ENGLISHMEN, IRISHMEN AND SCOTSMEN.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 222, 12 September 1908, Page 4

ENGLISHMEN, IRISHMEN AND SCOTSMEN.

Looking at the 'population of the three kingdoms, it may easily be perceived that there is considerable difference among them as to temperament. The Irish are gav, ardent; the Scotch are comparatively cool, steady, and cautious; the English are perhaps a fair average between the two. We remember that it was not inelegantly observed by a friend that an Englishman thinks and speaks; a Scotsman thinks twice before he speaks; and an Irishman speaks before he thinks. A ladv present added. "A Scotsman thinks with his head, an Irishman witii his heart." This allusion to impulse operating more rapidly than deliberation is akin to Miss Edgeworth's remark that an Irishman may cl'r with his head, never with his heart; one truth, however, being that he obeys his heart, not always waiting for the dictates of his head. Some years ago there was a caricature very graphically poijU'aying these grades of difference in the ardour of the three uatious. An Englishman, au Irishman, and a Scotsma.'i were .represented as looking through a confectioner's window at a beautiful voting woman who wits serving in the shop. roll!" exclaimed Mr. Patrick', "do let us be spending a half-crown with the dear crayture, thill we may look at her eoiivitniently and have a bit of a chat with her."

"You extravagant dog," said M.\ (leorge, "I'm sure one-half the money would do ipiile as well. But let us go in by all means; she is a charming girl.'' "Ah! wait a wee!'' interposed .Mr. Andrew; . iinna ye ken it'll serve our purpose eipiallv nveel to ask the bonnie lassie to gie us twa sixpences for a shillm,', ami inquire whore's Mr. Thompson's house, and sic-like'; We're no hungry, and may as wool save the siller.' A GOOD CrSTOMKR. The evening was being devoted to the. telling of anecdotes. One of the young men laughed at n certain joke until the tears streamed down his 1 "it'reminded him. ho said, of a friend of bis who used to like to drink a mug of ale at a certain inn. 110 visited this inn a good deal, and was always very particular about having liis own mug. One evening lie said to the barmaid; '• A mug of boor, Nellie, and be careful to ilraw it' in my own pewter. Makn no mistake." "No fear of making a mistake about your pewter." the barmaid answered. '• I can tell it quite easily." '■ Tlow so?'' "fly Ihe handle," said the barmaid. •' It's' 'lwavs warm!"