For, whatever
their national vices, the Scotch and Irish of our day maintain a
character for chastity superior to that of many of their more fortunate
and more civilized neighbors. Bundling, as now practiced in these
kingdoms, is merely a matter arising from the ignorance, or the poverty
of the inhabitants; and, while not salutary in its moral or physical
influence, is, at all events, less abused than we might reasonably
expect.
In regard to
WALES.
We learn from Woodward's admirable history of that kingdom, the
following facts concerning the domestic habits of its people in the
twelfth century:
"At night a bed of rushes was laid down along one side of the room,
covered with a coarse kind of cloth, made in the country, called
_brychan_; and all the household lay down on this bed in common, without
changing their dresses. The fire was kept burning through the night, and
the sleepers maintained their warmth by lying closely; and when, by the
hardness of their couch, one side was wearied, they would get up and sit
by the fire awhile, and then lie down again on the other side. It is to
this custom of promiscuous sleeping, that some of the worst habits of
the Welsh at the present day may be ascribed; and from the same custom
which their forefathers, the ancient Britons, practiced, arose C?¦sar's
supposition that they were polyandrous polygamists.
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