An gaidheal - National Library of Scotland

;—.352 THE GAEL. January, 1874the feelings of all the Skye people, andhe knew that notliing would delightparents more than to hear their childrenlisping their catechism in their mothertongue rather than in English, whichsome of them did not understand. Itwould he a shame on their part if theyallowed their ancient language to becomeone of the dead languages. Some peoplehad maintained that this was the languagespoken by Adam on that interestingoccasion when he named tlie l)easts, butwhether or not, it was sufficient for themto know that it was spoken by theirancestors, even from the time of the firstRoman invasion. (Applause.) It wouldbe almost an insult to the present generationto suggest that they should forgetthe Gaelic language. (Loud applause.)R. H. Macdonald, Esq., vice-presidentof the association, then read the report ofthe directoi-s, in which a list of the officebearers—Mr.Lachlan Macdonald of Skeal)03tas president, Mr. R, H. Macdonaldas vice-president, Mr. J. Macqueen assecretary, and Mr. John Mackinnon astreasurer—was given. He need hardlytell the association that during the lastfew years it had been almost dox-mant]mt they had been doing a little good, asthey had still beds in the Royal Infirmary,and they had also been successful in gettingrespectable situations for young menbelonging to the island, and had communicatedwith gentlemen in difi'erentparts of Scotland, asking them to givetheir countenance and support to theassociation. (Applause.)Professor Young then addressed themeeting, and said that he was glad tohear the emphatic appeal of the presidentin behalf of the (iaelic language. Weare told that the language, like the musicwe have just heard, is out of date, unrefined,and must be swept away. I hopeit is long till the day when weakly sentimentalismshall carry its point, and extinguisha language and a music whichexert such a wonderful power over thepeople, and which are iised to maintainthe traditions of the Highlands, but arenever used to injure the good order of thecountry, nor to obstruct its progress.We hear it constantly said tliat Gaelicprevents the children from learningEnglish. That is true, when, as I haveseen, a Normal School teacher who hadno (iaelic, could teach a class of fishermen'schildren to read a1)out ships withoutteaching them what the English wordsmeant. He blamed the Gaelic; but itwas himself who was at fault. I hopethat long before the language has becomea tradition, 'this and other associationswill have united in tlie efi"ort to establisha chair in some University. (Applause.)Mr. Charles Macdonald Williamsonspoke of the pleasure of renewing e.irlyassociations at a meeting like this. Theymight well be proud of their island,\\-hich for l^eauty, grandeur, and variety,Avas not surpassed.An assembly followed, which waslargely attended and was kept up withmuch spirit. Inverness Courier.NEWS OF THE HIGHLANDS ANDISLANDS.RoGART.—The Rev. Alexander Mackaj'was ordained last week minister of theFree Chiirch here. The officiating clergymenwere the Revs. Messrs. Aird, Creich;Falconer, Rosehall ; and Mackay, Inverness.Seawn Dana. — We understand thatMessrs. Maclauchlan & Stewart have inthe press a new edition of Smith's SeannDana with an English translation in verseon opposite pages, dissertations on thelangtiage, philological notes, &c.Easdale.—The ninth annual soiree andball of the natives of Easdale, Luing, andSeil, resident in Glasgow, was held in theGrown Halls on the evening of Friday12th December. There was a largeattendance. Mr. D. Cowan occtipied thechair, and in the course of his openingremarks said, that they all loved Scotland,but they loved the Highlands more,and especially those green isles of the seaM'here most of them first realized theluxury of nature and the sweetness oflife. It had often seemed to him that aHighlander, surrounded as he was in hisearliest j'ears by fine scenery and thebeauties of nature, should be a noble, puresouledman. He advised the young men,though surrounded by so many temptationsof city life, never to be guilty ofanything tliat would bring the flush ofshame to their cheeks ; never to forgetthe Ijcauty of their native land, nor theinnocence of their early years, and nevercease to cherish love for their Highlandhome. Miss Fletcher, Mr. J. D. Hozie,and Mr. Houston, were engaged asvocalists, and several members of thecompany, including Mr. Donald Graham,formerly so well known in Oban for hiaservices in this line, sang Gaelic songa.The stirring strains of the bagpipes alsoformed a prominent feature in the evening'sentertainment.