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THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 

OE  CALIEORNIA 

LOS  ANGELES 


A   DESCRIPTIVE   CATALOGUE   OF 
GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS 


A    DESCRIPTIVE    CATALOGUE 

OF 

GAELIC    MANUSCRIPTS 

IN   THE 

ADVOCATES'   LIBRARY  EDINBURGH, 

AND 
ELSEWHERE    IN    SCOTLAND 


BY   DONALD   MACKINNON,   M.A. 

1>K0FESS0R  OF   CELTIC  LANGUAGES,   ETC.    ETC.    IN 
THE  UNIVERSITY   OF  EDINBURGH 


Compiled  at  the  instance  of 

JOHN,  FOURTH  MARQUESS  OF  BUTE, 

through  whose  liberality  it  is  published 


EDINBURGH 
PRINTED   BY   T.  AND   A.  CONSTABLE 

PRINTERS    TO    HIS    MAJESTY 
AND   PUBLISHED    BY 

WILLIAM   BROWN,   5   CASTLE   STREET 
1912 


Ja  1'  "i 


PREFACE 

In  issuing  this  Catalogue,  I  beg  to  acknowledge  the  courtesy  and 
kindness  which  I  have  received  from  the  owners  and  custodiers 
of  the  Manuscripts  herein  described. 

In  particular,  my  grateful  thanks  are  due  to  the  Curators  of 
the  Advocates'  Library  for  the  exceptional  arrangements  kindly 
made  by  them  which  enabled  me  to  read  their  large  collection 
of  Gaelic  MSS.,  and  to  the  Keeper  of  the  Library  and  his  staff 
for  the  courteous  manner  in  which  they  carried  out  these 
arrangements. 

The  frequent  references  to  Mr.  Standish  Hayes  O'Grady's 
Catalogue  of  Irish  MSS.  in  the  British  Museum  show  my 
indebtedness  to  that  excellent  work.  In  reading  the  Medical 
MSS.  of  the  Scottish  Collection,  the  Chapter  on  Medicine,  etc. 
in  Mr.  O'Grady's  Catalogue  was  of  much  benefit  to  me. 

I  have  also  received  Avilling  aid  from  Professor  Kuno 
Meyer,  LL.D.,  now  of  Berlin,  in  a  variety  of  ways. 

DON.  MACKINNON. 

University  of  Edinburgh, 
March,  1912. 


a  2 


CONTENTS 

Introduction, PP-  1-4 

MSS.   IN   ADVOCATES'   LIBRARY 

A— MSS.   I-LXV 

CHAPTER 

I.  Medicine,  etc.,  pp.  5-71. 

MSS.  II,  III,  IV,  IX,  X,  XI,  XII,  XIII,  XIV,  XVII,  xviii,  xx,  xxi,  xxii, 

XXIII,  XXV,  XXVI,  XXVII,  XXXIII,     XLI,  LX. 

II.  Religious  and  Ecclesiastical,  pp.  72-105. 

MSS.    I,  V,  VI,  VII,  XXIV,  XXV,   XXVI,   xxix,   xxxi,  XXXVI,    XXXIX,  XL, 
XLVII,  XLVIII,  XLIX,   LIA^,  LV,  LVI,   LVIII,  LXIV,  LXV. 

III.  History  and  Genealogy,  pp.  106-28. 

MSS.   I,  II,  V,  VI,  VII,  VIII    IX,   XXVIII,   XXX,   xxxvi,  XXXVIII,   xxxix, 
XLI,  XLTI,  XLIIT,  XLIV,  XLVIII,  XLIX,  L,  LI,  LII,  LV,  LVIII. 

IV.  Legend  and  Lore,  pp.  129-76. 

MSS.    V,   XVI,   XIX,   XXVIII,    XXXIV,  XXXVI,   XXXVIII,    XXXIX,    XL,  XLIl, 
XLV,  XLVIII,  LIII,  LIV,  LV,  LVI,  LVII,  LVIII,  LIX,  LXI,  LXII,  LXV. 

V.  Legal,   Lexical,  Grammatical,  pp.  177-82. 

Legal,    MS.    vii  ;    Lexical,    MSS.   vii,   xxxviii,   lxv  ;   Grammatical, 

MSS.  I,  VI,  VII,  LVII,  LVIII. 

VI.  Maxims,  Triads,  Proverbs,  pp.  183-93. 

Maxims  (Sayings,  Instructions),  MSS.  i,  ii,  vii,  xlii,  lvii  ;   Triads, 
MSS.  I,  VII,  XLII  ;  Proverbs,  MSS.  lxii,  lxv. 

VII.  Gaelic  Versions  of  Classical  Epics,  pp.  194-202. 
MSS.  VIII,  XV,  XIX,  xLvi. 

VIII.  Miscellaneous,  pp.  203-16. 

MSS.    V,     XIX,    XXXVI,    XXXVIII,    XXXIX,    XLVIII,    LV,    LVII,    LVIII,   LXII, 
LXIII,  LXV. 

IX.  Special  Account  of  Three  MSS.,  pp.  217-46. 
MSS.  xxxii,  XXXV,  xxxvii. 


viii  CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS 

B— APPENDIX  I,  pp.  247-82,  and  pp.  327-8. 
I.  MSS.  Lxvi-civ,  pp.  247-06  :— 

(1)  Dictionaries   and    Vocabularies :    MSS.    lxvi-lxxvi,    lxxxi,    xci- 

xcviii,  c,  CI. 

(2)  Transcripts  :  MSS.  lxxvii-lxxxi,  lxxxiti-lxxxvi,  lxxxix,  xc,  civ. 

(3)  Analysis  of  Gaelic  MSS.  :  MS.  lxxxii. 

(4)  Heroic  Verse:  MSS.  lxxxvii,  i.xxxviii,  cii. 

(5)  Translations  :  MS.  xcix,  cm. 

II.  MSS.  IN  Boxes,  pp.  267-81  :~ 

(1)  The  Skene  Box— (a)  Life  of  St.  Patrick  ;  (b)  Grant's  MS.  (Ossianic 

Ballads)  ;  (c)  two  MSS.  in  Scots  ;  (d)  Translations  and  Extracts 
in  English  and  Welsh  ;  (e)  fugitive  papers. 

(2)  Box  2 — Sundries  :  Portion  of  large  medical  MS.  ;  Ossianic  collec- 

tions of  Pope,  Fletcher,  Macdonald  of  Staffa,  Campbell,  Portree  ; 
Turner  (?)  MS.  ;  Tale  of  the  Big  Fool ;  Vocabulary  ;  D.  C.  Macpher- 
son's  Texts  from  the  Dean  of  Lismore ;  papers  on  the  Ossianic 
Controversy  ;  stray  ballads. 

(3)  Box  3 — Dr.  Macdonald's  Collection  ;    specimens  of  Ewen  Maclach- 

lan's  Translations  from  the  Iliad  ;  papers  on  the  Ossianic  Contro- 
versy ;  individual  ballads  and  poems. 

(4)  Box  4 — Fragmentary  vocabularies  ;  papers  on  the  Ossianic  Controversy 

and  the  Highland  Society's  Dictionary  ;  a  few  poems  and  ballads. 

III.  Mr.  J.  F.  Campbell's  MSS.,  pp.  281-2. 

APPENDIX  II,  pp.  283-312. 
MSS.  IN  OTHER  LIBRARIES 
I.  MSS.  IN  Edinburgh  University  : — 

(1)  Beaton  Medical  MS.,  pp.  283-6. 

(2)  Jerome  Stone's  MSS.,  pp.  286-90. 

(3)  Portion  of  a  Gaelic  Grammar,  p.  290. 

(4)  Dr.  Irvine's  Collection,  p.  291. 

(5)  MSS.  of  Rev.  Thomas  Innes  and  Rev.  Robert  Kirke,  pp.  291-2. 

(6)  Collection  of  Irish  Poems  and  Songs,  pp.  292-4. 

(7)  Volume  of  Translation  by  Rev.  D.  Maclnnes,  p.  294. 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS  ix 

II.  MSS.  IN  H.  M.  Register  House,  Edinburgh  :— 

(1)  The  Islay  Charter,  p.  295. 

(2)  Contract  of  Fosterage,  p.  296. 

(3)  Elegy  on  Sir  Duncan  Campbell  of  Glenurchy,  p.  297. 

III.  MS.   IN  THE  LlHRARY  OF  THE  SOCIETY  OF  ANTIQUARIES  OF  SCOTLAND: — 

A  Gaelic  Version  of  the  Lilimn  Medicinae,  pp.  298-301. 

IV.  MSS.  IN  THE  University  of  Glasgow  : — 

(1)  The  Maclagan  Collection,  302-10. 

(2)  The  Fernaig  MS.  (described  pp.  267-271). 

(2)  Papers,  etc.,  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Cameron,  pp.  310-12. 

(4)  MS.  of  Dr.  Macbain's  Etymological  Dictionary,  p.  312. 

APPENDIX  III,  pp.  313-22. 
MSS.  IN  PRIVATE  POSSESSION 

I.  MSS.  IN  the  Writer's  Possession  :— 

(1)  An  Imperfect  Copy  of  the  Treatise  on  Materia  Medica,  p.  313. 

(2)  Portion  of  Commentary  on  Aristotle's  De  Anima,  pp.  313-4. 

(3)  Portion  of  Ricardus's  Treatise  on  Medicine,  pj).  314-5. 

(4)  Two  volumes  compiled  by  Rev.  John  Smith.     Contents  miscellane- 

ous, pp.  315-8. 

II.  Dr.  Henderson's  MSS.  :— 

(1)  A  Ratisbon  MS.,  pp.  318-9. 

(2)  The  M'Nicol  Collection,  319-20. 

III.  Dr.  Hew  Morrison's  MS.  :— 

A  MS.  copy  of  Rob  Donn's  Poems,  p.  321. 

IV.  Rev.  John  W.  Macintyre's  MSS.  : — 

(1)  The  Second  Transcript,  by  Mr.  Ewen  Maclachlan,  of  the  Dean  of 

Lismore's  MS.,  p.  321. 

(2)  An  English-Gaelic  Dictionary,  p.  321. 

(3)  A  copy  of  Macdiarmid's  Collection  of  Gaelic  Proverbs,  p.  321. 

V.  Captain  Matheson's  Collection  of  Poems  and  Songs  : — 
Three  Small  Volumes,  pp.  321-2. 


X  CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS 

APPENDIX  IV,  pp.  323-6. 
MSS.  Lost  or  Missing  : — 

(1)  The  Records  of  the  Isles,  p.  325. 

(2)  Translation  of  the  Old  Testament,  p.  325. 

(3)  Farquharson's  Collection,  p.  326. 

[Note  on  MSS.  of  Scottish  oriii;in  on  the  Continent,  in  England,  and  in 
Canada,  ])p.  3-23-4.] 

ADDITIONS  AND  CORRECTIONS,  pp.  327-8. 
INDEX :— 

I.  Authors  and  principal  Persons,  pp.  329-39. 
II.  Principal  Subjects  and  Treatises,  pp.  339-45. 

III.  Other  MSS.  quoted  or  referred  to,  pp.  345-6. 

IV.  Books  and  Periodicals  quoted  or  referred  to,  pp.  346-8. 


ABBREVIATIONS 

Arch.  Brit,  =  Archseologia  Britannica,  by  Edward  Lhuyd.     Oxford.     1707. 

Arch.  fiir.  Celt.  Lexih.  =  Archiv  fiir  Celtische  Lexikographie. 

Atk.  —  Passions  and  Homilies  from  Leabhar  Breac,  by  Professor  Atkinson  .  .  . 

Dublin.     1887. 
B.B.  =  Book  of  Ballymote,  published  in  photograjjli,  by  the  Royal  Irish  Academy. 
B.L.  =  Book  of  Lismore,  a  MS.  in  Lismore  Castle,  Ireland. 
Boil.  =  Bodleian  Library,  Oxford. 
B.  of  iec.  =  Book  of  Lecan,  a  MS.  in  R.  I.  A.,  Dublin. 
Brit.  Mils.  =  British  Museum. 
Celt.  Mag.  =  Celtic  Magazine. 
Celt.  Rev.  =  Celtic  Review. 

CeZ^.  &o<.  =  Celtic  Scotland,  by  W.  F.  Skene.     3  vols.     Edinburgh,     1876-80. 
i).L.  =Dean  of  Lismore's  Book.     Edinburgh,  1862. 
D.L.  MS.  =  Manuscript  of  the  Dean  of  Lismore  (  =  No.  xxxvii). 
Dr.  M'L.  =  The  Rev.  Dr.  Thomas  MacLauchlan. 
%  =  Egerton  {  =  MSS.  in  Brit.  Mus.). 
E.  M^L.  =  Ewen  Maclachlan,  of  Fortwilliain  and  Aberdeen. 
Fasti  =  Fasti  Ecclesia?  Scoticame,  Hew  Scott,  D.D. 
i'^.M.  =  Annals  of  the  Four  Masters,  edited  by  John  O'Donovan,  LL.D. 
Gael.  Journ.  =  Gaelic  Joui-nal  (Dublin). 
G.  S.  I.  =  Transactions  of  the  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 
High.  Soc.  of  Lond.  =  Highland  Society  of  London. 
High.  Soc.  of  Scot.  =  Highland  (and  Agricultural)  Society  of  Scotland. 
J/./S.Z>.  =  Highland  Society's  Dictionary. 

It.  Texte.  =  Irische  Texte,  Stokes  and  Windisch.     4  vols.     Leipzig. 
Ir.  Texte  mit  Wort.  =  Irische  Texte  mit  Worterbuch,  by  Professor  Windisch. 

Leipzig.     1880. 
Juh.  —  Essai  d'un  Catalogue  de  la  Literature  Epiques  de  I'lrlande  .  .  .  par  H. 

d'Arbois  de  Jubainville.     Paris.     1883. 
K.M.  =Dr.  Kuno  Meyer. 
L.Br.  =  Leabhar  Breac  or  Speckled  Book,  published  in  facsimile  by  the  Royal 

Irish  Academy.     Dublin.     1876. 
jC.O.  =  Leabhar  Caol  'Narrow  Book'  (No.  lxxxiii),  a  vol.  of  Transcripts  by 

Ewen  Maclachlan. 
Jf.F.  =  Leabhar  na  Feinne.     London.     1872. 


xii  CATALOGUR  OF  OAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS 

L.L.  -The  Boitk  of  Loinster,  piililisliod  in  fiicsiiiiile  by  tlie  Royal  Irish  Acafleniy. 

18H0. 
I/.f7.  =  Loahh:ir  na  h-l'i.lhri  or  Book  of  the  Dun  (Cow),  published  in  facsimile 

by  the  Royal  Irish  Acadciny.     1870. 
Mann,  and  ('H.s^  =  Manners   iimi    Customs  of  the  Ancient  Irish,  by  Eugene 

O'Curry,  M.  K.  I.  A.     3  vols.     Dublin.     1K73. 
MS  (S).  3/(i^  =  Manuscript   Materials  of  Ancient  Irish  History,  by  Eugene 

O'Curry,  M.  R.  I.  A.     Dublin.     1878. 
CfC.  =  Eugene  O'Curry. 
O'Gr.  C<it.  =  A  Catalogue  of  Irish  MSS.  in  the  British  Muscuni,  by  Standish 

Hayes  O'Grady. 
OR.  =  A  Chronological  Account  of  Irish  Writers  .  .  .  Ijy  Edward  O'Reilly. 

.  .  .  Dublin.     1820. 
J?au>^  =  Rawlinson  (MSS.  in  Bodl.  Library). 
U«^.  Oeii.  =  Reliquia?  Celticje.     2  vols.     Inverness.     1892,1894. 
Rej).  on  Oss.  =  Report  of  the  Committee  of  the  Highland  Society  of  Scotland.  .  .  . 

(upon)  the  Poems  of  Ossian.     Edinburgh.     1805. 
Rev.  Celt.  =  Revue  Celtique. 
R.  I.  J.  =  Royal  Irish  Academy. 

R.  M'fK  =  Ranald  Macdonald  (Collection  of  Gaelic  Poetry,    Edinburgh.    1776). 
Sil^c).  (?(((/.  =  Silva  Gadelica,  A  Collection  of  Tales  by  Standish  H.  O'Grady. 

2  vols.     Williams  and  Norgate.     1892. 
St.  Baiih.  Hos2).  =  St.  Bartholomew's  Hospital,  London. 
T.  a  i).  =  Trinity  College,  Dublin. 
W.   H,   r.  =  Wfst   Highland  Tales,  by  J.  F.  Campbell.     4  vols.     Edinburgh. 

1860,  1862. 
Y.B.L.  =  YcWow  Book  of  Lecan,  published  in  photograph  by  the  Royal  Irish 

Academy.     Dublin. 
Zeit.fur  Celt.  Fh  il .  —  Zeitschi-'dt  fiir  Celtische  Philologie. 


INTRODUCTION 

The  Collection  of  Gaelic  Manuscripts  known  as  the  Scottish 
or  Advocates'  Library  Collection  contains  nearly  all  that  now 
remains  of  the  old  literature  of  the  Gael  written  or  preserved 
in  Scotland,  together  with  a  considerable  amount  of  literary 
debris  written  or  transcribed  in  comparatively  recent  years. 
The  origin  of  the  Collection  is  explained  in  the  following  note 
(Dean  of  Lismore's  Book :  Edinburgh,  1862,  p.  vii.  n.)  written 
by  the  late  W.  F.  Skene,  LL.D.,  D.C.L.,  etc.  etc.  :— 

'  This  collection  has  been  formed  within  the  last  few  years 
mainly  through  the  instrumentality  of  the  writer.  When  he 
commenced,  the  Faculty  of  Advocates  possessed  four  Gaelic 
MSS.     The  collection  now  consists  of  sixty-five. 

'  The  waiter  formed  the  plan  of  collecting  the  remains  of  the 
MS.  Gaelic  literature  of  Scotland,  which  was  rapidly  disappear- 
ing, into  one  place,  where  they  could  be  preserved,  by  inducing 
the  possessors  of  Gaelic  MSS.  to  deposit  them  in  some  public 
library  for  preservation ;  and  as  the  Faculty  of  Advocates  were 
already  in  the  possession  of  some  MSS.,  their  library  was 
evidently  the  most  appropriate  depository  for  this  purpose.  The 
valuable  MSS.  belonging  to  the  Highland  [now  the  Highland 
and  Agricultural]  Society  of  Scotland  formed  the  basis  of  the 
collection ;  the  Directors  and  their  Secretary,  John  Hall 
Maxwell,  Esq.,  C.B.,  having  at  once  responded  to  the  call,  and 
the  fortunate  discovery  of  the  Kilbride  Collection,  which  its 
possessor  likewise  agreed  to  deposit,  added  a  large  number. 
The  remainder  consists  of  MSS.  deposited  by  individual 
possessors,  and  the  collection  now  embraces  nearly  all  the  MSS. 
known  or  believed  still  to  exist. 

'  It  is  hoped  that,  if  any  Gaelic  MSS.    still  remain  in   the 
hands  of  individual  possessors,  they  will  add  to  the  value  of 

A 


2  CATALOGUE  OF  GAKMC  MANUSCRIPTS 

this  collection  b}'  making-  tJiuiii  known,  :ui'l  dejiositint^^  tlicin   in 
the  Advocates'  Library  for  preservation. 

'The  MSS.  ai-o  preserved  in  a  hacked  cabinet,  and  a  general 
catalognc  of  the  whole  has  been  prepared  by  the  writer.' 

The  following  information  regarding  the  ownership  of  these 
sixty-five  MSS.  is  taken  from  Dr.  Skene's  Catalogue:— 

MSS.  I-IV  are  the  jjroperty  of  the  Facnity  of  Advocates. 

MSS.  V-XXXVI,  as  also  MS.  LIII,  were  the  property  of 
the  MLachlans  of  Kilbride  in  Nether  Lorn.  Major 
M'Lachlan  gave  five  of  these  (XXXII-XXXVI)  to  the 
Highland  Society:  LIII  was  obtained  by  Sir  William 
MaeLeod  Bannatyne,  through  the  Rev.  John  Mackinnon 
of  (llendaniel,  and  sent  to  the  Society.  The  remainder 
(V-XXXI)  disappeared,  and  were  eventually  found  in  the 
repositories  of  a  deceased  man  of  business  in  Glasgow 
who  had  been  agent  for  the  family,  and  deposited  by  his 
successors  in  the  Advocates'  Library.  These  twenty- seven 
MSS.  are  marked  'Kilbride  Collection,' and  are  numbered 
1  to  27  as  well  as  V-XXXI.  The  signature  '  H.  Kerr '  (or 
'  H.  K.'),  that  of  the  agent  who  handed  them  over  to  the 
Library,  appears  frequently  on  the  pages.  {Gf.  also 
pp.  280-4  and  p.  290  of  Appendix  to  the  Report  of  the 
Committee  of  the  Highland  Societ}'  on  the  nature  and 
authenticity  of  the  Poems  of  Ossian.    Edin.  1805.) 

MSS.  XXXVI-LII  were  obtained  from  the  Highland  Society 
of  London. 

MSS.  LIV-LVII  were  evidently  at  one  time  the  property  of 
Peter  Turner,  a  soldier,  who  published  a  collection  of 
Gaelic  Poetry  in  LSI  8. 

MSS.  LVIII-LXV  are  the  property  of  the  Highland  Society, 
but  from  whom  obtained  is  unknown. 

Dr.  Skene  appended  to  his  Catalogue  an  account  of  other 
fifteen  volumes  which  are  '  Copies  of,  or  Transcripts  from, 
ancient  MSS.  and  modern  collections  of  poetry  made  chiefly 
from  recitation.'  These  are:  (1)  Analysis  of  the  contents  of 
fourteen  MSS.  belonging  to  the  Highland  Society  by  Ewen 
M'Lachlan;  (2)  Copies  and  extracts  from  these  MSS.  by  Ewen 


INTRODUCTION  3 

M'Lachlan  ;  (3)  A  transcript  of  the  MS.  of  the  Dean  of  Lismore 
by  Ewen  M'Lachlan ;  (4)  Copy  of  the  small  volume  erroneously 
called  the  Leahhar  Dearg  or  Red  Book  of  Clanranald  by  Donald 
M'Intosh ;  (5)  A  volume  containing  the  Tale  called  Olrjcdd 
Gloinne  Tuirenn;  the  Poems  of  Ossian  in  Gaelic  from  the 
printed  edition,  and  the  Span  Da  na,  written  in  the  Irish  charac- 
ters, by  John  Sinclair,  Glasgow;  (6)  The  first  collection  of 
Ossianic  poetry  by  Duncan  Kennedy;  (7)  The  second  collection  of 
Duncan  Kennedy  (two  vols,  bound  in  one) ;  (8)  Copy  by  Mr.  D. 
M'Intosh  of  a  transcript  of  two  ancient  Gaelic  MSS.,  the  first 
by  Ewen  Macphadric  at  DunstafFnage,  1603,  the  second  by 
Ewen  Maclean  for  Colin  Campbell  before  1690 ;  (9)  A  paper 
portfolio,  containing  a  fragment  of  a  poem  ascribed  to  Ossian, 
with  the  Gaelic  text  on  one  page,  and  a  translation  on  the 
other ;  (10)  A  paper  MS.  containing  in  Gaelic  Sgeula  no  Laoidh 
an  Amadain  mlioir,  '  The  Tale  or  Lay  of  the  great  Fool';  (11) 
A  small  paper  MS.  containing  a  translation  of  the  above  (no.  10) ; 
(12)  A  paper  MS.  containing  copies  of  poems  collected  by 
Macdonald  of  Staffa;  (13)  A  small  MS.  collection,  containing 
six  Ossianic  ballads;  (14)  A  MS.  collection  of  poetry  com- 
mencing with  Marhhrainn  Eoin  Diuc  Earraghaoidheil 
Elegy  on  John,  Duke  of  Argyll';  (15)  Loose  leaves  containing 
copies  of  Gaelic  poems. 

Considerable  additions  have  been  made  to  the  Collection 
during  the  last  forty-five  years.  The  late  Mr.  J.  F.  Campbell 
bequeathed  several  MS.  Volumes  to  the  Advocates'  Library  con- 
taining, among  other  matter,  many  Gaelic  Tales  not  printed  by 
him.  A  number  of  MSS.,  apparently  overlooked  by  Dr.  Skene 
and  Mr.  Maxwell,  have  in  recent  3^ears  been  transferred  from 
the  Library  of  the  Highland  Society  to  the  Advocates'  Library. 
Dr.  Skene  himself  bequeathed  the  Celtic  MSS.  collected  by  him 
to  the  same  Library,  while  others  have  been  deposited  by 
various  benefactors. 

Dr.  Skene's  Catalogue  was  hurriedly  done,  and  gives  but  a 
vague  account  of  the  MSS.  in  the  Collection  even  at  that  time. 
It  has  thus  become  desirable  to  prepare  a  more  detailed  Catalogue 
of  the  larger  Collection  now  in  existence,  and  to  add,  as  an 


4  CATAmaUK  OF  aARLIO  MANUSCHTI'TR 

Appendix,  an  acciount,  of  (iaclic  MSS.  elsewhere  in  Scotland,  so 
far  as  known  to  the  writer.  For  Facility  of  reference,  an  attempt 
has  hecn  made  to  classify  the  MSS.  according-  to  the  natnre  of 
their  contents.  Hut  inasnuich  as  many  of  them  as  now  bonnd 
up  treat  of  a  variety  of  snbjects,  there  is  frc(|ii(;ntly  an  a])piir('nt 
overlapi^ini:^.  Still  it  is  to  bo  lioped  tliat  (laeru;  S(;holars  will 
benefit  by  the  arrannement  adopted,  imperfect  in  some  respects 
though  it  be. 

In  printing  the  (iaelic  extracts  the  orthography  of  each  MS. 
is  preserved ;  ordinary  contractions  are  silently  extended,  except 
in  doubtful  cases  when  the  extension  is  shoAvn  in  different  ty]ic  : 
and  the  mark  of  aspiration  (a  dot  over  the  consonant)  is,  in 
deference  to  the  usage  in  printing  Scottish  Gaelic,  represented 
by  the  letter  h  following  the  consonant. 


CHAPTER  I 


MEDICINE,  ETC.  ETC. 


The  old  Physicians  whose  works  the    Gaelic-speaking  practi- 
tioners of  Scotland  and  Ireland  studied,  translated,  and  com- 
mented upon,  included  within  the  sphere  of  their  study  not 
merely  Medicine  and  the  Physical  Sciences  as  known  to  them, 
but  also  Astronomy  and  Astrology,  as  well  as  Philosophy  and 
Metaphysics.     In  this  extended  sense  the  Medical  section  of  the 
Scottish  Collection  of  Gaelic  MSS.  is  very  large.     The  fact  is 
mainly  due  to  the  zeal  and  industry  of  a  family  of  the  name  of 
M'Beath,   latinised   Betonus,   now  Beaton,  who   flourished  for 
several   centuries  in   Islay  as   hereditary  physicians,  and  who 
spread  from  the  original  home  to  Mull,  Skye  ^  and  Uist  in  the 
Isles,  as  well  as  to  Sutherlandshire  and  other  places  on  the 
Mainland.     According  to  the  pedigree  of  the  family  preserved 
in  the  Laing  MS.  (fol.  103a)  in  the  University  of  Edinburgh, 
the  founder  Beath{a),  a  descendant  of  Niall  of  the  Nine  Hostages, 
came  from  Ireland   to  Scotland,  and  tradition  has  it  that  he 
came  in  the  train  of  the  Lady  O'Cathain  or  O'Kane  who  married 
Aonghas  Og  of  the  Isles,  the  warm  friend  and  supporter  of 
Robert  the  Bruce.     Another  family  of  the  name  of  O'Conacher, 
later  M'Conacher,  also  from  Ireland    as  the  name  would   indi- 
cate,  settled  as   physicians  in  Lorn  in  Argyllshire,  and  prac- 
tised their   profession    for   many  generations    in    the  district, 
latterly  in  Airdoran  near  Oban.     This  family  did  not  attain  to 
the  celebrity  of  the  Beatons.     But  the  name  O'Conacher  appears 
on  several  of  the  MSS.,  and  MS.  LX,  one  of  the  largest  in  the 
Medical  section,  Avas  written  for  Duncan  O'Conacher  early  in 
the  seventeenth  century.    These  hereditary  physicians  practised 
their  profession  in  the  Highlands  and  Islands  down  to  compara- 

1  The  Skye  Beatons  or  Ik'thunes,  or  some  of  them,  claim  to  be  descended 

from  the  Bethunes  of  Balfour  in  Fife. 

6 


6  CATAT-OniTE  OF  (lAETJU  MANUSCKIITS       [MS.  II 

tivcly  recent  times,  and  hence  the  MSS.  whicli  lliey  rated  so 
highly  were  preserved  more  carefully  than  others.  The  old 
documents,  it  need  hardly  he  said,  are  of  little  or  no  medical 
value  in  our  day;  but  in  the  liistory  of  the  Highlands  and  of 
the  Gaelic  Language  and  Literature,  they  Avill  always  remain 
of  the  greatest  importance. 

The  MSS.  whose  contents  arc  wholly  or  largely  Medical  are 
the  followini'- : — 


MS.  II 

This  is  a  collection  of  fragments  of  several  j\lSS.  of  various 
dates.  The  volume,  like  i\lSS.  I  and  III,  is  bound  in  calf,  and 
stamped  in  gold  letters :  '  Bibliotheca  Advocatorum.  MSS.  in 
Literis  Hibernicis.'  The  MS.  was  sent  to  the  Advocates'  Library 
by  the  Rev.  Donald  Macqueen,  minister  of  Kilmuir,  Skye 
(Rep.  on  Oss.,  App.  p.  294),  who  also  sent  a  copy  of  the 
Gaelic  translation  of  Bernard  Gordon's  Lilium  Medichiae  to 
the  Society  of  Scottish  Antiquaries.  At  present,  the  MS.,  count- 
ing the  merest  scraps,  consists  of  148  leaves,  104  of  parchment 
and  44  of  paper.  From  a  note  on  fol.  65b  it  would  appear  that 
at  a  former  time  it  consisted  of  106  leaves  only :  an  med  duilog 
ata  aim  sa  leahharsa  .|.  G  as  5  xx,  'the  number  of  leaves  in 
this  book  is  six  and  five  score.' 

Several  memoranda,  in  Gaelic  and  English,  are  entered  here 
and  there  on  margins  and  blank  spaces  of  the  MS.  On  fol.  16b 
e.g.  the  scribe  complains  of  his  bad  handwriting.  On  fol.  42b  is 
the  following  note: — Mhefer  na  droc/t  litracJt,  do  graihli  no  a 
haile  tlilyherna  blieinne  Edair  .\.  Eoin  Mc  DomJiuadl  J  is  fa  da 
am  dh/iitJifdJt  an  diufgJi  me.  '  I, John  sonof  Donald,  am  the  inferior 
scribe  who  wrote  this  in  the  stead  of  the  lord  of  Ben  Edar  (the 
Hill  of  Howth),  and  far  from  my  country  am  I  this  day.'  This 
John  son  of  Donald  may  well  have  been  the  father  of  Duncan 
son  of  John  son  of  Donald  son  of  Duncan  O'Conacher  for  Avhom 
MS.  LX  was  written.  The  following  entry  on  fol.  65b  shows 
that  the  MS,  or  a  portion  of  it  belonged  to  Malcolm  M'Beath  or 
Bethune,  probably  one  of  the  Skye  physicians:  Liher  Malcohni 
Betune.   Ag  so  Icahar  Giolla  Colaiin  Meighethadh  7  tabhraid  gach 


MS.  II]  MEDICINE,  ETC.  7 

neach  a  Irgfas  so  hendaelrf  ar  aninvAnfir  an  leahJiair  si.  Amen. 
'  The  book  of  Malcolm  Bethime.  Here  is  the  book  of  Malcolm 
MacBeath,  and  let  every  one  who  reads  this  bestow  a  blessing 
on  the  owner  of  this  book.  Amen.'  Again  on  fol.  66a  the  MS., 
or  that  section  of  it,  is  claimed  for  Duncan  M'Conachcr,  probably 
the  Duncan  for  whom  MS.  LX  was  written,  while  on  fol.  124a 
is  the  entry  on  the  top  margin  leahar  Eoin  rnic  Conatbair, 
'  the  book  of  John  M'Conacher,'  the  father,  evidently,  of  Duncan, 
and  the  John  son  of  Donald  mentioned  above. 

A  small  portion  of  the  contents  of  the  MS.  is  non-medi- 
cal :  e.r/. 

On  fol.  17b  are  two  lays,  the  first  addressed  to  one  of  the  sons 
of  Tuirenn,  commencing  : — 

(Jabh  na  cinn-si  ar  li-ucht  a  uair 
A  meic  Tuirinn  arm-maidh 
'  Receive  these  heads  oa  thy  breast  betimes 
Red-weapoiied  son  of  Tuirenn  '  ; 

and  the  second,  one  of  the  lays  of  Deirdre, — that  commencing 

A  Naisi  decha  do  ncll 
'  0  Naise  look  ou  thy  cloud  '  (wraith  ?) 

and  printed  in  Irische  Texte,  ii,  133,  and  Celtic Revieiv,  i,  116,  of 
which  two  quatrains,  the  fourth  and  seventh,  are  here  awanting. 

Fols.  20-26  consist  of  notes  in  Latin  (the  last  sentence  in 
Gaelic)  on  months  of  the  year.  Apostles,  and  Saints. 

Fols.  66-70,  contain  a  copy  of  the  well-known  Tecosc 
Chorbma  Ic,  '  the  Precepts  of  Cormac' 

Fol.  79  and  fol.  88  are  taken  up  with  Annals. 

On  fol.  116  is  a  wordy  description  of  an  unsightl}^  caillcneli 
or  hag,  written  in  the  exaggerated,  alliterative  style  met  with  in 
the  so-called  runs  or  rctorics  of  Gaelic  Tales. 

Owing  to  the  number  of  separate  MSS.  contained  in  the 
volume  there  is  great  overlapping.  The  following  is  a  very 
brief  summary  of  the  contents : — 

Fols.  1-3  are  of  small  folio  size,  parchment.  The  subject  is 
the  commencement  of  a  well-written  tract  on  the  Constellations, 


8  CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS      [MS.  II 

openin<]c  thus  :  Fiarfa'ujter  aiinso  calin  renn  fwil  dim  {s)ii/n(U'r 
edit'  Ueisccarf  j  tmiisceart.  Nl  insa.  '  It  is  enquired  here  how 
many  stars  are  in  the  sky,  north  and  south.  Not  difficult  (to 
tell).'  There  are  thirteen  in  the  south  and  eight  in  the  north. 
The  names  are  given,  with  explanatory  legends  from  Greek 
and  Roman  mythology.     From  Aries  onwards  they  are  figured. 

Fols.  4-19  are  of  ordinar}'  quarto  size,  parchment.  These  may 
possibly  have  formed  part  of  one  MS.  at  one  time  ;  if  so,  it  is  now 
very  fragmentary,  and  the  leaves  are,  besides,  mixed  up  in  bind- 
ing. Thus  on  fol.  6  commences  a  detailed  treatise  on  the  lenna 
or  '  humours '  following  an  earlier  one,  now  lost,  on  the  '  com- 
plexions':  Coinposisiones  sunt  qivator,  etc.  0  do  lahramur  do 
na  coimplexaib  don  taib  tuas  dinn  labhruni  anois  do  na 
lennaib,  '  Having  spoken  above  of  the  complexions  let  us 
now  speak  of  the  humours.'  The  subject  is  concluded  on 
fol.  12a,  with  the  docquet  Finid.  Amen.  But  fols.  4  and  5,  as 
also  fols.  14,  15,  are  a  part  of  the  treatise.  A  number  of  authors 
are  cited,  chiefly  Aristotle,  xAvicenna,  Constantinus,  Galen,  Hali, 
Hippocrates,  Johanisius,  Isaac.^  Detached  paragraphs,  physical, 
metaphysical,  and  astrological,  appear  on  fols.  12, 16,  17, 19,  with, 
occasionally,  medical  matters  interspersed.  Authorities  cited, — 
Plato,  Liconsis  ( =  Liconensis  ?),  Pythagoras,  Paulinus,  Jacobus  de 
Forlivio.  On  fol.  13  (continued  on  fol.  18)  are  several  para- 
graphs on  the  medical  virtue  of  quickliTne,  lilium,  etc., — a  subject 
treated  systematically  in  MSS.  Ill  and  LX.  Particularly  notice- 
able here  are  the  virtues  attributed  to  the  strecus  (stretits), 
properly  stercus,  of  goat,  sheep,  cow,  pig,  mouse,  wild  duck, 
pigeon,  dog,  swallow  and  hen.  Avicenna  and  Rhazes  are 
cited. 

Fols.  20-26  are  small  leaves  of  parchment  measuring  only 
3  in.  by  2.  The  handwriting  is  particularly  good.  The  subject 
has  been  referred  to  above. 

Fols.  27-70  are  of  paper,  of  various  sizes  of  quarto.  The 
writing  is  in  different  hands,  all  evidently  of  the  seventeenth 
or  early  eighteenth  century.  Fol.  27  is  written  in  English; 
subject, — the  bones  of  the  head. 

Fols.  28-32  contain  a  fragment  of  a  treatise  on  Urine,  opening 

^  For  notices  of  the  principal  authorities  quoted  in  the  Gaelic  Medical  MSS. 
V.  O'Grady'a  Catalogue  of  Irish  MSS.  in  the  British  Museum,  p.  173,  et  seq. 


MS.  II]  MEDICINE,  ETC.  9 

with  a  '  canon '  of  Hippocrates :  qiiihus  urine  grose  vel  (/rase 
.|.  ised  ader  Ipocraid  is  in  canoin  so,  etc. :  '  This  is  what  Hippo- 
crates says  in  this  canon.'  Besides  Hippocrates,  Bernard  Gordon, 
Egidius,  Galen,  Isaac  and  Theophihis  are  cited. 

Fols.  33-58  are  reversed  in  binding.  The  contents  cover  a 
wide  field,  with  not  infrequent  repetition.  Interspersed  are 
many  charms,  with  mnemonic  words  or  a  pater  to  make 
them  efficacious.  One  such  was  (fol.  33)  applied  by  Fionn 
(the  great  Gaelic  hero)  to  the  eye  of  (St.)  Moling;  another 
makes  the  hair  of  the  colour  of  gold;  a  third  restores  reason 
to  the  insane.  Thereafter  (fol.  34)  is  an  account  of  the 
thirty-four  veins  that  may  be  opened,  and  the  ailments  which 
they  relieve.  The  symptoms  of  Causon  and  a  list  of  the  dis- 
eases prevalent  in  Autumn  follow.  Fols.  35-6  give  an  elaborate 
section  on  Definition,  in  which  Feallsam  '  The  Philosopher ' 
{i.e.  Aristotle),  Socrates,  Plato,  and  Prophorius  are  quoted. 
Then  comes  (fol.  37)  a  quotation  from  the  fourth  book  of 
Hippocrates's  Ainprismorwm  on  Pregnancy,  with  a  commentary 
in  Avhich  Gilbertinus,  John  of  Damascus,  '  the  Latin  authors,' 
and  others  are  cited.  A  section  on  the  Planets  (airdrenna), 
their  position  (siiidiugud),  their  harmony  (comaentugud)  with 
the  four  elements  (duile)  and  with  each  other,  follows.  Fols. 
44-47  are  taken  up  with  definitions  and  explanations  of  Sp>iritus, 
dolor,  inedicina,  the  various  varieties  of  fevers,  etc.  Boesius 
Boethius),  Betrus  (Petrus)  Mustinus,  Athteothus  (Tateus  ?)) 
and  Gilbertinus  are  cited.  The  last  named  is  credited  with 
the  maxim :  Porta  mentis  est  visus,  which  is  rendered  into 
Gaelic, — Is  e  dorus  na  menonan  an  radarc.  Detached  para- 
graphs follow  (fols.  48-50),  including  an  elaborate  prescription 
for  the  cure  of  Gout  in  the  joints  (guta  nan  alt);  the  medical 
properties  of  gold ;  the  nine  adhara  or  materials  which  make 
up  triacla ;  also  the  nine  of  which  neir)ih  or  poison  is  composed. 
On  fols.  51-55  is  an  abstract  of  a  portion  of  an  elaborate  tract 
on  Urine  in  which  a  number  of  technical  terms  are  given  in 
Latin  and  Gaelic,  with  the  riagla  or  regulae  pertaining  to  each, 
according  to  Egidius.  From  fol.  55  to  end  of  58  the  subject 
is  chiefly  metaphysical :  the  three  principles  (tosaigl)  of  Nature, 
— Materia,  Forma,  Privacio — in  explanation  of  which  Feallsam 
(Aristotle)  is  quoted.     Then  follow  the  three  cuisi  or  '  causes ' 


10  CATAI.OdlTK  OF  (IAKI-K;  manuscripts      [MS.  II 

of  tho  'humdiirs'  with  tlio  medicines  tliiit  purge  and  evacuate 
them. 

Fols.  5!)-(!")  arc  of  larger  quarto  and  in  a  different  liand,  large 
and  fresli,  the  suhject  rather  miscellaneous.  Jleat  and  moisture 
are  the  influencing  causes  of  many  diseases.  A  list  of  the 
diseases  caused  by  each  is  given  with  their  sub-varieties.  Lithra, 
'  Leprosy,'  e.;/.,  has  twelve  varieties.  The  tract  goes  on  to  explain, 
Infer  alia,  such  matters  as, — how  food  avoids  the  wind-pipe  and 
enters  the  gullet ;  how  a  drunk  man  preserves  the  use  of  his 
limbs  but  not  of  his  faculties;  how  cnuimk  cinn  na  droma  (the 
bone  of  the  neck?)  once  broken  Avill  not  join  again,  the  reason 
given  being  that  it  does  not  have  fiviir  '  marrow '  but  inchinn 
'  brain  (matter) ' ;  the  three  bones  that  form  after  birth,' — land 
hafhaisi  '  fontanellc,'  jiacail  'tooth,'  and  fairdi  gluioie  'the 
patella  or  knee  cap ' ;  directions  for  taking  baths,  etc.  etc. 

The  last  layer  of  paper  (fols.  66-70)  contains  Tecosc 
Cliorhmaic,  already  referred  to. 

The  remainder  of  the  volume  consists  of  not  fewer  than 
eleven  separate  layers  of  parchment,  all  of  quarto  size,  some 
larger,  some  smaller.  Three  of  them,  fols.  79,  88  and  130,  are 
detached  leaves.  Fols.  79  and  88  are  non-medical, — Annals,  as 
already  stated.  Fol.  130a  gives  the  last  sentence  of  a  lost  text 
7  is  cumacldaclt  marbiis  gach  uile  pestif,  'and  it  effectually 
kills  all  kinds  of  worms  Under  this  four  concentric  circles  are 
roughly  drawn,  with  notes  accompanying  each.  At  the  foot 
of  the  page,  and  in  a  different  hand,  is  a  charm  written  in  Latin, 
with  direction,  in  Gaelic,  to  put  it  under  the  belt  of  a  pregnant 
woman  and  that  she  will  bring  forth  the  infant  at  once.  On 
the  verso  of  the  leaf  two  concentric  circles  are  neatly  drawn, 
with  numerals  representing  the  years,  and  the  days  of  the 
months  of  March  and  April.  Superimposed  on  the  centre  of 
these  circles  is  a  circular  disc  on  which  a  grotesque  figure,  said 
in  the  text  to  represent  an  angel,  is  drawn.  This  overlapping 
circle  is  neatly  fastened  to  the  leaf  with  a  thong,  and  revolves. 
The  text  explains  how  the  hand  and  foot  of  the  angel  will  point 
to  the  day  on  which  Easter  falls  in  any  year,  vv^hether  in  March 
or  April.  At  the  foot  of  the  page  charms  are  given  in  Latin 
and  Gaelic. 

Fols.  71-8  are  written  in  a  good  hand,  sometimes  in  single, 


MS.  II]  MEDICINE,  ETC.  11 

sometimes  in  double,  column.  Various  diseases  and  their  cures 
are  named.  Among  tlie  cures,  in  addition  to  special  recipes, 
clysters,  baths,  with  suitable  foods  and  drinks,  are  prescribed. 
The  directions  regarding  baths  on  fol.  65  {supra)  may  be  from  this 
older  text, — the  two  are  practically  the  same.  The  authorities 
cited  are  chiefly  Ebe  Mesne,  Isaac,  Macer,  and  Platearius. 

Fols.  80-87.  The  tract  is  written  in  a  good  clear  hand,  in 
double  column,  with  space  left  for  capitals  at  the  beginning  of 
chapters.  The  contents  are  various :  (1)  A  chapter  on  Avounds, 
external  and  internal,  with  their  cure.  Avicenna  and  Galen  are 
cited.  A  version  of  this  chapter  is  found  also  in  MS.  XIII, 
(6)  fol.  7b.  (2)  On  Hydrophobia,  or  as  the  Gaelic  writers  have  it, 
Idrofoirhia.  The  symptoms  are  vividly  described,  and  various 
remedies  are  suggested,  Gilbertinus  being  the  authority  cited. 
This  chapter  is  also  in  MS.  XIII  (6)  fol.  8b.  (3)  An  interesting 
chapter,  also  found  in  MS.  XIII  (6)  fol.  7a,  is  entitled  Be  amove 
hereos.  It  is  explained  that  hereos  in  Greek  is  equivalent  to 
generosus  in  Latin,  and  to  uasal  in  Gaelic.  Ovid  is  quoted  to 
show  that  love  is  a  partial  judge,  and  that  the  lover  is  blind. 
The  origin  of  the  malady  is  traced  and  its  symptoms  described 
in  detail.  As  to  the  cure,  if  the  afflicted  one  is  otherwise  a 
rational  person,  an  ecnaidJt  or  'wise  man'  is  recommended  to 
reason  or  frighten  him  out  of  his  infatuation.  If  he  is  an 
irrational  youth,  the  first  remedy  suggested  is  a  good  sound 
whipping.  Ovid's  cure  for  such  cases — continuous  hard  work — 
is  mentioned,  as  also  that  of  Pythagoras, — travel,  change  of 
country  and  scone.  If  none  of  these  avail,  the  last  remedy 
recommended  is  to  introduce  to  the  demented  one  a  ragged 
ugly  old  hag  who  is  to  revile  his  mamorain  to  her  heart's 
content.  Should  this  final  efibrt  fail,  the  man  must  be  possessed 
of  a  devil,  and  his  case  is  hopeless.  (4)  Recipes  for  various  dis- 
orders and  ailments  are  given  on  fols.  82-3,  among  them  one 
said  to  be  used  by  the  women  of  Salerno  to  promote  fecundity. 
(5)  Detailed  remedies  for  the  cure  of  lenn  ruad  '  choler,'  lenn 
fuar  (occasionally  written  lenn  Jinn)  '  phlegm,'  and  lenn  duhh 
'melancholia'  are  given;  the  proper  quantity  of  the  medicines 
to  be  used,  and  the  mode  of  preparing  them.  Ebe  Mesne  is 
the  authority  cited,  and  he  is  referred  to  for  further  informa- 
tion.    The  chapter  is  headed  quoniam  quidem  de  amicis  meis 


12  CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS      [MS.  II 

(fol.  84a),  and  compares  with  a  more  elaborate  cha))ter  on  the 
same  subject  in  MS.  XXVII,  fol.  4,  which  is  similarly  intro- 
duced :  Do  guidider  mo  qut  caniid  is  fen'  agaiiii  sgrihilut  cu 
citmair,  etc.:  '  My  best  friends  have  rc(|ucsted  mc  to  write  con- 
cisely,' etc.  A  paragraph,  after  Platearius,  on  the  cure  of  Gout, 
follows  (fol.  86a),  which  concludes  thus:  Et  muna  leor  andubram- 
ar  and  so  rith  cum  in  eefJtrmnad  caihdel  dJicg  de  Gilihertinus  7 
do  geabhair  co  leor  aim  jrL  '  And  if  what  we  have  said  does  not 
suffice  speed  thee  to  the  14th  chapter  of  Gilbertinus,  and  you 
will  find  enough  there,'  etc.  (6)  A  paragraph  on  the  virtues  of 
aqua  vitae  or  uisge  hefJiad  'water  of  life'  (whisky?)  follows 
(fol.  88b).  They  are  many.  Every  virtue  found  in  balsam  is 
in  uisge  hetliad.  It  boils  eggs,  preserves  fish  and  flesh,  and  is 
good  for  a  variety  of  diseases,  ailments,  sores,  etc.  Then  comes 
a  paragraph  on  Eggs  and  the  proper  mode  of  cooking  them. 
The  author  tells  us  that  hens'  eggs  are  the  best,  and  of  these 
the  3^olk  is  the  best  part;  and  that  wild  ducks'  eggs  are  not 
so  nourishing  nor  so  digestible  as  geese's  egorg. 

Fols.  89-95  consist  of  seven  leaves  of  smaller  quarto  written  in 
several  hands,  beginning  with  diseases  of  the  qjq,  and  specially 
Cataract.  Various  salves  are  recommended,  one  of  which  applied 
by  the  writer  cured  a  patient  who  had  been  blind  twenty-five 
years.  Another  favourite  remedy  was  communicated  by  the 
author  to  his  companions,  and  was  thereafter  known  as  uisge 
nan  companacJi,  'companions'  wash.'  Among  other  ailments  itch 
in.  the  eyebrows,  shedding  of  the  eyelashes,  redness  of  eyes  caused, 
inter  alia,  by  reading  minute  script,  are  treated  of.  Then  comes 
Toothache ;  a  special  cure  for  Sciatica,  Podagra,  etc.  On  p.  93 
is  a  '  precept '  which  the  writer  received  o  seinn  liaigh  errisdin- 
each  ar  hrigaih  an  rosa  marincc, '  from  an  old  Saracen  physician 
(cf.  Revue  Celtique,  xix.  385)  on  the  virtues  of  Rosemary.'  These 
are  named,  and  are  even  more  numerous  than  those  of  aqtva 
vitae.  After  a  paragraph  on  heart  diseases,  several  recipes  are 
given  for  Epilepsy  (galar  tuiteniacli),  among  them  an  urchasg 
do  rinne  deamlian  do  mhnaoi  ar  techt  cuige  a  richt  duine,  'a 
specific  which  a  demon  who  had  come  to  her  in  the  guise  of  a 
man  gave  to  a  woman.'  A  short  paragraph  from  Rhazes  on 
the  veins  of  the  hand  Avhich  may  be  opened ;  various  rules  in 
medical  practice ;  and  tables  of  weights  and  measures  conclude 


MS.  II]  MEDICINE,  ETC.  1 3 

tliis  layer.      [A  fuller  tabic   of  the  weights  and  measures   of 
physicians  and  apothecaries  is  given  in  MS.  LX.] 

Fols.  90-100  consist  of  eleven  loaves  of  which  the  last  four  are 
of  smaller  size  and  reversed  in  binding,  but  the  te.xt  is  contiiuious. 
Epilepsy  is  considered  in  its  three  varieties  of  Epilencia  proper, 
Analincia,,  and  Catalincia.  The  subject  is  again  taken  up  later 
(fol.  98),  where,  on  the  authorit}'  of  Almasor,  the  disease  is  said 
to  be  under  lunar  influence,  and  where,  as  on  fol.  95,  several 
recipes  and  charms  are  given  as  remedies.  There  is  a  paragraph 
on  '  the  doses  of  the  inir<ioi(le '  (emetics),  the  first  named  beino- 
yeraconstantinus,  so  called  after  its  author.  Four  causes  of 
drunkenness  are  named,  with  five  diseases  proceeding  therefrom. 
A  paragraph  on  the  hlasa  or  '  tastes '  from  Arnaldus  follows  on 
fol  97.  Reverting  to  wounds,  the  writer  remarks  that  the  old 
are  cured  in  more  ways  than  the  young  (fol.  98),  and  later 
(fol.  101a)  he  has  a  long  and  very  interesting  paragraph  on  the 
treatment  (including  dressing,  food,  and  drink  of  patient),  of 
tendons  when  cut  across  {do  leigheas  na  fetheth  noch  gerrtar 
tarrsna).  Diseases  of  the  teeth,  viartirtiae,  and  other  organs; 
the  influence  of  the  planets  in  certain  processes,  according  to 
Aristotle  (feallsaTti),  with  salves  and  charms  are  given  on  fols. 
100-102.     After  this  comes  (fols.  102b-103a)  the  legend  of  the 

discovery  of  Hippocrates's  Arcanum  which  commences  thus : 

Peritis'hnus  omnium  rerum  Ipocras  et  cetera  .\.  eochair  gach 
uile  eoluis  Ipocraid  ro  furail  eolas  J  aithne  bais  j  bethadh 
ann  sna,  li-uile  corrpaibh  do  sgribhad  anbetlui  deginach  7  a  cur 
an  a  comraidlt  da  n-annl(ac)adh  lets  7  d'ordaigli,  a,  cur  fona 
cinn  ar  li-egla  na  fellsum  eile  d'fadbail  (x  diriduis  7  a  ruinCr) 
7  secreide  a  craldld:  'Hippocrates,  the  key  of  all  knowledge,  at 
the  end  of  his  life  enjoined  that  the  knowledge  and  cognisance 
of  death  and  life  of  all  bodies  be  written  and  placed  in  a  casket 
to  be  buried  with  him ;  and  he  ordered  it  to  be  put  under  his 
head  for  fear  that  the  other  philosophers  should  discover  his 
arcanum  and  his  mystery  and  his  heart's  secret.'  The  legend 
goes  on  to  relate  how,  long  afterwards,  the  Emperor  Ca3sar 
ordered  the  tomb  to  be  opened,  in  the  hope  of  finding  treasure. 
When  the  casket  was  found  the  Emperor  ordered  his  physician 
to  examine  its  contents,  and  he  found  that  this  was  the 
arcanum    or   '  secret '   of    Hippocrates.      A   summary   of    the 


14  CATALOGUE  OF  OAELTC  MANUSCRIPTS       |MS.  II 

contents  of  the  ciiskot  I'uUows.  |A  less  lull  aei-oinit  is  roiiiid  in 
the  Brit.  Mus.  MS.  'Additional  15,582,'  ii  MS.  written  in  1503 
by  David  Kearny  for  John  MlJeath  or  Beaton  (of  Islay  or 
Mull),  and  printed  in  O'Gr.'s  Cat.,  p.  265.  Cf.  also  p.  282  of  the 
same  Cat.  for  another  version  in  Brit.  Mus.  MS.  '  Egerton 
159.'] 

A  full  but  not  very  methodical  cha])tor  on  the  veins,  based 
on  lihazes  (v.  snpni), — the  months  and  days  proper  for  opening 
them ;  the  benefit  derived ;  and  the  treatment  proper  to  the 
patient,  appears  on  fols.  103-106.  In  case  of  elf/enfa.s  '  e\nerg- 
ency,'  it  is  stated  that  no  rule  save  eirjrnf(i..s  itself  can  be  laid 
down.  The  docquet  Fluid  shows  that  the  chapter  is  concluded. 
Paragraphs  on  the  foods,  etc.,  proper  in  the  various  months 
closes  this  layer.     Sanctiis  Bedus  is  cited. 

Fols.  107-117  consist  of  eleven  scraps  of  vellum  in  different 
hands,  containing  a  variety  of  matter.  The  first  five  (fols.  107- 
111)  treat  of  the  responsibility  of  the  physician  in  cases  of  injuries, 
and  the  fee  (log)  which  he  is  entitled  to  receive  from  members 
of  the  various  social  grades.  Such  questions  are  discussed  in  the 
'  Laws,'  rather  than  in  the  medical  MSS.  I  have  not  come  upon 
the  text  here  given  in  the  published  volumes  of  the  Ancient 
Laws  of  Ireland  {Senchus  ^mor),  but  cf.  references  luider  '  Doctor,' 
'  Physician,'  in  the  Indices  to  Vols.  i.  iii.  iv.  A  number  of  charms 
against  burning,  drowning,  wounding,  etc.,  as  also  maxims  in 
Latin  and  Gaelic,  appear  on  fols.  112-114.  Detached  paragraphs 
on  '  Why  sea  water  is  salt' ;  '  the  four  dislracJda  (properties)  of 
fish';  'Anthrax,'  '  Carbunculus,'  etc.,  take  up  fols.  116-7,  Isaac 
and  Galen  being  the  authorities  cited. 

Fols.  118-123  are  six  leaves  of  small  quarto,  two  of  which 
(120-1)  are  in  point  of  subject  unconnected  with  the  others.  All 
are  fragmentary.  Fol.  118a  contains  faisgelta  hais  j  hdhad  .  .  . 
tnar  foillsig{es)  G(alen)  is  na  fersagah  so,  '  prognostications  of 
death  and  life  ...  as  Galen  explains  in  these  verses.'  On 
fol.  118b  comes  the  following  paragraph  from  Hippocrates: — 

Do  ctiingellaib  an  chrechaid  annso  sis  oir  adeir  Ipocraid 
an  tan  cra'paid  na  hoill  o  crwpan  na  fethe  co  n-dleghar  an 
creacliadh  do  denanih  an  tan  sin  7  in  icair  sinter  na  hoill  o 
imarcraidh  fiichesichta  ar  na  dortadh  cum  nan  alt  dlegliar  an 
creacliadh  do  denam  malle  h-iaro{7i)  deni  no  malle  h-uma.     Et 


MS.  II]  MEDICINE,  ETC.  15 

na  ho'dl  o  teid  an  spirut  J  an  tes  nadnrra  7  hhls  nialle  sel/mJie 
athnuaighiter  iat  on  creachadh  mallle  li-umJta  no  re  h-laro{n) 
7  adeir  Ipocraid  co  lelghlder  greamanna  na  glim  7  na  niudh- 
ornan  J  na  n-<dt  co  h-ndidh.  on  creachad.  El  adeir  Ipocraid 
na  hoill  7  na  h-ailt  7  ua  fefJte  cruaidfer  o  ledradli,  no  o  losgudh 
no  0  tuitini  co  leighiater  iat  on  a  creachadh.  7  adermaid  mar 
in  cetna  do  spa,8niu8  an  drovia  (MS.  droinha)  7  an  inuineil 
an  tan  tic  o  cruadhadk  na.  n-alt  no  na  fethe  ata  sinti  leth  a 
muigh  7  an  tan  his  o  cimtaibh  na  fethe  bis  a  stigh  tuicter  a  con- 
trardha  so.  7  adeir  fos  co  leighister  att  nafiacal  on  creachadh  7 
go  n-glanta/r  an  anail  uadha  sin.  7  bidh  a  fis  agad  go  fuilidh- 
inaid  ann  nach  coir  do  creachadh  mar  ata  craidhe  cos  7  land/ 
7  dubhliatli  laiine  7  cusle  na  rigedh  7  corrhhragad  7  j^oll  arach. 
7  (ier(7-f?asachtac7i  (7)  riiadh -rosac/t  {MS.  dg.  d'.  r.  ros')  7  (jach 
inadh  a  m-bi  bualad  an  imlsa  seachainter  e,  7  gan  dhenam  an 
aimsir  fii.air  CO  hrdch:  '  Of  the  conditions  of  the  Cautery  here 
below, — for  Hippocrates  says  that  when  the  limbs  contracffrom 
shrinkage  of  the  sinews  they  ought  then  to  be  cauterised,  and 
when  the  limbs  are  elongated  through  excess  of  moisture  pre- 
cipitating to  the  joints,  they  ought  to  be  cauterised  with  red-hot 
iron  or  brass.  And  the  limbs  from  which  their  spirit  and 
natural  heat  depart  and  are  benumbed  will  be  reinvigorated  by 
cauterising  (them)  with  brass  or  iron.  And  Hippocrates  says 
that  pains  in  the  knees  and  ankles  and  joints  generally  are 
cured  by  the  cautery.  Hippocrates  says  also  that  the  limbs  and 
joints  and  sinews  which  are  stiffened  through  bruising  or  burn- 
ing or  falling  are  cured  by  being  cauterised.  We  say  the  same 
regarding  spasm  in  the  back  or  neck  when  it  proceeds  from 
stiffening  of  the  joints  and  sinews  that  are  external ;  but  when 
inwardly  from  the  nerves,  the  contrary  is  the  case.  He  says 
further  that  swelling  of  the  gums  (teeth)  is  cured  by  the  cautery, 
and  the  breath  purified  thereby.  But  know  that  there  are  places 
which  must  not  be  cauterised, — such  as  the  soles  (heart)  of  the 
feet  and  the  palms  (heart)  of  the  hands;  ball  of  thumb  (lit.  the 
spleen  of  the  hand) ;  vein  of  the  fore-arm ;  bend  of  the  neck  ; 
hollow  of  the  temples  ;  raging  mad  and  delirious  (people).  Also 
every  place  in  which  beating  of  the  pulse  is  (felt)  is  to  be 
avoided.  And  it  (the  cautery)  is  never  to  be  resorted  to  in  a 
cold  season.'     [A  version  of  this  paragraph  is  also  in  Brit.  Mus. 


16  CATALOCI'K  OlMIAKLIC  IMAXUSCKIPTS      |MS.  II 

MS.   'Additional,    15,582,'  and    is   ])riiil,cd    ihorolVnni    in   O'Gr. 
Cat.,  p.  2(iS.| 

As  an  example  of  the  exactness  with  which  reference  to 
authors  and  treatises  is  sometimes  made  in  these  MSS.  take  the 
following'  (121a):  Taif/  coiudxiir  Au  amnsa  2  Ictdxtr  <ni,itsa  4 
caihfh'l  (/on  cet  forceadal  co  fuH  a;/  iiu  IcirilieHdih  aeiida  oihriffiK/ 
uilUlh  i  7  ()ihri(/nd  rtoiiKiif/Jifhc  j  <>d>ri(/'ii<l  Is  cosmail  re  /i-oihri;/- 
ud  liUid/ii,  '  Be  it  known  to  you  that  Av(iccnna)  says  in  the 
second  book,  and  in  the  fourth  chapter  of  the  first  thesis,  that 
the  uncompounded  medicines  have  an  universal  action  and  a 
particular  action,  and  (also)  an  action  that  is  like  to  the  universal 
action.'  These  being  exemplified,  a  further  reference  is  made  to 
the  same  authority's  first  book  of  the  fourth  forceadal  in  the 
first  fen  or  '  section '  of  the  first  chapter  thereof.  A  paragraph 
on  the  caindidheacld  'quantity,'  cailidheacht  'quality,'  and  stih- 
staint '  content '  of  deoc]t  '  drink,'  with  Arnaldus  on  the  '  tastes,' 
(cf.  snpra,  p.  13)  follows;  after  which  the  vicAv  of  S.  (?)  that 
although  beans  {ponuire)  were  boiled  for  three  days,  their 
'  windiness '  (gaethmairecht)  would  not  be  removed,  whereas 
the  contrary  is  true  of  barley  {eorna).  Fols.  122-3  refer  to 
various  diseases  and  their  remedies, — Bernard  (Gordon),  Galen, 
Gilbertinus,  Hippocrates,  Isaac,  and  Rogerus  being  cited. 

Fols.  124-129  consist  of  six  leaves  of  small  quarto;  hand  good; 
subject,  medical  and  metaphysical,  but  somewhat  mixed  and 
scrappy.  The  text  commences  De  gradibus, — on  the  ceimenna 
or  '  degrees,'  where  '  Authors,'  '  Doctors,'  Avicenna,  Averroes  (the 
5th  book  of  his  ColUget),  and  Geraldus  de  Sola  are  cited.  Fols. 
125-6  are  metaphysical,  Plat(o),  Aristotle  and  Johanisius  being 
the  authorities.  Fols.  127-9  revert  to  medicine:  Artetica, 
Apoplexia,  Poison,  the  three  Appetites  of  Hippocrates,  Aromatics, 
being  discussed  ;  and  Avicenna,  Commentator,  Hippocrates  and 
Sofista  {aiinsa  leabar  lahrus  do  na  crannaih  '  in  the  book  which 
treats  of  trees ')  cited. 

Fols.  131-148.  The  last  layer,  consisting  of  eighteen  leaves, 
ordinary  quarto  size,  is  written  in  a  very  good  hand,  in  single 
column.  Up  to  the  middle  of  fol.  133a  the  hand  is  somewhat 
cramped,  while  the  first  and  last  pages  are  legible  only  in  part. 
Here  and  there  letters  are  daubed  in  red.  There  is  a  gap  between 
fols.  133  and  134.     The  treatise  is  practical, — a  description  of  a 


MS.  IIIJ  MEDICINE,  ETC.  17 

large  variety  of  diseases  and  their  cure.  It  opens  with  a  chapter 
on  Pleurisy,  distinguishing  between  real  Pleurisy  and  what  is  not 
so.  The  cure  for  the  disease  professes  to  be  taken  mairita  is  in 
bhiaitlc  uair  Ipocras,  7  Constant  In  di  ordaiyk  mar  sin  he,  'as 
it  is  in  the  viatic  whicli  Hippocrates  discovered,  and  which  was 
laid  down  in  that  form  by  Constantine.'  Then  follows  the  treat- 
ment of  a  large  number  of  diseases  and  ailments,  the  last  being 
in  clock  fuail  '  gravel.'  Among  the  list  (fol.  145b)  place  is 
found  for  a  paragraph  de  demoniam  cdcficiato  .\.do  na  lyiseochaib 
7  genntleacht,  '  of  w^izardry  and  heathenism.'  The  authorities 
cited  are  Avicenna  (whose  name  is  in  this  layer  often  written 
in  full),  Constantine,  Galen,  and  Hippocrates  ;  less  frequently 
Alibertus  (in  libro  de  plant  is),  Gerardus,  Gilbertinus,  Isaac, 
Macer,  Nicolaus,  Platearius,  and  Ricardi. 

The  authors  cited  or  referred  to  throufjhout  the  MS.  number 
over  forty. 


MS.  Ill 

MS.  Ill  consists  of  eighty-five  leaves  of  parchment,  small 
quarto  size,  stoutly  bound  in  calf  and,  like  MS.  II,  stamped 
'  Bibliotheca  Advocatorum  :  MSS.  Literis  Hibernicis.'  The  recto 
of  fol.  1  and  the  verso  of  fol.  85  are  firmly  pasted  and  pressed 
into  the  cover.  When  and  how  the  MS.  came  to  the  Library  is 
unknown.  Fourteen  leaves  of  vellum  of  uniform  size,  and  con- 
taining a  Calendar  Avritten  in  a  fine  hand,  were  stitched  in  at  the 
end  of  the  MS.  after  binding. 

The  MS.  was  probably  written  in  the  fifteenth  century ;  one 
should  say  with  some  confidence  that  a  portion  of  it  was  written 
early  in  that  century.  At  one  time  it  was  the  property  of  John 
M'Beath  or  Beaton,  one  of  the  famous  family  of  physicians. 
On  fol.  53b  John  Beaton,  in  1677  corrected  to  1671,  writes  his 
name  in  Greek  characters,  with  '  20  die  Septe.'  written  opposite 
in  English  script ;  and  on  fol.  85a  is  the  entry,  somewhat 
indistinct:  Anrogach  (leg.  anrathachl)  misi  an  diu  aig  fuacht 
agus  aig  oc(ras)  agus  ni  cIotyi  cleoin  agus  fost  ni  leginn  a  less. 
E{oin)  M'Bh{eathadh).  1671.  '  Unfortunate  am  I  this  day,  cold 
and  hungry,  and  not  of  my  own  will,  and  besides  I  did  not  need 

B 


18  CATALOGUK  OK  CAKl.KJ   M  ANMT.S(MM  ITS     [MS.  Ill 

to.  John  .MvBoiitJi.  1(171.'  AnotJiur  oiiLry  on  tlie  smiic  piii^u, 
'  Duiicane  Stewart,"  in  bji'^lish  scrij)!,  suL;'L;c.sts  that  tltc  iMS.  was 
at  one  time  his  property.  A  third,  not  very  legible,  AiUan 
Stiuar{t)  a'dian  M'DkoiincluuUi  oig  rom  sgriohh  .so  a  Icabar 
Shemiiis  M'NollaiTnh  may  mean  '  Alan  Stewart,  Alan  son  of 
Duncan  junior  wrote  this  for  me  in  the  book  of  James  son  of 
the  Doctor.' 

The  contents  of  the  MS.  IVoni  fol.  U)  to  SOa  are  a  copy  of 
a  Treatise  on  Materia  Medica,  being  a  descriptive  list  of  the 
articles.  Animal,  Vegetable,  Mineral,  which  the  physicians  of  the 
Middle  Ages  used  for  medicinal  purposes.  Five  Gaelic  copies 
of  this  Treatise  arc  known: — 

1.  An  imperfect  copy  in  the  British  i\Iuseum  ('Additional 
15,403')  containing  167  articles.  This  MS.  is  of  the  fifteenth 
century  and  was  noticed  by  Dr.  Norman  Moore  in  a  paper  on 
the  History  of  Medicine  in  Ireland,  printed  in  St.  Bartholomew 
Hospital  Reports,  xi.  p.  164,  and  by  M.  Henri  Gaidoz  in  the 
Beu.  Celt.  vii.  p.  165.  Dr.  Whitley  Stokes  printed  the  headings 
of  the  articles  in  this  copy,  with  translation  and  comment,  in 
the  Rev.  Celt.  ix.  pp.  224-240;  and  Mr.  O'Gr.  in  his  Cat.  (pp. 
224-231)  has  further  described  'Additional  15,403,'  and  printed, 
with  translation,  several  Articles  from  the  MS. 

2.  A  copy  in  a  vellum  MS.  of  the  fifteenth  centurj^  belong- 
ing to  the  Earl  of  Crawford  and  preserved  in  the  Haigh  Hall 
library.  This  MS.  is  described  by  Dr.  Stokes  in  The  Academy 
of  May  16,  1896,  who  prints  from  it,  with  translation  and  notes, 
the  headings  of  118  articles  awantin^  in  the  British  Museum 
copy. 

3.  The  copy  in  this  MS. 

.  4.  A  copy  in  MS.  LX,  the  fullest  of  the  five.  It  has  312 
separate  articles,  as  against  286  in  MS.  Ill,  and  285  in  the  British 
Museum  and  Crawford  MSS.  combined. 

5.  A  copy  in  a  fifteenth  century  vellum  MS.  in  the  writer's 
possession.  This  copy  is  defective,  containing  167  articles 
only. 

The  copy  in  MS.  Ill  was,  in  its  original  state,  complete,  and 
well  written   by  a  competent  scribe  who  was    a  good  Gaelic 


MS.  Ill  I  MEDICINE,  ETC.  19 

scholar,  aiul  who  wrote  Latin  more  correctly  than  is  usnal  in 
these  MSS.  As  in  the  other  copies  the  Hst  of  Articles  is 
arranged  alphabetically  under  their  Latin  names  according  to 
the  letters  A,  Jj,  C,  etc.,  but  not  within  the  several  letters.  Thus 
the  first  Article  is  Aran  hai'bd,  while  the  second  is  Acasia  and 
the  third  Ahsint.  Preceding  each  letter  was  an  index  in  (laelic, 
naming  in  their  order  the  several  items  treated  under  it.  Thus, 
the  index  to  A,  with  the  general  heading,  Tittil  ann  so  do  reir 
Flatearius,  '  The  Title  (Index)  here  according  to  Platearius/ 
commences  Don  geidhalr  '  of  the  cuckoo-spit,'  the  full  heading 
in  the  text  being  Aran  harha,  iar\is,pes  uitidi  .|.  tri  Jt-anmanna 
in  glteidJiir,  '  Aran  harha,  iarus,  pes  uituli,  i.e.  the  three  names 
of  the  cuckoo-spit.'  The  Latin  names  were  written  in  capitals 
and  coloured  red,  while  the  initial  letter  is  elaborately  drawn. 

As  it  now  is,  the  list  is  incomplete.  Under  '  C,'  e.g.  the 
Articles  on  cinaglosa,  cinis  oirnnis,  cito  ualens,  coconidiinn, 
codion,  ceriisa  and  cihapiruvi  are  awanting,  both  in  text  and 
index.  The  lists  under  '  L '  and  '  jM  '  are  also  incomplete, — 
the  Articles  on  laudanum,  lapis  lazuli,  lauriola,  lapis  agapis, 
licium,  litargirum,  mas,  maculata  trefolium,  wcanda,  maru- 
hium,  mastix,  mellago,  mirra,  mandrago,  and  merahuluTYi,  as 
written  in  LX,  being  awanting.  There  are  no  indices  to  '  L,' 
'  M,'  or  '  R.'  Two  leaves  of  '  L/  written  in  different  ink,  are 
stitched  in  between  conium  and  corallus  ruheus,  while  the 
remainder  of  the  Articles  under  '  L,'  with  those  under  '  M,'  '  N,' 
'  0,'  '  P,'  '  Q,'  in  different  hands  and  ink,  divide  the  text  of  the 
Article  on  Diptanus  pulegium  artis.  On  the  other  hand  an 
Article  on  Feihrid  fucca  .\.  an  midur  huaidh  is  found  in 
MS.  Ill  only.  From  fol.  54a  onwards  the  MS.  is  written  in  an 
excelleiit  but  later  hand,  without  colouring  of  capitals  or  initial 
letters. 

The  Articles  are  all  written  on  a  uniform  plan.  The  name 
is  first  given  in  Latin,  and  then  in  Gaelic.  The  '  quality '  and 
'  degree '  follow,  and  then  the  medical  properties,  whether  singly 
or  in  composition  with  others,  are  enumerated.  Iris,  e.g.  is 
thus  treated:  i7'is  .{.  gloiriam  7  ataid  tri  h-anmanna  air  .|. 
Ireos  7  glaldinus  7  iris,  iris  .\.  blath  mar  chorcair  bis  air.  ireos 
.|.  blath  geal  bhis  air.  glaidiniLs  .[.  blath  crocha  his  air.  7  atd  in 
liiih  so  te  tirim  sa  ii  {ceim).     A  prenih  do  thinol  an  deredh  an 


20  CATALOGUE  OIMIAKIJO  MANUSCRUTS     |  MS.  Ill 

erraigh  7  heridJi  a  briglt,  dci  hlladaui  iuidu  .  7  aid  brtgh  Incac/t 
diureiticich  innfi  j  o{s)l.airidJi  duinti  nut  f<{eUgi)  7  na  n-drann 
7  in  Usa  7  is  onor  fkogliud.s  si  an  agald  urcoide  na  m-hall  spir- 
(udalta)  7  tinnis  an  gailc  tic  6 gJt((,othinarecht.  A  jjudar  do  cur 
is  na  cnedaibJi,  7  coiscidh  an  ainfeoil  7  glanaidh,  iad,  etc.  etc. 
'  /ris;  i.e.  gloiriam.  It  has  three  names,  ireos,  glaidinus  and  iris. 
The  flower  of  iris  is  purple,  while  that  of  ireos  is  white,  and  of 
glaidinus  saffron  colour.  This  plant  is  hot  and  dry  in  the 
second  degree.  If  its  root  is  gathered  in  the  end  of  spring  it 
preserves  its  virtue  for  two  years.  It  has  a  laxative  diuretic 
virtue,  and  it  removes  the  obstructions  of  the  spleen,  the  kidneys 
and  the  bladder.  It  is  a  powerful  remedy  against  troubles  of 
the  spiritual  organs,  and  stomach  ailments  that  proceed  from 
flatulence.  Its  powder  put  on  sores  checks  proud  flesh  and 
cleans  them,'  etc.  etc. 

Frequently  anecdotes,  superstitions,  and  folk-beliefs  are 
mentioned.  Thus  in  the  Article  on  coniuvi  (Kcoveiov)  .|.  rof< 
na  inoingi  mire,  '  the  seed  of  the  hemlock,'  after  its  medical 
virtues  are  enumerated,  it  is  added,  is  di  gairter  erha  interfecit 
socratem  .|.  in  luib  neocli  ro  nnarh  socratevi,  'It  is  it  that  is 
called  e.  i.  s.  viz.,  the  herb  that  killed  Socrates.'  Again  of 
Margarite  this  account  is  given, — .|.  a  nemaind,'^  fuar  tirim 
in  clock  so  7  a  sligen  do  gabar  t .  7  is  amlaid  fasus  in  uair 
osglas  an  sleigean  gcdjJiaid  a  Ian  do  drucht  nemaidhi  cuigi 
dunaigh  ana  timcill  7  do  ni  clock  de.  A  nemainn  ina,  in-bia  j^oll 
do  reir  na{duire)  fein  is  i  (as)  f err  ann  7  a  betJi  geal  7  ata  hrigk 
comurtackt  an  croidki  ann  7  curter  a  lectuairibli.  Et  mad  ailt 
a  n&mann  do  betk  geal  tobkuir  do  jpcata  cohtim  da  k-itke  7  leicter 
di  an  a  gaile  tri  k-uaire  no  ceatkair  J  scoilter  an  t-en  ainnsen 
7  boinnter  an  clock  as  7  bi/lk  glan  solus  deallradacJi  da  eise, — 
'  Margarita,  i.e.  a  pearl.  This  stone  is  cold,  dry,  and  is  found  in 
a  shell.  And  it  is  formed  (lit.  grows)  in  this  way.  When  the 
shell  opens  it  takes  in  its  fill  of  poisonous  dew,  closes  around  it, 
and  turns  it  into  stone.  The  pearl  that  has  a  natural  hollow 
in  it  is  best,  if  also  white.  It  is  comforting  in  heart  afiections, 
and  is  put  in  electuaries.  And  if  you  wish  to  make  the  pearl 
white,  give  it  to  a  pet  pigeon  to  eat,  and  let  it  be  left  in  its  crop 
(stomach)  for  three  or  four  hours.  Then  cut  up  the  bird  and 
remove  the  stone,  and  it  will  be  pure,  clear,  brilliant  thereafter.' 


MS.  Ill]  MEDICINE,  ETC.  21 

The  following  description  is  given  of '  Mummy '  or  muniia, 
as  here  written:  J.  gnr  spiHraldli  ie  tirim  sa  3  ceiin  7  is  ann 
dogeihhter  e  sa  hahUoin  a  crichaihh  na  padhanach  7  na  serisd- 
inacQi)  7  antan  adlaicter  tifierna  an  tire  sin  cuirter  inoran 
do  mirr  7  do  omiscus  7  do  halsainuin  7  do  spisradaihh  uaisle 
deghhcdaidJt  ina  timceall  7  an  tan  leaghas  an  corp  dogeihhter 
na,  piidar  min  lad  7  ni  hfuil  do  na  h-uilidli  halada.ihli  nis  ferr 
haladh  na  siad.  In  tan  tocter  an  comra  dogeihhter  e  amesc  na 
cnam  na  iJiular  min  7  aia  hrigh  fasdochach  ann  7  coisge  fola. 
Is  mor  foghnus  do  lucht  emetoica  7  don  lucht  cuiris  fuil  tar 
am  hel  a  inacli  7  an  aigidh  disinteria  7  na  fola  mista.  Is  mor 
foghnus  haladh  na guime  sin  an  aimsir  an  drocJt.  aer  truaillnide: 
'  (Mummy),  i.e.  a  kind  of  spice,  hot,  dry  in  the  third  degree. 
And  it  is  found  in  Babylon,  in  the  country  of  the  Pagans  and 
Saracens.  When  the  lords  of  that  land  are  buried,  much  myrrh 
and  musk  and  balsam  and  other  noble  fragrant  spices  is  placed 
around  them ;  and  when  the  body  dissolves  these  are  found  as 
fine  powder,  and  of  all  odours  none  are  more  fragrant  than  they. 
When  the  coffin  is  opened  it  is  found  as  fine  powder  among 
the  bones.  It  has  a  constrictive  force,  and  stops  the  flow  of 
blood.  It  greatly  relieves  those  who  use  emetics  (?)  and  those 
who  vomit  blood,  and  it  is  a  powerful  remedy  in  dysentery  and 
catamenia.  The  odour  of  this  gum  is  highly  beneficial  in  foul 
polluted  atmosphere.' 

The  names  of  the  plants  in  English,  Latin,  and  Greek,  with 
other  occasional  notes,  are  frequently  given  on  the  margin, 
written  in  English,  Roman,  and  Greek  script,  evidently  in  the 
hand  of  .John  Beaton. 

The  authority  chiefly  relied  upon  is  Platearius.  After  him 
come  Avicenna,  Constantinus,  Ebe  Mesne,  Isaac  and  Rhazes, 
with  occasional  references  to  Galen,  Hippocrates,  Macer,  Gil- 
bertus,  Dioscorides,  Averroes  and  Alexander. 

At  the  end  of  the  Treatise  an  interesting  colophon  recites  the 
sources  and  origin  of  it :  gurah  amlaid  sin  faghltamaid  crich 
inmholta  cumair  tarbhach  ar  an  leaharsa  noch  do  tairrngedh  a 
h-ainntitairibh  7  a  h-eisimlairihh  catrach  salernitani  7  do  reir 
stuider  comaontaigh  do  dhocturibh  shleihhii^isalaAn  7  aduhradar 
na  "tnaighistrecha  sin  gach  ni  tinnscainter  an  ainm  de  gurab 
dingmala  a  crichnugud  an  ainm  de  gurab  amlaid  sin  do  crich- 


22  CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRI ITS     [MS.  Ill 

nuighedh  an  Icabar  so  o  tadhg  hua  ciiinn  .}.  haisiler  a  hhjisujecht 
a  mi  octimhir  a  sollaniain  lucdis  suihhisceoil  7  is  iad  do 
h'uimir  hlladan  6  f/helii  crista  co  n-uifje  sin  .\.  mile  hliadan  7 
an  .c.  hliadan  7  v  hliadna  dh&j  ni  is  mo  J  gac(h)  neach  leghfas 
an  leidxirsa  tahraid,  hennarld  ar  <inm<(iu  faidlitj  i cluivnn  J  (//illla 
padraic  hi challanain  neach  do g]i<d)h  h-e  an  r/aidheilcc.  F. i.n.i.t. 
amen.  Misi  gilla  coluim :  '  And  thus  wc  bring  to  a  close  in  a 
praiseworthy,  concise  and  prolitablc  manner,  this  book  whicli  has 
been  extracted  from  the  Aid Idotarii^  and  specimens  of  the  city 
of  Salerno,  and  the  kindred  researches  of  the  Doctors  of  Mont- 
pelier.  And  these  Masters  said  that  whatsoever  was  begun  in  the 
name  of  God  it  was  fitting  that  it  should  be  ended  in  the  name 
of  God.  And  even  so  we  have  finished  this  book  from  (by  ?) 
Teague  O'Quinn,  Bachelor  in  Medicine,  in  the  month  of  October, 
on  the  festival  of  Luke  the  Evangelist.  And  the  number  of  years 
from  the  birth  of  Christ  until  then  was  one  thousand  and  four 
hundred  and  fifteen  in  addition.  And  lot  every  one  who  reads 
this  book  bestow  a  blessing  on  the  sovd  of  Teague  O'Quinn, 
and  of  Gilpatrick  O'Callanan  who  translated  it  into  Gaelic.  It 
endeth.  Amen.  I  (am)  Malcolm.'  Who  Malcolm,  the  scribe  of 
this  copy,  was,  is  unknown.  The  name  was  common  in  Ireland 
and  Scotland. 

Immediately  following  this  colophon,  and  in  the  same  hand, 
are  several  recipes  and  charms  for  wounds,  burns  by  water  or  fire, 
loss  of  reason,  loss  of  speech,  etc.  etc.,  on  to  fol.  81b,  1.  10,  when 
comes  again  f.  i.  n.  i.  t.  reXos-.  Memoranda  in  Latin  and  Gaelic, 
in  inferior  hand,  follow  to  the  foot  of  the  page,  and  along  the 
margin  is  written  in  English  script,  and  in  clear  firm  hand : 
Finem  composui,  sit  laus  et  gloria  CJtristo  ;  gloria  p)erpetiLa  sit 
trihuenda  Deo.  Afiev :  Xeyo  avvai..  The  Latin  memorandum  on 
fol.  81b  is  repeated  on  fol.  82b  in  the  same  inferior  hand. 
Otherwise  fols.  82,  83,  84  are  blank.  Then  follows  the  Calendar, 
already  mentioned, — the  MS.  ending  with  fol.  85,  pasted  to  the 
cover. 

1  Antidotarius  est  liber  contra  vitia  et  morbos.     Ducauge  (ed.  1883)  x.v. 


MS.  IVl  MEDICINE,  ETC.  23 


MS.  IV 

This  is  an  interesting  little  vellum  MS.  containing  at  present 
ninety-nine  leaves,  measuring  only  2h  inches  by  If.  It  is  in  the 
original  skin  binding,  firmly  fastened  with  thong,  but  some  of 
the  leaves  are  now  loose,  and  the  text  is  not  continuous  between 
fols.  60  and  61.  Tassels  of  skin  depend  from  the  cover,  and 
an  old  coin  is  firmly  fastened  to  it  with  a  thong  wherewith  to 
close  the  volume.  The  MS.  was  originally,  it  would  appear, 
meant  to  be  carried  about  as  a  Breviary  or  book  of  devotion 
by  a  monk,  for  fols.  l-22a  contain  a  copy  of  Psalm  118  (now 
119)  carefully  written  in  Latin  and  adhering  closely  to  the 
Vulgate,  while  on  fols.  •22b  and  23b  are  short  prayers,  also 
in  Latin. 

But  whatever  the  original  intention,  the  subject  proper  of 
the  MS.,  as  it  now  is,  commences  on  fol.  25a,  and  consists  of  a 
large  collection  of  definitions  and  explanations  of  technical 
terms  by  the  great  authorities,  mainly  in  Medicine  but  inter- 
spersed with  not  a  few  in  Philosophy  and  Theology.  The  dis- 
cussion opens  (fol.  25a)  with  a  pregnant  sentence  from  Galen : 
Quein  scientia  uiuicat  non  tnoritur,  Galienus  dicit  in  septimo 
de  ingenio  s{anitatis)  .|.  Ader  .G.  in  7°  .d.  ing.s.  gach  nech  aith- 
heodaighes  an  ealadha  ni  marh  h-e.  gurab  uime  sin  do  h'ail  lim 
in  coinpendium  so  ar  dejinicion  gach  aon  neth  da  jicjither 
duin  do  scribadh'  uair  is  tre  difon  na  nethed  ticniait  do  cum  a 
n-aitJine  j  a  tucsina  j  o  se  Dia  is  cruthoir  duin  is  do  is  coir 
duin  labairt  ar  tus.  Et  doberar  in  denuin  so  fair.  Deus  est 
spera  integralis  cuius  scntriim  est  utrobique  circumferencia 
uero  nusquam  .].  is  ed  is  Dia  ann  sjjeir  comlan  ag  a  fuil  a 
sentruim  in  gach  ri-en  inad  nach  etir  do  timcliilliugud  na  do 
tacmong :  '  Galen  says  in  the  seventh  (book)  of  his  (treatise)  de 
ingenio  Sanitatis  that  he  whom  science  animates  is  not  dead. 
Wherefore  I  desire  to  write  this  Compendium  on  the  definition 
of  everything  we  see,  for  it  is  by  the  definition  of  things  that  we 
come  to  know  and  understand  them ;  and  because  God  is  our 
Creator  it  is  of  him  we  ought  to  speak  first.  And  this  defini- 
tion is  given  of  him :  i.e.  God  is  a  complete  sphere  whose  centre 
is  everywhere,  (but)  who   cannot  be  surrounded    or  touched.' 


24  CATALOCJUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCKirXy     [MS.  IV 

Tlirougliout  tlie  MS.  the  writer  uses  the  native  word  (Inuini 
and  the  borrowed  word  (IrfiiiUlon  iiidillerently.  The  fact  that 
he  writes  n  to  represent  tlio  Latin  r  {s('ntrmn  =  centrum),  and 
that  such  words  as  drfinitio,  jyriracio,  etc.,  arc  written  in  (laehc 
with  a  final  h  {dcjinieon,  privacdn  are  his  usual  forms),  points 
to  the  influence  of  English  sounds  and  fonus  upon  the  author. 
A  deiinition  of  Finuauicnt  follows,  after  which  the  observation 
is  made  that  the  physician  ought  to  know  somewhat  of  Astro- 
logy, for  the  seven  airdrenna. '  planets '  influence  disease  u])on 
certain  days  and  hours, — two  of  them,  Jupiter  and  Venus,  for 
good ;  tAvo,  Saturn  and  Mars,  for  evil ;  while  three,  Sol, 
Mercury,  and  Luna,  are  inviedonacJi,  sometimes  for  good,  some- 
times for  evil.  Then  come  definitions  and  explanations  of, 
inter  alia,  '  Element,'  Substance,  Form,  Science,  Body,  Soul, 
Spirit,  Organ,  etc.  etc.,  by  Plato,  Aristotle,  Augustine,  Thomas 
Aquinas,  and  many  others. 

A  new  section  on  the  connection  of  Soul  and  Body  com- 
mences on  fol.  43b,  where,  amons^  other  matters,  are  discussed 
(1)  Things  according  to  nature,  of  which  Constantinus  names 
four,  —  lenna  '  humours,'  haill  '  organs,'  spirut  '  spirit,'  con- 
cumusg  j  oihriugiid  '  composition  and  action.'  These  generate 
disease.  (2)  Things  not  natural.  Tateus  enumerates  six  in 
this  class, — aer  '  air,'  hiad  '  food,'  deoch  '  drink,'  cumscugud 
'  motion,'  cumsanad  '  rest,'  fohnugud  7  Una  '  depletion  and 
repletion.'  From  these  proceed  aicidi  na  h-annna '  the  accidents 
of  the  souk'  (3)  Things  contrary  to  nature.  There  are  three  of 
these, — galar,  cuis  in  galair,  aicid  in  galair,  '  disease,  the  cause 
of  the  disease,  and  the  accident  of  it.'  Then  follow  explana- 
tions of  '  Conservation  of  health,'  '  Prognostication,'  onedicina, 
doctrina,  scientia,  ]prude,ntia,  intellectus,  sajoientia,  ojiinio, 
nnorgud  '  Putrefaction,'  'plaigh  '  Plague,'  etc.,  by  Franciscus  of 
Montpelier,  Galen,  Isaac,  the  Author,  Avicenna  and  others. 

On  fol.  56b  comes  another  section  on  special  diseases. 
'  Gadisten '  explains  apostema.\.  nescoit.  Guide  has  the  following 
paragraph  on  Contucon  (Contusio):  C.  est  solucon  continuatis 
qui  accidit  a  casui  vet  obuiacone  vel  percucone  alicuius  rei  non 
acute  ut  lapitis  percucone  vel  fuste  vel  obuiacone  ad  parietem  vel 
percucone  pedis  et  siinilihus,  which  is  thus  rendered  into  Gaelic : 
.|.  is  ed  is  contucon  ann  scailiud  continoidecli  tJiegmus  o  tuitim 


MS.  IVJ  MEDICINE,  ETC.  25 

710  0  hualadh  netlt  h-eghi  neniJi.-geir  mar  afa  hualadh  cloiche  no 
maide  no  theginann  do  halla  no  o  ■prei'p  no  o  speic  cos  I  con  <i 
cusmaile:  'A  contusion  is  a  continuous  bruise  caused  by  a  fall, 
or  striking  against  something  not  sharp,  like  a  blow  from  a 
stone  or  a  stick,  or  striking  against  a  wall,  or  a  kick,  or  a  blow 
from  the  foot,  and  the  like.'  A  great  number  of  diseases  are 
defined,  Ger(aldus)  or  Ger(ard),  Gilbertinus,  Bernard  (Gordon) 
and  others  being  the  chief  authorities.  But  the  writer  does  not 
confine  himself  to  diseases.  Thus  Petrus  enumerates  these 
organs  in  the  production  of  voice  (fol.  69):  gutur  =  scornach ; 
lingua  =  tenga  ;  f)alat'wm  =  carhut ;  quat(n)or  denies  =  na  cethre 
clar  jiacla ;  duo  Iahra=in  hd  udcJifardch  j  in  bel  ichtarach. 
Johanisius  gives  four  definitions  of  neutruni  .|.  nenihnecldarda,  of 
which  the  shortest  is:  n.  est  res  non  sana  non  egrota  .|.  is  ed  is 
nemhiiecJdarda  ann  red  gan  heth  slan  no  eslan, '  what  is  neither 
well  nor  ill.' 

Towards  the  end  elaborate  explanations  of  Definition  itself 
are  given,  with  examples  from  homo,  indiuiduwm,  etc.  to  illus- 
trate the  metaphysical  distinctions  taken.  Throughout,  some 
thirty-five  authors  are  quoted  or  referred  to. 

The  history  of  the  tiny  MS.  is  unknown.  It  was  at  one  time 
the  property  of  the  M'Beath  physicians.  The  first  twenty-two 
folios  were  written  by  a  Neil,  in  all  probability  one  of  the  family: 
Mise  Niall  do  graifne  an  hec  sin,  '  I,  Neil,  wrote  that  small 
portion  '  (fol.  22a).  The  name  of  Niall  6g  '  Neil  junior'  appears 
twice  as  the  owner  of  the  ]\IS.  on  fol.  24a,b, — >S'e  so  lehar  Nel  oig 
'  This  is  the  book  of  Neil  junior.'  The  name  of  the  scribe  who 
wrote  the  MS.  from  fol.  25  onwards  appears  here  and  there  on 
blank  spaces,  and  at  the  end  (fol.  99a)  he  adds  the  following 
colophon :  Misi  Mael{s)ecJdainn  ni  illainn  m  in  Icglia  ruaidJt 
do  scrib  sin  do  Niall  n%  Neill  Meighethadh  .|.  mo  sesi:  'I,  Malachy, 
son  of  (G)il(f )linn,  son  of  the  red  leech,  wrote  this  for  Neil  son 
of  Neil  MacBeath,  i.e.  my  friend  (comrade).'  In  the  family 
pedigree  in  the  Laing  MS.  there  is  a  Niall  og  or  Neil  junior,  but 
he  is  the  son  of  Hector,  son  of  Neil.  This  last  Neil  is  a 
grandson  of  Fergus  Finn  or  the  Fair  who,  it  has  been  suggested, 
wrote  the  Islay  charter  of  1408.  If  he  was  the  scribe  of  the 
first  twenty-two  folios  of  this  MS.  the  date  would  be  about  1450, 
which  may  well  be  the  case.     The  remainder  of  the  MS.  was 


26  CATALOOTTE  OF  GAELIC  ^rANUSCUIPTS     [MS.  IV 

undoubtedly  written  later,  and  if  the  Neil  junior  of  the  MS.  was 
Neil  senior's  grandson  ho  Avould  flourish  about  1500  or  a  little 
later.  That  date,  say,  1500-1550,  is  about  the  date  of  the  latter 
portion  of  the  little  MSS.  At  the  foot  of  99a  are  two  memoranda, 
of  which  misl  an  rjilhi  dnhli.  '1  (aiu)  the  swartliy  lad'  is  the 
only  part  legible  to  me. 


MS.  IX — Kilbride  Collection,  No.  5 

This  MS.  consists  of  a  single  leaf  of  faded  paper, — the  writing 
upon  Avhich  is  in  an  inferior  hand  of  the  middle  or  latter  half 
of  the  eighteenth  century.  The  contents  are  a  prescription  for 
Strangiuy,  and  a  genealogy  of  the  MacDougalls  of  Dunolly. 


MS.  X — Kilbride  Collection,  No  6 

MS.  X  is  a  very  large  parchment,  15  in.  by  10 J,  written  in 
double  cohunn,  with  fifty  lines  and  upwards  to  the  page.  It  is 
but  a  fragment,  breaking  off  in  the  middle  of  a  sentence  at  the 
foot  of  the  tenth  folio.  It  is  in  fair  preservation,  as  Gaelic 
MSS.  go.  The  inner  edges  of  the  leaves  are  worn  away  at  the 
top,  so  that  several  words  and  phrases  are  lost,  while  the  outer 
edges  at  the  top  and  bottom  are  frequently  curled  or  broken. 

The  handwriting  is  fairly  clear,  but  by  no  means  fine.  The 
scribe  writes  both  in  Latin  and  Gaelic  carelessly.  The  ortho- 
graphy is  often  at  fault ;  words  are  sometimes  omitted,  some- 
times repeated  and  then  roughly  deleted,  while  the  Gaelic 
idiom  is  not  always  pure.  The  text  is  occasionally  corrected  or 
supplemented  in  a  later  hand  by  writing  over  the  line,  or  on  the 
margin,  or  at  the  foot  of  the  page.  A  mannerism,  not  confined 
to  this  scribe,  is  show^i  here  and  there  by  writing  a  letter,  word, 
or  phrase  twice,  even  thrice,  as  if  to  fill  up  a  line.  Thus,  fol. 
2a2,  11.  9-11 : 

an  tan  disgailter  lenna  cintacha  an  cuirp  glnaister  na  ddd 
roch  caili  J  o  ghiaiseacht  nan  droch  caileadh  muchar  an  teasss 
nachirra  "]  o  muchadh  an  teasa  iiadnrra  tig  am  has. 

When  the  peccant  humours  of  the    body  are  dispersed,  evil 


MS.  X]  MEDICINE,  ETC.  27 

qualities  are  set  in  motion,  and  by  the  motion  of  the  evil 
qualities  the  natural  heat  is  quenched,  the  result  of  which  is 
death.' 

Again,  fol.  4al,  last  line : 

.  .  .  an  caibdil  so  Hum  an  caihdil  so  Hum  an  caihdil  so  Hum. 

'  (is  closed)  this  chapter  by  me,  this  chapter  by  me,  this  chapter 
by  me.' 

There  is  not  a  Avord  to  indicate  who  the  author  was  be- 
yond the  fact  that  he  refers  twice  (fol.  6al,  6bl)  to  another 
Treatise  by  him  entitled  de  sperinaite  (of  Sperms).^  As  to 
its  date,  one  should  say  that  it  must  have  been  put  together 
early  in  the  fourteenth  centur}^,  although  this  copy  was  tran- 
scribed considerably  later.  The  author  cites  Bernard  Gordon  of 
Montpelier  as  two  persons, — Bearrnard  7  Oordoni  (fol.  lal). 
He  heard  of  the  doctors  of  Montpelier  and  speaks  of  them  as 
Boctuircdha  nua  t-sleibi  Pisalaiu  (fol.  9b2), '  the  'new'  Doctors 
of  Montpelier.'  In  MS.  XIV  the  same  author  refers  to  William 
of  Montpelier,  and  cites  Bernard  Gordon  several  times.  But  he 
does  not  at  any  time  cite  the  Lilium  Medicinae  of  the  latter 
author,  a  work  which  was  known  pretty  early  in  the  fourteenth 
century.  One  should  expect  that  so  erudite  a  writer  as  this 
would  possess  a  copy  of  so  important  a  work  as  the  Lilium, 
and  his  usual  practice  is  to  cite  the  book  as  Avell  as  its  author. 
It  would  thus  appear  that  this  treatise  was  composed  before  the 
Lilium  Medicinae  came  into  general  circulation. 

The  Treatise  of  which  this  is  a  fragment  is  a  learned  and 
elaborate  commentary  on  the  Aphorisms  of  Hippocrates,  whose 
name,  when  written  in  full,  appears  in  Gaelic  as  Ipocrait, 
Ipocraid,  in  Latin  Ipocras,  After  quoting,  in  Latin,  a  maxim 
from  the  Liber  e2yitirniaruin  of  Hippocrates,  who  is  here  desig- 
nated Righ  arbttm  Prindsa  aboali  '  King  (of)  A.,  prince  (of)  A.,' 
and  a  saying  of  Hali  from  the  first  book  of  his  Teagusc  i-iglia 
or  Liber  regalis  to  the  effect  that  every  one  ought  to  cherish 
this  Treatise  of  Hippocrates  alike  in  his  bosom  and  in  his  mind, 
the  author  proceeds  thus: 

Ln  ncmiine  Dei  riiisercordia  .|.  an  ainni  Dia  trocdiri  tind- 

^  In  a  later  MS.  (XIV)  the  same  author  refers  to  other  treatises  written  by 
him. 


28  CATALOfUTK  OF  CIAELIC  MANdSCRIlTS       [MS.  X 

sgaintluT  an  Icabar-sa  d'uraile  {Mti.  (larrkdl)  ainiiu  amprtH- 
tnoruni  7  fuig  leat  gru  rahadar  trl  h-aicmedha  a  n-aimltsir 
Ipocraldk  vis  in  lelghes  .\.  Empirrisi  7  metoisi  7  loisi.  Et  as  iat 
as  cmpirisi  and  .\.  an  drong  ag  amm{h)idi8  araidhi  7  urcaisc 
7  do  creidis  gu  leigistis  gach  ((en  g<(lar  leo  sin,  7  as  iat  so  a 
n-anmanda  .\.  Orohasius  7  Alhxmassar  7  Macometus. 

Metoisi  umorro  ((icini  ele  iat  sein  noch.  do  gnatJadgltedh 
creideamain  do  gotlia  ihJi  en  aimdl  ai<(  it  sdi-iiic^  jfi((  icJi  7  feada 
fosgair"-  gun  a  cosmailes.  Et  as  iat  so  a  n-((nmanda  ].  And- 
tapiis  7  Sacarias  7  Rufus  7  Serajnonn. 

Loitisi  umorro  na  featlsamain  nadui'd/ia.  noch  faair  na 
h-ealadha  saeramail  ata  Arsmetricacht  j  Geomtricacht  7  Astroil- 
aidhecht  J  Fisigecht.  Et  as  iat  so  a  n-anmanda  .|.  Ipocraid 
fuair  ar  dus  an  ealadha  leighis  7  do  sgrib  h-i  and  sa  teangaidh 
Afraicci  7  do  sgrib  and  sein  a  teangaidh  na  h-Araipi  7  and  sen 
a  teangaid  Laidianta.  Et,  n<(  deaghaid  sin  tainic  An.  7  Rasis 
7  Tolamens  7  Constantinus  7  Almasor  7  Isaac  7  Egidius 
7  Johanes  7  Damasenus  7  Gendldus  7  De  Sola  7  Bearrnard 
7  Gordoni  7  onilti  (31S.  muilti)  aili.  Ipocraidi  umorro  noch 
do  rine  an  leabhur  so  re  n-ahur  a')nprismorum  7  as  uime  aclerar 
amprismorum  .].  as  (MS.  as  asinann)  inann  ampros  as  in 
Greigh  7  definisio  as  in  Laidhin  7  crichnugliudh  as  in  G{aidh- 
e  ilg)  oir  as  and  so  do  crichnaidheadh  "inearrdanacht  7  seachran 
na  droingi  adubramiar  romainn  .|.  impirisi  7  ^metoisi  7  as  ann 
{sa)  leabur-sa  do  gebthar  aithni  jfaistiiie  gacha  teagraa  7  leiglies 
gacha  h-uili  galar  7  cohnedh  na  sldinti  gu  dleistinach :  '  In  the 
name  of  the  merciful  God,  this  book,  by  name  Amprismorum, 
is  begun.  And  be  it  known  to  you  that  in  the  time  of 
Hippocrates  there  were  three  schools  practising  the  healing 
Art,  the  Empirics,  the  Methodists,  and  the  Rationalists.^ 

'  Now  the  Empirics  were  those  who  used  charms  and  specifics, 

^  Borrowed  from  L.  strix  (Gr.  crrpl^)  '  night  bird,'  'screech  owl.' 
^  No  bird  appears  to  be  now  known  by  this  name,  although  several  are  named 
from  their  cry.  Cf.  feadag  'the  plover'  (lif.  the  whistler).  In  the  Southern 
Hebrides  the  'Nightjar'  is  known  as  a'  chnidheall  mhor  'the  big  (spinning) 
wheel.'  Inffdfosc  glosses  fiibihtH  '  hiss.'  Cf.  Irish  Glosses  (Dublin  Irish  Archaeol. 
and  Celt.  Soc,  p.  25). 

^  For  Isodore's  account  of  these  three  schools,  v.  infra  MS.  XIII  (1)  fol.  Ia2. 
Of.  also  O'Gr.'sCat.  p.  239. 


MS.  X]  MEDICINE,  ETC.  29 

and   who   believed  that  all  diseases  could   be  cured   by  these. 
Their  names  are  Orobasius,  Albamasar,  and  Maconictus. 

'  The  Methodists  again  were  another  sept  who  put  faith  in  the 
cries  of  birds  such  as  owls  and  ravens  and  .  .  .  and  the  like. 
And  these  are  their  names, — ^Antapus  and  Sacarias  and  Rufus 
and  Serapion. 

'  The  Rationalists  on  the  other  hand  were  the  natural  philo- 
sophers who  discovered  the  noble  sciences  of  Arithmetic, 
Geometry,  Astrology  and  Physics.  These  are  their  names, — 
Hippocrates  who  was  the  first  to  discover  the  healing  Art,  and 
who  wrote  it  (his  discovery)  in  the  language  of  Africa,  there- 
after in  the  language  of  Arabia,  and  finally  in  Latin.  After 
him  came  Av(icenna)  and  Rhazes  and  Ptolemy  and  Constantine 
and  Almasor  and  Isaac  and  Egidius  and  John  of  Damascus 
and  Geraldus  de  Sola  and  Bernard  de  Gordon  and  thousands 
besides. 

'  It  was  Hippocrates,  moreover,  who  wrote  this  book,  which 
is  called  AviprisTnortciyi  from  the  Greek  word  annxpros  (  =  d(f)apicr- 
/Ao?),  which  is  equivalent  to  the  Latin  definitio  and  the  Gaelic 
crichnughndh  '  ending,'  so  called  because  it  makes  an  end  of 
the  rashness  and  error  of  the  Empirics  and  Methodists  afore- 
said. In  this  book  are  also  to  be  found  the  (means  of)  recogni- 
tion and  issue  (lit.  prediction)  of  every  ailment,  and  the  cure  of 
every  disease,  and  the  preservation  of  health,  duly  set  forth.' 

The  Treatise  proceeds  thereafter  in  systematic  order.  The 
aphorisms  of  Hippocrates  are  quoted,  in  whole  or  in  part, 
in  Latin,  followed  by  a  Gaelic  translation  or  paraphrase,  and 
then  by  the  comment  in  Gaelic.  The  first  line  of  the  aphorism, 
as  well  as  the  first  letter  of  paragraphs,  is  Avritten  in  capital 
letters,  and  is  commonly  daubed  red  or  yellow.  A  large  space 
is  left  for  writing  the  initial  letter,  but  in  only  one  instance  is 
this  space  filled  in.  At  the  foot  of  fol.  Ibl  the  divisions  of  the 
Treatise,  with  their  contents,  are  given : — 

FogJiailtear  an  leabur-sa  amprisinorum  as  VII  rannaibh  .|. 
a  VII paArteaglaihli  7  lahliraidh  Ipocraid  and  sa  cet  pairtedgall 
don  leahiir  so  don  hrig{sic)  nadiirda  7  da  h-oibrig]dh  ihh  7 
hialdh  in  II  "pairtedgall  (MS.  pi.  part.)  don  hrigh  aininitJiiglii 
7  da  li-oihrighthihh  7  h(iaidh)  in  III  payirtedgall  do  brig  na 
betha  7  do  na  ballaib  spirutallta  7  b{iaidJt)  in  I  I II  pairtedgall 


3(»  ('Al'AhOClIK  OK  CAKLK"   iVl  A  N  USl  MM  I'l'S       |MS.  X 

<lo  cotiiicd  7  (I'ollcti iiiiiAii  7  do  ijdllrathh  ad  m-hau  {JUS.  'luiiib 
hnan)  lorfm-h  7  l){hi'i<lh)  in  V  jxiirtatujall  d'eadavtitihlt  na 
fethcd/i  7  do  tdisccUaihh  hdis  7  hel/iadh  na  ii-eadaiidedh  noc/t 
claecldoigldlic.s  a  teaijindudaihlt  de  7  l){iald/i)  an  VI  pair  ted; /(dl 
do  flux  na  hroudj  d'easl{aintib/i)  l{enna)  f{uair)  j  h{iaid/i)  on 
VII pairt('dg(dl  do  na  Ji.-nisl{ainfj.hh,)  (/era  7  do  teajjnuindaihh 
tin  da  norh  tig  o  lind  did)li.:  'This  book  Aniprinniorunt  is 
divided  into  seven  parts  or  chapters,  and  Hippocrates  speaks 
in  the  tirst  chapter  of  this  book  of  the  natural  force  and  its 
functions.  The  second  chapter  will  treat  of  the  animal  force 
and  its  functions;  the  third  of  the  vital  force  and  of  the 
spiritual  organs ;  the  fourth  of  the  tending,  nutrition,  and 
diseases  of  pregnant  women ;  the  fifth  of  nervous  diseases,  and 
of  the  prognostications  of  death  or  life  of  such  diseases  as 
develop  into  other  disorders ;  the  sixth  of  dysentery  and  diseases 
of  the  phlegm ;  and  the  seventh  of  the  acute  diseases  and  of 
numerous  ailments  that  proceed  from  melancholia.' 

This  comprehensive  Treatise  was  held  in  high  esteem  by  the 
Gaelic  Physicians.  It  was  translated  into  Gaelic  as  early  as 
1403  {v.  O'Gr.'s  Cat.,  p.  222).  It  is  frequently  referred  to 
{v.  supra  p.  9,  et  aliis;  cf  also  O'Gr.'s  Cat.,  pp.  221,  264).  The 
Scottish  Collection  does  not  now  contain  a  complete  copy. 
But  this  MS.  gives  the  greater  part  of  Chapter  i ;  MSS.  XIII  (4) 
and  XIV  supply  three  copies  of  a  portion  of  Chapter  11  and 
one  copy  of  a  part  of  Chapter  iii ;  MS.  XXI  gives  in  whole  or 
in  part  Chapters  iv,  v,  and  vi,  while  MS.  XI  gives  the  whole 
of  Chapter  vii.  One  is  impressed  with  the  ability  and  especially 
with  the  erudition  of  the  author,  whoever  he  was.  He  makes 
occasional  mistakes.  He  makes  Bernard  and  Gordon,  Geraldus 
and  De  Sola,  Johannes  and  Damascenus  different  persons  in  his 
list,  although  the  mistake  is  not  kept  up  in  the  text.  Still  his 
knowledge,  entirely  from  MSS.,  is  extensive  and  accurate. 
Among  the  names  included  in  the  list  on  fol.  lal  the  following 
are  not  further  mentioned  in  this  MS., — the  Empirics,  Albamasar, 
Macometus  and  Orobasius ;  the  Methodists,  Antapus,  Rufus  and 
Sacarias ;  and  the  Rationalists,  Almasor,  Egidius  and  Ptolemy. 
On  the  other  hand  he  quotes  by  name,  and  by  their  works, 
several  authors  who  do  not  appear  in  his  list.  Such  arc 
Aristotle,   frequently    cited    as    Feallsam    '  the    philosopher ' ; 


MS.  XI]  MEDICINE,  ETC.  31 

CoUiget,  II  dcsigmiLiou  of  Averrocs  ;  CoimnuuLator,  whose  proper 
name  is  unknown  to  me;  Diaferus ;  Gail-,  who  may  be  Galen, 
although  that  great  authority  is  usually  cited  as  G.  simply; 
Johannes  de  Sangto  nafido  Anglicus  (John  of  Gaddesden  :*); 
Johannes  Hispolensis ;  Johanisius ;  Theophilos  and  Ostracus 
Avhose  joint  work  on  heat  and  cold  is  quoted  on  fol.  Gal ;  and 
Thaddeus  of  Bologna  {MaldJilsder  Tatheus  de  honionia)  fol. 
Sal.  Doctuiri  'Doctors,'  Fi^ig/n  '  Yhysldans,'  Maighisdreacha 
'Masters'  and  P/v/i/^ic^"  '  Practitioners '  are  referred  to,  without 
being  cited  by  name. 

But  the  great  authorities  whose  views  are  quoted  and  com- 
mented upon  most  frequently  are,  after  Hippocrates,  Galen 
who  wrote  a  comment  on  these  aphorisms  which  is  con- 
tinually cited  here,  e.g.  an  gluais  na  h-aifrisi  so  '  in  the  gloss 
on  this  aphorism  ' ;  Avicenna ;  Aristotle ;  John  of  Damascus ; 
Isaac;  Rhazes;  and  Isodore.  The  author  is  quite  familiar  with 
the  works  of  these  men  which  he  often  quotes  by  book,  chapter, 
and  paragraph  (fen).  Not  infrequently  he  confutes  them  by 
quoting  from  another  treatise  of  theirs.  Sometimes  he  explains 
the  seeming  difference  between  them  and  Hippocrates  by  point- 
ing out  that  in  such  cases  they  misunderstand  the  meaning  of 
the  great  master.  The  author  gives  his  own  views  with  confi- 
dence, whether  they  agree  with,  or  differ  from,  the  authorities. 


MS.  XI — Kilbride  Collection,  No.  7 

MS.  XI  consists  of  four  folios  of  parchment,  large  size,  11  in. 
by  8i.  It  is  written  in  double  column,  in  a  very  small,  but 
round,  regular  hand,  giving  about  sixty  lines  to  the  page.  The 
last  page  is  largely  illegible,  the  MS.  having  been  for  a  consider- 
able time  without  a  cover.  There  is  no  ornamenting  or  colouring 
of  capital  letters. 

The  following  is  a  summary  of  the  contents : — 

Fols.  lal-4al  contain  the  commentar}-  on  the  seventh 
and  last  chapter  of  the  Ainprismo^mrn  of  Hippocrates.  This, 
however,  is  in  a  different  hand,  written  Avith  greater  care,  and 
is   of  earlier  date    than  MS.   X.      It   opens   thus:   In  acquis 


32  CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS     [MS.  XI 

morbis  fi-l(ji<l{i )l<(s  r.cfrciiii/nhi m  iiniliiin  eat.  E<loii  thidscaiiiter 
ann  so  <(ii,  F//;xiir^ice/ ((5V/ii/</)7'i.s*><'>7'/6v/i  7  o  do  hilxii^'  Ipocraid 
is  no  pairtidud)h.  letJi,  (i  inas  diim  do  comtarthalhh,  7  do  aicidih 
morain  d'eashdntihh  lahraldJi,  .se  ann  sa  pairtlcei  delghinec/i  (so) 
do  taisceltaib  hois'J  bethad  7  do  na  comarfaib  an  niolta  7  in 
dimolta.  Et  tulcter  tri  nethi  cum  droch  comartadh  7  tri  nethi 
cum  dedh  comartha  dib.  Cum  dedk  comartha  maitlt  7  nisferr 
7  nin  ro  ferr.  Cum  a  ni  as  dimolta  mar  ata  olc  7  ro  olc  7 
marblitdch.  Et  tuc  let  an  tan  adelr  Ipocraid  malum  .|.  olc  as 
mo  ata  sin  do  leth  na  bethad  na  do  leth  an  bais.  Et  an  tan  do 
(jnatliaighes  Ipocraid  an  foccd  so  .|.  peissimwin  .|.  ro  olc  tuicter 
sin  cunntahirtach  etir  bas  7  bethaidli.  Et  an  tan  gnathaidhes 
don  focal  so  mortale  .|.  marbldacli  tuicter  ann  sin  Ipocraid  ac 
diultadli  na  betli.adh  7  ac  faistine  an  bhais.  Et  is  ed  adeir  is 
in  canoin  so  da  m-betit  na  rainn  imeallacha  co  fuar  is  na 
h-easlaintih  gera  as  ro  olc  an  comartha  sin  oir  foillsichidh 
muchadh  an  teasa  nadurdha  is  na  ballaib  prinnsipalta.  Et  as 
iad  so  na  rainn  imeallacha  da  labraid  Ipocraid  .|.  sron  7  cluas 
7  barr  mer  na  cos  7  na  lamh  7  buind  7  dernanna.  '  In  acute 
diseases  cold  in  the  extremities  is  a  bad  symptom.  Now  here  is 
begun  the  seventh  chapter  of  the  Amprismorum.  And  as 
Hippocrates  spoke  in  the  previous  chapters  of  the  symptoms 
{lit.  signs)  and  accidents  of  many  diseases,  he  speaks  in  this  last 
chapter  of  the  prognostications  of  death  and  life,  and  of  the 
symptoms  that  are  favourable  and  unfavourable.  We  must 
understand  that  there  are  three  words  (lit.  things)  which  express 
bad  symptoms,  and  three  which  express  good  symptoms.  To 
express  good  symptoms  are  maith  "  good,"  wis  ferr  "  better,"  and 
nis  ro  ferr  "  best."  Three  express  unfavourable  symptoms  such 
as  olc  '"bad,"  ro  olc  "  very  bad,"  and  marbldacli  "fatal."  And  note 
that  when  Hippocrates  uses  the  word  malum  "  bad,"  he  means 
that  the  indications  point  to  recovery  rather  than  to  death; 
when  he  uses  peissimum  "  very  bad,"  he  means  that  the 
issue  between  life  and  death  is  doubtful ;  but  when  he  uses  the 
word  mortale  "  fatal,"  he  believes  that  recovery  is  hopeless 
and  death  certain  {lit.  indicated).  What  Hippocrates  says  in 
this  canon  is  this, — that  in  the  acute  diseases  cold  in  the  ex- 
tremities is  a  very  bad  symptom,  for  this  shows  that  the 
natural  heat  is  quenched  in  the  principal  organs.      And  the 


MS.  XIJ  MEDICINE,  ETC.  33 

extremities  of  which  he  speaks  are  the  nose,  ear,  the  tips  of 
the  toes  and  fingers,  the  soles  and  the  palms.' 

Thereafter  the  commentary  proceeds  maxim  by  maxim  as 
in  MS.  X.  Among  the  new  authorities  cited  in  this  chapter  of 
the  Amprismorum  are  Gilbertus  Anglicus  and  Rogerus  oi- 
Rogerius.  Towards  the  end  of  the  chapter  (fol.  4al)  several 
recipes  for  plasters,  and  salves  for  wounds  and  sores  are  given, 
the  last  of  which  runs  thus  : — 

Item,  gnh  haindi  gahair  7  mln  ruis  lin  (7)  surjh  fleagha 
urdail  rlu  uile  7  herhter  co  maith  dentaib  no  co  m-bia  rigin, 
curter  cermfon  m-hraiged  7  is  Qmir  sin  leighister  an  cned  daruh 
ainm  sginannsia  maille  grasaih  dia  j  na  li-ecdadhna :  'Also, 
take  goat's  milk  and  flaxseed  meal  and  a  quantity  of  the  juice 
of  chickweed  equal  to  both ;  boil  well  together  until  the  com- 
pound assumes  consistency ;  apply  an  emplaister  of  this  to  the 
neck,  and  it,  by  the  grace  of  God  and  the  (healing)  Art,  heals 
the  sore  called  Quinsy.' 

Immediately  thereafter  comes  the  subscription :  Finit 
Amen.  Feargus  o  caisidi  do  sgrib  so  a  tig  mwigli  i  caisidi 
e  cer  faithchi  caerach  so  tarn  rolrii  la  limasa  etrl.  '  Fergus 
O'Cassidy  wrote  this  in  the  house  of  Henry  O'Cassidy  .  .  . 
sheep  green(?),  on  Saturday  before  Lammas-day,'  etc. 

A  copy  of  this  Chapter,  written  by  Gilpatrick  the  Scot,  and 
dated  1413,  is  found  in  the  Yellow  Book  of  Lecan  (Y.B.L.), 
pp.  456-462. 

The  remainder  of  the  MS.,  so  far  as  legible,  is  taken  up 
with  paragraphs  on  various  subjects, — medical,  physical,  philo- 
sophical, e.g. : 

On  fol.  4al-2  is  a  note  on  facthvgud,  now  f<iothcJiadh, 
faocJiadh,  meaning  'ease,'  'relief,' '  favourable  turn,' — the  word 
by  which  the  Gaelic  physicians  translate  crises.  The  question 
is  asked  whether  f<(et}iugiid  comes  gu  ]t-oban')h  'suddenly'  or 
gradually.  The  writer  cites  Galen  on  the  point  and  to  the  view 
of  that  authority  opposes  his  own. 

On  fol.  4al-2  come  remarks  on  the  Feallsanis  (Aristotle) 
maxim:  Scire  est  rem  per  catisam  (MS.  qnasrim)  cognoscere  .|. 
aithniter  gach  ni  do  reir  a  cuisi,  '  every  thing  is  known  from 
its  cause.'     There  are  four  causes, —  materialis  or  cuis  adbiira  ; 

c 


34  CATAL()(!UE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRTITS     [MS.  XI 

ejiciens  or  cats  denmusn, ;  foriudl i'^  or  culs  criU/uil(//il/u; ;  and 
ii{(t)nnlis  or  cwIh  cricliiutidhtcdch.  Which  of  the  four  is  'First 
Cause'?  To.'^ar/i  'first'  is  to  be  understood  in  two  senses, — do 
rftir  s)nn(iiiifi;//>fhl,  'first  in  thought':  and  do  rcir  <i('ine<imkna, 
'  first  in  activity.'  When  the  four  causes  are  taken  in  connec- 
tion with  tosach  each  of  them  in  turn  comes  out  as  First  Cause, 

Next  comes  (fol.  4a2)  a  paragraph  commencing  :  LaiKjfrang- 
eas  (uleir  iia  hrlafhra  so:  '  Latifranc  says  the  following  words: 
There  are  three  hrl(j((  or  'virtues'  operating  in  oile(nn<(in 
foirfni  'perfect  nutrition (?),' — hr'xjli  claccldaidJdeocli  no  im- 
2^0 /fye(<c/t, 'a  changing  or  transmuting  power';  hrigh  aentadach, 
'a  unifying  power';  and  hrigh  cosmaileach,  'an  assimilating 
power.'  From  the  failure  of  any  one  of  these  various  diseases 
arise,  as  eitic  'hectic  fever'  from  the  failure  of  the  first,  dropsy 
from  that  of  the  second,  etc.,  etc. 

In  the  paragraph  following  (fol.  4a2),  the  question  is  asked 
whether  neasgo'id  'emposthume'  can  properly  be  called  an 
eudolnte  or  'disease.'  Galen  is  cited  in  proof  that  it  cannot: 
When  one  can  work  without  reducing  his  hrhja  or  'vital  forces' 
he  can  have  no  disease,  but  he  can  do  so  although  suffering 
from  neasgoid.  Further  what  is  a  cause  of  disease  is  not  itself 
a  disease;  what  is  not  accompanied  by  ieinnus  or  'illness,'  like 
pleurisis,  or  neasgoid,  is  not  a  disease ;  what  cannot  be  generated 
has  no  teinnus,  and  neasgoid  cannot  be  generated,  otherwise  it 
would  be  found  in  a  particular  organ,  or  pass  from  one  organ  to 
another,  or  arise  from  a  seachran  or  'error'  of  Nature;  but 
Nature  makes  no  error :  for  all  which  reasons  neasgoid  is  not  an 
easlainte.  On  the  other  hand  all  the  authorities  affirm  the 
contrary,  and  various  considerations  are  brought  forward  to 
show  that  they  are  right. 

Fol.  4a2 — bl  contains  an  interesting  note  by  Galen  on  guth 
'Voice'  and  voice-production,  extracted  'from  the  chapter  on  the 
voice  in  his  book.'  Definitions  of  cossacldacli  '  Cough,'  and 
singidtus  '  Hiccough,'  Gaelic  fail  (in  Scottish  Gaelic  (f)aileag,) 
are  also  given. 

On  fol.  4bl  a  fresh  trachtadh  or  '  tract'  begins,  but  be3^ond 
the  fact  that  the  subject  is  medical  not  much  can  be  made  of  it, 
the  whole  of  this  last  page,  with  the  exception  of  an  occasional 
line  or  phrase,  being  practically  illegible. 


MS.  XII]  MEDICINE,  ETC.  35 


MS.  XII— Kilbride  Collection,  No.  8 

MS.  XII  consists  of  twenty-one  leaves  of  parchment,  larg^e 
quarto.  It  is  made  up  of  four  layers  (the  third  being  of  some- 
what smaller  size),  stitched  together  by  a  stout  thong,  but  the 
third  and  fourth  are  now  loose.  They  are  all  fragmentary. 
The  second  and  fourth  arc  in  the  same  hand,  and  are  parts  of 
the  same  treatise.  The  various  parts  of  the  MS.  have  been  sub- 
jected to  rough  usage,  and  a  considerable  portion  of  the  text  is 
now  illegible.  A  note  on  the  margin  here  and  there  supplies  an 
omission  or  explanation  of  text.  In  all  the  layers,  the  various 
sections  and  paragraphs  are  introduced  by  maxims  quoted  in 
Latin,  and  written  in  capitals.  Initial  letters  are  frequently 
omitted,  with  spaces  left  for  them.  AVhen  inserted  they  are 
plainly  drawn  and  uncoloured. 

1.  The  first  layer  consists  at  present  of  five  leaves,  of  which 
a  portion  of  the  first  is  torn  away.  There  is  a  leaf  awanting 
between  the  first  and  second.  The  upper  part  of  the  page  is 
taken  up  with  an  elaborate  Calendar,  in  which  but  compara- 
tively few  obits  are  entered. 

The  subject  of  the  text,  which  is  written  in  double  column, 
in  a  very  good  hand,  is  anatomical,  beginning  with  the  com- 
posite organs,  and  first  the  Brain  {incinn).  This  organ  is 
described  as  fuar  '  cold,'  Jiiuch  '  moist,'  and  although  in  sub- 
stance smeramail  '  of  the  nature  of  marrow '  is  different  from 
s^ner  '  marrow.'  The  text  is  fragmentary  and  in  part  also 
illegible.  Leahar  na  n-ainniinti  (leg.  ainmintedh)  is  referred 
to,  and  Lanfranc  and  G(alen)  are  cited.  Thereafter  (fol.  2al 
et  seq.)  the  various  sections  of  the  text  are  introduced  by  a 
sentence  in  Latin,  paraphrased  and  enlarged  upon  in  Gaelic. 
Thus  fol.  2al  has  a  paragraph  on  Bones  in  general, — their 
number;  some  containing  marrow,  others  not;  some  fitted  to 
form  alt  or  joint  by  having  ends  (ciirn).  in  the  one  set,  Avith 
hollows  to  receive  them  in  the  corresponding  set.  Henricus 
is  cited.  Then  follows  (fol  2a2)  an  account  of  the  Skull 
(doigenn).  The  bones  of  the  skull  are  seven,  with  smaller 
bones,  four  in  number  according  to  Aliabas.  Lining  the  skull 
are  sreahhanna  ramra  'thick  membranes'  which  Guido  calls 


36  r.\TAT,Or;TTE  OF  riAETJO  MANUSfllTPTR    | MS.  XII 

perl,cr(i7iiui)i.  The  contents  of  the  sknll  iiro  i^ivcn,  with  tlio 
remark  that  the  hrain  in  man  is  hirt^er  in  proportion  than  in 
animals. 

On  fols.  3a2-4a2  roittn  na  h-didhchr  '  the  parts  of  the  Face  ' 
are  described, — forehead,  brows,  cheeks,  jaws,  teeth,  nose,  ears, 
eyes,  and  month.  The  Teeth  are  of  the  natnre  of  l)one,  and 
according  to  Guido  they  liave  mothiigud  'sensibility.'  Their 
roots  vary  from  one  to  five.  Their  number  is  usually  thirty- 
two,  but  occasionally  only  twenty.  They  are  named  as  follows, — 
two  clar-fiacla  'front-teeth;  two  gerain  'incisors':  two  mod- 
ramla  'canine';  eight  vu'd-fiacla  'back-teeth';  and  two  ra.s- 
salas.  In  addition  to  Guido,  Avicenna,  Galen,  and  Lanfranc 
are  cited. 

The  remaining  sections  of  the  text  treat  of  the  muinel  or 
Neck  (Fols.  4a2-5al);  the  dinnen  or  Shoulder-blade  (fob  5a2), 
which  is  described  as  do  letli  an  oclda  mar  sluasaid  do  leth 
na  droma  mar  sliseoig,  (in  shape)  '  towards  the  chest  like  a 
shovel,  towards  the  back  like  a  shaving  (of  wood) ' ;  the  Hand 
(fol.  5bl-2);  and  the  Nerves  (fol.  5b2),  when  this  layer  comes 
to  an  abrupt  close. 

2  and  4.  Layers  two  and  four  go  together,  both  being  frag- 
ments of  a  comment  on  Isaac's  treatise  on  Diets.  The  fourth, 
consisting  of  five  leaves,  comes  tirst  in  order.  The  text,  which  is 
somewhat  illegible,  gives  the  commencement  of  the  treatise.  On 
the  top  margin  is  IJtc.  emenuel.  In  del  nomine.  Amen.  Then  the 
text  commences :  quoniam  irnprimis  coegit  a.ntiqtios  disputare 
de  naturalis  ciborum :  adhon  as  ed  ader  Ysac  ann  sa  Icidxir  -s-o 
do  rinne  se  do  na  dietaih  uilidhi  .  .  .  comhegnidhid  .  .  .  na 

sen  docturi  e  atchttr  do  denam  co  h-oireda  do  nadur 

maille  socamlacht  j  stuider  dethnisech  do  denam  don  tslainti 
7  don  eslainti  J  do  lorgairecht  da  coimed  7  da  leigheas.  Et 
ataid  2  cnis  co  h-egintach  cum  an  dstuider  sin  .].  an  diet  7  an 
leigheas,  etc. :  '  What  Isaac  says  in  this  book  Avhich  he  made 
upon  diets  in  general  (lit.  universal)  i.s  that  the  old  physicians 
persuaded    him    to    revise    specially    (what   he    had    written  ?) 

regarding   the   nature   of deliberately,   and   to   make 

close  study  of  health  and  disease,  and  to  investigate  regarding 
the  preservation  (of  health)  and  the  cure  (of  disease).  Now  there 
are    two  essential  conditions  of  that  study, — Diet  and  Medi- 


MS.  XII]  MEDICINE,  ETC.  37 

cine,  etc'  The  writer  goes  on  to  add  that  with  respect  to  diets 
the  main  rule  is  to  use  the  most  nourishing,  and  with  respect 
to  medicines  to  use  those  which  expel  the  things  that  are  con- 
trary to  the  complexion  of  the  patient.  The  complexions  are 
then  treated  of  from  various  points  of  vicAv.  In  the  exposition 
the  author  takes  occasion  to  contradict  a  dogma  of  Avicenna ; 
and  to  enunciate  the  general  principle  that  the  complexion  of 
each  body  must  be  viewed  with  reference  to  the  complexion  of 
each  orq-an  of  it,  a  fact  which  the  old  doctors  erred  in  ignoring. 
Reverting  to  Foods  the  author  observes  that  their  action  and 
potency  depend  on  their  quality;  their  composition;  and  the 
constitution  of  those  who  consume  them.  In  respect  of  bias  or 
taste,  foods  are  distinguished  in  eight  classes,  for  three  of  which 
he  has  no  Gaelic  name, —  aigedacli  from  aifjed  (  =  acefum) 
'  vinegar,'  iioinntega  (pontica),  and  insipitus  '  tasteless,"  else- 
where said  to  be  'of  the  taste  of  water.'  Some  like  cucur- 
bita  which  'perforates  the  veins'  are  without  bias;  while  in 
the  case  of  others,  like  lentes,  caulis  and  cailig,  their  sug  'juice ' 
is  of  opposite  quality  to  their  sub(staint)  'substance.' 

Having  investigated  the  brtga  'virtues'  of  foods  •do  reir 
derbtha  '  by  proof,'  '  experience,'  he  now  proceeds  to  consider 
them  do  reir  resuin  '  according  to  reason.'  From  this  point  of 
view  foods  are  known  in  three  ways, — (1)  in  respect  of  their 
taste,  smell,  essence;  (2)  of  their  complexion;  and  (3)  of  their 
composition.  Thereafter  comes  a  long  and  interesting  discussion 
on  the  production  of  fruits  from  seeds  and  plants ;  the  nourish- 
ment of  trees;  the  generation  of  plants  and  animals,  with  the 
views  of  the  Sophists  thereupon ;  and  the  nutritive  value  of 
different  grains.  Then  comes  a  gap  between  the  fourth  and 
fifth  leaves  of  this  layer. 

When  the  text  resumes  (on  the  last  leaf)  the  author  is  dis- 
cussing the  influence  of  dtiil  'element,'  and  especially  uisge 
'  water,'  and  the  views  of  the  Sophists  upon  the  point.  He  goes 
on  to  consider  the  different  kinds  of  flesh,  with  their  value  both 
as  food  and  medicine,  and  of  earth  products  generally.  Animals 
are  divided  into  coillfeacJui  or  Jiata  '  wild,'  and  muinterda 
'  tame,'  the  only  one  of  the  former  class  specially  commended 
for  its  flesh  being  the  cxqjr loins  or  wild-goat.  Hippocrates  and 
Galen  are  cited.     The  nutritive  quality  of  the  flesh  of  animals 


38  CATALOr,UK  OF  CAKMC  MANTJSCIM  TTS    [MS.  XII 

is,  jicconliiii;'  to  Isaac,  aireclcd  by  llicir  iialiiru  or  'complexion'; 
their  ago;  tlie  food  tliey  eat;  their  coiidil-ioii,  wlicther  fat  or 
lean,  or  as  the  author  has  it  'hard'  {cnniidh):  the  taste  of 
the  riesh ;  and  its  proper  cooking,  cor'njhKj/i  (leg.  cor'ii;/<i</,/i) 
ealadlniiich. 

