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TRANSACTIONS
OF
THE GAELIC SOCIETY OF INVERNESS.
VOLUME XIII. 1886-87.
I
TRANSACTIONS
•F
THE GAELIC SOCIETY
OF INVERNESS.
VOLUME XIIL
1886-87.
Clsnn nan (Saibktal an (Sxmilltmt ft (Siuilt.
PRIirTBD FOR THE GAXLIC SOCIETY OF INVERNESS, AT THE *' NORTHERN CHRONICLE** OFFICE; ▲NI> 80LJ> BY JOHN NOBLE, JAMES H« MACKENZIE, JAMBS MELVEN, WILLIAM MACKAY, AND A. & W. MACKENZIE, BOOKSELLERS, INVERNESS; .^ . , AND MACLACHLAN & STEWART, EDINBURGH/
1888.
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GAELIC SOCIETY OF INVERNESS.
OFFICE-BEARERS FOR 1866
R. C. Manro-Fergoson of Novar.
CHUFTAINS.
Alex. Mackenzie, Silverwells. PiOTOst Macandrew. A. Macbain, M.A.
HON. BBORBTABT.
William Mackaj, Solicitor.
SEGRBTART.
Wm. Mackenzie, 3 Union Street.
TRBASUBBB.
Dnncan Mackintosh.
MinfBKRS OF OOTJNGIL.
William Gunn. John Macdonald. Bailie Maekay. Cooncillor Stuart. John Whyte.
LIBRARIAN.
John Whyte.
PIPER.
Pipe-Major Maclennan.
BARD.
Mrs Mary Mackellar.
OFFICE-BEARERS FOR 1887
OHIEF.
Mackintosh of Mackintosh.
CHIEFTAINS.
Sir Henry C. Macandrew. Alex. Macken^e, Silverwells. John Macdonald.
HON. SECRETARY.
William Maekay, Solicitor.
SECRETARY AND TREASURER.
Dimcan Mackintosh, Bank of Scotland, Inverness.
1CEMBER8 OF COUNCIL.
William Gunn. Alex. Macbain, M.A. Bailie Maekay. Bailie Stuart. Dr F. M. Mackenzie.
LIBRARIAN.
John Whyte.
PIPER.
Pipe-Major Maclennan.
BARD.
Mrs Mary Mackellar.
COMUNN GAILIG INBHIR-NIS.
OO-SHUIDHHAOHADH.
1. 'S e ainm a' Cbomuinn ''Comxtnn Gaiug iNBHrn-NxB."
2. 'S e tha an rim a' Chomainn : — Na buill a dheanamh iomlan 's a' Ghailig ; cinneas Canaine, Bardacbd, agus Ciuil na Gaidhealtachd ; Bardacbd, Seanacbas, Sgeulacbd, Leabbraicbean agus Sgriobbanna 's a' cbanain sm a tbeamadb o dbearmad ; Leabbar-lann a cbur suas ann am baile Inbbir-Nis de leabbraicbibb agus sgriobbannaibb — ^ann an canain sam bitb — ^a bbuineas do Cbaileacbd, lonnsacbadb, Eacbdraidbeacbd agus Sbeanaobasaibb nan Gaidbeal no do tbairbbe na Gaidbealtacbd ; c6ir agus cliu nan Gaidbeal a dbion ; agus na Gaidbeil a sboirbbeacbadb a gbna ge b'e ait' am bi iad.
3. 'S iad a bbitbeas 'nam buill, ouideacbd a tba gabbail soim do runtaibb a' Cbomuinn ; a^s so mar gbeibb iad a staigb : — Tairgidb aon bball an t-iarradair, daingniobidb ball eile an tairgse, agus, aig an atb cboinneimb, ma rogbnaicbeas a' mbor-cbuid le cranncbur, nitbear ball dbitb-se no dbetb-san cbo luatb 's a pbaidbear an comb-tboirt; cuirear crainn le ponair dbubb agus gbeal, aob, gu so bbi dligbeacb, feimiadb tri buill dbeug an crann a cbur. Feudaidb an Comunn Urram Cbeannardan a tboirt do urrad 'us seacbd daoine diuiteacb.
4. Paidbidb BaU Urramacb, W bbliadbna . £0 10 6 BallCumanta . ..050
Fogblainte 0 10
Agus ni Ball-beatba aon obomb-tboirt de . 7 7 0
5. 'S a' cbeud-mbioB, gacb bliadbna, rogbnaicbear, le orainn, Co-cbombairle a riagblas gnotbuicbean a' Cbomuinn, 's e sin — aon
I
GAELIC SOCIETY OF INVERNESS.
CONSTITUTION.
1. The Society shall be called the ''Gablio Sooibtt of
2. The objects of the Society are the perfecting of the Mem- bers in the use of the Gaelic language; the cultivation of the language, poetry, and music of the Scottbh Highlands ; the res- cuing from oblivion of Celtic Poetry, traditions, legends, books, and manuscripts ; the establishing in Inverness of a library, to consist of books and manuscripts, in whatever language, bearing upon the genius, the literature, the history, the antiquities, and the material interests of the Highlands and Highland people ; the vindication of the rights and character of the Gaelic people ; and, generally, the furtherance of their interests whether at home or abroad.
3. The Society shall consist of persons who take a lively in- terest in its objects. Admission to be as follows : — The candidate shall be proposed by one member, seconded by another, balloted for at the next meeting, and, if he or she have a majority of votes and have paid the subscription, be declared a member. The ballot shall be taken with black beans and white ; and no election shall be valid xmless thirteen members vote. The Society has power to elect distinguished men as Honorary Chieftains to the number of aeren.
4. The Annual Subscription shall be, for —
Honorary Members £0 10 6
Ordinary Members 0 2 0
Apprentices 0 10
A Life Member shall make one payment of . 7 7 0
5. The management of the affairs of the Society shall be en- trusted to a Council, chosen annually, by ballot, in the month of
Till. OO-SHUIDHEAOHADH.
Cheann, tri lar-chinn, Cleireach Urramach, Rtinaire, lonmhasair, agus coig buill eile — feumaidh iad uile Gailig a thuigsinn 's a bhmidhinn ; agus ni coigear dhiubh coinneamh.
6. Cumar coinneamhan a' Chomuinn gach seachduin o thois- each an Deicheamh mios gu deireadh Mhairt, agus gach oeithir- lardeug 0 thoiseach Ghiblein gu deireadh an Naothamh-mios. 'S i a' Ghailig a labhrar gach oidhche mu'n seach aig a' chuid a's lugha.
7. Cuiridh a' Gho-chomhairle la air leth anns an t-Seachdamh- mios air-son Coinneamh Bhliadhnail aig an cumar Ck)-dheuchainQ agus air an toirear duaisean airnson Piobaireachd 'us ciuil Ghaidh- ealach eile ; anns an fheasgar bithidh co-dheuchainn air Leughadh agus aithris Bardachd agus Rosg nuadh agus taghta ; an deigh sin cumar Ouirm chuidheachdail aig am faigh nithe Gaidhealach rogh- ainn 'san uirghioU, ach gun roinn a dhiultadh dhaibh-san nach tuig Gkdlig. Giulainear cosdas na co-dheuchainne le trusadh sonraic^te a dheannamh agus cuideachadh iarraidh o 'n t-sluagh.
8. Cha deanar atharrachadh sam bith air coimh-dhealbhadh a' Chomuinn gun aontochadh dha thrian de na'm bheil de luchd- braidhinn Gailig air a' chlar-ainm. Ma 's miann atharrachadh a dheanamh is eiginn sin a chur an oeill do gach ball, mios, aig a' chuid a's lugha, roimh'n choinneimh a dh'fheudas an t-atharrachadh a dheanamh. Feudaidh ball nach bi a lathair roghnachadh le lamh-aithne.
9. Taghaidh an Comunn Bard, Piobaire, agus Fear-leabhar- lann.
Ullaichear gach Paipear agus Leughadh, agus giulainear gach Deasboireachd le run fosgailte, duineil, durachdach air-son na firinn, agus cuirear gach ni air aghaidh ann an spiorad caomh, glan, agus a reir riaghailtean dearbhta.
CONSTITUTION.
January, to consist of a Chief, three Chieftains, an Honorary Secaretuy, a Secretary, a Treasurer, and five other Members of the Sodety, all of whom shall understand and speak Gaelic ; five to f om a quorum.
6. The Society shall hold its meetings weekly from the begiiming of October to the end of March, and fortnightly from the beginning of April to the end of September. The business shall be carried on in Gkielic on every alternate night at least.
7. There shall be an Annual Meeting in the month of July, the day to be named by the Conmiittee for the time being, when Competitions for Prizes shall take place in Pipe and other High- land Music. In the evening there shall be Competitions in Read- ing and Reciting Oaelic Poetry and Prose, both original and select. After which there will be a Social !Meetin;jr, at which Gaelic sub- jects shall have the preference, but not to such an extent as entirely to preclude participation by persons who do not under- stand Gaelic The expenses of the competitions shall be defrayed out of a special fund, to which the general public shall be invited to subscribe.
8. It is a fundamental rule of the Society that no part of the Constitution shall be altered without the assent of two-thirds of the Gaelic speaking Members on the roll ; but if any alterations be required, due notice of the same must be given to each member, at least one month before the meeting takes place at which the alteration is proposed to be made. Absent Members may vote by mandates.
9. The Society shall elect a Bard, & Piper, and a Librarian.
Ah Papers and Lectures shall be prepared, and all' Discussions earned on, with an honest, earnest, and manful desire for truth ; and all pb-oceedings shall be conducted in a pure and gentle spirit, uid acQMding to the usually recognised rules.
INTRODUCTION.
The Publishing Committee of the Council expected to put this, the 13th Volume of the Gaelic Society's Transactions, into the hands of the Members at least as early as last year's Volume, but they have to plead in excuse of the delay that has occurred the great number of difficult papers which are published in this Volume, and which required careful revision and proof-reading on the part of all parties concerned in their publication. The size of the Volume is about the same as the sizes of the last two Volumes which have been issued, and it is hoped that the work will not be found in any respect less interesting. The number of papers which contain original documents — the raw material of history — has heen well kept up, while those which present original research will he found to possess, on the whole, the interest and importance of any previous papers. The Volume records exactly one year's transactions ; it begins with the Annual Assembly on the 8th of July, 1886, and ends with the Uth May of 1887.
We have to mention with regret the loss sustained by Gaelic literature and scholarship in the death of the Rev. Dr Clerk of Kilmallie. He died on the 7th February of last year, quite unex- pectedly and suddenly ; in fact, he was engaged a week or two ^fore in advocating and defending the teaching of Gaelic in schools. Dr Clerk was seventy-three years of age at his death. He was a native of Upper Lorn, and he studied in Glasgow University. After being assistant to the famous Dr Norman Macleod, and after filling one or two other parish pulpits, he ^ly settled in Kilmallie in 1844, where he remained till his <ieath. He was married to Dr Maclt od's daughter. Dr Clerk was, ^J connection and by turn of mind, bound to be a Gaelic scholar ; ^d such, indeed, he was. He is, we may say, the last of the great
XU. INTRODUCTION.
Gaelic scholars of the old school — ti-uly in that sense ultimtLS Romanorum. In him the older scholarship found its ripest and latest exponent. His monumental work — the Ossian of 1872 — is the high-water mark of that scholarship, presenting its literary and critical powers at their best. Of his numerous contributions to the periodicals that dealt with Gaelic literature, from the Cuai/rtear down to Life and Work, whose Gaelic department he himself edited, it were too long to speak in the limited space of this pre- face, but we must not omit to mention his edition of his father-in- law's Gaelic productions in the form of Caraid nan GaidheaZ^ a work which lays every Gaelic-speaking person under a deep debt of obligation to him. Over him we might write the line from his own favourite Ossian —
" Thuit e le beus *san uir."
Since last we presented our volume to our members little has appeared in the way of books connected with the Highlands. Mr Lachlan Macbean has added a second part to his " Songs of the Gael," and a little work by Mr Cromb details the story of " The Highland Brigade : Its Battles and its Heroes," in a popular and pleasing way. Though book literature is scanty, the periodical literature is even more vigorous than ever. " Nether Lochaber '^ still sends his chatty papers on Gaelic lore and northern science to the Inverness Courier^ and the ^ort/iem Chronicle, Scottish High- lander, and Oban Times devote much space to Gaelic and to High- land history and antiquities. The Scottish Celtic Review is, we fear, extinct, but its editor, Rev. Mr Cameron, contributes his learning to the pages of the Scottish Review. The Celtic Magazine, now under the editorship of Mr Macbain, an active member of our Society, haw taken up a truly Celtic position, and, in combining scientific with popular matter, attempts to make up for the loss of the Scottish Celtic Review, At the present time, Professor Mac- kinnon is publishing in the Scotsman his series of Monday lectures to the Celtic class at Edinburgh on ** Place Names and Personal Names in Argyle." The Professor is to be congratulated on the happy way in which he places the facts of dry philologic science^
iNTBODUcnoN. xiii.
ud the retiults of researches into history, before the public. Pro- fessor Mackinnon's lectures form the most important contribution to the scientific study of Scottish Gaelic that has appeared in reoent years.
Sir Herbert Maxwell's work on " Studies in the Topography of Galloway " might almost be considered a Gaelic work. It is an important contribution to the study of Gaelic topography. Some other works of general Gaelic and Celtic interest that have f^peared within the last sixteen months may be mentioned. Pro- f«8or Stokes' book on " Ireland and the Celtic Church " is a popu- lar and acciu-ate account of early Irish history and Christianity, and newly to hand comes Miss Margaret Stokes' excellent little manual on " Early Christian Art in Ireland." Few have a better tight to treat of this subject than Miss Stokes. And the Stokes to whom Celtic linguistic science owes most of all has not been silent, for Dr Whitley Stokes is unremitting in writing on Celtic philology, and in editing Celtic texts. His latest book is the first part of a new edition and translation of the old Irish glosses at Wirzburg and Carlsruhe. In the second part of the second Tolnme of Windisch's Irtsche TexU he has edited the story of Deirdre, as found in the Glen Masan MS. in the Advocates' Library, Edinburgh. The pages of the Revue Celtiqtte and one or two German periodicals have also contained contributions from Dr Stokes. Professor Zimmer has written some importcmt papers on the heroic literature of Ireland and Scotland. They appeared also in Germany, and more especially in the Zeitschrift for Comparative Philology. Many others have written on Celtic philology and antiquities, notably M. D'Arbois de Jubainville in the Bevtie Celtique upon landed property among the Celts, but it would exceed our limits even to mention the names and papers.
Much has been said and written upon the teaching of Gaelic in schools, but as yet little has been done by the Education Depart- ment. Even the Gaelic Schedule has not yet been issued. In iBgard to the teaching of Gaelic in the junior standards, we are sorry to see from the latest blue-book that the Highland Inspectors Me still opposed — bitterly and unreasonably — to the teaching of
XIV. INTRODUCTION.
the language in schools, and to testing the children's knowledge and intelligence therein. We fear that the Highland Minute is not enough to appreciably affect even the difficulty of expense, let alone intelligent teaching of English and Gaelic. The restriction of the Gaelic-speaking pupil teacher to the teaching of the infants and lower standards practically shuts out male teachers, and, as a consequence, is scarcely even a half remedy, should it be taken advantage of. The whole question of Gaelic teaching, and of the supply and education of teachers for the Highlands, is one that must at once, earnestly and thoroughly, be grappled with.
The Gaelic Society of London early in 1887 mooted the idea of a conference of Graelic savants to consider the question of uniformity in Gaelic spelling and other matters of educational interest, but the conference has not yet taken place. The Societies in the South connected with the Highlands have been very active throughout the year, and much money has been given in bursaries and Jubilee prizes. The Highland Society of London is pre-eminently honour- able in this respect. We are sorry to say that the year of Her Majesty's Jubilee has not been commemorated by any great bequest from some public-spirited citizen, or citizens, for the advance of studies in Gaelic literature and antiquities, or in forming, as was suggested, a society or fund to publish the many ancient MSS. lying in the Edinburgh and other libraries, the publication of which would throw such light on the history of the Gaelic language and the Gaelic race.
Inverness, New-Tear Time^ 1888,
CONTENTS.
PA«B
Office-bearers for 1886 and 1887 V.
Constitution vi.
Introduction xi.
Fifteenth A^^^^^*^^ Assembly — Speeches by Rev. Dr Stewart,
*' Nether-Lochaber :" Mr Duncan Campbell, and Mr
Fraser-Mackintosh, M.P. .... I
Forms of the Verb in Scotch Gaelic — Mr W. J. N. liddall . Sntherland Place Names — Mr J. Mackay, C.E., Hereford . 43 Fifteenth Annual Dinner — Speeches by Provost Macandrew,
Mr John Macdonald (Dingwall), Mr William Mackay,
Mr James Barron, Mr A. Macbain, M.A., Mr Alex.
Mackenzie (Silverwells), Mr Duncan Macdonald, Mr
George J. Campbell, &c 50
Sgeulachd air Sir Uallabh CCom, with English Translation ,;,.„'
—Rev. Mr Campbell, Tiree 69
The Maodonells of Barisdale — C. Fraser-Mackintosh, M.P. 84
Popular Tales — ^Mr A. Macbain, M.A 103
The Olava Cairns and Circles — Mr (George Bain 122
Unpttblished Letters by Simon Lord Lovat — Mr William
Mackay 135
Chorch and Social life in Badenoch in Olden Times — ^Mr
Alex. Macpherson 178
The Waulkmg Day— Mrs Mary Mackellar ... 201
Beports on Highland Parishes (1749)— Sir Kenneth S.
Mackenzie, Bart 218
The Picts — Provost Macandrew 230
Deirdire^ — Mr Alex. A. Carmichael 241
^haber Place Names — Mr Colin Livingstone . 257
Xn. OOVTENTB.
Ossianio Ballads, collected by the late Rev. Dr liacdonald,
Ferintoeh — Rev. Alex. Cameron . . . . 2( Unpublisbed Gaelic Songs — Rev. Dr Stewart, "Nether-
Lochaber" 3(
The Caledonian Canal and its Effects on the Highlands —
Mr Alex. Ross 31
Language as an Index to Character— Professor Mackinnon Zi
Honorary Chieftains 3J
Life Members 3i
Honorary Members 31
Ordinary Members 31
Apprentice Members 3<
Deceased Members 3i
List of Books in the Society's Library . . . . 3<
ERRATA.
Page 89, Une 40— For " son " read " nenhew.''
Page 271 (Foot-note)— For " Ben^ " read "Beinn Eadair, the H
of Howth, near Dublin." Page 353, Hne 3— After " page " read " 50."
TRANSACTIONS.
ANNUAL ASSEMBLY.
The Fifteenth Annual Assembly of the Gaelic Society of Inverness was held in the Music Hall on Thursday evening, 8th July. Owing to the public excitement over the burgh election, the attendance was not so large as on former occasions. Rev. Dr Stewart, Nether Lochaber, occupied the chair, and was supported on the platform by Mr Charles Fraser-Mackintosh ; Mr 11. B. Finlay, Q.C. ; Sir Robert Peel ; Captain Chisholm of Glassbum ; Mr Charles Innes ; Rev. Gavin Lang, West Parish Church, Inver- nesB ; Rev. A. C. Macdonald, Queen Street Free Church ; Rev. Father Bisset, Stratherrick ; Mr W. Mackay, solicitor ; Mr Camp- bell of Kilmartin ; Bailie Mackay, Inverness; Mr Alex. Macdonald, Portree ; Dr F. M. Mackenzie, Inverness ; Mr Mackenzie, Chun h Street; Mr Mackenzie, Mary burgh; Mr Colin Chisholm, Namur Cottage, Inverness ; CounciUor W. G. Stuart, Castle Street ; Mr Gunn, draper. Castle Street ; Mr Alexander Mackenzie, Ballifeary ; Mr G. J. CampbeU ; Rev. Mr Macintyre, Boleskine ; Mr Arch. A. Chiaholm, Procurator-Fiscal, Lochmaddy ; Mr D. Mackintosh, Treasurer of the Society ; Mr John Macdonald, supervisor, Dingwall; Mr Macdonald, Druidaig; Mr Duncan Campbell, Ballifeary ; Mr Smart, drawing-master, and others.
Mr Duncan Mackintosh, Treasurer, in the absence of the Secretary, intimated letters of apology for unavoidable absence from Sir Kenneth S. Mackenzie of Gairloch, Bart. ; Mr John Mac- ^y, C.E., Hereford ; Mr Angus Mackintosh of Holme ; Professcr Blackie; Mr T. D. Wallace, High School; Mr James Clunns, ^airn; Major Rose, Kilravock; The Chisholm of Chisholm; Mr Mackeuzie, younger of Kintail ; Rev. L. Maclachlan, Glasgow; ar.d others. Mr Mackintosh also read the following telegram from Mr ^. Mackenzie, Secretary of the Society, addressed to the chairman, from Edinburgh :-:— " Buaidh is piseach air a* chomunn."
