DOMESTIC LIFE AND HABITS. 49 



piece of red tape and mountain ash fastened to the left horn, as a spell to ward 

 off disease. At times, however, this superstition manifested a darker character ; 

 and an instance is recorded of a horse having been brn-nt alive at Flass, in 1726, 

 wdth the almost incredible persuasion that the sacrifice would arrest the mortality 

 at that time prevalent among the cattle. But, with many changes, much 

 improvement has every where taken place; superstition is fast passing away, 

 and reason and intelligence daily gaining strength. 



The houses of the hinds and labourers in the hilly part of the county 

 seldom consist of more than one apartment. The fire is lighted on the hearth, 

 as in France ; but there being no outlet for the smoke, but a rude crevice made 

 in the unceiled roof, the room is almost constantly filled with a dense cloud, 

 which hovers at the height of five or six feet above the floor, and, proceeding 

 firom peat, is often ofiensive to those unaccustomed to its smell and pungency. 

 Fifty years ago, all wearing apparel was manufactured in the family; the 

 women's dress was of various coloured woollen stufis ; the men's was spun at 

 the winter hearth, sent to the weaver and dyer, and then converted to use by 

 tailors, who, travelUng from house to house, pursued their calling under the roof 

 of their customers. But home-spun has now disappeared; even the blankets, 

 manufactured in former times from the adjoining fold, are bought at market, 

 and cheaper, probably, than they could now be made by the most skilful 

 housewife.* 



The common food of the working class consists of different preparations 

 of oatmeal, porridge, cakes, also barley cakes, baked very thick; pork, tea, 

 and the more attainable products of the dairy. Previously to the introduction 

 of potatoes, it was customary to lay up a provision of herrings for the winter ; 

 and for this purpose the people went annually, in bands, about Michaelmas, 

 to Dunbar, where that fish was prepared for market. 



A curious local custom connected with marriage is still kept up by the young 

 people of Eccles. Once a year, or oftener, according to circumstances, all the 

 young men who have been married vpithin the preceding twelvemonths, are 

 creeled. This ceremony consists in having a creel, or basket, suspended from 

 the individual's shoulders; and while he runs with all his speed from his own 

 house to that of his next new-married neighbour, he is pursued by all the 

 bachelors, who endeavour to fill the basket with stones, while his wife following, 



• In the parish of Earlston are two manufacturing establisliments, one of ginghams, merinos, shawls, 

 muslins, &c. &c. ; the other of plaidings, blankets, and flannels. In the first, fifty weavers are employed; 

 ill the latter, upwards of forty — the men generally gaining I2s. Qd., the women 2s. 6rf. a week. — 18-3+. 



O 



