TWA CANNY SCOTS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VI, Issue 919, 11 October 1879, Page 2

TWA CANNY SCOTS.

The Saturday Advertiser is responsible for the following little story : — Although antiquarians differ on many questions, there is one subject upon which they are all pretty well in agreement, and this is, that Gaelic was the original language spoken in Eden. . Every pedantic coxcomb has a smattering, of French or German, but few, indeed, are there, excepting those that are natives of the heather hills of Scotia, or the wilds of Innisfail, who can boast of the honor of being able to express themselves in the primitive tongue of humanity. It's a grand old language, and a useful one too, as the following account of an amusing little incident which occurred last week will serve to illustrate : — Mr Hector M'Philabeg happening to hear that his friend, Mr. Ronald M 'Burgoo, had taken up his, winter quarters at one of Her Majesty's mansions in the North Island, applied to the Governor of the Gaol for permission "tae hae 'sma' crack wi his freen." The gaoler, who is a most obliging gentleman, acceded to Mr. M'Philabeg's request, but informed that individual that he would be obliged to take a note, of the conversation. The visitor offered not the slightest, objection. M 'Burgoo was accordingly sent for, and an animated conversation was at once commenced by the friends, whilst the gaoler stood, note-book in his hand, looking the very picture of astonishment and despair. When his surprise had somewhat abated, he ventured to remark — " This won't do, you must talk English ; it's against the regulations to speak Hebrew, here." M*Philabeg, who entertains a thorough contempt for the " Sassenach," turned on the officer a look of ineffable scorn and contempt, and replied — "Ah, weel, weel, yer no tae blame, for your ignorance; but M 'Burgoo and mysel' hae transacted oor wee bit buissiness, an', I'll wish ye a verra guid day, Mr. Gaoler." And the scene closed.