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lack of spirit, but from natural com- features and fine form. It may be the plaisance and a certain shyness or 'young lady' " from the shop, the shamefacedness inculcated in her up- youthful schoolteacher, the new-wed bringing. Well, "a shamefaced and wife of the smaller professional or faithful woman is a double grace," and mercantile class. Everywhere north to my mind this quality in her is far of Cheviot the type crops out instinct preferable to the sort of forward flip- with a certain burgeoning bounteouspant pertness and feminine aggressive-ness of vitality superadded to a gentle ness occasionally resorted to by her sex flavoring of womanliness, very attracelsewhere. tive to the average man.

And yet, like her own plaintive and touching national music, full, yet with the minor note ever recurrent, with this sort of girl or woman, it seems as if the tears were not far behind the smiles. Nay, have not the very tones of her voice in speech as they ascend the gamut an appealing strain, suggestive of her northern climecloud-shadows never far away from sunshine; or, again, as though we saw in her a survival of the archaic bittersweet minstrelsy of her land. And herein we can trace the strong family likeness to her Cymric cousins.

"The beauty of a woman," we read, 'cheereth the countenance, and a man loveth nothing better." Now, how fares the British Northland in this matter? It has been truly said that probably no quarter of the globe can show a greater proportion of pretty women than London. The pick of the world are to be seen there; the best looking and best dressed women from all quarters of our own land to say nothing of the foreigner-find their way there at one time or another. And, no doubt, for refinement of feature, symmetry of form, freshness, and natural unaffected grace, English women need fear com- I am well aware that such is not the parison with none other. To be sure, presentment of man's modern rival a humorous French author has made most in vogue with the promoters of merry over a certain ungainly type of the Woman's Rights movement. To British female, flat-chested, angular, be strong of mind, unsexlike, assertive, large of foot and tooth; and it is not and jealous of male ascendancy, are a infrequent to find Southerners asso- side of her character which falls more ciating a pronounced variant of this to be insisted upon by those who deem type with Scots women. And Scots- it an impertinence to suggest women, undoubtedly, there are, large, women are to concern themselves with hard-featured, bony, inclining to gawki- the art of pleasing men. But, fortuness; but these merely serve as foil to nately, these views as yet are confined a much more representative and inter- to a very scanty assortment of the sex esting variety. One sees, for example, in Scotland. I think it was Oliver the piquant, wistful face, nose Wendell Holmes who remarked that thought retroussé, grey or violet eyes, "the brain-woman never interests us and brilliant fresh color of damask or like the heart-woman," and as yet the carnation - these set now and again average Scottish lass has not unlearned upon a full, robust figure moulded with this cardinal fact. Kindliness is of the all the shapeliness of the Cnidian essence of her manner, and a certain Aphrodite. There may be neither warmth and heartiness of demeanor "style nor the art of the costumier, pervade all classes. This I have but there is nature's modelling of limb always considered one of their strong and lineament, palpable and admirable. | points It may be a girl fresh from the labor of the factory, or a farm lass in kirtle and short skirt, barefoot and bare-headed, each perchance with a wealth of splen

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that

Kindness in women, not their beauteous

looks

Shall win my love

did tresses built up anyhow into a is the saying of an immortal writer, massive canopy, worthy setting for fair and who shall gainsay it ?

The Scottish matron, too, like her his inveterate dislike to give a direct younger sister, can be very charm- answer to a question. "Weel, I would ing. Often have I noted matured and na say but it micht," I have heard a even elderly women, ruddy, brilliant, score of times in reply to queries which with sparkling black eyes, and frames admitted of an absolutely affirmative Titianesque but still shapely; every response. The national caution is line of their physiognomies speaking of everywhere, and is writ large in the alert observation, common sense, and bewildering jargon of Scots law, which amiability. Of such I call to mind a double-bars every conceivable loophole sample much seen in the eastern parts for evasion in setting out a bargain, of Scotland, as though a raven-haired yet "without prejudice" to doing stock had at some early time been something else thereafter if desired. grafted upon a blonde race. Then there is an auburn-haired variety, with beautiful soft complexion and oftentimes opulence of figure. I have seen striking specimens of this latter kind with hair verging upon pronounced red; a throw-back or atavism, possibly, from the primitive Celt.

