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Report of the Committee on
Cottages for 1847; read before the General Meeting of the Society on the
11th of January 1848, by Mr Baillie of Coulterallers, the convener; the
Chair being occupied by the Right Hon. the Earl of Rosebery, one of the
Vice-Presidents of the Society.
As the object and design of
the different premiums offered by the Highland and Agricultural Society
for the improvement of cottages, and for the promotion of cleanliness and
comfort among the peasantry, do not seem of late years to be generally
known even to the members of the Society, and have not attracted the
attention which they deserve, the committee consider it their duty to give
a short account of the different forms in which this class of premiums has
been offered to the public.
Many years ago, the
Society, with a view of improving the condition of the poorer classes, and
of removing the reproach which our Southern neighbours had long cast on
the peasantry of Scotland, of being deficient in habits of order and
cleanliness, proposed to give premiums under certain regulations, to a
limited number of parishes, for the best kept cottages and gardens. As it
was assumed that landed proprietors would gladly avail themselves of the
Society's premiums, it was resolved, that they should be offered in turn
to every county in Scotland; certain counties being selected from the
north, and an equal number from the south. This plan was pursued for
several years, but was ultimately changed, as some districts seemed
indifferent about the premiums, and others frankly avowed that the
cottagers were not in a condition to derive benefit from them—their houses
being so bad, as to preclude them from joining the competition with any
hope of success. It was therefore considered advisable to discontinue the
premiums to the counties, and to allow any parish, wherever situated, to
compete, provided a guarantee was given by the parties applying for the
premiums, to contribute one half of the amount offered. This, it was
hoped, would have had the effect of interesting proprietors and other
influential persons in the different parishes, and of leading them
personally to superintend and stimulate the competitions. The change
seemed at first to promise well; for, on looking back to reports made some
years ago, not only was the number of competing parishes allowed by the
rules complete, but many more applications were made than could be
complied with in any one year. This zeal, however, on the part of
proprietors, was more apparent than real; for in many instances, parishes
applied for and obtained the right to premiums, but never held a
competition nor sent in a report. The committee regret to say that for
several years there has been a falling off in the number of applications ;
and it has been suggested, notwithstanding the pains which the directors
have always taken to publish the premiums, and to invite competition, that
this may be owing to landed proprietors not being in the habit of reading
the lists, and to their being consequently unaware of the benefit
offered-—the committee are of opinion, that it may be attended with some
advantage, to lay before the General Meeting a short statement of the
different premiums connected with cottages, and of the manner in which
they may be applied for.
Hitherto, premiums have
been offered for the best and second best kept cottages, and the committee
now propose that a third prize should be added. If a third prize be given,
the first premium may be reduced to one pound five shillings and a medal,
as at present, where there are five competitors; the second will be one
pound; and the third, fifteen shillings. This alteration has been
suggested by several gentlemen who take an interest in cottage
competitions, and who have observed that the merits of the several
competitors are frequently so nicely balanced, as to make it difficult to
decide who should have the preference, and that, in such cases, the
difference between the first and second premium is, under the present
arrangement, too great. As it is desirable that a cottager who has won the
first premium, and who is therefore precluded from again competing for it,
should not afterwards retrograde, and that the habits which he may have
acquired should be confirmed, it is proposed that, in future competitions,
he shall be allowed to enter the lists; and if it is found that his
cottage is kept equally well with that which shall be declared to be the
best for the current year, he shall receive an additional medal, but no
money premium.
It is proposed that the
garden premium still should be one pound; but as this prize has hitherto
failed to excite the interest among the peasantry which it so highly
deserves, the committee suggest that a medal shall be also presented to
the winner. The cost of a silver medal is inconsiderable, and there is no
doubt that the honour of acquiring a prize, which can be exhibited to his
neighbours, and transmitted to his children, is generally more valued by a
competitor than double its intrinsic value in money. The conditions and
regulations applicable to the cottage and garden competitions, are too
numerous to be mentioned here; but they may be consulted at length in the
general premium list, which is appended to the present number of the
Transactions.
The efforts of the Society
with regard to cottages were for some time exclusively directed to improve
the mode in which the dwellings of the poor were kept by their inmates;
but it soon became apparent, from the various reports received from year
to year, that almost every where cottages were deficient both in
accommodation and repair; and attention was at length turned to the
improvement of the buildings themselves, which indeed should have been the
first step in the process.
