The City of Dundee illustrated: containing reminiscences and remarks ... relating to Dundee and neighbourhood, and to certain events ... during the last sixty years, and relating to local government in Scotland ... With views, etc

Front matter

THE CITY OF DUNDEE ILLUSTRATED. OLD STEEPIE .A^HSTD CHTTECHES. THE CITY OF DUNDEE ILLUSTRATED CONTAINING REMINISCENCES AND REMARKS, CRITICAL AND OTHERWISE, RELATING TO DUNDEE E_JNT> NEIGHBOUEHOOD, AND T(. CERTAIN EVENTS THEREIN AND ELSEWHERE IN SCOTLAND DURING THE LAST SIXTY YEARS, AND RELATING TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN SCOTLAND BY I DA VII) BARRIE, SOLICITOR AND NOTARY PUBLIC, DUNDEE. WITH VIEWS IN PLATINOTYPE BY VALENTINE & SONS. DUNDEE: DUNCAN & CO. 10 CASTLE S T R E E T. WINTER, 1890. TO The Right Honourable the LORD-LIEUTENANT and to the DEPUTY LIEUTENANTS, JUSTICES of the PEACE and COMMISSIONERS of SUPPLY, and COUNTY COUNCIL OF FORFARSHIRE; MEMBERS of PARLIAMENT and CONSTITUENCY of the COUNTY, and BURGHS therein, and The SHERIFFS DEPUTE and SUBSTITUTE; and also to The LORD PROVOST, MAGISTRATES, and COMMON COUNCIL, FREE BURGESSES, and MEMBERS of the following PUBLIC BODIES of DUNDEE:— The LORD DEAN OF GUILD GUILDRY INCORPORATION ; AND The POLICE COMMISSION; The HARBOUR TRUSTEES; The WATER and GAS COMMISSIONS ; The INCORPORATED SOCIETY of PROCU- RATORS and SOLICITORS; The PAROCHIAL and SCHOOL BOARDS ; The DIRECTORS OF THE HIGH SCHOOL; The FORFARSHIRE MEDICAL ASSOCIA TION ; The NINE TRADES and OTHER TRADE INCORPORATIONS; The FRATERNITY of MASTERS and SEAMEN of COMMERCE; The CHAMBER The GENERAL KIRK SESSION of DUNDEE, and KIRK SESSION of the UNITED PARISHES of LIFF, LOGIE, BENVIE, and INVERGOWRIE ; AND The TRUSTEES and GOVERNORS of UNIVERSITY COLLEGE, DUNDEE: Œfris Work IS RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED BY THE AUTHOR.

P E E F A C E. HE MS. of a great portion of this Work, more particularly the greater part of it referring to Local Government in Scotland, was written a considerable time ago. After it y*§) was announced that Her Majesty's Government had re vyE solved to bring in and pass measures in Parliament to confer large powers of Local Government on the constituencies both of England and Scotland, I delayed the publication till I should see what these measures should consist of. After I found that, in Scot land, the large Burghs were not to be affected at all by the Local Government Act as passed, I resolved to give these pages to the public, in the hope that the views therein might, in some measure, assist in promoting the further reform of many particulars relating to Local Government in Scotland not included in the Statute, and also many matters referring solely to Dundee requiring urgent attention and amendment.

Preface

. The title I have selected for this book may be thought by some to be unsuitable. But, as I take it, a town or locality may be illustrated, not only pictorially, but also by pointing out a good many facts relating to many matters requiring, in the interest of the community, to be put right or amended. This I have, to some extent, attempted to do. If some of these illustrations are not successful in the way of doing good, I will regret it. The large number of subjects I have gone over must be my best excuse for occasional mistakes, which, I doubt not, will be found in the Work. I have especially to thank the numerous old friends and acquaintances who so handsomely subscribed for this Work. I trust the perusal of these pages may afford them some information, and possibly a little amusement.

The great part of the important subject of Local Government in Scotland is so mixed up with the general government of the country, that I have found it impossible, occasionally, to avoid referring to some disputed points of national politics. I have, however, avoided this as far as I possibly could. The subjects I have discussed are very numerous and important, not only to the inhabitants of the large community of Dundee, but also to a considerable extent of the whole County and Burgh Consti tuencies of Scotland. In considering these various subjects, I am quite aware I may have, in some instances, given forth views of them which will be anything but acceptable to many, and will to a great extent displease not only individuals, but large classes of individuals, whose interests would be seriously affected if my views of these subjects were even partially carried into effect.