From such reflections, one turns to Burns's delightful descriptions of his countrywomen, not the least felicitous of his various appreciations. And who can refuse sympathy with their genuine touch of humanity, making the "whole world kin," that has nevertheless a sad savor when read into passages of the poet's own life.

Then gently scan your brother man,
Still gentler sister woman;
Tho' they may gang a kennin' wrang

To step aside is human.

The Scotswoman, then, remains an illustration for the most part of a certain northern naiveté and naturalness, piquancy and semi-bashful reserve, which the advanced sisterhood have as yet failed to modify into a more obtrusive attitude. And so long as she retains these feminine attributes, with the natural charms she has inherited from the vigorous blood and bone of her race, and the life-giving air of her native soil- so long will the praise of her, as of her sex voiced aforetime in ancient writ, endure forever: "These bring glory unto men. .. and have not all men more desire unto her than

unto silver or gold, or any goodly thing

whatsoever ! " 1

It would take too long to discourse on the "canniness" of the Scot, and

1 I. Esdras, iv. 17-19.

In the "Epistle to a young friend"
Burns has probably given us the most
concise and telling crystallization of
this trait of Scottish character it is pos-
sible to have.

Conceal yoursel' as weel's ye can
Frae critical dissection;
But keek thro' every other man

Wi' sharpened sly inspection.
The advice has a somewhat Machiavel-
lian ring, but, I fear I must add, is not
altogether neglected by the knowing
Northerner.

His pushing ambition is another of the commonplaces of criticism in respect of the Scot. Apropos of this, the oft-quoted or misquoted remark of Johnson at a metropolitan tavern naturally comes up. "Sir, the noblest prospect that a Scotchman ever sees is the highroad that leads him to London." And, were the great "hogshead of sense 99 alive and amongst us now, no cause would he have to withdraw successful barristers, doctors, artists, the observation. For the exodus of business men, from the "land of cakes" to the great southern metropolis is

unceasing; and the Scot's determination to better himself has

generally gone hand in hand with his efforts to acquire knowledge. "There is something noble," said Johnson, of the Hebridean farmer's son, who was wont to go annually on foot to Aberdeen for education, returning in sumnative island, "there is something mer and acting as schoolteacher in his noble in a young man's walking two hundred miles and back again, every year, for the sake of learning." On the other hand, a more critical view of

many generations of books, the corridors set off with portraiture of ancestral warriors point-laced and rapiered, and family beauties displaying ripe Cytherean charms that Peter Paul might have coveted to place upon his easel.

the national peculiarities might incline | well-found library with assortment of to translate Scotch ambition as an eye to the main chance. Which at once brings to mind Dean Hole's capital story, as to why St. Andrew was selected to be the patron saint of Scotland, and the Archdeacon of Calcutta's suggestion that it may have been "because he discovered the lad who had the loaves and fishes."

Out of the Scot's self-esteem grows his obstinacy, and his reluctance to change his opinions, or be shown to have been any wise wrong. We have heard of the raw Sawney who, at a public dinner, being served with asparagus, a dish that was new to him, began eating the wrong end of the stalk. To his next neighbor's suggestion that this was not the edible part of the vegetable his reply was, "Much obleeged, but a' prefer it." This is it exactly. And thus perhaps may his prevalent political mould be accounted for. But I must not stray into politics.

In such homes the essence of hospitality was to be met with. You had the genial welcome, the superabundance of good fare and good drink. There was the sturdy keeper, encased in gamebag and gaiters, ready with his leash of dogs, should you like to try the hill. Or the gillie with gaff or landingnet was at your hest for loch or river, if the rod was your fancy. In time of snow or winter gale, when the woodcock were in and the blast roared down the chimneys, big cheerful fires lit in hall, reception-room, and bed-chamber. Noteworthy, too, the forthright affability and care for your wants in the possessors of these secluded homesteads, sweetened in my own recollection by the graciousness of many

