CHAMBERS'S INFORMATION FOR THE PEOPLE. 



apt to appear deficient in frankness and generosity. 

 They are not, however, really so. Thztperfervidum 

 ingenium, or fiery genius, attributed to them by 

 Buchanan, is still a deep-seated characteristic of 

 the people. On subjects which they regard as 

 important, they sometimes manifest this excita- 

 bility in a very striking manner ; as, for instance, 

 in their almost universal rising against Charles I. 

 in defence of their favourite modes of worship and 

 ecclesiastical polity. They cherish more than 

 most people a feeling of attachment for their 

 native country, and even for the particular district 

 and spot of their birth ; for their remote as well 

 as immediate kindred, and for everything which 

 reminds them of what is honourable in the doings 

 of those who went before them. A strong sense 

 of religion is a conspicuous feature in the Scottish 

 national character ; free, however, from all regard 

 to external things connected with it. It may at 

 the same time be remarked, that their religion is 

 more doctrinal than venerative or sentimental 

 a peculiarity which may be traced in the plainness 

 of their forms of worship, as either its cause or its 

 effect. There is a considerable tendency in the 

 Scottish intellect to argumentative reasoning, and 

 this shews itself in the service in their churches 

 as well as in their philosophical literature. The 

 domestic virtues flourish in much the same degree 

 in Scotland as in England ; but the humbler 

 classes in North Britain are not nearly so cleanly 

 as the lower English. For centuries, the adven- 

 turous disposition of the Scotch has been re- 

 markable. An immense number of young per- 

 sons every year leave their native country to 

 push their fortune in the busier English cities, 

 in public employment in India, in the colonies, or 

 in other parts of the world. These persons have 

 generally a tolerable education in proportion to 

 their rank and prospects ; and being found pos- 

 sessed of steadiness, fidelity, and perseverance, 

 they rarely fail to improve their circumstances. 

 We are here reminded of the advantage which 

 Scotland has long enjoyed in the possession of a 

 universally diffused means of elementary instruc- 

 tion. This, though in some respects over-esti- 

 mated, has at least insured that nearly every 

 person reared in Scotland has some tincture of 

 literature. 



Under the Education Act of 1872, parents are 

 now obliged to send their children to school, 

 under penalty of fine or imprisonment in case 

 of failure. This act further provides that every 

 public school subject to inspection, and in receipt 

 of public money, shall be open to children of all 

 religious denominations. The jurisdiction of pres- 

 byteries and church courts in Scotch schools is 

 by this act abolished, and transferred to the 

 parochial school-boards ; these being amenable 

 to the chief Board, resident in Edinburgh. 



GOVERNMENTS-ADMINISTRATION. 



The government of the country, since the Union 

 in 1707, has been identical in its leading features 

 with that of England. Scotland, however, has 

 her own laws and forms of procedure, which in 

 many respects differ from those of England. For 

 administrative purposes, Scotland is divided into 

 33 shires or sheriffdoms, comprising about 1000 

 parishes. 



244 



NATIONAL INDUSTRY. 



Agriculture. Nowhere, perhaps, have labour 

 and skrll effected so much, in spite of an ungenial 

 climate and naturally sterile soil. One great 

 advantage of Scotland over England is in the 

 system of fixed leases, generally for nineteen 

 years. The Scottish farmers have shewn them- 

 selves above those prejudices in favour of use and 

 wont which usually characterise their class, and 

 have been ever ready to adopt the suggestions of 

 science and experience. They have accordingly 

 taken the lead in most modern agricultural im- 

 provements drainage, artificial manures, lighter 

 implements, &c. The effects appear in the im- 

 mensely increased value of the real property of the 

 kingdom. 



According to the agricultural returns for Scot- 

 land of 1884, out of the total area of 19,063,231 

 acres, there were under wheat, 68,716; barley, 

 2 3j554; oats, 1,045,895; beans and pease, 

 23,441 ; rye, 7334 ; potatoes, 163,847 ; turnips, 

 484,998. The total number of horses was 

 187,803; of cattle, 1,136,604; and of sheep, 



6,983,293- 



The following shews the valued rental of the 

 chief counties of Scotland between 1664-95, an< ^ 

 in 1882-83 : 



exclusive of railways. 



exclusive of railways and water- 

 works. 



inclusive of railways, valued at 

 62,241. 



exclusive of railways. 



exclusive of railways and canah. 



exclusive of railways and royal, 

 burghs. 



inclusive of railways and canals. 



