GLARIS, CANTON OF, is one of the Swiss cantons, ex tending ahout 15 leagues in length and 7 in breadth. It contains square geographical miles, only two of which are arable. This canton consists of a great valley, and three lateral vallies, enclosed on all sides except the north east by lofty mountains, rising to the height of from 5000 to 11037 feet. The vallies of this canton are watered by the Linth, the Sernft, and the Lontsch ; and its principal lakes are those of Wallenstadt and Clonthal, and some smaller ones among the mountains. Some corn and grapes, and much fruit, are raised in the canton. In summer, about 7000 or 8000 cattle are pastured on the mountains ; but, in winter, they do not exceed 4000 or 5000. The milk is principally employed in making butter and the celebrated Schabzigher cheese, which is exported in great quantities. The blue melilot, one of its principal ingredients, is care fully cultivated by the inhabitants. Goats are so numerous, that every commune has about 300 or 400. Since the year 1802, the Merino sheep have been introduced, and the wool of the country has been thus ameliorated. The inhabitants are distinguished by habits of active industry. England was supplied with writing slates from the valley of Sernft, till the opening of the Caernarvonshire quarries. At the beginning of the 13th century, a manufactory for linen cloth was established. The spinning of cotton was intro duced in 1714, and from 1755 to 1760 muslins were fabri cated. Since that time, India stuffs, pocket handkerchiefs, stockings, and muslin shawls, have been manufactured. Paper is also made in the canton, and muslin embroidered. The climate is very mild in the vallies. The spring is early, and strawberries are ripe in the middle of April, and cherries about the end of May. In 1803, the population of the canton was 24,000.
Ascow is a great commercial and manufacturing city of Lanarkshire in Scotland, situated on the north bank of the river Clyde, in West Long. 4° 15' 51", and North Lat. 52' 10",* There is no authentic record by which the origin of the city can be ascertained. Its name, in the Gaelic language, signifies a grey smith. It has since been inferred that a
person of this description, eminent in his profession, had taken up his residence in the place, and that, in compli ment to him, it had received this name.
In the year 560, it is said, a bishopric was founded here by St Mungo, or Kentigern, and to this circumstance the origin of the place has been attributed ; it being probable that the sanctity of the residence of this holy man, and the observance of miracles which would in all probability take place, would naturally draw those to the spot who were re ligiously inclined.
From this period, and for the space of more than 500 years, history has declined to record any thing worthy of notice respecting this place. Prior to 1100, it would ap pear, the Bishop's church was a mean building, chiefly constructed of timber, and had gone into decay.
In the year 1123, John Achaius, nominated bishop by David I. finished and decorated a considerable part of the present cathedral, and solemnly consecrated it in presence of the king, who immediately bestowed on the church the lands of Perdeyc, now Pantie, Ste. This prelate divided the diocese into two archdeaneries of Glasgow and Tiviot dale, established the offices of dean, sub-dean, chancellor, treasurer, sacrist, chanter, and successor, and settled a prebendary on each of them, out of the donations he re ceived from the king.
In 1174, Joceline, abbot of Melrose, was elected bishop of Glasgow, and made an addition to the cathedral, which had been so far carried on by John Achaius. He also pro cured a charter from William, King of Scotland, surnamed the Lion, in 1180, erecting Glasgow into a royal burgh, and likewise a charter to hold a fair for eight days annually.
In 1387, during the time that Matthew Glendoning was bishop, the great spire of the cathedral, which had hitherto been formed of timber, was consumed by lightning. In 1408, his successor, William Lauder, built the great tower of stone as far as the first battlement : he also laid the foundation of the vestry of the cathedral. The great tower of the Episcopal palace was founded about the year 1437, and carried on by the exertions of Bishop Cameron.