Chapter XIX: The Master Scholars of Celtic Literature

The bards and seanachies—Six men of outstanding literary
eminence—The earliest pioneer of the modern philological
movement—Representatives of the older scholarship—Those
of the new—The brilliant Zeuss—Foreign periodicals
dealing with Celtic—Foremost scholars of the various
nations—Italian—German—French—Danish—Scandinavian—American—British,
including English, Irish, Welsh, Manx, and Scottish—Many literary
problems solved—The promise of future harvests.

In the company of the scholars we still breathe the atmosphere of the past. It is they who have resurrected the MSS. These monuments of by-gone days are the quarries among which they work. As Burns “eyed with joy the general mirth,” so do they scrutinise with eager glance the much-prized vellum.

Only a scholar can know the pleasure it gives to hap upon a long-lost relic of literature, to turn over its leaves, steeping the book in water, if need be, to make its pages come asunder, and even using acid to help the time-worn ancient one to deliver up its secret.

“Why bother with such defunct lore?” asks the man in the crowd, “the past is over and gone. It is long since superseded.” Therein lies the difference between him and the scholar. The scholar thinks it worth while. Nay, he will sacrifice much—we shall repeatedly see—to search out the contribution of the past, and determine its meaning. As Plato, Aristotle, and the master-minds of ancient Greece wrote their books and carried on their studies, knowing full well that these would be read and assimilated by very few in their own day, there being no printing-presses as now, and only a limited education; so many of the Celtic scholars of our own time labour on in solitude, conscious also that even with the printing-press the circle of their readers must be small, yet knowing they are doing a work which in its own way is ever widening the horizons of knowledge and enriching the common heritage of mankind.

In the bards and seanachies, there have not been lacking from remote times men who have interested themselves in the lore and learning of their race; but we need to come down to more recent times to encounter the class of writers we have specially in view in this study.

Happily, they are not confined to any one age or any one country. Yet Ireland, as we might expect from its place in the Celtic group, figures early and largely in the domain of Gaelic scholarship.

During the first half of the seventeenth century—to go no farther back—it produced six men of outstanding literary eminence, who represented a national scholarship in that country, the lustre of which has never since been surpassed. These were Geoffrey Keating, Duald Mac Firbis, and the Four Masters.

Keating, though born in Ireland, was of Norman extraction, and educated abroad for the office of priest. On his return from Spain, a full-fledged Doctor of Divinity, he was appointed to a church and attracted great crowds as a preacher, till an incident, the most trivial and fortuitous in its origin, drove him from the pulpit into literature. The incident is worth recording as a determining factor in his illustrious career. It seems that in his audience one day a young lady, who was reputed to have questionable relations with a high dignitary of the Province, happened to appear, curious, like all the rest, to hear the great preacher. Keating, as fate would have it, was discoursing on this occasion on a theme not likely to commend itself to the dissolute girl; still less, since all eyes pointed the moral in her direction.

She had her revenge, for forthwith soldiers were dispatched by her lordly patron to arrest the offending priest and make him prisoner. But the latter hearing of this in time, made good his escape to the famous glen of Aberlow, where he lived for years a hidden life. It was while thus cashiered and ostracised that he conceived the idea of writing the history of Ireland, from the earliest times to the Norman conquest, afterwards travelling through the country in disguise, with Aberlow as base, to consult the ancient MSS., which were then in the families of the hereditary brehons and in the proximity of the old monasteries. Many documents which existed in 1630, and which he perused, have since disappeared. And his work is thus of great value, as he rewrote and redacted their contents in his own words, like another Herodotus.

Duald Mac Firbis, his contemporary, was equally indefatigable in ransacking the past for the benefit of the future. His _magnum opus_ is _The Book of Genealogies_. O’Curry thinks it perhaps the greatest national genealogical compilation in the world. In addition, he compiled the _Chronicon Scotorum_, various glossaries, and, according to himself, a dictionary of the Brehon laws.

Almost at the same time that Keating was writing his history in the south of Ireland, the Four Masters were busy with theirs in the north. Michael O’Clery, born at Donegal about 1580, was author of the Leabhar Gabhala, or Book of Invasions, and other important works, but in compiling the famous Annals, the greatest of all, he had the assistance of other three eminent scholars, known as Farfasa O’Mulchonry, Peregrine O’Clery, and Peregrine O’Duigenan. Hence the name “Four Masters,” given by John Colgan of Louvain, himself worthy to rank after them as the author of the _Trias Thaumaturga_, a book which owes its origin to the vast collection of material amassed by Michael O’Clery throughout his busy life. The latter work consists of two enormous Latin quartos, the first containing the lives of Patrick, Brigit, and Columba; the second, those of a number of other distinguished Irish saints.

From the middle of the seventeenth century we are carried forward to the beginning of the eighteenth. And the next great name that illuminates the pages of Celtic scholarship is that of a Welshman, Edward Lhuyd. A peculiar interest and distinction attach to the work of this man, inasmuch as he was the earliest pioneer of the modern philological movement, and almost stumbled on the discoveries of Grimm and Rask, which were only reached upwards of a century after his time.

An Oxford don, of Jesus College, he clearly saw the necessity of laying a solid foundation for the scientific study of his own and kindred languages, and, following up his ideal, he set about publishing specimens of the literature and preparing vocabularies of the various dialects. In pursuit of this laudable object he visited Ireland and Scotland, and when his great work, the _Archæologica Britannica_, began to appear about 1703, enthusiastic Celts from far and near sent him congratulatory odes, some of which he afterwards printed. These poems were either in Latin or in the mother tongue of their contributors. Among the specimens sent from the Scottish Highlands, one, composed by the Rev. John Maclean of Kilninian, Mull, has been justly described by Professor Mackinnon as a “really admirable composition.”

Great praise and thanks, O noble Lhuyd, be thine,
True learned patriot of the Cambrian line!
Thou hast awaked the Celtic from the tomb,
That our past life her records might illume.
Engraved in every heart in lettered gold
Thy name remains; thy silent words unfold
To future ages what our sires had seen,
While others say, “A Gaelic race hath been.”

Such is one verse of the ode, as rendered in English by Dr. Nigel Macneill.

Completed and printed at Oxford in 1707, the _Archæologica Britannica_ was, according to the title page, “delivered to the subscribers at 9s. 6d., being the remainder of their payment, and to others at 16s.”

As a scientific linguist, the reputation of its brilliant author was at once established. His calibre may be inferred from the following pregnant note, which he appended to an edition of Kirke’s Gaelic Vocabulary in 1702. The note is in Latin to this effect:—

Of these 360 Gaelic words, 160 agree, in sound and sense, with the
British (Welsh) language. The letter _p_ in Welsh equates with the
letter _c_ in Gaelic, _e.g._, pren, crann (tree); plant, clann; pen,
ceann; pedwar, ceithir; pymp, cuig; pwy, cia; pasc, casg. _Gw_ of
Welsh equates with Gaelic _f_, _e.g._, gwyn, fionn; gwin, fion; gwr,
fear; gwair, feur; gwirion, firinneach. The Welsh _h_ corresponds with
the Gaelic _s_, _e.g._, hen, sean; helig, seileach; heboc, seabhag;
hil, siol; halen, salann; hyn, sin.

What was to prevent a man of such critical insight travelling towards the interesting discovery of the position of the Celtic in the Aryan group, or even the generalisation formulated in Grimm’s Law? Already he was on the track, observing sound changes. He began with the Celtic dialects, but had he lived, in all likelihood he would have carried his equations to other languages of the Aryan group, and anticipated some at least of the modern results. As it was, his early death occurred before he had time to work out the idea on the wider platform; and the honour of having laid a sure foundation for the new sciences of philology, ethnology, and literary criticism passed a century and a half later to the great German masters.

After Lhuyd’s time, unhappily in this country, his studies were not followed up. On the contrary, the investigation of Celtic questions was determined more by sentiment than by scholarship. Wrangling and partisanship took the place of learning and scientific veracity. And so far were the methods and results of later criticism from being anticipated, that biassed men like Pinkerton and the Ossianic controversialists had a loud voice in the land.

Gradually a better type of scholarship began to emerge both in Scotland and Ireland. Not at first the representatives of the new order, but representatives of the traditional seanachies, scholars of the long past, who interested themselves afresh in the literature, history, and antiquities of the race; and who began with unwearied zest to unearth and bring to light the long lost and forgotten monuments of the past. Of these, in Scotland, the brothers Donald and John Smith, Ewen Maclachlan, Dr. Thomas Maclauchlan, and Dr. Archibald Clerk, were perhaps the most prominent. As scholars they were rather uncritical, and do not rank in the same category with the great names of later times; but they had strong Gaelic sympathies and a large assortment of traditional knowledge.

In Ireland, on the other hand, there were far more who occupied themselves with the earlier periods. Of these it would be hard to rival in patient, conscientious, and solid learning such men as O’Reilly, Petrie, O’Donovan, O’Curry, Todd, Reeves, Hennessy, and Healy.

The first three were associated with the Ordnance Survey of Ireland, and in that sphere found excellent scope for their Celtic studies, in connection with the place-names of the country.

John O’Donovan was born in 1809. His father, though a small farmer, had been descended from the celebrated O’Donovans of County Cork, and when he died in 1817 his son John, then eight years of age and one of a family of nine, was sent to Dublin to be educated. From the age of seventeen he began to devote himself systematically to Celtic study, and three years later was brought under the notice of the Survey Commission as a youth singularly well qualified to conduct the archæological department of their enterprise. Accordingly he entered the service in 1829, and forthwith instituted a careful investigation of the printed books, MSS., and inscriptions bearing on topography; in due course contributing articles to the _Dublin Penny Journal_, and laying the first instalment of his research before the British Association in 1835. Subsequently, Petrie and he published the full report.