I may at once say, however, that I am anxious to be favoured with, and now invite, criticism of this Work ; as it is only by the free and ample discussion

PREFACE.

. IX of the various subjects I have treated of that the truth can be arrived at and remedies applied. I can conscientiously assure my readers that my only object is the good, not only of my native City, but of Scotland. I have therefore taken the liberty of freely criticising the actions of certain classes of the community. I have done so solely for the public advantage. As to mistakes which may have crept into these pages, I can only say I have done my best, with the materials at my command, to ensure accuracy. The impression of this Work has been necessarily limited. Should its success warrant future attempts of a similar nature, I shall only be too glad to have my present views contradicted, that I may, if necessary, amend or explain them. I hope, however, my readers will let me have their views, contradictory or otherwise, as frankly and freely as I have given mine, when I shall be happy to reply to them should I ever have an opportunity.

Dundee, March 1890. LIST OF VIEWS OF DUNDEE AND NEIGHBOURHOOD. OLD STEEPLE AND CHURCHES - Frontispiece. Tii FADE PAsiEN BROUGHTY FERRY - 3 NEWPORT - 4 THE HIGH SCHOOL 43 THE ROYAL ARCH - - - 56 THE ALBERT INSTITUTE - - ■ 57 THE ROYAL INFIRMARY - - 61 THE ROYAL EXCHANGE ------- G4 HIGH STREET AND TOWN HOUSE - - 89 THE TAY BRIDGE - - - 105 DUNDEE FROM THE LAW 117 THE EAST PORT - 174 OLD INN, HEAD OF SEAGATE - - 227 GLAMMIS CASTLE - - CONTENTS.

Chapter I

Early recollections of Dundee. — Population. — Trade. — Buildings and streets. — Broughty Ferry. — Newport. — Ferry -port-on-Craig. — St. Andrews. — Old Schools. — High School. — " The Resurrectionists." — Watching burying grounds. — Death of George IV. — William IV. ascends throne. — Reform riots in 1831. — Trial of rioters. — Stone thrown into Town House. — Cat used in flogging two men through town at cart's tail. — Burning of Scott's theatre by mob. — Chartist riot. — Put down by authorities - - . - - Page 1

Chapter II

Asiatic Cholera in 1832. — Cholera hospital. — An odd substitute for drinking-cup. — Funerals. — The cholera hearse. — Miller's Wynd. — Narrow of Murraygate escapes infection. — Cholera trench at Howff. — Old-fashioned mode of conducting funerals in Dundee.' — The spokes. — Sallies. — Typhus fever. — Its ravages. — Bad water and no drainage - - - - - - - 12

Chapter III

"The Maidlie." — Baptist Minister baptising his people in river at tbe Green. — Bathing and Boating. — Railway embankment made in 1846. — Cutting off river. — Green part of Blackness Estate. — Court of Session decisions. — Not appealed. — Police Commissioners purchase the Blackness rights in Green. — Meetings on Green — in Steeple Kirk. — Smuggling in Dundee and neighbourhood ] CONTENTS.

Chapter IV

Practical joking in Dundee : several instances of this. — Licensed toll-houses : their abolition as injurious to farm servants and others - Page 26

Chapter V

Dundee and Newtyle Railway. — Extended to Glammis and Coupar-Angus, also to Dundee Harbour. — Old jail in Town-House. — Riot in it. — Remonstrances by Inspector of Prisons as to bad jail accommodation. — Act for New Prison got. — Complaint by Lord Advocate against Magistrates to High Court of Justiciary. — Magistrates ordered to appear at Bar of Court. — Deputation of Magistrates, with Town-clerk, attended High Court with Counsel. — Undertaking to provide temporary jail. — Old Steeple fitted up for jail. — Foundations of Steeple. — More mutinous outbreaks in jail. — Escape from Town-House jail and capture of one prisoner. — Opening of new prison - - 34

