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defective The water is brought in leaden pipes from a mountain
in the neighbourhood； to a cistern on the Castle…hill； from
whence it is distributed to public conduits in different parts of
the city。 From these it is carried in barrels； on the backs of
male and female porters； up two； three； four； five； six； seven；
and eight pairs of stairs； for the use of particular families
Every story is a complete house； occupied by a separate family；
and the stair being common to them all； is generally left in a
very filthy condition； a man must tread with great circumspection
to get safe housed with unpolluted shoes Nothing can form a
stronger contrast； than the difference betwixt the outside and
inside of the door； for the good…women of this metropolis are
remarkably nice in the ornaments and propriety of their
apartments； as if they were resolved to transfer the imputation
from the individual to the public。 You are no stranger to their
method of discharging all their impurities from their windows； at
a certain hour of the night； as the custom is in Spain； Portugal；
and some parts of France and Italy A practice to which I can by
no means be reconciled； for notwithstanding all the care that is
taken by their scavengers to remove this nuisance every morning
by break of day； enough still remains to offend the eyes； as well
as other organs of those whom use has not hardened against all
delicacy of sensation。
The inhabitants seem insensible to these impressions； and are apt
to imagine the disgust that we avow is little better than
affectation； but they ought to have some compassion for
strangers； who have not been used to this kind of sufferance； and
consider； whether it may not be worth while to take some pains to
vindicate themselves from the reproach that； on this account；
they bear among their neighbours。 As to the surprising height of
their houses； it is absurd in many respects； but in one
particular light I cannot view it without horror； that is； the
dreadful situation of all the families above； in case the common
staircase should be rendered impassable by a fire in the lower
stories In order to prevent the shocking consequences that must
attend such an accident； it would be a right measure to open
doors of communication from one house to another； on every story；
by which the people might fly from such a terrible visitation。 In
all parts of the world； we see the force of habit prevailing over
all the dictates of convenience and sagacity。 All the people of
business at Edinburgh； and even the genteel company； may be seen
standing in crowds every day； from one to two in the afternoon；
in the open street； at a place where formerly stood a market…cross；
which （by the bye） was a curious piece of Gothic
architecture； still to be seen in lord Sommerville's garden in
this neighbourhood I say； the people stand in the open street
from the force of custom； rather than move a few yards to an
Exchange that stands empty on one side； or to the Parliament…close
on the other； which is a noble square adorned with a fine
equestrian statue of king Charles II。 The company thus
assembled； are entertained with a variety of tunes； played upon a
set of bells； fixed in a steeple hard by As these bells are
well…toned； and the musician； who has a salary from the city； for
playing upon them with keys； is no bad performer； the
entertainment is really agreeable； and very striking to the ears
of a stranger。
The public inns of Edinburgh are still worse than those of
London； but by means of a worthy gentleman； to whom I was
recommended； we have got decent lodgings in the house of a widow
gentlewoman of the name of Lockhart； and here I shall stay until
I have seen every thing that is remarkable in and about this
capital。 I now begin to feel the good effects of exercise I eat
like a farmer； sleep from mid…night till eight in the morning
without interruption； and enjoy a constant tide of spirits；
equally distant from inanition and excess； but whatever ebbs or
flows my constitution may undergo； my heart will still declare
that I am；
Dear Lewis；
Your affectionate friend and servant；
MATT。 BRAMBLE
EDR。 July 18。
To Mrs MARY JONES； at Brambleton…hall。
DEAR MARY；
The 'squire has been so kind as to rap my bit of nonsense under
the kiver of his own sheet O； Mary Jones！ Mary Jones！ I have had
trials and trembulation。 God help me！ I have been a vixen and a
griffin these many days Sattin has had power to temp me in the
shape of van Ditton； the young 'squire's wally de shamble； but by
God's grease he did not purvail I thoft as how； there was no arm
in going to a play at Newcastle； with my hair dressed in the
Parish fashion； and as for the trifle of paint； he said as how my
complexion wanted touch； and so I let him put it on with a little
Spanish owl； but a mischievous mob of colliers； and such
promiscous ribble rabble； that could bare no smut but their own；
attacked us in the street； and called me hoar and painted
Issabel； and splashed my close； and spoiled me a complete set of
blond lace triple ruffles； not a pin the worse for the ware They
cost me seven good sillings； to lady Griskin's woman at London。
When I axed Mr Clinker what they meant by calling me Issabel； he
put the byebill into my hand； and I read of van Issabel a painted
harlot； that vas thrown out of a vindore； and the dogs came and
licked her blood。 But I am no harlot； and； with God's blessing； no
dog shall have my poor blood to lick： marry； Heaven forbid； amen！
As for Ditton； after all his courting； and his compliment； he
stole away an Irishman's bride； and took a French leave of me and
his master； but I vally not his going a farting； but I have had
hanger on his account Mistriss scoulded like mad； thof I have
the comfit that all the family took my part； and even Mr Clinker
pleaded for me on his bended knee； thof； God he knows； he had
raisins enuff to complain； but he's a good sole； abounding with
Christian meekness； and one day will meet with his reward。
And now； dear Mary； we have got to Haddingborrough； among the
Scots； who are civil enuff for our money； thof I don't speak
their lingo But they should not go for to impose upon
foreigners； for the bills in their houses say； they have
different easements to let； and behold there is nurro geaks in
the whole kingdom； nor any thing for poor sarvants； but a barrel
with a pair of tongs thrown a…cross； and all the chairs in the
family are emptied into this here barrel once a…day； and at ten
o'clock at night the whole cargo is flung out of a back windore
that looks into some street or lane； and the maids calls gardy
loo to the passengers which signifies Lord have mercy upon you！
and this is done every night in every house in Haddingborrough；
so you may guess； Mary Jones； what a sweet savour comes from such
a number of profuming pans； but they say it is wholesome； and；
truly； I believe it is； for being in the vapours； and thinking of
Issabel and Mr Clinker； I was going into a fit of astericks； when
this fiff； saving your presence； took me by the nose so
powerfully that I sneezed three times； and found myself
wonderfully refreshed；