1
2 Oaelio Society of Inuerneaa.
Dr Stewart, who was received with loud applause, said he thaaked them very much for the kind reception accorded him, and he could assure them that he was exceedingly proud to occupy the position of chairman at this, the fifteenth annual re-union of the Oaelic Society. While coming up the Canal on Wednesday, at Fort-Augustus he met on board the steamer a boy with a bundle of newspapers in his hand, and as a matter of course he asked him if he had the Courier, With a look of doubt, intermingled with amusement, the lad said no, but he had the Northern Chronicle, Well, he said, Mur e Bran *8 e bhrathair, and he immediately put himself in possession of a copy. The Chronicle was a very excellent paper. Well, on opening that distinguished journal, his •eye fell upon a paragraph which partly related to himself. It referred to the meeting of the Gaelic Society, and intimated that Rev. Dr Stewart was to preside and give one of his characteristic addresses. Having read the paragraph, he handed the paper to a gentleman beside him, who, with a twinkle in his eye, turned round and put the question what was characteristic of his (Dr Stewart's) addresses. He thought he had the best of it, but he {the Doctor) was not easily beat. His reply was that the charac- teristic of his addresses was brightness and brevity. A very good friend of his had met him that morning, and asked what he was doing at Inverness, to which he answered that he had come to «njoy himself, and, if he possibly could, assist in promoting the enjoyment of his fellow Highlanders. He was of opinion that no man, whether priest or clergyman, whether living like his friend, Mr Bisset, in Stratherrick, or, like himself, in Nether-Lochaber, was doing what was right, and wise, and well, it he was not enjoy- ing the sunshine of this life himself, and helping other people to do so. There were two things which he thoroughly detested. He disliked politics exceedingly, but there was nothing he disliked more than polemics. The ways of politicians were sometimes nasty enough, but they were not half so disagreeable and nasty as those of the polemic. So good were the clergy at snarling, quaiTelling,.and back-biting at each other, that they constantly reminded him of the immortal terrier referred to by the late Dr John Brown of Edinburgh, who describes the animal as walking along Princes Street with a look of satisfaction with the whole concerns of this life, yet whose expression, when examined carefully, gave its master the idea that its happiness was detracted from because it could never get enough fighting to do. There were many politicians, and not a few clergymen, like Dr Brown's terrier — they were inveterately fond of fighting. He need make
Annual Assembly. 3
w apology for occupying the chair that evening. There were certain stiff people who might ask how he, a parish clergyman of the Church of Scotland, could reconcile his conscience with presiding o?er a gathering like this, where there was so much of what might be call^ light speaking, dancing, and singing. Did he think that consistent with his duty as a clergyman ? It was all very veil, they might say, for other gentlemen of distinction to occupy the chair which he now occupied, but why should he, a clergyman, bring discredit upon himself and upon the Church by taking that position? His reply to such critics, if such there ^ere, was simply this — that the chair was, not many years ago, occupied by a clergyman of higher distinction than Nether-Lochaber, viz., by Dr M'Lauchlan, Edin- burgh, a leading clergyman of the Free Church. If it was con- sistent with the duty of that excellent divine to preside at the re-union of the Gaelic Society of Inverness, it could not be un- becoming for Nether-Lochaber to render his humble service in the same capacity. Fifteen years ago he was present at the inaugura- tion of their Society, but he could well remember being present at the second annual meeting. He could assure them that the Society had been the means of accomplishing a vast deal ot good throughout the length and breadth of the land. When the Society was first inaugurated the study of Celtic literature, Celtic philology, and Celtic antiquities was confined to a few people — one here and one there — but since its formation the whole land seemed to have been inoculated with a love for Celtic literature, with a love and appreciation of Celtic music and of Celtic folk-lore. The fact of the matter was that, go where they liked into any company, and if they spent an evening with any intelligant people, the chances were a hundred to one that Celtic literature, Celtic music, or Celtic folk-lore formed part and parcel of the conversation before the evening was brought to an end. The Society had done a great deal of good in this direction directly, but he did not refer merely to the excellent Transactions of the Society, of which he had a very handsome volume, containing the transactions of last year, then before him. Not only the Society but its individual members had also done a great deal of good directly as individuals. He saw the excellent work of the Society in the influence which it brought to bear upon literary people and antiquarians throughout the country. Within the last year or two Lord Archibald Camp- bell published a magnificent volume called the "Records of Argyll," a work in which he was assisted by many coadjutors, both in Invemess-shire and Argyllshire. Lord Lome had at present
4 Qaelio Society of Inuerneaa.
done him (Dr Stewart) the honour of sending him down a very voluminous collection of old manuscripts, which his lordship was most anxious should hd published, and if published he could assure them that thej would prove extremely interesting. Allud- ing to an admirable volume of Celtic music, with annotations^ published by his friend and namesake — Mr Charles Stewart of Tighnduin — Dr Stewart said that if people set themselves to study certain questions in certain di/ections, in an honesty earnest way, it was simply marvellous the success which met their endeavours. One of the most celebrated bards was Alexander Macdonald, Ardnamurchan, and he (Dr Stewart) thought he had known every- thing about this man, who had lived 150 years ago. But yet, within a very recent time, his friend, Mr William Mackay, solicitor, Inverness, perfectly astonished him, because he leaped over his head, and went to the Presbytery of Mull, and demanded a sight of their ancient records. Mr Mackay succeeded in bringing forth quite a large volume of fresh facts of the life and works of this very celebrated Celtic bard. And what was done for Alexander Macdonald of 1745 would in a very short time be done by Mr Mackay for another celebrated bard, whose name was immortal — the celebrated Ian Lom, of Lochaber — and to whom his friend, the excellent member for the county of Inverness, had, with the generosity of his Celtic heart, erected a magnificent monument It was to be hoped that Mr Mackay would be enabled to throw light upon the history of Ian Lom, who lived 100 years before the time of the Ardnamurchan bard. A request by Mr Mackay in reference to this matter came before the Presbytery of Abertarff, of which be (Dr Stewart) had the honour of being Moderator, only last week, and he had the great satisfaction and pleasure of propos- ing to the Presbytery that Mr Mackay should have ready access to all their oldest records, wherever and whenever he pleased. Dr Stewart, in conclusion, said there was only one thing to which he desired to direct the attention of the Society. They knew that there was a very curious circumstance in connection with the pipe music of the Highlands of Scotland. There was the very remark- able fact that a story or legend was connected with every individual tune. Most of them probably knew the legends con- nected with Macrimmon*s Lament and the Pibroch of Donald Dubh, and other interesting legends. They had all individual tales of immense importance attached to them. He would suggest to the Society that he should take Lochaber, and that some other members should take their own comer — their own individual locality — for the purpose of picking up well-known pipe tunes, and
Annual Assembly. 5
ascertaining their history, the legends connected with them, so that they could be all published in one volume. He believed such a work would be exceedingly pleasant in the execution, and extremely valuable when accomplished. He would not detain them any longer, but again assure them that he was exceedingly proud to occupy the chair that evening.
The following programme was then gone through : —
Oran Q«ilig — "An t-Eilean Muileach " Miss J. N. Maclachlak.
Scotch Song— ** The Scottiah Emigrant's Farewell" Mr Paul Frabkr.
Oran Gailig — " Och mar tha mi" Miss HuTCHBaoN.
Scotch Song — " Jessie's Dream " Miss J. N. Maclachlan.
Sword Dance — " Gille-Calum "... Piper Kennbth Maodonald.
Scotch Song— "The Scottish Blue Bells " Mrs HooKBB.
Onn Gkulig — " Moladh na Landaidh " Miss J. N. Maolaohlan.
Scotch Song— "The Blue Bells of Scotland" Mrs Hookbb.
BsDce—" Highland Reels" Oganaich QHAmHBALAOH.
Mr Dimcan Campbell, Ballifeary, who made a short speech in Oaelic, said: — Fhir na Caithreach, a Bhaintigheaman, agus a Bhaoin'-uaisle — Cha chum mi ochd mionaidean na h-uaire sibh, o ^heol 's o oran 's o chrithealas is fhearr no a th'agamsa ri radh. Tha e na cleachda aig a choineimh bhliadhnail so gu 'n labhair fear eigin a bheag no mhor ann an Gailig. Cha 'n e mhor ach a bheag a gheibh sibh bhuamsa. Tha 'n cleachda a dh ainmich mi ceart gu leoir, agus is coir a chumail suas, ged theagamh air oairean nach tuig dama leth a chruinnichidh aon lide de'n Ghailig ; ach chaidh na daoine coire a bha cur surd air gnothach na h-oidhche so ceum air seacharan, dar dh'iarr iad ormsa an la loimhe — 's cha ghabhadh iad diulta — an deagh chleachda a chumail suas an nochd. Bha mi cho fada air falbh a tir nam beaon nan gleann 's nan gaisgeach, 's gu 'n do chinn mo theanga Ghaelach cho meirgte ri seann ghreidlein. Tha e 'n diugh na 's fhasa dhomh cainnt mo mhathar a sgriobhadh na bruidhinn. Agus air-son aobhar eilf^ a dh'innseas mi dhuibh, feumaidh mi, le'r cead, a bhi an aghaidh mo thoil an nochd, coltach ris na ministearan a lenghas an searmoinean. Ged tha cuimhne mhuisein agam air-son briuthran dhaoin' eile theid mo bhriathran fhein troimh chriathar farsuinn ; ach an deigh sin thig na daoine a bhios a cur leabhar bliadhnail a chomuinn so ann an clo-bhualadh ag iarraidh na thubhairt mi fhaotainn ann an sgriobhadh. Faodaibh sibh f haigh- neachd c'arson nach toir luchd nan litrichean-naigheachd a' Ghailig a bhan ann an sgriobhadh-goirid coltach ris a Bheurla. Is beag 4e luchd-litrichean-naigheachd an Taobh-Tuath aig a bheil eolas idir air cainnt an t-sluaigh, agus cha*n urrainn am beagan aig a
6 Qaelio Society of Inuerneaa.
bheil a Ghailig a toirt a bhan anns an sgriobhadh-ghoirid a cheann nach 'eil na comharran a tha freagarrach air-son na Beurla freagar- rach idir air-son cainnt nam Fiann. Bu cheart dhuinn aire a thoirt mu'n ni so, agus, ma's urrainn dhuinn, a chuis a leasachadh. Tha Ohailig a nise a teannadh ri ceann a thogail as ur. 'S ann aig Clann nan Gael f hein a bha moran de'n choire gu 'n deach eucoir riamh a dheanamh oirre. Nach 'eil cuimhne agam dar b! a claigionn eich ann an cuil an taigh-sgoile agus dar a bhiodh siu ri shlaodhadh aig an sgoileir a bhruidneadh Gailig taobh-stigh nam ballachan ! Tha da chainnt aotrom ri ghiulan agus feumail an. iomadh doigh. Cha mhor an diugh de'n oigridh Ghaelach nach tuig 's nach bruidhinn Beurla. Tha sin gu math, ach thoireadb iad aire gu'n ionnsaich iad cuideachd cainnt nan gleann a leughadh agus a sgriobhadh. Cha'n eagal mu'n bhruidhinn, cha'n eagal theagamh, mu'n leughadh; ach cha'n eil oigridh nan gleann ag ionnsachadh cainnt nan gleann a sgriobhadh mur bu choir dhaibh. Ma tha gille og anns an f hichead a sgriobhas i gu ceart sgiobalta, 's e sinn uile e. Tha mi 'n dochas gu'n seall luchd-riaghlaidh sgoilean, parantan, agus clann agus Comuinn Ghaelach, mu'n ni 80 's gu'n leasaich iad e. 'S an linn so tha sochairean ionnsaichidh aig oigridh na Gaeltachd nach d'fhuair an aithraichean. An aite an sgoil a bhi aig an dorus 's ann a b'abhaist do mhuinntir nan gleann a chlann a chur a bhuachailleachd a dh'ionnsuidh na mach- araibh, chum gu'n ionnsaichidh iad Beurla ; agus gu dearbh bi sin a Bheurla chearbach. 'S an am 's an robh Uilleam agus Mairi a rioghachadh air Breatunn agus Eirinn 's air an Olaind, bha fear ann an Gleann-Liomhunn, ris an abradh iad ** Bodach na Cloinne.'*' Cheann gu'n robh pailteas Beurla aige, bha'm bodach toiseach gach samhraidh a dol do'n Ghalldachd, agus thairis air lomachar na Banrighinn, a null do Londaidh le trend chloinne, a bha e suidheachadh an seirbheis feadh nan tuathanach. Ach deireadh an f hogharaidh rachadh am bodach a ritbisd a thrusadh na trend, agus bheireadh e dhachaidh iad. Bliadhna eiginn thainig e dhachaidh le sgeul gun do theich daghiullan a bha 'n seirbheis aon mhaighstir an aite sonruichte, agus gu'n deach iad air bord soithich a bhuineadh do 'n Olaind a thug air falbh iad do na h Innsean Shios. Cha d'innis am bodach gu'n do reic e na giullain ri sgiobair an t-soithich, ach an ceann thri bliadhna 'thainig an dithis air ais, gu slan, fallain an deigh dol timchioll an t-saoghail. Dh'innis iad an eucoir a chaidh dheanamh orra, agus chaidh an sin ** Bodach na Cloinne " f huadach as an duthaich. Cha b'ann gun dragh 's gu'n ebunnart, mata, a bha an oigridh Ghaelach ag ionnsachadh beagan Beurla anns na laithean o chiaa. Ach c'arson a bhithinn ga'r
Annual Assembly. 7
comall na b'f baide o nithean math a tha romhainn. Nach eil sinn ga Bona, cairdeil, comhladh, an t-Ollamh Urramach a lochdar Lochabar a* a chaithir, agus gach fuaim agus comhstri a tha cur na rioghachd troimh a cheile aig an am so, taobh a mach an doruis T Nach fhaod sum air an oidhche so, co-dhiu facail na sailm ud a chantainn : —
" 0 feuch cia meud am maith a nis,
Cia meud an tlacbd faraon, Braithrean a bhith nan comhnuidh ghnath
An sith 'b an ceangal caoin."
'S e 'n sith 's an ceangal caoin braitheireil sin neart agus gloir Comunn Gaelach Inbhiniis, agus gach comunn eile collach ris.
The remainder of the programme was then gone through, and was as follows : —
Scotch Song—" 0* a* the Airta Mrs Hookbb
OranGailig — "Mnathan a' Ghlinne" Mr Paul Frasbr
Scotch Song— "Hail to the Chief" Miss J. N. Maolachlaw
Onn Oailig — "Qu maslan achi mi'* Miss Hutchison
Humorous Scotch Recitation — *' Scotch Words'* Mr Hookbb
OranGailig — " Lochnagar" Miss J. N. Maolachlak
Song— "The Crooked Bawbee" Mr and Mrs Hookbb
Dince — "Highland Fling and Reel o* Tulloch" Ooanaich Ghaidhbalaoh
The vocalists, without exception, acquitted themselves extremely well. Miss Maclachlan was in good voice, and in Gaelic as in English, elicited very hearty applause. Mrs Hooker gave a very expressive rendering of " 0' a' the airts the wind can blaw," and that exquisite song " The Crooked Bawbee," was very nicely sung as a duet. Miss Hutcheson rendered her Gaelic songs with her accustomed sweetness. Mr Paul Fraser appeared to most advan- tage in his Gaelic song, which was sung by request. The dancing proved a very popular feature of the programme.
Mr Fraser-Mackintocih, M.P., said a pleasing duty had devolved upon him in moving a vote of thanks to the speakers and performers that evening. In regard to the performers, it was unnecessary for him to say a word. They had all acquitted them- aelves admirably. As to the speakers, they were indebted to Mr Campbell for the very interesting address which he had delivered ; and in regard to the Chairman, what should he say about him T There was no man in the Highlands who had been the source of greater pleasure and instruction than their Chairman that evening. They were all proud of hinL They all knew of his most active life, and if other Highlanders would only follow his example, they
M
8 Qaelio Society of Inverness.
would, perhaps, be able to make a better place in the world than they were so far able to do. He alluded, in conclusion, to the references made by Dr Stewart to Celtic bards and Highland pipe- music tunes, and pointed out that there were gentlemen upon Uie platform who would be able to contribute their quota from their localities upon this interesting subject. Dr Stewart told them that he left home for the purpose of enjoying himself, and he (Mr Fraser-Mackintosh) was sure the audience had obtained much of their enjoyment from the pleasant way in which he had conducted the meeting. He might conclude with the well-known Gaelic line in regard to Dr Stewart, '* Gu ma slan duit gach ait an teid thu."
Dr Stewart replied, and the assembly thereafter terminated by the audience joining in singing the National Anthem.
15th DECEMBER, 1886.
A largely attended meeting was held on this date. The hon. secretary read a letter from Mr William Mackenzie, resigning the office of secretary, in consequence of his appointment as secretary and principal clerk to the Crofters Commission. The meeting accepted Mr Mackenzie's resignation, and desired to record the Society's appreciation of his valuable services to the Society during the long period for which he acted as secretary.
There was then read a paper by Mr W. J. N. Liddall, Advocate, Edinburgh, on the "Forms of the Gaelic Verb." Mr LiddalFs paper was as follows : —
AN ANALYSIS OF THE FORMS OF THE VERB IN SCOTCH GAELIC IN RELATION TO OLD IRISH.
PREFACE.
The conjugation of the verb in Scottish Gaelic is of much interest, alike for historical as for linguistic reasons, when its relation to Irish is examined. A comparative study of old Irish is, as might be expected, essential to make the history of the Celtic verb intelligible, as developed by the Goidels on the other side of the Channel. Philology can lend no slight assistance to psychology, and vice versa, and, from this point of view, the verb is probably the most important department. In the present case, this obser- vation will not. I think, appear unjustified. I have, it should l^e explained, adopted the arbitrary distinction of using the term
The Verb in Scotch Qaelic. 9
"Gaelic" to denote exclusively Scottish Gaelic* (for which Scottish might have served stilly had it not now been appropriated for a Teutonic dialect). Brevity is my only excuse. " Irish," of course, serves to indicate the €k>idelic language of Ireland, distinguished bj its three epochs of Old, Middle, and Modem. I have not Tentored to discard any of the terms of the ordinary Gaelic Grammar, although they are in many cases untenable from a philological point of view. Under disguise of new names, it will appear that — much as Scottish Gaelic has been worn down by the use of centuries — there still survive venerable forms, of which it maj be truly said, Gnlomh^ran Idtithean nam Uiadhna dhUaom.
W. J. N. L. Moin, County Down, Sept. 1885.
Since writing the above, I have been able, by a visit to Counties Cork and Kerry, to make some comparison of the two dialects as spoken.
W. J. N. L.
11 Royal Crepcent, Edinburgh, Nov. 30th, 1886.
THB OABLIO VERB.
The conjugation of the verb in Scottish Gaelic exhibits now but one uniform type, the uniformity of which may be described as being almost mechanical. Here and there, it is true, ancient forms survive in isolation, like rocks whose harder material or accidental position has preserved them lonely, in a surface otherwise reduced to one dead level by the disintegration of geological forces. These forms — few in number — occur chiefly amongst the verbs styled "irregular" — some ten in number — but their preservation is fortunate, as they immediately attach themselves to the earliest forms of Irish, and so, of Indo-European conjugation.
This tendency to uniformity in conjugation — in Gaelic so developed — is simply obedience to a familiar linguistic psycholo- gical law. Thus, for instance in English, the '^ weak" past has been superseding the " strong ; " " helped " has displaced " holp " and "holpen;" "climbed" has suppressed "clomb." In a similar nuuiner in the French language the tendency has been to make the
* There should be but one Qoidelic Qrunmar^'in which the dialectical varieties of Argyleshire or Ross-shire should have no greater prominence than thoee of Munster. and should be noted as are the Doric or Aeolic peculiarities ni a Oreek Orammar. Further, it will be seen that Qaelic in Scotland has ^tered but little during the last four centuries.
10 Qaelio Society of Inverness.
oonjugation in er predominate, just as in Italian. Verbs, belong- ing to different conjugations in Latin, are made to conform to the first (in a, a comparatively late formation), so that *^hahemtu^* appears as " abbiamo" Bat Scottish Gaelic has not fallen into an absurdity which Irish has not escaped, namely, that of combining two distinct tense-formations in one verbal form. Thus the Middle and Modem Irish pretertite tanactts consists of an old reduplicated perfect, from which has been formed again an s-preterite. In the same way the English past, " slept," is an old ^^ strong " past, upon which has been superimposed the formation of the " weak " past.
The forms of the verbs in Gaelic, and their usage, can be made intelligible only by a comparative study of Old Irish. It is true, indeed, that in the former we meet with applications of forms through processes of specialization and differentiation skilfully resorted to, which we do not find so developed in Irish, yet a brief study serves to convince that their beginnings are to be found even in the latter, and that any apparently new development in Gaelic has its parallel, if not its immediate origin, in the ancient dialect. In Gaelic, synthetic and analytic forms stand side by side in marked contrast. Thus, hkUhinn^ I would be, is as synthetic as Latin essem or Greek Hen^ whilst, I have been, is expressed by such an analytic mode as, tha mi air bith, literally, I am after being. *
With the exception of some few forms, so synthetic as hhithinn, referred to in the last paragraph, where the pronoun is incorporated with the verb, yielding a compound as " fixed," to use a term of chemistry, as 8um in Latin, t the inflections of any tense consist of a form identical for all persons of both numbers, to which is added the respective pronoun — the forms of the pronouns, it is well to note, being identical with those given in Modem Irish as Accusative, and distinct from the Nominative. The verbal part is seen, on examination, to be a finite form and corresponding to the third person of the singular in Irish. Thus, the future of cuir, to put, is inflected thus : —
Sing. 1. Cuiridh mi. Plur. 1. Cuiridh sinn.
2. Cuiridh tu. 2. Cuiridh sibh.
3. Cuiridh e. 3. Cuiridh iad.
* In the North of IrelaDd, County Down ^or instance, where Irish cannot have been spoken for a long time bacK, the English speaking people still use this Irish combination quite commonly, e,g.f I am after walking, I have walkeo. In the Highlands of Scotland, the same expression is heard.
t Dr Skene is too sweeping when he says that in Scottish Gaelic " the analytic form is alone used, there being no inflections for persons or numbera."
The Verb in Scotch Qaelic. 11
Here the termination dA^ standing by Gaelic phonetic law for d, is simply the t of the third person of the corresponding (h) future in Irish, and is, of course, identical with the f, characteristic of the third person singular in Indo-Europeau, as, for instance, in Latin
This will be found to be the usual method of inflection. Thus, in the tense known in the grammars as future passive (really a present), the same process is observable. Thus, from Imail, to strike, the tense in question is : —
Sing. 1. Buailear mi. Plur. 1. Buailear sinn.
2. Buailear thu. 2. Buailear sibh.
3. Buailear e. 3. Buailear iad.
If we turn to Old Irish, we shall find that this method is Jdready extensively used. For there in the Passive it is the third person (of both numbers) alone that has a special form. The first and second persons are supplied by taking the form of the third person, and indicating the effective persons by the enclitic form of the pronoun attached to a verbal particle, or to the preposition, if the verb is a compound one. Thus, from the third pers<inal form, herar, the first person is formed, nont herar. In Modem Irish the same method exists, the respective pronoun following the verbal part in its Accusative form ; thus, from rnol there is formed fMUar me. This idiom is really an impersonal use of the verb,
A comparison may not inaptly here be made with the Passive of Latin conjugation, which is really a Middle in origin. The T of the above Gaelic form buailear is identical in origin with the characteristic r of Latin Passive. It is actually a Middle forma- tion, and occurs only in Slavonic, Latin, and Celtic, r being the reflexive pronoim se. Now, in Latin as in Gaelic, se is adopted for e?ei7 person, thus : —
S. 1. amor = amo-se. PI. 1. amamur = amamus-u-se.
2. amaris = amaBi-se. 2. (a special form ; Parti.)
3. amatur = amat-u-se. 3. amantur = amant-u-se.
This adoption of se in Latin for all persons seems an exact parallel to the Gaelic use of the form of the third person for all persons.
This use of the form of the third person for all the persons is only part of a wider principle, in virtue of which the verb is used mperionally, a use extensively prevailing even in Old Irish. There we find even a form of the Substantive verb used imper- Bonally, as con-dumrfel, that I might be (where the m of dum is the pronoun). In Graelio composition an impersonal use of the verb is a favourite one, especially when graphic and vivid writing is aimed at.
12 Qaelio Society of Inoerneaa.
THE PRESENT INDICATIVE.
Gaelic Gmtnmars recogniBo no simple preeent, except in the caae of the Substantive verb. It will appear, however, that fornu assi^ed to, and dischai^ing the functions of, other tensee are really presente, and are even occasionally used with that signifi- cation. The Substantive verb will be examined in detail later on, but its present falls to be noticed here. It illustrates the simplest method of farming the present in the Indo-European languages, namely, by the unmodified root being combined immediately with the pronouns, as, for instance, is seen in such Sanskrit verbs as aetni, a«ti, and in Greek timi. The present of the Gaelic Substan- tive verb is inflected thus (if we can say " inflected") : — Sing. 1. Tha mi. Plur. 1. Tha sinn.
2. Tha thu. 2. Tha sibh.
3. Tba e. 3. Tha iad.
T&d, which stands for ta, represents the root sta {* in initial tt in Ga^io disappears, compare tech, house, Greek sUg/is). French has adopted the same root in the couiugation of its substantive verb, as itre is equivalent to stare.
In the analysis of the Indo-European verb, we find that the verbal part was placed first, the pronoun being appended thus, Sanskrit, anti (Greek, tsti ; Latin, t»t ; Gothic, i*t), signifies he-Ke. This collocation Gaelic still preserves, not only as seen above in* tha mi, where the nominative is a pronoun (so enclitic are these pronoun^* in this case that in Manx, tor instance, mi in writing coalesces with the verb, and appears simply as m), but also where the nominative is a noun, the verb invariably precedeo, as Tkainig Iain, John cam4.
In oo other case, save in the substantive verb — (An mt and i» mi — does a Gaelic grammar recognise a simple present. The present in other cases consists of the substantive verb with the Gemndial noun of the particular verb, governed by a preposition.
In two places in Gaelic conjligation appears what is, as far as form is concerned, the bare root, namely, in the preterite, and in the tense called by the grammars " Future of the Negative Mood." The present identity in the case of the former with the root is accidental, in the latter case it will be seen that the tense is in origin not a future but a present, and is even occasionally used as such.
The Verb in Sootoh Gaelic . IS
PRETERITE INDICATIVE.
