philanthropy. Many a young man who has attained a respectable and
influential position is indebted to Mr. Young for his first start in
life. As a ready and effectual means towards promoting a thirst for
knowledge, and an acquaintance with the practical bearings of the
science to which he is himself so much indebted, he founded, about three
years ago, a chair of technical chemistry in the Andersonian University.
Previously the students attending the chemistry classes under the late
Professor Penny had no opportunity of making themselves familiar with
the application of the principles of the science to arts and
manufactures; a knowledge of the principles themselves was all that they
could attain. A man may be the greatest proficient in the knowledge of
the principles of chemical science, and yet be utterly ignorant of how
bleaching powder, chromate of potash, or soda are made. Thus it was with
the Chemical Chair at the Andersonian until Mr. Young, by his munificent
bequest of L10,000 for the foundation of a Chair of Technical Chemistry,
established a connection between the scientific chemist and the
workshop. The first occupant of the chair, Herr Bischof, commenced his
duties during last summer, and the number of students attending his
class has already exceeded all expectations. The foundation of nine
bursaries, each worth L50 per annum, is certainly an inducement to
perseverance which is not every day placed within the reach of poor
students; and considering the multiform phases of chemical science, and
the comparatively limited extent to which they have hitherto been
developed, there is no saying to what results Mr. Young's bequest may
serve to lead.
Although so far advanced in life, Mr. Young continues to labour with as
much zest and enthusiasm as ever in the field of chemistry. It is to him
a labour of love. His mind is of that vigorous and active disposition
that cannot indulge in the repose to which the successful labours of an
arduous life invariably lead. Within the last few months he has given to
the world a new process for the manufacture of soda, which will probably
introduce an important revolution in the manufacture of alkali, and
enable carbonate of soda to be produced at something like one-fourth of
its present cost.
It is a fitting recognition and reward of Mr. Young's great discoveries
and enterprise that he should have amassed one of the largest fortunes
that was ever realized by individual effort within a similarly short
period. Some years ago he acquired the beautiful estate of Kelly, at
Wemyss Bay, which he has greatly improved and adorned. He owns also one
of the most handsome yachts on the Clyde, which has been named the
"Nyanza," in honour of Mr. Young's most intimate friend--Dr.
Livingstone, the African traveller. Dr. Livingstone and Mr. Young were
fellow-students at the Andersonian University, and their friendship has
remained unbroken since that time. It is interesting to note that it was
Dr. Livingstone who laid the foundation-stone of Mr. Young's new works
at West Calder, and it was a brother of Dr. Kirk of Zanzibar who
superintended the Addiewell works for some time after they were built.
Mr. Young has never taken any active part in political or municipal
affairs, but he is identified with various scientific and literary
societies; and for the last four years he has been President of the
Andersonian University. In social life he is kindly, warm-hearted, and
genial; and these qualities shine most conspicuously in his own family
circle, or while he is entertaining a company of his numerous friends.
MR. GEORGE BURNS.
The commercial annals of the West of Scotland are full of interest. They
illustrate a prosperity that is almost without parallel. Macaulay's New
Zealander is not likely to plant his foot on Glasgow Bridge for many
generations to come, or if he does he will witness a scene totally
unlike that for which the historian had prepared him. In all our staple
industries we are advancing with gigantic strides. Shipping and
shipbuilding are especially conspicuous for their steady and rapid
development. As a shipping port Glasgow stands second to none in the
United Kingdom, Liverpool alone excepted. It was not always so. So late
as the beginning of the eighteenth century there were only about a dozen
vessels belonging to the port, their aggregate tonnage amounting to no
more than 1000 tons. More than any other river in the world, the Clyde
has triumphed over natural obstacles and drawbacks. Originally the
estuary of the Clyde was so shallow that no vessel of any size could
come further up than Port-Glasgow. It was considered a great achievement
when, in 1801, craft of 40 tons burden were enabled to touch at the
Broomielaw. A story is told of a daring navigator who, towards the close
of last century, built a vessel of 30 tons burden for the purpose of
exploring "the wee bit burn ca'd the Clyde." As a reward for his
enterprise and daring, he was presented with the freedom of the city on
reaching the harbour of Glasgow. Thanks to the fostering care and
ceaseless exertions of the Clyde Navigation Trustees, vessels of the
largest tonnage can now come up to the Broomielaw; and the port of
Glasgow can lay claim to some of the largest and most magnificent
merchant vessels afloat. A rare conjunction of private and public
enterprise brought about these results. From the time that Henry Bell's
_Comet_ appeared on the scene in 1812, until the present, the Clyde has
occupied a pre-eminent position in the records of the progress of steam
navigation. In 1841 the number of vessels belonging to the port of
Glasgow was 431, with an aggregate of 95,619 tons. At the present time
there are 895 vessels belonging to the port, their total tonnage being
433,016 tons! These figures speak for themselves. They do not indicate a
merely natural evolution. Hard work, skilful and energetic application
of available resources, and well concerted plans, were necessary to
bring about such an era of prosperity; and these conditions of success
were supplied by such men as Mr. George Burns, who has been identified
most closely for more than half-a-century with this branch of commerce.
