In 1881, George Stewart, Librarian of the Chamber of Commerce and Manufactures in Glasgow was commissioned to write a history of the chamber and its activities. His book, Curiosities of Glasgow citizenship As exhibited chiefly in the business career of its old commercial aristocracy has at least one interesting chapter. In the first chapter, Glasgow at the Union of the Parliaments, 1707 he describes what life was like in Glasgow at the beginning of the 18th century. It was a fishing town of 10,000 souls, almost identical to the city of Prince Rupert where I grew up. I leave you to click the link and give it a read. Who knew the Scotts were so authoritarian. Or so impoverished? Who will despise the day of small things?
Forsameikle as the publict offices of this realme ar the principall nervis and synnowis quhilk joynis the haill body and retenis and kepis the same in ordour, quhilk being confoundit and out of frame, the haill consequently mon dissolue and cum to nocht. It is fund thairfoir meit and convenient that sic men be placeit in the saids offices as ar vpricht, of gude iugement, and ar apt and meit to brouke the qualitie of the posisoun, *** sua that all thingis may gang fordwart vniformelie, quietnes may be kepit, and the pure subiectis easit thairby.
Earl of Mar's Appointment to the Regency, in Appendix to Scott's Acts, 1571.