GAELIC LANGUAGE.

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language. It has a regular and established standard, and is now becoming very fashionable amongst the higher orders of the Scottish people, in many of whose houses I have seen schoolmasters instructing the elder and the younger branches of families in it. To my ear it sounded very soft and harmonious.

It is worthy of remark that this language has experienced such little change, that it would be difficult for the nicest critic to discover the difference in grammar or orthography between the language used by the natives of the remote regions of St. Kilda and that spoken by the best-taught and refined Gaelic scholar.

The following is a specimen of the Gaelic language:

ORIGINAL.

Bu chian ar sgaoileadh o cheile
Fea' gach sleibh air barra bhac;
Laochrai' chalma, churant Fhinn,
'S am bogha gach tiom nan glaic.
'Nuair a dh'eiradh seilg an fheidh,
Dh' fhuasgladhmaid na ceuda cu;
S'ioma' damh, earb, agus adh
A thuiteadh, 'sa bhail gach iul
Philleamaid le'r seilg tra-non
Gu Teamhra' cheolmhor nan teud;
Am bu lionmhor cruit is clar
'S ioma' Bard a sheinneadh sgeul
B'ioma' slige doll mun cuairt
'S dana nua' ga luadh le cheil
A'caitheamh na feist's ann tur.

LITERAL TRANSLATION.

Far would disperse asunder,
Through the steep banks of each mountain,
The strong adventurous band of Fingal,
With bows ready in their grasp.
When the deer began to start,
We let slip the hundreds of hounds;
Many a hart, roe, and hind,
Fell as far as I could view.
We returned at noon with the spoils of the chase,
To the musical Taura of strings,
Where numerous were cruits and harps,
And many a Bard to sing a tale.
Many a shell went round,

And new songs were sung together,

Whilst the feast was consuming in the tower.

Great merit is due to Dr. Johnson, to whose literary influence the Highlanders are indebted for a translation of the New Testament into the Erse language. From a want of judgment, some political members of the Society in Scotland for propagating Christian Knowledge opposed this measure, conceiving that the encouragement of the Gaelic language had a tendency to perpetuate national distinctions, a misconception which the masterly pen of Johnson overpowered by force of reasoning. The same shortsighted policy prevented any publication of consequence from appearing in this language; but, by degrees, the Gaelic has provided employment for the press.

Before I quit this subject, I cannot help relating an interesting anecdote of the effect of this language upon a Highlander, in a distant region, communicated to me by the gallant Major Macquarrie, of the 42d. During the time that the navy and army destined against Egypt remained at Marmorice, in Natolia, in Asiatic Turkey, the Chaur Pacha came from Constantinople, as well to pay his respects as to afford every facility and assistance to the Admiral and Commander-in-Chief, in making arrangements necessary for the success of the expedition. When he came on board his Majesty's ship of war the Kent, to visit the Commander-in-Chief, Major Macquarrie was ordered to parade the grenadier company, to receive

and salute him. As this personage with his numerous retinue were entering the cabin of Sir Ralph Abercrombie, one of the attendants appeared studiously to place himself in the rear of the group, as if he wished to speak to the Highlander who stood to the right of the company, and close to the door which they were entering. As this Highlander, and the rest of his comrades, were fixed in observing the novel appearance of the figure, dress, and deportment, of their Asiatic visitors, the Turk I have mentioned touched the former on the shoulder, and addressed him in good Gaelic, to this effect:-"My lad, I am happy to see my countrymen once more, particularly those in the philibeg, which I have not seen for many years." If a comet had that moment passed before his eyes, or a thunderbolt had fallen at his feet, the poor fellow could not have been more petrified with astonishment, which had nearly loosened his musket from his hand. When the company came out, the Major endeavoured to prevail upon him to converse again, which he declined, except to assure him that he would return the next day alone, and with pleasure satisfy his curiosity. This gentleman proved to be of a very respectable family in Argyleshire, which he left when a boy, and was then a General Officer in the Turkish army.

The Erse language is so prevalent in the following.

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GAELIC PREACHING.

districts, that the clergy are required to perform Divine Service in it, viz. the shires of Sutherland, Ross, Cromarty, Inverness, and Argyle, the islands of Bute and Arran, and the parishes of Reay, Thurso, Halkirk, and Latheron, in Caithness, those of Nairn, Ardclach, and Calder, in Nairnshire, that of Duthel, in Elginshire, that of Kirkmichael, in Banffshire, those of Luss and Arrochar, in Dumbartonshire, and those of Balquhidder, Blair, and Strowan, Callendar, Comrie, Dull, Fortingall, Kenmore, Killin, Kirkmichael, Logierait, Mouline, and Weem, in Perthshire. There are also other parishes where the Gaelic language is used, but not by the majority of the inhabitants.

CHAP. XXI.

ROAD TO FORT AUGUSTUS APPEARANCE OF LOCH NESS DE-
SCRIBED-ENORMOUS STONES-ANECDOTES OF GENERAL WADE
-GENERAL'S HUT-FALL OF FYERS-CAVES-FORT AUGUSTUS
-MOISTURE OF CLIMATE-DRYING-HOUSES-LETTER FINDLEY
HIGHLAND HUT-THE ROOF-TREE-HIGHLAND
-BEAUTIFUL DUNGHILLS-HIGHLAND LIVING-ANECDOTE-

FIR-SLIP CANDLES.

PREJUDICE

THE road from Inverness to Fort Augustus must be much improved since Dr. Johnson travelled this way, for he observes, "We were now to bid farewell to the luxury of travelling, and to enter a country, upon which perhaps no wheel has ever rolled." It is usual to hire post-chaises all the way to Oban, there being no intermediate stages where they can be engaged. I felt myself fortunate in procuring a good single-horse chaise and an excellent horse, which left me more at liberty to see the country. A recommendation to take a stock of wheat-bread with me gave me but an unfavourable impression of the agriculture of the country through which I was about to pass.

The ride to Dores, the first and a very short stage, is