SETTLEMENT AT NETHERTON. 12$ 



the plain of Alford, with the distant peak of the Cabrach 

 rising beyond its far extremity. It was surrounded by old 

 cultivated land, especially about the parish church of 

 Tough, and by extensive mosses, now nearly drained, on 

 the flat land below. 



John was engaged to work with a master weaver called 

 Peter Marnock, whose house stood under the shade of two 

 plane trees and a sacred ash, which are now its sole repre- 

 sentatives, just below the farm of Netherton. It was a 

 long, old-fashioned, thatched cottage, built of stones and 

 clay, with great couples down to the ground, like a High- 

 land hut. It contained a kitchen with earthen floor, bright 

 fireplace and shining " plate-rack ; " a " ben hoose," or better 

 apartment ; and a weaving shop. The family lived chiefly 

 in the cheerful kitchen, which opened right to the thatch, 

 glossy black with the peat smoke of years, and which was 

 kept scrupulously clean by Mrs. Marnock, a quiet, nice 

 woman, noted as a good housekeeper. She had a son, who 

 died young ; and three daughters, one of whom remained 

 at home to assist her mother, while the other two went to 

 service. 



In the workshop, which was next the kitchen, there 

 were two looms. One of these was occupied by Marnock 

 himself, the other by John. John lodged with Marnock, 

 getting his food, paying so much for each meal, and sleep- 

 ing in the weaving shop. He was engaged, as elsewhere, on 

 " piece work," and was paid for what he produced ; and, 

 as wages were then very low, he was many a time " bare 

 enough," according to a niece of Marnock's, who lived next 

 door to him. As she tells, " he was easily pleased wi' his 

 meat," his food being for breakfast, porridge and milk ; for 



