Skip to main content

Full text of "Chraidhean an Gdhlig 's am Beurla = Conversations in Gaelic and English"

See other formats 


COMHRAIDHEAN 

AN   GÀIDHLÌG   'S   AM   BEURLA. 

CONVERSATIONS 

IK 

GAELIC    AND    ENGLISH, 

By    Rev.    J).    MACIJ^NES, 

AUTHOR    OP     'FOIiK   AND    HERO    TALES    OF    ARGYLLSHIRE.  ' 


WITH  INTRODUCTION  BY  PROFESSOR  BLACKIE. 


'  A'  chànaia  cheitlmlior, 
Shòghmhòr  's  gloirmhor ' 


NEW    EDITION. 


OBAN: 

THOMAS    BOYD 

1392, 


NOW  READY. 


^lxc  gcottidh  €lans  itnìi  their  UartiTUS. 


Demy  16mo.  54  by  4  inches. 


Containing  Introductory  Note,  LLst  of  Native  Dyes, 

Coloured  Map   of   Scotland  in   16th  Century  divided  into  Clans. 

96  Coloured  Plates  of  Tartans,  Size,  7  by  .5  inches  each. 

And  Historical  Account  of  each  Clan,  etc. 

I>I^ICE    Ss.  Sd. 


W.  &  A.   K.  JOHNSTON, 

EDINA  WORKS,  EASTER  ROAD,  and  16  SOUTH  ST.  ANDREW  STREET, 

EDINBURGH. 

5  WHITEHART  STREET,  WARWICK  LANE,  LONDON,  E.C. 


WAIFS  AND  STRAYS  OF   CELTIC  TRADITION. 

SERIES   INITIATED  and   DIRECTED   BY  LORD  ARCHIBALD   CAMPBELL. 
DeiuySvo.    Cloth.]    Publisher :  David  Nutt,  London.    [Argyllshire  Series. 


Volume  I.— CRAIGNISH   TALES. 

Collected  by  Rev.  J.  MucDongall ;  and  Notes  on  the  War  Dress  of  the  Celts,  by 
Lord  Archibald  Campbell.     XVI.,  98  pages,  20  plates,  1889  :  5s. 
Volume  II.— FOLK  AND  HERO  TALES. 
Collected,  edited  (in  Gaelic)  and  translated  by  the  Rev.  D.  Maclnnes  ;  with  a 
Study   on  the    Development  ot  the   Ossiaiiic  Sa;.;a,  and  copious  Notes  by 
Allred  Nutt.     XXIV.,  497  pages;    Portrait  of  Campbell   of  Islay,  and  Two 
Illustrations  by  E.  Griset :  1890.    15s. 
"  The  most  important  work  on  Higliland  Folk-Lore  and  Tales  since  Campbell's 
world-renowned  Popular  Tales." — Highland  Monthly. 

"  Never  before  has  the  development  of  the  Ossianic  Saga  been  so  scientifically 
dealt  with."— Hector  Maclean. 

"Mr.  Alfred  Nutt's  Excursus  and  Notes  are  lucid  and  scholarly.  They  add 
immensely  to  tlie  value  of  the  book,  and  afford  abundant  evidence  of  their 
authors  extensive  reading  and  sound  erudition."— òcofs  Observer. 

Volume  III.— FOLK  AND    HERO  TALES. 
Collected,  edited,  translated,  and  annotated  by  the  Rev.  .T.  MaeDougall ;  with 
an  Introduction  by  Mr.  Alfred  Nutt,  and  Three  Illustrations  by  E.  Griset- 
1891.     10s.  6d. 

Volume  IV.— THE    FIANS; 

Gr,  Stories.  Poems,  and  Traditions  of  Fiona  and  his  Warrior  Band. 

Collected  entirely  fioin  Oral  sources  by  John  Gregorson  Campbell,  Minister  of 

Tirte;  witu  Introduction  and  Biographical  Notes  by  Alfred  Nutt. ;  Portrait 

of  Ian  Campbell  of  Islay,  and  lUustraiion  by  E.  Griset.     Isyi.     10s.  6d. 

Sold  by  THOMAS  BOVD,  Ilookseller  and  Statioucr,  OBAN. 


CÒMHRAIDHEAN 

AN    GÀIDHLIG   'S    AM    BEURLA. 

CONVERSATIONS 

IN 

GAELIC     AND    ENGLISH. 

By    Kev.     D.     MACII^XES, 

author  op  "folk  and  hero  tales  0?  argyllshire." 


WITH  INTRODUCTION  BY  PROFESSOR   BLACKIE. 


A'  ehànain  clieòlmhor, 
Shòghmliòr  's  glòirmhor  bias.' 


NEW     EDITION. 


OBAN: 

THOMAS     BOYD 


<^'- 


o 


My 


9  1959 


NOTE   TO   FIRST   EDITIOX. 


This  little  book  -n-ould  most  x^robably  have  never  appeared 
in  print  but  for  tbe  encouragement  I  had  the  honour  to 
receive  from  Professor  Elackie,  who  is  so  well  known  as  an 
accomplished  Gaelic  scholar,  and  a  warm  advocate  of  Gaelic 
and  its  literature.  It  is  now,  with  much  diiiidence,  given  to 
the  public  under  his  aiispices.  I  hope  that  it  will  prove  helpful 
to  students  of  Gaelic,  for  whose  use  it  is  intended,  and  that 
some  at  least  of  its  contents  will  find  an  echo  in  the  breast  of 
Highlanders  generally,  especially  those  of  them  living  at  a 
distance  from  their  native  glens  and  straths.  As  a  first 
venture  in  the  field  of  literature,  and  the  first  attempt  at 
doing  in  a  small  Avay  for  Gaelic  what  has  been  so  successfully 
done  for  the  Continental  languages,  I  hope  that  it  will  meet 
with  some  indulgence  at  the  hands  of  the  critics. 

It  only  remains  for  me  to  add  that  to  those  who  may  desire 
a  guide  to  help  them  in  their  efforts  to  pronounce  Gaelic,  &c., 
I  cordially  recommend  Practical  Lessons  in  Gaeli:^  by  Donald 
C.  Macpherson  ;  an  admirable  little  book. 


NOTE   TO   THIS   EDITION 


In  submitting  this  little  work  once  more  to  the  pubKc,  it  is 
proper  to  mention  that  I  have  carefully  revised  and  amended 
it  throughout :  I  have  partially  rearranged  the  Conversa- 
tions, and  have  added  a  Conversation  on  deer-stalking,  and 
directions  as  to  pronunciation.  I  hope  that  it  will  be  found, 
in  its  new  form,  to  be  more  worthy  of  the  highly  favourable 
and  gratifying  reception  that  was  given  to  the  first  edition  of 
it.  My  best  thanks  are  due  to  Mr.  Duncan  Maclsaac  for  hig 
efiicient  help  in  the  work  of  revising  the  proof  sheets. 

THE  AUTHOE. 

Obax,  January,  1892. 


CONTENTS. 


Note  to  First  Edition,         

Note  to  This  Edition,  

Introduction  by  Professor  Blackie, 
Gaelic  Pronunciation, 
The  Storm — An  Doinionn, 
Farming — Tuathanachas,  ... 
Sea-Fishing — lasgach  air  a'  Mhuir, 

A  Day— La, 

The  Morning — A'  Mhaduinn, 
Brealifast— A'  Bhraiceas, 
Dinner — An  Dinneir, 

The  Wedding— A' Bhanais, 

The  Oban  Highland  Gathering—  ) 

Cruinneachadh  Gàidhealach  an  Obain,  ^ 

The  Town— Am  B  aile,        

The  Town— Am  Baile,        

A  Fishing  Excursion — Turus-Iasgaich, 

Deer-Stalking— Sealg  nam  Fiadh, 

The  Queen  and  Eoyal  Family —  | 

A'  Bhan-Righinn  '  s  an  Teagldach  Pilgheil ,  \ 

Gaelic— A' Ghàidhlig,         

Gaelic  Books — Leabliraichean  Gàidhlig, 

Gaelic  Books— Leabhraichean  Gàidhlig, 


PAGE. 

3 

3 
5 
11 
15 
17 
20 


A  FEW  REMARKS  ON  THE  STUDY  OF  GAELIC. 


The  Gaelic  has  generally  been  esteemed  a  very  difficult 
language  ;  and  no  doubt  it  has  its  peculiarities,  which  I  shall 
mention  presently ;  but  the  great  hindrances  in  the  way  of 
its  acquisition  have  lain  rather  in  accidental  circumstances 
than  in  intrinsic  difficulty.  The  double  fact  that  the  upper 
classes  in  the  Highlands,  with  a  few  honourable  exceptions, 
do  not  speak  the  language  of  the  people,  and  that  it  is  always 
more  difficult  to  hold  converse  with  the  lower  and  half 
educated,  or  altogether  uneducated  classes,  than  with  the 
educated ;  this,  conjoined  with  the  want  of  a  scientific 
apparatus  of  grammatical  and  lexicographical  appliances 
such  as  exist  in  the  classical  languages,  is  apt  to  dis- 
courage learners,  whose  desire  to  make  the  acquisition 
receives  no  spur  from  any  social  necessity  of  making  it. 
As  almost  all  the  common  people  in  the  Highlands 
now  speak  pretty  tolerable  English,  and  in  fact  are  often 
more  forward  to  speak  it  on  common  occasions  than  to  use 
their  mother-tongue,  only  those  residents  in  the  Land  of  Bens 
who  have  a  special  love  for  the  people,  and  who  delight  to 
identify  themselves  with  genuine  Highland  sentiment  and 
tradition  feel  a  motive  strong  enough  to  induce  them  to  go 
through  the  labour  of  acquiring  a  new  language  which  cannot 
boast  of  any  very  rich  and  varied  literature  to  reward 
their  exertions.     Ana  those  few,  as  I  know  from  experience, 


vi.  Preface. 

have  at  the  very  outset  had  their  ardour  sadly  cooled  by  the 
want  of  a  little  book  of  idiomatic  phrases  and  dialogues  on 
common  subjects,  such  as  every  traveller  on  the  Continent 
carries  in  his  pocket,  as  the  key  to  the  vestibule  of  German, 
Italian,  French,  Hussian,  or  other  modern  language.  The  con- 
versational method  is  the  method  of  nature ;  and  the  entire 
disuse  of  it  in  our  great  classical  schools  is  one  of  the  chief 
causes  of  the  slowness  and  painf  ulness  of  the  process  by  which 
Greek  and  Latin  are  acquired  by  our  British  youth. •■'  The 
want  of  such  a  colloquial  introduction  to  Gaelic  will,  I  feel 
convinced,  be  felt  no  more  after  this  little  work,  to  which  I 
feel  honoured  in  having  been  requested  to  affix  a  few  words 
of  preface,  shall  have  found  its  way  into  general  circulation . 
The  vocabulary  which  it  contains  may  readily  be  increased 
by  the  perusal  of  the  admirable  dialogues  in  the  Caraid  nan 
Gaidheal,  by  the  late  Dr.  Macleod,  of  St.  Columba,  Glasgow, 
and  the  Highland  Tales,  English  and  Gaelic,  by  J.  F.  Camp- 
bell (Edinburgh,  1860),  to  which  from  my  own  practice,  I 
feel  inclined  to  add  the  Gaelic  translation  of  the  Pilgriiiis 
Progress,  to  be  obtained  with  other  Gaelic  books  from  the 
publishers  of  this  work,  not  forgetting,  of  course,  the  historical 
parts  of  the  Old  Testament,  and  the  parables  of  the  Gospels. 

The  strictly  philological  difficulties  of  the  Gaelic  language 
are  of  two  kinds  :  those  belonging  to  the  vocabulary  or 
material  of  the  language,  and  those  belonging  to  its  phonic 
and  syntactic  genius.      "While  in  passing  from   English   to 

*  The  convei'sational  method,  as  applied  to  aucient  Greek,  I  have 
endeavoured  to  introduce  in  my  Greek  and  English  Dialogues 
(London,  Macmillan,  1871),  and  the  same  principle  apjdied  to  modern 
Greek  will  be  found  in  the  work  of  Messrs.  Vincent  and  Dickson 
(London,  Macmillan,  1879). 


Preface.  vii. 

French,  tlie  Englisliman  finds  some  seven-tenth.s  of  tlie  words 
only  old  friends  witli  new  faces,  in  Gaelic,  the  inverse  pro- 
portion is  nearer  the  truth ;  out  of  ten  words  on  which  the 
tyro  stumhles  only  three  may  bear  any  resemblance  to  his 
previous  stock,  and  these  three  cannot  always  be  recognised 
without  going  through  a  process  of  philological  induction,  of 
which  the  majority  of  students  cannot  be  supposed  to  be 
capable.  It  is  of  importance,  however,  that  this  induction 
should  be  attempted ;  for  it  will  enable  the  learner  to  start 
with  a  certain  stock  of  words,  very  slightly  modified  from 
what  he  already  possesses.  In  order  to  enjoy  this  advantage, 
the  learner  has  only  to  bear  in  mind  the  following  simple 
principles : — (1)  That  h  and  fj  are  only  the  flat  or  blunt  forms 
of  p  and  h  or  hard  c ;  that  d  in  the  same  way  is  the  blunt 
form  of  t ;  that  v  is  only  a  softer  or  vocalized  form  of  h  ;  and 
that  m  is  a  6  with  fully  compressed  lips  and  the  breath  sent 
gently  through  the  nose.  (2)  That  in  all  languages,  the 
carelessness  of  hasty  colloquy  combines  with  the  vocalic 
demands  of  music  (and  Gaelic  has  always  been  mainly  a  sung 
language)  in  smoothing  away  consonants  in  certain  positions 
and  presenting  the  word  in  a  curtailed  shape  ;  and  this  either 
at  the  end,  as  when  iho^  stands  for  though,  or  at  the  beginning 
as  when  sample  comes  from  example,  or  at  the  middle  as  when 
Père  comes  from  Pater,  and  Mere  from  Mater.  (3)  That  in 
many  languages  the  pure  sound  of  the  consonant  is  apt  to  be 
modified  by  the  addition  of  a  breathing  or  aspiration,  which 
compound  is  often  marked  by  the  original  consonant  with  the 
spirant  letter  added ;  as  when  th  in  English  or  0  in  Greek 
appears  as  the  product  of  an  aspiration  following  the  original 
dental  consonant.  In  the  same  way  the  Latin  c  or  h  is 
softened  down  to  ch  in  Gaelic,  as  when  deich  stands  for  decern 


viii.  Preface. 

and  each  for  equus,  a  horse.  (4)  In  comparing  languages, 
the  student  must  bear  in  mind  that  the  flexional  terminations, 
as  the  us  in  bonus,  are  no  radical  part  of  the  word,  and  must 
he  discounted.  With  these  principles  in  his  head,  the  student 
of  Gaelic  will  in  a  very  short  time  easily  recognise  old  friends 
in  a  number  of  Gaelic  roots  which  at  first  blush  may  not 
reveal  their  parentage  to  the  unpractised  eye.  Thus,  mios  a 
month,  will  at  once  be  seen  to  be  identical  with  mensis  ; 
gahltar,  a  goat,  with  ca2ier ;  heatha,  life,  with  vita ;  athar 
with  pa^er  by  the  dropping  of  the  initial  p  which  takes  place 
also  in  lan^^iolenusi,  and  some  other  roots.  A  classified  list  of 
these  transmuted  words  with  their  cognates  in  English,  Latin, 
or  German,  made,  as  he  picks  them  up  in  reading,  will 
materially  aid  the  progress  of  the  student.*'" 

But  the  great  difficulty  in  Gaelic  lies  exactly  where 
foreigners  find  it  in  English,  viz.,  in  the  pronunciation.  Here 
the  main  thing  to  be  noted  is  that,  as  in  our  English  words 
though,  'plough,  «S:c.,  the  final  consonant,  having  been  first 
softened  by  the  aspiration,  at  last  falls  oif  altogether  ;  so  that 
as  a  general  rule  final  gh  or  dh  in  Gaelic  hardly  ever  makes 
any  sensible  impression  on  the  ear.  Likewise  in  the  middle 
of  a  word,  between  two  vowels,  gh  and  dh  are  habitually 
softened  off,  as  in  the  English  proper  name  Yaughan ;  so 
that  gahhar,  caper,  becomes  gòur,  as  in  Ardgour,  and  other 
well-known  names  in  Celtic  topography.  To  an  Englishman 
this  should  certainly  not  appear  strange,  delighting  as  he  does 
in  high,  sigh,  thigh,  and  other  such  evanishments  of  the  final 
consonant   of   his  Saxon    roots.      But   there    is    a  euphonic 

*  Those  who  have  leisure  and  inclination  to  pursue  Gaelic  Ety- 
mology scientifically,  will  find  important  aid  in  Celtic  Studies  by  Ebel, 
English  by  Sullivan  (London,  Williams  &  Norgate,  18C3). 


Preface.  ix. 

peculiarity  in  all  the  Celtic  languages  to  Avliicli  neitlier  tlie 
Englishman  nor  any  of  his  Teutonic  congeners  finds  an 
analogy  in  his  mother  tongue,  and  which,  unless  firmly 
grappled  with  at  the  outset,  will  be  a  cause  of  constant 
annoyance  to  him  in  the  course  of  his  linguistic  progress. 
This  peculiarity  consists  in  the  habitual  modification,  cr,  in 
some  cases,  complete  obliteration,  of  the  initial  consonant  of 
the  following  word  by  the  contagious  influence  of  the  long 
final  vowel  of  the  preceding  word.  Thus  truaighe  means  zaoe  ; 
but  when  in  the  common  exclamation  too  thruaighe — w  -e  is 
me  !  the  long  vowel  of  mo  =  mine  immediately  precedes,  the  t 
vanishes  altogether,  and  the  pronunciation  is  vio  chrooai. 
So  after  ^/e,  very,  math^  good,  becomes  mhath,  i.e.,  vah  ;  mh 
in  Gaelic  being  equivalent  to  our  v.  This  softening  of  the 
initial  consonant  takes  place  also  in  the  common  concord  of 
adjective  and  substantive,  as  when  mor,  hig,  becomes  vilior 
when  joined  to  a  feminine  substantive,  in  the  famiHar  Skerry 
vore  =  the  big  reef.  The  only  way  to  get  over  this  difficulty 
is  persistently  and  emphatically  from  the  very  first  to  pro- 
nounce all  words  subject  to  this  change  loudly  and  distinctly 
in  both  ways.  Thus  tigh,  a  house,  pronounced  tie  ;  but  mo 
thigh,  pronounced  ino  high,  my  house  ;  and  this  prefix  must 
be  fixed  in  the  ear  by  repetition  as  an  essential  part  of  the 
word.  A  similar  method  will  remove  the  difficulty  felt  by  so 
many  students  in  reference  to  the  gender  of  substantives  in 
German.  Instead  of  the  single  hcch,  a  book,  let  das  huch,  the 
hook,  be  firmly  fixed  in  the  ear  emphatically  from  the  begin- 
ning ;  and  in  this  way  the  gender  in  German,  or  the  initial 
modification  in  Gaelic,  will  be  learned  as  easily  as  the  change 
of  terminational  syllables  in  the  cases  of  Greek  and  Latin 
nouns. 


X.  Preface. 

I  have  only  to  add  that  in  a  language  where  pronunciation 
and  spelling  differ  so  much  as  in  Gaelic,  no  person  who  can 
procure  one  should  commence  the  study  without  the  familiar 
aid  of  a  good  teacher,  or,  if  possible,  without  the  host  aid — 
that  of  residence  for  a  few  months  in  some  remote  Highland 
district.  To  those  who  can  do  neither,  Mac  Alpine's  pro- 
nouncing Dictionary  may  confidently  be  recommended. 

Residents  and  travellers  in  the  Highlands  ought  also  to 
omit  no  opportunity  of  catechising  the  natives,  generally  well 
informed  on  this  point,  on  the  significance  of  the  names  of 
districts  and  places  as  they  occur.  These  names  being,  in 
nine  cases  out  of  ten,  pictorial  or  descriptive  in  their 
character,  will,  when  properly  explained,  perform  the  double 
service  of  impressing  the  features  of  the  scenery  permanently 
on  the  mind  of  the  traveller,  and  of  enriching  his  vocabulary 
of  the  language  to  an  extent  of  which  only  a  living  experience 
could  give  him  a  conception. 

COLLEQE,    EdINBUEGII, 

\i,t  June,  ISSO. 


PEOIS'UjS^CIATIOX. 


The  Gaelic  Alphabet  contains  eighteen  letters,  viz.,  a,  b,  c,  d,  e,  f 
g,  h,  i,  1,  m,  n,  o,  p,  r,  s,  t,  u. 

The  Vowels  are  divided  into  broad  and  small.  The  broad  are 
a,  o,  u,  and  the  small  are  e,  i. 

The  Consonants  are  classed  as — dentals  d,  t,  s  ;  labials  b,  f ,  m,  p  ; 
Unguals  ],  n,  r;  and  palatals  c,  <s. 

h  is  the  mark  of  aspiration  and  is  never  found  alone  in  a  word, 
but  always  after  the  letters  b,  c,  d,  f,  g,  m,  p,  s,  t. 

The  Accents  are  two,  viz.,  the  grave  accent  and  the  acute  accent. 
Either  of  these  accents  placed  over  a  vowel  indicates  that  it  is  long, 
and  that  it  has  a  specific  sound  according  as  the  one  or  the  other  is 
used.  The  accents  further  serve  the  piirijose  of  distinguisliing  from 
each  other  words  that  are  identical  in  spelling  but  different  in 
meaning. 

Sounds  of  tiij:  Towels. 
a  1,  Long  like  a  in /«>•,  as  rf()« — a  poem,  òiìn — white. 
,,  2,   Short  like  a  in  that,  as  fad — length,  t/ad — withe. 
,,  3,  Long  before  d/i  like  n  (drawled)  in  b/irn,  as  ladhran — hoofs. 
,,  4,   Short  sound  of  foregoing,  as  high — law. 
,,  0,  Before  uu  and  11=«   1   and  ?«   in  drury,   as    clann — children, 

crtW— loss. 
e   1,  Long  like  e  in  there ^  as  re — during,  rjnè — kind. 
,,  2,   Short  like  c  in  Jet,  as  dheth — of  him  or  it,  le — with. 
,,  .3,  Long  like  a  in  fame,  as  de — yesterday,  ft'— earth. 
,,  4,  Short  like  a  in  rate,  as  teth — liot,  hth — half, 
i    1,  Long  like  e  in  me,  as  aid — weather,  d)th — want. 
,,  2,   Short  like  i  in  pin,  as  fir — men,  min — meal. 
,,  3,   .Short  like  i  in  tight,   as  tigh — a  house,  a  stigh — within. 
o  ],  Long  like  o  in  for,  as  eorr — heron,  (V — drink. 
,,  2,  Short  like  o  in  moral,  as  cor — condition,  orra,  on  them. 
,,  3,  Long  like  o  in  bold,  as  Ion — meadow,  bo — a  cow. 
,,  4,   Short  like  o  in  boiie,  as  dol — going,  croiih — cattle. 
,,  5,   Long  like  oiv  in  down,  asfonn — land,  toll — hole. 
u  1,  Long  like  rto  in  juoo;-,  as //)•— new,  ùprait — bustle. 
,,  2,   Short  like  ti  in  drury,  as  cur — sending,  guth — voice. 

The  first  long  sound  of  a,  e,  i,  the  first  and  third  sound  of  o,  and 
the  first  sound  of  u  are  marked  with  the  grave  accent.  The  third 
sound  of  e  is  marked  with  the  acute  accent.  The  sounds  of  the 
vowels  form  the  key  to  the  sounds  of  the  dixjlithongs.  Final  vowels 
are  always  sounded. 


12  PE.ONUNCIATIOX. 

Sounds  of  the  Diphthongs. 


=  a  1  and  i  2,  a.s  halgh- 

■  a  2  and  i  1,  as  chaidh — went. 

-  a  \,  the  i  being  silent,  a.sfàilte — welcome. 
=  a  2,  the  i  being  .silent,  as  tais — soft. 

=  a  3,  the  i  being  silent,  as  tairhhe — profit,  airm — arms. 
=  a  3,  the  o  being  silent,  as  aog — death,  c^o/— slender. 

■  e  2  slightly  sounded  and  «  1,  as  gcall — wager. 
=  e  2  slightly  sounded  and  a  2,  as  geal — -white. 

-  e  1,  a  being  silent,  as  dean — do. 

-  e1,a  being  silent,  as  lean — follow. 
=  e  3  and  i  2,  as  ddidh — wish. 

=  e  4  and  i  2,  as  dcich — ten. 

=  e  3,  the  i  being  silent,  as  ceile — spouse. 

:  e  4,  the  i  being  silent,  as  ceift — question. 

=  e  4  slightly  sounded  and  o  1 ,  as  cedl — music. 

=  e  4  slightly  sounded  and  o  2,  as  beotltail — lively.        ' 

=  0  3,  the  e  being  silent,  as  teòma — exj^ert. 

=  0  4,  the  e  being  silent,  as  deoch — drink. 

:  e  3,  the  u  being  silent,  as  ceum — a  step. 

•  i  1  and  a  2,  as  ciall — sense,  iar — west. 

■  i  1  and  0  4,  as  ^?o«— fill. 

■■  i  2  and  o  4,  as  ciont — guilt. 
=  i  2,  the  0  being  silent,  as  iomlan — complete. 
■■  u  in  up,  as  ciod  ? — what  ? 
■■  i  2  and  tc  1  a.tijiù — worthy. 
i  2  and  u  2,  as  iubliar — a  yew-tree. 

■  u  1,  the  4  being  silent,  as  dihlt — refuse. 

=  u  2,  the  i  being  silent,  as  diiigh — to-day. 

■  0  1  and  i  2,  as  clòimh — wool. 

:  0  2  and  i  2,  as  cloiinh — mange. 

■  0  2,  the  i  being  silent,  as  toiscach — beginning, 
=  It  2  and  a  2,  as  clw.is — ^ear. 

•  ti  1  and  i  2,  as  duil — hope. 

u  2  and  i  2,  as  sliiig — swallow. 
ti  2,  the  i  being  silent,  as  diiinc — a  man. 
ve  followed  here  Stevrart's  scheme  of  jironunciation. 


Sounds  of  the  TEirnTHONGS^. 

The  Triphthongs  are  aoi,  eai,  eoi,  iai,  iui,  and  uai. 

As  the  sounds  of  the  diphthongs  depend  on  the  sounds  of  the  indivi- 
dual vowels,  so  the  sounds  of  the  triphthongs  depend  on  those  of  the 
diphthongs.  The  rule  that  the  vowel  immediately  before  or 
immediately  after  a  plain  i^alatal  or  lingual  often  loses  its  sound 
liolds  good  in  regard  to  the  triphthongs.  The  vowel  in  the  triph- 
thonn-8  that  loses  its  sound  is  the  last  i. 


,, 

3 

>. 

4 

ao 

0 

1 

ea 

1 

jj 

2 

" 

3 

4 

ei 

1 

2 

,, 

3 

,, 

4 

eo 

1 

,, 

3 

,, 

4 

eu 

1 

ia 

1 

io 

1  = 

'' 

2 

3 

4 

m 

1 

" 

3 

4 

oi 

1 

2- 

\\ 

3 

ua 

1 

ui 

1 

,, 

2  = 

3  = 

Ih 

PKONUXCIATIOX.  13 

SoiTN'DS    OF   THE    CoXSOXAXTS. 

b,  Like  h  in  boat,  as  bard — a  poet. 

bh,  bh  at  the  begiunÌBg  and  end  of  a  word  is  like  v,  as  hlta  =  va — -n^as, 
gabh^gav — take. 
bh  in  the  middle  of  a  word  is  sometimes  like  ic,  but  is  oftener 
silent,  as  Iccibhar  —  lemvar — book,  duhhar^ditar — shade. 

c,  c  before  a  broad  vowel  is  like  c  in  can,  as  cam — a  heap  of  stones. 
c  before  a  small  vowel  is  like  h  in  keen,  as  ci;/«— heads. 

ch,    ch  at  tlie  besriuning  of  a  word  is  like  the  Greek  chi  as  pronounced 
in  Scotland,  as  ch'i,  shall  see. 
<■  at  the  eud.  uf   a  syiiaOie  or  word  is  like  chic,  as  mac — a  son. 

Exceptions — chunnaic,  ionraic,  ionracas,  olrdheirc,  eirlc. 
ch  at  the  end  of  a  syllable  or  word  is  like  ch  in  loch, 
chd  is  like  ch  in  loch  with  k  added. 

d,  d  before  a  broad  vowel  is  like  d  in  door,  as  do}-us — door. 
d  before  a  small  vowel  is  like  d  in  dew,  as  dc'ci/i — do. 

dh,  dh  before  a  broad  vowel  has  no  sound  in  Euglish  exactly  like  it. 
dh  before  a  small  vowel  is  like  >/  in  yield,  as  dhibh — of  you. 
dh  at  the  end  of  a  syllable  or  word  or  in  the  middle  of  a  word  is 
silent. 

f ,  /  is  like  /  in  English. 

fh,  fh  at  the  beginning  of  a  word  sounds  like  /*,  as  fhuab=hicair — 
found. 
fh  preceded  by  dh'  or  by  the   interrogative  an  ff  is  silent,  as 
dlt  fhalbhi  as  if  written  dhalbh — went,  and  an  d"  fhalbh  ? 
as  if  written  an  dalbh  ? — did  (he,  &c.)  go  ? 

g,  g  before  a  broad  vowel  is  like  g  in  gab,  as  gabh — take. 
g  before  a  small  vowel  is  like  g  in  geait,  as  geill — yield. 

gh,  gh  before  a  small  vowel  is  like  y  in  yield,  as  gheibh — -will  get. 
gh  before  a  broad  vowel  has  no  sound  in  English  exactly  like  it. 
gh  in  the  middle  and  end  of  a  word  is  silent. 

I,  I  before  a  broad  vowel  has  no  sound  in  English  exactly  like  it. 

I  before  a  small  vowel  is  like  I  in  lure,  as  liadh — a  ladle  or  blade 
of  an  oar. 

II,  11  at  the  end  of  a  syllable  or  word  is  like  II  in  million,  as  pill — 

return  pilltinn — returning. 
m,    m  is  like  m  in  English. 

mh,  mh  at  the  beffiuning  and  end  of  a  word  is  like  v,   as  mharbh  — 
varv — killed,  ìuìnih^uàv — an  enemy. 
mh  in  the   middle  of  a  word  is  generally  silent,  but  it  imparts  a 
nasal  sound  to   the    vowel    preceding  it,   as    cdmhradh — 
dialogue,  samhradh — summer. 
n,     w  before  a  broad  vowel  is  like  n  in  north,  as  nos — custom. 
n  before  a  small  vowel  is  like  n  in  iiew,  as  neach — a  person. 
n  after  c,   g,   m,  t,  i^  like  r,  as  cnàmh^=cràinh — decay,  digest, 
gnìomh=gììomh — o^ed,  action,  mnathan=^mratha.n — woman, 
tnù=trh — euvy. 
p,    p  like  p  in  English, 
ph,  ph  at  the  beginning  of  a  word  is  like/,  as i?7u/^=/;/— returned. 


1 4  PI10XU>X'IATI0X. 

s,     s  before  a  broad  vowel  is  like  s  in  English. 

s  before  a  small  vowel  is  like  s/i,  as  sìn  =  s/iìn — stretch. 
sh,   sk  at  the  beirinning  of  a  word  sounis  like   h,    as  shin^liln— 
stretched, 
so— this,  and  snd — yon,  sound  as  if  spelt  sho  ani  shud. 
t,     t  before  a  broad  vowel  is  like  t  (with  a  lisp)  in  ta)i,  as  tana — thin. 

t  before  a  small  vowel  is  like  ch  in  chin,  as  teine — fire, 
thj   th  at  the  besrinning  of  a  word  is  like  /t,  as  thig=]iig — come. 

th  in  the  middle  and  end  of  a  word  is  silent,  as  hathar^badr — 

goods,  hàth=hà — drown. 
I,  H,  r,  are  the  only  letters  that  are  doiibled  in  the  middle  of 
a  word.     No  letter  is  doubled  at  the  beyinuiug  of  a  word. 


CUMHRAIDHEAN  :    CONVERSATIONS. 


AX  DOINIONN. 

