players, at this period, is picturesque and quaint. Being "good queen Anne's" time, we would clothe the players in an infinite variety of costume, from the cavalier and courtier to the sober toned Presbyterian. One can imagine the wealthy burgher and tobacco-lord taking their way to the bowling-green after the cares of the day are over, and losing all dignity of deportment during the mild excitement of "ye anciente pastime." Sketch Map of Part 1} City of Glasgow ? 1750, Showing Greens "Candleriggs Callowgate. Garden College 1. Exchang 4. main Guard. 1 5 Herb Market 6 Meal Market 7. Tann Works 11 Merchants Hospital ya Road to Edinburgh Dr. John Aitkin describes Mr. Dunlop's house as the best in the Candleriggs. Candleriggs. "It not only had a rural view to the west, but also was open and airy to the front of the Candleriggs, in consequence of being situated directly opposite to the bowling-green there. It commanded a complete view of the Gentlemen Bowlers at play on the Green Sward of that place of Sport; and from his front Windows Mr. Dunlop could hear the crack of the Balls and the well-known Cry of Bowler you, Sir!'"1 Contemporary with the Candleriggs green, about 1750 there was a green in the Gallowgate belonging to John Orr of Barrowfield. According to The Glasgow Journal, 30th Oct., 1766, John Struthers, maltman, became the proprietor, and it was turned into a public green. The following advertisement fully describes the property of Barrowfield's Bowling-Green and Butts, behind the Round Croft "There is a beautiful Lodging and Pertinents thereof, and a curious Bowling-Green at Back thereof for the diversion of Gamesters at Bowls thereintill, and a Stately Pair of Butts for accommodating the Archers of our City thereat, and other Gentlemen adjacent, all well Fenced and Enclosed, by John Orr of Barrowfield, Esq., lying betwixt his Village of Caltoun and the East Part of Glasgow.”—M'Ure. The "Old Burnt Barns" public-house, dating back to 1679, situated at the corner of St. Mungo Street and Great Hamilton Street, is close to the site of this old green, which was bounded on the north by the Gallow 1In addition to this quotation from Dr. Gordon's book, there is the following:-" At the corner of Bell Street and Candleriggs, the second police office in Glasgow was up one Stair, here long known as 'The Herald Office Closs.' This was a house in the country, looking out into the Bowling Green of the Candleriggs, when its former occupant was John Alston, Esq.,” about 1750. "The Butts" (afterwards the Infantry Barracks), where the "Weapon Shaw" used to be engaged in, previous to the Union, must not be confounded with the Barrowfield Butts. gate, and on the east by Kent Street of the present day. Doubtless the bowlers of the period fought their battles over again within its time-honoured walls, and, as a link in past history of the game in Glasgow, is a most interesting relic. Dr. Gordon says that the Gallowgate Bowling-Green "was supplanted by its rival in the Candleriggs," but when it ceased to exist is indefinite. In 1804 there flourished "The Society of Bowlers, probably the pioneer club in Glasgow. In that year it is recorded that "the pleasing amusement of bowling is practised by many gentlemen in the city. Several. of them, some years ago, purchased a piece of ground at the back of the Alms-House, which they converted into a bowling-green for the use of the society. The fee of admission for a new member is ten shillings and sixpence," and in a footnote the same writer says, 1 Jones' Glasgow Directory, 1787, makes no mention of a Bowling Club, though members' names of the Golf Club are given. "The Town's Hospital in Clyde Street, west corner of the Stockwell. 66 'Another bowling-green is situated in the Candleriggs Street, upon the east side, the property of Robert Crauford, Esq., of Possil. The person who rents it admits those who wish to amuse themselves in this manner for payment of a trifle." In another work, published two years later, is the following:-" Neither are the amusements conducive to health wanting here; at the back of the Alms-House is a large piece of ground used as a Bowling-green, and another in Candleriggs." The Candleriggs green was re-acquired by special powers in 1817, for the purpose of increasing the market accommodation. Clelland states in a footnote that after the green in Candleriggs was turned into the Bazaar, "there were still three bowling-greens for the accommodation of the public, viz., at St. Crispin Place, Kirk Street; Sauchiehall Road; and Hutchesontown." Another writer, 1821, says "Many citizens being partial to the exercise of bowling, two greens have been prepared for their accommodation—one in Shauchyhall Road and another in Hutchesontown. The former bowling-green, near the High Church, is now occupied by buildings." 3 2 Kirk Street was that portion of the main thoroughfare continuing High Street, beginning at the Drygate, to Castle Street. It is also recorded that the ruins of St. Nicholas Hospital were removed in 1805 to give place to St. Nicholas Street. It stood near the Castle, on the east side of Kirk Street. The presumption is that the Kirk Street bowling-green was 1 James Denholm, of the Academy, Argyle Street, 1804. 2 Glasgow Delineated. 3 G.P.O. Directory, 1828-9. on the west side of Kirk Street, in the grounds of the Hospital, but where the exact site was is not quite clear. The old Hutchesontown green is even more difficult to locate, probably St. Ninian's Croft.' 'The following items may help the reader to form some idea of the social condition of Glasgow during the earlier history of bowling in the city. 1770Sabbath observance very strict; the people did not sweep house, make beds, or cook food, and only opened as much of the window shutters as enabled them to move about. 1775-Queen Street was then called Cow Lone, and derived its name from the fact that the town-herd drove the cattle of the burgesses through it. They were milked on the Cowcaddens. The herd carried a big horn to call the cattle, and was in the pay of the authorities. It was then a rough hedged pathway. 1778-Umbrellas first introduced into Glasgow. 1782-George Square begun to be built, and up till 1782 one house stood alone in the field and accommodated two families. This was called the New-town. 1799-The circus in Jamaica Street was fitted for public worship and was opened as the Tabernacle by Revd. Rowland Hill of London, on the 28th Feby. 1800-There were 27 Sedan-chairs on hire in the city. 1802-Gordon, Bath, Suffolk, and Portland Streets were opened. 1804-William Harley erected a reservoir in Nile Street, and sold water, |