TRANSACTIONS OF THE SECTIONS. 163 
From these figures it appears that the population has nearly quintupled in 50 years, 
and doubled itself in 20 years. In fact, the annual increase of the city has been found 
to be as nearly as possible at the rate of 32 per cent., or at present about 12,000 per 
annum. 
This great increase, it need scarcely be stated, arises almost entirely from immigra- 
tion. In illustration of this let us look to the following facts. The mortality during 
1849 (including the cholera) was 12,883; and the rate of mortality to the estimated 
population of that year was (exclusive of still-born) 1 in 28°5. With respect to the 
number of births during the same period it is impossible to speak with accuracy ; but 
a pretty close approximation of these may be arrived at from the fact, that by the 
census of 1841 the children found living at that time under one year old amounted to 
2°96 per cent. of the whole population; and assuming that Glasgow was in similar 
circumstances in 1849 to what it was in 1841, the annual births ought to have 
amounted (including those who died from 1 day to 12 months) to at least 12,000, or 
1000 less than the deaths. The evident conclusion to be drawn from this, then, is— 
that the great increase of the population of Glasgow, even during periods of less mor- 
tality than 1848 or 1849, depends almost entirely on immigration. 
While the population has thus increased, it may reasonably be supposed that the 
means of accommodating that population has increased along with it, and this plainly 
appears to be the case when the following comparative table is considered :— 
Gross number of Dwelling-Houses, Shops, Warehouses, and other possessions, within 
the parliamentary boundary of Glasgow, in 1845 and 1850. . 
Under ‘|At€4and under] At 10 Rent Gross number of 
Years. | 4 Rent..| £10 Rent. . | and upwards. [distinct Possessions.| . GTss Rental. 
1845. 16,399 29,849 18,780 65,028 £866,150 
1850. ao ae on 76,034 £1,017,362 
It thus appears that even daring the last five years the distinct possessions have in- 
creased 11,006, and the rental £151,212! 
Streets and Sewerage.—But perhaps the best illustration of the extension of Glassow 
may be drawn from the two following facts :—1st, that in 1800 there were within the 
district now embraced by the parliamentary city only 30 miles of streets and roads, 
whereas at present the formed and paved streets alone extend ‘to 96 miles; and 2ndly, 
that while in 1800 there was little or no sewerage in the city, there are at present 42 
miles of main sewers, 21 miles of which have been formed during the last six years— 
the cost of making these sewers averaging £1200 per mile. 
River and Harbour.—The question next occurs, what have been the chief stimuli 
to this great population being concentrated at this peculiar spot? To which it may be 
answered, that in addition to the circumstance of Glasgow being placed in the centre 
of one of the richest mineral districts in the kingdom, she possesses a river and harbour 
which art and capital have, within a very few years, made perfectly safe and navigable. 
In fact, this city possesses an inland navigation and a stream harbour unequaled, 
perhaps, in Europe. Let us see within how short a period this has been accomplished. | 
We find that about the beginning of the present century the depth of the river Clyde 
was scarcely 5 feet, and there were few or no vessels to be found at its port, and 
these consisted of craft drawing merely a few feet of water, none certainly ex- 
ceeding 30 or 40 tons burthen. In 1820, the average available depth of the Clyde, 
at high water during neap tides, was 9 feet, which admitted vessels drawing 83 feet. 
In 1840 the depth was increased to 14 feet; and in 1850 the average available depth 
at high water of neap tides is 16 feet. At spring tides there is an additional depth 
of about 2 or 3 feet; which renders the greatest depth attainable, irrespective of the 
increased depth created by land floods or strong westerly winds, 19 feet. The river 
has also been, during the past ten or twelve years, gradually increased in breadth; 
and, for more than a mile below Glasgow Bridge, the water-way is now three times 
its former width. With respect to the harbour, the change has been equally marked 
during the last fifty years. In 1800, the whole quay was restricted to a space not ex- 
ceeding a few hundred feet, and occasionally exhibited no vessel larger than a coal 
barge or a herring wherry. At present the quayage extends to about 10,000 lineal 
feet, while hundreds of the largest-sized ships belonging to the mercantile marine of 
M 2 