It will be convenient under this head to consider the verbal jarticJea. In Irish these were three in number, namely, no^ ro, Mod do, each of which had certain tenses it might precede and so modifj the meaning. Of these three particles, no (which may be compared with the nu which forms a praesential base in Sanskrit, parallel to Greek formations like deiknUmi; Latin, jungo ; English, i6wkf) does not survive in Gaelic ; ro (identical with Latin pro\ survives,* in disguise however, in only two verbal forms, robh and nAn,t although it is in common use as a particle intensifying the signification of an adjective, thus, mor, great, ro-mhor, very great ; while do is still in regular use as a verbal particle. The use of these particles suggests the similar usage of the Sanskrit particle smoj converting a present into an imjerfect, as well as the usage of the augment in Sanskrit and Greek. In Latin, again, for instance, a preposition \& often found affecting the time-force of a verbal form, as may be seen probably in such a grammatical con- jugation as taedet, pertaesum est.
As far as modem Gaelic grammar is concerned, there is only one tense of the past, but, like the Greek aorist or the Latin perfect, and the Old English preterite, this tense may fulfil more than one function. Not ordy is it an aorist, but it is also a perfect, and even a pluperfect t in meaning. The result of this want of time-distino- tiona may be noticed when a Highlander, imperfectly acquainted with English, says, for instance, I was, where the English idiom demands, I have been.
The formation of this past tense is invariably (except in the ciae of the ten " irregular " verbs and the substantive verb) effected
* In the Book of Dean of Lismore char=eha ro is found ; so gwr is probably
Irish CO rt).
t The following forms in the Book of the Dean of Lismore shows the effect rfthe loet a on the preceding syllable — royw, roiff roygh, roye^ reyrHy reive. The prasent pronnnciation of rinn clearly represents the o of ro. Compare also ^ntm, ronimtr, forms occurring in the book of the Dean of Lismore. So in Old Irish, ro often became roi under the influence of the syllable of reduplica- tiooa, as adroi gegranndbar — persecuH mnt. Subsequently, when the reduplica- tion WM lost, the origin of this oi was not appreciated and it was treated as the tenw dipthong oi ; thus ro iMiing, he leaped, is written roiplaing, roeplaing^ nqiaing ( Winditch). Compare with those the forms in Gaelic of robh^ just cited. Compare also oi in do-rdi-gu, doroegu, dordig,
t It is used even for a pluperfect subjunctive, in the same way so far as mood is concerned, that Horace says dederam for dedissem. Its equivalence Iwth to an sorist and a perfect is noticed in an Old Irish surviving MS. — con- fi ^^ hitind 6in tech, a file leotom indibtech, Sg. 160 b,
14 Qaelio Society of Inoerness.
apparently by taking the bare root preceded by the verbal particle do and appending the personal pronouns. Aspiration of the initial consonant of a root is produced by the particle. When the verb is used in an affirmative independent sentence, that is, when what the grammars call the "affirmative mood" is employed, the particle do may be, and generally is, omitted,* provided the verb begin with a consonant. But the aspiration naturally remains ; thus from the root seaSf to stand, the past tense is do sheas mi, or usually sheets mi. The tense is inflected thus : —
Sing. 1. sheas mi. f Plur. 1. sheas sinn.
2. sheas thu. 2. sheas sibh.
3. sheas e. 3. sheas iad.
But if the root begin with a vowel, the particle is not omitted, as otherwise there would be no distinction between it and the " Future of the Negative Mood," for aspiration could not possibly be effected. The aspiration, however, is thrown back on the particle, and the vowel elided. The principle is phonetically somewhat the same as is seen when the Greek base trick- has for nominative thrix. Thus the past of the verb innw, to tell, is dhHnnis mi. A root with initial / has come to be treated as if it were one beginning with a vowel, thus, the past of fan, to stay, is dh^jhan mi. Thus the use of the particle do, the object of which was originally to modify the time-distinction (as it may still be traced in Gaelic in certain tenses which have not the particle, in cases where the only explanation is one that points to a time-modification as the cause), has now come to be simply to aid an economy of formations.
Such is the apparent process of the formation of the past tense in Gaelic, and at first sight it would seem to be a parallel one to that of the second or simple aorist in Greek, which consists of the bare root, the augment being prefixed and the pronouns appended, as in such forms as ebalon, etupon. In reality, how- ever, the origin is as follows : — The form corresponds to the third person of the " composition" form of the same tensej in Old Irish,
* In the book of the Dean of Lismore, the use of do with all verbe is very general In reference to this, I should like to say, once for all, that while I accept the general accuracy of the parts published by the labours of Drs Skene and Maclauchlan, I would by no means subscribe unreservedly to the literal accuracy of the tjranscripbion.
+ The form seems more synthetic in the phonetic spelling of the book of the Dean of Luimore, as, heym (=chaidk mi). Manx shows the same in some tenses.
X That is, the S-preterite.
The Verb in Sootoh Qaelio. 15
which, like all the compound forms of the verb, was shorter than those characterising the conjugation of the simple yerb, and in this case the termination was lost entirely. Thus, the third person singular present of the verb representing the same root that yields Latin fero is bfridt but if a compound — as, for instance, with the preposition do — is used, the corresponding person is doMr. In modem Irish the first person of this past has still the termination (formative) -<Uf* and the other persons are inflected (except the third person singular). Gaelic, however, according to the prevailing idiom, has adopted the third personal form for all the persons throughout. Doubtless, at one time, the termination, ilthoogh lost, would " infect" the vowel of the root, but in Gaelic now in form it is invariably identical with the root.
Such is the description of the formation of the past tense in Gaelic now universally prevailing. The exceptions, happening in the cases of the ten irregular verbs and the substantive verb only, are survivals of the most venerable forms in Indo-European conjugation.
To illustrate these ancient forms, a glance at Old Irish is essential. In Old Irish there were three past formations, namely, an S-preterite, a T-preterite and a perfect formed by reduplica- tion, the reduplication syllable being either intact, or contracted, or entirely lost.
The T-preterite, which has been absorbed in later Irish by the S-preterite, is formed probably by means of the root dha, and so this tense would be identical in formation with the weak past of the Teutonic verb, the explanation of which is set forth so clearly in Gothic, as, for instance, in the form nasid^dum. The T-preterite of Old Irish survives in a solitary case in Gaelic, namely, dubhatrt «t, I said. This is very clear, if we compare with it the Old Irish T-preterite, asruburt mi, I said, the root beir being common to the two forms, the prepositions only being different. It is likely, of course, that the first person in the Gaelic, dubhatrt mi, is, according to idiom, the form of the third person used through- out, but in Irish, t was of course characteristic, and entered into €very person. The Irish is inflected thus: —
S. 1. asniburt. PI. 1. asrubartmar (deponent fonn).t
2. asrubirt. 2. asrubartid.
3. asrubert, -hart. 3. asrubartatar (dep. form).
* In the book of the Dean of Liamore the full terminatioD in « is found in the first pernon.
, t This deponent form occurs in the book of the Dean of Lismore. as
16 Qaelio Society of Inverness.
Modem Irish has adopted the formation of the S-preterite for the first person, dvbhras miy but retains the T- formation in the third person.
The S-preterite is much more common. It is doubtless formed by means of the root as, to be (Latin, esse), and so this past can be equated with the Greek " first " aorist, the Latin " perfect " in -«, and with the corresponding Sanskrit formations. In Modem Irish this is the usual past. In Gaelic this form does not suryive in appearance.* It really, however, is the formation from which the regular past in Gaelic has descended, for, as we have seen, the third person of this tense has, in its composition form, lost its termination in Irish, and this third person (in form in Gaelic identical now with the root) supplies all the persons of the Gaelic past tense.
We have now to trace in Gaelic the remains of a prefect of reduplication, the existence of which is demonstrated by Old Irish. In Gaelic grammar there are ten verbs, classed as " irregular,'' because they do not conform to the one uniform type of conjuga- tion now known. To these in consistency must be added tbe substantive verb. It will appear, however, that the so-called " irregular " verbs are the remains of ancient tense-formations, and an examination of these verbs throw light on the principles which underlie the one uniform type of modem Gaelic conjugation. In the present instance we shall be able to trace the perfect of Old Irish. The preterite of the Substantive verb (in the " Affirmative Mood,") is bka in Gaelic ; in Old Irish it was ro ha. Thus, in Gaelic the verbal particle is lost, and the phonetic result hhd, survives. The form of the " Negative Mood " is rohh, but so com- pletely is the origin of ro in rohk obscured, that instead of cha rohh mi, I was not, sometimes is heard, cha d! rohk mi. The form rohk is identical with Old Irish ro ha ; and its pronunciation ro gives to the ear no trace of the verbal part, except perhaps in the lengthened vowel. Bka, then, is the reduplicated perfect of a root in u (Sanskrit, hku; Greek, pkno; Latin, /wi; Old Irish, present, hiu, and in the Gaelic hu). Bka corresponds to Sanskrit hahkuva.
Of the other ten irregular verbs, the following have, as the past tense, forms which are etymologically reduplicated perfects : —
Cluinn, to hear ; past tense, ckitala. In old Irish the form is the same, ro ckuala. It is a reduplicated perfect from a root in 'U, identical with Sanskrit ^rU and Greek klUo. Cluinn is a
* The first person singular in 8 is frequent in the book of the Dean of Lismore ; di rijneissi, di icancus.
The Verb in Sootoh Qae/io. 17
stiengthened praesentical base, but it has been adopted through- oat, except, of oourse, iu the past, owing to its origin.
Faighj to get ; past tense, Fhuair, The Old Irish form is fvar (fu = ar).
Ruig^ to reach, and Tkt^, to come, have as past tense a form fifom a common root.'*' Buig has rairUg^ and Thig has thainig. Old Irish has ranac and tanac, which stand respectively for n^-anac and do-^anac; ctnac is Sanskrit anamcy from a root one. Modem Irish, striving for uniformity, has developed the anomalous preterite tanacua — a combination of two past formations, t
Fcdc, to see ; past tense, chunnaic. The old Irish form is eoRocca, or, with one preposition only, acca. The latter form is adopted by Gaelic as the form of the '* Negative Mood," with the addition of a prosthetic /.| The/, however, is only for the eye in Uie case of the preterite used negatively, as it is lost to the ear in ^e combination chcH%fhaca, As the verb will be fully explained irhen its other tenses are noticed, it is enough to say here that aeca stands for (Uh + ca, § and conacca for con + ath + ca.
With this form, conacca^ care must be taken not to confound eimdarc (modem Irish, ro chonnarcas) of the same meaning, but from the root which yields Greek edrakon, Sanskrit darg,
. Rachf to go ; past tense, do chaidh. This is the old Irish, do-^-ckoculy II the third person of which is dochoid or ckuaid. The past tense of this verb in the " Negative Mood" (carefully to be distinguished as being from another root) is deachaid. It is also a perfect by origin, being the Irish dechad. At first sight it might be taken to be the same as do chaidh^ the form of the '* affirmative
* The root is ak^ ank. It appears in Sanskrit acnomi, to pervade ; Grc^ hikntomai, hikaruu. In Ghielic it appears as ic, as in ruig, thig. In Irish in oompositioa with con (as conicim) it means to be able, and compare English colloquially, *'to come at anything." Celtic has preserved in the Red. Perf. original a. Greek, Inegkon^ is identical.
t A species of ** Contaminationsbildung."
t This /occurs in ^me forms of the same verb in Irish: thus dianvs fvaua — cum cum vident, Dr Skene, calling this / the digamma, says it is not known in Scottish Gaelic ; the present instance is a sufficient refutation.
§ Root is l»^, as in Sanskrit caksh, with which may be compared Greek ftftamd. The Giielic gerund /aicnnn occurs also, exhibiting the 8 of the root ; in old Irish it is actin (D, do actin). Here 8 results from the assimilation of « ol root and t of termination. [In Irish thiutiUftio of Latin tio-n-.] Gaelic gmnmars distingnish gerunds in -sinn and those in -tinn ; it is, however, the •une formative.
tl Compare a root kmdj ktui, as in Sanskrit etUlf old Korae huat-u
2
18 Qaelio Society of Inverness.
mood." But in d^achaidh* the first syllable is radical, and is not the particle do. This is clear from such a form as dodeochaid^ to be met with in old Irish.
Beivy to bear ; and tahhair (a compound of the same root), to g^ive, have their past tenses — perfects by origin— derived from a common root, the prefixes being different, precisely like rainig and thainig^ the past tenses of ruig and thig. The past oi heir is rug^ while that of tahhair is thug. The forms in old Irish were rtic, standing for ro + uc and tuc for do + iiLC.\
These, then, are ^he forms that survive in Gaelic, remnants of the ancient reduplicated perfect. The remaining two " irregular" verbs have as their preterite forms, which, as already explained, come respectively under the »- and the t- preterites of old Irish ; they are rint^X past of dean^ and dvhhairtj past of ahair.
FUTURE.
Old Irish exhibits several future formations. One of these is known as the h- future, and Latin coincides with Celtic in the possession of this future, which is of much more recent origin than the usual futures of Sanskrit and Greek. In Latin ^^h" is the charac- teristic letter of this formation, hence the name (e,g,y amorho). The future-formative is a present form of the root hhu^ to be, and a wider reference will be subsequently made to the relations sub- sisting between present forms and future-meaning. Here, as a comment on this Latin and Celtic future, may be noted the Oskan future formed by the aid of the root cm, to be, thus — dide-st is equivalent to dahit.
In old Irish the characteristic of this future is f^ just as in Latin we find such a form as fuio, as contrasted with amaM}. The third person singular in Irish was, in -fidy added immediately to the root. In Gaelic / has disappeared even to the eye, and, while in modem Irish it is still preserved in writing, it is frequently lost in pronunciation. In accordance with phonetic law, Gaelic has
* Compare the Irish forms of the same verb, as seen in ar na dich, dig=ne veniat ; con-dechais, and digsid.
t The root is the same as that of rainig and thainig (Zeuss p. 504) : — " ICy ig (sive potiut ae, of praeUritum), radix verbalit, awiplex rum usitata, ann particidis ro et do compoaiti variasfomuu proditeurU roie, ric, tiCffiuctuatUe$ inter ngnificationem verbi neutri {venire) et activi {asieguif attingere.)*' In rug and thug the root is in composition with another preposition, which produces u as the phonetic result
t See Note, page 16.
The Verb in Scotch Oaelic. 19
aspirated the final d of the^.**^ This form of the third person is then used for all persons, the respective pronouns being added. Thus, cuir forms its future : —
S. 1. Cuiridh mi. PL 1. Cuiridh sinn.
2. Cuiridh tu. 2. Cuiridh sibh.
3. Cuiridh e. 3. Cuiridh iad.
Other futures, perhaps, survive in one or two of the irregular Terbs, but, as this is uncertain, it will be considered in the sections assigned to those verbs later on.
It may be appropriate here to notice a usage of the future in Gaelic, as it is the converse idiom of that which explains the ordinaiy future of the " Negative Mood," really a present, as well as the future of certain of the irregular verbs — present by origin — namely, the idiom of a present form for a future. But in the usage referred to where Gaelic employs the future, English has the present. When an action or state is represented as being habitual or uniform, inTolving such an idea as that expressed by the term law of nature, for instance, then Gaelic uses the future, thus, eiridh a! ghrian^ the son rises, literally, will rise. In contrast to this idiom, is the use of the Greek aorist known as the gnomic or iterative aorist. The Greek mental state is calmer ; an event has happened indefinitely often, the inference is that it will happen again, the uniformity of nature is involved. The Celt is eager and anticipates ; without hesitation he declares that a specified event will take place. Mid- way between these idioms is that adopted by English which uses the present to describe a customary t or uniform action, e.g.^ the sun rises. The three points of view are really complementary of each other.
PUTURB OP THE SUBJUNCTIVE.
Such is the name given in the grammars to a Gaelic tense. It must be understood clearly that, while the use of both the terms "fiiture" and " subjunctive" may be justified, the formation involves
* It should be Doted that the future of Gaelic is identical in form with the third person singular of the present in Irish, and this, with other facts in the Gaelic future (negative and of the irregular verbs), might base an ar^- meot for such an origin, but I consider the argument for connecthig it with the Irish future stronger. If there were not abundance of other evidence, the two forms — iigfeii, gaufeU — of the Rook of the Dean of Lismore would be ^\j conclasive. Dr Skene derives from the Irish present.
tOId Irish, as Modern, has special ''consuetudinary," tenses, distinct
'onnationflL
so Gaelic Society of Inverness.
no mcxlal element* and m&j not be a future by ongiu. but out! form, namely, tbe root with the terminatian— ~«8 i required by phonetic law, it being understood that e in ti organic aa mif;ht be euppoeed). Thus from tog is formed : S. 1. togas mi. PL 1. togas ainn.
3. togas tu. 2. togas sibb.
3. togas e. 3. togas iod.
On the other hand tbe Tcrba cair, buail from ctttreat buaiUat mi, etc It is to be noted that this form in the TerDs beginning with a vowel (or/) has the verbal particli fixed, unless one of the conjunctions jtt, mar, nock, gu, a: precede. Here then we eee that while the retention of ^ie has no effect save one of euphony, traces of its origin as in a time-distinction, are not entirely lost. The same remar in tbe case of the tense known as the preterite of the subju
Origin of this form. — In Old Irish in tbe third person and plural of certain tenses, a special form exists which Z named the " relative form." In the singular this form en< thus tbe " relative form" (singular) of carim, for instance, i Tbe Gaelic " Future of tbe Subjurctivo" must most pro1 traced for its origin to this " fonna relativa," either of the or, perhaps, of tbe future, or a confusion of both ;§ the di ance of / characteriatio of the future is quite regular and happens as we have seen in the case of the future itself.
Usage of this form in Gaelic. — It is only toimd after a (including the adverbial relative), which, as in English, understood, or after tbe conjunctions ma, if, o (o'nX since. name "forma relativa" would ill describe it, for it has dev signification much wider than ite Irish ancestor. In < indicates potentiality, capacity, or fitness, and is the exact lent of the Latin conjunctive in such a sentence as, idaneui qui h(ec faciat. Thus in Gaelic, cha-» i tin a' cf ruigeat an cridke, that is not the language to touch tbei
* Gaelic, like Modem IriBh, hu no subjunctive mood. Old Iob tormativa pu-t being a. It i« thus panllel hi Lfttin reg-a-m. It wi that Qulic under the imperative haa n remnuit of this true aubjuDct
+ In the book of the Detn of Liunore, do ia in thii cue found before all verbs.
X The origin of thii form ii obacura. Ebel looha upon the j (pi te) aa the remuns of a demonatrative pronominal adTerb. Tbe Buffii nt Norse might then be analogaua.
g A Bpeciea of " Contaminationabildang."
The Verb in Scotch Qaelic 21
literallj which can touch their heart. The idea of potentiality involved in this tense would point to a connection of this form wi^ the <' relatiye form'' of the future rather than of the present, when the idiom of the future used to describe a customary or habitual and therefore characteristic action is remembered. It corresponds to the scientific idea of potential energy. The following further examples are instructive — mu na hruiU ni a nhaoUeas tad, concern- ing everything they can think of; cutn a hhuaiUas mi, when shall I strike t literaUy, what is the time such as that 1 shall strike at ? {here a is the adverbial relative) ; an nair a hknaileas mi^ whenever I shall strike.* This form is used after ma^ if ; the distinction between it and the present indicative similarly used being repre- sented thus — rrui hhitheas e = ean e and ma tha e = ei estin.
It will thiis be seen that this tense, which has clearly no modal element in its anatomy, is not inaptly termed " future of the sub- junctive," if we understand how the name is applicable. The connection in any case of the future with the subjunctive is a familiar one in grammar, inasmuch as futurity and contingency are related ideas, t This connection is illustrated by the equation of the usage of Greek future indicative and of the Latin conjunctive, vhile Greek recognises no future in the conjtmctive mood. Again, the resemblance in Latin, in the third and fourth conjugation of the future and the conjtmctive is suggestive, and it is to be mnembered that for audiam, audibo was once said.
The origin of the termination of Irish "forma relativa" is obacnre ; various theories have been expressed.
PRETERITE OP THE SUBJUNCTIVE.
This is the name given to a tense which, like the " Future of the Subjunctive,'' contains no modal element in its formation. The term, however, is sufficiently accurate from a practical point
* Additional instances of use of this tense — Cha dean tad ach na bhioB <nrt; = Gr. hoH an e dikaion, Co a Uughadh ; Quit legai. *N vair a thachrai io ; Hotan Umto genUai. *N uairamaointickeat tu; Hopotan ennoetes. This tense when used with an uair a (*' the hour in which/* a being the adverbial relative) indicates *' indefinite frequency " like Greek conjunctive with hopotan.
t In Old Irish certain verbs formed a future by t, which had very frnquently the force of a conjunctive, just as tupao in Greek is both future indicative, and aorist conjunctive. Although the Gaelic " Future of the Subjunctive " does not spring from the Irish Formation, still there may be an ^ttodation of meaning through similarity of form. I understand that in parts <>f the Highlands the *' Future of the Subjunctive " bkiot, is used as the future indicative.
22 Qaelio Society of Inuerneaa,
of view. The tense discharges the functions of the Greek optative, or the past of the Latin conjunctive.
The first person of this tense is a synthetic form, and is one of few instances where it has not been superseded by the form of the third person. The other persons are indicated by one form, being the third person of the Irish tense, from which the Gaelic tense is derived. The tense is inflected thus (tofff cuirj : —
S. 1. Togainn. PI. 1. Togadh sinn. ♦
2. Togadh tu. 2. Togadh sibh.
3. Togadh e. 3. Togadh iod.
S. 1. Cuirinn. PI. 1. Cuireadh sinn.
2. Cuireadh tu. 2. Cuireadh sibh.
3. Cuireadh e. 3. Ctiireadh iad.
The termination -eadh stands merely by phonetic rule for -adh^ and the e has no organic origin. As to the origin of the termina- tion of the first person there are difierent views held, but I take -nn to stand for the first personal pronoun mi simply, and to be parallel to the termination in eiithen or tttheien.
The old Irish formation, from which this Gaelic tense has descended, is either the present or the future, which Zeuss styles respectively praesena secundarium and futurum secundarium ; or it may be that both of these tenses are to some extent represented by the Gaelic form. The first of these two — praesens secundarium —(the verbal particle no is prefixed) has the force of the Latin imperfect, indicative, and conjunctive. The other — futvrum secundarium — has the same termination, with the addition of /, characteristic of the future, and this / would quite regularly disappear in Gaelic. This old Irish tense has the signification of the conditional of French conjugation, and as the Gaelic tense in question has, in certain cases, the same force, it may be that the latter represents the ftUnrum rather than the praesens secundurium. At least its meaning has been influenced by a form so similar, if it does not actually descend from this future. When the forms of the substantive verb are noticed, it will be seen that there further evidence is afforded for attaching the Gaelic tense to the future rather than the present (tcmpora secundaria) of old Irish.
The form (cuireadh, for instance) which serves for every person, excepting the first person singular, in Gaelic, is derived from the
* As the first person plural imperative the grammar gives a synthetic fonui which is really a conjunctive (middle) form, and which may be used in place of togadh Hnn, &g. Sanskrit also has preserved as first persons of the imperative, conjunctive forms.
The Verb in Scotch Qaelic. 23
ongdUr of the Irish tense. The prauenB ^eew^darium
of eorm
S. 1. No charinn. PL 1. No charmmis.
2. No chartha. 2. No charthe.
3. No charad. 3. No chartis.
The form in adh (eadhX in Gaelic, as in euirecuihj appears in three places in the Craelic Terb. It occurs in the present instance, and also in the third person singular imperative active, and in the preterite passive throughout. In each case the form has a distinct origin. In the present case the termination dh stands for d of the hish corresponding form, and this again for t, characteristic of the third person singular in Indo-European conjugation.
