RURAL HOUSING IN SCOTLAND [To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.]
Sm,—I cannot claim a long, intimate knowledge of farm cottages in Dumfriesshire such as your correspondent, Mr, Dinwiddie, has, but I live in one. • It does not differ in any material respect from others in the district. It consists of thick stone walls without any damp course, stone floors unevenly laid on the earth, doors, windows, and fireplaces. There is no water ; it has to be carried between one and two hundred yards. There is no sink ; dirty water has to be emptied on the side of the road, where, to judge by the luxuriant crop of grass, it would appear to have excellent fertilizing qualities. There is no cupboard or shelf of any description whatever.
It is perhaps not surprising, therefore, that I am inclined to agree with your correspondent, Mr. Haddon, in his estimate of the convenience, of farm cottages rather than with that of Mr. Dinwiddie, even' in Dumfriesshire. I think it is no exaggeration to say that in the majority of cases they are shelters without any conveniences whatever, though it is true the fireplaces may be so considered, as they are certainly an improvement on the old fire in the middle of the floor with a hole in the roof for the smoke to escape.—I
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