never apologise before the offence is a good rule, and in certain circumstances a still better rule is, do not apologise at all. i have not the smallest intention of regretting anything that has been written in the foregoing chapters. but i am informed by a scotchman who has been kind enough to read them in proof that there is some likelihood of their being misunderstood. this, of course, would be a thousand pities. so that i shall venture on what may be termed, for the want of a better phrase, an explanation. when dr. johnson was asked to explain his reasons for disliking the scotch, his reply was of the vaguest. lamb also did not quite know why he disliked them; and, on the whole, it is difficult to say flatly why one cannot get on with the simple child of[213] caledonia. as a matter of fact, my own antipathy always amuses me. whether it will amuse the scotch is another matter. but for the sake of their own peace of mind i should like to ask them not to jump to foolish conclusions about various hard things i have said. since the time of burns, scotchmen appear to have yearned for some one who should show them their faults:
oh wad some power the giftie gie us
to see oorsels as ithers see us!
is as frequent on their lips as “the best laid schemes o’ mice and men,” “a man’s a man for a’ that,” and the rest of them. and, in this instance, i have simply done my best to play the r?le of “some power.” to put an ugly man in front of a mirror is not, perhaps, to do him the most tender of services, especially if you comment upon his style of beauty the while. for all that, i am hoping that in some small measure i may be doing great and useful things for the scotch as a nation. if they would only be at a little[214] pains to discover their faults and at a little more pains to correct them, one could encourage hopes for scotland. “much may be done with the scotchman,” said dr. johnson, “if you catch him young,” or words to that effect. i am afraid that to all scotchmen who have passed the age of forty the present volume will be a wasted lesson. but there appear to be a very large number of scots who have not yet attained the prime of life, and it is among these that i expect my counsel to have effect. they really cannot do themselves the smallest hurt by taking to heart the warnings and advice which, as a result of great labour, are here put before them. oh, my dear young scottish friends, let me implore you to be wise in time. if i have beaten you with clubs, be assured that it is as much for your good as for my emolument. if you have bought this book, you never spent a few sixpences to better advantage in your life. if you have borrowed it, as i expect most of you have, you are forgiven, providing you will really try to mend.[215] for all things to which i have set my hand that may cause you pain i am truly sorry. yet, as the chastisers of one’s youth were wont to say, the punishment hurts me far more than it hurts you. i know you will believe me and do your best to love me. whether you do or not, i shall ever continue to take a kindly interest in you and to pray for your general reform.
