and the results of researches into history, before the public. Professor Mackinnon's lectures form the most important contribution to the scientific study of Scottish Gaelic that has appeared in recent years. Sir Herbert Maxwell's work on "Studies in the Topography of Galloway" might almost be considered a Gaelic work. It is an important contribution to the study of Gaelic topography. Some other works of general Gaelic and Celtic interest that have appeared within the last sixteen months may be mentioned. Professor Stokes' book on "Ireland and the Celtic Church" is a popular and accurate account of early Irish history and Christianity, and newly to hand comes Miss Margaret Stokes' excellent little manual on 66 Early Christian Art in Ireland." Few have a better right to treat of this subject than Miss Stokes. And the Stokes to whom Celtic linguistic science owes most of all has not been silent, for Dr Whitley Stokes is unremitting in writing on Celtic philology, and in editing Celtic texts. His latest book is the first part of a new edition and translation of the old Irish glosses at Wirzburg and Carlsruhe. In the second part of the second volume of Windisch's Irische Texte he has edited the story of Deirdre, as found in the Glen Masan MS. in the Advocates' Library, Edinburgh. The pages of the Revue Celtique and one or two German periodicals have also contained contributions from Dr Stokes. Professor Zimmer has written some important papers on the heroic literature of Ireland and Scotland. They appeared also in Germany, and more especially in the Zeitschrift for Comparative Philology. Many others have written on Celtic philology and antiquities, notably M. D'Arbois de Jubainville in the Revue Celtique upon landed property among the Celts, but it would exceed our limits even to mention the names and papers. Much has been said and written upon the teaching of Gaelic in schools, but as yet little has been done by the Education Department. Even the Gaelic Schedule has not yet been issued. In regard to the teaching of Gaelic in the junior standards, we are sorry to see from the latest blue-book that the Highland Inspectors are still opposed-bitterly and unreasonably-to the teaching of the language in schools, and to testing the children's knowledge and intelligence therein. We fear that the Highland Minute is not enough to appreciably affect even the difficulty of expense, let alone intelligent teaching of English and Gaelic. The restriction of the Gaelic-speaking pupil teacher to the teaching of the infants and lower standards practically shuts out male teachers, and, as a consequence, is scarcely even a half remedy, should it be taken advantage of. The whole question of Gaelic teaching, and of the supply and education of teachers for the Highlands, is one that must at once, earnestly and thoroughly, be grappled with. The Gaelic Society of London early in 1887 mooted the idea of a conference of Gaelic savants to consider the question of uniformity in Gaelic spelling and other matters of educational interest, but the conference has not yet taken place. The Societies in the South connected with the Highlands have been very active throughout the year, and much money has been given in bursaries and Jubilee prizes. The Highland Society of London is pre-eminently honourable in this respect. We are sorry to say that the year of Her Majesty's Jubilee has not been commemorated by any great bequest from some public-spirited citizen, or citizens, for the advance of studies in Gaelic literature and antiquities, or in forming, as was suggested, a society or fund to publish the many ancient MSS. lying in the Edinburgh and other libraries, the publication of which would throw such light on the history of the Gaelic language and the Gaelic race. INVERNESS, New-Year Time, 1888. Fifteenth Annual Assembly-Speeches by Rev. Dr Stewart, "Nether-Lochaber:" Mr Duncan Campbell, and Mr Forms of the Verb in Scotch Gaelic-Mr W. J. N. Liddall . Sutherland Place Names-Mr J. Mackay, C.E., Hereford . Fifteenth Annual Dinner-Speeches by Provost Macandrew, Mr John Macdonald (Dingwall), Mr William Mackay, Mr James Barron, Mr A. Macbain, M.A., Mr Alex. Mackenzie (Silverwells), Mr Duncan Macdonald, Mr PAGE Page 89, line 40-For "son" read "nephew." Page 271 (Foot-note)-For "Ben-e " read "Beinn Eadair, the Hill of Howth, near Dublin." TRANSACTIONS. ANNUAL ASSEMBLY. THE Fifteenth Annual Assembly of the Gaelic Society of Inverness was held in the Music Hall on Thursday evening, 8th July. Owing to the public excitement over the burgh election, the attendance was not so large as on former occasions. Rev. Dr Stewart, Nether Lochaber, occupied the chair, and was supported on the platform by Mr Charles Fraser-Mackintosh; Mr R. B. Finlay, Q.C.; Sir Robert Peel; Captain Chisholm of Glassburn ; Mr Charles Innes; Rev. Gavin Lang, West Parish Church, Inverness; Rev. A. C. Macdonald, Queen Street Free Church; Rev. Father Bisset, Stratherrick; Mr W. Mackay, solicitor; Mr Campbell of Kilmartin; Bailie Mackay, Inverness; Mr Alex. Macdonald, Portree; Dr F. M. Mackenzie, Inverness; Mr Mackenzie, Church Street; Mr Mackenzie, Maryburgh; Mr Colin Chisholm, Namur Cottage, Inverness; Councillor W. G. Stuart, Castle Street; Mr Gunn, draper, Castle Street; Mr Alexander Mackenzie, Ballifeary; Mr G. J. Campbell; Rev. Mr Macintyre, Boleskine; Mr Arch. A. Chisholm, Procurator-Fiscal, Lochmaddy; Mr D. Mackintosh, Treasurer of the Society; Mr John Macdonald, supervisor, Dingwall; Mr Macdonald, Druidaig; Mr Duncan Campbell, Ballifeary; Mr Smart, drawing-master, and others. Mr Duncan Mackintosh, Treasurer, in the absence of the Secretary, intimated letters of apology for unavoidable absence from Sir Kenneth S. Mackenzie of Gairloch, Bart.; Mr John Mackay, C.E., Hereford; Mr Angus Mackintosh of Holme; Professor Blackie; Mr T. D. Wallace, High School; Mr James Clunas, Nairn; Major Rose, Kilravock; The Chisholm of Chisholm; Mr Mackenzie, younger of Kintail; Rev. L. Maclachlan, Glasgow; and others. Mr Mackintosh also read the following telegram from Mr W. Mackenzie, Secretary of the Society, addressed to the chairman, from Edinburgh :-" Buaidh is piseach air a' chomunn." |