Ciamar    a    tha  'chuideachd    mu'n 

ghealbhan  ? 
An  sibh  a  th'ann,  a  Dhòmhnmll? 
'S  f  had  o'n  cliuunaic  sinu  sibh. 
Ciod  a  bha  'g  'ur  cumail  ? 
Nach  robh  mi  'u  Glascho  o'n  bha 

mi  'n  so  niu  dheireadh! 
Ciod  a  chuir  a  Ghhischo  sibh  ? 
Inneidh  mi  sin  duit. 
Bha  mi  aig  bauaismo  mhic,  Seumas. 

'S  math  an  gnothuch  air  an  robh 

sibh. 
Cha  d'thug  è  tàmh  dhomh  gus  an 

do  gheall  mi  dol  ann. 
Ciamar   a   thàinig    am    baile-mùr 

ruibh  ? 
Cha  d'thàiuig  ach  meadhonach. 
Ciod  a  th'agaibh  'n  a  aghaidh  ? 
Tha   de  dli'iiinich  's  de  dh'iipraid 

ann  's  nach  mòr  nach  deachaidh 

mo  clieann  air  aimhreit. 
An   do  ghabh  sibh  sgrlob  leis  an 

eachiaruinn  ? 
Cha  do  ghabh,  's  cha  ghabh. 
Tha  mi  taingeil  gu'n  d'f  huair  mi  air 

m'ais  do  shàrahchair  a'  ghlinne. 
Nach  fiadhaich  an  t-sid  ! 
Cha  chmmhne  leam  na's  fiadhaiche 

aig  an  am  so  de'n  bhiiadhna. 
An    cuala    sibh    mu'n    sgiorradh 

bhrònach      a      thachair      air 

drochaid  Thatha   air  oidhche 

Di-dòmhnuich  ? 
Cha  chuala  mi  facal  dheth. 
'Nuair   a   bha    'ghaUlionn    aig    a 

h-àirde  thuit  an  drochaid. 


THE  STOR:\r. 

How  is  the  company  around  the 

fire? 
Is  it  you,  Donald  ? 
It  is  a  long  time  since  we  saw  you. 
What  has  kept  you  ? 
Was  I  not  in  Glasgow  since  I  was 

here  last ! 
What  sent  you  to  Glasgow  ? 
I  shall  tell  you  that. 
I  was  at  the  wedding  of  my  son, 

James. 
You  were  on  a  good  errand. 

He  gave  me  no  rest  till  I  promised 

to  go  to  it. 
How  did  the  city  agree  with  you  ? 

It  agreed  with  me  but  indifferently. 

What  have  you  against  it  ? 

There  is  so  much  hurry  and 
bustle  in  it  that  my  head  be- 
came nearly  deranged. 

Did  you  take  a  trip  with  tlie  iron 
horse  ? 

I  did  not,  and  will  not. 

I  am  thankful  that  I  have  got  back 
to  the  quiet  of  the  glen. 

How  wild  the  weather  is  ! 

I  do  not  remember  wilder  at  this 
season  of  the  year. 

Have  you  heard  of  the  sad  accident 
tViat  happened  on  the  Tay 
Bridge  on  Sunday  night  ? 

I  have  not  heard  a  word  of  it. 
When  the  storm  was  at  its  height 
the  bridge  fell. 


16 


COMHRAIDHEAN  :      CONVEESATIONS. 


Tha  mi  'n  dòchas  nach  robh  carbad- 

smiiide  'dol  thairis  oirre  aig  an 

am. 
Bha,  agus  thuit  è  leis  an  drochaid. 
An  do  chailleadh  gach  neach  a  bha 

's  a'  charbad? 
Chailleadh. 

Ni  Math  'g  ar  teasraiginn. 
Is  cinnteach  mi  gu'm  bi  cunntas 

cianail   againn   mu   challtach 

air  fairge. 
Cha  bheiig  iia  thachair  dheth  sin 

air  a'  gheamhradh  so  cheana. 

Chuala   mi   gu'n   d'thugadh   lom- 

sgriob  air  coille  'n  Diiin. 
Tha  iad  a'  deanamh  dheth  gu'r  do 

chuireadh    gu   làr    mu    mhile 

craobh. 
An  d'rinneadh  mòran  dolaidh  am 

baile  nam  bùithean  ? 
Chaidh  uinneagan  a  bhriseadh  an 

sud     's    an     so,     mullaichean 

luidiieirean  a  leag'ail,  is  corra 

bhàta  'ehtu'  fodha. 
An  è  sin  nil'  è  ? 
Bha'n   t-sràid   a   tha   ri   taobh   a' 

chladaich    air   a   cladhacli,   is 

bha'm  balla  'bha  'cumail  taice 

rithe  air  an  taobh  a  mach  air 

a  bhriseadh. 
Ciamar  a  eh;udh  dhuibh-fhein. 
Cha'u  fhaod  sinn  a  bhi  gearan. 
Chuala  mi  gu'n  do  leagadh  aon  de 

na  tighean  agaibh. 
Cha  do  leagadh;    ach   chaidh  an 

tubhadh  a  thoirt  bhàrr  mullach 

an  t-sabhail. 
Nachiongantach  gu'n  do  thèaruinn 

an  tigh-còmhnuidh ! 
Bha  de  thuramanaich  air  tacau  's 

gu'n  do  shaoil  mi  gu'm  biodh 

è  nuas  mu  'r  cinn. 
Ciamar  a  dh'  f  hairich  thu  aig  an 

am  dheuchaiuueach  sin  ? 
Cha'n  urrainn  domh  na  dh'  f  hairich 

mi  'chur  an  cainnt  a  's  freag- 

arraiche  na  th'  anus  na  ranuan 


I  hope  that  a  train  was  not  cross- 
ing it  at  the  time. 

There  was,  and  itf  ell  with  the  bridge. 
Were  all  that  were  in  the  train  lost? 

They  were. 

May  the  Good  Being  preserve  us  ! 

I  am  certain  that  we  shall  have  sad 

accounts  of  losses  at  sea. 

The  losses  of  that  kind  that  have 
occurred  this  winter  already 
are  not  inconsiderable. 

I  have  heard  that  a  clean  sweep  has 
been  made  of  the  Dun  Wood. 

It  is  estimated  that  about  a  thou- 
sand trees  have  been  brought 
to  the  ground. 

Has  much  damage  been  done  in 
the  town  of  shops  ? 

Windows  were  broken  here  and 
there,  chimney  tops  were 
knocked  down,  and  a  few 
boats  were  sunk. 

Is  that  all? 

The  street  along  the  shore  was  dug 
up,  and  the  wall  that  supported, 
it  on  the  outside  was  broken. 


How  did  it  fare  with  yourselves  ? 

We  must  not  complain. 

I  heard  that  one  of  your  houses 

was  knocked  down. 
It  is  not  so;    but  the  thatch  was 

taken  off  the  roof  of  the  barn. 

How  wonderful  that  the  dwelling- 
house  escaped ! 

It  rocked  so  much  for  a  whUe  that 
I  thought  that  it  would  fall 
about  our  heads. 

How  did  you  feel  at  that  trying 
time? 

I  cannot  express  what  I  felt  in 
more  appropriate  language 
than  that  of  the  following- 
verses  : — 


C:OMHEAIDHEAX 

"DL'  ciricli  an  fhairge  's  sheid  a' 
ghaoth, 
Is  b'  aobhar  oillt  an  f  huaim 
Do  ua  h-uile  aou  's  an  eadhar  f  haoin 

Air  faontradh  feadh  a'  chuain. 
Ach    mac   au    sgiobair,   balacban 
maotb, 
Chual  e  gun  gheilt  an  toirm: 
Fiamh  aiteis  àii'd  gu'n  robh  'n  a 
ghuid.«, 
Gun    smuairean    air    roimh    'n 
stoirm. 
Db'  f  beòraich  a  h-aon  de  'n 
dhetb 
Cionnas  'bha  è  cho  ciiiin. 
'  Cha    'n    'eil    eagal    dbòmh-sa 
fbreagair  è  : 
'  Tha  m'  athair  air  an  stiuir.'  " 


CONVEESATIONS.  17 

The  sea  rose  and  tbe  wind  blew, 

And  terrible  was  the  sound 
To  all  on  board  the  frail  bark 

That  was  adrift  on  the  ocean. 
But  the  skipper's  son,  a  tender  boy, 

Heard  without  fear  the  roar : 
There  was  an  expression  of  lofty 
joy  in  bis  countenance, 
'n  And  he  heeded  not  the  storm. 

ba       One  of  the  crew  enquired  of  him 

How  he  was  so  calm. 
'  There    is    no    fear    of    me,'    he 
replied : 
'  My  father  is  at  the  helm.' 


Tha  na  rannau  druidhteach  sin  air 
tiom'  a  thoirt  air  mo  chridhe  : 
's  tìgin  domh  feasgar  math 
f  hàgail  agaibh  agus  dol  dach- 
aidh. 

Cha  ghluais  sibh  ceum  gus  am 
faigh  sibh  'ur  cuid  de  thràth 
an  f  heasgair. 

Tha  fiughair  aca  rium  aig  an  tigh. 

Ma  tha  biodh:  thoir  dhomh  do 
bhoineid. 

Ma  tha  Màiri  is  thusa  air  au  aon 
sgeul  cha  'n  'eil  math  dhòmh- 
sa  cur  'n  'ur  n-aghaidh. 


These  inipressive  verses  have  melted 
my  heart :  I  must  bid  you  good 
evening  and  go  home. 


You  shall  not  move  a  step  till  you 

get  your  share  of  the  evening 

meal. 
They  expect  me  at  home. 
If  they  do  let  them :  give  me  your 

bonnet. 
If  Mary  and  you  are  of  one  mind 

there  is  no  use  in  my  opposing 

you. 


TUATHANACHAS. 

Ciamar  a  tha  sibh  uile  's  an  tigh  so? 
Tha  sinn  gu  math,  gu'n  robh  math 

agaibh. 
Ciamar    a   tha    sibh-fhein   's    na 

bhuineas  duibh  ? 
Cha  'n  'eil  aobhar  gearain  againn. 
Thigibh  a  stigh  is  leigibh  'ur  n- 

anail. 
So  dhuibh  cathair  taobh  an  teine. 

'S  ann  agaibh-f  h^in  a  tha  'n  gealbh- 
an  suilbhir  's  a'  chagailt  sgiolta. 


FARMING. 

How  are  you  all  in  this  house  ? 
"We  are  well,  thank  you. 

How  are  you  yourself  and  those 

belonging  to  you  ? 
We  have  no  cause  of  complaint. 
Come  in  and  rest. 

Here  is  a  chair  for  you  beside  the 

fire. 
It  is  you  that  has  the  cheerful  fixe 

and  the  tidy  hearth. 


18 


COMHRAIDHEAN  :      CONVERSATIONS, 


Tha  'mhòine  pailte  's  cha  'n  'eil 

caomhnadh  orra. 
'S   mòr   au  t-sochair  am  pailteas 

coDnaidh. 
An  d'tliàiuig-  sibh  o'n  tigh  an  diugh  ? 
Thàinig. 
Cha   bheag   an  t-astar  a  choisich 

sibh. 
Tha  e  mu  chòig  mile  fichead. 
Bithidh  sibh  sgith. 
Cha'n  iirrainn  domh  a  ràdh  nach 

'eil. 
Am  bheil  thu  'n  sin,  a  Mhòr  ? 
'D  e  b'  àiU  leibh  ? 
Am  bheil  a'  bhanarach  a'  bleogh- 

ainu  a'  chruidh  ? 
Tha 
Falbh  a  mach  agus  abair  rithe  'n 

soitheach  so  'lionadh. 
Falbhaidh. 

Ciirainnich  am  bòrd,  a  Cheit. 
C'àit  am  bheil  an  t-anart-biiird  ? 
Gheibh  thu  è  's  a'  chiste  sin  thall. 

An     toir     mi    nuas     an     t-aran- 

cruineachd  's  an  t-aran-coirce? 
Bheir.  agus  an  t-im  's  a'  mhulachag 

chaise. 
Na    ca  imhnaibh    na    th'    air    'ur 

beulaobh  :  's  è  'ur  beatha. 
'S  i  'mhiu  iir  a  th'   agaibh  's   au 

aran  so. 
'S  i ;  fhuair  sinn  as  a'  mhuilleann  i 

air  Di-màirt. 
'N  è  so  a'  cheud  deasachadh  a  bh' 

agaibh  dhi  ? 
'Sè. 

Tha  i  fior  ghriiin. 
Bu  choir  dhi  bhi  ;  oir  cha  'n  f  haca 

mi  riamh  bàrr  coirce  'b'  f  heàrr 

na  bh'  againn  am  bliadhna. 
Cia  meud  mulan  a  th'  agaibh  's  an 

iolainu  ? 
Tha  sèa-deug  againn. 
Am  bi  am  pailteas  cònlaich  agaibh 

do  'u  chrodh  fad  a'  gheamh- 

raidh  's  an  earraich  ? 
Tha  mi  'smuaineachadh  gu'm  bi. 
So  fear  an  tighe  'tighinn. 


Peats  are  abundant   and   are   not 

spared. 
Abundance  of  fuel  is  a  great  boon. 

Have  you  come  from  home  to-day? 

I  have. 

You  have  walked  no  small  distance. 

It  is  about  twenty-five  miles. 

You  are  tired. 

I  cannot  say  that  I  am  not. 

Are  you  there,  Sarah  ? 

What  is  your  will  ? 

Is  the  dairy-maid  milking  the  cows? 

Yes. 

Go  out  and  tell  her  to  fill  this  dish. 

I  will. 

Cover  the  table,  Kate. 

Where  is  the  table-cloth  ? 

You  will  find  it  in  the  chest  over 

there. 
Shall  I  bring  down  the   wheaten 

bread  and  the  oaten  bread  ? 
Yes,  and  the  butter  and  cheese. 

Do  not  spare  what  is  before  you : 

you  are  welcome. 
It  is  the  new  meal  that  you  have  in 

this  bread. 
Yes ;  we  got  it  from   the  mill  on 

Tuesday. 
Is  this  the  first  baking  that  you 

have  had  of  it  ? 
Yes. 

It  is  very  fine. 
It  should  be  so  ;   for  I  never  saw  a 

better  crop  of  oats  than  we  had 

this  year. 
How  many  stacks  have  you  in  the 

stack-yard  ? 
We  have  sixteen. 
Will  you  have  plenty  of  straw  for 

the  cattle  during  winter  and 

spring  ? 
I  think  that  we  shall. 
Here  is  the  man  of  the  house  coming. 


COMHRAIDHEAN  :      CONVEUSATIOXS, 


19 


'S  mi  'tha  toilict'  'ur  faicinn. 

Tha  greis  o'n  bha  sibh  'a  a'  clieàrn 

so, 
Tha  dKith  air  bliadhn'  ann. 
An  d'thug:  sibh  siroul  iir  sam  bith  a 

niias  as  a'  ghleann  ? 
Cha  d'thug  ach  gu  bheil  do  charaid, 

Alastair  mòr,  gu  slàn,  failain. 

Am  bheil  guth  aige  air  sgrlob  a 
ghabhail  an  ratliad  so  ? 

Cha  'n  f  hio^rach  mi  gn  bheil. 

Ciamar  a  tha  'n  T-Uachdaran  iir  a' 
tighinn  ruibh  •' 

Tha  gu  ro  mhath. 

Am  bheil  e  aoidheil,  bàigheil  ris 
iiu  t-sluagh? 

Tha  è,  agus  tha  è  'toirt  misneich  is 
cothruim  do  gach  duine  ionraic, 
dlchioUach  air  an  oighreachd. 

Is  dual  da  mu  :  's  è  mac  an  deagh 

athar  è. 
Am  bheil  am  buachaill  a  stigh  ? 
Tha  mi  'n  t-o. 
A  mach  thu  do  'n  t-sabhal,  agus 

thoir  ultach  cheannagau  do  'n 

bhàthaich  airson  a'  chruidh. 
Co  dhiiibh  is  è   crodh   Gallda   no 

Gàidhealach  a  th'  agaibh. 
Crodh  Gallda, 
'D  e  'bhios  sibh  a'  deanamh  leis  a' 

bhainne  ? 
Tha  sinn  'g  a  chur  do  'n  Oban  a  h- 

uile  la. 
Cia  nieud  pinnt  a  bhios  aig  gach 

bo? 
Mu  chòig  pinnt. 
Thig    sin    gu    mòran    airgid    aig 

deireadh  na  bliadhna. 
Tha  siun  taingeil  è  'bhi  agaiun  mu 

clioinneamh  a'  mhàil. 
Cia  maud  laogh  a  bhios   sibh   a' 

togail  ? 
Ceithir  no  còig. 
D  e  'bhios  sibh  a'  deanamh  leis  a' 

chòrr  ? 
'S    àbhaist   duinn    an    reic   ris   an 

fheòladair. 


I  am  very  glad  to  see  you. 

There  isi  some  time  .since  you  were 

in  this  quarter. 
It  is  nearly  a  year. 
Have  you  brought  any  news  down 

from  the  glen  ? 
I  have  not,  except  that  yoiir  friend, 

big     Alastair,     is     hale     and 

healthy. 
Has  he  any  word  of  taking  a  trip 

in  this  direction? 
I  am  not  aware  that  he  has. 
How  do  you  like  the  new  laird  ? 

Very  well. 

Is  he  affable  and  kind  to  the  people? 

He  is,  and  he  gives  encouragement 
and  fair-play  to  eveiy  honest 
and  industrious  man  on  the 
estate. 

That  is  hereditary  to  him  :  he  is 
tlie  son  of  a  good  father. 

Is  the  herd  within  ? 

I  am  here. 

Out  with  you  to  the  barn,  and 
bring  a  bundle  of  wisps  to  the 
byre  for  the  cattle. 

Whether  is  it  Lowland  or  High- 
land cattle  that  you  have  ? 

Lowland  cattle. 

What  do  you  do  with  the  milk  ? 

We  send  it  to  Oban  every  day. 

How  many  pints  has  each  cow  ? 

About  five  pints. 

That  will  amount  to  much  money 

at  the  end  of  the  year. 
We  are  thankful  to  have  it  for  the 

rent. 
How  many  calves  do  you  rear  ? 

Four  or  five. 

What  do  you  do  with  the  rest  ? 

We  are  in  the  habit  of  selling  them 
to  the  butcher. 


til  J 


COIIHEAIDHEAN  :      CONVERSATIONS. 


Cia  meud  each  a  th'  agaibh  ? 

Ceithir. 

An     do     thoisich     sibh      air      an 

treabhadh  ? 
Cha  do  thoisich. 
Am  bheil  caoirich  agaibh  ? 
Tha. 

'D  e  'n  seòrsa  'th'  agaibh  ? 
Caoraich  Ghàidhealach, 
Co  'cheanuaich   na  h-iiaiu  agaibh 

am  bliadhua? 
Chuala  mi  'ainm  ach   cha  'u   'eil 

cuimhn'  agam  air. 
Is     coltach     gur     h-e      Gall     no 

Sasunnach  a  bh'  ann. 
Fhuair  mise  airgiod  ullamh  orra  's 

tha  mi  coma. 
'D  c  'phris  a  bhios  a'  chlòimh  am 

bliadhna  ? 
Cha  'n  'eil  f  hios  agam  :    tha  i  'g 

eiridh. 
Am  bheil  thu  dol  a  ghabhail  aont' 

iir  de  'u  bhaile  't 
Cha  'u  'eil  an  aont'  a  th'  agam  a 

mach  f  hatha.st  ? 
An  d'  f  huair  thu  'm  màl  a  nuas. 
Cha  'd  f  huair. 
An   tcid   agad   air    cumail   air   t- 

aghaid'h  ? 
Teumaidh  mi  'bhi  strl  ris. 
Buaidh   is   piseach   leat,  'fhir   mo 

chridhe. 


How  many  horses  have  you  ? 

Four. 

Have  you  begun  to  plough  ? 

We  have  not. 

Have  you  sheep  ? 

Yes. 

What  kind  have  you  ? 

Highland  sheep. 

Who  bought  your  lambs  this  year? 

I  heard  his  name  but  do  not 
remember  it. 

He  is  likely  to  liave  been  a  Low- 
lander  or  au  Englishman. 

I  got  ready  money  for  them  and 
do  not  care. 

What  will  be  the  price  of  the  wool 
this  year? 

I  do  not  know  :  it  is  rising. 

Are  you  going  to  take  a  new  lease 

of  the  farm  ? 
My    present    lease     has    not    yet 

expired. 
Have  you  got  the  rent  lowered  ? 
I  have  not. 
Can  you  manage  to  hold  out? 

I  must  strive  to  do  so. 
Success  and  prosperity  attend  you, 
my  dear  fellow. 


lASGACH  AIR  A'MHUIR. 


SEA-FISHING 


An  robh  sibh  ag  iasgach  an  raoir  ? 

Bha. 

C  ait  an  robh  sibh  ? 

Bha  sinn  aig  a'  Charraig. 

An  robh  gabhail  mhath  air  an  iasg? 

Is  ainmic  a  chunnaic  mi  na 's  f heàrr. 

Cia  meud  a  ghlac  sibh  ? 

Còig  ceud. 

Cha  robh  sibh  'n  'ur  tamh. 

Bha  sinn  tacan  'g  an  toirt  a  stigh 

cho  luath  's  a  b'urrainn  sinn. 
Cia  meud  a  bh'  ann  dibh  ? 


Were  you  fishing  last  night  ? 

We  were. 

Where  were  you  ? 

We  were  at  the  Carraig. 

Were  the  fish  taking  well  ? 

I  have   seldom  seen  them  taking 

better. 
How  many  did  you  catch  ? 
Five  hundred. 
You  were  not  idle. 
We  were  for  a  while  taking  them 

in  as  fast  as  we  could. 
How  many  were  there  of  you  ? 


COMHEAIDHEAN  :      CONVERSATIONS. 


21 


Ceathrar. 

Bha   triùir   ag   iasgach   is   aon   a' 

fannadh,  nach  robh  ? 
Tha  sibh  ceart. 
Co  dhiiibh  is  è  piocach  uo  pgadan  a 

bha  sibh  a'  faotainn  ? 
Siadan. 
An  robh  iad  a'  cluich  air  uachdar 

an  uisge  ? 
'S  iad  a  bha :  bha  'n  fhairge  mar 

gu'm  b'annairghoil  le'n  cluich. 
Co  dhiiibh  is  iad  na  slatan  no  'n 

lion  a  bh'  agaibh  ? 
Na  slatan :  cha  robh  an  Hon  deas 

againn. 
'D  e  'u  seòrsa  maghair  a  bh'  agaibh? 
'S  è  cuileag  de  dh'  ite  na  faoilinn  a 

bh'  agaiun. 
Cia  meud  cuileag  is  àbliaist  a  bhi 

air  gach  slait  ? 
A  dhà  mar  is  bidheanta. 
An  sibh-fhein  a  bhios  a'  stalcadh 

uau  dubhan  ? 
'S  sinn. 

Am  faca  sibh  muca-mara  ? 
Bha  te  mhòr  'n  ar  cuideachd  fad  an 

fheasgair. 
'D  e  'mheudachd  a  bh'  innte  ? 
Tha  mi  cinnteach   gu'n  robh  i  da 

fhichead  troidh  air  fad. 
An  robh  i  dliith  dhuibh  ? 
Bha  i  aon  uair  cho  dUith  's  gu'm 

faodamaid  leum  air  a  druim. 
Is  math  nach  robh  Iain  eutrom  is 

Anuag  an  dannsaidh  còmhla 

ruibh. 
Carson  ? 
Mu  'n  abradh  tu  seachd  bhiodh  iad 

a  mach  a  dhanusadh  oirre. 
Tog    de    d'    fegeig,    'J^liionnlaidh 

gheir. 
'N  è  sgeig  a  thubhairt  thu  ?      Bi 

taiugeil  nach   d'  eirich  na  's 

miosa. 
Ciamar  sin  ? 
Nach   'ail   thu    taingeil    nach    do 

smùid  i  's  an  athar  thu,  agus 

nach  do  shluig  i  thu  'n  deidh 


Four. 

There  were  three  fishing,  and  one 

rowing  slowly,  were  there  not  ? 
You  are  right. 
Whether  was  it  saithe  or  herring 

tliat  you  were  catching  ? 
Herring. 
Were  they  playing  on  the  surface 

of  the  water  ? 
That  they  were  :  the  sea  was  as  it 

were  boiling  with  their  playing. 
Whether  was  it  the  rods  or  the  net 

that  you  had  ? 
The   rods :    we   had    not   the   net 

ready. 
What  sort  of  bait  had  you? 
It  was  a  fly  of  the  gull's  feather 

that  we  had. 
How  mauy  flies  is  it  usual  to  have 

on  each  rod  ? 
Two  generally. 
Do  you  dress  the  hooks  yourselves  ? 

We  do. 

Did  you  see  whales  ? 

A  large  one  kept  us  company  all 

the  evening. 
What  was  its  size  ? 
I  am  sure  that  it  was  forty  feet 

long. 
Was  it  near  you  r 
It  was  once  so  near  that  we  could 

leap  on  its  back. 
It  is  well  that  light-headed  John 

and  dancing  Annie  were  not 

with  you. 
Why  ? 
Before  you  could  say  seven  they 

would  be  out  to  dance  on  it. 
Give  over  your   otf-taking,   sharp 

Fiulay. 
Is  it  off-taking  that  you  said  ?    Be 

thankful  tQat   worse  did   not 

happen. 
How  tliat  ? 
Are  you  not  thankful  that  it  did 

not  dash  you  into  the  air,  and 

swallow  vou  afterwards  ? 


COMHEAIDHEAN  :      CONVERSATIONS. 


Cha  'n  'eil  math  a  bhi  bruidhinn 

riut-sa. 
Cha  'n  'eil. 

C'uin  a  dh'  fhàg  sibh  thall  ? 
Mu  naoi  uairean  an  raoir. 
Am   b'    fheudar    dhuibh    iomram 

dhachaidh  'i 
Cha  b'  fheudar;  dh'  tirich  a'  ghaoth 

's  chuir  sinn  na  siùil  ris  a'  bhàta. 
Bha  sgairt  mhath'ghaoithe  againn- 

ne  mu  dheich  uairean. 
Cha  b'  aun  na  b'  f  hèathala  'bha  è 

agaiun-ue  mach. 
An  robh  dad  de  dh'  f  hairge  agaibh  ? 
Bha   i    'n    a   meallaibh   mu   'u    d' 

ràiuig  sinn  Cearara. 
Co  'bh'  air  an  stiidr  P 
Bha  Iain  Dheòrsa. 
Cha  'n  amadau  am  fear  a  stiiiras 

bàta  gutèaruinte  ri  bidghairbh. 
Fàilt  oirbh  !  a  dhaoiu'  uaisle. 
An  robh  sibh  ag  iasgach  ? 
Tha  sinn  direach  air  tilleadh  uaithe. 
Tha  mi  'n  dòchas  gu'u  do  shoirbhich 

leibh. 
Fhuair  sinn  fichead  ciidainn  agus 

deich  bodaich-ruadha. 
'S  math  a  fhuaras  sibh. 
Au  d'  fheuch  sibh  riamh  iasgach 

bliàrr  nan  creag  ? 
Cha  d'  fheuch. 
'S  ioniadh  Ian  mùrlaig  a  fhuair  mise 

air  au  dòigh  sin. 
Ciamar  a  th^id  sinn  m'  a  dheiblunn  ? 
Cha  'n  'eil  agaibh  ach  àitef  reagarrach 

fhaotaiun  agus  an  driamlach  a 

thilgeil. 
'S  ann  a  dh'  fheumassinn  'fheuch- 

ainn  feasgar  eigin. 
Tha  mi  'cluiuntinn  gu  bheil  sibh 

teòra'  air  iomram. 
Tha  sinn  'g  a  clileachdadh. 
C  àite,  ma  's  è  'ur  toil  è  ? 
Air  an  abhuinn  làimh  ris  au  Oil-thigh . 
Puf !  lub  thuuuag. 
Na  'm  faiceadh  tu  sinn  ri  farpuis  le 

'r  bàtaicheau,  agus  na  milteau 
sluaigh  ag  amhare  oirnn,  cha 
bhiodh  tu  'fochaid  oirnn. 


There  is  no  use  in  talking  to  you. 

There  is  not. 

Wlien  did  you  leave  the  other  side  ? 
About  nine  o'clock  last  night. 
Had  you  to  row  home  ? 

We  had  not ;  the  wind  rose,  and  we 
set  the  sails  to  the  boat. 

We  had  a  smart  breeze  of  wind 
about  ten  o'clock. 

It  was  not  calmer  with  us  outside. 

Had  you  anything  of  a  sea  ? 

It   ran    high   before    we    reached 

Kerrera. 
Who  was  at  the  helm  ? 
John  (son)  of  George. 
The  man  that  steers  a  boat  safely 

in  rough  weather  is  not  a  fool. 
Hail  to  you,  gentlemen. 
Were  you  fishing  'i 
We  have  just  returned  from  it. 
I  hope  that  you  have  been  success- 
ful. 
We   got   twenty  cuddies  and  ten 

codliu<i-s. 
You  have  done  well. 
Have  you  ever  tiied  to  fish  off  the 

rocks  ? 
We  liave  not. 
Many  a    basketful    have  I  got  in 

that  way. 
How  shall  we  set  about  it  ? 
You  have  only  to  find  a  suitiib  e 

place  and  cast  the  line. 

We  must  try  it  some  evening. 

I  hear  that  you  are  expert  at  row- 
ing. 

We  practise  it. 

Where,  if  you  please  ? 

On  the  river  near  the  College. 

Bu  !  a  duck  dub. 

If  you  saw  us  competing  with  our 
boats,  while  thousands  of 
people  looked  on,  you  would 
not  mock  us. 


COMHEAIDHEAN  :      COXVEESATIONS. 


23 


Mo  bheannachd  oirbh  !  Cuiiibh 
na  ràimh,  an  tobhta,  agus  an 
taomau  aim  an  àite  tèaruinte. 

Slàn  leibh  air  an  am. 


My  blessing  upon  you.  Put  the 
oars,  the  rowing  bench,  and 
the  baler  in  a  safe  place. 

Farewell  for  the  present. 


A  DAY. 


A'  MHADXJINN. 


THE  MOENINa. 


Am  bheil  brath  agad  air  eiridh  ? 

'D  è  'n  uair  a  tha  è  ? 

Tha  è  fichead  mionaid  a  dhlth  air 

de  naoi  uairean. 
An  d'  fhuair  thu  cadal  math  ? 
Cha  do  dhuisg  mi  o  'n  chaidh  mi 

'laidhe  gus  an  d'  thàinig  sibh 

a  stigh. 
Bithidh  a'  bhraiceas  deaa  an  iiine 

ghoirid. 
Am     bheil     am     pailteas     uisge, 

f-iopuinn,   is    shearadairean   's 

an  t-seòmar  ? 
Tha. 
Am     bu     mhath     leat     thu-fhein 

fhailceadh  ? 
Bu  mhath. 

Tha  'n  seòmar-failcidh  làimh  riut. 
Bithibh  cho  math  's  au  dorus  aige 

fhàgail  fosgailte. 
Nl  mi  sin. 

'D  è  'n  seòrsa  là  'th'  ann  ? 
La  grianach  's  a'  ghaoth  o  'n  ear. 

An  cuala  tu  riamh?:  — 

"  Gaoth  a  deas,  teas  is  toradh. 

Gaoth  an  iar,  iasg  is  bainne. 

Gaoth  a  tuath,  fuachd  is  gaillionn. 

Gaoth  an  ear,  meas  bhàrr  chrann- 

aibh."* 
Id  math  is  aithne  dhomh  na  facail 

sin,  ach  'a  fhad'  o   'u  chuala 

mi  iad. 


Do  you  intend  to  get  up  ? 

What  o'clock  is  it? 

It  wants  twenty  minutes  of  nine 

o'clock. 
Have  you  slept  well  ? 
I  have  not  wakened  since  I  went 

to  bed  till  you  came  in. 

Breakfast  will  be  ready  in  a  short 

time. 
Is  there  plenty  of  water,  soaji,  and 

towels  in  the  room  ? 

There  is. 

Would  you  like  to  have  a  bath? 

I  would. 

The  bath  room  is  near  you. 

Be  so  good  as  leave  its  door  open. 

I  will  do  so. 

What  kind  of  day  is  it  ? 

A  sunny  day  with  the  wind  from 

the  east. 
Have  you  ever  heard  ?  :  — 
"Wind  from  the  south  (denotes) 

heat  and  produce. 
Wind  from  the  west  (denotes)  fish 

and  milk. 
Wind  from  the  north  (denotes)  cold 

and  storm. 
Wind  from  the  east  (denotes)  fruit 

oft'  trees," 
I  know  these  words  well,  but  it  is 

a  long  time  since  I  heard  them. 


