Towns > Glasgow > 1787 - Reprint of Jones's directory; or, Useful pocket companion for the year 1787

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Peter Blackburn — a prominent citizen, and ancestor of
Mr, Blackburn of Killearn; and the result was that Mr.
Blackburn prosecuted the magistrates before the Court of
Session, and put an end to the "compurgatory" system
of Sabbath-keeping. This Mr. Blackburn was a member
of the famous "Hodge-Podge" Club, along with the
father of Sir John Moore, and other celebrities, and
figured in the rhyme-register of the club (written by Dr.
Moore) in the following fashion : —
" Rough Peter's the next who is about to appear,
With his weather-beat phiz, and his heathery hair:
His humour is bhmt, and his sayings are snell —
An excellent heart in a villanous shell ! "
The Dissenters of those days were equally bigoted in
opinion and intolerant in their behaviour, when they had
the power. A mason named Hunter, who was a member
of the Antiburgher congregation of North Albion Street,
was so far left to himself, or to the wiles of Satan, as to
build the Episcopalian Chapel at the Green in the ordinary
course of his business; and as the poor man refused to
express sincere contrition for his great sin, he was formally
excommunicated. It may easily be supposed, therefore,
that " play-acting" in those days would be regarded by the
"unco guid" as an utter abomination; and so in truth it
really was. No theatre existed in the city; but strol-
ling companies of players occasionally exhibited their
histrionic powers to the lieges in Burrel's Hall, situated
in the upper portion of the High Street. In the course
of 1752, however, a wooden booth was erected within
the precincts of the Castle yard, and attached to the
ruined walls of the Episcopal Palace; but this unpre-
tending temple of Thespis was aftenvards attacked by an