The Royal Burgh of Forfar; A Local History (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1902 edition. Excerpt: ...you see we'll happy be, An' ilka wab we'se hae a drink on; We'll laugh an' sing, " Glide save the King," An' a' the sangs that we can think on. Whack row do ow doiv. 1 This song was composed when wages for handloom weaving were low, nd provisions very high in price, the now half-forgotten iniquity of Protection not having yet received its deathblow. Consequent on a revival of industry, and the wealth with it, tli.-general appearance of town and people began to change. Prior to that, as has often been noted, there were not over seven tea-kettles, hand-bellows, or watches in Forfar Now, the parish minister remarked, " tea-kettles and hand' bellows are the necessary furniture of the poorest home in the parish, and almost the meanest menial servant must have his watch." The poor old dwellings of clay and thatch began to disappear; a taste for building became apparent, and the mean low hovels of poverty-struck Forfar gave pluce to the stone-built, and gray-slated houses, now in their turn being replaced by buildings of the most approved modern fashion. One end of the cottage was reserved for the loom, or looms--for "loom shops" were common--the other end or the upper floor com furtiibly accommodating the family. Food improved and became more plentiful, the people appeared better clad, and an air of comfort prevailed all rouud. The change from the old to the new dispensation was remarkable. In the old days the Rev. Mr Bruce assures us, " An ox, worth at that time about 40s, supplied the flesh-market of Forfar eight days or a fortnight except on extraordinary occasions," but " butcher meat " and " wheaten bread" now became common to nearly every home. Aforetime " A man who had bought a shilling worth of beef or an ounce of tea, would have concealed it...