GOMHf^AIDHEAJM

m4GOMHf^AIDHEAJMyVN (aAEblG 'S '/fM BEURlsA.LE BOIMH-RADH LE PKOFESSOB BLACKIE.CONVERSATIONSGAELIC AND ENGLISH.WITH PREFACE BY PROFESSOR BLACKIE.EDINBURGH :MAC LACH LAN AND STEWART,goohselUrs lo tjjt flnibtrsilg.1880.PRICE ONE SHILLING.

LIST OF GAELIC BOOKSAnd Works on the HighlandsPUBLISHED'AND SOLD BYMACLACHLAN & STEWART,BOOKSELLERS TO THE UNIVERSITY,63 & 64 SOUTH BRIDGE, EDINBURGH.A liberal discount allowed on orders for exportationor for private circulation.s. ti.M'Alpine's Gaelic and English Pronouncing Dictionary,with Grammar, 12mo, cloth, 9 0... Ditto ditto, hf.-bound calf, 11 0... Gaelic and English, separately, cloth, ... 5 0... English and Gaelic, separately, cloth, ... 5 0M'Leod and Dewar's Gaelic Dictionary, cloth, ... 10 6Alleine's Alarm to the Unconverted, 1 6Saint's Pocket Book, cloth, Is. sewed, 0 6An T-Oranaiche, by Sinclair (in 5 parts), each, 1 CAssurance of Salvation, ISmo, sewed, 0 6Baxter's Call to the Unconverted, 18mo, cloth, ... 1 6... Samt's Rest, translated by Rev. J. Forbes, 2 6Beith's Catechism on Baptism, 18mo, sewed, ... 0 1Bible in Gaelic, 8vo, strongly bound in leather, ... • 7 CBlackie's (Prof.) Language and Literature*of theScottish Highlands, 8vo, cloth, 6 0Boston's Fourfold State, 12mo, cloth, 4 0"Bonar's (Rev. Dr H.) Christ is All, ISmo, sewed, 0 3... God's Way of Peace 1 0Buchannan (Dugald) of Rannoch's Life and Conversion,with his Hymns, 18mo, cloth, 2 0... The Hymns, separately, 18mo, sewed, ... 0 3... Reminiscences of, with his Hymns, andan English version of them by Rev. A.Sinclair, Kemore, cloth, ... ... 3 0Bunyan's Come and Welcome, 18mo, cloth, ... 2 0... World to Come, or Visions from Hell, cloth, 1 6... Grace Abounding, 18mo, cloth, 2 0... Pilgrim's Progress (three parts), cloth, ... 2 664 South Bridge, Edinburgh.Gaelic Boolcs Sold by Maclachlan and Stewart.s. d.Bunyan's Water of Life, cloth, 1 0... Sighs from Hell, 18mo, cloth, 2 0... Heavenly Footman, 18mo, cloth, 1 0Burder's Village Sermons, ISmo, cloth, 1 6Carswell's Gaelic Prayer Book, edited by DrM'Lauchlan, • 15 0Catechism, Shorter, Id. Gaelic and English, 0 2Mother's, Id. Gaelic and English, 0 2Celtic Magazine, Monthly, ... 0 6Confession of Faith, fcap. 8vo, cloth '.. 2 CDàn an Deirg agus Tiomna Ghuill (Dargo andGaul), with a new Translation, Notes, and' Introduction, by C. S. Jerram, 2 6Dewar's (Rev. Dr) The Gaelic Preacher, Svo, ... 0 4Doctrine and Manner of the Church of Rome, ... 0 3Doddridge's Rise aind Progress, 12mo, cloth, ... 3 0Dyer's Christ's Famous Titles, 18mo, cloth, ... 2 6Earle's Sacramental Exercises, 18mo, cloth, ... 1 6Edwards' (Rev. Jonathan) Sermon, sewed, ... 0 2Forbes' (Rev. J.) Baptism and the Lord's Supper, 0 4... An Lochrau : Dialogues regarding theChurch, ' 0 6... Long Gheal: The White Ship; a SpiritualPoem, 0 4Gael (The), a Gaelic Magazine, bound in cloth for1873, 74, 75, 76, and 77, each, v. ... 7 6Gaelic First Book, 18mo, 2d.; Second do., ... 0 4Gaelic Melodies,'English and Gaelic Words, withMusic, new notation, ... 0 6Gaelic Spelling-Book, ISmo, cloth, 0 6Gaelic Tracts, different kinds, sorted, for ... 1 0Grant's (Rev. Peter) Hymns, 18mo, cloth, ... 1 6Guthrie's Christian's Great Interest, ISmo, cloth, 2 0Hall's (Newman) Come to Jesus, 0 6Harp of Caledonia, Gaelic Songs, 32mo, sewed, 0 4Haughton's "A Saviour for You," 0 2Highland Minstrel (Am Eilidh Gaidhealach), ... 1 0Historical Tales and Legends of the Highlands,by Alex. Mackenzie, 3.6History of the Scottish Highlands, HighlandClans, and Regiments, illustrated with Portraitsand Tartans, 2 vols., Svo, ... ... 5,6 064 South Bridge, Edinburgh.

CÒMHRAIDHEANAN GAELIG 'S 'AM BEURLA.LE ROIMH-RADH LE PROFESSORBLACKIE.OONVEKSATIONSINGAELIC AND ENGLISH.WITH PREFACE BY PROFESSORBLACKIE.DorahoaLLraaccoRraaigEDINBURGH:MACLACHLAN AND STEWART,gflokstllcrs to the Stnibfrsitn.1880.

NOTE./c. JClNQ AND Po,, ^F^NTEF^S, _^BEF^pEEN,THIS little book would most probably have never appeared inprint but for the encoiiragement I had the honour to receive fromProfessor Blackie, who is so well known as an accomplished Gaelicscholar, and a warm advocate of Gaelic and its literature. It is now,with much diffidence, given to the public under his auspices. Ihope that it will prove helpful to students of Gaelic, for whoseuse it is intended, and that some at least of its contents will findan echo in the breast of Highlanders generally, especially those ofthem living at a distance from their native glens and straths. As afirst venture in the field of literature, and the first attempt at doingin a small way for Gaelic what has been so successfully done for theContinental languages, I hope that it will meet with some indulgenceat the hands of the critics.It only remains for me to add that to those who may desire aguide to help them in their efforts to pronounce Gaelic, &c, Icordially recommend Practical Lessons in Gaelic, by Donald C.Macpherson, an admirable little book, to be had from Messrs. Maclachlanand Stewart, Edinburgh.THE AUTHOR

A FEW REMARKS ON THE STUDY OFGAELIC.THE Gaelic has generally been esteemed a very difficult language;and no doubt it has its peculiarities, which I shall mentionpresently; but the great hindrances in the way of its acquisitionhave lain rather in accidental circumstances than in intrinsicdifficulty. The double fact that the upper classes in theHighlands, with a few honourable exceptions, do not speak thelanguage of the people, and that it is always more difficult tohold converse with the lower and half educated, or altogetheruneducated classes, than with the educated; this, conjoinedwith the want of a scientific apparatus of grammatical and lexicographicalappliances such as exist in the classical languages, isapt to discourage learners, whose desire to make the acquisitionreceives no spur from any social necessity of making it. Asalmost all the common people in the Highlands now speakpretty tolerable English, and in fact are often more forward tospeak it on common occasions than to use their mother-tongue,only those residents in the Land of Bens who have a speciallove for the people, and who delight to identify themselveswith genuine Highland sentiment and tradition feel a motivestrong enough to induce them to go through the labour ofacquiring a new language which cannot boast of any very richand varied literature to reward their exertions. And thosefew, as I know from experience, have at the very outset hadtheir ardour sadly cooled by the want of a little book of idiomaticphrases and dialogues on common subjects, such as every

\viPreface.Preface.viitraveller on the Continent carries in his pocket, as the key tothe vestibule of German, Italian, French, Eussian, or othermodern language.The conversational method is the method ofnature ; and the entire disuse of it in our great classical schoolsis one of the chief causes of the slowness and painfulness of theprocess by which Greek and Latin are acquired by our Britishyouth.*The want of such a colloquial introduction to Gaelicwill, I feel convinced, be felt no more after this little work, towhich I feel honoured in having been requested to affix a fewwords of preface, shall have found its way into general circulation.The vocabulary which it contains may readily be increasedby the perusal of the admirable dialogues in the CaraidGaidhael,nanby the late Dr. Macleod, of St. Columba, Glasgow,and the Highland Tales, English and Gaelic, by J. F. Campbell(Edinburgh,1860), to which from my own practice, I feelinclined to add the Gaelic translation of the Pilgrim'sProgress,to be obtained with other Gaelic books from the publishers ofthis work, not forgetting, of course, the historical parts of theOld Testament, and the parables of the Gospels.The strictly philological difficulties of the Gaelic languageare of two kinds: those belonging to the vocabulary or materialof the language, and those belonging to its phonic and syntacticgenius.While in passing from English to French, the Englishmanfinds some seven-tenths of the words only old friendswith new faces, in Gaelic, the inverse proportion is nearer thetruth ; out of ten words on which the tyro stumbles only threemay bear any resemblance to his previous stock, and these threecannot always be recognised without going through a process of* The conversational method, os applied to ancient Greek, I haveendeavoured to introduce in my Greek and English Dialogues (London,Mocmillan, 1871), and the same principle applied to modern Greek will befound in the work of Messrs. Yincent and Dickson (London, Macmillan,1879).philological induction, of which the majority of students cannotbe supposed to be capable. It is of importance, however, thatthis induction should be attempted; for it will enable thelearner to start with a certain stock of words, very slightlymodified from what he already possesses. In order to enjoythis advantage, the learner has only to bear in mind thefollowing simple principles :—(1) That b and g are only the flat orblunt forms of p and Jc or hard c ; that ,d in the same way isthe blunt form of i ; that v is only a softer or vocalized form ofb ; and that m is a b with fully compressed lips and the breathsent gently through the nose. (2) That in all languages, the carelessnessof hasty colloquy combines with the vocalic demandsof music (and Gaelic has always been mainly a sung language)in smoothing away consonants in certain positions and presentingthe word in a curtailed shape; and this either at the end, aswhen tho' stands for tliough, or at the beginning as when samplecomes from example, or at the middle as when Père comesfrom Pater, and Mere from Mater. (3) That in many languagesthe pure sound of the consonant is apt to be modified by theaddition of a breathing or aspiration, which compound is oftenmarked by the original consonant with the spirant letter added;as when th in English or 6 in Greek appears as the product of anaspiration following the original dental consonant. In thesame way the Latin c or k is softened down to ch in Gaelic, aswhen deach stands for decern and each for equus, a horse.(4) In comparing languages, the student must bear in mindthat the flexional terminations, as the us in bonus, are noradical part of the word, and must be discounted. Withthese principles in his head, the student of Gaelic will ina very short time easily recognise old friends in a number ofGaelic roots, which at first blush may not reveal their parentageto the unpractised eye. Thus, mios, a month, will at once be

viiiPreface.Preface.ixseen to be identical with, mensis ; gabhar, a goat, withcaper;beatha, life, with vita ; athar with pater by the dropping of theinitial p which takes place also in lan =plenus,roots.and some otherA classified list of these transmuted words with theircognates in English, Latin, or German, made, as he picks themup in reading, will materially aid the progress of the student.*But the great difficulty in Gaelic lies exactly where foreignersfind it in English, viz., in the pronunciation.thing to be noted is that, as in our English wordsplough,Here the mainthough,&c, the final consonant, having been first softened bythe aspiration, at last falls off altogether; so that as a generalrule final gh or dh in Gaelic hardly ever makes any sensibleimpression on the ear.Likewise in the middle of a word,between two vowels, gh and dh are habitually softened off, asin the English proper name Vaughan ; so that gabhar, caper,becomes gour, as in Ardgour,Celtic topography.and other well-known names inTo an Englishman this should certainly notappear strange, delighting as he does in high, sigh, thigh, andother such evanishments of the final consonant of his Saxonroots.But there is a euphonic peculiarity in all the Celticlanguages to which neither the Englishman nor any of hisTeutonic congeners finds an analogy in his mother tongue, andwhich, unless firmly grappled with at the outset, will be a causeof constant annoyance to him in the course of his linguisticprogress.This peculiarity consists in the habitual modification,or, in some cases, complete obliteration, of the initial consonantof the following word by the contagious influence of the longfinal vowel of the preceding word.but when in the common exclamation moThus truaighe means woe;thruaighe — woe_ * Those who have leisure and inclination to pursue Gaelic Etymologyscientifically, will find important aid in Celtic Studies by Ebel, English bySullivan (London, "Williams & Norgate, 1863).is me! the long vowel of mo = mine immediately precedes,the t vanishes altogether, and the pronunciation is mo chroòai.So after gle, very, math, good, becomes mhath, i.e., vah; mh inGaelic being equivalent to our v. This softening of the initialconsonant takes place also in the common concord of adjectiveand substantive, as when mor, big, becomes mhor when joinedto a feminine substantive, in the familiar Skerry vore = thebig reef. The only way to get over this difficulty is persistentlyand emphatically from the very first to pronounce all wordssubject to this change loudly and distinctly in both ways.Thus tigh, a house, pronounced tie; but mo thigh, pronouncedmo high, my house; and this prefix must be fixed in the ear byrepetition as an essential part of the word. A similar methodwill remove the difficulty felt by so many students in referenceto the gender of substantives in German. Instead of the singlebuch, a book, let das buch, tJie booJc, be firmly fixed in the earemphatically from the beginning; and in this way the gender inGerman, or the initial modification in Gaelic, will be learned aseasily as the change of terminational syllables in the cases ofGreek and Latin nouns.I have only to add that in a language where pronunciationand spelling differ so much as in Gaelic, no person who canprocure one should commence the study without the familiaraid of a good teacher, or, if possible, without the best aid—that ofresidence for a few months in some remote Highland district.To those who can do neither, MacAlpine's pronouncing Dictionarymay confidently be recommended.Eesidents and travellers in the Highlands ought also toomit no opportunity of catechising the natives, generally wellinformed on this point, on the significance of the names ofdistricts and places as they occur. These names being, in ninecases out of ten, pictorial or descriptive in their character,

XPreface.will, when properly explained, perform the double service ofimpressing the features of the scenery permanently on themind of the traveller, and of enriching his vocabulary of thelanguage to an extent of which only a living experience couldgive him a conception.CÒMHRAIDHEAN GÀIDHEALACH.COLLEGE, EDINBURGH,Ist June, 1S80.Ciamar a tha 'chuideachd mu'nghealhhan ?An sibh a th'ann, a Dhòmhnuill !'S fhad' o'n Chunnaic sinn sibh.Ciod a bha 'g 'ur cumail ?Nach robh mi 'n Glascho o'n bhami 'n so mu dheireadh !Ciod a chuir a Ghlascho sibh ?Innsidh mi sin duit.Bha mi aig banais mo mhic, Seumas.'S math an gnothuch air an robhsibh.Cha d'thug e tàmh dhomh gus ando gheall mi dol ann.Ciamar a thàinig am baile-mòrruibh ?Cha d'thàinig ach meadhanach.Ciod a th'agaibh 'n a aghaidh ?Tha de dh'ùinich's de dh'ùpraidann's nach mòr nach do chuire mo cheann air aimhreit.An robh sibh ann an carbad nasmùide ?Cha robh's cha bhi.Tha mi taingeil gu'n d'fhuair mi airm' ais do shàmhchair a' ghlinne.Nach fiadhaich an t-sìd a th'againn !Cha chuimhne leam na's fiadhaicheaig an àm so 'n bhliadhna.An cuala sibh mu'n sgiorradh bhrònacha thachair aig drochaidThatha air oidhche di-dòmhnuich?dia chuala mi focal dheth.'N uair a bha'n stoirm aig a h-àirdethuit an drochaid.AN STOIRM, THE STORM.How is the company around the1fire?'Is it you, Donald ?It is a long time since we saw yon.What was keeping you ?Was I not in Glasgow since I washere )ast!What sent you to Glasgow ?I will tell you that.1 was at the wedding of my son,James.You were on a good errand.He gave me no rest till I promisedto go to it.How did the city agree with you ?It agreed with me but indifferently.What have you against it ?There is so much bustle and confusionin it that it nearly putmy head wrong.Were you in the train ?I was not, and will not be.I am thankful that I have got backto the quiet of the glen.What wild weather we have !I do not recollect wilder at thuseason of the year.Have you heard of the sad accidentthat occurred at the TayBridge on Sunday night ?I have not heard a word of it.When the storm was at its heightthe bridge fell.

