2^6 on manu/actufes in G^as^oiv. ^"g- ^2.' 



I hope it will be thought not aUogether Toreign to our 

 des gn, to mention the circumnance by which this was 

 brought about. Wilson, alias riakefield, put one of his 

 sons to the weaving trade. The lad, after having learn* 

 ed.his businefs, enlisted, zbout the year 1670, in the re- 

 giment of the Cameronians, but was afterwards draughted 

 into the ScottiQi Guards. He was, during the course of 

 the wars, sent to the continent, where he procured a blue 

 and white checked handkerchief, that had been woven in 

 Germany. A thought struck Fiakefied, that, were it his 

 good fortune to return to Glasgow, he would attempt to 

 manufacture cloth of the same kind. Accordingly he 

 preserved, with great care, a fragment sufficient for his 

 purpcse. Being difbanded, in the year 1700, he returned 

 to his native city, with a fixed resolution to accomplifti 

 his laudable design. Happy would it be for mankind, 

 trere travellers into foreign countries to pick ap what 

 might be useful in their own ; and, like this praise wor- 

 thy soldier, return home poGef^ed of some valuable ac- 

 quisition ! A few spindles of yarn, fit for his purpose, 

 was all, at that time, William F'akeficld could collect : 

 the white was but ill bleached, and the blue not very dark 5 

 they were, however, the best that co jld be found in Glas* 

 gow. About two dozen of handkerchiefs composed the 

 first web. When the half was woven he cut out the cloth 

 and took it to the merchants, who, at that time, traded in 

 Salmon, Scottifh plaiding, Hollands and other thick linens; 

 They were pleased with the novelty of the blue and 

 white stripes, and especially with the delicate texture of 

 the cloth, which was/A/« j« in coraparisoil of the Hollands. 

 The new adventurer alked iio more for his web than the 

 neat price of the materials, and the ordinary wages for bis 

 work. All he aiked was readily paid him, and he went 

 home rejoicing that his attempts •were not unsuccefsful. 



