THE practical character of our busy modern life has done some injustice to the Scottish nation. Not altogether without reason, people have come to regard us in those practical aspects which are least engaging. The typical Scotchman is the keen and pushing man of business who looks closely to the main chance, seldom misses a profitable occasion. and takes religious care that in his dealings with his neighbour he shall never fail in his duty to himself. 'Whatever sterling qualities he may possess. there is supposed to be the minimum of poetry in his composition. The Scots have now more than their share of wealth and honours all over the British possessions and the virtues by which they command success have made them less liked than respected. Their peculiarities of speech and manner lend themselves easily to ridicule. Their constitutional reserve and caution tend to repel easy intimacy; and superficial observers have been shown to appreciate the desirable qualities that lie hidden under a commonplace or chilling exterior. We need hardly wonder. then. that they have seemed to offer unpromising material to the hurried authors of ephemeral novels. These ladies and gentlemen write for their readers; they dash down the vague impressions that glance from the surface of unreflecting minds; their indolence saves them from attempting the discriminating analysis which could only result in lamentable failure. and they dwell either on the trivial or the coarsely emotional life that recommends itself most to the vulgar fancy. It neither suits their genius, nor is it in their capacity, to remember that it is the stillest water that runs the deepest.