i']()J. on manufactures in Gfasgo-M. 2 57 



This dozen of handkerchiefs, the first of the kind ever mide 

 in Britain, were disposed of in tew hours. Frelh ('emands 

 were daily made on the exulting artis; for more of his 

 cloth ; and the remaining half of his little web was bespos- 

 ken before it was woven. More yarn wos procured with 

 all speed, and several looms were immediately filled with 

 handkerchiefs of the same pattern. 1 he demands encrea- 

 sed in proportion to the quantity of cloth that was ma- 

 nufactured. Some Engliili nierchants, who resorted to 

 Glasgow for thick linens, were highly pleased with the 

 new manufacture, and carried, for a trial, a few of the 

 liandkerchiefs to £ngland. The goods met with univer- 

 sal approbation. The number of Icorris daily encreased 

 so that; in a few years, Glasgow became famous for that 

 branch of the linen trade. A variety of patterns and co- 

 lours was soon introduced. The weavers in Paisley and 

 the neighbouring towns, engaged in the businefs j and 

 the trade was at length .carried on to a great extent. 

 Thus, from a small beginning, a very lucrative and useful 

 branch "of businefs took its rise j and which has b-en the 

 means of introducing others still more extensive. The 

 checks were foil, .wed by the blunks, or linen cloth for 

 printing ; and to these is now added the muslin trade, 

 which, at present extends, to the amazing sum of nearly 

 two millions sterl. per ann. and Glasgow is universally 

 acknowledged to be the first city in Scotland for manu- 

 factures. But neither William Flakefield, nor any of his 

 deicendents, ever received any reward or mark of appro- 

 bation, for the good services done, not only to Glasgow, 

 but to the nation at large. Flakefield, however, having, 

 during his service in the army, learned to beat the drum, 

 was, in his old age, promoted to the office of town druic- 

 aier) in which office he continued till his death. 

 VOL. xvi. KK f 



