With submission, (replied the lieutenant) that were but shallow policy -
it would only serve to make the satire more cutting and severe; and, I think, it
is much better to let it stand in the window, than have it presented in the
reckoning.«
    My uncle's jaws began to quiver with indignation. - He said, the scribblers
of such infamous stuff deserved to be scourged at the cart's tail for disgracing
their country with such monuments of malice and stupidity. - »These vermin (said
he) do not consider, that they are affording their fellow-subjects, whom they
abuse, continual matter of self-gratulation, as well as the means of executing
the most manly vengeance that can be taken for such low, illiberal attacks. For
my part, I admire the philosophic forbearance of the Scots, as much as I despise
the insolence of those wretched libellers, which is akin to the arrogance of the
village cock, who never crows but upon his own dunghill.« The captain, with an
affectation of candour, observed, that men of illiberal minds were produced in
every soil; that in supposing those were the sentiments of the English in
general, he should pay too great a compliment to his own country, which was not
of consequence enough to attract the envy of such a flourishing and powerful
people.
    Mrs. Tabby broke forth again in praise of his moderation, and declared that
Scotland was the soil which produced every virtue under heaven. - When Lismahago
took his leave for the night, she asked her brother if the captain was not the
prettiest gentleman he had ever seen; and whether there was not something
wonderfully engaging in his aspect? - Mr. Bramble having eyed her some time in
silence, »Sister, (said he) the lieutenant is, for aught I know, an honest man,
and a good officer - he has a considerable share of understanding, and a title
to more encouragement than he seems to have met with in life; but I cannot, with
a safe conscience, affirm, that he is the prettiest gentleman I ever saw;
neither can I discern any engaging charm in his countenance, which, I vow to
Gad, is, on the contrary, very hard-favoured and forbidding.«
    I have endeavoured to ingratiate myself with this North-Briton, who is
really a curiosity; but he has been very shy of my conversation ever since I
laughed at his asserting that the English tongue was spoke with more propriety
at Edinburgh than at London. Looking at me with a double squeeze of souring in
his
