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"The provincial town still belonged essentially to the economy and society of the countryside. It lived by battening on the surrounding peasantry and (with relatively few exceptions) by very little else except taking in its own washing."

What is meant by the phrase "taking in its own washing" and what specifically "it" refers to, peasantry or townspeople?

It's taken from Age Of Revolution 1789-1848 by Eric Hobsbawm

oblivious213213
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    What's the source of this quote? Please [edit] it into your post. – Laurel Apr 24 '23 at 18:04
  • Take a look at https://ell.stackexchange.com/questions/167412/what-is-the-meaning-of-taking-in-each-others-washing. This is kind of the same-but-opposite. If "taking in someone else's washing" is doing someone else's chores for them, then "taking in your own washing" means you are self sufficient. – James K Apr 24 '23 at 18:18
  • It means people provide services for each other, but there is no exportable product, no growth industry, no nett gain. – Weather Vane Apr 24 '23 at 22:37

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