The  second  layer,  consisting  of  four  leaves,  begins  abruptly. 
The  author  is  comparing  the  nutritive  value  of  the  blood  of 
kid  and  calf,  the  former  being,  according  to  him,  preferable  for 
convalescents.  Thereafter  he  takes  up  the  blood  of  swine. 
The  remainder  of  the  contents  of  the  la3^cr  discusses  the  hctha 
'  life,'  which  the  food-producing  animals  lead, — their  own  food  ; 
the  time  of  year  when  they  arc  in  best  condition,  as  affecting 
the  value  of  their  tiesh  as  food  ;  the  parts  of  the  various  animals 
that  are  most  nutritive;  the  value  of  lucllmul  'fat'  and  sDter 
'  marrow ' ;  of  fowls ;  milk ;  and  fish  for  dietetic  purposes. 
Fresh- water  fish  is  stated  to  be  more  nourishing  than  the  fish 
of  the  sea.  Hippocrates,  Galen  and  Rufus  are  cited,  as  also 
Hermeas  (fol.  4a2)  and  '  the  old  Doctors.' 

3.  The  third  layer  consists  of  seven  leaves,  written  in  a  very 
good  hand,  and  much  better  preserved  and  more  legible  than 
the  others.  Its  contents  are  metaphysical  rather  than  medical. 
The  first  chapter  (fol.  Ial-b2)  is  a  tractate  by  Thomas  Aquinas 
on  the  secret  works  of  nature,  translated  into  Gaelic,  according 
to  the  colophon,  by  Cormac  O'Donlcvy,  evidently  the  scholar 
who,  in  1459,  wrote  parts  of  the  Brit.  Mus.  MSS.,  Harley  546,  and 
Arundel  38o  {cf.  0"Gr.  Cat.  pp.  171,  257).  The  opening  sentences 
read  as  follows:  Qiioniam  in  quihusdam  naturalibus  cor- 
poribus  quedavi  acciones  naturales  apparent  .|.  osa  follus 
gniviartha,  nadurda  li-egin  nach.  eider  a  ciisi  do  tucsin  a  cuid 
do  na  corpaib  nadurda  is  ulme  sin  do  iar{r)  br{atJiair) 
n^gradsi  ormsa  an  ni  do  cijinn  orro  do  sgrihadh  dih.  Et  do 
ciou  CO  follus  CO  leanaid  out  cuirp  dullila  gluasacJU  man  did 
tigeornalglies  inntu  onar  is  follus  is  in  cldoich  ac  dul  an  icJdar 
tre  tigeruas  talinan  do  beth  innti  7  brig  fuartha  is  na  mitcdlaib 
tre  tiger  nils  an  usci  masedh  ga.ch  gnim  7  gach  gluasacht  da 
fuil  (ig  na  corpaibh  duilita  do  letli  nan  dul  o  comsuidigter  iat 
ni  fuil  cunntahart  ar  a  cuis  7  ar  am  bunadus  gidhedh  ata 
cuid  do  gnimarthaib  na  corp  nadurda  nach  eider  do  cuisiugud 
o  na  duilib  onar  afa  viagnes  ag  tarraing  an  iarainii  7  leigJteasa 


MS.  XII|  MEDICINE,   ETC.  39 

alrid/ithi  a<-  folmtif/ud  leniutnn  airidflil  o  hallalh  airidthi  don 
corp  7  is  h-egln  tosaighi  J  cuisi  is  airdi  na  mar  aduhramar 
do  hdh.  (If/  iKi'  r/uimnrfJialh  so :  '  Inasmuch  as  it  is  manifest  that 
there  are  certain  operations  of  nature  the  cause  of  which  cannot 
1)6  ascertained  through  natural  agencies  (lit.  bodies),  a  brother 
monk  (?)  requested  me  to  write  down  such  observations  as  I 
might  make  regarding  these.  Now  I  see  clearly  that  created 
bodies  follow  the  movements  of  the  elements  which  govern 
them,  as  is  manifest  by  the  falling  of  a  stone  through  the 
influence  of  the  earth  upon  it,  and  the  "  coldness "  of  metals 
through  the  influence  of  water.  Accordingly  no  doubt  exists 
regarding  the  cause  and  origin  of  such  actions  and  movements 
of  created  bodies  as  proceed  from  the  elements  of  which 
they  are  composed.  Nevertheless  there  are  some  actions  of 
natural  bodies  which  cannot  be  traced  to  the  elements,  such 
as  that  of  the  magnet  attracting  iron,  and  certain  medicines 
purging  certain  humours  in  certain  organs  of  the  body,  and 
these  must  proceed  from  higher  principles  and  causes  than 
those  we  have  spoken  of  There  are  two  ways  in  which  the 
superior  agent  acts  upon  the  subordinate.  One  is  when  it  com- 
municates 'form'  as  well  as  l)rl(/  'power,'  as  when  the  moon 
gives  forth  the  light  which  it  receives  from  the  sun ;  the  other 
where  the  higher  gives  '  power '  alone  to  the  lower,  like  the  saw 
in  the  carpenter's  hand.  The  argument  is  developed  by  illustra- 
tions from  the  ebb  and  flow  of  the  sea  under  the  influence  of 
the  moon ;  the  attraction  of  iron  by  the  magnet ;  the  cure  of 
disease  by  relics,  i.e.  in  reality  by  God  through  the  agency  of 
these;  and  by  such  plants  as  reithirfnim  purging  certain 
humours,  because  of  a  certain  hrig  or  virtue  put  into  such 
bodies  and  remaining  in  them.  The  author  calls  this  hrijj  a 
tosach  inmedonach,  eisigeacJi  '  a  principle  inherent,  essential.' 
Plato  and  his  disciples  said  that  what  they  called  ydee 
ofave  '  substantial  form '  to  '  thinos  natural.'  The  author 
combats  this  view.  According  to  him  'natural  bodies'  derive 
their  hrig  from  the  '  heavenly  bodies.'  All  lower  bodies  are 
referable  to  the  heavenly,  except  the  soul  of  man  which  pro- 
ceeds from  an  immaterial  cause  (cuis  nem-adharda),  i.e.  direct 
from  God. 

The  next  chapter  (fol.  Ib2),  starting  with  a  quotation  from 


40  CATALOaUE  OF  GAELK'  MANUSCRIPTS     [MS.  XII 

the  second  book  of  ihu  dc  <(ni ma  of  the  Feidlsn m.  (Aristotle), — 
lit  (licit  ji/i  ildsop/ias  in  necuiido  dr  <inl)na  —  treats  of  anuiii 
'Sour  and  esse  'Being'  in  man  and  animals.  Esse  is  in  things 
which  have  life.  There  are  several  kinds  of  ens, — snisihi/is,  etc. 
He  then  goes  on  to  speak  of  the  Senses  generally.  On  fol.  iJal 
the  Senses  (celfada)  are  considered  specially.  They  are  of 
two  classes, — foirimdldch  '  external;  and  iriincdonach,  'internal.' 
Comentatur  de  celo  et  imindo  is  cited.  Having  spoken  of  the 
external  senses  (fol.  3bl),  the  objects  of  these — light,  colour, 
sound,  taste,  smell,  touch  —  are  treated  of.  Liimen  and  lux 
are  distinguished,  the  former  being  the  imaujJh  or  reflection  of 
the  latter  (cf.  the  difference  between  soillse  and  solus  in 
Scottish  Gaelic).  In  a  section  on  things  visibilia  innom  inata — 
sofecjtlta  air  naaJt  full  ainvi — the  author  instances  scales  of  fish 
and  indair  inorijdldJdi  'lamina  of  putrefaction,'  and  explains 
how  these  can  be  seen  in  the  dark.  Under  '  touch '  medium  is 
described  as  inmedonach  ider  an  oil  (jluaister  j  nacit  (jhtaislnn 
7  an  nl  glualsis  7  nacJi  (jluaister:  'intermediate  between  that 
which  is  moved  and  does  not  (itself)  move,  and  that  which 
moves  and  is  not  (itself)  moved.'  Comentatur,  Alibertus  {de 
sensu),  Feallsam  {In  libra  de  sensu  et  sensato),  and  Themis- 
teus  are  cited. 

On  fol.  5b2  the  exposition  of  the  (rtfada  ln')ned(jnacha  '  the 
internal  Senses '  is  taken  up.  The  enumeration  is  taken  from 
Avicenna's  sixth  book  on  Nature  (cf.  infra-,  p.  48,  where  the 
quotation  is  said  to  be  from  the  Jiftk  book),  and  is  as  follows : 
sensus  coininunis  .\.  in  cetfad  coltclnn  {Govumow  Sense)  7  iina- 
ghinaco  .\.  in  hrUj  {ntsamlaidhteacJt  (faculty  of  Comparison) 
7  fantastlca  .\.  in  brig  delbldach  (the  faculty  of  Presentation) 
7  estlriiatiua  .|.  in  brig  smiuilntlgJdeach  7  breatJmacJi  (the 
faculty  of  Thought  and  Contemplation)  7  memoratiua  .\.  in  brig 
cuimneach  (the  faculty  of  Memory).  These  are  explained  at 
length.  Oi  c'ulinhne  'Memory'  it  is  remarked,  on  the  authority 
of  Comentatur,  that  it  comes  (jn,  h-obann  '  instantly,'  Avhereas 
athcJiuimline  'Reminiscence'  comes  Is  an  lariiiolreacld  'by 
being  called  up.'     Alibertus,  Themisteus,  and  Algazel  are  cited. 

The  last  subject  treated  of  (fol.  7al-b2)  and  the  exposition 
is  not  concluded  when  the  text  breaks  off  abruptly,  is  potencia 
tntel,lectiua  —  don   cumactain    tucsanalg    '  of   the    Intellectual 


MS.  XIII]  MEDICINE,  ETC.  41 

Power.'  In  the  bu.rn/inoil  or  opinion  of  Thcinistcns  it  is  both 
gnimach  '  active '  and  fuilingteach  '  passive.'  Aristotle  and 
Comentatur  are  also  cited. 


MS.  XIII — Kilbride  Collection,  No.  9 

MS.  XIII  consists  of  six  layers,  being  portions  of  six  different 
MSS.  bound  together.  With  the  exception  of  a  scrap  of  Fingalian 
lore  found  on  the  margin  at  the  bottom  of  fols.  4b  and  5a  of 
the  last  layer,  the  contents  are  all  medical. 

1.  The  first  laj^er  consists  of  eight  leaves  of  parchment,  folio, 
Avritten  in  double  column,  in  a  good  clear  hand.  Initial  letters 
are  large,  elaborately  drawn,  and  coloured  in  red,  or  red  and 
black ;  but  frequently  a  blank  space  represents  such  initial 
letters.  A  note  here  and  there  on  the  margin  supplies  an 
omission  in  the  text.  At  the  foot  of  fol,  la  meisi  '  I,'  and  at 
the  foot  of  fol.  2a  meisi  m  '  I,  M.'  are  written ;  otherwise  there 
is  no  indication  of  author  or  scribe. 

The  contents  are  canons  and  maxims  of  Damascenus,  or 
rather  glosses  by  Isodore  on  canons  of  Damascenes,  quoted  in 
Latin,  and  explained  in  a  Gaelic  commentary.  The  writer 
frequently  illustrates  his  argument  by  a  proverb  or  saying  quoted 
from  various  authors  in  Latin  and  translated  into  Gaelic.  The 
whole  Treatise  is  theoretical  rather  than  practical.  It  opens 
thus :  Liberet  te  Deus,JiU  anutntisime,  a  deuio  herroris  conseruet 
te  in  uiain  'prospiretatis  .\.  co  saera  Diet  tu  a  mic  cartanaig  o 
aininfhis  an  t-shedchrain  J  co  coimeda  se  tu  a  slighe  an  t-shoirh- 
esa,  '  God  liberate  thee,  beloved  son,  from  the  ignorance  of 
error,  and  keep  thee  in  the  path  of  success.'  Thereafter  the 
connnent  proceeds,  the  author  remarking  inter  alia  that  Isodore, 
in  this  gloss  upon  Damascenus,  understands  by  onac  not  '  son ' 
but  '  disciple,'  who  owes  a  greater  love  to  his  master  than  son 
owes  to  father,  for  while  the  latter  gives  '  material  being' (e /si 
adburda)  to  his  son,  the  former  gives  to  his  pupil  '  formative 
being'  (eisi  crutliaighihc)  which  is  the  '  nobler'  of  the  two,  inas- 
much as  from  it  proceed  fitting  speech,  wisdom,  and  virtue. 
On  fol.  Ia2,  the  author  gives  Isodore's  description  of  the  three 
schools  of  medicine   mentioned   in    MS.   X   {v.  siqnxi,  p.   28), 


42  CATAI.OdllK  OIMJAKI.KJ   M ANUSCUIIT.S    |MS.  XIII 

{(•f.  also  O'Gr.  (JaL,  p.  21^0).  Isodorc  says  that  there  ai-e  two 
reasons  on  account  of  wliich  the  natural  |)liiloso])lu'r's  find  the 
healiuL,^  Art,  hard  to  uiKhu'stand,  tlie  lirst  bein^^  the  dUicreiit 
views  held  by  the  professors  of  Medicine,  cjj.,  lin])i"t'isl  noc/i.  do 
■ul;/  0 i lyr I ii  1/11(1  le  lt-'fir<-((is<j  hilhedh,  J  IajkUiIsI  (Irr/.  LoKfJi'isi^rz. 
Loif/Jiicl  =  Logici  from  lixjlca')  'nodi  do  itdjji  olhri ti(/ndk  le 
niit<dl(id)Jr,  ct  Emofold>i'h  {'iiwioicl  =  mctkodica)  iiocJt  do  nig 
odn-ingud/i  le  ballad)  na  n-alnimiidteg'^  7  do  creideag^  d'an 
gothad^h ;  7  tfu;  h-egsamlact  na  droingl  so  cxaridacJd  do  heit{h) 
ar  an  drolng  tainlc  hi  a  n-dlaig  cum  tuicsina  na  h-ealadan 
leigJiis :  '  The  Empirics  who  profess  to  cure  {lit.  work)  by  salves 
made  from  plants ;  the  Rationalists  Avho  cure  by  metals ;  and 
the  Methodists  who  work  by  the  organs  of  animals  and  put  faith 
in  their  cries.  And  the  difference  between  these  has  caused  a 
diversity  of  views  in  their  successors  in  understanding  the 
healing  Art.'  The  Treatise  ends  abruptly  at  the  foot  of  fol.  8 ; 
but  other  parts  of  it  are  found  in  MS8.  XVII,  XXII,  and 
XXIil. 

Among  the  many  authorities  cited  are,  in  addition  to 
Damascenus  and  Isodore,  Algazel,  Aristotle,  Averroes,  Avicenna, 
Constantine,  Galen,  Hali,  Hippocrates,  Isaac,  Johanisius,  and 
Orbacius.  Of  non-professional  authors,  the  writer  quotes  Senaca 
(Seneca)  and  Salumon  (Solomon)  on  reading, — the  saying  of 
the  former,  L<i(jcio  lecta  placet,  dicies  repitUa  phicchit,  being 
rendered /o?'/>a;7f/(/  an  legad  7  tarhaigi  an  t-atJdegadh  '  Reading 
is  pleasant,  re-reading  is  more  profitable';  that  of  the  latter, — 
Legere  et  non  inteligere  est  ne  leg  ire — is  dimmn  ni  do  legadh  7 
ga.n  a  tuicsin  '  It  is  profitless  to  read  anything  without  under- 
standing it.'  The  Syntax  of  the  Gaelic  Article  enables  the 
writer  to  turn  a  dictum  of  the  feallsam.  neatly  to  his  native 
idiom:  Medicus  sanat  Socratini  et  non  Jiorninem  .\.  Leigisldh 
an  liaigh  Socrates  7  ni  leigisi  in  diiine:  '  The  ph3'sician  heals 
Socrates  (but)  not  Man.' 

Nothing  very  definite  can  be  said  about  the  age  of  this  laj^er. 
It  may  be  of  the  early  fifteenth  or  even  of  the  fourteenth 
century. 

2.  The  second  layer  also  consists  of  eight  leaves  of  parch- 

^  The  unaspirated  y  for  dh  may  be  due  to  '  localism.'     A  similar  phoneticism 
is  observable  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Kintail  and  elsewhere  iu  Scotland. 


MS.  XIII]  MEDICINE,  ETC.  43 

raent,  folio,  written  in  doul)le  column  and  in  a  good  hand. 
Capitals  are  plain  and,  except  on  the  first  page,  uncoloured.  A 
rent  in  the  third  leaf  is  repaired  with  red  silk  thread.  To  a 
footnote  on  fol.  4a  is  appended,  in  a  comparatively  late  hand, 
the  initials  2I.B.  which  may  be  for  Malcolm  Bethune.  This 
layer  is  of  later  date  than  the  first.  The  orthographical  com- 
bination ao,  e.g.,  is  common,  and  the  graph  2  stands  for  (in,  ta, 
as  well  as  for  est. 

The  MS.  is  defective  at  the  commencement.  The  last  page 
is  largely  illegible,  but  the  text  of  the  second  column  is  con- 
tinued across  the  page  at  the  bottom,  suggesting  that  the  end 
of  a  chapter,  if  not  also  the  end  of  the  MS.,  is  reached. 

The  contents  are  various,  the  author  showing  a  tendency  to 
turn  aside  now  to  Astronomy,  now  to  Metaph3'sics.  He  gives 
his  own  views  with  confidence,  and  does  not  seem  to  put  much 
faith  in  his  contemporaries.  The  text  opens  with  a  new  section, 
but  with  evident  reference  to  preceding  matter,  thus :  /y  iad 
so  oiprlghtJii  an  leighis  aonda  J  adeir  G{alen)  go  full  tri 
h-oiprighthi  ag  an  leighes  aonda  .|.  oipriugud  uilidJd  J  olpriug- 
ud  rannaighi  j  oipriugud  coitcind:  'These  are  the  actions 
of  simple  medicine, — and  Galen  says  that  uncompounded 
medicine  has  a  threefold  action, — universal,  particular,  and 
general '  (cf  supra ,  p.  IG,  where  a  similar  statement  is  attri1)uted 
to  Avicenna).  The  author  proceeds  to  explain  these  from  vari- 
ous points  of  view,  both  of  the  medicine  and  of  the  patient.  He 
states  that  the  doctiiire  otuaglnt  '  the  doctors  of  to-day,'  mistak- 
ing the  teaching  of  their  elders,  have  forbidden  a  certain 
treatment  (fol.  Ia2)  ann  sa  chuid  is  gaire  don  F(h)rainc  do 
Saxanaihk  7  a  Saxanaib  fein  7  an  Albain  7  an  Eii-inn,  'in 
the  part  of  France  nearest  England,  in  England  itself,  as  also 
in  Scotland  and  Ireland.' 

On  fol.  3a2  detached  paragraphs  are  given  on  ine{a)nibra 
spermatis\  the  euingill  (MS.  cuincliill)  or  qualities  oi full  derg 
'sanguis,'  and  lenn  ruadli  '  choler ' ;  hruidemlacht  'brute 
instinct '  which  according  to  the  text  is  of  two  kinds,  criadham- 
ail  'clayey,'  and  aerda'  aerial,'  the  former  having  as  its  dilus 
or  property  snain  ar  fud  na,  tahnan  'to  wander  (lit.  swim) 
over  the  earth,'  Avhereas  the  latter's  dilus  is  in  case  of  birds 
flying,  and  in  case  of  cows  loAving,  thus  showing  a  higher  stage 


44  CATALOdUK  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS    | MS.  XIII 

of  ffticNtii  '  intclli^tj^cncG' ;  and  Jlidii  'inoisturc'  in  its  three 
varieties,  as  shown  respectively  in  plants,  wine,  and  water. 

On  fol.  8bl  a  new  subject  is  thus  introduced:  Adeir  an 
fealhani  (joroh  e  fi'ialli.  h/ds  an  brigJt  dhilcagluich  "j  na  hriga 
ciirthar  do  congnum  did  ag  dennm  an  cct  dlleagha  a  fear 
lenna  fiuiir  se  h-uaire.  Et  is-  e  fad  hJd.s  a  fear  lenna  duih  nai 
uaire.  Et  is  e  fad  his  ag  denum  an  cct  dileagJia  a  fer  lenna 
ruaidli  tri  h-uaire  co  leth.  Et  Ik  e  fid  h/ds  a  fer  fhola  deirge 
cethir  h-uaire  co  leth:  'The  Philosopher  says  that  the  time 
which  the  digestive  force,  together  with  the  forces  that  co- 
operate therewith,  takes  in  completing  the  first  digestion  is,  in 
the  case  of  a  person  of  phlegmatic  complexion,  six  hours;  of 
one  of  a  melancholic  complexion,  nine  hours ;  of  one  of  a 
choleric  complexion,  three  and  a  half  hours ;  and  of  one  of  a 
sanguine  complexio]i,  four  and  a  half  hours.'  Then  follows  the 
time  which  the  various  digestive  processes  take  in  performing 
their  respective  functions  in  the  case  of  persons  of  the  four 
'  complexions,'  with  the  disorders  and  diseases  attendant  upon 
each  stage,  and  in  each  complexion.  The  treatment  of  the 
diseases  is  not  much  entered  upon,  but  metaphysical  discussions 
and  the  influence  of  the  planetary  sj^stem  on  disease  are 
unusually  full,  and  continue  until  the  last  page,  where  defini- 
tions of  several  technical  terms  are  given. 

The  authority  chiefly  cited  is  Avicenna  (Au,  Aui,  once 
Ian).  Animatus  is  frequently  cited  on  the  first  two  leaves, 
but  not  afterwards.  Galen,  Hippocrates,  Damascenus,  Isaac, 
Apolonius,  and  Henricus  (MS.  Hanricus)  are  also  cited.  Fcall- 
sarii  (Aristotle),  The  Philosophers,  The  Doctors,  are  often  referred 
to.  This  author  does  not  appear  to  be  too  well  versed  in 
medical  Bibliography.  On  fol.  2bl  he  mistakes  the  title  of  a 
book  for  its  author:  vis  na,  gallraih  eile  ainmighes  iiainn- 
thegni  in  a  leahur  fein,  '  to  the  other  diseases  which  Pantechni 
mentions  in  his  own  book.'  Hippocrates  and  Galen  are  each 
credited  with  a  Treatise  named  Pantechni. 

3.  The  third  layer  also  consists  of  eight  leaves  of  parchment, 
folio.  The  skin  is  white  and  fresh.  The  handwriting  is  large 
and  good,  somewhat  angular.  The  writing  is  in  double  column. 
The  first  letter  is  highly  elaborated.  Elsewhere  capitals  are 
plain,  but  on  the  first  five  pages  and  the  last  frequently  dashed 


MS.  XIII]  MEDICINE,  ETC.  45 

with   red.      Emendations    appear   over   the    hne   and    on   the 
margin.     There  is  a  blank  space  on  fol.  4bl. 

On  the  top  of  the  first  page  is  written,  In  nomine  patris  7 
Jilii  7  sj^iritus  sancti.  The  author  announces  his  purpose 
thus:  —  Trachtadh  cumair  tarbach  solusta  and  so  d'foilUiiiq- 
adh  onen^nan  lucht  an  eitseachta  a  noua  {sic)  ^nentori:  'Here 
follows  a  concise,  useful,  and  clear  Treatise  to  illumine  the 
mind  of  the  reader  (lit.  hearers)  by  a  new  Expounder.'  The 
Treatise  is  more  elaborate  than  concise,  and  is  occasional!}'  want- 
ing in  clearness.  But  it  is  a  comprehensive  exposition,  by  an 
able  and  learned  man,  of  the  science  of  Medicine,  as  understood 
at  the  time.  Who  the  '  new  mentor  '  was  we  are  not  told.  The 
work  is  theoretical  rather  than  practical,  and  continually  passes 
from  Medicine  to  Metaphysics.  The  practice  of  the  author  is 
to  summarise  the  views  of  the  authorities  on  every  subject  he 
takes  up,  to  point  out  their  discrepancies,  and  endeavour  to 
explain  if  not  to  reconcile  them.  He  states  his  own  views 
with  confidence,  even  when  they  differ  from  the  highest 
authorities. 

The  Treatise  is  divided  into  two  main  parts:  (1)  Regarding 
Medicine  generally,  and  (2)  Regarding  the  classification  and 
functions  of  the  various  organs.  But  in  the  course  of  the  work 
various  distinctions  are  made,  and  explanations  given  of  many 
things.  Thus  '  Theory '  and  '  Practice '  take  up  a  large  space. 
So  do  things  ' natural,' ' non-natural,'  and  'contrary  to  nature' 
(c/.  supra,  p.  24).  A  cha|)ter  on  the  divile  or  '  Elements '  gives 
the  views  of  the  philosophers  from  Plato  and  Aristotle  down- 
wards, with  a  comment  upon  each. 

The  second  part  of  the  Treatise  commences  with  the  Heart 
(fol.  4b2).  Then  follow  paragraphs  on  the  Brain,  Marrow, 
Liver,  etc.  A  chapter  on  the  huAll  seirhhislgJil  '  ancillary 
organs,'  such  as  the  Veins  and  Arteries,  comes  next,  followed 
by  a  long  chapter  on  the  hru/a  or  'powers,'  'faculties.'  The 
briga  are  first  considered  generally,  and  then  specially.  Among 
them  is  the  brig  7iadurda  or  '  natural  force,'  in  the  exposition 
of  which  the  author  tells  us  that  the  Philosophers  use  the  term 
Nature  in  eight  different  senses,  and  the  Physicians  in  nine 
(fols.  7b2 — Sal).  Individual  briga,  such  as  the  brig  oilemhna 
'  the  nutritive  force,'  the  brig  fastaigtheach  '  the  constrictive  (?) 


46  rATAT.OGUE  OF  GAELIC  MAXUSCRIPTS    [MS.  XIII 

force'  arc  then  taken  up,  but  before  the  discussion  of  the  latter 
is  concluded  the  text  comes  to  an  abru])t  close. 

A  large  array  of  Authors  is  cited,  in  i lie  case  of  Aristotle, 
Avicenna,  Constantine,  (ialcn,  Hali,  lli])|)ocratcs,  Isaac,  Johannes 
(Damascenus  ?)  and  Isodore,  the  particular  Treatise  quoted 
from  is  frequently  named.  Among  the  less  common  authorities 
cited  are  Plato  on  vXrj  (fol.  4a2),  and  on  'nature'  (fol.  7b2), 
Almogesto  Tomoei,  Boethius,  Turius,  and  Tolameus  (Ptolemy). 
The  writer  makes  an  occasional  mistake  in  his  bibliography. 
Thus  he  attributes  the  De  aiilmn  of  Aristotle  to  Hippocrates. 
But  this  may  be  a  mere  slip  of  the  pen,  and  ought  not 
to  count  much  against  an  author  so  learned  and  generally  so 
accurate. 

4.  The  fourth  layer  is  a  fragment  of  four  leaves  of  parch- 
ment, folio  size.  It  is  defective  at  the  beginning  and  end,  and 
when  compared  with  MS.  XIV  it  is  found  that  three  leaves  are 
awanting  between  the  (present)  second  and  third.  The  writing 
is  in  double  column,  and  in  the  same  hand  as  j\IS.  X.  In  onl}^ 
two  cases  are  capitals  inserted,  but  space  is  left  for  them.  A 
rent  in  fol.  1  is  repaired  with  green  silk  thread. 

The  subject  is  a  portion  of  the  second  book  of  Hippocrates's 
Amprismorwin.  In  the  commencement  of  the  text  the  dis- 
cussion is  on  csldiitl  ffcra  'acute  diseases,'  from  which  the 
author  proceeds  to  Fevers,  which  are  described  in  great  detail. 
The  subject  is  not  concluded  on  fol.  2b2.  On  fol.  Sal  the 
author  has  passed  on  to  pnrgoide  '  emetics,'  which  are  con- 
sidered in  their  several  varieties  and  suitability,  until  the  text 
breaks  off  on  fol.  4b2  in  the  middle  of  a  sentence. 

In  this  portion  of  the  Amprisono7"um  two  new  authorities  are 
cited, — 3[ai(/isfer  U'dlialmvs  o  Sliab  Pimknoi-  and  Aonudklus  de 
uilla  noua  '  William  of  Montpelier  and  Arnaldus  of  Villanova.' 

5.  The  two  leaves  which  form  the  fifth  layer  of  the  MS.  are 
put  together  in  an  unusual  way.  Four  leaves  of  quarto  vellum 
written  in  double  column  were  taken  asunder.  A  strip  of  the 
skin,  including  some  of  the  text,  was  cut  from  the  side  of  each, 
and  used  to  stitch  the  four  quarto  leaves  as  two  folios.  These 
were  bound  into  this  MS.,  but  were  found  to  be  longer  than  the 
others.  They  were  then  folded  in  at  the  top  and  bottom  so  as 
to  make  them  rnore  or  less  uniform  with  the  adjacent  leaves. 


MS.  XIII]  MEDICINE,  ETC.  47 

The  text  is  not  continuous.  The  page  now  shows  in  four 
cokimns.  The  hand  is  large,  round  and  clear.  Capitals  are 
large  and  finely  executed,  but  not  coloured. 

The  subjects  discussed  are  j^urgoide, — their  varieties,  when 
they  ought  to  be  given,  and  how  they  operate ;  Foods,  especi- 
ally the  flesh  of  sheep,  cows  and  pigs ;  and  i\lilk  (including 
butter,  whey,  curds  and  cheese)  of  cow,  sheep,  goat,  mare  and 
ass.  Among  the  authorities  cited  are  Hippocrates,  Galen,  and 
Alexander. 

6.  The  sixth  and  last  layer  of  MS.  XIII  consists  of  eight 
leaves  of  thick  parchment,  large  quarto.  This  layer  is  a  com- 
plete MS.  in  itself,  written  in  double  column,  and  in  a  clear  but 
somewhat  rough  hand.  The  MS.  was  for  long  without  a  cover, 
and  the  first  and  last  pages  are  not  easily  read.  A  marginal 
note  here  and  there  supplies  an  omission  of  text.  On  the  last 
page  the  subject  being  unfinished  at  the  foot  of  the  second 
column  is  continued  on  the  bottom  margin  and  written  across. 
The  author  writes  in  clear,  idiomatic  Gaelic,  with  a  turn  of 
happy  illustration.  Six  different  subjects  are  treated  of,  and 
each  is  concluded,  the  usual  docquet  (Fin it.  Amen.)  being 
appended. 

(1)  The  first  subject  discussed  is  the  doctrine  of  the  four 
grcuhis  or  '  degrees,'  in  Gaelic  celmeniui  {cf.  MS.  II,  sujjra,  p.  16). 
Foods,  drinks,  and  the  materials  from  which  medicines  were 
composed  were,  in  respect  of  quality,  classed  as  hot,  cold,  dry,  or 
moist,  in  one  or  other  of  four  (ri/menna  or  degrees.  The 
exposition  opens  in  Latin,  the  words  being  legible  only  in  part : 

{N)otan(him (tri)plex  est  doctrlna   g(raduuvi),  which 

rendered  into  Gaelic  reads  :  is  follus  go  fuilid  tri  forcedail  ar 
na  celmennaih,  'it  is  manifest  that  the  doctrine  of  the  degrees 
is  threefold.'  The  three  are  then  defined,  and  commented  uj)on 
at  great  length,  the  discussion  taking  up  rather  more  space  than 
the  other  five  subjects  put  together.  At  the  foot  of  fol.  2al, 
the  author  states  that  the  '  truly  noble  men '  who  formulated 
and  developed  '  the  science  of  the  degrees '  were  in  succession 
G(alen),  Jacobus  Alcinndi,  Averroes,  and  Arnaldus  of  Villanova. 
To  himself,  being  an  unripe  youth,  was  given  by  grace  the  privi- 
lege of  collecting  and  putting  together  these  maxims  and  other 
'  secrets.'    In  speaking  of  climate  in  connection  with  the  quantity 


48  CATALOOTTE  OF  CJAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS    [MS.  XIII 

of  medicine  to  bo  given,  he  instances  larlid  n<t  h-Kho'ipl/  {\\Q 
Egyptians,'  as  occupying  a  hot  country,  and  the  Lorhi<nhiial(l(h) 
'Scandinavians'  a  cold  country,  while  ^^7/^//^  PisnhiJn  '  Mont- 
pelier'  enjoys  a  temperate  (me.snr(l(()  climate. 

(2)  Mil  '  honey '  and  rrir  '  wax  '  are  treated  of  on  fols.  5al — 
Gal.  Srx  modisi  md  rof/noscitiir  .\.  adeir  Nicohins  co  fuiled  se 
modJia  on  <uihintrr  an  mJid :  '  Nicolaus  says  that  there  are  six 
ways  by  which  Honey  is  known.'  The  six  marks  of  good  honey 
are  given  :  (a)  Spring  honey  is  superior  to  that  of  Winter,  {h) 
Gold-red  honey  is  superior  to  pale.  (^;)  The  lower  layer  of  the 
comb  is  superior  to  the  upper,  {d)  The  sweeter  the  taste  the 
better  the  quality,  {e)  The  thicker  the  honey  the  better.  (/) 
Bee- honey  is  superior  to  that  made  from  sugar.  Wax  is  then 
considered,  and  thereafter  the  medical  properties  of  both.  In 
addition  to  Nicolas  (H)ispanus,  Galen,  Aristotle,  Isaac,  and 
Johannes  de  Sancto  Mando  {cf.  supra,  p.  31)  are  cited. 

(3)  A  chapter  on  the  cetfada  '  senses '  follows  on  fols.  6al — 
7a2.  After  quoting  a  maxim  from  the  first  book  of  the  Feall- 
f<ains  Metaphysics,  the  author  proceeds  to  name  the  cfifada, 
giving  the  five  from  the  fifth  book  of  Avicenna  on  '  Nature.' 
The  substance  of  the  chapter  is  to  be  found  in  several  of  the 
MSS.  {cf.  e.g.  supra,  p.  40).  Of  the  internal  (inmedonach)  senses, 
the  writer  states  that  they  have  their  seat  in  the  brain,  some  in  - 
the  front  portion  {incJtind  edain),  some  in  the  central  (medon), 
and  some  in  the  posterior  portion  (inchind  cuil).  In  addition 
to    Feallsam    (Aristotle),    Avicenna,    Alibertus,    Algazel,    and 

Comentatur '  are  cited. 

(4)  On  fol.  7a2 — b2  is  a  version  of  the  tractate  De  amore 
hereos,  already  described  (v.  supra,  p.  11).  The  texts  here  and 
in  MS.  II  are  practically  the  same. 

(5)  A  well-written  tract  De  solucione  co7itin'iuitis  .\.  do  na 
cnedhaih  'of  wounds'  is  found  on  fols.  7b2 — 8bl.  This  tract  is 
also,  in  substance,  met  with  more  than  once  (cf.  e.g.  MS.  II, 
supra,  p.  11).  Wounds  are  here  divided  into  four  classes,  each 
being  described  in  detail.  On  fol.  Sal  their  cure  (curacio) 
is  considered,  and  on  fol.  8a2-bl  various  ceirineacha  '  salves, 
plasters,'  are  recommended. 

(6)  The  last  column  (8b2),  with  the  margin  at  the  foot 
of  the    page,   is    taken   up   with   Hydrophobia.      The   text   is 


MS.  XIVJ  MEDICINE,  ETC.  49 

practically   the   same   as    that   of   MS.  li,  already   noticed  (v. 
s^ipra,  p.  1  ] ). 


MS.  XIV — Kilbride  Collection,  No.  10 

This  MS.  consists  of  two  layers  of  parchment,  large  quarto, 
each  containing  eight  leaves.  The  two  are  fastened  together, 
and  bound  in  pieces  of  skin  stitched  roughly  by  a  thong.  This 
cover  was  written  uj^on,  but  only  parts  of  the  text  are  now 
legible.  These  are  in  Latin, — one  being  a  fragment  of  the 
Gospel  of  St.  John  (xviii.  39-xix.  21)  which  follows  the  Vulgate 
closely,  but  with  a  few  words  transposed  and  one  or  two 
omitted ;  another  is  devotional.  A  few  words  and  phrases  are 
written  in  a  modern  unformed  hand  on  the  inside  of  the  cover, 
— one  of  them  reads  Mise  leabar  Neill  meic  Giollandris,  '  I  am 
the  book  of  Neil  son  of  Gillanders,'  one  of  the  M'Beath 
physicians,  no  doubt.  There  are  Neil  and  Neil  glas  or 'gray,' 
sons  of  Gillanders,  in  the  M'Beath  pedigree  above  referred  to 
(v.  supra,  p.  5). 

The  contents  of  both  layers  are  the  same,  as  also  that  of 
MS.  XIII  (4)  (v.  supra,  p.  46), — portions  of  Chapters  ii.  and  iii. 
of  the  Amprismorum  of  Hippocrates.     The  first  layer,  although 
on  the  last  page  in  smaller  script,  and  written  with  a  sharper 
pen,  is  evidently  in  the  same   hand   as   that   of   MS.   X  and 
MS.   XIII   (4).     The  second   layer  may  also   be  by  the  same 
scribe,  although  the  writing  is  somewhat  larger,  rounder,  and 
more   carefully  executed.      The    three  texts  of   MS.   XIII   (4) 
and  MS.  XIV  (1)  and  (2)  so  far  overlap.     Thus  MS.  XIII  (4) 
fol.  2al,  1.  11  to  the  foot  of  fol.  2b2,  corresponds  to  MS.  XIV 
(1)  fols.   lal-2bl,  1.   10.      The  gap  between  fols.   2   and  3  of 
MS.  XIII  (4)  is  wholly  covered  by  MS.  XIV  (1),  fols.  2bl-5b2, 
and  in  part  by  MS.  XIV  (2),  fols.   lal-2bl,  1.   34.      Further, 
fols.  3  and  4  of  MS.  XIII  (4);  fols.  6,  7,  and  8  of  MS.  XIV  (1) ; 
and   fol.  2bl,  1.  85    to  4bl,  1.  41    of   MS.  XIV    (2)    give   the 
same  text.     Thereafter  the  text  of  MS.  XIV  (2)  is  unsupported. 
The  three  texts  agree  so  closely  that  the  one  must  have  been 
copied  from  the  other,  or  all  of  them  from  a  common  original. 

On  fol.  7bl,  1.  9  of  MS.  XIV  (2),  the  third  Chapter  jof  the 
Amprismorum  begins:  0  da  labo.ir  ipocraid  is  in  cet  j^f  don 

D 


f)0  CATALOGUE  OF  (JAKI.IC   MANUSCKins    |MS.  XIV 

lf'(ihur-s((  a inpt'iHrnor^itn  don  hrnj  midiii-da,  "^  tin  li-oihrij/hl Ih 
7  is  in  diird  pf  don  l>ri(/  li'i iiinhjlil  "J  da  h-olhrnj/itih  lidjrdid 
se  is  in  2)t  so  don  hri;/  J>('ofh<ii(j  j  do  'na  halladj  spiradalta: 
'  Hippocnitos  having  in  tlio  lirst  chapter  of  this  book,  Ampris- 
moriiin,  treated  of  the  natural  force  and  its  functions,  and  in 
the  second  chapter  of  the  animal  force  and  its  functions,  he 
speaks  in  this  chapter  of  the  vital  force  and  of  the  spiritual 
organs.' 

The  large  section  of  the  second  Chapter  of  the  Amijrisiaorriin 
preserved  in  these  texts  deals  mainly  with  Fevers,  —  their 
divisions  and  subdivisions,  their  symptoms  and  treatment ;  and 
purgoide  '  Emetics,'  with  a  variety  of  subsidiary  matter.  The 
comparatively  small  portion  of  the  third  Chapter  of  the  same 
Treatise  (MS.  XIA^  (2)  fols.  7bl-8b2)  discusses  changes  of 
seasons  with  their  bearing  on  health;  the  diseases  prevalent  in- 
the  various  seasons;  and  kindred  subjects. 

The  authors  quoted  or  referred  to  are  many.  Bernard 
Gordon  is  cited  several  times,  but  there  is  no  mention  of  any 
work  of  his.  The  author  refers  to  several  works  of  his  own,  e.g. 
XIV  (2)  lal  artiail  adubrumar  an  libra  criseos  {in  libro 
crisioso  XIV  (1)  3bl) '  as  we  said  in  the  book  on  Crises.'  Else- 
where he  speaks  of  leabar  na  cohmplex  '  book  on  the  com- 
plexions '  by  himself,  and  leabar  do  rindemair  do  gnathugud  7 
do  oibrigtJiib  na  naduiri  daenda  'a  book  which  we  composed 
on  the  habits  and  actions  of  human  nature '  {v.  supra,  p.  27  n). 


MS.  XVII — Kilbride  Collection,  No.  13 

MS.  XV^ll  consists  of  three  leaves  of  parchment,  largo  folio 
size.  One  leaf  is  detached,  and  is  written  in  a  different  hand. 
The  text  of  it  corresponds  to  that  of  XIII  (1)  fol.  2a2  1.  35  to 
fol.  3b2  1.  25,  but  in  a  different  hand  from  XIII  (1).  The  other 
two  leaves  are  attached,  but  the  text  is  not  continuous.  The 
subject  is  still  a  fragment  of  the  Treatise  commenced  in  MS. 
XIII  (1), — an  elaborate  commentary  on  medical  maxims  or 
aphorisms  by  Isodore.  The  text  of  the  first  leaf  of  the  two  is 
found  in  MS.  XXII  fol.  Ib2,  1.  40  to  fol.  3al,  1.  45.  The  second 
leaf  wives  on  the  second  column  the  conclusion  of  this  treatise, 


MS.  XVIII]  MEDICINE,  ETC.  .51 

with  tlic  usual  Fiiiit.  A'lnen.  Thereafter  come  two  detached 
paragraphs,  as  if  to  fill  up  the  column,  one  on  foirme  duileta 
'  created  forms,'  the  other  on  brig  nadurdo.  or  uirtus  naturalis 
'  the  natural  force.'     Fol.  2b  is  not  written  upon. 

By  the  aid  of  MSS.  XXII  and  XXIII,  this  Commentary  on 
Isodore's  maxims,  begun  in  MS.  XIII  (1)  and  concluded  on  MS. 
XVII  2b,  can  be  pieced  together  so  as  to  leave  only  one  blank 
in  the  text  of  the  large  Treatise.  Thus  the  last  column  of 
MS.  XIII  (1)  is  repeated  on  MS.  XXIII  fol.  1,  and  the  text 
is  continued.  At  fol  2al,  1.  22  MS.  XXII  takes  up  the  text 
and  carries  it  on  continuously  over  its  eight  leaves  of  folio,  when 
it  comes  to  an  abrupt  close.  The  extent  of  the  gap  from  this 
point  until  MS.  XVII  fol.  2  takes  up  the  text  and  concludes  the 
Treatise  is  not  ascertained. 

MSS.  XIII  (1),  XVII,  the  loose  leaf  in  XVII,  XXII,  and 
XXIII,  containing  portions  of  this  Treatise,  are  all  written  in 
different  hands,  a  fact  which  indicates  that  this  Commentary, 
like  the  Amprismorum  of  Hippocrates,  was  highly  prized  by 
the  Gaelic  physicians.  In  addition  to  the  authorities  cited  in 
MS.  XIII  (1),  riatearius  is  mentioned  in  MS.  XVII. 


MS.  XVIII— Kilbride  Collection,  No.  14 

MS.  XVIII  is  of  paper,  folio  size.  It  is  written  in  double 
column,  in  a  modern  hand,  large  and  clear  but  not  very  fine. 
There  are  sixteen  leaves  or  thirty-two  pages.  The  first  page  is 
numbered  80  and  the  last  104.  But  p.  88  is  repeated,  as  are 
also  pp.  93-99.  On  the  other  hand  page  91  is  omitted  in  the 
numbering. 

The  text  was  evidently  meant  to  be  a  copy  of  Bernard  Gordon's 
LUium  Medicinae.  As  it  now  stands  it  is  but  a  fragment, 
beginning  and  ending  abruptly,  and  with  a  break  between  p.  90 
and  the  next  (p.  92).  The  top  margin  of  the  recto  of  the  leaf 
is  headed  an  c.  pt  {  =  an  cet  pairteagal)  '  The  first  Particle '  or 
Book,  while  the  verso  has  up  to  p.  96  Don  Lubra  '  of  Leprosy,' 
thereafter  Do  h-Shalchar  an  Chroicinn  '  Of  Foulness  of  the 
Skin.'  From  p.  92  to  the  end  the  text  agrees  word  for  word 
with  the  copy  of  the  LUium  Medicinae  in  the  Library  of  the 


52         CATALOGUE  OF  ({AKI.IC   MANUSCKIl'TS     |MS.  XVIII 

Society  of  ScoLtisli  Aiiticiuiirius  (p.  4-(il',  1.  II  Lu  p.  (i2i),  1.  l(i). 
This  toxt  contains  the  concludiiit,^  ]>!iiL  of  the  chapter  on 
Scrofula  (cap.  21) ;  cap.  22,  don  Liihni.  '  on  Leprosy  ' ;  cap.  23  '  on 
Morphea';  cap.  24,  '  on  Scabies';  and  the  opening  sentences  of 
cap.  25,  'on  Pustules'  {t/oraln).  An  occasional  note  on  the 
margin  supplies  an  omission  of  text,  otherwise  there  is  nothing 
in  this  excerpt  to  indicate  author  or  scribe.  [An  account  of  the 
Lilium  Mcdicinac  will  1)0  given  later.] 


MS.  XX— Kilbride  Collection,  N(j.  16 

MS.  XX  is  a  fragment  consisting  of  six  leaves  parchment, 
large  folio  (12  in.  by  9).  It  is  written  in  a  plain,  regular  hand, 
in  double  colunni,  with  fifty  lines  and  upwards  to  the  page. 
Beo"innin£rs  of  sections  are  written  in  capital  letters,  but  there 
is  no  ornan:ientation  or  colouring.  The  ink  is  dull,  and  the  MS. 
has  been  roughly  used,  so  that  in  some  parts,  especially  the  last 
page,  it  is  difficult  to  read  it.  Rents  in  the  skin  are  stitched 
with  red  silk  thread.  This  MS.  was  written  or  transcribed  at  a 
later  date  than  most  of  the  medical  parchments,  the  script  ao 
for  ae,  e.rj.  aon,  rood,  taohh,  being  common  throughout. 

The  commencement  of  the  text  is  awanting,  but  the  Treatise 
closes  on  the  eighth  line  of  the  last  column  (fol.  0b2).  Then 
comes  a  docquet  giving  the  date,  which  is  illegible.  Another 
note  follows:  Aoif^  (in  tigherna  an  fan  do  niarhadh  CohthacJi 
o  inadadh  .  .  .  '  The  age  of  the  Lord  when  C.  Avas  killed  by  the 
hound  .  .  .,'  but  again  the  date  cannot  be  fixed.  Lower  down 
is  Misi  Eoin  Macbetha  A'pril  16  .  .  'I  (am)  John  MacBeath, 
April  16  ...  '  with  other  illegible  matter.  At  the  foot  of  the 
previous  page  (fol.  6  a)  is  written  across  the  margin  in  English, 
and  in  inferior  hand,  'This  was  writin  by  me,  Luke  T(?F)ully, 
the  first  of  November,  1679,'  which,  considering  the  ortho- 
graphy, may  be  about  the  date  of  the  transcript. 

The  text  opens  with  the  latter  part  of  a  prescription  to  be 
given  in  the  first  aicid  or  accident  in  the  aixis  of  fever.  The 
other  aicidi,  with  their  symptoms  and  appropriate  remedies, 
in  which  blood-letting  has  a  prominent  place,  follow.  Tart 
'  thirst '  is  treated  of  thereafter. 


MS.  XXIJ  MEDICINE,  ETC.  53 

A  subsequent  section  opens  with  the  statement  that  there  is 
a  longer  period  in  the  aixii^  of  the  fevers  called  quinctana, 
sexana,  etc.  to  decena  than  in  quartaita,  with  an  explanation  of 
the  fact.  Feihris  sang  in  is  is  thereafter  discussed,  including 
sinoca,  sinocus,  and  kindred  varieties.  A  section  follows 
'  Regarding  the  diseases  which  are  not  adburdha '  (material), 
or,  as  afterwards  explained,  those  in  which  there  is  not  adhur 
or  '  matter '  which  must  be  got  rid  of.  Here  efemera  which  may 
he  fire,  i.e.  'real  efemera,'  or  nach  fir  '  what  is  not  so,'  and  eitic 
'hectic  fever,'  are  the  chief  subjects  of  discussion. 

Other  sections  treat  at  length  oi  diahcticii  'p<'^''i^io  and  min- 
gitus  sainginis  (fols.  4b]-5b"2),  their  cause,  symptoms,  and  cure. 
The  last  section  is  on  the  mamilla  and  the  various  disorders 
to  which  they  are  subject. 

A  feature  of  the  Treatise  is  the  full  and  detailed  recipes  pre- 
scribed for  the  diseases  treated  of.  The  recognised  authorities, 
Hippocrates,  Galen,  Avicenna,  Averroes,  Constantine,  Hali,  and 
Isodore  are  cited,  as  also  Alibertus,  Bartholomeus,  Dioscorides, 
Egidius,  Gilbertinus,  and  Serapion.  In  referring  to  the  vicAvs 
of  Avicenna  and  the  Doctors  who  agree  with  him,  the  author 
makes  the  observation  (fol.  2al):  ucus  ni  coir  dwinne  techt  an 
aighe  raite  nan  doctuiri  add  an  adlacad  onaill  h-anoir  '  It  does 
not  become  us  to  contradict  the  dicta  of  the  Doctors,  but  to 
bury  them  Avith  honour.' 


MS.  XXI— Kilbride  Collection,  No.  17 

MS.  XXI  consists  of  eight  leaves  of  parchment,  ordinary 
folio  size,  written  in  double  column,  and  in  a  very  small  but 
good  hand.  The  initial  letter  is  large  and  highly  elaborate, 
showing  that  the  treatise  is  complete  at  the  commencement. 
It  is  incomplete  at  the  end,  the  text  breaking  off  in  the  middle 
of  a  sentence.  Several  memoranda  appear  on  the  margins,  one 
or  two  supplying  an  omission  in  the  text.  There  is  nothing  to 
indicate  author  or  scribe. 

The  subject  is  a  part  of  the  Aniprisniorum  of  Hippocrates, 
written  in  the  same  style  as  the  portions  contained  in  MSS.  X, 
XI,  XIII   (4-),  and  XIV.      The   'aphorisms'    or   'canons'  are 


54  CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS    [MS.  XXI 

quoted  in  whole  or  in  part,  in  Latin,  written  in  capital  letters 
and  for  the  greater  part  coloured,  while  the  coniiiicnt  follows, 
in  Gaelic.  Here  the  several  books  or  '  particles '  of  the  lar^i^e 
Treatise  are  not  distinguished,  but  from  the  table  of  contents 
given  in  MS.  X  they  are  shown  to  be,  in  whole  or  in  [lart, 
Books  4,  5,  and  G. 

The  text  opens  with  an  exposition  of  various  disorders  attend- 
ing Pregnancy  and  the  diseases  resulting  therefrom.  Among 
these  Leprosy,  Dropsy,  and  others  are  named;  but  that  chiefly 
dwelt  upon  is  Syncope, — its  varieties,  treatment,  and  cure. 
Side  issues,  ejj.  barrenness  in  the  male  as  well  as  in  the  female, 
arc  considered  in  some  detail.  A  large  section  is  devoted  to 
Milk,— its  composition,  together  with  its  nutritive  qualities.  A 
variety  of  questions  propounded  by  '  Comentatur,' — whether  the 
milk  of  an  animal  partakes  of  the  nature  of  the  animal,  like  its 
flesh  and  blood;  whether  the  milk  is  affected  by  the  kind  of 
grass  the  animal  feeds  upon ;  why  animals  are  milk-producing 
while  birds  are  not — are  discussed. 

Some  observations  follow  on  Wounds  and  Sores,  with  or  with- 
out swelling.  Spasms,  Rigor,  etc.,  with  the  diseases  to  which  these 
give  rise.  Then  follows  (fols.  5a2-6a2)  a  long  section  on 
ictericia  or  huidlieacliair  (in  Scottish  Gaelic  a  hhiiidheach) 
'  Jaundice.'  Three  varieties  of  '  Jaundice '  are  named, — crocJida,  _ 
or  yellow,  uaine  or  green,  and  duh  or  black.  Various  remedies, 
external  and  internal,  are  prescribed. 

On  fol.  6a2  commences  the  exposition  of  Lienteria,  and  on 
the  inner  margin  opposite  is  marked  in  vi  pi.  This  clearly 
means  the  sixth  ijairteagal  or  book  of  the  Treatise,  and  shows 
that  the  preceding  sections  on  wounds,  sores,  etc.,  formed  the 
fifth  book,  as  the  portion  on  pregnancy,  etc.,  formed  the  fourth 
book.  The  discussion  on  Lienteria  is  followed  (fol.  Ia2)  by 
Disentirla,  after  which  come  diseases  of  the  kidneys  and  bladder. 
Remedies  in  the  form  of  potions,  plasters,  electuaries,  baths, 
and  special  diets  are  prescribed  in  great  detail.  The  text  comes 
to  an  abrupt  close  on  fol.  8b2. 

Among  the  authorities  cited  in  this  part  of  the  Ampris- 
7noruin  are,  in  addition  to  Hippocrates,  Galen,  Isaac,  Avicenna, 
Aristotle,  Comentatur,  G(il)b(ertinus),  Gerallterus  (fol.  (jal)  and 
Ricardus. 


MS.  XXVj  MEDICINE,  J:TC.  55 

MS.  XXII— Kilbride  Collection,  No.  18 

MS.  XXII  consists  of  eight  leaves  of  parchment,  folio  size. 
It  is  written  in  double  column,  in  a  good,  clear,  but  plain  hand. 
As  already  stated  (v.  supra,  p.  51)  the  subject  is  a  continuation 
of  the  Treatise  on  canons  or  maxims  of  Isodore,  commenced  in 
MS.  XIII  (1).  Here  the  first  line  of  the  canon,  quoted  in  Latin, 
is  written  in  round  capitals,  and  daul)ed  in  red.  The  text  is  a 
fragment  opening  and  ending  in  the  middle  of  a  sentence,  but 
continuous,  and  covering  a  wide  field.  Various  ailments  and 
diseases,  with  their  cures,  are  considered,  but  in  somewhat 
general  terms.  Prescriptions  are  few,  but  baths,  clysters, 
electuaries,  unguents,  and  plasters  are  frequently  recommended. 
Blood-letting,  in  the  two  forms  of  cuidr  '  vein '  and  adore  '  horn,' 
'cup,'  is  discussed  at  length;  as  also  the  influence  of  climate, 
seasons  and  planets  upon  health  and  disease.  Egidius  and 
Ptolemy,  not  referred  to  in  MS.  XIII  (1),  are  here  cited. 

MS.  XXIII — Kilbride  Collection,  No.  19 

MS.  XXIII  is  a  fragment  consisting  of  six  leaves  of  parch- 
ment, small  folio  size.  It  is  written  in  double  column,  in  a 
good,  plain  hand,  without  ornamentation  or  colouring  of  any 
kind.  The  tirst  and  last  pages  are  more  or  less  illegible.  There 
is  a  gap  in  the  text  between  fol.  2  and  3,  and  4  and  5,  which  is 
supplied  by  MS.  XXII.  The  subject,  as  stated  above  {v.  p.  .51), 
is  a  part  of  the  Commentary  on  maxims  or  canons  of  Isodore. 
In  comparing  the  texts  of  this  treatise  conunon  to  MSS.  XIII 
(1),  XVII,  XXII,  and  XXIII,  one  is  led  to  the  conclusion,  not- 
withstanding slight  differences  in  diction  and  the  occasional 
omission  of  a  clause  or  quotation  in  one  or  other  of  them,  that 
they  are  not  independent  translations,  but  copies  of  a  common 
original. 

MS.  XXV— Kilbride  Collection,  No.  21 

The  contents  of  MS.  XXV  are  mainly  Religious.  But  the 
MS.  proper  is  covered  by  four  leaves,  two  at  the  beginning  and 
two  at  the  end,  of  small  quarto,  parchment.     The  text  of  these 


56  CATALOGUE  OF  OAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS    [MS.  XXV 

is  chietiy  medical.  Some  Memoranda  were  written  on  fol.  la, 
but  they  are  undecipherable.  Fol.  4b  is  blank.  Tlic  writing  is 
in  double  column,  in  a  plain  but  clear  hand.  A  few  marginal 
notes,  not  too  legible,  appear.  There  is  no  colouring  or  orna- 
mentation of  any  kind. 

The  te.xt  on  fol.  Ibl  opens  abruptly, — somllis  no  ni  elli 
incoch  iiK(ctli(is  7i((  leanna,  ....  'very  sweet  or  any  other  thing 
that  mollifies  the  humours.'  Then  follow  prescriptions  for  (jaUtr 
nan  duas,  'disease  of  the  ears,'  especially  cnuic  na  chuts  or 
parotide  {=7rap(OTl'i)  'tumours  of  the  cars';  disorders  of  the 
uvula  (cioclh-hhraii/lted);  nose- obstructions  {sron  oiiucJiadJi); 
pleurisy;  heat  and  cold  in  the  Htonv.icAx :  fastidium  (eimeltus) ; 
luas  craidlil  'palpitation.'  Thereafter  come  paragraphs  on 
diets, — fish,  apples,  beans,  and  milk,  among  which  sleep  and 
water  are  included.     Hippocrates  is  cited. 

There  is  a  lacuna  between  fols.  2  and  3.  On  fol.  8al  the 
text  treats  of  milk,  curds,  cheese,  and  butter.  Fol.  3a2-b2  gives 
the  proper  diet  in  pleuro-pneumonia  (pplemonia),  diseases  of 
the  liver,  spleen,  and  kidneys.  A  paragraph  on  the  foods  suit- 
able when  the  vein  of  the  arm  is  opened  (fol.  4al)  closes  this 
medical  fragment,  with  the  usual  Finit.  Amen.  Two  short 
poems,  not  always  legible,  fill  up  the  remainder  of  the  page. 
The  subject  of  the  first  is  '  Death ' ;  the  second  is  attributed  to 
G{o)fraidli  o  Cliinia. 

MS.  XXVI— Kilbride  Collectiox,  No.  22 

The  medical  portion  of  MS.  XXVI  consists  of  six  leaves  of 
parchment,  quarto.  The  writing  is  in  double  column.  The 
text  begins  and  ends  abruptly. 

Six  different  subjects  are  treated  of: — 

1.  The  hlasa  or  tastes  (c/.  supra,  pp.  13,  37),  in  connection 
with  which  Gilbertus  is  cited. 

2.  A  chapter  headed  don  fi.lun  '  Of  Felon.  The  text  con- 
sists of  a  number  of  prescriptions  in  the  form  of  plasters  and 
potions  for  Felon,  Fistula,  Cancer,  Carbuncles,  and  Furunculus. 
This  chapter  ends  on  fol.  4b2,  and  the  remainder  of  the  column 
is  blank. 

3.  On  fol,  5al-2  is  a  fresh  chapter  which  professes  to  treat 


MS.  XXVII]  MEDICINE,  ETC.  r)7 

of  Elephantiasis,  Morphea,  Scabies,  Apostemata,  and  Pruritus. 
Only  the  first  two  are  mentioned.  Under  Elephantiasis,  Arnaldus 
is  cited,  and  under  Morphea,  Hippocrates. 

4.  On  fols.  5bl-6al  are  named  the  foods  etc.,  suitable  for 
each  of  the  twelve  months  of  the  year,  beginning  with  March 
and  ending  with  February.  The  account  professes  to  follow  a 
leahar  '  book '  which  is  not  named. 

5.  The  days  and  hours  on  which  Sun  and  Moon  enter  the 
same  comartha  or  Sign  in  each  month  of  the  year  are  given  on 
fob  6al-2. 

6.  On  fob  6bl-2  the  subject  is  Sleep.  The  last  couple  of 
lines  are  illegible.  In  this  paragraph  oi?- '  because'  is  written 
oigh,  a  phoneticism  which  recalls,  in  Scotland,  Tiree  and  Uist. 

Several  notes  are  found  here  and  there  on  the  mai'gin.  The 
following  evidently  refers  to  some  calamity  threatening  Mull, 
written  perhaps  by  one  of  the  Mull  M'Beaths.  Uch,  a  Mltuire 
is  onairg  do  feraihh  Muile  ata  am.  hetliaidlt  an  meid  mairjis 
dih  a  nocJd,  '  Alas,  Mary,  woe  to  the  living  men  of  Mull  who  will 
survive  this  night.' 

MS.  XXVII— Kilbride  Collection,  No.  23 

The  MS.  proper  consists  of  five  leaves  of  parchment,  rather 
small  folio.  It  is  enclosed  in  a  cover  formed  of  four  leaves 
of  parchment,  firmly  stitched  together  with  a  thong.  These  are 
written  upon  in  Latin.  The  outer  pages  are  now  illegible.  On 
the  inner  pages  the  hand  is  apparently  the  same  as  that  of  the 
cover  of  MS.  XIV.  On  one  of  these  is  a  copy  of  the  Gospel  of 
St.  Mark  xiv.  47-xv.  1.  On  the  other,  which  is  broken,  there 
are  verses  of  the  Gospel  of  St.  John  (cap.  xi);  of  the  Epistle 
to  the  Philippians  (cap  ii.) ;  and  of  Psalm  xxii.  (Vulgate  xxi). 
On  the  inner  side  of  the  end  cover  is  the  note :  Me  fein 
leahJtar  Ghillanndrias  duihh  "j  ni  'maitlh  an  litir  so  again, 
'  I  am  the  book  of  swarthy  Gillanders,  and  this  my  script  is 
bad.'  Gillanders  Avas  doubtless  a  MacBeath,  and  probably  the 
father  of  Neil  son  of  Gillanders  Avho  appears  on  MS.  XIV 
{v.  supra,  p.  49). 

The  contents  of  the  MS.  are  varied,  but  mainly  Medical. 
The    text    opens    with    a    note   by    Jacobus    de    Forlivio    on 


r.S         CATALOnUK  OF  aAKLTO  MANUSCRIPTS   [MS.  XXVII 

Electuaries,  the  openinc^  sentences  of  which  are  quoted  by  the 
late  Dr.  M'Lauchlau  in  Celtic  Glraniiiijs,  p.  101,  but.  the  writer 
takes  up  a  variety  of  topics.     Avicenna  is  cited. 

A  succeeding  cliapter  (fol.  Ib2)  is  on  'How  to  know  things,' 
based  upon  the  views  of  the  philosophers,  and  especially  of 
'  C!onientatur'  in  the  beginning  of  the  first  book  on  Physics. 
'Vho,  discussion  is  chiefly  on  Miller  la  prima,  Forma,  and  Prieacio, 
the  last  being  rendered  into  Gaelic  esbaidh,  na  foirme  'absence 
of  Form.'  ('hapters  on  Himoea  inJiatiiKi  (fol.  2a2)  which  is  not 
translated,  and  J!J/ica  (fol.  21)1)  'hectic  fever'  follow.  Bartholo- 
meus  is  the  authority  cited  in  both  chapters. 

An  interesting  chapter  on  Music  is  given  on  fols.  2b2-3al. 
Musica  est  'pliirimum  disionilium  in  unum,  redactorwin  Con- 
cordia .|.  is  ed  is  ceol  vo  is  hindes  and  raoran  do  netltih 
neamchosmaile  do  tanking  co  h-aentadhach  an  aen  ceol  amain, 
'  Music  or  melody  consists  in  uniting  many  diverse  sounds 
(lit.  things)  harmoniously  in  one  musical  sound.'  '  Aristotle 
(or  Arnaldus?)  says  that  there  is  music  in  the  domun  or 
universe,  in  daendacht  or  humanity,  and  in  indstriiminti  or 
instruments.  The  various  divisions  and  subdivisions  of  each 
are  named.  Of  '  human  music  '  e.g.  some  is  in  the  body,  some 
in  the  soul,  and  some  in  both  combined.  Of  musical  instruments 
some  are  'stringed'  like  timpan  or  lyre;  some  are  'wind', 
or  'air'  like  the  organ;  while  others  are  'voiced,'  like  gahail 
dan  '  singing  songs,'  and  candairecht '  chanting.' 

Paragraphs  by  Arnaldus  on  the  duile  (cf.  supra,  p.  45)  or 
elements,  and  datlia  or  colours  follow  on  fol.  Sal ;  the  causes  of 
the  aicida  or  'accidents'  in  disease  (fol.  3a2);  and  the  difference 
between  trlstitia,  timor,  and  ira  (fol.  3a2,  but  continued  not  on 
3bl,  but  on  3b2). 

On  fol.  3bl  is  a  paragraph  by  Egidius  to  the  effect  that 
hetJia  'life'  may  be  regarded  from  three  points  of  view: 
volujjtiiosa  or  sanntach  '  covetous '  or  '  selfish ' ;  politica  or 
saethrach  '  industrial ' ;  and  conteinplatiiia  or  smuaintigtecJt  or 
intsamlaigtech  'intellectual'  or'  imaginative.'  Man  shares  the 
first  with  the  brutes,  and  where  it  predominates  he  is  unworthy 
of  the  name ;  he  shares  the  second  with  his  fellows,  and  where  it 
predominates  he  is  a  man  merely ;  he  shares  the  third  with  the 
angels,  and    where    it  predominates  he  is  more  than  human. 


MS.  XXVII]  MEDICINE,  ETC.  59 

Paragraphs  by  Avcrroes  in  secundo  de  coilictorio  on  the 
administration  of  medicine,  and  on  duinte  '  obstructions '  fill 
up  the  remainder  of  the  coliinm.     Fol.  3b2  is  partly  blank. 

On  fol  4al  a  different  subject  is  introduced  thus:  Do 
guididcr  me  na  caruid  is  f err  ayvAii  sf/rihtlta  cu  cwmair  cugu 
leigheas  dileagtha  7  folmuigldJii  diuidi  j  comsnidighthi  neoch 
gnatJtaiges  wtfisigi  in  a  2)'fciiticecJda  J  ar  in  guidi  H%n  7  ar 
maitJii  7'ium  fcin  htibeorad  ar  (hts  do  na  leighesaihh  diuidi  7 
comsuidigldhi  fohnaigea  gacJi  en  lenn  7  do  leighes  dUeag/d/ia  7 
foliiiuightliigacha  lenna  in  gach  hall  am  hi  .sy,  etc.  (cf.  sfcj^ra,  p.  12), 
'  My  best  friends  have  entreated  me  to  write  to  them  succinctl}' 
(regarding  the)  digestive  and  purgative  medicines,  both  simple 
and  compound,  which  physicians  use  in  their  practice ;  and  in 
obedience  to  this  request  as  well  as  for  my  own  benefit,  I  shall 
first  name  the  simple  and  compound  medicines  which  purge 
each  individual  humour,  and  (then)  the  digestive  and  purgative 
medicines  of  each  humour  in  each  organ,  etc'  The  author 
certainly  does  write  succinctly.  The  medicines  are  named, 
simple  and  compound,  in  orderly  sequence,  Avhich  dissolve  the 
three  humours, — len7i  ruadh  '  choler,'  lenn  fiiar  '  phlegm,' 
lenn  duhh  '  melancholia.'  Then  he  goes  on :  0  do  lahrumar 
don  leighes  dileaglias  gach  lenn  labrumar  a  nois  don  leighes 
tairrnges  he  ar  na,  dileaghtha  et  atait  tri  neithi  is  insmuain- 
tighthi  cuigi  sin.  An  cet  ni  dih  ca  leighes  is  dilus  do  gach 
lenn  do  tarring.  An  dara  ni  ca  med  da  gach.  leighes  is  coir 
cum  gach  adb^ir  dih  sin  do  tarring.  An  tres  ni  cindiis  follm- 
nuiglder  an  leigh-es  cum  na  lennand  do  tarring,  '  Having 
spoken  of  the  medicines  which  dissolve  each  humour,  let  us  now 
speak  of  the  medicines  which  '  draw '  the  humour,  after  being 
dissolved.  For  this  purpose  three  things  are  to  be  kept  in  view, 
(1)  what  medicine  has,  as  its  property,  the  power  to  attract 
each  humour,  (2)  what  quantity  of  each  medicine  is  necessary 
in  order  to  draw  the  matter  in  each  case,  and  (3)  how  are 
the  medicines  to  be  regulated  in  order  to  attract  the  humours.' 
These  points  are  laid  down  in  the  same  concise  manner 
(fol.  4a2).  On  fol.  4bl  comes  the  second  part  of  the  tract, — 
the  treatment  of  the  humours  in  the  individual  organs,  which 
is  continued  to  fol.  5al.  Thereafter  comes  the  third  part  '  the 
medicines  which  give  relief,  and  draw  forth  from  the  organs 


GO       CATALOrUTE  OF  aAKLTC  MAXrSfMMlTS      [MS.  XXVII 

the  "evil  complexion"  which  the  hiinioiirs  leave  there.'  This 
section  is  fragmentary.  A  space  left  blank  on  fol.  rr.il  is  filled 
in,  in  inferior  hand  and  different  ink.  The  treatise  comes  to 
an  end  on  fol.  5a2  with  an  enumeration  of  the  many  medical 
virtues  of  iioriiwiit '  wormwood.'  The  remainder  of  the  colunm 
is  taken  up  with  the  various  colours  of  urine  and  their  medical 
significance,,  a  subject  that  turns  Tip  frequently  in  these 
documents  {v.  aj.  pp.  (S,  62).     Fol.  .5b  is  not  written  upon. 

John  Mesne  is  cited  in  the  last  tract,  the  name  being  written 
in  Gaelic, — ^:ieon  Mcmic,  and  in  the  (jonitivc  case  (do  iwlr)  Hein 
MeKiw  (fol.  4a2). 

Explanatory  and  other  notes,  not  alwaj's  too  legible,  appear 
occasionally  on  the  margins  and  blank  sjiaces.  Thus  on  fol.  8b2  : 
Bennaclit  ann  so  o  Niall  do  cJntm  -jxo  cJiompandAcJii  fain  .|. 
Ruairi  0  Siaghail,  'A  blessing  here  from  Neill  to  my  own 
companion  Rory  O'Shiel.' 


MS.  XXXIII— Highland  Society,  Kilbride,  No.  2 

Two  MSS.  covered  by  very  old  skin  are  enclosed  in  the 
wrapper  labelled  XXXIII,  and  both  have  been  described  by  Dr. 
Donald  Smith  {Rep.  on  Oss.,  App.,  pp.  293-4). 

I.  The  first  is  a  parchment  of  eight  leaves,  small  folio  size. 
It  contains  a  Calendar,  carefully  written  in  a  good,  clear  hand. 
On  fol.  lb  are  two  well-executed  fissured  circles,  with  accom- 
panying  text  explaining  how  to  iind  the  Dominical  Letter  and 
Golden  Number  of  any  year.  Most  of  the  entries  and  all  the 
numbers  in  the  Calendar  are  in  the  same  hand,  written  in  black 
or  red.  Other  entries,  chiefly  footnotes  naming  the  appropriate 
foods,  drinks,  and  days  for  blood-letting  for  each  month,  are  in  a 
different  and  inferior  hand.  Under  March  e.g.  is  the  following : 
An  treas  oni  .|.  9ni  tnarta  caith  figedha  7  risin  7  hiada  onillsi  ele 
7  leig  full  anns  an  xmad  la  7  anns  an  ochtinad  la  as  do  laiinh 
dels  an  aigid  rigur  a  coitcldnne.  (In)  the  third  month,  viz., 
the  month  of  March  use  figs  and  raisins  and  other  sweet  foods, 
and  on  the  tenth  and  eighth  days  open  the  vein  of  your  right 
arm  specially  to  prevent  Rigor. 

Fols.   la  and  8b  are   blank,   with    the  exception  of  a  few 


MS.  XXXIII]  MEDICINE,  ETC.  fil 

memoranda.  Among-  these  are,  on  I'ol.  la,  Eoin  Ma'ujbhdlia 
est  hujus  libri  possessor.  Gidraithne.  22  don  mith  April  1700, 
'  John  MacBeath  is  the  owner  of  this  book.  Coleraine,  April 
22nd,  1700';  and  on  fol.  8b  Orra  an  chlnn  'Head  charm,' 
which  ColumciUe  'Cokimba'  prescribed  for  his  [jille  'attendant,' 
when  going  through  a  pass  in  a  wood.  The  charm  is  in  part 
obscure  to  me.  At  the  foot  of  fol.  1  b  is  written  in  phxin  hand 
'  Major  John  M'Lachhxn,  Kilbride,  No.  2.' 

II.  The  second  MS.  is  of  paper,  quarto.  The  paper  is  much 
tattered,  and  many  words  and  sentences  of  the  text  have  disap- 
peared. There  are  at  least  two  hands,  one  rather  common,  the 
other  liner.  The  MS.  is  paged,  and  written  in  single  column. 
Its  contents  are  various  : 

1.  Verses  on  the  Year,  its  divisions,  festivals.  Saints  days,  etc., 
take  up  the  first  seven  pages  (p.  4  being  blank).  The  verses  are 
(on  p.  7)  attributed  to: 

Gillihiart  o  Dut  duinn  ah  Cuimh  nach  crion  conihrvinn 
Maith  agnaoi  da  dcarbadh  do  saoigh  mr  dealhadh  an  diian  so. 

'  Gilbert  O'Dubhagaii  Abbot  of  C.  -whose  contentions  shall  endure, 
His  goodly  countenance  attests  the  sage  who  composed  this  i^oeni.' 

A  copy  of  the  same  composition  is  in  MS.  XLVIII,  and 
there  attributed  to  O'Dubhagan  (A  Roman  Calendar  in  verse 
O  dubhagan  cc).  The  verses  are  printed  from  MS.  XLVIII  in 
Reliquiae  Celticae,  vol.  i.  p.  141  et  seq. 

2.  Pp.  9-30  contain  an  anatomical  tract  based  on  Galen's 
Anatomia,  but  with  other  authorities  cited, — Aristotle,  Avi- 
cenna,  Constantino,  Hippocrates,  and,  generally,  na.  li-ugluJair 
'  the  authors.'  The  same  tract,  Avith  some  difference  in  arrange- 
ment and  phraseology,  is  in  MS.  LX,  pp.  239-260.  Both  begin: 
Adeir  Galen  a  leahhar  anatomia  gurab  lad  so  na  baill  oiredha 
.|.  inchinn  J  croidhe  aoi  7  tcirrjJie,  'Galen  says  in  his  book  on 
Anatomy  that  these  are  the  cardinal  organs, — brain  and  heart, 
liver  and  testes. 

8.  Several  prescriptions  and  charms  are  written  on  the 
fragments  which  make  up  pp.  31-36. 

4.  On  pp.  37-40  are  written  Latin  maxims  translated  into 
Gaelic,  commencing  thus:  quod  'male  ineipitur  male  jinitur  .\. 
Gach  ni  tinnscainter  go  Ic-olc  is  co  h-olc  cricJcnaighfer,  '  whatso- 


62     CATAF.OGLTR  OK  CAKMC   M  AN  l'S( '1:1 1'TS     |  MS.  XXXIII 

ever  is  l)eL;un  badly  is  badly  liiiishcd.'  [([/'.  MS.  LX,  p.  iSl, 
where  a  much  lar^^er  collection  is  given,  beginning  as  here.]  To 
page  37  is  gummed  a  strip  of  paper  which  was  evidently  the 
end  of  a  letter  in  which  the  son  of  the  laird  of  Coll  is  men- 
tioned, and  signed  Jf  i.si  Lacldainn  Mac  Giolla  Eoiii,  '  I  (am) 
Lachlan  Maclean.' 

5.  Pp.  41-60,  contained  a  copy  of  the  Hcliola  Salernitana,  or 
rules  which  the  physicians  of  that  School  prepared,  in  Latin 
verse,  for  the  use  of  the  Duke  of  Normandy.  Pp.  41-2,  the  very 
leaf  from  which  Dr.  Smith  made  his  quotation  (K<"p.  07i  Oss., 
App.  p.  294),  are  now  awanting  from  the  MS.  [The  leaf  may 
have  been  borrowed  by  Dr.  Smith,  and  owing  to  his  sudden 
death  {Oss.  Rep.,  p.  343)  not  returned.]  The  number  and 
subject  of  the  various  paragraphs  are  given  on  the  margin. 
[A  complete  copy  of  this  tract  is  given  in  MS.  LX,  pp.  126-154.] 

6.  Pp.  61  to  the  end  (p.  84)  are  taken  up  with  an  elaborate 
Treatise  on  Urine,  found  also,  but  with  variations,  in  MS.  LX, 
pp.  155-1(S0.  The  contents  and  colour  of  the  urine  are  specially 
dwelt  upon,  with  their  value  in  diagnosis.  Hippocrates,  who  is 
on  p.  80  designated  ro  eolacJi  naduire,  '  the  great  student  of 
Nature '  is  cited  once  or  twice. 

The  following  docquet  is  on  p.  84 :  Afise  Domhncdl  Mac  an 
Ollaimh.  Et  is  olc  an  liter  sin  J  do  ho  mor  n  .  .  .  Et  is  mar 
tno  tiiirrsc  toreis  Donnchaidh  Ulltaigh  7  ffronsies  Ulltaigh.  Et 
is  dursan  lem  nach  hfuighini  cunntapart  do  chuir  an  en  focul 

0  diomaigh  siad.  F.  i.  n.  i.  d.  air  Eghidius.  Et  me  an  dun  na 
gall.  '  I  (am)  Donald  son  of  the  physician.  The  handwriting  is 
bad  and  great  was. .  .  .  And  very  sorry  I  am  after  Duncan  of  Ulster 
and  Francis  of  Ulster.    And  sad  I  am  that  since  their  departure 

1  get  no  one  to  discuss  a  single  word.  An  end  here  to  (the 
Treatise  of)  Egidius.  I  am  in  Donegal'  [For  the  reference  to 
Egidius  V.  supra  pp.  8,  9,  and  O'Gr.  Cat.,  p.  173.]  Lower  down 
on  the  same  page  is  Leabliair  Giolla,  choluiiii  Meigheathadh, 
'  The  book(s)  of  Malcolm  MacBeath.' 

MS.  XLI— Highland  Society,  J.  M'Kenzie,  No.  5 

The  MS.  proper  consists  of  fourteen  small  leaves  of  thick 
parchment.     It  is  enclosed  in  a  cover  of  two  leaves  of  skin  of 


MS.  LX]  MEDICINE,   ETC.  63 

still  suiiiUcr  size.  This  cover  is  written  upon,  and,  where  lej^ible, 
contains  Latin  maxims  on  JDiets  by  Hippocrates,  with  transla- 
tion and  comment  in  Gaelic. 


MS.  LX — Miscellaneous,  No.  3 

MS.  LX  is  of  paper,  quarto  size,  with  beginning  and  end 
awanting.  It  consists  at  present  of  476  pages.  The  last  page 
is  numbered  474,  but  two  pages  (162,  163)  were  omitted. 
Pages  5  to  14  properly  belong  to  the  end  of  the  MS.  There  is  a 
lacuna  between  pp.  4  and  15.  In  two  places  (pp.  300-1  and 
424-5)  a  leaf  with  writing  upon  it  has  been  cut  out,  but  the  text 
is  continuous.  In  several  cases  parts  of  pages  are  left  blank, 
and  pp.  5(S  and  464  are  entirely  blank. 

This  is  the  largest  and  in  several  respects  one  of  the  most 
interesting  MSS.  in  the  Library.  It  was  written,  for  the  greater 
part  at  any  rate,  by  Angus  son  of  Farqiihar  son  of  Angus  for 
Duncan  son  of  John  son  of  Donald  son  of  Duncan  O'Conacher 
in  1611  to  1614.  This  is,  beyond  doubt,  the  MS.  of  M'Conacher 
of  Lorn,  of  which  the  Rev.  Donald  M'Nicol  of  Lismore,  in  his 
spirited  reply  to  Dr.  Samuel  Johnson,  says  that  it  was  seen  by 
many  gentlemen  still  alive  in  that  country.  It  appears,  from 
scraps  of  paper  used  as  reading  marks,  that  about  the  time 
M'Nicol  wrote  (1775)  the  MS.  was  in  the  possession  of  some 
person  who  had  transactions  in  Skye  and  Uist.  It  came  to 
the  Highland  (and  Agricultural)  Society  in  the  beginning  of 
the  nineteenth  century  and  is  marked  on  p.  1,  '  34  J.  M'H.  No  7.' 

It  is  not  known  when  the  O'Conachers  settled  in  Lorn  as 
physicians.  Their  OAvn  tradition  is  that  they  came  from 
Ireland,  as  the  name  would  suggest.  The  family  do  not  figure 
so  prominently  in  the  Literature  of  the  Highlands  or  in 
Records  as  the  MacBeaths  or  Beatons.  But  the  name  appears 
on  several  of  these  MSS.  (v.  supra  pp.  6,  7,  and  cf.  also  MS. 
XXXIV,  infra).  In  1530  John  M'Conchra  of  Stronecormik 
(  =  Sro7i  Chormaig  '  Cormac 's  nose '  or  '  headland,'  at  the  head  of 
Loch  Feochan)  pays  to  '  my  lord '  forty  merks  '  for  ye  grassum 
of  ye  office  of  chirurgeon.'  Early  in  the  seventeenth  century 
(about  1639)  the  'famous  medicinar  Dr.  Donald  O'Chonacher' 
was  brought  from  Argyll  to  Irvine  to  attend  one  of  the  family 


G4  CATALOdlM':  (>K  CAKLK"    M  ANUSOKI  I'I'S    (MS.   LX 

of  Argyll.  Ill  l.iiu  uiglitAjuuLh  ccjulur}'  Lhu  lU'Couuciiurs  lived  aL 
Airdoran  on  tlio  northern  shore  of  Loch  Feochan,  holding  their 
lands  in  feu  from  Argyll  and  Breadalbane.  In  1715  M'Conacher 
of  Airdoran  was  invited  to  Inveraray,  among  other  proprietors 
and  principal  men  of  the  county,  to  consult  regarding  the 
measures  to  bo  taken  on  behalf  of  the  government  and  the 
peace  of  the  county.  In  17 GO  the  M'Conacher  of  the  day  was 
summoned,  as  heritor  in  Kilmore,  to  consider  regarding  the 
rebuilding  of  the  parish  church.  B}^  the  end  of  the  century 
Airdoran  became  part  of  the  adjoining  estate  of  Gallanach.  But 
the  Doctor's  house  was  standing  in  the  middle  of  the  nineteenth 
century,  and  its  site  is  still  visible.  It  contained  a  deep  recess 
where  the  physicians  stored  their  drugs.  In  the  adjoining 
garden  medicinal  plants  were  reared,  while  a  cup  in  a  rock  hard 
by  served  as  a  mortar  in  which  to  pound  them. 

Two  hands  are  clearly  discernible  in  the  MS.,  one  more  free 
and  flowing  as  e.y.  on  pp.  42-56,  and  some  lines  on  p,  281.  On 
the  top  margins  of  pp.  251,  253  are  written  DonncJuidh  mac 
duhhsleiblite  and  j\Iisi  JJonncJiadk  mac.  D.  S.  '  Duncan  M'Don- 
levy '(?)) '  I  (am)  Duncan  Mac.  D.  S.'.  But  the  M8.  was  for  much 
the  greater  part  written  in  a  plain  hand  by  Angus  son  of 
Farquhar,  already  mentioned.  The  scribe  travelled  about,  and 
wrote  on  broken  lines  and  blank  spaces  personal  memoranda  of ' 
an  interesting  character.  Some  are  of  the  usual  type  of  pious 
ejaculations:  'God  be  with  me;  grant  me  sense  and  wisdom; 
bring  this  book  to  a  good  issue,'  etc.  etc.  Others  name  the 
places,  sometimes  Avith  dates,  which  he  visited  from  time  to 
time  ;  —  Lismore  ;  Achnacroish  in  Lismore  ;  Muckairn  ;  Trum- 
pan(theraisa  Trumpan  in  Sk3'e);  Ollen  mi  Stalcaire  'Island 
Stalker';  AvrdcltonghaiL  "Ardchonnel';  Gleann  Craibhrlonn 
•'  Glencreran,'  etc.  At  Dunan  EacJiain  (a  place  not  identified) 
he  meets  Mac  Domnaill  Buihh  '  Lochiel ' ;  and  at  Dunolly,  where 
he  frequently  is,  he  meets  Mac  Bhughaill  'Dunolly,'  and 
Duncan  O'Conacher. 

One  or  two  of  the  scribe's  docquets  are  somewhat  extended. 
Thus  on  p.  260 :  Finis  don  {A)natoinia  o  Aonghus  mac  Fear- 
chair  mic  Aongu{i)s.  An  Airdcongail  da7nJi  a  bhfochair 
Dhonncaidh  i  Goncubhair  agus  is  e  Donnchadh  tug  an  leabar 
so  dliamhsa  re  na  sgriobhadh  agus  tugadlh  gach  aon  leidhis  e 


MS.  LX]  MEDICINE,  ETC.  65 

heannacht  ar  anmain  an  DonncJiaidh  sin  agus  giiidhimfii  iad 
fatli  gan  cionta  do  tahairt  damh  phfein  air  son  olcas  a  sgriohh- 
tJta  air  is  e  an  ced  leabhar  do  sgriohh  mi  riaTnh  uime  sin 
gacli  aon  a  leighis  e  gabadh  e  mo  letJisgeid  aois  an  tigerna 
1612  an.  11.  Januarrius:  'Ends  the  (book  on)  Anatomy  by 
An^iis  son  of  Farquhar  son  of  Angus.  I  am  in  Ardchonnel 
with  Duncan  O'Conacher.  And  it  is  Duncan  who  gave  me 
this  book  to  write.  And  let  every  one  who  reads  it  bestow  a 
blessing  on  the  soul  of  that  Duncan.  And  I  entreat  them  not 
to  blame  myself  for  the  badness  of  the  handwriting,  for  it  is  the 
first  book  I  have  ever  written,  wherefore  let  every  one  who  reads 
it  excuse  me.  The  age  of  the  Lord  1G12,  the  eleventh  day 
of  January,'  Occasionally  he  signs  his  name  in  crypt,  as  on 
p.  302,  3fisi  hhdlnglifts  mhhcfschhrchhngr  {  =  Aonglms  mac  Fear- 
cair), '  I  am  Angus  son  of  Farquhar.' 

The  contents  of  the  large  MS.  are  varied.  Dr.  O'Conacher 
had  evidently  the  idea  of  compressing  a  small  medical  library 
into  one  volume.  Thus  pp.  1-4  and  15-126  are  taken  up  with 
definitions  and  explanations  of  a  great  number  of  diseases  and 
related  matters.  The  text  is  in  Latin,  accompanied  by  a  Gaelic 
translation  or  paraphrase,  but  as  a  rule  without  comment. 
The  scribe,  up  to  p.  56,  is  evidently  copying  from  a  connected 
treatise.  On  p.  15  top  margin  is  '  liber  tertius'  which  is  repeated 
on  pp.  17  and  19.  Liber  4-  is  on  p.  28,  and  liber  6  on  p.  34. 
Here  the  paragraphs  of  the  various  sections  are  numbered  con- 
secutively.    At  the  foot  of  p.  56  comes  Jin  It. 

On  p.  57  is  a  charm  against  bleeding  of  the  nose.  The  rest 
of  the  page  is  blank.     P.  58  is  all  blank. 

P.  59  opens  with :  Febris  est  calor  innaturalis  mutatus  in 
eigneum  .\.  is  ed  is  frius  and  teas  mi  nadurda  ar  na  daoch- 
ladh  a  theinntigeacht,  '  Fever  is  unnatural  heat  changed  to 
fieriness.'  The  various  kinds  of  fever  with  their  sub-varieties 
are  thereafter  defined.  Other  diseases  are  similarly  treated,  and 
as  a  rule  without  comment. 

On  p.  75  a  new  class  of  ailments  is  prefaced  by:  Sicut 
scribit  Galenus  octauo  de  iuuamentis  membrorutn  cerebrum 
creatum  est  propter  oculos,  ut  octdi  esent  in  eminentiori  parte 
corporis  sicut  speculator  in  arce  .|.  ^mar  a  sgribhas  G.  sa  8 
leabhar  do  socar  na  mball  is  ar  son  na   sul   do  crut]iaighi 

£ 


G6  CATALOGUE  OF  OAKI.IC  MANriSCRTPTS    |MS.  LX 

an  inchuul  innas  (jo  inhethd'iH  lui  ntUl  sa  ranu  is  atirlihir- 
al(jhl  don  corp  iiuir  hiofi  fear  cohnheda  na  Icathrach  san 
gairedh  is  airdi,  '  As  Galen  writes  in  the  eighth  book  on  aid 
to  the  organs,  the  brain  was  formed  for  the  sake  of  the  eyes, 
in  order  that  the  eyes,  like  the  guardian  of  a  city  occupying  the 
highest  watch  tower,  should  be  placed  in  the  uppermost  division 
of  the  body.'  The  Eye,  with  its  diseases.  Ophthalmia,  Cataract 
etc.  etc.  is  then  considered.  Thereafter  come  sections  defining 
a  variety  of  diseases  and  animal  processes  and  functions  on  to 
p.  126,  when  this  division  of  the  MS.  ends  with  a  docquet  by 
the  scribe,  dated  at  Ardchonnel,  August  23rd  1612. 

Pp.  126-154  contain  a  complete  copy  of  the  tSchola  Saler- 
nitana,  with  the  following  prefatory  note :  Anglm^um  regi 
scripsit  schola  tola  Salerni  .].  is  iad  seal  salerni  co  h-uilidhe 
do  sqriohh  na  fersada  so  do  chiiTYi  ri  Sacsan  do  coimhed  a 
slainte,  '  It  was  the  whole  school  of  Salerno  that  wrote  these 
verses  to  the  King  of  England  for  the  preservation  of  his 
health.'  As  the  Gaelic  extracts  made  by  Dr.  Smith  (Rep.  on 
Oss.  p.  294)  are  somewhat  inaccurate,  they  are  transcribed  here 
from  this  copy  (the  leaf  of  MS.  XXXITI  from  which  Dr.  Smith 
transcribed  being  now  lost,  v.  supra  p.  62) : 

Si  uis  incolumen,  si  uis  te  reddere  sanum, 
Curas  toUe  graves  irrasci  crede  prophanum. 

.{.  Mad  ailt  heth  follan  T  iniulh  ail  heth  slan  cuir  na  h-im- 
snimha  troma  diot  J  creid  guroh  dimhaoin  dititferg  do  denamh, 
'  If  you  wish  to  be  sound  and  healthy,  banish  heavy  worries  and 
believe  that  it  is  foolish  to  be  angry.' 

Parce  uino  cennato  parum  non  sit  tibi  uanum 

Surgere  post  aepulas  somnum  fuge  meridianum. 
.|.  coigill fion  "J  hhi  do  sniper  bee  j  nar  hudlc  dimaoin  let 
ceimniughadh  tar  eis  na  codach  J  seachain  codlad  in  medhoin 
laoi,  'Use  wine  sparingly  and  let  your  supper  be  light.     Do 
not  neglect  a  walk  after  the  repast,  and  avoid  sleeping  at  noon.' 

Non  mictum  retine  :  nee  comprime  fortiter  anum. 
j.  Na  eonnuipli  co  fada  ar  fv.al  7  na  It-eigin  go  laidir  do 
ttmperaeht,  '  Do  not  retain  long  the  urine,  nor  press  forcibly 
your  anus.' 

Haec  bene  si  serues  tu  longo  tempore  uiues. 


MS.  LX]  MEDICINE,  ETC.  67 

.|.  JJa  coimedurna  nethe  .so  (iduhhraiiiar  cjo  imcifh  ffidiLr  hetJi 
ahnser  fada  ad  hetha, '  If  you  observe  carefully  Avhat  we  have 
said,  you  may  live  a  long  time.' 

The  copy  in  this  MS.  and  that  in  MS.  XXXIII  agree  very 
closely,  and  have  clearly  a  common  source.  In  O'Gr.'s  Cat., 
p.  238,  a  quotation  from  '  Arundel  333 '  would  suggest  that  a 
different  translation  of  the  Rcf/imen  SalernitanuTU  was  in  circu- 
lation among  the  Gaelic  physicians.  Here  is  the  description  of 
/ear  lenna  ruaidJt,  '  the  man  of  choler '  from  the  three  MSS. 

Arundel  333  (O'Gr.  Cat.,  p.  238) : 

Arstutus  (sic)  gracilis  siccus  croceique  coloris 
Irstutus  fallax  irraciens  (sic)  prodigus  audax. 

fer  lenna  maid  [.|.]  ard  cael  tirini  maille  datk  huidhe  finnfach 

fallsa  fergach  nenidvjhalaclt  dana. 

MS.  x:xxiii : 

Hirsutus:  fallax:  irascens:  prodigus:  audax: 
Astutus :  gracilis  :  siccus :  croceique  coloris. 

.j.  Dligid  fer  lenna  ruaid  heith  finfadach  fallsa  fergacli  ain- 

niuid  {leg.  aindiuid)  andaonnachtaclt  glic  caol  tirim   maill 

datli  crocUa. 

MS :  LX. 

Hirsutus,  fallax,  irascens,  prodigus,  audax, 
Astutus,  gracilis,  siccus,  croceique  coloris. 

.].  dligliidk  fear  lenna  ruaidh  heith  Jinn fadacJt  fallsa  fergach 
ainniuid  {leg.  aindiuid)  andaonnachiach  glic  caol  te  tiri^u 
maill  dath  crochda :  '  The  man  of  choleric  complexion  must  be 
hairv,  deceitful,  irascible,  forward,  churlish,  cunning,  slender, 
hot,  dry,  of  saffron  colour '  [the  te  of  MS.  LX  is  evidently  a  slip 
of  the  pen,  te  tirini  being  constantly  associated]. 

On  pp.  155-180  is  a  copy  of  the  Treatise  on  Urine,  ascribed 
in  MS.  XXXIII  {v.  supra,  p.  62)  to  Egidius.  This  copy  is 
more  clearly  written,  but  differs  somewhat  in  arrangement  from 
that  in  MS.  XXXIII.  The  colours  of  the  urine  and  their  signifi- 
cance are  treated  of  at  length  (pp.  179-80). 

On  pp.  181-209  many  maxims,  medical,  metaphysical,  moral, 
are  given  in  Latin  with  a  Gaelic  translation;  e.g.  (p.  181)  Quod 
male  incipitiir  male  finitur  .1.  gach  ni  tinnsgainter  co  h-olc  is 


68  CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS    [MS.  LX 

olc  cricli/iiaichter.  Omiic  honwin  a  fmnvnio  Deo  procedit  .|.  r/ac/i, 
nile  ni  'niaith  is  o  Bla  it;/.  Occasionally,  as  on  pp.  188-9,  the 
author  is  named  on  the  margin.  Thus  on  p.  188  Arn.  (Ariialdus 
or  Aristotle?)  gives  Omne  simile  covfortat  suum  svinilcm  .'. 
gacJi  ni  cosmail  nertuigJie  se  a  chosmalus.  Hali  is  credited  with 
Generans  et  generatuni  asimfiulantiir  in  complexlone  .|.  an  ni 
ginis  J  on  genter  hid  cosmail  ina  coimplex  (p.  1 89).  On  the 
same  page  the  following  is  attributed  to  Av(icenna)  Egritudo 
incognita  a  medico  non  curatur  .|.  in  eslainti  nach  aithentar 
on  liaigh  ni  leighister  uadha  h-i. 

An  interesting  Tractate  entitled  :  Don  cneid  do  niter  le  piler 
ann  so  no  lei.s  in  uile  innstruinlnt  gluasis  mar  an  cetna 
secundum,  johanem  de  uigo  genuensis,  '  Of  the  wound  made  by 
a  bullet  here,  and  by  every  instrument  similarly  propelled,  by 
Johannes  de  Vigo  of  Genoa  (?),'  is  given  on  pp.  210-214.  A 
paragraph  on  Urine  follows  on  p.  214. 

Pp.  215-235  contain  a  Tract  with  the  heading :  aon  leahhar 
ann  so  o  her  do  hlathuih  na  died  ann  so  sios,  '  A  book  here 
(taken)  from  Ber(nard  ?)  on  the  choicest  {lit.  flowers)  of 
Diets.'  The  '  Diets '  treated  of  include  Barley,  Wheat,  Beans ; 
Flesh,  Fish,  Eggs ;  Wine,  Water,  Milk  (with  its  various  pre- 
parations) ;  and  many  others.  On  p.  235  is  the  docquet :  Finis 
air  an  leabar  so  daruh  ainm  hlath  nan  diedh  an  Duin  ollaigh, 
'  This  book  named  '  Flower  of  Diets '  is  finished  in  Dunolly.' 

The  three  following  pages  (236-8)  are  again  taken  up 
with  maxims  and  aphorisms  translated  from  Latin  to  Gaelic. 
Here  is  the  last  in  this  list:  Omnis  homo  primum  proponit 
nohile  uimvm  .|.  dlighi  gacli  uile  dhuine  in  jion  uasal  do 
tahairt  roimh  gach  en  digh  oile,  '  Every  person  ought  to  offer 
the  noble  wine  before  any  other  liquor.' 

The  Tract  based  on  Galen's  Anatomy,  noticed  above  in 
MS.  XXXIII  (v.  p.  61),  is  given  on  pp.  239-260.  The  version 
here  is  somewhat  different  in  detail,  but  the  two  begin  and  end 
in  the  same  way. 

On  p.  261  commences  another  Tract  entitled  do  na  dreguih 
an  so, '  Of  Drugs  here.'  The  Drugs  are  divided  into  two  classes, 
aoiic?(X  '  simple,' and  comhsuidhiglithi  or  comhcoirigJdJd  'com- 
pound.' The  list  is  very  full,  and  is  frequently  accompanied  by 
the  names  of  the  diseases  for  which  the  medicines  are  a  remedy, 


MS.  LX]  MEDICINE,  ETC.  69 

and  by  directions  for  their  preparation.  On  pp.  279-281  the 
autiior  gives,  as  an  appendix,  an  interesting  paragraph  on  the 
weights  and  measures  used  in  medicine  (f/.  sx/pra,  p.  12).  Lahli,- 
riiin  (tun  so  do  com/Uartdibk  J  do  'misiirulhli  a-ib  leigJds  do  reir 
Nicolauis  7  Salaiinn{i)s  "j  droinge  ele  do  na  Ji-ur/hdariUbh  j  tuic 
let  da  mad  do  nctJUbh  ealaxlhiiacha  mar  ata  hiaighi  no  ndan  no 
ngcosmaile  do  gnatocadis  na  poitigair  no  iia  leagha  comldrom 
no  mimir  an  leighis  do  denanih  ata  so  maillta  air  an  med  sin 
on  usacht  na  nethe  sin  do  laigidiugud  no  do  medughudh  tar 
an  misur  coir  guruh  uinie  sin  is  o  ni  nadurda  nach  fedur  do 
claochladh  mar  is  innill  fundament  no  misur  do  tarraing  inar 
ata  gran  cruithneachta  ionnus  da  gclaona  an  comtrom  do 
niter  do  ni  ealadlinacli  dioph  a  loiged  no  a  meid  tar  an  iriod 
coir  go  hfedur  an  afJiugadha  J  a  gceartugud  o  na  sechran  leis 
an  gcruithneacld :  '  Let  us  speak  here  of  the  medical  weights 
and  measures  according  to  Nicolaus  and  Salatinus  and  some 
other  authorities.  And  observe  that  where  the  Apothecaries 
and  Physicians  make  their  balances  and  measures  of  artificial 
material  such  as  lead,  brass,  and  the  like,  these  become  so  far 
untrue  through  frequent  use,  in  that  they  diminish  or  increase 
beyond  the  exact  measure,  wherefore  it  is  a  product  of  nature 
which  cannot  be  changed  that  ought  to  provide  the  standard 
measure,  like  a  grain  of  wheat,  so  that  if  the  balance  made  from 
any  artificial  product  were  to  deviate  by  diminution  or  increase 
from  the  true  standard  it  could  be  renewed  and  its  error 
corrected  by  the  wheat.'  He  goes  on  to  explain  that  the 
particular  grain  selected  b}^  the  physician  as  a  standard  ought 
to  be  a  grain  of  wheat  of  average  size,  full  ripe,  and  not  too 
fresh  or  too  old.  Twenty  such  grains  make  a  scruple;  60  a 
drachm ;  90  an  exagium  or  solitas  or  aureus,  for  these  differ 
only  in  name ;  six  aureii  make  the  ounce ;  and  twelve  ounces 
the  medical  pound.  The  sextuarius  (  =  sextarius)  again,  by 
which  wine,  oil,  and  vinegar  are  measured,  weighs  two  and  a 
half  pounds.  A  sentence,  in  a  different  hand,  adds  (p.  281)  that 
there  are  many  other  weights  and  measures,  but  not  being  in 
common  use  they  are  ignored  by  the  writer,  who  concludes  with 
lor  sin  '  that  sufficeth.' 

The  next  Tract  in  the  vol.  (pp.  281-302)  is  on  a  kindred 
subject,  and  is  thus  introduced  :  Pharmacorum  omnium  quae  in 


70  CATALOaUE  OF  C;AI-:L1C  MANUSCKIITS    [MS.  LX 

comviniii  siiiif  J  tract  leant  LUtn  usu  talntla  10.  RcDiaclo  f(isico) 
lymtnLrr/eiisl  autorr,  quarum  jyrima  de  siritpis  unum  quciniibet 
liUTiioreiii  conco  qurentih^Ls.  Ac/  so  10  (/ciair  ina  hhfuilid  an 
uile  Irighis  noch  ata  an  gnathach  a  voitcdiii  a/f  na  practiiph  .|. 
an  cet  clar  diohlt  noch  laurus  do  slroipnit>h  dileaj/JdJia  f/acJia 
leanna:  'Here  are  ton  tables  wherein  are  fouiKl  all  kinds  of 
medioincs  in  conniion  use  anion^'  practitioners,  the  first  of  which 
speaks  of  the  syrups  which  dissolve  every  kind  of  humour.' 
The  tables  are  thereafter  given  in  order,  with  accoiujianying 
text  giving  directions.  Paragraphs  on  Liniments,  Em])laisters, 
and  Cataplasms  are  given  at  the  end  {pp.  301-2).  The  colophon 
(p.  302)  says  that  the  tables  are  those  of  Bernard  Gordon. 

The  large  Treatise  on  Materia  ]\Tedica,  already  described 
under  MS.  Ill  (v.  pp.  IS,  19)  takes  up  fully  a  third  of  the  whole 
MS.  (pp.  303-463).  The  writer  of  this  copy  must  have  tran- 
scribed from  a  different  but  very  similar  MS.  to  MS.  III.  This 
copy  has  27  additional  Articles,  and  wants  one  {Feibrid  fucca) 
found  in  MS.  III.  He  has  frequent  additions  to,  and  occasional 
divergencies  from,  the  text  of  the  earlier  MS.  He  has  no 
indices.  The  colophon  to  both  shows  a  common  origin.  Here 
is  the  colophon  in  this  MS.  Gurah  amlaidli  sin  fagmaid  crioch 
inmolta  cuimir  tarhhaeh  air  an  leahhar  so  neoclt  do  tarraing- 
eadh  a  li-ainntitairihTi  7  a  Iherhulairibh  catltracli  salernitani 
■7  do  reir  sduider  comihaontaiglii  dochtuirihh  tsleibhi  pisidain 
f  a  dubJiradar  na  maigJiisdrecJia  sin  gach  ni  tinnsgainter  an 
ainm  Dia  gnrab  dingbhcdla  a  chriochnudhadh  an  aintn  Dia : 
'  And  thus  we  bring  to  a  close  in  a  praiseworthy,  concise  and 
profitable  manner,  this  book  which  has  been  extracted  from  the 
AntidotarW^  and  Herbularii  of  the  city  of  Salerno  and  the 
kindred  resear"aes  of  the  Doctors  of  Montpelier.  And  these 
Masters  said  that  whatsoever  was  begun  in  tlie  name  of  God  it 
was  fitting  that  it  should  be  ended  in  the  name  of  God.'  It 
will  be  observed  that  in  so  far  as  the  text  is  common  to  both 
MSS.  it  differs  only  in  one  word — herbidairibh  in  LX  for 
eisimlairibJi  in  III  (v.  supra  p.  21). 

The  last  Treatise  in  the  MS.  begins  on  p.  465,  goes  on  to  the 
last  page  (474),  and  is  continued  but  not  completed  on  pp.  5-14, 
Avhich  should  follow.     The  subject  is  of  a  general  kind.     On  the 

*  V.  supra,  p.  22,  n. 


MS.  LX]  MEDICINE,  ETC.  71 

top  margin  is  written  (in  ahim  1)'i<t  m,  '  In  the  name  of  God 
this.'  The  text  then  begins,  the  first  words  being  written  in 
capitals:  Tria  aunt  suhjecta  medicine  etcetera  anihu'd  adeir 
maighider  ricairdi  .|.  ataid  trl  .suhiechfa  aiy  an  leighes  .[.  cuirp 
7  cuisi  7  comartddha ,  etc.  '  As  Master  Ricardi  says,  the  sub- 
jects of  Medicine  are  three  in  number,  —  viz.,  Bodies,  Causes 
and  Indications.'  Bodies  are  divided  into  those  which  are  slctn 
'  in  health,'  easlan  '  ill,'  and  nemnecJttarda  '  neither  well  nor  ill.' 
Causes  and  Indications  are  similarly  subdivided.  Under  '  prog- 
nostications,' the  author  remarks  that  Ricardi  summarises 
here  the  views  of  Hippocrates,  Galen,  Avicenna,  and  Rhazes. 
He  then  proceeds  to  consider  the  foiir  periods  or  stages  of 
disease, — tomch  '  commencement ' ;  tormavJi  '  increase '  or  '  de- 
velopment'; 'staid  'course';  and  digbal  'issue.'  The  dis- 
cussion becomes  very  detailed,  and  branches  off  into  the  various 
kinds  of  diseases. 

On  p.  7  is  begun  a  disquisition  on.  the  Pulse,  which  is  said 
to  be  of  ten  kinds,  to  eis^ht  of  which  different  names  are  given. 
The  chief  authority  is  Philaretus  (cf.  O'Gr.  Cat.  p.  232,  Liber 
Philareti  de  pidsihus).  The  discussion  is  not  concluded  when 
the  text  comes  to  an  abrupt  close  on  p.  14. 

Some  forty  authorities  are  cited  throughout  the  MS.,  the 
most  common  being  Galen,  Avicenna,  Hippocrates,  Aristotle, 
Isaac,  and  Rhazes.  In  special  Tracts  other  authors  figure  more 
frequently.  Thus  in  the  Treatise  on  Materia  Medica,  Platearius 
is  the  principal  authority ;  in  the  Tract  on  Drugs,  Mesne  and 
Ebe  Mesne;  and  in  the  last  Treatise,  Ricardi  and  Philaretus. 
A  few,  not  met  with  elseAvhere,  appear  in  this  MS.  Thus 
Ualescus  de  Taranta  is  given  as  the  author  of  several  maxims 
(pp.  G7-98);  Bris  so  uolus  dixit  is  appended  to  a  paragraph  on 
sudor  (p.  68) ;  secundum  Fulgentium  to  a  paragraph  on  ea:- 
ercitum  (p.  72).  Salatinus  is  cited  in  the  section  on  weights  and 
measures  (p.  279),  and  Remaclo  (or  Reinaclo)  on  j).  281.  Tateus 
is  described  as  de  bonaensis  (cf.  suiira,  p.  31  de  bonionia)  on 
p.  206 ;  adeir  Scotus  '  Scotus  says '  is  added  to  a  footnote  on 
p.  198;  and  Selsus  adeir  sin  '  Celsus  says  that,'  to  another 
on  p.  213. 


72  CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC.  MANUSCRIPTS       [MS.  I 


CHAPTER    TI 

RELIGIOUS  AND  ECCLESIASTICAL 


The  contents  of  the  Religious  Section  of  the  Collection  are 
varied.  In  form  the}^  are  found  in  verse  as  well  as  in  prose, 
while  in  subject  they  include  the  Historical,  the  Biographical, 
the  Legendary,  as  well  as  the  Theological  and  Devotional. 


MS.  I 

Two  separate  MSS.  are  included  in  MS.  I.  It  is  bound  in 
calf  and,  like  MSS.  II  and  III,  stamped  in  gold  letters, 
'  MSS  Literis  Hibernicis.     Bibliotheca  Advocatorum.' 

The  first  MS.  consists  of  nine  leaves  of  parchment,  eight  folio 
and  one  quarto.  With  the  exception  of  the  first  leaf,  which 
in  subject  is  Genealogical  (of  which  afterwards),  its  contents  are 
Religious  and  Ecclesiastical.  It  was  written  in  a  plain  hand  by 
Dubghall  Albannach  mac  mhic  Fail,  '  Dugald  the  Scot,  son  of 
MacPhail '  (Paul)  in  the  year  1467.  The  ink  is  dull,  but  except 
in  the  first  leaf  the  text  is  fairly  legible  throughout.  Some  of 
the  leaves  are  reversed  in  binding,  and  one  or  two  misplaced. 
But  they  are  paged  in  pencil,  according  to  the  sequence  of  their 
contents. 

This  portion  of  MS.  I  was  discovered  in  the  Advocates 
Library  by  the  late  Dr.  Skene,  accidentally,  about  the  year 
1834  (v.  Collectanea  de  rebus  Albanicis,  Edin.  1839,  p.  60  n.,  and 
Highlanders  of  Scotland,  London,  1SS7 ,  vol.  ii.  p.  8  n.):  but  it  is, 
beyond  doubt,  the  MS.  presented  on  March  7th,  1738,  by  the 
Rev.  David  Malcolme  of  Duddingstone,  through  Mr.  Maclaurin 
(Professor  Colin  Maclaurin?),  to  a  society  in  Edinburgh  for  im- 
proving Arts  and  Sciences  (v.  Pamphlets,  Letters,  etc.,  printed 
by  Mr.  Malcolme  in  Edinburgh  in  1738-9). 

Occasional  entries  in  text  or  margin  supply  omissions.    There 


MS.  1 1  RELIGIOUS  AND  ECCLESIASTICAL  73 

are  others,  mostly  illegible.  At  the  foot  of  page  7  (the  paging 
in  pencil  is  followed),  and  at  the  top  of  pp.  8,  9  are  traced  broad 
lines  in  alternate  bands  of  black  and  red.  That  on  pp.  8,  9  is 
said,  in  a  note  of  which  only  a  part  is  legible,  to  have  been 
draAvn  by  O'Maelconaire  ^  for  the  scribe  of  the  MS.  in  the  house 
of  Mac  Aedhagain  (M'Egan)  in  Munster.  To  that  on  p.  7  is 
added  an  fer  cetna  '  the  same  man,'  and  the  further  note :  Hita 
anil  so  fot  troigheadh  Crista  ina  inacaeinli  ar  faghhail  a  fuill- 
eachta  for  aroile  leac  marmoir,  '  Here  is  the  length  of  the 
feet  of  Christ  when  a  youth,  as  he  left  his  traces  upon  a  slab  of 
marble.' 

The  contents  of  the  MS.  are  shortly  as  follows : — 

Pp.  3-4b,  1.  7,  contain  a  version  of  the  so-called  Sermo  ad 
Reges,  commencing,  Bai  righ  amra  aireadha  for  onacaih  isrl 
feacht  naill  .\.  Solam  mac  Dauithe,  etc.,  'There  was  a  famous 
noble  king  over  the  children  of  Israel  at  one  time,  viz.,  Solomon, 
the  son  of  David.'  Although  the  opening  paragraphs  are 
somewhat  similar,  the  text  of  this  version  differs  greatly  from, 
and  is  much  shorter  than,  that  in  the  Leahhar  Breac  or  Speckled 
Book  (L.  Br.),  printed  by  the  late  Professor  Atkinson  on  p.  151 
of  Passions  and  Homilies  from  tJie  Leahhar  Breac,  Dublin  1887, 
a  volume  quoted  here  as  Atk. 

Pp.  4b,  1.  7-5a,  1.  12.— Pais  Pilii^,  '  The  Passion  of  Philip,' 
commencing :  Bai  Pilih  aps  frith  re  xx  bliadan  ar  cesadh  Crist 
oc  proiceacht  is  in  Scethia  J  rochuihrigedk  o  na  genntih  e  7 
rucadh  e  go  deilh  Mairt,  etc.  '  Philip  the  Apostle  was  for  twenty 
years  after  the  crucifixion  of  Christ  preaching  in  Scythia.  And 
he  was  bound  by  the  Gentiles  and  brought  to  the  image  of  Mars.' 
The  greater  part  of  this  version  agrees  pretty  closely  with  that 
printed  by  Atk.,  p.  110.  The  latter  has  it  that  Philip  was 
preaching  for  forty  years  in  Scythia.  One  or  two  paragraphs 
are  omitted  in  our  version,  as  e.g.,  where  the  priest  of  Mars  stirs 
up  the  populace  against  the  Apostle.  The  diction  of  the  last 
paragraph  also  differs  somewhat. 

Pp.  5a,  1. 13-6a. — Pais  Anndrias  aps  ann  so  Dubghall  qui 
sgribsid,  '  The  Passion  of  the  Apostle  Andrew  here,  written  by 

^  The  Four  Masters  (F.  M.)  record  the  death  of  Torna  O'Mulcoiiry,  the  Ollav 
of  theMurrays  in  History  and  Poetry,  in  liis  own  house,  in  1468,  at  LiosFerbain 
(Co.  Roscommou). 


7t  CATAhOGUK  OF  CAKI.IC   MANUSCRllTS        |MS.  I 

DugaKL'  The  Loxt  begins:  Uai  i.iii/rcni  inoi-  for  iia  CrisUiKjIuh 
is  ill  catliriuii  dumndh  ainon  pcUi'ix  oc.  nu  drr  consul 'ecces.  Ro 
ha  .so  i/((  li-larai(Ui  foriho  uUuirlha  do  (/eudnilt  do  'net  deih,  etc 
'  There  was  ti  great  persecution  of  the  Christians  in  tlie  city  of 
Patras  by  the  Proconsul  Aegeas  who  urged  tlieni  to  otter  sacri- 
fices to  the  gods.'  The  text  here  and  that  of  Atk.  (p.  10())  agree 
so  closely  that  the  two  must  have  been  translated  from  the  same 
Latin  text.  lUit  the  dilibrences  in  diction,  and  occasionally  in 
clauses,  can  hardly  warrant  the  suggestion  of  a  common  (Jaelic 
original. 

Pp.  6b-7b.  [The  Passion  of  the  Apostle  James.]— The  text 
begins  abruptly  without  a  heading  :  Do  luid  lacoj)  mac  Sdeiph- 
idei  .j.  hrathair  Eoin  aps  J  in  tuighisfjel  combai  ag  j^'^oipcecJd 
hretkrl  Be  itir  iuda  J  is  intamair.  Ro  fhaigh  in  drui  diarho 
coinainin  Ermogenus  a  dheisgipul  dinnsaid  Jacob  J  dream 
do  shagartaib  inaille  fris  go  ro  li-egnaigJidis  ainm  meic  De  a 
fiadhnuise  lacop.  Felitus  ainm  an  deisgibuil,  etc.,  'James, 
son  of  Zebedee,  and  brother  of  John,  the  Apostle  and  Evan- 
gelist, went  and  was  preaching  the  word  of  God  in  Judea  and  in 
Samaria.  The  wizard,  whose  name  was  Hermogenes,  sent  his 
disciple,  accompanied  by  a  number  of  priests,  to  James,  to 
blaspheme  the  name  of  the  Son  of  God  in  his  presence.  The 
name  of  the  disciple  was  Filetus.'  Here  again  our  version  and 
that  of  Atk.  (p.  102)  agree  so  closely,  that  if  they  are  not  copies 
of  a  common  Gaelic  original,  they  must  be  translations  of  the 
same  Latin  text. 

Pp.  8a-13a,  1.  17.  [The  Passion  of  our  Lord  as  revealed  by 
the  Virgin  Mary  to  St.  Ansehn.] — The  text  opens  thus :  Do  hi 
Ansalmus  naem  aimscr  imchian  maille  re  deraih  7  urnaighe 
7  re  h-aintib  ag  edarguidhe  Muire  bainntigerna  gumad  dlng- 
bala  le  pais  a  h-aenmec  Inmain  feiii  dinnsi  do  7  anct  deaghaigh. 
sin  do  fJuid/dKis  7  do  tJiaisoiadJi  do  h-i  7  aduhairt  ris  an  pais 
7  na  piana  df  ailing  mo  Quaesa  ni  fedann  neach  a  dersgnugud 
gan  siledh  der  do  denamh.  Et  ataimsi  7  corp  glordha  umum 
7  ni  fhedaim  7  ni  dligliedli  dam,  cainiud  do  ghenamJi  gidhedh 
chena  in  pais  dfuiling  mo  mac  i{n)mainsi  na  ballaib  7  na 
pongcaib  ar  an  ordugudar  ar  fuiling  se  h-i  foillseochadsa  duit 
si  h-i.  7  dfiarfaid  Ansalmus  do  Muire  an  phais  ana  pongcaib  7 
dinnis  Muire  do  li-i  ana  pongcaib.  7  dfiarfaid  Ansalmus  ardus 


MS.  I]  K'KLIGIOUS  AND  ECCLESTASTICAT,  75 

7na7'  so,  Ahaio'  rium,  a  baiiintigema,  cad  h-e  tosoch  pals'i,  do  hi 
agud  macsa.  Do  freagair  Muire  h-e,  etc.,  '  The  holy  Anselm  was 
for  a  very  long  time  with  tears  and  praj^ers  and  fastings  inter- 
ceding the  Lady  Mary  that  she  would  be  pleased  to  relate  to 
him  the  Passion  of  her  only  beloved  son.  Thereafter  she 
appeared  and  was  revealed  to  him,  and  said  to  liim,  "  The 
Passion  and  sufferings  which  my  son  endured,  no  one  can  relate 
without  shedding  tears.  My  body  is  now  glorified,  and  I  may 
not  and  cannot  weep.  Nevertheless  the  Passion  which  my 
beloved  son  endured  in  his  body,  and  the  manner  in  which  he 
suffered  I  shall  reveal  to  you  in  detail.'  And  Anselm  asked 
Mary  to  relate  to  him  the  Passion  step  by  step.  And  Mary 
related  it  to  him  in  order.  And  Anselm  first  of  all  asked  Mary, 
"  Tell  me,  Lady,  what  was  the  commencement  of  the  Passion  of 
your  son."  And  Mary  answered  him.'  The  narrative,  given  in 
answer  to  St.  Anselm's  questions,  is  long  and  detailed,  from  the 
Last  Supper  until  after  the  Burial.  This  is  succeeded  by  a 
paragraph  on  the  destruction  of  Jerusalem  by  the  Romans,  and 
the  slaughter  of  the  Jews  to  avenge  (dig}/ ad)  the  death  of 
Christ.  The  narration  concludes  with  the  following  colophon 
(p.  13a,  1.  1): — gurah  i  sin  crich.  "j  fig] i air  na  staire  sin  ris  an 
abar  'pais  Antsebmis  .|.  -pais  Grist  ar  na  fagliail  do  Antsahmis 
7  Scan  0  Goncohiir  do  chuir  an  Gaegliilg  7  DonncJtadh  o  ficltdl' 
do  ghah  h-i.  Ei  DuhgJtall  Alhanach  mac  mic  fail  do  sgrih  is  a 
cairtsi  h-i  am  haile  i  huagU  a  fochair  Elisi  puitilcar  J  tahradh 
gach  aen  leaghfas  bennacht  7  pa.iter  ar  an  anmannaib  ar  aen. 
Annaladh  an  Tigerna,  a.nn  so  .j.  mile  bl~  J  cetra  cet  7  secJd  hi'  7 
tri  XX.  F{init).  '  This  is  the  end  and  description  of  the  historj^ 
called  the  Passion  of  Anselm,  viz.,  the  Passion  of  Christ  com- 
municated to  Anselm.  John  O'Connor  translated  it  to  Gaelic 
for  Duncan  O'Feely.  And  Dugald  the  Scot,  son  of  the  son  of 
Paul  (Macphail)  wrote  it  on  this  parchment  in  the  stead  of  O'B. 
in  the  presence  of  E.  Butler.  And  let  every  one  who  reads  (it) 
bestow  a  blessing  and  a  pater  upon  the  souls  of  both.  The 
Annals  of  the  Lord  are,  viz..  One  thousand  and  four  himdred 
and  seven  and  three  score  years.  It  endeth.'  14G7  is  written 
in  Arabic  numerals  on  the  top  margin. 

P.  13. — There  follow  on  p.  13  paragraphs  in  Gaelic,  entitled 
De   oracione,   De  confessione,    De  umilitaiti,   De  indidgencia, 


76  CATALOGUE  OV  GAKLIC  MANUSCRIPTS        [MS.  I 

De  cnmpinircionr,  Dr  iimorc,  where  quotations  are  made  from 

one  or  other  of  the  Gospels,  followed  by  short  comments. 

Pp.  14-15a,  1.  9.     [The  Passion  of  John  the  Baptist.]— The 

text  commences :    Bui  righ,   (iinra   etroaiireac/i   is  an  dom<i,n 

toir  ffjtcht  ndill  .|.  iruath  mac  ainntrpater,  is  leis  do  marh(t<lh 

Eolii  Jxiisdc  J  is  e  an  tadbar  for  marbadh  an  fcr  oc)  anira  iris- 

eacli  sin  .\.  brethcin  maith  do  bi  fo  rir/he  iruaidh  noch  do  nid 

reghugud  do  gach  duine  dinnisedh  a  sgel  do,  Pilip  bretlieimh 

a  ainni  j  Pilip  labarceann  ainni  ele  do.  do  ha  maith  a  cathair 

J  do  badh  a  chonacha,  cathair  ardarius  a  aininside,  etc.  etc. 

'  There  was  at  one  time  a  famous  merciless  king  in  the  Eastern 

world,  Herod,  the  son  of  Antipater.     He  it  was  who  slew  John 

the  Baptist.     And  the  reason  for  putting  that  pure,  famous, 

believing  man  to  death  was,  namely,  a  good  judge  who  was  in 

Herod's  kingdom,  a  man  who  would  reconcile  every  person  who 

told  his  story  to  him.     Judge  Philip  was  his  name,  but  also 

called  Philip  Ldharcenn.     Fair  was  his  abode,  and  (great)  his 

wealth.     The  name  of  the  city  in  which  he  dwelt  was  Ardarius.' 

This  version  differs  somewhat  in  detail  from  that  printed  by 

Atk.  (p.  64),  and  also  to  a  less  extent  from  another  in  the  Yellow 

Book  of  Lecan  (Y.  B.  L.),  pp.  159b,  1.  7-160.     But  the  three  must 

be  translations  from  a  common  original  text.     Appended  to  our 

text  are  the  following  verses  (not  found  in  L.  Br.  or  in  Y.  B.  L.), 

with  R  on  the  margin  : — 

Apsalon  baile  in  righ 
Le  na  u-clerrnadh  in  mor  gnim  ; 
Is  ann  sin,  nir  buan  am  bladli, 
Do  marbadh  Eoin  an  t-uasal. 

'  Cia  h-acaib  ghablias  do  laim, 
Mo  dhichennad  do  droch  mnaib  ? 
Nocha  sloinnedh  thiar  no  thoir 
Do  Ghallaib  do  Ghaidhelaib.' 

'  Gaeidhel  ^  sut  ar  each  uile,' 
A  Eoin  alainn  foltbhuidhe^  ; 
'  Is  fada  siar  ata  a  theach, 
A  crichaib  na  fuinedhach.' 

'  Sirini  idche  ar  Crist  romchar,' 
Adubairt  Eoin  an  t-uasal, 
'  Nar  faghaib  Gaeidhel  ^  con  a  eib 
Biadh  J  edach  den  taeib.' 

1  MS.  gh  for  dh. 


MS.  I]  RELIGIOUS  AND  ECCLESIASTICAL  77 

Adultairt  Modh  '  Rnith  gan  raith 
'  Tabraidh  dam  biiaib  a  edach  derb,^ 
Co  m-benainn  dc  a  chenn 
A  shlanfa  feraib  Erenn.' 

Beantar  a  chenn  d'Eoin  ar  sin  ; 
Tic  an  gnim  re  Gaeidhel  *  ; 
Curtar  mor  d'airged  is  d'or, 
Fa'n  cenn  toir  an  Apsolon. 

Askelon,  the  royal  seat, 
In  which  the  great  deed  was  done  ; 
There,  not  lasting  was  the  fame, 
John  the  noble  was  slain. 

'  What  evil  woman  among  you, 
Will  take  in  hand  my  beheading  1 
Not  one  from  east  or  west, 
Of  the  blood  of  Foreigners  or  Gaels. 

'  Thou  handsome  yellow-haired  John, 
Yonder  is  a  Gael  beyond  all  others  ; 
His  abode  is  far  away  in  the  west, 
In  the  lands  of  the  western  men.' 

'  I  ask  a  boon  from  Christ  who  loves  me,' 

Said  John  the  noble, 

'  That  no  comely  Gael  may  get 

Food  nor  raiment  in  any  case.' 

Said  Mogh  Ruith  without  grace, 
'  Give  to  me  even  his  raiment. 
And  I  shall  cut  off  his  head 
For  the  weal  of  the  men  of  Ireland.' 

Then  was  John  beheaded. 

The  Gael  will  suffer  therefrom  ; 

Much  silver  and  gold 

Was  put  under  the  head  east  in  Askelon. 

For  references  to  Mogh  Ruith  and  the  great  disaster  that  was 
to  come  upon  the  Gael  on  the  Festival  of  John  the  Baptist, 
cf.  O'Curry's  MS.  Materials  of  Ancient  Irish  History  (Dublin 
1878),  especially  pp.  401,  421.  The  famous  wizard  is  said  to 
have  studied,  with  his  daughter,  under  Simon  Magus  (v.  Folk 
Lore,  iv.  p.  490),  but  only  here  have  I  found  him  named  as  the 
executioner  of  John  the  Baptist. 

Paragraphs  on  several  subjects  follow  on  p.  15,  e.g.:  Secht 
ndana  in  speraid  naeimh  .j.  sperad  egna  an  Adhaini  an  tan 

^  MS.  gh  for  dh.  ^  The  text  is  manifestly  corrupt. 


78  CATAUJGUE  OF  (iAIlLIU  MAXLISCUnTS       [MS.  I 

(loheH  ainni  u-dllus  for  cock  n-a/'n  is  in  iiUc  d/tid,  etc.  '  The 
seven  gifts  or  graces  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  viz.,  the  Spirit  of  Wisdom 
in  Adani  when  he  gave  their  proper  names  to  every  creature  in 
the  wliole  world.'  So  the  Spirit  o{  In  rent  ion  (inntlccld)  was  in 
Noah  when  he  built  tlic  Ark  ;  the  Spirit  of  Counsel  (coiaairle) 
in  Abraham  when  he  left  his  country ;  the  Spirit  of  Fortitude 
(sonairte)  in  Jacob  when  he  fought  for  a  wliolc  night  against  an 
unknown  man;  the  Spirit  of  Knowledge  ( /i.s'.s)  in  Moses  when 
he  promulgated  the  whole  of  the  Divine  Law ;  the  Spirit  of 
Piety  {crahiul)  in  Joshua  when  he  observed  the  Divine  Statutes  ; 
and  the  Spirit  of  Reverence  (uamande)  in  David  when  he  spared 
Saul's  life  in  the  cave,  and  when  he  composed  the  hundred  and 
fifty  Psalms  to  the  Praise  of  God. 

Another  paragraph  attributes  the  absence  of  serpents  from 
the  land  of  the  Gael  not  to  St.  Patrick,  but  to  even  a  greater 
man — Moses:  In  tan  tancadar  mic  Isrl  tar  muir  r.  togsad 
longport  ac  Parteroth.  Is  ann  dohi  Nel  mac  Feniusa  Farsaid  is 
in  ferand  sin,  7  dorad  Jin  7  aran  doib  7  dorigne  cendsa  mar 
riiL.  Is  and  sin  doben  'peist  nemhnech  re  Gaeidhel  glas  mac 
Niuil  on  ainmighter  Gaedhil  7  do  sadh  um  a  cois  gur  ha  has 
do  ac{ht)  heacan.  Rug  Nel  iarum  in  macaem  cum  Maisi  7  gu 
h-Aron  dia  slanugad  7  slanaidter  iar  sin  an  mac.  As  ced 
liumsa  ar  Maisi  na  rah  nathair  tria  hithu  sir  is  in  ferand 
an  aiftreaband  in  mac  so  7  a  sil,  etc.:  'When  the  children 
of  Israel  crossed  the  Red  Sea  they  encamped  at  Parteroth 
(Pihahiroth).  Neil,  the  son  of  Fenius  Farsaidh,  dwelt  in  that 
land  at  the  time,  and  he  gave  them  wine  and  bread,  and  showed 
o-reat  kindness  to  them.  A  venomous  beast  attacked  Gael  the 
grey,  son  of  Neil,  after  whom  the  Gael  are  named,  and  pierced 
his  foot  so  that  he  was  all  but  dead.  Neil  brought  the  boy  to 
Moses  and  Aaron  to  be  cured,  and  he  was  cured  thereupon.  It 
is  my  will,  said  Moses,  that,  through  all  time,  there  shall  be  no 
serpent  in  the  land  which  this  boy  and  his  race  inhabit.'  This 
incident  is  recorded  in  greater  detail  in  L.  Br.  p.  119a.  In  that 
account  Parteroth  appears  as  ca^nicirot,  and  Gaedel  is  said  to 
have  received  the  epithet  glas  '  grey,'  o  na  tithih  glassa  do-s-gni 
in  nathair  neim  in  a  thimchell,  '  from  the  grey  lines  which  the 
venomous  serpent  made  round  about  him.' 

Other  paragraphs — one  on  wicked  priests  and  deacons ;  one 


MS.  V]  RELIGIOUS  AND  ECCLESIASTICAL  79 

on  the  pict}^  and  devotion  of  JJaitin  '  Baithene,'  Coluniba's 
relative  and  successor;  one  on  the  personal  appearance  of 
Christ  and  the  Apostles ;  and  one  on  Anna,  her  three  husbands, 
her  children  and  descendants,  showing  the  relationship  of  some 
of  his  Apostles  and  Disciples  to  the  Lord,  follow.  Cf.  L.Br, 
pp.  180-1;  Y.B.L.  p.  324b. 

Pp.  IG-IS  give  the  adventures  of  the  holy  Abbot  Paphnutius 
in  the  desert  country  of  Egypt  and  surrounding  country.  The 
title  and  first  lines  of  the  text  are  indistinct.  The  last  para- 
graph of  our  text  is  printed  by  Atk.  (p.  55). 


MS.  V — KiLBKiDE  Collection,  No.  1 

The  MS.  consists  of  eleven  leaves  of  parchment,  quarto 
(lOi  in.  by  (S).  the  first  and  the  last  couple  of  leaves  somewhat 
shorter.  It  is  one  of  the  oldest  in  the  collection,  probably  of 
the  foTU-teenth  century.  The  skin  is  broken,  especially  at  the 
foot  of  the  page,  and  some  lines  of  text  are  lost,  many  others 
hardly  legible.  Rents  are  here  and  there  stitched  with  silk  or 
course  lint  thread. 

Fols.  la,  4b,  and  lib  (with  the  exception  of  seven  lines)  are 
not  written  upon,  but  here,  and  occasionally  elsewhere,  several 
memoranda,  in  various  hands  and  of  later  date,  appear.  Thus 
on  fol.  la,  Eoin  MaighJiethd,  1701,  san  1  don  Maglt,  'John 
MacBeath,  1701,  in  the  first  of  May.'  15  Historical.  No.  1. 
H.  Kerr.  This  last,  which  appears  frequently  on  the  Kilbride 
MSS.,  is  the  signature  of  the  gentleman  who  deposited  these 
MSS.  (v-xxxi)  in  the  Library. 

On  fol.  4b  among  several  jottings  are  the  following : — Aniii  an 
died  aoine  roimh  Chaingis  do  sguir  treahhadh  a  Cill  Patraic, 
agus  CO  tiic  Dia  hull  onaitJi  fair,  'This  da}',  Wednesday  before 
Pentecost,  ploughing  ceased  in  Kilpatrick,  and  niay  God  bring  it 
to  a  good  issue.'  On  Id  do  chuadhais  uaind  soir  a  ruigedk 
caomh  concuhair  do  h'imdha  der  ar  gruaidh,  'From  the  day 
you  left  us  for  the  east,  for  the  kindly  land  of  Connor,  tears  on 
cheeks  were  many.' 

The  contents  of  the  MS.  are  varied,  but  the  following  sections 
belong  to  this  chapter  : — 


80  CATALOGUE  OF  OAELTC  MANUSCRIPTS     |MS.  V 

Fols.  5a-Ga2,  1.  18. —  Dini\lli)('ch/  (Ir'n/oli'  aii/u.  so.  Dlnnihiii 
Grviolv  Roimi  oc  imU'chi  feriiind  na  Poi'thti  f<'(((-lit  (tii'^i  rahilc 
don  CO  aro'de  loch.  and.  Ha  sdldhhir  dan  o  (jrcli  earnnd  else  an 
locJi  sin.  Ro  saidhhrighcd  o  indiiius  iindha  a  tifjerna  tria  reic 
a  else.  Dorala  in  tan  sin  in  loch  i  cuingill  etir  da  brathuir  j 
hatar  ic  lincosnain  mor  uime,  air  hni  an  f-sainrtt  oc  a  forail 
form,  etc.,  '  Of  the  travels  of  Gregory  here.  When  Gregor}^  of 
Rome  was  upon  a  thiae  traveUing  in  the  land  of  Pontus  (Asia 
Minor)  he  came  to  a  certain  lake.  That  lake  teemed  with  all 
kinds  of  fish.  Its  lord,  by  selling  the  fish,  was  enriched  from  its 
many  treasures.  It  happened  at  the  time  that  two  brothers  dis- 
puted about  the  possession  of  the  loch,  and  they  contended 
fiercely  regarding  it,  for  greed  was  urging  them  thereto.'  The 
text  goes  on  to  relate  how  Gregory  settled  this  dispute,  with 
many  other  illustrations  of  his  greatness  and  goodness.  Cf. 
Y.  B.  L.  pp.  164-6  where  other  anecdotes  are  told  of  the  Saint. 

