As previously described, the growing prosperity of the peasantry made an appreciable improvement in their housing in the 18th Century. Housing probably had the most impact on the life of the peasant. But, there were other, little things as well - items that we take for granted - that gave them a better quality of life. The presence of a clock or watch, for instance, or a pair of hand-bellows; a spinning-wheel in place of the ancient spindle; ownership of a tea kettle (above); the use of tea (above); a ribbon for one's hair; and shoes.

Parish ministers writing in the Statistical Accounts revealed that changes that were occurring as a result of the growing prosperity of the Scottish people at the end of the 18th century were not always perceived in a positive light. For example, writers tended to look on foreign items of food and dress with suspicion, the fear often being expressed that departure from the simpler habits of their forefathers might lead the people into excesses harmful both to their purses and their morals. You may also find it interesting that consumer articles that we take for granted today were regarded as the height of luxury in those times.

One item that brought about great disapproval from the parish ministers was tea. The use of tea had become pretty common in the upper ranks about 1720, and later in the century, it began to creep in amongst the common people. Some people opposed its use, denouncing it not only as extravagant, but also likely to make the people effeminate, indolent, and weakly. During the 1740s, there was a general movement within towns and parishes to pass resolutions discouraging its use. However, that had little impact on its spread. By the 1790s, tea was in general use and some parish ministers condemned it outright, lamenting the loss of the more nourishing ale which was formerly drunk by all. Here are two such comments.

About 20 times more tea is used now than 20 years ago. Bewitched by the mollifying influence of an enfeebling portion, the very poorest classes begin to regard it as one of the necessaries of life, and for its sake, resign the healthier and more invigorating nourishment which the production of the country afford.

The people are not so healthy as formerly, owing to the great alteration in the mode of living. The general use of tea, but lately introduced, has made a very rapid progress. The poorest family in the parish will not now dispense with it, and will sell their clothes, yea their meal, to purchase it. They use a very coarse kind of black tea, and drink it very strong, often without milk and sugar.

Different forms of clothing also brought forth great disapproval. Clothing was improving at the end of the 18th century. The domestic consumption of coarse linens rose, and from the 1780s, cotton came to rival the older fabric as its price was reduced by successive technical innovations. The sales of cheap coarse Scottish woolens also rose from the 1760s onwards, which would be hard to explain unless the poor were buying more. Shoes showed the same trend: though the poorest women and children still went barefoot, many were now buying shoes who would formerly have gone without.

It was mainly on Sundays that drab working garb was replaced by something more becoming - a change frequently condemned as inordinate love of luxury by the parish ministers. In account after account, the parish ministers made unfavourable comparisons between modern frivolous tastes and the sobriety of the old days. Some of that displeasure was directed towards the fact that people were using imported goods rather than homespun materials. Other ministers were concerned that scarce money was being spent on clothes to the detriment of other necessities. Here's a flavour of the opinion at the time.

About 50 years ago, it was usual for the most substantial farmers to appear at church in home-spun cloth and plaiden hose. Now their menial servants and cottagers are equipped in English broad cloth, silk, and satin. This turn for finery is a great loss to them, as they live up to their wages, not withstanding them being so high. Thus, they enter into a married state, with their whole substance upon their back, especially women; and when sickness, or any other misfortune prevents their daily labour, they immediately sink into the depth of poverty.

The people are fond of dress, rather to excess; too much of their earning, particularly of the younger part of both sexes, goes to gratify their fancy in that respect; and it is not always with the best or most substantial articles of any kind that they are supplied. Being naturally of a sprightly turn, what appears the most showy gains their choice.

The young woman now sinks all the money she makes in dress and ornament. The scarlet cloak, that only covered the shoulders of our ladies 50 years ago, now falls down to the heels of our servant maidens; and many of them purchase a silk gown to be married in.

Hats are as common as bonnets now. On Sundays, there is no distinguishing the country clown from the town beau, the farmer's gudeman from the merchant's clerk, and the lasses have their ribbons and muslins to match them. Hats, broad cloth, good linen adorned with ruffles are occasionally worn by all ranks of men. Duffle and silk cloaks, printed and muslin gowns, by all ranks of women. And the gentry can only be distinguished from plebeians by their superior manner.

Note: the reference above to the bonnet is meant to indicate what we would call the Scottish tam that men wore.

Here are some excerpts that reveal the parish ministers' consternation about other consumer goods as well.

About 50 or 60 years ago, there were not above seven tea-kettles as many hand-bellows, and as many watches in Forfar; now tea-kettles and hand-bellows are the necessary furniture of the poorest house in the parish, and almost the meanest menial servant must have his watch.

Formerly a man who had bought a shilling worth of beef or an ounce of tea would have concealed it from his neighbour like murder.

About 50 years ago, neither buckles were used for shoes, nor metal buttons for clothes. There were very few carts within the parishes. Loads were then carried on horseback. Prior to the 1745, there was not a tea-kettle within the parishes, except the minister's, now there is not a farmhouse without one.

Sources

Steven, Maisie (1995). Parish Life in 18th Century Scotland: A review of the old Statistical Accounts Glasgow: Scottish Cultural Press