In 1836 he set about preparing an Analytical Catalogue of the Irish MSS. in Trinity College, and from 1841 was editor of the works published by the Irish Archæological Society. Ever since he undertook the work of the Ordnance Survey, he had in view the idea of writing a _Grammar of the Irish Language_, and after seventeen years’ study the book appeared in 1847, and was received with enthusiasm both at home and abroad. It is characteristic of the way in which British scholarship followed in the rear of that on the Continent, that so well informed and interested an exponent as O’Donovan did not know when he published his valuable Grammar that aspiration and ellipsis had been explained in Germany eight years before then. Thus he arrived too early to benefit much by the study of comparative philology, though deeply interested in the science.

His masterpiece is really the edition he issued of the _Annals of the Four Masters_ (1848–51). Of this vast effort Dr. Hyde affirms that it is the greatest that any modern Irish scholar ever accomplished. “So long as Irish history exists, the _Annals of the Four Masters_ will be read in O’Donovan’s translation.”

In 1847 he was called to the Bar, but sacrificed his prospects in that line for his Celtic studies. Later, he received the degree of LL.D. from Trinity College, Dublin, and a Government pension of £50 a year, and was appointed Professor of the Irish Language in Queen’s College, Belfast. But having a large family to support on a small income, he contemplated emigrating to America or Australia, when in 1852, most opportunely, the Government resolved to appoint a Royal Commission to publish the ancient Laws and Institutions of Ireland, and he and O’Curry, the two greatest savants on that subject, were chosen for the office. Eight years’ more arduous work undermined his constitution, and he succumbed to an attack of rheumatic fever about the middle of November 1861.

Eugene O’Curry did not long survive him. Neither of them lived to complete the vast undertaking, though they both wrote and translated volumes of text, which have since been published.

The immense labours and success of O’Curry in the difficult fields of Gaelic research are even more astonishing than those of his coadjutor, as he had never received an academical education, and was mainly self-taught, and had to forge his way in new and unexplored directions. In view of this his surprise was great when offered the Professorship in the Catholic University of Ireland, and so diffident was he that it was with difficulty he was persuaded to accept it. His catalogues, editions of texts and translations, and, above all, his famous books, the _Lectures on the Manuscript Materials of Ancient Irish History_ (Dublin, 1861), and _On the Manners and Customs of the Ancient Irish_ (London, 1873), have rendered him a kind of quarry for subsequent scholars, British and Continental.

To Dr. Todd is mainly due the inception, in 1841, of the Irish Archæological Society for publishing original documents. He figures also as the first editor of the _Liber Hymnorum_, Dublin, 1855, and as the biographer of St. Patrick, while Dr. Reeves has done masterly service as editor and biographer of Adamnan.

Of the line of scholars we have just passed in review, William Maunsell Hennessy is probably the last great representative. The better part of forty years he spent in close familiarity with the great tomes in Dublin, publishing, translating, and annotating, till the list of his works have become too numerous to mention here. Among the chief of these are his edition of the _Chronicon Scotorum_, in the Master of the Rolls’ Series, 1858; and his translation of the _Tripartite Life of St. Patrick_, printed by Mary Frances Cusack, 1871, and by O’Leary, New York, 1874.

“Hennessy,” says Standish O’Grady, “was born at Castle Gregory, some twelve miles west of Tralee, and in early life visited the United States. Upon his return to Ireland he became a journalist, and was appointed to the Public Record Office, Dublin, in 1868. He enjoyed the friendship of the Cavaliere Nigra, himself an accomplished Celticist, and was his guest at the Italian Embassy in Paris. In 1885 he was visited by a family bereavement, almost tragic in sadness, and this again was before long followed by a second blow, the effect upon his sensitive and affectionate nature being such that he never fairly rallied, but died at the age of sixty.”

Having thus glanced briefly at the representatives of the older scholarship and their work, we shall now have occasion to retrace our steps to consider the representatives of the new critical and philological movement. After Edward Lhuyd’s demise no further progress seems to have been registered in the elucidation of Celtic philology till the time of Franz Bopp. Even as late as the first quarter of the nineteenth century, Gaelic was regarded by scholars as a peculiar language, unconnected with the other European tongues. It is true that Sir William Jones, from his study of Sanskrit, had thrown out the hint as early as 1786, that Celtic was of the same original stock with the other languages of Europe and South-Western Asia; but when Bopp first published his _Comparative Grammar_ Celtic was omitted. It was Dr. Pritchard, an English ethnologist, who, in 1832, really demonstrated on the lines laid down by Grimm and Bopp, that the Celtic language is a member of the Indo-European group.

His book, entitled _The Eastern Origin of the Celtic Nations_, from this time drew the attention of continental scholars to the excluded and hitherto neglected language, with the result that three important works soon after appeared, namely, first, one _On the Affinity of the Celtic Languages with the Sanskrit_, by Adolph Pictet (Paris, 1837); second, the _Die Celtischen Sprachen_, or _Celtic Philology_, by Bopp (Berlin, 1839); and the _Celtica_ of Dr. Diefenbach (Stuttgart, 1839–40).

By this time Bopp had studied the Celtic dialects, and published the above work as a supplement to his great _Comparative Grammar of the Sanskrit, Zend, Greek, Latin, Lithuanian, Gothic, German, and Sclavonic Languages_. Some features of Gaelic phonetics, such as initial aspiration and ellipsis, taking the place of declension, seems hitherto to have baffled scholars, but Bopp’s sagacity enabled him to perceive that these are nothing else than the relics and results of the after-action of the old case-endings, and that the rational explanation is to be found in the final sound of the previous word, or, as we now say, vocalic and nasal auslaut. This discovery has since been fully confirmed by Zeuss, Ebel, and Windisch.

It was with the publication of the _Grammatica Celtica_, however, that the great moment in the evolution of Celtic scholarship arrived. Its gifted author, J. Caspard Zeuss, stands supreme as the real founder of Celtic philology. He did for it what Grimm did for the Teutonic, and Diez for the Romance. Since the appearance of his monumental work it has been definitely settled that the Celtic languages are pure Indo-European tongues, without any admixture of foreign elements, and thus that they are members of the family in the same sense that Latin or Gothic is. In addition, it has furnished the means of interpreting the most ancient forms of the Gaelic language found in the very old MSS., which before then had defied the efforts of translators.

Zeuss was born in Bavaria in July 1806, and after a brilliant school career, he went to the University of Munich, as his friends intended that he should be a clergyman. But the youth preferred linguistic studies, for which it soon transpired that he had a unique genius; and, college life over, he taught for seven years (from 1832–39) in the Gymnasium of Munich. Meantime he pursued his own favourite science, publishing in 1837 a work which is still authoritative. It dealt with the German chiefly, but from the first his studies included the oriental languages.

To settle in Berlin and support himself by teaching there had now become the objective of his desire, as the Metropolis would furnish him with exceptional opportunities, but being a Catholic, he found this impossible. In 1839, however, he succeeded in getting a professorship in the Lyceum in Spires, and went there from Munich. It was then he began to study Celtic. How enormous the difficulties were for a man in his position one can readily imagine, when it is remembered how widely dispersed, unknown, and unintelligible the materials for the most part were at that time. His income was small, but in order to economise his resources, and have the wherewithal to pursue his researches, it is said that he decided to remain a bachelor. It was his custom annually during the vacation to visit the great libraries of London, Oxford, Würzburg, St. Gall, and Milan for the perusal of the Gaelic documents. In the preface to his great work, he even apologises for not having made full use of the Milan glosses. This we know was not altogether his fault, for he went twice there to study the MS. On the first occasion there happened to be a convention of savants in the city, and the library was closed, much to his disappointment. An epidemic of fever prevailed when he returned the second time, and feeling certain sensations, he imagined he had caught the infection, and left the place without accomplishing the object of his visit. No doubt the overwrought student was nervous on that occasion, and his fears may have got the better of him.

In 1847 he was appointed Professor of History in Munich. But his health not being very robust, though he accepted the chair, he was obliged a few months afterwards to resign. Fortunately, however, he received a similar appointment in the Lyceum of Bamberg, which he was able to maintain. This was his last. The _Grammatica Celtica_, which was to take the learned world by surprise and revolutionise Celtic studies, appeared in 1853, after thirteen years’ close and laborious work. It is written in Latin, and is so profoundly erudite that it has the reputation, like some other great German books, of being very difficult to grasp. The numerous sources consulted in the production of this masterpiece of scientific scholarship are all carefully given in the preface. Its publication at once established his fame, but the work killed him. In 1855 he was compelled to resign his chair through broken health. That same year Professor Siegfried of Dublin saw him, and afterward wrote the following interesting impression which the appearance of the devoted scholar made upon him. “I paid a visit,” he says, “to this remarkable man in the vacation of 1855, when his health was fast sinking. He was a tall, well-made, rather spare man, with black hair and moustache, giving on the whole more the impression of a Sclavonian or a Greek than a German.” He did not long survive his retirement, for in November 1856, less than three years after the completion of his Grammar, this illustrious linguist but modest and retiring man died in his native village in Bavaria. To him, mindful of his outstanding influence, Dr Whitley Stokes has not inaptly applied the Greek line—

Ζεὺς ἀρχή, Ζεὺς μέσσα, Διὸς δ’ ἐκ πάντα τέτυκαι.

After the publication of the _Grammatica Celtica_, Celtic studies received a mighty impetus and took great strides forward. Now that the Celtic dialects were proved to be Aryan, their further study became a necessity in connection with the comparative grammar of the whole family. Already in Germany there was the well-known _Zeitschrift für vergleichende Sprachkunde_ (Journal of Comparative Philology), a journal specially devoted to the Germanic, Greek and Latin languages; but now in 1856, the _Beiträge zur vergleichenden Sprachforschung_ (Contribution to Comparative Etymology) was started in Berlin to deal with the Aryan, Celtic, and Sclavonic tongues, and giving particular attention to the Celtic. The periodical went through eight volumes, one appearing in four parts every two years; and when it came to an end the _Zeitschrift_, edited by Dr. Kuhn, began to receive articles on Celtic subjects, and continues to do so still.