Fol.  6)31,  1.  23-b2, 1.  41. — Here  a  shorter  account  is  given  of 
the  beheading  of  John  the  Baptist  {v.  supra,  p.  76).  In  this 
version  the  opening  paragraphs  are  omitted  altogether.  The 
text  states  briefly  that  John  was  imprisoned  by  Herod  because 
he  reproved  him  on  account  of  Herodias,  and  goes  on  to  narrate, 
in  substance,  the  incidents  of  the  feast,  the  decapitation  of  John, 
and  the  miraculous  powers  attending  the  possession  of  his  head. 

Fols.  6b2,  1.  42-7al,  1.  34  give  an  incident  connected  with 
the  decapitation  of  St.  Paul.  The  opening  lines  are  illegible; 
but  the  text  goes  on  to  say  that  the  Saint  asked  a  woman 
who  was  present  to  put  the  linen  cloth  which  was  around 
her  head  upon  his  head,  so  that  he  might  not  see  the  exe- 
cutioner (bdsaire)  strike  him,  promising  that  she  would  have 
the  cloth  restored  to  her.  The  Saint  was  brought  to  the 
marofin  of  a  lake,  and  when  he  was  beheaded  the  head  rolled 
into  the  lake.  The  cloth  was  miraculously  restored  to  the 
woman.  For  two  hundred  and  forty  years  the  head  of  the 
Saint  was  in  the  lake,  preserved  from  corruption.  Meanwhile 
a  descendant  of  the  woman  who  had  given  the  linen  cloth  to 
the  Apostle  went  to  the  lake  to  wash  clothes.  She  saw  flaming 
candles  over  the  spot  where  the  head  was,  and  all  around  the 
lake.  She  told  her  story.  The  people  gathered,  found  the 
head,  and  brought  it  to  the  place  where  the  body  was  buried. 


MS.  V]  RELIGIOUS  AND  ECCLESIASTICAL  81 

Head  and  body  were  fresh  and  bleeding  as  on  the  day  of  the 
decapitation.  [Cf.  Atk.  p.  93,  IL  18G9-1884,  where  the  incident 
is  related,  in  substantially  the  same  language,  in  the  Passion  of 
Peter  and  Paul.  Atk.  has  '  forty '  years  for  our  '  two  hundred 
and  forty,'  and  '  a  daughter '  of  the  woman  for  our  '  descen- 
dant.'] 

On  fol.  lOal,  11.  8-29  are  found  the  following  twelve  quatrains, 
here  anonymous,  but  attributed  to  St.  Columba  in  a  copy  found 
in  Brussels  [Burg.  MS.  5100].  The  Brussels  copy  was  tran- 
scribed and  translated  by  the  late  Eugene  O'Curry :  this  trans- 
lation is  given  in  Celtic  Scotland,  ii.  91.  The  late  Sheriff 
Nicolson  sent  a  copy  of  the  original,  with  a  rhymed  translation 
to  Macmillan's  Magazine  (vol.  xxxix.  p.  78),  which  translation 
appears  also  in  '  Verses  by  A[lexander]  N[icolson],'  Edin.  1893, 
pp.  85-9.  The  Brussels  copy  has  recently  been  printed  in 
Zeitschrift  fur  Celtisch.e  Philologie,  vol.  v.  p.  496.  The  Edin- 
burgh   version    gives    a    few    variant   readings    which    are   of 

value : 

MealLtch  leui  Ijith  an  ucht  ailoin 

For  beind  chaireci, 
Conaicind  (and)  ar  a  uiince 
Fetli  na  fairrce. 

Conaicind  a  tonna  tronia 

Uas  lir  lucliair,' 
Aniail  eanaitt  ceol  dia  n-athair 

For  seol  snthain.- 

Conaicind  i  traclit  reigli  rindghlan 

Ni  dal  dnbaigh, 
Co  cloisind  guth  na  n-en  n-ingnadh 

Seol  CO  subai. 

Co  cloisind  torni  na  toon  tana 

Ris'  na  cairrce, 
Co  cloisinn  nuall  ra  taeb  reilci 

Fuaini  na  fairrce. 

Conaicind  a  li-elta  ana 

(Mjos  lir  lind  nmir,* 
Conaicind  a  "  mila  mara 

Mo  gech  n-ingnad. 

1  Brussels :  lethan.  °  B.  bethad.  ^  B.  fors. 

■*  B.  lindmar.  ''  B.  na. 

F 


82  CATALOG  UK  OF  (lAKLKJ  MANUSCRIPTS       [MS.  V 

Conaicind  a  trai.uii  sa  tuilc 

Ilia  reiiniin, 
Comad  h-e  in'ainm  run  uo-t-raitiim 

Cul  re  h-Eirinn. 

Conaiu  tisadh  congain  cride 

Occa  fegliadli, 
Co  ro  caininn  m'  ulcii  iiile 

Ansa  (r)ethladh. 

Co  ro  bendachaiiid  in  roimdlu' 

Conic  uile, 
Nem  CO  n-iniat  n-graidli  gun  gloine 

Tir,  traigh,  tuile. 

Co  ro  sgrutaind  aen  na  loaliur 

Bud  maith  da  ni'aniniiin  ; 
Seal  for  slechtain  for  nem  n-inniain, 

Sel  for  salniaib. 

Sel  ac  buain  duilisc  do  cairrcil), 

Sel  for  achlaigh  ; 
Sel  ic  tabairt  bid  do  bochtaib, 

Sel  i  carcair. 

Sel  for  sgrutan  Hatha  ninii, 

Neamdha^  an  cendach, 
Sel  for  saethar  na  l)a  forrach 

Ko  bo  nieallach.  Mellach. 

In  comairle  is  ferr  fia  Dia 

Dam  ro-s-tenna,^ 
Nir  leice  ^  an  ri  dia  n-am  gilla 

Ni  nom  mealla.  Meallach. 

It  may  be  observed,  in  support  of  the  idea  that  these  verses, 
which  describe  so  happily  the  view  which  presented  itself  to  the 
eye  of  the  Saint  as  he  looked  from  ucld  alainii  '  lovel}^  upland ' 
towards  that  Ireland  which  he  could  not  see,  and  the  details  of 
his  daily  life  in  lona,  are  a  genuine  composition  of  St.  Columba, 
that  the  criticism  which  Pope  Gregory  is  said  to  have  passed  on 
the  AUns  when  he  first  heard  it  recited,  is  applicable  to  this 
poem,  viz.,  that  the  Deity  is  praised,  but  in  his  works  rather 
than  in  his  Being. 

Immediately  following  the  above  verses  are  other  quatrains 
of  great  beauty.     Unfortunately  only  two  or  three  of  them  are 

^  B.  naemda.  *  B.  nostendai.  •*  B.  Ni  reilge. 


MS.  V]  RELIGIOUS  AND  ECCLESIASTICAL  83 

entire  here,  the  MS.  being  eaten  into,  but  the  late  I'rofessor 
O'Growney  recovered  them  in  a  modern  MS.  in  Dublin,  and 
they  are  printed,  with  a  translation  by  Dr.  Kuno  Meyer,  in  the 
Gaelic  Journal  (Dublin),  vol.  v.  pp.  04-5.  Here  are  the  first 
two  quatrains : — 

Ro  bad  iiiian  do  lu'aniuain-si 

Dcicsin  jfnuisi  De  ; 
Ro  bad  mian  do  ni'aninain-si 
Bitli  bctha  iniule. 

Ro  bad  mian  do  m'anmain-si 

Leigend  leabran  lear  ; 
Ro  bad  mian  do  m'anmain-si 

Bith  fo  riagail  rel. 

It  were  the  desire  of  my  soul, 
To  behold  the  face  of  God  ; 
It  were  the  desire  of  my  soul, 
Eternal  life  with  Him. 

It  were  the  desire  of  my  soul, 
To  read  closely  little  books  ; 
It  were  the  desire  of  my  soul, 
To  live  under  a  clear  rule. 

Fol.  10a2,  1.  36-lObl,  1.  3.  Another  version  of  the  bit  of  lore 
given  in  MS.  I,  p.  15  (v.  supra,  p.  78). — Ceitri  inuda  na  fit 
aittreb  naAhraxh  is  in  daman  .  \ .  Erin  7  arii  7  manund  7  ni  fuil 
i  cind  sleibe  ripin  tuaig-  i  tuaisgirt  in  heaiJia,  etc.,  '  There 
are  four  places  in  the  Avorld  where  no  serpent  is  found,  to  Avit, 
Ireland  and  Aran  and  Man.  There  are  none  (also)  at  the  head 
(or  end  ?)  of  Mount  Riphe,^  in  the  northern  part  of  the  world.' 
The  paragraph  goes  on  to  say  that  these  places  owe  their 
immunity  to  the  wish  expressed  by  Moses  when  he  cured  the 
grey  Gael  from  the  bite  of  the  poisonous  serpent. 

On  fol.  llal-bl,l.  7,  is  a  legend  of  St.  Moling,  not  very  legible, 
but  corresponding  to  the  text  of  Birtlt  and  Life  of  St.  Moling, 
by  Stokes,  London,  1907,  pp.  34, 1.  6-42,  1.  6. 

^  Of.  Torjail  Troi  (Calcutta  1882),  p.  13,  '  6  thir  na  n-Eremhecda  aness  co  slebt 
Rife  fothuaid,  '  from  the  land  of  the  E.  in  the  south  to  the  mountaine  of  R.  in  the 
north.' 


84  CATALOGUE  OF  (lAELlC  MANTTSCR1PT8       IMS.  VI 


MS.  VI — KiMJKiDE  Collection,  No.  2 

MS.  VI  (of  which  afterwards)  is  mainly  genealogical.  On  the 
last  leaf,  which  forms  a  cover  for  tlie  MS.  proper,  are  some 
jottings,  not  very  legible,  regarding  Mochae  (as  here  written)  of 
Noendruim,  as  to  whom  cf.  Calendar  of  Oengu.s,  pp.  xcv,  cvii. 


MS.  VII— KiLi5iii])E  Collection,  No.  8 

MS.  VII  consists  of  eleven  leaves  of  parchment,  small  folio. 
It  dates  back  to  the  early  fifteenth,  if  not  to  the  late  foiu'teenth 
century.  There  are  several  hands,  all  good.  The  MS.  is  written 
in  two  columns,  except  fol.  5,  which  is  much  narrower  than  the 
others.  Capitals  in  many  cases  are  well  done,  and  frequently 
coloured.     Fol.  7b  is  not  written  upon. 

The  contents  are  various.  The  only  religious  part  is  on  fols. 
lObl,  1.  13-llbl,  1.  12,  a  copy  of  the  Sermo  ad  lieges,  with  the 
heading  Teamisc  rigda  Solam  onic  Daiiith,  amn  so,  '  The  teach- 
ing of  Solomon  the  son  of  David  regarding  Kings  here.'  This 
version  agrees  closely  with  that  of  MS,  I,  pp.  3-4  (v.  supra, 
p.  73),  except  that  this  copy  gives  at  the  end  two  or  three  addi- 
tional paragraphs  of  text.     Cf.  also  Y.B.L.,  p.  166b,  1.  38,  ei  seq. 


MS.  XXIV— Kilbride  Collection,  No.  20 

The  MS.  consists  of  eight  leaves  of  parchment,  small  folio 
(9.1  in.  by  ()h).  The  first  page  is  largely  illegible,  and  the  hist 
entirely  so.  It  is  written  in  one  column,  in  a  plain  but  clear 
hand.  The  initial  letter  on  page  1  is  large  and  well  executed ; 
otherwise  capital  letters  are  small  and  plain. 

The  contents  up  to  the  end  of  fol.  Sa  are  a  copy  of  the  life  of 
Findchua  of  Bri  Gobann  (Smiths'  Hill).  This  copy  agrees  closely 
with  that  printed  by  Dr.  Whitley  Stokes  (Lives  of  Saints  from 
the  Book  of  Lismore,  Oxford  1890,  pp.  84-98),  except  that  our 
copy  omits  sentences  in  B.L.  following  the  verses  at  the  end. 
Instead  of  which  our  MS.  has  the  following  colophon : — Misi 
Concvhar  7  hetha  "j  slainti  uaim  do  hicairi  J  do  peasain  Bri 
Gohann  7  do  mac  mic  Roiheart  contan  7  ceannchaidh  amail  ro 


MS.  XXVJ       KELIOIOUS  AND  ECCLESIASTICAL  85 

rjeallddar  in  inhetha'uhi  Fhindcaid  j  aitlniid  coruh  tairrne 
dilis  daTnsa  denis  o  Duindin  7  dorindisa  amail  rogeallus  j 
fuilngid  'p(i{th  ^.)hi  wt  dalaithi  j  na  ci{ll)i  an  dujhail  risin 
leabar  so  7  na  so  Hid  'iia  clerlrj  a  flaajhaU  av  deirc  na  ur  fjuidi 
ach  cuirld  flciacha  chugamsa  7  rjuidid  ctr  anviannaib  i  carat 
fein  7  7ia  denad  in  lebar  so  dfliillid  amail  do  niat  clerig  7  leaga 
do  bunad  7  na  tabrad  ar  iasocht  e  7  na  tabrad  re  scribad  7  leas- 

aigit  fa  glas  co  h-onoracJt 'I  am  Connor:    and   health 

and  greeting  from  me  to  the  vicar  and  the  churl  (acolyte  ?)  of 
Bri  Gobann,  and  to  the  son  of  the  son  of  Robert  ....  and  let 
them  buy  as  they  promised  to  do  this  Life  of  Findchua ;  and  be 
it  known  to  them  that  Denis  O'Dineen  is  a  devoted  friend  of 
mine.     I  have  done  what  I  have  promised,  and  let  the  p.  .  .  .  of 

d and  of  the  church  bear  the  cost  of  this  book.     And 

let  not  the  clerics  imagine  that  they  can  have  it  in  charity  or 
by  prayer.  But  let  them  send  its  price  to  me,  and  let  them  pray 
for  the  souls  of  their  own  friends.  And  they  are  not  to  roll  up 
this  volume,  as  is  the  constant  habit  of  clerics  and  physicians, 
nor  to  give  it  in  loan,  nor  allow  a  copy  to  be  made  from  it, 
but  to  carefully  preserve  it  under  lock  (and  key).' 

Fol.  8b  is  written  upon  but,  except  for  a  stray  word  here  and 
there,  it  is  now  illegible. 


MS.  XXV— Kilbride  Collection,  No.  21 

As  already  mentioned  the  contents  of  MS.  XXV  are  mainly 
Religious  (v.  p.  55).  The  MS.  proper  consists  of  twenty 
leaves  of  parchment,  small  quarto  (7|  in.  by  5|).  Several  of  the 
leaves  are  of  only  half  size  or  less.  Rents  are  repaired  in  red 
silk  thread.  The  text  is  written  across  the  page  in  one  column. 
The  hand  is  plain,  of  the  sixteenth  century  probably.  Capitals 
are  small,  plain,  and  uncoloured. 

The  first  section  of  the  contents  is  the  latter  part  of  the 
Passion  of  Christ,  as  revealed  by  the  Virgin  Mary  to  St.  Anselm 
(written  in  this  extract  San.  S.,  '  St.  S.').  The  text  here  begins 
abruptly  where  Pilate  asked  the  Jews  what  they  wished  him 
to  do  to  Jesus.  Thereafter  it  continues,  as  in  MS.  I  (cf.  supra 
p.  75),  with  slight  variations,  to  the  end,  when  comes  the  sub- 


86  CATALOGUP:  of  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS      [MS.  XXV 

scription  on  fol.  6b,  1.  2  (counting  broken  leaves):  ciirab  l  sin 
sdair  Jiarfaid  San.  S.  do  Muire  ar  an  pais  osanTO.  'co  n-uigi 
sin.  Finit.  amen.  Seaan  0  concuhair  do  cuir  an  GaedldUj  hi  7 
t{abrad)  gacli  aen  l{cgfas)  ^{ennacht),  '  Thus  far  the  narration 
which  St.  (?)  S.  asked  from  Mary  of  the  Passion  of  Ansehn. 
It  ends.  Amen.  John  O'Connor  turned  it  into  Gaelic,  and  let 
every  one  who  reads  it  bestow  a  blessing.' 

The  next  section,  which  takes  up  fol.  6b,  1.  4,  to  fol.  15b,  is  a 
copy  of  a  Treatise  on  the  Commandments,  found  also  in  L.  Br. 
(243a-246b),  and  printed  by  Atk.  pp.  245-259.  The  two  copies 
agree  very  closely.  But  the  occasional  differences  in  diction 
and  the  omission  or  addition  of  clauses,  would  suggest  that  both 
are  an  attempt  to  render  accurately  a  common  Latin  text,  rather 
than  transcripts  of  the  same  Gaelic  version.  The  first  sentence 
in  both  copies  runs  thus  : — MS.  XXV  :  Legldliar  and  sa  nacvi- 
adh  caibidil  .xx.  do  leahhar  Matha  co  tainig  duine  og  d'inn- 
saighi  an  tigerna  neamda  da  fiarf algid  de  cinnus  do  gehadli. 
se  an  flaitlieinlinas  nenndlia,  '  We  read  in  the  twenty-ninth  chap- 
ter of  the  book  of  Matthew,  that  a  young  man  came  to  the  Lord 
of  heaven,  to  ask  of  him  how  he  might  attain  to  the  heavenly 
dominion.'  Atk.  p.  245  :  Atberair  is  in  naeinad  eaihdel  jicltet  do 
lebar  Matha  co  tanic  araile  fer  dochuinm  in  athar  nemdai  dia 
fiarfaide  de  cindas  dogdhad-se  a  cliuit  don  fiaitli  nemdai,  'It 
is  said  in  the  twenty-ninth  chapter  of  the  book  of  Matthew 
that  a  certain  man  came  to  the  heavenly  Father,  to  ask  of  him 
how  he  should  get  his  portion  of  the  heavenly  kingdom.'  Again, 
the  last  clause  of  the  exposition  of  the  Fifth  Commandment 
given  in  L.Br,  is  omitted  in  MS.  XXV,  while  on  the  other 
hand  to  the  Latin  quotation  from  Ezekiel  which  concludes  the 
Treatise  in  L.Br,  a  Gaelic  translation  is  added  in  MS.  XXV. 
Finit.  Amen  is  appended  to  both  copies. 

Fols.  16  and  I7a  contain  a  poem  by  Gillabridi  mac  Conmidhi, 
beginning — 

Deascjaidh  (jacli  uilc  in  t-uabar 
Trit  talnic  in  ced  slduaxjhadh, 

'  The  dregs  of  every  evil  Pride 
Through  which  came  the  first  hosting,' 

by  which  is  meant  the  expulsion  of  the  fallen  Angels  from 
heaven.     Thereafter  comes  the  creation  of  Man,  the  Fall,  etc. 


MS.  XXVI]      RELIGIOUS  AND  ECCLESIASTICAL  87 

This  Gilbert  MacNamee,  as  the  iiaiiio  is  usually  rendered  into 
English,  must  have  been  born,  says  O'Curry  {Mann,  and  Gust., 
iii.  270),  about  the  year  1180.  Another  poem  by  the  same 
author,  commencing — 

Ln  Jivnitli  ill  coiindi  in  anhiin, 
'  The  betrayal  of  the  Lord  was  on  Wednesday,' 

takes  up  fols  17b  and  18.     Fols.  19  and  20  contain  a  third  poem 
anonymous,  not  always  legible,  but  mainly  a  laudatory  descrip- 
tion of  the  achievements  of  Magnus  O'Connor. 


MS.  XXVI— Kilbride  Collection,  No.  22 

MS.  XXVI  consists  of  six  leaves  of  parchment.  The  con- 
tents are  Medical  (v.  supra,  p.  56).  These  leaves  are  enclosed 
in  another  fragmentary  MS.  of  three  leaves,  and  of  somcAvhat 
larger  size  (9|  in.  by  7).  Two  of  the  leaves  are  at  the  front  of 
the  medical  section  and  one  at  the  end.  The  first  and  last 
pages  are  wholly  illegible. 

Fol.  Ibl  concludes  an  anecdote,  after  which  comes  the  legend 
of  Moling  and  the  leper,  as  in  Stokes's  Birth  and  Life  of  St. 
Moling,  §§  38  and  39.  Then  follows  on  fol.  lb  an  encounter 
of  Mochuda  with  the  devil,  the  latter  in  the  guise  of  a  cleric. 
Thereafter  comes  an  anecdote  of  two  boys  in  the  land  of  the 
Franks  {a  Frangaihh),  a  Christian  and  a  Jew,  who  go  into  '  the 
temple,'  when  the  former  tells  the  latter  about  Jesus  and  Mary. 
They  partake  of  consecrated  bread.  When  the  parents  of  the 
Jewish  boy  heard  the  story  they  put  their  son  in  a  heated 
furnace.  But  he  was  miraculously  preserved  b}-  the  Virgin,  and 
the  parents  became  Christians.  On  fol.  2al-2  is  a  story  of 
St.  Patrick  and  his  conflict  with  Lacgaire  mac  Neill.  Laegaire's 
wife  sided  with  Patrick,  and  when  the  saint  fasted  against  the 
king  the  queen  also  fasted.  The  legend  is  printed  by  Stokes 
from  Rawlinson  (Bodleian  Library),  fol.  108a2,  in  the  Tripartite 
Life  of  St.  Patrick  (London  1887),  vol.  ii.  pp.  556-8.  The  next 
anecdote  (fol.  2a2-bl)  is  in  illustration  of  the  power  of  Ciaran. 
A  man  swore  falsely  with  the  saint's  hand  upon  his  neck.  Im- 
mediately a  cancerous  tumour  appeared  on  his  neck,  his  head 


88         CATALOG  IK  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS     [MS.  XXVI 

fell  off  his  body,  and  he  lived  in  that  condition  for  four  years. 
Thereafter  conies  an  account  of  a  ship  seen  in  the  'air  by  the 
monks  of  Clon(macnois).  The  ship  cast  anchor  which  took 
hold  in  the  floor  of  the  church.  One  of  the  crew  '  swam  '  down 
from  the  ship,  seized  the  anchor,  and  'swam'  back  again, 
carrying"  the  anchor  with  hiin.  On  fol.  2b2  come  paragraphs 
on  the  burial  of  a  priest's  wife,  and  on  a  place  in  the  Eastern 
world  called  Maissio  where  white  luin  'blackbirds'  abound, 
and  worship  according  to  the  rules  of  the  church  after  the 
manner  of  men.  It  is  explained  that  the  birds  arc  the  pure 
bodies  of  the  chaste  and  righteous.  The  last  paragraph  tells 
of  a  leper  who  came  to  Brigid  demanding  the  best  cow  and  the 
best  calf  in  her  herd.  He  gets  his  demand,  and  the  Saint  causes 
the  best  cow  to  '  love '  the  best  calf  as  much  as  if  it  were  her 
own. 

Fol.  9a  is  written  in  single  column.  The  text  is  legible  only 
in  part,  and  is  a  description  of  the  hero  Gorhli  m((c  Sfalrn 
appearing  at  Tara,  claiming  the  sovereignty  of  Ireland,  and 
challenging  the  champions  of  all  Ireland  to  combat.  The  period 
is  that  of  Guchulainn  and  the  heroes  of  his  day. 


MS.  XXIX — Kilbride  Collection,  No.  25 

The  MS.  consists  of  ten  leaves  of  parchment,  of  an  average 
height  of  six  inches,  and  breadth  ten  inches.  The  cover  formed 
at  one  time  part  of  a  fine  Latin  Hymnary,  with  music.  Capitals 
are  elaborately  done ;  the  text  is  written  in  a  clear,  firm,  large 
hand,  while  the  musical  scale  is  well  and  regularly  written.  On 
the  cover,  in  deep  black  script  is  '17,'  evidently  an  old  catalogue 
nuTuber.  Bound  in  with  the  cover  are  one  or  two  scraps  of 
paper  upon  which  occasional  jottings  are  written.  The  volume 
was  at  one  time  the  property  of  the  MacBeaths.  The  names  of 
James  Beaton  and  John  Morrisone  appear  on  the  paper  scraps, 
and  on  the  last  page  of  the  MS.  are  (in  Latin)  '  James  Beaton 
is  the  owner  of  this  book,'  and  (in  Gaelic)  '  I  am  Malcolm 
MacBeath.' 

The  outer  edge  of  the  top  margin  is  worm-eaten,  and  some 
words  are  lost;  otherwise  the  MS.  is  in  fairly  good  preservation. 


MS.  XXIX]      RELIGIOUS  AND  ECCLESIASTICAL  89 

It  is  written  in  single  column,  in  a  good  clear  hand.  On  fols. 
9b  and  10a  the  hand  is  inferior.  Fol.  10b  has,  apart  from 
jottings,  only  two  lines  of  script.  The  MS.  dates  probably  to 
the  early  seventeenth  or  late  sixteenth  century. 

The  contents  arc  all  in  verse,  and  all  religious,  'lliere  are 
ten  poems,  four  (Nos.  1,  2,  5,  10)  of  which  are  anonymous. 
The  other  six  are  attributed  to  Tadh;/  o;/,  '  Tcigiie  junior,' 
m  Tadhg  cetna,  '  the  same  Teigue.'  This  is  evidently  Teigue 
bg  O'Higgin  who  died  in  1448.  O'Reilly  mentions  a  Teigue 
ug  O'Daly  who  flourished  about  1520.  Both  wrote  religious 
poems.  (Of.  O'Reilly's  Descriptive  Caf(dogue  of  IrlsJi.  Wrdcrs, 
Dublin  1820,  quoted  O'R.).  Here  are  the  first  lines  of  these 
ten  jioems :  ^ 

1.     pp.  1-2.         Gahli  iiilHi(fhvcach,  a  Eohi  BaiinJi,     28  quatrains  on 

John  the  Baptist. 
Ferg  an  ChohmJhi  re,  cJoinn  Adliniiii,  29  (juatniins. 
A'ig  .s'o  hrarjha  dJicif,  a  DJic,  34         „ 

Taguir  re  d'  m{h)ac,  a  MJiuire,  36         „ 

Aig  .  .  .  mhsi  ac  matliair  DJie,  30         „ 

TniagJi  mo  mhunadJi,  a  Mliuirc,  38         „ 

Tene  ar  7ia  fadadh  ferg  Dc,  39         ,, 

Imdha  rod  direch  go  Dia,  42         „ 

Beag  nach  tainic  mo  terma,  'i5(?)     „ 

D{ena  dam)comarJe,  a  mafhair  mor,    27(?)     „ 

Pages  18  and  19  are  legible  only  in  part,  so  that  the  number 
of  quatrains  in  the  last  two  pieces,  and  the  opening  hue  of  the 
last  poem,  are  somewhat  uncertain. 

One  or  two  notes  are  given  on  the  margin.  Thus  at  the 
foot  of  page  5  comes — 

Nana  cerd  maua  cleehfar,  xenfoeal  da,  iiir-lea,v.far ; 
An  cerd  decldar  is  i  is  f err,  da  Jentar  hi  cin  ditJielteall. 

Misi  Eogan  Carrach  O  Siagail  do  graibh  sin. 

'  Trade  not  practised  is  not  trade,  the  saying  is  ever  accepted : 
The  trade  practised  is  the  best,  if  only  pursued  persistently. 

I,  Hugh  C.  O'Sheely  wrote  this.' 

Again,  on  the  inner  margin  of  page  6:  Go  culre  Dia  slan 
fear  an  leabhair  so  chuigium  don  Horse  amen  Semus  Beattene 
meise  Ednard  Fleming,  '  May  God  send  to  me,  Edward  Fleming, 

1  Cf.  Y.B.L.,  p.  20  b. 


2. 

„    2-3. 

3. 

„    4-5. 

4. 

„    6-7. 

5. 

„    8-9. 

6. 

„    9-11. 

7. 

„  11-13. 

8. 

„  14-16. 

9. 

„  16-18. 

.0. 

„  18-19. 

90         CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS     |MS.  XXIX 

the  owner  of  this  Ijook,  Janies  Beaton,  safe  to  this  country. 
Amen.' 

At  the  foot  of  page  18,  following  an  illegible  note,  comes  this 

quatrain — 

Leaba  cumhand  is  hi  caol, 
Uch!  as  i  an  comarsan  criuvidh; 
Mairg  ata  na  fiinr  san  uii; 
Sa  shuil  re  daeradh  (huan). 

'  A  narrow  confined  bed 
Is  alas  !  an  unfeeling  neighbour, 
Woe  to  him  within  its  wall  in  the  mould, 
Looking  forward  to  everlasting  punishment.' 


MS.  XXXI — Kilbride  Collection.     Fragments  27,  28, 

29,  30,  31 

Such  is  the  description  on  the  cover  of  this  MS.     Several  of 
the  fragments  here  mentioned  have  recently  been  transferred 
to  other  MSS.,  e.g.  one  leaf  to  MS.  VIII,  and  two  to  MS.  XXIII 
to  which  they  belonged. 

The  fragments  that  remain  are,  so  far  as  legible,  with  one 
exception,  ecclesiastical. 

(1.)  There  are  two  leaves  of  parchment,  quarto,  containing  a 
portion  of  Gaithreiin  Conghail  CldiringnigJi,  '  The  martial 
career  of  Congal  C,  which  corresponds  to  that  printed  in 
vol.  V.  of  the  publications  of  The  Irish  Text  Society,  from  p.  144, 
L  22,  Is  maifJi  linne,  etc.,  to  the  foot  of  p.  168.  The  two  texts, 
in  so  far  as  this  fragment  is  legible,  agree  pretty  closely. 

(2.)  Three  leaves  of  parchment,  short  and  broad,  with  the 
outer  portion  torn  away.  The  contents  appear  to  be  :  {a)  Seven 
psalms,  directed  against  particular  vices,  e.g.  diinas  '  pride,'  craes 
'  gluttony,'  ferg  '  wrath  ' ;  (/>)  Columba's  directions  to  Baethin, 
his  successor  in  lona,  regarding  the  apportionment  of  his  dues 
among  his  churches  in  Scotland  and  Ireland  ;  and  (c),  the  rights 
and  privileges  conferred  by  the  Saint  on  the  churches  founded 
by  him. 

(3.)  There  is  a  detached  leaf  of  parchment,  live  inches  by 
eleven,  which  probably  formed  part  of  fragment  (2).  The  writing 
on  this  leaf  is  illegible,  save  only  cot  cc  '  Columba  cecinit '  on 
the  second  page.     It  is  marked  '  H.  Kerr  28.' 


MS.  XL]  RELKJIOUS  AND   ECCLESIASTICAL  91 

(4.)  A  torn  scrap  of  paper,  with  writing,  marked  H.  Kerr, 
xxxi. 

MS.  XXXVI— Highland  Society,  Kilbride,  No.  5 

In  MS.  XXXVI,  of  which  later,  are  two  religious  pieces  in 
verse : 

(1)  On  fol.  85b  four  quatrains  beginning — 

Mairg  ni  vaill  rt.s-  nige. 
'  Woe  to  him  M'ho  makes  his  youth  his  pride.' 

The  verses,  extending  there  to  nine  quatrains,  are  in  MS. 
XLVIII  attributed  to  'Giolla  colluimM'Jllebhride  mlticpJirrsoin 
Chille  Chomain,'  Malcolm,  son  of  Gilbert,  son  of  the  parson  of 
Killchoman  '  (Islay  ?),  v.  Rd.  Celt,  i.  136. 

(2.)  On  fol.  94a,  nine  quatrains,  beginning — 

A  dhnine  cnimJniich  am  hd-f, 
Sa  dibail  ag  tcacht  gaclb  aon  Id. 

'  Remember  Death,  0  man, 
You  witness  liis  presence  daily.' 


MS.  XXXIX— Highland  Society,  J.  M'Kenzie,  No.  3 

MS.  XXXIX,  of  miscellaneous  contents,  contains  the  two 
following  religious  poems : 

(1.)  On  fols.  27a-28a,  twenty-three  quatrains  attributed  to 
Tad(j  og,  beginning — 

At  a  an  saoghal  ag  seirmoir 
Nifnil  anil  add  nuil  gloir. 

(2.)  On  fol.  30b,  ten  quatrains  of  the  poem  already  noticed 
{v.  supra,  p.  89),  commencing — 

lonulha  rod  direch  ag  Dia. 

MS.  XL— Highland  Society,  J.  M'Kenzie,  No.  4 

This  is  one  of  the  oldest  and  most  valuable  MSS.  in  the 
Collection.  There  are  five  separate  layers,  of  different  dates, 
written  in  different  hands,   all   vellum,  quarto,  and  consisting 


92  CATALOCIK  OF  (JAKIJC  .MAXISCKHTS      |MS.  XL 

in  cwnido  of  thirty- ei,t^ht  leaves.  They  arc  paged  consecutively 
1  to  76.  The  MS.  is  bound  up  in  a  tattered  leaf  of  parchment, 
upon  which  a  fragment  of  a  Latin  religious  treatise  is  written 
in  uncials  of  perhaps  the  twelfth  century.  This  is  again  en- 
closed in  a  strip  of  deer-skin. 

The  contents  of  the  MS.  are  varied,  the  following  being 
ecclesiastical : — 

1.  The  second  layer,  consisting  of  eight-  leaves,  written  in  a 
])lain  hand,  in  double  column,  is  taken  up  by  a  copy  of  the  Old 
(iaoHc  Jjife  of  St.  Coluniba.  Other  copies  known  are — one  in 
L.Br.,  pp.  29b-34a,  printed,  with  translation,  by  Dr.  Stokes 
(Calcutta  LS77) .  and  one  in  B.L.,  fols.  7bl-lla2,  also  printed, 
with  translation,  by  Dr.  Stokes  (Lives  of  Saioits  from  the  Book 
of  Llsmure,  Oxford  1890).  The  Life,  says  the  late  Dr.  Reeves 
(Vita  Smicti  ColiiinhcB,  Dublinii.  mdccclvii.  p.  xxxii),  'is  a 
composition  probably  as  old  as  the  tenth  century,  and  was 
originally  compiled,  to  be  read  as  a  discourse  on  St.  Columba's 
festival,  on  the  text  Exi  de  terra  tua  et  de  coyiiatioiie  tua,  et  de 
domo  'p(dri,s  tui,  et  vade  in  terrain  quam  tibi  monstravero.' 
When  Martin  made  his  tour  of  the  Hebrides  in  the  end  of  the 
seventeenth  century  there  were  two  copies  of  this  Life  in  the 
Outer  Isles.  Martin  writes  (Description  of  the  Western  Islands 
of  Scotland,  p.  264),  '  Tlie  Life  of  Goluinhus,  written  in  the  Irish 
character,  is  in  the  custody  of  John  MacNeal,  in  the  Isle  of 
Barry ;  another  copy  of  it  is  kept  by  Macdonald  of  Benbecula.' 
This  in  MS.  XL  may  well  be  one  or  other  of  these  copies. 

The  copy  here  is  of  later  date  than  that  of  L.Br.,  and  probably 
also  than  that  of  B.L.  One  would  be  inclined  to  place  it  in  the 
end  of  the  fifteenth  or  early  in  the  sixteenth  century.  The 
three  agree  pretty  closely  in  the  text  which  is  common  to  them 
all.  Our  version  and  B.L.  further  agree  in  discarding  a  con- 
siderable amount  of  the  Latin  text  which  appears  in  L.Br.  On 
the  other  hand,  in  one  or  two  cases  this  copy  joins  with  L.Br,  in 
giving  lines  of  verse  which  are  wanting  in  B.L.  But  MS.  XL 
differs  from  both  L.Br,  and  B.L.  in  giving  here  and  there  matter 
not  found  in  these  MSS.  The  late  Mr.  W.  M.  Hennessey  of 
Dublin  collated  the  three  versions,  and  made  a  translation,  with 
notes,  which  is  printed  in  Celtic  Scotland,  vol.  ii.  pp.  468-507, 
where  the  additional  text  of  MS.  XL  is  triven  within  brackets. 


MS.  XL]  RKLKilOrS  AXD   ECCLESIASTICAI.  93 

Apart  from  mero  words  and  phrases,  the  additional  matter  in 
our  version  is  found,  on  p.  18a,  1.  26  to  18b,  1.  4,  Loiscis  c.  c.  an 
baile  ....  is  ail  do  simid :  (King  Aed  gave  his  fort  in  Derry 
to  Cohimba  wlio  built  a  church  there,  and  afterwards)  set  fire  to 
the  place  which  spread  rapidly,  but  was  stayed  when  Columba 
made  the  imann  'hymn'  ar  anacal  an  doire  'to  protect  the 
wood'  .|.  i  noli  dant  in  duile  gciri^;  p.  20b,  11.  16-26,  when 
Columba  leaves  one  of  his  clerics  in  Derry,  and  visits  Drum- 
clifif;  p.  22b,  1.  26  to  p.  26a,  1.  15,  being  an  account  of  Coliunba's 
visit  to  Ireland  in  575,  when  he  attended  the  Convention  of 
Druimceatt,  together  with  the  various  public  questions  in  which 
he  took  a  prominent  part, — the  future  position  of  the  Bards, 
the  release  of  Scanlan,  son  of  the  King  of  Ossory,  and  the  future 
relation  of  the  Scottish  Dalriada  to  Ireland  ;  p.  26b,  11.  10-12, 
where  it  is  stated  that  Columba  '  used  to  go  to  Heaven  every 
Thursday  whilst  he  was  alive,  when  he  wished';  p.  26b,  11.  18-30, 
where  among  other  matters  we  are  told  that  Columba  left  Bishop 
(Aedan  ?)  and  Colman  of  Innis-bo-finne  (Bophin  Island,  ofi" 
the  coast  of  Mayo),  preaching  the  word  of  God  to  the  Saxons : 
visited  Brude,  son  of  Maelchu,  King  of  the  Picts, — the  open- 
ing of  the  locked  doors  of  Brude's  Castle,  and  the  death  of 
the  King's  son  and  that  of  his  druid ;  and  finally,  on  p.  27a, 
1.  24  to  p.  27b,  1.  23,  where  various  statements  are  made  re- 
garding the  Saint's  abstinence  and  devotion,  the  churches  which 
he  planted,  especially  those  of  lona,  Down,  and  Derry, — sup- 
ported by  quotations  from  the  poets,  among  whom  Dalian 
Forgaill  and  St.  Berchan  are  named. 

On  the  last  page  (28)  the  two  paragraphs  regarding  Derry 
and  Drumcliff  are  repeated  from  p.  20b,  and  on  the  second 
column  of  the  same  page  (28)  arc  seven  quatrains,  only  in  part 
legible.     One  runs — 

Eglus  fuar, 

7  cleirech  tana,  truagh  ; 
Sinaclit  for  coluinn,  sniglii  der  : 
Ag  rigli  nel  mor  a  luagh. 

'  A  cold  church, 
An  emaciated,  poor  cleric  ; 

'  The  line  is  obscure,  but  the  reference  must  be  to  the  Latin  H^'mn,  attri- 
buted to  the  Saint,  beginning.  Noli  pater  indulgere  tonitrxia  cum  fvhjore. 


94  CATALOLJUK  OK  CAKLK;  MAXnsCRirTS  IMS.  XL 

The  l)0(ly  in  subjection,  slieddinif  tears: 
Great  their  reward  in  tlie  (eyes  of  the)  Kinjj  of 
lieaven  (lit.  doiuls.)' 

2.  In  the  third  layer  of  the  MS.,  which  consists  of  ten  leaves 
of  thin  vellum,  written  in  a  very  good  hand,  with  highly 
illuminated  capitals,  is  a  version  of  Fennaid  Adaim,  'The 
Penance  of  Adam,' (pp.  45b-4Sb).  This  copy  has  been  printed, 
with  translation  and  variant  readings  from  Y.B.L.,  by  Mr.  A.  0. 
Anderson,  in  Rev.  Celt,  xxiv.  pp.  244-253.  The  copy  in  Y.B.L. 
(pp.  158a-159b)  corresponds  closely  to  our  copy.  There  is 
another  version  in  L.Br.  (pp.  111b-]  13a)  where  the  texts  differ 
more  widely.  Thus  the  first  paragraph  in  XL  reads : — Doroine 
Dia  talu7)i  do  Adnin  7  do  Eha  iar  n-imarhus  a  parrtliiis.  Is 
annsin  do  hai  Adam  sechtmuin  iar  n-dichor  a  2^ci'>''rtlius  can 
dig,  can  hiadJr,  can  edach,  can  teach,  can  teine,  acid  fo  aithmela 
J  fo  atoirrsi.  Et  ro  hadar  ag  aifir  iinaifir  ar  a  cheile.  Et 
aspert:  as  onor  do  maith  lucad  duinn,  iiiuna  beth  Luitcifir  da 
fhaslach  orainn  in  Coimde  do  sharugadh  .|.  comrad  fri  h-ain- 
gliu,  '1  iia  h-uile  duile  de  ag  ar  n-anorugad ;  7  ni  loiscfi  teine 
sinn,  ar  se,  7  ni  haigjid  uisce  7  ni  theascfad  faebur  7  ni  gebar 
gahir  .|.  an  anoir  in  Choiingeadh,ar  as  an  anoir  in  Choimgead 
ata  each  duil  co  cotarsna  frind,  7  ni  h-e  roba  chintach,  ach  sinn 
fein :  '  God  made  the  earth  for  Adam  and  Eve  after  their  sin 
in  Paradise.  It  was  then  that  Adam  was  for  a  week  after  he 
was  cast  out  from  Paradise,  without  drink,  or  food,  or  clothing, 
or  house,  or  lire,  but  in  grief  and  sorrow.  And  they  reproached 
each  other  mutually.  And  he  (Adam)  said  :  much  of  good  was 
given  to  us,  had  not  Lucifer  persuaded  us  to  disobey  the  Lord, — 
converse  with  angels,  and  honour  done  to  us  by  every  creature 
of  God.  Fire  would  not  burn  us,  said  he,  and  water  would  not 
drown  us,  and  sword  (lit.  edge)  would  not  wound  us,  and  disease 
would  not  overtake  us,  and  (all  this)  in  honour  of  the  Lord,  for 
it  is  in  honour  of  the  Lord  that  (now)  every  creature  is  hostile 
to  us.     And  it  was  through  no  fault  of  his,  but  of  our  own.' 

The  corresponding  paragraph  in  L.Br,  is  as  follows : — Do  rid- 
nacht  din  Dia  do  Adam  in  talmain  coitchindsea  iar  n-iviarbus 
i  partus,  7  nibad  dionmdachsum  de  sin  mina  beth  ercJira  iar 
n-amsir  do.  Bivi  din  Adam  sechtmain  iar  na  dicltor  a  parthus 
cen  etach  cen  dig  cen  biad  cen  tech  cen  tenid  fo  thorsi  7  aithmela 


MS.  XL]  RELiaiOUS  AND  ECCLESIASTICAL  95 

dermalr,  conaithber  7  imaitkber  occufria  araile,  conid  and  sin 
atbert  Adam  frl  h-Eua :  Ro-n-laad  a  partus  tria  chinaid  im- 
arbois,  ol  se,  7  is  mor  forfhacsum  da  cech  maith  ann,  uair  rohui 
jjarthus  con  a  uile  airmitin  for  ar  comas  J.  aitte  aille,  j  slanti 
cen  (jalar,  7  aibnes  cen  erchrai ;  brilige  blathi ;  luibe  amirai ; 
oirfited  bith  buan ;  sasad  cen  saethar ;  betha  cenbron;  aibnes 
cen  erdibad ;  noime  diar  n-anmandaib  ;  comrad  cunnail  fri 
h-aingiiu ;  bithbetJca  cen  bas ;  ecus  na  li-uile  d4  oc  ar  n-air- 
mitin  7  oc  dr  n-oenoir;  7  na  h-uile  anmand  batarfor  bith  isind 
no-s-ordaif/ed ;  7  ni-n-loiscfed  tene ;  7  ni-s-baifed  usee;  7  ni- 
s-tescfad  foebur  no  iarn ;  7  ni-s-gebad  galur  no  saethar.  Ni 
boi  dill  in  nim  no  h-i  talum  duil  tisad  frind  tnine  thisad 
Lucifer.  Oeus  cid  Lucifer  din,  ni  co  emsad  ar  n-aimles  cen  ba 
mar  fo  chumachf^  in  Choimded.  0  ro  sharaigsimar  din  in 
Coimdid  ata  cech  duil  i  cotarsna  frind,  "j  ni  h-e  Dia  ba  cintach 
frind  sed^  sinne  rosharaig  esium,  7  fucsum  cech  maith  dun 
din  bamar  fo  cJiumachtsiim. 

A  fourth  version  of  this  Tract,  further  amplified,  is  in  Saltair 
net  Rann,  in  verse.  This  version  is  printed  by  Stokes,  without 
translation  (Oxford,  1883).  The  Tract  begins  with  Book  xi 
(p.  22),  and  opens  thus  : — 

Ri  doridnacJd  talam  tlackt 
Do  Adaum  iarnatharmthecht 
Nirbo  dimdach  do  Dia  dein 
Manbad  airchra  dia  aimsir. 

3.  The  last  Tract  in  the  MS.  is  that  known  as  the  Cain 
Domnaig,  or  The  Law  of  Sunday,  for  an  account  of  which  v.  Eriu, 
vol.  iii.  p.  189.  Our  copy  of  this  Tract  does  not  contain  the 
'  Epistle  of  Jesus  on  the  Observance  of  Sunday,'  which  is  pre- 
fixed to  it  in  other  MSS.  It  begins,  Soire  domnaig  o  trat{h) 
Esparton  Diashathuirn  go  fuined  itiaitni  Diahiain,  '  The  privi- 
lege of  Sunday  from  Vespers  of  Saturday  till  the  end  of  Monday 
morning';  or,as  mL.Br. , Silire Domnoig  o Espartii  int ShdtJturnd 
CO  h-ergi  grene  Dialiiain,  'The  privilege  of  Sunday  from  Saturday 
Vespers  till  sunrise  on  Monday.'  Then  follows  a  list  of  things 
that  ma}'  not  be  done  on  Sunday,  as  also  of  things  that  may. 

'  MS.  Sumacht. 

"  Sed,  the  Latin  word,  of  which  the  contracted  form  was  s.     This  contrac- 
tion was  adopted  by  Gaelic  authors  for  both  sed  and  acht  '  but.' 


lt(i         CATAI.()(;UK  OF  UAKLK;   MANUSCRIPTiS  |MS.  XL 

Aiiiong  the  former  arc, — beginning  a  journey,  buying,  soiling, 
shaving,  washing,  bathing,  grinding  meal,  baking,  churning, 
splitting  firewood,  with  several  others.  Among  the  latter  are 
named, — for  clerics  and  nuns,  going  to  church  :  for  people  in 
general,  going  to  sermon  and  mass;  pursuing  thieves  and  law- 
breakers; seizing  (escaped)  prisoners;  giving  warning  of  enemies; 
preparing  food  for  guests ;  tending  cattle,  etc.  Then  comes  in 
detail  the  legal  procedure  in  the  various  cases  of  violation  of 
the  Sunday  law,  with  the  fines  and  punishment  proper  to  each 
case. 


MS.  XLVII— Highland  Society.    J.  M'Kenzie,  No.  11 

The  MS.  pro[)er  consists  of  two  leaves  of  parchment,  quarto, 
written  in  one  column  in  a  fairly  good  round  hand.  The  first 
and  fourth  pages  are  quite  illegible,  while  the  second  and  third 
can  be  deciphered  only  in  part.  Moreover  there  is  a  gap  in  the 
text  bet\veen  the  two  leaves.  Traces  of  a  large  capital  are 
visible  on  top  of  page  1,  and  it  would  seem  that  the  writing 
came  to  an  end  with  some  eight  or  ten  lines  on  page  4.  So 
that  very  probably  the  MS.  contained  at  one  time  a  complete 
copy  of  the  Tract. 

The  subject  is  the  Tenga  hith  nua  '  EverncAv  Tongue,'  of 
Avhich  Dr.  Stokes  has  given  an  account  in  Eriu,  vol.  ii.  p.  96. 
Professor  Dottin  had  previously  printed  in  the  Rev.  Gelt.,  xxiv. 
pp.  365-403,  with  translation  into  French,  the  copy  in  the 
Rennes  MS.  Dr.  Stokes  considers  that  the  copy  of  this  Tract 
in  B.L.  is  unique,  and  that  the  other  six  copies  which  he 
mentions  {Erin,  vol.  ii.  p.  97)  are  abridgements  of  it.  He  ac- 
cordingly prints  the  B.L.  text,  with  translation  and  notes,  in 
Erin,  vol.  ii.  pp.  98-162.  There  is  a  complete  copy  of  this 
Tract  in  the  Turner  MS.  LV  {infra). 

The  legible  parts  of  our  fragment  show  that  the  Tract  was 
in  this  MS.  largely  compressed.  Page  2  opens  with  daferthain 
do  tshaccartaib  J  do  ceilidihh  de  7  do  onacoibh  eagailsi  ar 
cheano.  Et  ha  h-e  adbur  in  tinoil  sin  ag  feroib  in  domain  co 
himst  ag  techt  d'estecht  re  ceoluibh  nenihe  ag  a  g-cantoin  a 
nellaib  an  aieoir  os  a  g-cind.     Et  ba  h-e  so  tosach  an  cheoil 


MS.  XLVII]    RELIGIOUS  AND  ECCLESIASTICAL  97 

do  chandis  .\.  gloria  in  excelsis  deo,  etc.,  'to  give(?)  to  priests 
and  culdees  and  young  clerics  generally.  The  occasion  of  that 
gathering  of  the  world's  men  to  Jerusalem  was  to  hear  the 
heavenly  music  which  was  chanted  in  the  clouds  of  the  air 
above  them.  And  the  beginning  of  the  music  chanted  was 
gloria,  etc'  Thereafter  other  and  terrible  sounds  were  heard, 
and  then  the  '  Evernew  Tongue '  spoke.  The  listeners  asked  who 
the  speaker  was  and  whence  he  came,  the  reply  to  which  was 
that  he  was  the  Apostle  Philip,  born  of  earthly  parents,  and 
sent  by  the  Lord  to  preach  to  the  heathens  (our  version  adds 
i  crichaib  Lochlainn,  '  in  the  territories  of  Scandinavia ') ; 
that  his  tongue  was  cut  out  of  his  head  by  the  heathen  seven 
times  (B.L.  has  nine  times,  Rennes  MS.  three  times);  and 
that  the  language  which  he  now  spoke  was  the  speech  of 
heaven,  and  was  understood  by  all  kinds  of  animals  and 
reptiles. 

When  our  text  opens  on  page  3,  the  terrors  of  the  fifteen 
days  preceding  the  Judgment  Day  are  being  described  in 
separate  paragraphs.  The  narration  has  reached  the  tenth 
day  :  An  .x.  mad  la  .".  inurf  7  isleocfi  an  tat  indus  nach 
biaid  .  .  .  '  On  the  tenth  day,  moreover,  the  earth  will  be  con- 
vulsed and  will  sink,  so  there  will  not  be  .  .  .'  The  reading  is 
very  uncertain,  but  one  gathers  that  on  the  thirteenth  day  such 
men  and  animals  as  are  then  alive  will  fall  upon  each  other 
promiscuously,  and  should  their  children  or  friends  approach 
any  of  these  men  they  will  not  speak  to  them,  because  of  their 
shame  for  the  evil  deeds  they  had  committed.  At  this  point 
and  to  the  end  of  page  3  our  text  bears  some  similarity  to  that 
of  Y.B.L.  (86a,  1.  12  et  seq.).  The  wise  men  of  the  Jews  ask 
whether  the  universe  will  be  destroyed  by  day  or  by  night,  and 
on  what  hour  did  Christ  rise  from  the  dead.  The  'Evernew 
Tongue '  replies  that  Christ  did  indeed  rise  from  the  dead  at 
break  of  day;  but  by  night  he  was  born;  by  night  he  was 
crucified,  darkness  coming  at  noon ;  by  night  he  descended  into 
hell.  The  text  proceeds  to  tell  of  the  glory,  the  majesty,  the 
justice  and  goodness  of  the  Judge. 

Two  detached  leaves  of  quarto  (parchment)  are  also  enclosed 
in  this  cover.  They  are  in  different  hands  and  on  different 
subjects.     The  clearer  of  the  two  gives  sentences  and  maxims 

G 


98      CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS    [MS.  XLVIII 

chiefly  in  verse  on  a  variety  of  persons,  places,  and  things.     Of 
the  other  not  much  can  be  made. 

The  usual  docquet  of '  John  Mackenzie '  does  not  appear  on 
any  of  the  leaves. 


MS.  XLVIII— Highland  Society.    J.  M'Kenzie,  No.  12 

This  is  a  small  quarto  MS.  (6  in.  by  4)  consisting  of  thirty-four 
leaves  of  paper.  The  first  leaf  is  torn  away,  and  the  last  four  are 
detached.  It  was  covered  by  a  strip  of  deerskin,  of  which  one 
side  now  remains.  The  MS.  is  quoted  in  the  Highland  Society's 
Dictionar}'  as  Bianf{eid}i), '  deerskin '  (v.  a  bhos).  A  considerable 
portion  of  its  contents  is  printed  in  Rel.  Celt,  vol.  i.  pp.  119-149. 
It  evidently  formed  at  one  time  part  of  the  library  of  the  Mac 
Mhuirichs,  the  hereditary  bards  of  Clanranald  in  South  Uist, 
several  of  the  pieces  being  composed  by  one  or  other  of  this 
family.  The  MS.  was  probably  written  by  the  middle  of  the 
eighteenth  century.  It  contains  one  or  two  pieces  composed  by 
Neil  M'Vurich,  who  wrote  an  elegy  upon  the  Clanranald  chief 
who  fell  at  SherifFmuir.  The  name  '  Donald  Johnstone  '  appears 
on  the  margin  of  folios  27b  and  2Sb.  The  contents  are  miscel- 
laneous. There  are  some  thirty  separate  compositions,  all,  save 
one,  in  verse,  several  of  them  consisting  of  only  one  or  two 
quatrains.     The  following  may  be  classed  as  religious : 

1.  Fol.  lb-2b  (counting  the  torn  leaf).  The  beginning  is 
lost,  and  what  remains  is  not  very  legible.  The  first  line, 
repeated  at  the  close,  is  : 

{D)wiaom  gan  umal  do  Chriosd, 
'  Vain  (it  is)  not  to  submit  to  Christ.' 

2.  Fol.  3b.  Three  quatrains,  beginning : 

A  ri  an  bheatha  hi  gam  leighis, 
'  King  of  the  world,  do  thou  save  me.' 

3.  Fol.  4b.  One  quatrain  : 

(Ni)  e  mo  ghradh  amhain  acid  Dia  nan  Did, 
'  The  Lord  of  all,  my  only  love.' 

4.  Fol.  7b-8a.  Eight  quatrains  : 

Caoin  ihu  fein,  a  dhuine  bhochd, 
'  Weep  for  thyself,  poor  man.' 


MS.  XLIX]      RELIGIOUS  AND  ECCLESIASTICAL  99 

5.  Fol.  13a-b.  An  incomplete  tractate,  in  prose,  on  Confes- 
sion :  Ge  go  n-duhlirainar  go  hfuilid  cas  airicUt  eile  in  nach 
eidir  absoloid  do  tabhairt  a  onach  gan  na  peacuidh  idle 
d'eistacht,  etc.,  'Although  we  have  said  that  there  is  another 
special  case  in  which  Absolution  may  not  be  given  without 
confessing  all  the  sins,'  etc. 

6.  Fol.  20a-21a.  Nine  quatrains  : 

Mairg  do  ni  uaill  [MS.  uaile]  as  oirje^ 
'  Woe  to  liiiu  -who  boasts  of  his  youth.' 

Giolla  coluim  mac  Ilebliride  mic  phersoin  Chille  cmnain  do 
roin  in  laoidh  si,  '  Malcolm  son  of  Gilbert  son  of  the  parson  of 
Kilchoman  made  this  lay  '  (v.  supra,  p.  91). 

7.  Fol.  32b.  Two  quatrains : 

Mor  an  teas  ar  aire  an  t-sluaiyh, 
Agus  go  deid  gach  ni  uadha  air  ccid. 

[This  may  be  only  a  fragment.     A  leaf  or  tAvo  may  be  amissing.] 

8.  Fol.  33a-b.  Nine  quatrains : 

A  dhuine  cuimhnich  an  bus, 
'Remember  Death,  0  man.'     {v.  sufra,  p.  91.) 

To  this  last  piece  the  following  note  is  here  appended :  Ag  sin 
roinn  do  rinnis  do  dhuine  do  chonnairc  me  ar  ti  peacaAdh  do 
dhenamh  nach  raibe  iomchubhaidh  dho  pecadh  ar  bioth  do 
dhenamh,  '  These  verses  I  composed  to  a  man  whom  I  saw  bent 
on  committing  sin,  when  he  was  unfit  to  commit  any  sin.' 


MS.  XLIX— Highland  Society.     J.  M'Kenzie,  No.  13 

The  MS.  consists  of  twenty  leaves  of  paper,  small  quarto, 
7i  in.  by  9i.  It  is  but  a  fragment,  defective  at  the  beginning, 
probably  also  at  the  end.  The  leaves  are  tattered  and  broken, 
text  in  places  lost,  often  difficult  to  decipher.  The  contents  are 
all  in  verse,  of  much  the  same  general  character  as  MS.  XLIV. 
The  four  following  pieces  are  religious : — 


Fols. 

First  Line 

Quatrains 

Autlior 

lb-2b. 

Ar  fhaosamh  dhamh,  a  Dhe  Athau- 

24 

Eochy  O'Hoscy 

2b-3a. 

Haii         ...... 

13 

Duncan  mor  O'Daly 

4b-5a. 

Or  na  m-ban  bainchcnn  niiiilie 

14 

Anon.          (D.     mor 

O'Daly  in  O'Gr.  Cat.,  p.  345) 
lCa-17a.     Nior  togb  eruic  losa  30  Tuathal  an  Cainti 


100       CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS        IMS.  LIV 


MS.  LIV — Highland  Society.     P.  Tuuneii,  No.  1 

The  MS.  contains  eif^hty-eij^ht  pages  of  paper  (6^  in.  by  4), 
half  of  the  first  leaf  being  torn  away,  enclosed  in  skin  cover, 
Peter  Turner  was  a  soldier,  Mr.  Campbell  adds  '  Pauper '  (L.F.  in.), 
and  attained  to  the  rank  of  corporal,  which  he  frequently  ap- 
pends to  his  signature,  '  Paruig  Tuarnair,  coirpleir.'  In  1818  he 
published  a  collection  of  Gaelic  Poetry,  collected  in  the  High- 
lands of  Scotland.  The  greater  part,  if  not  the  whole,  of 
MSS.  LIV-LVII,  which  bear  his  name,  came  apparently  from 
Ireland. 

In  this  MS.  (LIV),  the  first  piece,  fragmentary  and  nearly 
illegible,  is  religious.  On  pp.  43-59  is  a  composition  entitled, 
' Faoisidin  Semuis  na  Srun  alias  Paor,'  'The  confession  of 
James  of  the  Noses  or  Power,' —  elsewhere  (p.  18)  designated 
Sinnisgal  'Seneschal.'  Following  the  'confession'  is  Ahsoloid, 
'  Absolution,'  by  Father  Proinsias  '  Francis,'  with  reply  by  James, 
counter-reply  by  the  priest,  concludmg  with  a  hagra  or  threat 
by  James.  The  piece  is  composed  partly  in  prose  and  partly 
in  verse,  and  as  a  burlesque  is  of  no  great  merit. 

On  pp.  77-87  is  a  long  composition  of  date  1650  {mile  go 
leith  coig  deich  is  ced  leis)  describing  the  political  and  religious 
state  of  Ireland.  A  Sioguide  Romanach  'Roman  Sprite'  ap- 
pears to  the  author,  whose  name  is  not  given,  and  recites  the 
poem,  commencing — 

Innisiglmn  Jios  is  ni  fios  breige, 
'  I  relate  a  vision  which  is  not  a  sham  vision.' 

The  versification  is  good,  and  the  poem  concludes — 

Slan  don  mhnaoi  bhi  raoir  ar  uaimh  ui  Neill 
Le  cradh  croidhe  ag  caoine  uaisle  Ghaodhailj 
Cia  d'fhag  si  mo  chroidhe  go  suaidhte  treith, 
Mo  ghrddh  i  is  gach  ni  dha  gcuala  me. 

'  My  blessing  to  the  l;idy  who  last  night  visited  O'Neill's  grave, 
With  anguish  of  heart  bewailing  the  (vanished)  glory  of  the  Gael ; 
Although  she  left  my  heart  bruised  and  sore, 
My  darling  she  and  her  message.' 


MS.  LVI]       RELiaiOUS  AND  ECCLESIASTICAL  101 


MS.  LV— Highland  Society.    P.  Turner,  No.  2 

The  second  of  Turner's  MSS.  consists  of  three  hundred  and 
eii^hty-six  pages  of  paper,  octavo,  Gh  in.  by  4,  enclosed  in  a  padded 
skin  cover.  The  first  two  leaves  are  now  awanting,  and  here  and 
there  are  mistakes  in  the  pagination.  The  MS.  was  written  in 
1738  by  Sea{a)n  Mac  G(i)ca7'  or  John  Short,  probably  in  Con- 
naught.  The  contents  are  mainly  Tales  and  Romances,  with  a 
few  Ossianic  lays.     On  p.  211  are  verses  beginning 

A  corpain,  cuinmigh  do  clirioch, 

here  attributed  to  an  Ollamli  eigin,  but  elsewhere  (O'Gr.  Cat., 
p.  659)  said  to  be  by  St.  Columba. 

On  pp.  339-385  there  is  a  complete  copy  of  the  Tenga  bith 
nua,  '  Evernew  Tongue.'  This  version  is  shorter  than  that 
printed  by  Stokes  (v.  supra,  p.  96),  but  the  literary  form,  though 
differing  in  arrangement  and  detail,  is  the  same.  The  speaker 
is  the  Apostle  Philip,  who  was  sent  to  preach  to  the  heathens 
a  ccriocJiaibh  Lochlainn,  '  in  Scandinavia,'  and  whose  tongue  was 
cut  out  by  them  seven  times.  The  Apostle  communicates  his 
information  in  reply  to  questions  asked  by  the  Hebrew  sages, 
but  no  specimen  of  the  '  Evernew  Tongue '  is  given.  Ewen 
M'Lachlan  (Analysis  of  Gaelic  MSS.,  pp.  77-80)  states  that  he 
transcribed  this  Tract,  as  also  one  of  the  Tales  in  the  MS.,  with 
a  view  to  print  them,  '  when  his  situation  will  admit  of  it,' 


MS.  LVI — Highland  Society.    Peter  Turner,  No.  3 

This  valuable  MS.  (of  which  later)  contains  two  fragments  of 
a  religious  character : 

1.  On  p.  399  and  following  page,  a  fragment  of  a  Tract  on 

Repentance. 

2.  On   p.   361    (second  layer),  twenty-two    lines    of    Verse, 
commencing — 

Naomhtha  an  obair  iomrddh  De, 

a  poem  attributed  to  Mahon  O'Higgin  (v.  O'Gr.  Cat.,  p.  380. 
Cf.  also  O'R.  cxliii). 


102       CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS    |MS.  LVIII 

MS.  LVIII— Miscellaneous,  No.  1 

MS.  LVIII  is  a  thick  MS.  made  up  of  three  layers  of  quarto 
paper  of  slightly  varying  dimensions,  bound  in  thick  skin  cover, 
but  now  loose.  It  must  have  passed  through  various  hands, 
the  names  of  several  owners  appearing  here  and  there  on 
margins  and  blank  spaces  :  Seamus  O'Crualaoigh,  dated  1733, 
Patrick  M'Farland,  David  Doherty,  and  otliers.  The  pages  are 
much  tattered  in  places,  and  are  at  the  end  quite  illegible. 

The  contents  are  varied, — the  following  being  in  whole  or  in 
part  religious  or  ecclesiastical : — 

Pp.  239-41.  Sixteen  quatrains,  anonymous,  of  a  politico- 
ecclesiastical  character,  commencing — 

Ce  (jur  hhfada  me  am  mhaiglmtir  dheagathach  dheasmumhnach. 

Pp.  267-70.  Twenty-five  quatrains,  of  much  the  same  char- 
acter, so  far  as  legible,  and  signed  Domhnall  Mheagh  Carrtha  na 
Tuile,  commencing — 

Am  luidhii  go  cliute  is  mefaon  ageas. 

Pp.  281-2.  Twenty  quatrains,  anonymous,  but  with  '  Timothy 
Cronine '  on  the  margin,  commencing — 

MaUocht  ort  (a  bhdis). 

Pp.  283-91  contain  a  Tract  in  prose,  BeotJut  Sdint 
Margread  Naomlitha,  '  The  Life  of  the  holy  St.  Margaret '  (of 
Antioch  in  Pisidia),  being  an  account  of  the  virtues  and  graces 
of  a  holy  Jewish  maiden  of  Antioch,  and  of  her  persecution, 
sufferings  and  death  at  the  hands  of  Oliverus  the  governor 
(cf.  Martyrology  of  Qorrtian,  edited  by  Stokes  for  the  Henry 
Bradshaw  Society,  London,  1895). 

On  pp.  293-308  is  found  another  Tract,  in  verse,  with  this 
title :  An  ced  cJcaibidil  don  obuirso  thraclitus  air  chriithugliad 
an  domhuin,  air  uahhar  an  aingil,  air  bhrisedh  na  h-aithne, 
air  chur  Adhaimh  as  Parrthus,  air  aimsir  na  ngras,  air  guidhe 
na  naingeal,  feolghahJtala  na  hreitlire  diadha,  fiosruighe  S. 
Elizabeth,  breith  an  Tiagarna.   a  representation. 

'  The  first  chapter  of  this  work  treats  of  the  Creation  of  the 
World,  the  Pride  of  the  Angel,  the  Transgression  of  the  Com- 
mandment, the  Expulsion  of  Adam  from  Paradise,  the  Period 


MS.  LXIV]     RELIGIOUS  AND  ECCLESIASTICAL  103 

of  Grace,  the  Intercession  of  the  Angels,  the  Incarnation  of  the 
Divine  Word,  the  Visit  of  St.  Elizabeth,  and  the  Birth  of  the 
Lord.' 

Tiie  title  indicates  the  contents.  The  Tract  is  boldly  and 
clearly  written.  There  are  references  in  text  and  margin  to 
Holy  Scripture,  Apocrypha,  and  St.  Anselm.  The  verses  have  no 
literary  merit.  Of  the  chapter  Do  Representation  an  Tiaglmrna 
only  four  lines  are  given  when  the  composition  comes  to  an 
abrupt  close. 

MS.  LXIV— Miscellaneous,  No.  6 

MS.  LXIV  is  of  paper,  5|  in.  by  8,  much  tattered  and  torn. 
It  contains  at  present  thirty-eight  leaves,  unpaged,  but  the 
first  five  are  legible  only  in  part,  and  the  last  nine  are  frag- 
mentary. In  the  others  are  broken  lines,  with  blank  spaces 
here  and  there.  So  far  as  can  be  gathered  now  the  contents  were 
religious  verse. 

The  first  piece  (fols.  Ob-7b)  to  which  a  legible  author's  name 
is  attached,  consists  of  thirty-eight  quatrains.  It  is  attributed 
to  S.  Pilij)  hoclit  li.  liiiigind^  and  begins 

Fnigell  bennacht  brugh  Muire. 

This  is  followed  (fols.   8a-9a)  by  some  thirty-seven  quatrains, 

commencing 

Tuar  fcirge  foighide  De, 

and  headed :  Duan  an  so  o  S.  Pilip  mac  Cuinn  crosaigh  ann  a 
d  .  .  itn  7  dentar  tuarusghhail  uath  .  .  laithe  an  braich  agus 
an  modJt  ar  adtiocfa  Criosd  do  chum  an  bhretheamnais  J  na 
briathra  adera  ann,  '  A  poem  here  by  S.  Philip  son  of  Conn 
Crosach  in  d  .  .  .,  in  which  is  given  a  description  of  the  Day  of 
Judgment,  the  manner  in  which  Christ  will  appear,  and  the 
words  which  He  will  speak.' 

The  rest  of  the  contents,  so  far  as  legible,  are  as  follow : — 

Fols.  First  Line  Quatraiiis  Author 

9a-10a.  Ataid  tri  coniraig  am  chind  29  Tadfj  og  (v.  O'G.  Cat.,  p.  363) 

lOa-lOa.  Aithimne  dod  t'oide  a  Eoin  19         „     „ 

lOb-lla.  Cia  gabus  m'anamain  se  ais  28         „     „ 

lla-12a.  Bee  nach  tainic  mo  terma  44         ,,     „      (v.  sivpra,  p.  89) 

12a-13b.  Gabh  mheghnecb,  a  Eoin  Baisdi  62         „     „       (v.  supra,  p.  89) 

'  I  have  not  come  upon  this  author's  name  elsewhere. 


104  CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS   [MS.  LXV 


FoU. 

13b-14a. 
14b-15a. 
15a-16a. 
IGa-lTl). 

I7b-18k 

18b-19a. 

19b-20a. 

20a-21a. 

21a-22a. 

22a-23a. 

23a. 

23a. 

23b-24b. 

24b-25b. 

25b-26a. 

26b-27a. 
27a-27b. 
27b. 

27  b. 
27b. 

28a. 
28a. 
28b. 
29a. 
29a-29b. 

29b. 


First  Linu  (inaLiains 

Ag  SO  bragha  dot,  a  Dho  34     Tadg  og 

Mairg  danab  soirbli  an  saegal  30         „     „ 

Namadh  dan  caraid  clann  Adhaini  38      Anon. 
Clabliaiii  dechniaidli  ar  ndiin  74      Anon. 

Duncan  nior  O'Daly. 


Author 


Aitrigc  sunn  diiit,  a  Dhe 
Tene  ar  na  fadodli  fcrg  De 
Ceangal  .sodenta  sfogh  ])e 
Bennachd  a  mathar  ar  mac  n-De 
Ben  g(l)as  dom  croidi,  a  Chohndhe 
Fada  me  ar  merughadh  .sligheadh 
(First  line  illegible) 
(First  line  illegible) 
Do  geinedh  ingen  onumla 
Tri  gluine  ginelach  mic  De 

Tri  mic  do  Muire,  mac  De 
Do  chodail  ar  bfer  faire 
Suntacli  sin  a  cliolainn  criadh 
Na  dena  diomus,  a  dhuine 

Sir  ...  si  a  Muire  an  duilimh  (?) 
Cionta  na  colla  is  cuis  truaigbe 
Teach  lega  leaba  S.  Padraig 
Linn  ro  Padraig  na  purt  solus 
Mana  beth  cruaide  croidhe 
Slan  uaim  ag  oilen  Padraig 
Mo  chen  teid  d'fecjais  3.  Padraig 


(AtLrilMited  to 
O'G.  Cat.,  p.  345) 
Donnchadh  mor  O'Dalaigh 
Tadg  og  (v.  sujira  p.  89) 
Anon. 

S.  Pilip  bocht 
Fergal  og 


32 

40 
37 
38 
30 
40(?)  Anon. 


Tugais  dam,  a  Dhe  nimi 


3      Mad  .  .  O'Cleirigh 
2^      Tadg  dall 
44      S.  Pilip  bocht 
38      Anon.     (Attributed  to  St. 
Columba  in  O'Gr.  Cat.,  p.  663) 
37      Anon.     Cf.  O'R.,  p.  cxl. 
27      Anon. 
15      Anon. 
11      Fergall  og  (Angus  O'Daly  in 

O'Gr.  Cat.,  p.  6G1) 
4       Fergall  og 
3       Solamh  mc  Conmidhe 
1 3      Tadg  mac  Mathgamuin 
9      Fei'gal  og  O'huiginn 
21       (Name  torn) 
8      Fergal  og  mac  an  bhaird 
23      Aongus   mac  Aoda  ruaidh  i 

uiginu 
(?)      TuilHna  (?) 


Fols.  30  onwards  are  broken.     On  fol.  33  begins  a  piece  by 
Donnchadh  mor  O'Dalaigh — 

Lochran  soillsi  do  siol  Aduim, 

also  quoted  in  O'R.,  p.  cxc. 

MS.  LXV 

MS.  LXV  consists  of  forty-nine  leaves  of  paper,  8  in.  by  4i, 
bound  endwise  in  pasteboard  which  is  roughly  covered  with 
skin.  The  MS.  is  paged  from  both  ends,  A  and  B,  and  on  the 
cover  at  both  ends  is  written  in  modern  hand  '  Miscellaneous 
Poetry,  Scots  and  Irish.'  There  are  also  a  number  of  proverbs. 
The  writing  is  mainly  in  the  Gaelic  hand,  with  here  and  there 


MS.  LXV]      EELIGIOUS  AND  ECCLESIASTICAL  105 

some  lines  and  a  few  proverbs  in  the  current  hand.  It  contains 
copies  of  Alexander  Macdonald's  poems  on  Summer  and  Winter, 
and  cannot  therefore  date  further  back  than  about  the  middle 
of  the  eighteenth  century.  The  verse  is  chiefly  secular,  but  it 
contains  two  short  pieces  of  a  religious  character.  The  subject 
of  both  is  practically  the  same,  —  an  exhortation  to  piety, 
because  of  the  uncertainty  of  life  and  the  certainty  of  death 
and  judgment.     The  first  piece  (end  A,  pp.  47-8)  begins 

Duisg  a  cJt,olmt(n)  as  do  chadal,  's  fada  dhuit  a  n-oidhche  ad  shuain, 
'  Wake  up,  0  body,  thy  night  of  sleep  lias  been  (too)  long.' 

Ewen  M'Lachlan  says,  but  erroneously,  that  the  hymn  is  found 
in  Macdonald's  Collection  (cf.  R.  Macdonald's  Collection,  1776, 
p.  310). 

The  second  '  hymn '  (end  B,  pp.  1-2)  begins 

Slid  ayaibh  laoi  na  n-cuig  rann,  gun  aon  fhocall  ann  ach  Jior, 
'  Here  the  hymn  of  five  quatrains,  without  an  untrue  word,' 

and  ends  thus : 

{\S  h)eg  orm  ifrioym  fuar  flinch,  {h)aile  bithbhuan  is  serbh  deoch, 
'S  ota  gun  chill  gun  chrois,  (cha)  dteid  vii  ann  a  chois  no  dh'ech. 
'  I  hate  hell,  wet  and  cold,  an  eternal  abode  of  bitter  drink, 
Seeing  it  is  without  church  or  cross,  I  shall  not  fare  thither  on  foot  or 
on  horseback.' 

(Cf.  Beauties  of  Gaelic  Poetry,  p.  182,  note.) 

There  are  several  religious  and  ecclesiastical  pieces  in 
MS.  XXXVII,  otherwise  known  as  the  Dean  of  Lismore's  MS. 
But  the  contents  of  that  MS.  are  so  varied  and  so  voluminous 
that  it  must  be  treated  separately. 


106  CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS        [MS.  I 


CHAPTER  III 

History  and  Genealogy 

Among  the  Gael,  as  among  other  peoples,  Legend  and  History 
are  not  always  sharply  distinguished.  A  large  portion  of  the 
contents  of  this  Chapter  is  manifestly  legendary,  while  in  a 
subsequent  Chapter,  '  Legend  and  Lore,'  the  reader  will  find 
historic  facts  imbedded. 

MS.  I 

As  already  stated  {v.  supra,  p.  72),  MS.  I  consists  of  two 
separate  MSS.  bound  in  one  cover.  The  first  leaf  of  the  first 
MS.  is  covered  with  genealogies.  The  writing  is  indistinct,  and 
the  reading  is  in  many  cases  uncertain.  Chemicals  were  applied 
to  this  portion  of  the  MS.  by  Dr.  Skene,  which  did  not  per- 
manently improve  matters.  The  first  page  is  written  in  five 
irregular  columns  and  the  second  in  four,  with  occasional  side- 
notes.  The  genealogies  are  those  of  the  kings  of  Scotland, 
beginning  with  David  i.,  and  of  the  principal  Highland  Clans. 
The  descent  of  David  is  given  step  by  step  to  Kenneth  the  Scot 
son  of  Alpin,  and  through  him  to  the  kings  of  Dalriada  up  to 
Fergus  of  Kintyre  son  of  Ere,  and  from  Ere  through  the  tradi- 
tional Irish  pedigrees  up  to  Noah  and  Adam.  King  Lulach  is 
in  the  same  way  traced  up  to  Loarn  Trior,  brother  of  Fergus  and 
son  of  Ere. 

These  pedigrees  were  first  printed  by  Dr.  Skene  in  Collec- 
tanea de  rebus  Albanicis,  p.  50  et  seq.  Thereafter,  with  the  lists 
of  kings  omitted,  the  same  author  printed  the  genealogies  of 
the  Highland  Clans,  supplemented  and  corrected  from  Irish 
MSS.,  in  Celtic  Scotland,  vol.  iii.  p.  458  et  seq. 

The  second  MS.  of  which  MS.  I  is  made  up  consists  of 
fifteen  leaves  of  parchment,  very  large  folio  (15  in.  by  10|). 
Like  several  of  the  MSS.  in  the  Scottish  Collection  it  was  at 


MS.  I]  HISTORY  AND  GENEALOGY  107 

one  time  enclosed  in  leaves  taken  from  a  fine  old  Latin 
Hymnary,  the  front  cover  still  adhering.  The  MS.  is  old, 
dating  back,  one  should  say,  to  the  fourteenth  century.  The 
hand  is  particularly  good  throughout.  Towards  the  end  a 
portion  of  the  pages  is  well-nigh  illegible,  evidently  the  effect 
of  rain-ooze  to  which  the  MS.  nuist  have  been  subjected  for 
a  time. 

As  now  bound,  the  first  leaf  is  reversed,  and  the  fourth  ought 
to  be  the  second.  Leaves  are  awanting  between  the  fourth 
and  fifth,  and  between  the  seventh  and  eighth.  They  are 
paged  in  pencil  according  to  the  sequence  of  their  contents. 
The  writing  is  in  two  columns,  in  a  few  pages  in  four.  The 
contents  are  varied.  The  following  may  with  more  or  less  pro- 
priety belong  to  this  chapter. 

1.  A  paragraph,  nearly  the  whole  of  Avhich  is  illegible,  on 
the  Milesians,  commencing,  Ag  milidh  espainnc  (p.  4b). 

2.  A  Tract  covering  pp.  5-8a  giving  the  names  of  distin- 
guished men  and  women,  with  explanation  of  names  and 
epithets  attached  to  them,  complimentary  or  otherwise.  The 
list  here  given  begins  with  Art  aenfer, '  Art  the  Solitary,'  and 
ends  with  Ulaid,  '  Ulster-men.'  As  if  glad  that  his  task  was 
done,  the  scribe  appends  Sella.  Sella.  Sella.  (Selah.)  Another 
version  of  the  same  tract  is  in  MS.  VII,  fols.  l-4a.  A  third, 
with  slight  variations,  is  in  B.B.  fols.  249a-255a.  A  version  con- 
taining a  longer  list  is  printed  by  Stokes  entitled  Coir  aninann 
'  Fitness  of  names'  (Irische  Texte  iii.  (2),  Leipzig,  1897). 

3.  On  p.  8b  is  given  the  pedigree  of  Goll,  the  great  rival  of 
the  hero  Find  or  Fionn :  Goll  mac  Corinaic  {in)ic  nemaind  mic 
Morna  inoirmic  Garaig  glunjlnd  mic  Aeda  duanaig  mic  Aeda 
chindclairi  mic  Conaill  'mic  StJiamb  mic  Ceit  mic  Magach, 
'  G.  son  of  C.  son  of  N.  son  of  great  M.  son  of  Garadh  white- 
knee  son  of  poetic  Aed  son  of  Aed  flathead  son  of  Conall  sou 
of  S.  son  of  Cet  son  of  Magach.'  Several  notices  of  the  family 
are  given,  with  an  account  of  Goll's  feud  with  Find.  The  last 
three  lines  of  the  column  commences,  but  does  not  complete,  a 
similar  paragraph  on  Find :  Find  mac  Cumaill  mic  Trenmoir 
TYiic  Treditim  mice  Buain  mic  Boga  mic  Baiscni,  ofuilet  Clann 
Baiscni,  mic  Shedna  SitJibaic  mic  in  Jiledh  Ahratruait  ut 
putant  alii  (col.  ends),  '  F.  son  of  C.  son  of  T.  son  of  T.  son  of  B. 


108  CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS       [MS.  I 

son  of  B.  son  of  H.,  from  whom  arc  the  Cl.an  Baiscno,  son  of  S.  S. 
son  of  the  poet  Abratruadli  (brown  eyebrow)  as  some  think.' 

4.  On  pp.  Oa-ll  are  <;iven  the  following  genealogies  and 
notes : — 

(1)  Slainge  the  first  king  of  Ireland,  with  his  four  brothers, 
Rudraigi,  Sengand,  Gand,  and  Genand,  the  five  sons  of  Deala. 
The  pedigree  of  this  family  is  given  up  to  Adaiah  mac  Be  hJd, 
'  Adam,  son  of  the  living  God.' 

(2)  The  first  Irish  king  of  the  Taat/ia  De  Danmm,  viz.  Breas 
son  of  Ealadan,  is  traced  up  to  Neimed  son  of  Agnoman.  Other 
distinguished  names  of  this  race  are  also  noticed,  their  descent 
given,  and  relationship  indicated — Nuadu  of  the  Silver-hand ; 
Ogma,  grianach,  'Sun-bright';  MacCuill, '  son  of  hazel,'  MacCecht 
(the  physician),  and  MacGrene, '  son  of  the  Sun,'  being  the  three 
sons  of  Cermait  '  honey- mouth,'  son  of  the  Dagda,  son  of 
Ealadan,  etc. 

(3)  The  descent  of  Mile  of  Spain,  son  of  Bile,  is  given  step 
by  step  through  Goedel  glas  (grey),  son  of  Niul,  to  Japhet  who 
is  the  common  ancestor  of  the  Firbolg,  the  Tuatha  De  Danann 
and  the  Milesians.  Thereafter  the  descendants  of  Eremon  and 
Eber,  sons  of  Mile  of  Spain,  are  given  down  to  Ruaidri  Mac  Toirr- 
dealbhaigh,  in  whose  time  presumably  the  Tract  was  originally 
compiled. 

(4)  On  p.  11,  col.  4,  Breas  MacEaladan  is  again  taken  up, 
his  descent  is  given  step  by  step  to  Noah,  and  a  note  is  added 
to  the  effect  that  this  is  the  true  genealogy  of  Breas,  and  that 
although  he  had  been  adjudged  to  be  of  the  Tuatha  De  Danaan 
he  is  in  reality  of  the  blood  of  Morch,  seeing  that  Eve  daughter 
of  Fiachna  son  of  Dealbaeth  was  his  mother. 

On  p.  9  dates  are  inserted  on  the  margin,  in  later  hand,  and 
in  both  reckonings  A(nno)  M(undi)  and  A(nte)  C(hristum).  A 
few  notes,  not  very  legible,  also  appear, —  one  to  the  effect  that 
the  Clanna  Neimhidh  '  Nemidians '  were  expelled  from  Ireland 
in  A.M.  2213,  and  that  they  returned  again  in  a.m.  2714. 


MS.  II  {v.  supra,  p.  6) 

Two  leaves  of  Annals  (fols.  79  and  88)  are  inserted  in  the 
MS.  as  now  bound.     To  judge  from  the  skin,  handwriting,  and 


MS.  V]  HISTORY  AND  GENEALOGY  109 

dates  the  two  are  consecutive  leaves  of  the  same  MS.  The 
skin  was  subjected  to  rough  usage,  so  that  some  of  the  entries 
are  rather  difficult  to  read.  The  year  is  written  in  Arabic 
numerals.  Fol.  88  contains  entries  from  1360  to  1370,  and 
fol.  79  entries  from  1371  to  1402.  The  events  recorded  all 
relate  to  Ireland.  On  fol.  79b  are  two  notes  written  on  blank 
spaces,  in  a  different  and  later  hand,  and  dated  1589. 

MS.  V  (v.  supra,  p.  79) 

Fols.  2bl-4a  contain  a  full  and  readable  account  of  the  pro- 
ceedings at  the  Convention  of  Drumceat,  held  a.d.  575.  The 
story  is  given  in  several  MSS.  from  L.  U.  downwards.  The 
version  given  here  is  slightly  less  detailed  at  the  beginning  and 
end  than  that  in  L.  Br.  fol.  238  c-d,  otherwise  the  two  accounts 
are  practically  the  same.  As  is  Avell  known.  King  Aidan  of 
Dalriada  and  St.  Columba  attended  the  Convention.  Three 
questions  of  great  interest  to  Columba  were  discussed:  (1)  The 
future  position  of  the  Bards.  (2)  The  case  of  Scanlan,  prince  of 
Ossory,  and  a  ward  of  the  Saint.  (3)  The  future  relation  of 
Dalriada  to  Ireland.  The  eloquence  of  Columba,  himself  a 
poet,  secured  a  fresh  lease  of  life,  although  with  diminished 
privileges,  to  the  Bards.  He  was  unable  to  persuade  King 
Ainmire  to  consent  to  the  release  of  Scanlan  from  prison,  but 
the  liberation  of  the  prince  was  accomplished  otherwise  by  the 
Saint.  The  resolution  regarding  the  third  question,  which  made 
Scottish  Dalriada  practically  an  independent  kingdom,  was  sub- 
mitted by  Colman,  a  young  priest,  not  by  St.  Columba. 

In  connection  with  this  last  question,  it  is  stated  that  a 
colony  of  Irishmen  came  to  Argyll  in  the  time  of  Cairpre 
rigfota,  '  tall  king '  or  '  long  arm,'  who  removed  from  Munster 
to  Ulster  in  the  end  of  the  second  or  beginning  of  the  third 
century,  in  time  of  famine;  that  the  territory  occupied  by 
Cairpre's  followers  in  Ireland  and  Scotland  came  to  be  called 
Dalriada;  and  that  there  was  continual  contention  between 
these  men  and  the  men  of  Ireland.  The  statement  of  Bede 
is  practically  to  the  same  effect,  his  Reuda  being  no  doubt 
the  rigfota  of  Gaelic  MSS.  But  the  Annalists  make  no  mention 
of    such    a    migration,   and   Skene   gives    no    credence    to    it. 


no  CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS      [MS.  V 

He  quotes  the  statement  of  oiir  oldest  Scottish  chronicler  re- 
garding Fergus  son  of  Ere  {Celt.  Scot.,  vol.  i.  p.  140) :  '  i'pse  fuit 
primus  qui  de  semine  Chonari  susce/pit  regnum  Alban,'  as  if 
it  were  conclusive  of  the  matter.  The  silence  of  the  Annalists 
regarding  this  colony  is  surprising,  unless  we  assume,  what  was 
most  probably  the  case,  that  there  was  frequent  crossing  and 
re-crossing  between  Argyll  and  Ulster  before  and  after  Cairpre 
Longarm's  day.  But  surely  the  Scottish  chronicler's  language 
suggests  an  inference  different  from  that  drawn  by  ])r.  Skene. 
That  Fergus  was  the  first  of  Conaire's  race  to  set  up  a  kingdom 
in  Alba  is  historically  true.  But  does  not  the  use  of  regnum 
rather  imply  that  he  was  by  no  means  the  first  of  his  race  to 
colonise  a  district  of  Alba  ? 


MS.  VI — Kilbride  Collection,  No.  2 

MS.  VI  is  enclosed  in  two  leaves  of  parchment.  The  writing 
on  this  cover  is  illegible  on  the  outer  pages  (1  and  4).  Pages  2 
and  part  of  3  are  taken  up  with  the  adventures  of  Serlus 
(Charlemagne?)   and  Roland  (the  brave?)     Then  comes  (p.  8, 

1.  19)  a  legend  of  a  certain  oclaech,  'warrior'  (youth?),  in  the 
apdaine,  '  abbacy '  (the  Scottish  Appin)  of  Drumenach,  who 
gave  a  great  feast  and  had  wonderful  experiences  thereafter. 
This  is  followed  by  not  very  legible  paragraphs  about  Mocho 
(here  Mochae)  of  Noendruim  {v.  stqwa,  p.  84).  The  writing  on 
these  two  leaves  is  later  than  that  on  the  MS.  proper,  and  is 
probably  of  the  late  sixteenth  century. 

The  MS.  proper  consists  of  11  leaves  of  parchment,  all 
except  the  last  genealogical.  The  leaves  were  formerly  stitched 
together  with  thong  and  thread,  but  are  now  in  four  divisions, 

2,  4,  3,  and  2.  The  skin  is  fresh,  and  the  writing  is  very 
good,  bold  and  clear,  with  capitals  crudely  drawn,  and  as  a 
rule  roughly  coloured.  Bits  of  the  parchment  are  worm-eaten 
here  and  there,  but  the  text  is  not  nmch  encroached  upon. 
An  occasional  note  is  found  on  the  margin.  One  runs  as 
follows  -.A  De  "J  a  Muire  is  mor  do  na  genelachaib  sin  nach 
hfuil  fis  agam  ar  hith  ce  Jt-iad,  '  God  and  Mary,  of  many  of 
these  genealogies  I  know  nothing  in  the  world.'  Another  gives 
step  by  step  the  pedigree  of  a  certain  individual  whose  name 


MS.  VI]  HISTORY  AND  GENEALOGY  111 

is  illegible  through  Neills  and  Lachlans  and  Farquhars  and 
Ferguses  and  others  to  Baedan  son  of  Muridhadh  son  of  Lodarn 
(Lorn)  mor  son  of  Ere  son  of  Eachaidh  muinrea'tnair  '  fatneck,' 
and  several  generations  beyond. 

The  explanatory  text  is  for  the  most  part  in  Gaelic,  but 
occasionally  in  Latin.  The  writing,  probably  of  the  fifteenth 
century,  is  in  two  coliunns,  but  on  some  of  the  pages  in  four 
and  even  five.  The  genealogies  are  of  the  ancestors  and  de- 
scendants of  the  leading  men  of  the  Gaelic  race,  legendary  and 
historical.  The  descendants  of  Fergus's  four  sons  by  Meave  of 
Connaught,  of  whom  was  Mog  Ruith,  the  pupil  of  Simon  Magus ; 
the  descendants  of  Conall  Cernach ;  of  Conchobar  son  of  Ness  ; 
and  of  other  Ulster  heroes  are  conspicuous.  The  individuals 
and  tribes  are  mostly  Irish,  but  now  and  again  references  to 
Scotland,  and  especially  to  Dalriada,  appear.  Thus  on  one  of 
the  pages  it  is  mentioned  that  Aedan  son  of  Gabran  submitted 
to  Baedan  son  of  Cairell,  who  was  King  of  Scotland  (Dalriada 
only  is  meant)  as  well  as  of  Ireland. 

The  MS.  of  which  these  eleven  leaves  are  a  part  is  of 
great  importance.  One  of  the  leaves  begins :  Seacht  -prmifiata 
d'uUaib  ini  Concobar  macNeasa :  '  Seven  chief  nobles  of  Ulster 
attended  Conor  son  of  Ness.'  The  succeeding  text  follows  the 
same  order,  and  gives  practically  the  same  names  and  incidents 
as  those  given  under  a  similar  heading  in  M'Firbis's  Genealogies, 
written  in  1649.  M'Firbis  professes  to  quote  from  Sabhall 
Padruig,  '  Patrick's  Barn,'  a  MS.  now  lost  (O'Curry's  MS. 
Mat.,  p.  20).  Our  MS.  is  much  older  than  M'Firbis's,  but  is 
probably  of  the  same  origin. 

On  the  first  page  of  the  last  leaf  are  written  in  a  different, 
inferior,  and  later  hand  : — 

(1)  Verses  on  various  metres :  Setnad  long  and  short : 
Rannaideoht  big  and  little ;  Casbhairne,  etc.  etc.  In  L.L., 
p.  38a,  1.  19,  the  verses  are  attributed  to  Cellach  hua  Ruanada. 
They  begin : 

Sloindfead  duih  dead  aisde  in  dana,  bid  dicjlaim  ratha. 

(2)  The  legend  of  the  beautiful  Ciarnaid,  a  Pictish  captive 
princess  from  Scotland,  and  King  Cormac  {v.  Keating).  The 
lay  quoted  by  Keating  is  referred  to  here,  but  not  given. 


112  CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS       [MS.  VI 

(8)  The  otynioloi^^y  of  Hibernia  (Iroland)  from  Hiberiis  in 
Spain  and  in  Armenia. 

The  last  page  is  also  written  upon,  but  only  a  word  here  and 
there  can  now  be  read. 


MS.  VII  {v.  s^qwa,  p.  .S4) 

On  fols.  l-4a  is  found  another  copy  of  the  names  of  noted 
persons  already  mentioned  {v.  swpra,  p.  107).  The  copy  here, 
like  that  of  MS.  I,  begins  witti  Art  the  Solitary  and  ends  with 
Ulstermen  (ulaid).  Although  the  two  occasionally  differ  in 
arrangement  and  detail,  they  are  practically  the  same, 

Fols.  4b-5b.  Here  we  have  a  list  of  distinguished  women, 
with,  for  the  most  part,  the  names  of  their  husbands  and 
children,  beginning  with  Scota  the  daughter  of  Pharaoh,  wife  of 
Niul  and  mother  of  Gaedel  glas,  and  ending  with  Derborgaill 
daughter  of  Tadg  (Teigue),  son  of  Gilla  Patraig,  King  of  Ossory. 
A  corresponding  list  in  B.B.,  pp.  282a-286,  which  does  not 
always  follow  the  same  order,  begins  with  Eve  and  ends  abruptly 
with  Dunlait  daughter  of  Murcertach.  Cf.  also  Poem  by  Gilla 
Moduta  in  L.L.,  pp.  136-141. 

MS.  VIII — KiLBEiDE  Collection,  No.  4 

MS.  VIII  consists  of  thirty-six  leaves  of  parchment,  large 
folio.  There  are  in  reality  two  MSS.  stitched  together,  the  first 
containing  twenty-six  leaves,  12|  in.  by  9,  and  the  second  ten 
leaves,  13  in.  by  9.  Both  layers,  especially  the  second,  have 
been  subjected  to  rough  usage.  The  first  section  contains  a 
Gaelic  version  of  the  Thebaid  of  Statins,  and  the  second  a  con- 
siderable portion  of  the  Legend  of  Troy  (of  both  of  which  later). 

On  fol.  27  a  paragraph  which  begins  and  ends  abruptly 
relates  an  advance  by  Ceallachan  King  of  Munster,  accompanied 
by  the  Clan  Eogan,  to  attack  the  Norsemen  in  Luimneach 
(Limerick).  On  the  same  page  is  a  satirical  paragraph  on  the 
Kings  of  Ireland  and  their  followers,  by  '  Fergus  from  Scotland.' 

Fol.  36,  the  last  leaf,  is  written  in  a  large  hand.  The  first 
page  is  legible  only  in  part  and  the  second  is  wholly  illegible. 
The  readable  portion  consists  of  memoranda  regarding  Kings 


MS.  XXVIII]         HISTORY  AND  GENEALOGY  1 1 3 

of  Munster  from  Artri  onwards  :  Raig  oirrdirc  ardmeanrnnach 
7'ogahasdair  JiaitJi.us  J  forlaniiis  da  coiced  Muman  dar  ho 
coTYiainin  Artri  mac  Cathail  rfiic  Fiiiguini,  J  is  re  lind 
rogahadar  Lochlannaig  neart  ar  tus  an  Eirinn,  '  A  famous 
high-spirited  king  named  Artri  son  of  Cathal  son  of  Fingen 
assumed  sovereignty  and  sway  over  the  province  of  Munster, 
and  it  was  in  his  time  that  the  Norsemen  first  invaded  Ireland 
in  force.'  Cf.  Wars  of  the  GaidJdll  with  the  Gaill.  London, 
1867.     App.  B.,  p.  237.' 

MS.  IX  {v.  supra,  p.  26) 

The  chiefs  of  the  Macdougalls  of  Lorn,  afterwards  of  Dunolly, 
are  named  from  Allaster  mor  son  of  John  ciar  up  to  Dugald  son 
of  Somerled  (of  Argyll)  son  of  Gillabrigde.  The  writer  accounts 
for  the  indifferent  caligraphy  by  stating  that  he  wrote  in  great 
haste  and  by  candle  light. 


MS.  XXVIII— Kilbride  Collection,  No.  24 

This  MS.  consists  of  seven  leaves  of  parchment  of  irregular 
form,  4  to  6  in.  tall  by  about  9  in.  in  breadth.  The  writing  is  in 
one  column,  by  different  hands,  none  of  them  very  good.  The 
MS.  is  old,  probably  of  the  fourteenth  century.  The  contents 
are  in  part  historical.      The  fourth  leaf  is  reversed  in  binding. 

The  MS.  was  amissing  for  nearly  thirty  years.  It  was 
borrowed  from  the  Library  by  the  late  Dr.  M'Lauchlan  of 
Edinburgh,  and  in  the  spring  of  1864  it  accidentally  dropped 
from  his  pocket  on  to  the  street.  No  trace  of  it  could  be  found. 
In  1888  the  identical  MS.,  enclosed  in  its  cover,  was  presented  to 
the  late  Rev.  Dr.  Campbell  of  Dundee  by  an  old  man,  to  whose 
son  Dr.  Campbell  had  been  of  some  service.  On  being  satisfied 
that  the  MS.  was  that  lost  by  Dr.  M'Lauchlan  twenty-nine  years 
previously.  Dr.  Campbell  returned  it  to  the  Library. 

Pp.  1-4  (1.  5)  contain  an  old  and  valuable  copy  of  the 
Synchronisms  of  Flann  of  Bute.  Flann  died  in  1056  A.D.,  but 
the  Synchronisms  were  continued  by  an  unknown  author  to 
1119.     The  Tract  is  of  special  value  to  Scottish  students,  for 

H 


114     CATALOGUE  OF  CxAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS  [MS.  XXVIII 

Flanii  includes  the  kings  of  Dalriada  (whom  he  calls  kinu^s  of 
Alba)  in  his  survey.  Dr.  Skene  found  four  principal'  copies  of 
the  Tract,  two  without  the  continuation,  this  and  a  copy  in  the 
Bodl.  Oxford  (Hawl.  B.  486);  and  two  with  the  continuation, 
— one  in  the  Book  of  Lecan  (R.  I.  A.,  Dublin),  and  another 
in  the  Bodl.  (Rawl.  B.  512).  He  regarded  the  text  of  this 
copy  as  containing  '  the  Avork  of  Flann  in  its  original  shape,' 
and  printed  it  with  translation  and  variants  from  Rawl.  B.  512 
and  Lecan  in  the  Chroniclcfi  of  the  Picts  and  Scots,  pp.  18-22 
(c/.  also  Preface,  pp.  xxx,  xxxi). 

Pp.  4  (1.  7)-6  (1.  7)  contain  an  historical  poem,  commencing: 

Enna,  dalta  Cairpri  Cruaidh,  JRo  gab  tir  Enna  arm  ruaidh, 
'  Enna,  ward  of  the  stern  Cairbre,  seized  Tir-Enna  of  the  red  weai)ons.' 

The  poem  is  ascribed  by  O'R.  (p.  Ixxviii)  to  Flann  of  Bute,  but 
is  claimed  by  O'Cnrry  (Mann,  and  Gust.,  ii.  164)  for  MacNamee. 
There  follows  a  Calendar,  in  prose,  with  the  dates  of  the  Feasts 
and  Saints'  Days. 

Pp.  7  and  8  (reversed  in  binding)  contain  two  poems, 
attributed  to  Flann  (O'R.  p.  Ixxvi,  O'C,  Mann,  and  Gust.,  ii.  160), 
the  first  beginning : 

A  Uuba{i)r,  ata  ar  do  lar  Senchas  comcuhaidh  comlan, 
'  0  book  !  there  is  in  thy  contents  a  consistent,  perfect  history ' ; 

and  the  second : 

Ata  sivim  Senchas  nach  suaill, 
'  Here  is  no  trifling  history.' 

This  poem  concludes  as  follows : — 

Padraic  ro  fhacaib  doib  sin, 
Uadh  rosgribadh  a  lebraih; 
Gach  andligid  linib  la, 
Crisd  da  coimcd  mar  ata. 

'  Patrick  decreed  it  thus, 
And  from  him  was  written  down  ; 
The  dues  levied  on  successive  days. 
May  Christ  preserve  them  unaltered.' 

Thereafter  follows  a  series  of  letters,  significant  no  doubt, — 
g.m.m.  7  g.  7  cm.  etc.  etc.  A  paragraph,  written  in  small  hand, 
and  in  a  rhetorical,  exaggerated  style,  on  the  fruitfulness  and 
peacefulness  of  the  land  at  one  time,  fills  up  the  rest  of  the  page. 


MS.  XXX]  HISTORY  AND  GENEALOGY  115 

MS.  XXX — Kilbride  Collection,  No.  26 

Here  are  eight  strips  of  vellum  of  various  dimensions,  the 
largest  being  6  in.  by  11,  and  the  smallest  5  in.  by  8.  There 
is  a  piece  torn  from  the  fifth  leaf  and  some  text  lost.  The 
front  page  is  wholly  illegible,  while  pp.  2,  3,  4  and  5  are 
largely  so. 

From  the  top  of  p.  3  to  middle  of  p.  7  there  is  an  ironical 
laudation  of  Filib  mac  Briain  inic  Felimi  hi  Raighallaigh  in 
prose,  interspersed  with  Rosg  or  Retoric. 

[F.  M.  under  A.D.  1508  record  the  death  of  'Philip,  the  son 
of  Brian,  son  of  Felim  O'Reilly,  a  captain,  and  a  man  who  kept 
a  house  of  hospitality,  and  who  was  full  of  knowledge  of  each 
science,  after  gaining  the  victory  of  Unction  and  Penance.'] 

What  follows  is  in  verse  and,  with  the  possible  excej)tion  of 
the  last  piece,  evidently  inspired  by  the  preceding  characterisa- 
tion of  Philip  O'Reilly. 

(1)  On  pp.  7-9  Cerball  O'Dalaigh  (a  C.  O'D.,  poet  of 
Corcamroe,  died  in  1404,  v.  O'R.,  p.  cxii)  has  thirty-three 
quatrains,  beginning : 

Ni  ar  deis  tartar  mine 

in  defence  of  Philip,  and  in  disparagement  of  his  censor. 

(2)  On  pp.  9-10  Tadg  dec  Cianan  has  twenty-eight  quatrains, 
as  if  in  reply  to  Cerball,  first  line : 

Trian  Connacht  ar  coimet  aeinfir. 

(3)  The  same  Cerball  replies  in  twenty-six  quatrains 
(pp.  10-11)  beginning: 

Da  coimed  tech  tigerna. 

(4)  Lughaid  O'Daly  now  joins  in  with  forty  quatrains 
(pp.  11-13).  This  author  is  more  concerned  with  the  uncer- 
tainties of  life  than  with  the  merits  of  the  controversy.  He 
visits  Ath  TruiTTi,  where  Felim  was  slain,  searches  for  his  grave, 
and,  when  he  finds  it,  is  not  much  edified.   This  piece  commences 

Truag  ar  n-echtra  gu  h-Ath  Truim. 

(5)  On  pp.  13-15  Cerball  (the  name  is  written  in  a  different 
hand)  gives  some  thirty-seven  quatrains,  beginning : 

Ni  mar  each  as  cainte  Brian. 


IIG        CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS    [MS.  XXX 

(())  On  the  last  page  (16)  are  fifteen  quatrains,  not  always 
legible  but  seemingly  on  the  same  subject,  by  .  .  .  O'Cuirnin, 

beginning : 

Ra{i)th  Temraig  ota  Dornna{i)ll. 

If  the  sul)ject  of  the  composition  on  pp.  3-7  be  the  Philip 
O'Reilly  who  died  in  1508,  it  is  clear  that  his  apologist  is  not 
the  Caroll  O'Daly  who  died  in  1404.  A  Lughaid  O'Daly's 
death  is  recorded  in  1337,  who  was  Bishop  of  Clonmacnois. 
He  also  is  impossible.  Tadg  occ  Cianan  and  .  .  .  O'Cuirnin 
I  have  not  come  upon  elsewhere. 


MS.  XXXVI — Highland  Society,  Kilbride,  No.  5 

The  MS.  is  of  paper,  ordinary  quarto  size,  written  in  1690-1 
in  a  very  good  clear  hand,  in  one  column,  by  Eoghan  MacGilleoin 
(Ewen  MacLean),  for  Colin  Campbell,  otherwise  '  Caillain 
Caimpbel  mac  Dhonchaidh  mic  Dughil  mic  Chaillain  Oig  mic 
Maisfhister  Archibald.'  The  scribe  on  one  occasion  resorts  to 
crypt :  Scdlghbhn  inc  gngllscdlngn  ddl  scrngbh  sdl  =  Eoghan 
Mac  Oilleoin  do  scribh  so, '  Ewen  Mac  Lean  wrote  this '  (v.  pp.  79a, 
110b).  The  leaves  are  numbered  on  every  second  page  up  to 
133,  but  the  text  is  now  defective  at  the  beginning  and  end._ 
The  first  fourteen  leaves  are  awanting,  and  fols.  15  to  21  are 
tattered.  The  last  four  leaves  are  also  mutilated,  and  there 
were  at  least  a  dozen  more  which  are  still  traceable  in  the 
binding.  Of  the  skin  covering,  only  the  back  portion  now 
remains.  At  present  the  leaves  are  enclosed  in  a  sheet  of  blue 
paper,  on  which  is  written,  in  Dr.  Skene's  hand,  '  MS.  belonging 
to  the  Society  of  Advocates,'  and  in  another  hand,  in  pencil, 
'  XXXVI,  Highland  Society,  Kilbride  5.'  On  fol.  95b  is  written, 
'  This  manuscript  is  the  property  of  John  M'Lachlan  of  Kilbride.' 
The  contents  are  chiefly  Heroic  Tales  and  Romances.  There 
is  a  considerable  amount  of  verse,  —  short  poems,  detached 
couplets,  and  epigrams.  Three  of  the  pieces  may  be  classed 
as  Historical. 

1.  On  fols.  79b-81a  thirty- nine  quatrains,  beginning: 
Triath  nan  Gaoidheal  Giolleaspag. 
Subject, — the  greatness,  power   and  lineage  of  Archibald  (the 


MS.  XXXVI]         HISTORY  AND  GENEALOGY  117 

Marquess)  of  Argyll.  His  descent  is  traced  through  King  Arthur 
to  Adam.  Names  are  not  given,  but  the  number  of  progenitors 
is  said  to  be  sixty- four.  In  O'Hart's  Pedigrees  (Dublin,  1876), 
the  late  Queen  Victoria  is  the  hundred  -  and  -  thirty  -  sixth 
in  direct  descent  from  Adam,  all  the  names  being  given 
{v.  pp.  24-30). 

2.  On  fols.  81a-82a  is  another  piece  of  twenty-six  quatrains 
in  praise  of  the  Marquess,  commencing : 

Rug  edrain  ar  iath  n-Alban, 
'  We  fought  on  Scottish  soil.' 

To  this  poem  the  following  note  is  appended,  presumably  by  the 
author,  who  may  have  been  one  of  the  Irish  contingent  who 
fought  with  Montrose :  Benacht  chugaibh,  a  Thigerna,  arson  na 
h-aithne  do  rin{n)  sibh  ar  an  dan  so,  J  feacJdaire  do  chur  da 
iar{r)iiidh,  seach  moran  do  chach  oile  do  chuala  e,  7  se  is  locht 
Horn  air  anois  olcas  a  sgriobhneorachta  o  iomarcaidh  deithfire, 
7  nar  sgribas  an  oiread-sa  do  Ghaoidhealg  o  tangas  an  Albuin, 
J  ni  h-iongnadh  sin,  o{i)r  ni  bfuil  moran  do  lucht  tuigsean  san 
chuit  a  bfuili/ni  an(o)is.  Ni  beg  sin  acht  tabhair  mo  benacht 
d'Eoin  mhac  Mhaigliisdir  Domhnall.  Do  i-serbonntuigh  fein  go 
feadh  a  chumhacht  MURIS  0  MHUILGHIRIGH. 

'  A  blessing  to  you,  my  Lord,  for  your  appreciation  of  this  poem, 
and  for  sending  a  messenger  for  it, — so  different  from  many 
others  who  heard  it.  My  chief  regret  now  is  that,  because  of 
excessive  haste,  the  handwriting  is  so  inferior.  (But)  I  have 
not  written  this  much  of  Gaelic  since  I  came  to  Scotland,  nor 
is  this  surprising,  for  in  the  district  in  which  I  now  am,  there 
are  not  many  who  understand  the  language.  No  more  at 
present,  but  give  my  blessing  to  John,  son  of  (the  Rev.)  Mr. 
Donald. — Your  own  servant  to  the  extent  of  my  power,  M.  O  '  M.' 

3.  The  third  poem  consists  of  fourteen  quatrains  (fols. 
114a-b)  on  the  capture  of  Archibald,  ninth  Earl  of  Argyll,  who 
is  here  described  as  buachill  an  cliruin, '  the  shepherd  [guardian] 
of  the  crown.'     The  verses  commence, 

Is  maith  mo  leaba,  is  olc  mo  sJniain, 
'  Easy  my  bed,  disturbed  my  sleep. 


118    CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS  [MS.  XXXVIII 


MS.  XXXVIII— Highland  Society.     J.  M'Kenzie,  No.  2 

The  MS.  is  of  paper,  71  in.  by  6.  It  is  paged  from  5  to  193, 
the  first  four  pages  being  now  awanting.  Pp.  5  and  6  are  but 
a  fragment,  and  loose.  Caih  Cnucha  go  nuvje  sin,  '  The  battle 
of  Knock  thus  far,'  written  on  p.  5,  suggests  the  conclusion  of 
the  story  of  that  fight,  in  which  Cumhall,  the  father  of  the  hero 
Fionn,  was  slain.  Mish  lenhar  Mhanus  APMuirish,  '  I  [am]  the 
book  of  Magnus  son  of  Maurice,'  is  also  written  in  inferior 
hand  on  p.  5.  On  the  last  page  (198)  is  '  J.  Everitt  for 
J.  M'Kenzie,  Esq.,  Secretary  of  the  Highland  Society.' 

The  MS.  Avas  covered  by  leaves  of  an  old  Latin  Hymnary, 
part  of  which  still  adheres.  There  are  several  hands,  all  good, 
one  particidarly  fine  and  clear.  The  writing  may  not  be  of 
uniform  date,  and,  one  should  say,  is  not  older  than  the  end  of 
the  sixteenth  or  beginning  of  the  seventeenth  century. 

The  contents  are  various,  —  heroic  tales  and  ballads,  a 
vocabulary,  annals,  etc.  The  MS.  was  analysed  by  Ewen 
M'Lachlan,  who  also  transcribed  some  of  its  contents.  The 
following  may  be  included  in  this  chapter, 

1.  On  p.  171  six  lines  of  annals,  with  dates  inserted,  but 
afterwards  deleted.  Then  follow  some  forty  quatrains  of  a 
semi-historic  poem,  found  also  in  MS.  XLII,  where  ninety-six 
quatrains  are  given,  beginning  : 

Aoihhinn  sin,  a  Eire  ard. 

2.  The  last  eleven  quatrains  of  an  elegiac  poem  (of  which 
the  first  five  are  in  MS.  XLII), — '  on  a  distinguished  ecclesiastic ' 
says  E.  M'L.,  Analysis,  p.  51      Repeating  line, 

Bennacht  De  go  m'dhaingen-si. 


MS.  XXXIX— Highland  Society.     J.  M'Kenzie,  No.  3 

This  is  a  paper  MS.  of  thirty-two  leaves  of  small  quarto,  un- 
paged. It  is  enclosed  in  skin-covered  pasteboard,  and  looks 
to  have  been  Avritten  in  the  seventeenth  century.  The  hand  is 
fairly  good.      Several  memoranda  in  English,  with  names  of 


MS.  XLI]  HISTORY  AND  GENEALOGY  119 

Kennedy,  Cameron,  Alex.  M'Donald  and  others  appear  on  the 
margin,  under  dates  1786-9.  One  of  the  poetical  pieces  is 
written  semi-phonetically  in  Roman  hand  on  a  blank  space 
of  fol.  28a. 

Several  of  the  poems  may  perhaps  be  classed  as  historical. 
Among  them  are  e.rj. : 

1.  A  fragment  on  fol.  22b,  on  the  death  of  Angus,  of  the 
Clanranald  family. 

2.  Verses  on  fols,  29a-30a,  on  the  valour  of  MacEoin  (son 
of  John — a    Maclain    of  Ardnamurchan  ?)    in    foreign   parts, 

beginning : 

Meisneach  niiledha  mic  Eoiu, 
An  laibh  troda  a  thir  aincoil. 

'The  military  ardour  of  Muclain, 
On  the  battlefield  in  foreign  lands.' 

3.  On  fols.  31a-32a  are  verses  of  uncertain  reading  and  not 
very  intelligible  drift,  beginning : 

Tuar  freasdal  ar  feirg  .   .  . 

The  author  is  speaking  of  the  Macleods  and  names  several 
of  them, — Rory,  Norman,  William,  and  Alexander.  They  are 
the  bravest  of  the  brave,  even  among  Gaols.  But  they  are  as 
liable  as  meaner  men  to  be  deceived  and  cheated  by  fawning, 
flattering  rhymers. 


MS.  XLI — Highland  Society.     John  M'Kenzie,  No.  5 

The  cover  of  the  MS.  is  written  upon  {v.  supra,  p.  62).  The 
MS.  proper  consists  of  fourteen  leaves  of  parchment,  small  quarto 
(6  in.  by  4i).  On  fol.  13b  a  prayer  is  asked  for  the  soul  of  the 
man  for  whom  the  book  was  written,  viz.  Neill,  and  at  the  foot 
of  fol.  12b  in  very  small  hand  is  the  entry  :  Misi  Magnus  J  is 
amcja/r  atairri  tareis  Neill  i  Neill.  '  I  am  Magnus,  and  dis- 
tressed I  am  after  Neill  O'Neill.'  On  fol.  lb  'John  Smith,' 
evidently  in  the  hand  of  Dr.  Smith  of  Campbeltown,  is 
written. 

The  subject  of  the  MS.  is  difficult  to  classify.  It  pur- 
ports to  be  a  copy  (foirm)  of  a  letter  which  Sar  Seon,  Priest 


120  CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRITTS  [MS.  XLI 

and  King  of  India,  sent  to  the  Roman  Emperor  and  the  King 
of  the  Franks,  desiring  the  friendship  of  these  potentates,  pro- 
mising great  wealth  and  honour  to  such  of  their  subjects  as 
might  enter  his  service,  and  giving  a  detailed  account  of  his 
country,  its  wealth  and  grandeur  and  wonders,  together  with 
the  strange  beasts  and  birds  to  be  seen  there,  as  well  as  of  the 
people,  their  laws,  religion,  and  manners. 

On  fol.  18b,  filling  up  a  gap  in  the  text,  are  bits  of  lore,  of 
one  of  which  Shakespeare  may  have  heard :  '  Three  women- 
wizards  in  the  eastern  land,  by  name  Behhinn,  Becuill  cladJiach, 
and  Be  chairm  coinramacJi,  were  in  an  empty,  secluded  house 
boiling  a  cauldron  full  of  wizardry  (drai(jhecJit).  Balar  haluan 
hladh  was  watching  them  through  a  hole  in  the  door-leaf.  One 
of  the  hags  threw  a  ladleful  of  the  poison  through  the  hole 
and  destroyed  his  eye.'  Another  is  in  verse,  beginning  : 
Don{n)al  con  re  tech  aniar,  is  rabadh  re  creich  co  cian, 

'  Howling  of  dogs  against  a  house  facing  the  west  is  ever  a  token 
of  spoil.' 

MS.  XLII — Highland  Society.    J.  M'Kenzie,  No.  6 

A  very  tattered  paper  MS.  in  small  quarto,  of  which  twenty- 
four  leaves  are  entire.  It  is  enclosed  in  a  double  cover,  the 
outer  being  of  skin  stitched  with  thong,  the  inner  a  leaf  of  an 
old  Latin  Hymnar3^  Of  the  fragments,  little  or  nothing  can 
be  made.  Corrections  are  made  on  some  of  the  verses.  Several 
pages  are  blank. 

Fol.  2a  is  taken  up  with  genealogies,  historical  and  mythical, 
ranging  from  Adam  to  Don  Philippe. 

Fols.  3-7  contain  fragmentary  poems.    One  (fol.  4b)  is  headed 

Ni  comthrom  cogadh  Banbha, 
'  Ireland's  warfare  is  not  a  fair  one  '; 

but  the  text  here  is  different  from  the  poem  with  the  same 
opening  line  quoted  in  O'Gr.  Cat.,  p.  479. 

From  fol.  7  to  fol.  14  there  is  a  variety  of  matter,  chiefly 
lore,  of  which  later.  Fols.  14a-17a  contain  a  copy  of  the  poem 
already  noticed  (v.  supra,  p.  118),  which  here  extends  to  ninety- 
six  quatrains, 

Aoibhinn  sin,  a  Eire  ard. 


MS.  XLII]  HISTORY  AND  GENEALOGY  121 

On  fol.  17  is  another  long  poem,  anonymous,  beginning, 

Eisdigh^  a  eigsi  Banhha,  Re  h-iomradh  na  h-ealadhna, 
'  Listen,  Irish  Poets,  to  the  voice  of  your  craft.' 

Gf.  Poem  in  O'Gr.  Cat.,  p.  535,  and  O'R.,  p.  clvi,  attributed  to 
John  O'Clery, 

Eistidh,  a  eigsi  Bhanba,  tabhraidh  dJminn  cead  agallmha. 

On  fol.  18b  commences  an  anonymous  poem, 

Eire  og,  inis  na  naem, 
'  Chaste  Ireland,  isle  of  saints,' 

found  also  in  B.B.,  49b,  1.  40. 

Fols.  20-24  are  detached.    Fol.  20  gives  the  last  five  quatrains 
of  one  poem,  and  the  first  twenty  of  another,  the  latter  beginning, 

An  sith  do  roga,  a  rig  Fionngall  ? 
'  Do  you  prefer  peace.  King  of  the  Norsemen  1 ' 

On  fol.  21  is  a  portion  of  a  poem,  which  can   hardly  be 
described  as  historical : 

Ataim  a  g-cds  eider  da  chomairle, 
'  I  am  in  a  strait  between  two  counsels.' 

The  poem  is  found  in  MS.  XLIV  (v.  infra,  p.  123).  It  is  also 
quoted  in  O'Gr,  Cat.,  p.  478,  and  there  attributed  to  Eochy 
O'Hosey. 

Fol.  22  contains  twenty  quatrains  of  a  poem,  anonymous, 
beginning : 

A  eolcha  Eirinn  airdi,  sloinnidh  do  chach  gan  cJiairde, 
'  Ye  learned  of  illustrious  Ireland,  relate  forthwith  to  all.' 

Fol.  24  contains  twenty-six  quatrains  attributed  to  Dr.  Clerk, 

beginning : 

A  Emuin,  an  agadfein, 
'  Edmund,  restrain  yourself,' 

and  the  first  five  quatrains  of  a  piece  already  noticed  (v.  supra, 
p.  118),  attributed  here  to  the  same  author  (Dr.  Clerk),  begin- 
ning: 

Bennacht  De  go  vi'  dhainghen-sa, 
'  The  blessing  of  God  [be]  on  my  stronghold.' 


122         CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS  IMS.  XLIII 


MS.  XLIII— Highland  Society.    J.  M'Kenzie,  No.  7 

The  MS.  consists  of  forty  leaves  of  paper,  small  quarto  (6^  in. 
by  6|),  written  in  a  plain  but  good  hand  of  the  late  seventeenth 
century.  It  contains  a  carefully  written  copy  of  Keating's 
History  of  Ireland,  from  the  commencement  down  to  the 
departure  of  the  Milesians  from  Gothland  for  Spain.  {Cf.  also 
MSS.  LI  and  LVIII.)  The  Title  is  given  first  in  English,  then 
follow  Title,  Introduction  and  Text  in  Gaelic. 


MS.  XLIV— Highland  Society.    J.  M'Kenzie,  No.  8 

MS.  XLIV  is  now  but  the  tattered  remains  of  what  Avas  at 
one  time  a  valuable  collection  of  poetry  by  comparatively 
modern  Irish  Bards.  At  present  the  MS.  consists  of  eighty 
leaves,  of  which  several  are  mere  scraps.  Many  are  loose,  some 
out  of  place,  while  a  number  are  altogether  lost  from  the  body 
of  the  MS.  as  well  as  at  the  beginning  and  end.  The  cover  was 
of  thick  pasteboard,  enclosed  in  old  and  brittle  skin.  The 
back  of  the  cover  has  disappeared,  and  the  sides  are  slowly 
crumbling  away.  The  page  is  of  unusual  form,  *J^  in.  by  2i. 
Two  if  not  three  hands  are  discernible,  one — in  which  much 
the  greater  part  of  the  MS.  is  written — very  good,  round  and 
regular;  another  sharp  and  free,  but  firm  and  clear.  The  MS., 
which  is  of  paper,  ma}^  be  of  the  late  seventeenth  century. 

The  poems  are  mainly  historical,  with  a  few  religious  and 
didactic.  Many  of  them  are  quoted  in  O'Gr.'s  Cat.  They  are 
here  given,  in  so  far  as  legible,  in  the  order  in  which  they  appear 
in  the  MS.  without  any  attemj)t  at  classification. 

Fol.  First  Line.  Author. 

1.  A  Fragment 

2.  Beginning  of  poem  wanting 

.3.       Da  gradh  do  fagbas  Eirinn  Tadg  (in  modern  hand)  i.e.  Teigue 

O'Daly.  Cy:  O'Gr.  Cat.,  355,  and 
O'R.  xcix 
5a.      Ein  fer  feisd  ag  milledh  Muman  Diarmai(d)  mag  Craith 

7a.      lomdha  uaisle  ar  iath  Laigen  Eogan  mag  Craith  (v.  O'Gr.  Cat.,  359) 

9a.      Da  roinn  cotroma  ar  crich  Neil  An  fer  cedna  {v.  O'Gr.  Cat.,  363) 

lib.      Dlighidh  ollamh  urrum  riog  Maolmuire  bacach  mag  Craith 

12a.     Tanag  aghaigh  go  h-eas  g-Caoill  Anon.  (Tadg  dall  in  O'Gr.  Cat.,  423) 


MS.  XLIV] 


HISTORY  AND  GENEALOGY 


123 


Fol.  First  Line. 

14a.  dig  do  mheanma  a  maoilir 

16a.  Ag  so  aa  chomairce,  a  C(h)orraaic 

17b.  Imda  sochar  ag  siol  Neill 

20b.  (  )raoid  sunn  go  siol  Colla 

21a.  Illegible 

22b.  Coir  De  eadram  is  Uilleam 

24a,  Daoine  saora  siol  Colla 

27b.  An  aill  leibh  senchus  siol  g-Cein 


Author. 

An  fer  cedna 

)>         )) 
An  fer  cedna  (Tadg  dall  in  O'Gr. 
Cat.,  40.9) 

Illegible 
An  fer  cedna 

„         „     (Tadg    dall   O'Higgin 
in  O'Gr.  Cat,  408) 
Anon.     Tagd  dall  in  O'R.,  p.  clxxi 
32b.      D' fior  chogaid  comaillter  sidchain      Anon.  (Tadg  dall  in  O'Gr.  Cat.,  413) 
36a.      Ferann  cloidmi  crioch  Banba  An  fer  cedna.     (Tadg  dall  in  O'Gr. 

Cat.,  427) 
Anon. 

An  fer  cedna.    {Cf.  O'Gr.  Cat.,  386) 
Anon.     (Eochy  O'Hosey  in  O'Gr. 

Cat.,  476) 
An  fer  cedna. 

„         „      (Eochy    O'Hosey    in 

O'Gr.  Cat.,  478).  v.  supra,  p.  121 

464 

455 

Fergal  og  mac  an  bhaird.    (So  O'Gr 

Cat.,  384) 


38b.  Meallfflrf/i  ionilaoi  De  ar  Eirinn 

42a.  Cred  anois  fairges  Eniann 

46a.  Suirghecli  sin  a  Eire  ogh 

48b.  Diol  d(ru)idhe  inis  Eogain 

51b.  Ataim  eider  da  chomairle 

53a.  Roinn  leitlie  ar  anbuain  Eirinn 

56a.  Slan  fad  lot  a  laiui  Aodha 

58a.  Maith  do  suidighedh  siol  Neill 

59,60.  Leaves  loose 

61b.  At(h  roinn  ar  Inisfail.    (Repeated  at 

end  of  poem) 

61b.  Gaoidil  meallta  no  mac  Neill 

64a.  Gluais,  a  t(h)echtaire  teid  siar 

64b.  Cia  as  sine  cairt  ar  crich  Neill 

67a.  Mor  ata  ar  thegosg  flatha 

70a.  Anois  diolam  an  dechmoid 

72a.  A  mhacaoim  senas  mo  sheire 

72b.  T'  aire  ort,  a  Ricaird  oig 

76a.  A  Mhor,  cuimnigh  an  cumand 

78b.  (B)iaid  a  tromm  ar  Inisfail 


An  fer  cedna 

„         „     (c/.  O'R.,  p.  clxxiv) 
Domnall   mac   Daire.      (So   O'R., 

cxl) 
Tadg  mac  Daire  mic  Bruaidedha. 

(So  in  O'Gr.  Cat.,  388) 
An  fer  cedna.     (So  in  O'Gr.  Cat., 

390) 

Brian  O'Domnallain  {v.  O'Gr.  Cat., 

401) 
Tadg   dall.      (So  O'Gr.   Cat.,  41  ; 

O'R.,  p.  clxxii) 
Uilleam  mac  an  Bhaird 


80a.      Mairg  fhechus  ar  inis  g-Ceithlenn        Anon.     (Tadg  dall  in  O'Gr.  Cat.   . 

430,  and  O'R.,  p.  clxxii) 
81a,      (D)eit(f)rig  chugainn  a  chalbaig  (con- 
clusion on  76a)  Tadg  dall 


5 

Niall  inor  mac  Muiriche 

8(?) 

Anon. 

11 

Niall  mac  Muiredchaidh 

11 

Anon. 

28 

Cathelaes  mac  Muriche 

13 

Anon. 

17 

Niall  mac  Muirichedh 

124      CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS      [MS.  XLIV 

Thereafter  are  three  scraps  of  verse  without  the  beginning 
or  end  of  the  pieces.  A  detached  leaf  of  fresher  paper  follows, 
with  writing  in  prose  and  in  two  hands,  the  one  ending,  the 
other  commencing,  some  scraps  of  lore. 


MS.  XL VIII  (v.  supra,  p.  98). 
The  following  poems  may  lay  some  claim  to  be  historical  :- 

Fol.  First  Line.  Quatrains.  Author. 

4a.  Se  h-oidhce  dhamhsa  san  dun 

9b.  Clann  an  iaria  o  iomluibh  Banba 

„  Dia  beatha  (cui)r  ar  aos  a  leinb 

lib.  T'aire  riut  a  Gliiolla  easbuig 

14b- 16b.  Cionnus  mhaireas  me  am  aonar 

17a-18a.  Fuaras  cara  ar  sgath  na  sgoile 

18a-20a.  Mor  an  len-sa  air  aicme  He 

The  first  piece  celebrates  a  visit  by  the  bard  to  the  too 
hospitable  Rorj^  ^nor  M'Leod  in  Dun  vegan ;  the  third  was  written 
on  the  birth  of  an  heir  to  Macdonald ;  the  fifth  is  a  lament  for 
the  death  of  many  Gaelic  poets,  and  especially  John,  son  of 
Brian ;  the  sixth  is  an  eulogy  on  Sir  James,  the  heir  of  Donald, 
and  his  wife,  daughter  of  M'Leod ;  and  the  last  is  on  the  high 
descent  and  numerous  branches  of  the  old  Macdonalds  of  Islay. 


MS.  XLIX  {v.  supra,  p.  99). 

In  addition  to  the  religious  pieces  already  noted  (v.  supra, 
p.  99),  the  following  are  more  or  less  legible : 

Fol.  First  Line.  Quatrains.  Author. 

la-b.  lonmhuin  tech  re  tugas  cul  24    Eochy  O'Hosey  (r.  O'Gr.,474) 

3b-4a.        'S  ionmhuin  fert  iona  bfuil  Brian     12     Anon.     (So  O'Gr.,  348) 
4a-b.  Mian  Cormaic  tighe  Temhra  11     Anon.     (So  O'Gr.,  652) 

5a-6a.  Cuirfed  so  ionnad  (a)  Aodh  20     Maolmuire  mac   an  Bhaird. 

(In  O'Gr.,  456,  ascribed 
to  Eochy  O'Hosey) 
Gh-Sa.         Slan  fad  lot  a  lamh  Aodha  37     Eochy   O'Hosey  (So    O'Gr., 

455,  V.  siipra,  p.  123) 
8a-9b.         Nodluig  do  chuamar  don  Chraoib     14     TadgdallO'Higgin  (SoO'Gr., 

433) 


38 

„    (So  O'Gr.,  364) 

36 

Anon. 

6 

Anon. 

7 

Anon. 

25 

Lochlainn  mac  Taidhg  i  Dha- 

laigh.     (O'Gr.  374) 

31 

O'heodhusa  (?). 

MS.  L]  HISTORY  AND  GENEALOGY  125 

Fol.  First  Line.  Quatrains.  Author. 

lOa-b.         Mor  do  ni  daoine  dibli  fein  19     (Illegible.)     In   O'Gr.,  555, 

ascribed  to  Ferfeasa  o  an  Cainte 
lla-12a.     La  a  ttemhraigh  ag  Toirrdheal-     31     Tadhg  O'huigin 

bhach 
12b-14a.     On  aird  thuaidh  tig  an  chabair 
14a-15b.     Re  Mn  ^sga  an  fhir  einigh 
17b.  Ni  diobhtha  dhamhsa  riom  fein 

l7b-18a.      Mairg  do  bhur  gradh  letromach 
18a-19a.      C'dit  ar  ghabhadar  Gaoidhil 

19b-20b.     Cred  mhosglas  macraidh  eirne 


MS.  L — Highland  Society.    J.  M'Kenzie,  No.  14 

Here  are  twenty-six  leaves  8vo  (6  in.  by  4)  of  faded  paper 
in  pasteboard  cover.  Along  with  these  were  pp.  11-16  of  the 
(so-called)  Red  Book  of  Clanranald.  These  pages  were  returned 
to  Clanranald  some  fifteen  years  ago,  after  a  copy  of  the  text 
was  made  which  is  now  kept  in  this  cover.  There  are  several 
hands,  and  the  writing  is  usually  in  one  column,  occasionally 
in  two. 

The  contents  are  largely  memoranda  and  paragraphs  regard- 
ing the  Macdonalds,  with  genealogies  of  the  family  and  of  the  Gael 
generally,  together  with  legends  of  the  race.  The  volume  was 
evidently  a  sort  of  commonplace  book  of  the  M'Vurichs  of  South 
Uist.    The  text  is  in  several  places  illegible,  in  others  uncertain, 

Fol.  la  is  blank,  and  lb  is  illegible.  On  fol.  2  the  death  in 
1600  of  James  M'Sorley  is  recorded.  Black  Archibald,  son  of 
Angus,  was  slain  in  1607  in  the  island  Mac  i  Carmuic  and 
buried  in  Kilmory  in  Knap(dale).  Argyll  took  possession  of 
Kintyre  in  the  same  year,  and  Alexander  junior,  son  of  Angus, 
was  drowned  in  the  Sound  of  Islay.  In  1614  (fol.  3)  Angus, 
son  of  James,  died  in  Rothesay,  and  was  buried  in  Saddell.  He 
was  the  best  (most  powerful)  Macdonald  of  his  time, — Lord  of 
Islay,  Kintyre,  Jura,  Colonsay  and  Gigha,  of  the  seven  tribes  of 
the  Glens  (of  Antrim),  and  many  others.  In  1616  Dunnaomhaig 
(in  Islay)  was  taken  by  the  Lord  of  Calder  and  Sergeant 
Campbell,  with  Englishmen  ;  and  Angus  junior,  son  of  Angus, 
son  of  James,  was  hanged.    In  1626  James  junior  {i.e.  Sir  James 


126  CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS       [MS.  L 

Macdoiiald  of  Islay)  died  in  London,  after  his  exile.  In  the 
same  year  died  Ruaidri  (Rory  mor)  MacLeoid,  the  best  Gael  in 
Scottish  Gaeldom  of  his  time  (fol.  4).  Notices  of  the  three  sons 
of  John  of  Islay,  Donald  (of  Harlaw),  John  mor  (of  Dun- 
naomhaig  and  the  Glens),  and  Alastair  Carrach,  with  their 
wives,  follow.  Through  his  wife  Maire  Bised,  sllocJtd  Iain 
mhoir  (the  descendants  of  John  mor)  inherited  the  glens  of 
Antrim.  The  execution  of  John  Cattanach  and  his  three  sons 
at  Barramuir,  and  their  burial  in  the  temple  of  St.  Francis, 
now  called  Teamjndl  nua,  '  new  Temple,'  are  noticed.  Then 
follow  memoranda  regarding  the  surviving  son  of  this  family, 
Alexander,  his  sons  and  descendants ;  and  the  Clanranalds. 

On  fols.  7-10  are  notes  on  Parthalon  and  his  race;  the 
Aitheach  Tuatha;  the  Tuatha  De  Danann;  Scota  the  daughter 
of  Pharaoh,  etc.,  etc. 

