The Highland monthly - National Library of Scotland

Social Life of the Borders. i8i
they may be accepted as safe guides throughout the period,
and contain information regarding the most intimate details
of the writer's domestic life from the subscribing ot his
marriage contract and the presentation of two rings to his
wife on that event, to the price of the commonest item of
household necessities. A commissioner on two of the
largest estates in the south of Scotland, he can be traced in
his daily life and work. In regard to his dress he appears
to have been particular, and there are frequent references
to the prices of the various articles composing it. Thus, a
frock-coat and silk vest in 1780 cost ^3 i6s 6d ; for mak-
ing a coat and vest the tailor, in 1774, charged lOs 3d ; for
a pair of silk stockings he paid 14s ; for cotton stockings,
4s 9d ; for cotton gloves, 2s ; for a hat, £\ \ for a pair of
shoes, 5s 6d ; for a wig, 14s. The expense of provisions as
recorded in the MS. is much the same as that given by Dr
Somerville in his memoirs. Thus, a stone of beef cost 4s
4d in 1764 ; and there seem at this time varieties of tea,
for in 1764 it cosi 8s per lb., the same as when Dr Russel
went to Yarrow in 1791 ; in 1763,
5s, and in 1761 4 lbs. cost
i8s. Cheese in 1747 was 9s 4d per stone, and in 1745 3s-
Brandy was about the same time 2s 6d per pint. One fact
mentioned by Dr Somerville ^ I am, however, inclined to
think doubtful. Thus, he states that he does not recollect
potatoes, introduced into Yarrow some years before 1745,
being planted in a field before 1760 ; whereas I find in the
day-book the following entry under 1759: — "3 women
4 days at potatoes, 2s 6d," which at least indicates that the
cultivation of this vegetable was more advanced in the
neighbourhood of Hawick, where the writer lived, than in
the district of Jedburgh, as so much labour could scarcely
be required for a mere garden. Even down to the beginning
of the century potatoes were rare, and at this time it has
been mentioned to me, that in Galloway, as a reward for
any message performed, a child was offered a choice of an
egg or a potato.
^ " Life and Times," p. 330.