Chapter VI

The High School. — Old Schools in Nethergate and School Wynd taken down. — Restriction of playground of High School. — Meadows and Wards. — Bleaching Green at Constitution Road and Wash-house. — Public execution in Dundee in 1835, also in 1826. — Execution at new prison. — Dreadful scene. — Expediency of penalty of death. — Wrong convictions. — Cannot be remedied. — Case in London of ten people executed at once. — Delay in deciding on petitions to Crown for mercy. — Remedy for this. — Should death penalty be abolished? — Case where High Court of Justiciary, on motion of Lord Justice-Clerk Hope, respited such a sentence, from delay in answering petition to Crown for mercy. — Proposed institution of High Court of Criminal Appeal - 43

Chapter VII

Wreck of " Forfarshire." — Saving of part of passengers and crew by lighthouse keeper and his daughter Grace Darling. — Opening of Dundee and Arbroath Railway.- — Kirriemuir riots. — Raid by Sheriff and military on, and apprehension of rioters. — -Threat to liberate prisoners from Dundee Prison. — Arming of prison Warders with guns, muskets, and bayonets. — Only use made of guns. — Destruction of three Churches by fire in 1841. — Magistrates at Town Hall. — Old Parish Minister. — Old library and plate destroyed. — Bruce's library at High School - CONTENTS. XIII

Chapter VIII

Queen and Prince Consort and Princess Royal's Visit to Scotland in 1844. — Landed and afterwards embarked at Dundee. — The Royal Fleet. — The Royal Arch built. — Her Majesty and Princess Beatrice passed through town in 1878. — Prince and Princess of Wales and Prince Albert Victor passed through and embarked at Dundee. — Queen's Jubilee in 1887. — Rejoicings. — Bonfire on Law and fireworks at Magdalene Yard Green. — Albert Institute. — Erection of Victoria Art Galleries. — Opened in 1889 by Marquis of Lome. — Marquis presented with Freedom of Burgh. — Statues in grounds of Institute - - - Page 55

Chapter IX

Registration of Voters under first Reform Act. — Striking death from cholera on this occasion. — London steamers built for Dundee, Perth, and London Shipping Company. — High character of these steamers. — New Royal Infirmary. — Convalescent Home. — New Dundee Royal Lunatic Asylum at Westgreen. — War with Russia. — Pilots for Baltic Fleet. — Inspection of Dundee Shipbuilding Yards by officers of Royal Navy. — Merchants' Exchange. — Corn Exchange. — Public Baths.—" Mars " Training Ship for boys ... 60

Chapter X

Volunteer Force. — Want of Government assistance. — Adjutant and drill instructors. — Half-hearted Government aid. — Great expense to officers. — Public subscription. — Bazaars. — Officers present at Her Majesty's levee. — Queen's reviews at Edinburgh. — Heriot's Hospital as quarters. — Dundee Volunteers were first body of armed men who had occupied Hospital since Oliver Cromwell and his soldiers quartered there. — The "drummer's step." — Rifle matches at Newcastle and Dundee. — The " Noodles." — Uniform of volunteers. — Necessity for Government being more liberal to volunteers. — Volunteers and the Caledonian Railway. — New Orphan Institution. — Dundee Post Office. — Wonderful increase of. — Inventor of postage stamp, James Chalmers. — His merit never suitably acknowledged. — Telegraphs and telephones. — Striking instance of use of telegraph ------ 68

Chapter XI

New Charter by Her Majesty constituting Dundee a City. — Titles of Lord Provost and of Lord Dean of Guild formally assumed. — Judicious purchase of Law hill by Town Council. — Restoration of Old Steeple. — CONTENTS. Architect's opinion as to Crown to Steeple. — Town's Churches decaying. — Cannot this be remedied ? — Mr Burn's plan for restoration of Steeple Church. — Improvement by throwing back parapet wall at Churches at Nethergate. — Great increase of Churches in Dundee. — High Street and Town House. — Extensions and restoration. — Stained-glass windows. — Need for new Town Hall buildings. — Cure for sight-seeing. — Town House on fire. — Morren's Inn. — Opening of new streets. — " Elsinore " of famous memory. — Enormous rise in value of land, and subsequent fall. — Suggested street from west side of South Lindsay Street, opposite Old Steeple, to west end of Hawkhill. — Tunnels for drains, gas and water-pipes, telegraph and telephone wires, &c, and other public conveniences. — Excellent regulations as to building - - Page 83

