Glasgow the ' Metropolis of the West,' as it is commonly designated in Scotland, is in the county of Lanark, situate on the banks of the Clyde; 397 miles from London, 44 from Edinburgh, 137 from Aberdeen, 34 from Ayr, 29 from Stirling, 213 from Manchester, the like distance from Liverpool, 95 from Carlisle, 196 from Dublin, and 127 from Belfast.

Glasgow is divided by the river Clyde into two unequal parts, that portion occupying the northern bank being the chief: this comprehends the old and new towns, with the suburbs of Calton, Bridgeton, Anderston, Brownfield, and Finnieston; the division on the opposite side of the river consists of the barony of Gorbals, including Hutchesontown, Laurieston, Traleston, and Kingston.