12 CÒMHRAIDHEAN.Tha mi 'n dochas nach robh carbadsmùide'dol thairis orra aig anàm.Bha, agus thuit e leis an drochaid.An do chailleadh gach neach abha's a' charbad ?Chaineadh.Ni Maith 'g ar teasairginn !Is cinnteach mi gu'm bi cunntascianail againn mu chaileachdaig fairge.Cha bheag na thachair dheth sinair a' gheamhradh so cheana.Chuala mi gu'n d'thugadh lomsgriobair coille 'n Dùin.Tha iad a' deanamh dheth gu'n dochuireadh gu làr mu mhìlecraobh.An d'rinneadh mòran dolaidh 'ambaile uam bùlthean ?Chaidh uinneagan a bhriseadh ansud's an so, mullaichean luidheireana leagail, 'us corra bhàta'chur fodha.'N e sin uil' e ?Bha'n t-sràid a tha ri taobh a' chladaichair a cladhach, 's bha'inballa 'bha 'cumail taice ritheair an taobh a mach air a bhriseadh.Ciamar a chaidh dhuibh-fhèin ?Cha n-fhaod sinn a bhi 'gearan.Chuala mi gu'n do leagadh aon dena tighean agaibh.Cha do leagadh ; ach chaidh antnbhadh a thoirt bhàrr mullachan t-sabhail.Nach mìorailteach gu'n do thearuinnan tigh-còmhnuidh ?Bha de thuramanaich air tacan 'sgu'n do shaoil mi gu'm biodhe nuas mu 'r cinn.Ciamar a dh' f hairich thu aig an àmdheuchainneach sin ?Cha n-urraiun domh na dh'f hairichmi 'chur 'an cainnt a's freagaraichena tha 's na rannan aleanas:—I hope that a train was not passingover it at the time.There was, and it fell with thebridge."Were all that were in the trainlost?They were.Way the Good Being preserve us !I am sure we shall have sad accountsof losses at sea.The losses that have already occurredat sea this winter arenot inconsiderable.I have heard that a clean sweepwas made of Dun wood.It is estimated that about a thousandtrees were brought to theground."Was much damage done in thetown of shops ?Windows were broken here andthere, chimney tops wereknocked down, and a fewboats were sunk.Is that all ?The street along the shore wasploughed up, and the wallthat supported it on the outsidewas broken.How did it fare with yourselves ?"We must not complain.I heard that one of your houseswas knocked down.It is not so; but the thatch wastaken off the roof of the barn.Is it not wonderful that thedwelling-house escaped ?It rocked so much for a short timethat I thought that it wouldfall about our heads.How did you feel during thesetrying moments ?I cannot express what I felt inmore appropriate languagethan that of the followingverses:—"Dh'èirich an fhairge 's shèid a'ghaoth,'Us b' aobhar oillt an fhuaimDo na h-uile aon's an eadhar fhaoinAir faontradh feadh a' chuain.Ach mac an sgiobair, balachanmaoth,Chual e gun gheilt an toinn ;Fiamh aiteis àird gu'n robh 'n aghnùis,Gun smuaireanairroimh'nstoirm.Dh'fheòraich a h-aon de'n sgiobadhethCionnus bha e cho ciùin,' Cha n-'eil eagal dhomh-sa,' fhreagaire,' Tha m' athair air an stiùir.' "Tha na rannan drùiteach sin airtiom' a thoirt air mo chridhe ;'a eigin domh feasgar mathfhàgail agaibh agus dol dachaidh.Cha ghluais sibh ceum gus am faighsibh 'ur cuid de thràth anfheasgair.Tha fiughair aca rium aig an tigh.Ma tha biodh; thoir dhomh dobhoineid.11a tha Màiri 'us thusa air an aonsgeul cha n-'eil math dhomhsacur 'n 'ur n-aghaidh.Ciamar a tha sibh uile's an tigh so?Tha sinn gu math, gu'n robh mathagaibh.Ciamar a tha sibh-f hèin's na bhuineasduibh ?Cha n-'eil aobhar gearain againn.Thigibh a stigh 'us leigibh 'ur n-nnail.So dhuibh cathair taobh an teine.'S ann agaibh-fhèm a tha'n gealbhansuilbhir's a' chagailt sgiorta.CÒMHRAIDHEAN. 13" The curling waves, with awfulroar,A little boat assailed ;And pallid fear's distracting powerO'er all on board prevailed ;Save one, the captain's darlingchild,"Who steadfast viewed the storm,And cheerful, with composure,smiledAt danger's threatening form.' And sport'st thee thus,' a seamancried,' While terrors overwhelm ?''"Why should I fear,' the boy replied,' My father's at the helm !' "TUATHANACHAS, FAEMING.These affecting verses have meltedmy heart; I must bid you goodevening and go home.You shall not move a step till youget your share of the eveningmeal.They expect me at home.If they do, let them ; give me yourbonnet.If Mary and you are of the samemind there is no use in myopposing you.How are you all in this house ?"We are well, thank you.How are you yourself and thosebelonging to you ?"We have no cause to complain.Come in and rest yourself.Here is a chair for you beside thefìre.You have indeed a cheerful fireand a tidy hearth.

14 CÒMHRAIDHEAN.Tha 'mhòine pailte 'a cha n-'eilcaomhnadh orra.'S mòr an t-sochair am pailteasconnaidh.An d'thàinig sibh o'ntigh an diugh?Thàinig.Cha bheag an t-astar a choisichsibh.Tha e mu chòig mile fichead.Bithidh sibh sgìth.Cha n-urrainn domh a ràdh nach'eil.Am bheil thu 'n sin, a Mhòr ?'D è b' àill leibh ?Am bheil a bhanarach a' bleoghana' chruidh ?Tha.Falbh a mach agus abair rithe 'nsoitheach so lìonadh.Falbhaidh.Cùrainnich am bòrd, a Cheit.Càit am bheil an t-anart-bùird ?Gheibh thu e's a' chiste sin thall.An toir mi nuas an t-aran-cruineachd'san t-aran-coirce ?Bheir, agus an t-ìm's a' mhulachagchàise.Na caomhnaibh na th 1air 'ur beulaobh; 's e 'ur beatha.Tapadh leibh.'S ì 'mhin ùr a th' agaibh's an aranso.'S i; fhuair sinn as a' mhuileann iair di-màirt.'N e so a' cheud deasachadh a bh'agaibh dhi ?'S e.Tha i fìor ghrinn.Bu chòir dhi 'bhi sin; oir cha n-fhaca mi riamh bàrr coirce'b'fheàrr na bh'againn ambliadhna.Cia meud mulan a th' agaibh's aniolainn ?Tha sèa-deug againn.Am bi pailteas fodair agaibh do'nchrodh fad a' gheamhraidh'san earrarch!Feats are abundant and are notspared.Abundance of fuel is a greatprivilege.Have you come from home to-day ?I have.You have walked no inconsiderabledistance.It is about twenty-five miles.You are tired.I cannot say that I am not.Are you there, Saradh.What is your will, please ?Is the dairymaid milking the cows ?She is.Go out and tell her to fill this dish.I will.Cover the table, Kate.Where is the table-cloth ?You will find it in the chest overthere.Shall I bring down the wheatenand oaten bread ?Yes, and the butter and cheese.Do not spare what is before you ;you are welcome.Thank you.It is the new meal that you have inthis bread.Yes ; we got it from tha mill onTuesday.Is this the first baking that youhave had of it ?Yes.It is very fine.It onght to be so ; for I never sawa better crop of oats than wehad this year.How many stacks have you in thestack-yard ?We have sixteen.Will you have plenty of fodder forthe cattle during winter andspring ?Tha mi 'smuaineachadh gu'm bi.So fear an tighe 'tighinn.'S mi 'tha toilicht' 'nr faicinn.Tha greis o'n nach robh sibh's a'cheàrn so.Tha dlùth air bliadhn' ann.An d'thug sibh sgeul ùr sam bith anuas as a' ghleann ?Cha d'thug ach gu bheil docharaid, Alastair mòr, gu slàn,fallain.Am bheil guth aige air sgrìob aghabhail an rathad so ?Cha n-fhiosmch mi gu bheil.Ciamar a tha 'n t-Lachdaran ùr a'tighinn ruibh ?Tha gu ro mhath.Am bheil e aoidheil, bàigheil ris ant-sluagh ?Tha e, agus tha e 'toirt misneich'us cothruim do gach duineonarach, dlchiollach air anoighreachd.Is dual da sin ; 's e mac an deaghathar e.Chuireadh e iongantas ort an dragha tha e 'gabhail leis an sgoil.Cha n-'eil ceithir-là-deug 'a a'bhliadhna nach 'eil e 'g ataoghal ma bhios e aig an tigh.Am bheil am buachaill a stigh ìTha mi 'n so.A mach thu do 'n t-sabhal's thoirultach cheannagan do'n bhàthaichairson a' chruidh.An e crodh Gallda no Gàidhealacha th' agaibh ?'S e crodh Gallda a th' againn air a'bhaile so 'us crodh Gàidhealachair a' bhail' eile.'D è 'bhios sibh a' deanamh leis a'bhainne ?Tha sinn 'g a chur do'n Oban ah-uile là.Cia meud pinnt a th'aig gach mart ?Mu chòig pinnt.Thig sin gu mòran airgid aig deireadhna bliadhna.COMHRAIDHEAN. 15I think we shall.Here is the man of the housecoming.I am very glad to see you.There is some time since you werein this quarter.There is nearly a year.Have you brought any fresh newsdown from the glen ?I have not, except that your friend,big Alastair, is perfectly well.Has he any word of taking a tripin this direction ?I am not aware that he has.How do you like the new laird ?Yery well.Is he affable and kind to thepeople ?He is, and he gives encouragementand fair play to every honestand industrious man on theestate.That is hereditary to him ; he isthe son of a good father.The trouble he takes with theschool would surprise you.There is not a fortnight in theyear that he does not visit itif he be at home.Is the herd within ?I am here.Out with you to the barn andbring a bundle of wisps to thebyre for the cattle.Whether is it Lowland or Highlandcattle that you have ?We have Lowland cattle on thisfarm and Highland cattle onthe other farm.What do you do with the milk ?We send it to Oban every day.How many pints has each cow !About five pints.That will amount to much moneyat the end of the year.

22 CÒMHRAIDHEAN.CÒMHRAIDHEAN. 23Gabhaidh, gu'n robh math agaibh.An d'fhuair sibh 'ur gnothuch adheanamh ?Fhuair.Am faigh sibh 's a' bhaile gachgoireas a bhios a dhìth oirbh ?Gheibh ; ach 's àbhaist duinn nah-uibhir de nithe fhaighinn aGlascho.An gabh thu crioman de 'n bhradan?Thoir am buntàta's an t-ìm leaghtean so.Tha'm bradan air ùr-thoirt as anabhuinn.Gabh gloine fìona.Theagamh gur fheàrr leat uisgebeatha.Gabhaidh mi fìon.Leig leam sliseag de 'n mhairtfheoilso 'chur 'ad ionnsuidh.Cha d'fheuch mi riamh feòil a 'sblasda's a's maotha.An gabh thu nis beagan de 'nmhuilt-f heoil ?Tha mi buidheach.An gabh thu làn spàine de'n bhiadhmhilis so ?An gabh thu càise ?An gabh thu ubhal no orange t'S fheàrr leam fìon-dhearcan.Gabh gloine de dh'fhìon dearg.Cuir inn'n cuairt am botuL a Chailein.'S fheàrr dhuinn dol do 'n t-seòmar's am bheil na mnathan uaisle.Tha 'n t-uisg' ann.Cha n-'eil ann ach fras.Tha'm paipeir-naigheachd air tighinn.Thoir h-ugam e.Thoir dhuinn ceòl, 'Iseabal.'S math a chluich thu'm port sin.Thoir a nis dhuinn òran.Ciod a dh'èirich do'n phìobair ?Cha chuala mi sgal d' a phìob andiugh.Shiach e 'chas an raoir aig banaisa' bhrocair.I will, thank you.Did you get your business done tYes.Can yon get in the town every conveniencethat you need ?Yes; but we are in the habit ofgetting several things fromGlasgow."Will you take a bit of salmon ?Bring here the potatoes and meltedbutter.The salmon is fresh from the river.Take a glass of wine.Perhaps you prefer whisky.I will take wine.Allow me to send you a slice of thisbeef.I never tasted sweeter and tendererbeef.Will you now take some of themuttonSI am satisfied.Will you take a spoonful of thispudding ?Will you take cheese ?Whether will you take an apple oran orange ?I prefer grapes.Take a glass of port.Send rouud the bottle, Colin.We had better go to the room wherethe ladies are.It is raining.It is only a shower.The newspaper has come.Bring it to me.Give us music, Isabella.You have played that tune welLGive us now a song.What has happened to the piper ?I have not heard a skirl of his pipesto-day.He sprained his foot last night atthe fox-hunter's wedding.Am bnrraidh ! ach bithibh caoimhneilris a' ghille bhochd.Cha n-e spèis do mhire's do dh'-aidhear a tha 'toirt orm-sapìobair a chumail ach gaol a'chiùil fhèin agus cuimhne nanlàithean a dh'fhalbh. Cha n-'eilceòl ann a dhrùigheas air moohridhe cosmhuil ris.Tha' n t-àm ann airson aoraidh.Buail an clag.An tu 'th' ann, a Màiri bhàn nammìog-shul ?'S mi le 'r cead ; am bheil sibhfhfeingu sunndach ?Mata cha n-'eil; tha mi air mochlaoidh le sgìos 'us cion cadailDhl-chnimhnich mi gu'n robh sibhaig a' bhanais.Co T)hiodh ann mur bithinn-sa, 'sgu'm bu mhi fleasgach bean nabainnse ?Bha mòran agaibh r' a dheanamh.Carson a tha thu 'g ràdh sin ?An cuala sibh riamh an sean-fhocal,"An ni nach cluinn thu 'ndiugh cha n-aithris thu 'mMàireach ?"DWfhaodadhtu innseadh dhomh-sa.An geall sibh nach tig sibh thairisair?Geallaidh ; so mo làmh.'S e mo bharail nach 'eil i math na's leòir air a shon.'S e mo bharail-sa nach 'eil caileag's an dùthaich a's laghaichena i."S i nach 'eil 's nach robh riamhlaghach.Mo naire! a Mhàiri ; cha tèid thusado'n mhonadh am bliadhna,TJ è '8 ciall d' a sin ?Nach 'eil fhios agad ?The blockhead 1 but be kind to thepoor Iad.It is not a liking for mirth andmerriment that makes me keepa piper, but love for pipemusic, and the memory of thedays that are gone. There isno other mnsic that so deeplyaffects my heart.It is time for worship.Ring the beil.A' BHAN"AIS, THE WEDDING.Is it you, fair-haired Mary of thesmiling eyes ?It is, with your permission ; areyou, sir, in good spirits ?Indeed I am not; I am worn outwith fatigue and want of sleep.I forgot that yon were at the wedding.Who should be there if I were not,seeing that I was the bride'sbest man.You had much to do.Why do 3'ou say so ?Have you ever heard the proverb," What you do not hear to-dayyou will not repeat to-morrow ?"You might tell it to me.Will you promise not to repeat it ?I will ; here is my hand.It is my opinion that she is notgood enough for him.It is my opinion that there is not anicer girl in the country.She is not and never was nice.For shame ! Mary ; you will not goto the hill this year.What does that mean ?Do you not know ?

21 COMHRAIDHEAN".Cha n-'eil.Ri linn mo sheallar b'àbhaist do'nchòrdadh a bhi aca air a' mhonadhud.'D è dhe sin ?Bha leac air a mhullach mu mheudachdlic-lighe air am biodh iada' cur a' bheidh's na dibhe.'D è tha 'n 'ur beachd ?Tha nach bi còrdadh agad-sa 'mbliadhna.Beannachd leibh ; comhairlicidh mido Mhiss Anna gun gnothucha bhi aice ruibh.Cha toir i feairt ort.Chì sinn.Turus math dhuit, a Màiri laghach.Cuin a thàinig thu o'n bhanais ?Mu chòis uairean's a' mhaduinn.Cia meud a bh'ann de chuideachd ?Mu dhà fhichead.Co 'phòs iad ?Phòs ministeir na sgìreaachd.Am bheil an sluagh toigheach air ?Tha, agus is math a dh'fhaodas iad,oir tha e càirdeil, aoidheilriutha.'D è 'rinn sibh an deigh dha falbh.Thòisich sinn air an dannsadh.Co 'dhanns a' cheud righil ?Dhanns mise le be anna bainnse, 'adhanns fear na bainnse le'maighdein.Bha righil 'us righil againn an deighsin gus an robh sinn sgìth.An sin leig sibh 'nr n-anail tacan.Leig, 'us chaidh uisge-beatha 'elmvnrn'ii cuairt. An sin thubhairtmise, " Tha bean na bainnse 'gòl oirbh."Thubhairt am fleasgach eile, " Thafear na bainnse 'g òl oirbh."An robh iad a' glaodhaich 's a'deanamh sgaileagan le 'nimeòir ?I do not.In the time of my grandfather theyused to hold the contractmeeting on yon hill.What of that ?There was a flag on the top of itabout the size of a gravestoneon which they used to put thefood and drink.What do you inean ?1 mean that there will be no marriagecontract for you this year.Good-bye ; I shall advise Miss Annto have nothing to do withyou.She will not heed you.We shall see.A good journey to you, daintyMary.When did yon come from thewedding ?About five o'clock in the morning.How many were there of a company!About forty.Who married tliem ?The minister of the parish.Are the people fond of him ?They are, and they may well he,for he is friendly and affable tothem.What did you do after he left JWe began the dancing.Who danced the first reel 1I danced with the bride and thebridegroom danced with hermaid.We had reel after reel after thattill we were tired.You then rested yourselves for awhile.We did, and whisky was sentround. I then said, "Thabride drinks to you."The other best man said, "Thebridegroom drinks to you."Were they shouting and crackingtheir Angel's ?Bha, 'us shaoileadh sibh air uairibligu'n robh na fir air bàinidh.Bhiodh sin a rèir an eòlais air macLÌ bracha.Chan^bairmi nach 'eil beagan de 'nfhìrinn agaibh.An robh òrain 'g an gabhail ?Bha, an dràs's a rìs."N uair a bhiodh sibh sgìth debhreabadh nan cas.Dìreach sin."D è 'tha " cur reast's an urlar " a'ciallachadh ?On bheil stad ri bhi's an dannsadhcar ghreis no gu bheil càraideansònraichte 'g a ghleidheildhoibh-fhcin.'D è 'jo uair a bha e 'n uair a shuidhsibh gu'r suipeir ?Bha e deich uairean.Co 'bh' air ceann a' bhùird ?Bha mise.CQ 'bh'air ceann shìos a' bhùird fBha athair beau na bainnse.An robh cuirm shòghar agaibh ?Bha gach biadh a b'fheàrr againn aghabhadh faotainn's an dùthaich.Am bheil na daoine teom' air a'bhiadh a ghearradh ?Bhiodh e 'n a thàmailt do dhuinemur biodh Ihios aige ciamai aghearradh e cearc no biadh eile.An robh fala-dhà agaibh ?Bha na's leòir.Am bheil an sluagh tugaideach ?Tha, mòran diubh.Am bheil fearas-chu'deachd shònraichtesnin bith aca aig ant-suipeir ?Bithifih iad ri fala-dhà le cnàmhan.Cuiridh feur uchd circe ris an abraran long no cnàimh lom sambith a dh'innsuidh fir eile, adh'fheumas rann a dheanamh.Ma tha na fil geur bheir iad àbhachddo'n chuideachd.COMHRAIDHEAN. 25Yes, and you could fancy at timesthat the men were in a frenzy.That would be in proportion totheir acquaintance with theson of malt.I shall not say that there is notsome truth in your remark.Were songs sung ?Yes, now and again.When you were tired of thumpingthe floor.Just so.What does " arresting the floor''mean ?That dancing is to be stopped for awhile, or that certain couphsare keeping it for themselves.What o'clock was it when you satto supper ?It was ten o'clock.Who was at the head of the table ?I was.Who was at the foot of the table ?The bride's father.Had you a sumptuous feast ?We had the best kinds of food thatcould be got in the country.Are the men good carvers ?It would be a disgrace to a man notto know how to carve a fowl orother food.Had you fun ?We had plenty.Are the people jocose ?Yes, many of them.Have they any particular amusementat the supper.They make sport with bones.Some one will send a fowl's breastcalled the ship or any barebone to another, who mustmake a rhyme.If the men are sharp-witted theywill afford sport to the company.