Fol.  12  gives  the  pedigree  of  King  David,  son  of  Malcolm, 
through  the  Dalriadic  line  on  to  Aonghus  Tuirinn  of  Tara,  and 
of  Charles  i.  to  Robert  Bleire  (Bruce  ?),  who  died  in  1330. 

Fol.  13,  under  the  heading  '  Kings  of  Ireland  here/  begins 
with  Heremon  son  of  Mile  of  Spain,  and  goes  on  to  the  several 
branches  of  the  Gaelic  race,  their  names  and  genealogies,  with 
notes  of  events  and  dates,  first  in  a.m.,  and  later  in  a.m.  and  a.d. 

The  text  of  the  three  leaves  (pp.  11-16)  restored  to  the  Red 
Book  of  Clanranald  opens  with  the  statement  that  Colla  Uais 
died  at  Royal  Tara  in  a.d.  335,  when  on  a  saor  chuairt,  '  free 
circuit,'  in  Ireland.  He  left  four  sons,  whose  affairs  and 
those  of  their  descendants  are  briefly  treated  of  until  the 
time  of  Gillebrighde  son  of  Gilladomnan,  and  father  of  Somerled 
of  Argyll.  This  man  appeared  in  Ireland  among  his  kinsmen, 
asked  and  obtained  help  to  have  the  Lochlannaigh  or  Norsemen 
driven  from  his  possessions  in  Scotland.  It  is  incidental!}'  stated 
that  the  title  of  the  family  from  Reginald  son  of  Somerled  to 
Colla  Uais  was  O'Colla  and  Taoisech  (thane)  of  Argyll. 


MS.  L — Highland  Society.    J.  M'Kenzie,  No.  15 

This  MS.  is  a  continuation  of  MS.  XLIII,  written  in  the 
same  hand,  and  on  the  same  paper.     There  are  eighteen  leaves 


MS.  LII]  HISTORY  AND  GENEALOGY  127 

in  two  sheets.  The  first  gives  continuous  text.  There  is  a  gap 
between  the  first  and  second  sheet,  and  possibly  also  elsewhere 
in  the  second  sheet,  several  of  the  leaves  being  here  detached 
and  fragmentary.  The  narrative  of  Keating  is  in  this  section 
carried  down  to  the  period  of  Criomthann  Niathmar. 


MS.  LII — Highland  Society.    J.  M'Kenzie.     Fragments, 
Nos.  16,  17,  18,  19 

The  litter  gathered  together  within  this  cover  consists  of 
some  forty-five  separate  items,  mostly  written  in  verse,  with 
one  or  two  in  prose.  The  writing  is  mainly  in  the  Gaelic  hand, 
but  two  or  three  scraps  are  in  current  Roman  hand.  The 
subjects  are  varied, — mainly  secular,  but  two  or  three  are 
religious,  a  hymn  or  two  and  a  prayer,  and  there  are  one  or 
two  medical  notes.  They  are  nearly  all  written  in  Gaelic,  but 
there  is  a  scrap  in  Latin,  and  another  in  English. 

The  following  pieces  are  complete  : 

1.  A  Mhor,  cuinnhnigh  an  cumann  (v.  sujpra,  p.  123). 

2.  Maith  an  chairt  ceannas  nan  Gaidheal, 

'  A  good  charter,  the  supremacy  of  the  Gael.' 

[This  poem,  consisting  of  fifty-one  quatrains,  is  anonymous, 
with  a  preface  in  prose.  The  ceannas  of  the  Gael  is  with 
Argyll,  after  whom  come  the  Macdonalds  and  other  clans]. 

3.  A  poem  of  twenty-four  quatrains,  anonymous,  beginning : 

Clu  oirbirt  uaislighes  necli, 
"Tis  a  reputation  for  great  deeds  that  ennobles  one.' 

4.  A  carefully  written  version  of  the  well-known  Ossianic 
ballad, 

Goll  mear  Tnileta. 

5.  Verses  headed  An  ainm  a  n-athar  agas  an  mhic  j  an 
shiorad  naomh.  Ainen.  Niall  mac  Mhuiradhuigh  cecenit,  '  In 
the  Name  of  the  Father  and  of  the  Son  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 
Amen.     Neill  M'Vurich  sang,'  beginning : 

Maith  an  sgeiil  do  sgaoil  'nar  miosg, 
'  Good  the  news  circulated  among  us.' 


128  CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS    [MS  LII 

6.  Thirteen  quatrains,  anonymous,  commencing: 

An  bfaca  dusa  thufein? 
'  Have  you  seen  [i.e.  known]  yourself  [as  you  really  are]  ? ' 


MS.  LV  {v.  suiira,  p.  101) 

A  long  poem  of  ninety-five  quatrains  beginning, 

Teamhair  teach  am  hi  mhac  Guinn, 
'  Where  the  race  of  Conn  dwells,  that  is  Tara,' 

may  properly  belong  to  the  Historical  class. 


MS.  LVIII  {v.  siqora,  p.  102) 

The  first  one  hundred  and  eighty  pages  of  this  MS.  are 
taken  up  with  a  copy  of  Keating's  History.  The  narrative  is 
carried  down  to  the  death  of  Cet  viae  Magach.  E.  M'L. 
transcribed  several  extracts  from  this  portion  of  the  MS.  in 
Leabhar  Caol  (LXXXI.  pp.  159-163). 


CHAPTER  IV 
Legend  and  Lore 

Legend  and  Lore  form  a  large  portion  of  the  contents  of  the 
MSS.  While  several  of  the  pieces  included  in  the  previous 
Chapter  are  more  legendary  than  historical,  much  of  the  con- 
tents of  this  Chapter  contains  a  background  of  history.  Under 
Lore  are  included  the  Tracts  known  as  Bmnshenchus,  which 
give  the  legendary  accounts  of  the  origin  of  the  names  of  noted 
places. 

MS.  V  {v.  supra,  pp.  79,  109) 

The  MS.  contains  several  interesting  pieces  which  belong  to 
this  chapter. 

1.  On  fols.  lb-2b  is  given  an  account  of  the  battle  of  Leitir 
Ruide,  fought  between  Fachtna  Fathach,  father  of  Conchobar 
son  of  Ness  and  monarch  of  Ireland,  and  Eochaid  Feidlech, 
father  of  Meave  of  Connaught.  Fachtna  was  slain  in  the  battle 
(a.m.  5057  according  to  F.  M.),  and  his  opponent  succeeded  him. 
According  to  this  account  his  three  sons,  Oilill,  Eochaid,  and 
Conall,  accompanied  their  father,  Eochaid  Feidlech,  on  this 
expedition.  Oilill  and  Eochaid  were  slain.  The  tract  concludes 
with  the  arrangement  made  for  the  division  of  Ireland  into  five 
provinces,  the  establishment  of  Fergus  Mac  Roich  as  king 
of  Ulster,  and  his  displacement  by  Conchobar  through  the 
intrigues  of  the  latter's  mother  Ness.  Four  daughters  of 
Eochaid  Feidlech  are  named,  Meave,  Muman,  Clothru,  and 
Eithne;  but  there  is  no  mention  here  of  the  three  sons,  Breas, 
Nar,  and  Lothar,  who  at  a  later  date  revolted  against  their 
father.  For  MSS.  containing  other  versions  of  Cath  Leitreach 
Ruide  (or  Ruige),  v.  Essai  d'un  Catalogue  de  la  Litterature 

I 


130  CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS      [MS.  V 

JiJpique  de  VIrlandc,  par  H.  d'Arbois  do  Jubaiiiville,  Paris,  LS83, 
p.  72  (quoted  here  as  '  Jub.'). 

2.  Fol.  6a2-bl :  Duncan,  son  of  Flann  son  of  Malachy,  made  a 
muster  in  order  to  build  a  wall  and  foss  around  SaujJiir  Clarain, 
urged  thereto  by  his  wife.  While  the  men  were  busy  at  this 
work,  the  body  of  the  lady's  father,  Duncan  the  Fat,  King  of 
Ossory,  was  brought  to  the  church  and  buried  forthwith.  When 
night  came  there  appeared  nine  hairy,  jet-black  crosain  (a  word 
srlossed  f^cnrra  elsewhere),  and  after  the  manner  of  their  kind 
from  all  time  they  began  chanting  over  the  grave.  '  White  as 
snow  were  their  teeth  and  eyes,  while  black  as  smith's  coal 
was  every  other  limb  of  them.  Each  had  a  poem  with  him, 
and  to  every  one  they  gazed  on  they  brought  disease  which  en- 
dured a  day  and  a  night.'  The  poems  are  quoted.  The  question 
arose  among  laymen  and  clerics  how  such  demons  could  pursue 
so  religious  a  king  as  Duncan  the  Fat,  who  when  in  life  had, 
among  other  pious  deeds,  imposed  upon  each  house  in  Ossory 
th.rQQpellic8,  i.e.j^dlic  declitnaide  J  pellic  mirend'^  j)ellic.  tuirtin 
ciric,  for  providing  food  and  drink  in  the  churches  of  Ireland. 
It  was  resolved  to  ask  the  clerics  to  pray  to  God  to  reveal  to 
them  why  the  demons  pursued  the  king  thus.  An  angel 
appeared  and  told  them  this  was  the  third  time  demons  came 
out  of  hell  to  Ireland.  He  told  them  to  fast,  offer  Mass  on  the 
morrow,  and  afterwards  to  consecrate  grave,  churchyard,  and 
church,  and  that  the  demons  would  depart.  The  demons  now 
assumed  the  form  of  birds,  for  they  dared  not  tread  on  conse- 
crated ground.  But  they  still  pursued  the  king's  body,  for  the}^ 
were  powerless  against  his  soul.  For  another  version,  cf  Gael. 
Journ.,  vol.  iv,  p.  106.  Dr.  Meyer  derives  pellic  from  L. 
pelliciwni, '  basket  of  untanned  hide,'  and  translates  '  a  basket  of 
tithes,  a  basket  of  broken  meat,  and  a  basket  of  waxen  tablets.' 

3.  Fol.  7al-2  gives  a  paragraph  opening :  Cetna  ailges 
rogabadh  an  Eirinn,  cuich  h-el  '  What  was  the  first  [unlawful] 
claim  made  in  Ireland  ? '  The  answer  is  that  Crichinbel,  the 
satirist  of  Bres  son  of  Ealadhan,  preferred  the  first  ailges  from 
the  Dagda.  Unfortunately  the  text  is  broken,  and  the  exact 
terms  cannot  now  be  read.  But  the  sequel  shows  that  the 
Dagda  was  circumvented,  and  deprived  of  the  third  part  of  his 
food  by  the  satirist.    By  the  aid  of  Mac  Occ,  however,  Crichinbel 


MS.  V]  LEGEND  AND  LORE  131 

was  in  turn  overreached,  and  the  Dagda's  full  share  of  provisions 
was  restored  to  him. 

4.  Fol.  7a2-bl  gives  a  legend,  not  very  legible  or  intelligible, 
in  wliich  Michael  the  Archangel  and  St.  Patrick  figure. 

5.  Fol.  7bl :  Kins:  Cormac  son  of  Art,  while  in  Tara  after 
sunset,  saw  two  beautiful  women  approaching  him.  They  said 
they  came  over  the  sea  from  Alba ;  they  were  of  the  tribes  of 
glaisdig  and  of  the  race  of  geilti  glinni :  the  slcJtuire  did  not 
acknowledge  them.  They  wrought  woe  wherever  they  Avent. 
They  made  great  havoc  in  Scotland;  and  now  they  came  to 
harass  Cormac  and  Tara.  Their  names  were  Mael,  '  bald,'  and 
Elgin,  '  violence.'  Whomsoever  Mael  laid  hold  of  lost  his 
fingers,  toes,  eyebrows,  eyelashes  and  ears.  Elgin  pierced  the 
heads  of  her  victims.  For  four  years  they  roamed  about  Tara 
destroying  and  maiming.  Thereafter  they  approach  Cormac 
and  threaten  him  with  similar  violence,  unless  he  worships  them 
and  does  homage  to  the  seven  demons  that  dwell  in  each  of 
them.  The  king  appeals  to  the  protection  of  the  true  God  who 
rules  heaven  and  earth.  '  You  cannot  escape  us,'  said  they,  '  for 
we  will  secure  that  only  the  worship  of  images  and  idols  shall 
flourish  in  Ireland  henceforth  and  for  ever.'  '  I  am  a  smith  of 
the  great  God,'  said  Cormac. 

6.  Fols.  7b2-8a2  :  The  Aided  or  Tragical  Death  of  Conchobar 
son  of  Ness.  For  MSS.  in  which  this  legend  appears,  v.  Jub. 
p.  13,  and  '  Todd  Lecture  Series,'  vol.  xiv.,  where  Dr.  Kuno  Meyer 
prints,  with  translation,  the  various  versions,  with  the  exception 
of  this  in  MS.  V.  The  L.L.  version  is  also  printed,  with  transla- 
tion, by  O'Curry  (MSS.  Mat.  pp.  637-642).  Another  copy  of 
the  Aided  of  Conchobar  is  given  in  MS.  XL  (v.  infra),  where 
the  beginning  of  the  Tale  is  illegible.  Here  in  MS.  V  it  is 
complete,  except  a  few  words  of  text  lost  at  the  foot  of  a  column. 
This  account  agrees  with  the  L.L.  version,  with  slight  variations, 
until  towards  the  end,  when  it  agrees  pretty  closely  with 
MS.  XL.     MS.  V  adds,  .  .  .  dian-ebra,  '  whence  is  said ' : 

Ba  sgel  gach  muighi  go  mur, 

Oigheadh  in  righ  ConcMibair ; 

Ba  mor  na  en  giiine  gan  cath. 

Do  laim  Get  moir  meic  Madach  .  etrl. 

7.  Fol.  8a2  gives  notes  on  the  four  Manannans :  (a)  M.  son 


132  CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS      [MS.  V 

of  Allot;  (b)  M.  son  of  Cerb, — ho  it  was  who  wooed  Tuagh,  from 
whom  TuiKjli  Inbir  (v.  infra)  is  named  ;  (c)  M.  son  of  Ler,  the 
great  merchant  and  pilot  between  Ireland,  Scotland,  and  the  Isle 
of  Man;  (d)  M.  the  son  of  Agna.  It  was  he  that  commanded  the 
great  expedition  to  avenge  the  sons  of  Uisneach,  who  dwelt  for 
sixteen  years  in  the  North  of  Scotland,  having  expelled  and 
slain  the  three  sons  of  Gnatgoile  who  held  that  land  by  violence, 
8.  On  fol.  8b  are  several  items :  The  lands  and  privileges 
which  Conall  Echliiath  gave  to  Torna  eiges  '  poet,' — Caimfind, 
daughter  of  Conall,  being  Torna's  mother;  the  genealogy  of 
Ocaim  uirri  Fermuide  Mnie;  the  genealogy  and  original  home 
of  Find  son  of  Cum  all,  with  notes  on  the  powers  and  privileges 
of  the  feindid  (cf.  Airem  muintiri  Find,  printed  by  Mr. 
O'Grady  from  Eg.,  1782  (Brit.  Mus.),  in  vol.  i.  p.  92  of  ^ilva 
Gadelica  :  Williams  and  Norgate,  1892)  ;  the  parentage 
and  origin  of  Fithal,  King  Cormac's  ollamh.  Fithal  and  Cith- 
ruadh  were  the  two  sons  of  Fercaegat,  '•  man  of  fifty,'  or  Fachtna, 
whose  first  name  was  Fercaegat,  and  he  was  from  Leinster,  as 

the  poet  says : 

Mac  Fircaegcd  Fithil  fial, 
Ollam  eirenn  fa  maith  miadh  ; 
Ollam  Cormaic  fa  cruaidh  cath, 
Gilla  do  Luignib  Teamrach. 

Following  a  note  on  the  destruction  by  pestilence  of  the  race  of 
Partholan,  in  punishment  of  Partholan's  slaying  his  father  and 
mother  and  three  brothers,  when  contending  for  his  tuath,  it  is 
added :  '  Scotania  in  stony  Scoitia  was  the  name  of  that  tuath, 
and  it  is  from  them,  and  not  from  Scota  the  daughter  of 
Pharaoh,  that  the  Gael  are  called  Scots.'  Then  follow  an 
explanation  of  the  names  Dun  MacNeclitwin  and  Loch  Eirne ; 
and  the  conditions  upon  which  the  children  of  Conall  Cearnach 
held  Murthemne. 

9.  On  fol.   10a2  are  sixteen  quatrains  on  the  name  Tuag 
Inbir,  beginning : 

Tuag  Inbir  alaind  gaeth  ghlas,  in  eol  duib  a  dindsenchas. 

Cf.  also  MS.  XVI  (infra);  L.L.,  p.  152  yS;  Folk  Lore,  vol.  iii. 
p.  509. 

10.  Fol.  lObl  contains  a  very  interesting  piece  of  lore,  found 


MS.  V]  LEGEND  AND  LORE  133 

also  in  Eg.  1782,  entitled  Fulacht  na  ^morrigna,  'The  cooking 
of  the  great  Queen,'  as  the  wife  of  the  Dagda,  the  famous  king  of 
the  Tuatha  de  Danann,  was  traditionally  named.  A  paragraph 
under  the  same  title  but  of  different  text  is  found  in  Y.B.L., 
p.  419a.  The  indeoin  of  the  Dagda  is  described  in  MS.  H.  3, 
18  (T.C.D.),  p.  433.  (Cf  Trans,  of  R.  I.  A.  vol.  xviii.  Part  ii.  p.  213.) 
The  reading,  except  a  word  or  letter  obscured  by  soot,  is  clear, 
but  the  meaning  of  several  words  is  doubtful.  Fulacht  na 
morrigna  and  so  .\.  crand  a  roth  j  crand  a  niol  ediir  teine  J  uisci 
7  iarand  i  corp  7  da  nai  rethlen  as  an  moil  sin.  Foluath  athlam 
ic  impo  h-e.  Tricha  bir  dohid  ass  J  tricha  drol  7  tricha  fertas. 
Seolfoai  jfo  h-ingnadh  a  cruth re  luth  a  drol  7  a  retlen.  Fulucht 
na  morrigna  do  gres  .  .  .  ger  ur  gaband  do.  Indeoin  an  dagdai  ^ 
dogres.  Grinde  mac  luchair  do  [7'inde]  .\.tri  noai  [m-bera]  7  tri 
noai  tuill  indtib.  Aoen  bir  ro  fuilnged  re  fuin  7  focer  Eochaig 
Ollathar  de.  Aen  sgiath  ro  cuired  ar  luth  e  7  aenfer  ro  h-inledh. 
Bir  Deichen,  im^orro,  0  Goibnend  fouair  Deichen  an  bir  sin  ;  an 
glinn  Treichen  fouair  Deichen  an  bir  sin.  Ar  seilb  loga,  imorro, 
rotaisged  in  bir  sin  attireib  Nuagatt.  Aen  fer  deg,  imorro, 
do  clanduib  Eithlend  ised  ronidh  an  fulacht  sin  .j.  Lugaid, 
Aengus  anbroga,  Cermat,  Midir,  Mac  Sgail,  Cii,  Cian,  Cethen, 
Uar,  luchraidh,  lucharua.  Re  Unci  Eremoin,  imorro,  ix.nur 
do  clanduib  Miled  donid  an  fulachta  .\.  Lubair,  Ttibar,  Tenfa, 
Confa,  Gaither,  Enna  nior,  Enna  becc,  Gola  mend,  Cesron.  Re 
lind  Ugaini  viii.ur  fo  tualuing  bir  d{eichen)  doimcoimet  .\. 
Aidid,  Lugaid,  Crom,  Arc,  Illann,  tri  meic  Glais  a  glind  in 
Sgail.  7  re  lind  eachach  F(eidlig  ?)  fo  tualuing  b{ir)  D(eicJien) 
d(o)  c{oimet)  .|.  Eogan,  Eochaidh,  Cobtach,  Lugaid,  Fiacha, 
Merorand,  Daire.  Cuiger  laech  7  aen  ben  re  lind  Conchubuir 
donid  an  fulachta  .\.  Naisi,  Cethernd,  Conchubar,  Cuculaind, 
Mesdega,  Felini  nocrothach.  Cethrur  isin  Fein  oca  innill .].  Find 
feisin,  Oissin,  Diarmait,  Cailte.  x.  slesa  7  x.  faebuir  ar  in  nibir 
sin  o  aimsir  Logach  co  li-aimsir  Eathach  Fi4idlig  ?).  0  aimsir 
Eathach  co  Goncubar  8  slesa  7  8  faebuir  fair.  6  slesa  7  6 
faebair  fair  iarsin  co  Find.  4  rinda  7  4  faebuir  oc  Find  fair. 
Finit.  '  The  F.  of  the  great  Queen  here.  Its  wheel  was  of  wood  ; 
and  of  wood  its  shaft  [axle  ?],  between  fire  and  water;  its  frame  was 
of  iron.    Twice  nine  pulleys  [?]  were  in  that  shaft.    Smoothly  and 

^  MS.  da  gai. 


131  CiVTALOGUE  OF  OAKLIO  MANUSCRIPTS      [MS.  V 

swiftly  it  revolved.  Thirty  spits  projected  from  it,  thirty  hooks, 
and  thirty  spindles.  It  had  a  sail,  and  wonderful  it  looked  when 
its  hooks  and  pulleys  were  in  motion.  The  V.  of  the  great 
Queen  had  always  .  .  .  The  anvil  [?]  of  the  Dagdathus:  Grinde 
the  son  of  Luchar  [made  it] ;  thrice  nine  spits  it  had,  and  thrice 
nine  holes  in  them.     One  spit  it  carried  when  roasting,  and 

E.  Ollathar  perished  by  it.  One  wing  set  it  in  motion,  and  one 
man  put  it  in  gear.  As  to  the  spit  of  ])eichcn  now,  Deichen  had 
that  spit  from  Goibniu,  and  it  was  in  the  glen  of  Treichiu  that 
Deichen  found  it.  The  spit  was,  moreover,  kept,  because  of  its 
value,  in  the  lands  of  Nuadu.  Besides,  they  were  eleven  men 
of  the  race  of  Ethliu  who  did  the  cooking  [?],  viz.  L.,  Angus  of 
the  [fairy]  mansion,  C,  M.,  Mac  S.,  C,  C,  C,  U.,  1.,  and  1.  In 
the  time  of  Heremon,  nine  men  of  the  Milesians  did  the 
work,  viz.  L.,  T.,  T.,  C,  C,  big  E.,  little  E.,  Gola  the  stutterer, 
and  C  Durinof  the  time  of  U.  eight  men  had  the  charge  of 
tending  the  spit  of  D.,  viz.  A.,  L.,  C,  A.,  I.,  and  the  three  sons 
of  G.  from  the  glen  of  S.  In  the  time  of  E.  F.  seven  men  looked 
after  D.'s  spit, — E.,  E.,  C,  L.,  F.,  M.,  and  D.  Five  heroes  and 
one  lady  performed  the  work  in  C.'s  time, — N.,  C.,  C.,  C.,  M.,  and 
Felim,  the  ever  blooming.    Four  of  the  Fianna  attended  to  it, — 

F.  himself,  O.,  D.  and  C.  The  spit  had  ten  sides  [faces]  and  ten 
edges  [angles]  from  the  time  of  L.  to  the  time  of  E.  F. ;  eight 
faces  and  eieht  anoies  from  the  time  of  E.  to  that  of  C.  There- 
after  until  Find's  day  it  had  six  faces  and  six  angles.  Find  had 
four  points  [faces]  and  four  angles  upon  it.     It  ends. 

11.  Immediately  following,  on  the  same  page,  is  a  paragraph 
on  the  four  rivers  of  hell. 


MS.  XVI— Kilbride  Collection,  No.  12 

The  MS.  consists  of  six  leaves  of  parchment,  large  foho 
(12  in.  by  9).  It  is  written  in  two  columns,  in  bold,  clear  hand. 
Capitals  are  large,  very  frequently  daubed  with  ochre.  The  date, 
according  to  Dr.  Stokes,  is  probably  the  end  of  the  fifteenth 
century. 

The  MS.  is  imperfect.  There  is  a  gap  of  perhaps  one  leaf 
between  fols.   1   and  2,  and  another  of  probably  three  leaves 


MS.  XVI]  LEGEND  AND  LORE  135 

between  fols.  3  and  4.  The  subject  is  Dinnshenchus,  or 
legends  in  prose  and  verse,  about  the  names  of  noteworthy 
places  in  Ireland.  Copies  are  found  in  L.L.,  B.B.,  Y.B.L.,  H.  3.  3. 
(Trinity  College,  Dublin),  llawlinson  B.  506  (Bodl),  a  MS.  in  the 
town  library  of  Rennes,  and  this  MS.  (v.  Folk  Lore,  vol.  iii. 
p.  469).  Dr.  Stokes  printed  the  Bodl.  MS.  in  Folk  Lore,  vol.  iii. ; 
the  greater  part  of  this  MS.  in  Folk  Lore,  vol.  iv. ;  the  prose  of 
the  Rennes  MS.  in  vols.  xv.  and  xvi.  of  the  Rev.  Celt;  while 
'  Poems  from  the  Dinnshenchus  '  form  the  subject  of  the  '  Todd 
Lecture  Series,'  vols,  vii.,  viii.,  ix.,  by  Mr.  Gwynn. 

Fol.  la  of  our  MS.  is  mostly  illegible.  It  (presumably)  gives 
the  Preface  and  the  beginning  of  a  poem  by  Cuan  O'Lochan. 
Fol.  lb  gives  the  end  of  this  poem,  with  the  Articles  on  Teamh- 
air,  Magli  m-Breagli,  and  beginning  of  Laighin.  The  verses 
or  retoric  by  the  king-poet  Find,  son  of  Ross  the  Red,  beginning 
Moen  doen,  quoted  by  Stokes  {Folk  Lore,  vol.  iii.  p.  472),  are  so 

far  glossed  in  our  MS. 

Fol.  2al  gives  nine  quatrains  of  Eochu  Eolach's  poem  on 
Loch  Garman  (for  the  whole  poem,  v.  L.L.,  p.  196),  and  then 
agrees,  article  for  article,  with  the  Bodl.  copy  to  fol.  3b2. 

Fol.  4al  gives  the  end  of  the  article  on  Tuag  Inhir: 

Do  luid  Fcr  FivgniJ  fuKchdha, 
Mac  Eogabail  ardbrnacha, 
Mosfuc  Tuarj,  nir  do  daincj  dath, 
Tngin  Conaill  Colhtmrach. 

Thus  translated  by  Stokes : 

'  For  Fiugail  the  hurtful  went, 
The  son  of  Eogabal  the  high  stately  : 
He  carried  oft'  Tuag— it  was  not.  .  .  . 
Daughter  of  Conall  Collamair.' 

7  conid  de  sin  fos  adubrad  an  duan, 

Tnag  hihir  ajaind  gaetli  glas,  etc. 

And  it  was  because  of  this  the  poem  was  composed 

'  Tuag  Inbir  lovely,'  etc. 

The  poem  as  here  given,  and  also  in  MS.  V  (v.  supra,  p.  132), 
differs  considerably  from  that  attributed  to  Bard  Maile  in  L.L., 
p.  152.     {Of.  also  B.B.,  pp.  395-6.) 

AVith  the  Article  on  Tuag  Inhir  the  Bodl.  MS.  ends,  and 


136      CATALUCiUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS        [MS.  XIX 

Dr.  Stokes  {Folk  Lore,  vol.  iv.  p.  478  H  tic<j.)  prints  our  MS.  to 
the  euil  of  tol.  5. 

Fol.  0,  which  Stokes  does  not  print,  is  on  the  first  page 
largely  illegible,  and  on  the  second  entirely  so.  The  writing 
on  this  leaf  is  in  an  inferior  hand.  On  the  top  is  written 
in  Gaelic  '  In  the  name  of  the  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Spirit,' 
and  then  the  conclusion  of  a  sentence  written  across  the  page. 
Thereafter  come  verses  on  Aileach  or  Oilcach,  the  connection  of 
Frigriu  from  Scotland  with  Aileach,  and  the  slaying  of  Aedh  son 
of  the  Dagda  by  Corrgend.  Cf.  '  Todd  Lecture  Series,'  vol.  vii. 
p.  34  et  seq.  (Gwynn),  and  O'C.  Mann,  and  Gust.  vol.  ii.  pp.  151-2. 


MS.  XIX— Kilbride  Collection,  No.  15 

The  MS.,  probably  of  the  early  fifteenth  century,  consists  of 
six  leaves  of  parchment  Hi  in.  by  8i.  The  first  and  last  pages 
are  quite  illegible.  The  contents  are  all  in  verse.  The  writing 
is  in  two  columns;  the  hand  exceptionally  good, — large,  bold 
and  clear.  The  initial  letter  of  each  poem  is  large,  highly 
elaborated,  and  coloured.  Smaller  capitals  begin  each  quatrain 
and  are  coloured  red,  as  also  are  the  end  marks  of  the  quatrains. 

The  traces  of  an  elaborate  capital  visible  on  fol.  Ia2  show 
the  beginning  of  a  poem.  The  piece  ends  on  fol.  Ibl,  with  the 
first  line  repeated,  Mairt  i  mag  Tuiread,  'Tuesday  in  Moytura.' 
The  subject  is  the  disasters  which  Ireland,  and  especially  its 
kings,  suffered  on  that  day  of  the  week.  As  the  concluding 
lines  put  it : 

Ni  suail  do  rigaib  Banbha 
Dar  marbhad  is  na  Mairttib, 

'  Not  few  of  the  Kings  of  Ireland 
Were  slain  upon  Tuesdays.' 

Oh  fol.  3b  is  a  poem  of  twenty-two  quatrains  on  the  assas- 
sination of  Conn  Cetchcdhach,  '  Conn  the  hundred-fighter,'  by 
Tibraide  Tirech  in  Tara,  commencing : 

Ardri  ddr  ghab  crind  uill. 
'  A  high-king  who  ruled  over  spacious  Ireland.' 

The   poem  aflfects  to  be  written  by  one    of  Conn's  sons,  and 
Sadhbh,  one  of  the  monarch's  daughters,  is  specially  addressed. 


MS.  XIXJ  LEGEND  AND  LORE  137 

Following  a  gap  in  the  MS.  between  fols.  3  and  4  comes  on 
fols.  4al-6a2  a  poem,  commencing  abruptly  : 

Eich  Echach  don  Mhicmhiiin  mhoir; 
Sgela  in  trir  ni  moch  romhannair, 
Gidh  dib  Loch  Gabhair  in  ghloir. 

'  The  horses  of  Eochu  from  great  Munster, 
The  story  of  the  three  .... 
Though  from  them  is  named  the  famous  Loch  Gabar.' 

This  poem,  of  which  the  beginning  is  here  lost,  is  the  Dinnshen- 
chus  in  verse.  There  is  another  copy  in  MS.  XLII,  also,  unfor- 
tunately, defective  at  the  commencement.  The  first  line  of  the 
poem  is  repeated  at  the  end : 

Eiriu  iarthar  talman  toirthigh, 
'  Western  Ireland  of  fertile  soil.' 

The  poem  is  mentioned  by  O'R.  (p.  cxxiii)  as  contained  in 
the  Book  of  Hy  Maine.  He  ascribes  its  authorship  to  John 
O'Dubhagan  who  died  in  1372.  O'R.  says  that  the  poem  con- 
tains 480  verses  (lines),  and  in  our  copy  it  is  stated  that  it 
consists  of  120  quatrains.  At  the  close  of  our  copy  are  verses 
which  would  assign  the  poem  to  an  earlier  date.  The  beginning 
of  the  noble  history  of  the  Dindgna  is  ascribed  to  Find  tan  (F. 
son  of  Bochra,  who  survived  the  Deluo^e  and  died  in  the  seventh 
century  a.d.,  v.  Folk  Lore,  vol.  iii.  p.  4G9)  at  Tara.  More  definitely, 
it  is  stated  that  the  work  was  not  put  into  one  poem  until  after 
the  death  of  Turlogh  (1156  a.d.);  that  the  poem  was  composed 
in  A.M.  5365,  a.d.  1166.     Further,  a  quatrain  runs: 

Gilla  na  naemh  na  n-duan  diadha, 
O^Dtiind  fear  sgailti  na  sgel, 
Ro  ckuni  duan  bindghlan  re  fuagra, 
Do  dingnaih  Fodla  na  fer. 

'  Gilla-na-naem  of  pious  lays, 
O'Dunn  the  publisher  of  tales, 
Composed  a  pure  sweet  poem, 
Upon  the  forts  of  grassy  Ireland.' 

This  would  suggest  that  GioUa  na  Naomh  O'Dunn,  lector  of 
Inis  Clothru,  was  the  author,  and  O'Dusran  a  later  editor.  This 
poet  (O'R.  p.  Ixxxv)  is  said  to  have  died  in  1160  a.d. 

One  or  two  notices  of  Scotland  appear  in  the  poem.     Thus 


138     CATALOrJUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS    |MS.  XXVIII 

Claen  Loch,  is  said  to  liavc  taken  its  name  from  Clacn  son  of 
Incfar,  a  poot  of  Alba. 


MS.  XXVIII  {v.  supra,  p.  113) 

Pp.  9  10  contain  an  acconnt  of  the  revolt  of  the  Aitheach 
Tuatlm  \  the  slanghter  of  the  nobles;  the  reign  and  eventual 
overthrow  of  Cairprl  Cindc/Ktit,  '  Cairbre  Cathead ' ;  the  re- 
storation of  the  rightful  heirs,  Avho  were  born  in  Alba,  in 
exile :  and  the  peaceful  settlement  of  the  land,  concluding  with 

the  quotation : 

Saer  clanda  Erenn  nili 
Do  marbta  la  h-aen  dnine, 
Acht  na  tri  m/ic,  monar  n-gle, 
AilrnUadar  o  Cairpri. 

Torrach  ndrnlladar  nair 
(A)  maithreaclta  na  mac  sain, 
Gonadh  ami  rnrta  is  tir  tair 
lar  tiachtam  doib  a  n-Albain. 

'  All  the  noble  sons  of  Ireland 
Were  slain  by  one  man, 
Save  three  boys,  a  brilliant  foat, 
Who  escaped  from  Cairbre. 

'  The  mothers  of  these  boys 
Pregnant  fled  eastwards, 
Thus  they  were  born  in  the  eastern  land 
After  (their  mothers)  reached  Scotland.' 

The  Tract  was  printed  from  this  MS.  in  Rev.  Celt,  vol.  xx. 
pp.  335  et  seq.,  by  Mr.  W.  A.  Craigie.  Cf.  also  B.B.  fol.  255  ; 
B.L.  fol.  142 ;  Keating ;  O'C.  Mann,  and  Cust.  i.  xxiv  et  seq. 

Pp.  11-13  contain  what  Mr.  Craigie  (Rev.  Celt.,\o\.  xx, p.  335) 
says  '  is  a  very  ancient  version  of  the  Lamentations  of  Oilioll 
Glum,  which  does  not  appear  to  be  found  elsewhere.'  Sadhbh, 
daughter  of  Conn  Cetchathach,  and  sister  of  Art  the  Solitary, 
monarch  of  Ireland,  was  the  wife  of  Macnia,  by  whom  she  had 
a  son  Lughaidh,  better  known  as  Mac-con.  Oilioll  Glum  carried 
away  Sadhbh  by  violence,  and  by  him  she  had  seven  sons. 
Macnia  her  husband  died  of  grief.  Oilioll's  boys  and  their  half- 
brother  Mac-con  quarrelled.  The  matter  was  referred  to  Gilioll, 
who  decided  in  favour  of  his  own  sons.      A  fisrht  followed  in 


MS.  XXXIV]  LEGEND  AND  LORE  139 

which  Mac-con  was  worsted.  Ho  went  to  Scotland,  and  re- 
turned the  following  year  with  a  large  army  of  Scots,  Saxons, 
Britons,  and.  Franks.  The  battle  of  Mag  Mucrama  was  fought, 
in  which  Art  the  King,  and  all  the  sons  of  Oilioll  Ohim,  save 
one,  Corniac  Cas,  wore  slain.  This  account  represents  Oilioll 
as  looking  out  for  the  messenger  with  tidings  of  the  battle. 
When  he  sees  him,  he  cries  out :  Sgela  agad,  a  gilla  ?  Have 
you  tidings,  lad  ? '  Sgela  mora  olca  agu'm  bar  an  gilla ; 
catli  ar  n-a  chur  ar  muigh  Mucrama  J  ar  fear  n-erenn  do 
chur  and,  '  I  have  great  and  evil  tidings,'  said  the  messenger, 
'  a  battle  has  been  fought  on  the  plain  of  M.,  and  a  great 
slaughter  of  the  men  of  Ireland  took  place  there.'  Oilioll  asks 
who  acquitted  himself  best  in  the  fight,  and  as  he  is  told  in 
succession  of  the  feats  of  each  of  his  sons  and  of  their  fall, 
he  turns  all  over  from  crown  to  sole  now  whiter  than  well- 
bleached  linen,  now  j^ellower  than  the  flower  of  the  ragwort, 
now  blacker  than  a  chafer,  and  again  weaker  than  a  woman 
after  her  delivery.  After  each  recital  he  breaks  forth  in  eulogy 
of  each  individual  son  and  in  lamentation  for  his  death. 
When  the  last  wail  is  made,  Oilioll  says :  droch  sgel  7  degh  sgel 

agam  do  Taidb  (leg.  SJiaidldih)  .  .  .  anwigh (a)  vii  mic 

7  a  derbratJtair  do  iiiarbadh  asin  chath  7  deig  sgel  di  a  mac  eile 
do  gabail  rige  n-erenn,  '  Evil  news  and  good  news  have  I  for 
Savy  this  day,  to  wit,  her  seven  sons  and  her  brother  slain  in 
the  battle ;  and  good  news  in  that  her  other  son  has  become 
King  of  Ireland.'  For  himself  both  were  dursan,  '  woeful.' 
When  Oilioll  told  his  story,  the  queen,  we  are  told,  smiled 
(gean  gaire),  whereupon  the  king  gives  utterance  to  his  thoughts 
in  verse : 

Beir  mo  sgiath  fa  sgiath  re  Uiiath,  etc. 

For  a  detailed  account  of  this  battle,  v.  MSS.  XXXVIII  and 
LVIII  {infra). 

The  last  page  of  our  MS.  (p.  14)  is  illegible. 


MS.  XXXIV— Kilbride,  No.  3 

The  MS.  consists  of  twenty-one  leaves  of  paper,  rather  small 
quarto.      The  hand   is   pretty  good   and   regular,  of  the  late 


140    CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS     [MS.  XXXIV 

sixteenth  or  early  seventeenth  century.  On  fol.  21  is  a  greetini^, 
written  partly  in  Gaehc,  partly  in  English,  dated  from  Dunstaff- 
nage  23rd  (0  of  October  1603,  from  '  Eomuin  M'Phaill'  to 
Jolm  0'C()nclnil)ar  (one  of  the  Lorn  physicians).  Memoranda 
in  Engii.sh  are  also  found  at  the  foot  of  fol.  12b,  and  on  fol.  21b. 
The  MS.  is  not  paged. 

Apart  from  these  jottings,  and  eleven  and  a  half  quatrains  on 
fol.  20a,  beginning : — 

Ca  h-ainm  ata  ar  Feargal  og, 

the  contents  of  the  MS.  are  two  well-known  heroic  Tales  of  the 
period  of  Find  or,  as  written  in  Scotland,  Fionn. 

1.  The  Tale  known  as  Bruiijliean  Caorthuinn,  '  The  Rowan 
(fairy)  Mansion  or  Castle.'  This  Tale  is  also  found  in  MSS. 
XXXVI  and  LVIII,  from  the  former  of  which  the  late  Rev. 
Donald  Mackintosh  made  a  transcript  of  it  (v.  MS.  LXXXIX, 
pp.  1-27).     The  Tale  shortly  is  as  follows: — 

Kinof  Colsfan  of  Lochlann,  with  his  three  sons,  makes  an 
expedition  to  Ireland  in  the  time  of  Cormac  mac  Airt.  They 
land  in  Ulster  and  ravage  the  province.  Cormac  sends  a 
message  to  Fionn  to  Almu  (later  Almhuin,  now  Allen)  to  repel 
the  foe.  A  battle  is  fought,  in  which  Goll  mac  Morna  slays 
Colgan.  His  two  sons  are  also  slain.  But  Fionn  spares  the 
third,  Miodhach  to  name.  Miodhach  is  afterwards  given  two 
cantreds  of  land  in  Ireland,  the  choice  of  situation  being  left  to 
himself.  The  Norse  prince  chose  the  lands  where  the  sea  watch 
was  weakest,  so  that  he  could  bring  in  foreigners  from  abroad 
when  opportunity  offered. 

Fourteen  years  had  passed,  and  the  Fianna  or  F6inn  {i.e. 
Fionn  and  his  band)  were  hunting  in  the  district,  when  Miodhach 
appeared,  disguised  as  a  warrior,  but  calling  himself  a  fer-dana 
'  poet.'  Fionn  invites  him  to  repeat  his  dan.  He  asks  for 
reward  only  that  the  meaning  of  his  dan  is  understood.  Fionn  is 
able  to  explain  its  meaning.  The  unknown  then  invites  i\iQFeinn 
to  a  feast.  He  explains  that  he  has  two  hruigheans, — one  ar  tuinn, 
'  on  wave,'  called  the  '  B.  of  the  Isle,'  the  other  ar  tir,  '  on  land,' 
the  B.  Caorthuinn  or  Rowan.  Conan  penetrates  the  disguise  of 
the  poet.  Still  Fionn  goes  to  the  feast,  accompanied  by  Goll 
and  the  Clanna  Morna,  leaving  Oisin  and  Diarmaid  with  a  party 
to  keep  communications  open. 


MS.  XXXIV]  LEGEND  AND  LORE  141 

F.  and  his  party  go  to  the  BruigJiean,  and  find  it  a  magni- 
ficent place.  But  in  a  moment  everything  changes.  There  were 
seven  doors  when  they  entered,  now  there  is  only  one.  The 
magnificent  furnishings  vanish.  Worse  than  all,  the  heroes 
find  that  they  are  unable  to  move.  F.  puts  his  thumb  into 
his  mouth,  and  learns  that  he  and  his  hearers  are  trapped. 
Miodhach  is  in  the  Island  Bruighean  with  a  strong  force  of 
Lochlannaigh  and  Greeks.  The  King  of  the  World  is  there, 
and  the  Druidic  kings  of  Inistile. 

Meanwhile  Ossian,  anxious  about  his  father,  sends  out  to 
make  inquiry.  The  messenger  gets  into  communication  with 
Fionn,  who  informs  him  of  their  plight,  and  sends  word  to  his 
son  enjoining  him  to  strictly  guard  the  Ford.  A  Greek  earl  with 
a  hundred  knights  {rid we)  comes  from  the  Island  Bruighean 
pledged  to  bring  back  Fionn's  head  to  the  King  of  the  World. 
In  a  fight  at  the  Ford  the  earl  and  his  band  are  slain.  A 
similar  fate  awaits  stronger  parties  that  come  during  the  night 
to  the  same  place.  A  few  of  the  imprisoned  warriors  manage  to 
effect  their  freedom  and  join  their  friends.  Among  them  is 
Conan,  whose  head,  shoulders  and  buttocks  are  so  dreadfully 
damaged  by  the  druidic  mould  of  Inistile  that  he  is  called  maol 
'  bald '  or  '  bare,'  ever  afterwards.  Eventually  there  is  a  general 
engagement  between  the'  forces  from  Bruighean  an  Oilein  and 
the  Feinn,  when  the  former  are  all  slain. 

2.  The  second  Tale,  Bruighean  bheag  na  h-Alnihuin,  '  The 
little  mansion  of  Almu  or  Allen,'  is  still  better  known.  It  also 
is  found  in  MS.  XXXVI,  from  which  Mr.  Mackintosh  made  a 
transcript  of  it  {v.  MS.  LXXXIX,  pp.  141-157). 

Fionn  invited  all  the  Feinn  to  a  feast  in  Almu,  his  permanent 
residence.  Many  nobles  were  there  besides,  from  Scotland  and 
elsewhere.  Eating  and  drinking  over,  Fergus  Finnhheul  (or 
Binnbheul),  '  melodious  lips  '  (a  son  of  Fionn,  and  the  Bard  of  the 
Feinn),  entertained  the  company  with  song.  Fionn  and  the 
Clanna  Baoiscne  liberally  rewarded  Fergus.  Goll  now  called 
for  Badhbha  bonluata  leabhar  chosach,  swift-footed  (soled  ?) 
long-legged  B.,'  who  had  charge  of  his  treasure,  the  tribute  of 
Lochlann,  and  with  a  lavish  hand  gave  presents  to  Fergus  and 
all  the  poets  and  musicians  present. 

Fionn  angrily  asks  how  Goll  comes  to  have  tribute  from 


142     CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS     [MS.  XXXVI 

Loclilanii,  which  ho  (Fionn)  rec:ardcd  as  his  own  possession. 
GoU  replies  with  equal  heat,— he  recounts  his  own  exploits; 
recalls  the  many  injuries  he  suffered  at  the  hands  ofCumhall, 
Fionn's  father,  and  the  many  benefits  which  he  (GoU)  conferred 
upon  Fionn.  Conan,  .<uo  more,  here  interposes  with  a  rude  gibe, 
whereupon  Gaireall,  son  of  Fionn,  gives  him  a  violent  bloAv 
{don\).  And  now  the  fat  is  in  the  fire.  The  Clanna  Morna  and 
the  Clanna  Baoiscne  fight  desperately.  Before  sunrise  eleven 
hundred  of  Fionn's  friends  are  slain.  The  loss  on  GoU's  side  is 
but  small,  comparatively. 

Ferrous  and  the  poets  now  interpose  with  music  and  song, 
and  the  warriors  instantly  lay  down  their  arins.  Fionn  refuses 
to  make  peace.  He  appeals  for  justice  to  King  Cormac,  his 
daughter  Ailbhe,  his  son  Cairbre,  and  his  judges.  Goll  agrees. 
Both  parties  appear  at  Tara.  When  Fionn  proceeds  to  state 
the  case,  Goll  objects  on  the  ground  that  Fionn  could  make 
truth  of  a  lie  {firinu  den  bhreig).  He  proposed  instead  that 
Fergus,  upon  oath,  should  tell  the  story.  This  is  done.  Fergus 
said  that  Caireall,  his  brother,  struck  the  first  blow.  An  eiric 
was  due  to  the  Clanna  Morna  because  of  this ;  but  inasmuch  as 
so  few  of  them  were  slain,  no  fine  was  imposed  upon  either 
party,  and  peace  was  restored. 


MS.  XXXVI  {v.  supra,  pp.  91,  116) 

The  MS.  contains  the  following  Tales  and  Heroic  Poems  :— 
1.  The  Tale  entitled  Imtheacht  Conaill  Gulhan  fon  domhan 
m{h)or, '  The  Travels  of  Conall  G.  throughout  the  Great  World.' 
It  is  a  long  tale  in  prose,  with  verse  interspersed,  covering  here 
the  first  seventy-nme  pages  of  the  MS.  Mackintosh  made  a 
transcript  of  it  when  the  MS.  was  not  so  defective  as  it  now  is, 
which  is  found  in  MS.  LXXXIX,  commencing  with  new  pagina- 
tion at  p.  28.  The  Tale  was  popular,  long  though  it  is.  Mr. 
Campbell  took  down  several  versions  from  oral  recitation  in 
various  parts  of  the  Highlands,  and  printed  an  English  transla- 
tion of  the  longest  of  them  (West  Highland  Tales — W.  H.  T. — 
vol.  iv.  pp.  185-281),  with  notes  and  variants.     In  addition  to 


MS.  XXXVI]  LEGEND  AND  LORE  143 

the  defective  state  of  the  MS.  at  the  commencement,  there  are 
blanks  at  pp.  51b,  54a,  54b,  and  55a. 

Conall  Gulban  was  a  younger  son  of  Niall  of  the  Nine 
Hostages,  and  thus  comes  within  the  Historic  period.  He  is 
traditionally  said  to  have  been  baptized  by  St.  Patrick,  and  there 
are  several  poems  by  Flann  Mainistrech  and  others  recounting 
his  exploits  in  Ireland  (v.  Mann,  and  Cust.,  vol.  ii.  160  + ).  Accord- 
ing to  the  Tale,  Conall  was  a  brave  and  handsome  prince,  Avho 
excelled  in  all  feats  of  daring  and  dexterity.  His  father,  called 
upon  to  join  an  expedition  in  foreign  parts,  and  his  elder 
brothers  refusing  to  stay  at  home,  Conall  was  persuaded  to 
do  so.  He  fell  in  love  with  the  beautiful  daughter  of  the  Kino- 
of  Leinster,  Eithne  Uchtsohii^,  '  bright  breast,'  and,  unable  to 
obtain  her  father's  consent  to  their  marriage,  the  young  couple 
ran  away.  Conall  one  day  lay  down  to  sleep  on  the  slope  of 
Beinn  Edair  (Hill  of  Howth).  A  mighty  warrior  from  over 
the  sea  carries  the  princess  away  in  his  ship  while  Conall  is 
asleep.  He  obtains  a  vessel  and  sets  off  in  pursuit.  He  sails 
past  Kintyre,  Islay,  Colonsay,  Corryvreckan,  Midi  and  Lewis, 
past  all  the  isles  of  Alba  and  '  Fair-Lochlann,'  and  at  length 
reaches  the  city  of  Beirhhe  (Bergen),  in  Norway.  Here  he  falls 
in  with  a  famous  Druid,  Duaitach,  the  son  of  Ferfeasa,  an 
Irishman  who  knew  his  father.  He  hears  of  his  wife  and  her 
captor  who  had  visited  Lochlann,  but  had  sailed  away  ao-ain. 
Accompanied  by  Duanach,  Conall  now  travels  by  sea  and  land  over 
the  world, — through  Italy,  Greece,  and  Turkey,  until  at  last  he 
finds  his  wife.  His  adventures  in  these  parts  form  the  body  of 
the  Tale.  Duanach  returns  to  Norway,  laden  with  treasure,  and 
Conall  goes  home  to  Ireland.  On  parting  with  the  prince 
Duanach  composes  an  affecting  lay,  the  opening  lines  of  which 
are  frequently  quoted  on  the  margins  and  blank  spaces  of 
these  MSS. : 

Uclicui !  is  cradh  croidhe  leiii, 
Syaradh  Je  mac  ri  Eirionn. 

'  Alas  !  my  heart  is  sore 
At  parting  with  the  son  of  Ireland's  king.' 

The  following  note  regarding  the  composition  and  history  of  the 
romance  is  appended.  'The  Druid  {i.e.  Duanach)  wrote  these 
echtra  a  tamJtlorguibhJilidh  j  a  slechtaib  ollamhan, '  adventures 


144     CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS     [MS.  XXXVI 

on  tho  tablets  of  poets  and  the  staves  of  ollamhs',  and  tlic  Tale 
was  not  known  until  the  time  of  Loisgenv,  the  poet  of  Donald 
son  of  Aodh  son  of  Ainmire.  Donald  went  to  I-colm-kill  (lona) 
on  a  visit  to  Columba,  and  thereafter  proceeded  to  Lochlann, 
and  it  was  he  (i.e.  his  poet)  who  wrote  this  Tale  and  brought  it 
to  Ireland  and  deposited  it  in  Glen-da-loch  among  books  of 
History  and  Annals.' 

2.  Pp.  83b-84b  contain  a  copy  of  the  well-known  Lay  which 
Eimhir,  the  widow  of  Cuchulainn,  addressed  to  Conall  Cearnach 
when  that  hero  returned  from  his  wild  expedition,  carrying  the 
heads  of  the  slayers  of  Cuchulainn  and  their  abettors  on  a 
withe,  beginning : — 

A  GJionuill,  ca  sealbh  na  cinn  ? 
'  0  Conall,  whose  are  these  heads  1 ' 

Cf.  H.  and  J.  M'Callum's  Coll.  (Montrose,  1816),  p.  132 ;  L.  F. 
p.  16 ;  Rcl.  Gelt,  vol  i.  pp.  113-114;  vol.  ii.  p.  365. 

3.  Pp.  86a-91b  contain  a  modern  version  of  Seel  mucci  mic 
Ddthd, '  The  Tale  of  Mac  Datho's  Pig,'  printed  by  Professor  Win- 
disch  from  L.L.  with  variants  from  later  MSS.  (Irische  Texte  tnit 
Wurterhuc]i,  Leipzig,  1880,  p.  96  et  seq.),  and  by  Dr.  Kuno  Meyer 
from  Rawl.  B.  512  (Bodl.),  with  translation,  in  Hihernica  Minora, 
p.  51  +  .  Our  version  has  many  modernisms  and  corruptions, — 
MacDcUho  e.g.  is  frequently  written  Mac  da  Shogli.  Several  of 
the  encounters  of  the  warriors  from  Connaught  with  Conall 
Cearnach  are  omitted,  as  also  the  verse  passages  for  the  most 
part. 

4.  Pp.  104b-110b  contain  the  Tale  headed  Bruighion  Cheisi 
Coruin.  Fionn  and  the  Feinn  held  a  great  hunt  over  a  wide 
country.  The  heroes  were  resting  and  enjoying  themselves, 
when  their  shouting  annoyed  Conaran  mac  Ahnidil,  a  chief  of 
the  Tiiatha  De  Danann  and  lord  of  Ceisi  Coruin,  who  dwelt  in 
a  cave  hard  by.  Conaran's  three  daughters,  ugly,  old  hags,  came 
to  the  mouth  of  the  cave  and  were  winding  yarn.  Fionn  and 
Conan  passed  by,  had  a  look  at  the  Cailleachs,  and  fell  on  the 
ground,  enchanted.  The  hags  bound  the  two  heroes,  and  carried 
them  into  the  cave.  The  same  treatment  was  meted  out  to 
Ossian  and  his  friends  of  the  Clanna  Baoiscne,  to  the  Clanna 
Morna,  the   Clanna   Ronan,  and   the   Clanna   Neimhidin  who 


MS.  XXXVI]  LEGEND  AND  LORE  145 

formed  the  four  catha  or  battalions  of  the  Feinn.  Redheaded 
hounds  were  barking  about  the  mouth  of  the  cave,  while  the 
remains  of  beasts  of  the  chase  were  strewn  all  around.  The 
three  hags  now  armed  themselves  and  went  forth  prepared 
to  challenge  any  foe.  As  none  appeared,  they  were  about  to 
return  to  the  cave  to  behead  all  the  heroes.  But  a  warrior, 
thought  to  be  lollann,  a  descendant  of  Get  mor  mac  Magfach, 
but  who  turned  out  to  be  Goll  mac  Morna,  was  seen  approach- 
ing. He  fights  the  Amazons,  giving  one  of  the  three  stoutest 
blows  ever  delivered  in  Ireland,  the  other  two  being  that  of 
Fergus  at  Cath  Gaire  when  he  slew  the  three  Maoil  Mithc,  and 
that  of  Gonall  Cearnach  when  he  slew  Get  mac  Magach.  Goll 
slew  two  of  the  three  Amazons,  Gamog  and  Cuilin  cen{n)  ruagh, 
'  russet-headed  C  The  third,  larnach,  seized  hold  of  Goll, 
when  his  back  was  turned.  The  two  had  a  bout  of  wrestling, 
and  eventually  Goll  was  the  victor.  The  Amazon  now  swears 
by  her  gods  that  she  will  release  the  Feinn  if  Goll  spares  her 
life.  This  is  done.  Goll  enters  the  cave,  frees  the  heroes,  the 
poet,  Fergus  Jinnbheul,  first.  They  come  out  exhausted,  sit 
down,  and  Fergus  sings  a  lay  of  twelve  quatrains  in  praise  of 
Goll,  beginning : — 

Bvadhacli  sin,  a  GJivlJI,  (/<>  iii-huaidh, 
'  Victorious,  ever  victorious,  Goll ! ' 

Thereafter  larnach  comes  out  fully  armed  and  challenges  all 
the  Feinn.  They  all  decline  the  combat.  Fionn  himself  is 
about  to  engage  her,  when  Goll  interposes  with  the  plea  that  it 
is  not  meet  that  the  great  leader  should  fight  a  cailleach.  He 
fights  the  Amazon  himself,  and  slays  her.  He  then  demolished 
and  burnt  the  Bruigh/lon,  after  removing  the  treasure.  Fionn 
gave  his  daughter  Caom  chnes  geal  .\.  jinn,  '  the  fair  white  skin,' 
to  Goll  in  marriage.  She  became  the  mother  of  Fedh  mac  Guill, 
and  on  that  very  fort  seventeen  years  afterwards  the  Feinn 
slew  him  (Fedh).  A  version  of  the  Tale  is  printed  in  Silv.  Gad., 
vol.  i.  p.  306.     A  copy  is  also  in  T.  C.  D.,  H.  5.  4. 

5.  Pp.  llla-113b  (additional  paging  31-36)  contain  an  heroic 
poem  of  fifty-six  quatrains,  beginning : — 

Greis  ar  caithrem  an  fliir  m]i{oir), 
'  A  while  on  the  martial  career  of  the  great  warrior.' 
K 


14G     CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS     [MS.  XXXVI 

This  is  the  well-known  ballad,  entitled  Dm/vy,  '  the  Red,'  or  Dearg 
mac  Drdoidlibhill,  as  here  written.  It  is  common  in  Ireland 
and  Scotland,— u  MSS.  LV,  LVII  (infra),  and  O'Gr.,  Cat. 
pp.  592,  5i)i),  62C),  681,  636,  644,  where  the  opening  line  is  usually 

Iniuosad  caithrcm  aiifhir  mhoir. 

For  the  various  versions  of  the  ballad  found  in  Scotland,  v. 
L.  F.,  pp.  107-123.  Dr.  Smith's  Dearg  mac  Drui'bheil  (Sean 
Dana,  1787:  4to  ed.  p.  112;  8vo  p.  223)  seems  founded  on  this 
ballad,  although  Smith's  poem  bears  little  resemblance  to  it. 

6.  Pp.  116a-127a  give  the  Tale  of  the  '  Ceithirncach,' — an 
adventurous  juggler,  O'Domhnallan,  who  visited  several  Irish 
mansions  and  performed  wonderful  feats :  La  n-aon  da  raihh 
0'  Domhnall  .|.  Aodh  ruadh  inac  NeUl  (jhairhJt  inic  Toirdhealhh- 
aigli  an  fhiona  go  mfiaithihh  a  mtiuintire  7  a  tJnre,  etc.,  '  One 
day  as  O'Donnell,  viz.  Red  Hugh  son  of  Neill  the  Rough  son 
of  Turlogh  the  Bibulous,  with  the  nobles  of  his  people  and 
district,'  etc.  There  is  another  copy  in  MS.  LV  {infra).  Popular 
versions  were  found  by  Mr.  Campbell  in  various  parts  of  the 
Highlands  (v.  W.  H.  T.,  vol.  i.  pp.  289-319).  For  an  older  version, 
cf.  Silv.  Gad.,  vol.  i.  p.  276  et  seq. 

7.  Pp.  1276  to  the  end  of  the  MS.,  in  so  far  as  legible,  contain 
theTtileoi  Alurchadh  mac  Brian  7  an  Dirioch.  Brian  Boruidh 
(leg.  horoimlie  '  of  the  tribute ')  and  his  two  sons  Duncan  and 
Murrough  organised  a  great  hunt,  when  Murrough  lost  his  way 
and  went  through  some  mavellous  adventures.  A  popular 
version  of  Muracho/lli  MacBrian  is  printed  by  Mr.  Campbell 
(ir.  H.  T.,  vol.  ii.  pp.  195-217),  but  it  bears  little  resemblance  to 
that  of  this  MS.  '  Murachadh '  is  the  brother  of  Dimcan,  both 
sons  of  Brian  Borr,  and  gets  lost  at  a  hunt, — these  facts  common 
to  both  show  their  common  origin. 


MS.  XXXVIII  {v.  supra,  p.  118) 

The  MS.  contains  the  following  legends : — 

1.  The  violent  Death  of  Cuchulainn  (pp.  7-69).  The  account 
is  NQxy  long  and  detailed.  A  transcript  was  made  by  E,  M'L. 
in  Leabhar  Gaol  (L.C),  '  Narrow  Book,'  pp.  1-44.  Another 
version,  defective  at  the  beginning  and  illegible  at  the  end,  is 


MS.  XXXVIII]  LEGEND  AND  LORE  147 

found  in  an  older  MS.  (MS.  XLV  infra),  and  a  third,  defective 
at  the  end,  in  MS.  LIX  {infra).  The  heroes  of  Ulster,  after 
the  battles  of  Fincora,  Gaire,  and  Ros-na-rig,  had  returned 
victoriously  to  Emain  Macha,  and  Cuchulainn  repaired  to 
Bundealcjain.  The  Uilidians  were  suffering  from  the  cess 
noinclen.  Of  all  his  victories  at  the  Tain  none  gave  greater 
satisfaction  to  Cuchulainn  than  the  deaths  of  Calatin  and  his 
sons.  But  after  his  death,  six  children  were  born  to  Calatin  at 
one  birth,  three  sons  and  three  daughters.  The  orphans  were 
brought  up  by  Queen  Meave  at  Cruachan.  She  had  their  right 
feet  and  left  hands  cut  off.  When  they  were  seven  years  of  age 
she  enjoined  them  to  travel  the  Avhole  world,  and  to  become  the 
pupils  of  the  best  wizards  they  might  hear  of,  so  as  to  fit  them 
to  avenge  their  father's  death.  They  obeyed.  They  were  three 
years  in  Alba,  and  two  in  Saxonland.  Thereafter  they  went 
to  Babylon  and  to  every  land  from  the  rising  to  the  setting  of 
the  sun,  and  finally  to  Hell,  where  Vulcan  made  for  them  three 
spears,  three  swords,  and  three  shields,  the  best  he  ever  forged. 
He  prophesied  that  three  great  kings  would  fall  by  these 
weapons, — Liathmacha  the  king  of  Irish  horses,  Cuchulainn 
the  king  of  Irish  heroes,  and  Laeg  son  of  Riangabra  the  king 
of  Irish  charioteers. 

When  the  children  of  Calatin  returned  to  Cruachan,  Meave 
summoned  Lugaid  son  of  Curoi  from  Munster ;  Macniadh  son  of 
Finn,  and  Conchobar  son  of  Ros  from  Leinster ;  and  Ere,  son  of 
Cairbre,  whose  fathers  were  slain  by  Cuchulainn.  A  great 
muster  was  resolved  on,  and  an  expedition  to  Ulster  to  compass 
the  destruction  of  Cuchulainn.  King  Conchobar  of  Ulster  heard 
of  the  preparations  made,  and  sent  Lebarcham  to  Dundealg- 
ain,  with  injunctions  from  himself  and  his  counsellors  to  the 
great  hero  not  to  bide  the  hosts  alone  in  Dundealgain,  but  with 
his  wife  (Eimhir)  and  his  charioteer  (Laeg)  to  repair  to  Eamain 
Macha.  The  hero  reluctantly  consented.  Queen  Meave  and 
the  forces  of  the  four  provinces  of  Ireland  were  laying  waste  the 
possessions  of  Cuchulainn.  The  children  of  Calatin  were 
endeavouring  by  Avizardry  to  make  him  face  the  hosts  alone. 
Conall  Cearnach  was  in  foreign  parts,  and  Niamh  his  wife 
extracted  a  promise  from  Cuchulainn  that  he  would  not  meet 
the  enemy  without  her  consent.      She  persuaded  the  hero  to 


148    CATALOGUE  OF  CxAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS   [MS.  XXXVIII 

accompany  her  and  others  to  (ilnin-da-hodur,  where  the  shouts 
and  challen<j:es  of  war  raised  by  the  wizards  would  not,  as  they 
believed,  be  heard  by  Cuchulainn.  in  this  they  were,  however, 
mistaken.  Moreover,  one  of  the  liaij^s  inveigled  Niamh  and 
her  ladies  away  from  the  hero,  and  then  returned  in  the  guise 
of  Niamh,  and  persuaded  Cuchulainn  to  the  fight.  The  fraud 
was  discovered  too  late. 

Cuchulainn  goes  to  meet  the  foe.  Ho  is  fully  aware  that  he 
is  going  to  his  death.  He  has  violated  his  geasa.  He  visits 
Eraain  Macha,  bids  farewell  to  Einihir  his  wife,  and  to  his 
mother  Baithene  (Dechtire).  The  latter  offers  him  the  usual 
bdllan  lachta  (cup  of  milk),  but  three  times  the  milk  is  turned 
to  blood.  The  Druid  Cathfad  accompanies  the  hero  part  of  the 
way,  when  a  beautiful  maiden  is  seen  at  Ath  na  Foraire,  '  Ford 
of  watching,'  washing  and  weeping.  The  Druid  returns  and 
Cuchulainn  makes  profession  of  his  faith  in  these  terms : 
Adraim-si  don  aen  Dia  da  n-adraid  slat  7  creidim-si  don 
aird-rig  do  rinne  nami  7  talamn,  '  I  worship  the  one  God  whom 
they  worship,  and  I  believe  in  the  high  King  who  made  heaven 
and  earth.'  The  hero  now  comes  upon  six  aiinids,  '  hags/  at 
their  cooking, — their  appearance,  dress,  and  occupation  being 
described  with  great  detail. 

When  the  men  of  Ireland  saw  Cuchulainn  approaching  they 
sent  C'Vb  Cuilleasc,  the  satirist  of  Leinster,  accompanied  by  thrice 
nine  poets,  to  demand  the  hero's  spear.  '  Will  you  receive  it  by 
the  point  (grain)  or  by  the  haft  (urlann)  ? '  asked  Cuchulainn. 
'  By  neither,'  said  Gu  Cuilleasc,  '  but  slantwise '  {tarrsna).  So  it 
was  done,  and  the  satirist  with  his  three  nines  fell  dead  under 
the  weight  of  it.  Lugaid  son  of  Curoi  went  forth  to  view  '  the 
man  who,  some  say,  is  my  father'  (d'fechsain  in  athar  ud 
adarar  do  beith  acum),  and  returned,  giving  a  description  of 
the  hero,  his  horses  and  chariot. 

Meave  now  gives  the  three  venomous  weapons  wrought  by 
Vulcan  to  Lugaid,  Macniadh,  and  Ere.  A  description  of 
Cuchulainn  facing  the  hosts  and  of  the  furious  rushes  he  makes 
at  them  follows.  He  orders  Laeg  to  gather  stones  to  hurl  at 
the  foe.  Meave  spurs  on  the  men  of  Ireland.  Macniadh  makes 
the  first  attack  and  wounds  the  Liathmacha.  Ere  now  charges. 
Laeg  is  wounded.     He  parts  from  Cuchulainn,  and  makes  havoc 


MS.  XXXVIII]  LEGEND  AND  LORE  149 

on  his  own  account.  Ciichulainn  makes  great  slaughter.  Meave 
calls  out  in  a  loud  voice :  '  Where  is  Lugaid  ? '  '  Here,'  replies 
Lugaid.  '  You  undertook  that  Cuchulainn  should  fall  by  the 
venomous  spear  of  Vulcan,  and  I  gave  it  to  you.'  .  .  .  '  If  I  did, 
it  must  be  accomplished,'  said  L.  He  hurls  the  spear.  The 
Dub  sailend  (Cuchulainn's  other  horse, — Macpherson's  Duhh- 
sron-gheal,  Fingal,  i.  1.  370)  is  wounded  and  falls ;  the  Liath- 
macha,  with  a  spear  through  it,  alone  sustaining  the  chariot 
now.  Cuchulainn  leaves  the  chariot  and  charges  on  foot.  He 
is  mortally  wounded.  A  doharchii, '  waterdog,'  '  otter,'  drinks 
his  blood,  and  although  at  one  time  told  that  to  kill  a  namesake 
(cu)  would  be  his  last  feat,  he  kills  the  doharchu.  Laeg  joins 
him.  He  directs  the  charioteer  to  carry  him  to  a  large  stone 
pillar  near  at  hand,  and  instructs  him  how  to  lay  him  down, 
with  his  face  to  the  foe,  his  shield  and  spear  at  his  battle 
shoulder,  and  his  sword  firmly  grasped  in  his  hand.  Thus  the 
great  hero  of  the  Gael  died.  Laeg  went  aAvay  sorrowfully  to 
carry  the  news  to  Eimhir  and  to  Emain  Macha. 

For  three  days  and  three  nights  the  men  of  Ireland  dared 
not  approach  the  hero.  At  length  Badh,  the  daughter  of  Calatin, 
in  the  shape  of  a  fxlncidJi  .\.  feannog,  'carrion  crow,' hovered 
over  him  and  signalled  to  the  camp  that  he  was  dead.  When 
the  warriors  came  they  found  his  sword  grasped  so  firmly  in  his 
hand  that  the  tendons  had  to  be  cut  before  the  weapon  could  be 
removed.  '  One  cheek  still  glowed  like  the  sun,  the  other  was 
white  as  the  snow  of  one  night.'  Meave  ordered  Lugaid  to  cut 
off  the  hero's  head,  and  Ere  was  commanded  to  carry  it  to  Tara. 
The  hosts  thereupon  dispersed. 

Eimhir  proceeded  at  once  to  where  the  body  of  her  husband 
lay,  and  sent  Lebarcham  in  search  of  Conall  Cearnach,  who  Avas 
happily  found.  This  warrior  made  for  Murthemhne  with  such 
speed  that  one  of  his  horses  was  killed.  The  chariot  was  then 
driven  single,  and  we  are  told  that  this  was  the  third  time  that 
inarcaidhecht  ar  srian  aen  eich,  '  riding  (driving)  by  the  bridle 
of  one  horse'  was  ever  made  in  Ireland, — the  first  being  by 
Lug  lamfhada,  '  longhand,'  at  the  battle  of  Mag  Tuiread, 
'  Moytura,'  when  he  slew  the  giant  Fine,  the  second  by  Cuchu- 
lainn at  the  Tain  bo  Cualgne,  and  the  third  now  by  Conall 
ar  in  derg  ruathar,  'on  the  wild  (lit.  red)  on- rush.' 


150    CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS    [MS.  XXXVIII 

Conall  views  the  battlclickl,  but  is  unable  to  reckon  up 
the  number  of  the  shiin.  lie  finds  a  hundred  ridges  with  a 
hundred  dead  bodies  on  cacli,  as  also  a  hundred  furrows  with 
a  hundred  dead  in  each  of  them.  Is  inor  do  mai-h  '^no  dhalhi-Ha, 
'  CJrcat  is  tlie  number  which  my  foster  son  has  slain,'  said  Conall. 
Eindiir  wishes  to  bury  her  dead.  ]>ut  Conall  will  not  hear  of  it. 
lie  must  first  find  tlie  head,  and  avenge  the  hero's  death.  He 
follows  in  pursuit  of  the  hosts.  He  overtakes  Lugaid  and  Maine, 
slays  them,  and  cuts  ofi'  their  heads.  He  takes  a  sapling  of 
hazel,  '  thick  enough  to  fill  his  grip,'  makes  a  withe  {(jad)  of  it, 
and  strings  the  heads  on  the  withe.  He  fares  to  Tara,  finds 
youths  playing  at  hurley,  with  Cuchulainn's  head  as  ball.  He 
slays  them  and  puts  the  heads  of  Maol  and  Miodhna  on  the 
withe.  At  Tara  he  meets  an  Ulster  man,  Ceann  Biorraidhe,  and 
sends  him  with  Cuchulainn's  head  to  Eimhir.  He  now  attacks 
Ere  and  his  warriors,  slays  them  all,  and  puts  Erc's'  head  and 
that  of  the  chief  of  his  household,  Muireadhach,  on  the  withe. 
The  next  head  for  the  withe  was  that  of  Colla  Fathach,  one  of 
Lugaid  son  of  Curoi's  warriors.  Cuilleann  of  Breg  fared  the 
same  fate.  Conall's  next  feat  was  to  slay  the  six  children  of 
Calatin,  notwithstanding  their  druidism  and  wizardry.  He  now 
falls  in  with  Connla,  foster  brother  of  Lugaid  son  of  Curoi,  and 
his  numerous  followers.  He  slays  them  all,  except  a  few  that 
run  away,  and  puts  Connla's  head  on  the  withe.  He  next  comes 
to  the  plain  of  Airgead  Ros,  '  Silver  wood '  (or  promontory),  and 
there  finds  Lugaid  son  of  Curoi  who  beheaded  Cuchulainn,  with 
his  battalion.  Lugaid  was  one-handed,  and  before  the  combat 
began  he  pleaded  that  he  and  Conall  were  unfairly  matched. 
To  enable  them  to  fight  on  equal  terms  Conall  must  allow  his 
left  hand  to  be  fastened  to  his  side.  Conall  chivalrously  agreed 
to  this  arrangement.  The  two  warriors  fight  furiously,  and  in 
one  of  his  thrusts  L.  cuts  asunder  the  fastenings  on  C.'s  hand. 
He  asks  that  the  hand  be  tied  up  again,  but  C.  declined,  adding 
that  he  agreed  on  the  first  occasion  with  reluctance,  but  seeing 
that  L.  himself  freed  the  limb,  it  would  not  be  fastened  the 
second  time.  The  fight  was  renewed  and  C.  proved  the  victor. 
'  Were  it  not  that  it  was  your  hand  that  cut  off  Cuchulainn's 
head,'  said  Conall, '  I  should  be  sorry  to  cut  off  yours.'  But  what 
must  be  must  be,  and  so  Lugaid's  head  was  put  on  the  withe. 


MS.  XXXVIII]  LEGEND  AND  LORE  151 

Thereafter  he  slew  fifty  of  the  chief  men  of  the  Clanna  Deagh- 
aidh  and  strung  their  heads  upon  the  withe.  The  gad  was  now 
'  full,'  and  Conall  swung  the  grim  burden  on  his  back  and  pro- 
ceeded to  Dun  Dealgain  where  Cuchulainn's  body  lay.  Eimhir 
came  forward  and  asked, 

A  Chonaill,  (jidh  iad  na  cinn, 

As  dearbh  linn  gur  deargais  fairni. 

And  the  lay  which  in  modern  ballads  is  known  as  '  The  lay  of 
the  Heads'  (Laoidh  nan  Ceann,  v.  siijpra,  p.  144)  proceeds.  There- 
after Cuchulainn  was  fittingly  interred,  Eimhir  ordering  Conall 
to  make  the  grave  broad  and  spacious  that  she  might  have 
room  to  lie  beside  her  beloved,  and  the  lay  was  made.  [Here 
MS.  XXXVIII  breaks  off,  the  lay  not  being  given.] 

A  version,  from  which  ours  differs  considerably,  is  in  L.L. 
119-123.  An  abridgement  of  this  version  is  printed  by  Stokes 
in  Rev.  Celt,  vol.  iii.  pp.  175-185.  For  later  MSS.  in  which  the 
Death  of  Cuchulainn,  and  the  Bearcj  ruathar  of  Conall  Cearnach 
are  found,  v.  Jub.,  pp.  15,  100. 

2.  Pp.  71-114  contain  a  well- written  and  detailed  account  of 
the  battle  of  Afagh  Mucrulmhe  {v.  supra,  p.  139),  including  the 
adventures  and  intrie^ue  of  King  Art  before  the  battle,  in  which 
he  was  slain.  This  version  is  transcribed  in  L.C.,  pp.  45-79. 
For  a  list  of  the  copies  of  the  Tale  in  other  MSS.,  v.  Jub.,  p.  75. 
The  oldest  of  these,  that  in  L.L.,  is  printed,  with  Introduction, 
Translation  and  Notes,  by  Stokes  in  Rev.  Celt.  vol.  xiii.  p.  426  +  . 

3.  Oileamuin  Concidainn  j  oigheadh  CJionnlaoich,  '  The 
Education  of  Cuchulainn  and  the  Violent  Death  of  Conlaoch.' 
This  tract  is  transcribed  in  L.C.,  pp.  81-105.  There  are  many 
copies  of  later  date  than  this  MS.  entitled  Foghlum  Chonculainn 
enumerated  by  Jub.  (pp.  140-1)  and  one  of  these,  of  date 
1715  (Brit.  Mus.  Eg.  106),  is  printed  by  Stokes  {Rev.  Celt., 
vol.  xxix.  p.  110). 

The  tragedy  of  Conlaoch  is  found  in  prose  in  several  MSS. 
(v.  Jub.,  p.  16),  but  in  the  Scottish  collection  this  is  the  only 
copy.  In  verse  it  is  one  of  the  most  common  of  our  ballads  both 
in  Scotland  and  in  Ireland.  Cf.  Miss  Brook's  Reliques  of  Irish 
Poetry  (ed.  1789,  p.  9),  L.F.,  pp.  9-13  ;  v.  L.L.,  Introduction,  p.  55. 

4.  On  p.  154  are  found  five  quatrains  attributed  to  Ossian. 


152  CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS  [MS.  XXXVIII 

The  lines  are  profusely  glossed.  They  were  printed,  some- 
what inaccurately,  with  suggested  translation,  by  Skene  in 
D.L.,  Ixxxiv.  The  same  short  poem,  also  glossed,  is  in  L.L., 
p.  208a,  and  this  copy,  with  the  Edinburgh  version  and  Skene's 
translation,  is  printed  by  Professor  Windisch  in  Irische  Texte  iiiit 
Wortcrbuch,  ^^.  162-164.  Some  of  the  obscurer  words — genam, 
'sword,'  ditais,  'hand/  cuib  for  cit,  'dog,'  cribuis,  'pig' — are 
quoted  from  this  poem  by  O'Davoren  {v.  L.L,  Introduction, 
p.  55;  Rev.  Celt,  vol.  ii.  p.  470;  Archiv.  fur  Gelt.  Lexik.  ii. 
O'Dav.  Gloss.). 

5.  Pp.  155-170  give  a  copy  of  the  well-known  tragedy  of  the 
children  of  Lir  or  Lear.  This  version  is  transcribed  in  L.C., 
pp.  106-118.    Another  copy  is  found  in  MS.  LVI  (infra). 

6.  A  version  of  the  Legend  of  Bruighionn  ChaortJiuinn 
(v,  supra,  p.  140)  is  found  on  pp.  175-192.  This  copy  is  tran- 
scribed in  L.C.,  pp.  132-148. 


MS.  XXXIX  (v.  supra,  pp.  91,  118) 

More  than  two-thirds  of  the  MS.  is  taken  up  with  a  Tale 
or  series  of  Tales  difficult  to  classify, — a  sermon  in  legendary 
form.  The  text  is  defective  at  the  beginning,  but  from  the  con- 
text we  gather  that  an  emperor's  wife  accused  his  son  of  insult- 
ing her.  The  emperor  sentenced  his  son,  who  declined  to  defend 
himself,  to  death.  The  Tales  are  told  by  the  emperor's  council- 
lors with  the  view  to  secure  the  son's  pardon. 

The  first  Tale  opens  abruptly  with  the  case  of  a  lady  whose 
husband  had  been  hanged.  She  was  left  in  a  lonely  hut  near 
his  grave.  A  knight,  whose  duty  it  was  to  watch  over  executed 
criminals  still  hanging  on  the  gallows,  in  case  they  might  be  re- 
moved, visits  the  Avidow.  Meanwhile  a  culprit  was  taken  away, 
and  the  knight  was  in  danger  of  his  life.  For  love  of  him 
the  widow  with  her  own  hands  placed  the  body  of  her  husband, 
who  was  by  this  time  buried,  upon  the  gallows,  and  knocked  out 
two  of  his  teeth  that  he  might  personate  the  stolen  body  of  the 
culprit.  The  knight  declined  to  have  anything  further  to  do 
with  such  an  abandoned  woman.  This  story  secured  a  night's 
respite  for  the  emperor's  son. 


MS.  XL]  LEGEND  AND  LOEE  153 

In  the  next  Tale  the  city  of  Rome  and  Christianity  are 
threatened  by  the  Saracens.  But  a  clever  device  was  hit  upon 
by  which  all  danger  was  averted.  Another  night's  respite  was 
granted  to  the  youth,  who  still  declined  to  say  a  word  in  his  own 
defence. 

The  third  Tale  is  that  of  a  knight  who  had  a  vision  of  a  lovely 
lady,  and  he  must  needs  go  in  search  of  her.  He  found  her 
confined  in  a  castle  by  an  old  jealous  husband.  By  various 
mancEUvres  he  not  only  contrives  to  free  the  lady  but  to  get  her 
husband  to  give  her  away  in  marriage  to  himself.  Upon  hearing 
this  Tale  the  emperor  pardons  his  son,  who  now  tells  the  last 
Tale  of  the  series. 

There  was  a  knight  whose  father  cast  him  into  the  sea,  be- 
cause the  son  was  wiser  and  more  learned  than  himself.  But 
the  son  survives  and  prospers,  while  the  father  is  reduced  to 
poverty.  He  visits  his  father  and  stepmother,  showing  them  all 
respect. 

The  son  then  declared  himself,  revealed  the  truth  of  the 
matter,  which  the  empress  confirmed.  She  is  put  to  death. 
The  Tract  concludes  with  the  observation  that  this  is  the  way 
that  tigharnadha, '  rulers,'  deal  with  evil  men  unless  they  reform, 
and  by  repentance  secure  the  everlasting  life. 


MS.  XL  (v.  swpra,  p.  91) 

The  first  layer  of  the  MS.  (pp.  1-12),  is  of  exceptional  value 
in  that  it  provides  us  with  an  account  of  the  deaths  of  many  of 
the  Ulster  Heroes,  as  well  as  of  Queen  Meave  and  Get  MacMagach 
of  Connaught,  several  of  which  are  found  nowhere  else  except  in 
Keating,  who  must  have  had  access  to  this  MS.  or  to  another 
copy,  now  lost.  They  are  all  well  entitled  to  be  called  Aideda 
'  violent  Deaths.'  This  section  of  the  MS.  is  transcribed  in  L.C, 
(pp.  224-282)  under  the  heading,  in  modern  Scottish  Gaelic: 
0  Leabhar  Bian  an  Fheidh  .  I .  Bas  nan  Laoch  Eirionnach. 
'  From  the  Deer-skin  Book  .  I .  The  Death  of  the  Irish  Heroes.' 
The  beginning  of  the  account  of  Conchobar's  death  is  illegible, 
but  the  omission  is  supplied  by  L.L.,  and  by  MS.  V  (v.  supra, 


154  CATALOdUE  OF  (JARLIC  MANUSCRIITS      [MS.  XL 

p.  131),  with  wliich  latter  MS.  tlic  Iccjibic  portion  of  MS.  XL 
substantially  agrees. 

The  personages  whose  deaths  are  recorded  in  this  section  of 
our  MS.,  which  Dr.  Kuno  Meyer  would  assign,  from  the  hand- 
writing, to  the  fourteenth  century,  are  Conchohar,  Ailill,  Conall 
Cearnach,  Fergus  mac  Roich,  Queen  Meave  of  Cruachan,  Get 
mac  Magach,  Laoghairc  Buadhach,  Ccltchar  mac  Uthechair,  Blai 
bringa,  '  hospitaller,'  and  Conganchnes, '  Horny-skin.'  An  ab- 
stract of  the  account  of  Meave's  death  is  given  by  Dr.  Meyer  in 
Gelt.  Mag.,  vol.  xii.  pp.  211-212.  The  text  of  the  Aided  of  Ailill 
and  of  Conall  Cearnach,  with  translation,  notes,  and  variants 
from  the  R.I. A.  MS,  H.  I.  17,  is  given  by  the  same  scholar  in 
Zeit  fur  Gelt.  Phil.  (vol.  i.  p.  102 +  ),  while  all  the  other  texts 
are  printed  by  him,  with  translation  and  notes,  in  vol.  xiv.  of 
the  Todd  Lecture  Series  (Dublin,  1906).  In  the  same  volume 
references  are  given  to  the  other  MSS.  in  which  copies  of  these 
texts  are  found :  L.L. ;  Liber  Flavus  Fergus lorion;  R.I.A.,  23  B. 
21 ;  23.  G.  21.  Gf.  also  Jub.,  pp.  7,  8,  13,  23,  26,  28. 
The  third  layer  of  MS.  XL  (pp.  29-48),  contains : 
(1)  Aided  Guill  oneic  Garbada  J  aided  Gairb  Glinde  Rige, 
'  The  violent  death  of  Goll  son  of  Garbad,  and  of  Garb  of  Glen 
Rige.'  Both  these  heroes  were  slain  by  Cuchulainn.  The  first 
was  one  of  three  brothers,  '  sons  of  the  King  of  Northern 
Germany  of  the  world.'  They  had  cast  lots  for  the  conquest 
of  the  islands  of  Britain,  of  Denmark,  and  of  Ireland.  The  last 
fell  to  Goll.  A  mighty  warrior  was  Goll.  One  eye  was  in  his 
head  as  big  as  a  heifer's  caldron.  The  other  eye  no  crane 
could  pick  out  of  his  skull.  Four  troops  of  ten  men  would  find 
room  on  his  shield ;  his  sword  measured  thirty  feet  in  length. 
By  wondrous  feats  of  agility  and  valour,  Cuchulainn  slew  this 
hero,  and  carried  off  his  head  to  Emain  Macha.  Meanwhile  the 
Ultonians,  with  Conchobar,  had  gone  to  feast  with  Conall,  son 
of  Gleo  Glas,  to  Dun  Colptha  in  Cualgne.  When  passing 
through  Glen  Rige,  Garb  came  forth,  and  slew  fifty  heroes  of 
the  rearguard  of  the  cavalcade.  Cuchulainn  followed  Concho- 
bar's  party  to  Cualgne,  passed  through  Glen  Rige,  and  saw  the 
slaughter  which  the  two-headed  Garb  had  made.  He  fights 
and  conquers  him,  cuts  off  his  two  heads,  and  carries  them,  with 
that  of  Goll,  to  Cualgne.     The  version  in  L.L.  (pp.  107b-lllb), 


MS.  XL]  LEGEND  AND  LORE  155 

with  variants  from  our  version,  translation  and  notes,  was 
printed  by  Stokes  in  Rev.  Celt,  vol.  xiv.  p.  396,  et  seq.  Cf.  also 
Jub.,  p.  25. 

(2)  Tain  bo  Fraich,  'The  Cattle-spoil  of  Fraoch,'  son  of 
Fidach,  a  great  hero  and  chief  of  the  Gamhanraidh.  Variant 
versions  are  found  in  L.L.  (pp.  248a-252b);  Y.B.L.  (pp.  55b-60a); 
Eg.  1782  (Brit.  Mus.),  fols.  82b-87b.  O'Beirne  Crowe  printed 
the  L.L.  version  in  R.LA.,  Ir.  MS.  Series,  in  1870;  Dr.  Kimo 
Meyer  the  Eg.  version,  with  variants  from  L.L.,  Y.B.L.,  and  our 
version  in  Zeit.  fur  Celt.  Phil.  iv.  pp.  32-47 ;  and  Mr.  A.  O. 
Anderson  this  text,  with  translation  and  notes,  in  Ptev.  Celt. 
vol.  xxiv.  pp.  128-154.  Jub.  (p.  217)  mentions  a  riiodern  copy 
in  T.  C.  D.,  H.  1.  13,  p.  349.  Popular  versions  of  the  Tale  have 
been  found  in  the  Scottish  Highlands  in  prose  and  verse,  framed 
upon  one  of  the  incidents  in  the  old  Saga, — that  in  which  Oilill 
sends  Fraoch  to  fetch  the  berries  of  the  rowan  tree.  In  the 
modern  ballad  it  is  Meave,  through  jealousy,  that  sends  him. 
The  rowan  tree  is  guarded  by  a  monster.  In  the  old  version 
Fraoch  kills  the  monster;  in  the  ballad  both  perish,  v.  L.F., 
pp.  29-33.  Jerome  Stone  took  down  the  ballad  with  others  in 
Perthshire,  and  sent  a  rhymed  paraphrase  of  it  in  English  to  the 
Scots  Magazine,  where  it  was  printed  under  the  title  of '  Albion 
and  the  daughter  of  Mey,'  in  January  1756.  This  version  of 
the  ballad,  with  Stone's  paraphrase  and  a  literal  transla- 
tion, is  given  in  Rep.  on  Oss.,  App.  vii.  pp.  99-117.  Stone's 
MS.  is  now  in  the  Library  of  the  University  of  Edinburgh.  The 
Heroic  Ballads,  with  an  account  of  the  MS.  and  the  Collector, 
are  printed  in  vol.  xiv.  p.  314  et  seq.  of  the  Trans,  of  the  Gaelic 
Sac.  of  Inverness. 

The  fourth  layer  of  the  MS.  (pp.  49-68)  contains  the  only 
complete  copy  of  the  Mesce  or  BaetJirem  Ulad,  '  The  Intoxica- 
tion '  or  '  Wild  March  of  the  Ulstermen,'  known  to  exist.  The 
late  Mr.  Hennessy  edited  the  first  part  of  this  legend  from  L.L., 
pp.  26lb-268b,  and  the  conclusion  of  it  from  L.U.,  pp.  19a-20b, 
with  translation  and  notes,  and  this  edition  was  printed  in  the 
Todd  Lecture  Series,  vol.  i.  (Dublin,  1889).  Our  MS.,  which  was 
not  known  to  Mr.  H.,  supplies  the  gap  between  these  two  MSS., 
and  gives  variant  readings  of  value  in  addition.  Our  text  opens 
somewhat  differently  from  L.L.  but  concludes  as  in  L.U.     It  is 


15G         CATALOGUE  OF  GAETJC  MANUSCRIPTS       [MS.  XL 

docqueted:    Gonad    e,    haot{h)rem    Ulad   co    Temuir  Luachra 
conuige  sin.    Finid.    Amen.     Ocus  a  Minaird  do  {s)gribneadh 
7  do  he  aos  an  tigerna  an  tan  sin  .viii.  bliadna  .xxx.  7  .v.c.  7 
mile  hliadan  Mksh  sfb  {n)chh  mhc  gJdl  crJcst  mice  fpfn  (  =  Misi 
Seancha  mac  G'dlcrUt  mic  eoen),  '  This  is  the  wild  march  of  the 
Ulstermen  to  T.  L.  thus  far.    The  end.    Amen.    And  in  Minaird 
it  was  written,  and  the  year  of  the  Lord  at  that  time  was  1588. 
I  am  Sea(n)cha  son  of  Gilchrist  son  of  John.'     E.  M'L.  made  a 
transcript  of  this  copy  (0  Leahhar  Bian  an  FMidh, '  from  the 
Deerskin  Book ')  in  L.C,  pp.  22'i-248.     The  last  page  (G8)  is  for 
the   greater  part  illegible.      The  legend,  in  abstract,  runs :  In 
Conchobar's  reign  Ulster  was  in  three  divisions, — one  under  C. 
himself,  one  under  Cuchulainn,  and  one  under  Fintan  of  Dun- 
da-bend.     Conchobar's  councillors  pursuaded  Cuchulainn  and 
Fintan  to  resign  their  provinces  in  his  favour  for  a  year.    There- 
after Cuchulainn  and  Fintan  invited    the   king  and  nobles  to 
a  feast,  and  unfortunately  on  the  same  day.     There  was  fierce 
contention   as    to    which   invitation   should    be   accepted,   and 
ultimately  it  was  arranged  to  accept  both, — to  spend  the  first 
half  of  the  night  with  Fintan,  and  the  second  half  with  Cuchu- 
lainn.    Cuchulainn  sends  Laeg  to  watch  the  stars  for  the  exact 
hour  of  midnight.     By  this  time  the  company  were  intoxicated. 
They  start,  however,  for  Cuchulainn's  castle.     The  route  is  de- 
scribed  in  detail,   and   the   names   are   of  value   for   the   old 
topography  of  the  country.     But  now  the  revellers  find  that 
they  have  lost  their  way.     They  are  no  longer  even  in  Ulster. 
Cuchulainn  is  able  to  fix  their  position.     The  night  turns  out 
very  wild,  and  to  attempt  to  find  their  way  to  Dun  Dealgain, 
Cuchulainn's  abode,  is  hopeless.     So  they  make  for  Teamair 
Luachra,  the   seat   of  Curoi   mac  Dairi,  with  Cuchulainn   as 
guide.     Ailill  and  Meave  of  Cruachan  were  on  a  visit  to  Curoi 
at  the  time,  and  the  ever  wary  queen  had  a  watch  set.     When 
it  became  known   that  the   Ulstermen  had   arrived,  she   and 
Curoi  resolved  to  trap  them.     Ailill  with  his  seven  sons,  on  the 
other  hand,  took  the  part  of  the  Ultonians.     Mainly  through 
the  prowess  and  agility  of  Cuchulainn,  with  the  assistance  of 
Ailill,  the  Ulstermen  were  able  to  deliver  themselves  from  the 
toils  of  their  enemies,  and  in  the  general  fight  which  followed 
they  were   victorious.      They  destroyed  Temair  Luachra  and 


MS.  XLV]  LEGEND  AND  LORE  157 

returned  to  Dun  Dealgain,  where  they  feasted  for  forty  days. 
Ailill  paid  them  a  friendly  visit  {ceilidh)  and  he  and  his  sons 
were  loaded  with  presents, — hai  iarum  Conchohur  iarsin  con 
coscrad  a  rige  imbi  an  gein  do  bed  a  m-bethaigh,  '  and  Con- 
chobar  was  thereafter  without  destruction  of  his  sovereignty  as 
long  as  he  lived.' 

The  fifth  and  last  layer  of  the  MS.  (pp.  69-76)  opens  with  the 
short  Tale  known  as  Gennadh  an  Ruanado,  '  The  Bargain  or 
Purchase  of  the  Champion '  (pp.  69-72).  It  forms  an  episode 
in  the  Fled  Bricrend,  and  is  printed  by  Windisch  from  L.U. 
with  variants  from  Eg.  93  (Brit.  Mus.)  in  Irische  Texte  init 
Worterbuch,  pp.  301-303.  L.U.  is  defective,  and  Eg.  is  in  part 
illegible,  as  is  also  a  version  in  a  Leyden  MS.  (v.  Celt.  Mag. 
vol.  xii.  p.  215).  Our  version  is  complete.  A  full  abstract  is 
given  of  this  short  Tale  by  Dr.  Meyer  in  Celt.  Mag.,  vol.  xii. 
pp.  215-218,  while  the  text  with  translation  is  printed  by  the 
same  scholar  in  Rev.  Celt.,  vol.  xiv.  pp.  450-459.  E.  M'L.,  in  his 
Analysis  of  this  MS.,  says  of  these  pages  that '  no  sense  can  be 
collected  from  their  legible  remains.'  The  orthography,  it  must 
be  allowed,  is  rather  uncommon. 


MS.  XLII  {v.  supra,  p.  120) 

On  fols.  12a- 14a  is  a  copy  of  the  DindsJienchas  in  verse,  as 
in  MS.  XIX  (v.  supra,  p.  137).  This  copy  like  the  former 
one  is  defective  at  the  beginning,  but  complete  at  the  end.  In 
so  far  as  the  text  of  the  two  is  common  and  legible,  they  agree 
pretty  closely.  Fol.  19,  which  is  detached  and  not  very  legible, 
seems  a  fragment  on  the  same  subject. 


MS.  XLV— Highland  Society.    J.  M'Kenzie,  No.  9 

The  MS.  consists  of  six  leaves  of  parchment,  large  4to  (11  in. 
by  7^).  It  is  written  in  two  columns,  in  a  good  plain  hand,  pro- 
bably of  the  fifteenth  century.  There  is  not  a  note  to  indicate 
transcriber  or  date.  The  subject  is  the  Death  of  Cuchulainn. 
The  text  begins :    ar   in  faiti  J  doronad  comairle  les  j   isi 


158  CATALOGUE  OF  OAELIC  MANUSCKIPT8     [MS.  XLV 

comuirle,  etc.,  'on  the  t^^reen,  and  they  took  counsel  together, 
and  what  [they]  resolved  on  was,'  etc., — i.e..  when  Corichobar's 
messengers  reached  (  ■iichulaiini  at  Dim  Dealgaiu.  The  last 
page  is  only  in  small  part  legible,  but  it  does  not  carry  the 
narrative  so  far  as  MS.  XXXVIII  does.  In  E.  M'L.'s  transcript 
of  the  copy  in  MS.  XXXVIII  a  blank  in  that  MS.  is  filled  in 
(in  a  different  hand)  from  this  MS. 


MS.  XLVIII  (v.  supra,  pp.  98,  124) 

Among  the  miscellaneous  contents  of  this  MS.  are  copies  of 
the  following  heroic  ballads : — 

Fol.  2b.  Soiridh  soir  go  h-Albain  uaim. 

6a.  Goll  mear  onilenta. 

„  21a.  Gnoc  anair  an  cnoc-sa  siar. 

„  23a.  Be  la  gus  an  de  (o)  nacJi  faca  me  Fionn. 

They  are  printed  in  Rel.  Celt,  vol  i.  pp.  119,  124,  137,  139. 

MS.  LIII— Highland  Society,  Glenmasan  MS. 

This  valuable  MS.  consists  of  twenty-seven  leaves  of  parch- 
ment, large  4to.  It  was  sent  to  the  Highland  Society  by 
Lord  Bannatyne,  who  himself  received  it  from  the  Rev.  John 
Mackinnon  of  Glendaruel.  It  formed  at  one  time,  Mr.  Mackinnon 
was  told,  part  of  the  Kilbride  Collection.  The  MS.  is  so  far 
described  and  quoted  from  by  Dr.  Donald  Smith  (v.  Rep.  on  Oss., 
pp.  283,  297-298).  The  first  and  last  leaves  form  the  cover,  upon 
the  back  of  which  a  strip  of  brown  paper  is  pasted.  The  MS.  is 
written  in  double  colunm,  in  a  good  clear  hand.  The  third  leaf 
is  misplaced  in  binding — it  should  be  the  fifth — and  there  is  at 
least  two  leaves  (perhaps  three)  awanting  between  the  fifth  and 
third  (as  now  bound).  After  the  third  (properly  the  fifth)  leaf 
the  MS.  reads  continuously.  But  unfortunately  it  is  not  always 
legible.  The  lower  corner  of  fol.  7  is  cut  away,  and  a  couple  of 
sentences  are  rendered  unintelligible.  Several  passages  on  other 
pages  are  quite  illegible. 

On  fol.  lb  is  written,  in  a  larye,  rouyh,  modern  hand,  Gleann- 
7nasain  an  Cuige  la  deug  don  .  .  .  Mi  .  .  .  do  hklian  ar  tsaorrse 


MS.  LIII]  LEGEND  AND  LORE  lo9 

Alile  da  Chead  Trichid  sa  hocht.  '  Glenmasan,  the  fifteenth  day 
of  the  .  .  .  month  ...  of  the  year  of  our  Redemption,  one 
thousand  two  hundred  thirty  and  eight.'  Seeing  that  he  is  so 
particular  as  to  the  day  of  the  month,  the  scribe  is  evidently 
copying  an  older  entry  to  the  same  effect.  This  MS.  does  not 
date  further  back  than  1500,  but  it  may  well  be  a  copy  of  an 
older  one  of  date  1238.  There  are  several  notes  on  the  margins 
and  blank  spaces.  Thus  on  fol.  9  is  written,  '  Robert  Campbell 
at  Glensluan.'  He  probably  was  the  Robert  Campbell,  forester 
for  Argyll  in  Cowal,  who  wrote  in  Gaelic  a  congratulatory  ode  to 
Edward  Lhuyd,  which  is  printed  in  Arch.  Brit.  (Oxford,  1707). 
A  grandnephew  of  Robert  Campbell,  the  Rev.  William  Campbell, 
minister  of  Kilchrenan  and  Dalavich,  was  for  a  time  owner  of 
the  MS.  (fol.  15a).  The  name  of  John  M'Tavish  appears  two  or 
three  times,  and  one  of  the  entries  (fol.  19a)  runs:  Leahhar 
Echdra  ata  ami  so  ar  a  scriobha  le  Eoin  Mc  Tauis,  '  This  is  a 
Book  of  Adventures  written  by  John  M'Tavish.'  The  entry  is 
written  much  later  than  the  body  of  the  MS.  but  it  probably 
records  a  tradition  that  a  John  M'Tavish  was  the  scribe.  'James 
M'Intyre  his  book,'  with  '  his  book '  deleted,  appears  on  another 
page.  He  no  doubt  was  James  M'Intyre  of  Glenoe,  a  well-known 
Gaelic  scholar  of  the  late  eighteenth  century.  Of  him  it  is  said 
that  he  showed  this  MS.  to  the  Rev.  William  SliaAv,  when  that 
sfentleman  '  turned  it  about  several  times,  and  at  last  fixed  his 
eyes  upon  it,  with  the  wrong  end  of  it  up.' 

The  subject,  which  occupies  the  whole  of  the  MS.,  is  con- 
nected with  the  Tale  of  the  Sons  of  Uisneach  and  Deirdre,  but 
is  by  no  means  confined  to  that  Tragedy.  With  the  exception 
of  the  gap  above  mentioned,  the  text  here  is  continuous.  The 
large  and  elaborate  capital  at  the  beginning  indicates  the 
commencement  of  the  Tale,  while  the  usual  docquet  Finit 
shows  its  conclusion.  Naoise  and  Deirdre,  with  their  party, 
managed  to  escape  from  the  pursuit  of  Conchobar  and  to 
cross  over  to  Alba.  Our  Saga  opens  with  a  great  feast  given 
by  the  king  to  the  nobles  and  poets  of  Ulster,  at  which  pro- 
posals were  made  for  the  recall  of  the  sons  of  Uisneach,  under 
suitable  guarantees  for  their  safety.  Conchobar  first  asked  Conall 
Cearnach  to  undertake  this  mission,  but  that  hero  declined.  He 
then  approached  Cuchulainn, — -he  also  refused.     The  king  then 


160       CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS        [MS.  LIII 

sounded  Fergus  MucUoich,  who  consented.  Elsewhere  we  are 
told  that  C'oniiac  Conloingcs  son  of  Concliobar,  and  Du'bthach 
Dae^^e/j/ya, 'chafer-tongue,'  became  joint  guarantors  with  Fergus 
for  the  safety  of  the  exiles.  Fergus  with  his  two  sons  came 
across  to  Scothmd  and  found  the  hidy  and  the  heroes  on  the 
shores  of  Loch  Eitchi  (Etive).  Despite  the  protestations  and 
forebodings  of  Deirdrc,  the  party  return  to  Ireland  As  soon  as 
tliey  laud,  Fergus  is  treacherously  separated  from  them,  and 
they  go  forward  with  Fergus's  two  sons  to  Emain  Macha.  One 
of  Fergus's  sons,  Buinne  Borb  Ruadh,  turns  traitor;  but  the 
other,  Illann  Finn,  remains  loyal  to  Naoise's  party.  A  fight 
ensues,  in  which  Tllann  Finn  is  slain  under  misapprehension  by 
Conall  Cearnach. 

At  this  point  comes  the  gap  in  our  MS.  From  other  versions 
we  learn  that  the  sons  of  Uisneach,  after  an  heroic  defence,  were 
eventually  slain ;  and  that  Deirdre  was  carried  to  Conchobar's 
palace,  where  she  pined  away,  until  at  length,  stung  by  a  brutal 
insult,  she  dashed  her  head  against  a  rock,  and  was  killed.  Also 
that  Fergus,  on  his  arrival  in  Emain,  finding  his  guarantee  of 
safe  conduct  violated,  the  sons  of  Uisneach  and  his  own  son 
slain,  and  Deirdre  in  captivity,  collected  a  party,  afterwards 
known  as  the  Dnhloinges,  '  black  exile,'  of  three  thousand  (in 
some  accounts  fifteen  hundred)  men,  and  fought  against  Con- 
chobar  and  his  abettors,  when  three  hundred  Ulstermcn  Avere 
slain.  The  Dubloinges  were  compelled,  however,  to  retire  from 
Emain,  but  for  sixteen  years  they  ravaged  the  district  so  furiously 
that  during  that  time  Ulster  was  not  for  a  single  night  without 
wail  and  terror  {gol  7  critk). 

When  our  text  resumes,  offers  of  peace  were  made  on  behalf 
of  Conchobar,  but  the  negotiations  came  to  nought.  Fergus 
with  the  chiefs  of  the  Duhloinges,  (Jormac,  Dubthach,  the  poet 
Bricne  and  others,  took  service  with  Meave  of  Connaught,  and 
the  raiding  to  Ulster  was  continued.  Fergus  led  for  the  most 
part  a  life  of  inglorious  ease  at  Cruachan.  Queen  Meave  was  an 
indulgent  hostess.  His  restless  coimsellor  Bricne  obtained  leave 
to  make  an  excursion  westwards  to  the  land  of  the  Gamhanraidh, 
'  stirk-folk,'  a  powerful  people  who  occupied  the  west  and  north- 
west of  Ireland  in  a  sort  of  semi-dependence  on  Connaught. 
The  poet  soon  returned  to  Cruachan,  laden  with  presents.     He 


MS.  LIII]  LEGEND  AND  LORE  161 

head  wonderful  stories  to  tell  of  the  greatness  and  power  of  the 
Ganihanraidh ;  of  the  magnificence  of  Dun-atha-fen,  the  palace 
of  Oilill  Finn,  '  Oilill  the  Fair,'  son  and  heir  of  Doiiuiall  Dual- 
buidhe,  '  Donald  Yellowlocks,'  king  of  the  Gamhanraidh  ;  of  the 
great  beauty  of  Flidais,  Oilill's  wife ;  of  her  love  for  Fergus : 
and  of  her  wonderful  cow,  the  Mael-flidaise  '  the  hummel  [cow] 
of  Flidais.' 

Fergus,  inflamed  by  these  tidings,  resolves  to  go  West  and 
carry  Flidais  away.  Bricne,  in  his  cups,  betrays  his  master's 
intention  to  Oilill.  A  great  fight  follows,  in  which  Fergus  and 
his  men  have  the  worst  of  it.  Fergus  himself  is  captured,  and 
subjected  to  great  indignities.  Bricne  escaped,  and  with  all 
speed  made  for  Cruachan.  The  hosts  of  the  other  provinces  were 
there  at  the  time  prepared  to  march  against  Ulster,  and  to  carry 
away  the  famous  Donn  (brown  bull)  of  Cualnge.  Meave  per- 
suades the  leaders  to  join  her  in  an  expedition  to  the  West  to 
rescue  Fergus.  By  bribes  and  flattery  she  managed  to  detach 
the  heroes  of  the  Gamhanraidh  from  Oilill  Finn,  while  the  latter 
foolishly  allowed  Fergus  to  join  his  friends.  In  the  fight  that 
followed  Oilill  was  slain. 

The  Irish  hosts  immediately  departed  for  Cruachan,  carrying 
Flidais,  her  cow,  and  immense  booty  away  with  them.  And  now 
the  whole  force  of  the  Gamhanraidh  under  Donald  Yellowlocks, 
the  king,  and  Muiredach  Menu,  '  Stutterer,'  son  of  Oilill  Finn, 
set  off  in  pursuit  to  rescue  Flidais,  They  inflict  heavy  losses  on 
the  retreating  foe,  but  in  a  fight  the  old  king  of  the  Gamhan- 
raidh is  slain  by  Fergus.  Still  the  pursuit  continues,  and  eventu- 
ally Muiredach  Menn  by  a  coiq^  rescues  Flidais  and  her  cow. 
The  pursuit  then  ceases.  The  Irish  hosts  proceed  to  Cruachan. 
The  Gamhanraidh  return  to  their  own  country.  They  place 
Muiredach  Menn  on  his  grandfather's  throne.  Queen  Flidais 
dwells  with  him  for  a  season.  Thereafter,  with  her  cow,  she 
retired  to  Loch  Letriach,  '  to  hide  her  secret,  and  never  was 
heard  of  more.' 

The  Saga  is  written  in  spirited  prose,  with  many  fine  lays 
and  three  vigorous  Retorics  interspersed.  It  throws  light 
upon  the  life  of  a  people, — the  Gamhanraidh,  of  whom  was 
Fer-diad,  Fraech  son  of  Fidach,  and  others  who  ruled  in  the 
west  and  north-west  of  Ireland  during  the  Cuchulainn  period. 

L 


162         CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS    [MS.  LIII 

A  copy  of  II  portion  of  this  Tale  is  found  in  Y.  B.  L.  (pp.  331-400), 
otherwise,  so  far  as  known  to  me,  ours  is  the  only  one  pre- 
served. In  addition  to  the  Lay  in  which  iJeirdre  bids  farewell 
to  Alba,  printed  in  Oss.  Rep.,  p.  298,  Dr.  Stokes  printed  the  first 
four  leaves  of  our  MS.  (fols.  1,  2,  4,  5  as  bound),  with  translation 
and  notes,  in  Irische  Texte,  vol.  ii.  pp.  122-142  (Leipzig,  1887). 
Dr.  Cameron  transcribed  the  same  leaves,  and  this  transcript  is 
printed,  without  translation,  in  Rel.  Gelt,  vol.  ii.  464-474.  Ewen 
M'J^achlan  read  the  whole  MS.  and  made  a  transcript  of  it, 
which  is  preserved  in  L.C.  Recently  the  whole  MS.,  in  so  far 
as  legible,  has  been  printed,  with  translation  and  notes,  in  the 
Celtic  Review,  vols,  i.-iv. 


MS.  LIV  (v.  supra,  p.  100) 

The  MS.  contains  the  following  heroic  poems,  written  as  a 
rule  very  carelessly : — 

Pp.  3a-l7a:    Coabhagal   (leg.   comhagallamh)  Phadruig  is 
Oisin,  seventy-seven  quatrains,  beginning  : 
Oisin  isfadadh  do  shuain. 
V.  O'Gr.  Cat.,  pp.  631,  652. 

Pp.  19-22.  Lidhe  (laoidh)  an  Tiiirc  Ghlana  Sgail,  nineteen 
quatrains,  commencing  : 

An  clon  {cuwiline)  lat  an  le  (la)  ud  Fhinn  ? 

Pp.   22-31.  Sthelig  (leg.   sealg)  shliohh  Guillnig,  fifty-four 
quatrains,  first  line  : 

A  Phadruig,  in  g-coula  (cuala)  ho  an  telg  (t-sealg). 

V.  O'G.  Cat.,  pp.  574,  591,  601. 

Pp.  32-34.  Lidhe  (laoidh)  an  arrachta  hhinga  cuib  (beinne 
cailce  in  O'Gr.  Cat.,  p.  629),  fifteen  quatrains,  beginning : 

IShelig  a  chomorne  (chomoradh)  re  (le)  Fionn. 

Pp.  34-41.  Tarrngaireachd  inhic  Cunihaill  ar  Eirinn  do 
reir  Oisin,  forty-six  quatrains,  first  line : 
A  Oisin,  iomradhsi  linn. 

(Padruig,  Oisin,  and   Fionn   take    part   in  the  dialogue).      Cf. 
O'Gr.  Cat.,  p.  656. 

A  Oisin,  in  raidhi  rinn  ? 


MS.  LV]  LEGEND  AND  LORE  163 

Pp.  60-63.    Laoidh  mhna  an  hhruit,  twenty-one  quatrains, 

beginning : 

La  da  n-decha  Fionn  ag  {a  dh')  ol. 

Pp.  63-64.  Five    quatrains,    headed    Oisin    ut    dixit,    and 

beginning  : 

Atafaoi  thonnaibh  na  ttoun. 

(cf.  O'Gr.  Cat.,  p.  652  ;  L.F.,  p.  139),  enumerate  deich  cced  uinge 
derg  oir  and  other  treasures  of  the  Feinn,  now  concealed  under 
rock  and  gravel  beneath  the  waves. 

Pp.  64-76.  A  long  poem  of  eighty-two  quatrains,  headed 
Oisin  is  Caoilte  cc,  begins  : 

An  cuimin,  a  Oisin  fheill :     Ar  thurus  go  Teamair  treain? 
'  Rememberest  thou,  generous  Ossian,  our  journey  to  mighty  Tara?' 


MS.  LV  {v.  supra,  pp.  101,  128) 

The  MS.  contains  several  modern  Tales  or  Romances,  with 
copies  of  two  or  three  well-known  Ossianic  Ballads. 

1.  (pp.  5-67).  Each{tra)  Cloinne  Tomas,  'The  history  of  the 
Clan  Thomas.'  A  wealthy  widower  of  the  Clan,  by  name 
Mn^rcliadh  Maoltuascertach,  sends  envoys  to  a  nobleman, 
Magnus  0' Madagan,  asking  his  daughter  in  marriage.  O'M's 
druids  object  to  the  alliance,  the  bridegroom's  ancestry  were 
geinte  ifriandha,  '  hellish  heathens,'  and  ever  opposed  the 
nobility.  But  the  bride's  mother  favoured  the  match,  and  she 
had  her  way.  There  was  a  great  feast  in  the  bridegroom's 
house,  and  a  great  quarrel.  Murchadh  makes  the  peace,  dis- 
misses the  members  of  the  Clan  Thomas  present  in  a  formal 
speech  full  of  sage  advice.  The  Clan  for  many  years  followed 
Murchadh's  counsels,  and  prospered  in  their  bondage. 

In  Henry  viii.  and  Elizabeth's  time  they  became  troublesome, 
and  the  local  king  summoned  a  Council  to  deal  with  the  matter. 
The  Clan  Thomas  were  blamed  for  raiding  beyond  their  proper 
territories ;  for  not  rendering  due  services  to  their  superiors ; 
and  for  providing  a  superior  education  for  their  children.  The 
Council  issued  a  proclamation,  ordering  that  the  Clan  resume 
their  subject  condition,  and  that  the  education  of  their  children 
be  limited  to  instruction  in  the  elements  of  the  Christian  faith. 


1G4  CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS    [MS.  LV 

But  tho  vi'^oroiis  (Jlaii  Thoiuas  still  assert  themselves.  In  a 
certain  year  the  fields  of  Cashcl  were  under  wheat.  The  crop 
was  excellent,  but  when  it  was  ripe,  reapers  could  not  be  got. 
A  substantial  and  sagacious  member  of  tho  Clan  Thomas  had  a 
beautiful  daughter,  and  he  suggested  that  it  should  be  made 
known  that  her  hand  would  be  the  reward  of  the  best  reaper  on 
the  fields  of  Cashel.  From  all  Ireland  reapers  trooped  to  Cashel. 
A  row  got  up  at  meal-time  which  developed  into  a  general  fight 
between  Munster  and  Leinster  on  the  one  side,  and  Ulster  and 
Connaught  on  the  other.  It  was  eventually  adjudged  that 
Cathal  O'Croinicinn  was  the  best  reaper  and  the  best  fighter, 
and  he  carried  off  his  bride  to  Sligo. 

The  Thomases  flourished  under  King  James.  Thereafter 
bad  times  came.  There  was  war  between  O'Neill  and  Mac- 
gruder.  Land  was  dear,  and  the  Clan  Thomas  were  be- 
coming extravagant.  A  '  Parliament '  was  summoned  in  1622 
to  consider  the  situation.  The  first  meeting  broke  up  in  con- 
fusion. At  the  next,  arrangements  were  made  for  preserving 
order  in  debate,  but  the  session  ended  in  a  scrimmage,  caused 
by  the  sharp  tongues  of  two  women.  At  the  third  assembly  laws 
were  passed  about  turnips,  surnames,  and  forbidding  the  use  of 
tobacco.  At  this  stage  an  English-speaking  tobacconist  appears, 
and  a  member  who  professes  a  knowledge  of  English  is  deputed 
to  converse  with  him.  The  composition  ends  with  samples  of 
the  talk  of  the  two,  in  mixed  Gaelic  and  English.  The  docquet, 
dated  May  16,  1738,  makes  Maurice  son  of  David  (the)  Black, 
the  author,  and  John  MacCiar  or  '  Short '  of  Clochar,  in  the  east 
of  Tirowen,  the  scribe. 

2.  The  next  Tale  (pp.  85-210),  written  by  the  same  scribe  in 
the  same  year,  is  entitled  Sdair  aobhinn  Eumdnd  Ui  Cleirigh  do 
reir  Sean  Ui  Neachtain,  '  The  entertaining  History  of  Edmund 
O'CIeary,  by  John  O'Naughtan.'  It  was  transcribed  by  E. 
M'Lachlan,  with  the  view  to  print  it.  The  writer  has  some  know- 
ledge of  Greek  and  Roman  Mythology.  As  in  the  former  Tale, 
English  is  made  use  of  now  and  again.  There  is  a  gap  in  the 
MS.  between  pp.  157-177.  This  Tale,  with  notices  of  the  author, 
is  printed  in  the  Gaelic  Journal  (Dublin),  vols.  iii.  and  iv. 

3.  Pp.  217-266.  Gath  lisin  ui  Dunagan,  'The  fight  on 
Liosan'  (little  lios, '  fort,' '  enclosed  field,'  'garden') '  O'Dunagan.' 


MS.  LV]  LEGEND  AND  LORE  165 

A  braggart  couple  arrange  to  fight  at  a  place  and  time  agreed  on. 
One  of  the  party  is  of  the  Clan  Thomas.  A  formal  challenge 
(salens)  is  sent  by  the  aggrieved  party.  But  neither  combatant 
is  too  anxious  for  the  fray.  There  is  considerable  humour  shown 
in  the  description  of  the  heroes,  and  English  influence  is  manifest 
throughout.  There  is  a  gap  in  the  MS.,  so  that  the  Tale  breaks 
ofip  abruptly,  but  the  conclusion  is  near.  On  the  last  page  there 
is  an  ode  in  praise  of  tobacco. 

4.  Pp.  287-300.  A  copy,  defective  at  the  commencement, 
owing  to  a  gap  in  the  MS.,  of  the  Tale  formerly  mentioned 
(v.  supra,  p.  146),  written  by  Sean  Mac  Clear,  October  31,  1738. 
On  the  top  of  the  pages  is  Cearn  ui  Doinhnall,  and  at  the  end 
Sgel  an  Cern  caoil  riabhaich  .1  Cern  ui  Donihnaill.  The  hero 
describes  himself  now  as  Cathal  O'Cein,  again  as  Gille  deacair. 
He  was  born  at  Oileach  na  righ,  '  royal  Aileach ';  he  was  a  night 
in  Islay,  a  night  in  Kintyre,  a  night  in  Man,  etc.  This  shows 
confusion  of  two  Tales  on  the  part  of  the  reciter.  The  Ceath- 
arnach  caol  riahhach, '  Kern  in  the  narrow  stripes,'  or  the  '  Slim, 
swarthy  Kern,'  and  the  '  Pursuit  of  the  Gille  Deacair,'  '  The  Lad 
difficult  (to  catch),'  are  two  different  Tales.  They  are  both 
printed  in  Bilv.  Gael,  vol.  i.  pp.  257-289. 

The  following  are  the  heroic  Ballads  in  our  MS. : — 
Pp.    301-311.  Laoi   an  Deirg   cc.,  fifty-four   quatrains,  be- 
ginning : 

Inneosad  cathrem  anflnr  mhoir. 

Cf.  su2)ra,-p.  145;  O'G.  Cat.,  pp.  592,  599,  626,  631,  636,  644; 
L.F.,  p.  107  +  ,  etc. 

Pp.  312-326.  A  Chleirigh  chanas  na  psaitm,  forty-nine 
quatrains.  This  is  commonly  known  as  Laoidh  MJtanuis, '  The 
Lay  of  Magnus.'     Cf.  O'Gr.  Cat.,  pp.  599,  655  ;  L.F.,  p.  71  +  . 

Pp.  326-335.  Duan  bheann  gualann  sonn,  eighty -six 
quatrains  beginning : 

Dubhach  sinn,  a  Bhenn  Ghualann. 

The  Lay  contains  many  fine  quatrains.  Cf.  a  Lay  in  O'Gr. 
Cat.,  p.  644,  beginning : 

A  bheinn  Bhoilbhin,  dubhach  anni. 
'  0  Benbulbin,  dismal  art  thou  this  day.' 


166  CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS    |MS.  LVI 


MS.  LVI  (v.  supra,  p.  101) 

The  MS.  is  of  paper,  <S  in.  by  6,  and  withont  a  cover.  As  at 
present  bound,  the  first  layer,  pp.  'i87-8(J2,  come.s  second.  The 
second  layer  (which  now  stands  first)  is  paged  869-459,  but 
'  409  '  is  written  in  error  for  '  400.'  Apart  from  two  religious 
fragments  (v.  suprd,  p.  101),  the  contents  consist  of  four  Tales. 
There  are  also  the  following  notes.  At  the  foot  of  p.  409  (400), 
in  English  is  '  W'"  Reidy  of  Lio(s)matigue  in  Parish  of  New- 
markett,  Borreny  of  Knocktopher,  Count}^  of  Kilkenny,  Provence 
of  Linster  and  Kingdom  of  Ireland.'  On  p.  4.59,  in  English  hand, 
Finis.  Pro  Lectore  Lector  oret.  On  the  last  page  (362)  are  the 
initials  '  J.  C, '  J.  P.' ;  the  contents  of  the  MS.  (in  E.  M'Lachlan's 
handwriting) ;  and  '  N°.  III.,  Patrick  Turner.'  The  Tales  are 
written  in  a  large,  firm  hand,  not  always  uniform,  but  evidently 
the  same,  of  (one  should  say)  the  latter  half  of  the  seventeenth  or 
of  the  early  eighteenth  century.  Ewen  M'Lachlan  (MS.  LXXXII, 
p.  67)  thinks  the  transcript  may  not  be  older  than  the  latter 
half  of  the  eighteenth  century.  Omissions  in  the  text  are 
written  over  the  line,  but  more  frequently  on  the  margins. 
E.  M'Lachlan  read  and  analysed  (MS.  LXXXII,  p.  39  +  )  the  MS. 
carefully,  and  transcribed  the  Tale  of  the  Sons  of  Uisneach 
(L.  C,  pp.  119-131). 

Taking  the  Tales  in  their  order,  as  the  MS.  is  now  bound, 
they  are  as  follows : — 

1.  Pp.  369-398.  Oiglieadh  Chlainne  Tuireann  no  an  treas 
truagh  do  ihri  truagh  na  Sgealuiglieaclda  sonn,  '  The  Tragedy 
of  the  sons  of  T.  or  the  third  Sorrow  of  the  Sorrows  of  Story- 
telling here.'  The  Tale  is  placed  in  what  is  called  the  Mytho- 
logical Cycle  of  Gaelic  Romance,  the  other  two  Cycles  being 
known  as  the  Cuchalainn  Cycle,  and  the  Finn  or  Ossianic  Cycle. 
Cia7i,  the  father  of  Lug  mac  Eithlenn,  otherwise  Ltig  Lamhfhada, 
'  L.  Longhand,'  the  famous  king  of  the  Tuatha  De  Danann,  was 
murdered  by  the  three  sons  of  Tuiriu  or  Tuirenn.  Lug 
imposed  an  eric  or  ransom  upon  the  youths  for  the  murder  of 
his  father.  He  demanded  that  they  should  bring  him  from 
foreign  parts  certain  articles,  so  difficult  to  obtain  that  the 
king  was  certain  the  effort  would  cost  them  their  lives.     The 


MS.  LVI]  LEGEND  AND  LORE  167 

youths,  however,  after  years  of  toil  and  suffering,  returned  to 
Ireland  with  Lug's  demands.     But  they  were  so  worn  out  that 
they  expired  after  landing.      Among  the   articles  brought  to 
Ireland  by  the  sons  of  Tuirenn  was  the  spear  of  the  King  of 
Persia,  which  came  down  to  Celtchair  mac  Uithir,  a  hero  of 
the  Cuchulainn   period,  and  was   known   as   Luin  Cheltchair 
(v.  O'C.  Mann,  and  Cust.,  vol.  ii.  p.  325).    As  we  have  it  now,  the 
Tale  opens  with  the  following  incident :  King  Nuadu  (whence 
Magh  Nuadat,  now  Maynooth  or  the  Plain  of  Nuadu)  had  only 
one  hand,  and  his  doorkeeper  only  one  eye.    Two  famous  doctors 
came   to    the  castle  and  fitted  the  king  with  a   silver  hand, 
whence  he  was  known  as  N.  Airgiod-Ldmli,  '  N.  of  the  Silver- 
hand.'     They  put  a  cat's  eye  in  the  doorkeeper's  head,  and  the 
romancist  gravely  tells  of  the  official's  troubles  with  his  new 
organ :  When  everything  was  quiet,  and  the  doorkeeper  wished 
for  needed  rest,  the  cat's  eye  was  provokingl}^  awake,  starting 
'  at  the  squeaking  of  the  mice,  the  Hying  of  the  birds,  and  the 
movement  of  the  reeds ' ;  but  when  the  official  was  marshalling 
a  pageant  and  required  to  be  specially  alert,  at  such  times  the 
cat's  eye  '  would  be  in  deep  repose  and  sleep.'   For  other  versions 
of  the  Tale,  v.  Jub.,  p.  9.     The  Saga  was  printed,  with  transla- 
tion, by  O'C.  in  Atlantis,  vol.  iv.  (reprinted  in  Gaelic  Journal, 
Dublin,  vol.  ii.  pp.  33-50);  and  by  the  Society  for  the  Preservation 
of  the  Irish  Language,  with  translation,  vocabulary  and  notes,  by 
Mr.  R.  J.  O'Duffy  (Dublin,  Gill  and  Son,  1888).     An  English 
version  of  the  same  Tale  is  given  in  Joyce's  Old  Celtic  Romances 
(Dublin,  Gill  and  Son,  1879).     The  MSS.  in  which  the  Tale  is 
preserved  are  modern,  this  being  probably  older  than  any  cited 
by  Jub,,  but  references  to  the  incidents  on  which  it  is  founded 
are  met  with  in  old  writings. 

2.  Pp.  410-431.  Oigheadh  chloinne  Lir  no  an  dara  truagh 
do  thri  truagh  na  sgealuigheachta  sonn,  '  The  Tragedy  of  the 
children  of  Lear  or  the  second  Sorrow  of  the  three  Sorrows  of 
Story-telling  here.'  This  also  is  a  Tale  of  the  Mythological 
period.  It  is  essentially  a  modern  Saga,  and  may  well  be,  as 
Mr.  A.  Nutt  has  observed,  the  Gaelic  version  of  the '  Seven  Swans ' 
marchen.  It  is  not  mentioned  in  the  old  literature,  but  there 
are  many  copies  in  modern  MSS.  {v.  Jub.,  p.  8),  the  oldest  of 
which,   as   yet   known,   is   that   in   MS.   XXXVIII  {v.  supra, 


1G8  CATALOGUE  OF  (I AELTC  MANUSCRIPTS     [MS.  LVI 

p.  152).  O'C  printed  a  vcr.sion  with  translation  in  AfUudis,  iv., 
which  has  recently  been  reprinted.  A  translation  is  also  given 
in  Joyce's  Old  Celtic  Roiminces. 

After  the  battle  of  Toltown,  where  the  Tuailui  IM  Danann 
were  defeated  by  the  Milesians,  the  former  met  to  elect  a  king. 
Bove  the  Red  was  chosen,  and  all  acquiesced  except  Lrar,  one 
of  the  candidates,  who  forthwith  retired  to  his  Sid.  Shortly 
afterwards  Lear's  wife  died,  and  the  king  sent  for  him  and  gave 
him  his  eldest  daughter  to  wife.  Three  sons  and  a  daughter 
were  born,  when  the  mother  died.  Lear  then  married  another 
of  the  king's  daughters,  and  all  went  well  for  a  time.  By 
and  by  the  stepmother  became  jealous  of  the  affection  lavished 
upon  the  children  by  their  father.  She  tried  in  vain  to  bribe 
her  servants  to  murder  them ;  when  she  attempted  to  kill 
them  herself  '  her  woman's  weakness '  prevented  her.  At  last 
she  wiled  the  children  to  bathe  in  Loch  Dairhhreach  (in  West- 
meath).  While  in  the  water  the  wicked  stepmother  by  Druidic 
power  had  them  transformed  into  swans.  In  this  guise  they 
were  doomed  to  pass  three  hundred  years  on  Loch  Dairbh- 
reacJi,  three  hundred  in  SrutJt  na  Maoile,  as  the  wild  belt  of  sea 
between  Kintyre  and  Antrim  is  called  in  Gaelic  Literature,  and 
three  hundred  off  Lorus  Domnann  (Erris  in  Mayo)  and  Innis 
Ghiaire  (Glora  Isle)  in  the  Western  Sea.  Their  spells  could  not 
be  broken  '  until  the  union  of  Largnen,  a  prince  from  the  north, 
with  Decca,  a  princess  of  the  south  ';  and,  according  to  the  Irish 
version,  '  until  TalcJiend  "  adzehead " '  (a  common  epithet  of 
St.  Patrick) '  shall  come  to  Ireland,  bringing  the  light  of  a  pure 
faith,  and  until  ye  hear  the  voice  of  the  Christian  bell.' 

When  the  wicked  woman's  deed  became  known,  her  punish- 
ment was  swift  and  stern.  Her  father  asked  '  what  shape  of 
all  others  on  the  earth  or  above  the  earth  or  under  the  earth 
she  most  abhorred.'  '  A  demon  of  the  air,'  was  the  reply.  '  A 
demon  of  the  air  you  shall  be  till  the  end  of  time,'  said  Bove 
the  Red,  and  so  it  was  done. 

Meanwhile  the  children  of  Lear  dree  their  weird.  Their 
human  reason  and  their  Gaelic  speech  remained  to  them. 
Their  life  on  still  Loch  Dairhhreach  was  not  unhappy.  Tuatha 
De  and  Milesians  alike  crowded  the  shore  to  hear  their  sweet, 
plaintive  music.     But  in  Sruth  na  Maoile  they  suffered  greatly. 


MS.  LVI]  LEGEND  AND  LORE  169 

In  one  of  the  many  Lays  of  the  Tale,  the  sister,  Fionnghiiala, 
'  white  shoulder '  to  name,  gives  a  spirited  description  of  their 
experiences : — 

Olc  a  hheatha-sa; 
Fuachd  tia  h-oidhche-say 
Meud  an  t-sneachda-sa ; 
Cruas  na  gaoithe-sa. 

Do  chuir  leas-vihathair, 
ainn'  an  ccathrar-sa, 
A  nochd  'saw  dochar-sa  : 
Olc  a'  bheatha-sa. 

'  Cruel  this  life, 
The  cold  of  this  nioht, 
The  heavy  fall  of  this  snow, 
The  roar  of  this  wind. 

'  A  stepmother  has  placed 
Us  four,  this  night, 
In  this  sorrowful  plight : 
Cruel  this  life.' 

On  one  occasion  the  enchanted  ones  are  almost  frozen  to  death 
on  Carraig-na-ron,  '  Seal  Rock,'  possibly  Eilean  nan  rbn,  '  Seal 
Island,'  off  the  Island  of  Oronsay,  a  favourite  resort  of  seals  still. 

The  three  hundred  years  passed  in  the  Western  Ocean  round 
Glora  Isle  are  but  a  repetition  of  the  sufferings  inSmth  naMaoile. 
At  length  St.  Kevoc  (Caomhag)  comes ;  the  wanderers  hear  the 
sound  of  the  Christian  bell,  and  their  long  sentence  comes  to 
an  end.  King  Largnen  rashly  attempts  to  take  the  birds  away 
from  the  Saint's  protection.  Their  spells  are  now  broken ;  they 
receive  Christian  baptism  and  die.  According  to  our  version, 
St.  Kevoc  curses  Largnen  pretty  vigorously  for  his  interference ; 
buries  the  children  of  Lear  in  one  grave;  sings  their  death-song; 
performs  their  funeral  rites  ;  raises  their  tomb ;  and  writes  their 
names  in  Ogham, 

3.  Pp.  432-459.  Oidheadh  Chloinne  h-  Uisneacli  sonn,  no  an 
treas  thruagh  do  thri  truagh  na  Sgealuigheachta,  '  The  Tragedy 
of  the  children  of  Uisnech  here,  or  the  third  Sorrow  of  the 
three  Sorrows  of  Story-telling.'  This  is  the  oldest  and  the  best 
known  of  the  three  '  Sorrowful  Tales.'  In  the  old  literature  it 
is  frequently  alluded  to.  It  is  one  of  the  priinscela  or  '  Chief 
Tales '  which  a  poet  was  bound  to  know.     Versions  are  found  in 


170       CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS       [MS.  LVI 

L.L.,  Y.  B.  L.  Eg.  17cS2  (Brit.  Mus.),  Ediu.  Liii.,  and  many 
modern  MSS.,  for  a  list  of  which  see  Jub.,  pp.  10-13.  The  Saga 
and  the  Lays  found  in  it  used  to  be  recited  and  sung  of  winter 
nights  in  Ireland  and  Scotland.  A  popular  version  was  taken 
down  from  recitation  by  Dr.  Carmichael  in  Barra  in  18G7.  The 
Tale  has  been  several  times  printed.  Windisch  (/r.  Texte  mit 
Wort.  p.  67  +  )  printed  the  text  of  L.L.  with  variants  from 
Y.B.L.  and  Eg.  1782.  O'C.  printed  the  Y.B.L.  version,  with 
translation,  in  Atlantis,  vol.  iii.  Stokes  printed  with  translation 
and  notes  the  version  in  MS.  LIII,  Avith  the  beginning  and  end 
of  the  Tale  from  this  MS.  and  variants  from  a  Dublin  MS.,  in 
Irische  Texte,  vol.  ii.  (2),  Leipzig,  1887.  The  same  texts  are  found 
in  Rel.  Celt.,  vol.  ii.  pp.  422  +  ,  464  +  .  A  version  is  given  in 
Keating's  History  of  Ireland,  and  two  others  by  O'Flanagan  in 
Trans,  of  Soc.  of  Dublin  (1808).  The  Gael.  Journ.  (Dublin) 
reprinted  in  vols.  i.  and  ii.  Windisch,  O'Curry,  and  O'Flanagan's 
versions.  Dr.  Carmichael's  popular  version  appeared  in  the 
Trans,  of  the  Gaelic  Soc.  of  Inverness,  vol.  xiii.,  and  has  been 
since  reprinted  (Edin.,  N.  Macleod).  Lays  connected  with  the 
Tale  are  found  in  Rep.  on  Oss.,  p.  298 ;  W.  H.  T,  vol.  iv. ;  L.  F., 
p.  19  +  ;  UUonian  Hero-Ballads  (Sinclair,  Glasgow,  1892)  p.  34  + ; 
Rel.  Celt,  vol.  i.  p.  151 ;  and  in  the  older  Collections  of  Gillies 
(p.  260),  A.  and  D.  Stewart  (p.  562),  and  H.  and  J.  M'Callum 
(p.  221),  with  others. 

