Prior to the year 1340, a timber bridge, which had been thrown across the Clyde somewhere to the west of the Saltmarket Street, went into decay ; on which William Rae, bishop of Glasgow, in 1345, built a stone bridge across the Clyde, at the foot of what is now called the Stockwell Street, communicating with the barony of Gorbals. This bridge, plain, without even an affectation of ornament, was originally constructed with eight arches. Two of these, on the north side, were built up, when it became necessary to narrow the river, and thereby protect the adjoining houses from the effects of floods. This bridge continued for more than 300 years, without requiring(so far as we have been able to learn) any material repair. In the year 1671, the southmost arch fell at noon of the day on which Glas gow fair is held ; and although the concourse of people passing and repassing at the time must have been very great, it is recorded, that no person received injury. This arch was rebuilt with all convenient speed ; and the bridge received frequent repairs till the year 1777, when an addi tion of 10 feet was made to its breadth on the east side, by which the fabric is strengthened, and the passage rendered more convenient for carriages. The bridge, as it now stands, is 415 feet long, by 22 feet wide, within the para pets. The pious and public-spirited Lady Lochow is said to have prevailed on Bishop Rae to allow her to pay the expence of the centre arch.
In 1768, the foundation of a stone bridge, across the Clyde, was laid at the foot of Jamaica Street, for the more easy communication to the coast. It has seven arches, is 500 feet long, and 30 feet broad within the parapets. Its ge neral appearance is such, as to combine the idea of strength with elegant simplicity. The plan was given by Mr Milne, the architect who designed Blackfriars bridge, London. The pontage arising from these two bridges, in 1814, was L.1529 : 5 : 9. which goes to discharge the existing debt, and keep them in repair.
In the year 1794, the foundation of a stone bridge, to be thrown across the Clyde at the foot of the Saltmarket Street, was laid. During the subsequent year the work was carried on, and so far completed, that the arches were thrown across, and the parapets nearly finished, when, on the 18th November, 1795, the lower part of the city was subjected to an alarming inundation of the river, which at o'clock P. M. swept away the northmost arch of the bridge, and, in two hours afterwards, the whole arches gave way. This bridge, which was named Hutchison's, consist ed of five arches, was 410 feet long, and 26 feet broad with in the parapets.
In 1803, a timber bridge, for foot passengers, justly ad mired simplicity of its construction and light ap pearance, was thrown across the Clyde at the bottom of the Saltmarket Street, a little eastward of the site of Hutchi son's bridge. Its outline is one grand sweep of 340 feet, having eight supports and breakwaters. The breadth with in the parapets, which are formed of upright spars, with diagonal braces, is seven feet four inches, the expence of erecting it was 1g001. An act of Parliament was procur ed, authorising certain trustees to levy a halfpenny from every person who passes and repasses the bridge on one day of the week only. The nett pontage, which, in 1814,
was 811. goes to discharge the debt incurred in building the bridge, and in keeping it in repair. The design was by Mr Peter Nicholson, architect, author of The Principles of Architecture, carpentry, Esc.
In 1814, the magistrates and council of the city, and others interested in Hutchison's town, obtained an act of Parliament for building a bridge across the Clyde, near the site of the bridge that fell in 1795. They have also pro cured designs from Mr John Rennie, and are on the eve of contracting for its immediate erection. The cost is sup posed to be from 18 0001. to 19,0001.
The college buildings, and the houses- for the accommo dation of the professors, arc situated on the cast side of the I ligh Street, near the Blackfriars church. They are very extensive, raving a front of 305 feet to the High Street, and 282 feet From east to west. These buildings, and the four courts, three of wi.ich form quadrangles, occupy a space equal to 9556 square yards. The hinhimgs are generally three stories high, of ashlar work, diversified with turrets and appropriate ornaments. There are three entrances in the principal front. The centre gate is ornamented with a species of demi-rusticated work ; the royal arms in basso relievo, gilt, are placed over the gate, and consols, support ing a broad balcony, are formed at each side. The entire of the facade, which has a fine effect, is terminated, on the south, by the principal's house, and, on the north, by that occupied by the professor of oriental languages. At the centre of the cast side of the west court, a lofty tower, plain, without any gaudy show of ornament, rises to a considera ble height, and terminates in a ballustrade and semi-curvat ed roof. The eastmost range of buildings, erected more than 200 years ago, having become unfit for the purposes be which they were intended, were taken down in 1811, and a magnificent range, front designs by Mr Peter Nicholson, erected on their site. The east front is divided into three compartments, the centre projects, and is ornamented with chamfered work, supporting four massy Doric columns, with entablature and pediment ; the receding divisions exhibit a range of pannelled pilasters, cornice and ballustrade. This new erection, which is 160 feet long, and fifty feet deep, contains the anatomical theatre ; the common hall, 73 feet long ; and rooms for the humanity, Greek, logic, chemis t! y, medical, and mathematical classes. The library is a handsome insulated building ; on the south-east extremity, the faculty hall fronting the High Street is a very spacious room, handsomely wainscoated. The chapel, in which the professors and students attend divine service, is fitted up in a suitable manner. There are some valuable historical pic tures, and portraits of eminent literary characters, hung round the walls of several of the apartments. The adjoin ing ground, on the east of the college, commonly called the college garden, consists of several acres, inclosed by a high stone wall, laid out in walks and shrubberies, for the use of the professors and students : The Macfarlane obser vatory is erected near the east end of it.