CHAPTER II.
Donald, a British subject, but no Englishman.—Opinion of the greatest English Wit on the Scotch, and the worth of that Opinion.—The Wit of Donald and the Wit of the Cockney.—Intelligence and Intellectuality.—Donald's Exterior.—Donald's Interior.—Help yourself and Heaven will help you.—An Irish and a Scotch Servant facing a Difficulty.—How a small Scotchman may make himself useful in the Hour of Danger.—Characteristics.—Donald on Train Journeys.—One Way of avoiding Tolls.
n the eyes of the French, the Scot is a British subject—in other words, an Englishman—dressed in a Tam-o'-Shanter, a plaid, and kilt of red and green tartan, and playing the bagpipes; for the rest, speaking English, eating roast beef, and swearing by the Bible.
For that matter, many English people are pleased to entertain the same illusions on the subject of the dwellers in the north of Great Britain.
Yet, never were two nations[A] so near on the map, and so far removed in their ways and character.
The Scots English! Well, just advance that opinion in the presence of one, and you will see how it will be received.
The Scotchman is a British subject; but if you take him for an Englishman, he draws himself up, and says:
"No, Sir; I am not English. I am a Scotchman."
He is Scotch, and he intends to remain Scotch. He is proud of his nationality, and I quite understand it.