With the view of
encouraging the erection of a better description of dwellings than those
generally found in Scotland, premiums were offered to proprietors who
should build on their estates the most approved specimens of cottages; and
though not many claimants have appeared for those premiums, the committee
are happy to say that the directors have received, and published in the
Transactions, the reports and plans of some very superior cottages that
had been erected on various estates, more especially on those of the
Marquis of Breadalbane, the Earl of Rosebery, and Mr Butter of Fascally.
On the suggestion of a
nobleman who takes a great interest in this branch of rural economy,
premiums were also offered for the improvement of existing cottages. The
committee regret, that as yet only one candidate has claimed this prize.
Lord Blantyre last year received the Society's gold medal for the
improvement and enlargement of several cottages, on his estate in East
Lothian. Plans of these cottages, and a statement of the cost of the
alteration and improvement effected on them, were published in the last
number of the Society's Transactions. No report has been received this
year of the improvement of existing cottages during the last three years,
including 1847; but as landed proprietors in many parts of the country are
known to have turned their attention to the subject, the omission may
perhaps be accounted for by the time being too limited for lodging
reports. The conditions required that reports should be sent to the
secretary by the 1st of October, and as many buildings are not finished by
that time, intending competitors may have been prevented from giving in
their claims. The committee recommend that the same premium, viz., the
gold medal, shall be continued and given to the proprietor in Scotland who
shall have improved and enlarged, in the most satisfactory manner, during
the years 1845, 1846, and 1847, five or more cottages; and still further
to encourage the improvement of existing cottages, the committee suggest
that the medium gold medal and the silver medal be given to the
proprietors who shall be considered to stand second and third in merit in
this competition. It is hoped, that by thus inducing as many proprietors
as possible to enlarge their cottages, a great improvement will soon be
exhibited in all parts of the country in the dwellings of the poorer
classes. The committee attach much importance to such a mode of effecting
that improvement, and they would earnestly call to it the attention of
proprietors. Many who would shrink from the outlay involved in the
erection of new cottages may improve and enlarge the dwellings of their
dependents at an expenditure less than is supposed, and in a manner
equally conducive to the comforts and more agreeable to the tastes and
habits of the occupiers, than by building new and ornamental cottages. The
Society's gold medal is still offered to the proprietor who shall have,
during the four years ending with 1848, erected on his estate the greatest
number of approved cottages.
The Society having heard
many complaints of the accommodation provided for unmarried farm-servants,
and the bothy system being generally condemned, as tending to demoralise
those subjected to its influence, offered, for the first time, in the
premium-list of 1847, its gold medal "to the proprietor in Scotland who
shall have erected on his estate, in 1847, 1848, and 1849, the most
approved farm-steading, having reference to the accommodation of
farm-servants." The committee consider this a most important premium, and
shall be much disappointed should it not meet the attention it deserves.
In all parts of Scotland, farm-steadings are found with ample and complete
accommodation of every kind, except that in aid of which this premium has
been offered; and it is conceived, that a greater degree of consideration
for the comforts and wants of farm-servants would be followed by a
corresponding improvement in the habits of that useful and deserving
class.
The only remaining kind of
competition under the charge of the Cottage committee, is for dexterity in
the use of the spade. Some years ago it occurred to some members that in
over-populous districts, where there was a scarcity of work, and the farms
and crofts were small, it might be of advantage to introduce the spade as
an agricultural instrument in the cultivation of such small farms; and, in
consequence, premiums were offered to parishes willing to compete for
them. It has not been a very popular premium from the commencement, and
for the last two or three years has been confined almost to a single
parish. As yet no practical benefit seems to have been derived from it,
and the use of the spade appears to be confined to gardens, and is but
little resorted to even in the cultivation of the smallest farm. Still, as
there are so few premiums offered to agricultural labourers, and as there
is every reason to fear that there will soon be less demand for labour
than for many years past, the committee would be sorry to recommend the
discontinuance of the premium.
In respect to the cottage
competitions of the present year, the committee have much satisfaction in
stating, that more reports have been received than for the two preceding
years. Fifteen reports have been lodged this year, whereas there were only
seven last year. The local committees seem to have shown great care and
discrimination in making their awards. In Berwickshire there have been
competitions in seven parishes; and applications have already been made by
seven additional parishes for premiums in 1848. Among the parishes that
now drop out of the list, having had the benefit of competitions for four
years, the committee cannot refrain from taking notice of Togo and Kells.
