The farm-yard is usually built from the plan, and at the expense, of the landlord, under the superintendence of his architect and factor; but a sum is generally allowed to the farmer, for the erection of such cottages as he may require for the lodging of his yearly servants; and these cottages he plans and executes, uncontrolled by any other powers or principles than those suggested by his own feelings of propriety and justice. That these are often low in the moral scale, there are but too many examples to prove. It is a well known fact, that no Scotch manufacturer ever ventures to erect such cottages for his workmen as a farmer does for his labourers. If he did, he would only have the very lowest description of Irish to live in them, as is the case with certain cottages along the west coast; for example, at Stanraer and Girvan. With the progress of things, we have no doubt that this practice will be done away with; and that the farmer's yearly servants will, at least, be placed on the same footing as his horses and cattle. It is now the interest of the farmer to lodge his servants as cheaply as possible; and the interest of the landlord to get as high a rent for his land as he can, with the least outlay of capital for repairs and new erections: but men's views of interest change; and, with a superior degree of human cultivation among all classes, a more refined description of self-interest will require to be gratified. To some landlords, to see and to know that all who live on their estates, and especially the poorest class, who, isolated and ignorant as they now are, cannot help themselves, are comfortable, and possessed of the means of happiness, is a necessary of life. As society advances, this class of landlords will become more numerous, and this is one source from which we look for the amelioration of the lowest description of human habitations in Scotland.