Chapter XII

University College. — Curr Night Refuge. — Sailors' Home. — Sick Nursing- Society. — Charity Organisation Society. — Young Men's and Young Women's Christian Associations. — Alarming mortality amongst young children in Dundee. — Lectures for females on care and up-bringing of infants. — Dundee Board Schools. — Sites of some of the Schools too small. — Necessity of Intermediary Officer to come between teachers and School Authority. — New Educational Trust in Dundee. — First Tay Bridge. — Fall of it. — Second Bridge opened. —Forth Bridge nearly completed. — Barrack Park. — Negotiations for acquisition. — Caledonian and North British Railway Companies might assist in this. — They got ground inside Esplanade far below its value. — Blind Institution. — -Dundee Newspapers. — Hotels. — Dundee Custom House and Harbour Chambers. — New Churches. — New "Dundee Theatre and Opera House." — Old theatres. — Castle Street and Yeaman Shore Theatres. — New registers of births, marriages, and deaths. — Old registers. — Clubs in Dundee. — The "Tree of Liberty." - 97

Chapter XIII

General remarks on Local Government in Scotland. — Counties and Burghs. — Necessity for amalgamation of local administrative bodies. — County Councils should have charge of County Police. — School Board Schools in Counties and in Burghs. — Justices of Peace should be restricted to Judicial Duties, <fcc. — Visiting prisons. — Powers under Licensing Acts in Counties and Burghs should be conferred on County Councils and Town Councils. — Gas manufacture. — Supply of Water. — Police of Counties and Towns. — Ports and Harbours in Burghs. — Dundee as a striking example of numerous "Buirds." — Proposed remedy. — If this adopted, whole Local Government in Scotland would be vested in County Councils in Counties, and in Town Councils in Burghs CONTENTS. XV

Chapter XIV

Municipal affairs in Dundee. — No less than eight Boards. — Proposal for Amalgamation. — Simplifying mode of conducting business. — Enormous number of meetings. — Waste of time, temper, and money. — Town Council and Police, Burial, Water, Gas, and Harbour Boards. — Parochial and School Boards. — Proposed City Council as amalgamated, and its Committees. — Great waste of time and confusion under present system. — Dundee administrative bodies. — Number of members. — Amount of revenue. — Comparison between their business and that of the five great Scotch Railway Companies. — Proposed remedy. — Committees of proposed new Municipal Council and Sub-Committees. — Powers and duties of. — Decisions of Committees. — Business men would enter Council. — Great saving of expense to ratepayers. — New City Chambers - - - Page 116

Chapter XV

Short account of Public Incorporations of Dundee, and their connection with the several Boards. — The Guildry. — Constitution of. — The Lord Dean of Guild a member of Town Council and of Gas and Harbour Boards ex-officio. — The Guild Court and Assessors. — General Kirk Session of Dundee and of United Parishes of Liff, Logie, Benvie, and Invergowrie. — The Nine Trades and other Trades Incorporations.- — Constitution of. — The Fraternity of Masters and Seamen. — Constitution of. — Number of members of each constituted Body. — Comparison between number of members of these Incorporations and of Burgh Constituency - - - - - - 131

Chapter XVI

Dundee Police and Improvement Consolidation Act (1862), relative to amalgamation of Town Council and Police Commission. — Might easily be made operative. — Would smooth way for general amalgamation. — Disapproval in Parliament of ex-officio members of Public Bodies. — No one would have locus standi to oppose such partial amalgamation. — Increase in number of Town Council might be necessary. — New City Chambers. — Influence of Corporation would be largely increased - 139

Chapter XVII

Dangerous state of Dundee Streets. — Defects of the Police Force in Dundee. — Want of police training. — Irregularities in the Streets not checked. — Suggestions for a remedy. — Schools for training constables. — Pensions for long service, or for men disabled in service. — County Police. — Large additions to Police Force required in Dundee. — I fear also in many CONTENTS. Counties as well as in Towns. — Might not Volunteer Force be enrolled to act as special constables 1 — Police in Paris. — Superiority and great use of their Detective System. — Undue interference of the Police in some cases ------- Page 147 Page 147