Examining the usage of the Gaelic form, we find with what accuracy it may be styled — ^as it is by the grammars — " Preterite of the subjunctive." It discharges the functions of the past tenses of the Latin conjunctive and of the Greek optative. In Irish this force was probably due to the particle no to some extent, which, although it is lost in Graelic'^ (the initial aspiration being the only tnce), has still influenced the meaning. The Irish form contained no modal element. An analogy to this Irish tense is found, I think, in the Greek use of the tenses of the indicative with an.f
We saw that with the " Future of the subjunctive " the con- junction ma is used, where the fulfilment of a possible event is contemplated. The " Preterite of the subjunctive" is used, with the conjimction na\ when the case supposed is to be regarded as remotely probable or almost impossible, and also where the con- trary of an actual past event is supposed, and the different result contemplated. In this latter case, in the apodosis, Gaelic, like Latin or English, may use a tense of the indicative! (past, affirmative, or negative), thus stating as a fact graphically what is merely the contemplated result of a supposed condition. The "Preterite of the subjunctive" may thus fill the place of a pluper-
* The particle do (used regularly with this tense in all verbs in the Book of the Dean of Lismore) is used in cases specified elsewhere, and commented on. (See page 18.)
t The use of this tense with dh naird indicates a condition of indefinite ponibility, just as Aoto, hopoU in Greek, with Optative in such clause as (Od. p. 31) ^ tin aggdiin ttraUm dduen erchomenoie hin eh* JUmin »apha eipoi hote protarot ffe puthoUo, in the eyent of his hearing it. PI. Amal, 133. HonwU garioito phUoaophein aixtrcm higitaimln eiuoi <md* an authrdpon nomitainn maaUon gwai,
X Just as Horace says dedtram for dediuem.
U GmtHe Stei^ of ti
La sae aoraier cmev noe mm erent is regarded as very imzr/ciLzl't, if zk:< i2ii«:«Kb«e, the aine fonn is used in both <{.t.i.-<es ; iL::::* : Bis'a «ji. «..&«■,- cit4^t^i<i4 #« n^ — Did I think so f TQci v<:fi^i tee aus;.^ 4e. Ia Greek the Bune meaning is conveyed hj zhe lie :^ zhti :cc«trn» fa tiuf proCftax% and of the optative with mm m :ce api:c*:t<;2&^ js 'n n fcai*^' di*i.^ <Ea. The meaning of the G;iie J.* clk^jes 2i j:»:< io »cnxi^ as tiLat in Ladn when the imperfect oc i£kf ct:c;:i2iJtiT« 3» icKti m bc<h cianses, where it is implied that xhtt centra: *T:i>:a s ab«t:i:i*cix impossible, Greek in the latter case TLMT^i^ zr,^ iiiii;t:;i:nTe in bcch cL-^oie^ with as in the apodoais. Greek acd G^ft^iJL' edat be eqii^ued thas : —
Eli ci «eheii » Ma tha» kc,
Fact a eehj = Ma bhitheas, kc Ei ti «eh*x = Xa'm bitheadh, Ac.
In :b<e case of Terbs bt-^^rsiniii^ with a Towel (or f)^ the particle is p«f>rdi«d to this f*TnaL"r eicepc after the conjunctions mtir, gL '7«« ^a^ ^'^ ^^^"^ ^^ ^bdx^ffb ML Here, again, is an instance where ^' • is pte^rred nsiereir in srnipathj with the past of the ii]»iiOfttire ^wbere i» letenric^ was to aid an economy of forms), cr peri-AW ccIt kc eiipc^mk reascos, whereas the original use was to nxxiifr the k^miacatxTn of the T«rbal form in some way. Side bT sice wi:h th^ we see that in the case of a verb beginning with a\x«»:ciant* while the iniT^ ts re^lariv aspirated, the result of tae rorijcie b now kxst. vet after the conjunction na'n there is no m^^vratx^x. /- J-, »?"• ^^^**««- The explanation of this absence of ATtrarxxi ks^ dvubciess, that hete is a case where the particle was
neTer i2ie%x.
Lrt us now kvk at thb tense when used as an optative in the
li»rai »ii». !• » ^"^^*«' ^^^ ^^ literal opUtive, or wish idea, is ftc< i::* to anv l«ii itse^, but is the rasult of an ellipse. Hence tkt eiv:jiaa:x« of the i»e of this fonn in wishes in Gaelic.
Itt Greek the o^^witi^ is used absolutely (like the French con- oi'k^ci*:* m-:h a a>»nini: oolv d.dfering finom that expressed by the i«ix-*r ^^ « ^^ * •^ ^^'^ ^"^ ^ assertion. The expression ^^wi^T eOi^x^ T^i* ^^ ^^ "* Greek hgoimi an instead of
_ ,-^ iisSJA."** ^"^^ ?fc* we ^^ *he \to»—Na-m biodh tui edlach air \.-. v;,x^»i*. * -*xi««-a '% wur tim. A« -• bicdk bean no dann agad-mi.
r ^*^1ir^ W^-i V^ I>h'earbainnr^a
in is
^ ^ ^ ift .i V— W lV«i <^ Lwmore do is regularly used with verbs
The Verb in Scotch Oaelic. 25
Uga, or, ia questions, Ara etheleseien an ; so in Gaelic, An tugadh t» I Would you give * Hence may be explained the use of this fcnm in Gaelic as a conditional
The Latin dixerim^ I should say,**^ and similar instances of the nae of the perfect of the conjunctive are exactly rendered in Gaelic by this tense. Thus such expressions as shaoiUnny I should be inclined to think, are frequent.
In concessive sentences introduced by ged, although either the mdicative or the subjunctiye may be used, the distinction of meaning being clear. Ged bha mi, although I was ; ged hhithinn^ although I should be.
IHPERATIVB.
The forms given under the head of the imperative mood (strictly speaking, of course, the imperative is not a mood, any more than the mdicative is) are deserving of special attention, for some of them — forms really conjunctive — ^show traces of mood-formation. For the verbs tog and cuir the forms are as follows : —
S. 1. Togam. PI. 1. Togamaid.
2. Tog. 2. Togaibh.
3. Togadh. 3. Togadh.
S. 1. Cuiream. PI. 1. Cuireamaid.
2. Cuir. 2. Cuiribh.
3. Cuireadh. 3. Cuireadh.
The Irish forms are f^root heir) —
S. 1. PL 1. Beram.
2. Beir, bir, berthe. 2. Berid.
3. Bersid. 3. Berat.
The second person singular in Gaelic is now simply the root, and 80 resembles the Latin imperatives fac, die, <bc. But an examination of the Irish form gives evidence of an inflexion lost^ for in heir i is the result of the vowel existing in the termination now lost. The second person plural in ihh must be a later forma- tion, but evidently an imperative proper — ihh being the plural form of the second personal pronoun in the accusative.
The first person singular (in cuiream t is inorganic and due to phonetic rule) is a conjimctive probably, and parallel to such Latin fonna as regam, audiam. The first person plural is noteworthy ;
* i.e,f Were I to be asked.
26 Oaelio Society of Inuerness.
it is a conjimotive'*^ middle form (in Irish it frequently happens that a tense is composed of both actiye and middle forms). The corresponding Sanskrit termination is dmahai, wherein h stands for dh. In Zend the original d is preserved ; for instance, the termination in the optative is maidey closely resembling the above G^lic form.
The third person singular is not a conjunctive form probably, but an imperative. The corresponding Irish form is in rf (e,g.y beradj, but a syllable has been lost ; the form berad stands for berada, as appears from the phonetic result berad (the same argument applies in the third person plural). The termination (fa,t the former existence of which is thus proved, is identical with the Latin termination to (d), Greek to.
The third person plural of the imperative in Gaelic can also be equated with the corresponding Irish form berat, which stands for berant, and this again for beranta^ the termination being parallel to Latin nto, Greek onto.
PARTICIPLE.
No participle of the active is now to be foimd in Gaelic grammar. But the formation which yields a present participle active in Indo-European is traced to survive in what, so far as grammar is concerned, is now classed as a substantive. Thus caraidy friend, stands for carant, t.<?., loving ; teth^ hot, by well- known phonetic principles stands for tepent,
INFINITIVE.
The infinitive in language is really a noun, and in Gaelic this is made analytically very clear. Here every verb has a gerund, the formations of which occur in great variety, and fall to be treated under the morphology of the substantive. This gerundial noun, with prepositions, supplies the Gaelic infinitive, and governs the object in the genitive case,! a possessive pronoun being used when the object is a pronoun (as in Welsh also).
* It is actually used as such. So Sanskrit also has preserved conjunctive forms in the first persons of the imperative. A Sanskrit conjunctive occurs only in the Vedas.
t Probably an old case of a noun.
X Cp. the unusual construction occasionally met with in Latin of a genitive of the gerund governing a genitive, e.g.y " agrorum suit latronihus condonandi** Cic. PhiL V. 3. This " irregularity" is the regular construction in Gaelic. In English, " the giving a book" stands for earlier ** the giving of a book." The Irish gerundial noun governed by " do" is parallel to Old English dative form of the infinitive in e, governed by " to."
The Verb in Scotch Oae/ic 27
COMPOUND TENSES.
Compound tenses are formed by means of the substantive yerb and the gerundial noun. Thus, tha mi ag bttaladh, I am at striking, i.e,^ I am striking ; tha mi iar bttaladh, I am after striking, t.f ., I have struck ; tha mi iar mx> hhualadh, I am after my striking,**^ i.e., I have been struck. In the Highlands of SoDtland this may be heard literally translated into English, thus, 1 am after reading, for I have read, where the litend English would indicate quite a different conception. This literal trans- lation, however, does not surprise us when Gaelic is one of the languages of the speaker, but the same idiom is used in the North of Ireland by people who not only speak English alone, but who are also of English origin. Hearing this idiom in such a district of Ireland, I have considered it as derived from Celtic speech, of which the influence can be clearly still traced in the English spoken in the North of Ireland. A familiar instance is the answering of questions not by "yes" or "no," but by a repetition of the verb of interrogation ;t this idiom seems quite certainly to be but the reproduction of the Celtic idiom.
Latin presents a construction somewhat analogous to the Gaelic formation of compound tenses, in such expressions as post urhem conditam,
NEGATIVB AND INTERROGATIVE | MOOD.
Such is the name given to forms of the verb used in cases in- dicated by the name. In reality it is no mood at all, but simply aD instance of skilful diflerentiation and specialisation, a variation from the affirmative or usual form of a tense being effected by such means as that of adopting a compound or a second compound of the same root, or of taking the derivative of another root.§ The tenses
* In Old EDglifih the verbal noun with on, an^ in^ a was used after the ?erbe is, wtu, to signify a present and imperfect passiye, e.g., " the churche was in bjldynge." Pncisely in the same way a passive is found in (Gaelic, " tha*n Hi^'g a thogaiT" (the possessive pronoun being added in (Gaelic).
t This idiom of repeating the verb in the answer may be due to the fact that a negative sentence is in Gaelic in origin a dependent sentence.
X The ioBufficiency of this name is shown by the fact that the form indi- cited by it is used in all subordinate Noun-sentences introduced by gu gur ; nch sentences being all affirmative. (Negative clauses of this description are introduced by nach = that not. )
§ In these forms, especially in the Future, the following dictum applies : — drr Trieh naeh IHfftremierang hat nickt neue Originab-MUungen, sondem nur Nadibildungen riach vorhandenen Mustem hervonufen Kdunen,
riff iOD^rv n^
: "Hi? ai-x"?* n ^11^3 1 ^*-::sil tjol ^noc^a for this " Mood Z" f^" mim ii_~ - nai n iixt ^i-i3fiU2_"irn» T^atf), dke past (hen n- -«r:i^: :i * "iir- * ::_- 1.^x7 ^^i^fntjc ♦jf the particle do i m ■^^T'-ni * ^'^:^ —ar " -tf-i-fc. -T-iAjL It lae •■izre^ulAT ** verbs ^ .iT'^iLzi'- •^- la^ ' r-rs> . iiiii Tir Sdrr. Now, tbe ongin of m^ iLi.- ac-rfn 1. :« l, ^r "J. s*.fiii* fce*^::*! dcTelopment in G iii:^ iL^ iL^- >r -r-ii* 1. i*.Tiic ii::ji^ eTicst. bat it will app( n-zji. -ii^r 11^ va«r 11- liaa*^ ic A X-j^iuiTTe and Interrog ' A - -i. * i 1^ r TT^~i* -r Ljr^irjT v ^gTAn ^«niisin Irish con : 2. n-' iT t-%tc i« r cjitr-^-i ▼ni li/fm through the infli
-* - -D -2*» * ^-cKi'^ «iif Ixjaerr cijrre Mood *• of Gaelic i L^ L. isamiix >-sc: -L( «« ii « ar «d:^ » distzoctiafi can be t fc.jsM^ II xuiii wrxmt. r'-x::i^tc9 i2ia^ sar tut fcr ■awTriitinir tius ** BJ ar^nc i!r-ii2* it -iitt l7>a «85r: «^«em «»d in composition or ^ iMi ^--xi iti siua £i>c3it:ra:a mt x^ X«!gmtiw Mood '* is ki ^^ :: j^ 5t-as»i ic :at? «tnB "inw -^jikS 4 ir:» Cccj^iacare Mood exists ii r->j> :ii- .iurf->L't-->r-jL- ir ▼"ncj. » «. TwrrnZ^^ to such Lsdn formatio "r>«m. "ji }miti\. -icT^ :» & T»»-3kl tuir^l»>! d this Mood : 9ee Impera k> :*L* yL v< Ji JrraA » xwi«rfc ^ Tcwnaf^ br pMticies, tiie shorter fori p>aixx^«£L'.ti in »w»^*' ^n*^ ^^i- .-*•'■■■- J »»>«i«r /.y sf CBfsi|rfs ete» ra K-M iacewr. /w^ui* »ri-»ai*^« :m» K^talvw tm^'jvmffUmr parttetdit p^ ttc*""»A. iWA.r.a 3i.»r*» /Hi*B»a£.« vfc.iiiA«.iff»r vf ^otf «, MO.] In Modein i^ ."-u um.Ti'^ JL ^^ ^ »''^^ **^* ^' *®^ M»dss s ConjunctiTe (Subjunt ^•J ^5;sQ^ S- w ji ^t* as« -c -ii/t >.*:»!S»at2v« Verb in Modem Irish, a jiw iT 3* j-?sci:ii^- '^^-^^ ^» X2«2a*.-^c c^' s *" Xegatire and Interrogai
, , .,. , --^ \ u^ litt 3)«cviiT^ 3f i— :« coenmon in the Book of the
r«ja> «Tn -•». > r: A >* t -rracc'ne, and u one place insists upo s m >^ - jjur^-ne^ b«s b c<i«r pisioes admits that the f om ^jj^ ^ »a i:>.--f^rr^* as oc cocrseit resUy is. It will be u ^^ -i.'o-aff. F :r,^. ^>*r;i3rtire Mood. Pioperly 8peakin| ' " ' ' --2^ i^tie jaT *;i:;ioctiT>e mood ; the form of the verb v
^J^ cr^rfmntc lit* «sr:as>rtive ^see jk 170), always termi ;*. -^ =^r; at ^-^-erxAr ^«^ these pvticles are followed brm»du*:^^.^_ S*i.:««*cn^ VerbV ^ BkfuUim, in the pr
■"" "'^ '^*^^_- ^* ^ c^jc^ aE« cmljed ibe aobjunctiTe mood of the verb \ jm-atf-nr. i«wd tresn ocher obsolete verbs. This n
^ ^'"*^i^^vc^*T»a: a:r.v«her-nsee p. 179)— is never used ic
-uca rjv- ^^^**' ,^\ ^f^^ :a,e ;^nicl« «s whether ; go, that ; cd, wl ^'*w« «fl>riAP»^ w i^KTi 2^'< ; •^**' "^^ • ^ '^^ *^® relative when p ^ -n^c •«.'. 2^'^ -*^ * yj^ ^^,,.m 1^ jj never used after any of 1
^; >* % 7r»vv*i^»^ Z^w^ ^1 in the ancient manuscripts td is as < g^a^^,<- a ^^ TD.-cjfTT ^'^^ -^ ^ E^^ Donald MacFirbis,
p,^ jt =»*•* ii«*s^«* r ae^wteenth century, frequently uses tc
,.^ ^^^5 30.^ '"'^"^IJL ..eationed.- (P. 223. Chlm, I see). " Subj ...^ tt ai* * '^*r*-'*'t^L* „ iwittsi the subjunctive mood of this verb, w ^ ^.vkb. EA-*3a5 'T^^^^, $xv4en language ; that is, the form faici MX^^!^ y ^ ;rTKiii«, after im, mac, &c ; but/atciw, or feie
I
The Verb in Scotch Qaehc. 29
On analysis, Gaelic negative and interrogative sentences are
found to be really dependent clauses. We are familiar with the
expository form in which Gaelic thought delights for the sake of
^nphasis. Instead of saying, I am doing it, the Gael exclaims,
It is I that am doing it ; instead of, Am I doing it ? Is it that I
am doing it t The Celt of France presents a parallel in his use of
such expressions as. Qui esi-^e qui, Qui est-€€ que, Q'es-ce qui,
(iu*ett-ce que, Estrce, Est-ce que, N^est-ce que. Now the particles of
negation in Graelic identical with English " no" are na (used only
with the imperative) and ni. But the ordinary word to indicate
negation is in Gaelic cAa (except with the imperative). This word
tka, however, in itself is not a negative, but indicates a negation
only by an ellipse. In Irish we find that instead of ni as a
negative we have ni con, later, no co, nocho, nochon,* literally,
"not that." In Gaelic the actual particle of negation has been
tiTe Hood. All the tenses of thin mood are like thoee of the indicatiye, except the simple past, which runs thus- ~
1. go n-deachas.
2. go n-deachais. &c. 8. go n-deachaidh s^.
This form is, however, used as the past indicative in ancient writings, as in the
foUowing example : — (Tet under dianaim, I do, p. 231. O'Donuyan writes
thiu}— '* That Uiis and other irregular verbtt have a subjunctive mood, is quite
dear from the fact that the indicative form could not be used after no^A, cOy go^
^, IS naeh demaiSf that thou didst not." O'Donovan exhibits distinct forms
for "the subjunctive " in no other of the irregular verbs, except for deirim, I
ny, a present subjunctive go n-abrainiy and a future which he says is sometimes
gon-ttber or ep^, as in ni epir^ ** I will not say it ;" and for ft^gaim, I find, a
futare subjunctive go b-fuigeady " and some writers make it go b*-fuigim, in the
present tense." The use of this " subjunctive " of Modem Irish is obviously
tfaat of the " negative and interrogative mood of Gaelic." In conclusion, I shall
quote from Mr Joyce's recent small (modem) Irish grammar. Writing of the
lubitantive verb (p. o9) he says : — " It has two forms, which the regular verb
bas not, namely, a foim in the present tense for interrogation and negation
ihkfiiUim\ and a form in the past tense for the same (ra^Aa«). These two are
eliaaed by O'Donovan as a subjunctive mood, present and past tense." Again,
after giving the past tense duMcu of tAcb'm, I go, he writes : — * There is
another form of the past tense of this verb used after the particlos go, mi, kc,
which 0*Donovan classes as a subjunctive mood." Thus it appears that the
nae of a ** negative and interrogative mood" is not peculiar to Gaelic, but is
found, to a smaller extent, in modem Irish. It originates probably in a
feeling of the want of the lost true conjunctive mood of the ancient language,
where it will be remembered that the shorter forms of composition are most
frequently met with. As a comment, it is to be noted here the view which
holds the Indo-European conjunctive in a to be but identical with the
indicative, or an analytical formation, thus haruUi (vedic conjunctive of han)
is held to be not different in formation from an indicative like bkanUi.
* In book of Dean of Lismore we have Nceha naga=eha'n fhaca.
3U Omik Society of Imerneaa.
vQTTinMii ani dia (m, its fuller form in certain positions, chan as »iiaMir vrrtes rt^ t^rnorant of the origin of ^ n") remains, in appear- «iAi A ttfiTiCi^e, bat et jmologically introductory of a dependent ciiitiaa. Tbe initiiil asptratioQ of c4a is due to the lost " no." An lOAiew^ in uit* one of a word used to express negation but deprived \/c ^htf renllj ne^r^xe purt*^ is found in the modem Greek den^ waurd :»c:iai» ^jr jdai^ as the result of accent. In Gaelic the relative prjouun » frvi^oie&clT used adrerbiallj in an explanatory way, as 31 :ntf poraML da wutr u tAa sibk f How (is it) as that you aret &^w ;ii:^ vva ' Hie ivLitiTe adverb, as the pronoun, is veiy <Mfitoii;it> omitted : the omissioQ of the substantive verb is also a cvmtttL'CL s»ae. In rwv of these circumstances it is not difficult to 3ii^r ta^ ji uie ^uxikhnsis of the interrogative ot of the negative ^eQc^^Qcv A i^^cvodteac ciiiase is involved. Thus, Do you see f is, l^ c :t)vi£ rt^'tt. lee f And so aho can be explained the negative mc«r?-v**-«*^ ^5«i:tftto?. IX> you not seet is, (Is it) that you do ^»c ^<jv * H-uvv muc^ — identical with the Irish negative in ivf^mvivtic ioa wiaciTv oUus« — is used in Gaelic in negative t!vvf**x^v-^v' *uL:t*tic«w Fxirther, nach is also the Gaelic particle 4».Nt X' t :*.x£ 40* ULe^c*ciTif dependent clauses (including relative), 4it%£ >;iri' ^^ Mcrv<x*n\ "•that — not," "who — not"
rv* vr:>. icv,ctt of a special form for the negative "mood"
^iv*^ N ws»>' .a :ac future. The affirmative form is, of course, the
r^x^tw- 1 j.^ xt *^^»^ while the so-called future of the negative
w\»tt8»>i5s .^' A ^>.'<ji» NTtued by the bare root, to which are added
*iV x^<*vve:^>f rf\*txHitti;^ and is etymologically a present. A
^ix><HK jfvvi^t *;^ c?fca ^till be traced in certain cases, thus. An saoil
rt^ ' !!s r> xi yvHi? although grammatically this is a future.
r»;tv v-rtttw : :^.^ ochvr evivionoe remained, would prove the former
vv M. itvv v^ * ^:uvZ«e jMTV^seut in Gaelic, and dispose of the remarks
ci .K««*»f ^*H^.ut<<inAtt* who dwell upon the absence of a simple
'tvja.^*^ ;\^f^^ t*> iUelx* as showing a radical distinction between it
iiivt >VN,^. l'^^ the t^uv n>ot serves as a future of the negative
^- hvnvk v*v^ ^^^v ** ^"f^ ^^» *^ ^^^ P*®^ ^^ ^^® negative so far as
ssvs-^-i^^'^ ^^'* ^ cv^KvnHxi ; hence the necessity in the latter case
^r :iW%\^^<*>tN'^v>< the I article </o, to distinguish it from the
i«. . v^ It 5^ a *;«v:ve aiil iK>t unskilful artifice to aid an economy
* t-v ^"^v^tvN^ W^-a^j^^ fVy^wntly illustrates how a word may indicate ^^.^^ *^v.v..> \- i^^v^^rvo. r^u,, ^in^ Ut rm. In Qr^k, pes gar is ^A^v... ^' 1^ *.v.vV*uv wN,p*«iv>n^ «^\^,i^;^ ""^^IIS !?^ involved m IJ;^ .^.>.*. ^ ^^m^ tW «^«x " t'^ in Old Norse used to negative the
The Verb in Scotch Oaelic 31
It may be as well to refer now to what in Irish seems to haye some sort of relation to, if it be not the origin of these forms of the negative "mood" in Gaelic. In Iiiah, when the verb is not simple but has a preposition in composition, or, being simple, is preceded by a verbal purticle, it has shorter forms of inflection standing side by «de with the longer forms. Thus the third person singular pre- sent of the root identical with Latin fero is berid ; but when the Terb is in composition with a preposition, as with do, a shorter forai for this person is used, e,g,, dobeir, where the effect of the Towel of the lost termination is manifest in the preceding syllable. Therefore, if we remember that negative and interrogative sentences in Gaelic are really dependent clauses, there seems good reason for aaaociating in some way this Gaelic mood with these shorter Irish forms of ^e verb when in composition or preceded by a particle.