Lastly, let me say a word as to many memories of hospitality in Scottish delightful and accomplished women. country homes. England has grown It was as though the claims of "the too cosmopolitan and is too thickly salt " were a traditional obligation, not permeated by the modernizing railway to be set aside, a remnant of the fashto open the doors of its country houses ion of earlier days before the world freely to the chance wayfarer. In the paced so feverishly fast, when loconorthern recesses of our island it is, or motion was difficult, and society scarce. was different. Antique chateau-like Among other laudable old customs was demesne mansions, solid and deep-that of "passing on "" a guest from one walled, with steep-pitched roof and country house to another. Money, to dormers, flanking turrets, griffinish gar- be sure, was not always too plentiful, goyles, and carved escutcheons, crowd and a Caleb Balderstone might once in in upon the mind's eye. Old-world a way turn up, though never in my gardens trim and formal, with quaint experience with an empty larder. Tosun-dials in their midst, lofty and day, such is the stress of agricultural massy box borders, enormous holly depreciation, Scottish estates have hedges. The ancient dovecot, near changed hands extensively, and upon hand to the dwelling-house, its walls honey-combed into cells for the domesticated birds. Stately belts of plantation clothing the knolls and uplands, within view of the laird's windows. Outside, the "sough " of the firs, the white whisk of a rabbit's tail, the whirr of disturbed pheasant, the curlew's warning "tremolo," or the little sharp 66 screak " of startled snipe from some marish hollow. Indoors, the snug

an old territorial seat nowadays it is quite a chance if you find the historic name and race of former days. More likely, Timkins of Manchester or Jones of Hackney will have bought himself in, with a south country retinue as remarkable for superfluity of airs as for lack of aspirates. Or, mayhap, a successful Scots trader with a broad, native brogue may be the latest proprietor. What this invasion of Scotland by the

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English and general upturn of the old | The other example of a race of gentilproperties is, none but those who go hommes nurtured in "Auld Reekie,' much about the country can conceive! was a scholar of uncommon research, a In some respects, no doubt, the influx man of culture and latterly of leisure; of wealthy new-comers to impoverished one who fully realized the advantages estates has its advantages, improving of otium cum dignitate. Moreover, he the dwellings of the tenantry, and cir- was a philanthropist, and civic beneculating more capital all round to the factor in no small degree. Here, again, benefit of the community. was that indescribable charm of manThe Scottish capital has always num-ner, the gentle urbanity, the unfailing bered among its residents many de- sprightliness and play of humor, conlightful gentlemen of the old school, joined with the delightful gift of concadets ofttimes of ancient and noble versational power, which is so fast families, whose lot it has been to pass becoming a lost art at this jaded end of into various avocations of professional an outgrown century. And there was life. These brought with them into the hospitable board always spread for the higher social coteries of their beautiful chief city the stately and dignified hospitality of their ancestry.

any friend who might drop in to partake of it. I remember mention by this gentleman of a circumstance as within his own recollection, that Mr. Gladstone was once on the point of offering himself as a candidate on the Conservative side for a certain Scotch constituency. One incident, in which Mr. S personally figured, is worth relating. Travelling north from England by rail on a certain occasion, and not being a smoker nor liking the smell of tobacco, he had taken his seat in a non-smoking compartment. Presently,

It has been the good fortune of the writer of these pages to meet with some such, and to have enjoyed their personal acquaintance. With mention of two, both of whom are gone to their rest, I will conclude these sketches. Of one I have already spoken, in connection with Scottish humor. The charm of his captivating presence and manner was the property of all. A singularly representative example, he, of the ancient "gentle" breed and ushered in obsequiously by a railway bearing, genial, dignified, courteous, official, enters a gentleman, pompoussoothfast, hospitable. No ostentation, looking and portly, who, seating himno straining after show or effect, no self opposite Mr. S- proceeds to abruptness, bustle, or hurry, in his produce a cigar-case, and take out a manner or ways. The grace and amen- cigar. Mr. S hereupon politely ity of a refined home were secured to ventured to draw his fellow-traveller's him by the presence of the charming attention to the fact that this was not a young ladies, kinswomen, who tended smoking-carriage, but was jumped upon his household. He was brimful of ex-instantly in a strong, hectoring tone. cellent stories of the past. I remem- "And what right have you, sir, to ber on one occasion at his dinner table assume that because I took out a cigar being much struck with an observation I was going to smoke? Perhaps you he made very pointedly, evidently an- will be good enough to mind your own ticipating my surprise. "My grand- business." father told me he knew a man who had seen Charles I. executed." The statement seems prima facie difficult of belief; but, seeing that the narrator was far into years when I heard him tell the story (now some twenty years since), and his grandsire was a boy when he met the individual who had witnessed the execution, it becomes intelligible.

