Want of Cleanliness in Scotch Inns. 81 



could possibly be avoided. It is curious to 

 contrast the stile of entertainment as related by 

 Moryson two hundred years ago, with the pre- 

 sent accommodations at the inns in Scotland. 

 Disposed, as I have sometimes felt, to be angry 

 at the want of cleanliness, on reference to his 

 report, some consolation is to be derived ; still 

 it is not easy to discover an apology for filth, 

 and the absence of comfort. A desire of avoid- 

 ing trouble, if it were uniformly the case, might 

 be offered as an excuse ; but even this fails when 

 we behold a great deal more labor than would 

 be required, even to be nice, employed in pro- 

 ducing the opposite effect. The interest too of 

 all parties, but especially of inn-keepers, would 

 be greatly advanced by so desirable a refor- 

 mation, which, where the intercourse with 

 strangers is not great, might the more easily be 

 accomplished. The truth is, habitual dirtiness, 

 like a box coat in a storm, prevents the suffer- 

 ings which filth inflicts. 



On quitting Glenluce, we passed by some 

 mowers, who were cutting a second crop of 

 clover, the very best I had seen in Scotland. 



To Stranraer, the country is perfectly flat, 

 with a sandy soil. The seat of Lord Stair, 

 amid extensive plantations, commands a fine 



VOL. j. G 