The future of the negative, then, consists of the bare root, and
was in origin a present, a signification not wholly lost. The
fonnation of the only simple present, now recognised as such in
Gaelic grammar, is precisely similar, namely, the bare root with
the addition of the respective pronouns. The growth of a future
meaning in a present form is common enough in language. In
Gothic type of Teutonic speech, there is no future, the present is
used for it. In Greek etmt has the force of a future, so edomai
(eitkio) is in form a present, just as ero is in Latin. An illustration
which will be stronger when we come to consider the irregular
verbs is afforded by old English. There the substantive verb had
two presents, formed from two roots common to the Indo-European
substantive verb ; they were am and beo, but gradually beo came
to be appropriated to the future. Now, one of the characteristics
of the irregular verbs is that either more than one root, or a simple
root and a compound of it, are used in the conjunction (compare
Latin /<?ro, iult; pertcBsum est). Thus in the conjugation of dean,
to do, the verb ni (Irish gni) is also used ; and when ni is used
as the future affirmative, dtan serves as the future negative.
Neither of these futures is etymologically a future : they are both
in form presents. Thus ni mi — a present — signifies I shall do ;
and cha dean mi — also a present — I shall not do. Further, in
these irregular verbs which use a present form for the future
there is no future of the subjunctive, or, as the grammars say, it
is the same as the indicative. This supplies an argument for
connecting the future of the subjunctive with the forma relativa
of the future rather than of the present.
32 Qaelic Society of Inverness,
In the case of the preterite the only diatinction is, as we haye seen, the compulsory use of the particle do^ which in the affirma- tive is only used optionally, except in the case of verbs beginning with a vowel or /. The retention of do in the negative preterite is for the purpose of difierentiating it from the futme of the negative. In the case of the substantive verb a word of explanation is required, as there is an apparent diflference of form. The preterite affirmative is hha (in Irish ro ha\ an old reduplicated perfect of the root hhU, The preterite negative is rohh (pronounced ro). Here the only real difference between affirmative and negative is the retention of the verbal particle, but one not now preserved in Gaelic. The existence of a verbal particle in rohh is so completely forgotten in Gaelic that sometimes is heard not cha rohh miy but cha cT rohh miy a second particle being thus introduced. Rohh and rinn* (preterite of dean^ to do, but derived from same root as the future affirmative ni) are the only verbal forms in Gaelic which preserve, and that unconsciously, the verbal particle ro, so common in Irish conjugation. (The Gaelic conjunction gur — a form of gu — may contain the particle ro^ as its Irish equivalent co ro,)
Thus, from the case of the preterite especially, it is clear that this negative and interrogative mood is no mood at all, is not pro- bably original in Gaelic, and is confronted with a parallel in Irish which has influenced if it has not originated it.
THE IRREGULAR VERBS.
An examination of the verbs styled irregular — ten in number, and exclusive of the substantive verb — throws a strong light upon the history of Gaelic conjugation. Their irregularity largely depends upon the fact that they do not conform to the one uniform type of conjugation to which the Gaelic verb has been degraded, but exhibit ancient forms which have with more or less success resisted disintegrating forces. These verbs deviate from the ordinary conjugation in one or more of the following points : — Two roots or a simple root and a compound of the same may be used in the conjugation of a verb, early forms may survive, or tenses have a meaning other than etymology entitles them to. We shall now go through the ten verbs — they are cluinn, *^^> fate, faigh, tahhair, heir, ahair, thig, rach, dean,
Cluinn, to hear. All the tenses, with the exception of the preterite, indicative, active, and passive, are formed from the base
♦ See Note, p. 17.
The Verb in Scotch Qaelic. 33
dvinn. Chuala, the preterite, is, as has already been explained, a reduplicated perfect of a root in u, corresponding to Greek root kltL Now, to form what was a present base, a formation was adopted, the same as occurs in Greek pino, kamnoy where n is con- fined to the praesential tenses (so in Sanskrit). But Gaelic retains the i» of a praesential base throughout, except in the preterite. As the future of the negative' mood is, as has been seen, in origin a present, it is consistent that this tense in this verb should be e^ chluinn mi.
Ruio, to reach. '^^ This verb forms all its tenses in the usual waj, with the exception of the preterite rainig, which is an old reduplicated perfect. Rainig — in old Irish ronac— stands for ro+cmoc, the root being ac^ ic, or, nasalized, anc, inc. The preterite used in the conjugation of thig is the same form, in com- pofdtion with do.
Faicy to see. The future in this verb illustrates much of what has been said regarding the Gaelic future. The future affirmative is chi, the future negative is faic. Now chi is identical with the Irish present cttm, I see, a common compound of which is adchiu otaeciu. In Gaelic /aic, " f is prosthetic,! and the true form aic is identical with the Irish compound cuxiu. Now to acciu in Irish there are two future formations, one by reduplication, as in adeichitis ^futwrum secundariumjy they would see, and a b future, as in ni aicfeOj he will not see. These two forms alone would enable us to trace the identity of root in Gaelic chi and faic. Chi then is present in form, but used as a future. The initial aspiration may have resulted without any granmiatical reason, or, what is much less probable, chi may represent the reduplicated fiiture of Irish and the aspiration may signify the loss of the syllable of reduplication.
As has alreiEuly been explained, the preterite affirmative is ehumnaic (Irish, conocca), a reduplicated perfect from the same root ei which supplies the futures ; it has two prepositions in composition. In the preterite negative faca, "f is prosthetic, and the form is identical with the preterite affirmative, the Tariation being the want of the preposition con. It may thus be seen how artificial is the distinction between " affirmative" and
* See Notes on pp. 17, 18.
t Dr Skene calls " f prosthetic " the digamma," which he says " words in Iriah beginning with a may take." He goes on to say, ** The digamma never ippean in Scotch Gaeli&" Faie and faea meet this statement, as do also two pinllel forms in the book of the Dean of Lismore, frngga, vxikcamir, kc
S4 QoBlic Society of Inoemeas.
'^negatiTe^ formfly and how oomplet^j wantiiig ib any modal element to enable the fonn to be clawed as a n^;atiTe " mood."
Faioh, to get. This rerb emplojs two rooTs in its conjuga- tion. The preterite jhmair (neg^ve, cha iTfkmair) has alraidj been explained as a reduplicated perfect (Irish, fuar).
The future affirmatiTe is gheibh^ the future negatiTe is^a^JL Now, considering the meaning, we should not haye much difficulty in connecting gheibh with the root gabk^ to take (Irish, gab). The vowel in ghetbh is long. Now, in &ish a future reduplication was formed, the syllable of reduplication being lost, and the root Towel lengthened by compensation. The form was thus geb^ the '' relative fonn" being geba$. Gaelic ghetbh is thus probably a future by formation, as well as being one grammatically.
The future negative is the mere base faigh. Little as this resembles gheibh to the eye, and less as it does to the ear, it is formed from the same root, just as cht and fate were seen to be from one root. Irish supplies adequate evidence of the common radical origin of gheibh and faigh. In Irish fogbairnj I find, we luive the root gab and the forms fogeba and fagbail also occur. This Irish gerund faghail is evidently akin to Graelic faigh^ and both contain the root gab in composition. This is made even clearer by taking another compound of the root gab. In Gaelic occurs fag^ to leave ; here g is all that is left of the root gab^ for, in Irish fdcabaim^ facbaini is I leave, and is mjule up thus : fo-\-aith-\-gabaim. Moreover, the Irish form fogtha is a bridge between the two Gaelic forms gheihh tJid faigh. In faigh fia not prosthetic, and the vowel of the form exhibits the influence of the vo^el of the lost part of the root.
Tabhaib, to give. The future affirmative of this verb is the form bheirj and the future negative tabhair — the latter form being derived from the same root as the former, with the preposition do in composition (Latin fero, Greek phero). Bh in tabhair is due merely to phonetic influence, and is not original to the root, for Indo-European bh is represented by b in Gaelic. Bheir seems to be a formation parallel to gheibh. In Irish there is a reduplicated future bh'a^ or, in composition, do-bh'^ the syllable of reduplication being lost, and the root vowel lengthened in compensation. In Irish there occurs the verb feraim^ I give, but it is doubtful if this would explain Gaelic bheir.
Bbir, to bear. This is the simple root of which the preceding verb tabhair is a compound. The conjugation of these two verhi is a marked instance of a principle already referred to as being characteristic in Gaelic conjugation — ^namely, skilful differentiation
The Verb in Scotch Oaelic. 35
to aid an economy of forms. JBeir forms its futures according to Trill : thus heiridh and (chaj bheir are the futures, while the corrw- ponding tenses of tabhair are bheir and (chaJ tahhair.
The preterite of heir is rug, in Irish rue ^ro + uc, the derivative of a distinct root, just as in Latin tvli is distinct homfero. The same root, with the preposition do^ gave the preterite of taWiavr — namely thug, Irish tuc^do + uc. The special meaning of heir is that which is indicated in English bom. The meauing of the Latin verb edo, as a compound of do, illustrates the relation of the Gaelic simple verb heir and its compound tabhair,
Abaib, to say. This is another compound of the same root that we have in heir and tahhavr. The future affirmative is their^ the future negative ahair. The form their is parallel to the futures gheibh and bheir. Their contains the root her just as ahair does, but it has suffered more by contraction. Just in the same way tabhair is ordinarily contracted into toir, and, as the preterite of abair itself, thubhairt is usually pronoimced thuirt.
The preterite thubhairt is remarkable as being the only fiurrival in Gaelic of the t preterite of Irish, a formation identical with the Teutonic weak past, and with the then of the Greek aorist of the passive. The prepositions in thid)hairt are do + fo + tu.
Thig, to come. This is the form for the base given by the graimnars ; it would be more consistent to give it as tig,* for the future negative is tig, the future affirmative thig.
In Irish tic (=do-i-ic) is the third person singular of the present, so that Gaelic here uses a present form for the future. The future affirmative is identical with the future negative, the initial, however, in the former being aspirated. This is another proof of how accidental is the distinction of the so-called negative mood.
The preterite thainig\ is a reduplicated perfect derived from the same root. In Irish it is tanac=do + afuic. The preterite of the verb ruig, rainig, it», as we saw, derived from the same root ; the forms thainig, rainig are thus parallel in their differentiating point to the preterites thug and rug, also already explained.
The grammars assign two gerunds to this verb-— tt^Amn, from the root of the future and the preterite, and teacht, Irish techt, pnt. tiagaim, to be equated with Ueicko.
* In Book of Dean of Lismore we find the form dik^ with which compare the speliiog sometimeB found in modem Oaelic — cPthig.
f Tanik occurs in Book of Dean of Lismore.
36 OaeU'o Society of Inuerness.
Rack, to go. This verb, like thig^ has but one fonn for the futures, affirmative, and negative. Thetd is the future affirmative, and teid the future negative. Teid is present in form, being the Irish do + eit, teU (root, pent ; English, find). Teid in Gaelic is often written d^iheid^ and this may possibly be a reflection of the Irish use of cfo as a verbal particle with the present.
The preterite affirmative is do chaidh^ or, without the particle, chaidhj from a different root. The preterite negative is derived from a third root, distinct from that of the affirmative and that of the future, as may be seen from a comparison of the corresponding Irish forms. Chaidh (with the particle do chaidh) is the Irish do + choadf a perfect in formation, the third person singular of which is dockoidy or chuaid. The Gaelic preterite negative deachaidh is the Irish dechad, a perfect also in formation, the third singular of which is dechuid, deckaid, and do deochaid.
The preterite subjunctive rachainn, as well as the imperative racham, is from a root rack. In Irish there is a conditional doreginn, from a future doreg, rega^ ragai \ and hence we have one of the reasons for inferring that the preterite of the subjunctive is connected with the conditional (juturum secundarium) of Irish^ as much as with the praesens secundarium, if not actually derived from it alone. In Irish the same root has a present toraig and a gerund torackt.
The form dol is used as the gerund of rack. The Irish equivalent is duUi, dul, alongside of which there is a preterite lod, or dollodj third person singular dolluid, first person plural lodamar (a middle form). The origin of these forms is obscure.
Dean, to do. Two roots are used in the conjugation of this verb. The future is nt, the future negative is dean. The form ni is a present in origin, being represented in Irish by the verb gntim.
The preterite rtnn is from the same root as the future affirma- tive. The Irish equivalent form is dorigni, the third person singular of dorigniud, an ^-preterite. In many Irish forms involving this root we find g assimilated after the particle ro, as in daronsa. In Gaelic the existence of the particle ro in rinn* is so forgotten that the negative combination is cha dUrinn, reflecting both the particles do and ro,
A note may here be made regarding the future of the subjimc- tive, as illustrated by certain of the irregular verbs. In the case of those which do not possess a regular future in idh, namely, the
* The form royntm of the Book of the Dean of Lismore. In the modem pronuncifttion of rinn the sound of o is still heard distinctly.
i
The Verb in Scotch Qaelio. 37
â–¼erbs which have future ni^ theid, hheir, thig, their, chi, gketbh, the future of the subjunctiye is the same as the future indicative, as tie grammais say ; but the case is really that the tense is non- existent in these verbs. It will be remembered that this tense is formed in as (eas) and is a forma relativa of Irish, where several tenses had such a form. The non-existence of this tense in these irregular Gaelic verbs specified above strengthens the opinion that the tense is derived from the Irish forma relativa of the future rather than that of the present. The / of the Irish form would disappear in Gaelic as naturally as it has in the future in idh. This origin would explain the force of the tense better, and the name " Future of the subjimctive" would be sufficiently justified, for, being future by origin, the tense would readily and naturally acquire the force of a subjimotive.
PASSIVE.
The analysis of the passive in Gaelic is simple and brief.*
PRBTERITB.
The termination of the preterite is adh (eadh). Thus — Do hhmileadh mi, I was struck. The negative uses the same form, the particle do being invariably prefixed. The same tense exists in Irish, and was formed by adding t\ immediately or mediately to the root. Thus, from dobiur, I give, the preterite passive is, third person singular, dobreik ; third person plural, dohretha. In like manner, carimy I love, has carady ro chartha. It will be remem- hered that Irish possesses special forms in the passive for the third person alone, these forms being used impersonally to indicate the other persons. The t characteristic of this sense probably represents ta of the past participle passive, the substantive verb being understood, just as in Ltatin the second person plural passive is a participle in such forms, as amamini, estis being understood. X
* The followiDg parallel may be drawn between Sanskrit and Gaelic in a p&ssiTe idiooL To be able, is expressed by means of an adjective, urrainn — pooible ; thus, I» urrainn domhy It is possible to me, i,e,, I can. But urrainn has come to be treated as a verb, and inflected as a passive (middle formation), where in English it is the dependent infinitive that is in the passive, thus, c&a-ii urrainnear am fcheadamh cuid diubh a leughadh. In the same in Sanskrit, uk, to be able, is conjugated passively, instead of the dependent bfinidve.
tit may be of use to note that t, d are true dentals in Qaelic, like the Sanskrit dentals.
t There are one or two preterites passive which require a note of explana- tioD from their apparently exceptional form. Thus, from duinn we have not
88 Oaelio Society of Inverness.
The grammara give a future affirmatiye and negative, and a future of the subjunctive, all one and the same form. In origin this form is a present, and traces of a present force may, doubtless, still be found. The form is in ar {ear\ thus from tog is formed togar ; so huaiUar mt, I shall be struck ; cha buaUear mi, I shall not he struck ; ma hhuaUear mi, if I be struck. In the case of verbs beginning with a vowel or /, the form, when used as the future of the subjunctive, has the particle do prefixed (o being elided and d aspirated). No doubt this is a survival from the time when the particle do indicated a time-distinction from that possessed by the verb alone ; now, however, the only question is one of euphony. The Irish present ends in tar or ar ; it has already been shown that ia a middle form, indentical with the form used for the passive in Latin and in Slavonic. The r is the reflexive pronoxm (Liatin se\ used for all persons, and thus a parallel ia presented to the Gaelic usage of the forms of the third person in the passive for all persons.
odIy chualadh, but also chuala$t and from faic both chunnaeadh (neg., facadh) uid chunnaeat (neg., faetu). These forma, although oocurring amongst the inegular verbs, are really identical with the preterite as described abova Old JiiuL expUuns them. When a root terminated in a dental or «, then the t was as8imilat«a, and the result wis m. Thus, ro chlott was heard, root dtu ; ad-cheu aeeat=visum egt, root ea$. The same change takes place in such formations as the Latin participle ,^in»=/ti + tt<<. In modem Irish, O'Donovan gives ooneaa " often used impersonally," and dot which '* very frequently occurs as the i^ist indicative passive." (In Uie south of Ireland the present doitim is used instead of duinim. Stewart's Gaelic Grammar gives no reference to these forms, so far as I notice. In another grammar I find also the forms raineoM (under ruig)^ iameat (under ihig\ and deachM^ chaidheat (under mcA), the forms of the two last of these verbs being explained as being " used impersonally." They seem — ^with, perhaps, the exception of deaduu — to be based on a false analogy. DeacKoi, at first sight, looks like old Irish do-chiku, Uum ett, the same root m Gaelic chaidh, but, on examination, the form must rather be associated with the root of deaehaidh (neg. pret.). Joyce, in his little Irish grammar, makes no reference to these preterites passive, but he gives " another form of the past tense" active of teidhim, deae/uu (from which comes the neg. pret in ^^lic), given by O'Donovan as a subjunctive, but explained as formerly used as a past indicative (see my note to section on the negative mood) ; and as ranffotf iha/uga» are the preterites active of ragim and eigim in Irish, it may be that the forms raineat^ taineatf deae/uu, chaidheu given as preterites passive are due to a grammatical confusion with these Irish forms. To the list of these preterites passive must be added probably Jiot, as in tkajlot offom, I laiow,, where it is considered to be a noun. It is rather the same as old Irish rofedd^ preterite passive of root J!d {oida, video, wU), a dh*fhio§ in the hock of the Dean of Lismore.
See Note (p. 26) to relation asserted by some between third perwm plural (termination anii) and present participle {arU),
The Verff in Sootoh Qaelio. 39
It will be Been that Gaelic exhibits the shorter termination, ar. There are, however, perhaps traces of the fuller termination, tar. Thus, in the oonjugation of fate (Fut. Act. eA»), we have chiihea/r. This may, it must be said, be merely a device of grammarians to &?oid an hiatus just as occurs in hWiinn (I would be), where th is inserted for a similar purpose — a ^BLct clearly seen in the third person f bitheadhj frequently and more properly written biodh.
As has been remarked, the grammars give the same form for the future of the subjxmctive as stands for the future indicative, the truth being that the tense does not exist in the passive. This non-existence of the tense in the passive is parallel to the same deficiency in the conjugation of the acting of those irreg^ular Terbs, which do not form a future in idh.
PBETERITB OF THB SUBJXTKCnVX.
The preterite of the subjxmctive is formed in tadh (teadhX with aspiration of an initial consonant, do being prefixed in the one of verbs beginning with a vowel or /, except after certain ooojonctions. The prefix was once, doubtlessly, used in the case of this tense in any verb to modify the time-idea, probably to make it & perfect ; now it is retained only in cases where euphony seems to require it. Yet its absence after certain conjunctions seems to reflect its original use.
The form from huail is hhuailteadh for all persons. The origin
of the formation is obscure, as there is no corresponding form in
Iriah. In Irish there is a participle (i% -ti) corresponding to the
Latin future participle of the passive, lliis may be a parallel
fonn to the Gaelic preterite of the subjunctive. The final dh
of the Gaelic form — if it should have any place there at all — I
take to be the characteristic of the third person singular, and not
a formative part of the tense, as it is in the preterite of the
indicative passive. The tense may be a special develepment in
Gaelic. On the other hand, the termination dh may be utterly
erroneous, and due to false analogy. In that case the tense may
represent the Irish pr<iesens secundartum which was formed in the,*
IMPXRATIVK.
The imperative of the passive has but one form ; the termina- tion is tavy the apprc^riate pronoun being added. The Irish imperative is similar, ending in tar or ar.
* Participial in formation, and to be referred to the PmUcipUim Ntcem- Mif above meotioDed.
40 Qaelic Society of Inverness.
PABTICLB.
A particle of the passive exists in Gaelic, terminating, as in Irish, in U ; thus — buailte. This te corresponds to Sanskrit to, Greek tos, Latin tus. In Gaelic the termination is, through an absurd adherence to a phonetic rule, written ta in certain cases, as togta, from the verb tog.
The formative na idso occurs in Indo-European past participles passive. Thus — Sanskrit forms pranas ; Greek, Umno^ ; Latin, magntu, plenus, Gaelic has also this form ; thus, Ian full, is Latin plentUy Sanskrit pranas (initial p is lost in Gaelic as in Irish).
PERIFHBASTIO PASSIVE.
The tenses of rack, to go, combined with the gerund of a transitive verb are equivalent to a passive form. Thus — chaidh mi a bhuaileadh, I was struck. This idiom corresponds to the formation of the future indicative passive in Latin, e.g,, amatum iri. And in Greek the aorists of the passive are by some explained in a like manner. Thus, the termination of the second aorist passive, is considered to be the root ie, to go (as in hiemi). And similarly is explained the first aorist passive, the root dha being added ; hence the form seen in etupken. It may be noted that in the active the verb dean^ to do, with a gerund is used periphrastic cally ; thus — rinn mi bualadhy I struck. In the same way was formed the Teuton weak past by means of the root identical with rfAo, Greek the. Further, this root provides present forms in Greek and Latin, as teleiho, credo,
MIDDLB.
In Irish we find middle forms widely developed, and such forms were often mingled in the same tense with active forms. In Gaelic the only survival of such middle forms occurs in the forms specified as such under the passive, and in the first person plural of the imperative of the active and the forms of the substantive verb, viz., thcUar^ hhatar.
THE SUBSTANTIVB VERB.
In Irish four roots are used as a substantive verb. They occur in Gaelic also, and another instance is adduced of the Gaelic power of specialisation.
As — Sanskrit asti, Greek esti^ Latin est. In Gaelic this root appears as a present, the form being m, for all persons. Its use is
The Verb in Scotch Qaelio. 41
that of the French c^est nun. Its preterite is bu (root hhu)* for all persons. In the present, negatively and interrogatively, this verb is never expressed, e,g., Am mise ? Nock e ?
Sia ; French Hrt^ Latin stare. This root supplies the ordinary substantive verb in Gaelic ; in the present a&inative ia or ihay the respective pronouns being added. This illustrates the simplest method of forming an Indo-£uropean present, namely, base with the pronoun immediately added.
Root fdy veL In Irish this root is used in the third person <mly, and has the meaning of the French il y a. It governs the accusative, and thus resembles the German ti giehU In Gaelic the root has been skilfully used as the present of the interrogative and negative mood.f The Gaelic foon is bhetl,X or, shortly, eily as in chorneily mur-eiL The third person singular subjunctive is /nl, often used as a relative form. This is probably the origin of the Gaelic form.
Root hhu; Sanskrit hh% Greek phuo, Liatin furi. This root, vhich already has appeared as supplying a preterite to is, furnishes the rest of the substantive verb.
The preterite affirmative is h?ia% in origin a reduplicated perfect, like Sanskrit hobkuva. The preterite negative is really the same form, the particle ro^ occurring in the Irish ro ba^ being retained. The Gaelic preterite negative is robh, but bh being silent here, all trace of the verbal part|| of the word is lost to the ear, save the length of the voweL
The future is bithidh ; th is here inorganic, being inserted by the grammarians merely for euphonic reasons or by false analogy.1I
* Ought is expressed in Qaelic by m coirf lit it is right or fitting ; i$ coir ^komh, I ought. Usually, however, we find the past tense — hu — used, bu choir ^mnh, I ought. This seems to be parallel to tiie Qreek of the imperfect in mch phases as edeij chr€n, eikot in, or Latin oporiebcU, Ought in English is ^ a past by origin.
t Modem Irish has the same distinction in the case of this verb {gd ik-fiulim). O'Donovan calls it a subjunctive, but explains what it really is, and adds that ta was formerly equally admissible where the former alone is now.