26CÒMHRAIDHEAN.Nach 'eil coinneamh aca roimh 'nphòsadh a shocrachadh chùisean?Tha dà choinneamh aca' an còrdadhmòr's an còrdadh beag.'D è 'th' air a dheanamh aig a'chòrdadh bheag ?Tha'm fear a' tighinn le companachgu tigh a leanain gu e-fèin athairgseadh.Tha 'n còrdadh mòr 'n a leth ohanais.Tha na càirdean a' cruinneachadhtaobh air thaobh.'D e 'tha air a dheanamh aige ?Tha là na bainnse 's gach cùisfheumail eil' air an socrachadh.Feumaidh gu bheil na bainnseansin cosgail.Cha n-eil teagamh nach 'eil.Nach amaideach na h-niread a chura mach orra ?Cha n-'eil an t-uallach orra-san aigam bheil a' bhanais.Camar sin ?Tha na coimhearsnaich a' cur a stighgach ni 'bhios feumail.Gu dearbh !Cuiridh iad cearcan, uibhean, ìm,mulachagan càise, 'us nitheeile g' an ionnsuidh.Mar so tha càirdeas agus deaghcoimhearsnachd air an cumailsuas.Tha eagal orm gu bheil tuilleadh'sa' chòir de dh'òl a' dol airaghaidh aig na còdhailibh sin.Tha air uairibh ; ach tha na's lughaann dheth na b'àbhaist.Gu ma h- ann na's lugha 'bhios e'fàs a h-uile là.Have they not a meeting beforemarriage to arrange matters tThey have two meetings—the bigcontract meeting and the little.What is done at the little contractmeeting ?The man comes with a companionto his sweetheart's house tooffer himself.The big contract meeting is a halfwedding.The friends of both parties meetWhat is done at it ?The wedding day is fixed and othernecessary arrangements aremade.These weddings must be expensive.No doubt they are.Is it not folly to spend so muchon them ?The burden does not fall on thosewho have the wedding.How so ?The neighbours send in all that isnecessary.Indeed !They send them hens, eggs, butter,cheeses, and other things.Thus friendliness and neighbourlinessare kept up.I fear that too much drinking goeson at these meetings.Yes, at times, but there is less of itthan used to be.May it become less every day.CRUINNEACHADH GAIDHEALACH AN ORAIN.THE OBAN HIGHLAND GATHERING.Fàilt air a' mhaighstir-sgoil ; cia Hail to the schoolmaster; whenceas a thug sibh a' choiseachd ? have you walked ?Is coma cia as ; tha mi air mochlaoidh le teas 'us pathadh.Rachaibh a stigh, a dhuine ghaolaich.Ni mi sin gu toilleach.Am bheil thu 'n sin, a Chiorsdan ?Tha mi 'tighinn.So am maighstir-sgoil an impisfàilneachadh le pathadh.Nach e so au là bruthainneach !Leigibh sibh-fhèin 'n 'ur sìneadhair an uirigh.So 1 so ! a nuas deoch do d' charaid.An gabh sibh deoch mheòig nobhlàthaich «Medg ! blàthach ! Nach 'eil deuridir's a' bhotul ?'5 ann air a shon fhèin a ni'n catcrònan ; ach a dh'innseadh nafìrinn dhì-chuimhnich mi gu'nrobh a leithid's an tigh.An gabh sibh e mar tha e no'n cuirmi uisge 'n a cheann ?"S fheàrr leam deoch mheòig, gu'nrobh math agad.Toilichibh sibh-fhèin."S f heàird mi sin.An ann's an Oban a bha sibh ?'S ann.Tha mi cinnteach gu bheil ùpraidmhòr amn an dràs le luchdturuis.Bha othail ann an dragh co dhiùnach fhaca mise riamh a leithid.Ciod air am bheil sibh a' tighinn ?B' e 'n diugh là nan cluicheanGàidhealach.An do chruinnich mòran sluaighg'am faicinn ?Tha iad a' deanamh dheth nachrobh na's lugha na còig mìlecruinn.Cia as a thàinig iad ?As gach ceàrn de 'n dùthaich mun cuairt's a dùthchanan eile.C ait an robh a' choinneamh air acumail ?COMHRAIDHEAN. 27It does not matter whence ; I amexhausted with heat and thirst.Go in, dear man.I will do so willinglyAre you there, Kirsty ?I am coming.Here is the schoolmaster like tofaint with thirst.What a sultry day !Stretch yourself on the couch.Come! come ! bring a drink toyour friend.Will you take a drink of whey orbutter milk.Whey ! butter milk ! Is there nota drop at all iu the bottle ?The cat purs for itself ; but to tellthe truth I forgot that therewas such a thing in the house.Will you take it as it is or shall Imix it with water ?I prefer a drink of whey, thank you.Please yourself.I am the better of that.Is it in Oban that you were ?Yes.I am sure that there is much bustlein it at present with tourists.There was a commotion in it to-dayat any rate such as I never saw.What do you refer to ?This was the day of the HighlandDid many people assemble to seethem ?It is computed that not fewer thanfive thousand were assembled.Whence did they come 1From every district of the surroundingcountry, and from othercountries.Where was the meeting held ?

2SCOMHRAIDHEAN.COMHRAIDHEAN. 29Air faiche taobh a mach a' bhaile.An robh ao sluagh uile air anfhaiche aig an aon àm ?Cha robh; bha sruth 'us saobhshruthdhiubh air an ais's airan aghaidh eadar am baile's anfhaiche fad an là.An robh an t-èideadh Gàidhealachair mòran diubh ?Bha e air a' chuid bu mhò de luchdna farpuis's air corra 'h-aon dena h-uaislean.An robh farpuis ann mu chaitheamhna cloiche ?Is dùth dhuit-sa 'cheist sin a chur.Bha là 'bha mi maith air caitheamhna cloiche, ach dh'fhalbh an làsin.Bha farpuis ann mu chaitheamh nacloiche, mu thilgeil an ùird,mu chur char de 'n chabar, muleum, mu ruith, mu dhannsadh,'s mu phìobaireachd.Co 'bhuidhinn an duais a b'àirdeairson a' cheud thrì dhiubh sin!Fear ris an abrar DòmhnullDinnie.Cia meud troidh a thilg e 'chlachbu truime ?Naoi troidhe deug air fhichead.Cia meud troidh a thilg e '11 t-òrdbu truime ?A dhà dheug 'us còig fichead troidhagus naoi òirlich.A dhuine chridhe! Nach e 'ncuraidh e !Tha iad ag ràdh gu'm b'urrainn e'thilgeil na b'fhaide na 'n togradhe.An d'fhairich sibh an robh mòrande dh'uaislean na dùthcha airan fhaiche ?Cha n-fhaca mi riamh cruinneachadhcho mòr dhiubh.An robh Professor Blackie, caraidnan Gàidheal, ann ?'S e 'bha, am broilleach na cuideachd.On a field outside of the town.Were all the people on the field atthe same time ?They were not; a stream of themwas passing and repassing all jday between the town and thefield.Did many of them wear the Highlanddress ?It was worn by most of the competitorsand by a few of thegentry.Was there a competition in puttingthe stone ?It is natural for you to put thatquestion.There was a day when I could putthe stone well, but that day ,has passed.There was a competition in puttingthe stone,throwingthehammer,tossing the caber, leaping,running, dancing, and bagpipeplaying.Who won the first prize for the firstthree of these ?A man called Donald Dinnie.How many feet did he throw theheavy stone ?Thirty-nine feet.How many feet did he throw theheavy hammer ?One hundred and twelve feet andnine inches.Dear me! What a champion heis!It is said that he could have thrownit farther had he chosen.Did you notice if many of the gentlemenof the county were on 1 Jthe field ?I never saw so large an assembly ofthem.Was Professor Blackie, the friendof the Gael, there ?He was, in the forefront of thecompany.Co tuilleadh a chunnaic sibh de nah-uaislean ?Chunnaic mi Morair Shraid -albainn,Am Morair Dòmhnullach,am Morair Cailean Caimbeul,mac do Mhac Cailein, an CoirnealIain Mac 'Ille Chaluim, agusmòran a bharrachd.An innis sibh so dhomh ? An robhduaisean air an toirt airsonbàrdachd Gàidhealaich ?Cha robh.Is dùilich sin.Cha b'ionann a' chùis ri linnDhonnachaidh bhàin Mhic-ant-Saoir.Nach do bhuidhinn esan duaisean's an Eaglais-bhric's an Dunèideannairson òrain a sgrìobhe?Bhuidhinn, agus tha na h-òrain sinair mhaireann gus an la 'ndiugh.Ciod air am bheil iad a' tighinn!Air a' Ghaelig's a' phìob mhòir.Nach robh miadh air bàrdachd aigna cluichean ainmeil a bh'aca's a' Ghrèig o shean.Bha, agus b'àbhaist do na bàird'sdo na h-eachdraichean an oibreana leughadh aig na coinneamhansin.'D è 'n seòrsa dhuaisean a bh' airan toirt aca ?Aig coinneamh mhòir Olympia Ve 'n duais crùn de 'n chraoibholaidh fhiadhaich.Thar leam-fhèin gu'm bu leibideachan duais sin.B' eadh, innte fèin, ach bha cliùanabarrach fnaighte rithe.Bha 'n duine 'bhuidhinn i air amheas an duin 'a b'urramaich'am measg nan Greugach.Nach iongantach nach 'eil na h-uachdarain a toirt misneich dona bàird againn-fhèin !'S eadh, 's gur h-i 'Ghàelig cainntan t-sluaigh.Who more did you see of the gentlemen?I saw Lord Breadalbane, Lord Mac-Donald, Lord Colin Campbell,a son of Mac Cailen,Colonel John Malcolm, andmany others.Will you tell me if prizes weregiven for Highland poetry ?There were not.That is a pity.It was different in the time ofDuncan ban Mac Intyre.Did he not win prizes in Falkirkand Edinburgh for songs hewrote ?He did, and these songs survive tothe present day.What is the subject of them!Gaelic and the great bagpipe.Was not poetry in repute at thecelebrated games they had inGreece of old.It was, and the bards and historiansused to read their worksat these assemblies.What kind of prizes was given atthem ?At the great assembly of Olympiatile prize was a crown of tilewild olive.It strikes me that that was a triflingreward.Yes, in itself; but there was verygreat fame connected with it.He who won it was deemed themost distinguished man amongthe Greeks.Is it not surprising that the lairdsdo not encourage our ownbards ?It is, considering that Gaelic is thelanguage of the people.

30 CÒMHRAIDHEAN.COMHRAIDHEAN. 31Tha na h-uachdarain am bidheantas'n an daoine tuigseach, fiosrach.Tha iad, ach cha n-'eil iad chodealasach mu fhòghlum 's adh'fhaodadh iad.Na 'm biodh chitheadh iad gurh-ann trid na Gaclig amhainis urrainn na Gàidheil a bhiair an ionnsachadh gu ceart.Tha e imchuidb. uime sin gu'mbiodh a' Ghàelig air a teagasg's na sgoilean.Nach 'eil e imchnidh cuideachd gu'm biodh a' Bheurla air a teagasgannta ?Gun teagamh; cha n-fhaodardearmad a dheanamh air a'Bheurla.Is duilich nach 'eil leabhar air achur a mach lo Gàelig 'usBeurla taobh ri taobh.'D è'm math a dheanamh sin ?Bhiodh e 'n a chuideachadh mòr do'nòigridh ann an ionnsachadhna Beurla.Tha mi 'g 'ur tuigsinn; 's ann 'n'ur ceann fhèin a tha 'n tùr.'S mithich dhomh a nis dol air mocheum.Gu ma math a bhios sibh.Thugaibh ar beannachd gu 'r cèile,a' bhean chèillidh, chòir.A ghlinn mo ghràidh carson adh'fhàg mi thu? Tha mi 'nso mar bhò mhaoil 'am buailechoimhich.'S truagh mi-fhèin leat; c'uin asguireas tu de d' ghearan's ded' ochanaich ?Cha tig am baile so rium gu sìorruidh,tha mi 'g ràdh nut.AM BAILE, THE TOWN,lThe lairds are generally intelligentand well-informed men.They are, but they are not sozealous about learning as theymight be.If they were they would perceivethat it is only through themedium of Gaelic that Highlanderscan be instructed properly.It is proper, therefore, that Gaelicshould be taught in the schools.Is it not proper also that Englishshould be taught in them ?Undoubtedly ; English must not beneglected.It is a pity that a book is not publishedwith Gaelic and Englishside by side."What good would that do ?It would be a great assistance tothe young in learning English.I understand you; it is in yourhead that the sense is.It is time for me now to pursue myjourney.May all good attend you.Give our compliments to your wife,the discreet and worthy woman.My beloved glen why did I leavethee ?I am here like a polled cow in astrange fold.I am to be pitied with you ; whenwill you cease your complainingand wailing ?This town will never agree withme, I tell you.Mur tig's ann agad-sa's cha n-annaig a' bhaile 'tha choire.'S fheàrr dhuibh sgrìob a ghabhailfeadh a' bhaile dh'fheuch ancuir e saod oirbh.Tha mi seachd sgith d' a chabhsairtioram, cruaidh.Tha sinn air ar cur h-uige gucruaidh le 'r dòighean frionasach.Tha fhios gu'n seasadh tusa domhàthair an aghaidh d'athar.'D è 'dh'iarradh sibh nach 'eilagaibh :—tigli grinn, seasgair,coimhearsnaich shuairce, agusiomadh toileachas-inntinu ?B'fheàrr leam mìle uair na seanachoimhearsnaich, an sean tightubhta, agus na garbhlaicheaum' a thioiiichioll.Tuigidh sibh ri ùine uaisle nambailteau.Uaisle nam bailtean gu dearbh !'S e sin uaisle tholgach an fhasain,mar thubhairt am bàrd.Nach bu taitneach a' choinneamhaig an robh sinn an oidhcheroimhe !'N e 'n t-Soiridh 'tha 'ad bheachdno c'ainni so 'th' air ?An Soiree.Coinneamh na spìocaireachd.Shaoileadh neach nach d'ith thudad ach domlas o'n thàinig thudo'n bhaile.Cupan de dh'eanghlais, sliseagthana de dh'aran-cruineachd,agus fiach a bhonn-a-sèa dereisins.Cha b'ann gu cuirm geòcaireachd abha sinn air ar cuireadh.Chunnaic mi là 'dh'ithinn air aontràth na bh' air a roinn airgach aon a bha 's an àiteshuidhecòmhla rium.Cha n-fhaod e 'bhi nach do thaitinnna ministeirean riut.Mata cha do thaitinn.D e 'choire 'th' agad dhoibh.If not you and not the town are toblame.You had better take a turn throughthe town to see if it will putyou into good humour.I am sick tired of its dry, hardpavement.We are severely tried by yourfretful ways.Of course you would stand by yourmother against your father.What could you desire that youhave not:—a fine snug house,affable neighbours, and manyenjoyments.I would prefer a thousand timesthe old neighbours, the oldthatched house, and the roughgrounds around it.You will by and by understandtown gentility.Town gentility indeed ! That isthe hollow gentility of fashion,as the bard said.What a pleasant meeting we wereat the other night !Do you mean the Soiridh, or whatis it called ?The Soiree.The niggardly meeting.One would be ready to suppose thatyou had eaten nothing but gallsince you came to town.A cup of milk-and-water, a thinslice of wheaten bread, and ahalf-penny's worth of raisins.It was not to a feast of gluttonythat we were invited.I have seen the day when I couldeat at one meal what wasserved to all in the seat withme.Surely the ministers pleased you.They did not.What fault have you with them ?