An  old  observation  on  the  weather  on  Xew  Year's  eve 


24 


COMHEAIDHEAN 


BHUAICEAS. 


larramaid  beannachadh. 

Co  dhiùbh  's  è  tea  no  cofee  'ghabhas 

tu? 
Gabhaidh  mi  ia,  ma  's  è  'ur  toil  è. 
An   g-abh    thu    siiicar   is    uachdar 

leatha? 
Co  dhiùbh  a  ghabhas  tu  ubh  an 

toiseach,    no    iasg,    no    muc- 

fheòil  chrochte  ? 
Gabhaidh  mi  ubh  an  toiseach. 
Am  bheil  mòran  chearc  agaibh  ? 
Tha  mu  dhà  fliichead  agaiun. 
C  ait  am  bheil   sibh  a'    faotainn 

nam  breac  ? 
'S  an  abhuinn  ud  shios. 
'D  è  'n  t-aran  a  ghabhas  tu  ? 
Gabhaidh  mi  a  h-aon  de  na  breacag- 

an  cruiueachd. 
Co  dhii'ibh  a  ghabhas  tu  Im  ur  no 

im  saillte  ? 
Mholainn    duit    a    h-aon    de    na 

bonnaich-isbein. 
An  toir  sibh  dhòmh-sa  sliseag  de  'n 

mhuic-f  heùil  chrochte,  'athair  ? 
Geàrr  air  do  shon  fhein  i,  'ille, 
Ciamar  a  tha  thu'dol  achurseachad 

an  la,  'Ailein  ? 
Tha    mi    'dol    do    'n    mhonadh    a 

shealg. 
'D  e  'tha  thusa  'dol  a  dheanamh,  a 

Sheònaid  ? 
Tha  mi  'dol  a  sgrlobhadh  litrichean 

an  toiseach. 
'D  è  'tha  thu  'dol  a  dheanamh  an 

deigh  sin  ? 
Tha  mi  'dol  a  leughadh. 
'D  e  'n  leabhar  a  tha  thu  'dol   a 

leughadh  ? 
Eachdraidh  na  H-Alba. 
'S  è  sin  a  's  fheàrr  na  sgeulachdan 

spleadhach. 
'D  è  'tha  slbhse  'dol  a  dheanamh,  a 

rahàthair? 
Tha    mi    'dol    do    'n    bhaile    air 

ghnothuch  ? 
'D  è  'tha  sibhse  'dol  a  dheanamh, 

'athair? 


CONVERSATIONS. 

BEEAKFAST. 

Let  us  ask  a  blessing. 

Whether  will  you  have  tea  or  coffee  ? 

I  will  have  tea,  if  you  please. 
Will  you  take  sugar  and  cream  with 

it? 
Whether  will  you  have  an  esg  first, 

or  fish,  or  pork  ham  ? 

I  will  have  an  egg  fir.-t. 
Have  you  many  hens  ? 
We  have  about  forty. 
Where  do  you  find  the  trout  ? 

In  the  river  down  yonder. 

What  bread  will  you  have  ? 

I  will  have  one  of  the  flour  scones. 

W'hether  will  you   have  fresh   or 

salted  butter  ? 
I  would  recommend  to  you  one  of 

the  sausage  bannocks. 
Will  you  give  me  a  slice  of  the 

pork  ham,  father  ? 
Cut  it  for  yourself,  lad. 
How  are  you  going  to   pass   the 

day,  Allan? 
I  am  goiug  to  the  hill  to  hunt. 

What  are  you  going  to  do,  Janet  ? 

I  am  going  to  write  letters  first. 

What  are  you   going  to  do  after 

that  ? 
I  am  going  to  read. 
What  book  are  you  going  to  read  ? 

The  History  of  Scotland. 

That  is  better  than  fictitious  tales. 

What  are  you  going  to  do,  mother  ? 

I  am  goiug  to  town  on  business. 

What  are  you  goiug  to  do,  father? 


COMHEAIDHEAX 


CONVERSATIONS. 


25 


Tha  mi  'tlol  gu  mod  a  thoirt  breith 
air  duine  bochd  a  tha  iad  a' 
cur  as  a  leth  gu'n  robh  è  'sealg- 
gun  chead. 


am  going  to  a  court  to  pass 
judgment  ou  a  man  who  is 
accused  of  poaching. 


AN    DIXXEIK. 


Ciamar  a  tLàinig  thu  air  t-aghaidh 

's  a'  mhonadh,  'Ailein  "r* 
Mharbh  mi  deich  eòiu  ruadha  agus 

da  mhaighich. 
Is  math  a  fhuaras  thu. 
Am  f  aca  tu  f  cidh  ? 
Chunnaic  mi  damh  mòr,  cabarach 

air  mullach  a'  mhonaidh. 
An  robh  e  mar  astar  urchair  dhuit  ? 
Bha   deadh   cothrom   agam   air    a 

thilgeii  na  'm  biodh  peileii-eau 

agam. 
Am  bheil  thu  sgith  ? 
Cha  'n  urraiun  domh  a  ràdh  gu'm 

bheil. 
Is  iongantach  leam  sin. 
Bha  'n  t-àileadh  cho  beothachail  's 

nach  do  sgithich  an  t-saothair 

mi. 
Tha  'n  dlnneir  air  a'  bhòrd. 
Their    thusa    sios    beau-an-tighe, 

'Ailein. 
Tha  'n  staidhir  farsuiug  is  furasd' 

a  thèaruadli. 
Is  eireachdail   ua  cabair-fhiadh  a 

th'  air  a'  bhalla. 
Tha  dithis  dhivibh  air  am  bheil  da 

mheur  dheug. 
An  gabh  thu  brot  r 
Gabhaidb,  gu  'u  roth  math  agaibh. 
An  d'  fhuair  sibh  'ur  gnothach  a 

dheanamh  ? 
rhuair. 
Am  faigh  sibh  's  a'  bhaile  a  h-uile 

ni  'bhios  a  dhith  oirbh  ? 
Gheibh  sinn  a'  chuid  a  's  mo  dhiubh, 

ach  ■  s  àbhaist  duinn  na  h-uibhir 

de  nithe  fhaotainn  a  Glascho. 
An  gabh  thu  criomau  de  'n  bhradan? 
Thoir  am  buntàta  's  an  t-im  leaghte 

'n  so. 


How  did  vou  set  on   in  the  hill, 

Allan? 
I  killed  ten  grouse  and  two  hares. 

You  have  done  well. 

Did  you  see  deer  ? 

I  saw  a  large  antlered  stag  on  the 
top  of  the  hill. 

Was  he  within  range  of  your  shot? 

I  had  a  good  opportunity  of  shoot- 
ing him  if  I  had  had  balls. 

Are  you  tired  ? 

I  cannot  say  that  I  am. 

I  am  surprised  at  that. 
The   air  was  so  bracing  that  the 
exertion  did  not  fatigue  me. 

Dinner  is  on  the  table. 

Take  down  the  ladv  of  the  house, 
Allan. 

The  stair  is  broad  and  easily  de- 
scended. 

The  deer  horns  on  the  wall  are 
handsome. 

There  are  two  of  them  with  twelve 
points. 

Will  you  have  broth  ? 

I  will,  thank  you. 

Did  you  get  your  business  don:? 

I  did. 

Can    you  get  in   the   town   every 

thing  that  you  need  ? 
We  can  get  the  most  of  them,  but 

we  are  in  the  habit  of  getting 

several  things  from  Glasgow. 
Will  you  have  a  bit  of  the  salmon? 
Bring  here  the   potatoes  and  the 

melted  butter. 


26 


COMHRAIDHEAX 


Tha  'm  bradan  air  iir-tlioirt  as  an 

abhuinn. 
Gabh  gloine  fiona. 
Theagamh    guv  feàrr   leat   uisge- 

beatha. 
Leig   learn    sliseag   de   'n   mhairt- 

fheòil    so    a    chur    'ad    ionn- 

suidh. 
Cha  d'  fhouch  mi  riamh  feòil  a  's 

blasda  's  a  's  niaotha. 
An    gabh    thii   nis   beagan    de    'n 

nihuilt-fhpòil  ? 
Tha  na  's  leinr  agam. 
An  gabh  thu  Ian  spiiiue  de  'u  bhiadh 

mhilis  so  ? 
An  gabh  thu  càise  ? 
An  gabh  thu  ubhal  no  orange  ? 

'S  fheàrr  learn  fion-dhearoan. 

Gabh  gloine  de  dh'  fhion  dearg. 

Cuir  mu  'n  cuairt  am  botul,  a 
Chaileiu. 

'S  fhcàrr  dhuinn  dol  do  'n  t-seòmar 
's  am  bheil  ua  mnathan  uaisle. 

Tha  'n  t-uisg'  ann. 

Cha  'n  'eil  ann  ach  fras. 

Tha  'm  paipear-uaigheachd  air 
tighinn. 

Thoir  am  ioiinsuidh  è. 

Their  dhuinn  ceòl,  'Tseabal. 

'S  math  a  chliiich  thu  'm  port 
sin. 

Ciod   a  dh'  eirioh  do  'n  phiobair  ? 

Cha  chuala  mi  sgal  d'  a  phiob  an 
diugh. 

Shiach  e  'chas  an  raoir  aig  banais 
a'  bhroeair. 

Amburraidli!  ach  bithibh  caoimhu- 
eil  ris  a'  ghille  bhochd. 

Cha  'n  è  speis  do  mhire  's  do  dh' 
aidhear  a  tha  toirt  orm-sa 
piobair  a  bhi  agam,  ach  gaol  a' 
chiùil  fhein  agus  cuimhue  nan 
làithean  a  dh'  fhalbh.  Cha  'n 
'eil  ceòl  eil'  ann  a  ruigeas  air 
mo  chridhe  cosmhuil  ris. 

Tha  'u  tàiu  ann  airsou  aoraidh. 

Buail  an  clag. 


CONVERSATIONS. 

The  salmon  is  fresh  from  the  river. 

Have  a  glass  of  wine. 
Perhaps  you  prefer  ■whisky. 

Allow  me  to  send  you  a  irlice  of 
this  beef. 

I   have  never  tasted  sweeter  and 

tenderer  beef. 
Will  you  now  have   some  of  the 

mutton  ? 
I  have  enough. 
Will  you  have  a  spoonful  of  this 

sweetmeat  (pudding)  ? 
Will  you  have  cheese  ? 
Will   you    have    an    apple   or   an 

orange  ? 
I  prefer  grapes. 
Have  a  glass  of  port. 
Send  round  the  bottle,  Colin. 

We  better  go  to  the  room  where 

the  ladies  are. 
It  is  raining. 
It  is  only  a  shower. 
The  newspaper  has  come. 

Biing  it  to  me. 

Give  us  music,  Isabella. 

You  have  played  that  tune  well. 

What  has  become  of  the  piper? 

I  have  not  heard  a  skirl  of  his  pipe 
to-day. 

He  sj^rained  his  foot  last  night  at 
the  fox-hunter's  wedding. 

The  blockhead  !  but  be  kind  to  the 
poor  lad. 

It  is  not.  a  liking  for  mirth  and 
merriment  that  makes  me  keep 
a  piper,  but  love  for  pipe  music 
and  the  remembrance  of  the 
days  that  are  gone.  No  other 
music  affects  my  heart  as  it 
does. 

It  is  time  for  worship. 

Ring  the  bell. 


COMIIRAIDIIEAX  :      CONVEnSATIO>'S. 


A'  BH a:\ais. 


THE  WEDDING. 


An  tu  'th'  ann,  a  Mhàiri  bhàn  nam 

raìog-shùil  ? 
'S  mi  le   'r  cead:  am  bheil   sibh- 

fht'in  gu  siinndach  ? 
Mata  cha  'u  'eil :  tha  mi   air  mo 

chlaoidh  le  sgios  is  cion  cadail. 
Dhi-chuimhnich  mi  gu'n  robh  sibh 

aig  a'  bhanais. 
Co  bhiodh  ann  mur  bithinn-sa,  's 

gu'm  bu  mill  fleasgach  bean- 

na-baiunse  ? 
Bha  mòran  agaibh  r'  a  dheanamh. 
Carson  a  tha  tliii  'g  ràdh  sin  ? 
An    cuala    sibh    riamh    an    sean- 

fhacal? — "An  ni  nach  cluinu 

thu  'u  diugh  cha  'n  aithris  thu 

'm  màireach." 
Dh'  fhaodadh  tu  innseadh  dhomh- 


Is  it  you,  fair-haired  Mary  of  the 
laughing  eyes  ? 

It  is,  with  your  leave :  are  you 
yourself  in  good  spirits  'i 

Indeed  I  am  not :  I  am  worn  out 
with  fatigue  and  want  of  sleep. 

I  forgot  that  you  were  at  the  wed- 
ding. 

Who  should  be  there  if  I  were  not, 
seeing  that  I  was  the  bride'i* 
best  man  ? 

You  had  much  to  do. 

Why  do  you  say  that  ? 

Have  you  ever  heard  the  proverb  ? 
— "  What  you  do  not  hear  to- 
day you  will  not  repeat  to- 
morrow." 

You  might  tell  it  to  me. 


An  geall  sibh  nach  tig  sibh  thairi.-) 

air? 
Geallaidh  :  so  mo  làmh. 
'S  è  mo  bharail  nach  'eil  i  math  na 

's  leòir  air  a  shon. 
'S  è  mo  bharail-sa  nach  'eil  caileag  's 

an  diithaich  a  's  laghaiche  na  i. 
'S  i  nach  'eil  's  nach  robh  riamh 

laghach. 
Mo  nàire !  a  Mhàiri,  cha  teid  thusa 

do  'n  mhonadh  am  bliadhua. 
'D  è  's  ciall  d'  a  sin  ? 
Nach  'eil  fhios  agad  ? 
Cha  'n  'eil. 
Ri  linn  mo  sheanar  b'  àbhaist  do 

'n  chòrdadh  a  bhi  aca  air  a' 

mhonadh  ud. 
'D  è  dhe  sin  ? 
Bha    leac     air    a    mhuUach     mu 

mbeudachd    lic-lighe    air   am 

biodh  lad  a'  cur  a'  bheidh   's 

na  dibhe. 
'D  è  'tha  'n  'ur  beachd? 
Tha  nach  bi   còrdadh   agad-sa  'm 

bliadhna. 
Beannachd   leibh  :    comhairlichidh 

mi  do  Miss  Anna  gun  ghnoth- 

uch  a  bhi  aice  ruibh. 


W^ill  you  promise  not  to  repeat  it  ? 

I  will :  here  is  my  hand. 

I    am   of    opinion  that  she   is  not 

good  enough  for  him. 
I  am  of  opinion  that  there  is  not  a 

nicer  girl  in  the  country. 
She  is  not  and  never  was  nice. 

For  sliame  !  Mary,  tou  will  not  go 
to  the  hill  this  year. 

What  does  that  mean  ? 

Do  you  not  know  ? 

I  do  not. 

In  my  grandfather's  time  they  u^ed 
to  hold  tlie  contract  meeting 
on  yon  hill. 

What  of  that  ? 

There  was  a  flag  on  the  top  of  it 
about  the  size  of  a  gravestone 
on  which  they  used  to  put  the 
food  and  drink. 

What  do  you  mean  ? 

I  mean  that  you  will  have  no  con- 
tract meeting  this  year. 

Good-bye  :  I  will  advise  Miss  Ann 
to  have  nothing  to  do  with 
you. 


28 


COMIirvAIDHEAN  :     CONVERSATIONS. 


Cha  toil'  i  feart  ort. 

Chi  sinn. 

Turus     math     dhuit,     a      Mhàiri 

laghach . 
C  uiu  a  thàinig  thu  o  'u  bhanais  ? 

]Mu  chòig  uairean  's  a'  mhaduinn. 
Cia  meud  a  bh'  auu  de  chuideachd  ? 

Mu  dhà  fhichead. 

Co  'phòs  iad  ? 

Phòs  ministear  na  sgireachd. 

Am  bheil  an  sluagh'toigheach  air  ? 

Tha,  agus  is  math  a  dh'  fhaodas 

iad,  oir  tha  e  càirdeil,  aoidheil 

riutha. 
'D  e  'rinn  sibh  an  dèidh  dha  falbh  ? 
Thòisich  sinn  air  an  dannsadh. 
Co  'dhanns  a   cheud  ruidhle  ? 
Dhanus  mise  le  bean-na-bainnse,  is 

dhanns    fear  -  na  -  bainnse    le 

'raaighdein. 
Bha  ruidhr  is  luidhl'  aeainn    an 

deidh  sin  gus  an  robh  sinn  sgith. 
An  siu  leig  sibh  'iir  n-anail  tucan. 
Leig,  is  chaidh  uisge-beatha  'chur 

mu  'n  cuairt.      An  i-iu  thubh- 

airt    mise,     "Tha    bean  -  na- 

baiunse  'g  ùl  oirbh," 
Thubliairt  am  fleasgach  eile,  "  Tha 

fear-na-baiunse  'g  òl  oirbh." 
An    robh   iad    a'   glaodhaieh   's   a' 

dcanamh     sgailleagan    le    'm 


She  will  not  heed  you. 

We  shall  see. 

A  good  journey  to  you,  nice  IMary. 

Wlien    did    you    come    from    the 

wedding  ? 
About  five  o'clock  in  the  morning. 
How  many  were  there  of  a  com- 
pany ? 
About  forty. 
Who  married  them  ? 
The  minister  of  the  parish. 
Are  the  people  fond  of  him  ? 
They  are,  and  they  may  Avell  be, 

for  he  is  friendly  and  affable 

to  them. 
What  did  you  do  after  he  left  ? 
We  began  to  dance. 
AVbo  danced  the  first  reel  ? 
I  danced  it  Mith  the  bride,  and  the 

bridegroom  danced  it  with  her 

maid. 
We  had  reel  after  reel  after  that 

till  we  were  tired. 
You  tlien  rested  for  a  while. 
We    did ;     and  whisky    was    sent 

round.       I   then  said,   "The 

bride  drinks  to  you." 

The  other  best  man  said,  ' '  The 
bridegroom  drinks  to  j'ou." 

AVere  they  shouting  and  cracking 
their  fiuy-ers  ? 


Bha,  agus  shaoileadh  sibh  air 
uairibh  gu'n  robh  na  fir  air 
bi'iinidh. 

Bhiodh  sin  a  reir  an  eòlais  air  mac 
na  bracha. 

Cha  'n  abair  mi  nach  'eil  beagan 

de  'u  fhirinn  agaibh. 
An  robh  ùrain  'g  an  gabhail  ? 
Bha  an  dràs  's  a  ris. 
'N   u£ir   a   bhiodli    sibh   sgith   de 

bhreabadh  nan  cas. 
Direach  sin. 
'D  è  "tha  "cur  roast  's  an  ùrlar  " 

a'  ciallachadh  ? 


They  were,  and  you  would  think  at 

times  that  the  men  were  in  a 

frenzy. 
That   would   be  in   proportion  to 

their    acquaintance    with   the 

son  of  malt. 
I  shall  not  say  that  there  is  not 

some  truth  in  your  remark. 
Were  songs  sung  ? 
Yes,  now  and  again. 
When  you  were  tired  of  thumping 

with  your  feet. 
Just  so. 
What  does  "  arresting  the  floor  " 


COMHEAIDHEAN  :     CONVERSATIONS. 


2d- 


Gu  bheil  stad  ri  'bhi  's  an  clannsadh 

car  ghreis  no  gu  bheil  càraid- 

eau  sònraichte  'g;  a  ghleidheil 

dhoibh-fhein. 
'D  e  'n  nair  a  bha  è  'n  uair  a  shuidh 

sibh  gu  'r  Kuipeir  ? 
Bha  è  deioh  uairean. 
Co  'bh'  air  ceanu  a'  bhùird  ? 
Bha  mise. 

Co  'bh'  air  ceann  shios  a'  bhuird  ? 
Bha  athair  bean-na-bainnse. 
An  robh  cuirm  shòghar  agaibh  ? 
Bha  gach  biadh  a  b'  fheàrr  againn 

a    ghabhadh    faofcainn   's    an 

diithaich. 
Am  bheil  na  fir  teòm'  air  a'  bhiadh 

a  ghearradh  ? 
Bhiodh  è  'n  a  thàmailfc  do  dhuine 

mur  biodh  f  hios  aige  ciamar  a 

gliearradh   è   cearc   no   biadh 

sain  bith  eile. 
An  robh  fala-dhà  agaibh  ? 
Bha  na  's  leòir. 
Am  bheil  fearas-chuideachd  shònr- 

aichte    sam    bith  aca   aig   an 

t-suipeir  ? 
Bithidh  iad  ri  f ala-dhà  le  cnàmhan . 
Cuiridh  fear  uchd  circe  ris  an  abrar 

an  long  no  cuàimh  lorn  sam 

bith  a  dh'  ionusuidh  fir  eile,  a 

dh'  fheumas  rann  a  dheanamh. 
Ma   bhios   na  fir   geur   bheir  iad 

àbhachd  do  'n  chuideachd. 

Nach  'ail  coinneamh  aca  roimli  'n 

phòsadh  a  shocrachadh  chùis- 

ean? 
Tha  da  choinneamh  aca,  an  còrdadh 

mòr  's  an  còrdadh  beag. 
'D   è   'th'  air  a  dheanamh  aig  a' 

chòrdadh  bheag  ? 
Tha  'm  fear  a'  tighiun  le  companach 

gu  tigh  a  leannain  gu  e-fein  a 

thairgseadh. 
Tha   'u   cùrdadh    mùr    'n    a    leth 

bhanais. 
Tha  na  càirdean  a'  cruinneachadh 

taobh  air  thaobh. 
'D  è  'tha  air  a  dheanamh  aige  ? 


That  dancing  is  to  be  stopped  for 
a  while,  or  that  certain  couples 
are  keeping  it  to  themselves. 

What  o'clock  was  it  when  you  sat 

to  supper  ? 
It  was  ten  o'clock. 
Who  was  at  the  head  of  the  table  ? 
I  was. 

Who  was  at  the  foot  of  the  table  > 
The  bride's  father. 
Had  you  a  sumptuous  feast  ? 
We  had  the  best  kinds  of  food  that 

could  be  got  in  the  country. 

Are  the  men  expert  carvers  ? 

It  would  be  a  disgrace  to  a  man 
not  to  know  how  to  carve  a. 
fowl  or  any  other  food. 

Had  you  fun  ? 
We  had  plenty  of  it. 
Have  they  any  particular  diversion 
at  the  supper  ? 

They  make  fun  with  bones. 

One  will  send  a  fowl's  breast  called 
the  ship  or  any  bare  bone  to 
another,  who  must  make  a 
rhyme. 

If  the  men  are  sharp-witted  they 
will  afford  sport  to  the  com- 
pany. 

Have  they  not  a  meeting  before 
the  marriage  to  settle  matters  ? 

They  have  two  meetings,  the  big 

contract  meeting  and  the  little. 
What  is  done  at  the  little  contract 

meeting  ? 
The  man  comes  with  a  companion 

to   his   sweetheart's  house  to 

offer  himself. 
The  big  contract  meeting  is  a  half 

wedding. 
The  friends  of  both  parties  meet. 

What  is  done  at  it  ? 


30 


COMHRAIDHEAX  :      CONVERSATIONS. 


Tha   Ik   na   bainnse    's    gach    cùis 

fheumail  eiP  air  an  socrachadh. 

Feumaidh  gu  bheil  na  baiunsean 

sin  cosdail. 
Cha  'n  'fil  teaL'amh  nach  'eil. 
Nach  ainaideach  na  h-uiread  a  cbur 

a  mach  crru  ? 
Cha  'u   Vil  an  t-uallacb  orra-san 

aig  am  bheil  a'  bhanais, 
Ciamar  sin  ? 
Tha   na   coimhearsnaich   a'    cur  a 

fetigh  gach  ni  'bhios  feumail. 
Gu  dearbh ! 
Cuiridh  iad  cearcan,  uibliean,  im, 

mulachagan  càise,  is  nithe  eile 

g'  an  ionnsuidh. 
Mar  so  tha  cùirdeas   agus  deagh 

choimhearsnachd  air  an  cumail 

suas. 
Tha  eagal  orm  gu  bheil  tuilleadh 

's  a'  choir  de  dh'  òl  a'  dol  air 

aghaidh  aig  na  còdhailibh  sin. 
Tha  air  uairibh ;  ach  tiia  na 's  lugha 

aun  dheth  na  b'  àbhaist. 
Gu'm  a  h-anu  na  's  lugha  'bhios  è 

'fas  a  h-uile  la. 


The  wedding-day  and  other  neces- 
sary matters  are  settled. 
These  weddings  must  be  expensive. 

No  doubt  they  are. 

Is  it  not  foolish  to  spend  so  much 

on  them  ? 
The   buraen  is  not  on  those  that 

have  the  wedding. 
How  that  ? 
The  neighbours  send  in  all  that  is 

necessary. 
Indeed  I 
They  send  them  hens,  eggs,  butter, 

cheeses,  and  other  things. 

Friendliness   and    neighbourliness 
are  thus  kejit  up. 

I  fear  that  too  much  drinking  goes 
on  at  these  meetings. 

Yes,  at  times,  but  there  is  less  of 

it  than  used  to  be. 
May  it  become  less  every  day . 


CRUINNEACHADH  GAIDH- 
EALACH  AN  OBAIN. 


THE  OBAN  HIGHLAND 
GATHERING. 


Fàilt  air  a'  mhaighstir-sgoil :  cia 

as  a  thug  sibh  a'  choiseaehd  ? 
Is  coma  cia  as  :    tha  mi  air   mo 

chlaoidh  lo  teas  is  pathadh. 
Eachaibh  a  stigh,  a  dhuine  gliaol- 

aich. 
Ni  mi  sin  gu  toileach. 
Am  bheil  thu  'n  sin,  a  Chiorsdan  ? 
Tlia  mi  'tighinn. 
So   am   maighstir-sgoil   an   impis 

toirt  thairis  le  sgios  is  pathadh. 

Nach  è  so  an  la  bruthainneach  ! 
Leigibh  sibh-fhein  'n  'ur  sineadh 

air  an  uirigh. 
So  I  so  !  a  nuas  deoch  do  d'  charaid. 

Co   dhiiibh   a  ghabhas  sibh  deoch 
mheòig  no  deoch  bhlàthaich  ? 


Hail  to  the  schoolmaster  :  whence 

have  you  walked? 
It  does  not  matter  whence  :  I  am 

exhausted  with  heat  and  thirst. 
Go  in,  dear  man. 

I  shall  do  so  willingly. 

Are  you  there,  Kirsty  ? 

I  am  coming. 

Here  is  the  schoolmaster  like  to 

give  over  through  fatigue  and 

thirst. 
What  a  sultry  day  this  is  I 
Stretch  yourself  on  the  couch. 

Come  !  come  !  bring  down  a  drink 

to  your  friend. 
Whether  will  you  have  a  drink  of 

whey  or  a  drink  of  butter-milk? 


COMHEAIDHEAN  :     CONVEESATIO^•S. 


31 


Meùg  !  blàthach  !       Nach  'eil  deur 

idir  's  a'  bhotxil  ? 
'S  ann  air  a  shon  fhein  a  ni  'n  cat 

crònan  ;  ach  a  dh'  innseadh  na 

fìrinn  dhì-ehuimhnich  mi  gu'u 

robh  a  leithid  's  an  tigh. 
An  gabh  sibh  è  mar  tha  è  no  'n 

cuir  mi  uisge  'n  a  cheaun  ? 
'S  fheàrr  leam  deoch  mheòig,  gu'n 

robh  math  agad. 
Toilicbibh  eibh-fhein. 
'S  fheàird  nii  sin. 
An  anu  's  an  Oban  a  bha  sibh  ? 
'S  ann. 
Tha  mi  cinnteach  gu  bheil  ùpraid 

mhòr  ann  an  dràs  le   luchd- 

tuniis. 
Bha  othail  ann  an  diugh  co  dhiù 

nach  f  haca  mise  riamh  aleithid. 
Ciod  air  am  bheil  sibh  a'  tighinn  ? 
B'   è    'n   diugh   la   nan   cluichean 

Gàidhealach. 
An  do  chruinnich  mòran  sluaigh 

g'  am  f  aicinn  ? 
Tha  lad   a'  deanamh  dheth  nach 

robh  na  's  lugha  na  "òig  mile 

cruinn. 
Cia  as  a  thàinìg  iad  ? 
As  gach  ceàrn  de  'n  dùthaich  mu 

'n  cuairt  is  a  dùthchannan  eile. 

C  ait  an  robh  a'  choinneamh  ? 
Air  faiche  taobh  a  mach  a'  bhaile. 
An   robh    an    sluagh   uile   air   an 

fhaiche  aig  an  aon  ùm? 
Cha   robh  :    bha   sruth   is    saobh- 

shruth  dhiùbh  air  an  ais  's  air 

an  aghaidh  eadar  am  baile  's 

au  fhaiche  fad  an  la. 
An  robh  an  t-eideadh  Gaidhealach 

air  mòran  diùbh  ? 
Bha  è  air  a'  chuid  a  bu  mho  de  luchd 

na  farpuis  is  air  corra  h-aon 

de  na  h-uaislean. 
An  robh  farpuis  ann  mu  chaith- 

eamh  na  cloiche  ? 
Bha  farpuis  ann  mu  chaitheamh  na 

cloiche,  mu  thilgeil  an  iiird, 

mu  chur  char  de  'n  chabar,  mu 


Whey !  buttermilk !  Is  there  not 
a  drop  at  all  in  the  bottle  ? 

The  eat  purs  for  itself;  but  to  tell 
the  truth  I  forgot  that  there 
was  such  a  thing  in  the  house. 

Will  you  have  it  as  it  is  or  i^hall  I 

mix  it  with  water? 
I  prefer  a  drink  of  whey,  thank 

you. 
Please  yourself. 
I  am  the  better  of  that. 
Were  you  iu  Oban  ? 
I  was. 
I  am  sure  that  there  is  much  bustle 

in  it  at  present  with  tourists. 

There  was  a  stir  in  it  to-day  at  any 

rate  such  as  I  never  saw. 
What  do  you  refer  to  ? 
This  was  the  day  of  the  Highland 

games? 
Did  many  people  assemble  to  see 

them  ? 
It  is  computed  that  not  fewer  than 

five  thousand  were  assembled. 

Whence  did  they  come  ? 

From  every  district  of  the  siirround- 
ing  country,  and  from  other 
countries. 

Where  was  the  meeting? 

On  a  field  outside  of  the  town. 

Were  all  the  people  on  the  field  at 
the  same  time  ? 

They  were  not  :  a  stream  of  them 
was  passing  and  repassing  all 
day  between  the  town  and  the 
field. 

Did  many  of  them  wear  the  High- 
laud  dress  ? 

It  was  worn  by  most  of  the  com- 
petitors and  by  a  fen'  of  the 
gentry. 

Was  there  a  competition  about 
putting  the  stone  ? 

There  was  a  competition  about 
putting  the  stone,  throwing 
the  hammer,  tossing  the  caber. 