X " VeL"— Book of the Dean of Lismore.
§ Both bha and tha in Qaelic are inflected as middle (" impersonally" the grammars say), bhcUar and thaJar ; thus, thatar ag rath, it is said. The anthority in Irish for such inflections is found in the perfect bd, the first and third persons plural of which are bdmmar and bdtar respectively.
II But in the Book of the Dean of Lismore the result of the lost vowel of the root is seen in the forms roipfe, reive. See Note B., p. 18.
f Id the same way English " could," part of " can," is written so on the *nalogy of ** would " probably.
42 Oaelio Society of Inuemess.
The " future of the subjunctive" is bttkecu, where again tk ia inorganic and should have no place. In Irish the ''forma relativa'' of the future is 6um, and that of the present biU. This further strengthens the view already expressed that the " future of the subjunctive represents the Irish 'forma relativa' of the future rather than that of the present."*
The future negative is, regularly, the base, 6t, and this would in form be, as usual in the future negative, a present.
The imperative is regular, but it is to be noted that here again th where it occurs is inorganic.
The "preterite of the subjunctive" is for the first person singular bhithinriy and for the other persons, hhUheadh, Again, th is inorganic; indeed, hkitheadh is frequently, and with greater accuracy, written hhiodh. In Irish the third person singular of praesens secundarium is bith^ hedy or had^ while the same person of ihefuturum secundarium is no biad. The evident relation of the latter to the Gaelic hkitheadh {bhiodh) strengthens the view already expressed that the Gaelic preterite of the subjunctive is the representative of the futurum secundarium rather than of the praesens secundarium.
One word in conclusion. An examination into the fortunes of the verb as it has fared amongst the Croidelic Celts in Scotland (Scotia minor) will amply reward, I think, the student of language, and also the student of Celtic history and of Celtic thought. While it is possible to admit as peifectly true the following remark by Professor Rhys: — "We want concentrated upon the Celtic languages all the light than can possibly be derived from the other Aiyant tongues, that is, if we are to continue to decipher their weather-worn history ;" yet it cannot be denied that the Celtic dialects contribute their fair share to our knowledge of the Indo-European " Ursprache." In that work they stand with Greek, Slavonic, or Teutonic, as their own proverb has it, guala ri ffualaibh. The student of Celtic and British history cannot but derive assistance from this subject, supplemented by the results of Celtic topographical research. Nor can der sprach unssenschaf- tliche metaphysiker overlook Celtic when he seeks the conception of a unity greater than that of the Indo-European " Ursprache.'' PoUai men thnetois glossai mia cT athanatoisi,
* In parts of the Highlands, I understand bhios is used as the future indicative.
t Convenience alone can justify the non-scientific use of the term ** Aryan** by Professor Rhys.
The Verb in Scotch Oae/ic. 33
elfdnn, Chualoj the preterite, is, as has abready been explained, a reduplicated perfect of a root in t<, corresponding to Greek root klu. Now, to form what was a present base, a formation was adopted, the same as occurs in Greek pino^ kamnOf where n is con- fined to the praesential tenses (so in Sanskrit). But Gaelic retains the It of a praesential base throughout, except in the preterite. As the future of the negative' mood is, as has been seen, in origin a present, it is consistent that this tense in this verb should be cha chlutnn mi.
Ruio, to reach.* This verb forms all its tenses in the usual way, with the exception of the preterite rainig^ which is an old reduplicated perfect. Rainig — in old Irish ronoc— stands for ro+onac, the root being oc, ic, or, nasalized, anc^ inc. The preterite used in the conjugation of thig is the same form, in com- position with do,
Faie^ to see. The future in this verb illustrates much of what has been said regarding the Gaelic future. The future affirmative is chiy the future negative is faic. Now chi is identical with the Irish present ciim^ I see, a common compound of which is adchiu otaceiu. In Gaelic /ate, " f* is prosthetic, t and the true form aie is identical with the Irish compoimd acciu. Now to acciu in Irish there are two future formations, one by reduplication, as in adeiehitis ^/tUurum seeundarium)^ they would see, and a b future, as in ni aicfeoj he will not see. These two forms alone would enable us to trace the identity of root in Gaelic chi and faic. Chi then is present in form, but used as a future. The initial aspiration may have resulted without any grammatical reason, or, vhat is much less probable, chi may represent the reduplicated fiiture of Irish and the aspiration may signify the loss of the syllable of reduplicatioiL
As has already been explained, the preterite affirmative is ehMHnaic (Irish, cofuicca)^ a reduplicated perfect from the same loot ci which supplies the futures ; it has two prepositions in composition. In the preterite negative facoj "f is prosthetic, and the form is identical with the preterite affirmative, the variation being the want of the preposition con. It may thus be seen how artificial is the distinction between ^* affirmative'' and
*See Notes on pp. 17, 18.
t Dr Skene cftUs " f prosthetic " the digamma/' which he says " words in Iriih begmning with a may take." He goes on to say, '* The digamma never •ppein in Scotch Gaelic." Fcue taidfaea meet this statement, as do also two parallel forms in the book of the Dean of Lismore, vagga, wakcamir, &c.
X^ im^bs. iaaia^ ^
M. wniu^x.ito' T^^-wiA â–¼'jra. "3iii svh: ^'ih^il "a 'sue jthl. /wj ^
i%rsw*fJ, v>» rrlrtniit «f -5»ftii::LU!aniiui -jismr iiio- mil "^ "srjtm. VwUf^r-ruvftM !V7 ^fuan^iiflft::;!!!!^ T!l* 5ieil wait -sum ;p?4^ ike ^ r^^jcT^^^t i'jrsA'* ii#tin«r y^-^ai. GA^iue mtnjjL s "suis wrsadhfix a
7>^ f^^^.r* m^^aaxrt » «kft a&en^ baae <v^m^ Lrmit f*yf^.:,\'>SK yA^v-^ V# tii<t ^j*;, 42iii Iieai ift 3 2«:«» i>: Th*ff ah; it iffTu^ U'jcu xcjfi fluae rviC ^sts js dk» jcii »^r»r t/> l/^r ff'^ftk oc* frxiC Ir:aL »i;;cb» ub^rnire eviieaee cf tir^ ^//u^fn^/u f^^y^ fjng^ ^A gi^A joui ftx-jk^ In Iiisli ///^x/itM^ f 1/yJ, we fc^Tt the r<»( <>2i^ azi«i the fonnt /<^y>f «ryl fa//,aiL i^t fjfxrxT. TtJa Irish fcrrmd faghaii k ifV)4^My akn* Uf ^>aelk fnvjK ^i^ ^^^^^ contain the root j^/// ^/i t/^f,[^miwm. This b ma/i« eren dear^ bj taking mother 4(/fU$y/*itA *A tJie f*»t ^y. In (j^^lic occnnfaa. to l«iTe ; here g
\l ikisiX M kft c^ t^ie root ^/, lor, in Irish f'ioihjimy faebaim is ( Udnyi^^ (Mi/| i« mi/le np thus: /o -^ aUA -^ gal^iwu Moreorer, the iftkU ii/nn /it^j^,h/i is s f/ridge between the two Gaelic forms gkeibk Mtii /oujh, in friighfiii not prosthetic, sod the vowel of the form mUiSf^iM t\t^ Utfimmce of the tow el of the lost part of the root.
TAUhAtHf to ^re. The fatore affirmatiTe of this verb is the ffffm ///l^J^/, Mt4 tliti future negative tabkair — the latter form being 4^r1v^l ffiffft t^je same root as the former, with the preposition do in t'^tutff^mliUm (i Min ferOf Greek pkero). Bh in iahhair is due iutxMj Ut \t\uftHtliii influence, and is not original to the root, for \ni\it VMTit\mM% hh is rej;resented by h in Gaelic. Bheir seems to \m w ^tmmsSSuw parallel to ghdbh. In Irish there is a reduplicated fiMMrw hha^ trVf in (^imposition, rfo-6^, the syllable of reduplication ittiUt^ hmtf Mu\ flie rcKit vowel lengthened in compensation. In lrl«li \Utirt$ itiuutrn the verb ferairn^ I give, but it is doubtfiil if thin WmmIiI ^ApliUti iUwWa hheir,
Mmih« Mi bo^r. This is the simple root of which the preoeding v^rb (nft)niir tn a <uitnfHMind. The conjugation of these two verbs in ft nmt'koil luNffinoit (if a principle already referred to as being 4))iMt'H(il4>r)MMo In Ufuillo ooi^ugation — namely, skilful differentiation
The Verb in Scotch Qaelic. 35
to aid an economy of forms. Betr forms its futures according to vill : thus heiridh and (cha) hheir are the futures, while the corres- ponding tenses of tahhair are hheir and (cha) tdbhair.
The preterite of heir is rug, in Irish rue = ro-\-uCy the derivatiTe of a distinct root^ just as in Latin tuli is distinct from fero. The flame root, with the preposition do, gave the preterite of tahhair^^ namely iktig, Irish tuc^do + uc. The special meaning of heir is tliat which is indicated in English bom. The meaning of the Latin yerb edo, as a compound of do, illustrates the relation of the GaeHc simple verb heir and its compound tahhair,
Abaib, to say. This is another compound of the same root that we have in heir and tahhair. The future affirmative is their, the future negative ahair. The form their is parallel to the futures gheihh and hheir. Their contains the root her just as ahai/r does, but it has suffered more by contraction. Just in the same way tahhair is ordinarily contracted into toir, and, as the preterite of abair itself, thuhhairt is usually pronoimced thuirt.
The preterite thuhhairt is remarkable as being the only surrival in Craelic of the t preterite of Irish, a formation identical with the Teutonic weak past, and with the then of the Greek aorist of the passive. The prepositions in thuhhairt are do + fo + tu,
Thiq, to come. This is the form for the base given by the grammars ; it would be more consistent to give it as tig,* for the fature negative is tig, the future affirmative thig.
In Irish tic (=^ do -vie) is the third person singular of the present, so that Gaelic here uses a present form for the future. The future affirmative is identical with the future negative, the initial, however, in the former being aspirated. This is another proof of how accidental is the distinction of the so-called negative mood.
The preterite thainig^ is a reduplicated periect derived from the same root. In Irish it is tanac^do + anac. The preterite of the verb ruig, rainig, in, as we saw, derived from the same root ; ihe forms thainig, rainig are thus parallel in their differentiating point to the preterites thug and rug, also already explained.
The grammars assign two gerunds to this yerh---tighinn, from the root of the future and the preterite, and teacht, Irish techt, pret. tiagaim, to be equated with steicho,
* In Book of Dean of Lismore we find the form dik, with which compare th« ipelliog sometimes found in modem Gaelic — cPthig.
t Tanik occurs in Book of Dean of Lismore.
46 Oaelio Society of Inverness.
Duthaich lnOiic-Aoidh, the country of the Mackajs. This race of men exist now in both extremities of Scotland, in Galloway and in Sutherland. They have place names in common, land marks of origin and emigration, footprints of war, and acquisition of property by war. There is a Tongue and a Boigie in Kirkcud- bright, as well as in the Mackay coxmtry of Sutherland.
The Norsemen obtained a footing, and kept partial, if not absolute, possession of Sutherland from the Eighth to the Twelfth Century. We might, therefore, expect to find Norse place names in the county. EbLcept along the coasts we do not meet with any of them. In the interior the nomenclature is entirely Gaelic. In Caithness, nearer and more exposed to Norse inroads, the case is widely different. All along its coasts, and far inland, Norse nomenclature abounds in place names, while rivers, hills, lakes, and the mountainous portion of this county preserved, from Norwegian or Dane, their descriptive appellation in the language of the ancient inhabitants who imposed them in days much anterior to the earliest inroads of the followers of Odin and Thor. Mountain fastnesses have, in all countries, been refuges and strong- holds for freedom and independence. We see it thus in Suther- land. While the roving and hardy Scandinavian roamed over the plains of Caithness, imposing by long possession names upon his townships, he only left a few of his footprints in Sutherland, simply recording his presence by a casusd visit, a temporary occupation, or more frequently, his fall in conflict with the natives, such as Ospisdale, in the parish of Criech, where Ospis, a Norse leader fell, after his defeat by the natives in 1031, on Druim-liath (grey ridge), above Bonar Bridge. Tumuli and cairns mark the spot to this day. The natives having repelled and defeated the invaders, hotly pursued them to their boats at Flad, below Ospis- dale. To cover the embarkation, Ospis, like a brave Norseman, boldly faced his pursuers, and, like many a hero before and after him, fell with his back to the field and his feet to the foe. He was interred where he fell. An obelisk, 14 feet high, marks the spot, commemorates the event, alike the fall of Norse leader, the defeat of the invaders, and the victory of the natives, hence the name Ospis^aL Dal-harold, in Strathnaver, recordB a similar event. Dal-Halladha, in Strath Halladale, is another instance of the same origin. Here, too, the event is perpetrated in a fiat stone marking the place of sepidture, with a mound raised round it. The name of the fallen Norse leader is perpetuated too, in the name of the Strath, proving to succeeding generations the valour, or the ferocity of the man. Spinningdale, in the same parish of
The Verb in Scotch Qaelio. 37
â–¼erbs which liave future nt, theid^ bheir, thig, their^ chi, gheibh^ the future of the aabjunctiye is the same as the future indicatiye, as tLe grammais aaj ; but the case is really that the tense is non- existent in these verbs. It will be remembered that this tense is formed in <u (ecu) and is a forma relativa of Irish, where several teDses had such a form. The non-existence of this tense in these irregular Gaelic verbs specified above strengthens the opinion that the tense is derived from the Irish forma relativa of the future rather than that of the present. The / of the Irish form would disappear in Gaelic as naturally as it has in the future in idh. This origin would explain the force of the tense better, and the name " Future of the subjimctive" would be sufficiently justified, for, being future by origin, the tense would readily and naturally acquire the force of a subjunctive.
PASSIVE.
The analysis of the passive in Gaelic is simple and brief.*
PRBTBRTTE.
The termination of the preterite is adh (eadh). Thus — Do IkwiiUadh mi, I was struck. The negative uses the same form, the particle do being invariably prefixed. The same tense exists in Irish, and was formed by adding t\ immediately or mediately to the root. Thus, from dobiur, I give, the preterite passive is, third perBon singular, dobretk ; third person plural, dobretha. In like manner, carimy I love, has carad, ro chartha. It will be remem- bered that Irish possesses special forms in the passive for the third person alone, these forms being used impersonally to indicate the other persons. The t characteristic of this sense probably represents ta of the past participle passive, the substantive verb being understood, just as in Liatin the second person plural passive is a participle in such forms, as amamtni, estis being understood. X
* The followiog parallel may be drawn between Sanskrit and Gaelic in a pasoTe idioQL To be able, is expressed by means of an adjective, urrainn — poiaible ; thus, li urrainn domh, It is possible to me, i.e., I can. But urrainn hi come to be treated as a verb, and inflected as a passive (middle formation), where in English it is the dependent infinitive that is in the passive, thus, cia-n wmdnnear am ficheadamk add diubh a Uughadh. In the same in Saiukrit, tak, to be able, is conjugated passively, instead of the dependent infinitive.
tit may be of use to note that t, d are true dentals in Ghielic, like the Sanskrit dentals.
t There are one or two preterites passive which require a note of explana* ^ from their apparently exceptional form. Thus, from duinn we have not
^.ll 1^ Tr\nTut, Tut ihrai * n i Vyjwr M ')n0t%s^ttir mt. T mail lit
^iiii^fi nui 4 «r>ir»n»fi . y^ iannc ^im » :& jiir* ■*»!. firam the
K^^^.-j '^^^a «fu%nra: -tJiac a m tthIitV iiKn. miSflBcushl wT!ih the f^*r:ifv w«^ irjr 'Uii* pwni-r* 31 f -f-w Muf 21 Sii.^»Hiii*. Tbe r ■§ the f^:^U%T.-tA: yerx^/r^xi ''ljtr..xi m ^ laei Sir tiZ pgnima snd tiiiH & ^cf'^*^->A M yf^^^PccsM, v^ "^u* •xuiilAi laa^rs ^it du* sacms of cbe third
4(<VMrf - /fi«»^4fc «iir^ /"/-^^ ^g«. TtJt ntnr ebaoee rmkcs p£>ee in ^M ^^4^^. ^^titf^/'X^Ar pmmM g/fa( ->> faML Ib modCTs Iri^ CDoao'vsB gmi ^ /^^^n^ 'mM mv^^(9W0i^ij ," im4 dim wkidi ** ^vrj froqwBf tj oeesn as tiw Mp4>^4^v^^ f«wi4r«.^ f l/» Uk^ wnxJu fd Irriaad the . t^ ^$/**if9wm. H-Wmm%'B fii^if, Gnu&mftr grres no "itiucMje to tkew fomia, so 1m m i f*^^MA> \u htif^J^t^ f^wtaauLT I find ako the fomi* rmimmt (mider nny), Mn*/0M htftA^ tM/ji^ WhA dm^ika^ ckmUUumt (andcr rmeky. the fcnns of the two (Mi /^ i^t^mm iftffim >0t^ ^nfAMined m being " need impenooftUy." Tliej seem if}*h, \0fytitpit, U»e MM^eutk/o of cteodbw— to be beeed 00 a false analogy. Ift^ulum^ At fifH ftl/j^^it, ]/^/k« like old Iiiah <ia-dkiaf, ifm eit, the same root ai ^nM\\*', Ni4tiiUi. f/(it, tm examinAttoo, the form moat rather be aaaodated with MrA vi»A^ tA fUjy.hiMh (iitt%, pret,). Joyce, in hia little Iriah grammar, makes uti f»tfmmift*i Ut i^tmm prtrteritca peanre, but he girea " another form of the M#^/ l^fW a/ff.iK« t4 UUiMm, deaehag (from whu;h comea the neg. pret in Un^Uti), K}fmt ^f¥ (yDtrtviTMn aa a aubjunctiTe, but explained aa formerly used M H pnMt itnUmUfn (mm mj note to section on the negative mood) ; and aa rHniint, Ihti/infm ar#i Uie prateHtea active of ragim and eigim in Irish, it may be Mia^ iha ftrtuin rtUtmu, UUnea§, deaehoi, diaidheu given as preterites paasive are ^im Ul H i^ratrimaiioal confusion with these Irish forms. To the list of these ^i»imrUm paaslya must ba added probably Jioi, aa in tkaJiM offom, I know» whuff* )i In (uitisMarad to ba a noun. It is rather the same aa old Iriah roftdd^ Mi^\mf\\m piMslva of root fd {oida, video, wit), a dh'fhioi in the book of th»
Mm) Nttta (p. 26) to relation aaserted by some between third person plural ((•ruiliiailoti anH) aud prtsant participle {arU),
The l^erff in Scotch Gaelic. 39
It will be seen that Gaelic exhibits the shorter termination, ar. There are, however, perhaps traces of the fuller termination, tar. Thus, in the conjugation of fate (Fut. Act. cAt), we have chithewr. This may, it must be said, be merely a device of grammarians to avoid an hdaiius just as occurs in hiUUnn (I would be), where th is inserted for a similar purpose — a fact clearly seen in the third person f hitheadh) frequently and more properly written hiodh.
As has been remarked, the grammars give the same form for the future of the subjunctive as stands for the future indicative, the truth being that the tense does not exist in the passive. This non-existence of the tense in the passive is parallel to the same deficiency in the conjugation of the acting of those irregular verbs, which do not form a future in idh,
PBXTBRITB OF THB SUBJ UMCI'lVB.
The preterite of the subjunctive is formed in tadh (teadh)^ with aspiration of an initial consonant, do being prefixed in the cue of verbs beginning with a vowel or /, except after certaiQ ooDJanctions. The prefix was once, doubtlessly, used in the case of this tense in any verb to modify the time-idea, probably to make it a perfect ; now it is retained only in cases where euphony seems to require it. Yet its absenoe after certain conjunctions seems to reflect its original use.
The form from huail is bhuailteiidh for all persons. The origin of the formation is obscure, as there is no corresponding form in Irish. In Irish there is a participle (in -it) corresponding to the Latin future participle of the passive, lliis may be a parallel form to the Gaelic preterite of the subjunctive. The final dh of the Gaelic form — if it should have any place there at all — I take to be the characteristic of the third person singular, and not a formative part of the tense, as it is in the preterite of the indicative passive. The tense may be a special develepment in Gaelic. On the other hand, the termination dh may be utterly erroneous, and due to false analogy. In that case the tense may represent the Irish pr<iesens secundarium which was formed in the,*
IMPXRATIVK.
The imperative of the passive has but one form ; the termina- tion is tar^ the appropriate pronoun being added. The Irish imperative is similar, ending in tar or ar,
* Pturtidpial in formation, snd to be referred to the ParHcipium Neeem- kaU above meotimied.
40 Qaelio Society of Inoemesa.
PABTICLB.
A particle of the paadve exists in Gaelic, terminating, as in Irish, in U ; thus — huailte. This te corresponds to Sanskrit to, Greek tos^ Latin Uu. In Gaelic the termination is, through an absurd adherence to a phonetic rule, written ta in certain cases, as togtay from the verb tog.
The formative na idso occurs in Indo-European past participles passive. Thus — Sanskrit forms pranas ; Greek, temnoi; Latin, magnuSj plenus. Gaelic has also this form ; thus, Ian full, is Latin pUnus, Sanskrit pranas (initial p is lost in Gaelic as in Irish).
FERIPHRASnO PASSIVE.
The tenses of rachy to go, combined with the gerund of a transitive verb are equivalent to a passive form. Thus — chaidk mi a bhuaiUadh, I was struck. This idiom corresponds to the formation of the future indicative passive in Latin, e.^., amatum iri. And in Greek the aorists of the passive are by some explained in a like manner. Thus, the termination of the second aorist passive, is considered to be the root if, to go (as in hiemi). And similarly is explained the first aorist passive, the root dha being added ; hence the form seen in etupken. It may be noted that in the active the verb dean^ to do, with a gerund is used periphrasti- cally ; thus — rtnn mi hualadh^ I struck. In the same way was formed the Teuton weak past by means of the root identical with dha^ Greek the. Further, this root provides present forms in Greek and Latin, as teUtho, credo.
MIDDLE.
In Irish we find middle forms widely developed, and such forms were often mingled in the same tense with active forms. In Gaelic the only survival of such middle forms occurs in the forms specified as such under the passive, and in the first person plural of the imperative of the active and the forms of the substantive verb, viz., ihatary hhatar.
THE SUBSTANTIVE VERB.
In Irish four roots are used as a substantive verb. They occur in Gaelic also, and another instance is adduced of the Gaelic power of specialisation.
As — Sanskrit asti^ Greek esti, Latin est. In Gaelic this root appears as a present, the form being m, for all persons. Its use is
The Verb in Scotch Qaelic. 41
that of the French <^est nun. Its preterite is bu (root bhu)* for all persons. In the present, negatively and interrogatively, this verb is never expressed, e,g,, Am mise ? Nach e ?
Sta ; French etre, Latin stare. This root supplies the ordinary substantive verb in Gaelic ; in the present affinnative ia or tha, the respective pronouns being added This illustrates the simplest method of forming an Indo-European present, namely, base with the pronoun inmiediately added.
Root fely veL In Irish this root is used in the third person only, and has the meaning of the French il y a. It governs the accusative, and thus resembles the German es gieht. In Gaelic the root has been skilfully used as the present of the interrogative and negative mood.f The Gaelic foon is hhnl^X or, shortly, tU^ as in cluirneil, mur-eil. The third person singular subjunctive is /a/, often used as a relative form. This is probably the origin of the Gaelic form.