Among the contributors to the _Beiträge_ Dr. Hermann Ebel was the most notable. His Celtic studies in the journal were afterwards translated and issued in book form by the late Professor Sullivan of Dublin (1863). Of these the most important are _On Declension_, and _The Position of the Celtic_. Ebel taught for thirteen years in Schniedmuhl, and when the Chair of Comparative Philology, once occupied by Bopp, in Berlin, fell vacant, he was appointed thereto, but he did not live long to fulfil its duties, for he died in 1875, only two years later. He left, it is said, in MS. a dictionary of Old Gaelic. His greatest Celtic work, however, is the second edition of Zeuss’s Grammar published in 1871, which embodies the results of Celtic scholarship down to that year.

In 1870 another important periodical, wholly devoted to Celtic studies, began to be published in Paris, namely the _Revue Celtique_. It was the appearance of this quarterly that ultimately led to the appointment of D’Arbois de Jubainville as Commissioner to the British Isles, to report on the Gaelic MSS. found there. This paper, which still flourishes, has for over thirty years done good service in the interests of scholarship, there being among its contributors such eminent writers as Ebel, Windisch, Max Müller, Count Nigra, Pictet, Jubainville, Stokes, Rhys, Macbain, and others.

Occasional articles continue to appear in several German papers, but it may be of moment in passing to note that a few years ago a new periodical, entitled _Zeitschrift für Celtische Philologie_, was floated, as well as an _Archiv für Celtische Lexicographie_, which shows the interest that is still taken by the German philologists in this department of study.

As the great succession of Celtic scholars after Zeuss and Ebel are more or less contemporary, it will be most convenient to deal with them in the order of nationality. Among foreigners of the first rank are two Italians, Count Nigra and Ascoli of Milan. Nigra was for a time his country’s ambassador in London and Paris. It will be remembered that Hennessy, who enjoyed his friendship, was entertained by him at the Italian Embassy in the latter city. His most important contribution, founded on his own researches in Italy, is the _Reliquie Celtiche_, published in that land in 1872. Ascoli did similar good work in connection with the Gaelic glosses in the ancient MSS. of Milan and St. Gall, supplementing the labours in that field of Zeuss, Ebel, and Nigra.

In Germany, on the other hand, there are four still actively engaged who rank among the masters. First comes the brilliant Professor Windisch of Leipzig. He is best known for his _Irische Texte_ (vol. i.), published in Leipzig, 1880; and again a second series of the same, in collaboration with Dr. Stokes, in 1884. It is a learned work with a vocabulary arranged alphabetically, which goes most minutely into the structure of the words. Such pieces as Cuchulinn’s Sickbed, the Vision of Adamnan, the Tale of the Sons of Uisneach, Hymns from the _Liber Hymnorum_, and Irish glosses from the MSS. in the monastery of St Paul in Carinthia are among its varied contents. Windisch is Professor of Sanskrit in Leipzig, and besides an Irish Grammar has published other books bearing on Celtic philology. In some instances he has corrected Zeuss, and in various directions developed and extended his principles. At present he is engaged on a second edition of the above-mentioned grammar, and on an elaborate edition with translation of the Táin Bó Chuailgné.

Next to him comes Professor Zimmer, formerly of Greifswalde, now Professor of Celtic in Berlin University. Two books stand to his credit in 1881, _Irish Glosses_ and _Celtic Studies_. As a writer he expresses fresh and interesting opinions on a great variety of subjects, such as the pagan character of Irish literature, the ancient Celtic Church, the “Táin Bó Chuailgné,” Old Middle Irish MSS., the Irish scholars upon the Continent, Fiacc’s _Life of St. Patrick_, and the scansion of the classical Irish metres.

Professor Thurneysen of Jena (now of Freiburg) distinguished himself by preparing, along with B. Gütterbock, an elaborate index to the _Grammatica Celtica_, which renders that work more complete and accessible. It was published in 1881.

He, along with Dr. Christian Stern, Librarian of Berlin, complete the quartette of famous German Celticists who have been for some time in the field, though not the list of able scholars engaged in like studies in that country. Other significant names are Drs. Holder, Finck, Zupitza, Foy, and Sommer.

Nor has France in recent years been lacking in eminent men of similar research. M. de la Borderie, Gaidos, De Jubainville, Lotti, Ernault, Dottin, and Professor Loth of Rennes have all greatly advanced the interests of Celtic philology and literature. Of these, D’Arbois de Jubainville is perhaps the best known, on account of his literary mission to the British Isles on behalf of the French Minister of Public Instruction in 1881, and his subsequent catalogue of the MSS. As Professor at the College of France and editor of the _Revue Celtique_, he made numerous interesting contributions in journal and book form to the modern literature of the subject, such as _Grammatical Studies on the Celtic Languages_ and _Epopée Celtique en Irlande_.

Ernault occupied himself more with the Breton dialect and folk-lore, Professor Loth with the Mabinogion and Welsh metrics.

Other Continental savants of great promise remain to be mentioned. They belong to the northern nations, which have recently begun to develop a lively enthusiasm for Celtic studies. Denmark is well to the front with Professor Holger Pedersen, a pupil of Zimmer’s, and Dr. Sarauw of Copenhagen, while Scandinavia is represented by Dr. Liden of Gothenburg. Much is expected of these men on the lines on which scholarship now travels. Hitherto America, so much engrossed with the problems of the present, has been slow to enter upon a research which burrows so deeply in the past, yet within the last few years two names have emerged which are intimately associated with this subject, namely, those of the Rev. Professor Henebry and Professor Robinson of Harvard. The one is concerned with the translation of O’Donnell’s _Life of St. Columcille_, the other with the collection of certain early Irish poems and sagas.

And now, returning to our own shores after contemplating the masters abroad, it is pleasing to find so many who have distinguished themselves in one way or another in this field. England, Ireland, Wales, the Isle of Man, and Scotland have each furnished enthusiastic and capable men.

Foremost of these British scholars, and apparently now of all living Celticists, stands Dr. Whitley Stokes. Next to Zeuss he has done more than any other single man in this particular department of study and research. His publications are a library in themselves, and deal with Cornish, Breton, Old Welsh, as well as Irish and Gaelic. He has made himself master of the field in a very thorough and scientific manner. Perhaps his best known books are the _Irische Texte_, vol. i., 2nd series, 1884; vol. ii., published at Leipzig, 1887; _The Tripartite Life of St. Patrick_, 1887, and his _Goidelica_ (old and early-middle-Irish glosses, prose and verse) which appeared twenty years before the others, and reached a second edition in 1872. In it are given accurate translations of the Gaelic prefaces and hymns of the _Liber Hymnorum_—that ancient anthology which dates from the eleventh century.

Dr. Stokes, who is a son of Professor William Stokes, Dublin, studied Irish with O’Donovan, and Sanskrit and Comparative Philology with Professor Siegfried in Dublin. After a distinguished career in the Indian Civil Service he retired and took up residence in London. It was in Calcutta that the foundation of his great reputation as a Celtic scholar was laid, and it was from that city that he first issued his _Goidelica_. The preface is striking in its brevity and simplicity:—

I have three objects in printing this book—one, to save the contents
of my transcripts of the glosses at Turin, Milan, and Berne from the
destruction which in this country anything solely entrusted to paper
MSS. must sooner or later meet with; another, to give those excellent
German philologists who, like Schleicher and Ebel, have expressed a
desire for trustworthy copies of Old Irish compositions, material on
which they may look with confidence; and, thirdly, to lay the first
stone of the cairn which I hope to raise to the memory of my beloved
friend and teacher, Siegfried.

The cairn has since been raised, and it is indeed a notable one. Besides his books, contributions from Dr. Stokes may be found in Continental journals, such as the _Beiträge zur vergleichenden Sprachforschung_ of Berlin, and the _Revue Celtique_ of Paris. He is still busy in his island home at Cowes, editing and translating texts, of which the _Annals of Tighernach_, the _Amra Choluimcille_, _Agallamh na Seanorach_, and the _Bruiden Da Derga_ have lately been published.

Other great names in this country are those of Professor Rhys of Oxford, a Welshman; Professor Atkinson of Dublin, a Yorkshireman; Dr. Kuno Meyer of Liverpool, a German; Dr. Strachan of Manchester, Professor of Greek and Comparative Philology, a native of Keith, Banffshire; Dr. Douglas Hyde, whose interesting book on the _Literary History of Ireland_ has just recently appeared; Dr. Norman Moore, the poetical Dr. Sigerson, and the Professors Gwynne, father and son. Of these Principal Rhys has hitherto perhaps been the most prolific in dealing with the early history and problems of Celtic Britain, while the others have interested themselves more in the language and literature.

There are two other outstanding names very familiar to the student of Celtic, the erudite Standish Hayes O’Grady, author of _Silva Gadelica_, and friend of Windisch for many years, and Mr. Alfred Nutt, an authority on folk-lore and literary antiquities. Besides Rhys, Wales has produced such indefatigable workers as Gwenogfryn Evans and Canon Silvan Evans, the veteran of Welsh philology; Professors Morris Jones and Lewis Jones, of Bangor; the late Charles Ashton; Professor Anwyl of Aberystwyth, and Mr. Brynmor Jones; while the Isle of Man has Mr. A. W. Moore and Mr. Kermode.

In Scotland during the middle of last century Dr. Skene did much to revive interest in the history and monuments of the past, by collecting MS. materials, editing the _Four Ancient Books of Wales_, and publishing his own voluminous _Celtic Scotland_.

