it may be added that it has been the policy of those
conducting the business to keep abreast with the advancement of the age,
by constantly selling and replacing vessels as required. From first to
last they have sold considerably above 100 steamers.

The business of the Cunard Company, in its various branches, has from
its origin been carried on in Glasgow by Messrs. G. & J. Burns; in
Liverpool, by the energetic firm of Messrs. D. & C. MacIver; in Halifax,
N.S., by Messrs. S. Cunard & Co.; and in New York, by Sir Edward Cunard,
Bart. Mr. David MacIver died a few years after the formation of the
Cunard line, Sir Samuel Cunard, Bart., and his son Sir Edward, died more
recently; and James Burns and George Burns having retired several years
before the death of the former, which took place in September last, the
business devolved upon the two sons of George Burns--John Burns and
James Cleland Burns, of Glasgow; Charles MacIver, of Liverpool; and
William Cunard, formerly of Halifax, N.S., now of London, who remain the
sole partners of this gigantic concern, which is still further extending
its ramifications by the addition of a line of steamers between the
Clyde and the West Indies.

The subject of our memoir married, in 1822, the eldest daughter of the
late Dr. Cleland of Glasgow, a man who may be said to have been the
father of social and vital statistics in this country; for at the time
he published his works, "Annals of Glasgow," and "Statistical Tables,"
we believe that Sweden was the only country that laid claim to the
possession of regular statistics. Dr. Cleland was a member of the
Institute of France, and other scientific bodies. By his wife, who is
still alive, Mr. Burns has had seven children, of whom there only
survive the two sons who are now at the head of the business in Glasgow.
Mr. George Burns, soon after his retirement from business, purchased the
estate of Wemyss Bay, where he now spends the greater part of his time.
Mr. John Burns is possessor of the property of Castle Wemyss, where he
resides; and Mr. James Cleland Burns lives at his property of Glenlee,
near Hamilton.

Neither Mr. Burns, nor any of his family, have ever taken a prominent
part in politics, although their immense business experience and
conspicuous aptitude for controlling and directing their own unrivalled
private concern, would in all probability have qualified them for taking
a high place in the councils of the nation had they chose