Scottish Banking(part 20)

The following extract gives a glimpse of
Sauchiehall Street in the old days
(about 1820) and a reference to the advent
of the Commercial Banking  in Glasgow:-

" This was then a quiet, pleasant road, far removed
from the noise and bustle of the City, having here and
there a few rustic cottages placed by the roadside,
where refreshments could be got. These houses were
very much frequented at holiday and other times by
families and youths from the City, who travelled out to
enjoy the ‘ Curds and cream and fruits in their seasons,'
which were to be had there. There was one of these
cottages which had fallen into bad repute. It had at
one time,like the others,its nice garden and very cosy
bowers ; it was situated at the east end,in the vicinity of
where a numerous body of tradesmen were employed
in the formation and building of streets. It was called
the ‘ Fish,’ from having a long spire with a large fish on
the top. It had been degraded into a common public-
house, frequented chiefly by those of the workmen who
chose to misspend their money in that way.


" Some years previous to this time (1820) it was the
usual custom for genteel families residing in and
around Stockwell Street to have their summer quarters
out in this direction, in farm and other houses, about
the termination of this road, and a little farther to the
north, about the end of ,Dobbie’s Loan ; and here,
among others who came to spend a day with their
friends in their summer residences, were the family of
Mr. Wyld,a merchant who had a self-contained house
and garden in Stockwell Street, nearly opposite the
Goosedubs. He was the first to establish a branch of
the Commercial Bank of Scotland in the City; the
bank offices were in his own place of business, and
 for a time he used to carry the cash and books of the
bank home with him to his own dwelling, bringing
them out in the mornings.”`


More to follow..........