The first scholar north of the Tweed to assimilate the results of Zeuss’s labours and follow his lead was the late Dr. Cameron of Brodick; very industrious, as may be seen from his contributions to the magazines, and his posthumous work, the _Reliquiæ Celticæ_, but sadly lacking in system and method. After him come Dr. Macbain of Inverness, a distinguished philologist, whose Gaelic Dictionary is a valuable contribution to Celtic etymology, and the Rev. John Kennedy; the late Sheriff Nicholson; Professor Mackinnon, occupant of the Edinburgh Chair of Celtic Literature, and Dr. Henderson, a former student of his, who has since studied abroad and written various papers and books, and edited poems or tales collected in the Highlands.

These all represent the forces of scholarship in the highways and by-ways of Celtic literature. They are not all masters, in the technical sense of the word; not a few of them are, as we have already seen, and the marvel is, looking back for fifty years, the number of men of the first rank who have appeared, in great part on the Continent but also in our own land. It is truly a recrudescence or re-arising of the Celt. Spent forces seem suddenly to have re-emerged and overflowed the foremost files of time, taking science captive and using it as their instrument. And yet people wonder and inquire and continue to ask for evidence of a Celtic renaissance.

Many literary problems have within the last half-century been solved, but many more remain to be unravelled—questions too, of history, ethnology, and sociology. But so much has already been done—so much that a century ago seemed visionary and impossible, and had not even appeared on the horizon of dreamers, that there is the promise of future harvests, and still unlimited scope for the masters.

Thus the progress. First the available materials had to be ascertained, catalogued, sifted, and examined in every land. Then followed the work of publishing and interpreting the texts which have already yielded such interesting philological and ethnical results, and now we look for a further synthesis in other directions from the hints and suggestions scattered all over these published records, which will throw light on the fascinating problems which confront the students of history, ethnology, archæology, and of the beliefs and customs of the race in its earlier stages—a study in keeping with the human experience, that to go on we must often go back.

INDEX OF NAMES

Achilles, 133

Adam, 63, 83, 126, 130, 232

Adamnan, 5, 16, 42, 45, 46, 47, 50, 58–77, 83, 88, 92, 201, 209, 215,
226, 291, 292, 349, 374, 380

Aedh, 54, 105

Aedh, 91

Aedh Mac Morna, 178, 181

Aeneas, 68, 228, 306

Aengus, 48, 292

Aidan, 221

Ailbhe, 355

Ailill, 109, 160, 161, 165

Ainnle, 158

Albin, St. 306

Aldfrid, 65, 68, 201

Alexander I., 89, 94

Alexander the Great, 6, 7

Alleine, 334

Amergin, 131, 139

Amphitrionis, 8

Anderson, Dr., 95

Andlis, 8

Andrew, 91

Aneurin, 218–223, 240, 244

Anne, Queen, 270

Antestis, 8

Anwyl, Prof., 383

Aoife, 159, 165, 167

Ardan, 158

Arganté, 320

Argyll, Earl of, 126, 272, 274, 327

Aristotle, 12, 367

Armstrong, Rev. A., 343, 344

Arnold, Matthew, 2, 97, 309, 311, 321–323

Arnold, Thomas, 307

Art, 179, 186, 193, 254

Arthur, 125, 128, 227–240, 344, 250, 260, 306–308, 318–321

Ascoli, 98, 379, 380

Ashburnham, 103

Ashton, Charles, 383

Aspasia, 254

Athol, 8

Atkinson, Prof., 383

Attila, 2

Aurelius, 319

Austin, 306

Avagddu, 230

Bach, Gwion, 331

Bacon, Francis, 332

Baithene, 48, 61, 71, 83

Balan, 318

Balin, 318

Balor, 141

Bannatyne, Lord, 117, 118

Barbour, John, 309

Baxter, Richard, 328, 334, 335

Becca, 145

Bede, 5, 22, 56, 65, 77, 93, 201, 221, 306

Bede, the Pict, 85, 86, 94

Bedivere, 321

Beli, 222

Benen, 34

Benignus, St., 34

Bernard, St., 39

Bethune, Donald, 116

Björn, 213, 214

Black, William, 301, 323

Blackie, Prof., 123, 186, 268, 272, 284, 322, 323, 358

Blair, Dr., 283, 343

Blake, William, 316

Blathmac, St., 62, 201, 208

Bodhbha, Dearg, 144, 145

Bollandist Fathers, 31, 62

Bondi, 214

Bopp, Franz, 258, 375, 376, 379

Borderie, M. de la, 381

Borron, Robert, 307

Boston, Thomas, 68, 334

Boswell, 63, 316

Brachet, A., 9

Bradshaw, Henry, 79–81

Bran, 247, 248, 355

Branno, 192

Branwen, 229

Brash, 14

Breas, 138, 141

Brec, Donald, 222

Brendan, St., 75, 215, 291

Brian, 141–143

Brian Boru, 203, 246

Bricriu, 153

Bride, 365

Brigit, 292, 369

Broccán, 292, 349

Brogan, 189

Brooke, Miss, 366

Brooke, Stopford, 310, 324, 366

Brown, Dorothy, 276

Brown, John, 335

Browning, Robert, 107

Bruce, Robert the, 86, 87

Bruce, Robert, 300

Brude, 46, 72

Brutus, 306

Buchan, Earls of, 87

Buchanan, Dugald, 250, 329, 330, 335, 336

Buchanan, Robert, 301, 323

Bugge, Dr. Alex., 210

Bugge, Prof. Sophus, 210

Buinne Borb, 151

Bunyan, 334, 343

Burnet, Bishop, 130

Burns, Robert, 257, 282, 299, 310, 367

Cadwaladr, 228

Cædmon, 15, 41, 57, 79, 304

Cael, 189–191

Cæsair, Lady, 137

Cæsar, 3, 5, 6, 9, 12, 13, 99

Cailatin, 163, 169

Cailta, 192

Cainnech, 51, 91

Cairbre, 179, 180, 185, 189

Calpornius, 25

Calvin, John, 328

Cameron, Dr., 147, 303, 338, 351, 384

Cameron, Margaret, 335

Camin, St., 104

Campbell, A., 335

Campbell, Alex., 352

Campbell, Colin, 263

Campbell, D., 274

Campbell, Duncan, 335

Campbell, J. F., 146, 147, 176, 186, 338, 353, 354, 357, 363

Campbell, Knight of Glenorchy, 126

Campbell of Glenlyon, 335

Canmore, Malcolm, 89, 92

Caoilte, 179, 185, 188, 189, 355

Caredig, 32

Caridwen, 230, 231

Carlyle, Thomas, 245, 332

Carmichael, A., 147, 148, 300, 338, 361, 362, 363

Carsewell, Bishop, 127, 264, 299, 300, 327, 328, 350

Cassius, Dion, 12

Catald, St., 208

Cathal, 91, 126

Cathbad, 148–151

Cathula, 254

Caxton, William, 308, 327

Cedric, 307

Celtchar, 154

Cennfaelad, 107, 291

Ceolfrid, 66

Ceretic, 32

Chaillu, Paul B. du, 200

Charlemagne, 59, 199, 208

Charles I., 130, 270, 351

Charles II., 270, 274

Charlie, Prince, 250, 251, 256

Chaucer, 309, 310, 332, 335

Church, Dean, 303

Cian, 141, 142, 214

Ciaran, St., 108, 154

Cicero, 12

Clanranald, 129, 130, 276, 283

Clark, John, 176, 250, 256

Cleopatra, 254

Clerk, Dr. A., 303, 338, 372

Cliodhna, 188

Clydno, 234

Cocholyn, 226

Colan, St., 225

Colban, 92

Colgan, 23, 50, 62, 112, 369

Collin, 313

Colmán, 292, 349

Columba St. (Columcille), 15–17, 28, 39–72, 76, 77, 85–88, 94, 95, 104,
112, 134, 154, 201, 206, 209, 220, 225, 226, 240, 244, 250, 288–294,
299, 301 349, 369, 381

