Series 2 > Household book of Lady Grisell Baillie

INTRODUCTION
Ixxi
I One word as to carts ! Mr. Henry Grey Graham, in
his Social Life of Scotland in the Eighteenth Century,
gives a description of tumbrils, which he said were
regarded as ‘ a triumph of mechanism when the century
was young.’ He goes on to say: ‘ Carts were a later
1 institution; and when in 1723 one carried a tiny load
I of coals from East Kilbride to Cambuslang, crowds of
people, it is recorded, went out to see the wonderful
machine; they looked with surprise and returned with
astonishment.’ ‘ Yet in many parts of the Lowlands
they did not come into use until 1760.’ This may have
been so in certain districts, but in Edinburgh carts capable
of carrying half a ton of coal seem to have been common
enough. In 1696 ten carts of coal are brought from Car-
berry ; coals are constantly being carted from Leith;
in 1701 a ‘ cart and all that belongs to it ’ is purchased for
£4 ; and in 1704 a new axle-tree is got for the cart. Both
the price paid and the last entry show clearly that the
Baillies’ cart was not a tumbril, but had wheels revolving
independently of the axle-tree, and there is no reason for
assuming that it was in any way superior to the other carts
mentioned.
IX. Clothing
It is a little difficult for a mere man to form an opinion in
regard to matters of feminine clothing, and it is dangerous
to express it when formed. The first thing that strikes
one in looking through the Clothing Accounts is the change
that has taken place in the meaning of the word ‘ night
gown.’ We find nightgowns of damask, of stained satin,
of yellow satin, of striped satin, of calico, of velvet, etc.,
all lined with various materials, and costing anything
from £1 to £5. They are frequently given as presents.
George Baillie brings back ‘ night gowns ’ from London for
his wife and daughter, and ‘ night gowns ’ are given to his