Blair Collection > Sar-obair nam bard gaelach, or, The beauties of Gaelic poetry, and lives of the Highland bards > Volume 2

INTRODUCTION.
the top, is significant of the full grown branches, and Ovydd, from ov, raw, pure, indi-
cates the saplings. Sir Samuel Meyrick gives less fanciful derivations — Der, superior ;
wydd, instructor; and o-wydd, subordinate instructor. In Whiter' s method of determining
the affinity of words, by the consonants as radices, we see the same consonants running
through these words ; the tr, pervading a series of terms, indicates activity, industry, im-
provement; and dr or tr were connected with the mystical T, a Druidical and Pythagorean
symbol. The above laborious and profound etymologist, alluding to the Gaelic '•draonaich"
so well illustrated by Coiremonadh,* as intimating a diligent cultivator, pronounces Druid
to signify a teacher. t The appellation is undoubtedly Celtic, originating with that peo-
ple, and not imposed by Greeks or others. The sense in which it is still used is that of
an artist, a learned person, or vulgarly a magician, and it is the word in the Scripture
translation for the wise men or priests. It is equally applied in Teutonic languages to
denote a dexterous individual or enchanter.
The word Bard has been pronounced insoluble. It is uncertain whether the peculiar
chant, called barditus, is the origin of the term, or its derivative. Bardachd in Gaelic is
poetry and history, literally the bard's work ; barddae-th in Welsh is also bardism.
The profession has given names to many localities, as Monadh-bhaird, ach na' m bard,
Tulloch-bardin, &c, and respectable families may trace their origin to those distinguished
poets. There are many ancient charters in which different individuals are designated,
le bard and le harper ; the Bards, Bairds, MacBhairds, and Wards are their descendants ;
in Ireland and Argyle are the Mac Faids, and Mac Faidzeans. Throughout the princi-
pality are numerous names indicating the residences and haunts of the different branches,
as Tre'r Beirdd, the bard's villages. Croes y Beirdd, the bard's cross. Tre'r and Bod
Drudan, the villages, and the houses of the Druids. Bod-Ovyr, the Ovyd's dwelling,
&c. &c. The Baile-bhairds in the Highlands and Harper's lands in the low-country, are
memorials of the golden age of Celtic minstrelsy.
A sketch of the personal appearance of the different characters, seems an appropriate
accessory to a detail of their duties. Bodily imperfection being sufficient for exclusion
from the order, it gave an imposing specimen of the Gaulish race, and their dignities
were marked by suitable distinctions in dress. Their garments differed from others in
amplitude : they were " the wearers of long robes." The costume, as may be supposed,
was of a peculiar form, calculated for the attraction of notice, as well as the becoming
denotation of rank. The beard which the Celtic nations always shaved, the Druidic
officials wore long, and the hair of the head they cut close. The robes flowing to the
heel ; whilst those of the commonalty, and even of the nobles, fell only to the knee, as
sufficiently distinguished the superiority of the order, as the episcopal costume marks
the sacerdotal degree. White, denoting purity and truth, was the appropriate colour of
the druid's robes.
In Cathlava one ef the poems translated by Dr Smith, is a picture of Sean'ear, a
druid, then a subject of persecution, but believed to possess supernatural acquirements,
and consulted as an oracle by those, who, like the Roman general, might be disposed to
* Thoughts on the Gael, &c, by James Grant, Est*. + Etymologicon magnum.