The arms of Glasgow illustrate many of these stories, but were not adopted until toward the close of the sixteenth century, the earliest representation of them being found sculptured over the entrance to the Tron Kirk, and dated 1592. They were heraldically formulated in modern times, and, in the language of heralds, are: “Argent, on a mount in base, an oak-tree proper: the stem and bole thereof surmounted by a salmon on its back, also proper, with a signet-ring in its mouth, or; on top of the tree a redbreast, and on the sinister fess point an ancient bell, both also proper”: the bell referring to one he is said to have brought from Rome. The crest includes a half-length of the saint, in the act of benediction, and the supporters are two salmon.
GLASGOW CATHEDRAL, AND THE NECROPOLIS.
Although the arms are modern, the same, or similar, devices appeared upon the common seal of Glasgow from an early period: the mound, however, being a comparatively recent addition, necessitated by the hazel branch having become, by some unexplained species of evolution, an oak tree. The earliest representation of the mound is said to be that shown on the bell of Tron Kirk, which also first exhibits the famous Glasgow motto, which, in its original and unexpurgated form: “Lord, let Glasgow flourish by the preaching of the Word and praising Thy name,” is to be found over the entrance to Blackfriars Church.
The theological and missionary complexion of this aspiration was completely obscured in 1699, when the abbreviated form was first used as the city motto: the inference, to satirical minds, now being “Let Glasgow Flourish—by all means.”
Popular disbelief in these miraculous things is expressed in the lines:
This is the tree that never sprang,
This is the bird that never sang,
This is the bell that never rang,
This is the fish that never swam.