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 negroes' 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'oeuvres, or
whets, as radishes are served 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 in England, as a musk-melon is to the stock of
a common cabbage.
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