The  subject  of  the  Saga  has  more  than  once  been  handled  in 
English.  Macpherson's  Darthula  is  founded  on  the  Tale.  So  is 
D"".  R.  D.  Joyce's  Deirdre  (Boston  and  Dublin).  Sir  Samuel 
Ferguson  (Poems:  Dublin,  1880)  has  dramatised  the  story,  and 
Dr.  Angus  Smith  in  Loch  Etive  and  the  Sons  of  Uisnach  (Mac- 
millan,  1879)  has  also  treated  of  the  legend. 

The  Story  in  outline  is  as  follows.  A  daughter  of  surpassing 
beauty,  named  Deirdre,  was  born  to  Felim,  the  historian  of 
Conchobar.  Cathbad,  the  wizard,  foretold  that  she  would  be 
the  cause  of  untold  woe  to  Ireland.  All  except  the  king  wished 
to  slay  the  infant.  Conchobar  had  her  reared  in  seclusion. 
No  one  was  allowed  access  to  her  except  her  foster-father,  her 
foster-mother,  and  Lebarcham,  a  female  satirist,  who  could  not 
be  denied.  When  the  maid  grew  up,  instead  of  marrying  the 
king,  she  eloped  with  Naoise,  the  son  of  Uisneach.     Conchobar 


MS.  LVII]  LEGEND  AND  LORE  171 

pursued  the  couple  and  their  party,  but  they  managed  to  pass 
over  to  Scothuid  and  escape.  Overtures  were  made  for  their 
recall,  and  eventually  Fergus  mac  Roich  went  to  Scotland,  with 
guarantee  of  safe  conduct,  to  bring  them  back.  They  returned, 
notwithstanding  the  fears  and  forebodings  of  Deirdre,  to  Emain 
Macha.  The  sons  of  Uisneach  and  their  friends  were  treacher- 
ously murdered  there,  and  the  lady  was  brought  to  the  king's 
palace.  But  Deirdre  moped  and  pined,  and  passed  her  time 
singing  her  lays,  recalling  the  delightful  life  in  Alba  with  Naoise 
and  his  brothers.  At  length,  stung  by  a  brutal  jest  of  Con- 
chobar's,  she  dashed  her  head  against  a  rock  and  was  killed. 
Fergus,  whose  guarantee  had  been  violated,  headed  a  party 
against  the  king  and  committed  great  havoc.  Cathbad  cursed 
Emain  Macha,  and  it  was  levelled  to  the  ground.  Fergus  and 
his  friends  withdrew  to  Connaught,  from  which  they  ravaged 
Ulster  for  many  years  thereafter  {v.  supra,  pp.  159,  160). 

4.  Pp.  337-360.  Bruighion  Eocliaidh  hhe'ag  clerg  {leg.  hhig 
dheirg)  sonn,  '  The  enchanted  mansion  of  little  red  Eochu  here.' 
This  is  the  only  copy  of  this  Saga  in  our  collection.  Five  others 
are  mentioned  by  Jub.  (p.  52). 

At  one  of  the  great  hunting  expeditions  of  the  Feinn, 
Fionn  was  approached  by  a  stranger  dressed  in  the  guise  of  a 
nobleman  of  Spain.  The  unknown  invited  the  Gaelic  hero  with 
fifteen  of  his  principal  men  to  a  feast,  and  by  magical  contriv- 
ances he  decoyed  them  to  the  Bruigliean  of  Eochu.  He  was  a 
chief  of  the  Tuatha  De  Danann  who  had  contrived  schemes 
for  the  destruction  of  the  Feinn.  Fionn  and  his  companions 
were  attacked  by  monsters,  giants,  witches,  as  well  as  by  the 
warriors  of  the  Tuatha  Dd.  The  heroes  all  fought  well,  Conan 
in  particular  excelling  himself.  But  they  were  being  over- 
powered, when  the  battalions  of  Fionn  timeously  appeared  and 
gave  battle  to  the  Tuatha  Be,  who  were  soon  vanquished. 


MS.  LVII — Highland  Society.     P.  Turner,  No.  4 

The  MS.  consists  of  twenty-four  leaves  of  paper,  7^  in.  by 
4^,  unpaged.  It  is  a  sort  of  commonplace  book,  containing  a 
number  of  scraps  picked  up,  one  should  say,  for  the  greater  part 


172       CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRirTS     [MS.  LVII 

in  Ireland,  and  written  in  the  English  hand,  with  occasional 
excursions  into  the  (Jaclic  liand.  A  docquet,  partly  illegible, 
bears  that  the  MS.  (or  the  last  entry)  was  written  by  '  Paru-igf 
Ihtarnair,  Coirj>lcir,' in  .  .  .  near  Argyll  in  .  .  .  the  year  1801. 
The  following  pieces  belong  to  this  chapter : — 

1.  Fols.  l-6a.  Laoidh  an  Deirg,  sixty-one  quatrains.    First 

line : 

Insim  caithriom  anfhir  mhoir. 

(v.  sii2?ra,  pp.  145,  165),  and  L.  F.,  p.  107 +  • 

2.  Fols.  lla-14a.  Tuairisgeul  Chath  Gabhradh  marfhuaradh 
e  san  t-shean  Ghailig  Eirionnaich,  '  An  account  of  the  Battle  of 
Gabhra,  as  it  was  found  in  old  Irish  Gaelic'  (Reference  is 
made  to  O'Halloran's  History  of  Ireland,  p.  280.)  Seventy 
quatrains.     Begins : 

Innis  sin,  a  Oisin,  air  h-eineach  's  air  h-iowjnadh. 

Of.  O'Gr.  Cat.,  pp.  598,  636  ;  L.  F.,  p.  180  ;  Rel.  Celt,  vol.  i.  pp.  56, 
110,  283,  329. 

3.  Bits  of  Lore, — e.g. : 

(1)  Fol.  17b.  The  seven  languages  that  originated  at  the 
Tower  (of  Babel), — Hebrew,  Latin,  Gaelic,  Greek,  Arabian, 
Chaldee,  Assyrian. 

(2)  How  Fionn's  sister  arranged  her  brother's  men  and  those 
of  Dubhan.  Fionn  and  Dubhan,  each  with  fourteen  men,  were 
at  sea.  Provisions  failed,  and  it  was  arranged  that  the  half  of 
the  party  should  be  thrown  overboard  in  order  to  save  the  other 
half — every  ninth  man  as  they  stood  to  be  selected.  Fionn's 
sister  arranged  them  in  such  a  way  that  Dubhan  and  his  com- 
panions were  all  drowned,  while  Fionn  and  his  friends  were  all 
saved.  A  version,  entitled  Aireamh  inuinntir  Fhinn  agus 
Dhubhain,  '  The  Reckoning  of  Fionn  and  Dubhan's  men,'  is 
printed  in  A.  and  D.  Stewart's  Collection  of  Poems  (Edin.,  1804), 
pp.  547-548.     Cf  also  L.  F.,  p.  86. 


MS.  LVIII  {v.  supra,  pp.  102,  128) 

On  pp.  197-237  is  a  version  of  Cath  Fionntragha,  '  The  Battle 
of  Ventry'  (White  Strand),  dated  1733.  A  portion  of  another 
copy  is  found  in  MS.  LXI  (infra).     Cf.  Cath  Fionntragha  or 


MS.  LIX]  LEGEND  AND  LORE  173 

the  '  Battle  of  Ventry,'  printed,  with  translation,  from  Rawl.  B, 
487  (Bodl),  by  Dr.  Kuno  Meyer  (Oxford,  1885).  For  other 
versions  of  Cath  Fionntragha,  v.  Jub.,  p.  67.  For  the  Ballad 
version,  v.  L.  F.,  p.  137. 

Pp.  243-264  contain  the  greater  part  of  a  version  of  Bruigh- 
ean  Chaorthuinn  (v.  supra,  pp.  140,  152).  This  copy  breaks  off 
abruptly  on  p.  264.     Cf.  L.  F.,  p.  86. 

Pp.  309-354,  forming  the  last  twenty-three  leaves  of  the 
MS.,  are  practically  undecipherable.  Some  of  the  writing  on  the 
first  ten  can  be  read,  especially  towards  the  middle  of  the  page. 
The  remainder  is  quite  illegible.  The  subject  is  the  Battle  of 
Magh  Mucruimhe,  as  in  MS.  XXXVIII  (v.  suiwa,  p.  151). 

On  the  last  page  of  the  MS.  is  written,  in  modern  hand : 
'  This  MS.  is  a  part  of  Dr.  Keating's  History  of  Ireland,  written 
in  the  reign  of  Charles  i. 

'  N.B.  This  and  the  21  leaves  preceding  contain  the  tale 
of  Art,  the  father  of  the  celebrated  Cormac,  King  of  Ulster, 
as  may  be  deduced  from  the  middle  spaces  of  some  of  the  fore- 
going pages.     J.  M'  H.,  No.  4.' 


MS.  LIX— Miscellaneous,  No.  2 

The  MS.  at  present  consists  of  fifty-five  leaves  of  paper  7^ 
in.  by  5|,  unpaged,  and  without  a  cover.  The  first  thirty-seven 
leaves  were  at  one  time  detached,  and  are  increasingly  defective 
at  the  outer  edge.  The  hand  is  good,  and  about  uniform 
throughout.  Capitals  are  plain,  but  well  executed.  The  date 
is  the  end  of  the  seventeenth  or  beginning  of  the  eighteenth 
century. 

Arithmetical  sums  are  worked  out  on  the  first  and  last 
leaves.  Several  notes  appear  at  the  foot  of  the  pages.  Thus 
on  p.  19  :  '  Trocuire  co  faghha  an  t{e)  scriobh  sin  .|.  Ferfesa  0 
Duihgennain.  Amen.'  '  May  F.  O'D.  who  wrote  this  obtain 
merc}^  Amen.'  On  p.  22,  the  following  jargon:  Fuicearlan 
mac  Fice  Faice  Ficoice  Fe  Faice  Faoi.  Eog  {an)  mac  Ghilleoin 
.  .  .  '  Hugh  Maclean  '  .  .  .  appears  on  p.  27.  On  p.  44,  OcA,  ?^c•/^, 
ach,  a  Oliuia,  is  aoihhinn  duit,  '  Alas  and  alas,  glad  you  may 
be,  Olivia,'  a  phrase  repeated  several  times  on  other  pages  in 


174       CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS       [MS.  LIX 

variety  of  form.  Misi  Mag  Falii  .  .  .  do  sgriohh,  '  I,  M.  F. 
wrote '  (the  entry  is  deleted  by  rubbing)  appears  on  p.  6'5.  On 
p.  108  are  four  eulogistic  quatrains,  in  English,  '  upon  the  death 
of   the    most    accomplished    gentleman,    Archibald,    Laird    of 

Largie.' 

The  contents  of  the  MS.  proper  are : 

1.  Pp.  1-26.  A  version  of  the  battle  of  Ros-na-righ.  The 
text  begins — Baoi  Conchuhar  mac  Fachtna  Fhathaigh,  aird-righ 
Uladh  i  merten  meanman  J  onhor  chumhadh  re  cen  .  .  . ;  and 
ends,  Conadh  e  Cath  ros  na  riogh  for  hoinn  conuig  sin.  Finis. 
Jacobus  Cahan  scripsit.  '  Conchobar,  son  of  F.  F.,  high  king  of 
Ulster,  was  (for  a  long  time)  in  distress  of  mind  and  great  grief. 

Thus  far  the  battle  of  Ros-na-righ  on  the  Boyne.  The 
end.  James  Cahan  is  the  scribe.'  Our  text  differs  considerably 
from  the  older  version  in  L.L.,  as  also  from  the  modern  version 
printed  with  translation,  preface  and  indices,  by  Father  Hogan 
(Todd  Lecture  Series,  vol.  iv.).  For  other  versions,  v.  Jub.,  p.  81, 
and  cf.  Introduction  to  L.L.,  p.  46. 

2.  Pp.  27-74  contain  a  version  of  the  death  of  Cuchulainn  as 
in  MSS.  XXXVIII  and  XLV.  This  copy  gives  the  beginning 
as  in  MS.  XXXVIII,  but  it  breaks  off  abruptly  at  the  point 
where  Laeg  brings  the  hero  mortally  wounded  to  the  stone 
pillar  and  lays  him  down  to  die. 

3.  Pp.  75-107  are  detached  leaves,  and  not  continuous  in  text. 
They  contain  fragments  of  a  modern  version  of  the  Tain  bo 
Cualgne.  Since  the  disappearance  of  MS.  XXXII,  of  Avhich 
later,  this  is  the  only  MS.  in  the  Scottish  Collection  which 
contains  any  part  of  the  great  Saga.  Our  sixteen  leaves  give 
some  885  lines  of  text,  commencing  at  line  1690  or  thereabout 
of  Windisch's  great  edition  of  the  Tain  (Leipzig,  1905),  and 
continuing,  with  breaks,  to  the  end.  Our  text,  so  far  as  it  goes, 
corresponds  pretty  closely  with  Windisch's. 

MS.  LXI— Miscellaneous,  No.  4 

The  MS.  contains  twenty  leaves  of  paper,  9  in.  by  7.  It  is  paged, 
and  written  in  one  column  in  a  round,  rather  small,  hand  of  the 
late  eighteenth  or  early  nineteenth  century.  The  initial  letter  is 
large  and  plain.     There  is  no  other  capital  letter,  but  spaces  are 


MS.  LXII]  LEGEND  AND  LORE  175 

left  for  such  at  the  beginning  of  paragraphs.  The  orthography- 
is  somewhat  pecuHar,  due  evidently  to  the  ignorance  of  the 
scribe.  Apart  from  the  name  '  J.  Nott '  and  the  numbers  '  19  ' 
and  '11,'  there  is  no  note  or  mark  of  any  kind. 

The  subject  is  a  portion  of  the  'Battle  of  Ventry.'  As  com- 
pared with  the  copy  in  MS.  LVIII  (v.  supra,  p.  172)  and  that 
printed  by  Dr.  Meyer,  this  one  is  much  more  verbose.  Cf.  for 
example  the  descriptions  (pp.  1-3  of  this  version)  of  the  King 
of  the  World ;  of  Glas  mac  Dreguinn  or  Dreamhain  \  of  the 
leaders  of  the  expedition ;  of  the  shijos,  storm,  etc.  This  copy 
breaks  off  abruptly  with  the  achievements  of  Duhhan  tnac  Cais, 
— at  about  the  780th  line  of  Dr.  Meyer's  text. 

MS.  LXII — Miscellaneous,  No.  5 

The  MS.  is  a  fragment  of  fifteen  leaves  of  paper,  7|  in.  by  6. 
Leaves  which  were  written  upon  have  been  cut  out  at  the  be- 
ginning and  end,  as  also  at  p.  23.  The  pagination  1-30  shows 
that  the  leaves  were  cut  out  before  the  MS.  was  paged.  The 
writing  is  partly  in  the  English,  but  mostly  in  the  Gaelic,  hand. 
The  MS.,  hke  MSS.  LXIII  and  LXV,  is  bound  endwise,  and  the 
three  seem  to  have  been  written  in  the  same  hand, — that  of 
the  poet  Alexander  Macdonald.  Several  pages  are  wholly 
blank,  others  partly  so.  The  contents  are  miscellaneous,  English 
and  Gaelic,  prose  and  verse,  and  are  printed  entire  in  Rel. 
Celt.,  vol.  i.  pp.  151-166.  The  following  heroic  poems  and 
lore  are  included  : — 

1.  Pp.    1-3.    A    Lay    of    Deirdre,    twenty-nine    quatrains, 

beginning  : 

Tri  manuinn  a  hh'aig  riogh  hretann. 

2.  P.  23.  Lay  of  Cuchulainn  and  Conlaoch,  ten  quatrains 
First  line  : 

Fithiod  bliadhona  bhetham  soir  a  foghlum  gaisgeadh  om  mhathair. 

3.  Pp.  23-24.  Faighdoireckt  amadan  Emhna  Mhacha,  '  The 
prophecy  of  the  fools  of  Emain  Macha,'  four  quatrains,  beginning : 

Tig  don  choill  is  gerruidh  croinn  is  denuidh  curacain. 

4.  Pp.  24-26.  Laoidh  an  Tailleoir,  'The  Tailor's  Lay,' 
twenty-six  quatrains,  beginning : 

Dida  rhiuiidh  mi  dhenamk  aodidh  do  chlanna  Baoisgn  ann  a  n-Almuinn. 


176        CATALOaUI-:  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS     [MS.  LXII 

For  another  version  (from  Irvine's  MS.),  v,  L.  F.,  pp.  201-202. 
This  is  a  modern  composition,  and  is  a  clever  parody  upon  the 
old  ballads.  It  will  be  observed  that  the  Tailor  passes  from 
rnchulaiiin's  house  in  Dundealgain  to  Fionu's  abode  in  Almu 
without  the  least  consciousness  of  anachronism.  The  two 
cycles  of  Gaelic  legend  got  mixed  up  in  the  Central  Highlands 
before  James  Macpherson's  day. 

5.  Pp.  26-28.  Eadar  Oisin  7  Padruig,  '  Between  Ossian 
and  Patrick,'  seventeen  and  a  half  quatrains,  beginning  : 

Oisin  gur  fad  in  do  s^iain,  ein/h  suas  is  eisd  na  sailm. 

Cf.  supra,  p.  162. 

6.  P.  30.  Laoi  Dhiarmuid/T\\Q  Lay  of  Diarmaid,'  beginning  : 

dleyiv  sioth  an  (jlenm  rem  tliaobh. 

Cf  L.  F.,^.  157 +  . 

The  Lay  is  here  defective,  the  leaf  following  being  cut  out. 


MS.  LXV  {v.  sujjra,  p.  104) 

The  following  heroic  pieces  are  in  this  MS.     End  A. 
Pp.  12-13.  (The  Feinn  and    the    Gruagach),  twenty-three 
quatrains.     First  line : 

()  ro  qhruagach  creiq  na  tulaigh. 

Cf  L.  F,  p.  61. 

Ark  a  Ohruachan  Chraig  an  Tullich. 

Pp.  27-29.  Catli  Caphtharrus  an  so  sios  '  The  Battle  of 
Gabhra  here.'  The  poem  is  printed  in  Rel.  Celt.,  vol.  i.  p.  110. 
It  begins : 

Hilar  do  chualas  turns  Finn. 
Cf.  supra,  p.  172,  and  L.  F.,  p.  180 +  . 

Pp.  32-33. 

La  da  n-rab  Padraic  na  inur,  clia  sailm  ar  uigh  ach  ol. 
Cf.  L.  F.,  p.  98.  '  The  best  battle  that  the  heroes  ever  fought.' 

Latha  bha  Padraig  na  mhnir 
Clia  robh  ISailm  air  nigh  ach  sgeul  {ag  ol). 
Pp.  34-35. 

La  da  n-rahlimar  an  Fian  uile  orfsa  tulach  Almuin. 
Cf.  Laoidh  na  h-ighinne,  L.  F,  p.  137. 


CHAPTER  V 

Legal,  Lexical,  Grammatical 

These  three  subjects  are  here  taken  together  because  they  are 
treated  rather  summarily  in  these  MSS.  and  are  otherwise 
connected. 

I.  Law 

Reference  has  already  been  made  (v.  supra,  p.  14)  to  a  few- 
paragraphs  in  MS.  II  on  the  rights  and  responsibilities  of  the 
physician,  and  to  the  defective  Tract  in  MS.  XL  on  the  Law  of 
Sunday  {supra,  p.  95).  The  only  other  class  whose  privileges 
are  commented  upon  are  the  poets.  There  is  not  a  copy  of  any 
of  the  Law  Treatises,  properly  so  called,  in  these  MSS. 


MS.  VII  {v.  supra,  pp.  84,  112) 

Fols.  6a-7a  contain  an  account  of  the  seven  orders  of  poets, 
their  grades,  rights,  and  privileges.  Although  here  in  a  different 
order,  the  contents  of  the  paragraphs  are  practically  the  same  as 
in  B.B.  338a,  1.  8— 343a,  1.  17. 

On  fol.  8a,  b,  are  named  three  things  which  are  said  to  be  the 
exclusive  privilege  of  the  ollain  or  chief  poet.  These  are  teiniiv 
laegda,  itnbas  forosnai,  and  dicheadal  do  c[h]eannaih.  Teinin 
laegda  is  not  satisfactorily  explained.  Professor  Atkinson 
(Glossary  to  Brehon  Laws,  s.v.  teinm)  suggests  that  the  phrase 
'  would  mean  something  like  incantation,  and  probably  denoted 
simply  the  recital  of  some  metrical  charm.'  Imas  forosnad  or 
himbas  forosnai  and  dicheadal  do  cheannaih  are  described  by 
Cormac  :  Imhas  forosnai,  '  Knowledge  that  enlightens,'  i.e.  it  dis- 
covers everything  which  the  poet  likes  and  which  he  desires  to 

M 


178         CATALODUK  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCIUPTS       [MS.  VII 

inanifcst.  Thus  it  is  done.  The  poet  chews  a  piece  of  the  flesh 
of  a  red  pig,  or  of  a  doL,'  or  cat,  and  puts  it  afterwards  on  the 
tlao'  behind  the  door,  and  pronounces  an  incantation  on  it,  and 
otfers  it  to  idol-gods,  and  afterwards  calls  his  idols  to  him,  and 
then  finds  them  not  on  the  morrow,  and  pronounces  incanta- 
tions on  his  two  palms,  and  calls  again  unto  him  his  idol-gods 
that  his  sleep  may  not  be  disturbed ;  and  he  laj^s  his  two  palms 
on  his  two  cheeks  and  (in  this  manner)  he  falls  asleep  ;  and  he 
is  Avatched  in  order  that  no  one  may  interrupt  (?)  nor  disturb 
him  till  everything  about  which  he  is  engaged  is  revealed  to 
him  (which  may  be)  a  minute  or  two  or  three,  or  as  long  as  he 
was  supposed  to  be  at  (the  offering) ;  et  ideo  imhas  dicitur,  i.e. 
(his)  two  palms  (boiss)  upon  {im)  him,  that  is  (one)  palm  over  (?) 
and  another  hither  on  his  cheeks.  Patrick  abolished  this  and 
the  teinm  laegda,  and  he  adjudged  that  Avhoever  should  practise 
them  should  have  neither  heaven  nor  earth,  because  it  was 
renouncing  baptism.  Dicetal  dochennaib  (extempore  recital), 
then,  was  left,  to  be  composed  in  right  of  (their)  art ;  for  this  is 
the  cause :  it  is  not  necessary  in  it  to  make  an  offering  to  the 
■demons,  but  there  is  a  revelation  at  once  from  the  ends  of  (the 
poet's)  fingers.'  (Cormac's  Glossary,  Translation,  p.  94). 

A  note  in  our  MS.  adds  that  the  poet  (eicis)  Maine  was  the 
first  to  chant  (can)  the  teinm  laegda,  Lugaid  of  Connaught  the 
first  to  practise  the  imhas  forosnai,  and  Find  Jtua  Baiscne  (the 
great  hero)  the  first  to  use  the  dicheadal  do  cheannaih. 

The  text  thereafter  gives  the  secJd  comartadha  dec  droch- 
■thagra, '  seventeen  marks  of  bad  pleading,'  with  a  few  variations, 
as  in  §  22  of  the  Instructions  of  Cormac  (infra),  and  then 
the  secht  comartadha  dec  deagta^gra,  '  Seventeen  marks  of  good 
pleading.'  Only  nine  of  these  latter  are  given,  viz. : — dathagud 
seel,  scannrud  hriatliar,  hrodlach  n-urlabra,  ait/d  inntlccJdach, 
innsce  fossaid,  atkcur  n-aineolais,  imradad  fis,  fonts  fegi, 
fechemnus  feig,  when  the  text  breaks  off  abruptly  with  the  end 
of  the  folio  (cf.  '  Todd  Lecture  Series,'  vol.  xv.  pp.  40,  55). 

II.    Vocabularies 

From  earliest  times  Gaelic  scholars  were  in  the  habit  of 
glossing  in  Gaelic  by  word,  phrase,  or  short  comment  important 


MS.  XXXVIII]  LEGAL,  LEXICAL,  AND  GRAMMATICAL     179 

Latin  MSS.  which  they  valued.  The  practice  was  extended  to 
old  native  writing^s  where  the  diction  and  idiom  were  felt  to  be 
obscure  or  archaic.  Frequent  examples  of  this  practice  are 
met  with  in  our  MSS.,  a  few  of  which  have  been  noticed  (c/. 
pp.  135,  152).  Formal  vocabularies  were  also  compiled  early,  the 
oldest  and  most  important  now  existing  being  Sanas  Cormaic, 
prepared  by  Cormac  son  of  Cuilennan,  prince  and  bishop  of 
Cashel,  who  was  killed  in  battle  in  a.d.  903.  Cormac's  Glossary 
was  printed,  with  O'Davoren's  Glossary  and  a  Glossary  to  the 
Calendar  of  Oengus  the  Culdee,  by  W[hitley]  S[tokes]  in  1862 
(Williams  and  Norgate).  The  same  Glossary,  translated  by 
O'Donovan  and  edited  by  Dr.  Stokes,  was  printed  by  the  Irish 
Archaeological  and  Celtic  Society  in  1868,  A  number  of  later 
glossaries  and  vocabularies  have  recently  been  printed  in 
the  Archiv  fur  Celtische  Lexikogyxqjhie  (Stokes  and  Meyer), 
vols.  i.  ii.  iii. 

Our  Scottish  Collection  of  MSS.  contains  only  two  vocabu- 
laries of  importance.  These  are  found  in  MSS.  VII  and 
XXXVIII. 


MS.  VII  {v.  supra,  pp.  84,  112,  177) 

On  fol.  llbl,  at  1.  13,  commences  a  vocabulary,  headed  in 
red  ink  Duhfhocail  ann  so,  '  obscure  words  here.'  The  list  con- 
sists of  only  eighty-four  words  with  their  synonyms.  There  is  no 
alphabetical  order  of  any  sort  attempted,  the  first  word  being 
url.\.  tosach,  'beginning,'  and  the  last,  of  which  both  lemma  and 
gloss  are  obscure,  iarc  .\.  elad  (creeping  along  ?).     The  list  closes 

on  fol.  llbl,  1.  38. 


MS.  XXXVIII  (v.  supra,  pp.  118,  146) 

A  vocabulary  of  between  750  and  760  entries  is  found  on 
pp.  140-153  of  MS.  XXXVIII.  The  list  is  arranged  alphabetically 
as  to  letters,  according  to  the  order  of  the  Gaelic  alphabet,  but 
within  the  individual  letters  alphabetical  order  is  not  preserved. 
Thus  under  'A'  the  first  entry  in  the  first  column  is  annoid  .j. 
eagluis, '  church,'  while  ah  .  \.  maith, '  good,'  is  found  in  the  second 


180  CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS    [MS.  LXV 

column,  and  n  .  .  avd,  '  hit,'h,'  in  the  third.  Similarly  ha  .  .  viaitk, 
'  good,'  comes  near  the  on<l  of  the  '  B '  list.  Along  the  top  of 
p.  140  a  descriptive  title  is  written.  But  the  only  words  legible 
now  are  coir  anmanna  san,  'The  fitness  of  names  in  the'  (?). 
Seventeen  of  the  obscurer  entries  were  printed,  with  notes, 
by  Dr.  Stokes,  in  the  Celtic  Review,  vol.  v.  p.  291.  On  p.  116  of 
this  MS.  are  also  notes  on  acid,  no,  and  gov. 


MS.  LXV  {v.  siqjra,  pp.  104,  176) 

On  p.  1,  end  '  B,'  of  MS.  LXV  are  some  twenty-five  obscure 
or  rare  words,  or  considered  to  be  so  by  the  scribe,  with 
their  meaning  in  English  for  the  most  part.  Several  of  the 
entries  cannot  be  read  with  certainty.  Among  them  are  ere,  '  a 
sa(l)mon ' ;  nia,  '  nephew ' ;  dorr, '  anger,  or  very  harsh ' ;  dohhar, 
wat(t)er ' ;  diredh, '  a  pan(n)egyric(k) ' ;  riomh,  '  number ' ;  ong  .\. 
glan  (fierce);  duar  .|.  rann  no  focal  (quatrain  or  word). 


III.  Grammars 

MS.  I  {v.  supra,  pp.  72,  106) 

The  second  section  of  MS.  I,  from  p.  12  to  the  end,  contains 
an  imperfect  copy  of  the  elaborate  Treatise  on  Grammar  and 
Philology  found  in  B.B.,  L.L.,  Laud  610  (Oxford),  and  elsewhere. 
This  large  tract  is  in  four  Books  or  Chapters.  In  traditional 
lore,  the  first  Book  was  composed  by  Fenius  Farsaidh,  '  the 
Antiquarian,'  who  founded  the  great  school  on  the  Plain  of 
Shenar ;  the  second  by  Amergin,  son  of  Milesius ;  the  third  by 
Ferceirtne,  the  poet  of  Conchobar  mac  Nessa ;  and  the  fourth 
by  Cennfaeladh  the  Learned,  who  died  in  a.d.  678.  {v.  O'C.  Mann, 
and  Oust.,  vol.  ii.  pp.  53-54).  Elsewhere  (Mann,  and  Oust.,  vol.  ii. 
pp.  93-94)  O'Curry  would  suggest  that  Cennfaeladh  or  Cormac 
Mac  Cuilennan,  the  author  of  the  Glossary,  was  the  author  or 
editor  of  the  whole  Treatise. 

Our  copy,  so  far  as  it  goes,  is  very  good.  But  unfortunately 
a  leaf  is  wanting  between  pp.  14  and  15,  corresponding  to 
B.B   p.  293a,  1.  18  to  p.  295b,  1.  34.      Further  on,  at  19b,  1.  13, 


MS.  VII]     LEGAL,  LEXICAL,  AND  GRAMMATICAL  181 

there  is  a  large  gap  wliicli  takes  up  in  B.B.  from  p.  801b,  1.  24 
to  314a,  and  which  inckides,  among  other  matters,  the  sixteen 
essential  components  of  poetry,  and  the  section  on  the  Ogham 
Alphabet.  Our  text  and  that  of  B.B.  otherwise  agree  pretty 
closely.  Both  give  at  the  end  an  explanatory  paragraph  with  an 
appended  poem  on  tve  focul  (v.  Archiv  filr  Celt.  Lexik.,  vol.  iii. 
p.  293).  Thereafter  B.B.  gives  two  short  poems  on  the  laws  for 
closing  a  poem,  and  on  the  number  of  attendants  of  the  various 
orders  of  poets,  which  are  not  in  our  MS.,  while  on  the  other 
hand  our  MS.  contains  two  short  poems  not  in  B.B. 

The  chapter  on  Metric  is  the  only  part  of  this  large  Treatise 
that  has  hitherto  been  examined  by  competent  scholars.  The 
late  Professor  Atkinson  in  his  Treatise  On  Irish  Metric  (Dublin, 
1884)  made  large  use  of  it,  while  the  text  with  analysis,  illus- 
tration and  comment  has  been  printed  by  Professor  Thurneysen 
in  Irische  Texte,  vol.  iii.  (1)  pp.  1-182,  under  the  title  Mittel- 
irische  VersleJiren. 


MS.  VI  (v.  supra,  p.  110) 

As  mentioned  above  (p.  Ill)  a  short  poem  on  various  metres 
— Setnad  {Setrad  ?),  Rannaidecht,  Casbhairne,  etc.,  is  found  on 
the  first  page  of  the  last  leaf  of  MS.  VI. 


MS.  VII  (v.  supra,  pp.  84,  112,  177,  179) 

On  fol.  llbl,  1.  39,  immediately  following  the  vocabulary 
noticed  above,  begins  a  new  section  entitled  In  uraiccechta  an 
so,  'The  primer  here.'  Uraicecht  is  the  title  of  the  fourth  book 
of  the  Grammatical  Treatise,  noticed  above,  that  attributed 
traditionally  to  Cennfaeladh.  Although  placed  last,  the  subject 
matter  of  this  chapter  is  preliminary  to  the  whole  work.  It 
treats  of  the  Alphabet,  Declension  of  Nouns,  etc., — elementar}^ 
grammar  in  short.  In  this  MS.  there  is  only  a  small  fragment 
of  the  text.  Uraicecht  is  explained.  Then  follows  an  elaborate 
etymological  explanation  of  Gaidhecd, '  Gael ' ;  Gaidecdg, '  Gaelic' 
The  language  is  subdivided  into  berla  teibidhi,  '  abstractive 
dialect ' ;  iarniberla,  '  obscure   dialect ' ;    berla  fene,  frequently 


182         CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS    [MS.  LVII 

apj)lied  to  tho  'law  dialect';  and  herla  edarscartho ,  'the 
separative  dialect.'  'Alphabet'  is  next  taken  up,  but  now 
the  text  becomes  rather  illegible,  and  at  the  loot  of  fol.  I]b2  it 
breaks  off  abruptly. 


MS.  LYII  {v.sujmt,]).  171) 

On  fols.  23b,  24a,  the  Gaelic  Alphabet,  under  the  old  name 
Beth-hiis-nion,  is  given,  with  the  remark  (in  English),  '  Geog- 
hes^an  observes  that  lY,  now  the  fifth,  was  formerly  the  third 
letter.' 

MS.  LVIII  {V.  supra,  pp.  102,  128,  172) 

On  pp.  183-194  is  the  commencement  of  what  promised  to 
be  a  useful  treatise  on  Gaelic  Grammar,  ar  na  sgriohlaidh  le 
UilliaDi  CroinneacU  an  1%  la  dklk  [sic]  don  mhi  January 
173|.  Finit  'Written  by  William  C.  the  19th  day  of  the 
month  of  January  1731-2.  The  End.'  There  is  a  table  of 
the  more  common  contractions  in  Gaelic  MSS. 


CHAPTER  VI 

Maxims,  Triads,  and  Proverbs 

The  Gaelic-speaking  people,  older  and  later,  have  placed  high 
value  upon  the  short  pithy  sayings  in  which  the  wiser  among 
their  teachers  expressed  their  views  of  life  and  conduct.  The 
Proverb,  or,  as  they  significantly  term  it,  the  Old  Word  {sean- 
fhacal)  meets  us  at  every  turn,  in  the  old  and  modern  literature, 
as  on  the  lips  of  the  people  to-day.  To  a  Gael  a  proverb  is  as 
conclusive  as  a  Scripture  text  is  to  the  theologian.  He  has 
indeed  expressed  in  a  phrase  which  has  become  an  Old  Word 
his  absolute  faith  in  it :  Ged  dJieignichear  an  Seanfhacal 
rJia  hhrewjnaicheav  e,  '  Though  the  Old  Word  be  strained  it 
cannot  be  belied.'  In  the  same  way  he  was  careful  to  translate 
and  preserve  the  maxims  pertaining  to  health  Avhich  he  found 
in  the  Medical  MSS.  which  he  studied  (cf.  inter  alia,  supra, 
pp.  61,  67). 

Collections  of  native  sayings  of  this  kind  were  made  early, 
and  were  attributed  to  illustrious  kings  and  heroes,  and  teachers 
of  eminence.  The  earliest  in  point  of  date  now  known  is  the 
Briatharthecosc  or  Verbal  Instructions  of  Cuchulainn.  On  one 
occasion  when  the  other  provinces  of  Ireland  were  at  variance 
with  Ulster  they  met  at  Temair  na  rig,  'Royal  Tara,'  to  elect  a 
High  King.  After  holding  a  '  Bull-feast '  with  its  attendant  cere- 
monies in  due  order,  the  assembled  potentates  were  informed  that 
the  'King  to-be'  was  'a  tender  youth  noble  and  strong  .  .  .  who 
would  be  found  at  the  pillow  of  a  sick  man  in  Emain  Macha,'  the 
capital  of  Ulster.  This  was  Lugaid  Reoderg,  a  dalta  or  foster- 
ling of  Cuchulainn.  The  hero  was  in  his  '  sick  bed  '  in  Emain 
Macha  at  the  time,  and  Lugaid  was  in  attendance  upon  him. 
His  counsels  to  his  pupil,  when  the  latter  proceeded  to  Tara, 
are  preserved  in  the   Tale  Serglige  Concidaind,  '  Sick  bed  of 


184  CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS  [MS.  XLII 

Cuchnlainn,'  copied  from  tlic  Yellow  ]>ook  of  Slane,  a  MS.  now 
lost,  into  L.V.,  and  printed  by  Professor  Windisch  (Irisrhe  Texte 
mit  Worterhiich,  pp.  205-227).  The  Tale  was  previously  printed, 
with  translation,  by  O'Curry,  in  Atlaniis,  vols.  i.  and  ii. ;  and 
the  briatharthecosc  has  been  printed,  Avith  translation  several 
times  (cf.  Todd  Lecture  Series,  vol.  xv.  p.  v). 

The  next  in  order  of  time  is  the  Audlcacht  or  Udhaclit, 
'  Testament '  or  '  Bequest '  of  Morann  son  of  Moin,  or,  according 
to  others,  son  of  Cairbre  Cat-head,  a  judge  whose  period  is 
placed  in  the  first  century  of  our  era. 

The  third,  and  the  best  known,  collection  of  this  class  is  the 
tecosca  or  Instructions  of  Cormac  son  of  Art,  a  man  renowned 
for  his  greatness,  wisdom,  and  learning,  who  was  High  King  of 
Ireland,  in  the  traditional  chronology  from  213  to  253  a.d.  Dr. 
Kuno  Meyer  thinks  that  Tecosca  Cormaic  must  have  been  com- 
piled not  later  than  the  first  half  of  the  ninth  century  (Todd 
Lecture  Series,  vol.  xv.  p.  xi). 

Of  about  the  same  date  are  the  'Sayings'  (hriathra)  attri- 
buted to  Fithal,  a  chief  judge  in  Cormac's  day. 

A  list  of  Sayings,  different  in  literary  form,  and  also  to  some 
extent  in  substance,  is  anonymous.     These  are  the  Triads. 

With  the  exception  of  briatharthecosc  Concidaind,  copies  of 
these,  all  more  or  less  defective,  are  in  our  Collection. 

Collections  of  Proverbs  and  favourite  Sayings  of  the  Scottish 
Gael  appear  in  two  of  the  later  MSS. 

I 

The  Uclhacht,  in  other  versions  called  [Auraicecht, '  Lessons,' 
and  Tecosca,  '  Instructions '  of  Morann. 


MS.  XLII  {v.  supra,  p.  120,  157) 

Fols.  lOa-llb  contain  a  copy  of  the  uclhacht  or  'Testament' 
of  Morann  to  Feradach  Fechtnach.  Morann  was  the  son  of 
Cairbre  Cathead,  and  according  to  F.  M.  (vol.  i.  p.  94),  quoting  the 
Leabhar  Gahhala  or  '  Book  of  Invasions,'  Avhen  the  disastrous 
reign  of  that  usurper  came  to  an  end  by  his  death,  the  Aitheach 
Tuatha  '  offered  the  sovereignty  of  Ireland  to  Morann,  son  of 


MS.  XLII]      MAXIMS,  TRIADS,  AND  PROVERBS  185 

Cairbre.  He  was  a  truly  intelligent  and  learned  man,  and  said 
that  he  would  not  accept  of  it,  as  it  was  not  his  hereditary  right ; 
and,  moreover,  he  said  that  the  scarcity  and  famine  would  not 
cease  until  the}^  should  send  for  the  three  legitimate  heirs  to 
the  foreign  countries '  (where  they  were),  '  namely,  Fearadhach 
Finnfeachtnach,  Corb  Olum,  and  Tibraide  Tireach,  and  elect 
Fearadhach  as  king,  for  to  him  it  was  due,  because  his  father ' 
(the  last  monarch)  '  had  been  killed  in  the  massacre  we  have 
mentioned'  {cf.  siqora,  p.  138),  'whence  his  mother,  Baine,  had 
escaped.  This  was  done  at  Morann's  suggestion,  and  it  Avas  to 
invite  Fearadhach  to  be  elected  king  that  Morann  sent  the 
celebrated  Udhacht  or  Testament.' 

To  the  same  effect  is  the  prefatory  note  prefixed  to  this 
copy :  In  a  inm  De  in  t-udhacht  Morainn-si  Ghiolla  Padraic 
mic  Aodhagain.  Incipit  autacht  Morainn  mic  Moin  innso 
do  Fheradach  Fhinn  Fhecldnach  mac  CrioTnhthainn  Nianair 
mic  Luigdech  Sriah  n-derg.  Mac  sidhe  do  ingeine  Lose  [sic] 
onic  Deibn  do  cruitheantliuaith.  Pert  a  mathair  ass  ina  bru 
iar  n-dilgenn  tigernadh  n-Erenn  do  na  h-Aitheach  Uudhaih 
acht  Feradach  nama  a  m-hru  a  mathar.  Do  luidli  sidhe  iartim 
go  slogh  fairis  J  faidis  Morann  in  Udacld-sa  cuigi,  'In  the 
name  of  God  this  (cojjy  of  the)  Testament  of  Morann  (by) 
Gilpatrick  Mac  Egan.  Begins  here  the  Testament  of  Morann 
son  of  Moen  to  Feradach  Finnfechtnach  son  of  Criomthann 
Nianar  son  of  Lugaid  Sriabhderg.  This  (Feradach)  was  son 
of  the  daughter  of  Lose  \sie'\  son  of  Deibn  [B.B.  Luath  mac 
Derera;  MS.  XXVIII  Luath  mac  Dereine]  from  Pictland.  His 
mother  escaped  with  him  in  her  womb  after  the  destruction  of 
the  nobles  of  Ireland  by  the  Aitheach  Tuatha,  save  Feradach  who 
was  in  his  mother's  womb.  Thereafter  he  went  across  with  a 
host  and  Morann  sent  him  this  Testament,'  by  the  hand  of  his 
pupil  Nere. 

The  udhacht  then  proceeds  in  anything  but  clear  text  in  our 
MS.,  and  ends  abruptly. 

A  copy  in  L.L.,  pp.  293a-294b  begins  Audacht  Morainn  nviic 
Moin  do  Fheradach  Fhind  Fhechtnach.  Mac  side  ingine  Loith 
mic  Delaraid  de  Chruthentuditli.  Here  the  text  is  quite  clear, 
and  it  differs  considerably  in  contents  and  arrangement  from 
that  of  our  MS. 


186       CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS      [MS.  XLII 

A  copy  is  also  in  Y.B.L.,  pp.  413b-414b.  Hero  the  head- 
ing is:  Incipit  auraicaept  Morainn  no  teccosca  Murainn  for 
Feradach  Finn  Fech{t)nach :  '  Begins  the  teaching  or  precepts 
of  Morann  for  Feradach  Finnfechtnach.'  The  tecosca  end  witli 
assurance  of  long  life,  prosperity,  victory  and  every  blessing 
to  cip  h4  do  gn4  inso  huili, '  Avhosoever  will  do  all  [enjoined] 
here.'     For  other  copies,  v.  Jub.,  p.  41. 

Morann  is  said  to  have  become  chief  jndgc  under  Feradach, 
who  according  to  F.  M.  reigned  prosperously  from  a.d.  15  to  a.d. 
36.  '  Good  was  Ireland  during  his  time.  The  seasons  were 
right  tranquil.  The  earth  brought  forth  its  fruit ;  fishful  its 
river-mouths;  milkful  the  kine;  heavy-headed  the  woods.' 

For  legends  regarding  Morann,  his  deformity,  and  how  he 
came  by  his  three  '  collars,'  v.  Irische  Texte,  vol.  iii.  (1)  pp.  188-190. 

II 

The  Tecosca  or  Ixstructioxs  of  Cormac 

A  critical  edition  of  the  Precepts  of  Cormac  from  a  number 
of  MSS.  with  Preface,  Translation,  Notes,  and  Vocabulary  has 
been  printed  by  Dr.  Kuno  Meyer  in  vol.  xv.  of  the  Todd  Lecture 
Series  (Dublin,  1909),  quoted  here  as  K.  M.  Our  Collection 
contains  three  copies,  all  imperfect. 


MS.  I  {v.  supra,  pp.  72,  106,  180) 

The  text  of  Cormac's  Instructions  begins  on  the  top  of  p.  la. 
It  is  headed  by  a  sentence  which  is  so  far  illegible,  but  which  is 
an  eulogy  on  the  greatness,  wisdom,  and  learning  of  Cormac 
{v.  MS.  II;  K.  M.,  p.  2,  n.  1).  The  treatise  thereafter  proceeds 
in  paragraphs  or  sections,  Cairbre  Lifechair  (of  the  Liffey)  asking 
his  father  Cormac,  grandson  of  Conn  Cetchathach,  certain 
questions  which  with  the  father's  answers  constitute  the  text 
of  the  Tract.  Thus:  A  Itui  Chttind,  a  Covniaicc,  cia  deach  do 
rig?  Ni  ansa,  ol  Cormac.  Deck  do  Fosta  cen  fJteirg,ainine  cen 
debaid,  etc.,  '  O  grandson  of  Conn,  O  Cormac,  what  is  best  for  a 
king  ? '  '  Not  hard  to  tell,'  said  Cormac.  '  Best  for  him  is, — 
Firmness  without    anger,  patience    without    strife,'  etc.      Our 


MS.  VII]         MAXIMS,  TRIADS,  AND  PROVERBS  187 

text  goes  on  with  little  variation  from  that  of  K.  M.  to  the  end 
of  §  18  of  the  latter  (p.  2a,  1.  49).  The  sayings  of  Fithal  now 
begin,  and  proceed,  apparently  in  continuous  text,  to  p.  3a,  1.  10, 
when  '  Corniac  '  is  written  on  the  margin.  Then  Cormac's  text 
resumes  where  it  left  off  at  p.  2a,  1.  49,  with  Ni  hdga  fri  rig,  ni 
coimris  fri  baeth,  etc.,  '  Contend  not  with  a  king,  do  not 
forefather  with  a  fool,'  etc.,  and  continues  to  1.  28  of  the  same 
column,  giving  the  whole  of  §  19  as  in  K.  M.,  and  ending  with 
Jlnit.  On  1.  29  is  Cid  imonageib  trehath  ?  ol  a  mace  fri  Fithal, 
and  the  text  goes  on  without  a  marginal  mark  to  the  end,  on 
1.  53.  But  it  is  evident  that  the  two  texts  of  Cormac  and  Fithal 
are  so  far  mixed  up  in  this  part  of  MS.  I  {v.  the  Sayings  of 
Fithal,  infra). 

MS.  II  {v.  supra,  pp.  7,  10) 

A  defective  copy  of  the  Instructions  of  Cormac  is  found  on 
fols.  66-70  of  MS.  II.  It  is  written,  not  very  correctly,  in  a  large 
hand  of  the  late  seventeenth  or  early  eighteenth  century.  This 
copy  opens  with  the  prefator}^  note  on  the  greatness  of  Cormac, 
and  gives  a  continuous  text  from  the  commencement  to  near 
the  middle  of  §  21  of  K.  M.'s  text,  when  it  ends  abruptly.  At  the 
foot  of  the  page  a  blessing  from  the  reader  is  asked  for  the  soul 
of  the  writer  '  although  he  may  not  have  deserved  it.' 


MS.  VII  {v.  sux>ra,  pp.  84,  112,  177,  179,  181) 

Fol.  9a-9b,  1.  29,  contains  a  third  copy  of  Tecosca  Cormaic. 
This  copy  is  well  written,  and  agrees  very  closely  with  that  in 
MS.  I  {supra).  It  ends  with  the  close  of  the  eighteenth  section 
of  K.  M.'s  text  (as  in  MS.  I,  p.  2a,  1.  49).  Here  there  are  none  of 
Fithal's  Sayings. 

Pregnant  sentences  of  this  kind  were  associated  with  the  name 
of  Cormac  in  popular  memory  down  to  quite  recent  times,  and 
were  sometimes  thrown  into  verse.  Thus,  in  Gillies's  Collection 
of  Gaelic  Poetry  (Perth,  1786),  p.  296,  we  find  several  quatrains 
entitled  Comhairlin  Chormaig  do  mhac,  '  Cormac's  Counsels 
to  his  Son,'  the  purport  of  which  is  of  much  the  same  character 
as  several  of  Cormac's  Precepts.     Others  of  the  same  class  are 


188        CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS      [MS.  LVII 

attributed  to  a  Duine  glic,  'wise  man,'  in  the  same  collection 
(Gillies,  p.  295). 


MS.  LVII  {v.  supra,  pp.  171,  182) 

Of  like  import  are  eight  quatrains  in  MS.  LVII,  fols.  14b-15a, 
beginning : — 

Luigh  agus  cirigh  air  do  Laimh  Dheis. 
'  Lie  (down)  and  rise  (up)  on  your  right  hand  (side  ?).' 

The  verses  here  are  entitled  Teagasg  Righ  Artuir  do  a  cldolnn 
mh((c,  'The  Instruction  of  King  Arthur  to  his  Sons.'  Cf.  O'Gr., 
p.  577,  where  the  same  verses  are  entitled  An  teagasg  7^iogJul}ia, 
'  Royal  Precepts.' 

Ill 

The  Sayings  of  Fithal 

In  our  MS.  I,  p.  2,  1.  49,  the  Sayings  of  Fithal  are  intro- 
duced simply  by  Fithal  dixit.  Elsewhere  they  are  spoken  of  as 
briathra  Fithil,  senrdite  Fithil,  '  yfOTds  of  Fithal,'  'old  sayings 
of  F,'     Our  collection  contains  two  copies,  both  defective. 

As  already  mentioned,  the  Sayings  of  Fithal  commence  on 
p.  2a,  1.  49,  of 

MS.  I  (v.  supra,  pp.  72,  106,  180, 186) 

A  number  of  the  sayings  are  arranged  under  certain  leading 
words.  They  commence  with  Tossach  augrai  athc{h)ossan, 
'  Reproof  is  the  beginning  of  strife ' ;  Tossa{ch)  eithig  airlicud, 
'  Lending  is  the  beginning  of  perjury '  (litigation  ?),  followed  by 
seventeen  other  '  T's.'  Then  come  thirty-three  '  A's,'  beginning 
with  Araile  maith  mesrugud,  '  Another  good  thing  is  modera- 
tion,' Seven  sayings  are  given  under  '  B,'  the  last  being — Ba 
humal  corbo  uasal,  '  Stoop  to  conquer.'  Then  come  forty-seven 
under  '  F ' :  Ferr  dan  orbba,  '  Better  is  art  than  inheritance ' 
[cf.  the  modern  Gaelic  saying,  '  Better  a  handful  of  trade  than  a 
handful  of  gold '] ;  Ferr  mag  morsliab,  '  Better  a  (little)  plain 
than  a  great  mountain.'  This  section  closes  with  twenty-seven 
'  Dligid's.' 


MS.  XLIIj       MAXIMS,  TEIADS,  AND  PROVERBS  189 

Thereafter  comes  seclit  comartha  dec  droch  ca  .  .  (droch- 
thacra,  K.  M.), '  Seventeen  marks  of  bad  pleading,'  which  con- 
stitutes the  twenty-second  section  of  Cormac's  Instructions  in 
K.  M.'s  text. 

The  next  paragraph  begins :  7s  ail  dam  cofessariwi  cinas  beo 
etir  baethu  7  gaethu,  etir  gnathchib  7  ingnathcJdb,  etir  senaib  7 
occaib,  etir  ecnaid  7  anecnaid.  Ni  ansa,  em,  ol  Fithal,  'I  desire 
to  ascertain  how  to  conduct  myself  among  the  foolish  and  the 
wise,  among  friends  and  strangers,  among  the  old  and  the  young, 
among  the  learned  and  the  ignorant.  Not  hard  to  tell,  indeed,' 
said  Fithal.  This  again  is  the  heading  of  §  29  of  K.  M.'s 
Instructions  of  Cormac.  Our  text  goes  on  without  seeming 
interruption  to  p.  3a,  1.  10,  ending  with  Millsem  each  corma  a 
chetdeog,  '  The  sweetest  part  of  ale  is  the  first  draught,'  a  saying 
found  near  the  end  of  the  thirty-first  Section  of  the  text  of 
Cormac.  It  is  thus  clear  that  Fithal  and  Cormac  are  hopelessly 
mixed  up  in  our  MS.  I. 

As  already  stated  Cormac  resumes  at  p.  3  a,  1.  11,  and  goes 
on  to  1.  28,  when  Fithal  takes  up  the  text  again  and  continues 
to  the  end  of  the  Tract,  at  p.  3a,  1.  53. 

MS.  XLII  {v.  supra,  pp.  120,  157,  184) 

On  p.  55  of  his  edition  of  Tecosca  Cormaic  K.  M.  quotes  from 
the  Sayings  of  Fithal  the  fifteen  virtues  of  good  women  and  the 
fifteen  vices  of  bad  women.  On  fol.  7b  of  our  MS.  XLII  several 
matters  regarding  women  are  discussed  by  way  of  question  and 
answer,  such  as,  Cidh  as  deach  do  m^iaibh  ?  '  Who  is  best 
among  women  ? '  Cia  bean  as  Tneasamh  do  mnaibh  ?  '  Who  is 
the  worst  among  women  ? '  The  writing  is  not  always  clear,  but 
at  the  end  we  have  Cuig  airdeana  deg  droch  inhna,  '  fifteen 
marks  of  a  bad  woman,'  viz.,  doinnmhe,  dibe,  diomhaine,  labhra, 
leisge,  leontaighe,  glor,  grainni,  ceasacht,  cuairt,  gold,  ceilidhi, 
druis,  baois,  bradaighe.  This  list  is  followed  by  the  fifteen 
marks  of  a  good  woman,  which  are :  ciall,  caoimi,  cunnlacht, 
naire,  aillni,  ailghine,  saoire,  saidhbri,  soinnsge,tlds,fos,feile, 
gaois,  iodna,  ionnracus.     Finis. 

We  may  assume  that  this  fragment  is  the  conclusion  of  a 
version  of  the  Sayings  of  Fithal. 


190  CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS        [MS.  I 

IV 

The  Triads 

The  Triads  of  Ireland  is  the  subject  of  vokiine  xiii.  of  tlie 
'  Todd  Lecture  Series.'  In  this  vohime  Dr.  Meyer  gives  us  a 
critical  version  from  a  number  of  MSS.  of  the  Triads,  as  these 
sayings  are  called,  with  Preface,  Translation,  Notes,  and  Vocab- 
ulary. The  number  of  entries  in  Dr.  Meyer's  edited  list  is  two 
hundred  and  fifty-six.  These  enumerative  sayings  are  not  by 
any  means  all  Triads.  The  first  thirty-one  entries  in  the  list 
are,  with  one  exception,  which  is  a  Duad,  all  Monads.  There 
are  also  Tetrads,  Pentads,  even  Enneads.  The  literary  form  is 
based  probably  upon  the  frequent  enumerative  sentences  of  the 
Old  Testament,  although  Dr.  Meyer  points  out  that  the  old 
scholars  could  have  borrowed  the  form  from  Latin  and  Greek 
sources.  The  Triad  became  the  favourite  form  both  among 
Gaels  and  Britons,  and  sayings  of  this  class,  whether  Duads, 
Tetrads,  or  Pentads,  go  now  by  the  name  of  Triads.  An  echo 
of  the  Triad  still  survives  among  us.  Dr.  Meyer  gives  (p.  ix) 
several  examples  from  modern  Irish.  Here  are  a  few,  which 
could  easily  be  added  to,  from  the  Scottish  Highlands :  Three 
of  the  coldest  things, — a  man's  knee,  a  cow's  horn,  a  dog's  nose. 
Three  that  come  unbidden, — love,  jealousy,  fear.  Three  that 
will  not  bear  caressing, — an  old  woman,  a  hen,  a  sheep.  The 
three  curses  of  a  farmer, — May  frost,  July  fog,  and  the  Tutor  of 
Kintail. 

Our  MSS.  contains  three  copies  of  the  old  Triads,  all  defec- 
tive. Dr.  Meyer  considers,  on  linguistic  grounds,  that  they 
must  have  been  put  together,  in  their  present  form,  in  the  latter 
half  of  the  ninth  century. 


MS.  I  (v.  supra,  pp.  72,  106,  180,  180,  188) 

On  p.  3a,  1.  54,  with  the  heading,  Incipit  Trecheng  hreth, 
'  The  triads  begin,'  Cend  erend  Ardmacha,  '  The  Head  of 
Ireland — Armagh.'  The  list  then  proceeds,  with  one  or  two 
omissions  and  occasional  variations,  pari  passu  with  Dr. 
Meyer's,  to  No.  129   of   Meyer's   list:   tri   comartha    lathraig 


MS.  VII]         MAXIMS,  TRIADS,  AND  PROVERBS  191 

inallachtan :  tromm,  fradna,  nenaid,  '  Three  marks  of  a  cursed 
site:  elder,  corncrake,  nettle'  (according  to  K.  M.).  There  is 
then  a  large  gap  in  our  MS.,  the  next  entry  being  No.  284  in 
K,  M.  '  Four  on  whom  there  is  neither  restraint  nor  rule  :  the 
servant  of  a  priest,  a  miller's  hound,  a  widow's  son,  and  a  strip- 
per's calf.'  Here  our  MS.  concludes  with  Finit.  Amen.  But 
one  or  two  others  are  again  added,  the  last  being  K.  M.'s  No.  251, 
'  Four  elements  (lit.  alphabets)  of  wisdom :  patience,  docility, 
sobriety,  well-spokenness ;  for  every  patient  person  is  wise,  and 
every  docile  person  is  a  sage,  every  sober  person  is  generous, 
every  well-spoken  person  is  tractable.'  Our  MS.  gives  again 
Finit,  otherwise  one  would  be  disposed  to  think  that  the  scribe 
included  the  paragraph  immediately  succeeding  among  the 
Triads.  The  literary  form  is  different,  but  the  substance  is 
not  dissimilar.  It  runs  as  follows  (p.  4a,  1.  5):  Marcaidh  na 
hedaisi  a  sagairt.  A  scuab  a  heasgub.  A  sgiath  a  righ.  A 
cathbdrr  a  cluiccfJteach:  '  The  rider  of  the  church  is  her  priest; 
the  bishop  is  her  broom ;  the  king  her  shield  ;  her  belfry  her 
helmet.'  After  giving  some  twenty-seven  other  sayings  of  a 
similar  kind,  the  paragraph  concludes:  A  ceand  j  comoircce 
in  Coimdhi  cumachtach.  Is  bainde  neime  j  is  bainde  dilind 
ac  digail  a  saraithi  in  Eglas  naemda.  Finit.  Finit :  '  Her 
Head  and  Protector  is  the  Almighty  Lord.  Holy  Church  is  a 
torrent  of  venom  and  of  flood  avenging  her  oppressors.  It  ends. 
It  ends.' 


MS.  VII  (v.  siLpra,  pp.  84,  112,  177,  179,  181,  187) 

On  fol.  9b2,  1.  29,  comes  Tre  cing  bvedtlt  ann  so,  '  The  Triads 
here,'  and  the  list  goes  on  to  fol.  10  b  1,  1.  12.  This  list  and  that 
of  MS.  1  are  clearly  of  common  origin.  They  agree  ver}^  closely, 
and  in  both  the  same  gap  occurs  between  Nos.  129  and  234  of 
Meyer's  text.  As  in  MS.  I,  so  here,  one  or  two  Triads  follow,  but 
not  the  same.  The  last  in  this  MS.  is  No.  255  (the  last  but  one 
of  Meyer's):  Tri  guala  donti  fess  fudomain :  guala  flatha,  giiala 
ecalse,  gilala  nemid  filed,  '  Three  coffers  whose  depth  is  not 
known :  the  coffer  of  a  chieftain,  of  a  church,  of  a  privileged 
poet.' 


192        CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCltlPTS     |MS.  XLII 

MS.  XLII  (v.  snj>m,  pp.  120,  157,  184,  189) 

Owing  to  a  gap  in  the  MS.  the  copy  of  the  Triads  given  here 
begins  abruptly  on  fol.  8a,  and  goes  on  to  fol.  10a,  1.  7.  The 
first  Triad  is  Tri  hingena  herto  miosgais  do  miothocod :  lahra, 
leisce,  ainiodhna,  'Three  maidens  that  bring  hatred  to  mis- 
fortune,' corresponding  to  No.  109  of  Meyer's  text.  Our  text, 
not  very  carefully  written,  proceeds,  with  some  variations  in 
orthography  and  an  occasional  omission  of  a  Triad,  as  in  Meyer's 
text,  to  No.  253:  Teora  siorachta  flatha:  cuirmthech  gan 
faisneis,  buidhen  gan  ardanail,  dirim  gan  chona,  translated  by 
K.  M.,  '  Three  tabus  of  a  chief:  an  ale-house  without  story- 
telling, a  troop  without  a  herald,  a  great  company  without  wolf- 
hounds.' The  last  three  Triads  in  Meyer's  list  are  not  given  in 
our  MS. 

V 

Proverbs 

Although  Proverbs  are  frequently  quoted  in  the  texts  and 
on  the  margins  of  our  MSS.,  the  old  Gaelic  scholars  do  not 
appear  to  have  attempted  a  collection  of  them  on  a  large  scale. 
The  two  MSS.  in  our  Collection  which  give  lists  of  Proverbs  are 
Scottish  and  modern. 


MS.  LXII  (v.  supra,  p.  175) 

Upwards  of  a  hundred  and  ninety  proverbs  are  given  in 
this  MS.,  arranged  under  certain  letters  of  the  Alphabet,  and 
interspersed  with  other  matter.  With  one  or  two  exceptions, 
they  are  written  in  English  script.  They  are  all  printed  in 
Rel.  Celt,  vol.  i.  pp.  151-159. 

MS.  LXV  {v.  supra,  pp.  104,  176,  180) 

On  pp.  5-10  (End  B)  of  this  MS.,  under  the  heading  Gnafhoc- 
aill  Ghaoidheilge,  '  Gaelic  Proverbs,'  and  written,  with  one  or 
two  exceptions,  in  the  Gaelic  hand,  are  found  a  considerable 
number  of  Proverbs  and  sayings  current  among  the  people. 


MS.  LXVJ      MAXIMS,  TRIADS,  AND  PROVERBS  193 

The  Rev.  Donald  Mackintosh  printed  a  Collection  of  Gaelic 
Proverbs  and  Familiar  PJirases  in  1785,  which  was  republished 
in  1819.  An  edition,  based  on  Mackintosh's  little  volume,  but 
much  enlarged  and  improved,  Avas  published  by  the  late  Sheriff 
Nicolson  in  1881  (Edinburgh :  Maclachlan  and  Stewart).  This 
edition  is  now  out  print.  Lists  of  hitherto  unpublished  sayings 
of  this  class  appear  frequently  in  our  periodicals  and  newspapers, 
all  in  evidence  of  the  hold  which  the  Proverb  has  taken  of  the 
mind  of  the  Scottish  Gael. 


CHAPTER  VII 

Gaelic  Versions  of  Classical  Epics 

The  Gaels  seem  to  have  been  the  iirst  to  turn  the  great  Epics 
of  antiquity  into  a  modern  tongue.  Although  they  had  access 
to  the  Iliad  only  in  such  Latin  versions  as  were  current  at  the 
time,  the  Togail  Troi,  or  Destruction  of  Troy,  was  the  favourite 
among  them.  A  portion  of  this  version  is  found  in  L.L.,  which 
may  have  been  done  many  years  before  the  MS.  was  written 
{circa  1147),  while  the  first  French  version  of  the  Legend  of 
Troy  (the  next  in  date)  was  not  done  until  about  1180. 

These  Gaelic  versions  are  all  prepared  on  one  general  plan, — 
that  of  the  Gaelic  Tale.  A  prefatory  note  gives  the  leading 
events  from  some  important  date  down  to  the  time  when  the 
action  commences.  Sometimes  the  descent  of  the  principal  hero 
is  traced  step  by  step  to  Adam.  Thereafter  the  sequence  of 
events  in  the  councils  of  the  gods  and  in  the  movements  of  the 
leading  men  are  followed  more  or  less  closely.  But  a  translation 
of  the  text,  as  we  understand  the  term,  is  not  attempted.  The 
version  is  presented  in  plain,  often  bald,  prose.  The  '  translator ' 
compresses  or  expands  the  original  text  at  pleasure.  Compres- 
sion is  largely  used  in  passages  pertaining  to  the  gods  and  to 
religion,  Avhile  descriptions  of  favourite  heroes,  fights,  battles, 
games,  together  with  storms  on  land  and  sea,  are  largely 
expanded.  Explanatory  notes,  culled  from  other  authors,  are 
frequently  incorporated  in  the  Gaelic  text.  Occasionally  the 
'  translator '  points  to  discrepancies,  and  tries  to  remove  them. 
He  sometimes  explains  a  custom,  not  from  his  knowledge  of 
Greek  or  Roman  antiquities,  but  from  Gaelic  folk-lore.  His 
aim,  in  short,  is  to  construct  a  Gaelic  Tale  based  upon  the 
Classical  Epic. 

Of  such  versions  Dr.  Whitley  Stokes  published,  with  transla- 


MS.  VIII]  GAELIC  VERSIONS  OF  CLASSICAL  EPICS         195 

tion,  the  Tofjail  Troi  from  L.L.  (Calcutta,  1882),  and  from  H., 
ii.  17  (T.  C.  D.),  in  Ir.  Texte,yol  ii.  (1),  Leipzig,  1884;  Dr.  Kuno 
Meyer  has  printed,  with  translation,  Merugud  JJilix  iiuoicc 
Leirtis,  '  The  Wanderings  of  Ulysses  the  son  of  Laertes '  (based 
upon  an  unknown  Latin  echo  of  the  Odyssey),  Lond. :  D.  Nutt, 
1886 ;  and  the  Rev.  George  Calder,  M.A.,  has  edited  and  trans- 
lated the  jEneid  from  B.B.  (Irish  Texts  Society,  vol.  vi.). 

Our   MSS.    contain  copies,  more   or   less  complete,   of  the 
Thebaid  of  Statins,  the  Togail  Troi,  and  the  Pharsalia  of  Lucan. 


MS.  VIII  {v.  supra,  p.  112) 

I.  The  first  layer  of  this  MS.  (fols.  1  to  26)  contains  a  copy 
of  the  Thebaid  of  Statins.  Another  copy  is  found  in  Eg.  1781 
(Brit.  Mus.),  pp.  173-253  ;  and  a  fragment  in  H.  ii.  7  (T.  C.  D.), 
pp.  457a-460b. 

The  story  opens  Avith  the  following  simple  statement :  Aroile 
righ  uasal  oirinhuinneach  onorach  ro  gabh  forlamhus  acus 
ferannus  ar  an  ard-cathraig  n-aibinn  n-alainn  .|.  Teibh  is  in 
n- Greig  dar  ua  comiainm  Laius,  '  A  certain  noble,  revered,  and 
honourable  king,  named  Laius,  took  sovereiofnty  and  rule  over 
the  pleasant  and  beautiful  chief  city  in  Greece,  Tliebae  to  name.' 
This  Laius  was  the  father  of  Oedipus,  whose  two  sons,  Polynices 
and  Eteocles,  slew  each  other  contending  for  the  sovereignty  of 
the  place  and  people.  The  author  then  proceeds  to  relate  the 
foundation  of  Thebae  by  Cadmus,  son  of  Agenor;  the  story  of 
Oedipus ;  and  the  fraternal  hatred  of  his  two  sons  with  all  its 
disastrous  consequences.  The  Tale  concludes  thus :  '  The 
number  of  kings  and  common  people  slain  in  these  wars,  and 
the  melancholy  fate  of  those  who  survived,  historians  do  not 
record.  But  here  has  been  given  somewhat  of  their  deeds,  their 
story  and  their  adventures.     Sella.     Sella.    Sella.     Finit' 

Our  cop3'  is  unfortunately  defective.  The  first  page  is  now 
quite  illegible.  At  the  end  of  fol.  7,  the  transcriber  missed  a 
column,  which  he  afterwards  wrote  out  on  a  narrow  slip  of  thin 
parchment.  This  slip  was  for  a  time  included  in  MS.  XXXI 
(hence  the  docquet,  H.  Kerr,  '27),  but  is  now  restored  to  its 
place.    Between  fols.  21  and  22  there  is  a  gap  which  corresponds 


19G  CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCitlPTS     [MS.  VIII 

roughly  to  Books  ix.  1.  2.S0-X.  1.  75  of  Statius's  text.  The  last 
tivo  leaves  (22-G)  are  written  in  a  different  hand.  The  copy  in 
the  Brit.  Mas.  is  complete.  It  is  written  in  a  bold,  clear  hand, 
and  very  largely  contracted.  It  is  dated  1487.  The  Edinburgh 
version  must  have  been  done  much  about  the  same  time.  The 
two  are  clearly  copies  of  the  same  original  Gaelic  text.  It 
would  have  been  impossible  to  produce  two  independent 
versions  so  different  from  the  original  Latin  text  and  so  similar 
to  one  another  as  these  two  are.  On  fol.  lal  the  poet  Statius  is 
thus  described :  do  Stait  don  airdfhilid  Frangach  socinelach, 
'  to  Statius,  the  nobly  born  chief  French  poet.'  Does  this  suggest 
that  the  Gaelic  version  of  the  Thebaid  was  done  not  from  the 
original  Latin  of  Statius,  but  from  the  old  French  version  of 
the  Epic  ?  This  version,  edited  from  the  original  MSS.,  with  an 
elaborate  Introduction,  Dissertation,  Notes  and  Vocabulary  by 
Professor  Leopold  Constans,  has  been  published  in  two  large 
volumes  by  the  Societe  des  Anciens  Textes  Francais  (Paris. 
Librairie  Firmin  Didot  et  Cie,  1890). 

As  to  the  way  in  which  the  Gaelic  'translator'  uses  his 
native  lore  to  explain  the  customs  of  other  peoples  take  the 
following : — 

(1)  Mercury  is  sent  to  hell  to  fetch  King  Lains  back 
to  earth  in  order  to  foment  hatred  between  his  grandsons 
Eteocles  and  Polynices.  He  has  his  wand  (flesc),  which  is  thus 
described :  cadruca  ainin  na  fleisci  sin.  Acus  is  amlaid  ro  bai 
in  fhlesc  h-i  sin, — ro  thoduiscfed  in  dara  cenn  di  inairb  in 
domain  acus  ro  mairfead  jiru  in  domain  in  cend  aile,  '  Cadu- 
ceitm  was  the  name  of  that  wand,  and  such  it  was,  that  the  one 
end  of  it  would  waken  up  the  dead  of  the  world,  while  the  other 
end  would  put  to  death  the  world's  men,'  —  a  description 
applicable  to  the  letter  to  the  slacan-druidheachd  or  '  druidic- 
beetle'  of  Gaelic  Tales.  (2)  Eteocles,  accompanied  by  the 
blind  soothsayer  Tiresias  and  his  daughter  Manto,  visits  the 
infernal  resrions  to  seek  aid  for  the  Thebans.  Manto  sees, 
among  others,  the  judges  Minos,  Aeacus,  and  Rhadaman- 
thus,  who  arrive  at  their  decisions  in  the  following  manner : 
Acus  is  amlaid  co  her  aid  hretha  .|.  cilarnd  comthoTnais 
acco  7  lecana  jinna  ann  7  lecana  duha  7  in  tan  ticed  in 
lecan  find    annis  artus  ua  fir  in  fuigell,  7  in  tan  ticed  in 


MS.  VIII]     GAELIC  VERSIONS  OF  CLASSICAL  EPICS       197 

lecan  dub  annis  ua  anfliir  in  breth,  'And  this  is  the  way 
they  gave  judgment, — they  had  an  urn  of  a  certain  size,  and 
there  were  white  stones  and  black  stones  in  it,  and  when  a 
white  stone  came  up  first  the  decision  was  according  to  truth, 
but  when  a  black  stone  came  up  the  judgment  was  wrong.' 
Compare  with  this  the  ordeal  of  the  Three  Dark  Stones  (Ir, 
Texte,  vol.  iii.  (1),  p.  191  j :  A  bucket  was  filled  with  bogstuff  and 
coal  and  every  other  kind  of  black  thing,  and  three  stones  were 
put  into  it,  even  a  white  stone  and  a  black  stone  and  a  speckled 
stone.  Then  one  would  put  his  hand  therein,  and  if  the  truth 
were  with  him,  he  would  bring  out  the  white  stone.  If  he  were 
false,  he  would  bring  out  the  black  stone.  If  he  were  hall 
guilty,  he  would  bring  out  the  speckled. 

Marginal  notes  are  comparatively  few.  On  fol.  15  the  text 
describes  the  institution  of  the  Nemean  games  by  the  Greeks, 
in  honour  of  Archemorus,  child  of  Lycurgus,  slain  by  a  dragon. 
On  the  top  margin  runs :  Is  mor  in  tnagadh  do  Gregaibh  ar 
millset  da  inaitlms  7  da  maoinibJc  ar  son  leiniph  big,  '  What 
fools  these  Greeks  must  have  been  to  have  wasted  so  much  of 
their  means  and  substance  on  account  of  a  little  child  ! ' 

II.  The  second  layer  of  MS.  VIII  (fols.  27-36)  is  of  some- 
what larger  and  thicker  parchment  than  the  first.  The  writing 
is  also  larger,  less  easily  read,  and  one  should  say  older, — dating 
to  the  early  fifteenth  if  not  to  the  late  fourteenth  century.  Apart 
from  the  historical  paragraphs  above  mentioned  (pp.  112-113), 
the  subject  is  the  Argonautic  expedition  and  the  destruction 
of  Troy. 

On  fol.  27a2  comes  the  heading,  repeated  in  later  hand, 
In  nomine  Patris  et  FilU  et  Spiritus  Sancti.  Amen.  There- 
after comes  a  prefatory  note,  repeated  on  27bl,  regarding  the 
descendants  of  Adam  :  They  were  harassed  until  the  Flood. 
They  were,  because  of  their  sins,  destroyed  by  the  Flood,  save 
Noah  and  his  three  sons.  The  first  sin  was  the  slaying  of  Abel 
by  Cain  through  jealousy.  His  ten  sons  told  Adam  that  it  was 
about  their  youngest  sister  that  Cain  slew  Abel.  During  the 
following  sixteen  hundred  and  fifty-six  years,  they  continued 
in  that  sin  dishonouring  God,  who,  to  avenge  these  evils, 
brought  the  Flood,  which  destroyed  all  persons  save  only 
eight,  viz.  Noah  and  his  wife,  with  his  three  sons,  Semh,  Camh, 


198       CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MAXUSCKTPTS       [MS.  VIII 

and  Idfi'dh,  and  their  wives.  Notih  divided  the  world  among 
his  three  sons.  He  gave  Asia  to  Shem,  Africa  to  Ham,  and 
Europe  to  Japhet ;  and  the  chief  sovereignty  of  the  world  went 
first,  according  to  heathen  story,  to  the  descendants  of  Shem. 

Thereafter  the  narrative  proceeds  on  the  lines  of  L.L.,  as 
printed  by  Stokes,  but  with  considerably  less  detail,  to  the  foot 
of  fol.  35b,  corresponding  to  MS.  XV,  fol.  I7a,  and  Torjail  Troi, 
p.  27, 1.  1074,  when  this  version  comes  to  a  close. 

Beyond  a  trial  of  the  pen  there  is  hardly  a  marginal  note  on 
this  layer  of  MS.  VI IL  I^ut  where  Saturn  is  made  by  fraud  to 
eat  a  stone  instead  of  the  infant  Jove,  MS.  VIII  adds :  Aiivm  na 
cloichi  sin  onadh  co  fheasur,  apbas  don  a  h-ainm  J  aipbitus  a 
miudh  eile.  Et  tucad  in  clock  doson  j  rodmeilt  iarum  gov 
mengoraid  a  dlieda  corofaricsiun  sin  ge  miad  clanninhcir  ni 
had  caithmeac  ar  a  claind  asaitle, '  Should  you  wish  to  know 
the  name  of  the  stone  it  was  apbas,  otherwise  aipbitus.  And 
the  stone  was  given  to  him,  and  he  crunched  it  until  it  injured 
his  teeth ;  and  ho  felt  that  so  much,  that  though  he  had 
children  afterwards,  he  showed  no  desire  to  devour  them.' 


MS.  XV — Kilbride  Collectiox,  No.  11 

The  MS.  consists  of  twenty- six  leaves  of  parchment,  folio, 
twelve  and  a  half  inches  by  eight  and  a  half.  The  first  and 
last  leaves  form  the  cover.  Apart  from  a  few  scribblings  the 
first  leaf  is  not  written  upon,  but  the  text  is  continued  on  the 
first  column  of  the  last  leaf,  the  lower  half  of  which  is  now  cut 
away.  The  writing  is  in  two  columns,  large,  good,  but  plain. 
Capitals  are  large,  and  in  the  chief  divisions  elaborately  drawn 
but  not  coloured.  The  date  can  hardly  be  earlier  than  the 
middle  of  the  fifteenth  centurv. 

The  subject,  not  named,  is  the  Togail  Troi,  of  which  the 
version  here  may  be  regarded  as  the  best  and  most  complete. 
The  story  opens  with  the  prefatory  paragraph  regarding  the 
descendants  of  Adam  until  the  deluge,  and  the  settlement 
thereafter  by  Noah,  found  also  with  hardly  a  change  in  MS. 
VIII  (v.  swpra  p.  197)  and  in  B.B.,  p.  411.  Thereafter  the 
narration    proceeds,   with   minor   differences   as   in    the   other 


MS.  XV]     GAELIC  VERSIONS  OF  CLASSICAL  EPICS         199 

versions.  But  it  may  be  said  generally  that  MS.  VIII  (so  far 
as  it  goes),  MS.  XV,  and  B.B.,  pp.  411-445  agree  more  closely 
with  each  other  in  arrangement  and  detail  than  they  do  with 
the  versions  printed  by  Stokes  from  L.L.  and  H.  ii.  17.  Thus 
in  several  passages,  e.g.  the  building  of  the  Argo  (Togail  Troi, 
11.  120-146),  details  given  in  L.L.  are  all  but  passed  over  in 
our  MSS.  On  the  other  hand  other  incidents,  e.g.  the  fight  of 
Achilles  and  Hector,  the  state  of  Troy  and  the  Trojans  after 
the  death  of  Hector,  and  the  dragging  of  the  latter's  body 
round  the  walls  of  the  city  are  given  with  much  greater  detail 
in  B.B.  and  MS.  XV. 

Both  B.B.  and  our  MS.  quote  from  Barieth,  '  Dares  Phrygius,' 
descriptions  of  the  personal  appearance  and  character  of  the 
leading  personages  of  the  Greeks  and  Trojans.  Here,  e.g.,  is  the 
account  given  of  Achilles  and  Polyxena  (MS.  XV,  p.  23) : 
Achil  imorro  fer  drd  mor  cliahremui'  curata  co  sonairti  hall 
onong  cas  dond  fair  cneas  oengel  hnmi  ruisc  glasa  corra  ina, 
cind  is  e  drecli  letlian  fhir  alaind  forfhbaeiidh  suairc  socJtarthe 
cennaisfri  cardib  calma  i  cathaib  fri  ndimdi,  'Achilles  on  the 
other  hand  was  tall,  big,  thick-chested,  courageous,  with  great 
strength  of  limbs.  His  hair  was  brown  and  curly  ;  his  skin  was 
exceeding  fair;  grey  piercing  eyes  in  his  head;  his  face  was 
broad  and  very  beautiful ;  (he  was)  pleasant,  affable,  affectionate, 
gentle  to  friends ;  bold  in  battle  against  enemies.'  PoUxena 
ingen  Priaim  ben  drd  mor  airegda  JtisidJie.  Corp  geal  coem 
cruthacJi  ionpe.  Braghe  sheta  shuairc  sJcochraidh  aid.  Rose 
glas  coem  cruthaclb  ina  cind.  Mong  fhota  fldndhuide  fuirre. 
Baill  coema  comdirge  aid.  Mera  slemna  sithfliota,  colptha  cori 
comdirge,  traighthe  tana  toghaighe.  Ferr  a  delh  andas  delb 
each  mna  ina  h-aimsir,  '  Polyxena,  daughter  of  Priam, — a  tall, 
large,  stately  lady  she  was.  Her  body  was  white,  beautiful, 
shapely.  Her  breast  majestic,  affable,  loveable,  A  grey  eye  in 
her  head,  lovely,  shapely.  Her  hair  was  long,  of  colour  pale 
yellow.  Limbs  comely  and  straight.  Her  fingers  were  smooth 
and  very  long ;  her  calves  erect  and  even,  her  feet  thin,  beauti- 
ful.    Her  figure  was  the  handsomest  of  any  woman  of  her  time.' 

On  fol.  35b,  our  version,  after  relating  in  detail  the  slaying 
of  Hector  by  Achilles,  gives  another  account :  '  At  that  moment 
Hector's  back  was  to  him  (Achilles).     Achilles  struck  Hector 


200  CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS  [MS.  XIX 

from  behind,  so  Virgil  says.'  Then  this  redactor  adds :  '  But 
history  is  more  to  be  relied  upon  (firm)  than  poetry,  and  the 
first  account  given  is  truer  than  this.  It  was  his  friendship  for 
the  Emperor  Augustus  that  caused  Virgil  to  write  thus  ;  for  the 
emperor  was  of  the  race  of  Aeneas  and  of  the  stock  of  the  old 
Roman  kings.' 

Several  notes  and  quatrains  are  scattered  over  the  margins 
of  the  MS.     Thus  on  p.  2  :— 

A  I'hir  ata  an  ifern  riani, 
An  facca  tu  plan  budh  mh6 
Na  dhul  d'iaraidh  neich  ar  neach, 
Sas  nach  maith  a  thabhairt  do. 

Again  on  top  of  p.  28 — 

Tieio-  ail  doiuhan  is  mo  chen, 
Donihan,  deamhan  agus  ben. 
Ge  be  duine  bias  da  I'eir 
Biadh  a  peinn 
Is  nisroithend  nemh  efrl. 

At  the  foot  of  p.  35  :  Truagh  lem  in  hds  so  tuas  (the  death 
of  Hector). 


MS.  XIX  {v.  siqwa,  p.  136) 

On  fols  lbl-3a2  of  this  MS.  the  Argonautic  expedition  and 
the  siege  and  capture  of  Troy  are  summarised  in  verse  (one 
hundred  and  one  quatrains  in  all).  The  author  is  Fland  Mainn- 
istreach,  according  to  an  entry  at  the  commencement  of  the 
piece.     The  following  are  the  first  and  last  quatrains  : — 

Luid  lasou  na  luing  loir, 
Co  catraig  na  Golach  g6ir, 
Do  chuingidh  in  crocind  cain, 
Co  lai  n-orda  n-ina;antaio;h. 


Mairg  rug  in  coblacli  cruaidh  cain, 
Sluagh  nan  n-Grec  da  n-innsaighidh  ; 
Ni  thernaidh  don  turns  tai, 
Dorad  mor-laech  a  lighi. 


MS.  XLVI]  GAELIC  VERSIONS  OF  CLASSICAL  EPICS       201 


MS.  XLVI— Highland  Society.     John  M'Kenzie,  No.  10 

The  MS.  consists  of  seven  and  a  half  leaves  of  pale  parch- 
ment, 10  in.  by  8.  The  fourth  leaf  was  cut  down  the  centre, 
and  the  piece  given  (v.  Ossian,  ed.  1807,  vol.  iii.  p.  577)  to 
Mr.  Astle  for  use  in  his  Origin  and  Progress  of  Writing.  The 
leaves  are  numbered  by  capital  letters  from  A  to  M.  The  word 
'Emanuel'  is  written  on  nearly  all  of  them,  and  the  MS.  has 
been  frequently  referred  to  under  this  name.  It  is  one  of  the 
oldest  (if  not  the  very  oldest)  MSS.  now  in  the  Scottish  Collec- 
tion. Mr.  Astle  judged  the  handwriting  to  be  of  the  ninth  or 
tenth  century,  and  gave  a  facsimile  of  a  sentence  of  it  in  his 
Origin  and  Progress  of  Writing  (t^.  124  of  the  Reprint:  London, 
1876).  The  Gaelic  forms  and  orthography  are  of  much  later 
date  than  this.  But  the  late  Dr.  Graves  {Proc.  of  the  Royal 
Irish  Acad.,  vol.  iv.  p.  258)  thought  that  he  read  at  the  end  of 
a  much  defaced  footnote  on  p.  4  .  .  .  an  aimsir  .  .  .  an  leab 
.  .  .  Tio  dl  M''''"^  XV,  '  the  time  .  .  .  the  book  ...  in  the  year  of 
the  Lord,  1315,'  which  may  be  the  date  of  the  MS. 

The  MS.,  which  is  only  a  fragment,  is  written  in  two  columns 
in  a  very  good  and  clear  hand.  The  text  begins  and  ends 
abruptly,  and  is  not  continuous.  It  was  transcribed  by  E.  M'L. 
in  L.Cpp.  149-158. 

The  subject  is  a  Gaelic  version  of  Lucan's  Pharsalia. 
The  text  opens  with  an  account  of  a  Roman  officer,  named 
Curio,  when  viewing  the  surrounding  country  from  a  height 
above  the  camp  in  Libya,  falling  in  with  a  native  of  the 
district,  who  gives  him  names  and  legends  ot  the  locality, 
among  them  that  of  Hercules  and  Antaeus.  Dr.  Donald  Smith 
{Rep.  on  Oss.,  p.  305)  gives  an  extract  from  this  legend,  with  the 
corresponding  passage  from  Lucan,  which,  adds  Smith,  '  this 
ancient  author  appears  to  have  had  in  his  eye.'  Dr.  Smith 
further  states  that '  the  whole  of  this  interesting  work  is  still 
extant,'  and  he  quotes  a  couple  of  sentences  from  another 
section  of  it  (Rep.  on  Oss.,  p.  309).  As  matter  of  fact  Dr.  Smith, 
when  in  Ireland  as  surgeon  of  the  Black  Watch,  in  1798,  tran- 
scribed the  work,  of  which  this  MS.  contains  a  portion,  '  from  a 
copy  in  the  possession  of  the  Rev.  J.  Kelly  at  Hall's  Miln  near 


202       CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS     (MS.  XLVI 

IJunbridgc'  The  MS.  from  wliieli  the  transcript  was  made  was 
supposed  to  bo  about  three  hundred  years  old  at  the  time. 
This  transcript  found  its  way  to  the  Scottish  Collection.  It 
is  bound  in  two  volumes  (v.  infra)  and  entitled  Caih  iiior 
muigJie  na  Teasaile, '  the  great  battle  of  the  plain  of  Thessaly. 
There  are  references  to  the  Pharsalia,  with  illustrative  passages 
quoted  therefroni,  as  also  to  MS.  XLVI,  but  Dr.  Smith  did 
not  recognise  that  the  text  was  a  Gaelic  version  of  Lucan's 
Epic. 


CHAPTER  VIII 

Miscellaneous 

There  are  several  compositions,  mainly  in  verse,  scattered 
through  the  MSS.,  especially  those  of  more  recent  date,  which 
do  not  readily  fall  under  any  of  the  foregoing  chapters.  The 
more  interesting  and  important  of  them  are  gathered  together 
here. 

MS.  V  (/'.  supra,  pp.  79,  109,  129) 

Among  the  poetical  pieces  in  this  MS.  not  previously  noticed 
(cf.  pp.  81,  83,  132)  are,  on  fols.  9  and  10, 

(1)  Verses  in  praise  of  Oilill  hocld,  '  poor  Oilill.' 

(2)  Sixteen  lines  addressed  to  students,  beginning : — 

A  iiiacu  leiginn  lidha. 
'  Ye  polished  students.' 

(3)  Nineteen  lines,  headed,  he  boirche  ingen  Cinaet  i  crich 
Boirche  .|.  bean  Beic  is  i  ro  can,  '  Be  B.  daughter  of  Kenneth  in 
the  territory  of  B.,  viz.,  the  wife  of  Bee  who  sang,'  beginning  : — 

Bee  a  beind  Boirche  na  rig. 
'  Bee  in  regal  B.  B.' 

Becc  Boirche  was  king  of  Ulster,  and  died  in  716  a.d.  F.  M. 
quote  verses  by  this  prince  in  connection  with  the  death  ot 
Mongan,  son  of  Fiachra  Lurgan,  which  occurred  in  620  a.d., 
beginning : — 

As  h-uar  an  gaeth  dar  Hi  do  fail  occa  i  cCiunn  tire. 
'  Cold  is  the  wind  over  Islay  which  they  have  in  Kintyre.' 

Cf.  also  Annals  of  Ulster,  yoI  i.  pp.  127,  131,  155,  167;  L.L. 
p.  41. 

(4)  Ten  lines,  with  the  following   heading  in  different  and 


204  CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS        [MS.  V 

later  liand :  Comortus  ann  so  o  Rudliruldlie  re  fear  sgriohldha 
an  leaha  ir-so,  '  A  challenge  here  from  R.  to  the  writer  of  this 
book.'     First  line: — 

Labra  cibe  dia  n-imda, 
'  Speaking  though  of  many  kinds.' 

(5)  Forty  lines,  commencing  : — 

Oclaech  bis  an  ulcai  naini. 
'A  youth  who  is  in  a  saint's  beard'  {'i.e.  defies  him). 

This  piece  is  also  in  the  Brit.  Mus.  MS.  '  Additional,  1 9,  995 ' 
(v.  O'Gr.,  Cat.,  p.  329). 

(6j  Eighteen  lines,  with  reading  rather  uncertain,  contrast- 
ing Laick  thosaigh  na  h-aimsire,  '  the  heroes  of  old  times,'  with 
Laicli  deirigh  na  h-aimsire,  '  the  heroes  of  to-day.' 

(6)  On  fol.  10b2  are  spirited  quatrains,  commencing  : — 

Meisi  fuillechan  feidil 
Etir  tuind  7  tenid  ; 
Baidig  an  tond  ,  brisid  nech, 
Loisgid  an  tenid  tuaidlech. 

After  two  years'  experience  in  this  uncomfortable  position,  the 
writer  proceeds  to  record  his  reflections. 


MS.  XIX  (v.  suj^ra,  pp.  136,  200). 

On  fol.  6a2-6b2  is  a  poem  on  a  subject  unique  in  these  MSS. 
— Generation  or  Reproduction.  Our  MS.  is  unfortunately  ille- 
gible on  fol.  6b.  There  is  another  copy  in  the  Book  of  Hy 
Maine  (Stowe  Collection,  R.  I.  A.,  Dublin),  fol.  103b2.  (Cf. 
Archiv  filr  Celt.  Lexilc,  ii.  p.  140.)  The  cases  described  are 
four — those  of  Man,  Salmon,  Bee,  and  Dove.     The  first  quatrain 

runs : — 

Ceithri  compertta  caemha 
Ud[i]sli  [cuibhi]  comhshaera 
Do  dheoin  Dia  nach  fand  i  bhos 
Dandentar  eland  chneas  [shjolos. 

Cuibhi,  in  the  second  line,  is  awanting  in  our  copy. 


MS.  XXXVI]  MISCELLANEOUS  205 

MS.  XXXVI  {v.  supra,  pp.  91,  IIG,  142) 

This  MS.    contains  several  epigrams   and   short   poems   of 
diverse  character  and  of  various  degrees  of  merit.     Thus  : — 
Fol.  79a.     Three  quatrains,  beginning  : — 

Ni  me  tenga  lem  let, 

Cha  bheithiin  le  h-aithis  chugad. 

0/  O'Gr.  Cat.,  p.  613. 

Fol,  82b.     Twelve  quatrains,  commencing  : — 

Bregach  sin,  a  bhen,  beg  an  seal  do  bhaois. 

Fol.  83a.     Several  lines  without  a  heading,  rhymed  but  not 
spaced,  beginning  : — 

Go  m-ben(u)uigh  Dia  an  tigh  sa  miiinter. 

A  greeting,  somewhat  similar,  entitled  Cuid  Nolluic,  is  found  in 
MS.  LXV  {infra,  p.  216),  end  B.,  fol.  1. 

Fol.  85a.  Eight  vigorous  quatrains  of  a  'flyting'  between  a 
man  and  his  wife,  attributed  by  Mr.  Mackintosh  and  Rev.  Dr. 
Smith  to  Bishop  Carsewell.     First  line : — 

Na  maoi(dh)  h-uaisle  orum  fein. 

Fol.  85a.    Three  quatrains,  addressed  to  a  lady,  beginning : — 

Innis  disi  giodh  be  nie, 
A  techtara  theid  na  cenn. 

Fol.  85b.     Seven  spirited  quatrains,  beginning  : — 

Soraidh  slan  don  aoidhche  reir. 

On  the  top  margin,  in  modern  hand,  is  written  :  '  This  poem  is 
in  Clanranald's  book.'  There  are  only  six  quatrains  in  Clan- 
ranald's  book,  where  the  verses  are  attributed  to  Niall  mor 
mac  Mhuiredhaigh,  and  from  which  they  are  printed  in  Rel. 
Celt,  vol.  ii.  p.  290. 

Fol.  92b.     Twenty-six  quatrains  with  the  heading  na  fiiatha 
dligthes  na  daoine  lochtach  nach  bedh  ra  .  .  .,  beginning  : — 

Is  fuatli  lioni  oinsach  gan  oran. 
Is  fuath  liom  ochan  gan  tinnes, 

and  ending :  — 

Is  fuath  lioiu  filidh  gan  tuigsi, 
Agus  sin  duitsi  nis  fuath  liom. 


206    CA.TALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS     L^S.  XXXVI 

Fur  parallel  lists  of '  things  hateful,'  cf.  O'Gr.  Cat,  pp.  492,  652, 
and  Booh  ofihe  Dean  of  Lismore  (Edinburgh:  Edraonston  and 
Douglas,  1862),  pp.  78,  79  (Gaelic  text). 

Fol.  93b.     Five  quatrains  addressed  to  a  fair  Lady  Disdain, 

commencing: — 

Ni  b-fuigheadh  iiiisi  has  dnit, 
A  bhen  lul  an  chuirp  mar  ghei.s. 

Fol.  95b  contains  the  following  epigrams : — 

Nech  sin  bhios  cor(r)ach  do  ghnath, 
Is  ionan(n)  gne  dho  is  don  dris, 
An  ti  sin  nach  Ij-fiiithar  ach  cearr, 
Fdighdne  is  ferr  a  dhenanih  leis. 

Mar  fhdda(dh)  tinne  fuidli  loch, 
Mar  thiormachadh  cloch  an  g-cuan, 
Tegasg  thabair(t)  ar  mnaoi  bhuirb, 
Mar  bhuille  uird  air  iaruin(n)  fuar. 

Fols.  114a-115a  give,  among  others,  the  following: — 

Na  srotha  is  edoimne  is  iad  labras  go  dana  ; 

Sinn  fein  ni  mholfamar,  balbh  bhios  na  linnte  lana. 

Mas  i  an  tuigsi  mas  i  an  toil, 

Ata  ga  do  chu(i)r-si  tar  r(d)o  cheil, 

Leig  ormsa  an  tuigsi  chosg, 

Is  biodh  chosg  do  thoile  oi't  fein. 


MS.  XXXVIII  {v.  supra,  pp.  118,  146,  179) 
On  pp.  115-116  are  seven  quatrains,  beginning: — 
Mallacht  ort,  a  cinneamhuin,  lear  togbhadh  m^  o  thosaig. 


MS.  XXXIX  {v.  supra,  pp.  91,  118,  152) 

Fols.  23a-27a  contain  a  copy  of  the  Metrical  Calendar 
already  noticed  (r.  p.  61).  Here  also  the  Calendar  is  attri- 
buted to 

Gilibeart  o'  Dubh-  duinn 

Ab  Cunga  nach  crion  crobhuing. 

'  Brown  Gilbert  0'  D., 
Abbot  of  Conga,  whose  reputation  [lit.  cluster]  shall  not  wither.' 


MS.  LVII]  MISCELLANEOUS  207 

This  long  composition,  beginning  : — 
Bliadain  so  solus  a  dath, 

is  attributed  by  O'R.,  p.  ci,  and  in  Brit.  Mus.  MS.  Eg.  Ill  (v.  O'Gr. 
Cat.,  p.  356)  to  John  Mor  O'Dugan,  the  author  of  several  poems 
which  have  survived,  who  died  in  1372. 

MS.  XL VIII  (v.  siipra,  pp.  98, 124,  158) 

Apart  from  the  extracts  already  noted  on  the  above  pages, 
this  MS.  contains  a  number  of  pieces,  nearly  all  of  which  are 
printed  in  Rev.  Celt,  vol.  i.  pp.  119-149.  The  following  may  be 
of  some  interest : — 

Fol.  First  Line. 

4b  Ge  h-iomdha  mart  agus  molt 

4b  Dferuibli  He  mxr  thoill  toiglibhem 

5a  lochd  maith  mo  ghenar  do  ni 

5b  Luaithe  cu  na  cuideachd 

5b  Cetlirar  tainig  anoir 

8a  Clann  Raghnaill  fa  Eoin  san  n-oilenn 
aoibhin-si 

8b  Gabh  a  inhic  mo  mhunadh 

24a  Mairg  duine  bhrathis  e  fein 

32a  Namha  an  cliird  nach  tathuidher 

In  addition  to  these  there  are  (fols.  25b-31b)  sixty-nine 
quatrains  of  the  Metrical  Calendar  alread}'-  noted  {v.  supra, 
pp.  61,  206),  with  the  heading  here:  'A  Roman  Calendar  in 
verse.     0  Dubhagan  cc'     First  line : — 

Bliaghuin  so  sholas  a  dath. 
The  copy  here  is  incomplete. 

MS.  LV  (v.  supra,  pp.  101,  128,  163) 

On  p.  68  of  this  MS.  is  written  an  English  quatrain  of  no 
merit;  and  on  the  last  page  appear  five  quatrains  written 
apparently  on  a  decapitated  woman. 

MS.  LVII  (v.  sujjra,  pp.  171,  182,  188) 

This  MS.  contains  a  number  of  poems  and  epigrams,  some  of 
interest.     Among  them  are  the  following : — 


jatrain 

s.                      Author. 

1 

Anon. 

2 

Anon. 

5 

Anon. 

3 

Anon. 

5 

Anon. 

2 

Cathelus  M'Muires  cc 

8 

Anon. 

14 

Anon. 

8 

Anon. 

208         CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS    [MS.  LVII 

Fols.  6a-7a.  Ten  quatrains,  entitled,  Laoidh  aii'  riiulairt 
na  h-oige  arson  na  h-aoise, '  A  lay  on  the  exchange  of  youth 
for  old  age,'  beginning  : — 

Maluiit  iim  lihuil  mi  dourach. 

Fols.  7b-9b.     Aodhair   do    Dhoctuir    Whealy,  'A  satire  on 

Dr.  Wh.'      About  one  hundred  and  eight  lines,  very  coarse. 

Begins : — 

Ciod  an  tost  no'n  sprochd  so  tli'air  Ghaoidhile, 

and  ends  :— 

'Se  m'ainm  go  dilis  IMiNico  Latus. 

Of.  O'Gr.,  Cat.,  p.  578  :  '  Caineadh  Whaley '  i.e.  'Abuse  of  Whaley,' 
being  Fardorogha  mac  Cormac  O'Daly's  lampoon  on  James 
Whaley,  the  almanack-maker  of  Dublin.' 

Fol.  lOa-b.  Comhairle  do  na  mnae,  eleven  quatrains,  bo- 
ginning  : — 

Gabh  mo  tlieagasg,  a  bhean  og. 

O'R.,  p.  clxxv,  attributes  the  verses  to  Maurice,  son  of  David 
(ii(,^' Fitzgerald,  who  flourished  in  the  early  seventeenth  century. 
Fol.  14a-b.     Among  other  lines,  the  following: — 

A  chleirigh  a  leigheas  gach  dubh  air  a  bhan, 

'S  gach  Years  do'n  Ghaoidhlig  am  pros  's  an  dan. 

Caith  7  gheabhar  o  Tdiia  ; 
Caith  gu  fial  agus  gheabhar  ni's  mo  ; 
An  ti  ler  leoir  leis  beagan  o  Dhia, 
As  leoir  le  Dia  beaga(n)  do. 

Fols.  15b-l7b.     Piearaca{cli)  na  Ruarcach,  '  The  florics  of  the 
O'Rourkes,'  ninety-six  lines,  beginning  :  — 

Plearaca  na  Euarcacli 

An  cuimhne  n-uile  dhuine. 

An  English  paraphrase  of  a  portion  of  the  verses  is  given  in 
adjacent  columns,  but  deleted.  O'R,  p.  ccx,  and  O'Gr.  Cat. 
p.  577,  ascribe  the  poem  to  Hugh  M'Gauran. 

Fol.  18a.     A  quatrain  on  the  transitoriness  of  riches,  and 
four  quatrains  by  a  jilted  swain. 

Fols.  18b-19b.     Eleven    quatrains   on  Molamh  na  Triucha, 
with  space  left  for  an  additional  one,  beginning  : — 

Cha  rabh  mi  riamh  ann  san  Triucha. 
Several  of  these  are  of  considerable  merit. 


MS.  LVIIJ  MISCELLANEOUS  209 

Fol.  20a-b  contains  twenty-eight  lines,  headed,  Rann  Eitnid 
Ui  Cleirigh  an  seana  phoiteir,  air  dha  hhi  bochd,  sa  bhean  a 
chall,  '  The  verse  of  the  old  toper,  E.  O'C,  when  ill  after  losing 
his  wife.'     First  line : — 

Och,  mo  nuar,  mo  chor  truagh,  's  as  bochd  mo  chaoi. 

At  the  end  it  is  added  that  the  author,  upon  concluding  these 

words,  fell  into  a  deep  sleep  and  died,  '  as  Ave  must  all  do.' 

Fol.  20b.     Four  lines  repeated  at  the  end  of  the  MS.,  and 

found  elsewhere  on  the  margins  of  Gaelic  MSS.  (cf.  O'Gr.,  Cat., 

p.  592) :— 

A  leabhrain  bhric  bhain, 

Thig  an  la  gu  fior 

Gu'n  abair  fear  os  ceann  clair, 

Och  !  cha  mhairionn  an  lamh  do  sgriobh. 

Fols.  21b-23a.  Ninety-six  lines.  Le  Aodh  Buidh{e)  mac 
Cuirtin,  Ughda{i)r  an  fhoclair  Eirionnaich  Ghaoidhlig,  'by 
Hugh  Boy  [  =  yellow]  MacCurtin,  author  of  the  Irish  Gaelic 
Dictionary.'  MacCurtin  wrote  a  Grammar  (Louvain,  1728)  and 
a  Dictionary  (Paris,  1732).     This  poem  begins  : — 

Uaisle  Eire  ann  an  ail. 

Fol.  24b.  On  this,  the  last  page  of  the  MS.,  Turner  writes 
the  following  lines,  whether  his  own  or  another's  does  not  appear, 
in  the  Gaelic  hand,  to  Bolg  an  t-solair,  '  Collecting  Bag,'  or 
'  Common- place  Book,'  a  happy  descriptive  title  for  the  volume. 

Bolg  an  t-solair  m'ainui  gun  gho 
A  chleirich  choir,  guidh  gu  geur, 
An  Sgribhneoir  bhi  gun  bhron, 
Aig  dol  san  rod  gu  flaitheas  De. 

Is  measa  gu  mor  na  am  bas, 
Ciod  e'n  trath  no  ciod  e  'n  uair, 
No  c'aite  'n  d-teid  m'anam  bochd, 
Air  dol  do'n  chorp  anns  an  uaigh. 

A  leabhrain  bhig  bhain, 

Thig  an  la  ort  gu  fior, 

Gu'n  abair  neach  os  ceann  clair, 

Och  !  ni  maireann  an  lamh  do  sgriobh. 


210       CATALOfJlTH  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS    [MS.  LVIII 

MS.   LVIII  (v.  supva,  pp.  102,  12S,  172,  1.S2)      " 

The  contents  hitherto  unnoticed  of  this  large  MS.  are  not 
of  much  interest,  and  as  a  rule  are  difficult  to  read.  Thus  on 
pp.  195-190  are  five  quatrains,  anonymous,  addressed  to  a  lady; 
on  p.  238,  written  leni^Lhwise,  twenty-four  quatrains  of  some 
merit,  also  addressed  to  a  lady,  and  anonymous.  On  p.  242 
come  two  quatrains  on  the  influence  of  the  weather  on  St. 
Paul's  day  on  that  of  the  rest  of  the  year,  beginning, 
La  St.  Pol  ma  fli(')grann  grian  go  glan. 

Two  poems  hy  Domlinull  Mhelyli  CdrrtJie  natuile,  'Donald 
Mac  Carthy  of  the  flood  '  (c/.  O'  Gr.,  Cat.,  p.  632)  are  given,  one 
of  twelve  quatrains  (pp.  265-6),  where  the  author  contrasts  the 
life  in  present  and  past  times  ar  hanncaibh  na  Bandon,  'on 
the  banks  of  the  Bandon';  and  another  of  twenty-five  quatrains 
(pp.  267-270),  which  E.  M'L  calls  a  'Love  Song,'  where  the 
writer  in  his  similes  introduces  Bridget  as  superior  to  the 
goddesses  and  beauties  of  classical  antiquity  (M  edea,  Helen  and 
others). 

In  the  third  layer  (pp.  273-280)  is  a  long  composition,  of 
which  only  detached  fragments  are  legible,  closing  with  'Finit  per 
me  Thadaeum  Croneen.'    Lastly,  on  pp.  282-283,  with  '  Timothy 
Cronine '  on  the  margin,  are  three  quatrains,  commencing : — 
.  .  .  boicht  as  craighte  do  sgeal  gach  laoi. 

MS.  LXII  {v.  sivpra,  pp.  175,  192) 

In  addition  to  the  heroic  Ballads,  Lore,  and  Proverbs  pre- 
viously noted,  this  MS.  contains  the  following,  in  Gaelic  and 
English,  all  of  which,  as  already  stated  (p.  175),  are  printed  in 
Rel.  Gelt,  vol.  i.  pp.  151-166. 

I.  English: — 
(1)  li(eci)pe : 

A  groats  worth  of  herypickery 
2  pence  worth  of  Corriander  seed 
A  penny  worth  of  white  ginger 
po(u)nd  the  Corriander  and  the  ginger 


MS.  LXIII]  MISCELLANEOUS  211 

put  theiu  altogether  in  a  bottle  with  a 
mutchkin  of  strong  Spirits.     After  48 
hours  take  a  large  morning  dram  every 
other  day,  and  keep  for  that  day  from  salt  meat. 

(2)  An  Epitaph  inscribed  on  the  tomb  of  Margt.  Scott  who 
died  in  the  town  of  Dalkeith,  Feby.  9th,  1738. 

(3)  On  the  death  of  Handel  :— 

To  melt  the  soul,  to  captivate  the  ear, 
Messia  heard  his  voice,  and  Handel  dy'd. 

IL  Gaelic  : 

(1)  P.  9.  Tuiri'inh  Bhrighid,  in  Gaehc  script,  repeated  in 
the  English  hand,  beginning : — 

Gair(i)m  is  guid(i)m  tu,  a  cloch,  na  leig  Brighid  a  mach. 

(2)  Pp.  21-22.  Twenty  quatrains,  signed,  '  William  M'Mhuir- 
ach(aidh),'  on  the  happenings  upon  a  certain  night,  to  the  author 
presumably.     First  line : — 

So  rinnas  an  tigh  marcaidJi,  eivadh  nar  thapadh  an  oidhche. 

(3)  Pp.  28-29.  Fourteen  quatrains  of  high  literary  merit, 
bewailing  the  sale  of  certain  lands  in  Kintyre,  beginning  : — 

0  's  tuirsech  anocht  ataim,  's  mo  chroidh  briste  baitht'  am  chom. 


MS.  LXIII— Miscellaneous,  No.  6 

This  MS.  is  of  paper,  small  folio  or  large  octavo  size,  written 
in  the  Gaelic  hand  about  the  middle  of  the  eighteenth  century. 
It  is  but  a  fragment,  defective  at  the  beginning,  probably  also 
at  the  end.  There  are,  besides,  two  gaps.  Pp.  122-130  and 
135-142,  both  inclusive,  are  awanting.  As  we  have  it  now,  the 
MS.  begins  with  p.  118  and  ends  with  p.  184,  On  p.  133  is 
written  '  Mary  Mc  Donald  Eachen.'  Beyond  this  there  is 
nothing  to  indicate  author,  scribe,  or  owner.  But  there  can  be 
no  reasonable  doubt  that  the  fragment  is  what  remains  of  the 
MS.  of  the  poems  of  the  great  Jacobite  poet,  Alexander 
Macdonald,  after  his  death  in  the  possession  of  his  son  Ranald 
Ccf.  Beauties  of  Gaelic  Poetry,  p.  125).    The  MS.,  as  we  now  have 


212        CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS    [MS.  LXIV 

it,  contains  eighteen  separate  compositions,  in  whole  or  in  part. 
Of  these,  four  were  printed,  more  or  less  altered,  by  the' author 
in  1751.  The  remainder  are  all,  with  the  possible  exception  of 
the  last  piece,  written  in  Macdonald's  well-known  manner,  and 
could  not  have  been  composed  by  any  other  modern  Gaelic  poet. 
They  are  all  pronouncedly  Jacobite.  Many  of  them  are  very 
coarse,  while  a  number  of  quatrains  are  unprintable.  Long 
pieces  are  devoted  to  foul  abuse  of  prominent  Hanoverians,  and 
especially  of  a  lady  of  the  name  of  Campbell,  who  for  a  time 
kept  an  hotel  in  Oban,  and  who  had  in  her  youth  composed  a 
poem  advocating  the  Hanoverian  cause.  The  MS.  is  very  pro- 
bably in  the  poet's  handwriting,  which  is  bold  and  clear,  and 
probably  also  among  the  last  written  in  the  old  Gaelic  script  in 
Scotland.  The  contents  have  recently  been  printed,  with  notes, 
in  instalments  in  the  Celtic  Revieiv  (vol.  iv.  p.  289  to  vol.  v. 
p.  294),  so  that  it  is  not  necessary  to  give  further  details  here. 


MS.  LXV  (v.  supra,  pp   104,  176,  180,  192) 

Much  the  greater  part  of  the  contents  of  this  MS.  is  of  a 
miscellaneous  character.  Several  of  the  pieces  are  of  consider- 
able merit,  not  a  few  are  coarse,  obscene  even.  The  MS.  is 
paged  from  both  ends. 

End  a. 

Pp.  1-2.  Marhna  Eignechain  Ui  Gellaigh  an  so  sios,  '  Elegy 
on  E.  O'Kelly  here  below.'     First  line  : — 

Neimhnech  cnedh  chriche  Mhaine. 

Pp.  3-5.  A  rather  long  poem  in  praise  of  Kintyre,  begin- 
ning:— 

Soridh  soir  uam  gu  Cinntire  le  caoine  disle  J  failte. 

For   a  portion   of  this   poem,  v.   An   t-  Oranaiche   (Glasgow  : 
Archibald  Sinclair,  1879),  p.  435. 

P.  6.  Moladh  na  pio  {ba  le)  Eoin  Mc  Ailain,  '  The  praise  of 
the  Bag-pipes,  by  John  son  of  Alan  (Maclean  ?).'  First  line 
(cf.  Rel  Gelt,  vol.  ii.  p.  338)  :— 

A  Gioleasbuig,  mo  bennacht  re  m'  bheo  d'fer  aitlileis  do  (i(h)niomh. 


MS.  LXV]  MISCELLANEOUS  213 

P.  7.  Eascaoin  molaidlt  na  (pioba  le)  Lachlann  M'aleoin, 
'  The  dispraise  of  the  Bag-pipes,  by  Lachlan  M'Lean,'  beginning 
(cf.  Rel  Celt,  vol.  ii.  p.  340)  :— 

(A)  (T(h)iolasbuigh,  mo  inollacht  re  lu'bheo  ar  do  c(h)olain(n)  gun  bhriogh. 

P.  8.  ('  Panegyric  on  Alex""  Macdonell,  Esq.  of  Glengary.' — 
E.  M'L.)     First  line  :— 

Ailastir  a  Gleanna  Garadli  .  .  .  n-diugh  gal  ar  mo  suilibh. 

P.  9.  ('  On  the  Macdonalds.'— E.  M'L.)     First  line  :— 

Cha  ghardechus  gun  Chloinn  Donihnuill,  cha  mhor  toil  gun  Shiol  CoUa. 

Cf.  Dean  of  Lismore's  MS.  (infra). 

P.  10.  E.  M'L.,  referring  to  '  Macd...  p.  178  '  (a  reference  which 

I  have  been  unable  to  trace),  says  the  poem,  beginning, 
Nach  truadh  leibh  na  scela  so  d'eist  mi  Di-domhnuich, 

is  on  Sir  Lachlan  Maclean. 
P.  11.  A  poem  beginning, 

'S  maith  thig  clogada  cruach  duit  ar  gruaig  na  n-ciabli  amlach, 

is,  according  to  E.  M'L.,  '  part  of  a  song  by  Mary  ni'n  Alastair 
Enaidh  (Mary  Macleod),'  and  refers  to  '  Macd.,  p.  107,'  a  reference 
which,  again,  I  have  been  unable  to  trace. 
P.  16.  has  the  following  epigram  : — 

Dill  gach  conn(a)idh  fearna  fliucli,  diii  gach  sin(n)e  fiich  rcodh  ; 
Dill  gach  betlia  mil  ma  is  sen,  diii  gach  fine  droch  bhen. 

Pp.  17-19.  A  rather  vulgar  piece,  beginning: — 

Chualas  alladh  gun  bhith  scriophte 
Ar  Willeam  mac  Murchaidh  in  filar. 

Pp.  20-21.  Coarse  verses,  signed  Collum  Columbine,  begin- 
ning : — 

A  Lachuinn  scuir  do  d'bhardachd,  's  nach  urtha  thu  moladh  na  cainedh. 

Cf.  Bel.  Celt,  vol.  ii.  p.  328. 

P.  22.  Five  quatrains,  commencing : — 

Bidh  duine  in  pein  is  e  beo,  's  bidh  duine  beo  's  gun  e  slan, 

are  given,  with  nine  others,  in  Rel.  Celt,  vol.  ii.  p.  404. 
P.  22.  Six  quatrains,  beginning : — 

Tochar  do  iarr  ormsa  ben,  's  och  gur  mor  iongnadli. 


214        CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS      [MS.  LXV 

P.  23.  Five  compliincntary  quatrains,  also  given  in  Rel.  Celt, 
vol.  ii.  p.  408,  addressed  to 

A  c(h);ullech  a  tainican  tir. 

Pp.  24-25.  Coarse  verses  in  the  form  of  a  'flyting'  between 
a  married  couple.     First  line  : — 

Folbainuid  is  gluaisaiiiuid. 

Pp.  26-27.  A  piece  which  E.  M'L.  describes  as  '  Consolatory 
suggestions  to  a  young  gentleman,  whom  his  wife  had  forsaken 
in  a  pet,'  beginning : — 

A  mliarcidli  ud,  na  bi  eadiuur  mas  feidir  leat  a  bhith  tuicsech. 

Pp.  30-31.  Elegy  on  Conn  O'Neill:— 

A  Chuinn  ui  Neill,  a  I'eul  eolais. 

Pp.  36-37.  '  Satire  on  a  Merchant,'— E.  M'L. ;  Moladh  vihic 
Cairhre,  '  Panegyric  on  the  son  of  Cairbre '  {Rel.  Celt.,  \o\.  ii. 
p.  322).     First  iine  :— 

'S  cian  o  chualas  alladli  Bdsdain. 

P.  37.  Sixteen  lines,  apparently  on  winter. 
Pp.  38-40.  Sixteen  quatrains  ('  Rude  Sketch  of  Macdonald's 
Winter.'— E.  M'L.):— 

Tarruing  Sol  ri  na  in-pla(na)id  's  na  n-rell. 

Pp.  40-43.  '  Mr.  MacCairbre's  satir  in  return  to  my  satyr,' 

beginning : — 

Saoil  mi  bhith  comfada  n-deislaimh 
'Sa  bha  bannrionn  Seaba  eir  Solamh. 

Pp.  43-45.   Uisceheatha,  '  Whisky '     Eleven  quatrains.    First 

line : — 

Failt  ort,  Uilleim  ghrinn  mhic  an  Tdisigh  sin. 

P.  45.  Five  quatrains  '  On  breach  of  trust.' — E.  M'L. 
P.  46.  Names  of  nine  persons  written  in  English. 
P.  48.  Four  quatrains.     Jacobite.     First  line  : — 

Gur  binn  lem  na  sceala  so  leigh  mi  Di-lnain. 

P.  51.  'On  a  steady  adherent  to  the  Stewart  family.' — 
E.M'L.:— 

Gu  ma  h-iomlan  do  ghaisfrech  n<^  fhacas  o  n-de. 


MS.  LXVj  MISCELLANEOUS  216 

Pp.  52-53.  '  By  an  unfortunate  Bard.' — E.  M'L.  Fourteen 
Stanzas.     First  line : — 

Ceiid  Contrachd  ort,  a  M(h)if(h)ortuin. 

Cf.  Rel.  Celt,  vol.  ii.  p.  335. 

P.  54.  On  this  page  is  given,  in  English,  '  the  dimensions 
of  a  Harp,'  to  which  is  added,  '  Widow  Black  who  keeps  a 
pinnery  in  Frances  Street  sells  all  kinds  of  harp  wire.' 

Pp.  55-58.  '  Kude  sketch  of  Macdonald's  Summer.'— E.  M'L. 
First  line : — 

Moch's  me  'g  eirigh  sa  mhaduinn  sa  n-dealt  air  a  choill. 

Pp.  58-59.  Tmre77iA, '  A  lament.'     Coarse.     Begins: — 

Edoil  a  dh'feraib  an  achair?/t. 

Pp.  59-61.  Caoi  mhic  ui  Maolciaran,  '  Elegy  on  the  son  of 
0'  M.'     Ten  quatrains,  beginning  (v.  Rel.  Celt.,  vol.  ii.  p.  332)  :— 

Mac  ui  INIhaolchiarain,  mo  ghradh, 
Mo  ghrianan's  mo  choille  chno, 

Thig  an  Samhradh,  thig  an  Samh  ; 
Thig  a  ghrian  go  lanach  gheal  ; 
Thig  a  m-bradan  as  a  b(h)ruaich  ; 
'S  as  an  uaidh  cha  dig  mo  mhac. 

P.  61.  An  Cat.     Ten  quatrains,  v.  Rel.  Celt.,  vol.  ii.  p.  349. 

First  line : — 

Mile  failte  dhuitsi,  a  chait, 
O  n-tra  tharla  duit  bi  m'ucht. 

P.  62.  Aonas  na  n-aor  an  Dunstaiphnis,  '  Angus  the  Satirist 
{i.e.  Angus  O'Daly)  in  Dunstaffnage ': — 

Caol  mo  sgenan  re  li-am  longaidh, 
Rusg  mo  bheidh  ni  iosaid  na  coin  ; 
Fada   mo  shnil  siar  'ga  semadh, 
Man  bhiadh  nach  cuis  gena  dhamh. 


and  ending  :- 


Aofain : — 


Uailsin  a  baile  ag  ithe  na  fema?i» 
Islin  a  baile  scriobadh  na  gainemh. 


Similar  characterisations  are  given  of  Oilen  an  Btalcair,  '  Island 
Stalker,'  and  Ardchattan.  For  satiric  Angus's  description  of 
Ardgour,  v.  Macpherson's  Duanaire  (Edinburgh :  Maclachlan 
and  Stewart,  1868),  p.  45.  For  an  account  of  this  Angus  O'Daly 
V.  O'Donovan's  Tribes  of  Ireland.     Dublin:  1852. 


21(3         CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS     [MS.  LXV 

Pp.  (VA-Gi.  Versos  which   I'].  ML.  suggests  may  be  by  Mary 
Macleod,  beginning : — 

Ta  oiy(h)ra  '.s  tir  is  iirrainiid  <,'nioinli, 
Le  'n  oilte  fioii  <in  sar  pliailte. 

End  B. 

P.  1.  A  greeting  on  entering  a  house  (c/.  supra,  p.  205),  entitled 
here  CttifZ  Nollidc,  'Christmas  Portion,'  beginning: — 

Gu  beanuiyh  ]Jia  an  bhruiifhin, 

'S  bruighionn  Ealga  na  m-tialbhert. 

P.  2.  Marbhna  Maigister  P]6in  raic  illeoin, '  Elegy  on  Rev.  John 
Maclean.'     Six  quatrains,  beginning : — 

'S  trom  's  is  tur.sech  ata  mi,  's  mi  terrnadh  an  iar. 

The  author  bewails  the  removal  from  them  by  death  of  three 
clergymen  within  a  short  period  : — 

'S  e  degh  Mr.  Parnig  7  da  Mr.  E(')in. 
'  The  good  Mr.  Peter  and  the  two  Mr.  John's.' 

Facts  which  show  that  the  subject  of  this  elegy  is  the  Rev.  John 
Maclean  of  Killean,  Kintyre.  {Cf.  Scott's  Fasti  Eccles.  Scot., 
vol.  V.  p.  45.) 

P.  11.  Oran  Connachtach,  '  a  Connaught  (love)  song,'  begin- 
ning : — 

0  is  eittrom  's  as  aighrach  a  siubhlainn-si. 

P.  11.  A  quatrain: — 

Biaidh  a  falhiinn  na  h-ascnill  ca  fuar  e  a  la. 

A  trid  a  c\\\\vvai<jli  buain  bhrosna  sa  tuadh  na  laimh. 

Pp.  19-20.  An  elegy,  or  part  thereof,  of  considerable  merit, 
upon  a  distinguished  man,  name  not  given.  '  Tune,  Thro'  the 
wood,  laddie.'— E.  M'L.     First  line  :— 

'S  goirt  a  nuall-s'  aig  cuan  Gaoidheal. 


CHAPTER   IX 

MSS.  XXXII,  XXXV,  XXXVII 

These  three  MSS.  have  been  reserved  for  the  concludiii£( 
chapter  on  the  sixty-five  MSS.  treated  of  in  Dr.  Skene's  Cata- 
logue. 

MS.  XXXII — Highland  Society,  Kilbride,  No.  1 

This  MS.  has  been  amissing  for  many  years.  It  was  lent  to 
the  late  Thomas  Thomson,  Esq.,  Deputy  Clerk  Register,  for 
examination,  and  was  in  his  possession  in  1841.  It  has  not 
been  heard  of  since.  But  Dr.  Donald  Smith  gave  a  short 
account  of  it  in  Rep.  on  Oss.,  pp.  285-294,  and  a  more  detailed 
examination,  which  has  been  preserved,  was  afterwards  made  of 
the  MS.  by  Mr.  Ewen  M'Lachlan  (Analysis  of  Ancient  Gaelic 
3ISS.,  pp.  121-127).  Both  these  scholars  regarded  MS.  XXXII 
as  the  oldest  at  that  time  in  the  Collection,  Dr.  Smith  assign- 
ing it  to  the  eighth  century,  and  M'Lachlan  stating  that  '  the 
language  and  phraseology  '  of  the  concluding  section  '  are  at 
least  as  ancient  as  the  ninth  century.' 

Dr.  Smith's  conclusion  is  based  on  inferences  drawn  from  his 
interpretation  of  Pupu  Muirciusa  which  he  found  in  a  note  on 
the  margin  of  the  fourth  leaf  of  the  MS.  (v.  Rep.  on  Oss.,  p.  285  -|- ). 
M'Lachlan  gives  an  '  insulated  sentence '  from  the  bottom  of  one 
of  the  pages,  which  he  finds  '  analogous  '  to  Dr.  Smith's  note,  and 
which  he  transcribes  and  translates  thus  (L.  C,  p.  253) :  Aidchi 
causcc  a  nochd  j  nar  &.\friche  Dia  form  sin  do  graif  uair  nir 
leig  tinnus  damh  en  rann  do  graif  o  samhuin  cus-an  diu.     An 

coimtheach  mo  feitli  .1.  Murgiusa  ilipait  damh.  Misi  Fithil 

{Anal.,  p.  123).  'This  is  Pasch-night;  and  let  not  God  lay  to 
my  charge  that  I  have  written  the  above,  for  indisposition  has 
not  suffered  me  to  write  one  sentence  from  Hallow-even  to  this 


218  CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  ALVNUSCKIl'LS 

(lay.  In  the  Cocnobiiiin  of  my  Father  Muir<,'hius.  I  ain 
Fithil  .  .  .'  (The  last  word  is  indistinct.)  It  is  evident  that 
the  last  sentence  was  misunderstood  by  E.  M'L.  It  should 
run:  'I  am  in  the  Coenobium  of  my  .  .  .,  namely,  of  M.  son 

ofP; 

Professor  Zimmer  of  Berlin  thought  that  he  discovered  in  one 
of  Dr.  Smith's  extracts  from  this  MS.  proof  that  it  could  not 
have  been  written  earlier  than  the  fifteenth  century.  Dr.  Smith 
{Rep.  on  Oss.,  p.  291),  wrote  the  name  of  the  scribe  or  redactor 
of  the  Tain  bo  Gucdgne  Senchan  Toirpc^ct.  Professor  Zimmer 
at  once  saw  that  'Toirpda'  was  meant  for  Torpeisf,  and  that 
the  mistake  arose  from  wrongly  extending  the  graph  2  which 
up  till  the  fifteenth  century  stood  only  for  est,  but  afterwards 
indifferently  for  ent  and  its  Gaelic  equivalent  ta  {da).  {Cf. 
Kuhn's  Zeitschriff,  vol.  xxviii.  p.  432.)  \Miat  the  distinguished 
scholar  for  the  moment  forgot  was  that  the  wrong  extension 
might  be  by  Smith.  It  so  happens  that  E.  M'L.  transcribed 
this  very  passage  (L.  C,  p.  253),  and  the  name  stands  in  the 
transcript  SeancK  toirp2,  showing  that  the  blunder  is  due  to 
Smith.  It  is  but  right  to  add,  however,  that  when  the  name 
subsequently  appears  in  M'L.'s  transcript,  it  is  written  in  full  as 
Smith  wrote  it,  Seanchan  Toirpda ;  and  it  is  not  the  general 
practice  of  M'L.  to  extend  contractions. 

The  date  of  the  MS.,  now  that  it  is  amissing,  cannot  be 
definitely  fixed,  but  from  another  extract  transcribed  by  M'L. 
(L.  C,  p.  253),  we  gather  that  although  it  may  be  older  than 
the  fifteenth  century  it  cannot  be  as  old  as  the  eighth  or  ninth. 
Here  we  are  told  that  at  one  time  w^hen  Cuchulainn  was  hunt- 
ing in  Munster  Turglesta,  son  of  the  King  of  Lochlann,  with  a 
large  host  harried  the  hero's  country,  and  carried  away  great 
booty,  as  also  Eimir,  to  Manuint,  '  Isle  of  Man,'  and  afterwards 
to  Innsi  Call,  '  the  Hebrides.'  When  Cuchulainn  heard  of 
this  he  instantly  followed  in  pursuit  and  traced  the  marauders  to 
Dun  Islonaidh,  the  old  capital  of  Dalriada,  slew  Turglesta,  de- 
stroyed the  Dun,  and  brought  back  Eimir,  the  passage  conclud- 
ing with  a  few  lines  of  verse  addressed  by  the  hero  to  his  wife. 
The  incident  could  not  have  been  put  together  in  this  form 
until  after  the  Hebrides  came  to  be  known  as  Innse  Gall, 
'  Isles    of   foreigners,'    and    until  the   feeling   of  anachronism 


MS.  XXXII  219 

arising  from  bringing  Cuchulainn  and  Norsemen  together  had 
passed  away. 

The  orthography  of  the  MS.  is  in  some  respects  peculiar. 
Dr.  Smith  {Rej).  on  Oss.,  p.  289)  draws  attention  to  the  fre- 
quent use  of  u  for  bh.  But  such  an  equation  is  not  uncommon. 
jNIore  marked  is  the  frequent  use  of  the  tenues  for  the  mediae, — 
ceant  for  ce(a)nd,  and  as  above  Manuinf  for  ManuincZ  or  Man- 
Siinn.  This  feature  again  is  not  unknown  in  comparatively  late 
MSS.  Perhaps  the  nearest  in  respect  of  orthography  to  MS. 
XXXII  in  the  Scottish  Collection  is  the  Cennadh  an  ruanado 
in  MS.  XL  (v.  Rev.  Celt.,  vol.  xiv.  p.  450),  where  such  forms  as 
antt  for  and,  prat  for  hrat,  meraip  for  meraib  are  common. 

From  M'L.'s  detailed  Analysis  we  obtain  a  full  account  of  the 
contents  of  the  MS.  The  first  leaf  was  originally  blank.  But 
in  a  later  hand  there  were  written  on  the  first  page  genealogies 
of  the  families  of  Argyll  and  Macleod.  The  former  ends  with 
Archibald,  who  succeeded  to  the  earldom  in  1542  and  died  in 
1588,  so  that  the  genealogy  would  have  been  written  between 
these  two  dates  (v.  i^ep.  on  Oss.,  p.  290).  On  the  second  page 
of  fol.  1  is  a  brief  account  of  the  legend  respecting  the  miraculous 
cure  of  Gathelus  by  Moses  and  Aaron  (v.  supra,  p.  78)  in  the 
Arabian  Desert.  This  piece  is  followed  by  a  number  of  detached 
moral  sentiments,  also  in  modern  hand  (M'L.'s  Analysis,  p.  122). 

The  original  contents  of  the  MS.  begin  on  fol.  2.  M'L.  now 
reckons  by  columns,  and  not  by  leaves  or  pages.  He  enumerates 
forty  columns.  If  by  these  pages  are  meant,  the  MS.  contained 
twenty  leaves,  exclusive  of  the  first  and  last,  twenty-two  in  all. 
But  if  the  MS.  was  written  in  double  columns  we  may  have  only 
twelve  folios.  The  size  of  the  leaf,  and  whether  folio,  quarto, 
or  what,  is  nowhere  mentioned. 

Col.  1  contains  (1)  An  incident  regarding  Fionn  and  Ossian, 
from  which  Dr.  Smith  quotes  {Rep.  on  Oss.,  p.  298).  At  the 
conclusion  of  the  verses  which  Ossian  sings  comes  the  signa- 
ture, 2[isi  Fltliil  mac  Flaitlirig  mic  Aodho.  Finit.  (2)  The 
cure  of  Nuadu  of  the  Silver  Hand  {cf.  supra,  p.  167). 

Col.  2  {v.  L.  C,  p.  252):  (1)  Concluding  part  of  the  cure 
of  Nuadu.  (2)  Two  short  paragraphs,  commencing.  In  gen 
Oilill  do  niath  noi  faithche  feimie  .j.  nua  gein  annsint.  (3) 
The  raid  of  Tuirglesta  referred  to  above  (p.  218).     The  '  insulated 


220  CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS 

sentonco '  quoted  above  (p.  217).     Is  the  '  Fitliil '  who  signs  Iktc 
the  '  Fithil  iiiao  Fhuthrig  mic  Aodho '  of  cohimn  1  ? 

Cols.  8-4.  On  col.  3  commences  the  version  of  the  Tain 
Bo  Cuahjuc  (T.  B.  C.)  contained  in  this  MS.  The  Tale  opens 
with  an  Introduction  or  '  Critical  Exposition,'  as  Dr.  Smith  and 
Mr.  M'Lachlan  call  it.  Following  the  extract  which  Dr.  Smith 
quotes  {Rep.  on  Oss.,  p.  291),  we  arc  told  that  after  Seanchan 
and  his  numerous  retinue  Avere  entertained  for  a  time  by  Guaire, 
he,  the  king,  imposed  upon  them  the  task  of  recovering  the  lost 
Tain.  After  making  a  complete  circuit  of  Ireland  and  Scotland, 
the  poets  returned  to  Connaught  and  had  to  report  their  failure. 
Then  Cailin  naom,  St.  Caillin,  who  Avas  uterine  brother  to  Sean- 
chan -^mac  onatJiar  da  Seanchan  eisWte — comes  to  them  and 
advises  them  to  repair  to  the  grave  of  Fergus  mac  Roich. 
This  is  done.  Through  the  intercession  of  the  Saints  Fergus 
appears  and  recites  the  Tale  from  beginning  to  end. 

Another  version  of  the  recovery  of  the  Stor}'-  is  added.  When 
Seanchan  failed  to  get  the  Tale  in  its  entirety  from  the  poets,  he 
asked  his  pupils  whether  any  of  them  would  go  to  the  East  to 
the  country  of  Leatlta  Avhither  the  Tain  was  brought  after  the 
Cuhnen.  Eimin  ua  n-Eiiiiin  and  Muircc,  son  of  Seanchan, 
volunteer  to  go.  But  first  they  repair  to  the  grave  of  Fergus. 
Muircc  sat  by  the  grave  alone  while  his  companion  Avent  in 
search  of  hospitality.  Muircc  sang  a  lay  to  the  graA^e,  as  if  it 
Avere  Fergus  himself  that  Avas  in  presence.  Suddenly  he  Avas 
enveloped  in  mist  so  that  he  Avas  invisible  for  three  days. 
Fergus  had  appeared  to  him  splendidly  arrayed,  and  recited 
the  Tale. 

