunate Prince, wake in most hearts a gentle sadness. In '45, hearts were moved quite otherwise. Sentiment was pat to a somewhat severe test, when one's pockets were emptied and their body clothes forcibly removed, as was done in many instances, by the hungry, ragged, and half-savage followers of the Pretender. The Prince himself showed his troops a happy example. He had few scruples in helping to his neighbors* goods. Lodging free in the first house in the city, he ate and drank to his heart's content, and flirted with the ladies, displaying throughout all the ease and abamdm so characteristic of his gay and gallant ancestors. In an old history of Glasgow, published about 1792, we find an interesting account of the Prince's visit—an event as notable as any which goes to make op the sorrowful history of the ill-starred Stuarts. After the battle of Preatonpans the Pretender posted on towards the North, levying by the way heavy contributions for the maintenance of his army. Glasgow, it would appear, was looked upon by the rebels as a veritable Eldorado. A Mr. John Hay, writer to the signet, with party of horse, accompanied by Glengyle and part of his clan, was sent on in advance of the Prince. They sent for Andrew Cochrane, the Provost, and demanded from him L 15,000 in money, with all their arms, and arrears of taxes to the Government, otherwise they would put the city under military execution, and in an hour's time hang the Provost on the lamp post standing before his window. These summary measures made the Provost compound in thebestmannerhecould. Mr. Hay accepted in the meantime LSOOO in money and LSQO in goods. Meanwhile Charles and his victorious host progressed, filling the kingdom with consternation and terror. Leaving a garrison in Carlisle to amuse the King's troops, he directed hi 3 march towards Glasgow. The Prince entered the town on Chri3tma3-day, and immediately that warlike W.S., Mr. Hay, demanded and obtained for the use of the troop 3 12,000 linen shirt 3, 6000 cloth coats, 6000 pairs of hose, (JOOQ pairs of shoes, and 6000 bonnets. This heavy requisition, promptly executed, : speaks volumes for the wealth and ready resources of the city. In addition to this, the city bore the expense of two regiments raised in aid of the Government. Al-

together about iii4,IKJU was expended, ana for a time basiness in Glasgow was almost ruined. Still, matters might have been worse, for had the Magistrate refused to feed and clothe the naked and half-3tarved rebels, the town assuredly wonld have been sacked and left in ashes. A few years later Parliament gave a cordial grant of 140,Q00 to Glasgow as a reimbursement for the 1033 sustained by the visitation of Prince Charlie.