Series 1 > Letters and papers illustrating the relations between Charles the Second and Scotland in 1650

AN ENGLISH VIEW OF SCOTLAND
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they will informe against their neighbours for their advantage,
and take away their Goods, and then lay the blame upon the
souldiers.
10. For their covetousnesse of their neighbours’ goods, it is
so predominate, that many of them come to the stoole for it;
and of late when any thing is left in their neighbours houses, as
soon as our souldiers are gone they wil take it to themselves;
or if it be beere, ale, or other things vendible, they will sel it
to the souldier and take it to themselves. They say, ‘ When
ther’s a gude house and store of geere, its aw their own.’
Having in some measure (though far short of their ill con¬
ditions) given you a character of the people ; I shal next touch
upon the country, which is something better then some reports
have made it. The fields between Berwick and Edinburgh, as
wel hils as dales are replenisht with com and graine of all
sorts, as barley, oates, hiver, wheat, rye, peas, and beanes, as
plentifull as in most countries in England, but few or no trees,
either for fruit or shade, unlesse it be about a great lairds house,
where there are some, but neither for growth nor goodnesse to
compare with those in England. These Lairds have a greater
command over their vassals, and keep them in greater bondage
to them, then the meanest servants in England. Their persons
and goods are at their Lairds command, both in time of peace
and war. These Lairds have indeed large and spacious houses
strongly built of stone, with many accomodations about them,
but are nothing so neat in their houses or abroad as the
ordinary Gentry of England are. They have few or no glasse-
windows, and those they have have wodden shuts below and
glasse above. In times of peace their recreation is hunting,
(for they have some store of hares, as wel as foule) and drink¬
ing ; besides which they use little or no exercise. Their cattel
and sheep are not so big and fat as ours in England, nor do
they eate so kindly. Their fruit is also soure and ill-tasted,
and not at all relishing or delightful. The weather here is
most uncertain all the yeere long, a great wind will rise above
foure times in a day, and lay of a suddaine, and then be high
again; so for raine and sunshine, and the same day that the
sun parches one with heat, shal its withdrawing cause exceeding
■chilnesse and coolnesse.