sect. II. THE COUNTY OF FIFE. 9J 



ter and servants, and to put an end to that in- 

 discriminate intercourse in respect of sitting and 

 eating, which was common in former times. 

 Though many of them continue to be mostly 

 supplied with necessary maintenance from the 

 produce of their farms, and to be clothed with 

 their own manufactures, there are few who do 

 not indulge more or less in the luxuries of life. 

 Butcher meat is much commoner now than for- 

 merly, and their Sunday's dress at least is' fur* 

 nished from the shop. The universal use of 

 tea, as an article of living, need not be mention- 

 ed, as there is scarcely a cottager's house in the 

 county where it is not to be found. It is to be 

 observed, however, that between the great body 

 of the farmers, and those who rank in the high- 

 est class, there is in this respect a very remarka- 

 ble difference. Several of this last description 

 are men, not only in easy but affluent circum- 

 stances, men who have had the advantage of a 

 liberal education, and whose manners, from their 

 intercourse with the world, have acquired a su- 

 perior polish. Correspondent with these cir- 

 cumstances is their style and manner of living, 

 the elegance of their furniture, the economy of 

 their table, and the quality and fashion of their 

 dress. Thus distinguished by education, for- 

 tune, and manners, they hold a most respectable 

 place in the community, and are entitled to be 

 considered as one of the intermediate links which, 

 in the gradations of rank and opulence, connect 

 the higher and lower orders of men in society. 