Columbanus, St., 41, 207

Comgall, 91

Comyns, 86, 87

Conaill, Cinal, 49

Conall, 42

Conall Cearnach, 149, 153–155, 170, 355

Conan Maol, 179

Conchobar, 121, 148–156, 160, 161, 169

Conlaoch, 153, 159, 355

Conn, 108, 125, 179, 180, 254, 348

Cormac, Abbot of Turiff, 91

Cormac, 51, 140, 291, 292, 341

Cormac Mac Art, 179–181, 186, 192–194, 355

Coroticus, 15, 30, 32, 33

Corroi, 226

Cowper, 310, 316

Crabbe, 316

Craigie, Dr., 210

Crede, 189, 190

Creirwy, 230

Cuchulinn, 149, 153–174, 178, 226, 354, 355, 380

Culand, 155, 156

Cumhail, 178, 179, 181, 185

Cummene, 61, 63, 74, 76, 291

Curigh, 154, 170, 226

Currie, Archibald, 340

Cwlum, 225

Cyclops, 12

Dagda, 138

Daire, 28

Dante, 68, 215

Daol, 214, 357

Daré, 161

Dargo, 254

Darmesteter, 53, 288

Darwin, Charles, 2

David I., 84, 89, 94

David, 91, 143, 167, 176, 328

Davies, 225, 227

Dayry, 226

Dechtine, 155

Deirdre, 146, 148–153, 354

Demni, 181, 182

Devonshire, Duke of, 109

Dewar, Dr., 336, 344

Diarmad, King, 44, 45, 50, 105, 106

Diarmad O’Duibhne, 179, 193–196, 254, 355, 356

Dickens, Charles, 332

Dido, 312

Diefenbach, Dr., 375

Diez, 376

Dima, 51

Diodorus, 12, 99

Dionysius, 12

Doddridge, 334, 343

Domangart, 91

Domnall, 91

Donall, Albanach, 158

Donlevy, 339

Donn, Rob., 250, 336–338

Donnatt, St., 208

Dorbene, 60, 61

Dottin, Georges, 148, 381

Dowden, Dr., 34, 52, 303

Drostan, 85, 86, 94

Drust, 86

Dubthach, 37, 240, 244

Duffy, Sir Charles Gavan, 324, 366

Duhona, 254

Dunbar, 310

Dungall, 208

Duvan, Louis, 173

Dyer, 334

Ebel, Dr. Herdmann, 98, 258, 376–382

Edward I., 225, 313

Edward IV., 309

Edwards, J., 334

Eimer, 153, 157, 160, 169–172, 355, 365

Eite, 92

Eithinyn, 222

Eithne, 143

Elaine, 319

Elphin, 232

Emerson, 1

Enda, St., 29

Enid, 237, 318

Eogan, 151

Eoin o Albain, 116

Ephorus, 12

Erbin, 230

Ercoill, 8

Ernault, 381

Etarre, 319

Ete, 92

Ethelfrid, 221

Ethne, 29

Eua, 92

Eva, 144, 145

Evans, 314, 383

Eve, 233

Evir-Alin, 192

Evrawc, 230

Ewen, 247, 248

Fairhair, Harold, 202, 204, 212

Faraday, Miss, 210

Farsaid, Fenius, 107, 112, 114, 338

Fedelm, 29

Feidhlim, 148

Fercertné 107

Ferdomnach, 23

Fergus Finne-bheoil, 179, 185, 188

Ferguson, Sir James, 148

Ferry, Jules, 99

Festime, 8

Fferyllt, 230

Fiacc, 23, 25, 26, 37–39, 240, 292, 349

Finan, 253, 254

Finck, Dr., 381

Finn Eges, 181, 182

Finnachta, 64, 65, 67

Finnamhair, 162, 163, 167

Finnian, St., 44, 48, 290

Finntan, 137

Fionn (Finn), 123, 124, 174–196, 283, 295, 296, 299, 354, 355

Flann, 140, 246

Fletcher, 148, 352

Forbes, 340

Forgaill, Dallan, 16, 55, 57, 61, 108, 240, 291, 348, 349

Forgaill of Lusk, 157, 158

Forli, Jacques de, 120

Foy, Dr., 381

Francis, St., 31, 39

Fraoch, 354

Gadelus, 138

Gaidos, 381

Gaimar, 228

Gairloch, Laird of, 280

Galates, 8, 12

Galgacus, 6

Gall, St., 41, 208

Garbh, 354, 355

Garnat, 86

Gartnait, 91

Gaul, 178, 181, 254, 295, 355

Gavaelvawr, 234

Gawaine, Sir, 308

Geoffrey of Monmouth, 228, 247, 306, 307

George I., 80

George II., 351

Geraint, 230, 318

Germanus, 24, 27

Geryon, 8

Gibbon, 382

Gildas, 220, 307

Gillemichel, 92

Gillies, H. C., 340

Gillies, John, 335, 352

Glengarry, 271, 272

Glewlwyd, 234

Gloucester, Robert of, 306

Glûngel, 107

Gobhan, 106

Goldsmith, 7

Gomer, 8

Goraidh, 211

Gordon, George Ross, 336

Gordon, Patrick, 87

Gordon, William, 336

Gordonus, 118

Grainne, 193, 355

Grant, 352

Grant, Mrs., 250, 256, 357

Grant, Peter, 336, 338

Graves, Dr., 14

Gray, 313–315

Gray, Florence, 339

Gregais, 8

Griffith, Prince, 257

Grimm, 370, 371, 375, 376

Gruffydd ap Arthur, 228

Gruffydd ap Kynan, 246, 247

Gudelig, 230

Guesclin du, 247

Guest, Lady Charlotte, 219, 229, 230, 237

Guinevere, 237, 319, 320

Guledig, 227

Gurban, 106

Gwenc’hlan, 240

Gwenhwyvar, 234–236

Gwreang, 231

Gwrhyr, 233

Gwyddno Garanhir, 231, 232

Gwydion, 312

Gwynne, Prof., 383

Hael, Rhydderch, 225

Hailes, Lord, 118

Halliday, William, 339

Hamlet, 81

Hardiman, 251

Healy, Dr., 50, 372

Hecatæus, 2, 11

Helen of Troy, 152

Hên Llywarch, 218, 221, 223, 240, 244

Henderson, Dr. George, 303, 351, 366, 384

Henebry, Prof., 381

Hengest, 221

Hennessy, W. M., 372, 374, 379

Henry VIII., 220

Herbert, 227

Hercules, 8

Herodotus, 2, 11, 19, 287

Hoel, 314

Holder, Dr., 381

Homer, 176, 332, 347

Horace, 133

Horatio, 81

Howeldda, 220

Hring, 213

Hull, Eleanor, 154, 293, 324

Huxley, 2, 6

Hyde, Dr. Douglas, 32, 46, 50, 57, 113, 148, 175, 186, 213, 246, 251,
264, 266, 309, 324, 339, 366, 373, 383

Irvine, 118, 148, 352

Isabella, Countess of Argyll, 126

Iseult, 237

Jacobs, Joseph, 147

Jafed, 8

James II., 49, 270, 279

James, Prof., 71

Jauïoz, 247

Jerome, St., 44, 49, 82, 290

Jerram, C. S., 253

Jocelin, 23

John, St., 68, 80, 83, 84

Johnson, Dr. Samuel, 123, 127, 267, 316, 343, 351

Jonathan, 167

Jones, Brynmor, 383

Jones, Edmund, 324

Jones, John, 218, 366

Jones, Prof. Lewis, 383

Jones, Prof. Morris, 383

Jones, Owen, 218, 366

Jones, Sir William, 18, 375

Joyce, Dr., 140, 144, 148

Jubainville, H. d’Arbois de, 99, 103, 108, 144, 147, 148, 173, 379, 381

Judas, 215

Kaer-Is, 240

Kai, 234, 255

Keating, Geoffrey, 101, 147, 183, 203, 249, 368, 369

Keats, 315

Keith, Sir Robert de, 87

Keller, Dr., 59, 62, 63

Kemoc, St., 146

Kempis, Thomas à, 332

Kennedy, 352

Kennedy, Angus, 336

Kennedy, Duncan, 335

Kennedy, Rev. John, 384

Kermode, 383

Kian, 221

Kilhwch, 230, 233

Kilian, St., 208

Kirke, John, 328, 341, 371

Kirke, Rev. Robert, 333

Knox, John, 56, 290, 299, 327, 335

Kuhn, Dr., 378

Kynan, 246, 247

Kyner, 234, 235

Kynon, 234

Laeg, 165–167

Laing, Malcolm, 221

Lamb, Charles, 260

Lamh-fhad, 355

Landseer, 358

Lang, Andrew, 137, 324

Laoghaire, King, 28, 29, 34, 171, 244

Larguen, 145, 146

Launcelot, Sir, 307, 319

Lawless, Emily, 324

Layamon, 228, 306–308, 320

Lebarchan, 149

Lekprevik, Roibeart, 327

Leodogran, 319

Leot, 91

Lewy, 170

Lhuyd, Edward, 4, 217, 328, 370, 371, 375

Liden, Dr., 381

Lir, 144–146, 213

Lismore, Dean of, 89, 91, 121–123, 127, 129, 175, 186, 187, 191, 262,
299, 300, 357