Chapter XVIII

Police Force continued. — Queen's Birthdays. — Riots in Edinburgh in 1848. — Row in Leith Walk. — Scrimmage at top of Meadow Walk. — Students as Special Constables. — Row in Edinburgh in 1837-8. — Scotland nearly denuded of Regular Soldiers. — Greater necessity for Police being thoroughly efficient - - - - - - 162

Chapter XIX

Numerous matters requiring attention in Dundee. — Unformed streets. — Macadamized roads. — Steam whistles and "chappers." — Public bells and clocks. — Pig-sties. — Dirty mill-ponds and coolers. — Dirty workshops. — Want of W.C.'s, and dirty state of existing ones. — Violation of Truck Act in Dundee. — Want of lighting of common stairs, back areas, and closes. — Public washer-women. — Plan recommended for keeping footpaths clean, &c. - - - - 174

Chapter XX

Defects iu Scotch Poor Law. — Working unequal and expensive. — About nine hundred Parochial Boards. — Board of Supervision for relief of the Poor, also for enforcing sanitary measures under Health Acts. — Proposed abolition of Parochial Boards, and vesting their powers, &c, in County Councils in Counties, and in Town Councils in larger Burghs. — Proposed abolition of present Law of Settlement. — Annual estimates to be made up of monies required for support of poor in each year. — Money, for Poor Law and School Board purposes, to be raised and to be divided amongst several Counties and Burghs by new and simple mode. — Very large saving of time and money to ratepayers. — School Boards, Proposed abolition of. — Vesting their powers in County Councils and Town Councils. — Necessity for Intermediary Officer in Counties, same as in Burghs - 205

Chapter XXI

As intimately connected with the Scotch Poor-law, subject of disposal of orphan and destitute boys considered. — Might they not, after becoming old enough, be sent on board training-ships, and educated as seamen for CONTENTS. XVII Royal and Merchant Navies, as in the case of the "Mars" Training-ship in the river Tay 1 — Great want of seamen. — Now only about 450 per annum in Government training-ship in Dundee Harbour. — Formerly fully twice that number. — Reasons assigned for falling off in number of seamen. — Steamers do not take apprentices. — Should not the owners of them be compelled to carry apprentices?- - - Page 221

Chapter XXII

The Licensing Laws of Scotland. — Dundee as an example. — Four hundred and fifty-three licences. — Badly-conducted houses. — Effects of such. — No vested interest in licences, decided by Supreme Courts again and again. — Licensing authority sole judges of necessity for licences, or of the propriety of granting them at all. — Licence held by tenant. — If put out of house, licence falls. — Provision required for testing liquors sold : very often impure, adulterated, and poisonous. — Small licensed houses objectionable. — No licence to house should be given under a certain rent to be fixed by each Licensing Authority. — Nine-tenths of crime traceable to drink. — Licences most valuable property. — In Gothenburg £40,000 of a municipal tax raised on licences. — Defrays expense of police, repair of streets, roads, and bridges, and generally all local rates. — Dundee more than twice the size of Gothenburg. — Grocers' licences. — Objections to.— Encouragement of drinking amongst females. — Xo credit given at public houses. — Give all grocers option of taking public-house licences.- — Rather give moderate compensation than imperil such an important measure of reform. — Plan for defraying compensation. — Second conviction in every case to infer loss of licence. — Should be no fines for Shebeeners. — Mode of trying breaches of licensing laws and Shebeeners summarily before Police Court and Magistrates objectionable. — Should be before Sheriff and a jury. — Other regulations. — Hours should be shortened to nine at night. — Authority, to grant licences, should be County Councils in Counties, and in larger Burghs the Town Councils - - 227

