steps, which reaches up to the second story, the floor which is level
with the ground being entered only by stairs descending within the house.

The art of joining squares of glass with lead is little used in Scotland,
and in some places is totally forgotten. The frames of their windows are
all of wood. They are more frugal of their glass than the English, and
will often, in houses not otherwise mean, compose a square of two pieces,
not joining like cracked glass, but with one edge laid perhaps half an
inch over the other. Their windows do not move upon hinges, but are
pushed up and drawn down in grooves, yet they are seldom accommodated
with weights and pullies. He that would have his window open must hold
it with his hand, unless what may be sometimes found among good
contrivers, there be a nail which he may stick into a hole, to keep it
from falling.

What cannot be done without some uncommon trouble or particular
expedient, will not often be done at all. The incommodiousness of the
Scotch windows keeps them very closely shut. The necessity of
ventilating human habitations has not yet been found by our northern
neighbours; and even in houses well built and elegantly furnished, a
stranger may be sometimes forgiven, if he allows himself to wish for
fresher air.

These diminutive observations seem to take away something from the
dignity of writing, and therefore are never communicated but with
hesitation, and a little fear of abasement and contempt. But it must be
remembered, that life consists not of a series of illustrious actions, or
elegant enjoyments; the greater part of our time passes in compliance
with necessities, in the performance of daily duties, in the removal of
small inconveniences, in the procurement of petty pleasures; and we are