3iCÒMHRAIDHEAN.CÒMHRAIDHEAN. 35'D è phàirce bheag tha 'n so fodhainn?'S e sin an t-àilean-bhall.Gabhamaid sìos an rathad so.Tha sinn a nis air a' chòmhnard.'D è 'n stìobnll àrd, cuimir a th'air an làimh chlì ?'S e sin stìobull na h-eaglais' ùiremu 'n robh mi 'bruidhinn ruibhair a' bho'n dè.'S e togail eireachdail a th' inntedarireadh.Am bheil i grinn 's an taobh astigh?Cha mhòr a tha cho grinn.Am bheil organ innte ?'S e harmonium is ainm do'n inneal -chiùil a th' innte.'D è 'n seòrsa inneal-ciùil a th' ann ?Tha e car cosmhuil ri piano air antaobh a mach, ach tha fuaimmonmhorach, àrd aige mar th'aig organ.Chì sibh bùithean de gach seòrsa asuas's a nuas an t-sràid.'D è 'n tigh àrd, uinneagach a th'againn 'an so ?'S e sin bank no tigh-malairt airgid.'D è 'n riadh a gheibhear ann airsonairgid ?Cha n-fhaigh ach dà phunnd's adeich as a cheud punnd Sassunnach.'D è 'n soitheach-smùide 'tha chofarumach le 'clag's le 'fcadaig ?J Tè de 'n fheadhainn bheaga 'bhiosa' dol troimh 'n chanal.i Cha n-fhaca mi tigh-òsda o'n,' thàinig sinn a mach.Tha còig eadar sinn's an drochaid.Càit am bheil obair a' ghas ?Tha i's an t-sràid chùil.Nach ann's a' chala' tha'n loingeas 1Tha ceithir-deug ann de loingeasdhaoin' uaisle."What small park is this below us ?That is the bowling green.Let us turn down this way."We are now on level ground."What lofty and graceful steeple isto the left ?That is the steeple of the churchabout which I was speaking toyou the day before yesterday.It is really a handsome building.Is it elegant within ?Few are so elegant.Is there an organ in it ?The musical instrument in it iscalled a harmonium."What kind of musical instrumentis it ?It is somewhat like a piano outside,but it has a loud murmuringsound like that of an organ.You will see shops of every varietyup and down the street.What lofty many-windowed househave we here ?That is a bank.What interest will be received in itfor money ?Only two and a half per cent.What steamboat is it that makessuch a noise with its beil andwhistle ?One of the small ones that goesthrough the canal.I have not seen an hotel since wecame out.There are five between us and thebridge.Where is the gas work ?It is in the back street.What a number of ships is in theharbour !There are fourteen gentlemen's shipsin it.Sud tigh-sgoil a' bhaile aig bun a'bhruthaich.Tha sinn a nis aig a' Phost Office.Cia meud uair 's an là 'bhios ampost a' dol a mach's a' tighinna stigh ?Dà uair.'S mòr an goireas sin do 'n dùthaich.'N e sin an dotair mòr a' dol seachad?A' cheart duine.Nach ann air a tha 'chabhag !Tha de dh'iarraidh aig daoine air'snach 'eil tàmh no fois aige a làno dh'oidhche.An duine beannaichte! 'N uair abha mi air mo dhruim air leabaidh-thinneischa b'urrainn momhàthair a bhi na bu chaomharium.Nach ann air muinntir na faidhreacha tha 'n othail!Tha e coltach ris gu bheil forfhaismhath air eich.Am faic sibh an tigh ud air ambheil aghaidh de chloich ghoireil?Tha mi 'g a fhaicinn.'S e sin an tigh-mòid.An ann 'an sin a bhios an Siorramagus Luchd-riaghlaidh a' bhailea cumail mhòdan ? -'S ann.Tha cho math dhuinn so fhàgailmu 'n coinnich sinn luchdeòlais.Eachamaid sìos seach a' ceàrdach.'D è 'n obair a tha 'dol air aghaidh'an so ?Tha iad ag uidheamachadh ceannuidheairsonan rathaid-iaruinn.Tha mi 'cluinntinn gu bheil iad 'dola thogail laimhrig ùire.Tha iad ag obair orra goirrid uainn.'D e 'n doimhneachd uisge 'th' aigan àite far am bheil iad 'g atogail ?Yonder is the schoolhouse, at thefoot of the brae.We are now at the Post Office.How many times a day does thepost go out and come in ?Twice.That is a great convenience to thecountry.Is that the big doctor passing ?The very man.What a hurry he is in !He is so much in request that hehas no rest either day or night.The blessed man ! When I was onmy back on a sick bed mymother could not be kinder tome.What a bustle there is among themarket people 1It appears that there is a gooddemand for horses.Do you see yon house with a freestonefront ?I see it.That is the Court House.Is it there that the Sheriff andMagistrates of the town holdcourts ?It is.It is as well for us to leave this lestwe meet acquaintances.Let us go down past the smithy.What work is going on here ?They are preparing a terminus forthe railway.I hear that they are going to builda new pier.They are working at it a short distancefrom us.What depth of water is there at theplace where they are buildingit?

36 COMHRAIDHEAN".Mu fhichead troidh aig ìsle làin'smu dhà throidh dheug airfhichead aig àirde làin.Ciamar a tha na clachan air anleigeil le leathad ?Le slabhraidhean agus ulagan iaruinn.Tha inneal-deathaich aca a dh'oibreachadhna h-achfhuinn.Ciamar a tha na clachan air an cur'n an àite gu h-ìosal ?Tha clachairean a' dol sìos.Ciamar a thèid aca air fuireach guh-losal ?Bheir mi oidhearp air sin a mhìneachadhdhuibh.Tha aodach leathraich orra 'tha 'gan còmhdachadh o bhonn ancosan gu 'n amhaich. Tha clogaidchopair air a cur orra a thaaig a h-lochdar air a dlùthadhris an aodach air dhòigh's nachfhaigh deur uisge 'stigh.Ciamar a tha e 'tachairt nach 'eil nafir air an tacadh ?Tha pìob de ghutta-perclia a leigeila stigh àilidh air cùlaobh naclogaide.Cia as a tha 'n t-àileadh a' tighinn 'O inneal-àilidh ris am bheil an daraceann de 'n phìob air a theannachadh.Tha dòigh aca air àilidh shalaich 'aair anabarr àilidh ghloin a leigeila mach.Ciamar a tha iad a' faicinn fo 'nuisge ?Tha tri uinneagan beaga air a'chlogaid.Am bheil an rathad a' dol troimh'n chnoc so os ar ceann ?Tha; coisicheamaid suas g' aionnsuidh.'S iomadh tora, òrd, piocaid, geamhlag,'us baraile fùdair achuidich gu am bealach so'ghearradh.'S iomadh ; 's bha tora aca 'bha 'gobair le cumhachd deathaich.About twenty feet at low water,and about thirty-two feet athigh water.How are the stones let down ?With iron chains and blocks.They have a steam-engine to workthe apparatus.How are the stones put in theirplace under water!Masons go down.How do they manage to remainbelow ?I shall attempt to explain that toyou.They have leather clothes on them,that cover from the soles oftheir feet to their neck. Acopper helmet is put on them,and is fitted so tightly at itslower end to the clothes thatno water can get in.How does it happen that the menare not chocked ?A gutta-percha pipe admits air atthe back of the helmet.Where does the air come from ?From an air-engine to which oneend of the pipe is screwed.They have a method of letting outfoul air and excess of pure air.How do they see under water?There are three small windows onthe helmet.Does the way pass through thishill above us ?It does ; let us walk up to itMany a drill, hammer, pickaxe,crowbar, and barrel of powderhelped to cut this gap.Yes ; and they had a drill thatworked by steam power.Tha sinn a nis air taobh deas a'chnuic.'N e sud an t-each-iaruinn a' curnan smùid dheth ì•8 e.An gille ! Cha chuir sgìos no cuinganalachair-san.Nach i 'n togail ud taobh eil' anlochain eaglais na sgireachd ì'Si.Nach laghach i leis an ailean uaineair a beulaobh, an cladh cianailair a cùlaobh, agus a' challaiddhosrach m' a tiomchioll!Gu ma fada 'bhios an soisgeul air ashearmonachadh innte ann ancànain ghloin nam beann.CÒMHRAIDHEAN. 37We are now on the south side ofthe hill.Is yon the iron horse throwing offits smoke and steam ìIt is.The hero ! Neither fatigue norshortness of breathing willaffect him.Is not yon building on the other sideof the lake the parish church ?It is.Is it not nice, with the green plotin front, the solitary graveyardbehind, and the bushy hedgearound it ?Long may the Gospel be preachedin it in the pure language ofthe mountains.LEABHRAICHEAN GAELIG, GAELIC BOOKS.An aithne dhuibh fear a' bhail' udshuas ?'S aithne dhomh e r' a fhaicinn ;'s esin uil' e.Cha bu mhòr an call ged nach robham barrachd eòlais agaibh air.Tha e coltach ris nach 'eil thu-sabuidheach dheth.Cha n-'eil, 's tha aobhar agam.Ciod a thainig eadaraibh ?Cha tèidstad aira theangaidh ghohhlaicha' diomoladh na Gàelig's gach ni Gàidhealaich." Is tric a dhiomol an ceannaich'am bathar bu mhath leis a bhiaige 'n a mhàileid."Nach dubhairt e rium 'an clàr anaodainn nach 'eil's a' Ghàeligach cainnt dhaoine borba, 'snach 'eil leabhraichean inntea's fhiach an leubhadh !Cha do labhair e ach a rèir an eòlaisa th'aige.Bu chòir dhuibh a ràdh a rèir 'aineolais's a mhi-mhodhalachd.Do you know the man of the farm •up yonder ?I know him by sight, that is all.It would be no great loss thoughyou should have no furtheracquaintance with him.It seems that you are not wellpleased with him.I am not, and I have cause.What is the cause of quarrel!His forked tongue does not cease todisparage Gaelic and everythingHighland.Often has the pedlar disparaged thegoods that he would wish tohave in his pack.Did he not tell me to my face thatGaelic is no better than alanguage for savages, and thatthere are no books in it worthreading!He only spoke according to theknowledge that he has.You should say. according to hisignorance and rudeness.

38 CÒMHRAIDHEAN,Tha thusa tuilleadh 'us cruaidh air.Tha! tha! cha tig a soitheach legoc ach an deoch a thèid ann.Cha sguir thusa de chagnadhnaimhdean na Gàelig."Is duilich leam," mar thubhairtIain Lom, "nach urrainn domhan slugadh."Am feasgar mu dheireadh a bhathu'n so bha seanachas againnmu'n Ghàelig.Bha sin againn, agus bu taitneachan seanachas e.'S fhiach e 'n t-saothair dhuinn airan fheasgar so comhradh a bhiagainn mu leabhraicheanGàelig.C ait an tòisich sinn ?Aig an toiseach.Ach c' ait am bheil an toiseach ?Feumaidh sinn dol air ar n-ais sèano seachd ceud bliadhna.Am bheil an leabhar a's sine 'th'againn an aois sin ?Tha iad a' deanamh dheth gu bheil.C ainm a th' air ?Leabhar Dhecr.'N e ainm àite a th' ann an Deer ?'S e ainm sgìreachd a th' ann a tha'n iar air Ceann-Phadruig, annan siorramachd Aberaidhean.Co 'sgriobh e ?Na manaich ann an tigh-mhanach's an sgireachd.Ciod air am bheil e 'tighinn ?'S e earrannan de'n t-soisgeul annan Laidinn a th' anns a' chuida's mò dheth.Ciod air am bheil na tha 'n aGhàelig dheth a' tighinn ?Tha e gu h-àraid a' tighinn airfearann a thug cinn-fheadhna's a' choimhearsnachd do 'ntigh-mhanach.An ionann Gàelig an leabhair soagus a' Ghàelig againn-ne ?Cha n-ionann; tha mùthadh eatorra.You are too hard upon him.Yes ! yes ! there comes not from acask by a faucet but such liquoras it contains.You will not cease to chew theenemies of Gaelic."I regret,'' as John Lom said," that I cannot swallow them."The last evening that you werehere we had a talk about Gaelic.We had, and a pleasant talk it was.It is worth our while this eveningto have, a conversation aboutGaelic books.Where shall we begin ?At the beginning.But where is the beginning ?We must go back six or sevenhundred years.Is the oldest book that we havethat age ?It is estimated that it is.What is its name ?The Book of Deer.Is Deer the name of a place ?It is the name of a parish to thewest of Peterhead, in Aberdeenshire.Who wrote it ?The mouks in a monastery in theparish.What is its subject ?The most part of it consists of portionsof the Gospel in Latin.What is the subject of the Gaelicportion of it ?Chiefly land given to the monasteryby neighbouring chiefs.Is the Gaelic of this hook the sameas ours ?No; there is a difference betweenthem.'S e 'n ath leabhar a 's sin' a th'againn Leabhar Deadhan LiseMòire, ann an Earraghaidheal.Cuin a bha 'n leabhar sin air achur r' a chèile ?'S a' bhliadhna 1512 ; co dhiù bhae deas's a' bhliadhna sin.Co dhiù's e eachdraidh no bàrdachda th' ann ?Bàrdachd.C ait an d'fhuair iad i ?Air feadh na Gàidhealtachd.Cia meud dàn a th' ann ?Tha còrr 'us tri fichead ann, 'usochd air fhichead dhiubh mu'nFhèinn.Am bheil dàin ann le Oisean ?A rèir an leabhair tha naoi leOisean, dithis le Fergus filidh,agus aon le Caoilte Mac Ronain.Co iad sin ?Triùir bhàrd na Fèinne.Tha sinn a' fòghlum o so gu'n robhiomradh air Oisean's gu'n robhdàin air an cur as a leth ocheann còrr 'us tri cheud 'ustri fichead bliadhna.Ciod an seòrsa Gàelig a th' ann ?An t-aonR Ghàelig's a th' ann anLeabhar Dheer.Cuin a bha e air a chur a mach ?Tha mu fhichead bliadhna uaithe.Co 'dh' ullaich e airson a chur amach ?An T-Ollamh MacLachluinn 'anDun-eideann.'S e 'cheud leabhar Gàelig a bh'air achlòdh-bhualadh Lcabhar-ùrnuighKnox, air eadar-theangachadhgu Gàelig leis an EasbnigCharsallach.Cuin a thàinig e 'mach ?'S a' bhliadhna 1567.Bha e air a chur a mach as ùr leisan Ollamh Mac Lachluinn ocheann beagan bhliadhnaichean.COMHRAIDHEAN. 39The next oldest book we have is" The book of the Dean ofLismore," in Argyll.When was that book put together ?In the year 1512 ; at least it wasready that year.Whether does it contain history orpoetry ?Poetry.Where did they find it ?Throughout the Highlands.How many poems does it contain ?Upwards of sixty, of which twentyeightare Fingalian.Are there poems in it by Ossian !According to the book there arefive by Ossian, two by Fergusthe bard, and one by Caoilte—Mac Ronain.Who are these ?The three Fingalian bards.We learn from this that mentionwas made of Ossian and poemsattributed to him upwards ofthree hundred and sixty yearsago.What kind of Gaelic does it contain?The same Gaelic as in the Book ofDeer.When was it published ?About twenty years ago ?Who prepared it for publication ?Dr. M'Lauchlan, in Edinburgh.The first Gaelic book printed isKnox's Liturgy, translated intoGaelic by Bishop Carswell.When did it come out ìIn the year 1567.It was republished by Dr. M'Lauchlana few years ago.

