THESE buildings, which were long regarded with deep interest by the local antiquarian, as closely connecting Glasgow with the neighbouring nobility, in days when Scotland was yet an independent kingdom, have ceased to exist. The principal part of them was removed early in 1850, for the sad but necessary purpose of extending the accommodation of Glasgow prison. The Duke's Lodging has been so often described by our local historians, that it is unnecessary to notice it at length here. It was situated on the south side of the Drygate (which was at one time a fashionable locality), and had an extensive frontage to the street. McUre, writing in 1736, says: - "The Rector of Peebles, who was Archdeacon of Glasgow, in virtue of his parsonage, had his Rectoral manse in the head of the Drygate. At the Reformation it was purchased by Sir Matthew Stuart of Minto, who rebuilt a great part of it. In the year 1605, from Sir Ludovick Stuart, his grandson, it was acquired by Dame Isabel Douglas, Dowager Marchioness of Montrose, where the family has frequently resided ever since. It has a noble, commanding prospect of the whole city and adjacent country; and on the declination of the hill there is room enough for what gardens they please." The same author further says: - "The Rector of Eaglesham had his lodging at the head of the Drygate. Mr. Archibald Crauford, Rector of Eaglesham at the Reformation, conveyed it to the Laird of Craufordland, and it came through several hands to James Corbet, merchant, who sold it to the [first] Duke of Montrose, who has built upon the ground thereof one of his pavilions for his palace here." The property continued in the possession of the Montrose family till 1746, when it was sold to Gavin Pettigrew. As the place was most capacious, it was long occupied by the most respectable of the North-Quarter folks, but latterly it fell into the hands of the Irish, who sub-divided the finely pannelled and corniced banquetting rooms and withdrawing rooms, by means of lath and plaster and brick partitions, into rookeries for themselves; and before its final day came, the halls of the Stuarts of Minto and the Lords of Montrose were in a most miserable plight. A few days before its demolition we inspected this place. In its then state there was nothing more striking than its old baronial kitchen chimney place, which was brought to light after having been long partitioned off as a separate apartment. It must have had ample capacity to roast an ox. An elderly gentleman, by whom we were accompanied, stated that, in his young days, this chimney recess was occupied as the loom-stead of a thriving weaver.