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“ He has been quick to see and grasp the enormous power of wealth, and in some cases the passion for accumulation has superseded all else — the devotion to money has become almost sublime in its intensity. ”

“ Scotchmen, in accordance with their extreme character, often attain to a height of reckless expenditure to which there is, happily, nothing in English character to be compared. But the national history proves that, without a single hesitation, they have again and again sacrificed material welfare to political and religious ideas, and this to an extent to which English history presents no parallel. The wealthy Scot, as seen by English eyes, is generally a man who has raised himself to wealth. Long exercise of self-denial has made it a second nature. ”

“ They are inordinately fond of money, and they are possessed of infinite caution. "A canny Scot" has come to be a proverbial expression. As to their alleged avarice, it is to be noted that Scotland, in comparison with England, is a poor country, and therefore, of necessity, its inhabitants will set a higher value on a definite sum of money. Then, within the present century Scotland has become much richer than formerly; possibilities of gain have been opened up undreamt of before. Into this the Scot has thrown himself with all his intense eagerness. ”