40 COMHRAIDHEAN'.Bu choltach gu'n robh mòran de naGàidheil comasach air a' Ghàeliga leubhadh's a' bhliadhna 1567.Chuir Seanadh Earraghaidheal amach 'an Gàelig leth cheud dena Sailm's a' bhliadhna 1659,agus an còrr 's a' bhliadhna1694.Bha na Sailm air an cur a mach 'anGàelig leis an Urramach IainKirke, ministeir Bhochuidir,'s a' bhliadhna 1684.Bha Fodair Gàelig air a chur amach le Alastair Dòmhnullach,am bàrd, 's a' bhliadhna 1740.Bha 'n Tionnnadh Nuadh 'an Gàeligair a chur a mach's a' bhliadhna1767.Bha co-chruinneachadh de GhnàthfhocailGhàidhealach air a chura mach le Mac-an-Tòisich's a'bhliadhna 1785.Bha 'n Sean Tiomnadh air a chura mach 'an Gàelig 'n a earrannaibho'n bhliadhna 1783 gus a'bhliadhna 1801, 'n uair a bha'n obair criochnaichte.Bha na Sean Dana air an cur a machleis an Ollamh Mac-a'-Ghobhainn'sa' bhliadhna 1787.Cha n-'eil an leabhar so 'nis furasda'fhaotainn, ach bha dithis d' adhàin ciatach,'' Dàn an Deirg "agus "Tiomnadh Ghuil," ah'an cur a mach o cheann beaganbhliadhnaicheanleC. S. Jerram,M. A. Tha 'Ghàelig agus eadartheangachadhfìrinneach, fìorthaitneach, taobh ri taobh.Tha sinn a' moladh an leabhairso d'ar luchd-dùthcha.Bha Obair Oisein le Mac-Mhuirichair a cur a mach's a' bhliadhna1806.Bha Fodair Gàelig Armstrong air achur a mach 's a' bhliadhna1825, agus Fodair a' ChomuinnGhàidhealaich trì bliadhna andeigh sin.It would appear that many of theHighlanders could read Gaelicin 1567.The Synod of Argyll published inGaelic fifty of the Psalms inthe year 1659, and the rest ofthem in the year 1694.The Psalms were published inGaelic by the Rev. John Kirke,minister of Balquhiddir, in theyear 1684.A Gaelic Vocabulary was publishedby Alexander MacDonald, thebard, in the year 1740.The New Testament in Gaelic waspublished in the year 1767.A collection of Gaelic Proverbs waspublished by Mackintosh inthe year 1785.The Old Testament was publishedin Gaelic in parts from theyear 1783 to the year 1801,when the work was finished.The Ancient Lays were publishedby Dr. Smith in the year 1787.It is not now easy to find this book,but two of its fine lays," Dearg's Lay," and "Goll'sTestament," were publishedsome years ago by C. S. Jerram,M.A. The Gaelic and a faithfuland a very pleasant translationstand side by side. Werecommend this book to ourcountrymen.Ossian's Work, by Macpherson, waspublished in the year 1806.Armstrong's Gaelic Dictionary waspublished in the year 1825, andthe Highland Society's Dictionarythree years afterwards.Cha n-fhaod mi crìochnachadh guniomradh a thoirt air an TeachdaireGhàidhealacli's air Cuairtearnan Gleann.'S ann's na leabhraichean sin a bhasgrìobhainean Gàelig an Ollaimh.Mhic Leòid air an cur amach an toiseach.'S airidh iomradh a thoirt air naSgeulachan Gàidhealach achruinnich I. F. Caimbeul 'sair Dain Oisean 'an Gaelig's'am Beurla les an Ollamh-Mac' a'-Chlèii'ich.Faodaidh sinn a nis bruidhinn muna bàird air am bheil a' bheagno 'mhòr de dh'eòlas aig Gàidheilam bidheantas.Bithidh na 's leoir agaibh r' adheanamh ma bheir sibh iomradhorra uile.Cha n-urrainn domh sin a dheanamhan dràs.Ghabhadh e leabhar gu math mòrcunntas a thoirt air na th'anndiubh.Na'n abradh neach sam bith rium"C'àit am bheil 'ur bàrdachdr' a fhaotainn ?" dh'fhaodainn'aire a thionndadh ri Sàr-Obairnam Bàrd Gàidhealach.Am bheil òrain nam bàrd uile's anleabhar sin ìTha àireamh thaghta ann de dh'òrain le còig 'us dà fhicheadbàrd.'D è'n seòrsa òran a th'annta ?Orain-mholaidh, òrain-chumhaidh,òrain-ghaoil, òrain-shùgraidh,òrain-chogaidh, òrain mu ràitheanna bliadhna, òrain spioradail,agus mar sin sìos.Am bheil gin ann de dh'òrainMhàiri Nic Leòid, ris an abrarMàiri,Ruaidh tTha naoi ann.Niyliean AlastairCOMHRAIDHEAN. 41I must not conclude without makingmention of the Highland Messenger,and the Courier of theGlens.It was in these books that theGaelic writings of Dr. M'Leodwere first published.The Highland Tales collected byJ. F. Campbell, and Ossian'sPoems in Gaelic and Englishby Dr. Clerk are worthy ofmention.We may now speak of the bards ofwhich Highlanders in generalhave less or more knowledge.You will have enough to do if youspeak of them all.I cannot do that at present.It would take a pretty large book togive an account of them alLWere any one to ask me " Whereis your poetry to be found ?"I might tum his attention toThe Beauties of Gaelic Poetry.Are the songs of all the bards inthat book ?There is a choice selection in it ofBongs by forty-five bards.What kind of songs are they ?Songs of praise, laments, love songs,songs of mirth, war songs,songs about the seasons of theyear, spiritual songs, and soforth.Are there any in it of the songs ofMary MacLeod, called Mary,the daughter of red-hairedAlexander!There are nine.

42 CÒMHRAIDHEAN.Càit an d'rugadh i ? \'An Roudal's na H-Earradh.Cuin a rugadh i ?'S a' bhliadhna 1569.'Dè'n aois a bha i 'n uair a chaochaili?Còig fichead bliadhna's a còig.Nach robh i 'n a banaltram 'anteaghlach Mhic Leòid Dhunbheagain?Bha fad iomadh bliadhna,Carson a chuir e i air fògradh doMhuile ?A chionn gu'n robh e diombach dhiairson òrain a riun i.Nach ann 'n uair a bha i'm Muilea rinn i 'n t-òran ciatach sinri3 an abrar "Luinneag MhicLeòid"?'S ann.Nach do chuir e bàta *s sgioba g' atoirt dhachaidh 'n uair a chuale mn'n òran so ?Chuir, ach bha òrdugh aca gun atoirt air bòrd gus an gealladhi nach deanadh i tuilleadhòran.An d'thugi 'n gealladh a dh'iarradhorra ?Thug, 'us fhuair i dhachaidh.An do ghleidh i 'gealladh ?Kinn i òran do mhac do MhacLeòid, agus 'n uair a chronaicheadhi air a shon thubhairti "Cha n-òran a th'ann ; chan-'eil ann ach crònan."An urrainn duibh dad de dh'eachdraidhIain Luim, bàrd Lochabair,a thoirt dhomh ?'S e Dòmhnullach a bh' ann detheaghlach na Ceapaich.'D è 'n linn's an robh e beo ?Ann an linn a' cheud 's an daraTeàrlaich, 's 'n a deigh.Chuala mi gu'n robh e 'n a charaideudmhor do na Stiùbhartaich.Bha, agus 'n a nàmhaid guineachdo rìgh Uilleam's d'a chàirdean,na Caimbeulaich.Where was she born ?In Roudal, in Harris.When was she born ?In the year 1569.What age was she when she died ?One hundred and five years.Was she not a nurse in the familyof M'Leod of Dunveagan ?She was for many years.Why did he banish her to Mull ìBecause he was displeased with herfor a song that she composed.Was it not when she was in Mullthat she composed that finesong called "M'Leod's Ditty"!It was.Did he not send a boat and crew totake her home when he heardof this song ?He did, but they had orders not totake her on board until shepromised that she would makeno more songs.Did she give the promise that wasrequired of her ?She did, and was allowed to go home.Did she keep her promise ?She made a song to a son of M 'Leod,and when reproved for it shesaid, " It is not a song ; it isonly a croon ".Can you give me anything of thehistory of John Lom, the Lochaberbard ?He was a MacDonald of the familyof Keppoch.In what age did he live ?In the age of the first and secondCharles, and after it.I heard that he was a zealous friendof the Stewarts.He was and a bitter enemy to KingWilliam and his friends, theCampbells.Nach e 'sheòl feachd Mhontròse dodh'Inbher-lòchaidh a chumailcòmhdhail ris na Caimbeulaich?'S e ; agus's e 'rinn an t-òran ainmeilsin mu'n bhlàr ris an abrar" La Inbher-lòchaidh ".'D e 'n seòrsa duine 'bh' ann ?Bha e 'n a dhuine geur-chuiseach,dàn, gramail, fiosrach mughnothaichean na linne bnaireasaich'san robh e beò.Cuin a chaochail e ?Mu'n bhliadhna 1710.Bha e aois mhòr 'n uair a chaochail e.Bruinidh sinn a nis mu AlastairDòmhnullach, risan abrar MacMhaighstir Alastair.Rugadh e ann am Muideart mu'nbhliadhna 1700.Bha 'athair 'n a mhinisteir de'nEaglais Easbuigeach ann anArdnamurchan.'D e bu dreuchd dha-fhèm ?Bha e 'n a mhaighstir-sgoil sgìreachd'an Ardnamurchan, 's 'a afhoirfeach's an eaglais.Dh'fheumadh gu'n robh sgoil mhathaige.Fhuair e 'ionnsachadh ann an oilthighGhlascho.Nach do thionndaidh e ris a' ChreideamhPhàpanach ?Thionndaidh 'n uair a dh'fhalbh ele Prionnsa Teàrlach 's a'bhliadhna 1745.Nach e 'rinn '' Oran nam FineachanGàidhealach" agus "Allt ant-siùcair " ?'S e, agus "Am Breacan Uallach,""Fàilte na Mor-thir," " ABhanarach Dhonn," " BeannachadhLuinge," agus mòran abharrachd.Co dhiù's e-fèin no DonnachadhBàn Mac-an-t-Saoir am bàrd a's fheàrr ?Cha n-'eil mi ro chinnteach.)HEAN. 43Was it not he that guided Montrose'sarmy to Inverlochy tomeet the Campbells ?Yes ; and it was he that composedthat celebrated song about thebattle, called "The day ofInverlochy ".What kiud of man was he ?He was a sagacious, bold, resoluteman, well-informed as to theaffairs of the turbulent age inwhich he lived.When did he die ?About the year 1710.He was a great age when he died.We shall now speak about AlexanderMacDonald, called the sonof Mr. Alexander.He was born in Muideart about theyear 1700.His father was a minister of theEpiscopal Church in Ardnamurchan.What was his own profession ?He was parish schoolmaster inArdnamurchan, and an elderin the church.He must have been a good scholar.He was educated in Glasgow College.Did he not tum to the Popishreligion ?He did when he went away withPrince Charles in the year 1745.Was it not he that composed " TheSong of the Highland Clans,"and the "Sugar Brook "?Yes, and "The Light Plaid,""HailtoMòrir," "TheBrownhaireddairymaid, " " TheBlessing of a Ship," and manymore.Whether is he or fair-haired DuncanMaclntyre the better poet ìI am not very sure.

44 COMHRAIDHEAN.CÒMHRAIDHEAN. 45Tha iad le chèile 'n am bàirdchumhachdach.Tha Donnachadh Bàn na's fhusa'thuigsinn.Tha tuilleadh fhocal ann am bàrdachdan Dòmhnullaich a chaidha cleachdadh.Càit an d'rugadh Donnachadh Bàn ?Bugadh e 'an Druimliaghairt 'anGleann-urchaidh, 's a' bhliadhna1724.Dh'innseadh dhomh nach b'urrainn,da aona chuid leubhadh nosgrìobhadh.Cha b'urrainn, ach bha meodharcho math aige's nach do dhìchuimhniche focal de na h-òrain a rinn e.An robh ceàird sam bith aige ?Bha e 'n toiseach 'n a fhrìtnear doMhorair Bhraid-Albainn 'anCoire-cheathaich's am Beinndòrain,agus an deigh sin doDhiùc Earraghaidheal 'amBuachaill Eite.Nach robh e's an arm ?'N uair a bha e 'n a dhuin' òg bhae le Coirneal Caimbeul Choirechumhan'am blàr na H-EaglaiseBrice.Bha e o 'n bhliadhna 1793 gus a'bhliadhna 1799 ann am FenciblesMhorair Bhraid-albainn.Bha e na h-uibhir a bhlianaicheanam am Freiceadan baile Dhunèideann.Cuin a chaochail e ?|S a' bhliadhna 1812.'S iad na h-òrain a's fhearr a rinne " Beinn-dòrain," "Coirecheathaich,"agus "A MhàiriBhàn Og."Nach d'eadar-theangaich ProfessorBlackie "Beinn-dòrain" guBeurla ?Dh'eadar-theangaich.Dh'innseadh dhomh gu'm bheil eanabarrach grinn air a dheanamh.They are both powerful poets.Duncan Bàn is more easily understood.There are more obsolete words inMacDonald's poetry.Where was Duncan Bàn born ?He was born in Drimliart in Glenorchy,in the year 1724.I was told that he could neitherread nor write.He could not, but he had so good amemory that he did not forgeta word of the songs that hecomposed.Had he any trade ?He was first forester to Lord Breadalbanein Coire-cheathaich andBendorain, and afterwards tothe Duke of Argyll in BuachaillEite.Was he not in the army ?When he was a young man he waswith Colonel Campbell of Corwhinat the battle of Falkirk.He was from the year 1793 to theyear 1799 in Lord Breadalbane'sFencibles.He was several years in the CityGuard of Edinburgh.When did he die ?In the year 1812.The best songs that he composedare "Bendorain," "Coirecheathaich,"and " YoungFair Mary ".Did not Professor Blackie translate" Bendorain " into English ?He did.I have been told that it is veryfinely done.Tha e ; 's ainmic a leubh mi eadartheangachadha dh'fhaodar achoimeas ris.Càit am faic mi e ?'N a leabhar mu'n Ghàelig's mubhàird na Gàidhealtachd.Tha mi duilich nach 'eil ùin' agamtuilleadh a ràdh mu na bàirdair an fheasgar so.Mata gu dearbh cha ruig sibh leas ;fhuair mi cheana mòran eòlaisuaibh.'S e do bheatha.Na'm biodh agam-sa de mheodhaira chuimhnicheadh e uile !I am indebted in this ConversationIt is ; I have seldom read a translationto be compared with it.Where shall I see it ?In his book about Gaelic and theHighland bards.I am sorry that I have not time tosay more about the bards thisevening.Indeed you need not; I havealready received much informationfrom you.You are welcome.If I could only remember it all Ito several sources of information.A' BHAN-E1GH 'S AN TEAGHLACH KlGHEIL,THE QUEEN AND THE EOYAL FAMILY.Fàilt' air Donnachadh ruadh ; 'd è'chuir bho'n tigh thu chotràthail an duigh ?Chuala mi gu bheil sibh 'dol a chura stigh mulain, agus thàinigmi 'dh'fheòraich am bi sibh chomath agus an tubhadh aghleidheil air mo shon.Cha n-'eil thar dà mhios o'n fhuairthu tubhadh uam; 'd è rinnthu leis ?Chuir mi air an tigh e, ach tha naradain air a chur gu tur andolaidh.'S ann ri fala-dhà a tha thu.'S ann darìreadh a tha mi ; tha iadair fàgail mullach an tighe chotolltach ri criathar.Ma's ann mar sin a tha chùis bithidhna's leòir de snidh agaibh.Snidh ! o'n a thòisich an t-uisgecha deachaidh stad air a là no'dh'oidhche.Bithidh am faram a ni e air feadhan tighe 'n a sheòrsa ciùilshunndaich do d'chluasan.Tha iomadh seòrsa ciùil ann bushunndaiche leam, ach chuir-Hail to Duncan roy ; what sent youso early from home to-day ?I heard that you are going to put ina stack, and I have come toask if you will be so good askeep the thatch for me.It is not more than two monthssince you got thatch from me ;what did you do with it ?I put it on the house, but the ratshave quite destroyed it.You are jesting.I am in earnest; they have left theroof of the house as full ofholes as a sieve.If that is the case you will haveenough of rain-drops from theroof.Rain-drops ! since the rain beganthey have not ceased either byday or by night.The noise they make through thehouse will be a cheerful kind ofmusic to your ears.There are many kinds of musicthat I would consider more