32 


COMHRAIDHEAN  :      CONVERSATIONS. 


leum,  muniitb,  mvidhannsadh, 

agus  mu  phiobaireaclid. 
Co  'bhuidhinn  au  duais  a  's  àirde 

airson  a'  clieud  thri  diiibb  siu  ? 
Fear  ris  an  abrar  DòmhuuU  Dinnie. 
Cia  meud  troidh  a  thilg  è  'chlach 

a  bu  truime  ? 
Naoi  troidhe  deug-  tliar  fliichead. 
Cia  meud  troidh  a  tbilg  è  'u  t-òrd 

a  bn  truime  ? 
A  dhà  dheug  is  eòig  fichead  troidh, 

agus  naoi  òirlich. 
A   dhviiue   chridhe !       Nach    è    'u 

curaidh  è ! 
Tha  iad  ag  ràdh  gu'm  b'  urrainn  ù 

'thilgeil   na    b'    fhaide    na    'n 

togradh  è. 
An  do    mhothaich    8Ìbh    an    robh 

inoran  de  dh'  uaislean  na  dùth- 

cha  air  an  fhaiche  ? 
Cha  'n  fhaca  mi  riamh  cruinneacli- 

adh  cho  mòr  dhiùbli. 
An  robh  Professor  Blackie,  caraid 

nan  Gàidheal,  anu  ? 
'S  è  'bha,  am  broilleach  na  cuid- 

eachd. 
Co  tuilleadh  a  chunnaic  sibh  de  na 

h-uaislean  ? 
Chunnaic  mi   Morair   Bhraid-alb- 

ainn,  am  Morair  Domhnullach, 

am  Morair  Cailean  Caimbeul, 

mac    do    Mhac    Cailein,      an 

Còirneal  Iain  Mac 'Ille  Chal- 

uim  Pholltalaich,  agus  mòran, 

a'  bharrachd. 
An  innis  sibh  so  dhomh  ?   An  robli 

duaisean  air  an  toirt  anu  airsou 

bàrdachd  Gàidhealaich  ? 
Cha  robh. 
Is  duilich  leam  sin. 
Cha   b'   ionann    a'    cliùis    ri    linn 

Dliounchaidh  Bhàin  Mhic-au- 

t-Saoir. 
Nach  do  bhuidhinn  esan  duaisean 

's  an  Eaglai.s-bhric  's  an  Dun- 

eideann  airson  òr;ìn  a  rinn  è  ? 
Bhuidhinn,  agus  tha  na  h-òrain  sin 

air   mhaireann    gus   an   la   'u 

diugh. 


leaping,     running,     dancing, 

and  bagpipe  playiug. 
"Who   won   the  first  ^jrize   for  the 

first  three  of  these  ? 
A  man  called  Donald  Dinnie. 
How  many  feet  did  he  tlirow  the 

heavy  stone  ? 
Thirty-nine  feet. 
How  many  feet  did  he  throw  the 

heavy  hammer? 
One  hundred  and  twelve  feet  and 

nine  inches. 
Dear  me  !     What  a  champion  he 

is  ! 
It  is  said  that  he  could  have  thrown 

it  farther  had  he  chosen. 

Did  you  notice  whether  many  of 
the  gentlemen  of  the  country 
were  on  the  field  ? 

I  have  never  seen  so  large  a  gather- 
ing of  them. 

Was  Professor  Blackie,  the  friend 
of  the  Gael,  there  ? 

That  he  was,  in  the  forefront  of 
the  company. 

Who  more  did  you  see  of  the  gentry? 

I  saw  Lord  Breadalbane,  Lord  Mac- 
Donald,  Lord  Colin  Campbell, 
a  son  of  Mac  Caileu,  Colonel 
John  Malcolm  of  Poltalloch, 
and  many  others. 


Will  you  tell  me  this?  Were 
prizes  given  at  it  for  Highland 
poetry  ? 

There  were  not. 

I  am  sorry  for  that. 

It  was  different  in  the  time  of 
Duncan  Ban  Maclntyre. 

Did  he  not  win  prizes  at  Falkirk 
and  in  Edinburgh  for  songs 
that  ho  composed  ? 

He  did,  and  these  songs  survive 
till  the  present  day. 


COMHRAIDHEAN  :      CONVEKSATIONS. 


33 


Ciod  air  am  bheil  iad  a'  tighinn  ? 
Air  a'  Gliaidhlii,'-  's  a'  phiòb  mhòir. 
ÌTach  robh  miadh  air  biirdachd  aig 

Da  cluichean  ainmeil  a  bh'  aca 

's  a'  Ghreif!:  o  shean  ? 
Bha,  agus  b'  abhaist  do  na  bàird 

agus   na   h-eachdraichean    an 

oibrean    a    leughadh   aig    na 

coinneamhan  sin. 
'D  è  'n  seòrsa  dhuaisean  a  bha  air 

an  toirt  aca  ? 
Aig  coinueamh  mhòir  Olymp'm  b' 

è  'n  duais  crùn  de  mheòir  a' 

chroiun-olaidh  fhiadhaich. 
Air  leam-fhein  gu'm  bu  leibideach 

an  duais  sin. 
B'  eadh,  iunte  fuin,  acli  bha  cliii 

anabarrach  fuaighte  rithe. 
Bha  'n  duiue  'bhuidhinnn  i  air  a 

mheas  an  duine  b'  urramaiche 

's  a'  Glirèig. 
Nach  iongantach  nach  'eil  na  h- 

uachdarain  a'  toirt  misneich  do 

na  bàird  againu-fhein  ! 
'S  eadh,  's  gur  h-i  'Ghàidhlig  cainnt 

an  t-sluaigh. 
Tha    na  h  -  uachdarain  am  bidh- 

eantas  'n  an  daoine  tuigseach, 

fiosrach. 
Tha  iad,  ach  cha  'n  'eil  iad  cho 

dealasach  mu  fhòghlum  's  a 

dh'  fhaodadh  iad. 
Na  'm  biodh,  chitheadh  iad  gur  h-i 

'Ghàidhlig  am  meadhon  ionns- 

achaidh   a   's   fhearr    's    a    's 

nàdurra  air  son  au  t-sluaigh. 
Tha  è  ionichuidh,  uime  sin,  gu'm 

biodh  a'  Ghàidhlig  air  a  teag- 

asg  's  na  sgoileau. 
Nach  'eil  è  iomchuidh  cuideachd 

gu'm  biodh  a'  Bheurla  air  a' 

teagasg  annta  ? 
Gun    teagamh  ;    cha    'n    fhaodar 

dearmad   a   dheanamh   air  a' 

Bheurla. 
Is  duilich  nach  'eil  leabhar-sgoile 

air  a  chur  a  mach  le  Gàidhlig 

is  Beurla  taobh  ri  taobh. 
'D  e  'm  math  a  dheanadh  sin  ? 


What  do  they  treat  of  ? 

Gaelic  and  the  great  bagpipe. 

Was  not  poetry  in  repute-  at  the 
celebrated  games  that  they  had 
in  Greece  of  old  ? 

It  was,  and  the  bards  and  his- 
torians used  to  read  their  works 
at  these  meetings. 

What  kinds  of  ^jrizes  were  given 

at  them  ? 
At  the  great  assembly  of  Olympia 

the  prize  was  a  crown  of  the 

branches  of  tlie  wild  olive  tree. 
It    strikes    me    that    that    was    a 

trifling  reward. 
Yes,  in  itself;  but  there  was  great 

fame  attached  to  it. 
He  that  won  it  was  regarded  as 

the  most  distingmshed  man  in 

Greece. 
Is  it  not  surprising  that  the  lairds 

do    not    encourage    our   own 

bards ! 
It  is,  considering  that  Gaelic  is  the 

language  of  the  people. 
The  lairds  ai-e  generally  intelligent 

and  well-informed  men. 

They  are,  but  they  are  not  so 
zealous  about  learning  as  they 
might  be. 

If  they  were,  they  would  perceive 
that  Gaelic  is  the  best  and 
most  natural  medium  of  in- 
struction for  the  people. 

It  is  proper,  therefore,  that  Gaelic 
should  be  taught  in  the  schools. 

Is  it  not  proper,  also,  that  English 
should  be  taught  in  them  ? 

Undoubtedly ;  English  must  not 
be  neglected. 

It  is  a  pity  that  a  school-book  is 
not  issued  with  Gaelic  and 
English  side  by  side. 

What  good  would  that  do  ? 


34 


COlinUAIDHEAN  :      CONVERSATIONS. 


Ehiocih  è  'ii  a  chuideachadh  mòr  do 
II  uiiJ-iidh  anil  an  iomisachadh 

na  Bi'urla. 
Tha  mi  'g-  'ur  tui^sinn ;  's  ann  'n 

'<ir  ceariu  fliein  a  tha  'n  tiir. 
'S  mithich  dhomh  a  nis  dol  air  mo 

clieum. 
Gu'  111  a  math  a  bhios  sibh. 
Thugaibh    ar    beannachd     g-u    'r 

iimaoi,    a'    bhean    chiallach, 

obòir. 


It  would  be  a  great  assistance  to 
the  young  in  learning  English. 

I  understand  you :  it  is  in  your 
head  that  the  sense  is. 

It  is  now  time  for  me  to  pursue 
my  journey. 

May  it  be  well  with  you. 

Give  our  compliments  to  your 
wife,  the  prudent  and  worthy 


AM  BAILE. 


THE  TOWN. 


A  glilinn  mo  ghràidh  carson  a  dh' 

fhày:  mi  thu  ?    Tha  mi  'n  so 

mar    bhò    mhaoil    am    buaUe 

choimhich. 
'S  truaifh  mi-fhèin  leat :  c'  uin  a 

pguireas  tu  de  d'  ghearan  's  de 

d'  ochanaich  ? 
Cha  tig  am  baile  so  rlum  gu  siorr- 

uidh,  tha  mi  'g  ràdh  riut. 
Mur  tig  's  ann  agad-sa  's  cha  "n 

ann  aig  a'  bhaile  'tha  choire. 
'S  fheàrr  dhuibh  sgriob  a  ghabhaU 

feadh  a'  bliaile  'dh'  fheuchainn 

an  cuir  e  saod  oirbh. 
Tha  mi  s-eachd  sgith  d'  a  chabhsair 

tioram,  cruaidh. 
Tha   siuu    air   ar    cur  h-uige   gu 

cruaidh  le  'r  dòighean  frion- 

asach. 
Tha  i'hios  gu'n  seasadh  tusa  do 

mliàthair  an  aghaidh  t-athar. 
'D    è  'dli'   iarradh   sibh    nach    'eil 

aj/aibh : — tigh  grinn,  seasgair, 

coimhearsnaich   shuairc,  agus 

iomadh  toileachas-inntinn  ? 
B'  fhf  àrr  leam  mile  uair  na  seana 

cli</iinhearsnaich,     an      seann 

ti^li  tubhta,  agus  na  garbhl- 

lichnan  m'  a  thimchioU. 
Tuigidh   sibh  ri   ùine  uaisle  nam 

uailtean. 
Uaisle    uMiu  bailtean  gu  dearbh  ! 

'8  f  .-in  uaisle  tliolgach  an  fhas- 

aiu,  mar  thubhairt  am  bard. 


My  beloved  slen,  why  did  I  leave 
you  ?  I  am  here  like  a  polled 
cow  in  a  strange  fold. 

I  am  to  be  pitied  with  you  :  when 
will  you  cease  your  complain- 
ing and  sighing  ? 

This  town  will  never  agree  with 
me,  I  tell  you. 

If  not,  the  fault  lies  with  you  and 
not  with  the  town. 

You  better  take  a  turn  through  the 
town  to  see  if  it  will  put  you 
into  good  trim. 

I  am  quite  tired  of  its  dry,  hard 
pavement. 

We  are  severely  tried  with  your 
fretful  ways. 

Of  course  you  would  support  your 

mother  against  your  father. 
What  could  you  desire   that  you 

have  not : — a  fine  snug  house, 

affable  neighbours,  and  many 

enjoyments  ? 
I  would  prefer  a  thousand  times 

the   old   neighbours,    the    old 

thatched  house,  and  the  rough 

grounds  around  it. 
You  will   by  and   by  understand 

town  gentility. 
Town  gentility  indeed  !     That  is 

the  hollow  gentility  of  fashion, 

as  the  bard  has  said. 


COMHRAIDHEAN  :     CONVERSATIONS. 


35 


Nach  bu  taitneach  a'  choinneamh 
aig  an  robh  sinn  an  oidhclie 
roimhe  ? 

'N  c  'u  t-soiridh  a  tha  'd  bheachd 
no  c'  ainm  so  'th'  oirre  ? 

An  soiree. 

Coiuneamh  na  spiocaireachd. 

Saoileadh  neach  gur  h-è  uisge 
domblais  a  bha  thu  'g  òl  o  'u 
thàiuig  thu  do  'n  bhaile, 

Cupan  de  dh'  eanghlais,  sliseag 
thana  de  dh'  aran-cruineachd, 
agus  fiach  a'  bhonn-as>è  de 
raisins. 

Cha  b'  ann  gu  cuirm  geòcaireachd 
a  bha  sinn  air  ar  cuireadh. 

Chunnaic  mi  la  'dh'  ithinn  air  aon 
tràth  na  'bh'  air  a  roinn  air 
gach  aon  a  bha  's  an  àite- 
shuidhe  còmhla  rium. 

Cha  'n  fhaod  e  'bhi  nach  do  thaitinn 
na  ministeirean  riut. 

Mata  cha  do  thaitinn. 

'D  è  'choire  'th'  agad  dhoibh  ? 

Tha  gu'n  do  ghabh  iad  mar  ceann- 
teagaisg,  ' '  Mol  thusa  mise 
agus  niolaidh  mise  thusa  's  mi- 
fhein." 

Cha  do  mhothaich  sinne  anns  na 
thxibhairt  iad  aeh  comharradh 
air  an  eàirdeas  d'  a  cheile. 

Bha  spailpean  'n  am  measg  a  chuir 
am  chuimhne  abhag  a  bliios 
a'  tathuunaieh  ris  gach  neach 
a  thig  'n  a  rathad. 

Nach  tu  'ieig  ruith  do  d'  theang- 
aidh  ! 

Co  ach  esan  !  rinn  è  sud  is  rinn  è 
so :  cha  d'  rinn  è  sud  's  cha  'd 
rinn  è  so  ;  's  mu  'n  do  sguir  è 
thug  è  beum  do  dhaoin'  a  b' 
fheàrr  's  a  b'  fhòghluimte  na 
è-fhèin. 

Cha  robh  an  gille  grinn  ach  a' 
deanamh  a  dhleasnais. 

Theagamh  nach  robh  ;  ach 's  coma 
learn  peasain  gun  mhodh,  gun 
tiir. 


Was  not  the  meeting  that  we  were 
at  the  other  night  a  pleasant 
meeting  ? 

Do  you  mean  the  soiridh,  or  what 
is  it  called  ? 

The  soiree. 

The  niggardly  meeting. 

Oue  would  suppose  that  it  is  water 
of  gall  that  you  have  been 
drinking  since  you  came  to 
town. 

A  cup  of  milk-and-water,  a  thin 
slice  of  wheaten  bread,  and  a 
half  penny's  worth  of  raisins. 

It  was  not  to  a  feast  of  gluttony 

that  we  wtre  invited. 
I  have  seen  the  day  when  I  would 

eat   at   one    meal    what    was 

served  to  all  in  the  seat  with 

me. 
Surely  the  ministers  pleased  you. 

Indeed  they  did  not. 

What  fault  have  you  with  them  ? 

That  they  took  for  their  text, 
"Praise  you  me,  and  I  will 
praise  you  and  myself." 

We  perceived  nothing  in  what  they 
said  but  a  token  of  friendliness 
to  one  another. 

There  was  a  fop  among  them  that 
reminded  me  of  a  terrier  that 
barks  at  every  one  that  comes 
in  its  way. 

How  you  have  given  rein  to  your 
tongue ! 

Who  but  he  !  He  did  this  and  he 
did  that:  he  did  not  do  this 
and  he  did  not  do  that  ;  and 
before  he  finished  he  hit  better 
and  more  learned  men  than 
himself. 

The  fine  lad  was  only  doing  his 
duty. 

Perhaps  so;  but  I  do  not  care 
for  brats  without  manners  or 


36 


COMHEAIDHEAN  :     CONVEKSATIOXS. 


Nach  peacach  dhuit  a  bhi  au  agh- 

aidh  nam  mini.■^tei^ean  ? 
Cha  'u  'eil  mise  'li  au  aghaidh,  's  mi 

nach  'eil. 
'S  an  I  coltach  ris  a  tha  do  shean- 

itchas. 
Biodh  iad  bàigheil,  tùrail,  fiachail 

is  cha  'n  'eil  ueach  ann  aig  am 

bi  barrachd  meas  orra  na  th' 

agani-sa. 
A  thaobh  soirees,  abram  gu  bheil 

iad    'n   an   caitheamh  -  ainisir 

thaitneich,  tharbhaich  do  shean 

',s  do  dh'  òg  'n  uair  a  bhios  iad 

fo  dheadh  stiùradh. 
Is  mòr  am  math  a  th'  air  a  dhean- 

amh  'n  ar  la  's  'n  ar  linn  trid 

sgoilean-sàbaid. 
Cha    chomasach     tuilleadh    's    a' 

choir  a  ràdh  as  an  leth. 


Is  it  not  sinful  of  you  to  be  against 

the  ministers  y 
I  am  not  against  them,  not  I. 

Tour  talk  seems  to  indicate  as 
much. 

Let  them  be  kindly,  sensible,  and 
worthy,  and  no  one  mil 
respect  them  more  than  I. 

"With  regard  to  soirees,  let  me  say 
that  they  are  a  pleasant  and 
profitable  pastime  to  old  and 
young  when  they  are  well 
conducted. 

Great  good  is  being  done  in  our 
day  and  generation  by  means 
of  Sabbath  schools. 

It  is  not  possible  to  say  too  much 
in  their  favour. 


Tha    cuid-eigin    aig   an    dorus,  a 

Mhairearad. 
Mur  h-'eil  mi  meallta  's  è  Eòghann 

a'  bliùth  a  th'  aun. 
Am  bheil  sibh  uile  'n  'ur  slàinte  an 

so  ? 
Thig  a  nios,  'Eòghainn ;  bha  fiugh- 

air  agam  riut  an  de. 
'N    uair    bha    mi    deas    gus    am 

bruthach   a  dhireadh  thainig 

sgaoimeireau    bharr    yacht    a 

stigh,    is    b'    fheudar    dhomh 

feitheamh  orra. 
'S  math  an  t-àm  au  d'  thainig  thu. 
Theab  tighinn  eadar  na  muathan 

is  mise  mu  dùighean  a'  bhaile. 

'S  ann  ri  doigheau  is  beusan  eile 

'bha  sibhse  cleachdta. 
'S  ann,  ach  tha  gliocas  's  an  t-sean- 

fhacal,    "Beus  an  àite  's  am 

bithear  'a  e  nithear." 


An  teid  sibh 
sràid  ;■■ 


mach  a  ghabhail 


There  is  some  person  at  the  door, 

Margaret. 
If  I  mistake  not,  it  is  Ewen  of  the 

shop. 
Are  you  all  well  here  ? 

Come  forward,  Ewen  ;  I  expected 

you  yesterday. 
When  I  was  ready  to  ascend  the 

hill,    harum-scarums    from    a 

yacht  came  in,  and  I  had  to 

attend  upon  them. 

You  have  come  in  good  time. 

The  women  and  I  had  almost  quar- 
relled about  the  ways  of  the 
town. 

You  have  been  accustomed  to  other 
ways  and  manners. 

Yes,  but  there  is  wisdom  in  the 
proverb,  "The  customs  of  the 
place  one  dwells  in  must  be 
conformed  to. " 

"Will  you  go  out  to  walk? 


COMHEAIDHEAX  :      CONVEESATIOXS. 


37 


Tha  s-in  r ho  math  dhomh  's  a  bhi 

meaiianaich   's   a'    tachas   mo 

chiim  an  so  fad  an  la  gun  dad 

agiiin  r'  a  dheanamh. 
•Their  a  nuas  mo  bhrògan,  a  Shivi?- 

aidh. 
Nach  fieàrr  dhuibhna  bòtuinnean 

a  chur  oirbh  o  'n  's  è  là  na 

faidhreach  a  th'  ann  ? 
Na    bòtuiunean  !    togaibh    d'    'ur 

n-amaideachd. 
A  nuas  na  brògan  gu  h-ealamh. 
Tha  mi  nis  deas  gu  dol  leat. 
,  Ciamar  a  thèarnas  sinn  am  bruth- 

ach  ? 
Air  Ihiaradh. 
Nach  àillidh,  farsuing  an  sealladh 

a  th'  againn  o  'u  mhulhieh  so  ! 
Sud  Caol  Muile  calg-dhireach  mu 

'r  coinneamh. 
Sin  an  Linne  Sheilich  air  ciilaobh 

Chearara. 
Tha  eik-an  Chearara  dliith  dhuinn 

a'  cumail  dion'  is  fas^raidh  air 

a'  chala  's  air  a'  bhaile, 
'D   e  'phaitce  bheag  a  tha   'n  so 

fodhainn  ? 
'S  è  sin  an  t-àilean-bhall. 
Gabhamaid  sios  an  rathad  so. 
Tha  sinn  a  nis  air  a'  chònihiiard. 
'D  6  'n  stiobull  àrd,  cuimir  a  th' 

air  an  làimh  chli  ? 
'S  è  sin  stiobull  na  h-eaglais  ùire 

mu'u  robh  mi  'bruidhinn  ruibh 

air  a  bhò  'n  de. 
'S  è  togail  eireachdail  a  th'  iunte 

da-rireadh. 
Am  bheil  i  grinn  's  an  taobh  a 

stigh  ? 
Cha  mhùr  a  tha  cho  grinn. 
Am  bheil  organ  innte  ? 
'S  è  harmùuium  is  ainm  do  'n  inneal- 

chiùil  a  th'  iunte. 
'D  e  'u  seòisa  inneal-ciùil  a  th'  ann? 

Tha  è  ear  cosmhuil  ri  piano  air  an 
taobh  a  mach;  ach  tha  fouu 
monmhurach,  àrd  aige  mar  th' 
aig  organ. 


It  is  as  -well  for  me  to  do  so  as 
to  be  yavrning  and  scratching 
my  head  here  all  day,  having 
nothing  to  do. 

Bring  down  my  shoes,  Susan. 

Had  you  not  better  put  on  the 
boots,  as  it  is  the  market  day  ? 

The  boots  !  give  over  your  folly. 

Bring  down  the  shoes  quickly. 

I  am  now  ready  to  accompany  you. 

How  bhall  we  "descend  the  hill  ? 

Slantwise. 

What  a  lovely  and  extensive  view 

we  have  from  this  height ! 
Yonder    is    the    Sound    of     Mull 

straight  before  us. 
There  is  tlie  Linne  Haylich  behind 

Kerrara. 
The  island  of  Kerrara  is  near  us, 

protecting  and  sheltering  the 

harbour  and  town. 
What  small  park  is  here  below  us? 

That  is  the  bowling-green. 

Let  us  turn  down  this  way. 

We  are  now  on  level  ground. 

What  lofty  and  graceful  steeple  is 
to  the  left  ? 

That  isthe  steeple  of  the  new  church 
about  which  I  was  speaking  to 
you  the  day  before  yesterday. 

It  is  really  a  handsome  building. 

Is  it  elegant  within  ? 

There  are  not  many  so  elegant. 

Is  there  an  organ  in  it  ;■' 

The    musical   instrument   in  it   is 

called  a  harmonium. 
AYhat  kind  of  musical  instrument 

is  it  ? 
It  is  rather  like  a  piano  outside; 

but  it  has  a  loud  murmuring 

sound  like  that  of  an  organ. 


38 


C  OMHKAIDHEAN  :     CONVERSATIONS. 


Chi  sibh  bùithean  de  jrach  seòrsa  a 
suas  's  a  nuas  an  t-siàid. 

'D  è  'u  tigh  àrd,  uiuueagach  a  tli' 
againu  au  so  ? 

'S  è  sin  hanh  no  tigh-malairt  airgid. 

'D  è  'n  riadh  a  gheibhear  ann  airson 

airgid  ? 
Cha  'n  fhaigh  ach  da  phunnd   's 

a    deich    as    a'    cheud   puund 

Sasunnach. 
'D  e  'n  soitheach-smùide  'tha  cho 

fanimachle  'clag  's  le  'feadaig? 

Te  de  'n  fheadhainn  blieaga  'bhios 
a'  dol  troinih  'n  ciuinal. 

Cha  'n  fhaca  mi  tigli-òsda  o  'n 
thàinig  siun  a  mach. 

Tha  còig  eadar  sinn  's  an  drochaid. 

C  ait  am  bheil  obair  a'  ghc.s  ? 

Tha  i  's  an  t-sràid-chùil. 

Nach    ann    's    a'    chala    'tha    'n 

loingeas  ! 
Tha  fiehead  ann  de  loingeas  dhaoin' 

uaisle. 
Sud  tigh-sgoil  a'  bhaile  aig  bun  a' 

bhruthaich. 
Tha  siun  a  nis  aig  a'  Phost  Office, 
Cia    meud    uair    's    an   la    'bhios 

litiichean  a'  falbh  's  a'  tigh- 

inu  ? 
Tri  uairean. 
'ri  mòr  au  goireas  sin  do  'n  diith- 

aich. 
'N   è   sin   an   dotair    mor    a'    dol 

seachad  ? 
A'  cheart  duiue. 
Nach  ann  air  a  tha  'chabhag  I 
Tha  de  dh'  iarraidh  aig  daoine  air 

's  nach  'eil  tàmh  no  fois  aige  a 

la  no  dh'  oidhche. 
An  duiue  l)eaunaichte  !      'Xuair  a 

bha  mi  air  mo  dhruim  air  leaba 

thinneis    cha    b'    urrainn   mo 

mhàthair  a  bhi  na  bu  chaomha 

rium. 
Nach  ann  air  mtiinntir  na  faidhr- 

each  a  tha  'u  othail ! 


You  -will  soe  shops  of  every  kind 
up  and  down  the  street. 

What  lofty,  many-wiudowed  house 
have  we  here  ? 

That  is  a  bank,  or  a  house  for  ex- 
changing money. 

What  interest  will  be  received  in 
it  for  money  't 

Only  two  and  a  half  per  cent. 


What  steamboat  is  it  that  makes 

such  a  noise  with  its  bell  and 

whistle  ? 
One   of    the  small    ones    that    go 

through  the  canal. 
I  have  not  seen  au  inn  since  we 

came  out. 
There  are  five  between  us  and  the 

bridge. 
Where  is  the  gas-%vork  ? 
It  is  in  the  back  street. 
What  a  number  of  ships  is  in  the 

bay! 
There  are  twenty  of  gentlemen's 

ships. 
Yonder  is  the  town  school-house, 

at  the  foot  of  the  brae. 
We  are  now  at  the  Post  Office. 
How  many  times  a  day  do  letters 

go  and  come  ? 

Three  times. 

That  is  a  great  convenience  to  the 

country. 
Is  that  the  big  doctor  passing  ? 

The  very  mau. 

What  a  hurry  he  is  in  ! 

He  is  so  much  in  request  that  he 

has  no  rest  either  by  day  or  by 

night. 
The  blessed  mau  !    When  I  was  oq 

my  back   on   a   sick   bed  my 

mother  could  not  be  kinder  to 


What  a  stir  there  is   among  the 
market  people ! 


COMHRAIDHEAX  :      CONVERSATIONS. 


39 


Tha  è  coltach  ris  pu  bheil  forfhais 

mhath  air  eich. 
Am    faic    sibh    an     tigh    ud    air 

am  bheil  aghaidh  de  chloich 

ghoireil  ? 
Tha  mi  'g  a  fhaicinn. 
'S  è  siu  au  tigh-mòid. 
An  aun  an   sin   a   bhios  mod   an 

T-Siorraim  ? 
'S  ann. 
Tha  cho  math  dhuinn  so  fhàgail 

mu  'n  coinnich  sinn  tuilleadh 

's  a  choir  de  luchd-eolais. 
Eachamaid  sios  seach  a'  cheardach. 
'D  è  'n  obair  a  tha  'dol  air  a  h-agh- 

aidh  an  so  ? 
Tha  iad  ag  uidheamachadh  ceann- 

uidhe  airson  an  rathaid-iaruinn. 
Tha  mi  'chiinntinn  gu  bheil  iad 

'dol  a  thogail  ceitne  iiir. 
Tha  iad  ag  obair  air  goirid  uainn. 

'D  è  'n  doimhneachd  uisge  'th'  aig 
an  àite  far  am  bheil  iad  'g  a 
thogail  ? 

Mu  fhichead  troidh  aig  Isle  mara 
agus  mu  dhà  throidh  dheug 
thar  fhichead  aig  àirde  'n  lain. 

Ciamar  a  tha  na  chichau  air  an 
leigeil  le  leathad  ? 

Le  slabhraidhean  agus  ulagan  iar- 
uinu. 

Tha  inneal-deathaich  aca  a  dh'  oibr- 
eacliadh  na  h-acfhuinn. 

Ciamar  a  tha  na  clachan  air  an  cur 
'n  an  àite  gu  h-iosal  ? 

Tha  clachairean  a'  dol  sios, 

Ciamar  a  thèid  aca  air  fuireach  gu 
h-iosal  ? 

Bheir  mi  oidheirp  air  sin  a  mhin- 
eachadh  dhuibh. 

Tha  iad  a'  cur  orra  aodach  leathr- 
aich  a  tha  'g  an  còrahdachadh 
o  'n  amhaich  gu  bonn  an  cosan. 
An  siu  tha  clogaid  chopair  air 
a  cur  air  an  ceann  a  tha  air  a 
dlùthadh  cho  teann  ris  an  aod- 
ach a  's  nach  fhaigh  deur  uisge 
stigh . 


It  looks  as  if  there  was  a  good 
demand  for  horses. 

Do  you  see  yon  house  with  a  free- 
stone front  ? 

I  see  it. 

That  is  the  Court-House. 

Is  it  there  that  the  Sheriff  Court  is 
held? 

Yes. 

It  is  as  well  for  us  to  leave  this  lest 
we  meet  too  many  acquaint- 
ances. 

Let  us  go  down  past  the  smithy. 

What  work  is  going  on  here  ? 

They  are  preparing  a  terminus  for 

tlie  railway. 
I  hear  that  they  are  going  to  build 

a  new  pier. 
They  are  working   at   it   a   short 

distance  from  us. 
What  depth  of  water  is  there  at 

the  place  where  they  are  build- 
ing it? 
About  twenty  feet  at  low  water 

and  about  thirty-two  feet  at 

high  water. 
How  are  the  stones  let  down  ? 

With  iron  chains  and  blocks. 

Tliey  have  a  steam-engine  to  work 
the  apparatus. 

How  are  the  stones  put  in  their 
place  below  ? 

Masons  go  down. 

How  do  they  manage  to  remain 
below  ? 

I  shall  attempt  to  explain  that  to 
you. 

They  put  on  them  leathern  clothes 
tliat  cover  them  from  their 
neck  to  the  soles  of  their  feet. 
Then  a  helmet  of  copper  is 
put  upon  their  head,  and  is  so 
closely  joined  to  the  clothes 
that  no  water  can  get  in. 


40 


GOMHRAIDHEAN  :      CONVEESATIOXS. 


Ciamar  a  tha  e  'tachairt  nach  'eil 

na  fir  air  an  lacadh  ? 
Tha  plob  de  ghutia  perciia  a'  leigeil 

a  stigh  i'lilidh  air  ciilaobh  na 

clogaide. 
Cia  as  a  tha  'n  t-aileadh  a'  tighinn  ? 
A   inneal-àilidh  ris   am.   bheil   an 

dara  ceann  de  'n  phiob  air  a 

theannachadh. 
Tha  dòigh  aca  air  àileadh  salach 

'h  air  auabarr  àilidh  ghloin  a 

leigeil  a  niach. 
Ciamar  a  tha  iad  a'  faicinn  fo  'n 

uisge  ? 
Tha   trl   uinneagan   beaga   air   a' 

chlogaid. 
Am  bheil  an  rathad  a'  dol  tioimh 

'n  chnoc  so  os  ar  ceann  ? 
Tha  :     coisicheamaid    suas    g'    a 

ionnsuidh. 
'S    iomadh     tora,     òrd,     piocaid, 

geamhlag,  is  baraile  iùdair  a 

chuidich   gu   am    beahich   so 

'ghearradh. 
'S  iomadh ;  agus  bha  tora  aca  'bha 

'g  obair  le  cumhachd  death- 

aich. 
Tha  sinu  a  nis  air  taobh  deas  a' 

chnuic. 
An  è  sud  an  t-each-iaruinn  a'  cur 

nan  smùid  dheth  ? 
'Sè. 
An   gille  !       Cha   chuir   pgios   no 

cuing  analach  air-san. 

Nach  i  'u  togail  ud  taobh  eil'  an 
lochain  eaglais  na  sgireachd  ? 

'Si. 

Wach  laghach  i  leis  an  àilean 
uaine  air  a  beulaobh,  an  cladh 
uaigneach  air  a  cùlaobh,  agus 
a'  challaid  dhosraich  m'  a 
timchioU  h 

Gu'  m  a  fada  'bhios  an  soisgeul  air 
a  shearmonachadh  inute  ann 
an  cànain  ghloin  nam  beann ! 


How  does  it  happen  that  the  men 

are  not  choked  ? 
A  gutta-percha  pipe  admits  air  at 

tlie  back  of  the  helmet. 

Where  docs  the  air  come  from  ? 
From  an  air-engine  to  which  one 

end  of  the  pipe  is  screwed. 

They  have  a  method  of  letting  out 
foul  air  and  excess  of  pure  air. 