Belonging to a family which has long occupied an honourable position in
the West of Scotland, Mr. George Burns has reason to be proud of his
ancestors. His grandfather, whose name was originally Burn, inherited a
small property near Stirling, which he sold and came to reside in
Glasgow. Here he distinguished himself as a scholar, and published an
English dictionary and grammar which was long used in all the schools
and academies throughout the country. He died at the age of eighty-four,
and his time carries us back to the beginning of last century. He used
to tell of seeing combatants in the battle of "Shirra Muir" pass his
father's place in 1715. His son, Dr. Burns, who was an only child,
remembered being carried in his nurse's arms to the King's Park at
Stirling, where he saw encamped the Hessians who had been employed in
the unsuccessful rising in favour of Prince Charles in 1745, and who
remained in this country for some time subsequently. Dr. Burns, born in
1714, was minister of the Barony parish, in Glasgow, for the long period
of seventy-two years, dying in 1839, in his ninety-sixth year. He
preached in the crypt of the Cathedral, which Sir Walter Scott has made
famous in the pages of "Rob Roy," and at a time when such qualities were
rare in the Church of Scotland, he was distinguished for the evangelical
faithfulness of his preaching, and for his conscientious and laborious
performance of pastoral work. In the prosecution of his duties he
established and conducted Sabbath schools in Calton, which was included
in his parish. These, as far as is known, were the first Sunday schools
instituted in Scotland, and it is believed were before the time of Mr.
Raikes, who began the system in England. At the time above mentioned the
population of the Barony parish did not exceed 8000, but long before the
death of Dr. Burns it had increased more than tenfold. One of the most
unselfish and simple-hearted of men, he brought up a large family upon a
small stipend, refusing for a long time to ask an augmentation from the
Tiend Court, until his scruples were overborne by the pressing
entreaties of his heritors. This venerable patriarch lived to see the
blessing of his Covenant-God, and the reward of his own training, in the
highly honourable and successful career of his family. He had nine
children, of whom four died in early life. The remaining five
were--John, born in 1775; Allan, born in 1781; Elizabeth, born in 1786;
James, born in 1788; and the youngest, the only one of the family now
living, George, born in 1795. The eldest son--Dr. John Burns,
F.R.S.--was the first Professor of Surgery in the University of Glasgow.
He was a man of extensive erudition and devoted piety. He wrote several
standard medical works, which secured for him the high honour of being
elected a member of the Institute of France, and also several most
excellent religious works, one of which, entitled "Christian
Philosophy," is still popular. His sad death, by drowning, in the wreck
of the steamer Orion, in 1850, will be well remembered. The second
son--Allan--was the intimate friend of Sir Astley Cooper, Bart., the
celebrated surgeon. He went to St. Petersburg, where he became physician
to the Empress of Russia, from whom he received valuable presents and
honourable distinctions. Returning to Glasgow, he lectured on anatomy,
and prosecuted his profession with great success. He died at the early
age of thirty-two, in consequence of a wound received while dissecting.
But short as was his career, he succeeded in acquiring a European
reputation by his scientific writings. James and George, both of whom
possessed much of the native talent of the family, found ample scope for
their abilities in mercantile pursuits, and about the year 1818 they
entered into partnership and commenced business in Glasgow. In 1824 they
became owners, along with the late Hugh Matthie of Liverpool, of six
sailing vessels trading between that port and Glasgow, and in the same
year they engaged in steam navigation between Glasgow and Belfast.
Shortly thereafter they substituted steam for sailing vessels in the
Glasgow and Liverpool trade, and in 1830 they amalgamated this concern
with that of the Messrs. MacIver of Liverpool. The various trades thus
organised comprised branches between Glasgow and Liverpool, Belfast,
Londonderry, and the West Highlands, but the last named business was
disposed of in 1852 to Mr. David Hutcheson, who long held a responsible
position in Messrs. Burns' office, and who was joined by his brother, Mr.
Alexander Hutcheson, and by Mr. David MacBrayne, a nephew of the Messrs
Burns. Under the firm of David Hutcheson & Co. the West Highland trade
has continued to be conducted with every satisfaction to the public. The
other branches are still carried on by Messrs. Burns & MacIver. While
James applied himself to the mercantile branch of the business, the
direction of the shipping department devolved upon George, whose energy
and sagacity rendered him well qualified for the onerous duties, and
under whose able management the business gradually developed into a
steam shipping concern second to none in the world.