The convener of the committee in the former has always shown great zeal in
encouraging the competition both in that parish and in Libberton, where
the premiums were some years ago in operation, and has every year
generously doubled the sums given by the Society.
The parish of Kells is one
of the four parishes which, under the name of the Glenken's Society,
formerly competed for the Society's premiums; and the convener of its
local committee, for many years one of the directors, has, from the
commencement of these premiums, taken a great interest in every thing
tending to the comfort and happiness of the peasantry. At his suggestion,
while in the direction, many improvements were introduced into the mode of
carrying on these competitions, and several new premiums were given by the
Society. The Glenken's Society has always, in offering its premiums to the
people of the district, aimed at a higher sphere of usefulness than has
been contemplated by the Society in its cottage premiums, in as much as it
combined the encouragement of education with the promotion of cleanliness
and good order. Several reports of its proceedings have been published in
the Journal of Agriculture, the perusal of which might be useful to those
societies who wish to carry on competitions, not only in respect to the
habits and comforts of cottagers, but also in reference to the improvement
of their education, and an increased dexterity in their respective trades.
Several other parishes in
Kirkcudbright, and that of Polwarth in Berwickshire, have also sent
satisfactory reports; and the committee trust that such of them as now go
out of rotation, will not consider their labours at an end, but will
endeavour to keep up that spirit of emulation, in respect to cleanliness
and comfort, which they have excited in the minds of the peasantry. As
there are now no less than twelve cottage medals, at the disposal of the
directors, to be given to cottagers who do not reside in the districts
competing for the Society's regular premiums, it is hoped that the various
local associations, which have hithorto taken so much interest in
increasing the comfort of the peasantry, will, in addition to the prizes
given by themselves, apply for medals to be awarded to the deserving.
These honorary rewards have not been sought for so generally as the
Society expected; at the same time, the committee would record their sense
of the exertions which have been made by the Bute Farmers' Society, and
the district of Fettercairn.
Several parishes in
Mid-Lothian and elsewhere which had applied for premiums have had no
competition, or at least have not sent any report of their proceedings,
which perhaps may be accounted for by the absence of the conveners in some
cases, and inadvertence in others. The committee recommend that in any
case where the convener shall apply for a renewal of the premiums, they
shall be granted on the usual terms.
In conclusion, your
committee beg to observe that, in considering the design of cottage
competition, there can be no doubt that it is not a contest to gratify the
vanity of a few cottagers or their landlords that is contemplated by the
Society, but that much higher objects are aimed at. The committee need not
take up time to show the advantages of encouraging habits of cleanliness
and good order among the peasantry—these are self-evident,—but they may
observe, that the premiums are intended to improve the health and comfort
of the rural population, by giving them larger and warmer houses, and
affording them a better system of ventilation and drainage. In the various
reports that have been received from year to year, it has been exceedingly
gratifying to observe how much good has been effected, and how marked the
improvement has been in every respect. Wherever competition has been
successfully carried on, its beneficial effects have not been confined to
those who contended for premiums, but have extended to many cottagers in
the parish who did not enter the lists—and even to those in neighbouring
parishes who have endeavoured to make their dwellings as conspicuous for
cleanliness as the houses of those who have obtained prizes. To those who
have not turned their attention to the subject, the description of houses
in which the poor in many districts of Scotland have been compelled to
dwell is almost inconceivable. The committee might quote striking extracts
from many of the reports lodged with the Society ; but they restrict
themselves to the following, received some years ago from the convener of
the committee in the parish of Thurso. He says, "Much more attention has
been paid of late years to the general cleanliness and comfort of
cottagers in this district than formerly. In my early days, a poor
cottager seldom or never had the luxury of a window in the wall or gable
of his house. Light was only admitted by small openings in the roof, only
occasionally filled with a single pane of glass, and then called a
sky-light, or by a hole in the top of the roof, called a lum, at which the
smoke escaped." The committee fear that though this kind of building is
represented as belonging to the olden time, it may still be found in many
parts of the country, and cannot be too soon displaced by a better
description of cottage. The committee cannot conclude this report without
expressing an opinion, that if the system of cottage competitions is to
produce good results, it must receive not only the countenance but the
active co-operation of resident proprietors. In all cases where they have
neglected to show a personal interest in its success, and where they have
merely offered to cottagers its benefits, without aiding and stimulating
them to work them out, their apathy has been followed by the failure of
the attempt. On the other hand, where a little trouble has been taken to
induce competitors to come forward, where their efforts have been
encouraged, and an interest has been exhibited in their success, the
competitions have been popular and satisfactory, and of great benefit.