How  do  they  sec  under  the  water? 

There  are  three  small  windows  on 

the  helmet. 
Does  the  road  pass  through  this 

hill  above  us  ? 
It  does :  let  us  walk  up  to  it. 

Many  a  drill,  hammer,  pickaxe, 
crowbar,  and  barrel  of  powder 
helped  to  cut  this  gaj). 

Yes;  and  they  had  a  drill  that 
worked  by  steam  power. 

We  are  now  on  the  south  side  of 
the  hill. 

Is  yon  the  iron  horse  throwing  off 
its  smoke  and  t-teaiu  ': 

It  is. 

The  hero  !  Neither  fatigue  nor 
shortness  of  breath  will  affect 
him. 

Is  not  yon  building  on  the  other 
side  of  the  lakelet  the  parish 
church  ? 

It  is. 

Is  it  not  nice,  with  the  green  plob 
in  front,  the  solitary  grave- 
yard behind  it,  and  the  bushy 
hedge  around  it  ? 

Jjong  may  the  Gospel  be  preached 
in  it  in  the  pure  language  oi 
the  mountains ! 


\ 


COMHrvAIDIIEAN  :      COXVEKSATIOKS. 


41 


TURUS-IASGAICH. 


A  FISHING-  EXCURSION. 


Rinn  mi  guth  aig  an  dorus  an  de, 
ach  dh'  iuuis  an  searbhant 
dhomh  gu'n  robh  sibh  o  'n 
bhaile. 

Ghabh  mi  cothrom  an  la  mhaith  a 
dhol  a  dh'  iasgach. 

Co  dliiiibh  is  ann  air  a'  mhuir  no 
air  abhuinn  no  air  locli  uisg'  a 
bha  sibh  ag  iasgach  ? 

Bha  mi  'g  iasgach  air  Loch  Sgam- 
adail. 

'S  ioniadh  àite  's  an  robh  mi,  deas 
is  tuath,  an  ear  's  au  iar,  ach 
cha  robh  mi  riamh  aig  Loch 
bgamadail. 

Tbachair  a  leithid  eile  dhomli- 
fhein.  Bha  mi  air  mullach  a' 
Cliùirn-ghuirm  's  aigLoch-an- 
doirb  's  an  Taobli  Tuath,  ach 
cha  robh  mi  riamh  air  mullach 
Chruachain  no  aigLoch  Sgam- 
adail  gus  o  chionn  ghoirid. 

Id  llonmhor  iad  a  tha  eòlach  air 
àiteachan  's  air  nithe  'tha  faa' 
air  falbh  am  feadh  a  tha  lad 
aiueolach  air  àittachan  's  air 
nithe  'tha  dliith  hiimh. 

'S  ann  mar  bin  a  tbachair  do 
dti'  iomadh  aon  a  thaobh  na 
Gàidhlig. 

Tha  sibh  c'eart.  Gheibhear  na 
ceudau  a  chaith  mòran  d'  an 
ùiue  agionnsachadlmail'raiug- 
eis  agus  cainnt  na  Geàrmailt 
aig  nach  'eil  smid  Ghàidhlig  'n 
au  ceann  ged  is  i  'chainnt  a 
bh'  aig  na  daoine  o  'n  d'  thainig 
iad  agus  a  th'  aig  an  t-sluagh 
a  tha  iad  a'  chòmhnuidh  'n 
am  measg. 

'D  è  'n  rathad  a  ghabh  sibh  do 
iSgamadal  ? 

Thog  mi  ris  a'  bhruthach  braigh 
Bhaile  Nodha,  's  ghabh  mi  null 
thar  a'  mhonaidh. 

'D  è  'u  seòr^a  rathaid  a  th'  ann. 


I  called  at  the  door  yesterday,  but 
the  maid-servant  told  me  that 
you  ■were  from  hume. 

I  toolv  advantage  of  the  good  day 
to  go  to  fish. 

Whether  was  it  on  the  sea  or  on  a 
river  or  on  a  fresh  water  lake 
tnat  you  were  fishing  ? 

I  was  fishing  on  Loch  Scamadale. 

I  have  been  in  many  a  place,  south 
and  north,  east  and  west,  but 
I  have  never  been  at  lioch 
Scamadale. 

The  like  has  happened  to  myself. 
1  have  been  on  the  toj)  of 
Cairngorm  and  at  Lochiudorb 
in  the  ÌN'orth,  but  I  have  never 
been  on  the  top  of  Cruachan 
or  at  Loch  Scamadale  till 
lately. 

There  are  numbers  of  persons  that 
are  acquainted  with  places  and 
things  that  are  far  otf  while 
they  are  ignorant  of  i^laces 
and  things  that  are  near  at 
hand. 

It  has  happened  thus  to  many  in 
regard  to  Gaelic. 

You  are  right.  Hundreds  will  be 
found  who  have  spent  much  of 
their  time  in  learning  French 
and  German,  but  who  have 
not  a  word  of  Gaelic  in  their 
head,  though  it  is  the  language 
that  was  spoken  by  those  from 
whom  they  have  sprung,  and 
that  is  spoken  by  those  among 
whom  tliey  dwell. 

What  road  did  you  take  to  Scama- 
dale ? 

I  ascended  the  hill  above  Balino 
and  crost-ed  the  moor. 

What  Idnd  of  road  is  it  ? 


42 


COMHRAIDHEAN  :     CONVERSATIONS. 


Tha  deagh  rathad  a'  fiaradh  a  suas 
taobh  a'  bhruthaich  gu  muU- 
ach  a'  mhonaidh,  ach  cha  'n 
'eil  ann  an  deidh  .-iu  ach  ceum 
garbh  thar  an  fhraoich. 

'D  è  'n  t-astar  a  tha  eadar  Baile 
Nodha  's  an  loch  ? 

Mu  thuaiream  tri  mile. 

Cia  meud  mile  'tha  o  so  gu  ruig  an 
loch  ? 

Còig  mile  agus  tri  mile — 's  e  sin 
ochd  mile. 

An  do  mhothaich  f^ibh  am  bheil 
coilich  is  cearcan  fraoich  pailto 
's  a'  mhonadh  ? 

Tha  mi  'm  barail  gu'm  bheil,  oir 
blia  iad  ag  ciridh  'u  an  sgaoth- 
aibh  a  h-uile  ceanu  tacaiu  mar 
cliaidh  mi  air  ni'  aghaidh. 

Air  leara  nach  'eil  eun  ann  a  's 
briadha  na  'u  coileach-fraoich 
deireadh  an  fhogliaraidh. 

Is  math  is  fhiach  e  'fhaicinn  a' 
spaidseireachd  air  'ais  's  air 
'aghaidh  gu  li-uaibhreach  air 
tolman,  a  chireaii  dearg  togta 
OS  ceaun  a  shiiileau,  agus  it- 
each  dubh-dhouu  a'  dearsadh 
's  a'  ghrein. 

'D  è  'n  uine  'ghabh  sibh  a'  dol  a 
null  o  Bhaile  Nodha  ? 

Mu  uair  an  uaireadair,  a'  coiseachd 
air  mo  shocair. 

Tha  de  dh'  uchdain,  de  chamhanan, 
's  de  liiba,n  's  na  monaidhean 
's  nach  'eil  è  furasda  coiseachd 
gu  luath  tharta. 

'N  uair  a  làiuig  mi  'n  taobh  thall 
chuuuaic  mi  sealiadh  nach  di- 
chuimiiuich  mi  'chlisge. 

'D  e  'n  .seòrsa  seallaidh  a  bh'  ann  ? 

Bha  badan  de  cheò  cho  geal  ris  an 
t-sneachd  air  muUach  Chùirn- 
deirg. 

Is  trie  a  chithear  sin  air  na 
beanntan. 

Am  feadh  a  bha  mi  'g  amharc  air 
thàiiiig  oiteag  'gliauithe  fodha 
a  reub  'u  a  stroiceau  è,  anrus 


A  good  road  winds  up  along  the 
side  of  the  hill  to  the  top  of 
the  moor,  but  there  is  only  a 
rough  path  over  the  heather 
after  that. 

What  distance  is  there  between 
Balino  and  the  lake  ? 

About  three  miles. 

How  many  miles  are  there  from 
here  to  the  lake  ? 

Five  miles  and  three  miles — that 
makes  eight  miles. 

Did  you  observe  whether  grouse 
are  plentiful  in  tlie  moor  ? 

I  am  of  opinion  that  they  are,  for 
they  were  rising  in  coveys 
every  now  and  then  as  I  went 
forward. 

I  think  tliat  there  is  not  a  more 
elegant  bird  than  the  cock 
grouse  in  the  end  of  harvest. 

He  is  well  worth  being  seen  strut- 
ting proudly  backwards  and 
forwards  on  a  knoll,  with  his 
red  crest  erected  above  his 
eyes,  and  his  dark  -  brown 
plumage  gleaming  in  the  sun. 

What  time  did  you  take  to  cross 
from  Balino  ? 

About  an  hour  by  the  watch,  walk- 
ing at  my  leisure. 

There  are  so  many  hillocks,  hol- 
lows, and  windings  in  the 
moors  that  it  is  not  easy  to 
walk  fast  over  them. 

When  i  reached  the  other  side  I 
saw  a  sight  that  I  shall  not 
forget  in  a  hurry. 

What  kiud  of  sight  was  it? 

There  was  a  tuft  of  mist  as  white 
as  snow  on  the  top  of  Carn- 
dearg. 

That  is  often  seen  on  the  moun- 
tains. 

While  1  wr.s  looking  at  it  a  gust  of 
wind  came  under  it  that  tore 
it  in  tatters,  and  these  tatters 


COMHPwAIDHEAN  :     CONVERSATIONS. 


43 


bha  na   stroicean   sin   air  an 

cuibhleadh   mu  'n    cuairt   air 

iomadh  doig-h  iongantach  agus 

air  an  togail  suas  's  an  atliar, 

far  an   deachaidh   lad   as   an 

t-sealladh. 
'D  è  'mheudachd  a  th'  anns  an  loch? 
Tha  è  mu  dhà  mhil'  air  fad  is  mu 

cheithreamh  mhil'  air  lend. 
Ciamar    a    tha    è    air    a    shuidh- 

eachadh  'i 
Tha  e  aun  an  lag  dhomhain  eadar 

na  beanntau,  a  tha  'g  èiridh 

gu   cas    naithe,    's   iad    uaine 

gu'm  muUach. 
Am  bheil  coille  'cinntinn   air  an 

cliathaichean  ? 
Cha  'n  'eil :  na  'm  biodh  cha  'n  'eil 

loch    's   a'    Ghaidhealtacud   a 

bliiodh  na  b'  àillidh  na  è. 
An  robh  bat'  agaibh  'g  a  iasgach? 
Bha. 
Cuiridh  mi  geall   gu'n  d'   fhuair 

sibh  i  Ian  uisge. 
Fhuair,    agus    ghabh   mi    fichead 

mionaid  'g  a  taomadh. 
'D  è  'n  seòrsa  taomaiu  a  bh'  agaibh? 
Bha  cuach-bhleoghaiun,   a  fhuair 

mi  o  'n  mhnaoi  cheanalta  'tha 

'chòmhnuidh  taobh  an  loch. 
Am  b'  aun  am  meadhon  au  loch  a 

bha  sibh  ag  iasgach  ? 
Cha  b'  ann,  ach  aig  a  thaobhan : 

tha  'm  meadhon  tuilleadh  a  's 

douihain. 
'D  e  'n  doimhneachd  a  's  freagarr- 

aiche  ? 
Eadar  ceithir  is  deich  troidhean. 
Cha  b'  urrainn  duibh  iasgach  agus 

iomram  aig  an  aon  am. 
Cha  b'  urraiuij,  ach  leig  mi  leis  a' 

bhàta  falbh  leis  a'  ghaoith,  a' 

loirt   làimh  air  na   ràiiuh  an 

dràsda   'a   a   ris    g'   a   cumail 

ceart. 
Cia  nieud  breac  a  ghlac  sibh  ? 
Da  fhichead. 
'D  è  'n   nine  'ghabh   sibh  'g   an 

glacadh  ? 


■were  whirled  round  in  many 
stransre  fashions,  and  raised 
into  the  air,  where  they  dis- 
appeared. 


What  is  the  size  of  the  lake  ? 

It  is  about  two  miles  long  and  a 

quarter  of  a  mile  wide. 
How  is  it  situated  ? 

It  lies  in  a  deep  hollow   between 

the     mountains,     which     rise 

abruptly  from  it  and  are  green 

to  tlieir  tops. 
Is  there   wood   growing  on   their 

flanks  ? 
There  is  not:  if  there  was  there 

■would  not  be  a  more  beautiful 

lake  in  the  Highland-^. 
Had  you  a  boat  fishing  it  ? 
I  had. 
I'll  wager  that  you  found  it  full  of 

■water. 
Yes,  aud  I  took  twenty  minutes  to 

bale  it. 
What  kiud  of  baler  had  you  ? 
A  milking-pail  that  I  got  from  the 

mild  woman  that  lives  be.-ide 

the  lake. 
Was  it  in  tlie  middle  of  the  lake 

that  you  were  fishing  ? 
It  ■was  not,  but  at  its  sides:   the 

middle  is  too  deep. 

What  is  the  most  suitable  depth  ? 

Between  four  and  ten  feet. 

You  could  not  both  fish  aud  row  at 

the  same  time. 
I  could  not,    but   I    let    the    boat 

drift  with  the  ■wiud,  haudliug 

the  oai  s  now  and  then  to  keep 

her  right. 

How  many  trout  did  you  catch  ? 

Forty. 

What  time  did  you  take  to  catch 


them 


44 


COMllRAIDIIEAN  :      CONVERSATIONS. 


Glilac  mi  'cluiid  a  's  mo  dhiubli 
ami  au  iiair  an  iiaireadair. 

Cha  robh  sibh  diomhanach. 

Bha  iad  re  na  h-iiine  sin  a'  leum  gu 
t^ùrdail  ceithir  thimchioU,  agus 
's  è  sin  an  t-àm  a  's  fheàiT  a 
ghabhas  iad. 

'D  e  'n  tarn  de  'n  bliadhna  '.s  fheàrr 
gu  iasgach  air  ua  lochan  sin? 

An  dara  agus  an  treasa  mios  de  'n 
t-samhradh. 

'D  è  'n  seòrsa  là  '.s  freagarraiche 
airsou  an  iasgaich  ? 

La  blàth,  grianacii,  le  fras  ui.-*ge  'n 
diàsda  's  a  ris,  agus  gaoth  an 
iar. 

'D  e  'u  seorsa  chuileagan  a  's  freag- 
arraic^he  ? 

Ma  tha  'n  la  soilleir  gun  deò  gaoith' 
ann,  's  iad  cuileagan  beaga, 
dorcha  a  's  freagarraiche,  ach 
ma  tha  'n  la  dorcha,  an  t-uisge 
dorcha,  agus  sgairt  math 
ghaoith'  ann,  feumar  cuil- 
eagan na  's  mo  's  na  's  soilleire 
'ghabhail. 

Mur  'eil  an  t-iasgair  eòlach  air  an 
loch  feumaidh  è  seòrsa  no  dhà 
fheuchainn  gus  an  amais  e  air 
an  fl}eadhaiun  a  fhreagra.s. 

Tha  mòran  an  earbsa  ris  an  dòigh 
air  an  tilgear  na  cuileagan  's 
air  an  taimgear  iad  troimh  'n 
uisge. 

'D  e  na  l»-àiteachan  a  's  fheàrr  gu 
iasgach  ? 

Far    am     bheil    luibheannach    a' 
ciuntinn  is  far  am  bheil  uillt 
a'  dol  a  stigh  do  'n  loch. 
Am  bheil  bradain  an  Loch  .Sgam- 

adail  ? 
Tha. 

Ciamar  a  tha  iad  'g  a  ruigheachd  ? 
Tha  iad  a'  tighinn  a  nios  air 
abhuinn  luthachair  as  a'  mhuir 
's  an  earrach  agus  's  an  t- 
samhradh. 
Nach  'eil  iad  toigheacli  air  a  bhi  ann 
an  aibhnichean  's  an  lochan  ? 


I  caught  the  most  of  them  in  an 
hour  by  the  watch. 

Tou  were  not  idle. 

They  were  during  that  time  leap- 
ing actively  all  round ;  and 
that  is  the  time  when  they 
take  best. 

What  is  the  best  season  of  the  year 
for  fishing  on  these  lakes  ? 

The  second  and  third  month  of 
summer. 

What  kind  of  day  is  most  suitable 
fur  the  fi^ihing  ? 

A  warm,  sunny  day,  with  a  shower 
of  rain  now  and  then,  and  a 
west  wind. 

What  kind  of  flies  are  most  suit- 
able ? 

If  the  day  be  clear  and  windless 
small  and  dark-ooloured  flies 
are  the  most  suitable,  but  if 
the  day  be  dark,  the  water 
dark,  and  a  smart  breeze  of 
wind  blowing,  larger  and 
lighter-coloured  flies  must  be 
taken. 

If  the  fisher  is  not  acquainted  with 
tlie  loch  he  must  try  different 
kinds  till  he  finds  those  that 
suit. 

Much  depends  on  the  manner  in 
which  the  flies  are  cast  and 
drawn  through  the  water. 

What  are  the  best  places  for  fish- 
ing? 

Where  weeds  grow  and  where 
burns  enter  the  lake. 

Are  there  salmon  in  Loch  Scama- 

dale? 
There  are. 

How  do  they  reach  it  ? 
They  come  uji  on  the  river  luiichair 

from   tlie    sea   in   spring    and 

summer. 

Are  they  not  fond  of  being  in 
rivers  and  lakes? 


COMHRAIDHEAN  :      CONVEKSATIOXS. 


45 


Tha,  anabarrach  toigheach. 

'S  iomadh  nair  a  chunnaic  mi  iad 
a'  leum  àirde  inùire  as  au 
uisge.  'D  è  'tha  'toirt  orra 
sin  a  dheanamh  ? 

Tha  è  coltach  gu  bheil  iad  a'  leum 
mar  so  chum.  gu'm.  faigh  iad 
dhiiibh  seòrsa  mial'  a  th'  orra 
'n  uair  a  dh'  fhàgas  iad  an 
sàile. 

Am  faca  sibh  iad  riamh  a'  leum  a 
suas  eas  ? 

Chunnaic  iomadh  uair :  is  iongant- 
ach,  bòidheach  an  sealladh  e. 

Ciamar  a  tha  iad  a'  toirt  na  h- 
oidheirp  ? 

Tha  iad  'g  an  Kibadh  fhein  gus  am 
bheil  an  cinn  's  an  earbaill  a' 
coinneachadh,  agus  tha  iad  an 
sin  a'  toirt  duileum  air  au  adh- 
art  mar  dheanadh  cearcall 
cuilce  na'm  biodh  a  dhà  cheann 
air  an  leigeU  as. 

Nach  trie  leo  tuiteam  air  an  ais  ? 

Is  trie,  ma  bhios  an  t-eas  car  àrd; 
ach  bheir  iad  ionnsuidh  an 
deidh  ionnsuidh  air  a'  mhullach 
a  ruigheachd  gus  an  soirbhich 
leo,  ma  tha  sin  comasach. 

Cha  'n  'eil  teagamh  agara  nach 
robh  dileag  de  Chaol  IP  agaibh 
's  a'  chliabh  a  thoirt  beothach- 
aidh  dhuibh  'n  uair  a  bhiodh 
sibh  sgithde  thilgeil  na  driaml- 
aich. 

Cha  robh,  ach  bha  Ian  searraig 
again  de  thi  fhuair. 

Cha  shaoiliuu  gu'm  biodh  an  deoch 
sin  aona  chuid  blasda  no  beoth- 
achail. 

Tha  i  'n  da  chuid,  agus  tha  mòran 
'g  a  gabhail  a  roghainn  air 
deoch  sam  bith  eile. 

'D  è  'n  rathad  a  ghabh  sibh  a' 
tighinn  dachaidh  ? 

Am  monadh. 

Tha  mi  cinnteach  gu'n  robh  sibh 
sglth  gu  leòir  mu  'n  d'  ràinig 
sibh  an  tigh. 


Yes,  very  fond. 

I   have   often    seen    them    leap    a 

great  height  out  of  the  water. 

What  causes  them  to  do  that  ? 

It  is  probable  that  they  leap  thus 
in  order  to  get  quit  of  a  sort 
of  louse  that  adheres  to  them 
when  they  leave  the  salt 
water. 

Have  you  ever  seen  them  leaping 
up  a  fall  ? 

I  have  many  a  time  :  it  is  a  strange 
and  pretty  sight. 

How  do  they  make  the  attempt  ? 

They  bend  themselves  till  their 
heads  and' tails  meet,  and  they 
then  spring  forward  as  a  hoop 
of  cane  would  do  if  both  its 
ends  were  released. 


Do  they  not  often  fall  back  ? 

Yes,  if  the  full  is  rather  high ;  but 
they  will  make  attempt  after 
attempt  to  reach  the  top  till 
they  succeed,  if  that  is  possible, 

I  have  no  doubt  that  you  had  a 
small  drop  of  Caol  He  in  the 
basket  to  refresh  you  when 
tired  of  throwing  the  line. 


I  had  not,  but  I  had  a  bottleful  of 
cold  tea. 

I  should  not  siippose  that  that 
drink  would  be  either  palat- 
able or  refreshing. 

It  is  both,  and  many  take  it  in 
preference  to  any  other  drink. 

What  road  did  you  take  coming 

home  ? 
The  moor. 
I   am   sure   that   you   were    tired 

enough  before  you  reached  the 

house. 


46 


C'OMHPvAIDHEAN  :     CONVERSATIONS. 


Bha  mi,  ach  cha  bhithinn  a'  cliòlr 
cho  sglth  mur  biodh  gu'n 
deachaidh  mi  air  seachran. 

'D  è  'chuir  air  seachran  sibli  ? 

Ctò  dùmhail  a  dhùiu  mu  m' 
thimchioll. 

An  do  choisich  sibh  air  'ur  n-agh- 
air'h  troimli  'n  cheò ":' 

Choisich  fad  tri  cheithreimhnean 
na  h-uaire,  tha  mi  cinnteach, 
gus  au  d'  thàinig  mi  mu  dheir- 
eadh  air  m'  ais  a  dh'  ionnsuidh 
an  àite  as  an  d'  fhalbh  mi. 

'N  uair  a  thig  an  ceo  air  neach  's  a' 
mhonadh's  è  'frhliocas  fuireach 
far  am  bheil  è  gus  au  sgaoil  è. 

Einn  mi  sin  mu  dheireadh.  Am 
shiueadh  air  au  fhraoch  bhad- 
anach,  ghorm,  air  mo  shuain- 
c  adh  am  bhreacau  dubh-ghlas, 
thàiuig  ua  rannan  sin  le  Donn- 
chadh  Ban  am  chuimhno  : — 

"  'S  mithich  tèarnadh  do  na  gleann- 
aibh 

O  'n  tha  gruaimich  air  na  beann- 
aibh, 

'S  ceathach  diiinte  mu  na  meallaibh, 

A'  cur  dallaidh  air  ar  leir.sinn. 

Bi  'dh  siun  beò  au  dòchas  ro  mhath 

Gu'm  bi  'chùis  ua  's  fheàrr  au  ath 
la, 

Gu'm  bi  gaoth,  is  grian,  is  talamh 

Mar  bu  mhath  leinn  air  na  slcibht- 
ibh." 


I  -wap,  but  I  should  not  have  been 
nearly  so  tired  were  it  not  that 
I  went  astray. 

What  caused  you  to  go  astray  ? 

A  thick  mist  that  closed  round  me. 

Did  you  -walk  on  through  the  mist  ? 

I  did  for  three-quarters  of  au  hour, 
I  am  sure,  till  I  came  back  at 
last  to  the  place  from  which  I 
started. 

When  the  mist  comes  on  one  in  the 
moor  it  is  his  wisdom  to  remain 
where  he  is  till  it  disperses. 

I  did  so  at  last.  While  reclining 
on  the  tufted,  blue  heather, 
wrapped  in  my  dark  -  grey 
plaid,  these  verses  by  Duncan 
Bàu  came  into  my  memory  : — 

It  is  time  to  descend  to  the  glens, 

As  there  is  gloom  on  the  bens, 

And  mist  closing  round  the  hills. 

Blinding  our  vision. 

We  will  live  in  good  hope 

That  matters  will  be  more  favour- 
able next  day, 

That  the  wind,  the  sun,  and  the 
ground 

Will  be  as  we  could  wisli  ou  the 
mountains. 


SEALG  NAM  FIADH. 

Am  bheil  duine  stigh  an  so  ? 
Tha  mise  stigh.     Thig  a  nios  co 

s:im  bith  thu. 
Ciamar  a  tha  Para  mòr  ? 
Gabhaibh  mo  leisgeul.     Cha  'n  'eil 

mi  uile  sru  leir  a'  deauamh  a 

mach  CO  'tha  'g  am  fheòraich. 
Am  bheil  cuimhn'  agaibh  air  an  la 

'mharbhsinn  an  dòbhraii*donn 

aig  Lochan-nam-breac  'i 

*  Dòbhì-an,  the  fresh-water  otter 


DEER- STALKING. 

Is  there  anyone  within  here  ? 

I  am  within.  Come  forward  who- 
ever you  are. 

How  is  big  Patrick  ? 

Excuse  me.  I  do  not  quite  make 
out  who  is  inquiring  for  me. 

Do  you  remember  the  day  when 
we  killed  the  brown  otter  at 
Lochan-nam-breac  ? 

.    Bcist-dubh,  the  sea  otter. 


COMHRAIDHEAN  :     CONVEESATIONS. 


47 


Cho  cinnteach  's  a  tha  mi  beò  's  è 
mo  charaid  og  a  th'  ann.  Is 
mi  chiatach  gun  di-chuimhn- 
icbinn  sibh,  's  gur  h-iomadh 
la  'bha  .sinn  còmhla  a'  sireadh 
shionnach,  bhroc,  isdhòbhran. 

Tha  cùig  bliadhna  o  'n  dh'  fh;ig  mi 
'n  dùthaich,  is  bha  m'  fhiaclan 
aig  an  am  sin  na  b'  fhaide  na 
'm  fheusag. 

Innsibh  a  nis  dhomh  c'  ait  an  robh 
sibh  agus  ciamar  a  chaidh 
dhuibh  o  'n  dhealaich  sinn. 

Bha  mi  ann  an  ioinadh  àite,  ach  's 
ann  's  na  H-Innsean-an-ear  a 
bha  mi  mu  dheireadh. 

Tha  dòchas  agam  gu'u  do  thèar- 
uinn  sibh  o  luaidh  's  o  chlaidh- 
eamh. 

Thèaruinn.  'S  è  'n  teas  an  ni  'bu 
mho  'chuir  orm. 

Cha  d'  fhuair  'ur  n-athair  as  cho 
saor. 

Cha  d'  fhuair,  ach  bha  deich  is 
tri  fichead  punnd  Sasunnach 
aige  's  a'  bhliadhna  an  eirig  a 
leòin. 

Is  taitneach  learn  nach  'eil  'ur 
Gàidhlig  air  meirgeadh. 

Tha  i  air  greim  cho  teann  a  ghabh- 
ail  air  mo  theangaidh  's  nach 
creid  mi  gu'n  caill  mi  'm 
feasd'  i. 

Is  dual  duibh  sin.  Ged  bha  'ur 
n-athair  fichead  bliadhna  's  an 
arm  bhruidhneadh  è  i  'n  uair 
a  thàinig  è  dhachaidh  cho 
math  ri  duine  's  an  dùthaich. 

Bha  companaich  Ghàidhealach 
agam  's  an  reiseamaid,  agus 
b'  àbhaist  duinn  greis  a  thoirt 
air  a  bruidhinn  'n  uair  a  bhith- 
eamaid  leinn-fhein. 

C  'uin  a  thàinig  sibh  dhachaidh  ? 

O  cheann  da  mhios.  Tha  mi  'n 
dràsd'  a'  f  uireach  le  m'  charaid 
's  an  tigh-sheilg. 

Sin  duine  cho  aoidheil,  suairc  's  a 
thachair  ormriamh.     Ah-uile 


As  sure  as  I  live  it  is  my  young 
friend.  It  is  unseemly  that  I 
should  forget  you,  considering 
that  we  were  many  a  day  to- 
gether searching  for  foxes, 
badgers,  and  otters. 

There  are  five  years  since  I  left  the 
country,  and  my  teeth  were  at 
that  time  longer  than  my 
beard. 

Tell  me  now  where  you  have  been 
and  how  it  has  fared  with  you 
since  we  parted. 

I  have  been  in  many  a  place,  but 
I  was  last  in  the  East  Indies. 

I  hope  that  you  have  escaped  lead 
and  sword. 

I  have.     The  heat  is  what  affected 

me  most. 
Your  father  did  not  escape  so  free. 

He  did  not,  but  he  had  seventy 
pounds  a  year  in  reparation 
for  his  wound. 

I  am  pleased  that  your  Gaelic  has 
not  become  rusty. 

It  has  taken  so  tight  a  grip  of  my 
tongue  that  I  do  not  believe 
that  I  shall  ever  lose  it. 

That  is  hereditary  to  you.  Though 
your  father  was  twenty  years 
in  the  army  he  could  speak  it 
when  he  came  home  as  well  as 
any  man  in  the  country. 

I  had  Highland  companions  in  the 
regiment,  and  we  used  to  take 
a  spell  at  speaking  it  when  we 
were  alone. 

When  did  you  come  home  ? 

Two  months  ago.     I  am  at  present 

staying  with  my  friend  in  the 

shooting-lodge. 
That  is  as  affable  and  courteous  a 

man  as  I  ever  fell  in  with. 


48 


COMHKAIDHEAN  :      CONVERSATIONS. 


uair  a  choiunicheas  siim  bith- 
idh  còmhradh  eadaruiiin  inu 
'n  fhiith. 
Cha  mhòr  a  tha  cho  eòlach  ribhse 
air  gach  coire,  glaic,  is  bealach 
a  th'  innte. 

J3u  choir  dhomh  a  bhi  colach  orra, 
oir  chuir  mi  seachad  luo  làith- 
ean  air  am  feadh. 

Tha  mi  ciunteach  gu  bheil  sibh  aois 
mhòr. 

Is  cuimhne  learn  blàr  Waterloo. 

'S  iomadh  atharrachadh  a  chunnaic 
•sibh. 

An  dùidh  a'  bhlàir  sin  thàinig  mòran 
de  na  h-oicheirean  Gàidhealach 
dhachaidh,  agus  ghabh  iad 
bailtean  fearainn  au  sud  's  an 
so  air  feadh  na  dùthcha. 

Cha  'n  'eil  mòran  d'  an  seòrsa  's  a' 
Ghàidhealtachd  a  nis. 

Cha  'n  'eil,  agus  is  leir  a'  bhuil. 
Bha  iad  am  bidheantas  'n  an 
daoine  fiachail,  agus  'u  an 
luchd-altrum  eolais,  riaghailt, 
agus  modhalachd  am  mea^^g 
an  t-sluaigh. 

Mo  chreach !  dh'  fhalbh  iad  mar 
dhuilleach  nan  craobh  fo 
fhuachd  a'  gheamhraidh. 

An  robh  sibh  a  mach  a'  cealg  nam 
fiadh  o  'n  thàinig  sibh  ? 

Bha,  an  dù. 

Cha  'n  'eil  caitheamh-aimsir  ann  a 
's  fallaine  na  è  agus  a  's  fheàrr 
gu  duine  'dheanamh  cruad- 
alach. 

Dh'  fhiosraich  mise  siu  air  m' 
allaban  's  na  H-Innscau. 

Co  'chaidh  leibh  do  'n  mhonadh  ? 

Cha  deaehaidh  ach  am  forsair  agus 
gille  'ghiùlan  na  màileid  's  an 
robh  am  biadh. 

'D  è  'n  rathad  a  ghabh  sibh  ? 

Ghabh  sinn  an  toiseach  rathad  a' 
Choire  Mhòir,  ach  o  'n  nach 
fhaca  sinn  coltas  fhiadh  au 
rathad  sin,  dh'  atharraich  sinn 


Every  time  we  meet,  a  conver- 
sation takes  place  between  us 
about  the  forest. 

There  are  not  many  so  well 
acquainted  as  you  are  with 
each  coirrie,  dell,  and  pass 
in  it. 

I  should  be  acquainted  with  them, 
for  I  have  passed  my  days 
among  them. 