Mr. S said no more, but, after the imperious gentleman had alighted from the train, asked the guard if he knew who he was.

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"Why," said the railway functionary, "that is The odd coincidence was yet to come.

On arriving home that night what should Mr. S find awaiting him but

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a communication from a high official | flippancy. She is quiet, domesticated,
of State announcing in complimentary" douce," and sympathetic, but seldom
terms that her Gracious Majesty had either impulsive or volatile. Blithe,
been pleased to confer upon him (Mr. frolicsome, and often of madcap spirits
S-) an honorary literary distinction. while a schoolgirl, her adult maiden-
The State official and signatory of the hood seems to take on a certain coyness
letter was the compagnon-de-voyage, a and restraint, as though some lingering
well-known senatorial swashbuckler. threads of her past Puritan garments
To sum up. The sample modern still clung to her. Nevertheless, the
Scotsman is genial, neighborly, kindly, northern lass can be both arch and
and full of "pawky" humor. Square "sonsy,' while frank and simple-
and solid in build, he is usually large minded withal. Moreover, she has
of bone, and with strongly marked plenty of character when the time
facial lineaments. Keenly intelligent, comes to bring it out. She is usually
yet somewhat deliberate both in his reflective and observant, well taught as
bodily and brain movements, he is con- to school learning; sagacious but not
troversial and apt to be dogmatic. As sharp, with a good stock of common
a rule, he is weighty and law-abiding, sense. In countenance she is often
staid and respectable, though not with- high-colored, piquant, and expressive,
out a stray turn for conviviality. For though the even-featured prettiness of
the rest, he has a soft side to the her English sister may be lacking. In
diviner sex; as Cuddie Headrigg puts figure, commonly tall, robust, and of
it in "Old Mortality,' "there's nae- vigorous vitality. In matronhood, and
body sae rough but they have aye a even advanced age, the Scotswoman is
kind heart to the lasses." Having an wont to retain her fine health-tints, the
abundant and unfailing conceit of him- sheen of her eyes, the fair and full
self, he is not easily disconcerted; but, proportions of her shape. Child or
on the other hand, he fiercely resents maiden, wife, mother, or grandame,
the suspicion of being patronized. her sense of melody and love of song
Being at once ambitious and yet mainly cleave to her, they are her national
democratic, he hates privilege till he gifts. Finally, she is imaginative and
has tasted its advantages, and de- often original; practical, but pene-
spises all distinctions in the social lad-trated with an undercurrent of ballad
der till he has himself climbed to the lore and romance. And, like most of
higher rungs. Less fanatic in religion her sex at all periods of their life, she
than his forbears, he retains his attach- fully appreciates a proper man "when
ment to the "Auld Kirk," and is not she sees him.
so insane as to desire her downfall, or
the loss of that status and substance
which contribute to her potentialities
for good. Proud of his nationality, but
not fool enough to clamor for a sham
nationhood, he is shrewd enough to
discern that his own lion - rampant
would gain nothing by dissociation from
the triple lions-passant of England.
Hard at a bargain, provident and pru-
dent, pertinacious and pushing, strong
of will, long of head, and blunt of
tongue, the average Scot makes shift
to shoulder his way through the world,
commonly with success, a staunch
friend and a "dour" foe.

In the typical Scotswoman we meet with neither pertness, smartness, nor

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If, then, I have not overdone the coloring of the above sketches, my readers will doubtless find some excuse for the rather rhapsodical utterance of a popular modern and patriotic novelist: "the happiest lot on earth is to be born a Scotsman."

HANNAH.

From Temple Bar.

CHAPTER I.

IT was six o'clock, and the sun was beginning to sink over the level green meadows. It had been a true April day, raining and shining by turns, with drifting clouds and flower-scented

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