OLD-FASHIONED CUSTOMS IN DUMFRIESSHIRE.

Southland Times, Issue 905, 24 February 1868, Page 2

OLD-FASHIONED CUSTOMS IN DUMFRIESSHIRE.

Every respectable family gave a great tea-party once a year. The " tea " was quite a feast. The order of feasting was regulated by strict rules sanctioned by long usage. There were first oat-cakes and delicious ham, then came piles of toast soaked in butter, then home-baked " scones " and honey, then biscuits with jams and jellies, then currant buns, and finally large pieces of rich " shortbread." The " pressing " was dreadful. We constantly remembered our old proverb — "meats quid but mense is better," so every one affected to stop before they intended to do so. Immediately the kind and fussy mistress was upon you : " Tou had eaten nothing." " Hoo did ye manage to leeve ava ?" &c.'^? There was no escaping. You had "to go the whole round." But the eating was not the worst ; the drinking was something that will scarcely now be credited. It began with a "cinder" in your last cup of tea ; this was the birse cup. JN"o interval intervened between the removal of the tea-things and the introduction of the materials for toddy. To this the older men settled themselves down with a will, the younger folks going off to the barn, which had been " red-up " for the occasion, to dance reels and contra-dances, or to engage in games involving " wads " or forfeits, the relieving of which involved a great deal of kissing. Fifteen tumblers was r»o unprecedented quantity to be consumed by the seniors. Sometimes the landlord, when he suspected his guests of an intention of escaping, locked the room door, putting the key in his pocket. The wives sat round the room, sipping glassfuls gallantly handed to them by the men. Before commencing, everyone's health was drunk by each guest in succession. These were the days of toasts and " sentiments." " Corn, horn, wool, and yarn." "Live and let live," "The single married and the married happy." " May the evening's enjoyment bear the morning's reflection," were among the more common. Everyone had to propose a sentiment or sing a song. After the host could prevail on his guests to drink no more, there was always the " guidwife's tumbler," which she filled out to each with her own hand. But even after tbis the drinking was not quite over. When you were in the lobby the host attacked you again. Every one had to take a glass of raw whiskey to " keep out the cauld" and help him home this was " doch-and- dhorras." As an illustration of the drinking habits I may mention the following: — A noted clergyman, after preaching an evening sermon, went to a farm house, noted for its hospitality, for supper and bed. After eleven tumblers of toddy had been consumed, the servants were ordered in for prayers. The niece and the housekeeper (from whom I have my information) went in gladly, carrying a tray to remove the glasses. " Stay, stay, Miss Mysie," said the minister, " we'll just shoot (push) the things into the middle of the table, and they'll be easier drawn back after exercise." — " Eeminiscenses of a Quinquigenarian."