I  am  sure  that  you  are  a  great  age. 

I  remember  the  battle  of  Waterloo. 
You  have  seen  many  a  change. 

After  that  battle  was  over  many 
of  the  Highland  officers  came 
home,  and  took  farms  here  and 
there  throughout  the  country. 

There  are  not  many  of  their  kind 
in  the  Highlands  now. 

There  are  not,  and  the  effect  is 
visible.  They  were  generally 
men  of  worth  and  fosterers  of 
knowledge,  order,  and  man- 
nerliness among  the  people. 

Alas  !  they  have  departed  like  the 

foliage  of  the  trees  exposed  to 

the  cold  of  winter. 
Have  you  been  out  stalking  the 

deer  since  you  came  ? 
I  was,  yesterday. 
There  is  not  a  more  healthy  pastime 

or  one  better  fitted  to  make  a 

man  hardy. 

I  experienced  that  in  the  course  of 
my  wanderings  in  tlie  Indies. 

Who  went  with  you  to  the  moor  ? 

Only  the  forester  and  a  gillie  to 
carry  the  wallet  containing  the 
food. 

In  what  direction  did  you  go  ? 

We  went  first  in  the  direction  of 
the  Coire  Mòr,  but  as  we  saw- 
no  appearance  of  deer  in  that 
direction,  we  altered  our  course 


COilHRAIDIIEAX  :      COXyERSATIO>S. 


49 


ar    gabhail,    agus    rinn    siun 
direacli  air  Allt-a-bheithe. 

Is  trie  le  feidh  a  bhi  tàiiih  an  sin. 
An  do  thacliair  sibh  air  greigh 
dhiubh  ? 

Cha  deachaidh  sinn  fada  'n  uair  a 
mhothaich  am  forsair  greigh 
dliamh  is  eildean.  'n  an  laidh'  's 
an  fhraoch. 

Cuiridh  mi  geall  gu'n  do  leig  sibh 
sibh-fliein  air  'ur  beul  's  air  'ur 
sròin  air  an  làr  cho  luatli  's  a 
chunnaio  sibh  iad. 

Leig,  agus  slieall  mise  troimh  'n 
ghloin-amhairc  orra,  is  chunn- 
aic  mi  dainh  mòr,  cabarach  'u 
a  sheasamh  air  tuhuan,  's  è 
'cumail  siiil  fhurachail  m'  a 
thimchioll. 

Ciamar  a  chaidli  agaibh  air  'ur 
rathad  a  dheanamh  g'  an 
ionnsuidh  ? 

Shlaod  sinn  sinn-fhein  air  ar  n-agh- 
aidh  tliar  càihair  agus  mòintich 
mar  a  b'  fheàrr  a  b'  urrainn 
sinn. 

An  d'  fhuair  sibh  mar  astar  urchair 
dhoibh  gun  iad  a  mhothach- 
ainn  duibh  ? 

Cha  d'  fhuair.  An  fhuaim  a  rinn 
an  sneachd  reòta  'biisdeadh 
fodhainn  rainig  i  chiasan  an 
daimh  a  bh'  air  freiceadan. 
Thionndaidh  esan  a  cheann  an 
rathad  a  b'na  sinne,  agus  aiiu 
an  tiota  bha  'ghreigh  uil'  air 
an  coin,  agus  thàr  iad  as. 

An  deachaidh  iad  fada  mu  'n  do 
stad  iad? 

Chaidh  iad  astar  math,  agus  an  sin 
stad  iad  greis,  ach  ge  b'  air 
bith  a  b'  aobhar  da  dh'  fhalbh 
iad  a  ris  'n  an  deannaibh. 

Is  bòidheach  an  sealladh  iad  'n  uair 
a  bhios  iad  'n  an  ruith.  Tha 
~  'n  gluasad  cho  eutrom,  beoth- 
ail  's  gu  bheil  siun  ullamh  gu 
saoilsinn  nach  'eil  an  casan  a 
beanailt  do  'n  lar. 


and  made  straight  for  AUt-a- 
bheithe. 
Deer  rest  there  often.      Did  you 
fall  in  -with  a  herd  of  them  ? 

VTe  had  not  gone  far  when  the 
forester  noticed  a  herd  of  i-tags 
and  hinds  lying  in  the  heather. 

I'll  Tvager  that  you  let  yourselves 
down  on  your  face  on  the 
groujid  as  soon  as  you  saw 
them. 

We  did,  and  I  looked  at  them 
through  the  spy  -  glass,  and 
saw  a  large  antlered  stag 
standing  on  a  knoll  and  keep- 
ing a  watchful  eye  around 
him. 

How  did  you  manage  to  make 
your  way  towards  them? 

We  dragged  ourselves  along  over 
bog  and  moss  as  we  best  could. 


Did  you  get  within  range  of  them 
without  their  noticing  you  ? 

We  did  not.  The  sound  that  the 
frozen  snow  made  breaking 
under  us  reached  the  ears  of 
the  stag  on  guard.  He  turned 
his  head  in  our  direction,  and 
in  a  moment  the  whole  herd 
were  on  foot,  and  made  off. 

Did  they  go  far  before  they  halted  ? 

They  went  a  considerable  distance 
and  then  halted  for  a  while,  but 
whatever  was  the  cause  of  it 
they  set  off  again  at  full  speed. 

A  pretty  sight  they  are  when  run- 
ning. Their  movement  is  so 
light  and  lively  that  we  are 
apt  to  suppose  that  their  feet 
do  not  touch  the  ground. 


50 


COMHRAIDHEAN  :      CONVERSATIONS. 


An  alt  au  leanailt  dhirich  sinne 
Meall-nan-damh,  agus  ghabh 
einn  air  ar  n-aghaidh  gus  an  d' 
ràinigsiun  bealach  air  a'mhull- 
ach,  agus  dh'  fhalaicli  sinn 
sinn-fhein  an  sin  air  cùlaobh 
cloiche  moire. 

Ciod  a  thug  oirbh  s^in  a  dheanamh  ? 

Am  forsair  a  bhi  'in  barail  gu'n 
gabhadh  a'  ghreigh  troimh  'n 
bhealach  sin. 

An  d'  thàinig  iad  mar  bha  fiughair 
agaibh? 

Thàinig,  agus  bha  'n  damh  mòr  air 
thoiseach  orra. 

An  do  mharbh  sibh  è  ? 

Loisg  mi  air,  is  bhuail  am  peileir 
's  a'  ghualainn  è. 

An  do  thuit  è? 

Cha  do  thuit.  Thug  è  leum  's  an 
athar  agus  dli'  fhalbh  è  air  tri 
chasan  le  luathas  anabarrach 
as  deidh  chàich. 

An  d'  fhuair  sibh  an  ath  urchair 
orra  ? 

Cha  d'  fhuair.  Lean  sinn  an  lorg 
fad  cheithir  mile,  ach  dh' 
fhairslich  oirnn  tighinn  suas 
riutha. 

ii'  fheudar  dhuibh  sgur  de  'n  tòir. 

B'  fheudar.  Bha  'n  oidhche  tighinn 
oirnn  's  bha  'n  t-àm  dhuinn 
tilleadh  air  ar  ceum. 

'N  uair  a  bha  sinn  a'  dol  air  ar 
n-ais  thar  na  beinne  gu  saoithr- 
each,  sgith  bha  'n  sneachd  gu 
trie  a  suas  gu  'r  sleisdeau. 

Tha  sin  a'  cur  am  chuimhue  rann 
a  riun  Donnchadh  Ban  Mae- 
an-t-saoir  aun  an  cuideachd 
Ghallda  's  an  robh  e  'n  Duu- 
eideann. 

Cluiuneam  i. 

So  dhuibh  i  mar  chuala  mis'  i. 

"  'S  truagh  nach  robh  miso  'm 
Buachaill  Eite 


Instead  of  following  them  we 
ascended  IMeall-nan-damh,  and 
went  on  till  we  reached  a  pass 
on  the  top,  and  hid  ourselves 
there  behind  a  large  stone. 


What  made  you  do  that  ? 

The  forester  being  of  opinion  that 

the   herd    would   go   through 

that  pass. 
Did  they  come  as  you  expected  ? 

They  did,  and  the  big  stag  was 

before  them. 
Did  you  kill  him  ? 
I  fired  at  him,  and  the  ball  struck 

him  in  the  shoulder. 
Did  he  fall  ? 
He  did  not.     He  gave  a  spring  in 

the  air  and  set  off   on   three 

legs  at  a  great  pace  after  the 

others. 
Did  you  get  another  shot  at  them  ? 

We  did  not.  We  followed  their 
track  for  four  miles,  but  it 
baffled  us  to  oveitake  them. 

You  had  to  srive  up  the  pursuit. 

We  had.  Night  was  coming  upon 
us,  and  it  was  time  for  us  to 
retrace  our  steps. 

When  we  were  laboriously  and 
wearily  recrossing  the  moun- 
tain the  snow  was  often  up  to 
our  thighs. 

That  reminds  me  of  a  verse  that 
Duncan  Ban  Maclntyre  made 
in  a  Lowland  company  that 
he  was  in  in  Dun-cideai:n.* 

Let  me  hear  it. 

Here  it  is  to  you  as  I  have  heard  it. 
Would  that  I  were  on  Buachaill 

Eitef 


*  Dun-èideanv ,  Edinburgh. 

i Buachaill  Eite.  name  of  twin  mountains  at  the  liead  of  Glen  Etive. 


COMHRAIDHEAN 


Agus  sneachd  gu.  ruig  mo  slileisd- 

ean, 
'S   a   h-iiile    Gall   a   tha  'n   Dun- 

eideann 
As  mo  dhèidh  's  iad  casniisgte." 
Cha  'n  'eil  na  bàird  'n  am.  fala-dhà 
'q  uair  a  thòisicheas  iad  air 
fochaid  is  aoireadh. 


C3NVEESATI0XS.  51 

"With  snow  up  to  my  thighs, 

And  that  every  Lowlander  in  Dun- 

eideann 
Were  following  me  barefooted. 
The  bards  are  no  joke  when  they 

begin   to   indulge   in   ridicule 

and  satire. 


A'  BHAX-RIGHIXN  'S  AN 
TEAGHLACH  RIGHEIL. 

Fàilt  air  Donnchadh  ruadh.  'D  e 
'chuir  bho  'n  tigh  thu  oho 
trathail  an  diugh  ? 

Chuala  mi  gu  bheil  sibh  'dol  a  chur 
a  siigli  mulain,  agus  thàinig 
mi  'dh'  fheùraich  am  bi  sibh 
oho  math  a  's  tubhadh  a 
ghleidheil  air  mo  shon. 

-Cha  'n  'eil  tbar  tri  miosan  o  'n 
fhuair  thu  tubhadh  uam.  'D 
è  'rinn  thu  leis  ? 

Chuir  mi  air  an  tigh  e,  ach  tha  na 
radain  an  deidh  a  chur  gu  tur 
an  dolaidh. 

'S  ann  ri  fala-dhà  a  tha  thu. 

'S  ann  da  rireadh  a  tha  mi.  Tha 
iad  air  fàgail  mullach  an  tighe 
cho  toUtach  ri  criathar. 

Ma 's  ann  mar  sin  a  tha  'chùis  bith- 
idh  na  's  leòir  de  shnith  agaibh. 

Snith!  O  'n  thòisich  an  t-uisge 
cha  deachaidh  stad  air  a  la  no 
'dh'  oidhche. 

Bithidh  am  farum  a  ni  è  air  feadh 
an  tighe  'n  a  cheòl  sunndach 
do  d'  chluasan. 

Tha  iomadh  seòrsa  ciùil  ann  a  bu 
shunndaiche  leam  ;  ach  bheir- 
eadh  è  gàire  oirbh-fhèin  a  bhi 
'faicinn  an  leumnaich  a  bhios 
oirnn  a  null  's  a  nail  g'  a 
sheachnadh. 

'Tha  eagal  orm  gu'm  bi  droch  dhiol 
air  àirneis  's  air  aodach. 


THE     QUEEN    AND 
ROYAL    FAMILY. 

Hail  to  Duncan  rov.  What  has 
sent  you  so  early  from  home 
to-day? 

1  heard  that  you  are  going  to  put 
in  a  stack,  and  I  have  come  to 
ask  if  you  ■\vill  be  so  good  as 
keep  thatch  for  me. 

It  is  not  more  than  three  months 
since  you  got  thatch  from  me. 
What  have  you  done  with  it  ? 

I  put  it  on  the  house,  but  the  rats 
have  completely  destroyed  it. 

You  are  jesting. 

I  am  in  earnest.  They  have  left 
the  roof  of  the  house  as  full  of 
holes  as  a  sieve. 

If  that  is  the  case  you  will  have 
enough  of  rain-drops  from  the 
roof. 

Rain-drops  !  Since  the  rain  began 
they  have  not  ceased  either  by 
day  or  by  night. 

The  noise  they  make  through  the 
house  will  be  a  cheerful  music 
to  your  ears. 

There  are  many  kinds  of  music 
that  I  would  deem  more  cheer- 
ful ;  but  it  would  make  your- 
self laugh  to  see  how  we  leap 
hither  and  thither  to  avoid 
them. 

I  fear  that  furniture  and  clothes 
will  receive  bad  usage. 


oz 


COMHRAIDHEAK  :     CONVERSATIO^'S. 


'N  uair  a  Lha  mi  'cur  orm  coilleir 
frlan  chum  gu'in  bithinn  mar 
bu  choir  dhomh  "u  uair  a  thig- 
inu  'n  'ur  làthair-sa,  thàiuig' 
boinue  niias  a  dh'  fhàg  comli- 
arradh  odhar  cho  mòr  ri  bonn- 
a  -  sè  air  an  anart  ghriuu, 
gheal. 

Tha  'leithid  sin  gu  math  deuch- 
ainneach  air  foighidiun  duiiie. 

'S  math  nach  robh  sibh  's  an  c'isd- 
eachd  'u  uair  a  thachair  è,  oir 
bha  mi  'n  sin  "cho  fiata  ri 
broc  liath  a  bhiodh  au  gar- 
aidh." 

Cha  'u  iongantach  leam  idir  gu'n 
robh. 

Saoil  sibh  ciod  a  thainig  air  Noah 
'n  uair  a  leig  è  na  radain  a 
stigli  do  'n  aire  ? 

Sin  rud  nach  do  ghabh  mi  riamh 
fo  m'  bheachd. 

Tlia  amharus  agam,  ach  clia  'n 
abair  mi  'bheag'. 

Dh'  innseadh  dhomh  gvi'n  robh  thu 
's  an  Oban  an  de. 

Chaidh  mi  sios  a  clieannach  snath 
a  chàradh  an  liu  agus  a  phàigh- 
eadh  beagan  gheòtan  a  bh'  aig 
luchd  nam  bùtli  am  aghaidh. 

Agus  ciamar  a  tha  baUe  ua  h-àill- 
eachd  ? 

Tha  è  'n  sud  mar  bha  è  riamh  o  'n 
is  cuimhne  leam-s'  è,  'u  a 
thiimh  ri  taobli  na  mara  's  aig 
bun  a'  mhonaidh. 

Tha  mi  'cluiuutiun  gu  bheil  iipraid 
anabarrach  aun  an  dràs  Icis  an 
each-iaruinn. 

Tha  sin  ann. 

Am  faca  tu  'n  t-each-iaruinn? 

Chunnaic,  is  bha  mi 's  an  aitreabh 
mhùr  as  am  bheil  è  t'albh. 
Chunnaic  mi  'ris  e  'direadh 
bruthach  Ghleann  Cruitein,  is 
bhuail  è  mi  gu'n  robh  a  leòir 
aige  r'  a  dheauamh  a'  slaodadh 
nam  feun  a  bha  'n  ceangal  ris. 
'D  t-  tuilleadh  a  chunnaic  thu  ? 


When  I  -sras  putting  on  a  clean 
collar  that  I  might  appear  be- 
fore Tou  in  a  befitting  manner, 
a  drop  came  down  that  left  a 
brown  mark  as  large  as  a  half- 
penny on  the  fine  clean  linen. 


That  sort  of  thing  is  pretty  trying 
to  a  man's  patience. 

It  is  well  that  you  were  not  within 
hearing  when  it  happened,  for 
I  was  at  the  time  as  surly 
as  a  grey  badger  in  his  den." 

I  am  not  at  all  surprised  that  you 
"Were. 

What,  think  you,  came  over  Noah, 
■when  he  admitted  the  rats  into 
the  ark? 

That  is  a  matter  that  I  have  never 
taken  into  consideration. 

I  have  a  suspicion,  but  I  shall  say 
nothing. 

I  have  been  told  that  you  were  ia 
Oban  yesterda}'. 

I  went  down  to  buy  thread  to  mend 
the  net,  and  to  pay  a  few 
trifling  debts  tliat  the  shop- 
keepers had  against  me. 

And  how  is  the  town  of  beauty? 

It  is  yonder  as  it  has  been  ever 
since  I  remember  it,  resting 
by  the  sea -side  and  at  the  foot 
of  the  hill. 

I  hear  that  there  is  a  great  bustle 
in  it  at  i^reseut  with  the  iron, 
horse. 

There  is. 

Did  you  see  the  iron  horse  ? 

I  did,  and  1  was  in  the  great  build- 
ing out  of  which  it  starts.  I 
saw  it  again  climbing  the  Glen- 
cruiteiu  brae,  and  it  struck  me 
that  it  had  enough  to  do  drag- 
ging the  waggons  that  were^ 
attached  to  it. 

What  more  did  vou  see  ? 


CO-MHRAIDHEAX  :     CONVERSATIONS. 


53 


Chunnaic  mi  hazar. 

'D  è  'chuDiaaic  thu  ann  ? 

Chunnaic  mi  iomadh  .seòrsa  rlomh- 

aidh,  agns  mnathan  uaisle  òg, 

aoidheil,  eireachdail. 
An  do  cheaunaich  thu  dad  ann  ? 
Cheannaich  mi    sporan   fada  caol 

air    a    dheanamh    de    shnàth 

sìoda  gorm. 
'D  e  'thug  thu  air  ? 
Leth-chrun. 
'D  e  'u  ni  'bu  taitniche  leat  a  thach- 

air  ort  air  do  sgriob. 
Leabhar   a   chunnaic   mi  ann  am 

biith  leabhar-reicear  o  'n  robh 

mi  'ceannach  dhubhan  airson 

an  iasgaich. 
'D  e  'n  leabhar  a  bh'  ann  ? 
Bha  eachdraidh  beatlia   na   Ban- 

righinn. 
Cha  robh  fhios  agam  gu'm  biodh 

spèis  agad-sa  d'  a  leithid  sin 

de  leabhar. 
'S  iomadh  rud  a  bhios  am  measg 

an  t-sluaigh  air  uach   bi  fics 


Tha   sin  fior,  ach  tha   'bheag  no 

'mhòr  de  dh'  eolas  agam  air 

eachdraidh    beatha    na   Ban- 

rlghinn. 
Bithidh  mi  anabarrach  fada  'n  '  ur 

comain   ma   bheir  sibh  roiun 

deth  dòmh-sa. 
Tha   mi   toilleach,    ach   c'   ait    an 

tòisich  mi? 
Bheir    mi  -  fheia    asaibh    è    'lion 

beagan  is  beagan, 
Kach  air  t-aghaidh. 
An   iuuis    bibli    dhomh    c'    iiiu    a 

rugadli      a'     bhau  -  righinn, 

Bhictoria  ? 
Kugadh    i   air   a'    cheathramh   la 

fichead    de    cheud    mhios    an 

t-f^amhraidh    's   a'    bhliadhna 

1819. 
Co  'b'  athair  dhi? 
Bha  Diùc  Ktnt,  ceathramh  mac  an 

treas  righ  Deòr>a. 
Co  'bu  mhàthair  dhi  ? 


I  saw  a  bazaar. 

What  did  you  see  in  it  ? 

I  saw  many  kinds  of  finery,  and 

affable  and  handsome  young 

ladies. 
Did  you  buy  anything  in  it  ? 
I   bought   a   long,    slender    purse 

made  of  blue  silk  thread. 

What  did  you  give  for  it  ? 

Half  a  croAvn. 

What  was  the  most  pleasant  thing 
that  you  met  on  your  trip  ? 

A  book  that  I  saw  in  the  shop  of 
a  bookseller  from  whom  I  was 
buying  hooks  for  the  fishing. 

What  book  was  it  ? 

The  biography  of  the  Queen. 

I  was  not  aware  that  you  would 
have  a  liking  for  such  book. 

There  is  many  a  thing  among  the 

people  of  which  you  are  not 

aware. 
That  is  true,  but   I  have  less  or 

more  knowledge  of  the  Queen's 

biography. 

I  shall  be  very  much  obliged  to 
you  for  a  share  of  it. 

I  am  willing,  but  where  shall  I 
begin  ? 

I  will  extract  it  from  you  myself 
little  by  little. 

Proceed. 

Will  you  tell  me  when  Queen  Vic- 
toria was  born  ? 

She  was  born  on  the  twenty-fourth 
day  of  the  first  month  of  sum- 
mer in  the  year  1819. 

Who  was  her  father  ? 

The  Duke  of  Kent,  the  fourth  son 

of  the  third  Iving  George. 
Who  was  her  mother  ? 


54 


COMHRAIDHEAN  :     CO^'VERSATIOXS. 


Bha  Bhictoiia,  Bana  -  Phrioimsa 
Shaxe  Coburg,  piuthar  Leop- 
old, righ  nam  Belgiauach,  agus 
piutharEaruest,I)iùcClioburg. 

C'  uin  a  chaochail  a  li-athair  'i 

A'  bhliadhna  'n  deigh  dhi-se  'bhi 
air  a  breitli. 

Nach  robh  teaghlaeh  idir  aig  bràth- 
air  a  h-athar,  righ  Uilleani  ? 

Bha  teaghlaeh  aige,  ach  chaochail 
iad  'n  an  òige. 

C  uin  a  thàinig  i  'dh  ionasuidh  na 
righ-chaithreach. 

'S  a'  bhliathna  1837,  'n  uair  a 
chaochail  righ  Uilleam. 

C  ait  an  robh  i  air  a  criiuadh  ? 

Ann  an  Abait  Westnt'uister,  an  lath- 
air  mhaithean  i.s  ihlaitheau  ua 
righeachd. 

Bu  trom  an  t-uallach  a  chaidh  a 
leagail  air  neach  cho  òg. 

B'  eadh,  ach  bha  luchd-coinliairlR 
mhath  aice  g'  a  .stiùradh. 

Co  iad  luchd-comhairle  ua  Ban- 
righinn  ? 

lad-san  a  tha  o  am  gu  am  air  an 
taghadh  gu  bhi  'n  au  luehd- 
riaghlaidh  air  gnothaichean  ua 
righeachd. 

Co  'tha  'g  an  taghadh  ? 

Tha  'Bhau-righinn  'g  an  taghadh 
as  a'  bhuidhiun  a  's  làidire  's  a 
's  lionmhoire  's  a'  Phàrlaniaid. 

Ciamar  a  chuirear  as  an  dreuchd 
iad  'n  uair  a  dh'  fhàsas  a' 
Phàrlamaid  neo-thoilichte  leò  ? 

'N  uair  a  bhios  tuilleadh  "u  an 
aghaidh  's  a'  Pharlamaid  na 
'bhios  leo  clia  'n  urraiuu  iad 


Nach  fhaod  iad  an  greim  a  ghleidh- 
eil  gun  taiug  do  'u  fheadhainn 
a  tha  'n  an  aghaidh  'i 

Cha  'n  fhaod,  a  chioun  gu  'n 
diùltar  airgiod  dhoibli  gu 
gnothaichean  na  righeachd  a 
chur  air  an  aghaidh. 

Tha  mi  'tuigsiun.  Is  mòr  cumh- 
achd  an  airgid. 


Victoria,  Princess  of  Saxe  Coburg, 
sister  of  Leopold,  King  of  the 
Belgians,   and   sister  of  Ear- 
nest, Duke  of  Coburg. 
When  did  her  father  die  ': 
The  year  after  she  was  born. 

Had   her   father's    brother.    King 

William,  uo  family  't 
He  had  a  family,  but  they  died  in 

their  youth. 
When  did  she  come  to  the  throne  ? 

In    the    year    1S37,    when    King 

William  died. 
Where  was  she  crowned  ? 
In  Westminster  Abbey,  in  presence 

of  the  nobles  and  lords  of  the 

kingdom. 
Heavy  was  the  burden  that  was 

laid  on  one  so  young. 
Yes,  but  she  had  good  counsellors 

to  guide  her. 
Who  are  the  Queen's  counsellors  ? 

Those  that  are  from  time  to  time 
chosen  to  rule  the  affairs  of  the 
kingdom. 

Who  chooses  them  ? 

The  Queen  chooses  them  from  the 
strongest  aud  most  numerous 
party  in  Parliament. 

How  shall  they  be  put  out  of  their 
office  when  Parliament  be- 
comes dissatisfied  with  them  ? 

Wheu  more  are  opposed  to  them  in 
Parliament  than  are  favourable 
to  them  they  cannot  stand. 

May  they  not  retain  their  hold  in 
spite  of  those  that  are  opposed 
to  them  ? 

They  may  not,  because  money  will 
be  refused  to  them  to  carry  on 
the  affairs  of  the  kingdom. 

I  understand.  Great  is  the  power 
of  monej'. 


COMHRAIDHEAX  :      CONVERSATIONS. 


Abraibh  gu'n  tèìà  ni  sam  bith  air 

aitnhreidh  co  'choirichear,    a' 

Elian  -  riyrhmn    no    a    luuhd- 

comhairle  ? 
A   luchd  -  comhairle.      A   rOir   an 

lag-lia  tha  ise  gun  clioire  's  na 

nithe  sin. 
C'  uin  a  blia  'Bban-rigbinn  agus 

Triouns'  Ailbeart  air  am  pùs- 

adh  -r 
Ann  an  toiseach  an  earraich  's  a' 

bhliadhna  1S40. 
Nach  robh  iad  dàimbeil  d'  a  cheile  ? 
Bha.     B'  è  Prionns'  Ailbeart  mac 

Diiic  Chùburg,bràthair  inàtliar 

na  Bau-righinn, 
An  robh  iad  an  aon  aois  ? 
Bha  'Bhan-riLiliinn  tri  miosau  na  's 

sine  ua'm  Prionnsa. 
An  robh  dreuchd  sam  bith  aige  ann 

an  riaghladh  na  rioghachd. 
Cha  robh. 
Is  cinnteach  mi  nach  b'   urrainn 

duine  cho  math  ris  'ùine  'chur 

seachad  au  diomhanas. 
Bha  è  gun  tamh  a'  deauamh  maith. 
'D  è  'n  teaghlach  a  bh'  aca  ? 
Còignear   nighean   agus    ceathrar 

mhac. 
C  uin  a  rugadh  Prionnsa  Wales,  no 

na  Cuimrig,  oighre  'chriiin  ? 
'S  a'  bhliadhna  1S41. 
'S  è  Ailbeart  Edward  (Imhear)  is 

ainm  dha. 
Co  ris  a  tha  è  pòsda  ? 
Kis    a'   Bhana  -  Phrionnsa,    Alex- 
andra, nighean  a  's  sine  righ 

Lhcnmark. 
Tha  Alfred,  Diiic  Dhun-eideann,  an 

dara  mac,  pòsda  ris  a'  Bhan- 

diùc,   Màiri,   nighean    Iinpire 

Mus  ia. 
Nach  ann  air  a'  mhuir  a  tha  esan  ? 
'S  ann  :  tha  è  'n  a  Admiral. 
Tha    'n    treas   mac,   Artair,    Diiic 
Chouuacht,  pòsda  ris  a'  Bhana 

Phrionnsa  Louise  Marguerite, 
nigheau  Phrionnsa  Frederick 

Teàrlach,  a  bha  ann  an  dh'ith 


Suppose  that  anything  should  go 
wrong,  who  will  be  blamed, 
the  Queen  or  her  counsellors  ? 

Her  counsellors.  According  to  the 
law  she  is  without  blame  in 
these  things. 

"Wlien  were  the  Queen  and  Prince 
Albert  married  ? 

In  the  beginning  of  spring  in  the 
year  1S40. 

Were  they  not  related  ? 

They  were.  Prince  Albert  was  son 
to  the  Duke  of  Coburg,  brother 
of  the  Queen's  mother. 

Were  they  the  same  age  ? 

The  Queen  was  three  months  older 
than  the  Prince. 

Had  he  any  office  in  the  govern- 
ment of  the  country  ? 

He  had  not. 

I  am  sure  that  so  good  a  man  could 
not  spend  his  time  in  idleness. 

He  was  constantly  doing  good. 
What  family  had  they  ? 
Five  daughters  and  four  sous. 

When  was  the  Prince  of  Wales, 

heir  to  the  crown,  born  ? 
In  the  year  1841. 
His  name  is  Albert  Edward. 

To  whom  is  he  married  ? 

To  the  Princess  Alexandra,  eldest 
daughter  of  the  King  of  Den- 
mark. 

Alfred,  Duke  of  Edinburgh,  tlie 
second  son,  is  married  to  the 
Duchess  Mary,  daughter  of 
the  Emperor  of  Russia. 

Is  he  not  at  sea  ? 

Yes  :  he  is  an  Admiral. 

The  third  son,  Arthur,  Duke  of  Con" 
naught,  is  married  to  the  Prin- 
cess Louise  Marguerite,  daugh- 
ter of  Prince  Frederick  Charles, 
who  was  nearly  related  to  the 


COJIHKAIDHEAN  :      CONVERSATIONS. 


dhùimh  I'i  Impire  na  Geàrm- 
ailt.  Tlia  esau  'n  a  SheanaLiir 
's  an  arm. 

Chaochail  Leopold,  an  ceathramh 
mac,  's  a'  bliliadlma  1884,  a' 
fàgail  as  a  dheidh  bautraicli 
agus  cloinne. 

Bha  Bhictoria,  a  'Bhana-Plirionnsa 
rlgheil,  pùsda  ri  Frederick 
Uilleain,  Impire  na  Geàrmailt. 

Bha  'u  dara  nighean,  Alice,  uach 
maireaun,  pò.sda  ri  Frederick 
Uilleam,  Priouusa  Hesse. 

Tha  'n  treas  nighean,  Helena, 
pòsda  ri  Frederick,  Priouusa  na 
tliithcha  ris  an  abrar  Schksti-ig 
Mohtcin. 

Tha  'n  ceathramh  nighean,  Louise, 
p():^da  ri  Morair  Lathurna,  mar 
tha  t'hios  aig  gach  Gàidheal. 

Tha  'n  fùigeamh  uigheau,  Beatrice, 
pi'jsda  ri  Prionnsa  Eeanruig 
Maurice  Bhatteuburg. 

C  ait  am  bheil  a'  Bhan-rlghinn 
mar  is  bidheanta  'chòmhnuidh? 

Ann  an  lùchairt  lì'iiidsor,  trl  mile 
fichead  a  mach  a  Luunuiuu. 

G'  ait  am  bi  i  'fuireach  'u  uair  a 
bhios  i  'u  Lunnuiiiu  ? 

Ann  an  Kichairt  Uhucicuighnm. 

Tha  mi  'cluiuutinu  gu  bheil  i  flor 
thoigheach  air  Baile-inhorair. 

Tha  i :  's  ann  ann  is  àbhaist  di  am 
fogharadh  'chur  seachad. 

Nach  do  chuir  i  mach  leabhar  anns 
am  bheil  i  'loirt  cunutais  air  a 
beatha  's  a'  Ghàidhealtaehd  ? 

Chuir  i  mach  da  leabhar,  agus  is 
coir  do  na  h-uile  neach  's  an 
rlgheachd  an  leughadh. 

Carson  ? 

A  chionn  nacli  urraiun  neach  sara 
bith  an  leugiiadh  gun  a  thair- 
isneachd  's  a  speis  do  'u  Bhan- 
rlghinn  a  bhi  air  am  meud- 
achadh. 

Cha  'n  'eil  teagamh  nach  ann  mar 
a  's  iiird'  am  nieao  a  bhios  aig 


Emperor  of  Germany.      He  is 
a  General  in  the  army. 

Leopold,  the  fourth  son,  died  in 
the  year  18S4,  leaving  behind 
Idm  a  wife  and  family. 

Victoria,  the  Princess  Royal,  was 
married  to  Frederick  William, 
Emjjeror  of  Germany. 

The  second  daughter,  Alice,  who 
is  not  alive,  was  married  to 
Frederick  William,  Prince  of 
Hesse. 