Reference has already been made to the exertions of the gentlemen in
charge of different parishes, and the committee cannot but advert in terms
of praise to those of the convener for the parish of Polwarth.
In reference to the above
report, the following observations were made to the meeting by the Earl of
Rosebery:—
His Lordship said that the
Society might be aware of the great interest taken in that subject by
himself for some time past. He had taken the liberty of bringing it before
the Society upon more than one occasion ; and he still thought that it was
one of the most important subjects to which their attention could be
directed, because it affected the whole country, and was therefore a
national object, and because it was one which could not be taken up by the
parties who were really most interested in it, namely, the cottagers
themselves. They occupied a condition of life which rendered them
incapable, by their influence, of forcing upon those who owned the
property, to provide better and more comfortable accommodation for them;
and it was upon that account that he had always pressed upon those who had
the influence, or possessed the power of improving the condition of the
labouring classes of Scotland, the infinite importance of aiding that
excellent work. But he was very anxious, particularly after having heard
the report which had been read, to urge upon the directors and the
committee of the Society, the duty which devolved upon them to examine the
question comprehensively, and the importance rather of turning their
attention to the improvement of existing cottages than of encouraging the
expenditure of large sums in the erection of new ones. He knew that the
greatest prejudice existed against building new cottages—for the best of
all reasons, that it was a very expensive employment; while the
improvement of old cottages might be equally beneficial to the occupants,
and could be effected at a very inconsiderable relative expense. He would
therefore urge upon Mr Baillie and the committee, and the directors
generally, to turn their attention, rather to induce those who are the
proprietors of cottages, to improve them over the whole country, at a
comparatively small expense, by adding more room to the existing cottages,
by giving them more light, and furnishing them with better accommodation
in the way of what might be necessary for cleanliness and comfort —than to
try to induce people to do what he believed upon a large scale never would
be done, namely, to pull down cottages in order to erect others upon a new
and better plan. He did not mean to discourage the erection of new
cottages—quite the reverse ; but being desirous of improving the cottages
of the lower classes of Scotland—holding it to be a national reproach to
permit them to exist in the state in which they were, and being desirous
that a general reformation should take place, not in particular localities
or estates only, but that a general reformation in the national taste, and
in the usages and feelings of those classes, should take place— he thought
that it would be a great object if they could induce persons to effect
this upon a great scale at a small expense, which he was quite certain
could only be done by inviting them to repair and improve existing
cottages, with some comparatively small addition, rather than by urging
them to take down what might be so repaired and renewed. It was for that
practical purpose that he had ventured to rise upon this occasion and urge
the Society to direct its attention to the subject. The Society was one of
those institutions which some political economists did not see the utility
of. He never doubted its utility ; and he believed that no practical or
reasonable man who knew how the affairs of life went on, would have any
doubt of the immense advantages which it is capable of conferring upon the
country. It was of great use, in the first place, in suggesting and
promoting what would not strike individuals as being a very profitable
adventure. But with regard to the subject before them, its task was to
encourage people to lay out money without any profit at all, because he
thought it would be as well to state openly and at once that no profit
would arise from the improvement of the habitations of the poor. It
involved, on the contrary, a positive outlay, from which, however, no one
should shrink if the necessities of the occupant required it. It was,
therefore, by the inducements and recommendations which a Society like
this could hold out, that persons were encouraged to lay out money on what
would never be a profitable investment; and this, he held, was one of the
most important duties to which a public society could direct its
attention. He hoped that the observations which he had made would be taken
in good part, since they had only been thrown out with the hope that the
committee would turn their attention to what would most conduce to the
improvement of the habitations of the working-classes throughout the rural
districts of the country, rather than to invite those, who might be rich,
to engage in the erection of new cottages, unsuitable to the wants, and
opposed to the tastes of the occupiers. |
