Friend Mac Donald

Scotland is perhaps the only country whose anecdotes alone would suffice to give an exact idea of her inhabitants. Irish anecdotes are exceedingly droll; but they only tend to show the thoughtless side of the Irish character. They are very amusing bulls; but while they divert, they do not instruct. In Scotland, on the contrary, you find in the anecdotes a picture of the Scotch manners and character, as complete as it is faithful. The Scot has kept the characteristics of his ancestors; but his manners have been toned down, and the language he speaks is growing more and more English: he is a changed man, and, in good society, you might be puzzled to tell him from an Englishman.