"Ou, I am from the Border." "The Border--oh! I thocht that; for we aye think the _selvidge_ is the wakest bit o' the wab!" The following is a good specimen of ready Scotch humorous reply, by a master to his discontented workman, and in which he turned the tables upon him, in his reference to Scripture.

In a town of one of the central counties a Mr.J---- carried on, about a century ago, a very extensive business in the linen manufacture.

Although _strikes_ were then unknown among the labouring classes, the spirit from which these take their rise has no doubt at all times existed.

Among Mr.J----'s many workmen, one had given him constant annoyance for years, from his discontented and argumentative spirit.

Insisting one day on getting something or other which his master thought most unreasonable, and refused to give in to, he at last submitted, with a bad grace, saying, "You're nae better than _Pharaoh_, sir, forcin' puir folk to mak' bricks without straw." "Well, Saunders," quietly rejoined his master, "if I'm nae better than Pharaoh in one respect, I'll be better in another, for _I'll no hinder ye going to the wilderness whenever you choose_." Persons who are curious in Scottish stories of wit and humour speak much of the sayings of a certain "Laird of Logan," who was a well-known character in the West of Scotland.