The humour of the narrative is unquestionable, and yet no one has tried to be humorous.

In short, it is the _Scottishness_ that gives the zest.

The same ideas differently expounded might have no point at all.

There is, for example, something highly original in the notions of celestial mechanics entertained by an honest Scottish Fife lass regarding the theory of comets.

Having occasion to go out after dark, and having observed the brilliant comet then visible (1858), she ran in with breathless haste to the house, calling on her fellow-servants to "Come oot and see a new star that hasna got its tail cuttit aff yet!" Exquisite astronomical speculation! Stars, like puppies, are born with tails, and in due time have them docked.