46 CÒMHRAIDHEAN.eadh e sibh-fhèin gu gàireachdaicha bhi 'faicinn an leumraicha bhios oirnn a null's anall g" a sheachnadh.Tha eagal orm gu'm bi droch dhìolair earnais's air aodach.'N uair a bha mi 'cur orm coilleirglan chum gu'm bithinn marbu chòir dhomh 'n uair a thiginn'n 'ur làthair-sa thàinigboinne nuas a dh'fhàg comharadhodhar cho mòr ri bonntasdain air an anart ghrinn,gheal.Tha 'leithid sin gu math deuchainneachair foighidinn duine.'S math nach robh sibh's an èisdeachd'n uair a thachair e, oirbha mi 'n sin " cho fiata ribroc liath a bhiodh 'an garaidh".Cha n-iongantach leam idir gu'nrobh.Saoil sibh ciod a thàinig air Noah'n uair a leig e na radain astigh do'n àirc ?Sin rud nach do ghabh mi-fheinriamh fo m' bheachd.Tha amharas agam, ach cha n-abairmi 'bheag.Dh'innseadh dhomh gu'n robh thu's an Oban an dè.Chaidh mi sios a cheannach snath'a chàradh nan Hon agus aphàigheadh beagan gheòtan abh'aig na ceannaichean 'amaghaidh.Agus ciamar a tha baile na h-àilleachd?Tha e'n sud mar bha e riamh o'n iscuimhne leam-sa e, 'n a thàmhri taobh na mara's aig bun a'mhonaidh.Tha mi 'cluinntinn gu bheil sùrdanabarrach ann an dràs leis aneach-iarainn.Ciamar air bith a tha sin bha e 'ndè cho sàmhach ris a' ghleannuaigneach againn-fhèinn.cheerful, but it would makeyourself laugh to see us jumpinghither and thither toavoid them.I am afraid that both furniture andclothes will be badly used.When I was putting on a cleancollar that 1 might appear inyour presence as I should do, adrop came down that left a dunmark as large as a shillingpiece on the fine white linen.That sort of thing is pretty tryingto one's patience.It is well that you were not withinhearing when it happened, forI was at the time as fierce as agrey badger in his den.I am not at all surprised that youwere.What, think you, came over Noahwhen he admitted the rats intothe ark ?That is a matter that I have nevertaken into consideration.I have a suspicion, but I shall saynothing.I was told that you were in Obanyesterday.I went down to buy thread to mendthe net, and to pay a fewtrifling debts that the shopkeepershad against me.And how is the town of beauty ?It is yonder as it was ever since Iremember it, resting by thesea-side and at the foot of thebill.I hear that there is great activity init at present with the ironhorse.However that is, it was yesterdayas quiet as our own solitaryglen.Ciod a b'aobhar d' a sin ?B'e 'n dè la co-ainm breith na Banrigh,agus bha na bùitheandùinte.Ciamar a chuir thu seachad d'ùine ?Bha mi 'steòcai reachd feadh a'bhaile gus an tilleadh air ant-sruth.Tha mi cinnteach gu'm facadh tuiomadh ni 'thug toil-inntinnduit.A dh'innseadh na firinn cha doghabh mi mòran aire de dh'aonni a chunnaic mi.Nach do ghabh ?'N uair a chuala mi na brataicheanbàn-dearg a' plabraich 's a'ghaoith thàinig na làithean adh'fhalbh agus gu sònraichte a*Bhan-righ 's an TeaghlachRìgheil am smuaintean.Tha fhios agam gu bheil inntinnsmuaineachail agad.Am bheil fhios agaibh gu'n d'thàinigrugha 'am ghruaidh 'n uair athug mi fanear cho aineolach's a tha mi air eachdraidh anteaghlaich inbheich so ?Tha na 's leòir de dhaoine ionnsaichte's an t-suidheachadhcheudna.Bha mi feòraich de'n mhaighstirsgoilmu'n chuis an là roimhe.An d'fhuair thu fiosrachadh uaithe.Cha d'fhuair ; agus dh'aithnich miair an oighr òg nach fhaighinndad uaithe-san.Tha sin dìreach mar shaoilinn ; chan-'eil daoine's an linn so chodèidheil air sloinnteireachd's abha iad 's an linn a thàinigroimpe.Cha robh's an dùthaich duin' aigan robh tuilleadh fiosrachaidhde'n t-seòrsa sin na m'athair.'S iomadh uair a shuidh mi 'g aèisdeachd ag innseadh eachdraidhtheaghlaichean na dùthcha.COMHRAIDHEAN. 47What was the cause of that ?Yesterday was the anniversary ofthe Queen's birthday, and theshops were shut.How did you spend your time ?I was sauntering idly through thetown till the tide should turn.I am sure that you saw many thingsthat gratified you.To tell the truth, I did not paymuch attention to anythingthat I saw.Did you not ?When I heard the red and whitebanners fluttering in the wind,the days that are gone, andespecially the Queen and theRoyal Family, came into mythoughts.I know that you have a thoughtfulmind.Do you know that I blushed whenI considered how ignorant I amof the history of this exaltedfamily.Plenty of educated peoplesimilarly situated.areI inquired of the schoolmasterabout the subject the other day.Did you get information from him ?I did not; and I knew by the youngheir that I would not get anythingfrom him.That is exactly as I would suppose ;people in the present age arenot so fond of genealogy asthey were in the preceding age.There was not a man in the countrywho had more knowledge ofthat kind than my father.Many a time I sat listening to himwhile he related the history ofthe families of the country.

Bha meoghair anabharrach aige.Bha, agus rinn e buil mhath dhi.CÒMHRAIDHEAN;An innis sibh dhomh c'uin a rugadha' Bhan-righ Bhietoriac?Rugadh i air a' cheathramh làfichead de cheud mhios ant-samhraidh 's a' bhliadhna1819.Co 'b'athair dhi ?Bha Diùc Kent, ceathramh mac antreas righ Deòrsa.Co 'bu mhàthair dhi ?Bha Bhictoria, Bana-PhrionnsaSJutxe-Coburg, piuthar Leopold,righ nam Belgianach, aguspiuthar Earnest, Diùc Choburg.Cuin a chaochail a h-othoir'A' bhliadhna 'n deigh dhi-se 'bhiair a breith.Nach robh teaghlach idir aighràthaira h-athar, rìgh Uilleam 1Bha, ach chaochail iad 'n an òige.C'uin a thàinig i 'dh'ionnsuidh narigh-chaithreaeh ?'S a' bhliadhna 1837, 'n uair achaochail righ Uilleam.Càit an robh i air a crùuadh ?Ann an Abait Westminster an làthairmhaithean 'us fhlaitheanna righeachd.Bu trom an t-uallach a chaidh aleagail air neach cho òg.B'eadh, ach bha luchd-comhairl'aice 'g a stiùradh.Co iad luchd-comhairle na Banrigh?Iadsan a tha o àm gu àm air antaghadh gu bhi 'n an luchdriaghlaidhair gnothaichean narigheachd.Co 'tha 'g an taghadh ?Tha 'Bhan-righ 'g an taghadh as a'bhuidheann a 's làidire's a'slionmhoire's a' Pharlamaid.Ciamar a chuirear as an dreuchdiad 'n uair a dh'fhàsas a Pharlamaidneo-thoilichte leo ?He had an excellent memory.He had, and he made good use ofit.Will you tell me when Queen Victoriawas born ?She was born on the twenty-fourthday of the first month of summer,in the year 1819.Who was her father ?The Duke of Kent, the fourth sonof the third King George.Who was her mother ?Victoria, Princess of Saxe-Coburg,sister of Leopold, King of theBelgians, and sister of Ernest,Duke of Coburg.When did har father die ?The year after she was born.Had her father's brother, KingWilliam, no family ?He had, but they died in theiryouth.When did she come to the throne ?In the year 1837, when KingWilliam died.Where was she crowned ?In Westminster Abbey, in presenceof the nobles and lords of thekingdom.Heavy was the burden that waslaid on one so young.Yes, but she had counsellors guidingher.Who are the Queen's counsellors 1Those who are from time to timechosen to rule the affairs of thekingdom.Who chooses them ?The Queen chooses them from thestrongest and most numerousparty in Parliament.How are they deprived of officewhen Parliament becomes dissatisfiedwith them!'N uair a bhios tuilleadh 'n anaghaidh 's a' Pharlamaid nabhios leo cha n-urrainn iadseasamh.Nach fhaod iad an greim aghleidheilgun taing do'n fheadhainna tha 'n an aghaidh ?Cha n-fhaod, a chionn gu'n diùltarairgiod dhoibh gu gnothaicheanna righeachd a chur airaghaidh.Tha mi 'tuigsinn ; is mòr cumhachdan airgid.Ahraibh gu'n tèid ni sam bith airaimhreit co a choirichear, a'Bhan-righ no a luchd-comhairle!A luchd-comhairle ; a rèir an laghatha ise gun choire 's na nithesin.Cuin a bha 'Bhan-righ agus Prionns'Ailbeart air am pòsadh ?Ann an toiseach an earraich's a'bhliadhna 1840.Nach robh iad daimheil d' a chèile ?Bha ; b' e Prionns' Ailbeart macDhiùc Choburg, brathairmàthar na Ban-righ.Ciod am mùthadh a bha eatorra athaobh aois ìBha'm Prionnsa tri miosan na'sòige na 'Bhan-righ.An robh dreuchd sam bith aige annan riaghladh na righeachd ?Cha robh.Is cinnteach mi nach b'urrainnduine cho math ris 'ùine churseachad 'an diamhanas.Bha e gun tàmh a' deanamh math.'D è 'n teaghlach a bh'aca ?Còignear nighean agus ceathrarmhac.Cuin a rugadh Prionnsa Walesno na Cuimrig, oighr' a'chrùin ?Rugadh a's a' bhliadhna 1841.*S e Ailbeart Edward no Imhear isainm dha.Co ris a tha e pòsda !.CÒMHRAIDHEAN. 49When more are opposed to them inParliament than are favourableto them they cannot stand.May they not retain their hold inspite of those that are opposedto them ?They may not, because money willbe refused to them to carry onthe affairs of the kingdom.I understand ; great is the power ofmoney.Suppose that anything goes wrong,who is blamed, the Queen orher counsellors ?Her counsellors ; according to thelaw she is without blame inthese things.When were the Queen and PrinceAlbert married ?In the beginning of spring in theyear 1840.Were they not related ?They were ; Albert was son to theDuke of Coburg, brother tothe Queen's mother.What difference was there betweenthem as regards age ?The Prince was three monthsyounger than the Queen.Had he any office in the governmentof the kingdom ?He had not.I am sure that so good a man couldnot have spent his time inidleness.He was constantly doing good.What family had they ?Five daughters and four sons.When was the Prince of Wales,heir to the crown, born ?He was born in the year 1841.His name is Albert Edward.To whom is he married ?

50 CÒMHRAIDHEAN.COMHRAIDHEAN. 51Eis a Bhana-Phrionnsa, Alexandra,nighean a's sine righ Dhenmarkagus piuthar righ na Grèige.Tha Alfred, an dara mac, pòsda risa' Bhan-diùc, Mairi, nigheanImpire Russia.Nach ann air a' mhuir a tha esan ?'S ann; tha long-chogaidh fo'cheannardachd ?'S iad Artair 'us Leopold an dàmhac a's òige.Tha Bhictoria, a' Bana-PhrionnsaRìgheil, pòsda ri FrederickUilleam, Prionnsa Phrussia.Bha 'n dara nighean, Alice, nachmaireann, pòsda ri FrederickUilliam, Prionnsa Hesse.Tha 'n treas nighean, Helena, pòsdari Frederick, Prionnsa na dùthcharis an abrar Schleswigholstcin.Tha 'cheathramh nighean, Louise,pòsda, mar tha fhios aig gachGàidheal, ri Marcus Lathurna,Ard-uacharan Chanada.Tha 'n nighean a's òige, Beatrice,gun bhi pòsda.Càit am bheil a' Bhan-righ mar isbidheant' a chòmhnuidh ?Ann an Lùchairt Windsor, trì mìlefichead a mach a Lunnuinn.Càit am bi i 'fuireach 'n uair abhios i 'an Lunnuinn ?Ann an Lùchairt Bhuckingham.Tha tigh eil' aic' 'an Lunnuinn risan abrar St. James's.Tha ait' aice ris an abrar Osborneann an Eilean Wight.'S iad Holyrood an Dun-èideannagus Bhaile-mJiorair an siorramachdAbaraidhean na h-aitean-còmhnuidha th'aic' 'anAlbainn.Tha mi 'cluinntinn gu bheil i fiorthoigheach air Baile-mhorair.To the Princess Alexandra, eldestdaughter of the King of Denmarkand sister to the King ofGreece.Alfred, the second son, is marriedto the Duchess Mairi, daughterof the Emperor of Russia.Is he not at sea ?He is ; a ship of war is under hiscommand.Arthur and Leopold are the twoyoungest sons.Victoria, the Princess Royal, ismarried to Frederick "William,Prince of Prussia.The second daughter, Alice, who isnot alive, was married to FrederickWilliam, Prince ofHesse.The third daughter, Helena, ismarried to Frederick, Prince ofthe country called Schleswigholstein.The fourth daughter, Louise, ismarried, as every Highlanderknows, to the Marquis of Lome,Governor of Canada.The youngest daughter, Beatrice, isunmarried.Where does the Queen generallyreside?In Windsor Palace, twenty-threemiles out from London.Where does she stay when she isin London ?In Buckingham Palace.She has another house in Londoncalled St James's.She has a place called Osborne inthe Isle of Wight.Holyrood in Edinburgh, and Balmoralin Aberdeenshire, are herresidences in Scotland. *I hear that she is very fond, of Balmoral.« For some facts and dates above I am indebted to *' Sequel to No. IV. RoyalSchool Series".Tha; 's ann ann is àbhaist di'mfogharadh 'chur seachad.Nach do chuir i 'mach leabhar annsam bheil i 'toirt cunntais air abeatha's a' Ghàidhealtachd ?Choir, agus bu chòir do gach neach's an rtgheachd a leubhadh.Carson?A chionn nach urrainn neach sambith a leubhadh gun a thairisneachd'sa speis do'n Bhan-righa bhi air am meudachadh.Cha n-'eil teagamh nach ann mara's àird' am meas a bhios aigdaoine oirre-se a's coltaichedhoibh a bhi toilichte foipeagus dileas di.Anns an leabhar so chithear i 'n amnaoi, 'n a màthair, 'n a nighinn,agus 'n a caraid dleasnach.Na'm biodh am Freasdal chooaoimhneil 'us a càirdeas aohur an rathad so cha' n-ann'an tigh snidheach a bhiodhMàiri 'us mise.Chithear i a' nochdadh co-f hulangaisleis a mhuinntir a tha ann anuireasbhuidh's 'an amhghar, a'taoghal ann an tighean nambochd, a' co-aontachadh leisan t-sluagh 'n am fearas-chuideaohd,a cumail conaltraidhshuairce r' a seirbheisich, a'direadh bheanntan, a' dol tharaibhnichean, a' leigeil fhaicinnair iomadh dòigh gu bheiloridhe blàth aice agus inntinnbhnnailteach.Is mòr am beannachadh do'n dùthaicha leithid a bhi air an righchathair.She is ; it is there that she is in thehabit of spending the harvest.Did she not publish a book in whichshe gives an account of her lifein the Highlands ?She did, and every person in thekingdom should read it.Why ?Because no one can read it withouchaving his loyalty to and esteemfor the Queen increased.There is no doubt that the higherthe respect people have for hertlie more likely they are to becontented under her and faithfulto her.In this book she will be seen in thecharacter of a dutiful wife,mother, daughter, and friend.If Providence were so kind as tosend her friendship this way,Mary and I would not be in aleaky house.She will be seen showing sympathywith those who are in wantand affliction, visiting in thehouses of the poor, joining thepeople in their amusements,holding affable conversationwith her servants, ascendingmountains, crossing rivers,showing in many ways that shehas a warm heart, and a constantmind.It is a great blessing to the countryto have such as she on thethrone.

COMHRAIDHEAN. 53COMHRAIDHEAN 'AN GAELIC 'S 'AM BEURLATha sibhse ri leabhranachd, mar isàbhaist.Tha leabhraichean dhomh-sa martha 'acfhainn do'n fhearcheàird.Tha mis' air tighinn oirbh mar ansneachd, gun sireadh, guniarraidh.Cha n-'eil idir; tha obair an làseachad agam.Co dhiù's i 'Ghàelig no 'Bheurla,an Laidionn no 'Ghreugais atha sibh a' cnuasachd an dràs ?A' Ghàelig.Cha n-fhaod e bhi nach 'eil sibhcoimh-liont' innte mu 'n àm so.Cha n-urrainn domh a ràdh gubheil.Cha n-'eil sibhse furasd' a thoileachadh.Tha 'Ghàelig 'us cànainean ambidheantas mar thobar nachtraodh.Cha n-'eil mi uile gu lèir 'g 'urtuigsinn.Tha mi 'ciallachadh gu bheil mòranaig neach r' a fhòghlum mu 'nruig e air làn eòlas cia b' airbith cho fada's a dh' fhaodas ebhi 'g an cnuasachd.Saoil sibh ciod is ciall do 'n othaila tha mu 'n Ghàelig o cheannbeagan bhliadhnaichean ?Tha daoine foghlaimte air dùsgadhgu mothachadh air a luach.Mata hu mhithich dhoibh; 'siomadh là 'chuir iad suarach i.A' GHlELIG, GAELIC.You are engaged with books asusual.Books are to me, as his tools are tothe tradesmen.I have come upon you like the snow,unsought, and unasked for.Not at all; my day's work is over.Whether are you studying Gaelioor English, Latin or Greek, atpresent ?Gaelic.Surely you are perfect in it by thistime.I cannot say that I am.You are not easily satisfied.Gaelic and languages in general arelike an exhaustless spring.I do not quite understand you.I mean that one has much to learnbefore he attains to full knowledge,however long he maybe studying them.What do you think is the meaningof the stir that there has beenabout Gaelic for some years ?Learned men have awakened to asense of its value.It was time for them ; they treatedit with indifference for many aday.Tha cuid dèidheil air seadh ainmeananàiteachan fhaotainn amach, agus cha bhuadhaichiad gun a^ Ghàelig.Nach 'eil ainmeanan Gàelig airmoran àiteachan 's a' Ghalldachd's'an Sasann cho math'us anns a' Ghàidhealtachd ?Tha.Tha feadhainn eile toigheach airsgeulachdan 'us dàin a chruinneachadh,agus air eòlas fhaotainnair seana chleachdainnean.Cha mhò 'ni iadsan a' bheag demhath as eugmhais na Gàelig.Tha feadhainn eil' ann a tha'gabhail tlachd ann an lorgachadhna daimhe 'tha eadar a'Ghàelig 'us cànainean eile.Is cinnteach mi nach 'eil sin furasd'a dheanamh.Cha n-'eil; cha n- e 'h-uile duinefòghluimte 'tha murrach air.Cuiridh sibh comain mhòr orm mabheir sibh dhomh fiosrachadhma 'n chùis.Feuchaidh mi ri beagan de na lenbhmi m' a dèibhinu a chur mu d'choinneamh."S sibh-fhèin an t-aon neach a thami 'faotainn toileach gji m'chuideachadh 'n am thoir aireòlas.Thoir leat's a' cheud dol a mach gubheil cànainean an t-saoghail airan roinn 'n an teaghlaichibh.C «""" a th' air an teaghlach d'am buin a' Ghàelig ?An Aryan no 'n Indo-European.An ainmich sibh na cànainean d' ambheil an teaghlach so air adheanamh suas ?Thig mi dh' ionnsuidh sin an ceartuair.Tha mi 'g iarraidh maitheanais.'N uair a sgaoil an sluagh a bha'bruidhinn na cànain bumhàthair do na cànainean afoMnìg a nuas g' ur n-ionns-Some are desirous to find out themeaning of the names of places,and they will not succeed withoutGaelic.Do not many places in the Lowlandsand in England, as well as inthe Highlands, bear Gaelicnames ?Yes.Others are fond of collecting talesand poems, and of obtaining aknowledge of ancient customs.Neither will they do any good withoutGaelic.Others take pleasure in tracing theaffinity that subsists betweenGaelic and other languages.I am sure that that is not easilydone.It is not; it is not every learnedman that can do it.You will oblige me very much bygiving me information aboutthe matter.I will endeavour to set before you alittle of what I have read aboutit.You are yourself the only one whomI find willing to help me, in mysearch after knowledge.Carry away with you at the outset,that the languages of the worldare divided into families.What is the name of the family thatGaelic belongs to ?The Aryan or Indo-European.Will you name the languages ofwhich this family is composed?I will come to that presently.I beg pardon.When the people that spoke themother tongue of the languagesthat have come down to us dispersed,some of them went east-