The  third  daughter,  Helena,  is 
married  to  Frederick,  Princd 
of  the  country  called  Schleswig 
Holstein. 

The  fourth  daughter,  Louise,  is 
married  to  Lord  Lome,  as 
every  Highlander  knows. 

The  fifth  daughter,  Beatrice,  is 
married  to  Prince  Henry 
Maurice  of  Battenburg. 

Where  tloes  the  Queen  generally 
live? 

In  W^indsor  Palace,  twenty-three 
miles  out  from  Loudou. 

Where  does  she  live  when  she  is  in 
London  ? 

In  Buckingham  Palace. 

I  hear  that  she  is  very  fond  of 
Balmoral. 

She  is  :  it  is  there  that  she  is  in  the 
habit  of  passing  the  autumn. 

Has  she  not  published  a  book  in 
which  she  gives  an  account  of 
her  life  in  the  Highlands? 

She  has  publi.-hed  two  books,  and 
every  person  in  the  kingdom 
should  read  them. 

Why  ? 

Because  no  cue  can  read  them 
without  having  his  loyalty  to 
and  regard  for  the  Queen 
increased. 

There  is  no  doubt  that  the  higher 
the   respect  that  people  have 


COMIIKAIDHEAN  :      CONVERSATIONS. 


57 


daoitie  oirre-se  a  's  coltaiche 
dhoibh  a  blii  toilichte  fùipe 
agus  dileas  di. 

Anns  ua  leabhraicliean  so  chithear 
i  'u  a  mnaoi,  'u  a  màthair,  'n 
a  nigliinn,  agus  'n  a  caraid 
dleasuach,  gradhach. 

Na  'm  biodh  am  Freasdal  cho 
caoimhueil  a  's  a  càirdeas  a 
chur  an  ratliad  so  cha  'n  ann 
an  tigh  snidheach  a  bhiodh 
Màiri  is  mise. 

Chithear  i  a'  nochdadh  co-fhulang- 
ais  leis  a'  mhuinutir  a  th'  ann 
an  uireasbhiiidh  's  an  àmhgliar, 
a'  taghal  ann  an  tigheau  nam 
bochd,  a'  deanamh  gàirdeach- 
ais  maille  riubh-san  a  tha  ri 
gàirdeachas,  a'  cumail  conaltr- 
aidh  shuairc  ri  'seirblieisich, 
a'  dlreadh  bheanntan,  a'  del 
thai-  aibhnicheau,  a'  leigcil 
f  haicinn  air  iomadh  doigh  gu 
bheil  cridhe  blàth  aice  agus 
iuntinn  bhimailteach. 

Is  mòr  am  beannachadh  do  'u 
dùtliaich  a  leithid  a  bhi  air  an 
righ-chathair. 


for  her  the  more  likely  they 
are  to  be  couteuted  under  her 
and  faithful  to  her. 

In  these  books  she  will  be  seen  in 
the  character  of  a  dutiful  and 
loving  wife,  mother,  daughter, 
and  friend. 

If  Providence  were  so  kind  as  to 
send  her  friendship  this  way, 
it  is  not  in  a  rain-dropping 
house  that  Mary  and  I  would 
be. 

She  will  be  seen  showing  sympathy 
with  those  that  are  in  want 
and  affliction,  visiting  in  the 
houses  of  the  poor,  rejoicing- 
with  those  that  rejoice,  hold- 
ing polite  conversation  with 
her  servants,  ascending  moun- 
tains, crossing  rivers,  showing 
in  many  ways  that  she  has  a 
vvarm  heart  and  a  steadfast 
mind. 


It  is  a  great  blessing  to  the 
rouutry  that  such  as  she  is  on 
the  tlirone. 


A'   GHAIDHLIG. 


GAELIC. 


Tha  sibhse  ri  leabhranachd  mar  is 

abhaist. 
Tha  leabhraichean  dhomh-sa  mar 

tha   'bhuill  -  acfhuiun    do    'n 

fhear-cheàird. 
Tha  mis'  air  tighinn  oirbh  mar  an 

sneachd,    gun    sireadh,     gun 

iarraidh. 
Cha  'n  'eil  idir :  tha  obair  an  l;'i 

.seachad  agam. 
Co     dhiiibh    is    i   'Ghàidhlig    no 

'Bheurla,      an     LaiJionn     no 

'Ghrc'igeis  a  tha  sibh  a'  cuuas- 

achd  an  dràs  'i 
A'  Ghàidhlig. 
Cha  'u  fhaod  è  'bhi  nach  'eil  sibh 

coimh-liout'  iunte  nis. 


Tou  are   engaged   with  books   as 

usual. 
Books  are  to  me  as  his  tools  are  to 

the  tradesman. 

I   have    come  upon   you   like  the 
!rno\v,  unsought  and  undesired. 

Not  at  all :   I  have  the  day's  work 

over. 
^Yhether  is  it  Gaelic  or  English, 

Latin  or  Greek,  that  you  are 

studying  at  present  ? 

Gaelic. 

Surely  you  are  now  x^erfect  in  it. 


58 


COMIIEAIDHEAX  :      CONVERSATIONS. 


Cha  'u  iirraÌDn  cloinli  a  radh  gu 
bheil. 

Cha  'n  'eil  i-ibhse  fura.-d'  a  thoil- 
eachadh. 

Tha  'Ghàidhlig  is  cànainean  am 
bidheautas  mar  tliobar  naeli 
traodh. 

Cha  'n  'eil  mi  uile  gu  leir  'g  'ur 
tuigsinn. 

Tha  mi  'ciallachadh  gu  bheil  mùran 
aig  neach  r'  a  fhògldum  mu 
'n  ruig  è  air  làu  eùlas  orra  ge 
b'  air  bith  oho  fada  's  a  dh' 
fhaodas  è  'blii  'g  au  cnuasachd. 

Saoil  sibh  ciod  is  eiall  do  'n  othail 
a  tha  mu  'u  Gliàidhlig  o  clieauu 
beagau  bhliadhuaichean  ? 

Tha  daoine  f  òghluimte  air  dùsgadh 
gu  mothachadh  air  a  luach. 

Bu  mhithich  dhoibli :  's  iomadh  I;i 
'chuir  iad  suarach  i. 

Tha  cuid  deidheil  air  seadh  ainm- 
eauuan  àiteachan  fhaotainn  a 
mach,  agus  cha  bhoirbhich  leo 
guu  a'  (jìlicàidblig. 

Nach  'eil  ainmeannan  Gàidhlig  air 
mòrau  àiteachau  's  a'  Ghalld- 
acbd  's  an  Sasuun  cho  math  a 
's  anus  a'  Ghàidhealtachd  'i 

Tha. 

Tha  feadhainu  eile  toigheach  air 
sgeulachdan  is  daiu  a  chruiuu- 
eachadh,  agus  air  eòhis  fhaot- 
ainn air  seana  chleachdaiuuean. 

Cha  mho  'ni  iadsau  a'  bheag 
de  mhath  as  eugmhais  na 
Gàidhlig. 

Tha  feadliaiuu  eil'  aun  a  tha  'gabh- 
ail  tluchd  aun  au  lorgach- 
adh  na  daimhe  'tha  eadar  a' 
Ghàidhlig  is  càuaiueau  eile. 

Is  ciunteach  mi  nach  'eil  sin 
furasd'  a  dheauamh. 

Cha  'n  'eil :  cha  'n  è  'h-uile  duine 
fòghluimt'  a  tha  cumasach  air. 

Cuiridh  .-ibh  comaiu  mhùr  orni  ma 
bheir  sibh  dhomh  fiusrachadh 
mu  'n  cliìù.s. 


I  cannot  say  that  I  am. 

You  are  not  easily  satisfied. 

Gaelic  and  languages  in  general  are 
like  an  inexhaustible  t-piing. 

I  do  not  quite  understand  you. 

I  mean  that  one  has  much  to  learn 
before  he  attains  to  a  full 
knowledge  of  them,  however 
long  he  may  be  studying  them. 

What  do  you  think  is  the  meaning 
of  the  stir  that  there  has  been 
about  Gaelic  for  some  years 
back  ? 

Learned  men  have  awakened  to  a 
sense  of  its  value. 

It  was  time  for  them  :  they  de- 
spised it  for  many  a  day. 

Some  are  desirous  to  find  out  the 
meaning  of  the  names  of 
places,  and  they  will  not  suc- 
ceed without  Gaelic. 

Do  not  many  places  in  the  Low- 
lauds  and  in  England,  as  well 
as  in  the  Highlands,  bear 
Gaelic  names  'i 

Yes. 

Others  are  fond  of  collecting  tales 
and  poems,  aijd  of  obtaining  a 
knowledge  of  ancient  customs. 

Neither  will  they  do  any  good 
without  Gaelic. 

There  are  others  that  take  pleasure 

in    tracing    the    affiuity    that 

subsists    between    Uaelic   and 

other  languages. 
I  am  sure  that  that  is  not  easily 

done. 
It  is  nut:   it  is  not  every  learned 

jnau  that  can  do  it. 
You  will  oblige  me  very  much  by 

giving  me  information  about 

the  matter. 


COMUKAIDHEAX  :      CONVEESATIOXS. 


59 


Feuchaidh  mi  beagau  de  na  leugh 
mi  m'  a  deibliinn  a  chur  mu 
d'  choinneamli. 

'S  sibh-fhein  au  t-aon  neach  a  tha 
mi  'faotaion  toileach  gu  m' 
cbuideachadh  'u  am  thoir  air 
eòlas. 

Thoir  leat  's  a'  cheud  dol  a  mach 
gu  bheil  càuaiueau  au  t-saogh- 
ail  air  an  roiuu  'u  au  teaghl- 
aichean. 

C  aium  a  th'  air  an  teaghlach  d' 
am  buin  a'  Ghàidhlig  '^ 

Au  Aryan  no  'u  Indo-European. 

Au  ainmich  sibh  na  cànainean  d' 
am  bheil  au  teaghlach  so  air  a 
dheauuiuli  suas  ? 

Thig  mi  'dli'  iounsuidh  sin  an  ceart 
uair. 

Tha  mi  'g  iarraidh  maifcheanais. 

Au  uair  a  sgaoil  an  sluagh  a  bha 
'bruidhiuu  na  càuain  a  bu 
mhathair  do  na  càuainean  a 
thàinig  a  nuas  g'  ar  n-ionns- 
uidh-ne  chaidh  cuid  diiibh  au 
ear  do  na  H-Iuusean  agus 
cuid  file  dliiiibh  au  iar  do  'u 
Koiun-Eòrjja. 

'D  è  'u  diithaicli  as  an  do  sgaoil 
iadP 

Tha  è  coltach  gur  h-aun  a  Persia  a 
sgaoil  iad. 

C  ainm  a  th'  air  a'  chanain  a  bh' 
aig  au  sgaoth  dhiùbh  a  chaidh 
do  na  H-Innsean  ? 

An  Sanscrit. 

Am  bheil  a'  chanain  so  air  a  bruidh- 
iuu I'hathast  ? 

Cha  'u  'eil,  ach  tha  i  air  mhaireann 
ann  au  leabhraichean. 

'D  è  ua  cauainean  eile  'bhuineas  do 
'u  teaghlach  so  '^ 

Tha  againu  au  loiseach  na  cànain- 
eau  mora  siu — a'  Ghreigeis  's 
au  Laidionn. 

'S  fhad  o  'u  bhàsaich  iad  sin. 

Tha  'Grhruigeis  i'hathast  beò,  slàu, 
ach  tha  mòrau  cheudau  de 
bhliathuachau   o   'n    sguir   au 


I  will  endeavour  to  set  before  you 
a  littlf  of  what  I  have  read 
about  it. 

You  are  yourself  the  ouly  one 
whom  I  find  willing  to  help 
me  in  my  search  after  know- 
ledge. 

Carry  away  with  you  at  the  outset 
that  the  languages  of  the 
world  are  divided  into  families. 

What  is  the  name  of  the  family  to 
wliich  Gaelic  belongs  '^ 

The  Aryan  or  Indo-European. 

Will  you  name  the  languages  of 
which  this  family  is  made  up  ? 

I  will  come  to  that  presently. 

I  beg  pardon. 

When  the  people  that  spoke  the 
tongue  that  was  mother  of  tlie 
languages  that  have  come 
down  to  us  dispersed,  some  of 
them  went  eastward  to  the 
Indies,  aud  others  of  them 
went  westward  to  Europe. 

From  what  country  did  they  dis- 
perse ? 

It  is  probable  that  it  was  from 
Persia  that  they  dispersed. 

What  is  the  name  of  the  language 
that  was  spoken  by  the  swarm 
of  them  that  went  to  ludia  ? 

The  Sanscrit. 

Is  this  language  spoken  still  ? 

It  is  not,  but  it  survivc3  in  books. 

What  other  languages   belong  to 

this  family  ? 
We  have  first  these  great  Ixuguages 

— Greek  and  Latin. 

It  is  long  since  these  died. 

Greek  is  still  alive  aud  healthy, 
but  Latin  ceased  many  hun- 
dreds   of    years    ago    to     be 


60 


COMHRAIDHEAN  :      COXVEKSATIONS, 


Laidionn  a  bid  air  a  bruidhinn 

le  sluagh. 
An  d'  fhag  an  Laidionn  slioclid  'n 

a  dùidh  ? 
'S  i  'dh'  flKlg. 
An  ainmich  sibh  iad  ? 
Cànain  ua  H-Eadailt,  na  Spainte, 

Phortugal,  na  Fraiug-e,   agus 

còrr  aon  eile. 
Am  blieil  tuilleadh  diànainean  ann 

a  bhuiueas  do  'u  Aii/an  ? 
Buinidh  dhi  a'  Bheurla,  eainut  na 

Geàrniailt,    Ku.sia,     Pholand, 

Bhulyaria,  Bhoheniia,  yiiervia, 

etc. 
Air  m'  fhocal  cha  'n  'eil  aobhar  aig 

a'  Ghàidhlig   nàire  'ghabhail 

d'  a  luchd-dàimh. 
Tha  Ilaonull  Mao  Eacliainn,  aig  an 

dorus,  ag  iarraidli  bruidliinn 

ruibh, 
Thoir   a   stigh   è   do   sheòmar   na 

diuneireach. 
Bithidh  mi  air  m'  ais  a  chlisgeadh. 
Na  cuiribli  cabhag  oirbh-l'hein  air 

mo  slion-sa. 


8poken  by  a  x^eople. 
Has  Latin  left  a  family  behind  it  i 

That  it  did. 

Will  yon  name  them  ? 

The  language  of  Italy,  of  Spain, 
of  Portugal,  of  Trance,  and  a 
few  others. 

Are  there  more  languages  that  be- 
long to  the  Ar3'an  'i 

There  belong  to  it  English,  Ger- 
man, Kussian,  Poii*h,  Bul- 
garian, Bohemian,  Servian, 
etc. 

Upon  my  word,  Gaelic  has  no 
reason  to  be  ashamed  of  its 
kindred. 

Ronald  Mac  Hector  is  at  the  door 
wishing  to  speak  to  you. 

Bring  him  in  to  the  dining-room. 

I  shall  be  back  instantly. 
Do    not    hurry    yourself    on    my 
account. 


Saoil  sibh  am  bheil  a'  Ghàidhlig 
air  a  cothlamadh  le  facail  o 
chànainean  eile  ? 

Tha  ann  an  tomhas,  ach  tha  na  's 
lugha  de  dh'  f  hacail  choigreacli 
innte  na  th'  anns  a'  chuid  a  's 
mo  de  chanainean  na  Hoiun- 
Eorpa. 

Cia  as  a  f huair  i  na  facail  choigr- 
eacli a  th'  innte  ? 

Ehuair  i  'chuid  mhòr  dhiiibh  o  'n 
Laidiun. 

Ciamar  a  fhuair  iad  a  stigh  innte  ? 

'irid  cumhachd  cleir  eaglais  ua 
E,uimhe. 

Is  aiuneamh  ni  anns  nach  bi  lamh 
aig  a'  chleir. 

Anns  na  h-amannan  dorcha  o  shean 
bha  cumhachd  mòr  aca  ann  an 
nithe  aimsireil  cho  math  a  's 
ann  an  nithe  spioradail. 


Do  you  think  that  Gaelic  is  mixed 
with  words  from  other  lan- 
guages F 

Yes,  in  a  measure,  but  there  ara 
fewer  foreign  words  iu  it  than 
there  are  iu  most  of  the  lan- 
guages of  Europe. 

Whence  did  it  receive  the  foreign 

words  that  are  m  it  i" 
It  received  the  most  of  them  from 

ihe  Latin. 
How  did  they  get  admittance  into  it? 
Through  the  influence  of  the  clergy 

of  the  Church  of  Rome. 
There  are  few  things  in  which  the 

clergy  have  not  a  hand. 
In  the  dark  times  of  old  they  had 

great  influence  iu  temporal  as 

well  as  iu  spiritual  matters. 


CoaiHEAIDHEAX  :     CONVERSATIONS. 


61 


'S  è  mo  bharail-fhein  nach  'eil  è 
chum  buannachd  do  chlL-ir 
eaglais  sam  bith  abhi  'gabhail 
mòran  gnothuicli  ri  nithe 
aimsireil. 

B'  iad  luchd-comhairle  righrean  is 
luchd-teagaisg  an  t-sluaigh, 
agus  is  ganu  a  bha  eòlas  no 
fòghlum  's  an  dùthaich  ach  na 
blia  'n  am  measg-san, 

Cha  'n  iongantach,  uime  sin,  ged 
fliuair  iad  uiread  buaidh'  air  a' 
Ghàidhlig  's  gu'm  b'  eigin  di 
f  acail  a  ghabhail  o  'n  Laidiun. 

An  d'  thàinig  f  acail  a  stigh  do  'n 
Ghàidhlig  o  chànainean  sam 
bith  eile  ? 

Thàinig  a'  bheag  no  'mhùr  o 
chainnt  nan  Lochlannach. 

Cha  ruig  mi  leas  'iunseadh  dhuit 
gu  bheil  f acail  '«  a'  Ghàidhlig 
a  fhuair  i  o  'n  Bheurla. 

Tha  sin  soilleir  do  na  h-uile  duine. 

An  innis  sibh  dhomh  ciod  a'  chainnt 
a  's  dlùithe  dàimh  do  'n 
Ghàidhlig  ? 

An  Laidionu. 

An  deidh  na  Laidinn  's  iad  na 
caiunteau  a  's  dàimheile  dhi 
cainnt  na  Geiirmailt  agus  a' 
Bheurhi  mar  bha  i  mu  'n  robh 
i  air  a  truailleadli  le  facail  o 
chaiunteau  eile. 

Am  bheil  dàimh  idir  aig  a' 
Ghàidhlig  ris  a'  Ghrèigeis  ? 

Tha,  ach  tha  è  na  's  fhaide  mach 
na  ris  an  tri  eile. 

Ciamar  a  nithear  a  mach  gu  bheil 
an  dàimh  so  eadar  a'  Ghaidhlig 
agus  na  cainntean  sin. 

Gabh  beachd  air  cho  cosmhuil  's  a 
tha  na  facail  so  ri  'cheile  : — 
aon — unus,  da — duo,  tri — tres, 
ochd — octo,  mile — mille,  sea 
■ — sex,  seachd — septem,  agus 
mar  sin  sios. 

Buinidh  na  facail  sin  do  'n 
Ghàidhlig  cho  math  a  's  do  'u 


It  is  my  own  opinion  that  it  is  not 
of  advantage  to  the  clergy  of 
any  Church  to  interfere  much, 
in  temporal  matters. 

They  ■were  the  counsellors  of  kings 
and  the  teachers  of  the  people, 
and  there  was  scarcely  any 
knowledge  or  learning  in  the 
land  except  what  was  among 
them. 

It  is  not  to  be  wondered  at,  there- 
fore, that  they  so  prevailed 
over  Gaelic  that  it  had  to  re- 
ceive words  from  the  Latin. 

Have  words  entered  Gaelic  from, 
any  other  languages  ? 

Fewer  or  more  have  entered  it  from 
the  Scandinavian  lauguage. 

I  need  not  tell  you  that  there  are 
words  in  Gaelic  which  it  re- 
ceived from  English. 

That  is  apparent  to  every  man. 

AVill  you  tell  me  what  lauguage 
has  the  closest  affinity  to 
Gaelic  '^ 

Latin. 

After  Latin  the  languages  that 
have  the  closest  affinity  to 
Gaelic  are  German,  and  Eng- 
lish as  it  was  before  it  was 
corrupted  with  words  from 
other  languages. 

Has  Gaelic  any  affinity  with  Greek? 

It  has,  but  it  is  more  remote  than 
with  the  other  three. 

How  can  it  be  made  out  that  there 
is  this  affinity  between  Gaelic 
and  these  languages? 

Mark  how  like  these  words  are  to 
each  other  :— aon — unus,  da — 
duo,  tri  —  tres,  ochd  —  octo, 
mile — mille,  sea — sex,  seachd 
— septem,  and  so  forth. 

These  words  belong  to  Gaelic  as 
well  as  to  Latin :    they  are-- 


62 


COMHRAIDHEAX  :      CONVERSATIONS. 


Laidinn :  is  leis  an  teaghlach 
an  coitcliiontas  iad. 
Am  bheil  dad  r'  a  fhaotainn  ann  an 
Grammar  nai  Gàidhliy:  cosmh- 
uil  ris  na  gheibhear  ann  an 
Grammar  nan  cainntean  eile  ? 

Tha  beagan,  ach  tha  è  cho  mion  's 
nach  'eil  è  furasd'  a  chur  ann 
an  Gàidhlig  a  tlmigeas  daoine. 

Chomhairlichinn  duit  leabliar 
Plirofessor  Blackie  nm  'u 
Ghaidhlig  a  leughadh. 

Ciod  tuilleadh  a  tha  ri  'ràdh  mu  'u 
chilis  ? 

Tha  moran  de  bhun-fhacail  's  a' 
Ghaidhlig  aig  am  bheil  an 
letli-bhreacan  's  an  Laidinn  gu 
sòuraichte. 

Am  bheil  an  dàimh  a  tha  eadar  riu 
furasd'  fhaiciun  ? 

Cha  'n  'eil  mur  'eil  neach  eòlach 
air  a  lorgachadh. 

'D  è  's  aobhar  d'  a  sin  ? 

Tha  moran  de  na  f  acail  nach  'eil  a' 
tòiseachadh  leis  an  aon  litir, 
agus  tha  muthadh  eadar  riu  air 
dòighean  eile. 

Ann  an  coimeas  chànainean,  uime 
sin,  tha  è  f.umail  a  thoirt 
fainear  ciod  na  fuaimean  anus 
an  dara  cainnt  a  tha  'freag^airt 
do  na  fuaimean  anns  a'  chainnt 
eile. 

'D  e  'ur  barail  mu  'n  Ghaidhlig 
mar  chainnt  ? 

Tha  i  fior  fhreagarrach  airson  cur 
an  ceill  smuaintean,  faireachd- 
uinuean,agus  uireahbhuidheau 
gnàthaichte  an  duine. 

Nach  'eil  i  fieagarrach  airson 
bàrdachd  ? 

Tha,  agus  airson  ciùil,  eachdraidh, 
sgeulachdan,  agus  airson  labh- 
airt  ri  coimhthional  agus 
cuuntas  a  thoirt  air  coltas  na 
cruitheachd. 

Am  bheil  i  freagarrach  airson 
feallsanachd  ? 


the  common  property  of  the 
family. 

Is  there  anything  to  be  found  in 
Gaelic  Grammar  resembling 
what  is  to  be  found  in  the 
Grammar  of  the  other  lan- 
guages ? 

There  is  a  little,  but  it  is  so  minute 
that  it  is  not  easy  to  i^ut  it  in 
intelligible  Gaelic. 

I  would  recommend  to  you  to  read 
Professor  Elackie's  book  about 
Gaelic. 

■\\niat  more  is  there  to  say  about 
the  matter? 

There  are  many  root  -  words  in 
Gaelic  which  have  their  coun- 
terparts in  Latin  especially. 

Is  the  afBuity  between  them  easily 
perceived  ? 

It  is  not  if  one  is  not  skilful  in 
tracing  it. 

What  is  the  cause  of  that  ? 

Many  of  the  words  do  not  begin 
with  the  same  letter,  and  there 
are  differences  between  tliem 
in  other  ways. 

In  comparing  languages,  therefore, 
it  is  necessary  to  consider  what 
sounds  in  the  one  language 
correspond  to  the  sounds  in 
the  other. 

What  is  your  opinion  of  Gaelic  as 
a  language  r 

It  is  very  well  adapted  for  expres- 
sing the  ordinary  thoughts, 
feelings,  and  wants  of  man. 

Is  it  not  adapted  for  poetry  r 

Yes,  and  for  music,  history,  tales, 
addressing  an  assembly,  and 
describing  the  ai^pearauce  of 
creation. 

Is  it  adapted  for  philosophy  ? 


COMHRAIDHEAN  :      CONVERSATIONS. 


63 


Cha  'n  'eil. 

Carson  ? 

A  chionn  nach  'eil  facail  fhreag- 

arrach  innte. 
Ciamar  a  thachair  sin  ? 
Chaidh  stad  a  chur  air  a  cinneas. 
Ain  bheil  e  'n  a  comas  àireamh  a 

facail  a  niheudachadli  ? 
Tha  gu  mòr,  agus  sin  uaipe  fein, 

gun  bhi  'n  comain  cànain  sam 

bith  eile. 
A   bharrachd   air   sin   tha   i   'n   a 

cainnt  liomharra,  bhinn-fhocl- 

ach,  cheòlmhor. 
'S  è  so  barail  nan  daoine  f  òghluimte 

a  rannsaich  a'  cbùis. 

Mòran  taing  dhuibh. 

Biodh  a  càirdean  uile  cho  dlleas  di 

's  a  tha  sibhse,  's  cha  'n  eagal 

di. 


It  is  not. 

Why  ? 

Because  there  are  not  suitable 
words  in  it. 

How  did  that  happen? 

Its  growth  has  been  [stopped. 

Has  it  the  power  of  increasing  the 
number  of  its  words  ? 

Yes,  greatly,  and  tliat  from  itself, 
without  being  indebted  to  any 
other  language. 

Moreover,  it  is  a  polished,  melodi- 
ous, and  musical  language. 

This  is  the  opinion  of  the  learned 

men  that  have  examined  the 

matter. 
Many  thanks  to  you. 
Let  all  its  friends  be  as  faithful  to 

h  as  you  are,  and  there  is  no 

fear  of  it. 


LEABHRAICHEAN 


GAIDHLIG. 


GAELIC   BOOKS. 


An    aithne   dhuibh  fear   a'  bhail' 

ud  shuas  ? 
'S  aithne  dhoiuh  è  r'  a  fhaicinn  :  's 

è  sin  nil'  è. 
Cha  bu  nilii'ir  an  call  ged  nach  robh 

am  barrachd  eòlais  agaibh  air. 

Tha  Ò  coltach  ris  nach  'eil  thusa 

buidlieach  dheth. 
Cha  'n  'eil,  's  tha  aobhar  agam. 
Ciod  a  thàinig  eadaraibh  ? 
Cha  teid  stad  air  a  theangaidh  a' 

diomoladh    na   Gàidhlig  agus 

gach  ni  Gàidhealach. 
*'  Is  trie  a  dhiomol  an  ceannaich' 

am  bathar  a  bu  mhath  leis  'n 

a  mhàileid." 
Nach    dubhairt    è    rium    an    cliir 

an    aodainn    nach    'eil    's    a' 

Ghàidhlig   ach   cainnt   airson 

dhaoine    borba,    's    nach    'eil 

leabhraichean  innte  a  's  fhiach 

an  leuarhadh  ! 


Do  you  know  the  man  of  the  farni 

up  yonder  ? 
I  know  him  by  sight :  that  is  all. 

It  would  be  no  great  loss  though 
you  should  have  no  further 
acquaintance  with  him. 

It  seems  that  you  are  not  pleased 
with  him. 

I  am  not,  and  I  have  cause. 

What  has  come  between  you  ? 

His  tongue  does  not  cease  to  dis- 
parage Gaelic  and  everything 
Highland. 
Often  has  the  pedlar  disparaged 
goods  that  he  would  wish  to 
have  in  his  pack. 

Did  he  not  tell  me  to  my  face  that 
Gaelic  is  only  a  language  for 
savages,  and  that  there  are  no 
books  in  it  worth  reading  ! 


G4 


COMHKAIDHEAN  :      COXVEESATIOXS. 


Cha   do    lal>liair   è  ach   a   reir    an 

còlais  a  th'  aige. 
Bu  choir  dhuibh  a  ràdh  a  reiv  ain- 

eolais  's  a  mlii-mhodhalachd. 
Tha  thusa  tuilleadh  a 's  cniaidh  air. 
Tha  !  tha  !  cha  tig  as  a'  phoit  ach 

an  toit  a  bhios  innte. 
Cha     sguir     thusa    de    chagnadh 

maimhdean  iia  Gàidhlig, 
' '  Is  duilich  learn  nach  uirainn  mi 

an   slugadh,"   mar    thubhairt 

Iain  Lorn. 
Am  feasgar  mu  dheireadh  a  bha 

thu  'n  so  bha  seanachas  againn 

mu  'n  Ghàidhlig. 
Bha  sin  againn,  agus  bu  taitneach 

an  seanachas  è. 
'S  fhiach  è  'u  t-saothair  dhuinn  air 

an  fheasgar   so    còmhradh   a 

bhi  againn  mu  leabhraichean 

Gàidhlig. 
C  ait  an  tòisich  sinn  ? 
Aig  an  toiseach. 

Ach  c'  ait  am  bheil  an  toiseach  ? 
Feumaidh  sinn  dol  air  ar  n-ais  sea 

no  seachd  ceud  bliadhna. 
Am  bheil  an  leabhar  a  's  sine  'th' 

againn  an  aois  sin  ? 
Tha  iad  a'  deanamh  dheth  gu  'm 

bheil. 
C  ainm  a  th'  air? 
Leabhar  Lheer. 

'N  è  ainm  àite  'th'  ann  an  Beer? 
'S  è  ainm  sgireachd  a  th'  ann  a  tha 

'n  iar  air  Ceann-Phàdruig,  ann 

an  siorramachd  Abaraidiiean. 
Co  'sgriobh  è  ? 
Na  manaich  ann  an  tigh-mhanach 

's  an  sgireachd. 
Ciod  air  am  bheil  è  'tighinn  ? 
'S  è  earrannan  de  'n  t-soisgeul  ann 

an  Laidinn  a  th'  anns  a'  chuid 

a  's  mo  dheth. 
Ciod   air   am   bheil    na   tha   'n   a 

Ghaidhhg  dheth  a'  tighinn  ? 
Tha  e  gu  h-iiraid   a'  tighinn   air 
fearaun  a  thug  cinn-fheadhna 
's  a'  choimhearsnachd   do    'n 
tigh-mhanach. 


He   only  spoke    according   to    the- 

knowledge  that  he  has. 
You  should   say  according   to  hi» 

ignorance  and  rudeness. 
You  are  too  hard  on  him. 
Yes!  yes  Inothingbut  the  smoke  that 

is  in  it  will  come  from  the  pot. 
You  will  not   cease   to  chew   the 

enemies  of  Gaelic. 
' '  I  regret  that  I  cannot  swallow 

them,"  as  John  Lom  said. 

The  last  evening  that  you  were 
here  we  had  a  talk  about 
Gaelic. 

We  had,  and  a  pleasant  talk  it  was. 

It  is  worth  our  while  this  evening 
to  have  a  conversation  about 
GaeHc  books. 

"Where  shall  we  begin  ? 

At  the  beginning. 

But  where  is  the  beginning  ? 

We   must   go   back   six   or   seven 

hundred  years. 
Is  the  oldest  book  that  we  have 

that  age  ? 
It  is  estimated  that  it  is. 

What  is  its  name  ? 

The  book  of  Deer. 

Is  Deer  the  name  of  a  place  ? 

It  is  the  name  of  a  parish  to  tlie 
west  of  Peterhead,  in  Aber- 
deenshire. 

Who  wrote  it  ? 

The  monks  in  a  monastery  in  the 
parish. 

What  does  it  treat  of  ? 

The  most  part  of  it  consists  of  por- 
tions of  the  Gospel  in  Latin. 

What  does  the  Gaelic  portion  of  it 
treat  of  ? 

It  treats  chiefly  of  land  that  neigh- 
bouring chiefs  gave  to  the 
monastery. 


COMHEAIDHEAN  :      CONVERSATIONS. 