Livy, 12

Llevelys, 230

Llewellyn, 314

Llud, 230

Llyr, 229

Lonelich, Henry, 308

Longarad, 48

Lorma, 254

Loth, Prof., 229, 381

Lotti, 381

Lovat, 281

Lovenath, 306

Lugaid, 170, 172

Lugh, 138, 141–143, 155

Luke, St., 80, 83, 84

Lynette, 318

Mabon, 233

Macalpine, Neil, 340, 344, 356

Macaulay, Lord, 281, 321

Macaulay, Zachary, 281

Macbain, Dr. Alex., 4, 86, 95, 175, 344, 351, 379, 384

Macbean, L., 340

Macbeth, 313

Macbrian, 356

Maccallum, 352

Maccallum, A., 336

Maccallum, Rev. Duncan, 176, 195, 256, 303

Maccallum, J., 336

Maccarthenn, 36

Maccodrum, John, 250, 282–284

Maccolla, Alasdair, 276

Mac Crimmon, 280

M‘Cuirtin, Hugh, 339

Mac Cumachteni, 23

Mac Daman, Ferdia, 158, 163–168, 172

Macdonald, Alasdair, 130, 272

Macdonald, Alexander, 250, 282, 284, 328, 329, 335, 336, 341

Macdonald, Sir Alexander, 271, 272, 275

Macdonald, Angus, 281

Macdonald, Archibald, 281

Macdonald, Archibald (An Ciaran Mabach), 271, 275

Macdonald, Cicely, 276

Macdonald, Donald, 251, 262

Macdonald, Dr., 303, 338

Macdonald, Dr. George, 323

Macdonald, Sir James, 272, 282, 283

Macdonald, John (Iain Dubh), 276, 336

Macdonald, John (Iain Lom), 270, 275

Macdonald of Muck, 281

Macdonald, Ronald, 335, 352

Macdougall, Allan, 250, 335

Macdougall, Phelim, 126

Macdurnain, 103, 104, 290

Maceachan, Rev. Ewen, 344

Macfadyen, 335

Macfarlane, Rev. Alex., 328, 333, 334

Macfarlane, Donald, 344

Macfarlane, Malcolm, 340, 366

Macfarlane, P., 336, 343, 344

Macfarlane, Robert, 343

Mac Firbis, Duald, 65, 112, 249, 368, 369

Macgillivray, Dr., 340

Mac Gormann, Finn, 349

Macgregor, Duncan, 121, 122

Macgregor, Gregor, 263, 264

Macgregor, James, 251, 336

Macgregor, Sir James, 121, 122

Macgregor, John, 336

Mac-Ille Chalum, 265

Macintosh, D., 336

Macintyre, Duncan Ban, 250, 329, 330, 335, 337, 358

Mackay, A., 336

Mackay, John, 280, 281

Mackellar, David, 215, 250, 328, 335

Mackellar, Mary, 338

Mackenzie, Alexander, 267

Mackenzie, Sir George, 352

Mackenzie, Henry, 117

Mackenzie, High Chief of Kintail, 277

Mackenzie, John, 121

Mackenzie, John, 250, 282, 284, 328, 329, 335, 336, 338, 356, 357, 360,
361, 363

Mackenzie, Kenneth, 250, 335

Mackenzie, William, 281

Mackinnon, Alexander, 251

Mackinnon, Prof. D., 56, 105, 127, 144, 351, 384

Mackinnon, Lachlan, 279

Maclachlan, Ewen, 251, 372

Maclachlan, I., 336

Maclachlan, Major, 118

Maclaren, Ian, 324

Maclauchlan, Dr. T., 116, 303, 328, 372

Maclean, Rev. Donald, 325

Maclean, Hector, 278

Maclean, John, 281, 336

Maclean, Rev. John, 370

Maclean, Sir Lachlan, 278

Maclean, Malcolm, 281

Macleod, Alexander, 267

Macleod, Donald, 251, 336

Macleod, Fiona, 324

Macleod, Hector, 250, 281

Macleod, John Breac, 279

Macleod, Mary, 249, 265–270, 276, 284

Macleod, Neil, 338

Macleod, Dr. Norman, 303, 338, 344, 346

Macleod, Sir Norman, 132, 267, 269

Macneill, Dr. Nigel, 196, 255, 303, 338, 345, 346, 370

Macnicol, 303, 352

Macpherson, Alex., 335

Macpherson, D. C., 340

Macpherson, James, 103, 117, 121, 123, 129, 148, 176, 214, 217, 240,
250–256, 283, 298, 301, 305, 314–316, 318, 331, 351–355

Macpherson, Lachlan, 250

Macphun, W. R., 345

Macrae, Duncan, 91, 127–129, 215, 275, 350

Macrae, John, 128

Macritchie, 175

Mac Roich, Fergus, 108, 149–154, 301

Mac Roth, Fergus, 109, 161–164

Macsen Gudelig, 230

Macvurich, Nial, 129–132, 276, 277

Macvurichs, 119, 126, 130, 351

Madden, Sir Frederick, 306, 308

Maelbrigte, 104

Maelcolum, 91

Mælgron, 232

Mael-isu, 292, 349

Maelmuiri, 108, 299, 301, 348, 349

Magnus, 211

Malcolm, 339

Malcolm, Dr., 341

Maledoun, 91

Malory, Sir Thomas, 308, 309, 316, 318

Malvina, 315

Manawyddan, 229

Manus, 211, 254, 355

Map, Walter, 307

Mar, Earl of, 87

Marcellinus, 12

Marcellus, 81

Margaret, Queen, 92–94

Mark, St., 80, 84

Mary, Queen, 270

Mason, W. Monck, 65

Matadin, 91

Math, 229, 312

Matheson, Aosdan, 276

Matheson, D., 336

Mathonwy, 229

Matthew, St., 79, 84

Menteith, Earl of, 87

Menzies of Rannoch, 263

Merlin, 307, 319, 320

Mesgedra, 121

Meve, Queen, 110, 151, 160–169, 310, 365

Meyer, Dr. Kuno, 120, 173, 383

Milé, 130, 138

Mitchell, Anthony, 52

Mitonis, 8

Mocumin Lugne, 73, 74

Molaise, St., 45

Molloy, 339

Mone, 105

Montalembert, 88

Montrose, 129, 130, 271, 272

Moore, A. W., 383

Moore, Bishop, 80

Moore, Dr. Norman, 383

Moore, Thomas, 316

Morda, 231

Morley, 249

Morna, 178–181

Morni, 254

Morrigan, 163

Morris, Dr., 308

Morrison, 333

Morrison, J., 336

Morrison, Roderick, 279, 280

Mortimer, 314

Morvran, 230

Moses, 107, 232

Muireach, Albanach, 119, 126, 130, 276, 351

Muirne, 181

Munro, James, 274, 336, 340

Munro, Neil, 275, 324

Müller, Max, 136, 379

Mura, St., 61

Muridach, 91

Myrddin, 221, 224–226, 240, 247

Naitan, 56

Nann, Lord, 240, 242

Naois, 149, 150, 158

Napier, Mark, 130, 272

Nectan, 91

Neil, Oig, 116

Neilson, Dr. William, 339

Nennius, 220, 307

Nial, 34, 107, 112, 171

Nicholson, 328

Nicolson, 338, 384

Nigra, Count, 56, 57, 98, 309, 374, 379, 380

Ninine, 38, 292, 349

Noah, 8, 137

Noe, 8

Nomenöe, 247

Norris, Edwin, 249

Nuada, 140

Nutt, Alfred, 144, 175, 177, 383

O’Beirne, Crowe, 173

O’Bryan, Dr. Paul, 339

O’Clery, Michael, 50, 112, 135, 341, 369

O’Clery, Peregrine, 369

O’Connor, 111

O’Curry, 97, 98, 102, 108, 110, 130, 140, 144, 147, 160, 173, 175, 176,
185, 186, 193, 258, 369, 372, 373

O’Daly, 126, 251

O’Donnell’s, 381

O’Donnells, 49

O’Donovan, 97, 113, 176, 258, 339, 372, 373, 374, 382

O’Duffy, 140

O’Duigenan, 369

O’Flaherty, 179

O’Flanagan, 147, 173

Ogilvy, Mrs. D., 271

O’Grady, S. H., 173, 374, 383

Olwen, 230, 233, 310

O’Mulchonry, 369

O’Reilly, 4, 372

Orran, 254

Oscar, 179, 185, 193, 295, 296, 356

Ossian, 29, 122, 123, 129, 175–194, 214, 222, 244, 253, 254, 293–302,
314, 315, 323, 336, 343, 347, 355, 357

Oswy, 221

Owain, 223, 234

Owen, Aneurin, 218, 366

Palgrave, Sir Francis, 200

Palladius, 22, 24

Patrick, St., 15–17, 22–43, 53, 57, 68, 78, 112, 123, 134, 145, 171,
172, 187, 189, 191, 240, 244, 288, 291–302, 349, 355, 369, 374, 382

Pattison, 195, 253, 263, 268, 274

Paul, St., 8, 31, 76

Pedersen, Prof., 381

Pelleas, 319

Pellinore, King, 308

Penda, 222

Pendragon, Uther, 306

Pennant, 316

Pentreath, Dolly, 249

Peredur, 147, 230, 234

Petrie, 372

Phillips, Sir Thomas, 219

Pictet, Adolph, 375, 379

Pinkerton, 78, 221

Plato, 12, 367

Pliny, 12

Polybius, 12

Ponsinet, Louis, 148

Posidonius, 12

Potitus, 25

Powell, Mrs., 219

Price, Sir John, 218

Price, Thomas, 218, 366

Pritchard, Dr., 375

Prosper, 22

Ptolemy, 7, 12

Pwyll, 229

Pytheas, 12

Quixote, Don, 355

Ragnhilda, 211

Rao’all, 211

Raonailt, 211

Raonall, 211

Rask, 370

Reay, Lord, 280

Rees, William, 218, 366

Reeves, Dr., 50, 60, 63, 67, 76, 77, 105, 303, 372, 374

Reid, D., 340

Reid, John, 325–331, 338

Renan, 97, 227, 230, 233, 237, 244, 289, 322

Rheged, Urien, 223

Rhys, Principal, 4, 175, 225, 229, 230, 322, 379, 383

Rhys ap Tewdwr, 246

Rhonabwy, 230

Ripley, Dr. W. Z., 11

Robertson, Alex., 343

Robinson, Prof., 381

Roc, 355

Rognwald, 211

Rolleston, T. W., 148, 324, 366

Ronald of Keppoch, 276

Ronan, 63

Ronan, 179, 188

Ronnat, 63, 67

Ross, Rev. Thomas, 333, 334

Ross, William, 250

Ruadh, Alasdair, 267

Rustum, 159

Sage, 303, 352

Samson, 91

Sanctain, 292, 349

Sangale, Monachi, 199

Sarauw, Dr., 381

Scathach, Lady, 158, 159, 163, 165, 167

Schaafhausen, 2

Schleicher, 382

Scott, Sir Walter, 130, 256, 271, 277, 278, 301, 305, 316–318, 323, 332

Scylax, 12

Seaforth, Earl of, 276, 277

Sechnall, 36, 37, 240, 292

Secundius, 36

Setanta, 155, 156

Seth, 83

Shairp, Principal, 321, 322

Shakespeare, 312, 313, 332

Shaw, James, 250

Shaw, Rev. William, 340, 342

Shelley, 315

Siegfried, Prof., 378, 382, 383

Sigerson, Dr., 167, 297, 324, 366, 383

Sigurd, 202

Sinclair, Archibald, 338, 361, 363

Sinclair, Sir John, 352

Skene, Dr., 32, 55, 117, 120, 127, 129, 130, 150, 175, 195, 221–227,
238, 383

Smith, Angus, 147

Smith, Dr., 176, 250, 253–256, 303, 330, 333, 335, 372

Smith, Donald, 372

Sohrab, 159

Somerled, 211

Sommer, Dr., 381

Southey, 316

Stairn, 354, 355

Stapleton, Tobias, 339

Stephens, Thomas, 221–225, 247

Stern, Dr. Ludwig Christian, 174, 176, 380

Stevenson, R. L., 323

Stewart, A., 336, 340, 341

Stewart, D., 336

Stewart, Sir John, 264

Stewart, R., 336

Stokes, Prof. G. T., 36, 303

Stokes, Dr. Whitley, 25, 26, 32, 34, 68, 81, 82, 90, 95, 98, 104–106,
121, 147, 173, 188, 378–383

