The universal geography : earth and its inhabitants

310
THE BRITISH ISLES.
alono- tho coast, people of different origin live in close contact with each otlier, and
yet remain separate. Their blood has not mingled ; habits, customs, and modes of
thought and action have remained distinct. Along the whole of the coast, on that
of the German Ocean no less than on that of the Irish Sea, we meet with colonies
of fishermen, some of whom claim descent from the Northmen, whilst others
look upon the Danes as their ancestors. There are even colonies which tradition
derives from Flanders. Several of the maritime villages consist of two portions,
like the towns on the coasts of Catalonia, Liguria, and Sicily, the upper part
beinc inhabited by Saxon artisans and agriculturists, whilst the lower part forms
the " Marina " of Scandinavian fishermen. These various elements of the
population have, however, become fused in the greater part of the country.
Physically the Scotchman resembles the Norwegian, and this is not solely due to a
similarity of climate, but also to the numerous unions between Scandinavian
invaders and the daughters of the coimtry. The languages of the two countries
also possess more features in common than was formerly believed. The Scotch
speak English with a peculiar accent, which at once betrays their origin. Their
intonation differs from that of the English, and they suppress certain consonants
in the middle and at the end of words. They still employ certain old English
terms, no longer made use of to the south of the Tweed, and, on the strength of
this, patriotic Scotchmen claim to speak English with greater purity than
their southern neighbours. Amongst the many words of foreign derivation in
common use, there are several French ones, not only such as were introduced by
the Normans, but also others belonging to the time when the two peoples were
faithful allies, and supplied each other with soldiers.
The Scotch Lowlander is, as a rule, of fair height, long-legged, strongly built,
and without any tendency to the obesity so common amongst his kinsmen of England.
His eye is ordinarily brighter than that of the Englishman, and his features more
regular ; but his cheeks are more prominent, and the leanness of the face helps
much to accentuate these features. Comparative inquiries instituted by Forbes prove
that physical development is somewhat slower amongst Scotchmen than amongst
Englishmen ;
the former comes up to the latter in height and strength only at the
age of nineteen, but in his ripe age he surpasses him to the extent of about 5
per cent, in muscular strength.* Of all the men of Great Britain those of South-
western Scotland are distinguished for their tall stature. The men of Galloway
average 5 feet 7 inches in height, which is superior to the stature attained in any
other district of the British Islands. The Lowlander is intelligent, of remarkable
sagacity in business, and persevering when once he has determined upon accom-
plishing a task ; but his prudence degenerates into distrust, his thrift into avarice.
There is not a village without one or more banks. When abroad he seeks out
his fellow-countrymen, derives a pleasure from being useful to them, and helps
their success in life to the best of his ability.
The achievements of Scotch agriculturists, who are so little favoured by climate,
must appear marvellous to the peasants of Italy and of many parts of France.
* Forbes ; Hugh
Miller, " First Imprcfsions of England and the English."