through the air!” Of fine acute sarcasm I recollect hearing an expression from a modern sample of the class, a charming character, but only to a certain degree answering to the description of the older generation.  Conversation turning, and with just indignation, on the infidel remarks which had been heard from a certain individual, and on his irreverent treatment of Holy Scripture, all that this lady condescended to say of him was, “Gey impudent of him, I think.”

A recorded reply of old Lady Perth to a French gentleman is quaint and characteristic.  They had been discussing the respective merits of the cookery of each country.  The Frenchman offended the old Scottish peeress by some disparaging remarks on Scottish dishes, and by highly preferring those of France.  All she would answer was, “Weel, weel, some fowk like parritch and some like paddocks[57].”

Of this older race—­the ladies who were, aged, fifty years ago—­no description could be given in bolder or stronger outline than that which I have quoted from Lord Cockburn.  I would pretend to nothing more than giving a few further illustrative details from my own experience, which may assist the representation by adding some practical realities to the picture.

Several of them whom I knew in my early days certainly answered to many of the terms made use of by his lordship.  Their language and expressions had a zest and peculiarity which are gone, and which would not, I fear, do for modern life and times.

I have spoken of Miss Erskine of Dun, which is near Montrose.  She, however, resided in Edinburgh.  But those I knew best had lived many years in the then retired society of a country town.  Some were my own relations; and in boyish days (for they had not generally much patience with boys) were looked up to with considerable awe as very formidable personages.  Their characters and modes of expression in many respects remarkably corresponded with Lord Cockburn’s idea of the race.  There was a dry Scottish humour which we fear their successors do not inherit.  One of these Montrose ladies, Miss Nelly Fullerton, had many anecdotes told of her quaint ways and sayings.  Walking in the street one day, slippery from frost, she fairly fell down.  A young officer with much politeness came forward and picked her up, earnestly asking her at the same time, “I hope ma’am, you are no worse?” to which she very drily answered, looking at him very steadily, “’Deed, sir, I’m just as little the better.”  A few days after, she met her military supporter in a shop.  He was a fine tall youth, upwards of six feet high, and by way of making some grateful recognition for his late polite attention, she eyed him from head to foot, and as she was of the opinion of the old Scotch lady who declared she “aye liked bonny fowk,” she viewed her young friend with much satisfaction, but which she only evinced by the quaint remark, “Od, ye’re a lang lad; God gie ye grace.”