The census of 1891, just published as this is being written, shows that within the Parliamentary boundary there are 564,975 dwellers, and that when to these there are added the people outside this boundary in the suburbs, who belong to Glasgow as much as if they were housed in the Saltmarket, there are 768,146. Ninety years ago the city only possessed a population of 77,385, or not very much more than Greenock at the present. There is no other place in the kingdom, London excepted, which can show an equal rate of growth. And this has been attained, not by advantage of position, but solely by the energy, shrewdness, and resolute will of her citizens. What she will be a hundred years hence may be left to the imagination to suggest.

The following are the Lord Provosts since 1833, the year when the Burgh Reform Act came into operation. They have been proverbially long-lived:—

As we write (26th March, 1891) there is taking place the funeral of James Brown, the late town-officer — “the perpetual provost,” as he was called — who has passed away at the age of 78, after having been in office fifty years. Ten years ago, in the reign of Provost Ure, there was presented to him an address and cheque for £260. In the course of his acknowledgment he said, “In these years I have seen 15 Lord Provosts, 135 bailies, 21 deans of guild, 23 deacon conveners, and no less than 154 have been called to rest from their labours. I have seen 6 town clerks, 2 city chamherlains, 5 treasurers, 5 engineers for the Clyde Trust, 5 superintendents of police, and 5 governors of prison. There are only two officials alive who were in the Town Clerk’s office when I was appointed. When I think of this, I feel that I too must soon follow.”

Of all the members of the Town Council when he entered its service in 1841, only one, so far as we know, is now alive — Mr. James Dunlop, of Tollcross.