The Coltness Collections; MDCVIII-MDCCCXL. (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. 1842. Excerpt: ... MRS CALDERWOOD'S JOURNEY. June 3d, at 4 afternoon, I set out from Poltoun; sleeped at Pilmure. June 4th.--Dined at Beltounfoord, and lay at Auldcamus. June 5th Met there next morning with Provost Alexander, and, as we had set out in haste, and had not got our credit on London setled, he gave us credit on his correspondent. Finding that journying was too litle exercise, we took post horses in our own chaise at Belfoord, being the 5th of June, and came at night to Morpeth, where we met with Lady Ann Erskine. June 6th.--We dined at Durhame, and I went to see the cathedrall; it is a prodigious bulky building. It was on Sunday betwixt sermons, and in the piazzas there were several boys playing at ball. I asked the girl that attended me, if it was the custome for the boys to play at ball on Sunday: she said, "they play on other days as well as on Sundays." She called her mother to show me the church; and I suppose, by my questions, the woman took me for a heathen, as I found she did not know of any other mode of worship but her own; so, that she might not think the Bishop's chair defiled by my sitting doun in it, I told her I was a christian, though the way of worship in my country differed from hers. o In particular, she stared when I asked what the things were that they kneeled upon, as they appeared to me to be so many Cheshire cheeses. I asked the rents of the lands about Durham, and was told by the landlord they were so dear he had no farm, for they let at thirty or forty shillings per aiker near that toun; that a cow was from four to six pounds sterling, and they gave, the best, about eight Scots pints per day. That night we lay at Northallertoun. Next day, the 7th, we dined none, but baited at different places; and betwixt Doncaster and Bautry a man rode...