THE GLENKENS IN THE OLDEN TiMEs. 147 
and the quality of the grain was bad. In unfavourable seasons the 
inhabitants were reduced to actual starvation. 
The price of cattle was very low, as they were generally in 
such poor condition. In spring, when put to grass they were often 
so weak that when they lay down they could not rise without 
assistance, and they frequently fell into bogs and mosses, when 
neighbours had to be called to help to get them set on firm ground 
again. After the oat crop appeared above ground in spring cattle 
and sheep had to be tended during the day, and shut into fo/ds or 
Zoans at night, for there were no division fences. There was scarcely 
even a march fence between farms, which was frequently the cause 
of quarrels and lasting animosities between neighbours. 
Both men and women, from the hardy way in which they 
were brought up, were more robust and vigorous than at present, 
and were not subject to many diseases, but the average duration 
of life was much shorter. 
Saddles and bridles had not come into common use. People 
rode to church or market on drechams or pillions, while they put 
halters made of hair rope on the horses’ heads instead of bridles, 
and put shoes only on their fore feet. 
Education was at a very low ebb. Few of the common 
people could read even the Bible, but the precentor in each congre- 
gation read the Scriptures in the church before the minister ap- 
peared. The lower classes were very superstitious, and believed 
in ghosts, fairies, and witches. To preserve their cattle from the 
effects of witchcraft they put pieces of rowan tree on the walls 
above the cows’ heads when in the house, and tied smaller pieces 
among the long hair of their tails when out in the fields. At this 
time roads were in a wretched condition. They were indeed but 
bridle tracks, and thee were very few bridges in the district. 
