J. Buchan (peace be upon him) described the Scots as a people of "fevered beliefs and unprofitable loyalties". Besides the poetic brilliance of such an observation of his and my people, it came to mind that it also described a certain type of American citizen. They can be very bright. They can even be good looking. What they lack is that "fey" charm of standing about in mists tootling on some contraption which, by all reports, must have a dying cat of irritable sentiments sewn up in its bag. What I mean is these Americans of fever and unprofit are not charming nor are they historic or attractive to tourists.
Politically it would be the Greens or Ron Paul supporters. Religiously, the fundementalist or atheist. Culturally, the neo-agrarians or comic books aficianados.
Perhaps you know or are such a person.
There is no medicine for your fever better than being chased through the damp heather alone and forgotten.
Your loyalty can be perhaps enjoyed, as the Scots learned, as a lost cause.
The Oracle suggests those two remedies. Take daily for two to five centuries and you too might finally find that you have gained respite from what about you annoys the heck out of everyone else.
You will be, with the Bonnie Prince, charming. (no pun intended)
3 comments:
Boswell: "Sir, it is true I am a Scotchman, but I cannot help it."
Johnson: "I hear that is a fault many of your countrymen cannot help."
The Romans had the right idea by building Hadrian's Wall to prevent the ancient inhabitants of Scotland from making military raids on Roman Britain. I know what you're thinking, but maybe just living there gives its inhabitants and their descendents a sense of superiority.
Evan's thinking the modern Scottish are really Irish.
Post a Comment