65 


An  ionann  Gàidhlig  an  leabhair  so 
a  's  a'  Ghàidliiig  againn-ne  ? 

Cha  'u  ionann  :  tha  muthadh  eat- 
orra, 

'S  è  'n  ath  leabhar  a  's  sine  'tli' 
againn  Leabhar  Deadhan  Lise 
Moire,  ann  an  Earraghàidheal. 

C  uin  a  bha  'n  leabhar  sin  air  a 
chur  r'  a  cheile  ? 

'S  a'  bhliadhna  1512:  a  dh'  aona 
chuid  bha  è  deas  a'  bhliadhna 
sin. 

Co  dhiùbh  is  è  eachdraidh  no  bàrd- 
achd  a  th'  ann  ? 

Bàrdachd. 

G'  àit  an  d'  fhuaradh  i? 

Air  feadh  na  Gàidheaitachd. 

Cia  meud  dan  a  th'  ann  ? 

Tha  còrr  a  's  trl  fichead  ann,  agus 
ochd  thar  fhichead  dbiùbh  mu 
'u  Fheinn, 

Am  bheil  dàin  ann  le  Oisean  ? 

A  reir  an  leabhair  tha  naoi  le 
Oisean,  dithis  le  Fearghas 
filidh,  agus  aon  le  Caoilte  Mac 
Konain. 

Co  iad  sin  ? 

Triiiir  bhàrd  na  Feinne. 

Tha  siun  a'  toghliiiu  o  so  gu  'n 
robh  iomradh  air  Oisean  is  gu 
'n  robh  dàin  air  an  cur  as  a  leth 
o  cheann  còrr  a  's  tri  cheud 
agus  ceithir  fichead  bliadhna  ? 

Ciod  an  seòrsa  Gàidulig  a  th'  ann':' 

An  t-aona  Ghaidhlig  a  th'  ann  an 
leabhar  Dheer. 

C'  uin  a  bha  è  air  a  chur  a  mach  ? 

O  cheann  doich  bliadhna  fichead. 

Co  'dh'  ullaich  è  airson  a  chur  a 
mach  ? 

An  T-OUamh  Mac  Lachlainn  an 
Dun-eideann. 

'S  è  'cheud  leabhar  Gàidhlig  a  bh' 
air  achlòdh-bhualadhXefl/'/(«r- 
ìiinmyh  Knox,  air  eadar- 
theangachadh  leis  an  Easbuig 
Charsallach. 

C  uin  a  thiiinig  e  mach  ? 

'iS  a'  bhliadhna  15G7. 


Is  the  Gaelic  of  this  book  the  same 
as  ours  ? 

It  is  not :  there  is  a  difPerence  be- 
tween them. 

The  next  oldest  book  that  we  have 
is  "The  Book  of  the  Dean  of 
Lismore,"  in  Argyll. 

When  was  that  book  put  together  ? 

In  the  year  1512  :  at  any  rate,  it 
was  ready  that  year. 

Whether  is  it  history  or  poetry  ? 

Poetry, 

Where  was  it  found  ? 
Throughout  the  Highlands. 
How  many  poems  are  there  in  it  ? 
There  are  upwards  of  sixty  in  it, 

twenty-eisrht   of   them    being 

about  the  Feinu. 
Are  there  poems  in  it  by  Ossian  ? 
According  to  the  book  there  are 

nine  by  Ossian,  two  by  Fergus 

the  bard,  and  one  by  Caoilte 

Mac  Ronain. 
Who  are  these  ? 
The  three  bards  of  the  Fuinn. 
We  learn  from  this  that  mention 

was  made  of  Ossian  and  poems 

were  ascribed  to  him  upwards 

of  three  hundred  and  eighty 

years  ago. 
What  kind  of  Gaelic  is  in  it  ? 
The  same  kind  of  Gaelic  as  is  in 

the  book  of  Deer. 
When  was  it  published  ? 
Thirty  years  ago. 
Who  prepared  it  for  publication  ? 

Dr.  MacLauchlan,  in  Edinburgh. 

The  first  Gaelic  book  printed  is 
Knox's  Liturgy,  translated  by 
Bishop  Carswell. 


When  did  it  come  out  ? 
In  the  year  15G7. 


66 


COMHRAIDHEAN  :     CONVERSATIONS. 


Bha  e  air  a  chur  a  mach  as  ùr  leis 
an  Ollamh  Mac  Laclilainu. 

Is  coltach  gii  'n  robh  na  h-uibhir 
de  na  Gàidheil  comasach  air  a' 
Ghàidhlig  a  leughadh  's  a' 
bhliadhna  1567. 

Chuir  Seanadh  Earraghaidheil  a 
machleth-cheuddeuaSailinan 
GàidhUg  's  a'  bhliadhna  1659, 
agus  an  còiT  's  a'  bhliadhna 
1694. 

Bha  na  Sailm  air  an  cur  a  mach 

am  meadrachd  Ghaelic  leis  an 

'         Urramach  Iain  Kirke,  minist- 

i  ear  Bhochuidir,  's  a'  bhliadhna 
1684. 

Bha  Foclair  Gàidhlig  air  a  chur  a 
mach  le  Alastair  Dòmhnullach, 
am  bard,  's  a'  bhliadhna  1740. 

Bha  'n  Tiomiiadh  Ntiadh  air  a  ohur 
a  mach  an  Gàidhlig  's  a' 
bhliadhna  1767. 

Bha  co-chruinneachadh  de  Ghnàth- 
fhocaill  Ghàidhealach  air  a 
chur  a  mach  le  Mac-au-Tòisich 
's  a'  bhliadhna  1785. 

Bha  'n  Seanii  Tiomnadli.  air  a  chur 
a  mach  an  Gàidhlig  'u  a  carr- 
annaibh  o  'u  bliliadhna  17S3 
gus  a'  bhliadhna  1801,  'u  uair 
a  bha  'n  obair  criochnaichtc. 

Bha  na  Seann  Dana  air  an  cur  a 
mach  leis  au  Ollamh  Mac-a- 
Ghobhainn  's  a'  bhliadhna  1787. 

Bha  JJayi  an  Deirg  agus  Tiomiiadli 
Ghuil  air  au  cur  a   mach   le 

j         eadar-theangachadh  le   C.   S. 

!  Jerram,  M.A.,  's  a'  bhliadhna 
1874. 

Bha  Obair  Oisean  le  Mac  Mhuirich 
air  a  cur  a  mach 's  a'  bhliadhna 
1806. 

Bha  Foclaii-  Gàidhlig  Armstrong 

air  a  churamach 'sa' bhliadhna 

I  1825,  agus  Foclair  a'  Chom- 

!         uinn  Ghàidhealaich  tri  bliadh- 

na  'n  a  dhcidh  sin. 

Cha  'n  fhaod  mi  criochnachadh 
gun  iomradh  a  thoirt  air  an 


It  was  republished  by  Dr.  Mac- 

Lauchlan. 
It  is  probable  that  a  number  of  the 

Highlanders  could  read  Gaelic 

in  1567. 

The  Synod  of  Argyll  published  in 
Gaelic  fifty  of  the  Psalms  in 
the  year  1659,  and  the  rest  of 
them  in  the  year  1694. 

The  Psalms  were  published  in 
Gaelic  metre  by  the  Rev.  John 
Kirke,  minister  of  Balquiddir, 
in  the  year  1684. 

A  Gaelic  Vocabulary  was  published 
by  Alexander  iMacDonald,  the 
bard,  in  the  year  1740. 

The  New  Testament  was  published 
in  Gaelic  in  the  year  1767. 

A  collection  of  Gaelic  Proverbs 
was  published  by  Macintosh 
in  the  year  1785. 

The  Old  Testament  was  published 
in  Gaelic  in  parts  from  the 
year  1783  to  the  year  1801, 
when  the  work  was  fiaished. 

The  Ancient  Lays  were  published 
by  Dr.  Smith  in  the  year  1787. 

I)carg''s  Lay  and  GolVs  Testament 
were  published  with  a  transla- 
tion by  C.  S.  Jerram,  M.A., 
in  the  year  1874. 

Ossian's  work,  by  MacPherson,  was 
published  in  the  year  1806. 

Armstrong's  Gaelic  Dictionary  was 
published  in  the  year  1825, 
and  the  Highland  Society's 
Dictionary  three  years  after- 
wards. 

I  must  not  conclude  without  mak- 
ing mention  of  the  Highland 


COMHKAIDHEAN  :     COX  VERS  ATIONS. 


67 


Teachdairc  Ghàidhealach  's  air 
Cuairtear  nan  Gleann. 

'S  ann  's  na  leabhraichean  siu  a 
bha  sgriobhainean  ainmeil  au 
OUaimh  Mhic  Leòid  air  an  cur 
a  mach  an  toiseach.  Gheibhear 
a'  chuid  mhòr  dhiùbh  ann  an 
Uaraid  nan  Gàidheal. 

Is  airidh  iomradh  a  thoirt  air 
na  Sgeulachdan  Gaidhcalach  a 
chruiunich  I.  F.  Caimbeul,  air 
Dam  Oisein  an  Gàidhlig  's  am 
Beurla  leis  au  Ollamh  Mac-a- 
Chleirich,  agus  air  na  Gnath- 
fJiocaill  a  chuir  an  Siorram 
Mac  Neacail  a  mach. 


Messenger  and  the  Courier  of 
the  Glens. 
It  was  in  these  books  that  the 
namely  writings  of  Dr.  M'Leod 
were  first  published.  The  most 
of  thera  will  be  found  in  Car- 
aid  nan  Gaidheal, 

The  Highland  Tales  collected  by 
J.  F.  Campbell,  Ossian's 
Poems  in  Gaelic  and  English 
by  Dr.  Clerk,  and  the  Proverbs 
published  by  Sheriff  Nicolson, 
are  worthy  of  mention. 


Faodaidh  sinn  a  nis  bruidhinn  mu 
na  bàird  air  am  bheil  a'  bheag 
no  'mhòr  de  dh'  eùlas  aig 
Gàidheil  am  bidheantas. 

Bithidh  na  's  leòir  agaibh  r'  a 
dheanamh  ma  bheir  sibh  iom- 
radh orra  uile. 

Cha  'n  urraiun  domli  sin  a  dhean- 
amh an  dràs. 

Ghabhadh  e  leabhar  gu  math  mòr 
cunntas  a  thoirt  air  na  th'  ann 
diùbh. 

Na  'n  abradh  neach  rium,  "  C  ait 
am  bheil  'ur  bàrdachd  r'  a 
faotainu  r"  dh'  fhaodaiun  'aire 
a  thionndadh  ri  "Sar-Obair 
nam  Bard  Gàidhealach." 

Am  bheil  orain  nam  bard  uile  's  an 
leabhar  sin  'i 

Tha  aireamh  thaghta  ann  de  dh' 
orain  le  còig  is  da  fhichead 
bard. 

'D  è  'u  seòrsa  òran  a  th'  annta  ? 

Grain -mholaidh,  òrain-chumhaidh, 
òraiu-ghaoii,  òrain-shùgraidh, 
ùrain  -  chogaidh,  òrain  mu 
ràithean  na  bliadhna,  òrain 
spioradail,  agua  mar  sin  sios. 

Am  bheil  gin  ann  de  dh'  orain 
Mhàiri     Nlc     Lcoid,     ris     an 


We  may  now  speak  of  the  bards  of 
which  Higlilanders  in  general 
have  less  or  more  knowledge. 

You  will  have  enough  to  do  if  you 
speak  of  them  all. 

I  cannot  do  that  at  present. 

It  would  take  a  pretty  large  book 
to  give  an  accouut  of  all  that 
there  are  of  them. 

Were  any  one  to  say  to  me,  "  Where 
is  your  poeti-y  to  be  found  ?  " 
I  mighc  tiu-n  his  attention 
to  "The  Beauties  of  Gaelie 
Poetry." 

Are  the  sungs  of  all  the  bards  in 
that  book  ? 

There  is  a  select  number  of  songs 
in  it  by  forty-five  bards. 

What  kind  of  songs  are  they  ? 

Songs  of  praise,  laments,  love 
songs,  songs  of  mirth,  war 
songs,  songs  about  the  seasons 
of  the  year,  spiritual  songs, 
and  so  forth. 

Are  there  any  in  it  of  the  songs  of 
Mary  MacLeod,  called  Mary, 


COMHRAIDHEAN  :     CONVERSATIONS. 


abrar  Màiyi,  ISHghean  Alastalr 

liuaidh  ? 
Tha  naoi  ann. 
C  ait  an  d'  rugadh  i  ? 
Ati  Rùdal  's  ua  H-Earradh. 
C  uin  a  rugadh  i  ? 
'S  a'  bhliadhua  1569. 
'D    è    'n   aois   a   bha   i  'n  uair  a 

chaochail  i  ? 
Bha  i  còig  fichead  bliadhna  's  a  còig. 
Nach  robh  i  'n    a   banaltrum   an 

teaghlach  Mhic  Leòid  Dhuin- 

bheagaiu  ? 
Bha  fad  iomadh  bliadhna. 
Carson  a  chuir  è  air  fògradh  i  do 

Mhuile  ? 
A  chionn  gu'n  robh  è  diombach  dhi 

airson  òrain  a  rinn  i. 

Nach  ann  'n  uair  a  bha  i  'm  Muile 
'rinn  i  'n  t-òrau  iomraideach 
sin  ris  an  abrar  Luinneag  Mhic 
Leoid  Ì 

S  ann. 

Nach  do  chuir  è  bàta  's  sgioba  g'  a 
toirt  dhachaidli  'n  uair  a  chual' 
è  mu  'n  òrau  so? 

Chuir,  ach  bha  òrdugh  aca  gun  a 
toirt  air  bòrd  gus  an  geailadh 
i  nach  deanad/i  i  tuilleadh 
or  an. 

An  d'  thug  i  'n  geailadh  a  dli' 
iarradh  orra  ? 

Thug,  is  fhuair  i  dhachaidli. 

An  do  ghleidh  i  'geailadh  ? 

Kinn  i  òran  do  mhac  do  Mhac 
Leoid,  agus  'n  uair  a  chaidh 
a  cronachadh  air  a  shon  thubh- 
airt  i,  ' '  Cha  'n  òran  a  th'  auu ; 
cha  'u  eil  ann  ach  cròuan. " 

An  urrainn  duibh  dad  de  dh' 
eachdraidh  Iain  Luiin,  bard 
Lochabair,  a  thoirt  douih  'i 

'S  è  DùmhnuUach  a  bh'  ann  de 
theaghlach  na  Ceapaich. 

'D  è  'n  liun  's  an  robh  è  beù  'i 

Ann  an  liun  a'  cheud  's  an  dara 
Teàrlaich,  is  'n  a  dheigh. 


the    daughter   of   red  -  haired 

Alexander  ? 
There  are  nine.  i 

Where  was  she  born  ?  \ 

In  lloudal,  in  Harris. 
When  was  she  born  '■: 
In  the  year  1569. 
What  age  was  she  when  she  died  ? 

She  was  one  hundred  and  five  years. 
Was  she  not  a  nurse  in  the  family 
of  MacLeod  of  Dunveagain  ? 

She  was  for  many  a  year. 

Why  did  he  banish  her  to  Mull  ? 

Because  lie  was  displeased  with  her 
on  account  of  a  song  that  she 
made. 

Was  it  not  when  she  was  in  Mull 
that  she  made  that  celebrated 
song  called  MacLeod's  ditty  ? 

It  was. 

Did  he  not  send  a  boat  and  crew 
to  take  her  home  when  ho 
heard  about  this  song  ? 

He  did,  but  they  had  orders  not  to 
take  her  on  board  till  she 
should  promise  not  to  make 
any  more  songs. 

Did  she  give  the  promise  that  was 
required  of  her  ? 

She  did,  and  was  allowed  to  go 
home. 

Did  she  keep  her  promise  ? 

yhe  made  a  song  to  a  son  of  Mac- 
Leod, and  when  she  was  re- 
proved for  it  she  said,  "It  is 
not  a  soug ;  it  is  only  a  croon." 

Can  you  give  me  anything  of  the 

history  of  John  Lorn,  the  Loch- 

aber  bard  ? 
He  was  a  MaoDonald  of  the  family 

of  Keppoch. 
In  what  age  did  he  live  ? 
In  the  age  of  the  first  and  second 

Charles,  and  after  it. 


COMHRAIDHEAN  :     CONVERSATIONS. 


69 


Chuala  mi  gu'n  robh  è  'n  a  cliaraid 
dealasach  do  na  Stiùbhartaich. 

Bha,  agiis  'n  a  nàinhaid  guineach 
do  righ  Uilleam  's  d'  a  chàird- 
ean,  na  Caimbeulaich. 

Nach  è  'sheol  feachd  Mhontrose  do 
dh'  lonar-lòchaidh  a  chumail 
còdhail  ris  na  Caimbeulaich  ? 

'S  è;  agus  's  è  'rinu  an  t-òran 
ainmeil  sin  mu  'n  bhlar  ris  au 
abrar  "  La  louar-lòchaidh." 

'D  e  'n  seòrsa  duiu'  a  bh'  aun  ? 

Bha  è  'n  a  dliuine  geiir-chuiseacb, 
dalma,  danarra,  fiosrach  mu 
ghnothaichean  na  liune  buair- 
easaicli  's  an  robh  e  beò. 

C'  uiu  a  chaochail  è  ? 

Mu  u  bhiiadhua  17U0. 

Bliaùaoismhòr'u  uaira  chaochail  c. 

Bruinidh  sinn  a  nis  mu  Alastair 
LòmhnuUach  ris  an  abrar  Mac 
Mhaif/hstir  Alastair. 

Ivugadh  è  ann  am  Mùideart  mu  'n 
bhliadhna  1710. 

Bha  'athair  'u  a  mhinistear  dc  'u 
Eaglais  Easbuigeach  ann  an 
Aird-na-murchann, 

'D  è  'n  dreuchd  a  bh'  aige-fhein  ? 

Bha  è  'n  a  mhaighstir-sgoil  sgir- 
eachd  an  Aird-na-murchaun, 
agus  'n  a  fhoirfeach  's  an 
easrlais. 

Dh'  fheumadh  gu'n  robh  è  'u  a 
dheadh  sgoilear. 

Fhuair  è  'ionnsachadh  ann  an  oil- 
thigh  Ghlascho. 

Nach  do  thionndaidh  è  ris  a' 
Chreideamh  Phàpanach  ? 

Thionndaidh  'n  uair  a  dh'  fhalbh 
Ò  le  Priounsa  Teàrlach  's  a' 
bhliadlma  1745. 

Nach  c  'rinn  ' '  Orau  nam  Fineacluiu 
Gàidhealach"  agus  "Allt  an 
t-siùcair  ? ' ' 

'S  è,  agus  ''  Am  Breacan  XJallach," 
"Eàdte  ua  Mor-thir,"  "A 
Bhanarach  Dhoun,"  "  Beann- 
acbadh  Luinge,"  agus  mòran 
a  bharrachd. 


I  have  heard  that  he  was  a  zealous 
friend  of  the  Stewarts. 

He  was,  and  a  bitter  enemy  to 
King  "William  and  his  friends, 
the  Campbells. 

V/as  it  not  he  that  guided  Mon- 
trose's array  to  luverlochy  to 
meet  the  Campbells  ? 

It  was  ;  and  it  was  he  that  com- 
posed that  namely  song  called 
"  The  Day  of  Inverlochy." 

Wliat  kind  of  man  was  he  ? 

He  was  a  shrewd,  bold,  resolute 
man,  well-informed  as  to  the 
affairs  of  the  turbulent  age  in 
which  he  lived. 

When  did  he  die  ? 

About  the  year  1700. 

He  was  a  great  age  when  he  died. 

We  shall  now  speak  of  Alexander 
MacDonald,  called  the  son  of 
Mr.  Alexander. 

He  was  born  in  Muideart  about 
the  year  1710. 

His  father  was  a  minister  of  the 
Episcopal  Cliurch  iu  Ardna- 
murchau. 

What  office  did  he  himself  hold  ? 

He  was  a  parish  sclioolmaster  in 
Ardnamurchan,  and  an  elder 
iu  the  church. 

He  must  have  been  a  good  scholar. 

He  received  his  education  in  Glas- 
gow College. 

Did  he  not  turn  to  the  Popish 
religion  ? 

He  did  when  he  went  away  with 
Prince  Cliarles  in  the  year 
174.3. 

Was  it  not  he  that  composed  "  The 
Song  of  the  Highland  Clans," 
aud  "  The  Sugar  Brook  ?  " 

Yes,  aud  "The  Light  Plaid, 
"  Hail  to  Mòrir,  "  The  Brown- 
haired  Dairymaid,"  "  The 
Blessing  of  a  Ship,"  and  many 


70 


COMHKAIDHEAN  :     CONVERSATIONS. 


Co  dhiùbli  's  c-fhein  no  Bonnchadh 
Ban  Mac-an-t-Saoir  am  bard 
a  's  f heàrr  ? 

Cha  'n  'eil  mi  ro  chinnteach. 

Tha  iad  le  cheile  'n  am  bàird 
chumbachdach. 

Tha  Donnchadh  Ban  na  's  fhasa 
'thuigsiun. 

Tha  tuilleadh  fliocal  a  chaidh  a 
cleachdadh  anu  am  bàrdachd 
an  DòmhnuUaich, 

C  àit  an  d'rugadh  Dounchadh  B;'m? 

llugadh  è  an  Druimliaghairt  an 
Gleann-urchaidh  's  a'  bhliadh- 
na  1724. 

D}i'  innseadh  dhomh  nacb  b'  urr- 
aiun  da  aoua  chuid  leughadh 
no  sgiiobhadh. 

Cha  b'  urrainn,  ach  bha  meoghair 
cho  math  aige  "s  gu'n  robh 
cuimhii'  aige  air  a  h-uile  facal 
de  na  h-òrain  a  rinn  è. 

All  robh  ceàird  sam  bith  aige  ? 

Bha  e  'n  toiseacli  'u  a  fhorsair*  do 
Mhorair  Bhrait  -  Albaiim  an 
Coire-cheathaich  's  am  Beinu- 
dòrain,  agus  'n  a  dheidh  win 
do  Dhiùc  Earraghàidheil  am 
Buachaill  Eite. 

Nach  robh  è  's  an  arm  ? 

'N  iiair  a  bha  e  'n  a  dhuin'  òg  bha 
è  le  Còirneal  Caimbeul  Clioire- 
chumhann  am  blur  na  H-Eigl- 
eise  Brice. 

Bha  è  o  'n  bhliadhua  1793  gus  a' 
bhliadhna  179'J  anu  am  Fen- 
cihks  Morair  Bhraid-Albainu. 

Bha  è  na  h-uibhir  a  bhliadhnaich- 
ean  ann  am  Freiceadan  baile 
Dhun-cideanu. 

C  uin  a  chaochail  c  ? 

'S  a'  bhliadhua  1812. 

'S  iad  na  h-òraiu  a  's  fheiirr  a  riuu 
e  "  Beiun-dòrain,"  "  Coire- 
cheathaich,"  agus  "A'Mhàiri 
Bhàn  òg." 


Whether  is  he  or  Duncan  Biiu 
Maclntyre  the  better  bard  ? 

I  am  not  very  sure.  j 

They  are  both  powerful  poets, 

Duncan  Ban  is  more  easily  under- 
stood. 

There  are  more  obsolete  words  in 
MacDonald's  poetry. 

Where  was  Duncan  Ban  born  ? 
He    was    born    in    Drimliart,    in 
Glenorchy,  in  the  year  1724, 

I  have  been  told  that  he  could 
neither  read  nor  write. 

He  could  not,  but  he  had  so  good 
a  memory  that  he  remembered 
every  word  of  the  songs  that 
he  composed. 

Had  he  any  trade  ? 

Ho  was  at  first  forester  to  Lord 
Breadalbane  in  Coire-cheat- 
haich and  Bendorain,  and 
afterwards  to  the  Duke  of 
Argyll  in  Buachaill  Eite. 

Was  he  not  in  the  army  ? 

When  he  was  a  young  man  he  was 
with  Colonel  Campbell  of  Car- 
whin  at  the  battle  of  Falkirk. 

He  was  from  the  year  1793  to  the 
year  1799  in  Lord  Breadal- 
bane's  Fencibles. 

He  was  a  number  of  years  in  the 
City  Guard  of  Edinburgh. 

When  did  he  die  ? 

In  tlio  year  1812. 

The  best  songs  that  he  composed 
are  "Bendorain,"  "Coire- 
cheathaich,"  and  "Young 
Fair  Mary." 


*  Frlthcar  is  the  word  used  by  Duncan  Ban  for  forester.  "  Tha  sach  frithear 
fuasgailte:"  "Every  forester  is  disengaged."  Forsair,  however,  is  that  which  is 
most  commonly  used,  and  is  sanctioned  by  the  late  Dr.  MacLeod. 


COMHRAIDHEAN  :      CONVERSATIONS. 


71 


Nach  d'  eadar-lheangaich  Professor 

Blackie    "  Beinn-dùrain  "    gu 

Beurla? 
Dh'  eadar-theangaich. 
Dh'  innseadh  dliomh  gu   bhcil   ò 

anabarracli  grinn  air  a  dheau- 

amh. 
Tlia  è  :  is  ainmic  a'  leugh  mi  eadar- 

theangachadh  a  dh' fhaodar  a 

choimeas  ris. 
Tlia  mi  duilich  nach  'eil  ùin'  agam 

tuilleadh  a  r;idh  mu  ua  bàird 

air  an  fheasgar  so. 
Mata  gu  deaibh  cha  ruig  sibh  a 

leas :     tha    mi    air    faotaiun 

cheaua  mòran  eòlais  uaibh. 
Na  'ni  biodh  agam-sa  de  mhcogliair 

a  chuiinhiiichcadh  è  uile. 


Has  not  Professor  Blackie  trans- 
lated "Beudorain"  into  Eng- 
lish ? 

J''-'  has. 

I  liave  been  told  that  it  is  very 
finely  done. 

It  is :  I  have  seldom  read  a  tiuu>- 
lation  that  may  be  compared 
■with  it. 

I  am  sorry  that  I  have  not  time  to 
say  more  about  the  bards  this 
eveiiiug. 

Indeed  you  need  not :  I  have 
already  received  much  infor- 
mation from  you. 

I  wish  I  had  such  a  measure  of 
memory  as  would  remember 
it  all. 


"CONVERSATIONS  IN  GAELIC  AND  ENGLISH." 


OPINIONS     OF     THE     PRESS. 

•'The  want  of  a  book  of  familiar  phrases  on  common  subjects,  in 
English  and  Gaelic,  has  been  largely  felt  by  tourists  and  settlers  in  the 
land  of  the  (lael.  .  .  .  This  great  want,  we  are  glad  to  say,  will  no 
lonarer  be  complained  of  when  the  little  work  whose  title  stands  above 
shall  have  attained  the  circulation  which  it  deserves.  Here  we  have 
sixt.y-four  pages  of  closely-printed  matter,  in  English  and  Gaelic,  con- 
taining familiar  dialogues  on  the  weather,  on  eating  and  drinking,  ou 
farming  and  fishing,  on  weddings  and  Highland  gatherings,  on  the 
Gaelic  language  and  Gaelic  books,  on  the  Queen  and  Royal  Family,  with 
all  which  subjects  a  large  vocabulary  of  classical  Gaelic  is  brought  into 
play.  .  .  .  We  cordially  recommend  this  little  book  to  all  who  wish  to 
live  on  terms  of  kindly  intercourse  with  the  sons  of  the  Gael." — Scotsman. 
' '  A  useful  little  handbook  of  conversations  in  Gaelic  and  English. 
Professor  Blackie  contributes  a  preface," — Inverness  Courier. 

"  These  dialogues,  interesting  oven  as  to  their  subject-matter,  will  be 
of  immense  benefit  to  all  honest  students  of  a  language  very  difficult, 
for  various  reasons,  of  thorough  acquirement.  Mr.  Maclnnes  has  been 
ambitious  to  do  in  this  matter  for  the  Gaelic  what,  in  the  same  direction, 
lias  been  so  long  and  well  done  for  the  Continental  languages;  and  it 
will  be  gladly  confessed  by  all  competent  judges  of  the  matter  that  he 
has  admirably  succeeded.  .  .  .  The  little  volume  has  an  introductory 
chapter  '  On  the  Study  of  Gaelic,'  by  Professor  Blackie,  which  the  student 
will  do  well  to  peruse  with  care  before  resolutely  entering  upon  the 
dialogues  themselves."— (^i^w  Times. 

' '  The  dialogues  made  us  live  our  young  days  over  again.  They  are 
natural,  smart,  and  sometimes  spicy.  The  reading  of  them  aloud  by  the 
fire-side  would  be  a  great  source  of  pleasure,  of  interest;  and  of  no  small 
amount  of  instruction  to  many  a  Gaelic  family  circle.  Parties  travelling 
in  Celticland  should  look  upon  these  Gaelic  and  English  conversations  as 
a  vade  mccum.  They  are  worthy  of  a  wide  circulation,  for  they  are 
simple,  appropriate,  and  well-conceived ;  and  above  all  they  are  kindly 
and  suited  to  the  times  in  which  we  live  and  the  circumstances  tliat 
surround  life  in  the  Highlands.  Many  who  have  neither  a  home  now  in 
Celticland  nor  an  opportunity  of  travelling  among  the  mountains,  but 
whose  thoughts  are  often  there,  would  have  their  hearts  cheered,  their 
memories  refreshed,  and  their  age  again  renewed  by  a  quiet  perusal  of  its 
pages.  And  all  who  are  interested  in  Celtic  subjects  and  the  study  and 
perfection  of  the  Gaelic  language  will  find  in  this  handy  volume  some- 
thing to  gratify  their  taste." — Uban  Tekgraph. 

"The  conversations  are  short  and  lively,  and  carried  on  in  a  most 
easy,  pleasant,  and  natural  manner.  Some  of  the  conversations,  while 
like  all  the  rest  very  entertaining,  contain  a  good  deal  of  useful  informa- 
tion. The  author  is  evidently  a  master  of  Gaelic,  which  he  writes  in  a 
style  so  simple,  elegant,  and  idiomatic  that  it  is  quite  refreshing.  The 
words  and  j^hrases  are  so  racy  and  original,  so  natural  and  idiomatic, 
that  in  reading  them  one  fancies  that  he  hears  the  different  characters 
speaking." — The  Kev.  Donald  M'Caio,  of  Muckairn,  in  Oban  Telegraph. 
From  the  late  John  Gordon,  Esq.,  LL.L».,  H.M.  Insjsector  of  Schools: 
— "  I  am  gratified  in  receiving  your  little  book.  It  realises  what  I  have 
ever  wished  to  see  in  Highland  schools." 


Telegraphic   Address— "  BOYD,    OBAN." 

GAELIC  AND  EN'GLISH  BOOKS,  in  all  Branches  of 
Literature,  kept  in  Stock. 

Any  book  or  publication  (not  in  stock)  supplied  on  shortest 

notice  at  Publisher's  own  price. 
Catalogues  of  NEW  and  SECOND-HAND  BOOKS  issued  at 

intervals  and  supplied  free. 

Large  and  varied  Stock  of  School,  Mercantile,  and  Fancy 
STATIONERY  always  on  hand. 

BOOKS  BOUND  in  any  style  of  Binding,  at  cheapest  Prices. 
SELECT  LENDING  LIBRA^RY.     Catalogues  Free.      Sub- 
scriptions may  begin  at  any  time. 

Publishing  Office  of  BOYD'S  OBAN  DIARY  and  TIME- 
TABLE, monthly.  One  Penny,  by  Post  Ikl. 

OBAN  VISITORS'  REGISTER,  8-page  Illustrated  News- 
paper (July,  August,  September),  weekly.  Id.,  by  Post, 
1  Jd.     Specimen  copy  Free  on  application. 

BOYD'S  THOROUGH  GUIDE  TO  OBAN  with  aU  Day- 
Excursions  from  it,  with  4  maps  and  plan  of  Oban. 
Crown  8vo.,  6d.,  by  Post  8d. 


XCttCrpreSS  printiUOt  ^^  every  description,   executed 
with  neatness  and  despatch.     Estimates  Free. 


4«oos>4-e- 


THOMAS    BOYD, 

|3i-iutn-,  ^Jublisltcr,  ^ookscUcr,  stationer,  llctDS-^gcnt, 
anb  ^ookbinìicv, 

ARGYLL  PRINTING  OFFICE, 

C3-EOI^C3-E      STI^EET,      O  B -A.  IST  .