54CÒMHRAIDHEAN.COMHRAIDHEAN. 55uidh-ne chaidh cuid dhiubhan ear do na H-Innsean aguscuid eile dhiubh an iar do 'nRoinn-Eòrpa.'D e 'n dùthaich as an do sgaoil iad ?Tha e coltach gur h-ann-a Persia asgaoil iad.C ainm a th' air a' chànain a bh'aig an sgaoth dhiubh a chaidhdo na H-Innsean ?An Sanscrit.Am bheil a' chànain so air a bruidhinnfhathast ?Cha n-'eil, ach tha i air mhaireannann an leabhraichean.'D è na cànainean eile 'bhuineas do'nteaghlach so ?Tha againn an toiseach na cànaineanmòra sin—a' Ghreugais 's anLaidionn.'S fhad' o 'n bhàsaich iad sin.Tha 'Ghreugais fhathast beò, slàn,ach tha mòran cheudan debhliadhnaichean o 'n sguir anLaidionn a bhi air a bruidhinn.An d' fhàg an Laidionn sliochd 'n adeigh ?'S i 'dh' fhàg.An ainmich sibh iad?Cànain na H- Eadailt, na Spàinte,Phortagail, na Frainge, aguscorra 'h- aon eile.Am bheil tuilleadh chànainean anna bhuineas do 'n Aryan ?Buinidh dhi a' Bheurla, cainnt naGearmailt, Ruisia, Pholand,Bhulgaria, Bhohemia, Shervia,&c.Air ni' fhocal cha n-'eil aobhar aiga' Ghàelig nàir' a ghabhail d' aluchd-daimh.Tha Raonull, Mac Eachainn, aig andorus, ag iarraidh bruidhinnruibh.Thoir a stigh e do sheòmar nadìnneireach.Bithidh mi air m' ais a chlisgeadh.Na cuiribh cabhag sam bith oiibhfhèinair mo shon-sa.ward to the Indies, and othersof them went westward toEurope.From what country did they disperse.It is probable that it was from Persiathat they dispersed.What is the name of the languagespoken by the swarm of themthat went to India ?The Sanscrit.Is this language spoken still ?It is not, but it survives in books.What other languages belong to thisfamily ?We have first these great languages—the Greek and Latin.It is long since these died.Greek is still living and healthy,but Latin ceased to be spokenmany hundreds of years ago.Did Latin leave a family behind it.That it did.Will you name its members ?The Language of Italy, of Spain,of Portugal, of France, and afew others.Are there morelanguages that belongto the Aryan ìThere belong to it the English,German, Russian, Polish, Bulgarian,Bohemian, Servian, &e.Upon my word, Gaelic has no reasonto be ashamed of its kindred.Ronald, son of Hector, is at the door,wishing to speak to you.Bring him in to the dining room.I shall be back presently.Do not hurryyourself on myaccount.An saoil sibh am bheil a' Ghàeligair a cothlamadh le focail ochànainean eile ?Tha ann an tomhas, ach tha na'slugha de dh' fhacail choigreachinnte na anns a' chuid a 'smò de chànainean na Roinn-Eòrpa.Cia as a fhuair i na facail sin ?Fhuair i 'chuid mhòr dhiubh o 'nLaidinn.Ciamar a fhuair iad a stigh innte ?Trid cumhachd clèir' eaglais naRoimhe.'S ainneamh ni anns nach bi làmhaig a' chlèir.Anns na h- amanan dorcha o sheanbha cumhachd mòr aca ann annithe aimseireil cho math 'usann an nithe spioradail.'5 e mo bharail-fhèin nach 'eil echum buannachd do chlèireaglais sam bith a bhi' gabhailmòran gnothuich ri nitheaimseireil.B'iad luchd-comhairle righrean 'usloohd-teagaisg an t-sluaigh,agus is gann a bha eòlas nofòghlam 's an dùthaich achna bha 'n am measg-san.Cha n- iongantach, uime sin, gedfhuair iad uiread buaidh' air a'Ghàelig's gu'm b' eigin difacail a ghabhail o 'n Laidinn.Am bi sibh cho math agus cuid dena facail sin ainmeachadh ?So cuid dhiubh 'an Gaelig 's 'anLaidinn:—coisrig—consecrare,sagairt—sacerdos, easbuig—episcopus, coguis—conscientia,faosaid — com essio, creid —credo, cill—cella.Bheir thu fanear gu bheil a' chuida's mò de na facail Laidinnair an giorrachadh's a' Ghàelig.Do you think that Gaelic is mixedwith words from other languages?Yes in a measure, but there are fewerforeign words in it than in mostof the languages of Europe.Whence did it receive these words 1It got the most of them from Latin.How did they gain admittance intoit?Through the influence of the clergyof the Church of Rome.There are few things in which theclergy have not a hand.In the dark times of old, they hadgreat influence in temporal aswell as in spiritual matters.It is my own opinion that it is notof advantage to the clergy ofany Church to interfere muchin temporal matters.They were the counsellors of kings,and the teachers of the people,and there was scarcely anyknowledge or learning in theland, except what was amongthem.It is not to be wondered at, therefore,that they so prevailed overGaelic as to compel it to receivewords from Latin.Will you be so good as name someof these words ?Here are some of them in Gaelic andLatin : — coisrig — consecrare,sagairt — sacerdos, easbuig —episcopus, coguis—conscientia,faosaid — confessio, creid —credo, cill—cella.You will observe that the most ofthe Latin words are shortenedin Gaelic

56 CÒMHRAIDHEAN.An d' thàinig facail a stigh do 'nGhàelig o chànainean sam bitheile?Thàinig a' bheag no 'mhòr ochainnt nan Lochlannach.Cha ruig mi leas 'innseadh dhuitgu bheil facail's a' Ghàelig afhuair io'n Bheurla.Tha sin soilleir do n-a h-uile duine.An innis sibh dhomh ciod a'chainnt a's dluithe daimh do'n Ghàelig?An Laidionn.An deigh na Laidinn 's iad nacainntean a 's daimheile dhicainnt na Gearmailt agus a'Bheurla mar bha i mu 'n robhi air a truailleadh le facail ochainntean eile.Am bheil daimh idir aig a' Ghàeligris a' Ghreugais ?Tha, ach tha e na's fhaide 'machna ris an trì eile.Ciamar a nithear a mach gu bheilan daimh so eadar a' Ghàeligagus na cainntean sin ?Gabh beachd air cho cosmhuil's atha na facail so ri 'chèile :—aon—unus, dà—duo, trì—tres,ochd—octo, mìle—mille, sèa—sex, seachd—septem, agus marsin sios.Buinidh na facail sin do 'n Ghàeligcho math 'us do 'n Laidinn ;'sleis an teaghlach 'an coitchiontasiad.Cha n-'eil teagamh nach buill iadde 'n aon teaghlach.Am bheil dad r' a fhaotainn ann anGrammar na Gàelig a tha cosmhuilris na gheibhear ann anGrammar nan cainntean eile ?Tha beagan, ach tha e cho mion'snach 'eil e furasd' a chur ann anGàelig a thuigeas daoine.Chomhaimchinn duit leabhar PhrofessorBlackie mu 'n Ghàelig aleubhadh gu cùramach.Did words enter Gaelic from anyother languages ?Fewer or more entered it from theScandinavian language.I need not tell you that there arewords in Gaelic that it receivedfrom English.That is apparent to every man."Will you tell me what language hasthe closest affinity to GaeUo ?Latin.Alter Latin the languages that havothe closest affinity to Gaelic areGerman, and English as it wasbefore it was corrupted withwords from other languages.Has Gaelic any affinity with Greek ?Yes, but it is more remote thanwith the other three.How can it be made out that thisaffinity subsists between Gaelicand these languages ?Mark how like these words are toeach other :—aon—unus, dà—duo, trì — tres, ochd—octo,mìle—mille, sèa—sex, seachd—septem, and so forth.These words belong to Gaelio aswell as to Latin ; they are thegeneral property of the family.There is no doubt that they aremembers of the same family.Is there anything to be found inGaelic Grammar resemblingwhat may be found in theGrammar of the other languages?There is a little, but it is so minutethat it is not easy to put it intointelligible Gaelic.I would recommend to you to readcarefully Professor Blaokie'sbook about Gaelic.Ciod tuilleadh a tha ri ràdh mu 'nchùis?Tha radran de bhun-fhocail 's a'Ghàelig aig am bheil an lethbhreacans an Laidinn gusònraichte.An toir sibh dhomh samhlaidhean ?Gabh iad so :—can—cano, geum—gemo, greigh—grex, tana—tennis, tìr—terra, bo—bos,beatha—vita, athair—pater,feasgar—vesper, nochd—noctem.Gheitìhear na ceudan d' an leithidibhsin.Is siridh a thoirt fanear nach 'eilna facail a tha freagairt d' achèile's an dà chainnt daonana' tòiseachadh leis an aonlitir.Ann an coimeas chànainean, uimesin, tha e feumail a thoirtfanear ciod na fuaimean annsan dara cainnt a tha freagairtdo na fuaimean anns a' chainnteile.Tha aon cheist eil' agam ri churruibh mu 'n dealaich sinn.Clnineam i'D e 'ur barail mu 'n Ghàelig marchainnt ?Tha i fior fhreagarrach a chur ancèill smuaintean, faireachdainnean,agus uireasbhaidheangnàthaichte an duine.Nach 'eil i freagarrach airsonbàrdachd?Tha, agus airson ciùil, sgeòil,2falachdan, airson labhairt rioagh agus cunntas a thoirtair coltas na cruitheachd.Am Bheil i freagarrach airsonfeallsanachd ?Cha n-'eil.Carson?A chionn nach 'eil facail fhreagarrachinnte ?Ciamar a thachair sin ?Chaidh stad a chur air a cinneas.COMHRAIDHEAN'. 57What more is there to be said aboutthe matter tThere are many root-words in Gaelicthat have their counterparts inLatin especially.Will you give me examples ?Take these :—can— cano, geum—gemo, greigh — grex, tana—tenuis, tir — terra, bo—bos,beatha — vita, athair — pater,feasgar — vesper, nochd—noctem.Hundreds of such as these may befound.It is worthy of consideration thatthe corresponding words do notalways begin with the sameletter.In comparing languages, therefore,it is necessary to consider whatsounds in the one language correspondwith the sounds inthe other.I have one other question to put toyou before we part.Let me hear it.What is your opinion of Gaelic asa language ?It is very wefl adapted for expressingthe ordinary thoughts, feelings,and wants of man.Is it not adapted for poetry tYes, and for music, narrative, tales,for oratory and description ofthe appearances of the creation.Is it adapted for philosophy ?It is not."Why?Because it does not contain suitablewords.How did that happen ?Its growth has been stopped.

58 CÒMHRAIDHEAN.COMHRAIDHEAN. 59Am bheil e 'n a comas àireamh afocail a mheudachadh ?Tha gu mòr, agus sin uaipe fèin,gun bhi fo chomain do chanainsam bith eile.A bharrachd air sin tha i 'n acainnt lìomharra, bhinn-fhoclach,cheòlmhor.'S e so barail nan daoine fòghluimtea rannsrich a' chùis.Mòran taing 'us buidheachaisdhuibh.Biodh a càirdean uile cho dìleas di's a tha sibhse's cha bhi eagaldi." Mhair i fòs'S cha tèid a gA dh'aindeoin'Us mì-i-un mòHas it the power of increasing thenumber of its words ?Yes, greatly, and that from itself,without being indebted to anyother language.Moreover, it is a polished, melodious,musical language.This is the opinion of the learnedmen that have examined thematter.Many thanks to yon.Let all its friends be as faithful toit as you are, and it will havenothing to fear.òir air chall,SananGall."—ZfacDonald.TURUS-IASGAICH, A FISHING EXCURSION.Rinn mi guth aig an dorus an dè, achdh'innis an searbhanta dhomhgu'n robh sibh o'n bhaile.Ghabh mi cothrom an là mhaith adhol a dh'iasgach.Co dhiù's ann air a' mhuir no airabhuinn no air loch uisg' a bhasibh ag iasgach ?Bha mi 'g iasgach air Loch Sgamadail.'S iomadh àite's an robh mi, tuath'us deas, an ear's an iar, achcha robh mi riamh aig LochSgamadail.Thachair a leithid eile dhomh-fhèin.Bha mi air mullach a' Chùirnghuirm'saig Loch-an-doirb'san taobh tuath, ach cha robhmi riamh air mullach Chruachainno aig Loch Sgamadail guso chionn ghoinid.Is lìonmhor iad a tha eòlach airàiteachan's air nithe 'tha fadair falbh am feadh a tha iadaineolach air àiteachan 's airnithe a tha dlùth làimh.I called at the door yesterday, butthe servant told me that youwere from home.I took the opportunity of the goodday to go to fish.Whether was it on the sea or on ariver, or on a fresh water lakethat you were fishing fI was fishing on Loch Scamadale.I was in many a place, North andSouth, East and West, but Iwas never at Loch Scamadale.The like happened to myself. Iwas on the top of Cairngormand at Lochendorb in theNorth, but I was never on thetop of Cruachan or at LochScamadale till lately.There are numbers of persons thatare acquainted with places andthings that are far off whilethey are ignorant of places andthings that are near at hand."S ann mar sin a thachair do dh'iomadhaon a thaobh na Gàelig.Tha sibh ceart; gheibhear na ceudana chaith mòran d'an ùine agionnsachadh na Fraingeis aguscainnt na Gearmailt aig nach'eil smid Ghàelig 'n an ceannged is i 'chainnt a bh'aig nadaoine o'n d'thàinig iad agus ath'aig an .t-sluagh a tha iad a'chòmhnuidh 'n am measg.T) è 'n rathad a ghabh sibh doSgamadal ?Thog mi rà a' bhrudhaeh bràighBhaile-nodha's ghabh mi nullthar a' mhonaidh.D4'n seòrsa rathaid a th'ann ?Tha deagh rathad a' fiaradh a snastaobh a' bhruthaich gu mullacha' mhonaidh, ach cha n-'eilann an deigh sin ach ceumgarbh tro'n fhraoch.Dè 'n t-astar a tha eadar Bailenodha'san loch ?teirinn gu bheil mu thuaireamtri mile gu leth ann.Cia meud mìle 'tha o so gu ruig anloch ?Còig mìle, agus trì mìle gu leth—'s e sin ochd mìle gu leth.An do mhothaich sibh am bheilcoilich 'us cearcan fraoichpailte's a' mhonadh ?Tha mi'm barail gu bheil, oir bhaiad ag èiridh 'n an sgaothaibha h-uile ceann tacain marohaidh mi air m' aghaidh.Thar leam-fhèin nach 'eil eun anna's briadha na'n coileach-fraoichdeireadh an fhogharaidh.Is math is fhiach e 'fhaicinn a'spaisdeireachd air ais 's airaghaidh gu h-uaibhreach airtolman, a chlrean dearg togta'n àird os ceann a shùilean,agus 'iteach dubh-dhonn a'deàrsadh's a ghrèin.It has been thus with many inregard to Gaelic.You are right; hundreds will befound who have spent much oftheir time in learning Frenchand German, but who do notknow a word of Gaelic, thoughit is the language that wasspoken by those from whomthey have sprung, and that isspoken by those among whomthey dwell.What road did you take to Scamadale.I stnick up the hill above Balinoandcrossed the moor.What kind of road is it ?A good road winds along the sideof the hill to the top of themoor, but there is only arough path through the heatherafter that.What distance is there betweenBalino and the lake.I should say that there are aboutthree miles and a half.How many miles are there fromhere to the loch ?Five miles, and three miles and ahalf, that makes eight milesand a half.Did you observe if grouse are plentifulon the moor ?I am of opinion that they are, forthey were rising in coveysevery now and again as I wentforward.I do not think that there is a moreelegant bird than the cockgrouse in the end of harvest.He is well worth being seen struttingabout proudly on a knoll,with his red crest erected abovehis eyes, and his dark-brownplumage gleaming in the sun.

