Proud Nation

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Scotland has more real autonomy than most foreign observers bother to understand, who think the Border only another kind of Mason-Dixon line. Scotland has full control of its own school system (rated better than England's), its own established church (Presbyterian) and its own legal system, which is based more on Roman law than on English Common Law. Marriage, divorce, drinking and traffic regulations are made in Scotland. Scottish banks issue their own currency, which is interchangeable with English pounds.

Partner, Not Pauper. Like the U.S. Southerner's maledictions on the "damyan-kees," a Scot's abuse of the Sassenachs is often more of an emotional outlet than a political platform. But the emotion was real enough for a Royal Commission to report last July on a two-year study of the recent "deterioration" of relations. The commissioners recommended further "devolution" by letting Scotsmen administer government agencies in Scotland for Scotland, and summarized: "There should be full understanding and recognition . . . that Scotland is a nation, and voluntarily entered into union with England as a partner and not as a dependency."

With that, Scotland will be content. Like the first mate in the whaling story, all Scotland asks of England is "plain seevility, an' that of the commonest, God-damndest kind."

After all, Scotland is no longer a poor relation.