Thereafter  comes  (on  col.  4)  an  enumeration  of  the  twelve 
Remstcela  or  Fore- tales  Avhich  Avere  regarded  as  part  of  the 
great  Saga,  although  it  Avas  only  the  birth,  education,  and  early 
exploits  of  Cuchulainn  that  Avere  embodied  in  the  story  of  the 
Tain. 

Thus  far  the  old  portion  of  the  MS.,  Avhich  he  calls  Leabliar 
Chillehhrlde,  is  transcribed  by  M'L.  (L,  C,  pp.  251-254). 

A  conspectus  of  the  Tale  is  now  given  (Anal.,  pp.  125-127) : — 

Cols.  5-6.  An  enumeration  of  the  forces  assembled  from  all 
parts  of  Ireland  at  Cruachan,  under  Oilill,  Meave  and  Fergus, 
for  the  prosecution  of  the  Ultonian  Avar. 


MS.  XXXV  221 

Col.  7.  The  names  of  the  different  tribes.  The  hosts  march 
to  Loch  Cairene. 

Col.  8.  Order  of  the  household  and  nobility  in  the  royal 
tent :  they  indulge  in  song  and  festivity. 

Cols.  12-19.  Description  of  the  character  and  exploits  of 
Cuchulainn  from  his  childhood  onwards,  by  Fergus  MacRoich. 

Col.  20.  Hostilities  commence :  the  tight  of  Fraech  and 
Cuchulainn. 

The  story  proceeds  thereafter,  column  by  column,  until 
col.  40,  which  is  the  last,  and  which  records  the  deaths  of 
Cur,  Lath-Mac-Dabhro  and  Ferbaeth,  at  the  hand  of  Cuchu- 
lainn. 

From  this  it  will  be  seen  that  the  version  of  the  great  Saga  in 
MS.  XXXII,  though  interesting  as  a  variant,  and  of  great  value 
to  the  Scottish  Collection,  inasmuch  as  it  contains  none  other 
except  the  fragment  in  MS.  LIX  (v.  supra,  p.  174),  is  very 
defective.  It  does  not  contain  the  incident  recorded  in  L.L. 
which  was  the  immediate  cause  of  the  great  war — the  Comrdd 
ChindcJiercliaiUe,  '  pillow- end  talk,'  between  Oilill  and  Meave 
regarding  their  respective  possessions,  the  sending  by  Meave 
for  the  Brown  (bull)  of  Cualgne  to  more  than  match  Oilill's 
'Whitehorn,'  and  her  fury  when  her  request  was  refused — 
which  takes  up  the  first  160  lines  of  Windisch's  edition  of  the 
Tain  Bo  Cualgne.  Again  Windisch's  text  contains  6212  lines, 
and  the  death  of  Ferbaeth,  with  which  the  version  in  MS. 
XXXII  ends,  is  recorded  at  line  2195,  so  that  we  have  here 
only  a  little  more  than  a  third  of  the  great  Tale. 

The  last  leaf  of  MS.  XXXII,  says  M'L.,  '  is  detached  from 
the  rest.  It  is  a  fragment  of  a  Gaelic  Monasticon,  without 
date  or  name.  But  the  language  and  phraseology  are  at  least  as 
ancient  as  the  ninth  century.' 


MS.  XXXV — Highland  Society.     Kilbride  Collection, 

No.  4 

This  MS.  has  somehow  fallen  out  of  its  place  in  the  Collec- 
tion and  is  at  present  (temporarily)  amissing.  Dr.  Donald 
Smith  gave  a  short  account  of  it  in  Rep.  on  Oss.,  p  295,  which 


222  CATALOllUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCliUTS 

substantially   ai^rocs   with    notes    made    by   inc   some   twenty 
years  ago. 

The  M.S.  is  of  paper,  small  quarto  size,  and  containing 
upwards  of  one  hundred  and  thirty  folios.  The  paper  is  crumb- 
ling away  at  the  edges  and  curling  up  at  the  corners.  There  are 
different  hands.  A  portion  seems  to  have  been  written  by 
Edmond  Mac  Laghlan  about  the  middle  of  the  seventeenth 
century.  On  fol.  80  is  the  entry,  '  14th  July  1654,  Edmo. 
M'Laglilain.'  Again,  on  fol.  129  are  verses  attributed  (as  author 
or  scribe)  to  Eamonn  Ma  glachluinn,  where  the  writer  adds 
Beannachd  libhsi  a  leabhrain,  '  Farewell,  little  book.'  On  fol. 
79b  is  the  date,  '  Ul(t)imo  Julii  1G55.' 

There  are  other  occasional  jottings  here  and  there.  On  fols. 
127b-8a  at  the  foot  of  the  pages,  in  modern  hand,  is  written  in 
English  '  This  manuscript  belongs  to  me,  John  M'Lachlan  of 
Kilbride.'  Again  a  few  pages  from  the  end  is  written,  also  in 
English,  leave  of  absence  for  fifteen  days  from  his  officer  to 
Ardle  M'Laghlin,  a  soldier.  An  Ogham  is  written  on  fol.  130b, 
with  key  which  is  afterwards  deleted. 

The  bulk  of  the  contents  is  Irish  poetry  of  comparatively 
modern  date.  Occasionally  the  author's  name  is  given.  Thus 
on  fol.  70,  a  piece  is  ascribed  to  Fearga^  6g  mac  an  bhaird. 
' F.  Ward,  junior'  (u  supra,  p.  123). 

There  are  one  or  two  prose  passages.  Thus  on  fol.  108b,  a 
short  piece  begins, — Domnall  Mac  Ardg  .  .  .  mic  Lochluinn 
.  .  .  and  ends  ...  7  a  adnacal  hi  cluain  mic  Nois  i  ccomhfo- 
chraihJt  Altora  Ciarain  1156.  In  the  end  of  the  eleventh  and 
beginning  of  the  twelfth  century,  Donald,  grandson  of  Lochlunn 
(the  name  of  his  father  is  not  given  in  F.  M.)  was  Prince  of 
Oileach.  Toirdhealbhach  O'Connor,  king  of  Connaught,  and  he, 
in  1114,  made  a  year's  peace  with  the  men  of  Munster,  when 
Donald  went  through  Connaught  homewards.  In  1056,  'Toir- 
dhealbhach O'Connor,  King  of  Connaught  .  .  .  the  Augustus  of 
the  west  of  Europe,  a  man  full  of  charity  and  mercy  .  .  .  died 
.  .  .  and  was  interred  at  Cluain-mic-Nois,  beside  the  altar  of 
Ciarain.'  Cf.  F.  M.  1114  a.d.  and  1156  a.d.  The  passage  in 
our  MS.,  beginning  and  ending  as  above  quoted,  refers  no  doubt 
to  these  men  and  some  of  their  transactions. 

Regarding  the  quality  of  the  poetry  contained  in  the  MS. 


MS.  XXXV  223 

Dr.  Smith  says  that  it  is  unequal  in  point  of  merit.  '  The  Sonnets, 
Odes,  and  Epistles  are  all  excellent :  and  if  the  writer  of  this 
paper  could  presume  to  form  an  opinion  of  them,  he  would 
venture  to  say  that  they  yield  to  no  compositions  of  the  kind  in 
any  language  with  which  he  is  acquainted.'  Seeing  that  the 
MS.  is  at  present  amissing,  it  may  not  be  out  of  place  to  give 
the  three  following  extracts  in  illustration  of  Dr.  Smith's  judg- 
ment. They  were  copied  many  years  ago,  and  beyond  adding 
marks  of  punctuation,  accents  and  capitals,  they  are  presented 
literatim.  The  meaning  is  so  clear  that  a  translation  is  con- 
sidered unnecessary. 

r  ol.  18.  Cia  tu  fein,  a  mhacaoimli  mna  ? 

Innis  damhsa  air  ghradh  De  ; 
Dileas  misi,  maith  mo  riin  ; 
Ca  tir  duitsi,  cia  tu  fein  ? 

A  Dlie  nimhe  na  naoi  n-gradh, 
A  mhacaoimh  mna  na  m-bas  n-iir, 
An  ttainic  do  leithid  riamh, 
Cia  tir  dut  fein,  no  cia  tii  ? 

larram  fein  d'athchiiingidh  ort, 
A  ghniiis  aobhdha,  fholt  mar  or, 
Ar  ghradh  th'  einigh  tuig  thu  fein, 
Eidir  chruth  is  cheill  is  ghloir. 

Ma's  as  deilbh  ata  do  dhoigh, 
No  uaisle  an  phoir  da  bh-fuil  sibh, 
As  saidhbhrios,  as  maith,  no  as  mhein, 
Abair  nacli  bh-fuil  tu  fein  glic. 

Ma's  alainn  let  do  ghruaidh  gheal, 
Geal  an  sneachda,  beg  a  luadh  ; 
Ata  an  buafallan  buidhe  fos, 
Ma's  bhuidhe  na  'n  t-6r  do  ghruag. 

Ma's  dearg  let  do  leca  shaor, 
Lor  deirge  na  ccaor(a)  ccon  ; 
Ma's  dubh  let  do  mhala  mhin, 
Dnibhe  na  sin  li  na  Ion. 

]Ma's  glas  let  fein  do  shuil  mhall, 
Glaisi  na  sin  barr  an  fheoir  ; 
Bi  guth  ceoii-bhinn  ag  an  ccuaich, 
Ma's  binn  let  fein  fuaim  do  bheoil. 


2-24      CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS    [MS.  XXXV 

Ni  I'uil  sii'  <rliloir  fluiuilidli  ait, 
Muna  raibh  mein  mliaith  dha  ci^ir, 
'S  ni  fuil  sa  crruth  shej^'liainn  shnairc 
Afh  olaidheainh  Inaidhe  a  ttruaill  oir. 

Gach  diiine  cniaidh  Ian  do  nihaoin, 
Ciuna  lioin  do  nihnaoi  no  d'fhir  ; 
Ag  sin  agaibh  mar  jfach  ni 
Ainni  an  ti  do  stfriobh  an  nion.^ 

Cuir  a  cceann  do  nani(h)ad  fein 
T'ainm  's  do  shloinneadh,  f;i  b'e  fath, 
Ni  thuicfe  a  l^h-fear  an  Atli-cliath 
Cia  tu  fein,  a  ndiacaoimh  nxna. 

Fol.  30.  Gluais,  a  litir,  na  leig  sgis, 

Gn  bh-faice  tu  ris  i  fein  ; 
Fiafraigh  di  an  bh-fhuigheam  bas 
No  an  ni-biam  go  briith  a  b-pein. 

Ma's  i  an  plan  do  dheonn  duinn, 
Fiafraigh  di  ga  fad  an  phian  ; 
No  ma's  bas  do  bheira  duinn, 
Fiafraigh  ga  h-iiir  a  m-biam. 

An  sgeul  fada  ni  h-e  as  ferr, 
ISIithigh  lem  a  cur  a  g-ceill ; 
Muna  bh-fuil  furtachd  domh  an  dan 
Fagliad  go  luath  an  bas  fein. 

An  bas  fein  da  tuga  duinn, 
]Mo  chur  an  uir  do  bhein(n)  reidli, 
Os  mo  chionn  da  sgriobhadh  si, 
Ag  so  an  ti  do  marbh  me. 

A  ccrich  All)an  ar  bheith  seimh, 

As  ann  thoghaim  fein  mo  chur, 

Mur  a  luighfedh  si  ar  mo  leac, 

'S  mur  a  m-biadh  si  ar  m'  f(h)ert  a  gul. 

An  doigh  go  theigeomadh  di  dul, 
'S  go  bigfedh  si  a  cur  an  uaigh, 
Deifrig  ort,  is  beir  mo  sgeul, 
Bi  ag  imthecht  go  geur,  is  ghiais. 

Fol.  33.  Aoibhinn  m'aisling  ar  Loch  Ria, 

Do  bhean  diom  da  thrian  do  m'  shuain, 

Tarfas  damsa  ingen  ann, 

'S  i  'na  suidhe  os  cenn  cuain. 

1  The  name  of  the  letter  ?i. ;  a  letter. 


MS.  XXXVII  225 

Suidhim  a  bh-foc(h);iir  na  mna, 
Nir  bh-ferr  liom  iiio  lamh  tar  nemh, 
A  gruaidh  ar  dath  na  sugh  ccraobh, 
Sa  gile  na  an  t-aol  a  cnes. 

Fiafrighim  sgeala  do'n  m(h)naoi, 
Do'n  ingin,  nir  b'e  mo  leas  : 
Ga  sith  as  a  ttainic  tn, 
A  mhacaoimh  oig  is  iir  dreach. 

A  sith  Mananain  mic  Lir, 

A  sliabh  Mis  na  n-innbhear  mall, 

A  ccnuc  Medlia  na  mur  ccorr, 

Fa  se  fionnbhurna  ccorann  ccam  (?). 

Do  blii  a  m-bruigin  Bhuidb, 
A  sith  Duilbh  an  tobair  ghil, 
A  m-brugh  Aonghuis  mac-an-oig, 
A  ttulaigh  aird  os  Boinn  bhregh. 

As  me  Aine  ingen  Duin, 
Tanac  ar  tuinn  d'f(h)oghlum  bes  ; 
An  dun  Dubhthach  is  toi  damh, 
Gi  b'e  thra  ar  brath  mo  sgel. 

Fechaim  ar  enlaith  an  c(h)uain, 
Ma  n  e  mar  do  chuaidh  do'n  m(h)naoi, 
Ni  facns  di  ach  a  h-ait, 
As  sin  an  fath  do  mo;  i. 


MS.  XXXVII— Highland  Society.    J.  M'Kenzie,  No.  1 

This  is  the  MS.  known  as  the  Dean  of  Lismore's,  and  from 
its  importance  in  the  History  of  Scottish  GaeHc  Literature,  a 
somewhat  full  account  of  it  seems  necessary.  It  is  of  paper, 
rather  small  quarto,  consisting  at  present  of  311  pages,  but  pro- 
bably defective  both  at  the  beginning  and  end.  The  paging  is 
by  a  modern  hand,  and  is  not  free  from  error,  there  being 
several  blanks  and  duplicates.  The  MS.  is  enclosed  in  a  skin 
cover,  which  is  written  upon  in  a  firm  Scottish  hand,  but  the 
writing  is  now  largely  illegible.  The  text  is  in  Latin,  and 
religious.  It  was  written,  in  part  at  least,  by  Duncan  M'Gregor, 
or,  as  he  designates  himself, '  Duncan  Deyer  oclych  (servitor)  son 
of  Dugald  son  of  grizzled  John,'  probably  also  in  part  by  his 
brother    Sir    James   M'Gregor,   who  in  his   day  was   Dean  of 

p 


226  CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS 

Lismore  in  ArgN'llshire,  and  who  is  named  in  the  MS.  as,  the 
owner  of  it.  The  date  '1512'  i.s  recorded  on  p.  144,  and  the 
Obituary  contained  in  tlie  MS.  i.s  carried  down  to  the  year  1529 
(an  entry  between  1527  and  152.S  is  dated  1531,  Imt  it  may  be 
in  error),  so  that  we  have  conclusive  evidence  that  this  valuable 
document  was  written  between  the  3'ears  1512  and  1529. 

Of  the  history  of  the  MS.  for  two  hundred  and  fifty  years 
nothing  is  known.  It  has  been  suggested  that  it  formed  one  of 
those  that  fell  into  the  hands  of  James  Macpherson  when  that 
gentleman  was  collecting  materials  for  his  Ossianic  poetry. 
Be  that  as  it  may,  the  Dean's  MS.  passed  in  the  eighteenth 
century  '  into  the  possession  of  the  Highland  Socict}^  of  London, 
by  whom  it  was  transferred  to  the  custody  of  the  Highland 
Society  of  Scotland,  Avhen  a  committee  of  that  society  was  en- 
gaged in  an  inquiry  into  the  authenticity  of  the  Poems  of 
Ossian  published  by  Macpherson  '  (v.  Dean  of  Lismore's  Book — 
quoted  here  as  D.  L. — p.  vi). 

The  Highland  Society's  Committee  recognised  the  import- 
ance of  the  MS.  for  their  purpose,  and  they  printed  in  their 
Report  (pp.  92-106)  three  poems  from  it,  with  translation  by 
Dr.  Donald  Smith,  two  professing  to  be  by  Ossian,  and  one 
by  Fergus  fill  '  the  poet,'  his  son.  The  Committee  also 
printed  in  the  Appendix  to  their  i^e^jor^  (pp.  300-805)  an  account 
of  the  MS.  by  Dr.  Smith,  with  a  comparison  between  some  of  the 
Ossianic  poems  contained  in  it  and  other  versions  of  the  same 
poems  found  elsewhere. 

The  next  Gaelic  scholar  to  study  the  MS.  was  Ewen 
M'Lachlan  of  Aberdeen.  The  Highland  Society  instructed  this 
distinguished  scholar  to  examine  and  report  upon  fourteen  of 
their  more  important  MSS.  In  M'Lachlan's  Report  there  is  a 
full  and  searching  analysis  of  this  MS.,  taking  up  pp.  129-167, 
a.nd  arranged  as  follows:  (1)  A  general  description  of  the  MS.; 
(2)  A  table  of  the  contents  page  by  page,  with  the  names  of 
the  authors,  and  the  subjects  of  the  compositions ;  (3)  A  tran- 
script of  several  extracts  in  prose  and  verse  which  are  written 
in  Scots  and  Latin;  (4)  An  alphabetical  list  of  the  names  of 
the  Gaelic  poets  whose  compositions  appear  in  the  MS. ;  and 
(5)  An  examination  and  appreciation  of  the  principal  poems 
and  their   authors.       While  the  MS.  was  with  M'Lachlan  he 


MS.  XXXVII  227 

made  two  transcripts  of  nearly  all  the  Gaelic  portion  of  it. 
The  earlier  of  the  two  is  in  the  Advocates'  Library,  contained 
in  a  half-bound  folio  volume,  which  is  otherwise  interesting  from 
its  contents  (v.  infra).  The  second,  and  presumably  the  more 
correct,  transcript  was  sent  by  Mr.  M'Lachlan  {v.  p.  147  of  the 
first  transcript)  to  Sir  John  MacGregor  Murray  on  May  24th, 
1814.  It  afterwards  came  into  the  possession  of  the  late 
Rev.  Dr.  M'Intyre  of  Kilmonivaig,  and  is  now  with  his  son, 
the  Rev.  J.  Walker  M'Intyre  of  the  same  parish.  But  Mr. 
M'Lachlan's  labours  on  this  and  the  other  Gaelic  MSS.  were 
forgotten. 

On  February  14th,  1855,  the  Rev.  Dr.  M'Lauchlan  of 
Edinburgh  read  an  elaborate  paper  on  the  Dean  of  Lismore's 
MS.  before  the  Society  of  Antiquaries  of  Scotland  which,  with  a 
detailed  table  of  contents,  is  printed  in  their  ProceediiKjs,  vol.  ii. 
pp.  35-51.  This  contribution  attracted  much  attention,  and  the 
outcome  of  it  was  the  appearance,  seven  years  afterwards,  of 
'The  Dean  of  Lismore's  Book  .  .  .  edited  with  a  Translation 
and  Notes  by  the  Rev.  Thomas  M'Lauchlan,  and  an  Introduc- 
tion and  additional  Notes  by  W.  F.  Skene,  Esq.  Edin.  1862.' 
This  volume  contains  all  the  Ossianic  poems  in  the  Dean's  MS. 
'  It  also  contains  every  composition  having  reference  to  Scot- 
land, with  the  exception  of  five.  .  .  .  The  purely  Irish  poems  are 
not  given,  with  the  exception  of  a  few  specimens'  (c/.  132-133). 
The  work  was  of  great  difficulty.  Dr.  M'Lauchlan  had, 
first  of  all,  to  read  the  MS.,  which  was  in  many  places 
obscure  and  defective ;  he  had,  secondly,  to  render  the 
peculiar  orthography  of  the  MS.  into  Gaelic  literary  form  ; 
and  lastly,  to  translate  these  renderings,  often  conjectural, 
into  English.  The  editors  had  the  perusal  'for  a  short 
time'  of  Ewen  M'Lachlan's  transcript  from  Mr.  M'Intyre  of 
Kilmonivaig  (v.  pp.  x,  89,  129),  from  which  Dr.  Skene  got  a 
copy  made,  which  is  now  in  the  Advocates'  Library ;  but  with 
every  possible  care,  a  work  of  this  kind,  from  its  very  nature, 
could  not  be  printed  free  from  many  errors. 

Among  the  first  to  revise  the  '  readings '  of  Dr.  M'Lauchlan 
was  the  late  Mr.  Donald  C.  Macpherson,  for  some  years  an  assist- 
ant in  the  Advocates'  Library,  and  a  good  Gaelic  scholar.  Mr. 
Macpherson  went  carefully  over  the  Ossianic  ballads,  marking 


228  CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS 

on  his  copy  of  tlio  printed  volume  the  readings  which  he  pre- 
ferred, and  afterwards  writing  out  in  fair  hand  the  Ossianic 
Poems  thus  corrected.  Mr.  Macpherson's  transcripts  are  pre- 
served in  the  Library. 

The  Ossianic  ballads  are  printed  in  L.  F.,  but  Mr.  Campbell 
does  not  appear  to  have  made  an  independent  examination  of 
the  MS. :  he  took  his  text  from  Dr.  M'Lauchlan. 

The  late  Rev.  Dr.  Cameron  devoted  considerable  time  and 
labour  to  an  examination  of  this  MS.  He  had  such  aid  as  Ewen 
M'Lachlan's  transcript,  Dr.  M'Lauchlan's  print,  and  Macpher- 
son's marked  copy  of  the  published  volume  could  furnish.  Dr. 
Cameron's  '  readings '  agree  very  closely  with  Mr.  Macpherson's 
in  so  far  as  they  cover  the  same  text — a  tribute  to  the  accuracy 
of  both  scholars.  Dr.  Cameron  gave  a  modern  version,  some- 
times with  grammatical  and  philological  notes,  and  a  translation 
into  English,  of  some  of  his  transcripts, — all  of  which  are 
printed  in  Rel.  Gelt,  vol.  i.  pp.  2-109.  The  last  six  pieces  of 
Dr.  Cameron's  transcript,  containing  in  all  some  ninety  lines, 
were  not  printed  by  Dr.  M'Lauchlan. 

The  next  stage  in  connection  with  the  elucidation  of  this 
difficult  MS.  was  an  offer  by  Miss  Yule  of  Tarradale  to  bear  the 
cost  of  getting  as  reliable  a  transcript  as  could  be  made  of  the 
whole  MS.  This  offer  was  accepted,  and  the  work  was  entrusted 
to  the  Rev.  Walter  Macleod,  a  master  of  the  handwriting  of  the 
period,  and  whose  want  of  knowledge  of  Gaelic,  it  was  thought, 
would  be  of  advantage  in  securing  a  mechanically  accurate 
transcript.     This  copy  is  deposited  in  the  library. 

Lastly,  the  late  Mr.  W.  J.  N.  Liddall  of  Stravithie,  Advocate, 
encouraged  by  such  Celtists  as  Herr  Christian  Stern  of  Berlin 
and  others,  had  a  couple  of  pages  of  the  MS.  photographed  with 
the  view  to  reproduce  the  whole  of  it,  and  publish  it  in  this  form 
for  the  use  of  students.  The  project  was  not,  however,  carried 
through. 

Notwithstanding  the  labour  bestowed  upon  it  the  Dean's 
MS.  has  not  as  yet  been  fully  and  satisfactorily  rendered.  This 
is  due  in  great  measure  to  the  state  of  the  MS.  itself.  It  is  of 
paper,  nearl}^  four  hundred  years  old,  and  was  during  the  greater 
part  of  that  time  exposed  to  rough  usage.  As  we  now  have  it, 
three  or  four  leaves  at  the  beginning  and  one  or  two  at  the 


MS.  XXXVII  229 

end  are  illecrible,  and  tliroufrliout,  from  the  effects  of  damp  and 
frayed  edges,  many  lines  are  defective  and  others  of  uncertain 
reading.  And  even  when  the  reading  is  clear  the  meaning  is 
frequently  obscure.  The  scribes  wrote  phonetically  in  the  current 
Scottish  hand  and  alphabet  of  the  time.  The  orthography  is 
far  from  uniform,  as  one  would  look  for.  Besides,  even  were  the 
spelling  ever  so  regular,  Gaelic,  with  its  initial  changes  as  well  as 
its  terminal  flexions,  is  peculiarly  ill  adapted  for  a  phonetic 
script.  The  writers  may  have  sometimes  transcribed  from 
MSS.  One  states  that  he  wrote  the  M'Gregor  genealogy  (p.  144) 
a  leywrow  scJtenchey  ny  reig,  '  from  the  books  of  the  histories 
of  the  Kings,'  but  the  greater  part,  if  not  the  whole,  of  the 
Gaelic  verse  must  have  been  written  to  dictation  or  from  memory. 
The  scribes  were  natives  of  Fortingall,  and  the  Gaelic  in- 
tonation of  the  district  has  no  doubt  changed  during  the  last 
four  hundred  years.  But  after  making  all  reasonable  allow- 
ances, the  fact  remains  that  the  compilers  did  not  always  re- 
produce accurately  the  productions  of  the  Gaelic  poets,  Irish 
and  Highland,  that  appear  in  this  MS. 

The  value  of  the  MS.  rests  mainly  on  the  Gaelic  poetry  pre- 
served in  it.  But  it  isalso  of  the  natureof  a  commonplace  book,into 
which  the  writers  gathered  such  literary  and  historical  material 
as  was  of  interest  to  Highland  ecclesiastics,  and  especially  to 
M'Gregors  of  that  day.  There  are  e.g.  extracts  in  prose  and  verse 
written  in  Latin  and  in  Scots, — some  of  a  moral  and  didactic 
character, — '  On  drunkenness ' ;  '  On  the  nature  of  woman ' ;  one 
is  quasi-medical ;  another  gives  astronomical  notes ;  one  names 
the  three  perilous  days  in  special,  as  also  the  lucky  days  on 
which  to  be  born,  to  begin  work,  etc.  There  are  a  few  personal 
memoranda  of  interest.  But  the  most  valuable  are  of  an 
historical  character.  A  paragraph  is  written  in  Gaelic  on 
p.  144  by  Duncan,  the  joint  author  of  the  MS.,  giving  the 
genealogy  of  the  MacGregor  chiefs  from  Eone  McPhadrik  to 
Kanncme  vec  Alpen,  '  John  son  of  Patrick'  to  '  Kenneth  son  of 
Alpin,'  a  genealogy  which  is  elsewhere  (p.  208)  given  in  verse 
and  attributed  to  Duncan  son  of  Dugald  the  Bald,  who  is  the 
same  person.  Another  historical  extract  (p.  88)  is  written 
in  Scots  and  gives  the  descendants  of  Malcolm  Kenmore  and 
Queen  Margaret  down  to  the  capture  of  James  the  First  by  the 


230  CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSClill'TS 

English  when  on  his  way  to  France.  A  third  is  a  long 
Obituary  written  in  Latin,  commencing  on  p.  ISG.  It  also  begins 
with  Malcolm  Kenmore,  and  gives  the  deaths  of  the  Scottish 
kings  down  to  James  iv.  who  fell  at  Flodden,  and  along  with 
him  are  named  here  Archibald  of  Argyll,  Duncan  of  Gleriorchy 
and  John  Campbell  of  Lawers  who  shared  the  fate  of  their 
king.  Then  follows  a  paragraph  on  the  battles  of  the  Scots 
(Scotorum  Bella,  p.  188)  from  Bannockburn  to  the  Battle  of 
Stirling,  in  1488,  when  James  iii.  was  slain.  Thereafter  the 
Obituary  continues,  recording  the  deaths  of  notable  men  and 
women,  particularly  Campbells  and  M'Gregors,  down  to  the 
year  1529.  This  Obituary,  with  notes,  was  printed  by 
the  late  Mr.  Donald  Gregory  in  ArcJiaeologia  Scotica,  vol.  iii. 
p.  318,  under  the  title,  '  Chronicon  Domini  Iacobi  MacGregor, 
Notarii  Publici  ac  Decani  Lismorensis,  qui  obiit  circiter 
A.D.  1542.' 

The  poetical  and  much  the  larger  portion  of  the  MS.,  con- 
taining over  11,000  lines  of  Gaelic  verse,  naturally  falls  under 
three  sections : — 

I.  Heroic   or,  as   we   now  speak   of  them   in   Scotland, 
OssiANic  Poems. 

11.  Poems  by  Irish  Authors. 

III.  Poems  by  Highland  Authors. 

I.  Heroic  Poems. 

There  are  29  or  30  separate  pieces  of  this  class.  Two  poems 
are  in  one 'case  run  together  in  the  MS.,  the  first  portion 
being  about  Cuchulainn  and  his  wife  Eimhir,  and  the  second 
about  the  death  of  Fionn's  father,  Cumhall.  Of  these,  nine 
are  here  attributed  to  Ossian;  two  to  his  son  Fergus Jili  'the 
poet ' ;  two  to  Allan  son  of  Rory ;  one  each  to  Conall  Cearnach 
mac  Edersgeoil,  Caoilte  mac  Ronain,  Gillecalum  mac  an  Ollaimh, 
and  An  Caoch  O'Cluain,  while  twelve  are  anonymous. 

The  number,  variety,  and  early  date  of  the  heroic  poems 
contained  in  the  MS.  make  the  collection  of  great  importance 
in  the  literature  of  the  Gael,  and  especially  of  the  Scottish 
Gael.  It  shows  conclusively  that  this  chapter  of  Gaelic 
Literature  was  as  common  and  as  highly  valued  in  the 
Scottish  Highlands  as  in  Ireland.      It  throws  a  strong  side- 


MS.  XXXVII  231 

light  upon  the  controversy  raised  by  the  publication  of 
Macpherson's  Ossian,  and  the  Sean  Dana  or  '  Old  Poems  '  of  Dr. 
John  Smith  of  Campbeltown.  Further  the  Ossianic  poems  have 
so  far  facilitated  the  reading  of  the  MS.,  for  of  the  greater 
number  of  them  parallel  versions  have  been  recovered  in 
Scotland  and  Ireland  from  MSS.  and  oral  recitation,  so  that 
we  are  provided  with  a  partial  key  to  the  Dean's  peculiar 
orthograph}^ 

Of  these  Heroic  poems  four  belong  to  what  is  known  as  the 
Cuchulainn  or  Ulster  Cycle,  the  others  being  all  of  the  Fionn 
or  Ossianic  Cycle.  The  former  include  (p.  20.5  of  MS.)  a 
version  of  the  well-known  '  Lay  of  the  Heads,'  as  we  call  it, 
attributed  here,  rightly,  to  Conall  Cearnach  Mac  Edersgeoil.  It 
will  be  remembered  (v.  supra,  pp.  144,  151  +  )  that  when  Conall 
returned  from  his  dearg  ruathar  carrying  the  heads  of  the 
slayers  of  the  great  hero  strung  upon  a  withe,  and  laid  his  grim 
burden  before  Eimhir,  the  lady  began  the  Lay, 

Conall,  whose  are  these  heads  ? 

This  ballad  was  very  popular,  and  versions  are  found  in  nearly 
all  the  modern  collections.  (6/.  L.  F.,p.  15  +  .)  The  second  Ballad 
of  this  Cycle, '  The  Death  of  Conlaoch '  by  the  hand  of  his  father 
Cuchulainn  (p.  2.36  of  MS.),  is  equally  well  known  (cf.  supra, 
p.  175  ;  L.  F.,  p.  9  +  ),  and  is  still  occasionally  recited  in  Scotland. 
It  is  here  attributed,  incorrectly,  to  Gillecallum  mac  an  Ollaimh 
'  son  of  the  Doctor,'  an  author  who  is  credited  with  two  other 
poems  in  the  MS.  (pp.  28,  240),  and  who  was,  no  doubt,  a 
member  of  the  Beaton  family  of  physicians  of  Islay,  Mull,  and 
Skye.  The  third  Poem  (p.  287  of  the  MS.)  relating  to  this  period 
is  anonymous,  and  the  reading  is  very  uncertain.  It  opens 
with  an  account  of  the  shooting  of  birds  by  Cuchulainn  at 
Dundealgain  whereat  Eindiir  took  umbrage,  evidently  because 
she  was  passed  over  at  the  distribution  of  them.  A  version  has 
not  been  found  elsewhere,  but  a  similar  incident  is  recorded  near 
the  opening  of  the  Tale  known  as  the  Sickbed  of  Cuchulainn 
(;;.  Windisch,  Ir.  Texte  niit  Wort,  pp.  206-207).  To  this  piece  is 
strung  on  in  the  MS.  a  Poem  of  the  Ossianic  Cycle,  in  which 
Garaidh  of  the  Clanna  Morna  relates  to  Fionn  how  his  father 
Curahall  was  slain.     (For  the  oldest  account  of  this  transaction, 


232  CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS 

V.  L.  U.,  p.  41,  '  Fi)tha  Catha  Cmicha,'  printed  with  translation 
by  the  late  Mr.  Hennessy  in  Rev.  Celt,  vol.  ii.  p.  86,  'and  by 
Professor  Windisch  without  translation,  in  his  Irische  Gram- 
mat  ik.)  The  fourth  and  last  poem  of  the  Cuchulainn  Cycle  in 
the  MS.  is  on  the  death  of  Fraoch  (p.  301),  attributed  to  the  blind 
O'Cluan,  a  poet  otherwise  unknown.  (There  is  a  John  O'Cluane 
named  as  an  author  on  p.  41  of  the  MS.)  Fraoch  or  Fraech  mac 
Fidhaigh  was,  with  Ferdiad  and  others,  a  renowned  chief  of  the 
Gamhanraidh,  and  plays  a  conspicuous  part  in  the  affairs  of  that 
people  (v.  siij^ra,  p.  161).  The  manner  of  his  death  is  told  in 
prose  in  MS.  XL  and  others  (siq^ra,  p.  155).  The  Ballad  version 
was  taken  down  by  Jerome  Stone,  the  earliest  of  our  modern 
collectors,  while  versions  have  been  recovered  by  M'Nicol  and 
others  since  his  day.     Cf.  L.  F.,  p.  29  + . 

Of  the  Heroic  pieces  of  the  Fionn  Cycle  found  in  the  Dean's 
MS.,  several  have  not  hitherto  been  recovered  elsewhere  in  MS. 
or  from  oral  recitation.  Among  these,  some  attributed  to  Ossian, 
others  anonymous,  are,  Di  chonna  mee  tyly^  Jinn  (p.  31),  '  I 
have  seen  the  household  of  F.' ;  Is  fadda  no*'  ni  nelli  jinni 
(p.  50),  '  Long  this  night  are  the  .  .  .  clouds ' ;  Anvin  in  no^ 
nart  ono  laiue  (p.  126),  'Feeble  this  night  is  the  strength  of 
my  hands' ;  Binn  goiu  duni  in  teyr  in  oyr  (p.  171),  'Sweet  is 
one's  voice  in  the  land  of  gold';  Fleyr/  woir  riniii  lay  jinni 
(p.  174),  'A  great  feast  was  made  by  Fionn,' — with  others.  But 
the  greater  number  are  well-known  ballads,  of  nearly  all  of 
which  parallel  versions  have  been  found  in  Scotland  and 
Ireland,  orally  and  in  MS.  The  principal  of  these  are,  to  take 
them  in  the  order  in  which  they  appear  here : 

(1)1.  63.  La  zay  deacha  finn  mo  rayth, 

Da  helg  er  sleyve  ne  ba(n  finn). 

'  On  a  day  when  Fionn  my  chief  went 
A-hunting  on  Fair  Maids'  hill.' 

The  lay  is  attributed  to  Ossian.     It  is  known  as  Fair  Maids'  hill, 

occasionally  as  the  best  Hunt  the  Feinn  ever  had.     Cf.  L.  F. 

p.  143. 

(2)   P.  93.  Lay  za  dea<=  say  zai  keill 

patrik  gryinn  ni  bachal  .  .  . 

'  One  day  as  the  gentle  Patrick  of  the  .  .  .  crooks 
betook  him  to  his  cell.' 


MS.  XXXVII  233 

Ossian  is  not  named  as  the  author.  The  subject  of  the  lay 
is  the  Battle  of  Ventry.  It  is  not  known  to  me  elsewhere  in 
verse.     For  prose  versions,  v.  supra,  pp.  173-5. 

(3)  P.  114.       Laa  zane  deach  finn  di  zoill, 

in  nalwi  as  neir  ymmit  sloyg. 

'  On  a  day  that  Fionn  fared  to  drink, 
to  Almhu  (Allen)  with  but  few  attendants.' 

The  lay  is  anonymous.  It  is  known  otherwise  as  Laoidh 
mhna  an  bhruit,  '  The  Lady  of  the  Veil's  Lay '  (v.  MS.  LIV, 
p.  163).     The  Lay  is  printed  in  Rel.  Celt.,  vol.  i.  p.  116. 

(4)  r .  133.       Heym  tosk  zoskla  fynn 

Gow  tawri  na  draive  nevin. 

'  I  went  on  a  mission  to  rescue  Fionn 
To  Tara  of  the  pleasant  tribes  (?).' 
This  long  lay  is  attributed  to  Caoilte  MacRonain.  From  the 
contents  it  would  appear  that  Fionn  was  a  prisoner  with  King 
Cormac,  and  could  only  be  released  on  Cormac  getting  as  ransom 
a  pair  of  all  the  wild  animals  of  Ireland.  Cf.  MS.  LIV,  p.  64. 
{supra,  p.  163). 

(5)  1 .  145.       Ard  agni  zwlle,  fer  coggi  finn. 

'  High-spirited  Goll,  the  rival  of  Fionn.' 
This  lay  is  attributed  to  Fergus  fill  '  poet,'  a  son  of  Fionn, 
and  poet  of  the  Feinn.  Another  poem  by  Fergus,  in  praise  of 
Goll,  is  mentioned  earlier  {supra,  p.  145).  A  parallel  version 
to  this  lay  is  given  by  Miss  Brooke  {Reliques  of  Irish  Poetry : 
Dublin,  1789,  p.  298),  with  the  title  Rosy  Ghoill  mac  Morna. 
Cf.  also  L.  F.,  p.  125. 

(6)  P.  147.      Glennschee  in  glenn  so  rame  heiv 

a  binn  feig  ayne  &  Ion. 

'  Glenshee  this  glen  by  my  side 
To  which  deer  wild-fowl  and  blackbirds  (?)  resort.' 

The  lay  is  attributed,  incorrectly,  to  Allan  M'Rory.  The  subject 
is  the  'Death  of  Diarmaid.'  For  parallel  versions,  v.  supra 
MS.  LXII,  p.  176;  Rel.  Celt.,  vol.  i.  p.  166;  and  L.  F., 
p.  157  +  . 

(7)  P.  1^2.        Nenor  a  quhym  fa  chyill 

di  woyn  avir  chenni  cholin. 

'  Nine  of  us  did  bind  ourselves 
To  find  material  for  a  pup's  head.' 


234  CATALOGUP:  of  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS 

The  translation  is  Dr.  M'Laiichlan's.  The  hxy  is  anonymous, 
and  in  the  bef,nnning  obscure.  The  hitter  portion  bears  some 
resemblance  to  the  version  of  the  Banners  of  the  Feinn, 
printed  by  H.  and  J.  IM'Callum  :  jMontrose,  181G,  p.  119. 

(8)  P.  179.       In  soo  chonnich  iiia.a  in  nnyne 

di  chonnichma  kayne  is  goole. 

'  Here  I  mot  the  Feinn, 
I  met  Cian  and  Goll.' 

The  author's  name  is  written  Oflyne,  no  doubt  for  Ossyne 
'  Ossian.'     For  modern  versions,  cf.  L.  F.  p.  48. 

(9)  P.  212.  Troygh  Iwm  twlly'  ni  fayni'  ag  ni  chleirchew  fa  z.  .  r. . 

'Alas  !  the  Mound  of  the  Feinn  is  now  in  bondage  to  clerics.' 

The  long  poem  on  the  Battle  of  Gabhra,  printed  by  the  Ossianic 
Society  of  Dublin  (vol.  i.),  opens  with  the  same  lines,  and  for  a 
couple  of  quatrains  that  poem  and  this  have  a  common  text. 
This  piece  is  anonymous,  and  consists  of  ninety-six  lines.  It 
is  a  lament  for  the  dead  heroes,  but  there  is  no  mention  of  the 
Battle  of  Gabhra, 

(10)  P.  215.    Innis  downe  a  phadrik  nonnor  a  leyvin. 

'  Tell  us,  Patrick,  in  honour  of  thy  learning.' 

This  lay,  known  as  Ossian's  Pra3'-er,  is  attributed  to  Ossian  in 
the  MS.,  and  is  one  of  the  most  widely  knoAvn.  Cf.  L.  F., 
p.  41+. 

(11)  P.  220.    Annit  doif  skayle  beg  er  finn 

ne  skayl  nach  cwrre  in  su(ym  e). 

'  I  know  a  little  tale  of  Fionn, 
'Tis  not  a  tale  I  would  despise.' 

This  lay  is  also  attributed  to  Ossian,  and  is  about  as  well 
known  as  Ossian's  Prayer.  Cf.  L.  F.,  p.  129+  ;  Miss  Brooke, 
p.  288.  It  is  known  as  the  Lay  of  Eas  Ruadh  (Assaroy), 
Moighre  Borb,  and  after  ^lacpherson,  Famesoluis  or  the  Maid 
of  Craca. 

(12)  P.  230.     Innis  downi  a  erris,  Ille  feynni  errin, 

Kynis  tharle  zevin  in  gath  zawrith  ni  beymi. 

'  Tell  us,  Fergus,  poet  of  the  Feinn  of  Ireland, 
What  actually  befell  in  the  tierce  battle  of  Gabhra. 


MS.  XXXVII  235 

(13)  P.  232.    Mor  in  noclit  my  chow  feyn 
A  halgin  id  ta  zim  rair. 

'  Great  this  night  is  my  sorrow, 
Thou  holy  man  who  art  subject  to  me.' 

These  two  poems  are  on  the  same  subject, — the  Battle  of 
Gabhra.  The  first  is  attributed  to  Fergus  jili,  and  the  second, 
erroneously,  to  Allan  M'Rory,  A  long  version  is  printed  in  the 
Transactions  of  the  Oss.  Soc.  (Dublin),  vol.  i.  For  Scottish 
versions,  v.  L.  F.,  p.  180  +  . 

(14)   P.  294.  Sai  k  guss  in  dei 

Fon  n*-  vaga  mai  fin  ; 
Chanakca  rem  rai, 
Sai  boo  zad  lym. 

'  Six  days  yesterday 
Since  I  saw  Fionn  ; 
I  have  not  in  all  my  life 
Seen  six  so  long  to  me.' 

The  Lay  is  attributed  to  '  Ossian  son  of  Fionn.'  It  is  the  last 
of  the  Fionn  Cycle  given  in  the  MS.,  the  subject  being  Ossian's 
panegyric  upon  his  father.  According  to  Mr.  Campbell  (L.  F., 
p.  123)  '  the  praise  of  Fionn  is  forgotten.'  But  this  must  have 
happened  in  comparatively  recent  times.  MS.  XLVIII  iy. 
sujyra,  p.  158)  contains  a  copy,  considerably  shorter  than  that 
given  here,  which  is  printed  in  Rel.  Celt.,  vol.  i.  pp.  139-140. 

A  large  number  of  the  names  and  not  a  few  of  the  incidents 
mentioned  in  these  poems,  as  in  the  Heroic  Literature  of  the 
Gael  taken  as  a  whole,  are  met  with  in  the  Ossianic  Poems 
published  by  James  Macpherson.  In  the  case  of  three  of  the 
pieces  in  the  Dean's  MS.  the  similarity  with  the  texts  printed 
by  Macpherson  is  so  detailed  and  so  striking  that  they  must 
be  regarded  as  variant  versions  of  the  same  poems.  These  are 
the  'Death  of  Conlaoch'  in  the  Cuchulainn  Cycle,  and  '  Faine- 
soluis'  (No.  11)  and  the  Battle  of  Gabhra  (Nos.  12,  13)  of  the 
Fionn  Cycle.  Of  the  first  two  little  need  be  said.  They  are 
found  in  Macpherson's  texts  in  English  only.  The  English 
version,  with  change  of  names,  and,  in  the  case  of  the  '  Death 
of  Conlaoch,'  with  a  confusion  of  the  two  periods  of  Cuchulainn 
and  Fionn  as  is  the  habit  of  Macpherson,  gives  the  leading 


236  CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS 

incidents  pretty  much  as  in  the  GacHc  Ballads.  (For  '  Death  of 
Conlaoch,'  cf.  Carthon, — Clerk's  Ossian,  i.  p.  222,  and  for  the 
episode  of  '  Fainesoluis,'  cf.  Fingal,  Book  iii., — Clerk's  Ossian,  i. 
p.  49G.) 

Jn  the  case  of  the  third  poem,  the  '  Battle  of  Gabhra,' 
Macpherson  provides  a  Gaelic  text, — the  subject  occupies  the 
greater  part  of  Temora,  Book  i.  There  is  hardly  an  event  in 
Gaelic  Heroic  Literature  treated  with  greater  fulness,  and 
preserved  in  a  greater  number  and  variety  of  accounts,  MS.  and 
oral,  prose  and  verse,  than  the  battle  between  the  Feinn  and 
Cairbre  of  the  Lififey,  son  of  Cormac  mac  Airt,  traditionally 
said  to  have  been  fought  at  Gabair  (gen.  Gab(h)ra)  in  a.d.  283. 
The  Fianna,  with  the  exception  of  Ossian,  Caoilte,  and  one  or 
two  less  known,  were  all  slain.  The  leaders  on  both  sides, 
Oscar  and  Cairbre,  each  slew  the  other.  The  prose  accounts 
are  found  in  modern  MSS.  only  (v.  Jub.,  p.  70).  In  verse  we 
have  the  subject  treated  from  very  early  times.  In  L.L.,  p.  154, 
is  a  poem  headed :  Ossm  cecinit.  I  cath  Gahra  ro  marhad 
Oscur  ocus  Cairpre  Lifechair,  '  Ossian  sang.  In  the  battle  of 
Gabra  were  slain  Oscar  and  Cairbre  of  the  Liffey.'  The  Dean's 
MS.  gives  two  versions,  the  longer  attributed  to  Allan  M'Rory, 
the  shorter  to  Fergus  j^^t.  Versions  have  been  noted  in  MSS. 
LVII  and  LXV  (v.  supra,  pp.  172,  176).  For  modern  versions, 
c/L.  F.,  p.  180  4--  These  compositions  are  of  varied  length  and 
of  great  diversity  in  detail.  The  ballad  in  L.L.  e.g.  consists  of 
only  twenty-eight  lines.  That  printed  by  the  Ossianic  Society 
of  Dublin  (vol.  i.)  contains  upwards  of  seven  hundred  lines. 
But  they  are  all  of  a  type.  The  longer  can  be  regarded  as  an 
expansion,  a  variant  version  of  the  shorter.  But  when  one 
turns  to  Macpherson's  text,  one  feels  in  quite  a  different  world. 
Everything  is  changed.  The  diction  and  the  idiom  are  often 
different  from  Gaelic  usage,  old  or  modern,  Scottish  or  Irish. 
The  literary  form  is  entirely  different.  The  traditional  Ossianic 
Poems  are  in  narrative  form, — Ballads.  Macpherson's  Poems  are 
cast  in  epic  form,  after  the  classical  models, — a  literary  form 
not  used  elsewhere  by  the  Gael.  We  are  thus  driven  to  the 
conclusion  that  Macpherson  must  have  himself  recast  his 
materials  to  such  an  extent  as  to  be  entitled  to  be  regarded 
as  the  author  of  them,  or  that  he,  and  he  alone,  found  the 


MS.  XXXVII  237 

work  done  to  his  hand  by  a  predecessor  as  capable  as  himself, 
and  as  ignorant  of  Gaelic  and  Gaelic  literature. 

II.     Poems  by  Irish  Authors. 

In  some  cases  it  is  difficult  to  say  with  certainty  whether 
a  poem  in  this  MS.  is  of  Irish  or  Scottish  authorship.     Apart 
from   the  Heroic  poems  there  are  about  a  score  anonymous 
pieces.     Several  of  these,  from  their  contents,  must  be  of  Irish 
origin.     On  the  other  hand,  many  of  the  poems  show  a  much 
closer  approximation  to  Scottish  Gaelic  than  others.      These 
may   confidently   be   credited    to   Scotland,  but    the  converse 
does  not  always  hold  good.     Many  Highland  authors,  notably 
Bishop  Carsewell,  wrote  in   the  literary  language  common  to 
Scotland  and  Ireland  at  the  time,  and  were  proud  to  be  able 
to  do  so.     An  Artour  daivle  mah  Gurkycli,  '  Blind   A.  M'G.' 
has    a    poem    on    p.    263    of   the   MS.      The    subject    is    an 
attack  on  Castle  Sween  in  Knapdale.     Dr.  M'Lauchlan  (D.  L., 
p.   151)  says  the  author  is  Irish,  chiefly  on  the  score  of  his 
dialect  and   diction,  and  he  may  be  right.     The  name  looks 
more  Irish  than  Highland.    In  two  cases  the  epithet  Alhannach, 
'  Scot,'    is    appended    to    an    author's    name.      One    of   these, 
Muireach  is  claimed  by  Dr.  M'Lauchlan  (D.  L.,  p.  157)  as  '  the 
first  of  the   great  race  of  Macvurrichs,   bards   to   Macdonald 
of  Clanranald.'      Whether   this   be   so    or   not,   the   poet  was 
Muiredhach  Albannach  (O'G.  Cat.,  pp.  337,  343),  son  of  Angus 
O'Daly  and  brother  of  Donnchadh  mor  O'Daly,  who  received 
his   cosrnomen   from    his   residence   in   Scotland.      Another   is 
Duncha  ook  Albanach{t),  who  has  a  piece  of  thirty-six  lines 
on  p.  273  of  the  MS.     The  presumption  is  that  he  too  was 
an  Irishman   who   acquired   the  epithet   for   the   like   reason. 
Another  Dunchaa  ogga,  '  Duncan  junior,'  without  the  epithet, 
but  whether  a  different  person  is  unknown,  has  a  short  poem 
on   p.    239    of  the    MS.   on    the  seven   mortal   sins.      We   in 
Scotland,  in  the  same  way,  apply  the  term  Eirionnacli,  '  Irish_ 
man,'  to  a  person  who  has  for  a  time  resided  in  that  country. 
The   case    of   Drummond-Ernoch    is    historical    {v.    Waverley 
Novels,  Introd.  to  Legend  of  Montrose).   In  several  cases,  to  judge 
from  other  MSS.,  the  Dean's  texts  are  fragmentary,  and  his 
ascriptions  to  authors  unreliable.     For  many  of  the  references 


238  CATALOOUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS 

in  this  section  I  am  indebted  to  Dr.  E.  ('.  Quiggin  of  Cambridge, 
who  has  kindly  phiccd  at  my  disposal  the  results  of  an  exhaustive 
examination  of  the  Dean's  MS.  which  are  being  printed.  The 
following  may  be  placed  with  some  confidence  among  the  Irish 
authors  in  the  Dean's  MS. 

(1)  P.  11.  Duncan  (mor)  O'Daly.  This  great  author  is 
credited  with  three  poems,— pp.  11,  101,  122.  The  first  is 
obscure.  The  second  (p.  101)  begins,  Ga  mall  I  a  CJiathll  di 
chrisn, '  May  you  enjoy  your  belt,  Cathal';  and  the  first  line  of 
the  third  (p.  122)  is  Bleijghin  di  coivall  kaen  voyy.  This  last 
is  but  a  fragment  of  a  poem  beginning  Ben  ar  n-aitheirgidh 
Eire, '  Ireland  is  a  woman  newly  come  to  life  again,'  and  attri- 
buted elscAvhere  {v.  O'Gr.  Cat.,  p.  354)  to  Tadhg  Camchosach  0 
Dalaigh.    '  Teigue  Bandy-legs  O'Daly.' 

A  fourth  poem,  on  p.  296  and  anonymous,  beginning,  Garf 
orfdin  a  %vrai^  is  without  doubt  that  quoted  from  Eg.  142,  in 
O'Gr.  Cat.,  p.  660,  beginning,  Garbh  eirghid  iodhna  hrdtha,  and 
ascribed  to  Duncan  mor  O'Daly.  For  other  poems  by  this 
author,  v.  supra,  pp.  99,  104. 

(2)  P.  16.  Cochondacht  mac  Thearlaich  bhuidh(e).  The  poem 
is  attributed  to  AongJtus  mac  Chearbhaill  bliiiidlte,  'Angus  Mac 
Carroll  Buie'  (O'Daly)  in  O'Gr.  Cat.,  p.  361. 

(3)  On  p.  41  is  a  poem  headed  Sivyn  Mor,  and  beginning 
Dome  addir  zane  is  dassy*^  This  poem  is  quoted  and  com- 
mented on  in  O'Gr.  Cat.,  p.  366.  It  is  there  attributed  to  John 
O'Cluane  and  called  laoidh  in  duirn,  '  The  lay  of  the  fist.'  First 
line,  Dorn  idir  dan  is  dasacht, '  A  fist  between  poetry  and  mad- 
ness,' i.e.,  '  A  buffet  begotten  of  poetic  frenzy.' 

(4)  Diarmaid  O  h-Iffirnan  is  credited  on  p.  112  with  a  poem, 

beginning : — 

Cayne  o  nach  waka  in  voem. 

(5)  Two  poems  by  Gillecrist  Browlingych,  Bard  in  Leymm 
(pp.  153,  244),  on  the  MacDermots  of  Loch  Kay  ( =  Ce).  E.  M'L. 
translates  Bard  in  Leymm,  '  The  leaping  Bard.' 

(6)  Duncan  og  'the  younger,'  'junior,'  has  two  pieces,  in  the 
second  of  which  Albannach  '  Scot '  is  added  to  the  name.  The 
first  is  on  the  seven  mortal  sins,  beginning  (p.  239) : — 

Seachta  sevda  ter  mo  hee  : 


MS.  XXXVII  239 

the  second  on  p.  273  begins : — 

Da  zawlo''  zeig  is  sy*  dane. 

(7)  GerroydErle  (Gerald  Fitzgerald,  fourth  Earl  of  Desmond, 
says  Dr.  M'Lauchlan)  has  six  short  pieces.  The  first,  on  p.  10, 
is  wellnigh  illegible.  The  second,  on  p.  68,  is  printed  by 
Dr.  M'Lauchlan  {Gaelic  Texts— J).  L.,  pp.  78-79;  Translation, 
p.  105).     The  third,  on  p.  88,  begins  : — 

A  wenni  nyn  dre  boi'. 

The  last  three  are  in  whole  or  in  part  printed  in  Rel.  Celt,  vol.  i. 
pp.  106,  107,  109. 

(8)  One  piece  is  assigned  to  Gille  Breid  beg  m^  nortiee 
(p.  226),  beginning : — 

Gyle  chur  lir  aye*  er  nail. 

For  poems  by  Gillabrighde  Mac  Conmidhi,  v.  supra,  p.  86. 

(9)  Three  short  poems  are  assigned  to  Gormlaith  ni'  Fhlainn, 
whose  eventful  story  is  told  by  0'  Curry  (MSS.  Mat.,  pp.  131-135). 
They  are  found  on  pp.  55,  57,  62.  The  three  are  printed  by 
Dr.  M'Lauchlan, — Gaelic  Texts,  pp.  74,  90  ;  English  Translation, 
pp.  100,  101,  118. 

(10)  Goffraidh  jionn  0  DAlaigh,  in  his  day  chief  professor  of 
poetry  in  Ireland,  died,  according  to  F.  M.,  in  1387.  Gorre  Finn 
O'Daly  is  credited  here  with  four  poems  (pp.  12,  53,  124,  165). 
They  begin  respectively : — 

(a)  Mark  maillis  murn  in  theil. 

(&)  Math  di  hillich  gormlee  zarri. 

(c)  Teach  carrit  di  chew  follow. 

{d)  Neityr  leiute  in  lein  din  teill  neityr  in  linn. 

The  first  poem  is  quoted  in  O'Gr.  Cat.,  p.  357. 

(11)  Six  poems  are  assigned  to  Muireach  Albannach  (pp.  19, 
20,  150,  255,  284,  307  of  MS.). 

First  lines.    («)  Meith  doch  treyl  gow  teig  pharris. 
(6)  Baitht  yn  ere  vec  zey 
(c)  Est  rumsy*'  a  woor  mor. 
((i)  Marrin  dut  y'  chrot  choiue. 
(e)  Dane  mi  heggisk  a  threnot. 
(/)  Marrwm  di  scarre  rwmsy*^ 

The  first,  second,  and  fifth  of  these  poems  are  printed  by  Dr. 
M'Lauchlan,— Gaelic  Texts,  pp.  120,  122;  EngHsh  Translation, 


240  CATALOCJUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS 

pp.  157-159.  The  same  pieces  are  also  printed  in  Rel.  Celt., 
vol.  i.  pp.  104-105.  Tho  poem  (c)  is  printed  from  the  Book  of 
Hui  Maine  (R.I. A.)  in  Archiv  fur  Celt.  Phil.,  vol.  ii.  p.  143  and 
vol.  iii.  p.  241.  Tho  Hui  Mn'nir  copy  has  62  lines.  The  Dean's 
copy  has  only  24,  and  of  these  only  14  are  in  Hui  Maine. 

(12)  Immediately  following  the  poems  attributed  to  Muireach 
Alhannach  on  pp.  19-20  of  the  MS.  comes  (p.  20)  a  somewhat 
long  piece,  with  the  heading  Au{c)tor  Jtujus  Murreich  lessin 
dyle  0  dayle,  beginning : — 

Cred  aggew  eae  in  gayn  a  zilli. 

Muireach  Albannach  is  the  only  poet  of  the  O'Daly's  I  have 
come  upon  named  Muireach.  And  it  was  in  his  house  in 
Lios  an  doill  that  Muireach  assassinated  Fion  O'Brolaghan, 
O'Donnell's  steward,  which  was  the  originating  cause  of 
Muireach's  flight  to  Scotland  (cf.  O'Gr.  Cat.,  p.  337).  As  matter 
of  fact  Muireach  of  Lisadill  and  Muireach  Alhannach  are  one 
and  the  same  person. 

(13)  Tadhg  bg  O'Higgin  has  five  poems  credited  to  him  in 
the  MS.  We  have  had  several  poems  assigned  to  this  author 
in  other  MSS.  {v.  supra,  p.  89,  103, 124),  but  only  one  of  the  five 
given  here  is  found  among  them,  viz.  that  on  p.  260,  beginning : — 

Id  ta  tre  corrik  y™  chin.'^ 
which  is  that  in  MSS.  LXIV  (v.  supra,  p.  103),  beginning : — 

Ataid  tri  comraig  am  chind. 
The  first  lines  of  the  other  four  (pp.  106,  166,  252,  293)  are  :— 

(a)  Kaa  di  zoywin  gow  grayn. 

(b)  Ffewill  bannith  brow  mur. 

(c)  Cart  ey  seichane  ac  sell  awze. 

(d)  Imgy  skeall  mach  er  mur. 

The  first  of  these  poems  is  in  Y.B.L.,  374a,  1.  19,  Cia  do 
gebainn  co  Grainne,  and  attributed  to  Tadhg;  the  second  is 
printed  from  Hui  Maine  in  Archiv  fiir  Celt.  Phil.,  vol,  ii.  p.  141, 
vol.  III.  p.  244,  where  the  poem  is  attributed  to  Gilla  Brigdi,  while 
the  third,  attributed  to  Tadhg,  is  found  in  Y.B.L.,  363a,  1.  31 
Cairt  a  sithchdna  ag  sil  Adaim.  The  second  poem  is  also  found 
in  MS.  LXIV  (v.  supra,  p.  103)  and  there  ascribed  to  S.  Pilip 
hocht  h.  huigind. 


MS.  XXXVII  241 

(14)  Ttvrn  o  Meilchonnir  or  Torna  O'Mulconry  has  two 
poems,  one  on  p.  246,  beginning  : — 

Tossy*  feyly*^  farsing  dwlle  feylle  fokyl, 
and  another  on  p.  269,  first  line, 

Ca  dy*  carry*  ra  kird  in  dyist  chathil  chroerg. 

In  a  marginal  note  to  this  author's  name,  E.  M'L.  writes: 
'floruit  an.  1310,  1315.  Eistigh  ri  seanchas  nach  suaill,  etc., 
it  contains  52  lines.'  A  Torna  O'  Maolconaire  of  this  period, 
and  author  of  the  poem  quoted  by  E.  M'L.  is  mentioned  by  O'R. 
p.  xciv.  F.  M.  records  in  1468  a.d.  the  death  of  Torna  Ua 
Maolchonaire,  Ollav  of  Sil- Murray  in  history  and  poetry,  in 
his  own  house  at  Lis-fearbain,  and  his  interment  at  Elphin. 
O'Curry,  on  the  other  hand  (MS.  Catalogue  in  R.  I.  A.  Dublin), 
ascribed  the  first  poem  to  Aodh  Ollbhar  O'Carrthaoidh. 

Among  the  anonymous  poems,  most  probably  of  Irish  origin, 
may  be  mentioned  the  following :  p.  30,  Maacht  a  tee  in  sen  a 
Neil,  being  an  incitement  to  generosity;  p.  36,  Raitlai  ny^ 
crwneni  Katreine,  on  St.  Catherine ;  p.  97,  Mak  sowd  cr  slycht 
fin  Vannynnane,  in  praise  of  Mac  Richard  of  Connaught,  not 
met  with  elsewhere,  but  the  first  quatrain  of  which  is  quoted  in 
Molloy's  Prosodia;  and  p.  177,  a  clairsich  chnok  e  chosgirre,  an 
address  to  the  harp  of  O'Coscair's  Hill,  the  finest  poem,  perhaps, 
in  the  whole  MS. 

III.  Poems  by  Highland  Authors. 

This  section  of  the  Dean's  MS.  is  naturally  that  of  greatest 
interest  to  Scottish  Gaels.  The  greater  number  of  the  anony- 
mous pieces  must  be  attributed  to  Highland  authors.  A  few  of 
them  are  of  importance.  Such  e.g.  are  the  lines  on  p.  57  beginning 
Mor  tubbisti  no  tablish,  on  the  evils  of  gambling ;  the  aphoristic 
composition  on  p.  68,  on  'things  hateful  to  me'  (cf.  supra,  p.  205) ; 
the  reflections  of  the  four  Avho  sat  by  Alexander  the  Great's 
grave,  pp.  85-86, — another  version  of  which  is  printed  with  little 
change  in  R.  Macdonald's  Collection  (1776),  p.  133  ;  a  piece,  also 
aphoristic,  on  p.  87,  headed  Elle  nyn  dre  brairrin ;  a  long  com- 
position (author's  name  illegible)  on  p.  117,  beginning  3Ior  in 
feyiii  freggirt,  and  supposed  by  Dr.  M'Lauchlan  to  be  on  John, 
Lord  of  the  Isles;  verses  on  p.  161,  beginning  ^r  sleycht  geil 

Q 


242  CATALOCTE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS 

o  zHvt  (JVC Ilk,  evidently  by  a  Maclean,  in  which  the  author 
enumerates  several  clans  friendly  to  him  ;  part  of  a  spirited 
exhortation  to  the  clans  on  p.  204,  probably  written,  as 
Dr.  M'Lauchlan  su<,'gests,  on  the  eve  of  the  Battle  of  Flodden ; 
and  on  p.  217  a  panegyric  on  the  siol  Torcuill  or  the  Macleods 
of  Lewis,  beginning  Hoaris  male  onir  in  tciayr;  with  several 
others. 

Of  the  pieces  to  which  names  of  authors  are  attached, 
several  consist  of  only  a  quatrain  or  an  epigram.  A  few  are 
of  little  literary  merit,  while  many  are  vulgar,  coarse,  obscene. 
This  is  duo  in  large  measure  no  doubt  to  the  state  of  public 
feelinof  at  the  time,  but  also  to  some  extent  to  the  cast  of  mind 
of  the  compilers.  The  next  collection  of  Gaelic  Poetry  that  has 
come  to  us  is  the  Fernaig  MS.  (of  which  afterwards),  written  by 
Duncan  M'Rae  in  the  West  of  Ross-shire  in  1688-1693.  This 
collection  is  singularly  pure,  a  circumstance  due,  no  doubt,  to 
the  character  of  M'Rae.  Still  many  of  the  poems  attributed 
to  Hiefhland  authors  in  the  Dean's  MS.  are  of  a  different  char- 
acter,  pure  and  worthy  in  subject  and  treatment.  One  is  struck 
with  the  number  Avho  Avrote  Gaelic  verse  in  those  daj^s,  and  the 
position  in  societ}'  of  several  of  them, — the  Earl  and  Countess 
of  Argyll  Avith  other  members  of  the  family,  Sir  Duncan 
Campbell,  M'Gregors  and  others.  Of  the  rest  it  may  be  said 
that  outside  of  this  MS,  we  w^ould  not  have  known  of  even  their 
names.  The  subject  matter  of  the  poems  is  various.  The 
popular  song — songs  with  refrain,  love  songs  so  common  later — 
is  unknown.  On  the  other  hand  eulogies  and  elegies,  clan  and 
genealogical  pieces,  are  common.  So  are  also  religious  and 
moral  poems,  satires,  and  what  may  be  called  aphoristic  pieces. 
The  following  are  the  more  important  authors. 

P.  7.  A  quatrain  on  John,  son  of  Colin  Campbell,  signed 
Duncan  son  of  Dugald  Maol  or  '  Bare.'  Pieces  are  assigned  to 
the  same  author  on  pp.  28,  64,  208.  On  p.  223  are  some  verses 
attributed  to  Dimcha  2PCoivle  Woyle  F'=  Eayne  reawe.  If  this 
be  the  same  person,  as  no  doubt  he  is,  he  may  be  identified 
with  Duncha  deyr  oclych  JSPDowle  v<^  oyne  reyivy^  who  wrote 
the  M'Gregor  pedigree  on  p.  144,  the  brother  and  amanuensis 
of  the  Dean,  and  the  scribe  of  a  considerable  portion  of  the  MS. 
(Cf.  Dr.  M'Lauchlan's  Texts,  pp.  137, 104 ;  Bel  Celt,  vol.  i.  p.  107.) 


MS.  XXXVII  243 

P.  10.  Twelve  lines,  satirical,  on  women.  The  verses  are 
signed  Duncha  Gampbel.  There  are  in  all  ten  pieces  assigned 
to  this  author  who  is  sometimes  designated  as  here  Duncan 
Campbell  (pp.  157,  202,  225,  251),  sometimes  Duncan  M'Cailein 
(pp.  37,  109,  111,  149,  306).  On  pp.  109,  111,  157,  202,  306,  he  is 
styled  'the  good  knight,' and  on  p.  251  'the  knight.'  The 
author  is  probably  Sir  Duncan  Campbell  of  Glenorchy  who  fell  at 
Flodden.  His  productions  are  caustic,  humorous,  often  coarse  and 
obscene.    {Gf.  Dr.  M'L.  Texts,  pp.  88, 116  ;  Rel.  Celt,  vol.  i.  p.  98.) 

P.  23.  A  short  aphoristic  piece  of  ten  lines  by  Duncha  "inor 
voe  Lawenacht,  '  big  Duncan  from  the  Lennox.'  {Cf.  Dr.  M'L., 
pp.  93,  68;  Rel.  Celt.  vol.  i.  p.  91.) 

On  the  same  page  (23)  is  a  poem  by  Gilchrist  Taylor,  who 
has  three  other  pieces  attributed  to  him  on  pp.  120,  271,  275. 
The  compositions  of  this  author  are  all  religious  and  moral. 
{Cf.  Dr.  M'L.,  pp.  93,  68;  Rel.  Celt.,  vol.  i.  p.  90.) 

On  p.  28  is  a  poem  by  Gillecalum  mac  an  Ollaimh  on  the 
Macdonalds,  beofinning : — 

Ne  heyvynis  gin  clyne  Donil. 
'  There  is  no  joy  without  the  Macdonalds.'     {Cf.  SUpra,  p.  213). 

This  is  the  author  to  whom  the  Death  of  Conlaoch  is  attributed 
{supra,  p.  231).  Another  piece,  also  on  the  Macdonalds,  is 
assigned  to  him  on  p.  240.  Both  poems  must  have  been  written 
after  the  fall  of  the  Lords  of  the  Isles.  {Cf.  Dr.  M'L.,  pp.  50,  95, 
148,  34,  70,  112 ;  Rel.  Celt,  vol.  i.  pp.  58,  91,  101.) 

P.  35.  Some  twenty  lines  of  a  humorous  character,  headed 
Dughall  Mane  V  ion  .  .  .  '  (verses  by)  Dugald  son(?)  of  the  son 
of  .  .  .'     Subject,  'Dialogue  between  Dugald  and  his  wedder.' 

P.  39.  A  short  poem  about  John,  son  of  William  M'Leod 
of  Skye,  by  an  author  named  by  Dr.  M'L.,  with  hesitation, 
3Iac  Eachag.     {Cf  Dr.  M'L.  pp.  140,  106.) 

P.  51.  Verses  addressed  to  the  Virgin  Mary  by  Meildonych 
M'Venis  Full{icht),  'Ludovic,  son  of  Magnus  of  Mull'  (?). 

P.  54.  A  quatrain  by  Gilpatrick  M'Lachlan.  On  p.  158  is 
an  indistinct  poem  by  the  same  author,  beginning : — 

Hoaris  royg  nin  noyk  breour. 

P.  55.  A  short  poem  by  Dayane  or  John(?)  of  Knoydart, 
addressed  to  the  head  of  Diarmaid  O'Cairbre.     In   the   year 


244  CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIP'IS 

1490  AnL,ni.s  'the  turbulent'  who  foup^lit  the  Battle  of  IJloody 
Bay  against  his  father,  John,  Lord  of  the  Isles,  was  assassinated 
at  Inverness  by  his  own  harper  Mac  I  Chairbre,  'son  of 
O'Cairbre,'  as  he  is  called  by  the  Clanranald  historian  (Rel. 
Celt,  vol.  ii.  p.  1<)2),  but  Diarinait  mag  Cairpre  in  F.  M.  The 
Irish  Annalists  add  (F.  M.  a.d.  141)0)  that  Mac  Cairbre  was 
quartered  for  this  crime.  This  event  is  without  doubt  the 
subject  of  these  verses.     (Cf.  Dr.  M'L.,  pp.  99,  72.) 

P.  56.  A  quatrain  by  Neil  son  of  little  Ewen  (?)  (Neil  m" 
ale  vig). 

P.  59.  Aphorisms  by  Feylm  m  Dowle,  Phelim  son  of  Dugald, 
or  Macdougall.     First  line : — 

Ne  math  swille  sin  doni'  (;a  bee  chongvis  in  teir. 
(Cf.  Dr.  M'L.,  pp.  102,  76;  Rel.  Celt,  vol.  i.  p.  92.) 

P.  61.  To  a  lady  by  (Ewen  or)  John  M'Muirich.  A  quatrain, 
evidently  by  the  same  author,  appears  on  p.  88.  Dr.  M'L.  {cf. 
pp.  109,  82)  suggests  that  the  poet  was  one  of  the  Clanranald 
Bards,  although,  as  he  states,  neither  John  (nor  Ewen)  appears  in 
the  pedigree  of  the  family  as  given  in  Rcj).  on  Oss.,  p.  275. 

P.  62.  A  quatrain  by  William  M'Lachlan. 

P.  64.  Eight  lines  by  Duncan  M'Pherson.  On  p.  89  are 
four  lines  by  the  same  author,  and  on  p.  267  twenty-eight  lines 
by  ill  {m  ?)  persone,  who  may  be  a  different  man.  {Cf.  Dr.  M'L., 
pp.  110,  82.) 

P.  69.  A  quatrain  by  Andru  toschych,  'Andrew  M'Intosh'  (?). 
{Cf  Dr.  M'L.,  pp.  110,  80.)  Another  quatrain  is  attributed  to 
the  same  author  on  p.  181. 

P.  70.  A  poem  by  the  bard  M'Intyre,  beginning  : — 

Cred  ei'  in  long  soo  er  loth  inchsyth  (Loch  Inch  ?). 

The  same  author  has  another  poem  on  p.  266  and  on  a  similar 
subject  '  a  vessel  filled  with  women,'  and  a  third  poem  on 
p.  282.     {Cf  Dr.  M'L.,  pp.  107,  80.) 

P.  71.  A  satire  on  women  by  Allein  m^  Kowle  wain,  'Allan 
son  of  Dugald  the  Fair.' 

P.  73.  Twelve  lines.  A  satire  on  women  by  M'Callein  Erie 
of  Ergyle. 

P.  84.  Indistinct  verses  attributed  to  Ayne  mac  Cowle 
Roy,  '  John  son  of  Dugald  the  Red.' 


MS.  XXXVII  245 

P.  88.  Six  lines  attributed  to  Farchir  macfadrikg  grantrrc  (?), 
*  Farquhar  son  of  Patrick.  ,  .  .' 

P.  103.  A  poem  on  M'Gregor's  steed  by  Finlay  the  red  Bard. 
The  poet  compares  M'Gregor's  horse  to  doiv  seyidin  and  lay 
onaclia,  no  doubt  Duh  Sainylend  and  Liath  Macha,  the 
famous  steeds  of  Cuchulainn  {v.  Windisch,  Ir.  Texte  mit  Wort, 
p.  268).  Immediately  following  (p.  104)  is  a  panegyric  by  the 
same  author  on  M'Gregor  himself.  On  p.  216  is  a  poem  by 
the  same  Finlay,  beginning : — 

Hest  ein  doyll  ni  geyll 
'  The  chief  demon  of  the  Gael  is  dead.' 
The  author  describes  this  '  devil '  as  the  plunderer  of  lona  and 
Reilig  Oran.  Dr.  M'L.  would  identify  him  with  Allan  MacRuairi 
of  the  Clan  Ranald  family.  A  quatrain  by  red  Finlay  appears 
on  p.  249,  and  a  poem  in  praise  of  M'Gregor  on  p.  281,  where 
he  is  styled  '  the  good  Bard.'  The  last  poem  attributed  to  him 
is  on  p.  304,  and  is  in  part  illegible.  Dr.  M'L.  suggests  that  this 
poet  may  be  Finlay  M'Nab,  the  chief  of  this  name.  (Cf.  Dr. 
M'L.,  pp.  112,  114,  143,  84,  86,  110;  Rel  Celt,  vol.  i.  p.  99.) 

P.  106.  A  short  satire  on  women  by  Sir  Duncan  M'Kermont. 

P.  116.  Six  lines  by  Aane  leith  M'Ynneis,  John  grey 
M'Innes  (son  of  Angus  ?). 

P.  129.  An  eulogy  of  Duncan  M'Dougall  of  Durines  by 
Duncha  M'Caybba, '  Duncan  M'Cabe.'  ((7/.  Dr.  M'L.,  pp.  119,  90 ; 
Rel  Gelt,  vol.  i.  p.  98.) 

P.  130.  A  long  poem  lamenting  the  M'Dougalls  of  Dunolly 
by  Ane  iiV^  evin  mP  caychirn,  'John  son  of  Ewen  M'Eacharn. 
{Cf.  Dr.  M'L.,  pp.  121,  92.) 

P.  143.  A  short  poem,  by  Finlay  M'^Ynnah  (M'Nab),  com- 
mencing : — 

Doynnirre  ny  strakkirre  da  bi  zail  leif  a  screyve. 
'The  sluggards'  (?)  Book  of  Poems,  should  you  wish  to  ■write  it.' 

{Cf.  Dr.  M'L.,  pp.  125,  94 ;  Rel.  Celt,  vol.  i.  p.  99.) 

P.  148.  An  elegy  on  M'Neill  of  Castle  Sween  by  Effric  nen 
corgitill,  '  Euphemia  M'Corkindale,'  beginning : — 
A  fadrin  a  zusk  mi  zair. 
'  Rosary,  that  has  roused  my  wail.' 
{Cf  Dr.  M'L.,  pp.  126,  96 ;  Rel  Celt,  vol.  i.  p.  99.) 


246    CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS  [MS.  XXXVII 

P.  155.  A  poGin  by  Doiuijall  M''  ille  zlavs,  '  Dugald  sou  of 
the  grey  hid  (Grey  ?),'  '  on  the  M'Gregors  of  Gleiilyoii '  (E.  ML.). 
(Cf.  Dr.  M'L.,  pp.  128,  98.) 

P.  170.  Sixteen  lines  by  Robert  m<=Lymon  (Lanioiit  ?)  a 
Gassgaith  (?).     Morah 

P.  17!).  Twelve  lines  on  sickness  by  '  in  barrone  eivln  (({rwra, 
M'L.)  )ii''coml,'  'the  (crooked)  Baron  (Ewen)  M'Comie.'  {([f.  Dr. 
M'L.,  pp.  138,  102.) 

P.  180.  A  few  lines  by  Gillepatrik  Onachtan,  v.  Rel.  Celt. 
vol.  i.  p.  107. 

P.  181.  A  quatrain  attributed  to  Gillespec  M'Neill. 

P.  199.  A  coarse  satire  on  three  women  by  Donil  leich 
M'Gowle  v°  Gregar, '  Donald  grey  son  of  Dugald  M'Gregor.' 

P.  209.  A  poem  on  the  M'Gregors  by  Af'fjillindak  in 
fardhan,  '  M'Gillindak  (M'Lintock)  the /ear  dana  or  poet.'  {Cf. 
Dr.  M'L.,  pp.  141,  108.) 

P.  251.  Eight  obscene  lines  attributed  to  Contissa  Ergadien 
Ismhella ,  doubtless  Isobell,  the  second  daughter  of  the  assas- 
sinated John  Stuart  of  Lorn,  who  married  Colin,  first  Earl  of 
Argyll.  Later  in  the  MS.,  on  pp.  285  and  292,  are  two  short  pieces 
ascribed  to  Isbell  Ne  vekcallein.  It  is  possible  that  a  Countess 
of  Argyll  might  in  Gaelic  be  styled  Ni'mJtic  Cailein,  a  daughter 
of  the  house  certainly  would.  The  second  daughter  of  Earl 
Colin  and  Countess  Isobell  was  named  Isabella:  she  married 
William  heir  of  Lord  Drummond  and  ancestor  of  the  Earls 
of  Perth  (v.  The  House  of  Argyll,  Glasgow,  1871,  p.  34).  {Cf 
Dr.  M'L.,  pp.  155,  118;  Rel.  Gelt,  p.  103.) 

P.  271.  An  Epigram  by  M'Cailein  mor,  i.e.,  Cailean  maith. 

P.  278.  A  poem  on  the  death  of  Duncan  M'Gregor  by  in 
gille  glas  MHntalz^,  'The  grev  lad  son  of  the  tailor'  (Taylor?). 
(Cf  Rel.  Celt,  vol.  i.  p.  107.) 


APPENDIX    I 

In  addition  to  the  sixty-five  MSS.  described  above,  a  number  of 
others,  chiefly  modern,  have  accnmiilated  in  the  Library.  They 
are  of  varied  content,  but  consist  for  the  greater  part  of  Vocabu- 
laries, Transcripts,  and  Collections  of  Heroic  or  Ossianic  litera- 
ture.    A  brief  account  of  them  is  here  given. 


MS.  LXVI 

This  MS.  is  a  large  folio  volume  bound  in  calf,  without  name 
or  date.  It  contains  a  Gaelic-English  vocabulary  which  is 
evidently  complete,  and  a  fragment  of  an  English- Gaelic 
vocabulary, — A  to  the  word  Blush.  Many  additions,  especially 
of  suggested  etymologies  of  words,  are  written  over  the  original 
text. 

MS.  LXVII 

This  is  a  large  quarto  MS.  bound  in  calf.  It  contains  a 
fragment  of  a  Gaelic-English  Dictionary  from  A  to  the  word 
Duthchasach.  There  are  numerous  additions  and  deletions. 
At  the  end  is  written  '  Arch*^  Fletcher,  Greenock,  December 
31st,  1795.' 

MS.  LXVIII 

No.  LXYIII  is  in  j)rint,  a  small  8vo.  vol.  containing  a  portion 
of  a  Gaelic-English  Dictionary  from  A  to  cathan.  There  is 
no  name  of  author  or  printer,  but  the  work  is  known  to  have 
been  prepared  by  Mr.  Alexander  Robertson,  schoolmaster  of 
Kirkmichael,  Perthshire,  in  the  beginning  of  last  century.  Mr. 
Robertson,  in  1807,  sold  his  MS.  for  twenty  pounds  to  the 
Highland  Society  of  Scotland. 


218     CATALOLUK  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS      [MS.  LXIX 

MSS.  LXIX,  LXX,  LXXI 

Three  vols,  quarto,  boutid  in  boards  with  calf  back,  coritain- 
in<?  a  Gaelic-English  Dicti(Miary  from  the  word  cathan  onwards, 
and  therefore  presumably  the  MS.  sold  by  Mr.  Robertson  to  the 
Highland  Society  or  a  copy  of  it.  The  volumes  came  by 
purchase  into  the  possession  of  the  late  Sir  Donald  Currie  who 
sent  them  to  the  Library.  At  the  end  of  MS.  LXXI  are  letters 
from  Mr.  Alex.  M'Laurin,  Edinburgh,  to  the  author,  and  a 
fragment  of  a  printed  Prospectus  of  the  Dictionary. 

MSS.  LXXII,  LXXIII,  LXXIV,  LXXV 

These  four  volumes  are  of  uniform  size  and  binding,  and 
apparently  in  the  same  handwriting  as  MSS.  LXIX,  LXX, 
LXXI.  The  volumes  {v.  beginning  of  LXXIII  and  end  of 
LXXIV)  contain  an  English-Gaelic  Dictionary  compiled  by 
Alexander  M'Laurin,  and  presented  by  him  to  the  Highland 
Society.  '  The  English  words  were  taken  from  Thomas 
Sheridan's  Pronouncing  Dictionary,  in  two  volumes,  octavo.' 

MS.  LXXVI 

A  folio  volume  of  280  pages,  half  bound,  entitled 

Dictionarium  Scoto  Celticuni 

PART  III 

Latino-Gaelicum 

On  the  verso  of  the  last  leaf  is  written  'Mr.  M.  Mackay, 
Mrs.  Green's,  10  S.  Hanover  St.' 

This  is  the  text  of  the  Latin-Gaelic  portion  of  the  Highland 
Society's  Dictionary  published  in  1828,  and  Mr.  M.  Mackay  is 
no  doubt  the  Rev.  Dr.  Mackintosh  Mackay,  one  of  the  editors  of 
that  work. 

MSS.  LXXVII,  LXXVIII 

These  two  volumes  contain  Dr.  Donald  Smith's  transcript  of 
the  Gaelic  Version   of  Lucan's  Pharsalia   already  mentioned 


MS.  LXXIX]  APPENDIX  I  249 

(v.  supra,  pp.  201-220).  They  are  of  quarto  size,  bound  in  calf, 
and  backed  Catli  Mor  muighe  na  TcasaUe.  Seasghan  i. 
Seasghan  ii.  Jointly  the  volumes  run  to  698  pages.  The  name 
of  John  Smith  (i.e.  Rev.  Dr  Smith  of  Campbelltown,  brother 
of  Dr.  Donald  Smith)  appears  on  the  inside  of  the  cover  of  each 
volume.  References  to  Lucan,  with  illustrative  passages  quoted, 
are  frequent.  On  the  second  leaf  of  vol.  i.  is  'Emanuel,'  by 
which  is  meant  MS.  XLVI  (v.  supra,  p.  201),  and  Seasghan  i.  i.e. 
vol.  i.  A  version  of  this  work,  of  date  1616,  in  the  library 
of  the  Franciscan  Monastery,  Dublin,  is  printed  with  transla- 
tion and  vocabulary  in  Irische  Texte,  vol.  iv.  (2),  Stokes  and 
Windisch,  Leipzig,  1909. 


MS.  LXXIX 

This  is  a  large  folio  volume  half-bound  containing  the 
following  transcripts,  evidently  made  in  Ireland,  by  or  for  Dr. 
Donald  Smith. 

1.  Pp.  1-43.  Eachtra  cidainne  Riglt  na  h-Iorruaidhe  .!.  Cod, 
Cead,  tO  Mlchead.  A  prefatory  note  in  Irish  Gaelic,  on  p.  1, 
is  to  the  effect  that  the  '  Adventures  of  the  children  of  the  King 
of  Norway  were  begun  by  Brian  o  Gelhliuidhe  on  the  20th 
of  August  1740.'  [For  other  versions,  v.  Jub.,  p.  106.  Dr.  Hyde 
edited  with  translation  a  version  which  is  printed  in  Irish  Texts 
Society  publications,  vol.  i.] 

2.  Pp.  45-67.  Imchidheacld  na  Trom  Dhaimhe,  ina 
hh-faillsighthear  cinnas  do  fhuaras  an  Tain  ar  tJius.  '  The 
journey  of  the  great  (Bardic)  company,  wherein  is  shown  how 
the  Tain  was  first  discovered.'  [For  modern  versions  of  this 
Saga,  V.  Jub.,  p.  156.  The  version  in  the  Book  of  Lismore  (fol. 
144a-151b)has  been  printed  with  translation  by  Owen  Connellan 
in  Transactions  of  Ossianic  Society,  vol.  v.  Dublin,  I860]. 

3.  Pp.  69-73.  Cogadh  Chuinn  is  Eoghain  Mhoir,  '  The  war 
of  Conn  and  Ewen  the  Great."  [For  other  versions,  v.  Jub., 
p.  90.]  The  great  Ewen  is  better  known  as  Mogha  Nuadat 
{v.  Keating's  History). 

4.  Pp.  73-84.  lomthusa  Chonaire  mhic  Mhodh  Lamlia  & 
Mlcacniadh  mhoir  mliic  Luigldch,  '  The  affairs  of  Connor,  son 
of  M.  L.,  and  of  the  great  Macnia  son  of  L.' 


250       CATALOGUE  UF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS    [MS.  LXXX 

5.  Pp.  <sr)-92.  Dcarg  Rnddhdr  Chulnn  fair  Ullln'ujk  .\.  Cutk 
niaf/h  BrciKjh,  'The  wild  onslaught  of  Conn  on  the  ITltonians, 
viz.  tho  Battle  of  the  plain  of  Bregia.' 

0.  i)3-94..  An  extract  from  Harris's  Translation  of  Sir  James 
Ware's  Histovi/  (ind  Antiquities  of  Ireland. 

7.  I'p.  95-294.  Extracts  from  the  Leahhar  Gabhcda  or  Book 
of  Conquests  of  ]\[ichacl  O'Clcry  (the  chief  of  the  Four  Masters, 
who  compiled  the  Annals  of  Ireland).  This  section  is  headed 
by  Dr.  Smith,  '  Transcrii')tum  e  lihro  MS.  integro  penes 
Elizahetliani  Maguire  accolam  urbis  Enniskellin.  Ver(r)o 
tempore,  1798.* 

For  O'Clery's  connection  with  the  Le/dihar  Gabhcda,  v.  O'C. 
MSS.  Mat.  p.  168  +  . 

The  rest  of  the  MS.  is  blank.  There  are  four  sheets  at  the 
end,  detached,  upon  which  some  historical  and  other  notes  are 
written.  On  the  inner  side  of  the  front  cover  some  quotations 
are  written,  evidently  to  illustrate  the  meaning  of  words  which 
Dr.  Smith  found  obscure. 

MS.  LXXX 

This  is  a  collection  of  interesting  extracts  in  prose  and  verse 
made  by  and  for  Dr.  Donald  Smith  in  Ireland  in  1798.  Three 
of  the  pieces  are  written  in  English  script,  one  partly  in  English, 
partly  in  Gaelic ;  all  the  others  are  in  the  Gaelic  hand.  Dr. 
Smith  evidently  set  high  value  on  these  extracts, — he  entitles 
the  volume  Aniholog(ia)  Hib(ernica),  and  dates  it  '  Ocf  98."' 
On  the  flyleaf  are  'Donald  Smith,  31.  17  M-^H.'  The  first  two 
leaves  are  unpaged.  The  next  sixteen  are  paged  1-32.  Then 
comes  fresh  paging  1-92.  Eight  blank  leaves  follow.  The 
extracts  are  briefly  as  follows  : — 

1.  Seachran  Fhiachra  Mhic  Bradaigh.  '  The  wanderings 
[transgression  ?J  of  F.  MacBrady '  52  lines.  The  heading  is  in 
Dr.  Smith's  hand.     First  line  : — 

Nach  truagh  libhse  chairde,  gach  biiaireadh  dha  dtarlaidh. 

2.  Aiding  Fhiachra.  Mhic  Bradaigh,  '  The  vision  of 
F.  MacBrady,'  66  lines.  The  verses  are  dated  in  Smith's  hand. 
'  Ibid.  December  1798.'     First  line  : — 

Chonnuirc  me  aisling  ar  nio  leaba  mur  do  cliifinn  bean. 


MS.  LXXX]  APPENDIX  I  251 

3.  Pp.  1-3.  Thirty  quatrains,  with  the  heading  Donchadh 

mor  o  Daluidh,  commencing : — 

Dia  do  chnithaigh  grian  bhru  nimhe, 
An  a  lia  gloine  as  glormhure. 

This  is  the  poem  entitled  Blireishligh  Ghonocld  Voihr  in  the 
Fernaig  MS.  (printed  in  Rel  Celt.,  vol.  ii.  p.  42  + ),  where  it  extends 
to  thirty-three  stanzas.  Elsewhere  (v.  infra)  this  poem  is 
credited  not  to  O'Daly,  but  to  Baothghalach  Mac  Aedhagain. 

4.  Pp.  6.  Thirty-three  quatrains,  anonymous,  beginning : — 

A  Eigh  comhachtuigh.  a  Ki  glormhar, 
A  Ri  mhoir  na  greine. 

5.  Pp.  6-7.   Seventeen  quatrains,  with  the  heading  '  Colum 

Chille  dixit.'     First  line  : — 

IM'aonaran  dhamh  sa  sliabli 
A  Ri  grian  rob  soraidh  sead. 

The  poem  is  in  Y.  B.  L.,  318b.  It  is  printed  in  the  Miscellany 
of  the  Irish  Archaeol.  Soc.  There  is  also  a  copy  in  MS.  Laud 
615  (Oxford),  which  is  printed  in  Zeit.  filr  Celt.  Phil.  vi.  302. 

6.  Pp.  7-8.  Eight  quatrains,  with  the  heading  An  naomh 
cedna  dixit,  '  The  same  saint  said.'     First  line  : — 

Einnach  naisle  na  gach  dan, 
Do  dhuine  na  corp  conihlan. 

7.  Pp.  8-13.  A  copy  of  Dan  or  Laoidh  an  Deirg,  '  The  lay 
of  the  Red,'  here  entitled  LaoidJc  agus  irntheacht  an  Deirg  mhic 
Draoithchill  sonn,  '  The  lay  and  march  of  Dearg  (Red)  son  of 
Draoithcheall  here,'  beginning : — 

Aithreosad  caithreim  an  fir  mlior, 
Thainic  chugain  fa  dheghbuagh. 

This  version  contains  thirty-three  quatrains  in  double  lines.  Cf. 
supra,  pp.  145-146,  165,  175  et  aliis. 

8.  Pp.  14-18.  An  anonymous  poem  of  one  hundred  and 
twenty-six  double  lines,  beginning : — 

Mairg  fheachas  air  inis  ceithlionn, 
Na  ccuan  n-etrocht  na  n-es  ni-binn. 

There  is  another  copy  in  MS.  XLIV  {v.  supra,  p.  123),  also 
anonymous.  By  O'Grady  (Cat.,  p.  430)  and  O'Reilly  (p.  clxxii) 
the  poem  is  ascribed  to  blind  Teigue  O'Higgin. 


252      CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS     [MS.  LXXX 

9.  Pp.  18-22.  An  anonynioiLS  poem  of  one  liundred  and 
six  double  lines,  beginning': — 

Parrthas  Fodhla  Fermannach, 
<  'lar  tei},'hlithe  torchartach. 

10.  Pp.  22-2-3.  A  medley  partly  in  Gaelic,  partly  in  English, 
now  in  prose,  now  in  verse,  entitled  '  The  Ram  of  Darby.' 

11.  P.  23.  Twelve  anonymous  lines,  religious,  beginning — 

Is  mian  lioiii  traclit  air  adhbhar  tuirsi  7  broin. 

12.  Pp.  23-25.  Seventy  anonymous  and  rather  severe  lines 
on  a  certain  Father  Patrick  O'Finigan  who  had  fallen  away 
from  the  faith,  beginning : — 

Chuala  me  sgc-ala  areir  is  ghoin  st^  mo  chroidhe. 

13.  Pp.  26-32.   A  lay  of  Deirdre  and  the  sons  of  Uisneach, 

in   the   handwriting   of  Dr.  Smith.     The   heading  is  Aidhith 

Chlainn  Uisnich,  'The  Violent  death  of  the  sons  of  U.'     It  is 

added    that   the   poem  is  published   in   '  Stewart's   Collection, 

vol.  ii.  p.  562.'     This  is  correct,  and  shows  that  Dr.  Smith  wrote 

the  note  shortly  before  his  death.    A.  and  D.  Stewart's  Collection 

was  published  in  1804  and  Dr.  Smith  died  in  1805.     The  lay 

begins : — 

A  Chlann  Uisnich  nan  each  geala, 
Is  sibh  an  tir  na  fear  fuileach. 

The  MS.  now  goes  on  with  fresh  paging. 

1.  Pp.  1-5.  Teacht  ChonnlaoicJi  go  Jt-eirinn,  'The  Coming 
of  Conlaoch  to  Ireland.'     Forty-six  quatrains.     Begins  : — 

Tainig  triath  an  bhorblaoich 
An  cruaidh  [curaidh]  crodha  Conlaoch. 
of.  supra,  pp.  151,  231 ;  Z.  i^.  p.  9  +  . 

2.  Pp.  5-10.  Laoidh  Mhaghnuis  inhoir,  '  The  Lay  of  great 
Magnus.'     Forty-nine  quatrains.     This  version  begins : — 

A  Chleirigh  na  Spaihn  saimh, 
Dair  liom  f^in  ni  maith  an  chfall. 

For  other  versions,  v.  swpra,  p.  165 ;  L.  F.  p.  72 -|-. 

3.  Pp.  10-12.  Rosg  Osguir  mhic  Oisin  re  hais  catha  Gabhra 
'  Ode  to  Oscar  son  of  Ossian  in  front  of  the  Battle  of  Gabhra.' 
Forty-one  double  lines,  beginning : — 

Eirigh,  a  Osguir  fheil,  a  fhir  an  chosguir  chruaidh. 
V.  Miss  Brooke's  Reliques,  pp.  151,  296. 


MS.  LXXX]  APPENDIX  I  253 

4.  Pp.  12-13.  Rosg  Ghuill  "inheic  Morna,  '  Ode  to  GoU  mac 
Morna.'     Begins : — 

Ard  aigneach  Goll,  fear  chogaidh  Finn, 

and  gives  at  the  end  the  repeating  line,  in  the  usual  form, 

Ard  aigneadh  Ghuill. 
For    other    versions,    v.   sitpra,   p.   233,    and    Miss    Brooke's 
Reliques,  pp.  165,  298. 

5.  Pp.  13-14.  Muiris  mac  Daibhidh  dhuibh  'mac  Gearailt 
air  na  sgriobhadh  aii'  liiincj  ag  dol  don  Easpain, '  Maurice,  son 
of  black  David  Fitzgerald,  written  on  board  ship  when  going 
to    Spain.'     Ten    quatrains,    with    two    quatrains    of    Ceangal. 

Begins : — 

Beannaigh  an  long  so,  a  Chriosd  chaidh, 
An  t-sion,  an  tonn  so,  'san  tir. 

The  poem  is  printed  by  Miss  Brooke  (Reliques,  pp.  181,  300). 

6.  Pp.  15-17.  0  Giarain  ccc.  The  subject  is  an  Elegy  on  the 
daughter  of  Eoghan.     Fifty-five  double  lines,  beginning: — 

Feach  cram,  a  inghean  Eoghain, 
Me  o'n  eag  ar  naithbheaghaidh. 

This  poem  is  also  printed  by  Miss  Brooke  (Reliques,  pp.  191, 
304). 

7.  Pp.  17-69.     This  long  extract  is  in  prose,  and  in  two  parts. 
It  is  prefaced  on  p.  17  by  a  note  to  the  effect  that  it  was 

extracted  from  Fergal  O'Gara's  '  book  of  history '  by  Duald 
M'Firbis  in  1649;  transcribed  by  James  Maguire  in  1713,  and 
thereafter  by  Turlough  Maguire  in  1798.  By  Fergal  O'Gara's 
'  Book  of  History '  is  evidently  meant  the  Aniials  of  the  Four 
Masters,  which  great  work  was  dedicated  to  this  gentleman. 
The  extract  is  in  two  parts:  (ct)  Pp.  17-31.  Annals  from  the 
landing  of  Cesair  in  Ireland  in  a.m.  2242  down  to  the  death 
of  Buaidhrigh  ua  Conchabhair  (Roderick  O'Connor),  King  ot 
Connaught,  in  1198.  This  portion  is  without  doubt  summarised 
from  F.  M.  (6)  Pp.  31-69.  An  account  of  the  great  families  of 
Ireland,  and  so  far  of  Dalriada,  with  their  genealogies,  beginning 
with  the  descendants  of  Niall  of  the  Nine  Hostages.  Thus 
(p.  32)  among  the  descendants  of  Ewan  son  of  Niall  Naoighiall- 
ach  are  included  the  Maclachlans  and  the  Macladhmuins 
(Laments)  in  Alba.     Quotations  are  occasionally  made  from  old 


254      CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS      [MS.  LXXX 

})oets  in  support  of  the  prose  text :  e.g.  on  p.  50  Torna  Eges  is 
(pioted,  and  on  p.  G8,  where  it  is  stated  that  Maolcoblia  found 
an  asyluni  for  the  poets  after  they  were  abjured  by  King 
Ainjnirc  at  the  Convention  of  Uruiuiceatt,  the  author  proceeds 
id  dixit  ail  file,  'as  the  poet  said' : — 

Feaclit  do  Mhaolcobha  na  cellar, 
Ag  lubhar  Chinntragha  thlar, 
Dha  died  dag  filadh  fuair 
Eis  an  lubhar  an  air  thuaith. 

8.  Pp.  69-86.  A  long  poem  of  some  450  double  lines,  on 
the  clans  and  tribes  of  Ireland  with  their  respective  districts, 
attributed  to  Giolla  losa  Mac  Firbis  of  Lecan — Mac  Fhirbhisigh 
Leacain  .|.  Giolla  losa, — commencing: — 

loiiidha  gabhlan  air  Chloinn  Chuinn. 
'  Many  are  the  branches  of  the  race  of  Conn.' 

According  to  F.  M.  Giolla  losa  mor  Mac  Fhirbisigh  died  in  1279. 

The  last  of  this  famous  family,  Duald  above  named,  was  murdered 

at  Dunttin  in  1668  or  1670  (O'C.  MSS.  Mat.  pp.  82,  122).     If  the 

poem  was  written  by  Giolla  losa  who  died  in  1279,  the  concluding 

lines  on  p.  86  must  have  been  added  at  least  two  hundred  years 

later  : — 

0  ghein  Chrlosd  do  chosain  bladh 
Gu  an  diiinsi  do  derbhadh, 
Ceithre  ched  as  mile  mer, 
Ni  breag  an  line  luaiter, 
Seacht  mbliadhna  deg  gan  duibhe, 
Ni  diamdha  an  trend  toghuidhe. 

On  the  same  page  is  the  following  note : — 

Air  na  sgriobhadh  anois  go  cuiniir 
Le  Toirdhealbach  Mhaguidhir, 
Mile  seacht  ccead  is  nochad  beacht, 
Is  ocht  mbliadhna  na  dhiaidh  go  ceart, 

do  Bhoctuir  Gohhan,  ta  na  leigh  aig  Saighdiuridh  an  Righ  aig 

Inis  Ceithlin  an  hldiadhuin  reimhraite. 

'  Written  now  concisely, 
By  Turlough  Maguire, 

One  thousand  seven  hundred  and  ninety  exactly, 
With  eight  years  rightly  added  thereto, 

for  Dr.  Smith  Avho  is  Physician  to  the  Soldiers  of  the  King  in 
Enniskellin  in  the  foresaid  year.' 


MS.  LXXXI]  APPENDIX  I  255 

9.  Pp.  86-90.  One  hundred  and  sixteen  double  lines  of  John 
O'Dugan's  famous  topographical  poem,  beginning, 

Triallani  timcheall  na  Fodhla. 

O'Dugan  died,  according  to  F.  M.  in  1372.  For  other  poems 
by  this  author,  v.  O'R.  p.  xcix  +  ,  and  sttj^'''^^  PP-  61,  206-7.  A 
prefatory  note  to  this  copy  runs  :  Sean  0  Dubhagan  ughdar  na 
duainesi  an  aimsir  Mhailsechhiinn  mhoir  mhic  Domihnuill, 
an  a  hhfuil  ceart  duthchas  gach  cinedh  araibh  a  n-Eirin  sa 
n-aimsir,  'John  O'Dugan  (was)  the  author  of  this  poem,  in  the 
time  of  Malachy  the  Great,  son  of  Donald,  in  which  is  set  down 
the  native  district  of  each  tribe  that  lived  in  Ireland  at  that 
time.' 

10.  Pp.  95-96.  The  first  part  of  a  Legend  in  prose  regarding 
Farhhlaidh  daughter  of  James  son  of  Torquil  of  the  race  of 
Cairbre  Ri(g)fada,  and  high  King  of  Scotland.  The  lady's  grand- 
mother was  Eadoin,  wife  of  Eochu  Aireamh.  The  Tale  breaks 
off  abruptly.  Perhaps  the  Black  Watch  was  ordered  away  from 
Enniskillen  before  Turlough  Maguire  had  time  to  complete  his 
transcript.     The  last  eight  leaves  of  the  MS.  are  blank. 


MS.  LXXXI 

MS.  LXXXI  is  a  half-bound  volume  of  276  pages,  written 
by  Ewen  M'Lachlan  of  Aberdeen.  Mr.  M'Lachlan  names  three 
volumes  of  his :  I.  An  t-easpaig  (the  Bishop) ;  11.  Leabhar  Gaol 
(Narrow  Book);  and  III.  J5aZ(/->S'o^rtir  (Collecting  Book,  Common- 
Place  Book).  He  also  speaks  of  a  Balg-Solair  of  Macleod's,  but 
neither  his  own  nor  Macleod's  Balg-Solair  is  in  the  Library. 

1.  The  first  fortj^-one  leaves  of  this  volume  are  unpaged,  and 
contain  a  rough  draft  of  a  Gaelic-English  Dictionary  from  A  to 
Buillsgein. 

2.  Thereafter  the  MS.  is  paged  from  p.  1  to  p.  147,  and  these 
are  occupied  (except  pp.  139-140)  with  transcripts  from  the  Dean 
of  Lismore's  MS.  To  this  section  Mr.  M'Lachlan  prefixed  the 
following  sentences  :  A  Zeabhar  lamli-sgrihlite  MJiaighistir  Mhic 
Griogair,  Easpaig  Leasmor,  a  bhuineas  do'n  Ghomunn  Ghaidh- 
ealach.  Anns  an  laimh  Rbimhich,  ach  ann  an  litrichibh  an 
Easpuig  fein,  a  reir  a  mliodha  Mhanuinnich.     Di-luain,  an 


25G      CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS  [MS.  LXXXI 

Cuiticamli  1(1  deiuj  doii  I'Jdrvarh  ur,  ISl)^,  '  Fioni  Mr. 
i\[ac(ircgor  the  Bishop  of  Lismore's  manuscript  which  is 
the  property  of  the  Highhuul  Society.  In  the  Koniaii  hand, 
but  in  the  Bishop's  own  orthography,  in  accordance  with  the 
manner  of  the  Isle  of  Man.  Monday,  the  fifteenth  day  of  sj)ring 
(new  style)  1813.'  Here  the  Decanus  Lismorensis  of  the  MS. 
is  rendered  '  Bishop  of  Lismore,'  and  this  no  doubt  suggested 
the  name  given  to  the  volume, — An  t-Easjouig.  M'Lachlan 
transcribed  his  extracts  not  in  the  order  in  which  they  appear 
in  the  MS.,  but  evidentl}-  as  he  found  them  easiest  to  read. 
Thus  the  first  piece  transcribed,  an  Ossianic  ballad,  appears 
on  p.  220  of  the  MS.,  the  second  on  p.  230,  etc.  etc.  Again 
on  p.  109  of  this  volume  he  remarks,  '  whatever  else  occurred 
worthy  of  preservation  has  been  inserted  in  the  following 
pages.  They  were  omitted  in  their  proper  places,  as  I  could 
not  at  that  time  read  them  with  any  certainty.'  A  note  at 
the  end  of  these  transcripts, —  Amen  :  Alleluia  :  Kyrie  Eleison  ! ' 
— expresses  his  gratification  that  the  task  was  finished.  And 
yet  the  indefatigable  scholar  immediately  proceeded  to  make 
a  second  copy  which,  as  formerely  stated  {supra  p.  227)  he 
sent  to  Sir  John  Macgregor  Murray. 

3.  On  pp.  139-140,  two  modern  songs  are  written,  the  first 
consisting  of  fifteen  stanzas,  beginning  : — 

Cha  b'e  tachan  a'  chrattain 
So  dliuisg  mi  sa  mhadin, 

and  the  second  of  thirteen  stanzas,  commencing  : — 

Gur  a  muladach  tha  mi 

A's'  tir  Abraich  gun  chas  diom, 

with  the  docquet, '  The  two  preceding  songs,  written  by  Donald 
MacLachlan,  2nd  May  1814.' 

4.  Colonel  Macdonnell  of  Glengarry  sent  to  Mr.  Maclachlan 
a  MS.  containing  twenty-five  poems  relating  to  the  Glengarry 
family.  Of  these  seven  are  anonymous ;  and  five  are  by  John 
Lo'in  Macdonald,  a  well-known  Gaelic  poet.  Four  are  attributed 
to  Aonghiis  MacAilean  {Tuathach,  '  northern  Highlander  '),  and 
one  each  to  Fear  Lead  Chluain  (laird  or  tacksman  of  L.  C.) ; 
Dunnchadh  Tiiac  Dhonnhmiill  ruaidh;  Iain  dubh  mac  'Ein  'ic 
Ailein;  Silidh  na  Ceapaiche  (Julia  of  Keppoch);  Ant-aosdana 


MS.  LXXXII]  APPENDIX  I  257 

mac  Mliathain  (the  poet  Mathieson) ;  Bean  fir  Acltadliuainidh 
(the  wife  of  the  laird  or  tacksman  of  A) ;  Fear  Aird-na-Bidhe 
(the  laird  or  tacksman  of  A) ;  Aonghus  macEin  duihh  ruaidh ; 
and  Aonghus  mac  Alastair  Ruaidh.  Maclachlan  transcribed 
eighteen  of  these  poems  on  pp.  148-161  of  the  MS.  The  other 
seven  were  not  transcribed,  having  been  already  printed  in  the 
collections  of  R.  Macdonald,  Campbell,  and  Turner. 

5.  Two  Irish  poems  are  given  on  p.  162,  the  first  consisting 
of  eight  quatrains  by  Maurice,  son  of  black  David  Fitzgerald 
{v.  supra,  p.  253),  beginning : — 

Do  bhronnadh  dhomh  caraid  ceilg, 
UUamh  glan  tana  nach  tilg, 

and  the  second,  an  ode  of  twelve  lines,  by  Goiridh  Ceitinn,  Ard- 
sheanchaidh  na  h-Eirionn,  a  cur  bheannachd  dltachaidh,  'se 
fhein  am  Breatann,  '  Geoffrey  Keating,  chief  historian  of  Ireland, 
sending  home  his  greetings,  he  being  in  Britain,'  beginning : — 

Beannachd  leat  a  sgribhinn  go  h-innis  aoibhinn  Ealga. 

6.  Pp.  163-180  are  blank,  with  a  leaf  cut  out. 

7.  Pp.  181-187  give  the  '  Contents  of  MacGregors's  MS.  as 
they  stand  in  the  Original,  with  reference  to  its  pages,  as  well 
to  those  of  the  transcript.' 

8.  The  remaining  pages  (187-195)  are  taken  up  with  sug- 
gested etymologies  and  cognates  of  Gaelic  words,  the  com- 
parisons being  mainly  with  Latin,  Greek,  and  in  two  or  three 
cases  Hebrew.     (Supra,  p.  3  (3).) 

MS.  LXXXII  (v.  supra,  p.  2  (1)) 

In  1812,  the  Highland  Society  sent  fourteen  of  the  more 
important  MSS.  in  their  possession  at  the  time  to  Mr.  Ewen 
M'Lachlan,  Aberdeen,  with  the  request  that  the  distinguished 
scholar  should  examine  the  MSS.  and  report  upon  them.  The 
Report  extends  to  one  hundred  and  seventy-two  pages,  quarto, 
and  forms  the  contents  of  this  volume,  which  is  stoutly  bound 
and  backed  '  Analysis  of  Ancient  Gaelic  MSS.'  The  title  of  the 
volume,  which  is  in  M'Lachlan's  hand,  as  is  also  the  Report, 
runs  '  Analysis  of  the  contents  of  Celtic  Manuscripts  belonging 

R 


258  CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS  [MS.  LXXXIII 

to    tho   Honourable  CoinmiLtee   of    the   Highland   Society  of 

Scotland, 

Antiqiuo  laudis  et  urtis 

Ajfjfrcilior,  sanctas  ausus  recludere  fontes. — Vikgil. 

by  Ewen  Maclachlan.     Old  Abd",  May  25th.,  1812.' 

Tho  MSS.  examined  and  reported  upon  are  those  numbered 
above  XLYI,  LVIII,  XXXVIII,  LYI,  LXII,  LIV,  LXV,  LV, 
LIU,  XL,  XXXIII,  XLI,  XXXII,  and  XXXVII.  The  only  MS. 
of  the  fourteen  here  analysed  regarding  the  identity  of  which 
there  can  be  any  doubt  is  our  XLI  (M'Lachlan's  No.  XII).  Mr. 
M'Lachlan  states  that  his  No.  XII  'is  the  fifth  Manuscript 
noticed  by  Mr.  Macintosh  in  his  Catalogue  of  ancient  Gaelic 
works  then  in  the  Highland  Society's  possession.'  Referring  to 
this  Catalogue  as  printed  in  Ossian  (ed.  1807),  vol.  iii.  p.  566  +  , 
Mr.  Macintosh's  fifth  MS.  ma}^  possibly  be  that  at  present 
numbered  XLI.  But  both  Macintosh  and  M'Lachlan  speak  of 
their  MS.  as  wholly  medical,  whereas  only  the  leaves  forming 
the  cover  of  MS.  XLI  are  medical  (v.  supra,  pp.  62,  119).  The 
present  MS.  XLI  must  have  been  rebound  and  otherwise 
manipulated  if  it  is  to  be  identified  with  Mr.  M'Lachlan's 
No.  XII,  and  Mr.  Macintosh's  No.  5. 

The  other  thirteen  MSS.  were  carefully  read  and  summarised 
by  Mr.  M'Lachlan ;  and  his  observations  upon  them  in  this  Report, 
as  Avell  as  his  transcripts  in  MSS.  LXXXI  and  LXXXIII,  are, 
considering  the  state  of  Gaelic  scholarship  in  Scotland  at  the 
time,  a  lasting  tribute  to  the  capacity,  knowledge,  and  integrity 
of  this  distinguished  scholar. 

MS.  LXXXIII  (v.  supra,  p.  2  (2)) 

This  volume,  which  contains  two  hundred  and  sixty  pages  and 
is  bound  in  boards  with  leather  back,  is  appropriately  named  by 
Mr.  M'Lachlan  Leahhar  Gaol,  '  Narrow  Book,'  the  page  being 
about  16  in.  by  6.  M'Lachlan  gives  it  the  title  of  'Celtic  Repository 
or  A  Collection  from  the  Ancient  Gaelic  MSS.  of  the  Highland 
Society  ...  by  Ewen  M'Lachlan  of  Fort  William,'  and  dates  it 
at  Old  Aberdeen,  1812.  He  also  gives  an  index  of  the 
contents,  but  without  always  naming  the  MSS.  from  which  the 
extracts  are  made.    The  transcripts  are  as  a  whole  very  faithfully 


MS.  LXXXIII]  APPENDIX  I  259 

done.  Contractions  are  rarely  extended,  and  when  they  are  the 
extension  is  frequently  marked  with  a  query.  Occasional  notes 
and  references  are  given.     The  Transcripts  are  these : — 

1.  The  Oigheadh  or  '  Violent  Death '  of  Cuchulainn  (pp.  1-44), 
from  MS.  XXXVIII,  with  a  few  paragraphs  inserted  at 
pp.  258-259  from  MS.  XLV  to  fill  up  obscure  paragraphs  in 
pp.  29-30  of  MS.  XXXVIII,  v.  supra,  p.  146 +  . 

2.  The  Battle  of  MagJi  Miwruiinhe  ox  Mucrainha  (pp.  45-79), 
from  i\IS.  XXXVIII,  v.  supra,  p.  151. 

3.  The  Education  of  Cuchulainn  and  the  Violent  Death  of 
Conlaoch  (pp.  81-105),  from  MS.  XXXVIII,  v.  supra,  p.  151. 

4.  The  Tragedy  of  the  Children  of  Lir  (pp.  106-118)  from 
MS.  XXXVIII,  V.  siqjra,  pp.  153,  167. 

5.  The  Tragedy  of  Deirdre  and  the  sons  of  Uisneach 
(pp.  119-131)  from  MS.  LVI,  v.  siipra,  pp.  159,  169. 
[M'Lachlan,  after  Macpherson,  in  his  Index  calls  Deirdre 
Darthula.] 

6.  The  Tale  known  as  Bruighean  Caorthuinn,  '  The  Rowan 
(fairy)  Mansion  or  Castle'  {y.  supra,  pp.  140,  173).  M'Lachlan 
in  his  Index  names  the  tale  '  Rebellion  of  Mac  Colgain  against 
Fingal'  The  transcript  (pp.  132-148)  is  partly  from  MS.  LVIII 
{v.  supra,  p.  173),  but  chiefly  from  MS.  XXXVIII  {v.  sup)ra, 
p.  152). 

7.  Pp.  149-158.  A  transcription  of  the  whole  of  MS.  XLVI, 
called  here  '  Emanuel,'  v.  supra,  pp.  201,  249. 

8.  Extracts  from  Keating's  History  (pp.  159-163).  The 
transcripts  here  are  from  MS.  LVIII,  v.  supra,  p.  128. 

9.  A  transcript  of  the  Avhole  of  MS.  LIII,  in  so  far  as 
legible,  with  the  exception  of  the  first  eight  columns  (pp.  164- 
223,  with  corrected  paragraphs  on  pp.  556-557).  MS.  LIII  is 
named  here  the  '  Glenmasan  Manuscript,'  v.  supra,  p.  158-(-. 

10.  Pp.  224-232.  A  transcipt  of  the  first  section  (pp.  1-12) 
of  MS.  XL,  relating  the  deaths  of  Irish  heroes,  v.  supra, 
pp.  153-154. 

11.  Pp.  233-248.  A  transcript  of  the  fourth  layer  of  MS. 
XL  (pp.  49-68),  containing  the  only  complete  copy  as  jQt  known 
of  the  Mesce  Ulad,  '  Intoxication  of  the  Ultonians,'  or  as  here 
entitled  Baethrem  Ulad  co  Temuir  Luachra,  '  The  wild  (mad) 
march  of  the  Ulstermen  to  T.  L.'     v.  supra,  pp.  155-157. 


260     CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MAXCJSCRIPTS  [MS.  LXXXV 

12.  Pp.  240-251  and  pp.  255-"2,")G,  contain  transcripts  from 
the  parchment  portion  of  MS.  XXXIIL  v.  siqira,  p.  60.  The 
extracts  made  aro  the  paragraphs  and  figures  relating  to  the 
Dominical  Letter  and  Golden  Number  on  fol.  lb ;  the  paragraph 
and  verses  on  ff.  6  and  7  ;  and  the  footnotes  to  the  Calendar 
naming  the  appropriate  foods,  drinks,  and  days  for  bloodletting 
for  each  month  of  the  year. 

13.  Pp.  251-254.  Transcript  of  the  opening  sections  of 
the  missing  MS.  XXXII,  which  Mr.  M'Lachlan  here  designates 
Leahhar  Chille  Bride,  '  the  Kilbride  Book.'  For  details,  v.  supra, 
pp.  219-220. 

14.  Pp.  259-260.  Transcript  of  an  article  on  Vinum  .|.  an 
Jin,  'wine,'  'from  Mr.  Thomson's  Vellum  Manuscript.'  This 
extract  must  be  from  a  copy  of  the  Tract  on  Materia  Medica 
used  by  the  Gaelic  physicians  (v.  siq^ra,  p.  18),  most  probably 
from  MS.  Ill,  which  might  have  been  in  Mr.  Thomson's  pos- 
session at  this  time.     For  MS.  Ill,  v.  supra,  p.  17  +  . 


MS.  LXXXV  (v.  siipra,  p.  3  (4)) 

This  is  a  quarto  MS.  in  pasteboard  cover,  containing  196  pages. 
It  is  a  transcript  by  the  Rev.  Donald  Mackintosh,  dated  '  Edinr. 
3rd  Octr.  1806,'  of  the  so-called  Red  Book  of  Clanranald.  The 
original  MS.  was  imperfect,  thirty-two  pages  being  awanting  at 
the  beginning,  and  several  leaves  torn  away  at  the  end. 
Mackintosh  professes  to  have  '  faithfully  copied,  word  for  word 
and  letter  for  letter,'  but  the  transcript  is  imperfectly  done. 
The  transcriber  was  not  quite  a  master  of  the  old  Gaelic  hand 
and  of  its  numerous  marks  of  contraction,  and  still  less  of  the 
grammar  of  the  language.  The  principal  contents  of  the  Red 
Book  of  Clanranald,  checked  by  the  Black  Book,  are  printed  in 
Bel.  Celt,  vol.  ii.  p.  148  to  p.  309. 

MS.  LXXXVI  (v.  siiiwa,  p.  3  (5)) 

A  folio  volume  of  about  170  pages  bound  in  calf,  written  in 
1812-1813  by  John  Sinclair  of  70  Bell  Street,  Glasgow.  Mr. 
Sinclair  writes  a  preface  in  English,  addressed  to  Sir  John 
Sinclair,  in  which  he  explains  his  purpose,  and  the  liberties 


MS.  LXXXVI]  APPENDIX  I  261 

he  took  with  the  printed  texts  of  Macpherson  and  Smith. 
Apart  from  this  the  volume  is  written  wholly  in  Gaelic,  and  in 
the  old  Gaelic  hand  which  Mr.  Sinclair,  evidently  an  accom- 
plished scribe,  learned  to  write  with  ease.  The  contents  of 
the  volume  are  : — 

1.  A  portion  of  the  Tale  known  as  Oigheadh  Chlainne 
Tuireann,  '  The  Tragedy  of  the  Children  of  T,'  The  extract 
occupies  five  pages,  and  Mr.  Sinclair  explains  in  a  note 
that  he  had  the  Irish  MS.  from  which  he  transcribed 
on  loan,  but  was  obliged  to  return  it,  Avhich  brought  the  tran- 
scription to  an  end.     Gf.  supra,  MS.  LVI,  p.  166. 

2.  The  whole  of  the  Gaelic  text  of  Macpherson's  Ossian. 
This  takes  up  one  hundred  pages.  There  is  a  descriptive  title- 
page  with  the  thistle,  and  the  legend  '  Nemo  me  impune  lacessit,' 
turned  into  Gaelic,  CJui  docJininn  duine  mi  gun  dloladh.  In 
his  preface  Mr,  Sinclair  explains  how  he  has  attempted  to 
restore  from  the  English  of  Macpherson  the  passages — Address 
to  the  Sun,  Maid  of  Craca,  and  Fainne-soluis — which  are  not 
found  in  the  Gaelic  text  of  1807,  together  with  minor  changes 
in  orthography,  such  as  us  for  is,  'and,'  etc.  The  poems  follow 
the  same  order  as  in  the  printed  text  of  1807.  But  Mr.  Sinclair, 
beside  the  Address  to  the  Sun,  adds  largely  to  the  text  of 
Carthonn.     He  has  624  lines  against  the  333  of  the  1807  text. 

Besides,  he  inserts  between  the  poem  of  Calthonn  is 
Caohnhal  and  Fionnghal,  a  Lay  of  Deirdre,  beginning: — 

Fada  la  gun  Clilann  Uisneacli. 

The  Lay  is  evidently  taken  from  MS.  LVI  (supra,  p.  170), 
pp.  453-454,  from  which  it  is  printed  in  Irische  Texte,  vol.  ii, 
(2)  pp.  145-148. 

At  line  446  of  Fingal,  Duan  in.,  Sinclair  in  a  footnote  adds 
thirty-six  lines  and  in  his  text  eighty-two  others  not  in  the  1807 
text. 

At  the  end  of  Temora,  Duan  i.,  Sinclair  adds  a  note  in 
which  he  gives  Deirdre's  well-known  Farewell  to  Alba,  as  in 
MS.  LVI.  In  Temora,  Duan  ii.,  he  has  551  lines  as  against  452 
in  the  1807  text. 

3.  The  whole  of  the  text  of  Dr.  Smith's  Sean  Dana,  with 
such    minor    alterations   in    orthography   and    diction   as    Mr. 


2G2  CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS    [MS.  LXXXVII 

Sinclair  thought  proper  to  make.  Smith's  texts  take  up  fifty- 
six  pages  of  the  transcript,  and  the  several  poems  are  written 
in  the  order  in  which  they  appear  in  print.  Mr.  Sinclair  has 
written  a  title-page  to  Smith's  texts  as  to  Macpherson's.  Here 
he  mentions  that 'some  changes' — hnigau  atliarravhuidh — are 
made.  The  design  on  this  title-page  is  a  scallop  shell,  with  the 
legend  Vair  mun  cuairt  an  t-slige  chreacltuinn,  'Pass  round  the 
Seallop-shell.' 

4.  The  fourth  and  last  extract  in  Mr.  Sinclair's  volume  is  a 
copy  of  the  composition  formerly  noted  {v.  supra,  p.  100),  en- 
titled An  SiogiiUlhe  Romanach, '  the  Roman  Sprite.'  Sinclair's 
chief  reason  for  selecting  these  verses  apparently  was  that  they 
seemed  to  him  to  satisfactorily  establish  the  locality  of  Tir-fo- 
thibinn,  '  Land-under-wave,'  so  frequently  mentioned  in  Gaelic 
Tale. 

MSS.  LXXXVII,  LXXXVIII  (v.  supm,  p.  8  (6,  7)) 

These  two  volumes  contain  the  Collection  of  Ossianic  poetry 
mq,de  by  Duncan  Kennedy  throughout  Argyllshire  from  1774  to 
1783.  The  collection  is  in  three  volumes  folio,  but  roughly 
bound  in  two  volumes.  Kennedy  was  schoolmaster  of  Kilmelford, 
and  afterwards  for  a  time  accountant  in  Glassfow.  Later  he  re- 
sided  in  Lochgilphead.  In  1786  Kennedy  printed  anonymously 
a  small  volume  of  Gaelic  Hymns  by  several  authors,  which  was 
reprinted  with  additional  matter  in  prose  and  verse,  and 
recommended,  at  Kennedy's  request,  dated  '  Glasgow,  11th 
March,  1834 '  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Norman  Macleod  of  Campsie  and 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Maclaurin  of  the  Gaelic  Chapel,  Glasgow. 

Mr.  Kennedy  gave  the  perusal  of  a  part  of  his  Ossianic  Col- 
lection to  the  Rev.  Dr.  Smith  who  had  been  making  a  collection 
on  his  own  account.  When  Dr.  Smith's  Sean  Dana  were 
published  in  English  (in  1780)  Kennedy  threatened  an  action 
against  Smith  for  a  share  of  the  profits  from  Sea7i  Dana,  on  the 
ground  that  they  were  '  translations  of  his  collections  of  poems.' 
Kennedy  afterwards  sold  his  '  Collection  '  to  the  Highland 
Society,  giving  '  a  statement  of  those  parts  of  the  poems  he  had 
really  taken  down  from  recitation,  and  those  he  claimed  to  have 
composed.     It  is  strange  that  the  passages  he  claimed  as  his 


MS.  LXXXIX]  APPENDIX  I  263 

own  composition  are  just  those  which  have  been  most  clearly 
established  to  be  genuine '  (D.  L.,  p.  lii,  note). 

It  is  unnecessary  to  enter  upon  further  detail  regarding  this 
large  and  valuable  collection,  as  it  is  fully  indexed,  described 
and  printed  in  L.  F.  (pp.  vi,  xviii-xxii,  and  10  to  197). 


MS.  LXXXIX  (v.  supra,  p.  3  (8)) 

This  is  a  quarto  MS.  of  257  pages  (pp.  1-27  and  pp.  1-230) 
half-bound,  containing  transcripts  by  the  Rev.  Donald  Mackintosh 
from  MS.  XXXIV  and  XXXVI. 

1.  Pp.  1-27.  A  transcript  of  the  Tale  known  as  Bruighean 
Caorthuinn  from  MS.  XXXIV. 

The  other  extracts  in  the  volume  are  all  from  MS.  XXXVI. 

2.  Pp.  1-123.  (new  paging).  Imtheacht  Conaill  Gulbanfon 
domhan  in{K)or,  cf.  supra,  p.  142 -f  . 

3.  Pp.  124-127.  A  copy  of  Conall  Cearnach's  Lay,  be- 
ginning : — 

A  Chonuill  ca  sealbh  na  cinn, 

V.  supra,  p.  144,  et  aliis. 

4.  Pp.  127-128.  Verses  attributed  to  Bishop  Carsewell,  begin- 
ning:— 

Na  maoi  h-naisle  orum  fein, 

V.  supra,  p.  205. 

5.  P.  128.  Three  quatrains  addressed  to  a  lady.    First  line: — 

Innis  disi  giodh  b'e  me, 
V.  siqjra,  p.  205. 

5.  Pp.  129-140.  The  Tale  of  MacDatho's  Pig.  Cf.  sup)ra, 
p.  144. 

6.  Pp.  141-157.  Bruighean  hheag  na  h-Almhuin,  '  The  little 
mansion  of  Almu,'  v.  supra,  p.  141 -f-.  [This  Tale  was  omitted 
from  the  list  of  Tales  in  MS.  XXXVI,  supra,  pp.  142-146.] 

7.  Pp.  157-168.     Bruighean  Cheisi  Coruin,  v.  supra,  p.  144. 

8.  Pp.  169-178.     Dearg  MacDruihheil,  v.  supra,  pp.  145-146. 

First  line : — 

T(Gr)reis  ar  caithrein  an  fhir  mhoir. 

9.  Pp.  179-180.     Poem  on  the  Earl  of  Argyll,  v.  supra,  p.  117. 

First  line : — 

Is  maith  mo  leaba  is  olc  mo  sliiiain. 


2G4   CATALOGUE  UF  GAELIC  MAXCSCUIPT.S  [MS.  LXXXIX 

10.  Pp.  LSI -182.  Lmcs  on  Y).  12^,' Inni.^  disi  giodhh'e 'iiie' 
repeated,  as  also  a  few  couplets,  epigrams,  and  charms. 

11.  Pp.  183-201.     An  Ceithirneach,  v.  srujpra,  p.  146, 

[Pp.  107-280  are  detached  from  the  bound  portion  of  the 
MS.  They  are  stitched  together,  and  the  text  and  paging  are 
continuous.] 

12.  Pp.  202-204  arc  blank,  and  p.  205  contains  one  or  two 
epigrams  and  couplets. 

13.  Pp.  206-211.  Triath  nan  Gaoidheal  Giolleaspag. 
V.  su2'>ra,  p.  116. 

14.  Pp.  211-216.  Rug  edrain  ar  iath  n-Alban,  Avith  appended 
note  signed  Miiris  0  Mhiiilgliirigh.     V.  supra,  p.  117. 

15.  Pp.  216-221  are  partly  blank,  partly  contain  some  verses 
and  couplets. 

16.  Pp.  222-226.  Na  faafha,—' the  things  hateful'  here 
enumerated  are  over  one  hundred.     V.  supra,  pp.  205,  241. 

17.  Pp.  226-230.     Short  poems  and  epigrams,  e.g. 

p.  226.  Ni  bfuigheadh  misi  bas  duit.  V.  supra,  206. 

„   227.  A  Dhuine,  cuimlmich  am  bas.  ,,          „          91. 

„   228.  Neach  sin  bhios  cor(r)acli  do  ghnath.  ,,          ,,       206. 

))   229.  Mairg  ni  naill  as  oige.  „          ,,          91. 

„   230.  Soraidh  slan  don  aoidhche  reir.  :,          „        205. 

As  already  stated  {supra,  p.  260),  the  accuracy  of  Mr. 
Mackintosh's  transcripts  cannot  always  be  relied  upon. 


MS.  XC 

This  is  a  quarto  MS.  stoutly  bound  in  calf,  and  backed 
'Lismore  Manuscript,  Transcript,  1897.'  It  is  the  transcript, 
page  for  page  and  line  for  line,  in  so  far  as  legible,  made  by  the 
Rev.  Walter  Macleod  of  the  Dean  of  Lismore's  MS.  Cf.  sup)ra, 
p.  228. 

MSS.  XCI  to  XCVIII 

These  eight  MSS.  with  MS.  LXXVI  {supra,  p.  248)  connect 
with  the  Highland  Society's  Dictionary,  published  in  1828.  MS. 
XCI  is  a  thick  volume  of  ruled  foolscap,  containing  the  copy 
sent  to  the  printers  of  the  Gaelic  Articles  under  the  letter  '  C 


MSS.  C,  CI]  APPENDIX  I  265 

[The  copy  of  the  Articles  under  'A'  and  '  B  '  appears  not  to  have 
been  preserved.]  The  copy  of  '  C '  is  in  very  large  clear  hand, 
with  many  deletions,  and  slips  without  number  pasted  thereon 
containing  additional  shades  of  meaning,  references,  and  very 
doubtful  etymologies.  MS.  XCII  of  similar  make  and  binding 
contains  copy  of  'D,'  'E,'  'F.'  MS.  XCIII  gives,  in  smaller 
hand,  copy  of  'G'  to  end  of  '  O.'  MS.  XCIV,  with  return  to 
the  larger  hand,  contains  '  P '  to  Subhailceach,  while  MS.  XCV 
completes  the  copy  of  the  Gaelic  text, — Subhaltach  to 
tltraiseachd.  The  copy  of  the  English-Gaelic  part  of  the 
Dictionary  is  contained  in  two  volumes  (XCVI,  XCVII)  of  even 
make  and  binding  with  the  others.  MS.  XCYIII  is  long,  narrow, 
and  thick.  It  contains  the  'proofs'  of  the  three  parts  of  the 
Dictionary  which  passed  between  Dr.  Macleod  of  Dundonald, 
the  Convener  of  the  Highland  Society's  Committee,  and  Dr. 
Mackintosh  Mackay,  the  acting  editor  in  charge  of  the  Press. 

In  these  proof-sheets,  between  the  Gaelic-English  and  Anglo- 
Gaelic  parts,  four  leaves  of  print  headed  '  Specimen  of  English- 
Gaelic  Dictionary '  were  somehow  inserted,  to  the  annoyance  of 
Dr.  Macleod. 

MS.  XCIX 

This  is  a  Portfolio  containing  loose  sheets  which  were  the 
property  of  the  Picv.  Dr.  Ross  of  Lochbroom,  and  Avhich  were 
sent  to  the  Library  in  May  1894  by  Dr.  Ross's  son-in-law,  the 
late  Rev.  W.  Sinclair  of  Plockton.  They  consist  of  translations 
of  portions  of  Temora,  Cath  Lodin,  Carraic-thura  and  other 
Ossianic  poems,  with  some  notes  by  Dr.  Ross,  as  also  a  letter  or 
two  by  Dr.  Ross  regarding  the  projected  publication  of  these. 
Some  of  the  notes  are  evidently  in  E.  M'L's  hand,  and  the  trans- 
lation of  Temora  is  backed,  apparently  in  error,  as  being  by 
E.  M'L. 

MSS.  C,  CI 

These  two  volumes  contain  a  glossary  of  terms  and  phrases 
associated  with  the  Music  and  Poetry  of  the  Gael,  compiled  by 
Angus  Eraser.  The  first  volume  is  written  on  202  pages  of  a 
Regimental  Defaulters  Book,  which  is  roughly  bound,  while  the 
second,  bound  in  dark  calf,  is  backed  '  Register  of  Admission  to 


2(;g       catalogue  of  Gaelic  manuscripts     [ms.  cii 

Sabbath  School  Reading  Class.'  The  glossary  is  in  a  crude  state, 
and  was  written  in  quite  recent  times,  The  Beauties  of  Gaelic 
Poetry,  published  in  1841,  being  among  the  authorities  cited. 
According  to  a  note  in  the  first  volume  the  MSS.  were  purchased 
from  James  Beaton,  Castle  Street,  Inverness,  and  were  the 
property  of  Sergeant  Gardiner  his  son-in-law  '  who  died  in  this 
town  a  few  years  ago.' 

MS.  CII 

This  is  a  copy  of  the  Lay  of  Conn,  in  the  handwriting  of  the 
late  Mr.  J.  F.  Campbell.  It  was  sent  to  the  Library  with 
explanatory  letters  by  Miss  M.  Ferguson,  who  also  printed  the 
Lay,  with  notes,  in  1909. 