Root bhu; Sanskrit bhu^ Greek phuo^ Latin fu-i. This root, which already has appeared as supplying a preterite to m, furnishes the rest of the substantive verb.
The preterite affirmative is bha% in origin a reduplicated perfect, like Sanskrit bobhuva. The preterite negative is really the same form, the p>article ro^ occurring in the Irish ro ba, being retained. The Gaelic preterite negative is robh, but bh being silent here, all trace of the verbal part|| of the word is lost to the ear, save the length of the voweL
The future is bithidh ; th is here inorganic, being inserted by the grammarians merely for euphonic reasons or by false analogy.1I
* Ought is expressed in Gaelic by ii coir, lit it is right or fitting ; it coir dkmk, I ought. Usually, however, we find the past tense — bu — used, bu choir dhmk, I ought. This seems to be parallel to the Greek of the imperfect in CQch phases as edei, ekr^, eikot in, or Latin oportebcU. Ought in English is also a past by origin.
t Modem Irish has the same distinction in the case of this verb (gd i^fitUim). O'Donovan calb it a subjunctive, but explains what it really is, and adds that ta was formerly equally admissible where the former alone is now.
♦ " VeL" — Book of the Dean of LoBmore.
f Both bha and tha in Gaelic are inflected as middle ("impersonally" the grimmars say), bhatar and ihatar ; thus, thtUar ag rath, it is said. The authority in Irish for such inflections is found in the perfect bd, the first and third persons plural of which are bdmmar and bdtar respectively.
0 But in the Book of the Dean of Lismore the result of the lost vowel of the root is seen in the forms royve, reive. See Note B., p. 13.
H In the same way English ** could,*' part of '' can," is written so on the *nalogy of ** would " probably.
52 Gaelic Society of Inaemess.
yean ago must bave done, that Buccees is not assured, because ia the fifteenth year of our existence the succees and the prosperity of the Society are quite assured facte, and the Gaelic Society is now considered one of the features of the Highland Capital— -(ap- plause). Nobody can come to Inverness at this time of the year, or in the summer when all the Highlanders attend at the Wool Market, or in the autumn and winter months, without knowing that the Society is doing good, and excellent, and enduring work — (applause). And nobody who cares to get possession of the "Transactions" of this Society can read them without feeling and seeing that we ore leaving behind us a record that must exiBt for ever in the history of the country — (applause). Many papers* published in the records of this Society will prove of great value to anybody who comes to write the history of this country in future times. There is much in the history of this part of the country which is undeveloped and unexplored, and which this Society is helping, and helping well, to investigate and present in an intelligent light ; and I am glad to think that we include many is our membership who are well qualified to aid, by scholarehip and learning, in the investigation of this ancient history of Scot- land, which has now become so popular a subject. This Society was founded, as I understand, ibr the purpose of preserving all that was good and great and worth remembering in the history of our ancestors ; and we have been labouring for the last fifteen years well and faithfully, I think, in that direction. On the first occa- sion I had the opportunity of addressing the Gaelic Society, I recollect saying that I was convinced that one of the great objects of the Society was to secure the preservation of a race which had given an interest and a grace to this country. This became, I believe, the main object of all societies such as this, and very much has been done in this direction, and a public feeling has been aroused which did not exist when this Society came into existence. Recently, legislation has taken place, which will, it is generally conceded, tend to perpetuate the Highland race on Highland soil — (applause). Kow, I think that while we ought all to rejoice in that l^islation so far as it is for good, I think that we ought aa a Society to keep well in mind that we ought to lead the people to healthy views, and teach them that what has been done can be of little use unless they reoc^ise the fact that the law must be obeyed, and that certain duties devolve upon them and must be fulfilled. It appears to me that too little attention has been paid to this aspect of the question. It seems, to me, very evident that if the Highland people are to live on the soil which was sufficient
Fifteenth Annual Dinner. 55
support of their ancestors, they must live very much as icestors did : and they cannot expect that all the appliances sm luxuiy can be got out of a small holding if the High- re to continue to maintain as many people as have found mce in the past — (applause). I think we ought to make a moTe in this Society to encourage those home industries )nce occupied eyery household, and teach the people that ust live in a simpler and more old-fashioned way than they K)88ibly be inclined to do in this age of luxury ; that they lot follow the example of their neighbours in the south, the means of subsistence are more easily earned, and in a degree. Even with the legislative privileges which have anted them, the crofters must realise that their families live in comfort unless they revive and practise those admir- usehold industries which, in times gone by, contributed so Uy to the maintenance and general welfare of the family, if the Highland people are to exist, as we all hope and at they may, in moderate prosperity, and at any rate com- th all the virtues which distinguished their ancestors, there 3 a general return to the household industries, which once e adornment and glory of a Highlander's home — (applause), think, that is one object we might set before us, and one '. am confident this Society could take up with prospect of : the impressing upon these people the fact that they must X) the making of their own clothes, and the making of their DCS, and devote every hour of their time to those household ies which were a noble characteristic of former generations, be enabled to live comfortably and easily in the small hold- dch they are to possess in the future as in part of their own y — (applause). There is another department in which this , and all kindred societies, might do effective work. We id the schoolmaster amongst us lately. The three R's are iscendant ; but while the schoolmaster teaches the useful /s, this learning should not altogether replace the tradi- iterature which was once the gloiy of every Highland home, eresting poetic and prose traditions of long descent, the a.1 of which occupied the winter evenings of Highland house- lave been replaced, I am sorry to say, by the reading of pers, which convey the mere tittle-tattle of the day — er)— or the mere passing excitement on some particular 3, or mere appeals to the lower instincts of our nature. s a great difference from what existed in the days of our there, when the people kept in oral remembrance the great
m'S^
64 Qaelie Society of InvemesB.
Gaelic poems which are the gloiy of the literature of this country, and which would enrich the literature of any country — (applauee). It is difficult to conceive the enonuous difference which it makes to a man who hae been reared in such influences as we see in operation at present, instead of those manly influences which obtained in former times, when his imagination was stirred and his ambition excited by reflectively looking back upon a great and glorious past, be it throi^h the medium of traditional or legendary lore — to him it was all living reality, and it excited in him healthy and pure manly feelings and ambitions. That baa been lost to the people of the present generation, but Societies like thia might achieve much to bring back to the people their old pride in the chivalry of the past, because, when they have lost it, they are only going in the other direction, and a class of literature is lost whit^ we cannot get replaced. These are two directions in which this Society might do a great deal of good, and they are matters which are distincfly in the line of the duty we have taken upon ourselves — that of preserving all that was good and correct in the habit and style of the past. It is a long time to look back, but there was also a bright period in Highl^d history when art flourished ; and although the ordinary arts of hfe, the ordinary coaveniencea of life, were not great, yet in monastic centres there were pro- duced works of art not easily surpassed in their own particular lina These were matters in which we have the elements of a great culture ; these are the things of industry which raised the Highland people in times past — though poor, and without any of the ordinary conveniences or comforts or luxuries of life — to a position of social virtue. The poor Highlander walked his native hills like a gentleman, and was proof against the bribe of even £^0,00O — (applause)— when his chief was in danger. Those were days when the Highland people placed above their own convenience, and comfort, even above the value of their own life, their duty to those whom they recognised as higher and better than themselves. I think we ought in this Society to encourage the memory of those times, and try to keep before the people the great and glorious standard which our ancestors set before ns, and which will make the Highland people always what they have been, a people of chivalry, honour, self-sacrifice, and of great goodness — (applause). I give you with all my heart, "Success to the Oaelio Society of Inverness" — (applause).
Mr Wm. Maokay, hon. secretary to the Society, read the follow- ing report : — In submitting the fifteenth annual report, the Council have much pleasure in stating that the prosperity and
Fifteenth Annual Dinner. 55
1688 of the Society continue to increase. Within the last large volume of " Transactions," consisting of upwards of iges, has been issued to the members, and that yolume has zceedinglj well received by the press all over the country. y this session valuable papers by Mr Liddall, advocate ; Mr y, Hereford ; and Mr Smart, Inverness, have been read, and the end of the session papers are to be contributed by the £r Campbell, Tiree ; Mr Fraser-Mackintosh ; Mr Bain, Nairn; 'm. Mackay, Mr Alexander Macbain, Mr Alexander Mac- D, Kingussie ; the Rev. Mr Cameron, Brodick ; Provost Mac- r, Mr Ross, architect ; Mr Alexander Carmichael, Mr Colin stone, FortrWilliam ; Mr John Whyte; "Nether Lochaber;" 9or Mackinnon ; Mr Maclean, Ardross ; Mrs Mary Mackellar, obably Sir Kenneth Mackenzie and Mr Maodonald, Skaebost. ve thus the prospect of a very active session, and our next e, the printing of which will immediately be conmienced, les to be a large and interesting one. The Treasurer reports )ws : — Balance from last year, J&39 15s 3d ; income during ^94 18s 1 Id— £134 14s 2d ; expenditure during year, £109 i; balance in hand, £24 16s 5d. There is a considerable vc of volumes of " Transactions " on hand, which the Council xious to sell, and a large amount is still outstanding in name ears of members' subscriptions. It is to be hoped that ers in arrears will see the necessity of paying, as the expenses )ted with the printing, binding, and delivery of the " Trans- i," which they nave received, are very heavy. Sir Kenneth nzie has, within the last week, generously sent a special mtion of £5 towards the publishing fimd, and a contribution has also been received from Mr Chas. Clunas, Nairn, towards DQe object. The good example of these gentlemen will, it is be followed by others interested in the success of the J. The Council cannot close this report without expressing extreme regret at the resignation of Mr Wul Mackenzie, who r a number of years filled the office of Secretary. Mr Mac- was most enthusiastic and energetic in the work of the Y ; and although his removal to the office of Secretary to the rs' Commission is a pircumstance on which he and the Society be congratulated, it will be difficult to fill the place which \ left vacant — (applause).
r £. H. MacmiUan gave the healths of the members of Parlia- Por the Northern Counties and Burghs, and at the conclusion eatly-put speech said — ^Whatever may be our views in regard itics, we must do our members of Parliament the justice of
56 Oaelio Society of Inverness.
believing that they are animated by an earnest desire to do their best for the countiy — (applause). And we can be sure that the session upon which they are about to enter is one which is firaught with yery serious issues to the country. There are many knotty points to be discussed, which will require all the tact and abilitj with which our members are possessed to arrive at a nght decision; but I feel sure that upon one point, at least, all true-hearted men, of whatever shade of politics, will be found to agree, and that is in desiring to uphold the integrity of this great Empire — (applause). Mr John Maodonald, supervisor, Dingwall, proposed "The Language and Literature of the Gael,'' and in doing so, said— What can the man do that cometh after the King l—(laughter). What can I say on a subject that has been dealt with on previonB occasions by such Celtic scholars as you, sir, our cultured Chair- man, the learned editor of the Celtic Magazine^ and others t I yield to no one in my admiration for, and appreciation of^ the language and literature of the Gael, but my studies in the field have, unfortunately, been limited and superficial, and are hardly up to date, so that I feel utterly unable to do justice to this important toast. I take courage, however, from the thought that little need be said to commend the toast to this assembly of enthusiastic Highlanders — (applause). We may legitimately con- gratulate ourselves on the recognition and position to which Celtic language and literature have at length attained. We need no longer go back to Eden or to Babel, and, perhaps, with more zeal than knowledge, eagerly claim either as the birthplace of Gaelic. Scientific research has now, beyond question, placed Celtic among the oldest and best members of the Aryan family, perhaps before Latin and Greek, and even Sanscrit itself, in point of antiquity — an honourable position, which should fully satisfy the most exact- ing Gael. By virtue of this great antiquity, and of the intimate relation of Gaelic to the other Indo-European languages, its value in philological studies can hardly be over-estimated. And this great antiquity, coupled with the wide westward wanderings of the race, makes Gaelic a valuable, if not an indispensible factor in historical and topographical researches. Its historical, philological, and topographical value alone, is sufficient to entitle the venerable Gaelic to consideration and respect from a scientific and even a cold material age, like the present, and the claim has at length been admitted. As regards the literature of the Gael, we have no longer to meet ignorant and prejudiced detractors of the Johnston and Pinkerton class. It is now admitted on all hands that we have a literature — a literature of rare excellence, full of historio
Fifteenth Annual Dinner. 57
nA social interest, although perhaps limited in quantity — (ap- plause). Enough has been published to prove the high merit and great beauty of the language — ^its adaptability and capacity for expressing the tenderest and purest affections, the deepest emo- tioos, the highest and noblest sentiments, the keenest satire, and of delineating and interpreting nature in her brightest and in her gloomiest moods. As might have been expected, the Gaelic kngoage is a medium worthy of the poetic fervour, the lively imagination, the high chivalry, the daring courage, the love of freedom and of nature, which have at all times characterised the Celtic race. I must not refer here to the influence exerted by the race and the language on contemporary literature. As a striking example of the genius of the language, and perhaps of some early relation to Hebrew, I may remark that many of the more important alterations made in the Revised Version of the Old Testament are to be found in the Gaelic text. One example will suffice. The authorised version renders Job iv. 6 very obscurely, as follows : — ^*Is not this thy fear, thy confidence, thy hope, and the uprightness of thy ways V The Revised Version has : — " Is not thy fear of God thy confidence and thy hope the integrity of thy ways V With this the Gaelic Version agrees exactly : — *' Nach e d' eagal diadhiadh <i'earb6a, agus ionracas do shlighean do dhochas T If this discovery be the means of sending many to compare the Revised Version with the Gaelic Bible, which, with all its granunatical and ortho- graphical errors, and other defects, may still be regarded as the well of Gaelic undefiled, I hope the clergy will forgive me. Not only have the historical value, and the great merit and beauty, of Celtic language and literature been admitted, but its educational value is now being acknowledged. The hard rigid rules of a frigid utilitarianism are giving way. The short-sighted policy of endea- Touring to educate through the intellect alone is becomiug apparent. The truth of the poet's statement is being realised —
'' It is the heart, and not the brain, That to the highest doth attain."
It is found that the heart, the emotions, the imagination, and that
knowledge of mother tongue possessed by every child, are important
factors in educating the youug. This truism preached by practical
Highlanders, and ignored by theoretical educationists for many
years, has at length been received, and Gaelic is admitted into our
schools. From the teaching of the schools, and of the Celtic chair,
together with the labours and influence of such Societies as this,
Celtic language and literature have much to hope for. May we
58 Qaefio Society of Inoemeaa.
not hope for wider, deeper, more coirect knowledge, and con- sequently higher taate for things Celtic on the part of our youth T May we not hope for greater proficiency and higher attoinmenU in Celtic scholarBhip 1 May we not expect that by and by our clergy, our lawyers, our dootora, and our schoolmastera may know a little more of the language of the people among whom they labour and practise 1 If the late lamented Lord Iddeeleigh took the trouble to acquire a Devonshire dialect that be might talk freely with his people, understand them, and sympathise with them, may we not hope that our Highland lairds may make an effort to put ■them- selves more in touch with their Gaelic-speaking countrymen T We- may not now be shocked or moved t« laughter by gross mistakes in the pulpit such as a Koss-shire minister was guilty of when he blundered for " Peter walked on the sea," " Dh'imich Peadair air a mhara;" or, when explaining Pharaoh's liking for Sarah, he solemnly announced — " Bha S&rah na boirionoach mjuacb !"— (laughter). But although we may not hear such blunders now, how few of our clergy can preach a Gaelic sermon that does not bristle with grammatical errors, incorrect, uoidiomatic eipreesiona, and inelegant constructions, to say nothing of a large sprinkling of foreign words and phrases t Let our endeavours be to raise the standard of Gaelic scholaiahip and taste, until a clergyman be as- mucb ashamed of an error in his Gaelic as in his English sermon. Let us hope none of them, even at present, is as bad as the Strath- glass priest, of whom the woman said — " Tha e ainneamh 's an Laidinn, ach cha 'n fhiach e smugaid 's a' Ghaelic" — (laughter). And is it too mucb to ask that, for the future, our lawyers, and especially our judges, should be able to perform their duties with- out the aid of interpreters! Numerous instances could be given in which the point of the evidence was lost on interpretation. In Wales no judge and no Bishop can be appointed unless he knows Welsh. Why should the Highlanders be content with less 1 We can do nothing to tiirther more the cause of our language and literature than by asserting our righta in this matter. The Welsh. say, " As long as the world lasts Cymric will be spoken ;" and they are evidently determined that, as long as the race existe, ite rights and privileges will be maintained. Let us learn a lesson from them in this matter. I am delighted to find the Gaelic Society of London seriously discussing the importance of adoptmg a uniform system of Gaelic spelling that would be recognised as a standard for all purposes. In a paper read before this Society twelve years ago, I ventured to suggest the adoption of a imiform system of spelling, based on the orthography of the Gaelic Bible, and I am
Fifteenth Annual Dinner. 59
ttkoTQ than ever convinced of the utmost importance of such a style in the interests of Gaelic literature. With a recognised standaid of Gaelic spelling, might be commenced the issue of an improved uniform edition of aJl our present Gaelic books, work which would be worthy of our Federated Gaelic Societies, and which, I venture to submit, would do much to make our Gaelic literature popular. After such an edition, the publication of our unpublished litera- ture, written and oral, might be undertaken with advantage. Let us not only be enthusiastic, but earnest and practical in our work. Now that we have the educational means, let us facilitate and encourage the acquisition of our mother-tongue ; let us present our highly interesting literature in its best form, and, having thus helped to raise proficient Gaelic scholars, let us insist on their obtaining the prizes among their own people. An interesting glimpse of the present state of Celtic studies was given by the editor in the November number of the Celtic Magazine^ and there can be no doubt that there is a tendency among philologists to pay more attention to the living dialects of the language, which wiH necessarily encourage the study of modem Gaelic. I need not detain you by referring to the events o^the past year in connec- tion with Gaelic literature. These are fuUy recorded in the able introduction to the last volume of our Transactions, the most important among these events being the lamented death of that accomplished Gaelic scholar, the Rev. Dr Maclauchlan, of Edin- burgh, and the translation of the Queen's *' More Leaves " into classic Gaelic by our bard, Mrs Mackellar. In general Celtic literature there has been two important contributions by Mr Stokes to the transactions of the Philological Society ; the publication of Merugud Uilbt, the Irish Odyssey, as edited by Kune Meyer ; the Hibbert Lectures, by Professor Rhys, on the origin and growth of religion as illustrate by Celtic heathendom ; the assumption by M. D'Arbois de Jubainville of the editorship of the Revue Celtique on the retirement of M. Gaidoz ; and quite recently Professor Stokes of Dublin has published an interesting book on the Celtic Church in Ireland, noticed in this day's Courier. The Celiie Magazine, Scottish HigMandery and Chronicle^ are always with us, successfully and cordially vying with each other in doing good work, frequently showing how elastic Gaelic is in able hands, and clearly demonstrating the intense and wide-spread interest taken in Celtic matters. If we may not now look for much creative genius in the field of Gaelic Literature, let us at least do our utmost to rescue what remains, and to hand down to posterity, not only unimpaired, but if possible enlarged and improved, the whole heritage left us by our ancestors — (applause).
60 Qaelio Society of Inuernesa.
Mr Wm. Mackay, in responding to the toast, said — Our worthy Chairman has referred to the origin of the Society, and to the changes which have taken place within the last sixteen years, daring which the Society has existed. There is no doubt that a great change has taken place in matters relating to Celtic litera- ture within the last sixteen years. When a few of us met together in the Association building for the purpose of forming a Society to cultivate an acquaintance with Highland literature, there was very little interest taken in the subject. There were one or two people scattered over the country who interested themselves in the sub- ject, but then were looked upon as daft — (laughter) — and the promoters of the Gaelic Society were regarded as a lot of maniacs, and were chaffed aU over the town. Here we are on the expiry of sixteen years, proud of ourselves all round, and having with us a widespread and enlightened sympathy — (applause). I do not at all claim all the credit of the revival for the Gaelic Society, but I do claim, and I think it will be allowed, that to a large extent that revival is due to the work and influence of this Society — (applause). People joined the Society from far and near, and several Celtic magazines have since seen the light, the last and not the least of which, the Celtic Magazine, still lives in vigour — (ap- plause). In addition to this I think that to a great extent the founding of the Gaelic chair is due to the influence of the Gaelic Society. The project was hanging fire before Professor Blackie came north and made an appeal, which resulted in his taking the office of the old convener of the committee, and carrying the move- ment to a successful issue — (applause). There is another curious thing which has occurred to me, and that is that while I was secretary it was difficult to get material in 1872 to fill a hundred pages, I have this year succeeded in obtaining very easily enough magnificent contributions to fill between four and five hundred pages of the next volume of our " Transactions " — (applause). This shews an extraordinary growth of interest in Celtic literature and knowledge within the last sixteen years, and I think it is a very satisfactory result of the formation of this Society — (applause).
Mr James Barron proposed the toast of " Highland Education," and said — This subject, like other subjects, has frequently engaged the attention of the members of the Society during their fourteen previous dinners. I think we are all agreed, first, that the Education Act of 1872 has given to the Highlands a set of first- class school buildings ; second, that it has increased the numbers of the teaching staff, and generally improved their qualifications ; and third, that in some parishes it has added burdens to the rates
Fifteenth Annual Dinner. 61
tJsat are very serious and ahnoet intolerable. We still greatlj ^^rant a proper system of secondary education, to be established in oonnection with our primary system ; and I see that we have not yet £iilly solved the question of Gaelic teaching in our Highland schools. Since this toast was put into my hands, I have looked over the ^volumes of the Society's Transactions to see what was written or spoken on this particular subject. I must say that I have been impressed with the conmion sense and moderation of all the references that were made to it. The first definite step was taken on the 19th of NoveDiber, 1874, when a resolution was adopted declaring " that it is proved by the experience of generations that & knowledge of Gaelic, instead of being a hindrance to the acquirement of, and progress in, English, greatly facilitates instruction in the English language — no method of teaching langm^es being so successful as double translation ; and that the new Act should make special provision for the teaching of Gaelic in the schools of Gaelic-speaking districts as an independent subject of instruction." Following on that resolution, a circular was issued to School Boards, and representations were made to the Education Department. I could quote speech after speech to show that what was chiefly wanted was to get the Gaelic used as a means of reaching the intelligence of the children. Under pressure the Department made various concessions, and yet I am not sure how far success has been really attained — (applause). I find that in speaking in this room two years ago. Sir Kenneth Mackenzie said that the report made by Dr Craik to the Department recom- mended just what this Society had always contended for, namely, that in Gaelic-speaking districts the teacher should have the power of interpreting to his pupil the lessons they learn in English, and that Gaelic literary knowledge should be paid for as a specific subject. *' I think," added Sir Kenneth, " that all the schools where the School Boards and H.M. Inspectors consider a knowledge of Gaelic desirable in the teacher, should be scheduled, and a Gaelic-speaking teacher employed in one of them should be entitled to a personal payment of £10 or £\2 a year." Mr Macbain, whose name I have great pleasure in coupling with this toast) will be able to tell us how much yet remains to be done, before the schools can be regarded as in a thoroughly satisfactory position in their relation to the native tongue. Mr Macbain himself, as you are aware, is one of our best teachers, and one of the most competent and learned students of Celtic literature and philology — (applause).