60 CÒMHRAIDHEAN.COMHRAIDHEAN, 61'D è 'n ùine 'ghabh sibh a' dol anull o Bhaile-nodha ?Mu uair an uaireadair, a' coiseachdair mo shocair.Tha de dh'uchdain, de chamhanan,'s de lùban's na monaidheau's nach 'eil e furasda coiseachdgu luath tharta.'IS uair a ràinig mi 'n taobh thallchunnaic mi sealladh nach dìchuimhnichmi 'chlisge.'D è 'n seorsa seallaidh a bh'ann ?Bha badan de cheò cho geal ris ant-sneachd air mullach Chùirnliath.Chithear sin gu tric air na beanntan.Am feadh a bha mi 'g amharc airthàinig oiteag ghaoithe fodhaa reub n a stròicean e, a draibh -ill mu'n cuairt iad air iomadhdòigh iongantach, agus a thoga suas's an adhar iad, far andeachaidh iad as an t-sealladh.'D è 'mheudachd a th'anns an loch ?Tha e mu dhà mhìr air fad's mucheithreamh mhìl' air leud.Ciamar a tha e air a shuidheachadh?Tha e ann an lag dhomhain eadarna beanntan, a tha 'g èiridh gucas uaithe, 's iad uaine gu'mmullach.Am bheil coille a' cinntinn air ancliathaichean ?Cha n-'eil; na'm biodh cha n-'eilloch 's a' Ghàidhealtachd abhiodh na b'àillidh na e.An robh bàt' agaibh 'g a iasgach ?Bha.Cuiridh mi geall gu'n d'fhuair sibhi làn uisge.Fhuair, agus ghabh mi mu chòigmionaide fichead 'g a taomadh.'D e 'n seòrsa taomain a bh'agaibh ?Bha cuach-bhleodhain, a fhuair mio'n mhnaoi cheanalta 'tha'chòmhnuidh taobh an loch.What time did you take to crossfrom Balino.About an hour by the watch, walkingat my leisure.There are so many steep ascents,hollows, and windings in themoors that is not easy to walkfast over them.When I reached the other side Isaw a sight that I shall notquickly forget.What kind of sight was it ?There was a tuft of mist as whiteas snow on the top of Carnliath.That is often seen on the mountains.While I was looking at it a gust ofwind came under it that tore itin tatters, whirling them roundin many curious fashions, andraising them into the air,where they disappeared.What is the size of the lake ?It is about two miles long, and aquarter of a mile broaiHow is it situated ?It lies in a deep hollow between themountains, that rise abruptlyfrom it and are green to theirtops.Is there wood growing on theirflanks ?There is not; if there were therewould not be a more beautifullake in the Highlands.Had you a boat fishing it ìI had.I'll wager that you found it full ofwater.Yes, and I took about twenty-fiveminutes to bale itWhat kind of baler had you ?A milking-pail that I got from, thekind woman who lives by theside of the lake.Am b'ann 'am meadhon an loch abha sibh ag iasgach ?Cha b'ann ach aig a thaobhan ; tha'm meadhon tuilleadh 'us domhain.'D è 'n doimhneachd a's freagaraiche?Eadar ceithir 'us deich troidheau.Cha b'urrainn duibh iasgach agusiomram aig an aon am.Cha b'urrainn, ach leig mi leis a'bhàta falbh leis a' ghaoith, a'toirt làimh air na ràimh an dràs's a rìs g' a cumail ceart.Cia meud breac a ghlac sibh ?Fichead.'D 6 'n uine 'ghabh sibh g' an glacadh?Ghlac mi 'chuid a's mò dhiubh annan leth uair.Cha robh sibh diomhanach.Bha iad rè na h-ùine sin a' leum gusùrdail ceithir thimchioll, agus's e sin an t-àm a's fheàrr aghabhas iad.Am bheil sibh eòlach air òrain MhicMhaighstir Alastair ?Leugh mi iad uair 'us uair.Nach bu nadurra 'sheinn e mu nabric 1" Ha bric a' gearradh shùrdag,Ri plubraich dhlùth le cheil',Taobh - leumraich mear le lùthchleasA bùrn le mùirn ri grèin ;Ri ceapadh chuileag siubhlachLe'm bristeadh lùthmhor fhèin ;Druim lann-ghorm, 's ball-bhreacgiùran,'S an lannair-chùil mar leig."Bha m'aire cho mòr air an iasgach's nach do smuainich mi air a'cheithreamh sin.'D è 'n t-àm de'n bhliadhn' a's fheàrrgu iasgach air na lochan sin ?An dara agus an treasa mìos de'nt-samhradh.Was it in the middle of the lakethat you were fishing ?It was not, but at its sides; themiddle is too deep.What is the most suitable depth ?Between four and ten feet.You could not both fish and row atthe same time.I could not, but I let the boatdrift with the wind, handlingthe oars now and again to keepher right.How many trout did you catch ?Twenty.What time did you take to catchthem ?I caught the most of them in thecourse of half an hour.You were not idle.They were during that time leapingdiligently all round, and thatis the time when they takebest.Are you acquainted with the songsof the son of Mr. Alexander ?I have read them often.How naturally he sang about thetrout !" The trout kept nimbly leapingWith merry plunge and play ;Dimpling the burn with sprightlytricks,Warm in the sunny ray,Their blade-blue back and spottedgillsGleamed with gem-like scales ;Then with a dash they snapped theflyThat careless wandering sails."(Pattison).My attention was so much bentupon the fishing that I did notthink of that stanza.What is the best season of the yearfor fishing on these lakes ?The second and third months ofsummer.

62 COMHRAIDHEAN.COMHRAIDHEAN. 63'D è 'n seòrsa là a's freagaraicheairson an iasgaich ?Là blàth, grianach, le fras uisg' andràs's a rìs, agus gaoth an iar.'D è 'n seòrsa chuileagan a's freagaraiche?Ma tha'n là soilleir, gun deò gaoith'ann, 's iad cuileagan beaga,dorcha a's freagaraiche, ach matha'n là dorcha, an t-uisgodorcha, agus sgairt mhathghaoith' ann, feumar cuileaganna's mò's na's soilleire 'ghabhail.Mur 'eil an t-iasgair eòlach air anloch feumaidh e seòrsa no dhàfheuchainn gus an amais e airan fheadhainn a fhreagras.Tha mòran an earbsa ris an dòighair an tilgear na cuileagan 'sair an tairngear iad tro' 'n uisge.'D è na h-àiteachan a's fheàrr guiasgach ?Far am bheil luibheannach a' cinntinn'us far am bheil uillt a'dol a stigh do'n loch.Am bheil bradain 'an Loch Sgamadail!Tha.Ciamar a tha iad 'g a ruigheachd ?Tha iad a' tighinn a nìos air a-bhuinn Iuchair as a' mhuir'san earrach agus's an t-samhradh.Nach 'eil iad toigheach air a bhiann an aibhnichean 'a 'anlochan ?Tha, anabarrach toigheach.'S iomadh uair a chunnaic mi iada' leum àirde mòire as anuisge ; 'd è 'tha 'toirt orra sina dheanamh ?Tha e coltach gn bheil iad a' leummar so chum gu'm faigh iadcuite de sheòrsa mial' a th'orra'n uair a dh'fhàgas iad anfhairge* The Practical Angl •, by "ff. C. Stewart."What kind of day is most suitablefor the fishing ?A warm, sunny day, with a showerof rain now and then, and awest wind.What kind of flies are most suitable?If the day is clear and windlesssmall and dark-coloured fliesare the most suitable, but ifthe day is dark, the water dark,and a smart breeze blowing,larger and lighter coloured fliesmust be taken.If the fisher is not acquainted withthe lake he must try differentkinds till ho find those thatsuit.Much depends on the manner inwhich the flies are cast anddrawn through the water.What are the best places for fishing?Where weeds grow and where burnsenter the lake.*Are there salmon in Loch Scamadale?There are.How do they reach it ?They come up on the river Juchairfrom the sea in Spring andSummer.Are they not fond of being in riversand lakes ?Yes, very fond.I have often seen them leap a greatheight out of the water ; whatcauses them to do that ?It is probable that they leap thusin order to get quit of a kindof louse that adheres to thamwhen they leave the sea,Am faca sibh iad riamh a' leum asuas eas ?Chunnaic iomadh uair; is iongantach,bòidheach an sealladh e.Ciamar a tha iad a' toirt na h-oidheirp1.Tha iad a' lùbadh an cinn gu'nearball, 's a' toirt dnileum airan aghart mar dheanamh cearcallcuilce na'm biodh a dhàcheann air an leigeil as.Nach tric leo tuiteam air an ais ?'S eadh, ma tha'n t-eas car àrd, achbheir iad ionnsaidh an deighionnsuidh air a' mhullach aruigheachd gus an soirbhichleo, ma tha sin comasach.Cha n-'eil teagamh agam nach robhdileag de Chaol Isle agaibh's a' chliabh a thoirt beothachaidhdhuibh 'n uair a bhiodhsibh sgìth de thilgeil na driamlaich.Cha robh, ach bha làn searraigagam de thai fhuair le siùcar'us uachdar 'n a mheasg.Cha shaoilinn gu'm biodh an deochsin aona chuid blasda no beothachail.Tha i 'n dà chuid, agus tha mòran'g a gabhail a roghainn airdeoch sam bith eile.'D è 'n rathad a ghabh sibh a' tighinndachaidh ìAm monadh.Tha mi cinnteach gu'n robh sibhsgith gu leòir 'n uair a ràinigsibh an tigh.Bha mi, ach cha bhithinn a chòircho sgìth mur b'e gu'n deachaidhmi air seachran's a' mhonadh.'D e chuir air seachran sibh ?Ceò dùmhail a dhùin mu m' thimchioll.An do choisich sibh air ar n-aghaidhtro' 'n cheò ?Choisich fad trì cheithreamhan nah-uaire, tha mi cinnteach, gusDid you ever see them leap up afall?I did many a time ; it is a curiousand pretty sight.How do they make the attempt ?They bend their head to their tail,and spring forward as a hoopof cane would do if both itsends were released.Do they not often fall back ?Yes, if the fall is rather high, butthey will make attempt afterattempt to reach the top tillthey succeed, if that is possible.I have no doubt that you had adrop of Caol Isle in the basketto refresh you when tired ofthrowing the line.I had not, but I had a bottlefullof cold tea mixed with sugarand cream.I should not suppose that thatdrink would be either palatableor refreshing.It is both, and many take it inpreference to any other drink.What road did you take cominghome?The moor.I am sure that you were tiredenough when you reachedhome.I was, but I should not have beennearly so tired were it not thatI went astray in the moor.What caused you to go astray ?A thick mist that closed round me.Did you walk on through the mist?I did for three quarters of an hour,I am sure, till I came back at

64 CÒMHRAIDHEAN.an d'thàinig mi mu dheireadhair m'ais a dh'ionnsnidh an àiteas an d'fhalbh mi.'ST uair a thig an ceò air neach's a'mhonadh's e 'ghliocas fuireachfar am bheil e gus an sgaoil e.Rinn mi sin mu dheireadh. 'Amshìneadh air an fhraoch bhadanach,ghorm, air mo shuaineadh'am bhreacan dùbh-ghlas,thàinig na rannan sin le DonnachadhBàn 'am chuimhne :—" 'S mithich teàrnadh donagleannaibhO'n tha graaimich air na beannaibh,'S ceathach dùinte mu na meallaibh,A' cur dallaidh air ar lèirsinn.Bi 'dh sinn beò 'an dòchas ro mhathGu'm bi 'chùis na's fheàrr an athla.Gu'm bi gaoth, 'us grian, 'us talamh,Mar bu mhath leinn air na slèibhtibh."last to the place from which Istarted.When one is overtaken by the mistin the moor it is his wisdom toremain where he is till it disperses.I did so at last. While recliningon the bushy and blue heather,wrapped in my dark-grey plaid,these verses by Duncan Bancame into my memory:—" It is time to descend to the glens,Since there is gloom on the bens,And mist enveloping the hills,Blinding our vision.We shall live in good hopeThat matters will be more favourablethe next day,That the wind, the sun, and theground,Will be as we could wish on themountains."J•- 4

Gaelic BooJcs Sold by Maclachlan and Stewarts. d.History pf Animals named in the Bible, ... 0 6History of Prince Charles, 3s. ; cheap edition, ... 1 6Joseph, Life of, by Macfarlane, ISmo, cloth, ... 1 6Joseph, History of, 18mo, sewed 0 4Laoidhean Eadar-Theangaichte o'n Bheurla, cloth, 0 6Lessons on the Shorter Catechism and the HolyScriptures, by Forbes, 18mo, 0 4Logan's The Scottish Gael, or Celtic Manners ofthe Highlanders, 2 vols, ...20 0M'Alpine's Gaelic Grammar, 12mo, sewed, ... 1 0M'Callum's History of the Church of Christ, Svo, 4 0MaceoU's Mountain Minstrel, 18mo, cloth, ... 1 6Macdonald's (Mac Mhaistir Alistir) Gaelic Songs, 2 0Macdonald's (Rev. Dr) Gaelic Poems, cloth, 2 6... Waters of Jordan, ISmo, sewed, ... ... 0 2M'Intyre's (Duncan Ban) Poems and Songs, withan English Translation of'' Coire Cheathaich"and"BenDorain," 18mo, 2 0M 'Intyre (Rev. D.) on the Antiquity of the GaelicLanguage (in English) ... 1 6Mackay's (Rob Donn) Songs and Poems, 18mo, 2 6Mackenzie's (A.) History of Scotland, Eachdraidhna H-Alba, 12mo, cloth 3 6Mackellar's (Mrs Mary) Gaelic and EnglishPoems. Preparing.Mackenzie's Beauties of Gaelic Poetry, royal 8vo, 12 0... Gaelic Melodist, 32mo ... 0 4Maclaurin's Sermon, Uaill ann an Crann-CausaidhChriosd, 0 6Macleod, Rev. Dr, Sermon on the Life of the late,by Rev. John Darroch, Svo, sewed, Is. for 0 6Macleod, Rev. Norman, Caraid nan Gaidheal,8vo, half-hound calf, ... 18 0M'Lauchlan's (Rev. Dr) Celtic Gleanings, orNotices of the History and Literature of theScottish Gael (in English), fcap. 8vo, cloth, 2 6The Book of the Dean of Lismore, Svo, ... 7 6M'Naughton (Peter) on the Authenticity of thePoems of Ossian (in English), 8vo, 0 6Macneill's Neniae, and other Poems, cloth, ... 2 0Macpherson's "An Duanaire," a New Collectionof Songs, &c, never before published, cloth, 2 064 South Bridge, Edinburgh.Gaelic BooJcs Sold by Maclachlan and Stewart.s. d.Menzies' Collection of Gaelic Songs, 8vo, cloth, ... 6 0Mountain Songster, Collection of Original andSelected Gaelic Songs, 0 6Munro's Gaelic Primer and Vocabulary, 12mo, 2 0... Selection of Gaelic Songs, 32mo, 0 4 'Nicolson's (Sheriff) Collection of Gaelic Proverbs,with English Translation. In the Press.Ossian's Poems, revised by DrM'Lauchlan, cloth, 3 0Ossian's Lyre (Clarsach Oisein), old and new notations,Nos. 1, 2, and 3, ... per doz. 1 GPeden's Two Sermons and Letters, ISmo, setoed, 0 6Philipps' Seven Common Faults, translated byRev. H. Maccoll, 12mo, ... 1 0Practical Lessons in Gaelic for English-speakingStudents, crown 8vo, 1 0Prayers and Admonitions (series of six, largetype), in packets of 2 dozen, sorted, ... 0 6Prophecies of the Brahan Seer, by A. Mackenzie, 3 6Psalm Book, large type, ffimo, bound, gilt edges, 2 6Do. do., 18mo, cloth, 1 0Do. Smith's or Ross's, large type, ISmo, bd. 2 0Do. Gaelic and English, on one page, ... 1 CRoss's (William) Gaelic Songs, 18mo, cloth, ... 1 6Sinner's (The) Friend, 12mo, sewed, 0 3Skene's Celtic Scotland ; a History of AncientAlban, Vols. I. and II., each 15 0Smith's (Dr) Sean Dana, with English Translationand Notes, by C. S. Jerram 2 6Stewart's Elements of Gaelic Grammar, 4thEdition, crown Svo, clotìi, ... 3 6Sum of Saving Knowledge, 12mo, setoed, ... 0 4Thomson's (Dr) Sacramental Catechism, sewed, 0 2New Testament for Schools, 12mo, bound, ... 1 0Job to Ecclesiastes, 12mo, bound, 0 6Proverbs of Solomon, 8vo, sewed, 0 2BIBLES, TESTAMENTS, AND PSALM BOOKS.AT VARIOUS PRICES.64 South Bridge, Edinburgh.