In 1830 the establishment of mail steam communication between Britain
and North America was projected by Mr. Samuel Cunard, of Halifax, N.S.,
who, in prosecution of his undertaking, was introduced to Mr. Robert
Napier by Mr. Melvill, secretary in London to the East India Company,
and through whom he entered into conferences on the subject in Glasgow
with Mr. George Burns and Mr. David MacIver. The consultation resulted
in the undertaking since popularly known as the Cunard line, and Mr.
George Burns persuaded his brother to join in this, as he had in like
manner previously induced him to join in the establishment of steamers
between Glasgow and Liverpool. The contract for the conveyance of the
North American mails was entered into between the Admiralty on the one
part, and Samuel Cunard, George Burns, and David MacIver on the other
part; and the first steamer of the line, the _Britannia_, sailed from
Liverpool on 4th July, 1840, for Halifax and Boston. The means of
travelling between the mother country and America were previously very
inadequate. Although steam had come into pretty general use for coasting
purposes, it had been little applied to ocean voyages. The Cunard line
commenced with four paddle-wheel steamers, of an aggregate tonnage of
4602 tons. Now the company possess between 40 and 50 vessels afloat, or
in course of construction. Many of these are the most magnificent
merchant ships afloat. Some of them are over 4000 tons burden, and the
aggregate tonnage of the whole is close upon 90,000 tons.
It is not too much to affirm of the Cunard line, that it is the most
popular and successful Transatlantic service afloat. For upwards of
thirty years a Cunard Transatlantic steamer has sailed--at first once a
week, subsequently twice a week, and latterly three times a week--from
Liverpool, and another from New York or Boston. During that long period
many hundred thousand passengers have been carried by that noble fleet.
Yet, despite the dangers of the Atlantic, and the liability to accident
in a thousand ways of such a voyage, the Cunard line can thankfully say
that they have never lost a life--nay more, although they have had a
contract with the British Government since they started for the
conveyance of the North American mails, the company have never even lost
a letter! Such a claim cannot be made on behalf of any other line
afloat. But it would be quite a mistake to infer that this wonderful
exemption from misadventure is due to luck or chance. On the contrary,
the skilful management of the line has been the chief, if not the sole
cause of its matchless reputation. Every consideration of profit has
from the very outset been subordinated to a painstaking and anxious
regard for the efficiency of the fleet, and for the safety and comfort
of the passengers. Without a single exception, all the Cunard Liners are
noted for their seaworthy qualities, which have been admirably preserved
by the existence of the company's engineering works at Liverpool; and
the instructions for the navigation of the fleet are most complete and
peremptory. Thus, it will be seen that a combination of rare
administrative qualities, together with the intrinsic superiority of
their ships, have been the means of realising for the Cunard Company a
character which is altogether without a precedent, while the same causes
have imparted to the most timid passengers a confidence in the Cunard
line which they would not be justified in placing even in a railway
company. In short, the Cunard Company have brought about a condition of
things which our grandfathers could not have believed possible. They
have set at naught the dangers of the mighty deep, and rendered ocean
travelling more safe and interesting than travelling on the dry land.
Truly, those who have had the management of this gigantic business are
entitled to be regarded as the pioneers of a high standard of progress,
the highest standard, indeed, that has yet been attained, or is possible
of attainment, in the direction of one of the greatest ends of
civilisation--that of making the navigation of the ocean compatible with
perfect safety to human life. In illustration of the style of
management, it may be added that it has been the policy of those
conducting the business to keep abreast with the advancement of the age,
by constantly selling and replacing vessels as required. From first to
last they have sold considerably above 100 steamers.
The business of the Cunard Company, in its various branches, has from
its origin been carried on in Glasgow by Messrs. G. & J. Burns; in
Liverpool, by the energetic firm of Messrs. D. & C. MacIver; in Halifax,
N.S., by Messrs. S. Cunard & Co.; and in New York, by Sir Edward Cunard,
Bart. Mr. David MacIver died a few years after the formation of the
Cunard line, Sir Samuel Cunard, Bart., and his son Sir Edward, died more
recently; and James Burns and George Burns having retired several years
before the death of the former, which took place in September last, the
business devolved upon the two sons of George Burns--John Burns and
James Cleland Burns, of Glasgow; Charles MacIver, of Liverpool; and
William Cunard, formerly of Halifax, N.S., now of London, who remain the
sole partners of this gigantic concern, which is still further extending
its ramifications by the addition of a line of steamers between the
Clyde and the West Indies.
The subject of our memoir married, in 1822, the eldest daughter of the
late Dr. Cleland of Glasgow, a man who may be said to have been the
father of social and vital statistics in this country; for at the time
he published his works, "Annals of Glasgow," and "Statistical Tables,"
we believe that Sweden was the only country that laid claim to the
possession of regular statistics. Dr. Cleland was a member of the
Institute of France, and other scientific bodies. By his wife, who is
still alive, Mr. Burns has had seven children, of whom there only
survive the two sons who are now at the head of the business in Glasgow.
