George Campbell, 8th Duke of Argyll

At the table

Widespread Adulteration of Basic Foods

Adulteration was widespread, with milk frequently mixed with chalk and water, and butter often colored with added copper.

What people wore

Everyday Men's Fashion Colors

During this period, men's clothing was typically divided into dress and undress; the latter, or everyday wear, often featured frock coats in brown or green colors with black velvet collars.

Getting around

Walking was the common mode of travel

For everyday travel, most people relied on walking, typically covering about 3 miles per hour and rarely exceeding 20 miles in a single day.

What it cost

Weekly wages for typical labourers

A typical labourer's weekly wage was often around 12s, though earnings fluctuated by season, location, and trade. Skilled journeymen, such as shoemakers, could earn more, but family income was often supplemented by wives and children.

Music

Everyday singing and festival traditions

People sang at work and leisure, often drawing from well-known ballads or popular songs like The Mistletoe Bough. At festivals, groups such as mummers and pace-eggers performed dances and songs while wearing masks or fantastic costumes to request alms, often rewarded with eggs and strong beer.

Daily life

Limited access to water and sanitation

Poor urban families often lacked indoor water and shared a street standpipe or an outdoor earth closet privy with many others.