Stokes, Prof. William, 382

Stone, Jerome, 118, 251, 252, 352

Strabo, 7, 12, 99

Strabo, Walafridus, 202

Strabus, 62

Strachan, Dr., 55, 383

Stuart, Dr., 82, 95, 330

Stuart, John Roy, 250

Stuart, P., 336

Sualtam, 155, 156

Sweet, 304

Tacitus, 5, 12

Tadg, 181

Talchend, 145

Talhaiarn, 221

Taliessin, 218–223, 226, 230, 232, 240, 244, 247

Tannahill, 257

Taylor, Tom, 240, 247

Teige, 124

Tennyson, 305, 315, 318, 320, 323, 332

Tewdwr, 246

Thackeray, 332

Thisbe, 312

Thomson, 315

Thurneysen, Prof., 57, 380

Tighernach, 63, 111, 112, 155, 176, 246

Timæus, 12

Tinne, 63

Tirechan, 23, 24, 29

Tischendorf, 83, 97

Todd, Dr., 25, 33, 38, 303, 372, 374

Todhunter, Dr., 148, 324

Torcull, 211

Townshend, Lord, 80

Trahul, 254

Trenmor, 178, 181

Tuireann, 140–143, 213, 214

Turner, P., 336, 352

Tynan, Katherine, 324

Uathach, 159, 165

Uisneach, 146, 149–155, 158, 161, 380

Ullin, 254

Ultán, 292, 349

Urien, 234, 244

Ussher, 62

Uther, 319

Vallancy, 339, 342

Victoricus, 27

Viglisson, 212

Villemarqué, 222, 229, 240, 244, 366

Virgil, 12, 335

Vivien, 319

Voel Tegid, 230

Wace, Robert, 228, 247, 306, 307

Ward, 68

Watson, Dr. John, 324

Watt, 333

Weston, Jessie L., 307, 324

Westwood, Prof., 82

White, Stephen, 62

Whyte, Henry, 338, 366

Whyte, John, 281, 344

William King, 270

Williams, Edward, 222

Willison, 328, 333

Wilson, James G., 275

Windisch, Dr. Ernest, 57, 89, 90, 98, 121, 147, 173, 341, 376, 379, 380

Wordsworth, 19, 315–318

Wright, Dr., 36, 303

Wynne, W. W. E., 218

Xenophon, 12

Yeats, W. B., 324, 366

Yscolan, 224–226

Zeuss, J. Caspard, 56, 82, 98, 99, 120, 258, 309, 341, 376–379, 380,
382, 384

Zimmer, Prof., 22, 98, 106, 120, 210, 211, 292, 380, 381

Zupitza, Dr., 381

INDEX OF SUBJECTS

Adamnan, 58–79;
his biography, 61–68;
writings, 67–79;
his Life of Columba, 16, 58, 69–79;
Adamnan’s Prayer, 68;
his Vision, 68

Aged Bard’s Wish, 253, 357, 358

Alexander the Great and Celts, 7

American scholars, 381

_Amra Choluimcille_, 55, 108

Ancestors of the Gael, 138, 139

Ancient Laws and Institutes of Wales, 220

Aneurin, the Book of, 218, 219

Annals, Irish, 111–113

_Archæologica Britannica_, 217, 370, 371

Armagh, the Book of, 17, 22, 23, 82

Arnold’s _Study of Celtic Literature_, 309–312, 321–323

Arthurian Romances, 227–238, 306–309

Aryan group of languages, 19

Ballymote, the Book of, 109

Bards, the Irish, 54

_Bards of the Gael and Gall_, 167, 168, 297, 298, 366

_Barzaz-Breiz, Chants populaires de la Bretagne_, 240–244, 366

_Beauties of Gaelic Poetry, the_, 356–360

_Ben Dorain_, 358–360

Bible, Gaelic, 328–330

Bibliographies, Gaelic, 325–327

Bopp’s discovery, 375, 376

_Breton Bards of the Sixth Century, the_, 244, 366

British scholars, 382–385

Brittany, early ballads of, 240–244;
medieval ballads of, 247, 248

Buchanan, Dugald, his hymns, 329, 336

Caermarthen, the Black Book of, 218

_Caledonian Bards_, 256

_Carmina Gadelica_, 361–366

Cathrach, the, 16, 48, 49

Celtic elements in English literature, 309–312

Celtic literary revivals, 239–261

Celtic renaissance, latest, 259, 353

Celts, early history of the, 1–9;
arrival in British Isles, 3;
Continental empire, 5–9

Christianity, introduction of, 27, 28, 47, 287–290

_Chronicon Scotorum_, the, 112, 369, 374

Church, the, its influence on Gaelic literature, 286–303

Churchmen, splendid services of, 303

Clanranald, the Book of, 129–133

Classical authors on early Celts, 11–13

Columba, St., 16;
his biography, 41–78, 226;
writings, 47–58;
his poems, 49–53

Confession of St. Patrick, 15, 25, 30

Cornish dialect, last speaker of, 249

Cornish literature, 248, 249

Coroticus, Epistle to, 15, 30

Cuchulinn, 155–173

Danish scholars, 381

Decay of inflection in Scottish Gaelic and Manx, 211

Decline of Gaelic Oral literature, 300

Deer, the Book of, 16, 17, 79–95, 209, 246

Deer’s Cry, the, 15, 31, 33

Deirdre and the sons of Uisneach, 146–152

_Dialogue of the Ancients_, 53, 188, 189

Dialogues between Ossian and Patrick, 29, 292–299

Dictionaries, Gaelic, 341–344

Differences between Irish and Gaelic, 209, 210

_Domhnach Airgid_, the, 36

Durrow, the Book of, 16, 48, 82

Early Celtic Church and oral traditions, 289

Early missionaries and the Scriptures, 289, 290

Edinburgh libraries in which are Celtic MSS.:
Advocates’, 115–118;
University, 118;
Scottish Antiquaries’, 118

Eisteddfod, Welsh, history of, 237

English literature, 305–324

English loan-words from Celtic, 304, 305

Fate of MSS., 119, 120

Feinn, the, 174–197

Fernaig MS., the, 127–129, 350, 351

Fiacc’s Hymn, 37, 38

Fionn, 175–197

Foundation of Celtic Chairs, 259

Four Ancient Books of Wales, 217–238, 247

Four Masters, the Annals of, 112, 113, 373;
authors, 369

French scholars, 381

Gadelic and Brittonic, linguistic difference, 3, 371

Gaelic, earliest written, 17;
earliest distinctly Scottish, 89;
first printed book, 327

_Gaelic Bards_, Pattison’s, 253

Galatian colony, 8

_Genealogies, the Book of_, 369

Genealogy, Irish, 137

German scholars, 379–381

Gildas, works of, 220

Gleaners, Gaelic, 347–366

Gododin, the, 221, 222

Grammars, Gaelic, 107, 338–341, 373

_Grammatica Celtica_, 98, 376–378

Gray’s _Bard_, 313, 314

Hergest, the Red Book of, 218–220, 224

Heroic Cycle, the, 153–173

Highland bards before the Forty-five, 263–285

Highland bards after the Forty-five, 249–251

Highland Society Collection of Gaelic MSS., 117

_Historia Britonum_, 228

Hymns, the Book of, 17, 36, 209, 246, 348, 349, 374, 382

Icelandic literature, 205

Influence of Celtic on English literature, 305–324

Iona, 46;
ravages of Norsemen, 201

Irish Annals, 111–113

Irish missionaries on the Continent, 207

_Irische Texte_, 380, 382

Italian scholars, 379, 380

Jacobite poems of Ireland, 251

Jones, Sir William;
his suggestion, 375

Jubainville, M. d’Arbois de; his mission to the British Isles, 99–104

Keating’s work, 368, 369

Kells, the Book of, 16, 48, 82

Kilbride collection of MSS., 117, 118

Knox’s _Liturgy_, 327, 328

Layamon’s “Brut,” 305, 320

_Leabhar Gabhala_, 135, 369

_Leabhar na Feinne_, 353–356

_Leabhar nan Gleann_, 366

_Leabhar Na h’Uidhre_, 17, 108, 209, 246, 348

Learning and culture, 289

Leinster, the Book of, 108, 109

_Liber Hymnorum_, 17, 36, 209, 246, 348, 349, 374, 382

Lir, Tragedy of the Children of, 144–146

Lismore, the Book of, 109

Lismore, the Book of the Dean of, 121–126, 226, 350, 351

_Literary History of Ireland_, Dr. Hyde’s, 246

Literature, Gaelic, printed, 325–346

Literature of the Early Celtic Church, 288–292

Llywarch Hên’s poetry, 223–224

Mabinogion, 229–238

Maccodrum’s Muse, 282–285

Macdonald, Alexander, his work, 328, 336, 337

Macdonald, John, life and poetry, 270–275

Macgregor songs, 263

Macleod, Mary, life and poetry, 264–270

Macpherson’s Ossian and other poems, 117, 217, 252, 314–316, 331, 351,
352

Malory, Sir Thomas, his _Morte d’ Arthur_, 308, 309, 316

Manuscripts, Celtic, 17, 40;
on the Continent, 96, 100, 101;
in England and Ireland, 97, 102;
in Scotland, 115–134;
antiquity of MSS., 102–104;
MSS. of the Middle Ages, 107;
MSS., XL., LIII., LVI., 120, 121;
Welsh, 217–238

