This is all the more creditable to the cause of radicalism because in the days of which I speak the population of Dunfermline was in large part composed of men who were small manufacturers, each owning his own loom or looms.

They were not tied down to regular hours, their labors being piece work.
They got webs from the larger manufacturers and the weaving was done at home.
These were times of intense political excitement, and there was frequently seen throughout the entire town, for a short time after the midday meal, small groups of men with their aprons girt about them discussing affairs of state.

The names of Hume, Cobden, and Bright were upon every one's tongue.

I was often attracted, small as I was, to these circles and was an earnest listener to the conversation, which was wholly one-sided.

The generally accepted conclusion was that there must be a change.