MS.  cm 

This  is  a  thin  MS.,  of  paper,  small  quarto,  half-bound.  Pro- 
fessor Buttner,  for  missionary  purposes,  wrote  in  dialogue  form 
a  short  tract  recommendins:  the  Christian  Protestant  faith.  The 
tract  was  meant  to  be  translated  into  many  languages.  The 
Rev.  Alexander  M'Aulay,  at  one  time  chaplain  to  the  88th 
Regiment  (cf  Rejy.  on  Oss.,  App.  p.  23 ;  Ossian,  ed.  1807.  vol.  iii. 
p.  456)  translated  the  tract  into  Gaelic,  and  we  have  it  in  this 
MS.,  with  English  and  Gaelic  on  opposite  pages,  thirty-seven 
pages  in  all.  The  MS.  was  purchased  at  a  sale  by  the  Rev. 
Donald  Maclean,  Duirinish,  and  presented  by  him,  some  sixteen 
years  ago,  to  the  Library. 

MS.  CIV 

No.  CIV  is  not  a  MS.  but  the  printed  copy  of  the  Dean  of 
Lismore's  Book  on  which  the  late  Mr.  D.  C.  Macpherson  marked 
his  corrected  reading  of  the  Dean's  Ossianic  poems.  Mr. 
Macpherson  thereafter  wrote  out  in  fair  hand  these  poems 
as  corrected  (v.  infra). 


The  remaining  Gaelic  MSS.  preserved  in  the  Library,  with 
the  exception  of  Mr.  J.  F.  Campbell's,  are  at  present  stored  in 
four  boxes.  The  principal  contents  of  these  are  briefly  as 
follows : — 


APPENDIX  I  267 

I. — A  Locked  Box  containing  the  MSS.  of  the  late 
Dr.  W.  F.  Skene 

By  his  will  the  late  Dr.  Skene  bequeathed  his  Celtic  MSS. 
to  the  Advocates'  Library.  The  most  important  Gaelic  MSS. 
which  Dr.  Skene  possessed  were  the  Fernaig  MS.  and  the  Black 
Book  of  Clanranald.  At  his  death,  neither  of  these  was  found 
in  his  library.  It  afterwards  transpired  that  Dr.  Skene  '  not 
merely  granted  the  [Fernaig]  MS.  [to  the  editors  of  Reliquiae 
Celticae]  for  comparison  and  complete  transcription,  but  kindly 
presented  it  to  Mr.  Kennedy '  (Rel.  Celt.,  vol.  ii.,  preface).  Mr. 
Kennedy  in  turn  left  the  MS.  by  his  will  to  the  Library.  The 
'  Black  Book '  was  restored  by  Dr.  Skene  '  to  the  representative 
of  its  ancient  possessors  .  .  .  and  is  now  safe  in  Clanranald's 
possession'  (Rel.  Celt.,  vol.  ii.  p.  139). 

The  Fernaig  MS. 

This  MS.  is  fully  described,  with  illustrative  extracts,  in 
the  Transactions  of  the  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness,  vol.  xi. 
pp.  311-339,  while  its  contents  are  printed  in  Rel.  Celt,  vol.  ii. 
pp.  1-139,  so  that  a  brief  account  suffices  here.  It  consists  of 
two  small  volumes  of  paper,  seven  to  eight  inches  by  three, 
covered  in  pasteboard.  The  first  volume  contains  thirty-six 
leaves,  three  of  which  are  blank.  The  second  has  at  present 
twenty-eight  leaves,  of  which  three  at  the  beginning  and  five  at 
the  end  are  blank.  '  One  of  these  leaves  is  double  and  folded 
in,  and  there  are  two  loose  pieces,  half  leaves,  written  upon.'  It 
contains  in  all  about  four  thousand  two  hundred  lines  of  Gaelic 
verse.  Six  leaves,  all  written  upon,  have  been  cut  out  of  the 
second  volume,  so  that  at  one  time  the  Collection  must  have 
contained  about  four  thousand  eight  hundred  lines. 

The  MS.  was  written,  beyond  reasonable  doubt,  by  Duncan 
Macrae  of  Inverinate,  in  Kintail,  a  gentleman  locally  remem- 
bered as  Donnachadh  nam  Plos,  '  Duncan  of  the  (Silver)  cups,' 
between  the  years  1688  and  1693.  On  the  top  of  the  first  page 
is  the  heading:  Doirligh  Loijn  di  sJcrijivig  lea  Donochig  Mac 
Rah,  1688,  '  A  number  [handful]  of  Lays  written  by  Duncan 
Macrae,  1688.'     In  1807  the  MS.  was  in  the  possession  of  Mr. 


2G8  C'ATALOdL'E  OF  CAFMC  .MANUSCRIPTS 

Matheson  of  Fcrnaig  (Ossian,  ed.  1807,  vol.  iii.  p.  572).  After- 
wards it  passed  into  the  hands  of  Dr.  Mackintosh  Mackay,  by 
whose  trustees  it  was  presented  to  J)r.  Skene.  In  the  late 
seventies  I  identified  the  MS.  among  Dr.  Skene's  Celtic  MSS. 
Subsequently  I  transcribed  the  whole  of  it,  transliterated  and 
annotated  a  considerable  portion,  and  gave  an  account  of  it 
in  the  Transact  ions  of  tlie  Inverness  Gaelic  Societi/  (vol.  xi., 
pp.  311-339).  Thereafter  the  MS.  was  borrowed  by  the  late 
Dr.  Cameron,  who  transcribed  the  greater  part  of  it.  In  1899 
an  elaborate  article  by  Herr  Christian  Stern  on  the  first  poem 
in  the  Collection  and  its  author  appeared  in  Zeit.  filr  Celt.  PJtil , 
vol.  ii.  pp.  566-586,  while  in  the  previous  year  many  of  the 
poems  in  this  MS.  were  transliterated  and  printed  by  Dr.  George 
Henderson  in  Leahhar  nan  Gleann,  pp.  198-300. 

This  Collection  is  a  valuable  contribution  to  Scottish  Gaelic 
Literature.  Next  to  the  Dean  of  Lismore's  it  is  the  oldest 
Collection  of  a  general  kind  which  we  possess.  Like  the 
Dean's,  the  Fernaig  MS.  is  written  phonetically,  and  in  the 
current  Scottish  hand  of  the  day.  Macrae  may  possibly  have 
copied  from  MS.  in  one  or  two  cases,  but  much  the  larger 
portion  of  the  contents  must  have  been  written  down  from 
memory  or  from  recitation.  Man}^  of  the  poems  by  local  authors 
show  that  the  intonation  of  the  people  in  the  west  of  Ross-shire 
has  hardly  changed  since  the  Revolution.  The  Collection  is 
singularly  pure  in  tone,  while  the  quality  of  the  poetry  is  as  a 
rule  high.  More  than  one  half  of  the  contents  is  political  and 
ecclesiastical.  Feeling  ran  high  at  the  time,  but  the  authors 
discuss  burning  questions  with  temper,  knowledge,  and  judg- 
ment. 

There  are  in  all  fifty-nine  separate  pieces,  one  or  two  of 
which  are  single  stanzas,  while  several  consist  of  only  a  few 
quatrains.  Two  pieces  profess  to  be  translations,  one  (p.  117  of 
Rel.  Celt.,  vol.  ii.),  entitled  '  Couh  Joan  Vreittin  or  Jock  Breittan's 
complent  Irished  to  the  toon  q°  the  King  corns  home  in  peace 
againe.  Julie  1693';  the  other  (p.  120)  '  Another  Irished  by  the 
same  author,  called  the  true  Protestants  complent,  anno  1693.' 
The  originals  of  these  I  have  not  been  able  to  trace.  Several 
pieces  are  anonymous,  some  of  which,  as  e.g.  the  poem  on 
the  battle  of  Killiecrankie  or  Raon  Ruaraidh,  as  Highlanders 


APPENDIX  I  269 

spoke  of  it,  are  among  the  best  in  the  Collection  (v.  Ret.  Gelt, 
vol.  ii.  pp.  36,  83,  84,  90,  101,  106,  109,  120). 

Macrae  included  in  his  Collection  a  few  poems  composed 
long  before  his  time  by  men  living  far  beyond  his  district,  and 
it  is  not  surprising  that  he  made  mistakes  regarding  their 
authorship.  The  first  poem  in  the  Collection,  entitled  by  Macrae 
Krossanighk  Illevreed,  is,  according  to  O'R.  (CLXIX), '  a  transla- 
tion from  a  Latin  work  of  Saint  Bernard's  ...  by  Giolla  Brighid, 
alias  Bonaventure,  O'Heoghusa,  a  Franciscan  friar  of  the  College 
of  Saint  Anthony  of  Padua,  in  Louvain.'  A  copy  is  printed  by 
Herr  Christian  Stern  from  a  Brussels  MS.  in  Zeit.  filr  Celt.  Phil., 
vol.  ii.  p.  583,  where  the  poem  is  also  attributed  to  Giolla 
Brighde.  {Cf.  further,  Ratisbon  MS.  infra.)  The  poem  entitled 
by  Macrae  Bhreishllgh  Ghonochi  Voihr,  by  whom  is  no  doubt 
meant  Duncan  mor  O'Daly,  and  attributed  to  that  poet  by 
others  {cf.  supra,  p.  251),  is  no  doubt  more  correctly  ascribed 
in  the  Ratisbon  MS.  and  elsewhere  to  Baothghalach  mac 
Aodhagain.  Macrae  attributes  two  poems  to  Bishop  Carsewell 
of  Argyll  (pp.  9,  14).  The  first  of  these,  ChoUjn,  huggid  j  bais, 
'  0  Body,  death  is  upon  thee,'  is  ascribed  in  Irish  MSS.  to  Donn- 
chadh  mor  O'Dal}' ;  the  second.  Ha  seachh  seydhin  er  mj  hj, 
'  Seven  arrows  assail  me,'  is  in  D.  L.  assigned  to  Dunchaa  Ogga, 
'  Duncan  the  younger '  {v.  supra,  p.  238),  and  cannot  possibly  be 
Carsewell's.  Two  pieces  are  attributed  to  Sir  John  Stewart  of 
Appin  (pp.  23,  24),  who  flourished  about  a  hundred  years  before 
Macrae,  and  whose  Faoisid  or  confession  is  printed  in  Calvin's 
Catechism  (v.  Reid's  Bibliotheca  Scoto-Celtica,  Glasgow,  1832, 
p.  173).  On  p.  27  are  didactic  verses  attributed  to  (Mac)  Eaghin 
vyck  earchir,  an  author  otherwise  unknown.  [For  sayings  and 
verses  of  similar  character,  cf,  among  others,  supra,  p.  187 ; 
Nicolson's  Proverbs,  p.  394  +  ;  and  Loudin  or  Lothian's  Pro- 
verbs in  Verse,  Edin.  1797,  1834,  1844.]  Nine  quatrains  are 
ascribed  to  Oishen  M'Phyn  (p.  89),  and  it  is  interesting  to  know 
that  these  were  recited,  with  hardly  a  change,  in  Kin  tail  in  1886. 
((7/.L.F.,p.  106.) 

But  the  great  bulk  of  the  contents  of  the  Fernaig  MS. 
belongs  to  Macrae's  day  and  district,  composed  for  the  most 
part  by  himself,  his  relatives  and  neighbours.  With  respect  to 
these,  there  would  be  little  danger  of  error  by  so  capable  and 


270  CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS 

woll-infonncd  a  iiiau.  The  '  scribe '  is  the  acknowledged  author 
of  thirteen  pieces  (pp.  25,  30,  32,  34,  37,  38,  4G,  51,  58,  G2,  91, 
93,  98)  (?).  He  is  also,  if  I  mistake  not,  the  author  of  the  poem 
on  p.  127,  ascribed  to  'a  certain  Harper  .  .  .  and  pretended  to 
be  conipon'i  \jq  on  Gillimichell  M'Donald  tinkler,'  as  also  of 
'  Gilliuiichells  ansr  to  the  ford  lyns '  (p.  132).  One  of  the  stanzas 
of  the  latter  poem  was  recovered  in  Kintail  and  attributed  to 
Donnachadh  nam  Pios.  Fear  iia  Pairce,  '  the  Laird  of  Park,' 
has  six  pieces  in  the  Collection  (pp.  6,  10,  12,  12,  15,  16). 
Macculloch  of  Park  was  Macrae's  great-grandfather.  A  poem 
on  p.  114  is  ascribed  to  a  Perse  Eglise,  anno  1692,  who  lived  in 
Kilduich.  Kilduich  was  the  old  name  of  the  parish  of  Kintail, 
and  Donald  Macrae,  Duncan's  brother,  was  minister  of  Kintail 
in  1692.  The  Laird  of  Raasay  has  live  quatrains  on  p.  89. 
Macrae's  wife  was  a  daughter  of  Macleod  of  Raasay. 

Of  the  other  contributors  to  the  Fernaig  MS.  there  is 
Alexander  Munro  with  two  poems  (pp.  19,  21).  He  was  a/ear- 
teagaisg  '  teacher,'  '  lector '  in  Strathnaver,  and  died  before  De- 
cember 22nd,  1653  (Fasti  Eccl.  Scot,  vol.  v.,  p.  346).  The  religi- 
ous character  of  his  verses  would  appeal  to  Macrae.  All  the 
other  authors  are  of  the  district.  John  Mackenzie  has  two 
poems  (pp.  81,  85),  elegies  both,  —  one  on  '  the  death  of 
Kenneth  bg,  who  died  in  16 — '  [can  he  be  Kenneth  bg,  fourth 
Earl  of  Seaforth,  who  died  in  Paris,  in  1701  (v.  History 
of  the  Machenzies,  Inverness,  1879,  p.  216)?];  the  other  on  the 
death  of  John  of  Applecross,  evidently  Iain  Molach,  '  hairy 
John '  (Hist,  of  the  Machenzies,  p.  443).  The  others  are  known 
by  their  patronymics  only.  One  of  these  was  Murchadh  mac 
mhic  Mhurchaidh,  who  has  six  short  poems  attributed  to  him 
(pp.  67,  68;  69,  70,  71,  83).  He  is  probably  Murchadh  mor  mac 
mhic  Mhurchaidh,  fear  Eichildi,  to  whom  two  very  spirited 
jDoems  are  ascribed  in  Ranald  Macdonald's  Collection  (ed.  1776, 
pp.  23,  185).  Another  is  Donnachadh  Mac  Ruairi,  who  has  four 
short,  but  very  meritorious  poems  (pp.  74,  75,  76,  77).  He  is 
doubtless  the  poet  of  the  same  name  mentioned  in  Rep.  on  Oss., 
App.,  p.  40,  who  held  the  lands  called  Achadh-nam-bard  in 
Trotternish,  Skye,  as  Bard  of  the  Macdonalds  of  Skye.  A  third 
is  Alister  M'Cuistan,  'Alexander,  son  of  Hugh'  (p.  54),  and 
the  fourth  and  last  is  Allistjr  M'Curchj,  '  Alexander  son    of 


APPENDIX  I  271 

Murdoch/  to  whom  three,  if  not  four,  poems  are  ascribed  (pp.  72, 
73,  78,  84  ?).  It  is  somewhat  surprising  that  there  is  no  extract 
in  the  Fernaig  MS.  from  the  works  of  the  famous  Jacobite  bard 
John  Lom  Macdonald  of  Lochaber  or  of  Mary  Macleod,  the 
Skye  poetess.  Many  of  the  poems  of  these  well-known  authors 
must  have  been  known  in  Kintail  in  1688. 


The  Black  Book  of  Clanranald 

The  volume  now  known  as  the  Black  Book  of  Clanranald 
was,  with  several  other  Gaelic  MSS.  and  papers,  bought  in  Dublin 
by  Dr.  Skene  many  years  ago.  It  is  a  sort  of  commonplace- 
book,  like  the  so-called  Red  Book  of  Clanranald,  written  for  the 
greater  part  in  Gaelic,  with  occasional  excursions  into  English, 
by  members  of  the  Macmhuirich  family,  the  hereditary  bards  of 
Clanranald  in  South  Uist.  The  MS.  with  its  contents,  as  also 
the  kindred  Red  Book,  is  described  in  detail  in  the  second 
volume  of  Rel.  Celt,  where  the  principal  parts  of  both  MSS. 
are  printed.  Further  reference  is  made  to  Rel.  Gelt,  vol.  ii. 
pp.  138-309.     Cf.  also  Celt  Scot  vol.  iii.  pp.  397-409. 

The  contents  of  the  Skene  box  are  the  following : 

A,  Gaelic. 

1.  XVII.  I.  1.  This  is  a  Gaelic  MS.,  small  quarto  with  leather 
cover,  written  in  a  plain  Gaelic  hand  of  the  eighteenth  century. 
It  consists  of  104  pages.  The  edges  are  frayed  and  a  few  leaves 
are  awanting  at  the  end.  The  subject  is  a  life  of  St.  Patrick, 
divided  into  twenty-one  chapters.  A  detached  sheet  written  in 
English  and  signed  P.  O'Keefe,  July  10th  1884,  gives  the  head- 
ings of  the  chapters.  On  p.  1,  in  modern  hand,  is  '  Life  of 
S^  Patrick,'  and  on  p.  3,     '  Charles  M'ara,  Bachelor's  Walk.' 

2.  XVII.  I.  2.  A  thin  volume  of  paper,  folio,  written  in 
English.  Only  the  first  27  pages  at  the  beginning,  with  a  pao-e  at 
the  end,  are  written  upon.  It  is  a  fragment  of  a  '  translation  of 
the  Clanranald  Book  commonly  called  the  little  Book,'  done  by 
Angus  Macdonald,  Insh,  in  1835.  The  translation  was  evidently 
made  for  Mr.  Donald  Gregory  {v.  margin  of  j3.  26). 

Within  the  same  cover,  but  detached,  are  10  leaves  of  foolscap 


272  CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS 

stitched  iirinly  tojj^etlicr,  and  containing  a  translation  of  a  portion 
of  the  Red  Rook  of  Chinranald  beginning  at  p.  83  (v.  supra, 
^IS.  LXXXV,  p.  260). 

3.  XVII.  I.  3.  A  quarto  paper  MS.  written  in  Enghsh.  On 
the  fly-leaf  (in  Mr.  Gregory's  hand  ?)  is  '  Copy  Fragment  History 
of  the  Macdonalds  from  MS.  possessed  by  Major  Macdonald, 
Knock,  father  of  the  late  General  Donald  Macdonald.  .  .  .  (In 
pencil)  '  Belongs  to  Sir  W'".  Bannatyno.  Lent  16  Augt  1833  to 
Wm.  F.  Skene  by  Donald  Gregory.  To  be  returned  to  Mr.  Gregory 
when  Mr.  Skene  has  done  with  it.'  The  contents  of  the  MS.  are 
printed  in  Collectanea  de  rebus  Albanicis.  Edin.,  1839.  Pp.  282- 
324.  Seventy-two  pages  are  written  upon  ;  the  remainder  is 
blank. 

4.  XVII.  I.  4.  A  thick  paper  MS.  quarto,  half-bound. 
The  volume  is  written  from  both  ends  in  English,  but  almost 
the  half  is  blank.  The  contents  are  mainly  genealogies  and 
genealogical  history,  largely  of  the  Craignish  family.  There 
are  several  hands,  Dr.  Skene's  among  them. 

5.  XVII.  I.  5.  Portfolio  A.  In  this  Portfolio  are  included 
several  papers :  e.g.  (1)  The  leaf  amissing  from  MS.  XXXIII 
(v.  supra,  p.  62).  (2)  A  copy  of  Sir  James  Grant's  MS.  This 
contains  the  following :  (a)  Coradh  edir  Cuchullin  agus  Laogre 
{  =  Laeg)  taris  la  Cath  Muirthemhne  {v.  supra,  p.  149)  s^  na 
neasabh  ris  an  cliara  chum  eug.  (b)  Tuiriomh  eimre  air 
CiicJiullin.  (c)  Le  Conall  Gearnach,  oide  Chucliullin.  (d)  Laoi 
nan  Ceann.  (e)  Dan  mhic  Dliiarmaid  descended  ('  from  Arthur 
mor  mac  Mortough.')  (/)  Moladh,  no  taogha  nam  Ban. 
(3)  Another  copy  of  Sir  James  Grant's  MS.  with  translation. 
[In  this  copy,  the  last  poem  is  awanting.]  (4)  Copy  of  a  trans- 
lation into  Gaelic  of  twenty-eight  of  Vi^att's  Hymns  by  Uistean 
Mac  Aoidh  Scerrath  (Hugh  Mackay,  Skerray),  (5)  A  printed 
English  translation  of  Fingal,  with  notes  by  Rev.  Dr.  Ross 
of  Lochbroom.  (6)  Two  or  three  Gaelic  sermons  (anon.) 
(7)  Interesting  anecdotes,  in  English,  of  Blar  Leine,  the  disaster 
at  Gaick,  etc.  etc.  (8)  Inventory  of  MSS.  etc.,  belonging  to 
Mr.  Donald  Gregory  handed  over  to  the  lona  Club. 

6.  XVII.  I.  5.  Portfolio  B.  This  Portfolio  contains  several 
letters,  with  notes  and  excerpts  from  books  and  MSS. 

7.  XVII.  I.  5.  Portfolio  C.     The  chief  contents  of  this  port- 


APPENDIX  I  273 

folio  are  excerpts  from  the  principal  old  Irish  MSS.,  with  trans- 
lations by  O'Curry,  W.  M.  Hennessey,  and  Dr.  Skene  himself, 
together  with  many  notes  in  rough  draft,  afterwards  embodied 
in  Celtic  Scotland. 

7.  XVII.  I.  6.  Portfolio  B.  Here  are  two  MSS.  written  in 
Scots,  with  a  detached  leaf  or  two.  One  is  a  Diary  for  the  use 
of  his  children  by  Walter  Pringle  of  Green  Know,  begun  in 
August  1662,  and  dated  at  the  end  '  Elgine,  Nov.  21,  1665.'  The 
other  contains  pp.  3-90  of  a  folio  MS.  regarding  the  history  and 
fortunes  of  the  house  of  Drummond.  At  the  end  is  written, 
Nulla  desunt. 

B.  Welsh. 

1.  XVII.  11.  1.  A  MS.  copy  of  the  Gododin  of  Aneurin, 
octavo,  bound  in  calf  Suggested  emendations  of  text  and 
etymologies  are  numerous.  On  the  fly-leaf  are  '  William  Owen, 
lonor.  1,  1784,'  and  'John  Williams,  lonawyr,  2nd,  1790.' 

2.  XVII.  II.  2.  Another  copy  of  the  Gododin — a  thin,  half- 
bound  quarto — bearing  to  be  from  a  Vellum  MS.  of  date  about 
1200.  There  is  no  translation.  In  a  different  hand  from  the 
text  is  '  Ab  Ithel  Llanenddwyn  [i.e.,  The  Rev.  John  Williams, 
M.A.,  Llandovery]  Dyffryn,  N.  Wales.     May  28,  1862.' 

3.  XVII.  II.  3.  A  volume  of  rather  small  quarto  bound  in 
leather,  and  containing,  in  Dr.  Skene's  handwriting,  extracts  from 
old  books  and  Chronicles,  bearing  for  the  most  part  on  Welsh 
and  British  History. 

4.  XVII.  II.  4.  A  Portfolio  containing,  in  Dr.  Skene's  hand- 
writing, a  number  of  extracts  from  Welsh  MSS. 

11.    A   Box,    LABELLED  '  GAELIC,    SUNDRIES.' 

Lying  at  present  at  the  bottom  of  this  box  is  a  very  large 
thick  medical  MS.,  wrapped  in  brown  paper.  Along  with  it 
are  two  or  three  fragments  of  leaves  which  did  not  originally 
belong  to  it.  One  of  these  gives  several  technical  terms  in 
Latin  and  Gaelic,  descriptive  of  the  colour  of  urine,  which  we 
have  met  with  more  than  once  (cf  sujpra,  pp.  9,  62,  et  aliis). 
Another  gives  two  leaves  containing  a  fragment  of  a  calendar, 
also  common  in  the  Medical  MSS.     Cf.  i^iter  alia,  pp.  22,  35,  60. 

s 


274  CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS 

The  first  leaf  of  the  MS.  proper  is  paged  '  20.'  Tlie  earlier  leaves 
are  much  broken,  but  when  the  text  becomes  continuous,  it 
is  seen  that  this  portion  of  the  MS.  is  a  copy  of  a  Gaelic 
version  of  the  Lilmm  Medlcinae  of  Bernardus  Gordonius  of 
Montpelier.  The  fragmentary  MS.  XVIII  {v.  supra,  p.  51)  is 
evidently  a  part  of  this  MS.,  which  in  all  probability  is  that 
described  by  the  Rev.  Donald  Mackintosh  {Ossian,  ed.  1807, 
vol.  iii.  p.  571)  thus:  (No.)  7  (of  the  Kilbride  Collection),  'A 
thick  folio  paper  MS.,  same  character,  medical,  and  written  by 
Duncan  Conacher  at  Dunollie,  Argyleshire,  1511.' 

The  MS.  is  a  paper  folio,  written  in  two  columns  in  a  plain 
but  clear  hand,  with  no  ornamentation  of  any  kind.  The 
pagination  is  fairly  regular  at  the  commencement,  but  later 
it  becomes  very  irregular,  in  2:»arts  non-existent.  The  Treatise 
is  divided  into  seven  books  or  Pairteagals.  The  first  Pairteagal 
ends  on  p.  125  6.  The  second  contains  thirty-one  chapters,  but 
the  heading  on  the  top  of  the  page  throughout  is  d'eslaintibJt 
an  cJtinn,  '  Of  the  diseases  of  the  head.'  The  paging  is  defective, 
and  there  may  be  gaps  in  the  text,  but  at  j)resent  this  Pairteagal 
covers  44 i  leaves.  The  third  contains  27  chapters  on  26  leaves. 
Subject,  diseases  of  the  eyes,  ears,  nose,  mouth.  The  fourth 
Pairteagal  has  13  chapters  on  27  leaves.  Subject,  diseases  of 
the  spiritual  organs.  The  fifth  has  21  chapters  on  35  leaves. 
Subject,  diseases  of  the  nutritive  organs,  etc.  The  sixth  is 
on  the  diseases  of  the  liver,  kidneys,  etc., — 16  chapters,  18 
leaves.  The  seventh  has  20  chapters,  covering  20  leaves. 
The  subject  is  the  diseases  of  the  generative  organs,  but  the 
last  few  leaves  are  headed  leigJteasa  coinsuidighthi,  '  composite 
medicines.' 

At  the  end  of  the  seventh  Pairteagal  comes  a  blank  space. 
Thereafter  four  leaves,  which  so  far  as  appears  were  not  written 
upon,  are  cut  out.  Then  comes  a  new  section,  commencing 
(S)enectu8  domina  ohliuione  est,  followed  by  translation  and 
comment.  At  the  foot  of  the  page  we  are  told  this  part  of  the 
work  is  divided  into  five  Pairteagals:  (1)  reminnsgni  'foretell- 
ing,' '  prognostication '  of  the  disease ;  (2)  its  period  or  duration ; 
(3)  its  paroxismus  ;  (4)  its  axis ;  and  (5)  its  crisis  (laeithi  hfaoi- 
thighti).  The  exposition  of  these  five  points  covers  30  leaves, 
and  ends  this  version  of  Bernard  Gordon's  treatise. 


APPENDIX  I  275 

No  small  part  of  the  interest  attached  to  the  volume  is  due 
to  the  biographical  and  other  notes  scattered  through  it.  It 
will  be  remembered  that  Mackintosh  says  that  his  Kilbride, 
No.  7,  was  written  by  Duncan  Conacher  at  DunoUie  in  1511.  If 
this  MS.  is  to  be  identified  with  Mackintosh's,  the  place  and  date 
are  both  inaccurate.  Our  MS.  was  written  partly  by  Donn- 
chadh  ua  Concubhair  (the  same  name)  in  various  places  in 
Ireland,  and  by  others  who  assisted  him,  in  the  years  1596-1597. 
There  are  three  persons  of  the  name  of  Donnchadh  ua  Con- 
cubhair named  in  these  notes ;  one  is  plain  D.  O'C  without  an 
epithet,  another  Donnchadh  hg  (younger  or  junior)  O'C,  and 
the  third  is  Donnchadh  Alhanach  (Scot)  O'C.  The  second 
was  resident  in  Ireland ;  but  it  is  not  quite  clear  whether  the 
first  and  third  were  different  individuals  or  the  same.  Thus, 
at  the  end  of  the  second  Pairteagal,  is  a  note  to  this  effect : 
'  An  end  here,  by  the  help  of  God,  to  the  second  book.  And 
in  the  stead  of  D.  og  O'C  it  was  written,  for  it  is  that  D.  bg  O'C 
who  gave  this  book  to  be  written  to  D.  Alhanacli  O'C  on  the 
last  day  of  June,  1596.'  Again,  at  the  end  of  the  third  Pairt- 
eagal :  '  The  third  Pairteagal  of  the  Lili  is  here  finished  by 
D.  Alhanach  O'C,  by  the  help  of  the  Saviour  in  the  jjresence 
of  D.  og  O'C  in  Achadh  rtihic  Airt  on  the  6th  of  August,  1596 
.  .  .'  At  the  end  of  the  fourth  Pairteagal :  '  Written  by  D.  O'C, 
A.D.  160- [evidently  an  error],  May  30.  At  Culchoill  mic  gilla 
Padraig,  in  the  presence  of  D.  ug  O'C  At  the  end  of  the  fifth 
Pairteagal :  '  Finished  November,  1596.  In  Ath  niic  aran  the 
above  portion  was  begun  and  finished  by  Giollapatrig,  son  of 
D.  og  O'C  At  the  end  of  the  seventh  Pairtea.gal  is  a  long 
note  on  the  disturbed  state  of  Ireland,  with  the  following : 
'Finished  on  February  10th  in  AcJiadh  (?)  mhic  Airt  in  the 
presence  of  D.  og  O'C,  who  gave  me  this  book  to  write. 
Thanks  to  all  who  gave  me  help  and  specially  to  Cathal  mac 
Cuinn,  for  he  wrote  a  great  deal  for  me  .  .  .  Alas,  0  God,  I 
long  to  be  Avith  Duncan,  for  it  is  M'Dougall  that  keeps  me 
here  for  a  month,  but,  by  the  will  of  God,  I  shall  soon  be 
in  the  Province  of  Leinster  (?)  with  Grainne  and  Duncan 
and  Fineen  and  all  the  rest  of  them.'  At  the  foot  of  the 
first  page  of  the  Section  on  Prognostications  is  this  note :  '  I 
began    to   write   this   (section)   on  the  24th  August   in   Baile 


27C  CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS 

CiUhad  when  attending  Finin  son  of  Derniad  of  the  Pass 
who  was  snftering  from  Cancer  hogadL  At  the  end  of  the 
Treatise  conies  the  note :  '  Here  ends  the  Prognostica  of 
Bernardns  Gordonius,  October  9th.  I  am  in  Baile  Cuthad 
(here  the  names  of  friends  present  and  absent).  And  1  ask 
the  mercy  of  the  King  of  Heaven  for  the  author  Bernardus 
Gordonius,  and  for  the  translator  into  Gaelic,  Cormac  O'Duinn- 
slebhi,  and  for  the  scribe  D.  O'C.  I  pray  for  the  mercy  of 
God  to  my  soul,  and,  0  God,  send  me  safe  to  Dunolly  if  it  be 
thy  Avill.'  Another  note  gives  '  the  number  of  leaves  written 
upon  in  this  book  is  247,'  signed  John  O'C, 

Further  notes  in  different  hands  and  ink  follow :  e.g. '  iJuncan 
O'C  was  born  on  24th  June  1571 ;  the  Laird  of  Dunachach  five 
years  thereafter.'  '  Duncan  M'Dougall  of  Dunolly  died,  last 
day  of  August,  1616,  annsa  clwdaltai  bhreac  (in  the  speckled 
bedroom  ?)  in  Dunolly.  He  was  buried  in  Kilbride,  in  the  stone 
chest  nearest  the  door  on  the  back  of  the  temple.  And  Father 
Intercessor,  send  comfort  to  me  speedily  and  mercy  for  my  soul. 
I,  Duncan  O'Connor,  have  written  this  with  a  bad  pen.' 

Uch  !  a  Dhia,  on  Uch  !  a  Dhia, 
Mairg  ata  a  nocht  gan  triath  : 
Ni  fada  bheris  (mhaireas)  mi  beo, 
Mo  chraidhe  da  bhreo  na  dhiaigh. 

'  Duncan  O'Connor  died  in  Dundainis  (Dunstaffnage) 
February  13,  1647,  and  was  buried  in  Caibel  iiihic  Aonguis 
(the  Chapel  of  Campbell  of  Dunstaffnage).  John  M'Dougall  of 
Dunolly  died  in  the  codaltai  breac  on  April  14th,  1669.  The 
Laird  of  Lochnell  was  killed  in  air  invir  (Inveraray)  on  the 
last  day  of  March,  1671.'  [For  the  last  entry,  v.  the  House  of 
Argyll  .  .  .  and  the  Clan  Campbell,  Glasgow,  1871,  p.  169,  where 
it  is  stated  that '  Colin  [of  Lochnell]  was  shot  through  a  window 
at  Inveraray,  March,  1671]. 

Following  a  blank  leaf  comes  a  portion  of  another  Treatise, 
a  summary  or  compendium  of  Auicenna,  introduced  thus : 
Anno  Boviini,  1598.  An  ainm  an  Atliar  7  a  mhic  7  an 
spirait  Nairn,  tinnsgnam  an  leuar-sa  .|.  Petrus  de  ergelata  ar 
haille  mhic  cathail.  Misi  Donnchadh  0  conchubair  do  tinn- 
scnus  e  an  14  la,  do  mi  lanuarius,  1598.  '  A.D.  1598.  In  the 
name  of  the  Father  and  of  the  Son  and  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  I 


APPENDIX  I  277 

commence  this  book,  i.e.  Petrns  de  ergelata  in  the  stead  of  the 
son  of  Cathal.  I,  Duncan  O'Connor  begin  it,  on  the  14th  day  of 
January,  1598.'  The  reading  is  not  very  clear,  nor  do  I  under- 
stand what  de  ergelata  stands  for.  The  purpose  of  the  author 
is  to  give  in  clear  and  concise  form  the  teaching  of  Auicenna, 
whom  he  designates  jjrionnsa  glormhur, '  glorious  prince.'  This 
treatise  runs  to  seventy  leaves  or  140  pages  and  ends  abruptly. 
The  last  eight  or  ten  leaves  are  much  broken,  nor  is  it  known 
how  much  text  is  lost  at  the  end  of  the  MS.  The  subject  of 
discussion  is  usually  named  on  the  top  of  the  page.  On  the 
first  thirty  leaves  Phlegmon,  Formicae,  Erysipelas,  Carbunculus 
Bubones,  Undimia,  Nodi,  Scrophula,  Sclerosis,  Cancer  and  others 
with  their  cure,  are  discussed,  when  the  end  of  the  exposition  of 
the  third  fen  of  the  fourth  book  of  Auicenna  is  reached. 

Another  section  now  begins  with  a  definition  of  vulnus,  and 
after  a  discussion  of  Wounds  in  general  goes  on  to  treat  of  the 
aicidi  'accidents'  of  wounds,  and  then  enters  into  detail  re- 
garding venomous  wounds,  bruises,  vomiting  of  blood,  injuries 
to  the  eye,  nose,  ear,  etc.,  with  the  appropriate  remedies  in  each 
case. 

There  is  no  pagination.  The  writing  is  in  one  column 
throughout,  plain  but  clear.  There  are  no  blank  spaces,  and 
hardly  a  note.  At  the  foot  of  fol.  7a,  in  blacker  ink  and  later 
hand,  is  :  Cotnmortus  riot  a  Neill  rahic  lovihair,  '  A  challenge 
to  thee,  Neil  son  of  Ivar.'  At  the  foot  of  fol,  45a:  Uch  a 
Mharsili,  is  fada  ata  tu  gun  teachd  air  chuairt  chugam,  j  gan 
again  acht  me  fein.  On  the  last  page,  at  the  foot :  1599,  an  la 
roinih  la  casga  am  haile  (s)cait, '  On  the  day  before  Easter,  1599, 
(I  am)  in  Ballyskate(?)'     There  is  a  Ballyskate  near  Tobermory. 


In  addition  to  this  large  MS.,  Box  No.  2  contains  several  other 
MSS.and  items  of  some  importance  and  interest,  such  as,  e.g. : — 

1.  The  collection  of  Ossianic  ballads  made  as  early  as  1739 
by  the  Rev.  Alexander  Pope,  minister  of  Reay.  The  contents  of 
this  Collection  are  given  in  L.  F.,  p.  v,  and  the  text,  in  so  far 
as  legible,  printed  in  L.  F.,  pp.  218  et  seq. 

2.  Fletcher's  Collection  of  Ossianic  poetry.  This  Collection, 
begun  about  1750,  is  fully  described  by  Mr.  J.  F.  Campbell,  who 


278  CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MAXUSClilPTS 

set  <Troat  valuo  upon  it,  in  L.  F.,  pp.  v,  vi,  xvi,  and  printed  in 
L.  F.,  pp.  4,  19,  +. 

3.  Macdonald  of  Staffa's  Collection  of  '  Ossian's  poems  and 
Music'  {v.  siqira,  p.  3  (12)).  The  Collection  was  made  in  1801-3. 
The  poems  were  recited  by  Donald  MacLean,  who  was  born  in 
1715,  and  who  received  the  greater  part  of  his  lore  from  his 
grand  father.  The  scribe  was  John  Mac  Mhuirich,  a  schoolmaster 
in  Midi,  who  writes  a  short  preface  in  Gaelic :  cf.  L.  F.,  pp.  vii, 
xxvi,  and  p.  36 -f,  where  the  ballads  are  printed.  The  Collection 
is  on  82  pages  of  4to,  paper  of  different  sizes.  It  is  marked  in 
ink  '  No.  2,' '  No.  18,'  both  of  which  are  deleted,  and  '  No.  12  '  (in 
pencil)  substituted. 

4.  The  so-called  Turner  MS.  No.  14  (v.  supra,  p.  3  (14)), 
The  MS.  is  paged  25  to  196.  Seven  leaves,  five  of  which  are 
of  larger  size  and  evidently  of  later  date,  are  placed  in  front  of 
the  MS.  proper.  'Peter  Turner,  1808'  appears  on  p.  45,  and 
'Cameron,'  '1748'  on  p.  54.  Its  date  is  probably  a  few  years 
before  1748.  This  Collection  of  poems  is  of  a  miscellaneous 
character.  It  contains  upwards  of  fifty  separate  pieces,  many  of 
which  are  mere  fragments.  The  first  is  an  elegy  on  John,  Duke 
of  Argyll.  There  are  thirteen  or  fourteen  Ossianic  ballads.  But 
the  greater  number  of  the  poems  are  on  passing  subjects,  Avhile  a 
few  have  special  reference  to  Kintyre.  Some  are  of  considerable 
literary  merit,  but  several  are  vulgar  in  tone.  The  titles  of  the 
Ossianic  ballads  are  given  in  L.  F.,  pp.  vii,  viii.  Texts  Q*  and  T, 
but  none  are  printed.  On  the  other  hand  the  whole  contents  of 
the  MS.  are  printed  in  Rel.  Celt.,  vol.  ii.  p.  310 -f. 

5.  A  Collection  of  Ossianic  poems,  made  about  1797  by  the 
Rev.  Alexander  Campbell,  minister  of  Portree,  Isle  of  Skye. 
Forty-eight  leaves  of  foolscap  are  stitched,  and  an  index  in  a 
hand  not  unlike  E.  M'L.'s,  which  contains  some  remarks  on 
the  genuineness  of  the  ballads,  is  prefixed.  There  are  in  addition 
a  number  of  leaves  of  uniform  size  and  similar  hand,  containing 
duplicates  of  some  of  the  ballads,  with  others.  Mr.  J.  F. 
Campbell  gives  a  list  and  description  of  the  ballads  in  L.  F.,  vii 
xxvii,  but  prints  one  only  (L.  F.,  p.  165).  The  Campbell  Collec- 
tion, with  the  exception  of  two  or  three  ballads,  is  printed  in 
Rel.  CeU.,Yol.  i.  167-f . 

6.  A  thick  volume  of  small  quarto,  pp.  1-330,  written  in  plain 


tr. 


APPENDIX  I  279 

modern  hand,  and  evidently  meant  for  publication.  It  is  headed 
Sgeul  no  Laoidh  an  Aniadain  Mhoir,  '  The  Tale  or  Lay  of  the 
great  Fool,'  v.  su^^ra,  p.  3  (10).     The  common  couplet, 

Gach  Sgeul  gu  Sgeul  an  Deirg, 

'S  gach  Laoidh  gu  Laoidh  an  Amadaiii  mho 

'  Of  Tales  that  of  the  Red  (is  best), 
And  of  Lays  that  of  the  great  Fool,' 

is  quoted,  with  a  couple  of  sentences  of  prefatory  matter.  The 
Tale  then  proceeds  in  prose,  and  is  divided  into  chapters  or 
sections.  The  contents  are  concerned  not  so  much  with  the 
great  Fool  as  with  Righ  an  domhain  Mhoir,  '  The  King  of  the 
great  world.' 

7.  What  evidently  was  meant  to  be  an  English  version  of  the 
above  Tale  (v.  supra,  p.  3  (11))  is  given  in  three  volumes  contain- 
ing in  all  598  pages,  and  written  evidently  in  the  same  hand. 
The  title  now  is  '  Scela,  or,  A  tale  of  other  times.'  The  couplet 
Gach  Dan  guDan  an  Deirg,  etc.,  is  again  quoted.  Then  follows 
'  21/.'  A  preface  extending  to  twelve  pages  comes  next,  and 
thereafter  the  Tale.  The  English  Text  is  widely  different  from 
the  Gaelic. 

8.  A  somewhat  thick  volume.,  small  quarto,  marked  No,  8, 
11,  contains  a  Collection  of  Gaelic  and  English  Vocables  by 
Malcolm  Macpherson.  The  vocabulary,  which  was  sent  to  the 
Society  through  Sir  J.  Macgregor  Murray,  is  of  little  or  no  value. 
On  the  inside  of  the  cover  Macpherson  is  spoken  of  as  a  retired 
soldier, 

9.  A  thin  volume  of  large  quarto  covered  in  green  pasteboard 
contains,  in  Mr.  D.  C.  Macpherson's  hand,  the  Ossianic  Ballads  of 
the  Dean  of  Lismore  as  corrected  by  that  scholar  (v.  supra,  pp.  227, 
236),  written  out  in  fair  hand  for  publication.  This  text  is 
entitled  An  Toiseach,  '  the  beginning,'  '  first.' 

10.  Accompanying  the  above  text  is  an  Index  Verhorum 
written  on  slips,  and  enclosed  in  indiarubber  band,  in  the  hand- 
writing of  Mr.  Macpherson. 

11.  Seventeen  leaves  of  blue  foolscap,  loose,  contain  a  copy 
in  Mr.  D.  C,  Macpherson's  hand  of  transcripts  by  E.  M'L.  from 
the  Dean  of  Lismore's  MS. 

12.  Several   loose   papers,  containing,  among  other  matter: 


280  CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS 

(1)  The  Testimony  of  Hugh  Macdonald  regarding  the  authen- 
ticity of  Ossian's  poems,  printed  in  Rej).  on  Ossian,  Appendix 
p.  38.  (2)  The  address  to  the  Sun,  from  Captain  Morrison  (of. 
Rep.  on  Ossidii,  App.  pp.  175-8).  (3)  Papers  connected  with  the 
preparation  of  the  Cathohc  Prayer  Book  (which  was  afterwards 
pubHshed  in  1885).  (4)  A  printed  Prospectus  of  'Lives  of  the 
Caledonian  Bards,'  by  the  Rev.  Alexander  Irvine,  Rannoch,  1801. 
(This  Avork  Avas  not  issued.)  (5)  Copies  of  individual  Ossianic 
ballads. 


Box  No.  3,  labelled  '  Papers  belonging  to  the  Highland  and 
Agricultural  Society  of  Scotland.' 

The  bulk  of  the  contents  of  this  Box  consists  of  many  Letters 
and  Papers  sent  by  various  correspondents  to  Mr.  Henry 
Mackenzie  and  others  i-egarding  the  authenticity  of  Ossian's 
poems,  and  the  publication  of  the  Gaelic  Texts  of  these.  There 
are  also  copies  of  individual  Ossianic  ballads  of  interest.  Leaves 
of  print  relating  to  various  matters  found  their  way  into  the  box, 
as  also  a  copy  of  the  Gaelic  translation  of  Shepherd's  Cliristians 
Pocket  Book,  printed  in  1788,  and  a  copy  of  the  second  volume 
of  a  French  version  of  Macpherson's  English  Ossian,  Paris,  1777. 

Of  more  special  interest  are : — 

1.  The  collection  of  Ossianic  Poetry  made  by  the  Rev.  John 
Macdonald  (Dr.  Macdonald  of  Ferintosh)  in  1805.  The  MS.  is 
in  large  8vo.,  covered  in  pasteboard.  The  Collection  is  described 
in  L.  F.,  vii,  xxix,  and  several  of  the  ballads  printed  (L.  F.,  pp.  80, 
88,  103,  112,  134.).  The  whole  collection  is  printed  in  the 
Transactions  of  the  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness,  vol.  xiii. 
pp.  269-300. 

2.  Specimens  of  E.  M'L.'s  translation  of  Homer's  Iliad  into 
Scottish  Gaelic,  in  a  small  8vo.  MS.  covered  in  pasteboard. 

3.  A  parcel  backed  '  Antient  MSS.'  from  Sir  J.  Macgregor 
Murray,  and  dated  July  1800.  The  covering  letter  says  that 
five  papers  were  sent,  of  which  one  '  appears  to  be  an  original 
deed.'  The  parcel  now  contains  (1)  An  elegy  on  Sir  Norman 
Macleod,  who  died  March  3rd,  1705,  in  duplicate,  commencing, 

Do  turn  uoibhnes  innsi  gall, 
'  The  joy  of  the  Helirides  has  departed, 


APPENDIX  I  281 

by  Donnchadh  0  Muirighesan.  (2)  One  complete  poem  and 
six  quatrains  of  another,  in  the  old  Gaelic  hand.  (3)  A  copy  in 
fair  modern  hand  of  Jerome  Stone's  Bds  Fliraoicli. 


Box  No.  4.  A  large  portion  of  the  contents  of  this  Box  is  of 
similar  character  to  Box  No.  3.     There  are  : — 

1.  A  litter  of  papers  and  projects  in  English  regarding  the 
authenticity  and  publication  of  Ossian's  poems,  and  regarding 
the  Dictionary  which  the  Society  afterwards  published  in  1828. 

2.  A  number  of  versions  of  Ossianic  ballads,  singly  and  in 
groups,  occasionally  with  translation  (c/.  supra,  p.  3  (9)). 

3.  A  few  modern  poems,  e.g.  Oran  broin  air  Tighearna 
Ghrannda  le  Seamas  Granda  Tighearn  Raitmhurchuis,  '  A 
Lament  for  the  Chief  of  Grant,  by  James  Grant,  Laird  of 
Rothiemurchus.' 

4.  Detached  leaves  of  the  printed  1807  edition  of  Ossian,  as 
also  '  Scene  from  Ossian,'  and  several  copies  of  '  Fingal,  a 
Tragedy  in  five  Acts,  by  Sir  John  Sinclair,  Bart.' 

But  the  greater  portion  of  the  contents  of  Box  No.  4  con- 
sists of  material  which  accumulated  for  the  preparation  of  the 
Highland  Society's  Dictionary.  There  are  some  eighteen 
volumes  of  such  Gaelic-English  vocabularies,  the  contents  of 
which  occasionally  overlap.  They  are  all  in  quarto  of  various 
sizes.  One  volume  is  half  bound  ;  one  is  a  large  parcel  fastened 
with  a  string.  Others  are  covered  in  rough  pasteboard,  several 
are  stitched  but  without  cover.  They  are  written  in  different 
hands  and  ink.  Two  are  signed  Chas.  Stuart,  minister  of 
Strachur.  One,  labelled  No.  7,  is  supposed  to  be  by  Rev.  D. 
M'Nicol  (Lismore),  or  Rev.  Du.  Campbell.  Two  or  three 
bear  the  dates  1824-5-6.  A  number  of  sheets  of  small  quarto, 
with  blanks  and  duplicates,  consist  of  an  English  -  Gaelic 
Vocabulary  from  '  Babble '  to  '  Fy.'  A  single  sheet  has  explana- 
tory notes  on  '  motes,'  i.e.  mod,  '  a  court,'  '  an  assize,'  e.g.  Tom- 
a'-mhbid,  etc. 

Mr.  J.  F.  Campbell's  MSS. 

J.  F.  Campbell  of  Islay,  the  famous  collector  and  publisher 
of  Gaelic  Tales  and  Ballads,  gifted  his  MSS.  to  the  Library. 


282  CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS 

Tlicso  MSS.,  t,]iirty-ciglit  in  number,  are  thick  folios,  stoutly 
bound,  backed,  labelled,  and  indexed.  Several  of  tlieni  are  not 
connected  with  Gaelic  Literature.  They  are  taken  up  with 
Mr,  Campbell's  publications,  Frod  and  Fire,  Circvhir  Notes, 
Life  in  Normandy ,  etc.  Others  again  are  only  indirectly  con- 
cerned with  the  literature  of  the  Gael, — they  consist  of  interest- 
ing and  valuable  notes  and  extracts  on  Tartans,  Clan  Tartans, 
and  related  matter. 

The  first  twenty-two  of  these  thirty-eight  volumes  contain 
the  records  and  results  of  Mr.  Campbell's  studies  and  research 
in  Gaelic  Literature,  They  consist  mainly  of  Popular  Tales  and 
Ballads  taken  down  from  recitation,  between  the  years  1859 
and  1872,  by  Mr.  Campbell  himself  or  by  his  many  coadjutors, 
together  with  scraps  of  Folklore,  Fable,  Proverb  and  Saying, 
Journals  of  Holidays  in  the  Highlands  in  quest  of  such  literary 
matter,  and  Letters,  Memoranda  and  Jottings  from  numerous 
correspondents  bearing  on  these  and  related  subjects. 

The  earlier  volumes  (i.-xv.)  contain  the  material  collected  up 
to  1862.  Of  this  the  greater  portion  was  utilised  in  West 
Highland  Tales,  published  in  Edinburgh, — vols,  i.  and  ii.  in 
1860,  vols,  iii.  and  iv.  in  1862 — while  a  complete  list  of  Tales 
and  Ballads  accumulated  up  to  that  date  is  given  in  W.  H.  T., 
vol.  iv,,  pp,  408 -I-,  and  L.  F.,  pp.  viii,  ix.  The  remaining  volumes 
of  Gaelic  MSS.  (xvi.-xxii.)  contain  the  Ballads  and  Tales  (with 
related  matter)  collected  between  1862  and  1872,  with  numerous 
notes  and  extracts  connected  with  Leahhar  na  Feinne,  vol.  i., 
printed  in  the  latter  year  for  the  author  by  Spottiswoode  and  Co., 
London. 

Of  the  Ballads  collected  before  1862,  a  few  are  printed  in 
W.  H.  T.,  vol.  iii.  But  Mr.  Campbell  did  not  print  in  L.  F.  the 
versions  of  Ossianic  Ballads  recovered  by  himself  and  his  friends 
on  the  ground  that  '  older  collections  are  more  complete  * 
(L.  F.,  p.  ix).  The  tales  collected  between  1862  and  1872,  some 
of  which  are  of  great  interest,  have  not  as  yet  been  printed. 
The  Campbell  collection,  although  made  comparatively  recently, 
thus  contains  a  large  amount  of  hitherto  unpublished  matter 
of  g;reat  value. 


APPENDIX  II  283 


APPENDIX   II 

GAELIC  MSS.  IN  OTHER  LIBRARIES. 
I.  In  the  University  of  Edinburgh. 

The  late  David  Laing  LL.D.  bequeathed  his  large  Collection 
of  MSS.  to  the  University.  Among  them  the  following  are 
Gaelic  : — 

1.  A  medical  MS.,  Laing  Coll.  No.  21. 

This  is  a  vellum  MS.  of  111  leaves  of  small  quarto,  6  inches 
by  4i.  It  is  bound  in  boards  which  are  covered  with  skin,  painted 
black  and  figured,  and  fastened  with  two  silver  clasps,  both  of 
which  are  now  broken.  The  volume  was  purchased  by  Dr. 
Laing  at  a  sale  in  Edinburgh  in  1835. 

It  would  appear  that  originally  only  the  first  eighty-five 
leaves  were  written  upon.  An  entry  on  fol.  54b  states  that 
this  portion  of  the  MS.  was  written  by  Cairpre  O'Cendamhain 
for  John  M'Beath.  Another  entry  on  the  margin  of  fol.  85a, 
dated  1657,  was  written  by  Donald  M'Beath.  But  the  text  is  of 
older  date,  and  in  a  hand  much  superior  to  that  of  this  note. 

The  contents  of  this  portion  of  the  MS.  are,  shortly,  as 
follows : — 

Fols.  1-9  are  taken  up  with  a  Calendar,  astrological  Table, 
concentric  Circles,  figures  for  the  Golden  Number,  and  some 
Notes.  The  Calendar  gives  the  names  of  saints  under  their 
respective  days  with  some  fulness,  along  with  notes  astrological, 
medical,  folk-lore,  etc.  Thus  one  is  told  under  the  several  months 
what  foods  and  drinks  to  use  and  what  to  avoid,  the  days  on 
which  bleeding  is  to  be  resorted  to,  on  which  it  is  lucky  to  buy 
land,  to  enter  a  new  house,  etc.,  etc.  At  the  foot  of  the  pages 
notes  are  given  as  to  the  influence  of  storms  and  especially 
thunderstorms  in  the  individual  months  on  events  throughout 


284  CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS 

the  year.  The  liandwriting  and  figures  on  these  leaves  are 
inferior. 

Fols.  10-85  are  medical,  beginning  with  Fevers.  The  subject 
which  receives  the  most  detailed  treatment  is  Urine,  the  various 
colours  of  which  are  given  in  great  detail,  and  the  significance  of 
each  as  indicative  of  the  nature  and  issue  of  the  disease  pointed 
out.  The  usual  practice  of  the  Gaelic  medical  tracts  is  followed. 
Paragraphs  open  with  a  pregnant  Latin  sentence,  which  is  trans- 
lated or  paraphrased,  and  amplified  in  Gaelic.  Bernard  Gordon's 
L ilium  Medicinae  seems  to  have  been  so  far  drawn  upon. 

This  section  of  the  MS.  is  written  with  great  care.  The  initial 
letter  is  large,  and  ornamented,  or  coloured.  Others  heading  sub- 
sequent paragraphs  are  on  a  smaller  scale.  The  handwriting 
varies.  It  is  always  clear,  and  in  some  paragraphs  very  fine.  On 
fol.  56  is  a  circle  well  drawn,  with  the  lines  and  points  of  the  com- 
pass carefully  executed,  and  named  in  Latin.  Other  figures  are 
also  well  done.  Several  pages  and  spaces  were  left  blank  in  the 
original  writing,  and  were  in  part  filled  in  at  a  later  date.  This 
portion  of  the  MS.  was  carefully  read  and  re-read,  a  marginal  note 
here  and  there,  in  different  hands,  correcting  and  supplementing 
the  text.  The  comparatively  small  amount  of  the  MS.  originally 
written  upon,  the  frequent  blank  spaces,  the  size  of  the  page,  and 
the  character  of  the  binding  all  suggest  that  John  M'Beath 
meant  the  MS.  to  be  a  sort  of  vade  niecum  to  be  carried  about, 
and  added  to  by  himself  and  his  successors  as  further  experience 
and  knowledge  might  render  desirable. 

From  foL  85  onwards  the  contents  as  well  as  the  script  are 
miscellaneous,  and  in  point  of  date  much  later.  Thus  on  fol.  85> 
in  inferior  Scottish  hand,  but  under  Gaelic  influence,  is  a  para- 
graph in  Gaelic  headed  '  Signs  of  Life  and  Death.'  Thereafter 
on  to  fol.  95  the  handwriting  and  language  are  Scottish,  the 
subject  astrological  On  fol.  99b,  in  pencil  and  in  an  unformed 
hand  of  the  late  eighteenth  or  early  nineteenth  century,  is  the 
entry, '  Thomas  Nealson,  his  Book,  God  give  him  grace  therein  to 
look.'  On  fols.  102b,  103a  are  written  in  Gaelic  hand  the 
pedigrees  of  six  members  of  the  M'Beath  family,  with  notes  in 
current  hand,  in  Latin.  Fols.  104-107  contain  what  the  writer 
calls  a  '  short  and  useful  tract '  on  Astronomy  or  rather  Astrology. 

The  chief  interest  of  this  volume  is  in  the  pedigrees  of  the 


APPENDIX  II  285 

M'Beaths  given  on  fols.  102b  and  103a,  the  famous  family  of 
physicians  to  whose  zeal  and  learning  we  owe  so  many  of  the 
Medical  MSS.  in  the  Scottish  Collection.  The  writer  of  these 
genealogies  gives  the  names  of  six  men  (presumably  physicians) 
of  the  clan,  and  traces  the  pedigree  of  each  up  to  a  common 
ancestor  Fergus  jinn  or  Fair.  Fergus  the  Fair  is  then  traced 
back  step  by  step  to  Beath  or  Beatha  who  lived  in  the  neighbour- 
hood of  Dublin  on  O'Kane's  lands.  Beath(a)'s  pedigree  is  in  turn 
given  up  to  Neill  of  the  Nine  Hostages,  monarch  of  Ireland. 
There  were  no  doubt  other  M'Beaths  beside  these  six  alive  at 
this  time.  In  the  British  Museum  MS.  '  Additional  15,582,' 
written  by  David  and  Carbery  Kearney  for  John  M'Beath  in 
1563,  there  is  an  entry  dated  158(?9)8  by  James  son  of  Rory  son 
of  Neill  son  of  Gilchrist  son  of  Fergus  son  of  Gilchrist  son  of 
Fergus  the  Fair,  and  naming  Fergus  son  of  John  son  of  Fergus 
as  the  owner  of  the  MS.  at  that  date  {cf.  O'Gr.  Cat.,  p.  279 ; 
Caledonian  Medical  Journal,  vol.  v.  p.  76).  The  writer  of  the 
pedigrees  in  our  MS.  was  Christopher  (or  Gilchrist)  M'Beath. 
Unfortunately  he  does  not  say  where  the  men  he  names  were 
located,  nor  does  he  date  the  note  which  he  writes  in  current 
hand :  de  his  rebus  satis  dictum  et  scriptum  i^er  me  Chris- 
topherum  M'  Veagh.  One  should  say  that  the  pedigrees  and  the 
note  were  written  about  1600; 

In  Highland  tradition  Beath(a),  from  whom  the  famous 
physicians  derive  their  surname,  was  one  of  the  twenty-four 
heads  of  families  who  accompanied  the  Lady  O'Kane  from  her 
father's  lands  to  Scotland  when  she  married  Angus  Og  of  Islay, 
the  friend  and  supporter  of  Robert  Bruce.  Fergus  M'Beath  is 
the  first  of  the  clan  one  meets  with  in  a  Gaelic  record.  He 
witnesses,  if  he  did  not  also  write,  the  Islay  Charter  of  1408. 
It  has  been  suggested  that  he  may  be  the  Ferghus  Finn  of 
these  genealogies.  If  this  be  so,  there  are  two  men  of  the 
name  of  John,  both  great-grandsons  of  Ferghus  Finn,  for  either 
of  whom  this  MS.  may  have  been  originally  written.  Its  date 
would  thus  be  early  in  the  sixteenth  century.  But  there  are 
other  two  Johns,  father  and  son,  in  these  pedigrees,  fourth  and 
fifth  in  direct  descent  from  Ferghus  Finn.  It  is  in  all  proba- 
bility for  one  or  other  of  these  that  the  British  Museum  MS. 
'  Additional  15,582 '  was  written,  and  not  improbably  ours  also. 


28G  CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS 

In  soveral  respects  the  two  MSS,  bear  strong  rcscnibLance. 
Donald  M'Jieath  appears  with  a  rather  inferior  hand  in  both. 
Is  he  the  Donaldus  Betonus,  who  in  1674,  placed  the  stone 
in  lona  in  memory  of  Joannes  Betonus  Maclenoruni  familie 
medlciis  who  died  in  1657. 

The  MS.  was  at  one  time  or  other  in  the  possession  of 
several  members  of  the  M'Beath  family.  Next  to  the  original 
text,  the  oldest  entry  in  the  MS.  is  dated  1587,  and  runs, 
Is  se  so  leobhar  Giolla  Colaim  Mic  Gioila  Enndris  Mic 
Domhnaill  Mic  Bhethafh,  '  This  is  the  book  of  Malcolm  son  of 
Gillanders  son  of  Donald  M'Beath.'  The  writer  of  the  pedigrees 
was  presumably  the  possessor  of  the  MS.  when  he  wrote  them. 
On  the  same  page  (fol.  lOtSa),  also  undated,  comes  in  current 
hand  Hie  Liber  est  Fergusii  APVeagh  liabitantis  Peanagross. 
This  entry  is  very  probably  not  much  later  than  the  other 
Latin  entry,  early  seventeenth  century.  Peanagross  is  Penny- 
cross  in  Mull,  where  the  site  of  the  Ollamh  Muileach  or  Mull 
Doctor's  house  is  still  pointed  out,  and  where  a  cross  with  date 
'  1582,'  and  inscription  '  G.  M.  B.,  '  D.  M.  B.'  is  said  to  com- 
memorate two  of  these  famous  men.  Donald  M'Beath,  with 
date  1657,  has  been  already  mentioned.  Later  entries,  to  judge 
from  the  handwriting,  are  '  Fergus,'  '  Fergus  Beattoun,'  '  Fergus 
Beattoune.' 


2.  Jerome  Stone's  MSS. 

Jerome  Stone,  a  native  of  Scoonie,  Fife,  and  a  graduate  of 
St.  Andrews  University,  was  appointed  in  1750  assistant  in,  and 
a  few  years  afterwards  rector  of,  Dunkeld  Academy.  He  died 
of  fever  in  May  1756  in  the  thirtieth  year  of  his  age.  Stone 
was  a  distinguished  student,  especially  in  languages.  In  Dun- 
keld he  studied  Gaelic  to  purpose,  and  made  a  collection  of 
Ossianic  poetry,  as  also  of  modern  Gaelic  poems  and  songs,  some 
at  least  of  which  have  survived.  He  sent  a  translation,  or  rather 
paraphrase,  of  one  of  the  former — Bcis  Fhraoich, '  the  Death  of 
Fraoch,'  which  he  called  '  Albin  and  the  daughter  of  Mey ' — to 
the  Scots  Magazine,  to  which  he  Avas  a  frequent  contributor. 
[For  further  references  to  this  distinguished  scholar,  cf.  Old 
Stat.  Ace,  vol.  V.  p.  110  ;  Ency.  Perthensis, '  Stone ' ;  Scots  Mag., 


APPENDIX  II  287 

vols.  xiv.  p.  283,  xvii.  pp.  92,  295,  xviii.  16,  314;  Trans,  of 
Gael.  Soc.  of  Inverness,  vol.  xiv,  p.  314.] 

Two  volumes  of  Stone's  MSS.  (or  a  copy  of  them),  are  in  the 
University  Library.  (1)  The  first  and  largest  of  these  is  Laing, 
No.  251.  From  notes  on  the  inner  cover  and  flyleaf  we  learn 
that  this  volume  was  sent  from  Edinburgh  in  1790  to  Mr.  John 
Turcan,  late  schoolmaster  at  Kirkcaldy,  for  behoof  of  Mr.  George 
Stone,  brother  of  the  author ;  that  it  was  purchased  from  the 
author's  brother  for  Mr.  Chalmers,  and  that  it  was  bought  at 
the  sale  of  Mr.  Chalmers's  library  in  1842  by  Dr.  Laing.  The 
name  of '  Geo.  Chalmers,  Esq.,  F.R.S.S.A.,'  is  pasted  on  the  inside 
of  the  front  cover,  and  frequent  marks  on  the  margin  show 
that  the  learned  author  of  Caledonia  read  some  parts  of  the  MS. 
very  carefully. 

The  MS.  is  a  folio  of  some  two  hundred  and  seventy  pages, 
stoutly  bound  in  calf,  and  fastened  with  thongs.  It  is  written 
very  carefully  in  one  hand,  with  occasional  explanatory  notes. 
One  of  these  (on  p.  122)  states  that  the  piece  to  which  it  is 
appended, '  is  not  inserted  in  his  [Stone's]  own  collection,'  thus 
showing  that  this  MS.  is  a  copy. 

The  contents  of  the  MS.  are  in  three  divisions : 

(1)  Five  letters  written  in  1755-6  by  Stone  to  a  clergyman 
[evidently  the  Rev.  Thomas  Tullidelph,  Principal  of  the  United 
College  of  St.  Andrews],  explaining  at  considerable  length  his 
studies,  and  his  progress  in  writing  a  treatise  on  the  origin  of  the 
Scots.  These  are  followed  by  six  sections  of  the  treatise  itself, 
which  is  entitled  '  An  Enquiry  into  the  Original  of  the  Nation 
and  Language  of  the  Ancient  Scots,  with  Conjectures  about  the 
Primitive  State  of  the  Celtic  and  other  European  Nations.' 
This  part  of  the  MS.  is  not  paged,  but  it  covers  (including  blank 
leaves)  one  hundred  and  twelve  pages. 

(2)  The  second  division  of  the  MS.  consists  of  Gaelic 
Ballads  and  Poems,  covering  pp.  1-68.  First  come  ten  Ossianic 
Ballads.  Here  are  the  Gaelic  titles :  Ora7i  a  Ghleirich ;  An 
Comhrag  a  bha  ag  an  Fhein  re  Conn  onac-an-Dearg ;  Tean- 
tach{t)  inor  na  Feine ;  Tigh  Tormail ;  Cath  na'n  Seishiar ; 
A  Chiosh  Chnamhadh;  Sealg  onhor  a  GJdinn  ;  Bas  Chonlaoich; 
Bas  Osgair ;  Bets  Fhraoich.  With  the  Gaelic  title  is  given  an 
English  translation  and  a  sentence  explanatory  of  the  subject  of 


288  CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS 

the  ballad.  English  glosses  on  the  words  which  Stone  con- 
sidered obscure  are  frequent.  The  ballads  are  written  with 
great  care,  and  a  correctness  unusual  in  Gaelic  MSS.  of  the 
period  and  later.  They  are  printed  verbatim  et  literatim  in 
Trans,  of  Gaelic  Soc.  of  Inverness,  vol.  xiv.  p.  320  et  seq. 
Aversions  of  all  of  them  have  been  found  elsewhere,  and  are 
printed  in  L.  F.  Those  of  Stone  and  of  Mr.  N'Nicol,  Lismore, 
collected  a  few  years  later,  show  great  similarity.  In  particular 
two  of  these  ballads,  the  first  and  ninth,  and  the  version  of  the 
same  ballads  printed  by  Mr.  Campbell  (L.  F.,  pp.  72,  182)  from  a 
MS.  written  in  1762  by  Eohhan  MacDiarmid,  are  even  in  point 
of  faulty  orthography  so  much  alike  that  Mr.  MacDiarmid  must 
have  had  access  to  Stone's  papers,  or  that  both  transcribed  from 
the  same  MS.  Mr.  Chalmers  sent  Stone's  collection  to  the 
Committee  of  the  Highland  Society  (Rep.  on  Ossian,  p.  24), 
and  it  is  disappointing  to  find  that  Dr.  Donald  Smith,  a  Gaelic 
scholar,  should  sanction  the  somewhat  disparaging  terms  in 
which  this  collector  and  translator  of  Ossianic  poetry  is  spoken 
of  in  the  Committee's  Report  (p.  23). 

Following  the  Ossianic  Ballads  is  'A  Collection  of  such 
modern  songs  as  are  remarkable  upon  account  of  their  Beauty 
or  the  interesting  Nature  of  their  Subject.'  They  are  seven  in 
number.  The  first  is  on  the  '  Massacre  of  Glenco,  compos'd 
by  one  of  the  Persons  who  made  their  Escape,'  commencing 

Clio  bi  sud  an  flauil  shalach 

A  bha  bruchta  re  Talamh  sa  ghleann. 

The  poem,  with  some  variations,  is  printed  in  Beauties  of  Gaelic 
Poetry,  p.  375;  Gillies,  p.  253,  and  elsewhere.  It  is  ascribed  in 
the  Beauties  of  Gaelic  Poetry  to  the  bard  Mucanach,  '  The  Isle 
of  Muck  Bard.'  The  second  is  on  the  Keppoch  murder,  by  John 
Lorn  Macdonald,  and  has  been  often  printed.  First  line — 
Is  tearc  aniugh  (an  diugh)  mo  chuis  gliaire. 

The  third  is   by  the  same  author,  on  the  same  subject,  com- 
mencing (cf.  Beauties  of  Gaelic  Poetry,  p.  387) — 
Trom  Easlaint  air  m'aigne. 

The  fourth  is  here  entitled  'Craig  Guanach,  a  Poem  upon  Hunting 
and  the  Beauties  of  Nature  by  a  Forrester.'  It  is  the  poem 
more  commonly  known  as  A'  GhomhacJiag,  or  'The  Owl'  (of 


APPENDIX  II  289 

Strone),  and  ascribed  to  Donald  Macdonald  {Domiltnall  Mac 
FhionnlaidJi  nan  Dan),  a.  famous  huntsman  of  Lochaber.  This 
very  beautiful  poem  is  found  in  nearly  all  the  Gaelic  collections. 
It  begins  in  this  version — 

Mi  m  shuigh  air  Shibhri  (  =  sith-bhrugh)  nam  beann 
An  taobh  sa  do  cheann  Locha  Treig.] 

The  fifth  is  styled  '  Oran  Rinroridh,  a  Song  upon  the  Battle  of 
Kilicrankie,'  beginning 

Se  do  la  a  Rinroridh 

Dhfag  luaineacli  am  dhuisg  mi. 

Here  the  poem  extends  to  thirty-seven  stanzas.  The  versions 
in  Gillies  (p.  142),  and  R.  Macdonald  (p.  188),  give  only  twenty- 
three  stanzas.  The  sixth  and  last  is  headed  simply  '  Oran/ 
and  begins 

S  truagh  gun  bhi  san  aite 
San  d'araighe  m  oig  air  thus. 

The  verses  are  printed  in  A.  and  D.  Stewart's  Collection,  p.  323. 

(3)  The  third  and  last  division  of  the  MS.  (pp.  75-148)  is 
headed  '  Poems  on  Various  Subjects.  The  contents  are  of  a 
very  miscellaneous  character.  There  are  in  all  some  three  dozen 
separate  items  of  prose  and  verse,  written  mainly  in  English, 
but  with  two  in  Latin  and  two  in  Scots.  In  prose  there  are 
several  letters,  and  extracts  from  letters  to  friends  and  rela- 
tives, with  a  rather  long  article  entitled  '  Of  the  Immortality 
of  Authors,  a  Vision  by  Mr.  Stone.'  There  are  fugitive  verses  on 
several  subjects.  There  is  a  poem  in  Latin  on  the  battle  of 
Killiecrankie,  with  a  translation  thereof  into  Scots.  Then  there 
are  translations  or  imitations  of  passages  from  Latin,  French, 
and  Italian  authors.  Chief  among  these  are  a  passage  from  the 
Fourth  Book  of  Tasso's  Gierusalemme  liberata;  'The  Joys  of 
Elysium,  from  the  xix'^  Book  of  Telemachus ' ;  '  Description  of 
a  May  Morning,  by  Gavin  Douglas,  Bishop  of  Dunkeld.'  This 
last,  with  a  few  others,  appeared  in  the  Scots  Magazine. 

A  carefully  prepared  index  to  the  second  and  third  divisions 
of  the  MS.  closes  the  volume. 

The    second   volume   of  Jerome   Stone's    papers    that   has 

T 


290  CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS 

come  to  the  University  is  also  a  paper  folio,  of  uniform  size  and 
binding  with  the  tirst.  It  is  written  Avith  the  same  care,  and  in 
a  hand  similar  to,  if  not  the  same  as,  the  other.  This  volume 
was  picked  up  somewhere  by  the  late  Principal  Lee  of  Edin- 
burgh. It  was  purchased  at  the  sale  of  Dr.  Lee's  books  by 
Mr.  David  Laing,  who  afterwards  presented  it  to  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Clerk  of  Kilmallie  when  that  accomplished  clergyman  was 
editing  and  translating  Ossian's  poems.  After  Dr.  Clerk's  death 
the  volume  was  acquired  b}^  the  University. 

This  MS.,  which  may  have  been  written  somewhat  earlier 
than  the  former,  does  not  contain  the  letters  and  treatise 
Avhich  form  the  contents  of  the  first  section  of  the  other.  The 
third  section  may  also  be  somewhat  less  full.  But  the  Gaelic 
section  is  exactly  the  same  in  the  two  MSS. 

3.  A  iiortion  of  a  Gaelic  Grammar.     Laing,  No  569. 

This  is  a  quarto  MS.  of  some  one  hundred  and  eighty  pages, 
bound  in  strong  pasteboard.  On  the  inside  of  the  front  cover 
is  written '15  May  1762.  Ex^-  F.  C  Apart  from  this  there 
is  no  name  or  date.  The  title  of  what  was  meant  to  be  a  com- 
plete grammar  is 

'  An  Introduction  to  the  Scotish  Gallic,  containing 

(1)  Ceart-ghraipheachd  [Orthograph}^],  or  the  proper  Uses 

and  Sounds  of  the  Letters ;  the  Division  of  Syllables, 
and  the  use  of  Points. 

(2)  Fuaim-grith  [Prosody],  or  the  Art  of  Pronouncing  Syll- 

ables and  Words,  with  their  proper  Accents. 

(3)  Sain-fhios   [Etymology],   which    treats   of   the   Several 

Kinds  of  words,  their  Derivations  and  Endings. 

(4)  Coimh-eager  [Syntax],  or  the  Art  of  joining  words  to- 

gether in  a  Sentence  or  Sentences.' 

The  first  division  here  given.  Orthography,  is  treated  of  in 
five  chapters,  with  considerable  fulness  and  knowledge.  On 
page  49  it  is  remarked  that  '  no  words  in  the  Dictionary  order 
begin  with  h ;  neither  did  any  words  of  old,  except  the  Exotic, 
begin  with  p.''  With  the  conclusion  of  the  section  on  Ortho- 
graphy on  page  82,  the  treatise  comes  to  an  end.  The  remainder 
of  the  MS.  is  blank. 


APPENDIX  II  291 

4.  Dr.  Irvine's  Collection  of  Gaelic  Poetry.     Laing,  No.  475. 

This  is  a  collection  of  Ossianic  poetry  made  by  the  Rev. 
Alexander  Irvine  of  Kannoch  (afterwards  of  Fortingal,  and  Little 
Dunkeld)  in  1801-S.  The  MS.  consists  of  some  one  hundred  and 
eighty  leaves  of  paper,  quarto,  half  bound.  It  is  paged  and  written 
upon  one  side  only,  an  occasional  note  and  variant  reading  being 
given  on  the  blank  side  of  the  leaf.  This  MS.  is  evidently  a 
copy;  a  note  in  Gaelic  at  the  end  (p.  166),  and  signed  'J.  M'D.', 
stating  that  the  poems  were  '  collected  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Alexander 
Irvine,  minister  of  the  Gospel  in  Little  Dunkeld.''  The  names 
of  the  reciters  are  given  as  a  rule — a  farmer  from  Kintail,  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Macdiarmaid  of  Weem,  and  Captain  Morrison  among 
them.  But  they  are  mainly  farmers,  servants,  foxhunters,  etc., 
in  Dunkeld,  Rannoch,  and  Breadalbane.  Some  of  the  pieces 
are  modern,  one  a  pared}'  on  the  Fians  in  the  guise  of  a  vision 
(p.  145),  and  a  second  a  spirited  satire  entitled  '  The  Tailor  of 
the  Feinn'  (p.  149),  and  attributed  to  the  'Tailor  MacNicol,' 
whom  the  poet  Duncan  Ban  M'Intyre  castigated  so  severely. 
A  version  of  this  composition  appears  in  MS.  LXII.  {v.  su^yra, 
pp.  175-6).  There  are  altogether  some  forty  separate  composi- 
tions in  the  volume.  An  index,  which  omits  the  last  four 
pieces,  being  variants,  is  prefixed.  The  MS.  is  fully  described 
in  L.  F.  pp.  vii,  xxv,  xxvi,  and  its  contents  printed  in  the  same 
publication  (pp.  6  to  216).  On  the  inner  front  cover  is  '  D.  Laing, 
1862,'  which  is  probably  the  date  on  which  the  MS.  came  into 
Dr.  Laing's  possession.  On  one  of  the  blank  pages  following  the 
text  is  a  quotation  from  the  article  '  Ossian,'  in  the  Edinhurcjh 
Encyclopcedia,  vol.  xvi.  p.  182,  citing  this  collection  in  proof  of 
the  view  that  '  Macpherson  never  could  have  been  the  author 
of  the  poems  which  he  ascribed  to  Ossian.'  According  to  Dr. 
Scott  (Fasti  Eccl.  Scot.,  iv.  810),  Dr.  Irvine  was  himself  the 
Avriter  of  the  article.  It  has  been  already  stated  {siipra,  p.  280), 
that  Irvine  at  one  time  contemplated  the  publication  of  a 
volume  of  Gaelic  poetry. 

5.  In  the  Laing  Collection  (No.  513)  are  five  MS.  volumes 
which  at  one  time  belonged  to  Thomas  Innes,  M.A.,  author  of 
'  A  Critical  Essay  on  the  Ancient  Inhabitants  of  the  Northern 


292  CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS 

Parts  of  Britain  or  Scotland,'  now  forming  volume  eight  of 
the  Historiaufi  of  Scotland.  These  volumes  are  written  for  the 
most  part  in  Father  Innes's  own  hand,  and  include,  inter  alia, 
several  Gaelic  pedigrees  and  notes  extracted  mainly  from  the 
Book  of  Lecan  (R.  I.  A.,  141G  a.d.).  There  is  also  (Laing,  No. 
54-5)  a  most  interesting  little  volume  written  in  1689  by  the 
Rev.  Robert  Kirke  when  he  was  in  London  attending  to  the 
printing  of  what  is  known  as  Kirke's  Bible,  being  the  Irish 
translation  printed  in  Roman  characters  for  the  use  of  Scottish 
Highlanders.  In  this  volume  Kirke  records  the  changes  of  text 
which  he  made  in  this  edition  of  the  Scriptures. 

6.  A  Collection  of  Irish  poems  and  songs. 

This  is  the  sixth  of  sixteen  volumes,  willed  in  1865  by  Peter 
Gillegan,  the  scribe,  to  Mr,  Eugene  G.  Finnerty.  From  Mr. 
Finnerty  it  passed  to  the  Hon.  J.  Abercromby,  who  presented  it 
to  the  University  a  few  years  ago.  The  volume  is  of  paper, 
quarto  (or  octavo),  stoutly  bound  in  thick  j)asteboard  covered 
with  leather,  and  fastened  with  a  strip  of  skin  and  brass  button. 
It  contains  xx  +  'J'02  pages,  and  was  transcribed  in  1841-4. 
Gillegan  is  described  by  Mr.  Finnerty  as  the  last  of  the  hedge- 
schoolmasters,  not  a  learned  man,  but  of  high  and  upright 
character,  and  an  enthusiastic  collector  and  transcriber  of  Irish 
MSS.  This  volume  is  very  carefully  done.  Mr.  Gillegan's 
English  hand  is  plain  but  good ;  the  Irish  text  is  written  in  a 
tirm  and  very  clear  Gaelic  hand.  The  title-page  and  the  head- 
ings of  several  of  the  principal  pieces  are  written  with  special 
care,  and  frequently  done  in  red.  The  first  five  hundred  and 
ninety-nine  pages  are  extracted  from  '  Peter  Daly's  MS.' ;  the  rest 
of  the  contents  is  gathered  from  various  sources.  The  scribe 
gives  at  the  beginning  a  carefully  prepared  table  of  contents, 
arranged  under  two  hundred  and  sixty  separate  heads,  many  of 
which  contain  several  items.  At  the  end  he  enumerates  fifty 
poets,  with  seven  of  whom  he  was  himself  intimately  acquainted. 

The  contents  of  this  large  and  valuable  collection  are  of  a 
miscellaneous  character.  The  greater  portion  is  comparatively 
modern,  but  several  poems  date  as  far  back  as  the  year  1400  or 
thereabout.  There  are  a  few  prose  compositions,  e.g.  (p.  159) 
Eachtra  an  Cheithearnaidh  chdoil  riahhaidh  (v.  supra,  pp.  146, 


APPENDIX  II  293 

165,  264) ;  Siahhrugh  Sigh  7  Inneiridh  Mhic  na  Miocliomhairle 
(Hallucinations  of  the  Enchanted  House,  and  Adventures  of  the 
Ill-advised  Youth),  in  three  chapters,  prose  and  verse  (u  O'Gr. 
Cat.,  p.  579),  together  with  other  shorter  pieces.  There  are 
several  Ossianic  ballads,  among  them, 

1.  (P.  94.)  Laoidh  na  innd  moire  no  Seilg ghleann  naSmoil, 

beginning 

Oisin,  is  binn  liom  do  blieul. 

Here  are  89  quatrains  recited  by  Ossian  to  St.  Patrick;  the 
entire  poem,  we  are  told,  being  given  in  volume  v. 

2.  (P.  299.)  Laoidh  an  Doirnn,  '  The  Lay  of  the  Fist,'  28 
quatrains,  first  line 

Chuadhamuir-ue  air  Thoisg  na  Teamhrach. 

Cf.  O'Gr.  Cat.,  p.  592 ;  L.  R,  p.  166. 

3.  (P.  304.)  Laoidh  Chruimlinn  na  Ccath,  24  quatrains 
commencing 

Seacht  ceatha  do  bhi  san  bhfiain. 

4.  (P.  310.)  Laoidh  an  Amadain  Mhoir,  here  in  66  quatrains, 

beginning 

Do  chualas  sg^ul  uaigneach  gan  bhreig. 

For  prose  version,  v.  supra,  p.  279,  and  for  other  versions  of  this 
ballad,  cf.  O'Gr.  Cat.,  pp.  564,  598 ;  L.  F.,  pp.  203-8. 

5.  (P.  321.)  Beasa  na  bhfian,  where  Caeilte,  at  St.  Patrick's 

solicitation,  recites  the  virtues  of  the  Feinn  in  29  quatrains, 

first  line 

Aithris  dhuinn  b^asa  na  bhfian. 

6.  (P.  326.)  Ldoidh  na  s4  bhfear  dheug,  40  quatrains,  com- 
mencing 

Aithris  dhuinn,  a  Oisin  fheil 

Fath  bhur  thurais  go  Teamhair  na  Righ. 

Cf.  supra,  p.  163. 

But  the  chief  contents  of  the  collection  are  historical  poems  ; 
patriotic,  pastoral,  religious  poems ;  eulogies,  elegies,  satires, 
love  songs,  and  humorous  verses,  with  here  and  there  proverbs 
and  epigrams  in  prose  and  verse. 

The  scribe  frequently  gives  rhymed  translations  into  English, 
one  or  two  by  himself,  of  the  more  popular  poems  and  songs, 
together  with   many  notes,  biographical,  occasionally  critical, 


294  CATALOGUE  OF  GAKLIC  MAXUSCUIPTS 

always  interesting,  regardinu^  their  authors  and  the  occasion  of 
their  composition.  On  p.  1  of  this  vohime  are  quoted  the  three 
quatrains  which  Peter  Turner  writes  at  the  end  of  MS.  LVII. 
(supra,  p.  209). 

If  the  other  eleven  volumes  of  Gillegan  are  equal  in  interest 
to  this,  the  collection  must  be  of  no  small  iinportancc  in  the 
history  of  Irish  literature. 

7.  A  Folio  volume,  being  a  translation  into  Gaelic  of  L. 
Gaussen  of  Geneva's  Creation  of  tJic  World,  by  the  late  Rev. 
Duncan  Maclnnes  of  Oban,  editor  of  vol.  ii.  of  Waifs  and  Strays 
of  Celtic  Tradition.  The  MS.  was  sent  by  Miss  Maclnnes,  the 
translator's  sister,  to  the  Library  for  the  benetit  of  Gaelic- 
speaking  students  of  divinit3\ 

II.  In  the  Register  House,  Edinburgh 

In  the  National  MSS.  of  Scotland  four  Gaelic  MSS.  are  repro- 
duced and  described.  One  of  these  is  the  Book  of  Deer,  which 
is  not  in  Scotland  but  in  the  University  of  Cambridge.  The 
first  four  leaves  of  it  are  photozincographed  in  Part  I.  (No.  1)  of 
our  National  MSS.  The  Book  of  Deer  contains  a  Latin  version 
of  the  Gospel  of  John,  with  parts  of  the  other  three  Gospels, 
and  a  colophon  of  one  sentence  in  Gaelic,  written  in  a  beautiful 
hand  of  the  ninth  or  tenth  century.  Its  great  value  in  Gaelic 
literature  and  history  consists  in  the  Gaelic  memoranda  written 
on  its  margins  and  blank  spaces,  sometime  in  the  eleventh  and 
twelfth  centuries.  The  volume  has  been  printed  by  the  Spalding 
Club  under  the  able  editorship  of  John  Stuart,  LL.D.  (Edin- 
burgh :  1859).  These  Gaelic  entries  have  been  printed  with 
translation  more  than  once.  The  translation  given  by  Stuart 
in  the  Book  of  Deer  is  by  Dr.  Stokes.  The  same  scholar 
printed,  translated,  and  annotated  them  in  his  Goidelica 
(2nd  edition.  London :  Triibner  and  Co.,  1872).  But  the 
most  exhaustive  examination  of  the  Gaelic  portion  of  the  con- 
tents of  the  Book  of  Deer  has  been  by  the  late  Dr.  Macbain 
in  G.  S.  I.,  xi.  pp.  137-160.  A  detailed  account  of  this  most 
important  MS.,  inasmuch  as  its  home  is  not  in  Scotland,  does 
not  come  within  our  province. 

The    other    three    MSS.    photographed,  transliterated,  and 


APPENDIX  II  295 

translated  in  the  National  MSS.  are  deposited  in  the  General 
Kegister  House,  Edinburgh.     They  are — 

1.  The  May  Gaelic  Charter  of  1408  :  National  MSS.  of 
Scotland,  Part  II.,  No.  LIX. 

This  is  a  single  strip  of  goatskin,  upon  which  Donald,  Lord 
of  the  Isles,  dispones  eleven  and  a  half  merks  of  land  in  Islay  to 
Brian  Bicaire  MagaodJi  on  the  sixth  day  of  the  month  of 
Bealtuin  (May)  1408.  The  MS.  was  discovered  by  the  late  Bishop 
Reeves  in  the  possession  of  Mr.  John  Magee,  County  Antrim,  a 
descendant  of  a  family  of  Magees  who  were  at  one  time  followers 
of  the  Scottish  Macdonalds  who  settled  in  Antrim.  Dr.  Reeves 
printed  a  reading  of  the  Charter,  with  translation,  in  the  Pro- 
ceedings of  the  R.  I.  A.  of  January  1852.  The  document  was 
afterwards  purchased  by  the  Treasury,  and  deposited  in  the 
Register  House  in  Edinburgh.  The  text  is  now  largely  illegible. 
But  the  Scottish  authorities  were  fortunate  enough  to  have  an 
old  transcript  of  the  Charter  (also  preserved  in  the  Register 
House)  which  enabled  them  to  read  it  '  except  a  single  word.' 
They  acknowledge  indebtedness  to  John  O'Farrell  of  the 
Ordnance  Survey,  Dr.  M'Lauchlan  of  Edinburgh,  and  Hector 
Maclean  of  Islay,  in  reading  and  translating  the  document. 

The  lands  conveyed  are  '  Baile  bhicare,  Machaire,  learga 
riabhoige,  Ciontragha,  Graftol,  Tocamol,  Wgasgog,  Da  ghleann 
astol,  Cracobus,  Cornubus,  agas  Baile  neaghtoin,'  being  the 
present  farms  of  Cornabus  and  Kintraw,  and  those  adjacent 
to  them  on  the  south  and  west,  with  the  doubtful  exception  of 
'  Wgasgog,'  which  is  a  name  now  unknown.  The  '  feu '  or 
'ground  annual'  is  four  fat  cows  (ionmharhJdha),  or,  failing 
these,  forty-two  merks  yearly. 

Donald  of  Harlaw  signs  strong  and  clear  M'Domhnaill,  with 
the  figure  of  a  sword  under  the  name.  The  witnesses  are  Eoin 
Mac  Domhaill,  Pat  M'Bhriuin,  Fercos  Mac  Betha  and  Aodh 
M'Cei.  These,  with  the  exception  of  Fergus  M'Beath,  sign  with 
a  mark.  To  judge  from  the  handwriting  Fercos  Mac  Betha 
is  probably  also  the  scribe  of  the  Charter,  and  may  well  be  the 
Fergus  Finn  of  the  M'Beath  pedigrees  mentioned  above  (supra, 
p.  285).  The  value  of  the  document  is  largely  due  to  the  fact 
that  it  is  the  only  Gaelic  Charter  that  has  survived  out  of  many 


296  catalog; UE  OF  OAELIC  MANUSCKll'TS 

that  must  have  been  written.     Jt  has  since  been  printed  in  the 
Booh  of  Ishtij  (1.S95— privately  printed),  p.  IG,  and  elsewhere. 

2.  Contract  of  FostenKjc :  National  MSS.  of  Scotland. 
"  Part  III.,  No.  LXXXIV. 
The  contract  is  somewhat  carelessly  written  on  a  single  page 
of  quarto  paper  in  a  plain  Gaelic  hand,  with  several  deletions 
and  insertions.  It  is  of  considerable  interest,  as  being  the  only 
instance  of  such  contracts,  written  in  Gaelic,  as  has  survived. 
The  document  is  dated  October  8th,  1614,  and  details  the  terms 
upon  which  Macleoid  gives  his  son  Norman  to  Eoin  mac  'niic 
Cainnigh  in  fosterage.  Macleoid  in  1614  was  Rory  mor  Macleod, 
the  famous  chief.  Eoin  mac  in{h)ic  Cainnigh,  as  written  at 
that  date,  should  read  '  John,  son  of  Mackenzie '  (the  chief  of  the 
clan).  In  1614  mac  Coinnich  was  Red  Colin,  second  Lord 
Mackenzie.  He  had  a  younger  brother  John,  whose  Gaelic 
designation  would  be  Eoin  mac  mhic  Coinnich.  But  the 
contract  goes  on  to  say  that,  in  the  event  of  John's  death,  the 
fostering  of  the  child  shall  be  with  his  brother  Angus  nuw  mic 
Cainnigh,  and  in  the  event  of  his  death,  with  his  brother 
Donald  onac  mic  Cainnigh.  But  among  the  sons  of  the  first 
Lord  Mackenzie  there  are  none  named  Angus  or  Donald 
(v.  History  of  the  Mackenzies,  pp.  166-7).  The  translation  of 
the  designation  must  thus  be  vague  and  awkward :  '  John,  son 
of  a  son  of  Kenneth.'  There  are  four  witnesses,  and  in  the 
document  they  are  described  thus :  '  Maighisdir  Eogan  mac 
Suibhne  minisdir  dhiuirinnsi  agus  domhnall  mac  pail  duibh 
agus  Eoin  mac  colgan  minisdir  bracaduil  agus  toirdealbhach 
omurgheasa.'  The  signatures,  except  the  last  named,  are  in 
English,  as  follows  : 

S[ik]  R[uairaidh]  Macleoid. 

Jo^  M^CoLGAN,  tv'nes. 

Donald  M'quien,  ivitnes. 

ToiKDELBHACH    OmURGEASA 
MAR   FIAGHNAISI, 

M".  EwiN  m'quien,  xoitnes. 

Mac  Suibhne,  it  will  be  observed,  is  here  Englished  '  M'Quien,' 
as  is  also  mac  pail  duibh, '  son  of  black  Pal '  or  '  Paul.'  With 
Tiirlough  O'Jfur^/ieasa  compare  DoniicJiadh  0  Muirighesan  who 


APPENDIX  II  297 

composed   the   elegy  on  Sir  Norman    Macleod,    who  died   in 
1705  {supra,  p.  281). 

3.  Elegy  on  Sir  Duncan  Campbell  of  Glenurchy  :  National 
MSS.  of  Scotland.     Part  III.,  No.  XCVI. 

This  MS.  consists  of  a  large  leaf  of  thick  parchment,  with 
elaborate  border,  brightly  illuminated.  The  MS.  was  given  by 
James  Macpherson  to  John  Campbell  of  the  Bank  of  Scotland 
(the  poet  M'Intyre's  patron).  It  Avas  afterwards  found  among 
the  family  papers  of  the  late  William  M'Farlane  of  Portsburgh, 
W.S.,  and  presented  by  his  son  to  the  Lord  Clerk  Register  for 
preservation  in  the  General  Register  House. 

The  Elegy  is  written  very  carefully  and  correctly  in  a  clear 
and  resrular  Gaelic  hand.  There  are  no  contractions  and  no 
accent  marks.  The  heading  runs :  Marhhrann  dhonncJiaidh 
ditihh  mhic  chailin  leith  nfihic  chailin  oig  mhic  dhonnchaidh 
mhic  chailin  duihh  na  romha  mhic  dhonncltaidh  aii  agha, '  The 
death-verse  of  black  Duncan,  son  of  grey  Colin,  son  of  Colin  the 
younger,  son  of  Duncan,  son  of  black  Colin  of  Rome,  son  of 
Duncan  the  prosperous.'  Black  Duncan  is  remembered  among 
Highlanders  as  Donnchadh  dubh  a  Churraichd, '  Black  Duncan 
of  the  Cowl'  He  was  the  seventh  Laird  and  first  Baronet  of 
Glenurchy  {House  of  Argyll  and  .  .  .  Clan  Campbell,  Glasgow, 
1871,  p.  132). 

The  elegy  consists  of  22  quatrains,  of  which  these  are  the 
first  and  last : 

Mor  an  broinsgel  bas  idhuibhna,  deaghmhac  Chailin  ceannan  druagh. 
fear  do  chuir  acMu  gu  halmhuin,  mo  ghuin  anu  aadhbhuidh  fuar. 

Gion  gur  lionmhur  andun  donnchaidh,  deaghlaoch  druagh  ainnir  is  ogh. 

far  thriath  cciomhchoir  do  bfhearr  dfearuibh,  gearr  gur  chliochloigh  meadliair 
mhor. 

'  Great  the  tale  of  grief  the  death  of  O'Duibhne,  excellent  son  of  Colin  head  of 
the  wise  ; 
A  man  whose  fame  reached  Almu,i  my  grief  this  day  his  abode  being  cold.' 

'  Although  there  be  many  in  Duncan's  castle,  noble  hero,  sage,  girl,  and  maid  ; 
Your  fine-tressed  lord,  best  of  men,  soon  great  mirth  changed.' 

^  Now  Allen,  the  residence  of  Fionn  in  Ireland 


298  CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS 

The  date  of  Sir  Duncan's  death  is  thus  recorded  at  the  end 

of  the  elegy : 

Mile  aon  trioch;id  slan  se  ced  cuig  nihi  o  oijfhre  uir  fir  thred. 
Moniiar  an  cas  cuimhne  sin,  go  bas  iduibhne  dlieidghil. 

'  A  thousand,  a  full  thirty,  six  hundred,  five  months,  from  the  pure  heir  of  true 

flocks, 
Alas  !  sad  subject  of  remembrance,  to  the  death  of  white-toothed  Duncan.' 

i.e.  May-June  1631.     I  have  not  seen  this  elegy  in  print,  but 
there  is  a  copy  in  the  Maclagan  MSS.  (infra). 


III. — In  the  Library  of  the  Society  of  the 
Antiquaries  of  Scotland 

The  MS.  in  this  Library  is  a  copy  of  the  Gaelic  version  of 
the  Lilium  Medicinae  by  Bernard  de  Gordon  of  Montpelier, 
It  is  the  largest  of  the  Gaelic  MSS.  now  in  Scotland.  It  is 
a  thick  paper  folio  of  714  pages,  11  in.  by  1-^,  bound  in  old  calf. 
The  MS.  was  sent  to  the  Society  of  Scottish  Antiquaries  by  the 
Rev.  Donald  Macqueen  of  Kilmuir,  Isle  of  Skye  (who  also 
sent  MS.  II  to  the  Advocates'  Library  (v.  supra,  p.  6))  on 
June  3rd,  1784.  The  following  interesting  Memorandum  is 
prefixed : 

'  The  Lilium  Medicanum  of  Bernardus  Gordonius,  Professor  of  Physic  in 
the  University  of  Mont-iielier,  was  publislied  in  the  year  1305,  was  early 
translated  into  Gaelic,  and  became  the  physical  pandects  of  the  Beatons,  the 
hereditary  physicians  of  the  Lords  of  the  Isles,  being,  according  to  Dr.  Freund 
in  his  History  of  Physic,  a  book  of  high  credit  in  its  time.  The  price  of  tran- 
scribing a  copy  was  sixty  milk  cows.  The  copy  possessed  by  Farchar  Beaton 
of  Husibost  five  generations  ago,  now  laid  iip  in  the  Antiquarian  Museum  at 
Edinburgh,  was  of  such  value  in  his  estimation  that  when  he  trusted  himself 
to  a  boat,  in  passing  an  arm  of  the  sea,  to  attend  any  patient  at  Dunvegan, 
the  seat  of  Macleod,  he  sent  his  servant  by  land,  for  the  greater  security,  with 
the  Lilium  Medicamim. 

'  N.B. — Some  descendant  of  these  hereditary  physicians  was  established  in 
every  great  family  in  the  Isles. 

'  This  was  written  on  the  10th  of  May  1784.' 

This  Farquhar  or  Ferquhard  must  have  flourished  about 
1630.  In  a  pamphlet  on  the  Beatons  or  Bethunes  of  Skye, 
written,  it  is  said,  by  the  Rev.  Thomas  White,  minister  of 
Liberton,  who  was  married  to  Anna  Bethune,  a  descendant  of 
the  Skye  physicians,  Dr.  Ferquhard  is  described  as  having  '  the 


APPENDIX  II  299 

gravity  of  the  Divine,  as  well  as  skill  of  the  Physician.'  It  is 
not,  however,  to  Ferquhard,  but  to  his  son  Dr.  Angus,  that  our 
MS.  is  ascribed  in  this  pamphlet.  Of  him  it  is  said :  '  He  got  a 
liberal  education,  and  wrote  a  system  of  physic,  entitled  The 
Lilly  of  Medicine,  which  he  finished  at  the  foot  of  Montpelier, 
after  he  had  studied  physic  twenty-eight  years.  The  system  is 
yet  extant  in  manuscript.  ...  It  is  in  the  Irish  character  and 
abounds  with  contractions.  .  .  .  None  of  his  posterity  since  the 
death  of  Mr.  John  Bethune,  Minister  of  Bracadale,  is  able  to 
read  it'  (v.  An  Historical  and  Genealogical  Account  of  the 
Bethunes  of  the  Island  of  Sky  (Edinburgh,  1778.  Reprinted, 
Glasgow,  1887),  pp.  5-6). 

The  Lilium  Medicinae  of  Bernard  de  Gordon  is  dated  1303 
(in  this  copy,  in  error,  1305).  Strictly  speaking,  the  writing  of 
it,  according  to  the  author's  preface,  was  begun  in  the  month 
of  July  1303.  The  comprehensive  treatise  was  held  in  great 
repute  throughout  Europe  for  several  centuries.  Apart  from 
the  MSS.  that  circulated  during  the  fourteenth  and  fifteenth 
centuries,  eleven  editions  of  the  Latin  text  were  printed  on  the 
Continent,  at  Naples,  Ferrara,  Lyons,  Venice  and  Frankfort,  be- 
tween 1480  and  1617 ;  a  Spanish  version  was  published  at 
Seville  in  1494,  and  a  French  version  at  Lyons  in  1495. 
Translations  were  also  made  into  Gaelic  and  English,  but 
these  have  not  been  printed  {cf  O'Gr.  Cat.,  pp.  202-3). 

The  copy  of  this  work  noticed  above  (p.  276)  is  said  to  have 
been  translated  into  Gaelic  by  Coronac  0' DuinnslehJd,  no  doubt 
the  Cormac  mac  DuinntJdebi  who,  in  1459,  translated  the 
tract  Gualterus  de  Dosihus  (O'Gr.  Cat.,  p.  177). 

This  copy  of  the  Lilium  Medicinae  is  almost  complete.  It 
is  written  in  a  very  good,  plain,  legible  hand  of  the  early  seven- 
teenth century,  with  comparatively  few  contractions,  and  with 
such  care  and  correctness  that  sixty  milk  cows  Avould  hardly 
be  considered  an  extravagant  fee  for  the  scribe.  The  writing 
is  in  one  column  throughout,  and  the  pagination  is  by  leaves 
only.  The  outer  margin  is  somewhat  broken  at  the  top  of  a 
few  leaves  at  the  beginning  of  the  MS.,  and  a  word  or  two  of 
the  text  lost  here  and  there.  Between  the  first  and  second 
folios  as  the  MS.  now  stands  two  leaves  are  lost,  otherwise  there 
is  no  lacuna  in  this  large  MS.     A  leaf  is  cut  out  between  folios 


300  CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS 

213  and  214,  but  the  text  is  continuous.  A  portion  of  207a 
and  the  whole  of  207b,  208a  are  written  in  a  freer  and  less 
careful  hand. 

The  author's  preface  bej^ins  on  folio  la,  which  is  so  far 
broken,  with  some  text  lost,  and  is  continued  on  folio  lb.  Here 
it  is  stated  that  the  Treatise  is  divided  into  seven  Particles,  or 
Books.  Immediately  after  the  preface,  our  text  proceeds : 
'  Here  is  begun  the  first  Particle,  which  treats  of  Fevers  gene- 
rally. It  contains  thirty-one  chapters,  and  speaks  first  of  Fevers 
in  general.' 

The  number  of  the  '  Particle '  is  given  on  the  top  of  the 
right-hand  page,  and  the  special  subject  treated  of  on  the  top 
of  the  left.  But  occasional  omissions  are  met  with.  There 
is  also,  in  one  or  two  cases,  a  discrepanc}^  as  to  the  number  of 
chapters  named  at  the  beginning  of  the  '  Particle,'  and  the 
number  treated  of  in  the  text.  Thus  the  third  '  Particle '  is 
said  to  contain  twenty-seven  chapters,  but  the  twenty-seventh 
is  not  separately  discussed.  As  to  the  number  of  chapters,  our 
copy  gives  thirty-one  chapters  in  the  First  and  Second  Particles, 
while  the  copy  in  the  British  Museum  (Eg.  89),  described  in 
O'Gr.  Cat.,  pp.  202-222,  gives  only  thirty  in  each  of  these. 

Apart  from  discrepancies  such  as  these,  our  copy  contains, 
the  translation  of  the  large  treatise  in  the  following  order : 

Particle     I    containing  31  chapters  on  folios  16  to  75b. 

II  31  „                75b  „  131b. 

III  27  „  132a  „  171a. 
„  IV  13  „  171a  „  213b. 
„  V  21  „  214a  „  269a. 
„  VI  16  „  269a  „  303b. 
„    VII  24  „  303b  „  338b. 

The  last  paragraph  of  the  Treatise  (fol.  338b)  opens :  Leigheas 
ann  so  chum  namhan  do  dhenamh  sgiartiliach  7  ma  doniter 
arson  a  hfer  fen  ata  se  fuilngtech, '  Here  is  a  specific  for  making 
women  beautiful,  and  if  this  be  done  for  their  own  husbands  it 
is  allowable.'  Then  come  two  or  three  prescriptions  for  the 
purpose,  after  which  is  Finis.  There  is  no  author's  colophon, 
as  in  the  British  Museum  copy  (v.  O'Gr.  Cat.,  p.  210). 

Marginal  notes  for  explanation  or  extension  of  text  are  fairly 
frequent.  They  are  in  three  hands:  (1)  a  very  good  hand,  not 
unlike   that  of  the   scribe;    (2)  a  later  and   plainer  hand,  in 


APPENDIX  II  301 

which  the  greater  number  of  these  notes  are  written;  (3)  a 
third  (on  foho  35b),  where  the  hand  is  English,  but  the  text  is 
in  Latin.  Some  of  the  leaves  were  clipped  in  binding,  so  that 
an  occasional  letter  or  syllable  is  lost.  Of  notes  of  another  kind 
there  are  hardly  any.  A  few  not  very  legible  scribblings  in 
current  hand  and  in  English  are  on  folio  338b :  '  God  made  man 
and  man  made  .  .  .' ;  'In  my  beginning  God  me  speed,'  etc.  etc. 

After  the  translation  of  the  Lilium  Medicinae  come  three 
leaves,  blank  and  unpaged.  On  the  fourth  leaf  commences  a 
tractate  with  the  heading:  Ag  so  giiathugliadh  iia  mule 
l^raitice  neach  ata  coitcioima  J  ataid  x.  eclair  orra  sin  an  .c. 
clar  dihh  neach  labrus  do  na  siroijyibh  dileacha  gach  aon  .1"-. 
(  =  leanna),  '  Here  are  the  recipes  of  all  practitioners  which  are 
in  common  use.  There  are  ten  tables  of  them,  the  first  of  which 
gives  the  digestive  syrups  for  each  individual  humour.'  The 
ten  tables  are  given,  plain  and  clear,  on  ten  leaves  which  are 
neither  ruled  nor  paged.  The  headings  of  the  tables  are  in 
Latin  —  Tabida  prima,  tabula  secunda,  or  in  numerals  .  .  . 
9,  X.  (cf.  supra,  p.  70,  where  the  authorship  of  these  tables  is 
attributed  to  Bernard  Gordon). 

Following  the  tables  is  the  beginning  of  another  tract,  the 
heading  of  which  is  in  small  capitals,  and  runs:  Incvpit  tabula 
Magistri  Bernardi  de  Gordonis  de  ingen[i]is  curandi  Tnorbos 
.|.  tinnsgainter  ann  so  clar  Bernard  Gordoni  dintlecht  leigheas 
nan  galur.  Et  adir  Bernard  go  bfuilid  x.  ninnlechta  ann 
so  ar  leighis  na  ngalur.  An  .c.  intlecht  dibh  is  on  galur  do 
gebhtir  e  mar  ader  G.  annsa  4  leabur  de  ingenio  an  radh  so. 
Semper,  etc.  *  Here  begins  the  Table  of  Bernard  de  Gordon  on 
the  method  of  curing  diseases.  And  Bernard  states  that  there 
are  ten  ways  of  curing  diseases,  the  first  of  which  is  ascertained 
from  the  [nature  of  the]  disease  itself,  as  G[alen]  makes  in  the 
fourth  book  de  ingenio  this  statement.  Always,'  etc.  Four 
folios,  neither  ruled  nor  paged,  are  given  to  this  tract,  when 
the  writing  comes  abruptly  to  an  end. 

From  folio  290  the  writing  becomes  gradually  obscured,  and 
the  last  four  or  five  leaves  are  much  broken. 


302  CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCKIPTS 


IV.  In  the  University  of  Glasgow. 

The  following  MSS.  have  recently  been  deposited  in  the 
University  of  Glasgow  : — 

I.  The  Mdclagan  Collection. 

This  large  and  miscellaneous  Collection  was  made  in  the 
latter  half  of  the  eighteenth  century  by  the  Rev.  James  Maclagan, 
minister  of  Amulree,  chaplain  of  the  Black  Watch — the  famous 
42d  Regiment — and  afterwards  minister  of  Blair  Atholl.  Mr. 
Maclagan  was  a  correspondent  of  James  Macpherson,  to  whom 
he  supplied  Ossianic  material.  He  afterwards  sent  papers  to  the 
Committee  of  the  Highland  Society,  which  have  disappeared. 
But  the  original  MSS.  were  carefully  preserved,  and  were  pre- 
sented to  the  University  by  Mr.  Maclagan  Wedderburn,  W.S., 
of  Edinburgh,  the  representative  of  the  family. 

The  MSS.  are  all  of  paper,  enclosed  in  an  old  wooden  box, 
about  fifteen  inches  long  and  eight  to  nine  inches  in  breadth 
and  height.  The  box  is  without  lid.  The  papers  are  in  four 
layers,  separated  by  sheets  of  paper.  Several  of  the  larger 
items  have  numbers,  but  a  later  reader  (the  late  Dr.  MacBain, 
probably),  has  recently  numbered  each  separate  item  continu- 
ously from  1  to  241.  One  or  two  are  now  amissing,  while  a  few 
unnumbered  items  are  enclosed  in  an  envelope,  and  placed  on 
the  top.  The  largest  MS.  contains  86  pages  octavo,  others  are 
smaller  quarto  and  octavo,  of  48,  32,  16,  8,  and  4  pages.  There 
are,  besides,  a  number  of  sheets  and  single  leaves  of  folded  folio, 
and  many  of  smaller  size,  some  of  which  are  scrajDs  of  only  a 
couple  of  inches.  The  handAvriting  is  various.  AVith  the  excep- 
tion of  a  few  short  pieces  written  carefully,  but  with  apparent 
effort  {e.g.  No.  98)  in  the  old  hand,  one  MS.  (No.  73)  of  eight 
leaves  quarto  written  semi-phonetically  in  Scots  hand,  the  tests, 
in  English  and  Gaelic,  are  written  in  the  current  hand  of  the 
day.  The  greater  number  are  in  a  plain  clear  hand,  and  written 
with  considerable  care  and  uniformity  of  orthography.  Other 
pieces  are  in  the  handwriting  of  the  various  correspondents 
who  supplied  them,  some  of  them  rather  crude  and  in  very 
defective  orthography. 


APPENDIX  II  303 

In  the  following  brief  summary  of  the  contents  of  this  Collec- 
tion the  number  attached  to  the  principal  items  is  the  number 
of  the  MS.  or  leaf  which  marks  its  order  in  the  collection  : 

1.  There  are  several  pieces  of  some  interest  written  in  Eng- 
lish, and  one  or  two  translated  pieces.  Among  these  are  a 
paragraph  on  Beregonium  (14) ;  a  letter  from  the  Rev.  Kenneth 
M'Aulay,  Lismore,  recommending  a  '  tour '  through  the  Hebrides 
to  Mr.  Maclagan  (64) ;  literary  and  historical  notes  of  interest 
(122);  historical  notes,  evidently  copied  from  an  older  docu- 
ment (120,  last  page) ;  a  copy  of  a  grant  by  William,  King  of 
Scotland,  to  Norman  Hunter  of  the  Hope  and  the  Hopeton  .  .  . 
from  above  the  Earth  to  Heaven,  from  under  the  Earth  to  Hell 
.  .  .  (195);  'Celtic  names  in  Greece'  (238);  verses  'in  Scotch 
by  a  lady  who  lost  her  bridegroom  in  the  murder  of  Glencoe 
(36) ;  a  copy  of  the  '  Garb  of  Old  Gaul '  said  to  have  been  com- 
posed by  Sir  Harry  Erskine  to  the  Royal  Highland  Regiment, 

and  a  translation  thereof  by Morrison,  Foi-leigh  do  chath- 

hhuidhinn  an  Fhrisealaich,  Assistant-surgeon  to  Eraser's 
Regiment  (37)  [v.  Gillies's  Coll.,  p.  64  ;  and  cf  Fasti,  iv.  p.  793, 
where  the  translation  is  wrongly  attributed  to  Maclagan  him- 
self] ;  '  Woo'd  and  Married  .and  a','  with  translation,  and  '  My 
wife  had  taen  the  gie,'  without  translation  (62);  a  copy  of  the 
Latin  verses  on  the  Battle  of  Killicrankie  (31)  [cf.  sujira,  p.  289] ; 
three  pieces  in  Manx,  MyUecJiarrane,  Cadley  Kinne,  and 
Ronniaght  (ISO) ;  translations  into  Gaelic  verse  from  Latin 
(54,  217),  and  Duanag  Sappho  (54). 

3.  There  are  a  number  of  sayings,  epigrams,  love-charms,  etc., 
here  and  there,  with  the  following  pieces,  among  others,  in  Gaelic 
prose  :  Cinn  Reachdaidh  a  riaghladJi  nam  Feachd  Breatuinn- 
cach,'  Heads  of  Regulations  for  the  British  Army  '  (11) ;  Mounting 
Ewen  on  a  horse  (133,  cf.  L.  F.,  pp.  210,  211) ;  'An  Address  to  the 
Soldiers  of  the  42d  Regiment'  (135)  ;  Tiomnadh  Thulaich,  '  The 
Bequest  of  [the]  Tulach '  (155),  clever;  Altachadh  nam  meir- 
leach,  '  The  Thieves'  Grace  '  (160),  by  Alastair  mor  mac  a  Lon- 
ahhidh  (big  Alexander  M'Gillony) ;  Anainn  of  the  white  bosom, 
daughter  of  the  King  of  Loitheann,  a  fragment  (240). 

4.  There  are  several  genealogies,  more  or  less  fragmentary. 
Thus  item  100  is  a  scrap  enumerating  the  badges,  castles,  and 
followers  of  Macdougall  of  Lorn.     No.  143  is  a  folded  folio. 


304  CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS 

broken,  containing  the  genealogy  of  the  Stewarts  through 
Banqiio,  and  attested  as  correct  by  Messrs.  D.  Macnicol  (Lis- 
niore),  J.  Maclagan  (Blair  Atholl),  John  Stuart,  minister  of 
Strachur,  and  James  Macintyre  of  Glenoe.     No.   196  contains 

the  genealogy  of  MacCailein  (Argyll),  by  D Mhuirgheasain, 

and  that  of  Maclain  (Macdonald)  of  Glencoe,  attested  by 
Macintyre  of  Glenoe  and  John  Stuart,  minister  of  Arrochar. 

But  much  the  largest  portion  of  the  Maclagan  Collection 
consists  of  Gaelic  verse. 

1.  Some  of  the  poems  profess  to  be  very  old,  and  without 
doubt  many  of  them  were  composed  long  before  the  collector's 
day.  Passing  by  such  poems  of  spurious  antiquity  as  '  Mordubh,' 
Book  IL  (223),  printed  in  Gillies's  Collection  and  in  Mackenzie's 
Beauties  of  Gaelic  Poetry  ;  The  Aged  Bard's  Wish  (94),  printed 
in  most  Gaelic  collections  ;  the  Addresses  to  the  Sun  (80),  as  at 
the  end  of  Macpherson's  Carthon  and  beginning  of  Carraic  Thura; 
and  Malvina,  we  have  here  copies  of  St.  Columba's  well-known 
'  Farewell  to  Aran '  (229)  ;  twenty  quatrains  attributed  to  Cor- 
mac  mac  Cuileannan  (author  of  Cormac's  Glossary),  beginning, 
Mithed  teacht  tar  mo  thimna  (llfi) ;  a  Prayer  and  Address 
from  the  '  Missal  which  was  in  the  family  of  Perth,  and  sup- 
posed to  be  700  years  old  in  1728'  (182);  Cormac's  Advice  to 
his  Son  (69,  145),  as  printed  in  Gillies's  Collection,  pp.  295-8 
(cf.  sux)ra,  p.  187);  a  Song  to  Calum  Macleoid,  from  whom  the 
chief  living  in  1780  was  the  twelfth  in  line, — da  ghlun  deug 
air  ais  (195) ;  a  copy  of  the  Duan  Alhannach  (79),  with  notes, 
printed  in  Chronicles  of  Picts  and  Scots,  p.  57;  the  first  forty- 
eicht  lines  of  Lachlann  mor  mac  Mhuirich's  Incitement  to  the 
Macdonalds  at  Harlaw  (97),  attested  by  Macintyre  of  Glenoe  to 
have  been  copied  '  from  an  old  MS.  in  Galic  Character,'  v.  R.  Mac- 
donald's  Collection  (1776),  p.  5;  Ode  by  31ac  Gailein  (probably 
Colin,  4th  Earl)  to  the  daughter  of  Macdonald  of  Dun-naomh- 
aio-  (172),  printed  in  R.  Macdonald's  Collection  (p.  347)  and 
elsewhere;  the  Duanag  Ullamh,  or  '  Handy  Lilf  (187),  said  in 
R.  M'D.'s  Collection  (p.  253)  to  have  been  composed  in  1569  by 
Maclean's  Bard  to  Colin,  Earl  of  Argyll ;  the  lines  quoted  above 
(supra,  pp.  205,  263),  and  attributed,  as  here,  to  Bishop  Carsewell 
(30):  verses  to  Dugald  Macdougall,  younger  of  Lorn,  who  won 


APPENDIX  II  305 

a  prize  for  archery  in  England  in  the  reign  of  James  the  Sixth 
(195) ;  a  copy  of  the  Lament  for  Black  Duncan  of  the  CoavI 
(225)  mentioned  above  (p.  297),  and  others. 

2,  The  Collection  contains  a  large  number  of  Ossianic 
Ballads.  With  the  exception  of  the  ballads  supplied  to  Gillies 
by  Maclagan,  Mr.  Campbell  had  not  access  to  this  source, 
Maclagan's  Collection  of  Ossianic  Ballads  becomes  thus  of  great 
value.  It  consists  of  two  parts  :  (1)  Sixteen  ballads  contained 
in  No.  9  of  the  Collection.  These  are  a  copy  of  a  collection 
made  by  Mr.  Peter  M'Farlane  in  Argyllshire,  and  are  all  printed 
in  Rel.  Gelt.,  i.  p.  245-294.  (2)  Variant  versions  of  eleven  of 
the  above  sixteen,  with  over  a  score  of  others  collected  by 
Maclagan  himself,  or  sent  to  him  by  various  correspondents 
who  are  frequently  named.  These  are  found  here  and  there 
throughout  the  Collection  ;  but  details  are  unnecessary,  for  they 
are  all  printed  in  Rel.  Celt,  i.  pp.  295-370. 

3.  A  large  part  of  the  contents  of  Maclagan's  MSS.  consists  of 
poems  by  well-known  Bards  whose  works  have  been  printed  in 
whole  or  in  part  since  the  Collection  was  made,  but,  with  the 
exception  of  some  of  Alexander  Macdonald's  poems,  were  not  in 
print  until  1767,  and  later.  Thus  we  have  here  two  or  three 
copies  of  the  well-known  Comhachag  or  '  Owl '  (of  Strone), 
attributed  universally  to  Donald  Macdonald  (Domhnall  Mao 
Fhionnlaidh  nan  Dan),  a  forester  or  gamekeeper  who,  accord- 
ing to  the  tradition  of  Lochaber,  lived  in  the  days  of  Black 
Duncan  of  the  Cowl  (v.  Gael,  v.  p.  329),  i.e.  in  the  sixteenth- 
seventeenth  century.  There  are,  besides,  specimens  of  the 
works  of  the  following  well-known  poets,  all  of  them  repre- 
sented in  the  Beauties  of  Gaelic  Poetry  :  Mary  Macleod  (18, 120, 
122);  John  (Lorn)  Macdonald ;  Neil  M'Vurich  (26) ;  Archibald 
Macdonald  alias  Ciaran  Mabach  (154) ;  Silis  Ni'  Mhic  Raonaill, 
or  Julia  of  Keppoch  (146) ;  Mac  Mhathain  or  Matheson  (26, 120) ; 
Lachlan  Mackinnon  (105)  ;  Alexander  Macdonald  ;  John 
M'Codrum  (68);  Hector  Macleod  (139);  Dugald  Buchanan; 
Robert  (Donn)  Mackay ;  Duncan  Maclntyre ;  Macpherson, 
Strathmashie  (64)  ;  and  John  Roy  Stewart  (3,  18). 

There  are  also  several  less  known  authors  named,  a  few  of 
whom  find  a  place  in  some  of  the  older  Collections,  although 
not  in  Mackenzie's  Beauties  of  Gaelic  Poetry.     Among  these 

u 


306  CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS 

Ciithal    Mac    IMlmiricli,  who    lived    in    the    early    seventeenth 
century,    has   two  pieces   here  (one  in  an  unnumbered    item, 
one   in   No.   38);    the   Rev.   John  M'Innes   {Iain  mac  Aong- 
huLs   oif/),   a   native    of    Inverness-shire,  minister   of  Crathie, 
Braemar,  afterwards  of  Logie  Coldstonc  (Fasti,  vi.  pp.  529,  535), 
has   several   songs,   poems  (some    ecclesiastical),   and   transla- 
tions in  Nos.  1,  2,  54,  73 ;  John  Stuart  of  Strathspey  has  very 
meritorious  verses  to  Mairie  Grant  in  Nos.  20  and  137,  which 
are  printed  in  G.  S.  I.,  xxiv.  p.  175  (the  poet  may  be  John  Roy 
Stuart,   the  name  in  No.   20  being  written   E.   R,   S') ;  Fear 
Ghealanie  has  verses  in  No.  27  to  his  first  wife,  a  daughter,  we 
are  told,  of  Balnespic ;  Dugald  Macpherson  of  Skye  has  religious 
pieces  in  Nos.  48   and  192    (a   long  poem  on    Death   by   the 
same   author  is  printed  in   R.    M'Donald's  Collection,  p.   10) ; 
Murcha  mor  (Murchadh  mor  mac  mhic  Mhurchaidh),  has  an 
elegy  on    Macdonald  of  Sleat  in  No.  54,  which  is  printed  in 
R.  M'D.,  p.  23,  as  also  another  on  p.  185,  as  well  as  several  in  the 
Fernaig  MS.  {v.  supra,  p.  270);  the  bard  Mac  Ciche  (R.  M'D.'s 
Mac  ithich)  or  Keith,  has  two  pieces — one  in  No.  67  on  Argyll 
beheaded  at  Edinburgh,  printed  in  R.  M'D.,  p.  138,  the  other, 
Laoi  Mhic  Ciche,  in  No.  230,  beginning  Mo  clhuil  ann  Criost, 
printed  by  Kennedy  in  1786  and  1834 ;  one  of  the  many  poems 
on  the  battle  of  Killiecrankie,  'S  e  do  latha,  Rinn-ruaraidh,  in 
No.  73,  attributed  here  to  Aonghus  onac  Alistir  Ruaigh  mhic 
mhic  Ian  Ghlinnecomhann,  printed  in  R.  M'D.,  p.  188,  and  in 
Gillies,  p.  142  ;  verses  on  the  Macgregors  in  No.  73,  repeated  in 
No.  122,  by  Ailean  mac  Ghilleasbuig,  fear  Lag-na-h-adhai,  de 
theaghlach  Ghlinne  Comhann  ;    a  Dialogue  in  Verse  between 
Queen  Anne  and  the  Laird  of  Appin  (No.  122),  by  Macdonald  of 
Dalness,  printed  in  G.  S.  I.,  xxii.  p.  173  ;  a  piece  (No.  122)  by 
Macintyre  of  Glenoe  on  Dr.  Samuel  Johnson,  v.  G.  S.  I.,  xxii. 
p.  177  ;  another  in  the  same  No.  (122)  by  the  Laird  of  Kilbride 
on  hearing  of  Cromwell's  death ;  a  song  in  No.  137  by  Alastair 
Robertson    a    Botheaspuic    a    rinn  fbs   Laeth  Ranndabo   'n 
t-Sleibhe,  '  A.  R.  in  B.,  who  also  composed  the  Day  of  Ranndabo 
{  =  1  Rendezvous)  of  the  Hill,' — subject  naimlidin  na  tuatha, 
'  the  enemies  of  the  tenantry,'  printed  in  G.  8.  I.,  xxiv.  p.  161 ; 
verses  on  the  capture  of  Lord  Huntly,   by  Major  Menzies,  in 
the  same  No.  (137),  v.  G.  8.  I.,  xxiv.  p.  164,  and  also  Highland 


APPENDIX  II  307 

Monthly,  vol.  i.  p.  278 ;  an  elegy  in  No.  152  by  Nighean  mhic 
ic  Raonaill,  '  daughter  of  Keppoch,'  to  her  husband,  who  fell  at 
Killiecrankie,  v.  G.  S.  I.,  xxii.  p.  168;  verses  in  No.  154  by  Am 
Bard  ban,  '  The  fair  Poet '  (Sir  Ewen  Cameron's  Bard) ;  a  short 
piece  in  No.  162,  entitled  Cluas  a'  bhuic,  '  the  Buck's  ear,'  attri- 
buted to  Duncan  M'Intyre,  but  which  is  not  found  in  that  poet's 
published  works ;  the  song  known  as  Cuachag  nan  Craobh, '  The 
Cuckoo  of  the  Trees,'  in  No.  164,  and  dated  1765,  thus  showinsr 
that  "William  Ross,  born  in  1762,  could  not  have  been  the 
author  of  these  melodious  verses, — v.  also  Turner's  Collection, 
p.  298,  Avhere  thirteen  stanzas  are  given  as  against  Ross's  nine ; 
a  poem  against  strong  drink,  by  Domhnull  Donn  Bojiondruinn, 
'  Brown  Donald  of  (?)  Bohuntin '  (cf.  Macdonald  Bards,  Edin- 
burgh, 1900,  p.  12),  and  several  others. 

There  are  a  large  number  of  anonymous  pieces  in  the 
Collection,  some  of  which  are  important  from  their  literary 
merit,  while  others  are  otherwise  interesting.  A  number  of 
the  former  class  are  printed  in  Gillies's  Collection,  to  which 
Mr.  Maclagan  was  evidently  the  chief  contributor.  Among  the 
latter  may  be  mentioned  Sheurlus  an  Dobhair,  or  Charles  of 
Doure,  given  Avith  more  or  less  completeness  in  Nos.  13,  85, 
and  137.  The  poem  is  printed,  translated,  and  commented 
upon  in  the  Highland  Monthly,  vol.  i.  pp.  148,  213,  the  editor 
regarding  it  as  a  Norwegian  ballad  which  somehow  floated  down 
among  the  people  of  the  Central  Highlands  for  over  five  hundred 
years.  There  is  a  Dialogue  between  the  Gruagach  Soluis  and 
Raibeart  Gabha  in  Nos.  35  and  85.  It  also  is  printed  and 
translated  in  the  Highland  Monthly,  vol.  i.  p.  416.  The 
Gruagach  professes  to  be  the  best  informed  of  Eve's  progeny, 
apart  from  '  readers  of  books,'  and  '  Robert  Smith '  asks  about 
the  various  important  happenings  in  the  history  of  the  Gael,  the 
wars  and  exploits  of  Art,  the  '  vision '  of  Charles  of  Doure, 
the  doings  of  Cuchulainn,  Fionn,  and  the  heroes  of  the  Feinn, 
the  Battle  of  Clontarf,  and  such  matters.  The  reply  of  the 
Gruagach  is  not  given.  There  is  a  copy  of  '>S'e  do  bheatha, 
Mhuire  mhaighdin,  '  Hail,  Virgin  Mary,'  in  No.  47 ;  a  copy  of 
the  verses  composed  at  Alexander  the  Great's  grave  in  No.  122 
{v.  supra,  p.  241).  The  poem  on  the  Massacre  of  Glencoe,  so 
often  printed,  is  here  (No.  59),  as  in  Gillies  (p.  253),  anonymous. 


308  CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS 

R.  M'D.  (p.  241)  and  John  Mackenzie  (Beauties  of.  Gaelic 
Poetry,  p.  875)  ascribe  it  to  the  Bard  Mucanach,  the  latter 
adding  that  the  author  was  of  the  Glencoe  family,  and  after  the 
Massacre  lived  in  the  Isle  of  Muck  (v.  siqira,  p.  288).  Among 
other  pieces  may  be  mentioned  Altachadh  an  t-Snaoisein,  in 
No.  68,  and  marked  incerto  auctore, — the  verses  are  printed  in 
Conflicts  of  the  Clans,  p.  136 ;  an  elegy  on  Rob  Roy  in  No.  73, 
iprmtod  in  the  Hir/hland  Monthly ,  vol.  i.  p.  209 ;  a  Bard's  Blessing 
of  the  House  of  Tongue  (No.  120);  verses  addressed  to  Sir  Ewen 
Cameron  on  killing  the  English  officer  by  cutting  open  his 
throat  with  his  teeth  (No.  204) ;  and  a  poem  in  No.  210  on 
FdsachadJt  na  GaidJiealtachd  Alhannaicli,  '  The  desolating  of 
the  Scottish  Highlands,'  beginning 

A  Bheinn-neamhais  ard  nan  neul. 
'  Thou  cloud-capt  lofty  Bea  Nevis.' 

Two  MSS.,  Nos.  73  and  122  of  the  Collection,  are  of  excep- 
tional interest.  No.  73  consists  of  eight  leaves  quarto,  with  one 
or  more  leaves  awanting.  The  writino'  is  in  the  Scottish  hand 
of  the  period,  and  the  spelling  is  semi-phonetic.  The  MS.  is 
thus  of  value  in  the  history  of  the  orthography  of  Scottish 
Gaelic.  In  this  connection  No.  73  may  be  compared  with 
a  Lochaber  MS.  noticed  by  the  late  Dr.  Maclauchlan  of  Edin- 
burgh in  the  Proceedings  of  the  Society  of  Antiquaries  of 
Scotland,  vol.  iii.  p.  307.  The  first  poem  in  the  MS.  is  the  Comh- 
achag,  or  as  it  is  here  called,  as  in  Jerome  Stone's  MS.,  Creag 
g{h)uanach  (v.  suijra,  p.  285).  A  long  explanatory  Gaelic  preface 
is  prefixed,  and  the  writer  adds  a  note  at  the  end,  dated  July  1st, 
1725,  to  the  effect  that  if  he  had  time,  he  would  have  given  a 
description  of  the  huntsman-author,  his  appearance,  dress,  and 
arms,  together  with  an  account  of  the  wild  animals  that  fre- 
quented the  district  in  his  time. 

No.  122  consists  of  eight  leaves  quarto,  and  is  of  interest  for 
the  literary  notes  it  contains.  The  authority  for  the  statements 
is  occasionally  given.  Thus  Mr.  ( =  Rev.)  N.  M'Leod  says  that 
the  last  Bard  of  the  M'Vurichs  who  composed  poems,  died 
about  fifty  years  previously  {i.e.  about  1725).  Mr.  M'Tavish, 
minister  of  Torosay,  says  that  the  last  of  the  M'Ewen  Bards 
to   Argyll   was   minister   of  Kilchoan   in   Nether   Lorn.       Mr. 


APPENDIX  II  309 

MacTavish  in  1743  saw  in  (Prof.)  C.  MacLaurin's  possession,  in 
Edinburgh,  the  genealogy  of  the  Macdonalds  in  GaeUc,  which 
was  carried  from  Tiree  by  his  great-  or  great-great-grandfather. 
[This  is  doubtless  the  present  MS.  I  of  the  Advocates'  Library 
Collection,  v.  siq'>ra,  p.  72.]  '  Several  Gaelic  MSS.  were  sup- 
posed to  be  in  the  Laird  of  M'Farlane's  custody.'  '  M'Lachlan  of 
Kilbride  has  several  MSS.,  particularly  a  translation  of  Augus- 
tine's De  civitate  Dei  done  at  lona,  seen  and  read  by  Mr.  Archibald 
Lambie.'  Mr.  Lambie  was  minister  of  Kilmartin  1738  to  1767. 
[This  tract  is  not  now  in  the  Kilbride  Collection.]  Dr.  Campbell 
at  Achnamba  says  that  books  which  were  in  Zona  were  brought 
to  Douay.  '  There  were  poetical  schools  or  academies  in  Skye 
and  Inverness.'  '  The  proceedings  before  the  Parliament  in 
Ardchattan  when  Macdougall  was  forfeited  were  in  Gaelic' 
The  Duanaire  Ruadli  in  Glenaladale's  family,  and  given  by 
them  to  M'Donald  of  Kills  in  Cnoideart,  contained  a  number 
of  Ossianic  poems,  Highland  tales,  was  in  folio,  and  came  into 
the  hands  of  (James)  M'Pherson.'  '  A  MS.  in  Glenoe's  hands 
contains  the  adventures  of  Smerbie  ^mor,  a  predecessor  of  Argyll 
who  lived  in  the  fifth  century,  also  Claim  Uisneachan '  [MS. 
LIII  was  for  a  time  in  Glenoe's  hands — v.  Celtic  Review,  vol.  i. 
p.  5 — but  it  contains  no  notice  of  Smerbie  mor\.  '  A  Treatise 
on  Physick  was  written  in  Gaelic  by  Beaton,  commonly  called 
U{\eg.O)llamh  Ileach'  (Islay  Doctor).  '  Charles  Stewart,  Notary 
Publick,  now  in  the  Isle  of  Shuna,  saw  several  poems  in  the 
Gaelic  character  and  language  among  M'Leod's  papers  in  the 
hands  of  Rod.  Macleod,  W.S.'  '  Thos.  Fraser  of  Gortleg  in 
Stratharig  knows  of  Lord  Lovat's  papers '  [and  among  them]  '  a 
Treatise  on  Physick  wrote  by  Conchar  of  Ardoran  in  the  Gaelic 
language.'  'The  Ollainh Ileach  and  his  brother  U{leg.O)llam}i 
MuileacJi  {Mull  Doctor)  were  educated  in  Spain;  knew  Greek 
and  Latin,  but  no  English.'  '  Charles  Stewart,  Shuna,  saw  the 
Ollamh  Ileach's  book  with  Dr.  William  M'Farlane,  now  Laird  of 
M'Farlane,  in  1775.' 

