What says the Saint ?" "He replies in character," said M'Intyre; "but you should hear MAlpin sing the original.

The speeches of Ossian come in upon a strong deep bass--those of Patrick are upon a tenor key." "Like MAlpin's drone and small pipes, I suppose," said Oldbuck.

"Well?
Pray go on." "Well then, Patrick replies to Ossian: Upon my word, son of Fingal, While I am warbling the psalms, The clamour of your old women's tales Disturbs my devotional exercises." "Excellent!--why, this is better and better.

I hope Saint Patrick sung better than Blattergowl's precentor, or it would be hang--choice between the poet and psalmist.

But what I admire is the courtesy of these two eminent persons towards each other.