In Scotland it used to be quite common to say of a person whose health and strength had declined, that he had _failed_.

To say this of a person connected with mercantile business has a very serious effect upon southern ears, as implying nothing short of bankruptcy and ruin.

I recollect many years ago at Monmouth, my dear mother creating much consternation in the mind of the mayor, by saying of a worthy man, the principal banker in the town, whom they both concurred in praising, that she was "sorry to find he _was failing_." _Honest_ has in Scotch a peculiar application, irrespective of any integrity of moral character.

It is a kindly mode of referring to an individual, as we would say to a stranger, "Honest man, would you tell me the way to -- -- ?" or as Lord Hermand, when about to sentence a woman for stealing, began remonstratively, "Honest woman, whatever garr'd ye steal your neighbour's tub ?" _Superstitious_: A correspondent informs me that in some parts of Mid-Lothian the people constantly use the word "superstitious" for "bigoted;" thus, speaking of a very keen Free Church person, they will say, "He is awfu' supperstitious." _Kail_ in England simply expresses cabbage, but in Scotland represents the chief meal of the day.

Hence the old-fashioned easy way of asking a friend to dinner was to ask him if he would take his kail with the family.