62 Qaelio Society of Inverness.
Mr Macbain, M.A., in the course of his reply to this toast, said : — The present time is a most important turning point, not merely in the general condition of the Highlands, but also and Tery especially in matters of education. The Highland minute and the new code of last year at last and tardily recognised Gaelic as a means in the education of Highland children ; and at the pre- aent time there is an Education Commission sitting in enquiry as to the training and supply of teachers. We must not be satisfied with the concessions of last year, good as they were so far as they went — (applause). The Commission must be impressed with the necessity there is of spending some portion of the annual training grant of J&27,000 on the training of teachers that can speak Gaelic. As matters stand, scarcely a Gaelic-speaking pupil teacher can get into a training coUege. Professor Mackinnon says — " Of the 700 odd names in the list, I could hardly recognise one as in the least likely to be admitted to training and to return thereafter to teach in a Gaelic-speaking district." The very few that get into the colleges are the very cream of intelligence, surmounting every obstacle by sheer force of genius, and they, when trained, naturally enough do not return to the Highlands, when they can get much more lucrative posts in the south. Consequently, the supply of teachers in the Highlands at present comes from the worst trained <}la8s of English-speaking teachers, or they are Highland ex-pupil teachers who lack the Normal training. Education suffers in €very way. The present system is bad in every way. The absurdity of teaching English through English alone to children who understand nothing but Gaelic has at last dawned even on the officials of the department. The results of it have been deplorable. The veneer of English thus gained was soon lost, and the result now is that young people do not read or understand English, and cannot read Gaelic. They are thus, as the venerable Dr Clerk writes to the papers, tied down to their unproductive glens, held fast there by their inability to speak the dominant language. What has the department done 1 It allows, firstly, Graelic to be taught in school hours, and the new code allows the intelligence of the children to be tested by requiring them to explain in Gaelic the meaning of any passages read in English — (applause). This code further allows a Gaelic-speaking pupil teacher to be employed to give bi-lingual instruction to Gaelic-speaking children, and the generous grant of £3 yearly is promised if the teacher passes the examination required — (laughter) — ^and further, Gaelic may be taken as a specific subject, but no schedule has as yet been issued, and the teacher must make terms with the inspector as to what is
Fifteenth Annual Dinner. 63
to be taught. However, I believe a remedy will soon be effected, ior a Graelic schedule appears to be under consideration once agaia This makes the schedule suggested by this Society in the intro- duction to its last volume of great importance, and I hope it may be seen in official quarters. And that is all that the Government does for Craelic and its speakers — (applause). You will observe that the reading of Gaelic is not insisted on in the earliest stages, and without this the English becomes a mere veneer as of old, and the child when its school-days are over loses the EngUsh veneer, iod cannot read his native Gaelic. We should insist, as Dr Clerk veil suggests, that children should learn to read the Gaelic at an eaiiy stage, and be furnished with bi-lingual text books through- oat By this means English will be thoroughly and permanently learnt, and Gaelic can fdso be read. So that should the High- lander leave his native place he can speak English, should he remain at home he can enjoy the literary treasures of his native tongue — (applause). But a pressing question, and one that precedes the matter of bi-lingual teaching is this : Who is to teach? Where are our Gaelic teachers ? Dr Clerk says we have not one in twenty such as is required. The Grovemment suggests mean- while the employment of Gaelic speaking pupil teachers. But how <lo they encourage these teachers ? They give J&3 a year and they allow the pupil to attend a preparatory school to brush up for the entrance examination to the training college, and all at the teacher's own expense ! Wonderful generosity ! — (applause). Now, preparatory training must be paid for in the J&27,000 given to the Southern train- ing colleges. We must insist upon it. It was kindly suggested from official 8ources that part of the money of the S.P.C.K. should be applied to this purpose, and so save the exchequer at the expense of Highland secondary education. That is not fair, to say the least of it. We must try and make the State pay for the training ^f its Gaelic teachers as it pays for the English teachers — (f^plause).
Councillor Mackenzie, Silverwells, proposed the Agricultural 4Uid Commercial Interests of the Highlands, and in doing so said : —I regret to say that both of these interests have for the past few years been in .a depressed condition, and that we are at present passing through a critical time. We have in the north a <!la88 of tenant farmers of whom any country might be proud — (applause). They are men of intelligence, ability, and great perseverance, and yet notwithstanding these qualifications they have had adversity staring them in the face year after year, and in noany cases, I fear, rents have been paid out of capital. But,
64 Gaelic Society of Inuerness.
gentlemen, we need scarcely be surprised at this, for we can remember that some years ago arable land farmers got about double the price for wheat, barley, and oats which they get now. And as the conmiercial prosperity of our country largely, if not almost entirely, depends upon its agricultural and pastoral welfare, so our commercial interests have also been siiffering severely during the past few years. The only ray of sunshine we have experienced is a slight rise in the price of sheep and wool. We all hope it may continue and improve. Proprietors have, many of them, in a praiseworthy manner, given large reductions of rent, and have met their tenants in an excellent spirit, so that our sympathies are extended to them also. Many of our northern proprietors have likewise set noble examples to their tenantry by entering upon agricultural pursuits themselves on their home farms. They will in this way experience the difficulties with which their tenants have to contend in these depressed times. A Royal Commission of inquiry into the depressed state of trade was appointed some time ago, and that Commission, which was com- posed of eminent men, have issued an exhaustive report. That report brings out strongly the fact that the depression we feel so much in the north is almost universal. Our most gracious Majesty has also granted a Royal Commission to enquire into the condition of a very large portion of our countrymen in the High- lands and Islands. This Commission is now sitting, and we hope that by-and-bye its results may prove beneficial tx) those more immediately interested, so that proprietors, tenant farmers, crofters, and cottars may all rejoice together, and that a wave of continued prosperity may soon visit our land — (cheers). There is no society, I will venture to say, has greater sympathy with the Highlands than the Gaelic Society of Inverness — (applause) — and we wish the Highlands and Highlanders every success. Inverness being the capital of the Highlands, and having every facility for travelling by land and water, and being equipped in every possible way to meet the commercial development of the country, with its markets, banks, and storehouses, our interests are mutual, and we can therefore in all sincerity drink success to the agricultural interests of the Highlands. I have already mentioned the hand> some manner in which proprietors have met their tenants in consequence of the depression. Why should not the Highland Railway Company give proof of their interest in the fanners by offering them easier rates for the transit of stock and other produce between local stations 1 — (applause). Such a step would be greatly appreciated, and would only be in keeping with the
Fifteenth Annual Dinner. 65
depressed times. I am asked to associate this toast with the name of a gentleman who is in the happy position of being what I may call an independent farmer, and we hope he may soon be proprietor of the lands he so well cultivates — (applause). I ask you, gentlemen, to drink to the agricultural and commercial interests, coupled with the name of Councillor Duncan Macdonald —(applause).
Councillor Duncan Macdonald, in reply, said — The toast with which you have so kindly coupled my name is, as Councillor Mac- kenzie has said, one connected with the largest industry in the kingdom, and one in which we, in the north, are deeply interested. Although prosperity would appear to have deserted the agricultural interests of the country for a good many years now, I am not at all hopeless of an improvement, and of a return to the days when fortone favoured us. We have ample evidence that the agricul- tnnd interests have passed through severe periods of depression daring the last 90 or 100 years ; and although the present crisis has been much more protracted than any we have experienced daring the present century, still I think we can now see the silver lining to the cloud which has so long overshadowed us — (applause)* It wiU be in the recollection of all interested, that we, in the norths did not experience the full force of the depression which had set in until some three years after it had first been experienced in the south ; and now, when we have the cry reiterated that trade is reviving in the south, I think we in the north may fairly hope that the tide of prosperity will speedily flow in this direction. In the Highlands we have many difficulties to contend with ; and while I say that absenteeism is the bane of them all, I cannot help remarking that many of our farmers would seem to have risen above their calling, and forgotten the rigid economy and persever- ing eflbrts of their predecessors, and that the members of their fiimilies know as little about their duties as town visitors might be expected to know by a cursory visit to a cattle show or to a Boological garden — (laughter). Apart from this, however, it is- pleasant to observe that in many cases efforts are being made by landlords to conciliate their tenants, and I am glad to see that the tenantry are heartily responding to their appeals ; and I have na hesitation in saying that under good treatment tJie tenantry are as ^thful and loyal to their proprietors as in days gone by---(ap- plaose). I look upon the Crofters' Act with great favour and wiUi great hope. Indeed, I never expected to see such a good and use- ful measure passed in my day. I hope it will create great changes for the better. I have no doubt but the best men will as yore
5
66 Qaelio Sooiety of Inverness.
leave the ooiintsy ; but fighting their battles manfully abroad, they will prosper, adod will retain such kindly feelings for the land of Uieir birth as will induce them to contribute money liberally for the support of their aged parents and friends at home, now that fixity of tenure is assured. At the rate we are now progress- ing in the Highlands, I am hopeful that in fifteen or twenty yean the hovels will have entirely disappeared from our hill-sides, and that we will have in their stead large and comfortable cottages, the homes of happy and prosperous tenants, a state of matters which should be pleasing to landlord and tenant, and the public at large — (applause).
Mr George J. Campbell gave the toast of " Kindred Societies," which he was sure would meet with acceptance — (applause). The qualification kindred societies, Mr Campbell said, does not neces- sarily confine oUr sympathies to those specially employed in advancing the interests of the Gaelic language and literature, and of the Gaelic race. Yet such societies have a special claim on our Appreciation and regard — (applause). A mere catalogue of these, without reference to the particular fields of operation occupied by them, would not be over interesting, though it might be very auggestive of the wide interest taken in Celtic matters. Gaelic and Celtic and Highland societies of various kinds and names are scattered not only over the British Isles, but wherever Scottish Highlanders plant their habitation, let it be in Canada, India, South Africa, or Australia, or in any other comer of the British Empire — (applause). In the large cities, and in many other -centres of our own ooimtry, the clannish spirit of the Celt ever manifests itself in such associations as the Gaelic Society and Caledonian Club of London, which have done much to retain and foster the national sentiment, and have afforded material assistance to our Celtic brothers when required in the Saxon South — (applause). In Edinburgh we have the University Celtic Society, which, by its frequent Gaelic essays and debates, perfects the members in the use of the Gaelic language, and maintains ik» bonds of brotherhood among the Highland students at our Metropolitan University. We have also in Edinburgh the Sutherland Association, which is a most useful and energetic institution, which has for many years giv^i from £20 to J&40 annually in educational prizes throughout that county, and has ^o for some time given a valuable bursary to deserving students to assist them in their University oarear — (applause). That association has also recently started a most interesting publicatioa scheme under the title of "The Sutherland Papers." The fint
Fifteenth Annual Dinner 67
^folome was recently issued, viz. : — " The Geology of Sutherland," by Mr H. M. Cadell of H.M. Geological Survey. The next book, pomised in a few months, is '' Bishop Pocock's Tour in Sutherland in the Eighteenth Century," and others of local but also general Celtic interest are to follow. The Inverness, Ross, and Nairn Club is also doing good in the assistance it gives to the advance- ment of education in the counties it represents — (applause). I seed only mention that in Glasgow, Greenock, Perth, Dundee, and Aberdeen, there are several Gaelic and other societies having objects kindred to our own. In our own Highland Capital we have several kindred societies, including the " Highland Railway Literary Society," the " Literary and Debating Society," and the " Field Club," all energetic and flourishing. While the literary societies explore the general fields of English literature, history 4yid biography, and philosophical research, and give occasionsJ glances into the more tempting and stirring field of political polemics, the Field Club is exploring for us the hidden treasures of oar Celtic soil and hills and glens, which preserve many illus- trations of ancient Celtic life and history, and shed fresh light on the archseology of our Celtic past — (applause). The Field Club baa followed the good example set by the Gaelic Society by publishing a most interesting and instructive volmne of Transac tions. We have now twelve volumes of our own — (applause). Tb^e are tangible and permanent evidences of the work being done. Each society works in its special sphere, and occupies Taluable and exhaustl«^ss ground, but there is one other society I shoold like to see started here. In connection with the com memcH^tion of the Queen's Jubilee, our worthy Chairman, as ProYost of the burgh, suggested that a volimie of burgh charters might be published. Now, instead of making this a jubilee Tolume, seeing that we have another scheme on hand, the purchase of a public park — (applause) — it has occurred to me that it might be a good plan to institute a " Highland Charter and Record Club," or cidl it by what name you will, for the publication of burgh charters and other interesting ancient records connected with the North. Similar clubs have done valuable service in this line, such as the "Grampian," "Spalding," and "Bannatyne" Clubs, the "Antiquarian Society," and the "Scotch Record Pubhcation Society." I think we should easily get 400 or 500 members to guarantee the cost. Apart from other records, we have the ancient charters of Inverness, Elgin, Banfl*, Nairn, Dingwall, Tain, Fortrose, Kirkwall, and others, many of them dating from the 12th century. I trust this will not be lost sight
68 Gaelio Society of Inuerness.
of. Meantime, let us drink to the toast of Kindred Societies^ coupled with the name of Dr Macnee, who takes an active interest in all our local societies — (applause).
Dr Macnee, in responding, said he did not know by what law of selection the framer of the programme fixed upon him in asking him to reply to the toast so well proposed by Mr CampbelL There could be no doubt that he was connected with a number of societies in town and elsewhere ; but he had to admit that he was a veiy bad member of them all — (" no, no "). He was beginning to think what he ought to say about kindred societies ; but when he heard Mr Campbell repeat the names of so many, he began to despair of being able to say anything, so he made up his mind not to saj anything — (laughter). He was connected with one or two societies which at one time flourished in Inverness, but, he was sorry to say, were now defunct He was, however, very glad to see the Gaelic Society of Inverness in such a flourishing condition, and having such a prosperous future in store for it — (applause).
Dr F. M. Mackenzie proposed the toast of non-resident mem- bers, and in doing so said that, after the humorous story to which they had listened from Bailie Stuart, and the exhibition they had of the fantastic toe, he felt it would be sacrilege upon his part to inflict a long speech upon them — (laughter). The charfiu;ter of the Celtic race was rather a paradoxical one. Highlanders were always credited with love of country, and a people who always liked to stick to and for their country ; but, on the other hand, it was a significant fact that no race of people were so fond to travel. As a consequence of that^ they were to be found here and there throughout the world, and that was the reason that they had such a large number of non-resident members connected with the Society — (applause). The fact was, that by far the largest nimiber of their members were non-resident. They, however, showed their appreciation of the Society by contributing papers — ^most interest- ing papers — to the Society, as the last volume of the Transactions would show — (applause). As it took a good deal of money to put those papers into print, some of those absent members were mind- ful of them not only in contributing papers, but also in material wealth. He asked them to join him in drinking to their very good health— (applause).
Mr John Macdonald, Dingwall, responded. Other toasts followed.
Sir Uallaibh (TCorn. 69
19th JANUARY, 1887.
The meeting this eyening was devoted to the nomination of office-bearers for the ensuing year,
The secretary intimated the following donations to the library of the Society, viz. : — Mr John D. Dixon's^ " Gairloch," from Mr Alexander Burgess, Gairloch ; Stnian's Poems, from Mr Alexander Kennedy, Bohuntin ; and " The Writings of Eda," from Mr John Mackay of Ben-Reay.
26^ JANUARY, 1887.
On tMs date the office-bearers for next year were duly elected.
The following gentlemen were elected ordinary members of the Society, viz. : — Rev. Duncan Robertson, Arisaig, Fort-William ; Paul Cameron, Blair- Athole ; James Mackintosh Gow, F.S.A. Scot., Union Bank, Edinburgh; Bailie Gibson, Inverness; and James L Watson, solicitor, do.
The Librarian then read a Gaelic tale, entitled '^ Sir Olave CCom," contributed by the Rev. Mr Campbell, Tiree. The tale, wi^ an English translation, was as follows : —
SGEULACHD AIR SIR UALLABH O'CORN.
Taken down from the oral recitation of Mr Donald Cameron, Ruaig, Tiree,
19th Fehruary, 1868.
Bha High air Eirinn ris an abradh iad Ceann Artair Mac-Iuthair,
agus thainig Sir Uallabh 0'C6m, mac a pheathar, 'g a amharc.
&3aointich e gun rachadh e f^in agus a chuid ghiUean do'n bheinn-
sheilg a thoirt toil-inntinn do^mhac a pheathar. An deigh dol do'n
bbeinn thainig ce6 dall druidheachd orra. " Co dhiu is fearr leatsV'
an' an Righ, '' dol air ceann mo shluaigh-sa, na dol a chruinn-
eachadh na seilg 's na sithne ?" " Fanaidh mise," arsa Sir
Uallabh 0'C6m, " agus ni mi taighean air 'ur cionn, gus an tig
sibh." Dh' f halbh an Righ agus a shluagh, agus am beul an atha
's an anmoich thainig iad, 's cha robh leth gu leoir a dh-aiteachan
air an cionn an uair a thill iad. " M' amhghar is m' iom-dhearbh a
linn thu orm, a mhic mo pheathar, Gum bu sgle6 uilc agus
iaighuill dhuit, agus gu ma mUe miosa dhuit an ceann na
bliadhna ! Bithidh mi f ein agus mo chuid sluaigh air chall, agus
air seacharan a nochd.'' '' Bithidh mi f hein a' falbh," arsa Sir
Uallabh (yC6m, " cha d' f han mi riamh far an deanta tMr agus
^ceas orm." Phaisg e a bhreacan air a ghuaiUibh, agus
Ih' fhalbh e.
70 Oaelio Society of Invemeaa.
Bha slatag bheag 'na laimh agus bhuail e air carragh creig i, aguB rinn e iubhrach ghrinn, an-athai8each. Thug e a toiseach do inhiiir agus a deireadh do thir, agus thog e na croinn mhora, bhun- reamhara, bharra-chaola, na'n treubhaiche deagh-threubhach ; agus tharruing e ropaichean cruaidh cainbe an glacaibh a suidh 's a h-ulagan. Thog e na siuil bhreaca, bhaidealach. an aghaidh nan crann fada, fulangach, fiughaidh, le soirbheas beag, ciuin, lag^ laghach, o mhullach nam beann, 's o airde na h-eirthire, 's o bhuinne ruadh charraigean, a bheireadh duilleach a craoibh, seileach a beinn, fraoch 6g as a bhun agus as a f hriamhaichean. Dheanadh e fhein stiuir 'na deireadh, iid 'na toiseach, beairt 'na buillsgein ; 's gun Bgoilteadh i coinlein cruaidh coirce roimh a toiseach le ro-fheabhas a stiuraidh. 'N uair a bu mhdll leis a bhiodh i 'f albh, chuireadh e 'mach raimh mhdra, bhaisgeanta, bharra-dhruinneach, a dheanadh an t-iomram tioram, tosanda, o chiiil-Btuadh a' chuain bholgaich, mhdir-fharsuing, an onuas agus am basaibh na boin bith-thaim. Is e bu che61 c^inranaich cadail dha, lubartaich easgann, screadar- daich fhaoileann, beuchdaich r6n is bheisdean m6ra; a'bh^isd bu mh6 ag ithidh na beisd 'bu lugha, 's a' bheisd bu lugh' a' deanamh mar a dh' fheudadh i. Na faochagan a' tionndadh fionn an aghaidh a stuic, muir ag atadh anns an uair sin ; gun eireadh an fhairge ghlajs 'na h-abhall as a h-iochdar 's 'na buinne ceart cho neartmhor 's as a h-uachdar ; na faochagan beaga, seana, croma, ciarra^ 'bha seachd bliadhna air an aigeal, bheireadh iad fead air a beul-m6r agus cnag air a h-urlar. Bheireadh an gle6 gabhaidh, gr^neil, bas-bhualach, tulganach, m6r-bheumnach, coimhlionta, comh- chruaidh, comh-churanta ; leobhair ghuirme, leobhar dheirge, leobhar Lochlimnach ri clacha neartmhor neimhneach. B' fhior choltach sin ri laige loireachain, ri suidhe corra-aimhleis, ri dubhadh a donn chlair, ri piceadh a seana chlair, 's i 'sgoltadh na fairge, ri caitheadh a chuain mh6ir, fh^a, fhiadhaich, air fhiaradh agus air a tharsuing ; callaga beaga a' chuain a' gabhail mu th^mh 's mu f hois, 's mu fhasgadh, ann an sop a' chroinn mh6ir aig rcK mbeud an allabain, agus cinn dhaoine beaga 'dol ann am putagan.
Cuirm is cuid oidhche aca san uair sin air falbh, fleadh agua f^isd, fi6n an kite bi\ ceol an kite ^isdeachd, c^ir an aite a losgaidh, biadh an kite a chosgaidh, nial fala air gach aon mheis, bias- meala air gach aon ghreim, coinnlean ceire laist' an lanndair fad na h-oidhche gu latha. Tha emit ch^nranach chiiiil aige a sheinneadh puirt agus duanagan-cadail, nach robh an sith-bheinn, no an slth- dhiin, no am buth na b6c-thuinn, no an teach Mhanainn, aon cheol canranach cadail a b' aillidh na e, chuireadh mnathan-8\th fir ghointe, agus mnai-siubhla 'n an siorran suain 's 'n an trozna ohadal.
Sir Uallaibh ffCom. 71
*• SeaJl a mach, ciod e tha mi 'cluhmtinn, faniim tninne ri traigh, inch mara ri eirthir ; ma 's e 'n eirthir a dh' fhag simi a tha ami olc a dh' fhalhh an iubhrach." Sheall e an sin soas ag^s chaidh air tir, agus thamiing e an iubhrach a seachd fad fein air an keur ghlas, far nach deanadh macain baile-mh6ir biiird-mhagaidh 9 fochaid oirre.
Chuir e uime a leine theann de an t-8r61, teanna ri chneas ; !^ amalach air air uachdar na h-6r leine ; sgiath bhucaideach, bacaideach, bhanra-chmnhann air a laimh cMl ; iuchair sgeine ) geur air a laimh dheis ; a sgiath dhidein air a ghualainn, 's a [ilogad cniadhach air a cheann, a shlacan coil-fhionn cruaidh gu niaidh-ghreimeach na dhom, a ghearradh ribe an agbaidh na tnna, is fanna an aghaidh na fannarghaoith. Chiiir e air deise e 'n t-8r6l agus inneal nan 6r bhnidh de chlacha daoimein a heanadh soiUse anns na roidibh rioghail agos 's na doireacha coit- hionn 's anns 's na cupaiche ceithreach. Chnir e air slacan a ihiis agus ioghnaidh, agus is-mhillidh, agus ghabh e suas, agus thuail e beum-sgeithe, agus dh'iarr e culaidh-chath, agus chruaidh homhraig a chur a mach thuige.
Dh' eirich gaisgeach m6r a' Uiaile sin a mach, nochd iad na Hurm leadarra liobha do chAch a cheile. Trl dhhean a chuireadh ad dinbh, dith teine do 'n armaibh, dith calcaidh do 'n sgiathan, lith fala d' an cneasa 's d' an collainn ; iad a' bualadh 's a cruaidh eadairt a cheile. Smaointich Sir Uallaibh 0'C6m gun robh e fad * chairdean agus goirid d' a naimhdean ; dh' eirich e air mullach a has 's air bharraibh 6rdag, agus bhuail e mu cheann caol na fiBghad e, agus dh' fhag e leth-chollainn air gach manachan aige.
Thainig seann duine a mach an sin agus thubhairt e ris, '' M' thadh agus m' iom-dhearg a rinn thu orm. Gu ma sgle6 uilc gas iorghuiU dhuit. 's gum bu mhlle mhiosa an ceann na bliadhna ^uit (^lan e sin a tha tighinn fainear dhuinne an dr^isda do nthid-sa 'thighinn 'n ar caramh. 'S ann 'tha Righ Eirinn an eigb a Bhan-righinn amhlacadh 's e fhein an cala Beinn Eudainn ' cur pairt d'a thrioblaid 's d'a mhulad dheth, ag iomairt air iileasg oir." "Bithidh mi fh\n a' falbh," area Sir Uallabh yCdm, "a bhodaich, 's chan e fuireach comhla ruit a ni mi." !!heangail e a bhreacan ma ghuaillean, 's bheireadh e air a' ghaoth oath Mhkirt a bba air thoiseach air, 's cha bheireadh a' ghaoth oath Mb^irt a bha air dheiieadh airsan. Cha bu lugha na maol- ^oc sleibhe a h-uile f6id gheur ghlas a chuireadh e o cheannaibh i chas gus an d' rainig e cala Beinn Eudainn far an