Blair Collection > Elements of Gaelic grammar

INTRODUCTION.
1 HE utility of a Grammar of the Scottish GaeHc
will be variously appretiated. Some will be dis-
posed to deride the vain endeavour to restore
vigour to a decaying superannuated language.
They who reckon the extirpation of the Gaehc a
necessary step toward that general extension of
the English, which they deem essential to the
political interest of the Highlands, will condemn
every project which seems likely to retard its ex-
tinction. Those who consider that there are
many parts of the Highlands, where the inha-
bitants can, at present, receive no useful know-
ledge whatever, except through the channel of
their native tongue, will probably be of opinion
that the Gaelic ought at least to be tolerated.
Yet these too may condemn as useless, if not ul-
timately detrimental, any attempt to cultivate its
powers, or to prolong its existence. Others will
b entertain