Chapter XXIII

Licensed houses. — Instance of effect of bad drink. — Report of Royal Commission on Licences in 1878. — Duty of Licensing Authorities to get liquors analysed. — Scotch Secretary might order them to get analyses. — Report of Royal Commission not satisfactory. — Want of evidence, which could easily have beeu got. — Police say they cannot detect grocers infringing the law, or shebeens. — This appears nonsense. — If CONTENTS. detective department effective, this could not happen. — Police officers must know where shebeens are situated. — Detection of them easy under proper system. — Also, grocers selling drink to be consumed on premises. — Licensed grocers have often three or more unlicensed shops connected by telephone. — Orders are taken there, and communicated through telephone or by messenger to principal licensed shop. — This is a plain evasion of law, and should be put an end to - - Page 243

Chapter XXIV

Dundee Water Supply. — Water War in Dundee. — Bills in Parliament. — Repeated fights between Corporation and Opposition. — Ultimately Corporation became insolvent, and conveyed its property to trustees for its creditors. — Water from pit-wells and Ladywell Spring. — This latter supplied certain public wells, and was believed, popularly, to be excellent water. — On analysis, found to be full of sewage. — Typhus fever prevailed to large extent. — Supply by water-carts at halfpenny for two pitchers full. — Water Company started to get water from Monikie. — Since railway made, Monikie water is mixed with Dundee manure. — Dangerous to health. — Should be used for watering streets and steam purposes, or flushing sewers, but not for domestic supply - - 251

Chapter XXV

Main Drainage of Dundee. — Plan by Burgh Engineer. — Sewage poured into river. — Carried up and clown river in front of town by tide. — Experience of stench by sewage in river. — Sewage extends in river from Invergowrie Bay to Broughty Ferry, from six to seven miles. — Dundee Docks filled with sewage water and mud. — Causes disease and death. — Remedy so far. — Recommendations of Engineer's Report. — Increase of town since then. — Large extent of vacant ground at Monifieth. — Could be got cheap for irrigated farm. — Works not very expensive. — Large portion of sewage would flow to "Monifieth by gravitation. — Some such system necessary to prevent danger to health. — Eminent professional advice recommended. — Irrigation may be found to pay. — Present outfall of sewers of Dundee, Broughty Ferry, and Newport, most objectionable. — Remedy for this. — Salmon-fishing might possibly revive. — Oyster and mussel beds might be laid down in river, as in river Scheldt and other places. — Money spent, and to be spent, on Esplanades thrown away, if river contaminated by sewage. — One cannot bathe in river now near town, either east or west. — Some serious epidemic of cholera, typhus, scarlet, or typhoid fever may, some day. awaken us to our duty in this matter. — The new Fever Hospital. Sanatory wash-houses, &c. - - - CONTENTS. XIX

Chapter XXVI

Dundee Harbour. — Construction of Esplanade, and Railway Schemes. — Their effect on river and on harbour. — Great additional expense of dredging all along Harbour Works. — New Extension of Esplanade. — Effect on sandbanks. — Extensions of new works further into river. — Harbour Trustees should take eminent engineering advice as to these and other matters. — Proposed new works. — Deepening water at bar of river. — Deepening three eastmost docks. — New entrance to Victoria dock. — Deep-water channel from entrances to deep water in river. — Canal connecting Victoria and King William docks. — Turning West Tide Harbour into floating dock. — Alteration on Building Slips. — Effect of Esplanade and Tay Bridge on river banks. — Deepening of river entrance at Tay bar. — Wrecks of vessels : " Eastern Monarch," "Caledonia," "Dalhousie." — Pilotage, Defects of. — New sailing vessels or steamers required. — The Tay Ferries. — Serious loss at present. — New and smaller steamers required ... - Page 267

Chapter XXVII

Short Description of the Neighbourhood of Dundee. — Perth. — Kinfauns. — Balthayock. — Glencarse. — Errol. — Inchture. — Longforgan. — Fingask House. — Glendoick House. — Rossie Priory. — Castle Huntly. — Balruddery House. — Invergowrie. — Invergowrie House. — Camperdown House. — The Dundee New Royal Lunatic Asylum. — Gray House. — Village of Liff. — Balgay House. — Balgay Cemetery and Park. — The Western Cemetery. —Lochee. — Downfield. — Baldovan House. — Boys' Industrial School.— Baldovan Asylum. — New Photographic Establishment. — Strathmartine Castle and Estate. — -Blackness House. — The Law Hill. — Dudhope House, Castle, and Park. — The Dundee Royal Infirmary. — Pitkerro House. — Broughty Castle. — Linlathen. — Claypotts Castle. — The Laws. — Ethiebeaton. — Grange of Monifieth. — Monifieth. — Ashludie. — Barnhill. — Barry. — Ravensby. — Grange of Barry. — Panmure Testimonial. — Monikie Water Works. — Panmure House. — Panbride House. — Carnoustie. — Hospital Park. — Arbroath and Arbroath Abbey. — St. Vigeans Church. — The Bell Ruck Lighthouse. — Glammis Castle. — Tower at Brechin - 282

