Blair Collection > Collection of Gaelic proverbs and familiar phrases

(1829-31), Tcachdaire Ur Gaidhealach (1835-36) Cuairt-
ear 7ian Gleann (1840-43), and Fear-tathaich nam Beann
(1848), four Gaelic Periodicals, the best coutributions to
which were made by Dr. Norman Mac Leod, to whose
memory this book is dedicated. He was the Editor, the
life and soul, of the Tcachdaire and the Cuairtear. Of
all men that ever wrote Gaelic prose, he wrote the best
and raciest, the language, not of mere propriety and
elegance, but of natural genius, equally incomparable
in moving laughter or tears. His Gaelic Dialogues,
' Comhradh nan Cnoc,' and his answers to correspond-
ents, are spiced with proverbial phrases and allusions,
of which no one else could make such happy, some-
times such crushing use. His command of them seemed
inexhaustible ; his quiver never was emptied, and his
arrows never missed.
One other friend I must mention, who has given me
neither proverbs nor explanations, but whose assistance,
in the shape of stimulus and example, has been
quite unique — Professor Blackie. His appreciation of
Gaelic proverbs is as great and natural as his love of
the Highlands; and if any living man specially deserved
to have this book dedicated to him, as a mark of
gratitude from a Highlander, on behalf of the people
and language for whom he has done so much, that man
is he. Buaidh 'us piscach air a clieann !
Kirkcudbright,
December, 1880.