An gaidheal - National Library of Scotland

;THE GAEL,ENGLISH DEPARTMENT.isKA.-^,isrs-CELTIC CONVERSAZIONE.Last mouth a conversazione washeld in the Museum of Science andArt, under the auspices of the EdinburghHighland Clubs, for the benefitof the fund at present being raisedtowards the endowment of a CelticChair in the University of Edinburgh.The clubs represented were the Argyle,Dumbarton, Perth, Inverness,Ross, Sutherland, and Caithnessassociations, and about 800 ladies andgentlemen attended the demonstration.Guests as they arrived werereceived at the entrance to the greathall by the Right Hon. Lord Colonsay,and thereafter they dispersedamong the various departments andgalleries of the Museum, where theyinspected the numberless rare, beautiful,interesting, and costly exhibits.Many of the gentlemen were atth-edin full Highland costume, and whatwith the gay dresses of the ladies, andAmongthe frequent recurrence of the "garbof old Gaul," the Museum presentedan animated and picturesque aspect.During the promenade the band andpipers of the 93d Highlanders playedalternately a selection of music, embracingpeculiarly Celtic aii-s.those present were—Lord Colonsay,Sir Alexander Grant, Bart., Principaland Vice-Chancellor of EdinburghUniversity, and Lady Grant; ClunyMacpherson of Cluny, ProfessorBlackie, Rev. Professor Macgregor,Mr. E. S. Gordon, M.P., Dean ofFaculty; the Lord Provost and Mrs.Cowan, Rev, Dr. M'Lauchlan, Sherifi"Nicolson, Mr. Alexander Paterson ofHolly Lodge, 'Mr. William Macdonald,High School; Col. M'Neil of Redford,Mr. T. Mackenzie, W.S.; Mr. ColinMacrae, W.S.; Mr. T. Brodie, W.S.;Mr. John Logan, W.S.; Mr. JohnCarment, S.S.C.; Dr. Ferguson, Mr.R. T. Macintosh, Mr. WilliamM'Phie, Mr. M. M'Phail, Mr. J.Jack, Captain Munro, Mr. JohnMacdonald. Mr. John Maclaren, publisher;Mr.' W. N. Eraser, S.S.C.Mr. Murray Grahame of Murray'sHall; Bailie Howden, Bailie Campbell,Greenock, and a deputation fromthe Glasgow Celtic Society.After the promenade the assemblageadjourned to the Lecture Hall,where Lord Colonsay took the chah-.Professor Macgregor stated thatLord Colonsay was not al)le to speakso as to be heard, and his Lordshiphad accordingly reqviested him to saya few words by way of ojiening theproceedings. He was sure they weregi-eatly obliged to Lord Colonsay forhaving done them the great honourof presiding at such an importantgathering. He (Professor Macgregor)had a special interest in the matter ofthe Celtic Chah- for the University ofEdinburgh, and he might be allowedto suggest that were the ladies andgentlemen present to try and do alittle towards getting funds for theendowment of that chair, the businessmight easily be accomplished. Subscriptioncards were being prepared,and would be left at the booksellers,where ladies might procure them. Ifeach of a number of ladies were toendeavour to procure subsci'iptions tothe extent of £10 or £20, the chairmight be endowed within a year.(Hear, hear.)