There can be no doubt there is a force and beauty in our Scottish _phraseology_, as well as a quaint humour, considered merely _as_ phraseology, peculiar to itself.

I have spoken of the phrase "Auld langsyne," and of other words, which may be compared in their Anglican and Scottish form.

Take the familiar term common to many singing-birds.
The English word linnet does not, to my mind, convey so much of simple beauty and of pastoral ideas as belong to our Scottish word LINTIE.
I recollect hearing the Rev.Dr.Norman Macleod give a most interesting account of his visit to Canada.

In the course of his eloquent narrative he mentioned a conversation he had with a Scottish emigrant, who in general terms spoke favourably and gratefully of his position in his adopted country.

But he could not help making this exception when he thought of the "banks and braes o' bonny Doon"-- "But oh, sir," he said, "there are nae _linties_ i' the wuds." How touching the words in his own dialect! The North American woods, although full of birds of beautiful plumage, it is well known have no singing-birds.
A worthy Scottish Episcopal minister one day met a townsman, a breeder and dealer in singing-birds.