Mr. George Burns, soon after his retirement from business, purchased the
estate of Wemyss Bay, where he now spends the greater part of his time.
Mr. John Burns is possessor of the property of Castle Wemyss, where he
resides; and Mr. James Cleland Burns lives at his property of Glenlee,
near Hamilton.
Neither Mr. Burns, nor any of his family, have ever taken a prominent
part in politics, although their immense business experience and
conspicuous aptitude for controlling and directing their own unrivalled
private concern, would in all probability have qualified them for taking
a high place in the councils of the nation had they chosen to enter the
domain of politics. In their private capacities each and all of the
family have been distinguished for their ready and liberal support of
measures calculated to improve the moral, social, and religious
condition of their fellow-townsmen, and an appeal for support to a
deserving object has never been made to them in vain. Mr. George Burns
has always been ready to afford personal service and pecuniary
assistance to schemes of a benevolent or philanthropic character. The
name of Mr. John Burns is a "tower of strength" where there is a good
cause to be promoted. He rendered valuable service in assisting to
establish the Cumberland training ship--an institution which, in its
proved results, has done more than all the rest of our industrial
institutions put together to reform our street Arabs, and to inspire
them with higher aims and better motives in life. During the three years
that have elapsed since the Cumberland was brought to the Gareloch, Mr.
Burns has acted as its president, and in the midst of his own
multitudinous and incessant business duties he has not failed to bestow
upon its affairs great attention. As an honorary president of the
Foundry Boys' Religious Society, which embraces within its pale upwards
of 14,000 boys and girls in the humblest ranks of life, he has likewise
assisted very materially to promote the welfare of the city. For their
own servants the Messrs. Burns have displayed an exemplary solicitude.
They have provided a chapel in Glasgow for the sailors employed in their
coasting trade; and they defray the expenses connected with the support
of a chaplain, who visits the men on board ship, sailing with each
vessel in turn, and preaching in the chapel on Sundays. Through the
chaplain, who visits the wives and families of the sailors when they are
away on duty, the Messrs. Burns are made aware of the circumstances and
condition of the sailors in their employment, and they spare no trouble
to maintain an efficient and sober body of men in a happy and
comfortable position.
MR. JAMES BAIRD OF CAMBUSDOON.
"I cannot," wrote Bacon, "call riches better than the baggage of
virtue." Practically the dictum of the philosopher has been endorsed by
Mr. James Baird of Cambusdoon, who, along with his brothers who have
predeceased him, has set a noble example in regard to both the
acquisition and the distribution of wealth. Few men have been so
fortunate in laying up treasure on earth; few have been so zealous of
those good works which realise treasure on the other side of Time. For
nearly half a century the name of Baird has been a household word in the
West of Scotland. Ranking as they have done for many years as the
largest employers of labour in Scotland, they must ever continue to
occupy a foremost place in our commercial annals. But while they have
thus been "diligent in business," they have also been "fervent in
spirit." Possessing the power that belongs to wealth, they have not been
unmindful of its accompanying responsibilities and duties. In the
promotion of education, in the support of Church and missionary objects,
in aiding the amelioration of their less fortunate fellow-creatures, and
in the dispensation of that charity which covers a multitude of sins
they have made their vast wealth subordinate to the service of their day
and generation--the humble but yet potent means to the most beneficent
ends. By every consideration, therefore, the honoured name of Baird is
entitled to a place in these sketches.
Mr. James Baird of Cambusdoon is the only survivor of a family of eight
sons, whose ancestors for several generations followed the primitive
occupation of farming in the parish of Old Monkland. The father of the
proprietors of Gartsherrie Ironworks was tenant of Kirkwood, Newmains,
and High Cross farms. Of his numerous family, William, who died
recently, after having attained the rare distinction of a millionaire,
was the eldest, having been born in the year 1796; James, who was six
years his junior, was born in 1802. The older members of the family
received their education at the parish school of Old Monkland, under the
late Mr. Cowan--one of a class of teachers who were qualified to impart
something more than the mere rudiments of a solid classical education,
and who have assisted so materially to place the parochial school system
of Scotland on the high vantage ground from which, unless present
appearances are deceptive, it is in danger of being hurled by the
operation of the Education Act now under the consideration of
Parliament. For the younger members of his family, Mr. Baird was enabled
to provide the benefits of a University curriculum. It will not be
necessary to refer to the head of the family further than to say that he
lived to assist, by his judicious counsel and shrewd penetration, in
founding the works at Gartsherrie, from which his family have since
derived such a wide-spread fame.