Milesians, 138, 139

Minor collections of Ossianic poetry, 352

Minor Highland bards, 275–282

Mòd, Gaelic, 259

Modern novelists, 323–324

Moore’s _Irish Melodies_, 316, 317

Myrddin’s poetry, 224–226

Mythological Cycle, the, 135–152

Myth and folk-tale theories, 135–137

Mythical races in Ireland, 137

_Myvyrian Archaiology of Wales_, 218, 224, 366

_Navigatio Brendani_, 215

Nennius’ _History of the Britons_, 220

Nineteenth century output of Gaelic literature, 301, 302

Ninine’s Prayer, 38

Norris, Edwin, translation of Cornish dramas, 249

Norse eddas and sagas, 204, 205

Norse ideas in Gaelic literature, 212–215;
Norse words, 210, 211

Norse invasions, 198;
influence on Celtic literature, 205–217;
and upon the structure of the Gaelic language, 211, 212

O’Curry’s research, 97, 373, 374

O’Donovan’s life and work, 97, 372, 373

Ogam writing, 14, 15

Origin of shires, burghs, and parishes in Scotland, 84–95

Ossian, 175;
poetry, 185–188

Ossianic cycle, 174–197;
heroes of, 178;
literature, 185–197;
poetry, 123, 185–188;
tales, 176, 188–197

_P_, rarely used in Irish or Gaelic, 4;
group, 5

Patrick, St., 15;
Lives of, 23;
biography, 23–39;
writings, 15, 30–39

Patrick and Ossian, 29, 293–298

Periodicals, foreign, 378, 379;
Gaelic, 345, 346

Picts, the, 45, 56

Poetesses, Gaelic, 275, 276

Poet-laureate, Gaelic, 274

Poetry, Gaelic, in Continental MSS., 104–106

Psalters, Gaelic, 328, 333

_Q._, the Aryan guttural changed into _p_, 4;
group, 5

Reid’s _Bibliotheca Scoto-Celtica_, 325–327

_Reliquiæ Celticæ_, 384

_Reliques of Irish Poetry_, 366

Renan, Ernest, on Welsh literature, 227, 230

Rhyme, Celtic claim, 56, 57, 309

Rise of the Scottish Gaelic, 89, 209

Scandinavian scholars, 381

Scholars, modern Celtic, 367–385

School-books, Gaelic, 338

Scott, Sir Walter, renderings from Gaelic, 277, 278, 323;
influence, 317, 318

Scottish collection of Celtic MSS., 115–133

_Seana Dana_, 253–256

Severance of Scotland from Ireland, 209

Shairp, Principal, writings, 322, 323

Skene, Dr., Collection of MSS., 117;
on Welsh poems, 227, 237

_Songster, Gaelic_ (_An T Oranaiche_), 361

Sorrows of Gaelic Storydom, the Three, 140–152

Statistics of Celtic-speaking peoples, 10, 20, 21

Stephens’ _Literature of the Cymry_, 221

Stone, Jerome, a pioneer, 251

Táin Bó Chuailgné, 108–111, 160

Tales of Heroic Cycle, 153–173

Taliessin, the Book of, 218, 219;
the bard, 223;
legend of, 230–232;
odes, 232, 233

Taylor’s translations of Breton ballads, 240–244, 247, 248

Tennyson’s _Idylls of the King_, 318–321

Tighernach, the Annals of, 111

_Treasury of Irish Poetry_, 366

_Trias Thaumaturga_, 369

Tuireann, Tragedy of the Children of, 140–143

Uisneach, Tale of the Sons of, 121, 146–152

Valhalla, 214, 215

Vikings, 198–216

Villemarqué, M. de, Breton ballads and folk-lore songs, 240–248

_Vita Columbæ_, Adamnan’s, 58–79, 92;
criteria of age, 59;
copyist, 60, 61;
history of MS., 62;
contents, 69;
other MSS. of, 76, 77

_Wars of the Gael with the Gaill_, 203, 204

Welsh bards of the sixth century, 221

Welsh intellectual awakening of the eleventh and twelfth centuries, 246

Welsh MSS., 220

Welsh poetry, 217, 218, 257

Wordsworth and his contemporaries, 316

Whyte, Henry, his gleanings, 366

Yscolan, 225, 226

Zeuss’ life and work, 98, 99, 376–378

Zimmer’s books, 380

THE END

-----

Footnote 1:

“In Europe the ancient races were all, according to Schaafhausen,
‘lower in the scale than the rudest living savages,’ they must
therefore have differed to a certain extent from any existing
race.”—Darwin’s _Descent of Man_, chap. vii. p. 281.

Footnote 2:

“There is no proof of any migration of Asiatics into Europe west of
the basin of the Dnieper down to the time of Attila.”—Huxley.

Footnote 3:

Adamnan refers to the same four peoples.

Footnote 4:

“The first great movements of the European population of which there
is any conclusive evidence are that series of Gaulish invasions of the
east and south which ultimately extended from North Italy to Galatia
in Asia Minor.”—Huxley.

Footnote 5:

“Two centuries after Cæsar’s conquest the Celtic tongue had all but
disappeared from Gaul, still that language did not perish without
leaving behind it slight but yet distinct traces.”—A. Brachet.

Footnote 6:

Census, 1891.

Footnote 7:

The number in Scotland who could speak Gaelic in 1901 was 230,806, and
who could speak Gaelic only, 28,106. The census of 1891 gave 43,738
speaking Gaelic only, and 38,192 speaking Irish only.

Footnote 8:

_Races of Europe._

Footnote 9:

Sir William Jones.

Footnote 10:

Professor Zimmer, among others, believes that they were one and the
same person.

Footnote 11:

Dr. Whitley Stokes thinks this sojourn took place between his first
missionary advent to Ireland in 397 and his second in 432.

Footnote 12:

For examples, see Chap. XV.

Footnote 13:

Benen, name of Saint’s follower, St. Benignus.

Footnote 14:

Version by Whitley Stokes in his Goidelica.

Footnote 15:

The Book of Kells is held by the more competent authorities to belong
to the end of the seventh century.

Footnote 16:

Ward or Vardaus, author of _Acta Sancti Rumoldi_.

Footnote 17:

There are various Kilbrides in Scotland, several even in Lorn, but
this one is in the island of Seil, near Easdale.

Footnote 18:

Professor Mackinnon, in _Transactions of the Gaelic Society of
Inverness_, vol. xi.

Footnote 19:

See p. 110.

Footnote 20:

Fiann, gen. Feinne, means the band, troop; the plural Fianna, the
troops or the soldiers.—Dr. Ludwig Stern.

Footnote 21:

Said to be so named from his white head.—Dr. Macbain. Finn, ancient
form.

Footnote 22:

The age of the oldest existing Ossianic poems, according to Dr. Ludwig
Stern, is the eleventh and twelfth centuries, though a few of them may
be more venerable.

Footnote 23:

Really great-grandson.

Footnote 24:

Finntraigh.

Footnote 25:

Dr. Skene has shown, _Celtic Scotland_, vol. iii. p. 459, that another
O’Duibhne is in question.

Footnote 26:

Iceland, first settled by the Irish in 795, perhaps sixty-five years
earlier than the Norse. According to M. Letronne, 860 is the date of
the arrival of the latter.

Footnote 27:

The belief was that Myrddin was persecuted by Rhydderch Hael at the
instance of Yscolan.

Footnote 28:

Stephens has here, “For having hindered school instruction,” wrongly
translated, we believe.

Footnote 29:

“I don’t believe that Goidelic was extinct in Wales till the seventh
century; the bulk of the people of the north and the south of Wales
are in point of race to this day probably more Goidelic than
Brythonic. The Ordovices of Mid Wales were the Brythons of the west,
and hardly any others in Wales.”—Prof. Rhys.

Footnote 30:

He collected Breton ballads and folk-lore songs, added to them,
revised and altered, and published the collection as authentic.

Footnote 31:

Bran means crow in Breton dialect.

Footnote 32:

The late Mr. Alexander Mackenzie has offered other suggestions. See
_Transactions of the Gaelic Society of Inverness_, Vol. XXII. pp.
43–49.

Footnote 33:

There is a spirited translation also by Mark Napier, Esq., in his
_Life of Montrose_.

Footnote 34:

D. Campbell, in his _Language, Poetry, and Music of the Highland
Clans_, says that Mr. James Munro was preparing his poems for
publication with a memoir. This projected book has never appeared.

Footnote 35:

Preserved in the Books of Ballymote and Lecain and MS. I. of the
Scottish collection.

Footnote 36:

“This was no work to commend him to the powers that were, and he
appears to have been cast into prison, for, in a touching note at page
64 of the last edition of his Grammar, he asks his readers’ pardon for
confounding an example of the imperative with the potential mood,
which he was caused to do ‘by the great bother of the brawling company
that is round about me in this prison.’ What became of him ultimately
I do not know.”—Dr. Douglas Hyde, _Literary History of Ireland_, pp.
599, 600.

Footnote 37:

O’Donovan’s, 1847, published since Reid wrote, is the best Irish
Grammar.

Footnote 38:

Of course Cormac’s Glossary is the earliest, but does not count among
printed ones, because only in MS.

Footnote 39:

Finn Mac Gormann, Bishop of Kildare, most probably.

Footnote 40:

Second stanza he printed for first time.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES

● Typos fixed; non-standard spelling and dialect retained. ● Used numbers for footnotes, placing them all at the end of the last chapter. ● Enclosed italics font in _underscores_. ● The caret (^) serves as a superscript indicator, applicable to individual characters (like 2^d) and even entire phrases (like 1^{st}).