Chapter XXVIII

The Local Government Act, 1889, Cap. 50 XX CONTENTS.

Chapter XXIX

Christmas and New Year Customs in Dundee and Neighbourhood. — The Victoria Art Galleries and Museum and Albert Institute. — University College.— Baldovan Asylum.— The S. and T. Whist Club.— The Tally Club. — Coal trade in Dundee .... Page 290

Chapter XXX

No intention of criticising personally Public Officials, but only existing systems. — Rumours of intention of Government to introduce Pensions Bill for Police. — Should be liberal in its provisions - - DUNDEE ILLUSTRATED.

Chapter I

Early recollections of Dundee. — Population. — The trade of the town. — New buildings and streets.— Broughty Ferry. — Newport. — Ferry-port-on-Craig. — St. Andrews. — Old schools in Dundee and erection of present High School. — The "Resurrectionists" in Dundee. — Watching the burying grounds — Death of George TV. — William TV. ascends throne. — Reform riots in 1831. — Trial of rioters. — Burning of Scott's theatre by mob. — Threatened Chartist riots. Y recollections of Dundee, my native town, extend over a period of upwards of sixty years. The alterations and changes in that time can scarcely be conceived by a stranger. The situation of the town is very fine, and indeed most picturesque. It lies on the slope of the hill called " The Law," and is bounded on the south by the river Tay, at this point B a noble stream extending to about one mile and three fourths wide.

Further up, the river widens to fully two miles. In 1821 the population of the town was only 34,000. In 1889 it is estimated at 163,300. In 1821 the gross rental was only £28,000. In the year 1888-89 it was found to be £695,684. These large increases are almost solely attributable to the enormous trade in the manufacture of jute fibre. While the jute trade in Dundee has thus prospered, the linen trade has also advanced, though not nearly to the same extent. The general trade of the town has also enormously increased. Many trades are now carried on which, in former days, were not even thought of. The manufacture of confectionery goods is very extensively cai'ried on. There are also no less than eight large factories for the manufacture of boots and shoes, besides several other smaller establishments.

Large extensions of new streets and buildings are constantly going on in all quarters of the town. Many of the new public buildings, such as churches, banks, newspaper offices, schools, &c, as well as shops, dwelling houses, and manufactories, are of a very expensive and substantial character. The town extends fully three miles along the banks of the river. In the course of a very few years the Law hill will be entirely surrounded with buildings. Both to the north east and north-west they, at present, extend farther north than the hill. There are now four large floating docks for the accom- BBOTJG-HTY FEieieY. i modation of the shipping frequenting the port, with the full complement of graving docks, patent slip, steam and other cranes, hydraulic jiggers for discharging vessels, railways on the quays, and extensive shed and warehouse accommodation for the storage of goods ; large shipbuilding yards, &c. Broughty Ferry, situated on the north bank of the river Tay, about three miles east of Dundee, is almost entirely occupied by people in business in Dundee.

In 1838, when the Dundee and Arbroath Railway was opened, passing through Broughty Ferry, that place was only a small village, consisting of a few straggling houses mostly occupied by fishermen, or those connected with them, and only a very few larger houses. It is now a large and handsome town, filled with splendid dwelling-houses, some of them mansions which would grace a landed estate of more than £10,000 a year, — besides churches, shops, &c. The streets are spacious and handsome, well formed, with concreted footpaths nicely shaded with trees. Broughty Ferry has been constituted a police burgh, having its burgh council, clerk, and the usual staff of officials. It is supplied with water from Dundee. Newport, in Fifeshire, lies opposite Dundee on the south bank of the river Tay. It has a. large population.