The Irish standard., 1898-12-24
A CLEVER IRISH JOURNALIST
Delivered on St. Andrews Night
in the City of Montreal.
TRAITS OF SCOTCH CHARACTER
Most Interesting Lecture by the
Eloquent Irishman.

On st. Andrews night, in Montreal,
the following lecture on "Scotchmen as
Seen by an lrishman," was delivered by
j. X. Foran. editor of the United Canada,
tic audience:
Although personally intimately ac-
quaintcd with but few of those whom
have the honor and privilege of address,
ing tonight, yet do not feel myself
stranger amongst you. When my mind
flashes back over the space of 80 odd
years, and my memory conjures up
scenes of my childhood, | can again see
myself, in the deepening twilight of a
summer eve, climbing my mothers
knee and asking her to tell the story Of
William of Delorainc," or to recitc for
mo the fight between "ITtzjames and
Roderick Dhu." when gave upon sue
delight spent in the pcrusal of Scottish
history, Scottish legends and Scottish
poetry; when reflect upon the many re-
verses, Affections, difficulties and heart
breaks Of later years, remember how
often the bitterest pangs were soothed
In the delights Of association with the
romantic magnetism of Scott's mar
velous creations: when, in fine. + ponder
us l often do. upon the many acts of
great kindness. and even of noble gen.
erosity with which have personally met
at the hands of individual Scotchmen.
when all these events rush back upon NV
grateful recollection, | know that in ST.
Andrews home, and amongst the men,
bers of the Caledonia society, am not
II strnngcr-rather am compelled to
cry out with Rob Roy, Nae mister. nor
Campbell me; my foot is on my native
heath. and my name ia Macgregor."
The title chosen for this evenings
lecture, 'scotchmcn as Seen by an Irish
man. may be somewhat misleading.
Far be it from me to presumptively con-
stltute myself the critic Of any race,
much less of individuals. Yet, If there
be any one outside the circle of the Scot
tish race, who should have a deep and
sympathetic appreciation of Scotch
character, Scotch history and Scotch
achievements, that person is surely an
lrshman. When, in the prehistoric
ages-so graphically and scientifically
described by Scotlands great geologist,
Hugh Miller-a mighty convulsion of
nature severed the island of Erin from
the mainland Of Caledonia, the very ba-
salt columns Of the Giants Causeway,
and the corresponding indentations on
the shore OF Cantire, were left as per-
petual monument to attest the union of
the two countries in ages long gone.
And were there never such an adaman-
tine reminder In existence, the grand
old Gaelic t0nguc-with It's Ossianic
imagery, its musical flow. and it's Won
derful elnsticity-despite the .varlances
in the South and North in Ireland. In
Highland and LoWland in Scotland
would serve to perpetuate the evidence
of a common origin and once glorious
union of the two races.
Seeing that the next lecture of this
series will have for its subject the life,
works and influence of Sir Walter Scott,
and that my talented and kind friend,
NJ N,;,
men of Canada, find that there remains
for me to merely convey in a brief man
ner some of the opinions and views
which study or experience has enabled
me to form concerning the sOns-and l
might add the daughters-of that
Land OF brown heath and shaggy wood,
Land of the mountain and the flood.
In contemplating, with impartial eye,
the real Scottish character. 1t SENS to
mo that two very distinct characteristics
arrest the attention. They are patriot
ism and generosity. BY patriotism
mean an undying love Of country, and
all that may be associated with 1t, which
naturally includes an attachment to
ones fellow countrymen, and sincere
desire for their advancement and happi-
ness. The unrctlectins, the prejudiced,
or the cnvious may see in this species
of exclusivcncsg or clannisllness; but
such is far from being the case. In the
generosity to which l refer, we find a
direct rcfutation OF that unjust opinion.
The Scotchman's generosity Is based on
justice; 1t commences at home, In the
family circle: it expands, according as
his means allow, until it takes In his
fellow countrymcn Of every class: and,
like the pebble dropped into the pond, It
creates cvcr-increasins circles, untn It