A  few  erroneous  ascriptions  of  authorship  are  noticeable 
in  the  Collection.  In  an  unnumbered  item  Ian  M'Mhuirich 
is  given  instead  of  Lachlann  as  the  author  of  the  '  Incitement ' 
at  the  Battle  of  Harlaw.      In  No.  73  Rorie  Morison,  clarsair 


310  CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS 

Mhicleoid,  '  Macleod's  harper,  '  is  iiaiiied  as  the  author  of  the 
poem  beginning 

Latha  sinhhdl  sleihhe  ilhumJt. 

The  aiitlior  was  Lachlan  Mackinnon.  In  No.  189  the  poem 
known  as  Coirc  an  Easiain)  is  ascribed  to  EuadJiraidh  Ball, 
'  bhnd  Rory.'  The  author  was  John  Mackay,  piper,  who  was 
also  blind. 


2.  MSS.  etc.  hcqiLeatlied  by  the  late  Rev.  John  Kennedy 

These  consist  of — 

1.  The  Fernaig  MS.,  described  under  Skene's  MSS.,  supra, 
p.  267  + .  [It  was  thought  that  the  valuable  Fernaig  MS.  went, 
under  Mr.  Kennedy's  will,  to  the  Advocates'  Library,  Edinburgh, 
but  this  was  found  not  to  be  the  case     Cf.  supra,  p.  267J. 

2.  A  number  of  volumes  of  MSS.,  a  few  printed  items,  and  a 
pile  of  miscellaneous  sheets  in  writing.  The  following  are  in 
Mr.  Kennedy's  handwriting  : — 

(1)  Transcripts  of  poems  and  songs,  mainly  from  the 
Maclagan  Collection,  and  for  the  most  part  printed  in  volumes 
xxi.  to  xxvi.  of  the  Transactions  of  the  Gaelic  Society  of 
Inverness. 

(2)  Papers  on  '  Words  and  Phrases,'  '  Wisdom  in  Books, 
Eachdraidh  nan  Ceard,  '  History  of  the  Tinkers.' 

(3)  A  sheet  containing  the  declension  of  some  Gaelic  nouns. 

(4)  A  notebook  kept  by  Mr.  Kennedy  when  attending  one  of 
the  Greek  classes  in  the  University  of  Glasgow. 

The  rest  belonged  to  the  Rev.  Dr.  Cameron.  With  the 
exception  of  three  of  the  volumes  and  a  few  sheets,  they  are 
all  in  his  handwriting.  Dr.  Cameron's  library  was  purchased 
for  the  University  of  Edinburgh  by  the  late  Sir  William 
Mackinnon,  Bart.  The  books,  with  some  exceptions,  went  to 
Edinburgh,  but  no  MS.  was  sent. 

The  contents  of  these  Cameron  papers  are  briefly : 
(1)  A  parcel   containing  a  translation   by  the  late  Angus 
Macpherson   of  London   of  the  first   volume  of  Her   Majesty 
Queen  Victoria's  Leaves  from  the  Journcd  of  Our  Life  in  the 


APPENDIX  II  311 

Higlilands,  with  relative  papers.  The  translation  was  printed 
but  not  published.  The  main  facts  of  Dr.  Cameron's  connec- 
tion with  it  are  given  in  Ret.  Celt.,  i.  p.  clix,  et  seq. 

(2)  Twenty-three  volumes  of  various  sizes  and  bindings. 
Three  of  these  contain  a  MS.  copy  of  Dr.  Love's  Sermons. 
The  others,  so  far  as  written  upon,  are  all  in  Dr.  Cameron's 
hand.  They  contain  jottings  of  his  ecclesiastical  activities 
and  Gaelic  studies,  the  latter  consisting  of  copies  of  several 
Gaelic  hymns,  with  or  without  corrections,  and  a  translation 
of  one  or  two ;  transcripts  from  the  Dean  of  Lismore's  MS. ; 
an  Ossianic  Ballad  or  two,  with  a  few  extracts  from  Macpher- 
son's  texts ;  lists  of  Gaelic  books,  with  dates  of  publication,  and 
lists  of  such  books  as  were  in  Dr.  Cameron's  library ;  notes 
regarding  the  Gaelic  class  taught  by  him  in  Glasgow  ;  meanings 
of  words  from  the  '  Four  Masters '  (F.M.)  and  the  '  Wars  of  the 
Gaidheil  with  the  Gaill '  (GG) ;  notes  on  the  Gaelic  article  ;  a 
study  of  St.  Patrick's  Hj^mn  ;  and  lists  of  errors  contained  in 
the  edition  of  the  Scriptures  published  by  Dr.  M'Lauchlan  and 
Dr.  Clerk  in  1860. 

(3)  A  pile  of  sheets:  contents  miscellaneous.  There  are 
among  them,  in  print,  a  Gaelic  sermon  by  Dr.  Clerk  of  Kil- 
mallie  on  the  Headship  of  Christ,  printed  in  1865 ;  two  or 
three  copies  of  three  Gaelic  sermons  by  the  late  Rev.  John 
G.  Campbell,  Tiree  ;  a  few  articles  on  Gaelic  Etymology  and 
Topography ;  and  a  number  of  copies  of  a  letter  to  the  Edin- 
burgh Courant  on  the  errors  in  Drs.  M'Lauchlan  and  Clerk's 
edition  of  the  Gaelic  ScrijDtures. 

This  parcel  contains  a  translation  of  Professor  Windisch's 
Grammar  of  Old  Irish,  by  Dr.  Cameron.  For  the  rest,  there 
are  a  number  of  sheets  of  paper  entirely  blank,  and  a  still  larger 
number  with  only  a  few  lines  of  writing  in  large  part  de- 
leted. The  others  contain  for  the  most  part  notes  of  the  same 
character  as  those  in  the  volumes  described  above, — repetition 
of  studies  in  St.  Patrick's  Hymn  and  other  old  texts,  of  errors 
in  the  1860  edition  of  the  Gaelic  Scriptures,  of  the  correct  mode 
of  writing  such  words  as  gion,  duCn,  bheil,  etc.,  together  with 
a  number  of  proverbs,  specimens  of  examination  papers  and 
answers  of  students,  lists  of  book  purchases,  etc.,  etc.  The 
transcripts  of  important  MSS.  which  Dr.  Cameron  made  and 


312  CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS 

Iho  MSS.  which  he  possessed  (v.  JUL  Celt,  i.  xii,  et  seq.)  are 
not  among  these  papers. 

3. — The  MS.  copy  of  Dr.  Machain's  Etymological  Dictionary. 
This  volume  was  presented  by  Dr.  Macbain's  executors  to 
the  University. 


APPENDIX  III  313 


APPENDIX    III 

Gaelic  MSS.  in  private  possession 
I.    In  the  iu7-iters  possession. 

1.  A  parchment  MS.  quarto  size,  consisting  of  thirteen  leaves, 
without  cover.  The  MS.  was  evidently  written  in  the  late 
fifteenth  or  early  sixteenth  century.  The  hand  is  very  good  and 
regular.  Capitals,  except  in  the  last  four  leaves,  are  splashed 
with  red,  otherwise  there  is  no  ornamentation.  The  writing  is 
in  two  columns,  and  largely  contracted. 

The  text  is  an  imperfect  copy  of  the  Tract  on  Materia  Medica 
formerly  described  {v.  supra,  p.  17  e^  seq.).  There  is  nothing  to 
indicate  author,  translator  or  scribe.  The  copy  is  complete  at 
the  commencement,  but  defective  at  the  end.  Several  leaves 
are  also  awanting  here  and  there.  Thus  after  a  continuous  text 
of  two  leaves,  containing  the  articles  Aron  barba  to  Agnus 
Castus,  there  is  a  break  of  two  leaves.  Our  third  leaf  gives  the 
concluding  part  of  the  article  on  Aurifrigmentum,  and  ends 
with  that  on  Auena.  Then  comes  another  gap  of  probably 
three  leaves,  the  next  article  being  Camolea  quinquefolium, 
with  a  continuous  text  to  Caprifolimn  nnater  silua(e).  Then 
follows  a  further  gap  of  say  three  leaves,  the  text  now  resuming 
with  the  concluding  part  of  the  article  on  Fraxinus.  The 
remaining  articles  in  '  F,'  and  the  first  five  articles  in  *  G '  to 
Gariojilus  tollow.  Thereafter  comes  another  break  of  two  or 
three  leaves.  The  MS.  now  begins  with  the  last  four  lines  of 
the  article  on  Licrisia,  and  goes  on  with  eight  leaves  of  con- 
tinuous text,  ending  abruptly  with  Jarap>igra  Galieni,  i.e.  within 
an  article  or  two  of  the  end  of  the  Tract. 

2.  Eight  leaves  of  parchment,  small  folio,  stitched  together 
with  stout  linen  thread.  The  writing  on  the  first  six  leaves  is 
in  two  columns,  in  a  plain,  clear  hand  of  the  fifteenth  century. 


3U  APPENDIX  111 

'J.  J.'  (?  Jacobus  Jack)  is  written  in  quite  a  modern  hand  on 
the  foot  margin  of  fol.  'la,  otherwise  there  is  nothing  to  indicate 
author,  date,  or  scribe.    The  text  is  continuous,  and  the  subject 
is  given  in  Latin,  written  in  small  capitals:  (q)u{i)nque  sunt 
potencie  ainme,  etc.     Then  follows :  Ised  adeir  Ar.  in  secundo 
de  animd  cofuilit  cuig  cmnachta  co  generalta  ag  an  anim, 
'  What  Aristotle  says  in  the  second  (book  of  the)  De  anima  is 
that  the  soul  has  in  general  five  faculties.'     Of  these  brutes  have 
four  {tuicsiu  or   understanding    being    the    only   one    denied 
them),   while    plants    have    only   one,  fas   or    growth.      After 
explaining    technical    terms,  2)otencia,   object    and   others,  the 
exposition  thereafter  proceeds  to  the  senses,  of  which  there  are 
ten,  five  exterior  (foirimillach)  and  five  interior  (inmedonach) ; 
the   organs  with   their  objects   and   media;    vision,  which   is 
elaborately  treated;    hearing;   taste  and  smell.      The  interior 
senses,  under   the    division    of   Auicenna — Sensus  communis, 
imaginatiua,fantastica,  estimatiua,  and  memoratiua — are  but 
briefly  handled.     The  tract  ends  with  finit  on  fol.  6b  2,  the 
remainder  of  the  column  being  taken  up  with  short  definitions 
of  elementum  (dicil),  uita  {hetha),  teine,  etc.,  of  which  last  the 
following  definition  is  offered  :  Is  ed  is  teine  ann  duil  ata  inann 
do  gnath  7  gamairind  a  dilus  do  gnath  amail  ata  in  teine 
nemtuicsinacli,  '  Fire  is  an  element  which  is  ever  the  same,  the 
property  of  which  ever  endures,  as  fire  is  non-sensitive.'    Several 
authors  are  quoted  in  course  of  the  discussion, — Af.  =  (Aristotle) ; 
Ar.  ( =  Arnaldus,    probably   at    times  =  Aristotle) ;    Au.   (Aui- 
cenna) ;  Algazel ;  Alibertus ;  YeWsam, '  philosopher '  (=Aristotle). 
Fols.  7  and  8  are  written  in  one  column,  and  in  a  rougher 
and  later  hand.     The  subject  is  charms  and  nostrums  for  the 
cure  of  various  ailments,  for  the  furthering  of  desirable  ends, 
and  the  preventing  of  possible  mischances.     Sometimes  herbs 
are  recommended  for  a  suitable  drug  or  plaster,  but  in  all  cases 
cabalistic  letters  and  words  are  essential  for  repetition,  or  for 
being  carried  about  the  person. 

3.  A  fragment  consisting  of  three  leaves  of  parchment,  one 
of  which  is  detached.  On  the  foot  margin  of  the  first  leaf 
'  John  Smith '  is  written.  Across  the  page  of  the  last  leaf  is 
written  in  large,  firm,  modern  hand,  '  Enter  not  into  quarrelsom 


APPENDIX  III  315 

company,'  and,  apparently  in  the  same  hand,  down  the  middle 
space  of  the  detached  leaf,'  '  Jacobus  Jack  Aught  this  Book,' 

The  text  is  written  in  two  columns,  in  a  plain,  legible 
hand,  and  probably  dating  from  the  late  sixteenth  century. 
The  besfinning  and  end  of  the  tract  is  ofiven,  but  the  text 
is  not  continuous,  there  being  a  gap  between  the  first  and 
the  detached  leaf,  and  between  this  again  and  the  third  leaf. 
The  subject  is  a  summary  or  abstract  of  the  Treatise  oi  Maigh- 
ister  Ricairdi  (cf.  supra,  p.  71).  The  tract  opens  with  the 
words  formerly  quoted  and  the  former  tract  may  well  be  a 
copy  of  this.  After  stating  that  Ricairdi's  treatise  is  itself 
compiled  from  Hippocrates,  Galen,  Auicenna  and  Rhazes, 
the  writer  adds  that  inasmuch  as  the  greatest  danger  arises 
when  the  ignorant  physician  fails  to  appreciate  the  symptoms 
and  prognostications  described  by  these  authorities  in  the  case 
of  the  acute  diseases,  the  discussion  of  these  must  have  the 
foremost  place.  Accordingly,  in  the  exposition  which  follows, 
the  illustrations  in  this  fragment  are  confined  practically  to  the 
symptoms  of  the  various  kinds  of  fevers.  The  tract  concludes 
on  fol.  3  b  1  thus  :  giir  amlaid  sin  crichnaidlder  suirii  J  derridus 
.r.  do  toil  de.  finit., '  And  thus  is  concluded  the  substance  and 
secret  of  R(icardi)  by  the  will  of  God.     It  ends.' 

The  remainder  of  the  last  page  is  written  upon,  but  in  faded 
ink,  and  is  only  in  part  legible.  The  first  line  is  meant  for  a 
cure  for  poisoned  veins :  Deoch  ar  neim  cuislenn  ann  so .  Gab 
macall,  '  A  potion  for  poisoned  veins.  Take  avens.'  The  next 
line  reads,  Sgiath  luireach  Colum  Cilli  ann  so  sis.  finid 
(v.  Erin  v.  p.  13,  n.  6).  Then  comes  a  blank  space  followed 
by  illegible  text.  When  the  text  becomes  fairly  readable,  the 
subject  is  religious  and  metrical.  Several  saints  are  invoked, 
among  them  Geoirghi,  Mach(a)omhog,  Malaisi,  Ronan,  Molinn. 
But  the  luireach  which  the  writer  specially  seeks  to  protect 
him  is  '  God,  Christ  Son  of  Mary,  and  the  Holy  Spirit.' 

4.  A  paper  MS.  of  a  hundred  and  eighty  pages,  half  bound. 
The  volume  consists  of  a  large  number  of  extracts  from  various 
sources,  mainly  Gaelic  and  Celtic.  The  compiler  Avas  (the  Rev.) 
John  Smith,  eldest  son  of  Dr.  Smith  of  Campbeltown,  who  died 
early,  and  the  date  is  about  1810.    A  table  of  contents  is  prefixed. 


31G  APPENDIX  III 

Among  the  more  important  Celtic  items  arc:  (p.  13)  the  well- 
known  Ossianic  ballad,  '  Oran  a '  Chleirich  (L.  F,,  p.  72"  et  seq.), 
called  here  An  Deilgneach  MIlov,  and  said  to  have  been  copied 
from  Mr.  Sage's  MSS.,  with  translation ;  (p.  29)  verses  on  '  Anna,' 
with  translation ;  (p.  30)  the  reckoning  of  Fionn  and  Dubhan's 
men  {v.  supra,  p.  172);  (p.  33)  a  fragment  of  Sliahh  nam  Ban 
fionn  {v.  L.  F.,  p.  142  et  seq.  supra,  p.  232);  (p.  58)  words 
in  the  Oriental  languages,  which  have  an  analogy  to  Gaelic 
roots,  copied  from  Ossian,  vol.  iii.,  p.  426-9,  with  other  com- 
parisons between  Hebrew  and  Gaelic  vocables;  (p.  62)  long 
extracts  from  Ossian,  vol.  iii.,  pp.  543-569,  etc.,  about  books  and 
MSS.  illustrative  of  the  history  and  civilisation  of  the  Celts; 
(pp.  84-9)  an  account  of  the  proceedings,  minutes,  members,  etc. 
of  a  Gaelic  Literary  Society  in  Glasgow  College  in  1809-10; 
(pp.  101-6)  notices  of  the  principal  Gaelic  books  published  from 
1567  to  the  writer's  day,  with  those  in  his  own  possession  separ- 
ately marked;  (p.  110)  translations  of  passages  from  Sean  Dana 
by  Alex.  Stewart  of  Moulin;  (pp.  114-47),  copy  of  hymns  by 
Duncan  Macfadyen  in  Stralachlan  (published  in  Glasgow  in 
1770);  (pp.  148-60)  copy  of  elegy  on  Dr.  M'Lachlan,  the 
Duanag  Ullanih  and  other  verses,  printed  in  Glasgow  (no  date, 
but  evidently  about  the  same  time  as  Macfadyen's  hymns); 
(pp.  161-9)  comparison  of  Gaelic  vocables  with  Hebrew,  Greek, 
Latin  and  English  words,  grammatical  notes,  etc.;  (pp.  170-5)  a 
Gaelic  poem, '  The  Gael  leaving  his  native  land,'  ascribed  here 
to  Alexander  Stewart;  (p.  176)  satirical  verses;  (178-9)  trans- 
lations from  Anacreon,  by  (the  Rev.)  Daniel  Kelly. 

Along  with  these,  there  are  scattered  throughout  the  volume 
extracts  from  Beattie,  Dr.  Johnson,  Boswell  and  others,  mainly 
about  Ossian,  quotations  from  Tillotson's  Sermons,  etc. 

5.  A  paper  MS.  of  some  seventy  pages  of  large  quarto, 
covered  in  pasteboard  with  leather  back.  The  volume  is  written 
upon  from  both  ends.  Some  leaves  are  cut  out  at  the  beginning, 
and  there  are  blank  pages  and  spaces.  On  inner  front  cover  is 
'  John  Smith,  6th  February  1810,  eVea  irrepoevra.'  Then  follows 
a  fragment  of  a  Gaelic  Etymological  Dictionary,  beginning  with 
maireach,  '  morrow,'  and  continuing  to  the  end  of  the  Gaelic 
alphabet.     Thereafter  come  additional  vocables  under  on,  s,  and 


APPENDIX  III  317 

a  few  under  g,  h  similarly  treated.  Excerpts  from  the  Glossaries 
to  Gavin  Douglas's  poems,  glossary  of  the  Lancashire  dialect, 
and  grammar  prefixed  to  Johnson's  Dictionary  follow. 

At  the  other  end  of  the  MS.  a  page  is  given  to  linguistic 
notes  and  comparisons,  culled  from  various  sources, — African, 
American,  Indian,  Gothic  and  other  languages.  Thereafter  come 
the  following  poems : 

1.  Taihhseadh  na  h-Ei7)ihir  h-ailne,  '  The  Shade  of  Evir- 
allin,'  by  Dr.  Donald  Smith.  With  these  verses,  compare  the 
very  different  version  in  Fingal,  iv.  11.  85-114. 

2.  Agalladh  Fhinn  's  a'  Ghairbh  mlcic  Stairn, '  The  colloquy 
of  Fionn  and  the  Rough  son  of  Starn,'  by  Dr.  D(onald)  S(mith). 
The  verses  are  evidently  Dr.  Smith's  composition.  Five  quatrains 
are  put  into  Fionn's  mouth,  and  five  in  the  Garbh's.  Cf.  the 
popular  ballads  (which  are  quite  different)  in  L.  F.,  pp.  3-8. 

3.  '  Oran,  Dr.  D*^  Smith.'  The  subject  is  the  disrespect 
shown  to  Gaelic  in  Dr.  Smith's  day. 

4.  A  long  poem  of  ninety- six  quatrains  or  three  hundred  and 
eighty-four  lines  by  J(ohn)  S(mith),  D.D.,  '  on  the  Times,  being 
a  Dialogue  between  two  poor  Highlanders  in  the  year  1794.' 
An  English  translation  of  the  first  eighteen  quatrains  is  given 
by  the  author. 

5.  Three  quatrains  by  the  three  daughters  of  a  mariner, 
endeavouring  to  keep  their  father  at  home. 

6.  Verses  attributed  to  Bishop  Carsewell(v.  sit29ra,pp.205,263). 

7.  Eight  quatrains,  anonymous. 

8.  Bds  Artuir.     Here  in  twelve  quatrains. 

9.  The  Elegy  of  Murcha  MacBrian.  The  poem  is  printed 
with  variations  in  A.  and  D.  Stewart's  Collection,  p.  549,  to 
which  the  reader  is  here  referred. 

10.  Laoidh  na  Muigh  finne.  Nine  quatrains,  lamenting  the 
present  desolation  of  the  once  gay  abode  of  the  fair  M. 

11.  Rosg  Fhinn.  Nine  quatrains  in  which  the  hero  lauds 
his  followers. 

12.  Twelve  quatrains,  beginning, 

Gabh  mo  theagasg,  a  bhean  og. 

This  copy  is  extracted  by  Dr.  Donald  Smith  from  the  Bolg- 
solaraidh  of  Bryan  Kelly,  Kilmainham.     Cf.  su2'>ra,  p.  208. 


318  APPENDIX  III 

13.  Six  lines,  descriptive  of  heaven,  from  the  same  source 
as  No.  12. 

14.  Hymnus  Christo.     Four  quatrains,  beginning, 

A  ilhuine  nacli  luir  dliuit  creiiclula  an  chroidhe  on  dall. 

15.  Columba's  farewell  to  Aran,  beginning, 

Ceileabhradh  uaimsi  d'Aruin. 

The  poem  is  accompanied  by  an  explanatory  note  sent  by  Dr 
Donald  Smith  from  Euniskillen  in  1798  to  his  brother  Dr. 
John  Smith. 

These  MSS.  came  to  the  writer  from  Mrs.  Macfadyen,  formerly 
of  the  Manse,  Kildalton,  grandnicce  of  the  brothers  Dr.  Donald 
Smith  and  Dr.  John  Smith. 

n.  In  the  possession  of  Rev.  George  Henderson,  M.A.,  Ph.D. 

1.  Ratisbon  MS. 

This  is  a  MS.  of  the  seventeenth  century,  brought  from 
Ratisbon  in  1862,  by  the  late  Rev.  Donald  M'Coll,  a  native  of 
Ardgour,  priest  in  South  Uist,  Laggan,  and  Morvern,  and  pre- 
sented by  him  to  Dr.  Henderson. 

The  MS.  is  of  paper,  some  9  in.  long,  4  in.  broad,  and  about 
1  in.  thick,  covered  in  white  vellum,  with  notches  for  thongs 
which  are  now  worn  off.  The  MS.  evidently  went  to  Ratisbon 
from  Louvain.     The  contents  are : — 

1.  A  copy  of  the  poem  in  the  Fernaig  MS.  entitled  Bhreishlirjli 
Ghonochi  Voihr,  '  The  vision  of  Donnachadh  Mor  (O'Daly),'  but 
here  attributed,  and  no  doubt  more  correctly,  to  Baothghalach 
onac  Aodhagain  {v.  supra,  p.  269). 

2.  A  large  Treatise,  entitled  Sgathan  Shacrmnaint  na 
h-Aithrighe  .  .  .  Aodh  Mac  Aingil,  leghtheoir  diadhachta  a 
ceolaisde  na  m-hrathar  n-eirionnach  a  lohhdin,  '  The  Mirror  of 
the  Sacrament  of  Penitence '  by  '  Hugh  Mac  Caghwell,  Professor 
of  Divinity  in  the  College  of  the  Irish  Brothers  in  Louvain.' 
Several  transcripts  were  made  of  this  Treatise,  and  it  was  printed 
in  Louvain  in  1618.  The  learned  author  wrote  other  works  in 
Latin,  in  particular  on  the  philosophy  of  the  famous  Duns  Scotus. 

3.  A  long  poem  with  preface,  also  in  Gaelic,  by  Gillebrighde, 


APPENDIX  III  319 

alias  Bonaventura,  0  h-Eodhusa  on  the  somewhat  mixed  affairs, 
social  and  ecclesiastical,  of  Meiler  Magrath,  Archbishop  of 
Cashel.  O'Hosey  was  the  author  of  the  first  poem  in  the 
Fernaig  MS.,  entitled  Krossanighk  Illivreed  (v.  supra,  p.  2G9). 
He  also  wrote  the  Treatise  known  as  the  Teagasg  Criosdaidhe, 
printed  at  Lou  vain  in  1608,  at  Antwerp  in  1611,  and  at  Rome 
in  1707. 

4.  Two  or  three  religious  quatrains  follow^ing  O'Hosey's  Poem 
on  Magrath  and  his  affairs,  beginning, 

A  righ  na  ccreaclit  fhuair  eug  am  barr  an  chroinn. 

5.  The  last  seven  leaves  of  the  MS.,  Avhich  probably  did  not 
originally  belong  to  it,  are  '  written  in  the  English  hand  of  about 
the  reign  of  Charles  ii.,  and  consist  of  a  short  account  of  the 
devotion  to  the  Rosary.' 

For  a  more  detailed  description  of  this  MS,  v.  '  A  manuscript 
from  Ratisbon,  by  George  Henderson,'  in  vol.  xxvi.  of  the 
Transactions  of  the  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness,  p.  87. 

2.  The  M'Nicol  Collection. 

The  M'Nicol  collection,  which  disappeared  more  than  once,  is 
at  present  in  the  custody  of  Dr.  Henderson.  It  bears  consider- 
able resemblance  to  the  Maclagan  Collection  described  above 
(supra,  p.  302  et  seq.),  only  that  the  latter  is  more  extensive 
and  more  exclusively  Gaelic.  The  contents  may  be  briefly 
summarised  as  follows  : — 

1.  A  larsfe  collection  of  Ossianic  Ballads.  Details  are  un- 
necessary.  Mr.  J.  F.  Campbell  had  access  to  the  M'Nicol  MSS. 
He  gives  a  full  account  of  the  Ossianic  portion  in  L.  F.  v,  xv, 
and  prints  the  texts  on  p.  3,  et  seq. 

2.  There  are  here,  as  in  the  Maclagan  Collection,  poems  and 
songs  by  well-known  Gaelic  Bards,  such  as  Mary  Macleod, 
John  Lom  Macdonald,  Alexander  Macdonald,  John  M'Codrum, 
Dugald  Buchanan,  Duncan  M'Intyre,  the  blind  piper  Mackay, 
James  Shaw,  and  others.  The  elegy  on  Sir  Lachlan  Maclean 
of  Duart,  entitled  A'  chno  SJtamhna,  'The  Martinmas  nut,' 
beginning, 

Thriall  ar  bunadh  gu  Pharras, 
'  Our  chief  has  gone  to  heaven,' 


320  APPENDIX  III 

is  here  attributed  to  'lame  raul,'  but  is  ascribed,  more  correctly, 
to  EdcJiauu  Jnicach,  'Hector  the  Lainc,'  a  well-known  Maclean 
poet,  by  R.  MM),  (p.  85),  John  Mackenzie  (Beauties  of  Gaelic 
Poetry,  p.  77),  and  Kev.  A.  Maclean  Sinclair  (Gaelic  Bards,  i.  p.  45). 

3.  Various  poems  and  songs,  some  of  which  were  more 
common  in  M'Nicol's  day  than  now.  Copies  of  such  favourites 
as  the  Comhachag,  Duanwj  Ullamh,  Aged  Bard's  Wish,  are  here. 
So  are  also  such  pieces  as  Baran  Siq^air  (v.  Conflicts  amiong 
the  Clans,  p.  101),  the  '  Snuti-grace '  (ibid.  p.  136),  Buabastar  na 
Beirte  (v.  Gillies,  p.  138),  with  many  others. 

4.  There  are  several  verses  and  sayings  of  Aonghus  nan  Aoir 
(v.  Transactions  of  the  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness,  vol.  xxvi.  et 
suiyra,  p.  215). 

5.  A  translation  into  Gaelic  of  '  Auld  Robin  Gray,'  printed  in 
Am  Bolg  Solair  (Glasgow :  Sinclair,  p.  73),  and  a  copy  of  the 
Latin  poem  on  the  Battle  of  Killiecrankie  (v.  supra,  pp.  289, 
303). 

6.  The  Tale  of  Murchadh  Mac  Brian  (v.  supra,  p.  146). 

7.  '  The  Black  Prince,'  of  which  the  title  alone  is  in  English. 

8.  A  number  of  Gaelic  Sermons  by  Mr.  M'Nicol. 

9.  A  Journal  in  Gaelic  from  1809  to  1813,  by  Major  Dugald 
M'Nicol,  a  son  of  the  minister,  who  was  himself  a  writer  of 
verse. 

The  Collection  contains  also,  among  other  matter,  the  follow- 
ing written  in  English. 

1.  Papers  and  Letters  on  the  Ossianic  Controversy. 

2.  An  Abstract  or  First  Draft  of  the  Author's  Remarks  on 
Johnson's  Journey  to  the  Hebrides. 

3.  Several  Genealogical  Papers,  including  the  Genealogy  of 
Neil  M'Vurich,  the  Bard  of  Clanranald. 

4.  A  MS.  History  of  Scotland,  1419-1550,  and  1520-1564. 

5.  Extracts  from  Guthrie's  History,  and  from  Lhuyd's 
Archaeologia  Britannica. 

6.  A  number  of  Sermons,  with  a  Journal  giving  the  dates  on 
which  the  Sermons  (in  Gaelic  and  English)  were  preached  in 
Lismore,  Appin,  and  elsewhere. 

In  addition  to  the  above,  Dr.  Henderson  has  several 
papers  of  interest  which  belonged  at  one  time  to  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Mackintosh  Mackay  and  to  John  Morrison  of  Harris. 


APPENDIX  III  321 

III.  MSS.  of  Rob  Bonn's  Poems 

Two  copies  of  this  famous  bard's  poems  were  taken  down 
during  his  lifetime.  One  was  written  by  the  Rev.  ^Eneas 
Macleod,  afterwards  minister  of  Rogart.  This  copy  was  last 
seen  in  the  possession  of  the  late  Rev.  Dr.  Mackintosh  Mackay, 
and,  it  is  to  be  feared,  is  irrecoverably  lost.  The  other  was 
done  by  Miss  Thomson,  daughter  of  the  minister  of  Durness. 
This  copy  is  now  in  the  possession  of  Dr.  Hew  Morrison, 
Edinburgh. 

IV.  In  the  possession  of  the  Rev.  John  Walker  Macintyre, 
Kilmonivaig 

Mr.  Macintyre  possesses  three  MSS. 

1.  The  second  transcript  of  the  Dean  of  Lismore's  MS., 
written  by  Ewen  M'Lachlan,  of  Aberdeen.  This  MS.  was  given 
to  the  late  Rev.  Dr.  Macintyre  of  Kilmonivaig  by  its  former 
possessor,  who  emigrated. 

2.  A  bulky  volume,  being  an  English-Gaelic  Dictionary, 
compiled  in  the  latter  half  of  the  eighteenth  century.  The 
volume  probably  came  into  the  possession  of  the  late  Dr. 
Macintyre,  through  his  relative,  James  Macintyre  of  Glenoe, 
who,  with  several  others,  did  a  great  deal  of  useful  work,  in 
collecting  material  for  a  Gaelic  Dictionary  at  that  time  (of  suj^ra, 
p.  281). 

3.  A  copy  of  a  collection  of  Gaelic  Proverbs  made  in  1769, 
by  Ewen  Macdiarmid,  which  was  in  the  possession  afterwards 
of  the  late  Mr.  John  Shaw,  Kinloch  Rannoch,  v.  Nicolsons 
Proverbs,  p.  xxxiii.  For  other  MSS.  possessed  by  Mr.  Shaw, 
cf.  L.  F.,  p.  xvii. 

V.  The  late  Captain  Matheson  of  Dornies  Collection 

Next  to  Mr.  J.  F.  Campbell  of  Islay's  MSS.  {v.  supra,  p.  281), 
the  most  meritorious  collection  of  the  nineteenth  century  that 
has  come  under  the  writer's  notice  is  that  by  the  late  Captain 
Alexander  Matheson  of  Dornie.  This  collection  consists  of  three 
volumes,  one  of  foolscap,  thin,  neatly  bound,  but  only  in  small 

X 


322  CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS 

part  written  upon;  a  second  of  large  octavo,  206  pages  of  which 
arc  written  upon ;  and  the  third  of  smaller  octavo  wholly  written 
upon. 

The  contents  of  the  three  volumes  are  practically  the  same, 
an  extensive  collection  of  songs  and  poems  composed  in  the 
west  of  Ross-shire  and  neighbouring  districts,  by  Mathesons, 
Macraes,  Mackenzies  and  others,  and  recovered  from  old  people 
by  the  industrious  collector.  Some  of  the  songs  and  poems 
have  been  published,  in  Avhole  or  in  part,  in  various  collections. 
But  much  the  greater  number  have  not  hitherto  been  printed. 
A  valuable  feature  of  the  collection  is  the  notes  attached  to 
nearly  all  the  poems,  naming  the  author  and  the  date  or 
probable  date  of  the  composition,  with  frequently  an  anecdote 
or  interesting  tradition  regarding  them. 

The  third  volume  is  more  of  the  nature  of  a  scrap  book,  and 
is  less  carefully  written ;  but  the  greater  part  of  the  contents 
of  this  collection,  if  competently  edited,  would  be  a  valuable 
addition  to  modern  Gaelic  literature. 

The  writer  is  indebted  to  the  sister  of  the  collector,  Miss 
Betsie  Matheson,  for  the  privilege  of  perusing  this  collection. 


There  are  several  other  literary  remains  of  the  nineteenth 
century  that  one  meets  with,  or  hears  of,  here  and  there.  Con- 
spicuous among  recent  collectors,  not  to  speak  of  those  still 
living,  were  Dr.  M'Lauchlan  of  Edinburgh,  Rev.  J.  G.  Campbell 
of  Tiree,  and  the  Rev  James  Macdougall  of  Duror.  But  a  con- 
siderable portion  of  presumably  the  most  valuable  part  of  the 
labours  of  these  and  other  such  men  have  been  published  at 
one  time  or  other. 


APPENDIX  IV  323 


APPENDIX   IV 

Gaelic  MSS.  lost  or  missing 

In  addition  to  the  MSS.  catalogued  above  there  are  many 
Gaelic  papers  of  interest  in  private  libraries.  The  late  Dr. 
M'Lauchlan  e.g.  possessed  sermons  written  in  Gaelic  by  the 
Rev.  James  Stewart  of  Killin.  Dr.  Cameron  had  access  to 
Gaelic  MSS.  and  papers  by  Dr.  Stuart  of  Luss.  A  great-grand- 
daughter of  Duncan  M'Intyre  has  papers  and  memoranda  con- 
nected with  the  poet's  life  and  work.  There  are  no  doubt  many 
such  here  and  there. 

Older  and  later  many  MSS.  of  Scottish  Gaelic  origin  have 
found  their  way  out  of  the  country.  A  few  such  are  still 
traceable.  Thus  the  oldest  book  now  existing  which  can  be 
proved  to  have  been  written  in  Scotland,  a  copy  of  Adamnan's 
Vita  Columhae,  transcribed  by  Dorbeneus,  who  died  as  Abbot- 
elect  of  lona  in  713,  is  now  in  the  public  library  of  SchafFhausen. 
The  Book  of  Deer  is  in  Cambridge.  One  or  two  old  Scotic  MSS, 
are  in  Rome.  These  and  others  such,  apart  from  the  Gaelic 
colophon  and  memoranda  in  the  Book  of  Deer,  are  written 
in  Latin. 

To  come  to  a  later  date :  one  or  two  of  the  Gaelic  MSS.  in 
the  British  Museum  are  from  Scotland.  The  so-called  Red  and 
Black  Books  of  Clanranald  are  in  the  possession  of  the  Chief  of 
that  name.  Papers  of  Ewen  M'Lachlan,  including  his  transla- 
tions from  the  Iliad  into  Gaelic,  are  at  present  in  England  in 
private  possession.  In  recent  times,  emigrants  have  occasion- 
ally carried  Gaelic  MSS.  abroad,  and  one  or  two  have  been 
written  in  the  Colonies.  The  Rev.  A.  MacLean  Sinclair  of 
Pictou,  Nova  Scotia,  a  MS.  collection  of  Gaelic  litera- 
ture, made  by  Dr.  Mackenzie  of  Gruline,  whose  daughter, 
Mary,  in  the  absence  of  her  father,  entertained  Dr.  Samuel 
Johnson ;  another  collection  made  by  his  own  grandfather,  the 


324  CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS 

poet  John  Maclean  from  Tiree,  who  owned  and  brought  with 
him  to  the  Island  Dr.  Mackenzie's  MS. ;  and  a  third,  a  rhymed 
version  of  the  Psalms  of  David,  with  other  matter,  written  by 
the  late  Rev.  Dr.  Blair,  in  the  Colony. 

But  much  the  greater  number  of  the  MSS.  written  by  the 
old  Gaelic  scholars  are,  it  is  to  be  feared,  lost  for  ever. 
Occasional  references  to  some  in  the  older  period — the  '  obits '  of 
lona  e.g.,  from  which  a  portion  of  the  Annals  of  Ulster  would  be 
compiled,  are  made  in  Reeves's  edition  of  Adamnan's  Vita 
Columbae.  Beyond  that  they  were  of  great  value,  we  know  little 
of  the  contents  of  the  old  Library  of  lona.  It  used  to  be  said 
that  many  volumes  went  from  lona  to  Glasgow ;  Dr.  Campbell 
(supra,  p.  309)  says  that  some  went  to  Douay.  The  Latin 
section  would  be  much  larger  than  the  Gaelic.  The  dispersion 
of  the  considerable  Gaelic  library  of  the  M'Vurichs,  bards  to  the 
Clanranald  chiefs,  is  described  in  1800  by  the  illiterate  de- 
scendant of  that  distinguished  family  (v.  Rep.  on  Ossian,  p.  275). 
The  M'Yurichs  lost  their  lands  and  their  literary  zeal.  He  him- 
self, not  having  been  taught  to  read,  was  indifferent  as  to  the 
fate  of  the  volumes.  Some  went  here  and  some  went  there. 
Clanranald  ordered  his  uncle  to  give  the  Red  Book  to  James 
Macpherson  from  Badenoch.  Alexander  Macdonald  the  poet  took 
some  volumes  away;  his  son  Ranald  took  others;  he  saw  tailors 
cut  some  of  the  parchments  into  stripes  for  measuring-tapes. 
Martin  in  his  description  of  the  Western  Isles  mentions  two 
copies  of  the  old  Gaelic  Life  of  St  Columba  existing  in  his  day, 
one  with  M'Neill  of  Barra,  the  other  with  Macdonald  of 
Benbecula.  One  of  these  may  be  that  in  our  MS.  XL  (u  supra 
p.  92).  The  same  author  describes  the  medical  Library  of  Dr. 
Fergus  Beaton  of  Uist,  some  portion  of  which  may  well  form 
part  of  the  medical  section  of  our  Scottish  Collection  now. 
Mr.  M'Nicol,  in  his  reply  to  Dr.  Johnson,  remarks  again  and 
again  upon  lost  Gaelic  MSS.  Further  references  on  the  same 
subject  are  met  with  in  L.  F.  and  Rel.  Celt  Cf  also  supra, 
pp.  217-225,  255,  308. 

Special  mention  must  be  made  regarding  three  such  MSS. 


APPENDIX  IV  325 

1.  The  Records  of  the  Isles. 

During  the  administration  of  the  Lords  of  the  Isles,  records 
seem  to  have  been  pretty  regularly  kept.  This  department,  we 
are  told,  was  in  charge  of  MacDuffie  or  M'Phee  of  Colonsay. 
These  would,  in  part,  be  written  in  Gaelic.  The  disappearance 
of  these  records  is  a  great  loss  not  merely  to  the  History  of  the 
West  Highlands  but  to  the  History  of  Scotland. 

2.  A  translation  of  the  Old  Testament  into  Scottish  Gaelic. 

During  Cromwell's  regime  the  Synod  of  Argyll  showed  un- 
wonted litarary  activity.  They  turned  the  Psalms  of  David  into 
Gaelic  verse,  and  printed,  in  1659,  the  first  fifty  of  them  in  a 
little  volume,  now  extremely  rare,  called  the  Caogad  or  '  fifty.' 
At  the  same  time  they  took  steps  to  translate  the  whole  of  the 
Scriptures  into  Scottish  Gaelic,  and  portioned  out  the  Old 
Testament,  up  to  and  including  Canticles,  among  their  members. 
From  the  Synod  Minutes  we  gather  that  the  Books  of  Job 
Proverbs,  Ecclesiastes  and  Canticles  were  translated  before 
October  1657,  and  the  Pentateuch  by  November  1660.  Other 
parcels  were  also  completed,  but  details  are  not  given.  After 
the  Restoration  the  zeal  of  the  Synod  waned.  Apart  from  the 
first  fifty  their  rhymed  version  of  the  Psalms  was  not  printed 
until  after  the  Revolution.  No  part  of  this  translation  of  the 
Old  Testament  was  ever  printed.  Mr.  M'Nicol  says  that  the 
MS.  was  in  the  library  of  the  Duke  of  Argyll  shortly  before  he 
wrote.  Dr.  Hew  Scott  (Fasti,  v.  p.  14)  states  that  Duncan 
Campbell,  minister  of  (North)  Knapdale  translated  the  two  books 
of  Chronicles,  and  that  the  MS.  still  existed,  in  1851.  But  all 
efforts  to  trace  any  portion  of  this  work  have  hitherto  proved 
fruitless.  The  loss  of  this  MS.  to  Scottish  Gaelic  Literature  is 
very  great.  The  translation  was  made  independent  of  the  Irish 
translation,  for  although  the  latter  was  done  earlier  it  was  not 
printed  until  later,  in  1685.  This  great  work,  even  though  a 
translation,  would  be  a  most  important  addition  to  our  meagre 
stock  of  Scottish  Gaelic  prose. 


326  CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS 

3.  Farquharson's  Collection  of  Gaelic  Poetry. 

Father  Farquharson,  at  one  time  student,  afterwards  Prefect, 
of  the  College  of  Doiiay,  when  a  young  priest  in  this  country 
made  a  collection  of  Gaelic  poetry.  From  the  account  given 
in  the  1807  edition  of  Ossian,  vol.  i.  xl-lviii,  this  collection  must 
have  been  very  extensive.  The  MS.  is  said  to  have  been 
of  folio  size,  three  inches  thick,  and  closely  written.  The 
priest  brought  the  volume  to  Douay  with  him.  It  appears 
to  have  been  specially  rich  in  Ossianic  poetry.  When 
Macpherson's  Ossian  appeared,  Mr.  Farquharson  carefully 
compared  Macpherson's  English  version  with  his  own  MS.,  and 
was  delighted  to  find  the  latter  superior  and  fuller.  After  the 
Prefect's  day  his  MS.  fell  on  evil  days  in  Douay.  The  last  heard 
of  it  is  that  the  students  used  its  leaves  to  light  their  fires.  If 
we  had  this  large  and  valuable  MS.  now,  it  would  probably  throw 
little  light  on  the  Ossianic  controversy,  but  it  would  consider- 
ably enlarge  our  knowledge  of  the  literature  current  in  the  east 
of  Inverness  and  Ross  in  the  middle  of  the  eighteenth  century. 


ADDITIONS  AND  CORRECTIONS 

Page  2  line    7,  add,  '  also  IVa,  IVb,  being   MSS.   CIV,  CIII  of  this   Catalogue, 
described  on  p.  2G6.' 
„    „    25,  for  XXXVI  read  XXXVII. 

5    „    27,  add  'as  also  the  large  medical  MS.  described  on  pp.  274-277, 
and  probably  MS.  XVIII  {v.  p.  51).' 

7  „    25,  6e/ore  '  copy' ?'ead 'defective.' 

8  „      6,  add  'This  tract  is   printed  by  Alan  0.  Anderson,  M.A.,  with 
translation  and  notes,  in  Bev.  Celt,  xxx.  p.  404  +  .' 

18  „  11,  for  'Vive'  read  'Six.' 

„  „  35,  add  '6.     A  copy  in  Ireland,  dated  1466.  v.  O'R.  p.  cxxx.' 

23  „  21,  31,  for  ^  (Saiiitatis) '  read  '  scientiae.' 

25  „  32,  for  '  (G)il(f)inn'  read  '  Illann,'  and  cf.  Bev.  Celt.,  xi.  401. 

51  „  21,  after  '  14,'  add  '  Cf.  medical  MS.  described  on  pp.  273-277.' 

52  „  24,  after  '  C  '  add  '  O'M.,'  and  delete  '  by  the  hound.' 
54  „  31, /or 'la2'  read  7a2.' 

61  „  24,  add  '  v.  pp.  206-207.' 

62  „  13,  after  'returned'  «(/(?  'v.  p.  272,  line  20.' 
72  „  29,  add  'v.  p.  309,  1.  1.' 
75  ,,  37,  add  'According  to  Trans.  B.  I.  A.,  xxvi.  31,  there  is  a  copy  of  this 

Passion  in  Liber  Flavins  Fergusiorum.' 
77  „  39,  add  'But  v.  Eriu,  iv.  173.' 

79  „  10,  add  '  For  religious  passages  in  MS.  IV.  v.  p.  23.' 
87  „  27,  after  '  Christians'  add  '  cf  B.  L.  xx.' 

89  (foot) /or  'O'Gr.  Cat.,  p.  661,'  read  '  Y.  B.  L.,  p.  20b.' 

90  line  24  for  '  Text '  read  '  Texts.' 
95    „  14 /or  ^chumacht'  read  ^  smacht.' 
98   „    9  add  '  MS.  XL  not  MS.  XLVIII  must  be  the  Bianf  of  H.   S.  D. 

MS.  XL  is  so  named  (v.  p.  153)  by  E.  M'L.,  one  of  the  chief 
compilers  of  the  Dictionary.' 
113  „  27  delete  'late.' 
126,,  34 /or  'L'  read  'LI.' 
128  „  14  /or  'LXXXr  read  'LXXXIIL' 

133  „    1,  after  '  1782'  add  'but  with  much  shorter  and  different  text.' 
136  „  22,  add  '  There  is  a  copy  in  the  Book  of  Hui  Maine,  cf.  Archiv  fur 

Celt.  Lexih,  II.  145.' 
141  „     6,  for  'hearers'  read  'companions.' 
144  „  26,  add  '3a.     Pp.  96a-104a  contain  a  copy  of  Bruighean  bheag  na 

h-Almhuin.  Cf.  p.  141.' 
156  line  8,  after  'John'  add  '[Minaird  "little  height"  is  met  with  in 
Scotland  and  Ireland.  There  are  two  in  Argyllshire,  one  a 
small  estate  on  Loch  Fyne  ;  another,  a  farm  near  Airdoran, 
at  one  time  the  seat  of  the  O'Conachers  or  M'Conachers, 
physicians  of  Lorn].' 


328  CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS 

Page  1G4  lino  28,  (nld  '  This  coinpo.sition  is  sometimes  attributed  to  the  poet  Egan 
O'Rahilly,  and  extracts  from  it  have  been  printed  in  the 
second  edition  of  the  poet's  works  published  by  the  Irish 
Texts  Society,  1911.'     Cf.  also  Zeit.  filr  Celt.  Phil,  v.  541. 

„  182  (foot),  add  '  The  Tract  is  printed,  with  translation,  in  Celt.  Rev.,  vii. 
52-62,  bv  the  Rev.  George  Caldcr,  B.D.' 

„  184  line  13,  for  '2  3'  read  213. 

„  195  „  7,  add  ^  The  Phar.'^nl  in,  other  wise,  In  Cath  Catharda,  ^^  The  Civil 
War,"  with  translation,  notes,  and  vocabulary,  was  printed 
by  Whitley  Stokes,  and  published  after  the  great  scholar's 
lamented  death.  Irische  Te.de  (iv,  2.  Leipzig,  1909.)  The 
Thebaid  is  being  printed,  with  translation  and  notes,  by  the 
writer  in  Celt.  Rev.  (vii.  106  et  seq.).' 

„  201    „  14,/or 'Proc.'rearf 'Trans.' 

,,  202  (foot),  add  'The  Gaelic  versions  give  only  the  first  seven  books  of  the 
Pharsalia.' 

„  208  line  13,  add  'This  satire  is  printed  by  O'Donovan  in  The  Tribes  of 
Ireland,  p.  284.     (Dublin,  1852.)' 

„     „       „    31,  /or 'column 'rcrt(?  '  columns.' 

„  219  „  34,  after  'Finit'  add  'The  text  is  printed  in  the  Todd  Lecture 
Series,  vol.  xvi.  p.  24  + .' 

„  240     „  3,  32,  for  '  Phil.'  read  '  Lexik.' 

„     „       „  23,  for  '  MSS.'  read  '  MS.' 

„  242     „  27,  after  'son  '  insert  '  ?.' 

„  249     „      1,  for  '  220'  read  '202.' 

„  255  „  19,  add  '  The  Legend  is  printed  by  Eoghan  O'Neachtain  in  Erin, 
iv.  49  + ,  and  has  been  published  by  Gill  and  Son.  Dublin, 
1911.' 

„  260  „  17,  insert  'MS.  LXXXIV.  This  MS.  is  the  copy  made  for  Dr. 
Skene  of  E.  M'L.'s  transcript  of  MS.  XXXVII  {cf  p.  227). 

„  260   „  30,  for  '  158,  line  3,  to  p.  299 '  read  '  148  to  p.  309.' 

„  267   „  11,  after  '  Library'  add  '  Cf  p.  310,  1.  11.' 

„     „      „  l9,for '129'  read  '137.' 

,,  288   „  22,  for  '  seven,'  read  '  six.' 

„  291    „  18  after  ' severely '  insert  '(The  subject  of  Macintyre's  Satire  was 
Mac  0  Neacain,  not  MacNicol).' 

„  295    ,,   12, /or  '  Proceedings' reafi 'Transactions.' 

,  297   „     2,  add    '  The    Contract,     with    translation    by    the     Rev.     Dr. 
M'Lauchlan,  is  printed  in  the  Gael,  ii.  pp.  155,  156.' 
298   „  17,  for  '  al,so '  read  '  also.' 

„  300   „  30,  add  '  Cf.  p.  274.     It  would  appear  that  this  copy  was  not  made 
from  the  copy  of  earlier  date  there  described.' 

„  307    „     4,  after  'Bard'  add  'A  poem  by  Domhnall  Ban  Bard  is  printed 
in  Gaelic  Bards,  ii.  p.  113.' 

„  315    „  2S,  for  '  Erin '  read  '  Eriu,'  and  after  '  6  '  insert  (.). 


INDEX 


I.    Names  of  Authors  and  Principal  Persons 


Aaron,  78,  219. 
Abercromby,  Hon.  John,  292. 
Ab  Ithel  (  =  Johu  Williams),  273. 
Abratruadh,  108. 
Achadhiianaidh,  Bean  fir,  257. 
Achilles,  personal  appearance  of,  199. 
Adam,  77-78,  94,  1U8,  117,  120. 
Adamnan,  323. 
Aed  (King),  93. 

son  of  Dagda,  136. 

Aegeas  (Proconsul),  74. 
Aidan  (King),  109,  111. 
Ailill  (King  of  Connaught),  156. 
Ainmire,  King,  109. 
Aird-na-bidhe,  Fear,  254. 
Aitheach  Tuatha,  126,  138,  184. 
Alexander  (Physician),  21,  47. 

the  Great  (verses  at  grave   of), 

307. 

Albannach,  Dubghall,  72. 

Duncha  6g,  237. 

• Muireach,  237,  239,  240. 

Algazel,  40,  42,  48,  314. 

Aliabas,  35. 

Alibertus,  17,  40,  48,  53,  314. 

Almasor,  13,  28,  30. 

Almogestus  Tomoei,  46. 

Allan,  son  of  Rory,  230,  233,  235. 

Amergin,  180. 

Anacreon  (translation  from),  316. 

Anderson,  A.  0.,  7,  94,  155. 

Andrevr  (Apostle),  73. 

Andtapus,  28,  30. 

Aneurin,  273. 

Angus  (of  the  Isles),  244. 

(of  Islay),  285. 

bg  (of  the  Isles),  5. 

son  of  Farquhar,  son  of  Angus, 

63,  65. 
Animatus,  44. 
Anna,  79. 
Anne,  Queen,  306. 
Anselm  (St.),  74,  85,  103. 
Antipater,  76. 


Apolonius,  44. 
Appin,  Laird  of,  306. 
Aquinas,  Thomas,  24,  38. 
Archibald  (Laird  of  Largie),  174 
Argyll,  Countess  of,  246. 

Earls  of,  117,  244,  263,  304. 

Library  of,  325. 

Marquess  of,  117,  264. 

Taoisech  of  (v.  O'Colla),  126. 

Aristotle,  passim  8-71,  314. 
Arnaldus,  13,  16,  57,  58,  68,  314. 
Arnalldus  of  Villa  Nova,  46,  47. 
Artaenfer,  107,  112,  138,  173. 
Arthur,  King,  117,  188. 

Artri  (King  of  Munster),  113. 

Artur,  death  of,  317. 

Astle,  201. 

Athteothus  (Tateus?),  9. 

Atkinson,  Professor,  Glossary  to  Brehon 

Laws,  177. 

On  Irish  Metric,  181. 

Passions  and  Homilies,  73, 

74,  76,  79,  86. 
Augustine,  24  ;  (De  Civitate  Dei),  309. 
Averroes  (v.  Colliget),    16,  21,  31,  42, 

47,  53. 
Avicen na,  ^a^sj'm  8-71,  276,  277,  314, 

315. 

Bade  (daughter  of  Calatin),  149. 

Baedan,  son  of  Oairell,  111. 

Baitin  (Baithin),  79,  90. 

Balar  baluan,  120. 

Bannatyne,  Lord,  2,  158,  272. 

Bard  ban,  307. 

Bard  in  Leymm,  238. 

Bartholomeus,  53,  58. 

Beatha  —  whence         M'Bheath(adh), 

M'Beath,     M'Veagh,    Beaton,    etc., 

285. 
Beaton,  Christopher  M'Veagh,  285. 
Donald,  62,  283,  2S6. 

Eoin  (John),   14,  17,  21,  52,  61, 

79,  88,  283,  284,  285. 

329 


330 


CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS 


Beaton,  Faruhar  (Fiirquliar),  298. 

Fergus,  285,  2S6,  295,  324. 

Fergus  /inn,  25,  285. 

Gillaudcrs,  49,  286. 

dubli,  57. 

Gille   Coluim    (Malcolm),   6,    22, 

88,  286. 

Gille  Crist  (Christopher),  285. 

Hector,  25. 

James,  88,  89,  285,  286. 

Neil,  25,  285. 

Niall  dg,  25. 

mac  Giollandris,  49. 

tjlas  mac  Giollandris,  49. 

mac    Neill    Meigbethadh, 

25. 

•  Rory  son  of  Neill,  285. 

D.  M.  B.,  286. 

G.  M.  B.,  286. 

M.  B.,  43, 

Beattie,  Professor,  310. 

Bebhinn,  120. 

Be  Boirche,  203. 

Be  chairm,  120. 

Becuill,  120. 

Becc  Boirche,  203. 

Bede,  109. 

Bedus,  Sanctus,  9. 

Beirbhe  (  =  Bergen),  143. 

Berchan,  St.,  93. 

Bernardus  Gordonius,  6,  9,  16,  25,  27, 

28,51,68,  70,  274,  283,  298, 
Bethune,  Angus,  299. 

Anna,  298. 

John,  299. 

Betrus  (Petrus?),  9. 

Bile  (father  of  Mile),  108. 

Blair,  Rev.  Dr.,  324. 

Bleire  (Bruce?),  Robert,  126. 

Boesius  (Boethius  ?),  9. 

Boethius,  46. 

Boswell,  James,  316. 

Bove  the  Red,  168. 

Breas  son  of  Ealad(h)an,  108, 

Bricne  (of  tlie  venomous  tongue),  160. 

Bridget,  St.,  88. 

Bris  so  uolus  (?),  71. 

Brooke,  Miss,  151,  233,  234,  252,  253. 

Browlingych,  Gillecrist,  238. 

Bruce,  Robert  the,  5,  285. 

Brude,  son  of  Maelchu,  93. 

Buchanan,  Dugald,  305,  319. 

Buttner,  Professor,  266. 

CfflSAR,  Emperor,  13. 
Cahan,  James,  174. 


Cairpre  Cindihait,  138. 

Lifeachair,  186,  236. 

ri({fota,  109,  110. 

Calatin,  147. 

Calder,  Rev.  George,  195. 
Cameron,  Rev.  Alexander,  LL.D.,  162, 
228,  208,  323  ;  papers  of,  310. 

Sir  Ewen,  307,  308. 

Campbell,  Colin,  116. 

Rev.  Colin,  D.D.,  113. 

Colin,  of  Lochnell,  276. 

Duncan,  243. 

Rev.  Duncan,  325. 

Sir  Duncan,  Elegy  on,  297,  305  ; 

pedigree  of,  297. 
(Duncan?),     'new     Gaelic    Song 

Book,'  257. 

Rev.  Du.,  281. 

John  (of  the  Bank  of  Scotland), 

297. 
John  F.,  3,   142,  146,  228,  266, 

281,  321. 
Rev.  J.  G.,  Tiree,  311,  322. 

Miss,  212. 

Dr.,  Achnamba,  309,  324. 

Robert,  159. 

Rev.  William,  159. 

Caoilte  mac  Ronain,  230,  233. 

Carmichael,  Alexander,  LL.D.,  170. 

Carsewell,  Bishop,  verses  attributed 
to,  205,  263,  269,  304,  317. 

Catherine,  St.,  241. 

Ceallachan  King  of  Munster,  112. 

Celsus(MS.  Selsus),  71. 

Celtchair  mao  Uthechair,  167. 

Cennfaeladh,  180. 

Cermait,  108. 

Charles  I.,  descent  of,  126. 

Chalmers,  George,  287,  288. 

Christ  Jesus,  print  of  feet,  173  ;  per- 
sonal appearance  of,  79  ;  passion  of, 
75,  85. 

Cian,  166. 

Ciaran,  St.,  87. 

Ciarnaid,  111. 

Cithruadh,  132. 

Claen  (poet  of  Alba),  138. 

Clerk,  Rev.  Dr.  Archibald,  121,  236, 
290,  311. 

Cochondacht  mac  Thearlaieh  bhuidh(e), 
238. 

Colgan  King  of  Lochlann,  140. 

Colla  Uais,  126. 

Colliget  (title  of  MS.),  16  ;  common 
designation  of  Averroes  [q.  v.). 


INDEX 


331 


Collum  Columbine,  213. 

Colman,  93,  109. 

Columba,  St.,  61,  90,  92,  93,  104,  109, 

251,  304,  315,  318. 

Life  of,  Gaelic,  92. 

Latin,  92. 

Poems    attributed    to,    81,    104, 

251,  304,  315,  318. 

At  Drumceatt, 

Charm  attributed  to,  61. 

Directions  to  Baithin,  90. 

Dues  of  Churches,  90. 

Com(m)entator,  16,  31,  40,  41,  48,  54, 

58. 
Conaire  mac  Mhogli  Lamha,  249, 
Conall  Cearnach,  HI,  230. 

Clairingnech,  90. 

Echluath,  132. 

Gulbau,  142. 

Conaran  mac  Aimidil,  144. 

Conchar  of  Ardoran  (v.  O'Conchubhair), 

309. 

Duncan  (v.  O'Conchubhair),  274. 

Conchobar  mac  Nessa,  111,  157. 
Conlaoch  son  of  Cuchulainn,  236. 
Conn  Cetchathach,  136,  249,  250. 
Connellan,  Owen,  249. 
Constans,  Professor  Leopold,  196. 
Constantine,  8,  17,  21,  24,  28,  42,  46, 

53,  61. 
Cormac  Conloiuges,  160. 

mac  Airt,  7,  111,  186-189. 

'mac   Cuilennan,    177,    178,    180, 

304. 
Corrgend,  136. 

Craca,  Maid  of,  234,  236,  261. 
Craigie,  W.  A.,  138. 
Crichinbel,  130. 
Croneen,  Thadeus,  210. 
Crowe,  O'Beirne,  155. 
Cuchulainn,  death  of,  146,  183,  230. 
Cu  Cuilleasc  (satirist),  148. 
Curoi  mac  Daire,  156. 
Currie,  Sir  Donald,  248. 


Daelbaeth,  108. 

Dagda,  108,  130. 

Damascenus.     v.  John  of  Damascus. 

Dalian  Forgaill,  93. 

Daly,  Peter,  292. 

Darieth  (Dares  Phrygius),  199. 

Darthula  (Macphersonese  for  Deirdre), 

170,  259. 
David  I.,  genealogy  of,  106,  126. 
David,  King  of  Israel,  73,  78,  324, 


Deirdre,  159  (v.  Heroic  Lays). 
Derborgaill,  112. 
Diaferus,  31. 
Dioscorides,  21,  53. 
Dobhair,  Seurlus  an,  307. 
Domnall  Dualbuide,  161, 
Donald,  prince  of  Oileach,  222. 
Dorbeneus,  323. 
Dottin,  Professor,  96. 
Douglas,  Gavin,  289,  317. 
Drummond,  House  of,  273. 
Drummond-Ernoch,  237. 
Duauach  (wizard,  poet),  143. 
Dubthach  dael-tenga,  160. 
Duucha  og,  237,  238,  269. 
Dunlait      daughter      of      Murcertach, 
112. 

Ealad(h)an,  lOS. 

Ebe  Mesue  (v.  Mesne),  11,  21,  71. 

Eber,  108. 

Egidius,  9,  28,  30,  53,  55,  58,  62. 

Eimhir     wife     of     Cuchulainn,     147, 

218. 
Eimliir  aluinn,  shade  of,  317. 
England,  King  of,  66. 
Eochaidh  Feidlech,  129. 

Muinremar,  111. 

Eochu  Eolach,  135. 

Eoghan  vior  {v.  Mogha  Nuadat),  249. 

Ere  father  of  Fergus  of  Kintyre,    106, 

110. 
Eremon,  108. 
Erskine,  Sir  Harry,  303. 
Eve,  112. 
daughter  of  Fiachua,  108, 

Fachtna  Fathach,  129. 
Fainesoluis,  234,  23(i,  261, 
Farquhar  son  of  Patrick,  245. 
Feallsam.     v.  Aristotle. 
Fenius  Farsaidh,  78,  180. 
Fercaegat,  132. 
Ferceirtne,  180. 
Ferdiad,  161,  232. 
Ferfeasa  o  an  Cainte,  125. 
Fergal  og,  104. 

dg,  mac  an  bhaird,  104,  123. 

Fergus,  v.  Beaton. 

Fergus /^«.  145,  230,  233,  235, 

from  Scotland,  112. 

Mac  Roich,  111,  160. 

of  Kintyre,  106,  110. 

Ferguson,  Miss  M.,  266. 
Sir  Samuel,  170. 


332 


CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCKU'TS 


Fiacbna,  lOS. 
Filetus,  74. 
Find,  9,  13'2,  178. 

genealogy  of,  107. 

son  of  Koss  (kiiig-poet),  135. 

Findchua  of  Bri  Ciobann,  84. 
Fiudlay,  the  good  Bard,  245  ;  the  red 

Hard,  245  ;  ==Finlay  M'Nab  (?),  245. 
Findtan,  sou  of  Bochru,  137. 
Fingal,  Macphersonese  for  Find,  Fionn. 
Finnerty,  E.  G.,  292. 
Fionn  {v.  Find),  9,  ci  aliis. 
Fithal,  ollamh,  judge,   132,  184,  187, 

188,  189. 
Fithil  mac  Flaithrig  mic  Aodho,  219. 
Fitzgerald,  Gerald,  239. 
Maurice,  son  of  David  Duff,  208, 

253,  257. 
Flann  of  Bute,  113,  114,  143,  200. 
Fleming,  Edward,  80. 
Fletcher,  Archd..  247,  277. 
Flidais,  Queen,  161. 
Forrester    '  on    Beauties    of    Nature ' 

(v.  Domhnall  Mac  Fhionnlaidh),  288. 
Fraech,  son  of  Fidach,  155,  161,  232. 
Franciscus  of  Montpelier,  24. 
Fraser,  Angus,  265. 

Thomas,  of  Gortleg,  309. 

Frigriu,  136. 
Fulgentius,  71. 

Gabha  Raibeart    (=  Robert    Smith), 

307. 
Gabran,  111. 

Gadisten  (  =  John  of  Gaddesden),  24. 
Gaedhel  .v/as,  78,  108,  112,  219. 
Gaidoz,  Henri,  IS. 
Gail-  (?),  31. 

Ga\en,  passim  8-71,  301,  315. 
Gamhanraidh,  155,  160. 
Garbh  Glinde  Rige,  154. 

Mac  Stairn,  88,  317. 

Gathelus.     v.  Gaedhel  (/las. 

Gaussen,  L. ,  of  Geneva,  294. 

Gealanie,  Fear  Gh.,  306. 

Georghi  (  =  St.  George),  315. 

Ger.,  25. 

Geraldus  de  Sola,  16,  28. 

Gerallterus,  54. 

Gerardus,  17. 

GilbertinuB,  9.  11,  12,  16,  17,  25,  53, 

54. 
Gilbertus,  21,  56. 

Anglicus,  33. 

Gilla  dubh,  26. 

Gilla  Moduta  (poet),  112. 


Gillacoluim,  22. 

.  .  .,  son   of  the   parson  of  Kil- 

choman,  99. 
Gilladomnan,  126. 
Gillebrighde,  126,  240. 
Gillegan,  Peter,  292. 
Gilpatriek  King  of  Ossory,  112. 

the  Scot,  33. 

Goll  son  of  Garbad,  154. 

sou    of    Morna,    genealogy    of, 

107. 
Grant,  Laird  of,  281. 

of  Rothiemurchus,  281. 

Graves,  llev.  Dr.,  201. 
Gregory,  Donald,  230,  271,  272. 

of  Rome,  80,  82. 

Grey,  Dugald,  246. 
Gruagach  Soluis,  307. 
Gualterus,  '  de  dosibus,'  299. 
Guido,  24,  35,  36. 
Gwynn,  Edward,  135,  136. 

Hali,  8,  27,  42,  46,  53,  68. 

Harris,  .  .   .,  250. 

Henderson,  Rev.  George,  268,  318. 

Hennessy,  W.  M.,  92,  155,  232,  273. 

Henricus,  35,  44. 

Hermeas,  38. 

(H)ermogenes,  74. 

Herod,  76,  SO. 

Herodias,  80. 

Hippocrates,  passim  8-71,  315. 

Hogan,  Rev.  Father,  174. 

Homer,  Gaelic  translation  of  parts  of, 

280,  323. 
Hunter,  Norman,  303. 
Huntly,  capture  of,  306. 
Hyde,  Dr.  Douglas,  249. 

Innes,  Rev.  Thomas,  291. 

Irvine,  Rev.  Dr.,  176,  280,  291. 

lsa,a.e,  passim  8-71. 

Isodore,  31,  41,  42,  46,  50,  51,  53,  55. 

Jacob,  78. 

Jacobus  Alcinndi,  47. 

Jacobus  de  Forlivio,  8,  57. 

James  (the  Apostle),  174. 

James  vi.,  305. 

Japhet,  108. 

Johanisius,  8,  16,  25,  31,  42. 

Johannes  (Damascenus?),  43. 

Johannes  de  sancto  mando,  48. 

Johannes  de  sangto  naiido  Anglic.,  31. 

Johan(n)es  de  vigo  genuensis,  68. 

Johannes  Hispolensis,  31. 


INDEX 


333 


John  of  Damascus,  9,  28,  31,  41,  42,  44. 
John  (the  Apostle),  74, 
John  (the  Baptist),  76,  80. 
Johnson,   Samuel,   63,   306,   316,  323, 

324. 
Joshua,  78. 

Joyce,  P.  W.,  LL.D.,  167,  168. 
Joyce,  Dr.  R.  D.,  170. 
Jubainville,  H.  D'Arbois  de,  130,  131, 

151,  154,  155,  167,   173,   174,   186, 

249. 

Kearny,  Carbery,  285. 

David,  14,  285. 

Keating,  Geoffrey,  History  of  Ireland, 
111,  122,  127,  128,  138,  170,  173, 
249  ;  verses  by,  257. 

Kelly,  Bryan,  317. 

(Rev.)  Daniel,  316. 

Rev.  J.,  201. 

Kennedy,  Duncan,  3,  262,  306. 

Rev.  John,  267  ;  (papers  of),  310. 

Kenneth  son  of  Alpin,  106. 

Keppoch,  Julia  of,  256,  305. 

307. 

Kerr,  H.,  2,  79,  et  passim  on  the  Kil- 
bride MSS.  (v-xxxi). 

Kevoc,  St.,  169. 

Kirke,  Rev.  Robert,  292. 

Knoydart.Dyane  (Dean?  John?)  of,  243. 


Labarcenn  {v.  Philip),  judge,  76. 

Laeg  charioteer  of  Cuchulainn,  147. 

Laegaire,  King,  87. 

Laing,  David,  LL.D.,  283,  290,  291. 

Lambie,  Rev.  Archibald,  309. 

Lamont,  Robert,  246. 

Lead  Chluain,  Fear,  256. 

Lee,  Rev.  Principal,  290. 

Lennox,  Duncan  from,  243. 

Lhuyd,  Edward,  159. 

Liconsis  (Liconensis?),  8. 

Liddall,  W.  J.  N.,  228. 

Loarn   (Lodarn)  moi-  son  of  Ere,  106, 

111. 
Loisgenn,  poet,  144. 
Lord  Clerk  Register,  297. 
Loudin  (Lothian),  Duncan,  269. 
Lovat,  Lord,  309. 
Love,  Rev.  Dr.,  311. 
Lucan,  249. 
Lug  lamhfhada,  166. 
Lugaid  of  Connaught,  178. 

reoderg,  183. 

Lulach,  King,  106. 


Mac-a-Bhriuix,  Pat.,  295. 

Mac  aie  vig,  Neil,  244. 

Mac  Ailain,  Eoin,  212. 

Mac  Ailein,  Angus,  256. 

MacAlastair    ruaidh,    Aonghus,    257, 

306. 
Mac-an-Bhaird,  Feargal  og,  222. 

Maolmuire,  124. 

Uilleam,  123. 

Mac-an-Ollaimh  {v.  Beaton),  Domhnall, 
62. 

Gillacoluim     (v.     Beaton),     231, 

243. 

(Beaton  ?),  Seumas,  18. 

MacArdg.    mic     Lochluinn,     Domnall, 

222. 
MacAulay,  Rev.  Alexander,  206. 

Rev.  Kenneth,  303. 

Macbain,  Alexander,  LL.D.,  294,  302, 

312. 
MacBrady,  F.,  250. 
MacBrian,  Murcba,  317. 
MacCabe,  Duncan,  245. 
MacCaghwell,  Hugh,  318. 
MacCailein  mor,  246. 
MacCairbre,  214. 

MacCarthy,     Donald    (of    the    Flood), 
210. 

MacCecht,  108. 

M'Cei  (  =  Mackay),  Aodb,  295. 

MacCiar,  Sean   [v.   John  Short),  101, 
164,  165. 

MacCiche  (Keith),  306. 

MacCodrum,  John,  305,  319. 

MacColgan,  John,  296. 

MacCoU,  Rev.  Donald,  318. 

MacComie,  Baron,  246. 

Mac-con,  138. 

M'Conacher.     v.  O'Conacher. 

Duncan,  7. 

John,  7, 

MaoConmidhe,  Solamh,  104. 

MacConmidhi,  Gillabri(gh)di  ( =  Gilbert 
Macnamee,  q.  v.). 

MacCorkindale,  Euphemia,  245. 

MacCowle  Roy,  Ayne,  244. 

MacCuileannan,  Cormac,  304. 

MacCuill,  108. 

MacCuinn,  Cathal,  275. 

MacCuinn,  S.  Pilij),  103. 

MaeCuirtin,  Aodh  Buidh(e),  209. 

M'Cuistan,  Alistir,  270. 

MacCulloch  of  Park  (Fear  na  Pairce), 
270. 

M'Curchj,  Allistjr,  270. 

MacDaire,  Domnall,  123. 


334 


CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS 


MacDhoinhnuill    ruaidh,    Dunncbadli, 

256. 
MacDiarmaid,  Eobhau,  288. 
Macdiarniaid,  Kev.  Mr.,  291. 
MaoDiarmid,  Ewen,  321. 

Lay  by,  272. 

Macdonald,  Alexander,  the  poet,  105, 

175,  212,  214,  215,  305,  319,  324. 

Angus,  Insh,  271. 

Archibald,  305. 

Donald,     v.      MacFhionnlaidh, 

Donibuall. 

(Macdouald?),       Donald       donn       of 

Bobuntin(?),  307. 
Macdonald  (Donald  of  the  Isles),  295. 

Gillimiuhell,  tinkler,  270. 

Hugh,  280. 

John  loin,   256,   271,   288,   305, 

319. 

of  Benbecula,  92,  324. 

of  Dalness,  306. 

of  Kilis,  309. 

of  Staffa,  3,  278. 

Macdonalds  of  Islay,  historical  notes 

on  the,  124,  125. 

Poems  in  praise  of  the,  213,  241, 

243. 

Macdonell.   Alexander,   of  Glengarry, 

213,  255. 
Macdougall,  Duncan,  of  Dunolly,  276. 

John,  276. 

Dugald,  j'ounger  of  Lorn,  304. 

Rev.  James,  322. 

Phelim,  244. 

of  Dunolly,  26,  64,  275. 

Macdubhsleibhe,  Duncan,  64. 
MacDuffie     (Macphee)     of     Colonsay, 

325. 
MacDuinnthl^bi,     Cormac,     299      {v. 

O'Donlevy,  Cormac). 

Mac  Eachag(?) 243. 

Mac  Eachran,  John,  son  of  Ewen,  245. 
(Mac)  Eaghin  vyck  Earchair,  269. 
MacEgan,     Baothghalach,     251,    269, 

318. 
Gilpatrick,  185. 

Mac  ein  duibh  ruaidh,  Aonghus,  257. 
Mac  ein  'ic  Ailein,  Iain  diibh,  256. 
MacEwen,  last  of  the  Bards,  308. 
Macfadyen,  Mrs.,  318. 
Macfarlane,  Peter,  305. 

William,  297. 

Laird  of,  309. 

MacFhionnlaidh,  Domhnall  (  =  Forres- 
ter, 288),  289,  305. 


MacFirhis,  .   .   .,111. 

Duald,  253. 

Giolla  losa,  254. 

Mac  Gawran,  Hugh,  208. 
Mac  Ghilleasbuit.',  Ailean,  .306. 
Mac  Gillony,  Alex.,  303. 
MacGregor,  Donald  son  of  Dugald,  246. 

Duncan,  225,  242. 

Sir  James,  225. 

Kob  Roy,  308. 

MacGrene,  108. 
Macgruder,  .   .   .,  164. 

Maclaiu   (  =  Macdonald)    of    Glencoe, 

304. 
MacIUainn,  Maelsechlainn,  25. 
Maclnnes,  Rev.  Duncan,  294. 

Rev.  John,  306. 

Maclntyre,  Duncan,  the  poet,  291,  297, 

305,  307,  319,  323. 
James  (Glenoe),   304,   306,   309, 

321. 

Rev.  Dr.  John,  227. 

Rev.  John  Walker,  227. 

.  .  .  (poet),  244. 

Mackay,  Hugh,  272. 
John,  310,  319. 

Rev.   Dr.   Mackintosh,   248,  265, 

268,  320,  321. 

Rob  donn,  305,  321. 

Mackenzie,  Henry,  281. 

John,  270. 

of  Applecross,  270. 

Kenneth  og,  270. 

Mary,  323. 

■ ■  Dr.,  of  Gruline,  323. 

Lord  (  =  Seaforth),  296. 

Mackermont,  Sir  Duncan,  245. 
Mackinnon,    Professor    Donald   (MSS. 
of),  313-318. 

Rev.  John,  2,  158. 

■ Lachlan,  305,  310. 

Sir  William,  310. 

Mackintosh,  Andrew,  244. 

Rev.   Donald,   3,   140,    141,   142, 

193,  258,  260,  263,  274. 

M'Kowle  wain,  Ailein,  244. 
MacLachlan,  Donald,  250. 

Ewen,  2,   3,   101,  105,  118,  128, 

156,   158,    162,    166,   201,  213-217, 
226,  241,  255-258,  265,  280,  321. 

■ Gilpatrick,  243. 

William,  244. 

Dr.  (elegy  on),  316. 

■ of  Kilbride,  2,  61,  116,  222,  309. 

Maclagan,  Rev.  James,  302,  304. 
MacLaghlan,  Edmond,  222. 


INDEX 


335 


MacLaghlin,  Ardle,  222. 
MacLauchlan,  Rev.  Dr.  Thomas,   58, 

113,  227,  295,  308,  311,  322,  323. 
MacLaurin,  Alex.,  248. 

(Professor  Coliu?),  72,  309. 

Maclean,  Donald,  278. 

■ Rev.  Donald,  266. 

Eachann  bacach,  320. 

• Eweu,  116. 

■ Hector,  295. 

Hugh,  173. 

John  (the  Tiree  Bard),  324. 

. Rev.  John,  216. 

Lachlan,  62,  213. 

Sir  Lachlan,  213. 

Maclean's  Bard,  304 
Macleod,  Rev.  ^neas,  321. 
Calum,  304. 

Hector,  305. 

Mary,  213,  216,  271,  .305,  319. 

Rev.  Norman,  308. 

Sir  Norman,  280, 

Roderick,  W.  S.,  30f). 

Sir  Roderick  ( =  Ruairi  mor),  296. 

Rev.  Walter,  228,  264. 

Rev.  Dr.,  of  Diindonald,  265. 

Laird  of  Raasay,  270. 

Macleod  s,  genealogy  of,  219. 

l)a[)ers  relating  to,  309. 

MacLintock  .  .  .,  246. 
MacMathgamuin     (Mahon),       Tadhg, 

104. 
MacMhath,  an  t-aosdana,  257. 
Mac  mhic  Coinnich.  Angus,  296. 

Donald,  296. 

Eoin,  296. 

Mac  mhic  Fail,  Dubghall  Albannach, 

72,  73,  75. 
Mac    mhic    Mhurchaidh,     Murchadh, 

270. 
Mac  Mhuireach(aidh),  William,  211. 
Mac  M(h)urchaidli,  William,  213. 
Mac  Mhiiirich,  Cathal,  124.  205,  306. 

Ewen  (John?),  244. 

John,  278,  309. 

Lachannmo)-,  304,  309. 

Neil,  98,  124,  127,  207,  305. 

Neil  ?7ior,  124. 

MacMhuirichs,  98,  271. 
last  poet  of,  308. 

dispersion  of  library  of,  324. 

MacNab,   Finlay,  245  ;   v.   Finlay,  the 

good  Bard,  245. 
MacNamee,  Gilbert,  86,  87,  114,  239. 
M'Neill,  Gillespec,  246. 
John,  of  Barra,  92,  324. 


M'Neill,   ...  of  Castle  Sween,  245. 

MacNia,  138. 

MacNiadh  vior  mac  Lugaid,  249. 

Macnicol,  Rev.  Donald,  63,  232,  231, 
288,  304,  319,  324,  325. 

MacNicol,  Donald  ('the  Tailor '),  291, 
328.     r.  Mac  0  Neacain. 

MacNicol,  Major  Dugald,  320. 

Mac  Occ,  1.30, 

Mac  0  Neacain,  Donald,  328  (v.  Mac- 
Nicol, Donald). 

Macphail,  Edmond,  140. 

Macpherson,  Angus,  310. 

Donald  C,  227,  266,  279. 

Dugald,  306, 

Duncan,  244. 

James,    170,  226,  231,  235,  259, 

291,  297,  302,  309,  324,  326. 

Lachlan  (Strathmashie),  305. 

Malcolm,  279. 

Mac  Phyn,  Oishen  (=Ossian),  269. 

MacQueen,  Rev.  Donald,  6,  298. 

Macquien,  Donald,  296, 

Ewin,  296. 

MacRae,  Rev.  Donald  (=  Perse  Eglise), 
270. 

Duncan     (  =  Donnachadh     nam 

Pios),  242,  267. 

MacRichard  of  Connaught,  241. 
MacRuairi,  Donnachadh,  270. 
Mac  Tavish,  John,  159. 

Rev.  Mr.,  308. 

M'Ynneis,  Aane  leith,  245. 
Mag  Aodb,  Brian  b{h)icaire,  295. 
MagCraith,  Diarmaid,  122. 

Eogan,  122. 

Maolmuire  bacach,  122. 

Magee,  John,  295. 
Magrath,  Meiler,  319. 
Maguire,  Elizabeth,  250. 

James,  253. 

Turlou^h,  253,  254. 

MakGurkych,  blind  Arthur,  237. 

Mhic  Cailein,  Iseabal  Ni',  246. 

Mhic  ion  .  .  .,  Dughall,  243. 

Mhic  Raonaill,  Nighean,  307. 

Mic    Bruaidedha,    Tadhg   mac   Daire, 

123. 
Macer,  11,  17,  21. 
Machaomhag,  315. 
Macometus,  28,  30. 
Mag  Falu  .   .   ..174, 
Magnus  son  of  Maurice,  118. 
Maile  (Bard),  135. 
Maine,  poet,  178. 
Malaisi.  315. 


336 


CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS 


Malcolm  (Kcmiioii'),  King((le8cendant8 
of),  L>1.'9. 

Malcolnie,  liov.  David,  72, 

iMalvina,  304. 

Mananiiaiis,  The  four,  131. 

Maolcoblia,  254. 

Maoldoinlinaicb  mac  Venis  Villi-,  243. 

Margaret  (St.)  of  Pisidia,  102. 

Martin,  Martiiius,  92,  324. 

Mary  (the  Blessed  Virgin),  74,  85,  243. 

Matheaon,  Captain  Alexander,  321. 

Miss  Betsie,  322. 

of  Feruaig,  209. 

Mathieson,  poet  {v.  MacMhatb),  305. 

Maurice  (son  of)  David,  164. 

Maxwell,  John  Hall,  C.B.,  1. 

Meave,  Queen,  111,  147,  148,  154, 
160. 

Meuzies,  Major,  306. 

Mesue,  71. 

Ebe,  11,  21,  71. 

Seon,  60. 

Meyer,  Dr.  Kuno,  83,  130,  131,  144, 
154,  155,  157,  173,  175,  184,  186, 
187,  189,  191,  192,  195. 

Mhuirgheasain,  D ,304.    v.  O'Muir- 

ghesan,  Duncan. 
Mile  of  Spain,  108. 
Milesians,  107,  108. 
Miodhach  of  Lochlann,  140. 
Mochae  of  Noendruim,  84,  110. 
Mochuda,  87. 

MoghaNuadat,  v.  Eoghan  mor,  249. 
Mogh  Ruith,  77,  111. 
Moling,  9,  83,  87,  305. 
Montrose,  117. 

Legend  of,  237. 

Moore,  Norman,  M.D.,  18. 
Morann,  184,  185,  186. 
Morch,  108, 

Morrigan,  wife  of  Dagda,  133. 
Morrison,  Captain,  280,  291. 

Dr,  Hew,  321. 

John,  320. 

Rorie,  309. 

.  ,  ,  Assistant  Surgeon,  303. 

Morrisone,  John,  88. 
Moses,  78,  219. 
Muck  (Isle  of)  Bard,  288,  308. 
Muiredach,  111. 

menn,  161. 

Muirguis,  217. 

Munro,  Alexander,  270. 

Murray,   Sir   John    MacGregor,    227, 

279,  280. 
Mustinus,  9. 


Nemidians,  108. 

Niall     Naoighiallach     (of      the    nine 

hostages),  143,285, 
Nicolaus,  17,  09. 

(Il)i8j)anus,  48. 

Nicolson,     Sheriff,     81,     193,     269, 

321.  X 

Ni'  Fhlaith,  Gormlaith  239.; 
Niul  (father  of  Gaedel  Glas),  78,  108, 

112. 
Noah,  78,  108. 
Normandy,  Duke  of,  62, 
Norsemen,  112-113,  126,  141, 
Nuada  of  the  silver  hand,  167,  219. 
Nutt,  Alfred,  167. 


O'Cairbre,  Diarmaid,  243. 
O'Callanan,  Gilpatrick,  22. 
O'Carrthaoidh,  Aodh  Ollbhar,  241. 
O'Cassidy,  Fergus,  33. 

Henry,  33. 

O'Cathain  (O'Kane),  Lady,  5,  285. 
O'Cellaigh,  Eignechan,  212. 
O'Cendamhain,  Cairpre,  283, 
O'Cleary,  Edmund,  164. 
O'Cleirigh,  Mad.,.,  104. 
O'Clery,  Eimid,  209. 

John,  121. 

Michael,  250. 

O'Cluan,  Caech,  232. 

O'CIuane,  John,  232,  238, 

O'Cluma,  Gofraidh,  56, 

O'Colla  (  =  Taoisech  of  Argyll),  126. 

O'Conacher.     v.  O'Conchubair. 

Donald,  6,  63. 

Duncan,    5,    7,     63,    275,    276, 

277, 

Albannach,  275. 

dg,  275. 

Gilpatrick,   son   of    Duncan   dg, 

275. 

John,  6,  7,  63,  140,  276, 

O'Conchubair     (Physicians     of     Lorn, 

notices  of),  5,  63,  64. 
O'Connor,  John,  75,  86. 

Turlough,  222, 

O'Cuirnin,   .  ,   ,,  poet,  116. 

O'Curry,  Eugoue,  77,  81,87,  168,  170 

180,  184,241,  273. 
O'Curtin,  Hugh  Boy,  209. 
O'Daly,  Angus,  104,  237. 

Aonghas  nan  Aor,  215,  320. 

Aonghus  mac  Chearbhaill  bhuidhe, 

238. 
Carol],  115,  116. 


INDEX 


337 


O'Daly,   Duncan   mor,    99,    104,   237, 

238,  251,  269,  318. 

Fardarogha  ma(c)  Cormac,  208. 

GoSrsiidh.  Jionn,  239. 

Lochlainn  mac  Taidhg,  125. 

■  Lugliaid,  115,  116. 

Muireach  Albannach,  237,  239. 

Muireach  Lis  an  daill{  =  Muireach 

Albannach),  240. 
O'Daly,  Tadhg,  122. 

camchosach,  238. 

og,  89,  91,  104. 

O'Davoren,  .  .  .,  152. 
O'Domnallain,  Brian,  123. 
O'Donlevy,  Cormac,  38,  276,  299, 
O'Donovan,  John,  179. 
O'Duhhagan  (?),  Gilibeart,  61,  206. 
O'Dufify,  R.  J.,  167. 
O'Dugan,  John,  137,  207,  255. 
O'Duibgennain,  Ferfesa,  173. 
O'Duibhne  (  =  Campbell),  297. 
O'Dunn,  Gilla-na-naomh,  137. 
O'Farell,  John,  295. 
O'Feely,  Duncan,  75. 
O'Finigan,  Patrick,  252. 
O'Flanagan,  .  .  .,  170. 
O'Gara,  Fergal,  253. 
O'Giarain,  .  .  .,  253. 
O'Growney,  Professor,  83. 
O'Halloran,  .  .  .,  172. 
O'Hart,  John,  117. 
O'h-Iffirnan,  Diarmaid,  238. 
O'Higgin,     Aong(h)as     mac     Aod(h)a 

rua'idh,  104. 

Fergal  bg,  104. 

Mahon,  101. 

S.  Pilip  hocht,  103,  240. 

Tadhg,  125. 

dall,    104,   122,   123,  124, 

251 

og,  89,  91,  104,  240. 

O'Hosey,  Eochy,  99,  121,  123,  124. 

Giolla  Brighde,  269,  319. 

(?)...  125. 

O'Lochan,  Cuan,  135. 
O'Madadh  (?),  Cobthach,  52. 
O'Maolciarain,  son  of,  215. 
O'Molloy,  F.  (Prosodia),  241. 
O'Muirghesan,  Duncan,  281. 

Turlough,  296. 

O'Mulconry,  Torn  a,  73,  241. 
O'Nachtan,  Gillepatrik,  246. 
O'Naughtan,  John,  164. 
O'Neill,  Conn,  214. 
O'Quinn  (cuinn),  Tadhg,  22. 
O'  (hua)  Rnanada,  Cellach,  111. 


0'Siag(h)ail,  Eoghan  Carrach,  89. 
O'Siaghail,  Ruairi,  60. 
Oengus  the  Culdee,  179. 
Ogma  grianach,  108. 
Oilioll  6o(.7t(;,  203. 

jinn,  161. 

Olum,  138. 

Orbacius,  42. 
Orobasins,  28,  30. 
Oscar  son  of  Ossian,  236. 
Ossian,  verses  attributed  to,  151. 

and  Find,  219,  328. 

son  of  Fionn  v.  Heroic  Poems. 

Ostracus,  31. 

Ovid,  11. 

Owen,  William,  273. 


Pal  crubach,  320. 

Paphnutius,  79. 

Partholan,  126,  132. 

Patrick,  St.,   87,  HI,   143,  179,   311; 

life  of,  271. 
Paul,  the  Apostle,  80. 
Paulinus,  8. 
Petrus,  9,  25. 

de  ergeJata,  277. 

Philaretus,  71. 

Philip,  the  Apostle,  73,  97,  101. 

Philip,  judge  [v.  Labarcenn),  76. 

Philip  son  of  Brian,  115. 

Philippe,  Don,  120. 

Pilate,  85. 

Platearius,  11,  12,  17,  21,  51,  71. 

Plato,  8,  9,  16,  24,  39,  45  ;  on  v\r],  46  ; 

on  Nature,  46. 
Polyxena,     personal     appearance     of, 

199. 
Pope,  Rev.  Alexander,  277. 
Pringle,  Walter,  273. 
Prophorius,  9. 
Ptolemy,  28,  30,  46,  55. 
Pythagoras,  8,  11. 


QuiGGiN,  Dr.  E.  C,  238. 

Reeves,  Bishop,  93,  295. 

Reginald  son  of  Somerled,  126. 

Reinaclus  (de)  Lymburgensi,  70,  71. 

Reuda,  109. 

Rhazes,    8,    12,    14,    21,    28,    31,    71, 

315. 
Ricairdi,  Maighister,  71,  315. 
Ricardus,  17,  54. 


338 


CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  iMANUSCRIPTS 


Robertson,  Alastair,  30G. 

Alexaiulcr,  247. 

Rogei(i)u8,  10,  33. 

Kolaml,  110. 

llonaii,  St.,  315. 

Rosa,  Rev.  Dr.  Thomas,  2G5,  272. 

William,  poet,  307. 

Ruaidri  mac  Toirrdealbhaigb,  108. 
Rufus,  28,  31),  38. 


SACARIA.S,  28,  30,  53. 

Sadhbh,  136,  138. 

Salatiiius,  69,  71. 

Sappho,  303. 

Sar  Seon,  119. 

Saracen  Physician,  12. 

Saul,  78. 

Scaulan,  93,  109. 

Scota     daughter     of     Pharaoh,      112, 

126. 
Scott,  Rev.  Hew,  D.D.     v.  Fasti. 
Scotus,  71. 

Duns,  318. 

Seancha  mac  Gillacrist,  156. 
Selsus  (  =  Celsus),  71. 
Seneca,  42. 

Serapion,  28. 

Serlus  (Charlemagne?),  110. 

Shaw,  James,  poet,  319. 

.John,  321. 

Sheridan,  Thomas,  248. 

Short,  John,  101,  164,  165. 

Simon  Magus,  77,  HI. 

Sinclair,  Rev.  A.  Maclean,  320,  323. 

(Archibald),  Glasgow,  320. 

— —  John,  3,  260. 

Sir  John,  260,  281. 

Rev.  W.,  265. 

Skene,  W.   F.,  D.C.L.,  1,  3,  72,   106, 

109,  110,  114,  152,   267,  268,  272, 

273. 
Slainge,  108. 
Smerbie  mor,  309. 
Smith,  Dr.  Angus,  170. 

Dr.  Donald,  60,  62,  66,  158,  201, 

202,  217,  219,  221,  223,  248,  249, 
250,  254,  288,  317. 

Rev.    Dr.    John,    119,    146,  231, 

249,  261,  262. 

.Rev.  John,  315,  316. 

Socrates,  9,  20,  42. 

Sofista,  16. 

Solomon,  42,  73. 

Somerled  of  Argyll,  113,  126. 

Statius,  112. 


Stern,  Christian,  228,  268,  269. 
Stewart,  Alain,  18. 

Alexander,  316. 

Rev.  Dr.  Alexander,  316. 

Charles,  Notary,  309. 

Duncane,  18. 

Rev.  James,  323. 

Sir  John,  of  Apj)in,  269. 

John  Roy,  305,  306. 

Stuart,  Rev.  Charles,  281. 
John,  LL.D.,  294. 

Rev.  Dr.  John,  Luss,  323. 

Rev.  John,  304. 

Stokes,  Whitley,  LL.D.,  D.C.L.,  18, 
83,  84,  87,  92,  95,  96,  102,  107,  134, 
135,  1315,  151,  155,  162,  170,  179, 
180,  194,  249,  294. 

Stone,  Jerome,  155,  232,  281,  286, 
287. 

Supair,  Baran,  320. 

S.,    16. 

S.  Pilip  hocht,  104. 

S.  Pilip  mac  Cuinn  Crosaigh,  103. 

Tadhg  occ  Cianan,  15,  116. 

dall   {v.    Tadhg   dall    O'Higgin), 

104,  122,  123. 
b'j  (v.  Tadhg  dii  O'Daly  ;  Tadhg 

Oil  O'Higgin),  89,  91,  104. 
Talchend  (St.  Patrick),  168. 
Tasso,  289. 
Tateus  (Athtothus?  9),  24 

de  Bonaensis,  71. 

de  Bonionia,  31. 

Taj'lor,  Gilchrist,  243. 

Gilleglas,  246. 

Telemachus,  289. 
Themisteus,  40,  41. 
Theophilus,  9,  31. 
Thomson,  Thomas,  217. 
Mr.,  260. 

Miss,  321. 

Thurneysen,  181. 
Tibraide  Tirech,  136. 

Tillotson,       Archbishop       (quotations 

from),  316. 
Toirpda.     v.  Torpeist. 
Tolameus  [v.  Ptolemy),  23,  46. 
Torna,  poet,  132,  254. 
Torpeist,  Senchan,  218. 
Tuathal  an  Cainti,  99. 
Tuilllna,  104. 

TuUideljih,  Rev.  Thomas,  207. 
Tully,  Luke,  52. 
Turglesta  of  Lochlann,  218. 
Turius,  46. 


INDEX 


339 


Turner,  Peter,  2,  96,  100;  Collection 
of  Gaelic  Poetry  by,  257,  307  ; 
MSS.  of,  2;  MS.  called  after, 
276. 

Ualescus  de  Taranta,  71. 
Ulster,  Duncan  of,  62. 
Francis  of,  62. 

Victoria,  Queen,  117,310. 
Ware,  Sir  James,  250. 


Wedderburn,  Mr.  Maclagan,  302. 
Wlialey,  Dr.  (Satire  on),  208. 
William  King  of  Scotland,  303, 
William  of  Montpelier,  27,  46. 
Williams,  Rev.  John,  273. 
Windiscb,   Professor,    107,    144, 


152, 


157,  170,  174,  184,  221,  231,  232. 


Yule,  Miss,  of  Tarradale,  228. 


ZiMMER,  Professor,  218. 


II.  Principal  Subjects  and  Treatises 


Absolution,  on,  100. 

Address  to  Soldiers  (42nd  Regiment), 

303. 
Aged  Bard's  Wish,  304,  320. 
Ailges,  the  first  in  Ireland,  130. 
Albannach,  Duan,  304. 
Amore  hereos,  de,  11,  48. 
Analysis  of  Gaelic  MSS.  (EwenM'Lach- 

lan),  217,  219,  220,  226,  257-258. 
Anatomia  (Galen),  31,  60, 
Anima,  de  (Aristotle),  40,  314. 
Annals,  7,  108. 

of  Ulster,  203. 

Antbologia  Hibernica,  250. 
Antidatorii,  21,  70. 
Aphorisms  of  Hippocrates  : — 

Anonymous  Commentary  on,  26- 

31,      32-33,     46,     49-50,      53-54. 

Commentary    by    Galen    on,    31. 

Translated  to  Gaelic,  30. 
Apostles,  personal  appearance  of,  79. 
Apothecaries,  69. 
Arcanum  (of  Hippocrates),  13. 
Astrology,    v.  Astronomy. 
Astronomy,  8,  57,  284. 
Auld  Robin  Gray  (in  Gaelic),  320. 
Authors,  16,  61,  09. 
(Latin),  9. 


Bagpipes,  in  dispraise  of,  213. 

in  praise  of,  212. 

Beregonium  (Paragraph  on),  303, 

Blar  Leine,  272. 

Blasa  (Arnaldus),  13,  16.    v.  Taste. 


Bolg  an-t-solair  (  =  MS.  LVii),  209. 

Bones,  35. 

Book  of  Clanranald,  205. 

(Black  Book),  267,  271,  323. 

(Little  Book),  271. 

(Red  Book),  125,   126,  271,  272, 

323. 
Books,  List  of,  published,  316. 
Brain,  35. 
Briga,  'powers,'   'forces,'  34,  37,  45, 

et  aliis. 


Cabalistic  letters  and  words,  314. 
Cain  Domnaig  (Law  of    Sunday),  95, 

96. 
Calendars,  17,  22,  35,  60,  61,  84,   114, 

206,  207,  273,  283. 
Canons  of  Damascenus,  41,  55. 

Isodore,  50,  51. 

Carthonn,  (additions  to),  261. 

Casbhairne,  111,  181.     v.  Metres. 

Cath  mor  muighe  na  Teasaile,  249. 

Cautery,  on  the,  14. 

Charms,  9,  10,  14,  61,  65,  283,  314. 

Civitate  Dei,  de,  309. 

Clanna  Neimhidh,  108. 

Clans  and  Tribes  of  Ireland,  254. 

Climate  in  relation  to  health,  43, 47,55. 

Clontarf,  Battle  of,  307. 

Coelo  et  mundo,  de,  40. 

Coilictorio,  de,  59. 

Collection  of  Irish  Poems,  292. 

Comhachag  (Gaelic  poem),   285,   305, 

308,  320. 


340 


CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS 


Coinmamlments  (Treatise  on),  SG. 

Complexions,  on  the,  8. 

C()in|)mictione,  de,  76. 

Confession  of  James  Paor,  100. 

Confessione,  de,  75,  79. 

Coustellations,  on  the,  7. 

Creag  Chuauach  (v.  Comhachag),  285, 
305,  308. 

Creation  of  the  World  (Gaelic  transla- 
tion of),  294. 

Crypt  (names  written  in),  05,  114, 
116,  156. 

Cuachag  nan  Craobh,  307. 


Definition,  9,  23,  24,  25,  26,  65. 
Derg  ruathar    (Conall   Cernach),   150; 
151. 

(Conn  Cetehathach),  250. 

Desolating  of  Highlands,  308. 
Dialects,  42,  57,  219. 
Dieheadal  do  cheunaib,  177. 
Dictionary,  (Taelic-English,  247. 

(Fletcher),  247. 

(M'Lachlan),  255. 

(Robertson),  247-248. 

English-Gaelic  (M'Laurin),  248. 

Highland  Society's — 

Gaelic-English,  264-65. 
English-Gaelic,  2G5. 
Latino-Gaeliciim,  248. 

Etymological      (fragmentary), 

M'Lachlan,  257. 

(fragmentary).  Smith,  316. 

MS.  of  Dr.  M'Bain's,  312. 

Diets,  on,  56,  63.— (1)  Bernard,  68. 

(2)  Hippocrates,  03. 

(3)  Isaac,  36. 

Dinnshenchas,  129. 
Claen  Loch,  138. 

Dun  Macnechtuin,  132. 

Laighin,  135. 

Loch  Eirne,  132. 

Loch  Garman,  135. 

Magh  m-Breagh,  135. 

Teamhair,  135. 

Tuag  Inbir,  132,  135. 

in  verse,  137,  157. 

Diseases  and  Cures,  imsslm  8-71,  273, 

274,  277,  284. 
Doctors,  16,  31. 

old,  37,  38. 

recent,  43. 

. of  Montpelier,  27. 

Dominical  letter,  60,  260,  283. 


I)osil)U8,  (le,  29!). 

Drugs,  OS. 

Druuneeatt,  9.S,  109,  254. 

Duanag  UUamh,  304,  316,  320. 

Duauaire  lluadli,  309. 

Dubhan,    I'ionn    and    D.'s    men,    172, 

3 1 6. 
Dubloinges,  160. 
Duile  (  =  Elements),  Arnaldus,  58. 

Novus  mentor,  45. 

Dunmonaidb,  218. 


Easbuig,  An  t-  (  =  MS.  lxxxi),  255. 
Eggs,  12. 

Eisimlaire  (specimens),  21,  299. 
Emanuel  (  =  MS.  xlvi),  201,  249,  259. 
Epigrams,  42,    89,    90,   93,   200,   206, 

208,  213,  214,  264,  303. 
Etymological  and  Linguistic,  29,  112, 

132,  181,  316,  317. 
Etymologies, — Ewen  M'Lachlan,  257. 

Rev.  J.  Smith,  316. 

Excerpts  from  Irish  Books  and  MSS., 

253,  272,  273. 
from     Glossary    of     Lancashire 

Dialect,  317. 

from  Guthrie's  History,  390. 

- — —  from  Lhuyd's  ^?vA.  Brit.,  320. 

■ from  Scripture,  23,  49. 

from  Welsh  Books,  273,  571. 

Eyes,  Diseases  of,  and  remedy,  12. 


Feinn,  Parodies  on,  291. 

Fermanagh,  poem  on,  252. 

Figured  illustrations,  10,  60,  73,  284. 

Find  (Fionn),  reckoning  of  his  men, 
132. 

Fionn  and  Dubhan's  men,  172,  316. 

Foods  for  different  seasons  (v.  '  Calen- 
dars'),  57,  260,  284. 

Fosterage,  contract  of,  296. 

Franciscan  Monastery,  Dublin,  Library 
of,  249. 

Fuatha  Na  (things  hateful),  205,  241, 
264. 

Fulacht  na  Morrigna,  133. 


Gaelic  Society  in  Glasgow   College, 

316. 
Gaick,  anecdotes  of,  272. 
Gall,  Innse,  218. 
Garb  of  Old  Gaul,  303. 


INDEX 


341 


Genealogies,  HI,  120,  253,  255. 
Genealogy  of  Argyll  family,  117,  209, 

304. 

Clans,  106. 

Craignish  family,  272. 

Glencoe  family,  304. 

Lamonts,  253. 

— — •M'Dougalls,  113,  303. 

M'Gregors,  229. 

M'Lachlans,  253. 

■ Neil  M'Vurich,  320. 

Stewarts,  304. 

Generation   (reproduction),   Poem    on, 

204. 
Glencoe  (poem  on),  307. 
Glen-da-Ioch  (Library  of),  144. 
Gleumasain  ( =  MS.  liii),  158. 
Glossary  of  Terms  of  Music  and  Foetry, 

265. 

to  Gavin  Douglas's  Poems,  317. 

in  MS.  VII,  179. 

in  MS.  XXXVIII,  179. 

in  MS.  Lxv,  180. 

Golden  Number,  60,  260,  283. 

Gradibus,  de,  47. 

Grammar  (translation  of  Windisch's), 

311. 
Grammar  and  Philology,  Treatise  on, 

180. 
Grammars — Uraicecht,  181. 

The  Alphabet,  182. 

Fragment  of  Grammar,  182,  290. 
Greece,  Celtic  names  in,  303. 


Harlaw,     Incitement    to    the    Mac- 

donalds  at,  304. 
Healing,  Ten  Methods  of,  301. 
Heat  and  cold,  on,  31. 
Hemlock,  20. 
Herbularii,  70. 
Heroic  (Ossiauic)  Laj'S  and  Poems  :  — 

A  chiosh  Chnamhadh,  287. 

Albin    and    Daughter    of    May    {v. 
Fraech),  death  of,  286. 

An     Deilgneach    mhor    (  =  Oran    a' 
Chleirich),  316. 

Anvin  in  no*  nart  mo  lawe,  232. 

Arthur,  Death  of,  317. 

Assaroy  ( =  Maighre  Borb),  234. 

Ata  faoi  thonnaibh  na  ttonn,  163. 

Beasa  na  bhfian,  293. 

Binn  gow  duni  in  teyr  in  oyr,  232. 

Cath  nan  seishear,  287. 

Cnoc  an  air  an  cnoc-sa  siar,  158. 


Conlaoch,  Coming  of,  to  Ireland,  252. 

death  of,  231,  287, 

and  Cuchulainn,  175. 

Conn  Cetchathach,  Assassination  of, 

136. 
Cuchulainn  and  Conlaoch,  175. 
Cuchulainn  and  Laeg,  272. 
Cumhall,  death  of,  231. 
Eini(h)ir,  jealoiisy  of,  231. 
Eim(h)ir's  lamentof  Cuchulainn,  272. 
Fionn  and  Garbh,  317. 

and  Ossian,  219,  328. 

household  of,  232. 

■  Rosg  of,  317. 

Fleyg  woir  rinni  lay  finni,  232. 
Fraech,  death  of,  232,  281,  287. 
Gabhra,   Battle    of,  172,    176,   234, 

235,  236. 
Goll  mac  Morna,  127,  145,  158  233, 

253. 
Heym  tosk  zoskla  fynn,  233. 
Is  fadda  no*  ni  nelli  finni,  232. 
Lay  of  Ben  Gualann,  165. 
Lay  of  the  Boar  of  Glen  Scail,  162. 
Lay  of  Bulbin,  165. 
Lay  of  Children  of  Lear  (Lir),  169. 
Lay  by  Conall  Cearnach,  272. 
Lay  of  Conn,  266,  287. 
Lay  of  Cruimlinn  na  Ccath,  293. 
Lay  of  Diarmaid,  176,  233. 
Lay  of  Lady  of  the  Mantle,  176. 
Lay  of  the  Fist,  293. 
Lay  of  the  Heads,   144,    151,  231, 

263,  272. 
Lay  of  the  Maiden,  176. 
Lay  of  Magnus,  165,  252. 
Lay  of  the  Red  (Dearg),   128,    145, 

146,  162,  165,  172,  251,  263. 
Lay  of  the  Sixteen,  293. 
Lay  of  Tuiriu  (or  Tuirenn),  7. 
Lays  of  Deirdre,    7,   158,  175,  252, 

261. 
Maighre  Borb.  v.  Assaroy. 
Moytura,  Tuesday  in,  136. 
Nenor  a  quhym  fa  chyill,  233. 
Oscar  at  Gabhra,  252. 
Oscar,  death  of,  287. 
Ossian  and  Caoilte,  163, 
Ossian  and  Finn,  219,  328. 
Ossian  and  Patrick,  162,  176. 
Ossian  and  the  Sow  of  Tallann,  151. 
Ossian's  Prayer,  234,  287. 
Proi)hesy    of   the    Fools  of    Emain 

Macha,  175. 
Sealg  mhor  a'  Ghlinn(e),  287. 


Y  2 


342 


CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS 


Seilg  a  choinor.adh  le  Finn,  1G2. 
SeilgSleibh  Giiillnig,  162. 
Se  la  gus  an  <lu,  158,  235. 
Sliabh  nam  han  lionn,  232,  310. 
Tailor  of  the  Feinu  (Parody),  291. 
Tarrngaireachil  Mbic    Cumhaill  air 

Eirinn,  162. 
Teamliair  teach  am  bi  mhac  Cuinu, 

128. 
Teannrlacht  mor  na  F(!'inne,  287. 
The    best   battle    the    heroes    ever 

fought,  176. 
Tigh  Tormail,  287. 
Ventry,  Battle  of,  233. 
Vision  of  the  Feinn  (Parody),  291. 
Heroic  Legends  and  Tales  :  — 
Aeneid,  195. 
Aided  (violent  death)  of  Ailill,  154, 

259. 

of  Blai  Briuga,  154,  259. 

of    Celtchar     mac     Uthechair, 

154,  259. 

of  Get  mac  Magach,  153,  259. 

of  Conall  Cearnach,  154,  259. 

of   Concholar  mac  Nesa,   131, 

152,  259. 

of  Conganchnes,  154,  259. 

of  Conlaoch,  151,  259. 

of  Cuchulainn,  146,   157,  174, 

259. 

of  Fergus  mac  Roich,  154,  559. 

of  Garb  Glinde  Rige,  154. 

of  Goll  mac  Garbada,  154 

of  Laeg(h)aire  Buad(h)ach,  1 54, 

259. 

of     Meadb     Cruachna,      153, 

259. 

Amadan  mor,  An  t-,  3,  279. 

(in  verse),  293. 

Anainn  of  the  White  Bosom,  303. 
Argonautic  Expedition,  v.  Troy. 
Bardic    Company,   Journey    of    the 

great,  249. 
Battles : — 

Fionntraigh,  173,  175. 

(in  verse),  233. 

Leitir  Ruid(g)e,  129. 

Magh  Breagh,  250. 

Mag  Mucramha,  139,  151,  173. 

Magh  na  Teasaile  ( =  Pharsalia), 

202. 

Muirthemhue   (v.    Aided    Con- 

culainn),  292. 

Ros  na  Righ,  174. 

Bruighean  bheag  na  h-Almhuin,  141, 
263,  327. 


Bruighean  Caorthainn,  140,  152,  173, 
259,  26.3. 

Cheisi  Coruin,  144,  263. 

Eochaidh  bhig  dheirg,  171. 

Oennach  an  ituanado,  157. 

Cethirnach,  146,  264,  292. 

Ciarnaid,  111. 

Conaire  and  Macniadh, affairs  of,  249. 

Conall  Clairingnech,  90. 

Conall  Gulban,  Adventures  of,  142, 
263. 

Conn        Cetchathach — War       with 
Eoghan  mor,  249. 

Wild  raid  to  Ulster,  250. 

Cormac  in  Tara,  131. 

Cuchulainn,  Education  of,  151,  259. 

Deirdre.   v.   Oigheadh  Cloinne   Uis- 
nigh. 

Duncan,  King  of  Ossory,  130. 

Find  and  Oisin,  219,  328. 

Garbh  mac  Stairn,  88. 

Mac  Datho's  Pig,  144,  263. 

Mnrchadh  mac  Briain,  146,  320. 

Norway,  Adventures  of  Children  of 
King  of,  249. 

Oigheadh  Cloinne  Lir,  152,  167,  259. 

Tuirenn,  166,  261. 

Uisnigh,  159,  169,  259. 

Oilill  Olum,  Lamentation  of,  138. 

Pharsalia,  195,  201,  248,  259. 

Serglige  Conculaind,  183,231. 

Siabhrugh  Sigh  and  Inneiridh  mhic 
na  !Miochomhairle,  293. 

Tain    bo    Cuailgne,    174,  218,    220, 
221. 

Fraich,  155. 

Thebaid  of  Statins,  195-197.  328. 

French  Version,  196. 

Troj'— the  Destruction  of,  112,  195, 
197,  200. 

(in  verse),  200. 

Ulad,  Mesce   (Baothrem),  155,  259, 
328. 

Ulysses,  Wandering  of,  195. 
History  of  Scotland  (in  MS.),  320. 
Holy  Spirit,  the  seven  dana  of  the,  77. 
Honey,  48. 
Humilitate,  de,  75. 
Humours,  on  the,  8,  9,  11. 
Hydrophobia,  11,  48. 
Hymnary  (Latin),  107,  120. 

Iliad  (translation   by   Ewen  M'Lach- 

lan),  280,  323. 
Imbas  forosnai,  177. 
Indulgentia,  de,  75. 


INDEX 


34  3 


Ingenio,  tie  (Galen),  301. 

■ S.,  de  (Galen),  23. 

Innse  Gall  (  =  Hebrides) ,  218. 
Instructions,  Sayings,  etc  : — 

Corraac    to   his    son,    9,    184,   186, 
187,  304. 

Cuchiilaiun  to  Liigaid,  183. 

King  Arthur  to  his  sons,  188. 

Sayings  of  Fithal,  184. 
Inverness,      School    or    Academy    in, 

323. 
lona  Club,  272. 

Library  of,  309,  324. 

Ireland,    Kings    of,    pedigrees,   notes, 

126. 
Iris,  19. 

Irish  Poems,  Collection  of,  292. 
Islay,  Charter  of  lands  in,  295. 
luuamentis  membrorum,  de,  65. 


Jargon,  173. 

Journal  (or  Diary)  in  Gaelic,  320. 


Ktlliecrankie,  Latin  poem  on,  289, 
303,  320. 

C4aelic  poem  on,  289,  303. 

Kintyre,  Poem  in  praise  of,  212. 
on  sale  of  lands  in,  211. 

Languages,  the  seven  that  originated 

at  Babel,  172. 
Laoidh  na  Muighe  Finne,  317. 
Latin,   poems    translated   from,    289, 

303. 
Fragment  of  religious  treatise  in, 

92. 
Leabar    ...  do     gnathugud     7     do 

oibrigthib  na  naduire  daenda,  50. 

na  coimplex,  50. 

• na  n-ainmiutedh,  35. 

(not  named),  57. 

Leabhar   bian    an  fheidh  ( =  MS.  xl), 

153. 
Caol  (L.  C.)  =  MS.  Lxxxm,  128, 

151,   152,   15.3,   156,  162,  166,201, 

218,  220,  255,  258-260. 
Chillebhride  (  =  MS.  xxxii),  220, 

360. 
Legends  and  Tales  :  — 

Adventures  of    Serlus  and    Roland, 
110. 

Christian  and  Jewish  Boys,  87. 

Ciaran,  87. 

Clan  Thomas,  the,  163. 


Drumenach,  experiences  of    Oclaech 
in  Abbacy  of,  110. 

Emperor,     Empress,      and     Prince, 
152. 

Farbhlaidh,  255,  328. 

Fight  of  Lisin  O'Dunagan,  164. 

Gregorj'  of  Eome,  80. 

History  of  Edmund  O'Cleary,  164. 

King  Laegaire  and  St.  Patrick,  87. 

Men  in  shape  of  Birds,  88. 

Michael  and  St.  Patrick,  131. 

Mochuda  and  the  Devil,  87. 

Paphnutius,  Abbot,  79. 

Paul,  Beheading  of,  80. 

Pursuit  of  Gille  deacair,  165. 

Serpents,  Places  immune  from,  78, 
83. 

Ship  at  Clonmacnois,  88. 

Slim  Swarthy  Kern,  165. 

St.  Bridget  and  Leper,  88. 

St.  Moling,  83. 
Liber  criseos,  50. 

criseosus,  50. 

de  sensu  et  sensatu,  40. 

• epitimiarum,  27. 

regalis,  27. 

Life,  on  (Egidius),  58. 

Lilium     Medicira?,     6,     27,     51,     274, 

283. 

Editions  of,  299. 

Translations  of,  299. 

Lismore,  Dean  of,  MS.,  105, 

Account  of  MS.,  225-246. 

Transcripts  by  Ewen  M'Lachlan, 

255,  321. 

Rev.  Dr.  Cameron,  311. 

D.     C.     Machperson,    266, 

279. 
Rev.  Walter  Macleod,  264. 

Leaves    photographed    by   Mr. 

Liddall,  228. 

Lore,  41,  120,  283. 

Manx,  three  poems  in,  301. 
Mars,  planet,  24. 

statue  of,  73. 

Masters,  21,  31,  70. 

Materia  Medica,  8,  18,  70,  313. 

quotations  from  MS.,  19-21. 

Maxims,  translated,  61,  67,  68,  284. 

native  {v.  Proverbs),  183. 

Measures,  v.  weights. 
Medicine,  general,  45. 
Three  subjects  of,  71. 

Three  Schools  of,  28,  42. 

Theory  and  Practice,  45. 


344 


CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS 


Medicines,    digestive    and     purgative, 

52,  69. 

Simple  and  compound,  59. 

purgative,  40,  47,  5U. 

Metaphysics,  Aristotle,  48. 
Metres — Casljhairue,  111,  181. 

Kannaideclit  mor,  111.  181. 

beg,  111,  181. 

Setnad.lu,  181. 

Mirror   of    Sacrament    of    Penitence, 

318. 
Missal,  304. 
Mnemonics,  9. 
Monasticon  (Gaelic),  221. 
Moon,  influence  of,  on  epilepsy,  13. 
Mummy,  21. 

Music  and  musical  instruments,  58. 
Music     and     Poetry     of     the     Gael, 

(Glossary  of  terms  and  phrases),  265. 

Nature,  on  (Avicenna),  16  ( ?),  48. 

(Plato),  46. 

NoUaic,  Cuid  (verses),  205,  216. 

Obituary,  230. 
O'Coscair's  Hill,  Harp  of,  241. 
Ogham,  writing  in,  222. 
Ollamh  Ileach,  309. 

Muileach,  309. 

Oratione,  de,  75, 
O'Rourkes,  Frolics  of  the,  208. 
Ossian— Authenticity  of,  280,  281. 
■  Controversy  regarding,  235-236, 

291,  326. 
Owl      (of     Strone),      v.      Comhachag, 

Creag  ghuanach,  285,  305,  308. 

Pantechni,  44. 

Parodies,  291. 

Parody,  the  Tailor  of  the  F6inn,  175. 

Passion  of  Andrew,  73. 

James,  74. 

John  the  Baptist,  76,  80. 

■ Poem  on,  76. 

Our  Lord,  74,  75,  85. 

Paul,  beheading  of,  80. 

-Philip,  73. 

.  St.  Anselm,  75,  85. 

Pearl,  20. 

Pennaid  Adhaim,  94. 
Philosophers,  44,  45,  58. 
Philosophy,  9,  16,  33,  38,  40,  43,  45. 
Physic,     treatises    on,    passim     8-71, 
273,  298,  309. 


Physic,  history  of,  298 
Physicians,  31,  45,  69;  fee  of,  14. 

rights  and  responsibilities  of,  14. 

Planets,  8. 

influence  of,   on  diseases,  etc.  9, 

13,  24,44. 
Plants,  Alibertus  on,  17. 
Pleading,  marks  of  good  and  bad,  178. 
Poems,     historical,     passim     114-128, 

207,  241-245,  254,263. 

religious,    passim    76-105,   207, 

208,  243,  251,  311,  316,  317,  318, 
319. 

topographical    and   genealogical, 

254-255. 

Poets,  privileges  of,  177. 
Practitioners,  31,  70. 
Prescriptions,  passim  8-71. 

specimen  of,  33. 

Prince,  the  Black,  320. 
Prosodia,  Molloy's  Grammar,  241. 
Proverbs,  192,  193,  269,  311,  321. 
Pulse,  Philaretus  on  the,  71. 


Raon    Ruaraidii    (  =  Killiekrankie), 

Poem  on,  268. 
Reading,  value  of,  42. 
Records  of  the  Isles,  325. 
Regulations  for  British  Army,  303. 
Remarks    on    Dr.    Samuel    Johnson's 

Journey  to  the  Hebrides  (rough  draft 

of),  320. 
Remscela    (Fore -tales)    to     Tain     bo 

Cuailgne,  220. 
Repentance,  Tract  on,  101. 
Retoric,  7,  141. 

Roman  Sprite  (poem),  100,  262. 
Rosary,  Devotion  to  the,  319. 
Run.     V.  Retoric. 


Salerno,  "Women  of,  11. 

Satirical  Verses,  316. 

Schola  Salernitana,  62,  66. 

Scotonia,  132. 

Scots,  Battles  of  the,  230. 

Scots  handwriting,  284,  302,  308. 

Scriptures,  Excerpts  from,  23,  49,  57. 

Portion  of  Old  Testament,  325. 

Secret  Works  of  Nature  (Aquinas),  38. 
Senses,  on  the  (Avicenna),  40,  48. 
Sensu,  de  (Alibertus),  40. 
Sermo  ad  Reges,  73,  84. 
Sermon.s,  272,  311,  320,  323. 
Sgiath  Luireach  of  Columba,  315. 


INDEX 


345 


Skull,  35. 

Skye,  School  or  Academy  in,  309. 

Sleep,  on,  57. 

Society  of  Scottish  Antiquaries,  Library 

of,  298. 
Sophists,  37. 
Soul  and  Body,  24. 
Soul  and  Senses,  on  the,  40. 
Sperms,  on,  27. 
Sun,  Address  to  the,  261,  304. 
Synchronisms  (F'lann),  113. 

Table,  Astrological,  283. 
Tables,  Ten  Medical,  70,  301. 
Taste,  on  (Arnaldus),  13,  16. 
Teagasg  Criosdaidhe  (O'Hosey),  309. 
Teeth,  10,  36. 
Teinm  laegda,  177. 
Temora,  Book  I.,  Additions  to,  261. 
Tenga  bith-niia  (Ever-new  Tongue),  96, 

101. 
Timore,  de,  76. 

Tir  fo  thuinn  (land  under  wave),  262. 
Toothache,  12,  13. 
Topographical  Poem  (O'Dugan),  255. 
Tract    recommending   the    Protestant 

Faith,  266. 
Trees,  on  (Sofista),  16. 
Trefocul,  Poem  on,  181. 
Triads,  190-192. 
Triucha,  Praise  of,  208. 
Tuatha  de  danann,  108,  126,  144. 

Udacht  (Bequest)  of  Mokann,  184, 
185. 


Ulaid,  107,  112. 

Uraicecht,  181. 

Urine,  on,  8,  9,  62,  67,  273,  284. 


Veins,  on  (Rhazes),  12,  14. 

Viatic,  17. 

Victoria,  Her  Majesty  Queen,  Leaves 
from  Journal  (Gaelic  Translation), 
310. 

Vinum,  260. 

Vocabulary,  Gaelic-English,  247. 

(Mr.  Macpherson),  279. 

— Index  Verborum  (D.  C.  Mac- 
pherson), 279. 

Vocabularies,  Gaelic-English,  281. 

English-Gaelic,  281. 

179,  ISO. 

Gaelic-English  and  English- 
Gaelic,  247. 

Voice-production,  34. 


Watts's  Hymns  (in  Gaelic),  272. 
Weights   and    Measures  in   Medicine, 

12,  69. 
Whisky  (aqua  vitce),  properties  of,  12. 

verses  on,  214. 

Women,    fifteen   virtues   of  good   and 

fifteen  vices  of  bad,  189. 
Woimcls,  11,  24,  48. 
marie  by  bullet,  68. 


Year,  divisions  of,  61. 
Yera  Constantinus,  13. 


III.  Other  MSS.  quoted  or  keferred  to 


Balg-solair      (Ewen      M'Lachlan's), 

255. 

(Macleod's),  255. 

Bodl.  (Laud,  615),  251. 

(Laud,  610),  180. 

(Rawlinson,  B.  486),  114. 

(  „  506),  135. 

(  »  512),     87,     114, 

144. 
Bolg  solaraidh  (Bryan  Kelly),  317. 
Book  of  Ballymote  (printed  in  photo.), 

107,  135,  138,  180,  181,  198. 

of  Hy  Maine,  137,  204,  240. 

of  Lecan,  114,  292. 

Leinster    (printed  in    facsimile), 

111,  112,  131,  132,  135,  144,  151, 


152,  153,  154,  155,   170,  174,  180, 

185,  203,  236, 
Book  of  Lismore,  84,  92,  96,  138,  249. 
Brit.  Mus.  (Additional,  15,582),  285. 

(Egerton,  89),  330. 

(        „         93),  157. 

■ - —  (       „         106),  151. 

(       „         HI),  207. 

■ (       „         1781),  195. 

(       „         1782),   133,    155, 

170. 
Brussels  (Burg.  MS.  5100),  81. 

Catalogue    of    MSS.    in    R.    I.    A., 

Eugene  O'Curry,  241. 
Culmen,  220. 


346 


CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS 


Daly,  Petkr,  MS.,  '29-2. 
Dublin,  i\.  I.  A.  (H.  1.  17),  154. 

■  ('23.  a  21),  154. 

(23.  G.  21),  154. 
T.  C.  D.  (H.  1.  13),  155. 

(H.  3.  3),  135. 

(H.  3.  18),  133. 

(H.  5.  4),  145. 


Leabar  Bkeac,  printed  in  facsimile, 
78,  79,  8tJ,  92,  94,  109. 

Leabhar  Gabhala,  184. 

extracts  from,  250. 

Leabhar  na  h-Uidhri,  printed  in  fac- 
simile, 109,  155,  157,  184,  232. 


Leydeu  MS.,  157. 

Liber  tlaviis  Fergusiorum,  154. 

M'FiRBia's  Genealogies,  111. 

Rennes  MS.,  135. 

Sabhall  Padraig,  111. 
Sage  MSS.,  316. 

Thomson's  Vellum  MS.,  260. 

Yellow  Book  op  Lecan  (printed  in 
photo.),  76,  79,  80,  84,  94,  97,  133, 
135,  162,  170,  186,  240,  251. 

Yellow  Book  of  Slane,  184. 


IV.  Books  and  Periodicals  quoted  or  referred  to 


Academy,  the,  (Journal),  18. 
Archaeologia  Britaniiica,  159. 
Archseologia  Seotica,  230. 
Archaeological  Society,  Irish,  251. 
Archiv   fiir    Celtische    Lexikographie, 

152,  179,  181,  204,  240,  327. 
Argyll,  House  of,  246,  297. 
Atlantis,  167,  168,  170,  184. 


Beauties  of  Gaelic  Poetry,  105,  266, 

288,  304,  305,  308,  320. 
Bible,  Kirke's,  292. 
Edition  by  Dr.  M'Lauchlan  and 

Dr.  Clerk,  311. 
Bibliotheca  Scoto-Celtica,  269. 
Bolg  Solair  (Sinclair's),  320. 
Book  of  Deer,  294,  323. 
Book  of  Islay,  296. 


Caledonian  Medical  Journal,  285. 

Calendar  of  Oengus  the  Culdee,  179. 

Calvin's  Catechism,  269. 

Caogad,  325. 

Catalogue  of  Irish  MSS.  in  the  British 

Museum  (Standish  Hayes  O'Grady), 

passim  14-300,  327. 
Celtic  Magazine,  154,  157. 
Celtic  Review,  162,  180,212,309,  328. 
Celtic    Scotland,    81,     92,     106,     110, 

273. 
Chronicles  of  the  Picts  and  Scots,  114, 

304. 


Chronicon  of  Dean  MacGregor,  230. 
Clans  (Conflict  among  the),  308,  320. 
Coir  Anmann,  107. 

Collectanea   de    rebus    Albanicis,    72, 
106,  272. 


Deirdre  (Joyce),  170. 

Description  of  the    Western    Isles    of 

Scotland,  92,  324. 
Duanaire,  215. 


Edinburgh  Courant  (Letter  to),  311. 

Edinburgh  Encyclopedia,  291. 

Encyclopaedia  Perthensis,  286. 

English,  Books  and  MSS.  written 
partly  in,  174,  175,  207,  211,215, 
222,  250,  271,  272,  287,  311,  317. 

Erin,  95,  96,  327,  328. 

Essai  d'un  Catalogue  de  la  Litterature 
Epique  de  I'lrlande  (Jubainville), 
130,  131,  151,  154,  155,  167,  170, 
173,  174,  186,  249. 


Fasti  Ecclejsi^  Scotican^,  216,  270, 

291,  303,  306,  325. 
Fingal,  Dr.  Ross's  translation  of,  272. 

Sir  John  Sinclair's,  281. 

Folk-lore,  77,  132,  133,  135,  136. 
Four  Masters,  Annals  of  the,  184,  186, 

203,  222,  241,  244,  255,  311. 
Extracts  from,  73,  253. 


INDEX 


347 


Gael  (Magazine),  305,  328. 

Gaelic  Bards,  320,  328. 

Gaelic  Journal,  83,  130,  164,  167,  170. 

Gaidhill  and  Gaill,  Wars  of,  113,  31 1. 

Gillies's    Collection    of   Gaelic    Poetry 

170,  187,  288,  289,  303,  304,  307, 

320. 
Glossarjs  Cormac's,  178,  179,  304. 

O'Davoren's,  1 79. 

Calendar  of  Oengus,  179. 

Gododin,  273. 

Goidelica,  294. 

Grammar      prefixed      to       Johnson's 

Dictionary,  317. 

Harris's  Translation  of  Sir  James 

Ware,  Extract  from,  250. 
Hibernica  Minora,  144. 
Highlanders  of  Scotland,  the,  72. 
Highland   Monthly,    the,     306,    307, 

308. 
Historical  and  Genealogical  Account  of 

the  Bethunes  of  Skye,  299. 
History  of  the  Mackenzies,  270. 

Irish    Arch^ological    and    Celtic 

SociHTv,  179,  251. 
Irish  M8.  Series  (Trans.  R.  I.  A.),  155. 
Irish  Metric,  181. 

Irish  Texts  Society,  90,  231,  249,  328. 
Irische  Grammatik,  232. 
Irische  Texte,  107,  162,  170,  173,  181, 

186,  197,  249,  259,  261. 
Irische  Texte   mit  Worterbuch,    144, 

152,  157,  170,  184,  245. 

Keating,  History  of  Ireland,  122, 127, 
128,  170,  259. 

Laws,  Brehon,  14,  177. 

Leabhar  na  Feinne  (L.F. ),  passim  144- 

324. 
Leabhar  nan  Gleann,  268. 
Lismore,  Book   of   the  Dean  of,   152, 

206,  227,  239,  243,   244,  245,  246, 

263. 
Loch  Etive  and  the  Sons  of  Uisneach, 

170. 

MacCallum,  H.  and  J.'s  Collection 
of  Ossianic  Poems,  144,  170,  234. 

Macdonald,  Eanald  (Collection  of 
Gaelic  Poems),  105,  241,  257,  270, 
289,  304,  306,  308,  320,  324. 

Macdonald  Bards,  307. 


Macdonalds,  History  of  (Collectanea  de 

rebus  Albanicis),  272. 
Macfadyeii,  Duncan  (Hymns),  316. 
Macmillan's  Magazine,  81. 
Manners  and  Customs  of  the  Ancient 

Irish,  87,  111,   114,  136,   138,  143, 

167,  168,  180. 
Manuscrij)t  Materials  of  Ancient  Irish 

History,  77,  131,  239,  250,  254 
Marty rology  of  Gorman,  102. 
Mordubh,  304. 

Old  Celtic  Romances,  167,  168 
Old  Statistical  Account,  286. 
Oranaiche,  212. 
O'Reilly,    Edward    (Account    of   Irish 

Writers),  89,   101,    104,    114,    115, 

121,   122,  123,   137,  207,  208,  241, 

251,255. 
Origin  and  Progress  of  Writing,  201. 
Ossian,  Highland  Society  Committee's 

Report  on,  62,    155,   158,   162,  170, 

201,  217,  219,   221,  226,  244,  266, 

270,  280,  288. 
Ossian,  (Macpherson's)  extracts   from, 

316. 

references  to,  231,  235,  266. 

translations  of,  into  English,  265, 

281. 

translation  of,  into  French,  280. 

additions  to,  261. 

Ossianic  Society  of  Dublin,   224   236 

249. 

Passions  and  Homilies  from  Leabhar 
Breac,  73,  74,  76,  79,  87. 

Pedigrees,  O'Hart's,  117. 

Prayer  Book,  Catholic,  280. 

Proceedings  of  the  Society  of  Anti- 
quaries of  Scotland,  227,  308. 

Reliqfes  OF  Irish  Poetry,  151,  233 
252,  253. 

Reliquias  Celtica;,  98,  144,  158,  162, 
170,  172,  175,  176,  192,  205,207,' 
210,  213,  215,  228,  233,  235,  239, 
242-246,  251,  260,  267-269, '  27l', 
278,  305,  311,  312,  324. 

Report  on  Ossian.     v.  Ossian. 

Revue  Celtique,  IS,  94,  96,  138,  151, 
152,  155,  157,  232,  327. 

St.  Bartholomew  Hospital  Reports, 

18. 
Saltair  na  Rann,  95. 
Scots  Magazine,  155,  286,  289. 


348 


CATALOGUE  OF  GAELIC  MANUSCRIPTS 


Sean    Dana    (Dr.    Smith),    146,    231, 

2(51,  310. 
Silva  CJa.lelica,  l.S'2,  145,  146,  1G5. 
Societe  ilea  Anciens   Textes   Frau5ais, 

196. 
Stewart,    A.    and    D.'s    Collection    of 

Gaelic  Poetry,   170,   172,  252,  289, 

317. 

Todd  Lkctprk  Seriks,  131,  135,  136, 
154,  155,  178,  184,  186.  190,  328. 

Transactions  of  the  Gaelic  Society  of 
Inverness,  155,  170,  267,  268,  280, 
2S7,  288,  294,  306,  310,  319,  320, 

of    the     Royal     Irish    Academy, 

133,  295,  327. 

of  the  Society  of  Dublin,  170. 

Tribes  of  Ireland,  328. 

Tripartite  Life  of  St.  Patrick,  87. 


Ultonian  Hero  Ballad.s,  170. 


Verslerex,  Mitteliki.sche,  181. 

Waifs  and  Strays  of  Celtic 
Tradition,  294. 

Ware,  Sir  James,  History  and  Anti- 
quities of  Ireland,  250. 

West  Highland  Tales,  142,  146,  170, 
282. 


Zeitschrift  fur  Celtische  Philo- 
LOGiE,  81,  154,  155,  251,  208,  269, 
328. 

Zeitschrift  fiir  vergleichende  Sprach- 
forschung  (Kuhn),  218. 


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