 a Scotchman that can be interpreted
into offence by any individual in the company; and national reflections are
never heard - In this particular, I must own, we are both unjust and ungrateful
to the Scots; for, as far as I am able to judge, they have a real esteem for the
natives of South-Britain; and never mention our country, but with expressions of
regard - Nevertheless, they are far from being servile imitators of our modes
and fashionable vices. All their customs and regulations of public and private
oeconomy, of business and diversion, are in their own stile. This remarkably
predominates in their looks, their dress, and manner, their music, and even
their cookery. Our 'squire declares, that he knows not another people upon
earth, so strongly marked with a national character - Now we are upon the
article of cookery, I must own, some of their dishes are savoury, and even
delicate; but I am not yet Scotchman enough to relish their singed sheep's-head
and haggice, which were provided at our request, one day at Mr. Mitchelson's,
where we dined - The first put me in mind of the history of Congo, in which I
had read of negros' heads sold publickly in the markets; the last, being a mess
of minced lights, livers, suet, oat-meal, onions, and pepper, inclosed in a
sheep's stomach, had a very sudden effect upon mine, and the delicate Mrs. Tabby
changed colour; when the cause of our disgust was instantaneously removed at the
nod of our entertainer. The Scots, in general, are attached to this composition,
with a sort of national fondness, as well as to their oat-meal bread; which is
presented at every table, in thin triangular cakes, baked upon a plate of iron,
called a girdle; and these, many of the natives, even in the higher ranks of
life, prefer to wheaten-bread, which they have here in perfection - You know we
used to vex poor Murray of Baliol-college, by asking, if there was really no
fruit but turnips in Scotland? - Sure enough, I have seen turnips make their
appearance, not as a desert, but by way of hors d'æuvres, or whets, as radishes
are served up betwixt more substantial dishes in France and Italy; but it must
be observed, that the turnips of this country are as much superior in sweetness,
delicacy, and flavour, to those of England, as a musk-melon is to the stock
