If I could present the picture of a Scotch Highland cow, with
her calf by her side, watching the approach of a tourist whom
she thinks is coming too near--could I depict the expression
of her face; that, I would say, would fairly represent what is
meant by “dour.” Not that the cow would take the aggressive,
but, if interfered with, I’ll warrant she would not be the one
permanently injured. Led by this trait a certain Scotchman
always stood up during prayers when others were kneeling, and
sat down when others stood to sing, because, as he exprest it,
the ordinary method was the only one used by the English and he
wasn’t going to do as they did.--JOHN WATSON.
(818)