Blair Collection > Gaelic dictionary, in two parts

PREFACE. • xi
A circumstance not unworthy ol" notice concerning tiiis Dictiuuary is, that a great part ol
it was printed while it was generally thought to be only in [)reparalion. Kence it happened
that, during the progress of these sheets through the press, I was, not unCrequently, favoured
with communications from most respectable quarters, conveying encouragement which
excited my gratitude, and offers of assistance which were, I lament, too late to be ren-
dered available. No doubt, it would have been useful to my work, if 1 had obligations,
on this account, to acknowledge. Be that as it may, I consider it due to myself to state,
that neither in compiling this Dictionary, nor even in transcribing the mass of manuscript
for publication, nor in superintending the press, have I received the least assistance whatever.
For patronage, however, 1 am deeply beholden to several whom my commendations (■annot
atiect, but whom gratitude compels me to mention.
The early and efl'ective patron of this work, I am proud to make known, was Lord
Strathavon ; a young nobleman who, to many other acquirements, has added a most
accurate knowledge of the Gaelic language. I have not vanity enough to attribute to the
humble merits of my performance his Lordship's powerful support, to which I owe almost
■all the more splendid names on my list of subscribers; but rather to that liberal and active
spirit with which he lends his aid to every cause which concerns the literature of the
.Scottish Gael, and the honour of their countiy.
To his Grace the Duke of Hamilton I feel greatly indebted for attention and encourage-
ment; as also to Lord Archibald Hamilton, and to Lord Glenorchy,
Sir Charles Forbes, Bart,, of Edinglassie, whose patriotic character is well known, laid
me under early and great oblig-ations. I value the kindness of this gentleman the more,
because it procured for me the acquaintance of General Gordon of Balbithan, a very superior
Celtic scholar and philologist, from whose conversation and suggestions I derived essential
I)enefit.
I am gratified to rank, among my most zealous patrons, Dr. Mackinnon of Adelplii,
and the Rev. Dr. Ross of Lochbroom ; gentlemen whose knowledge of every branch of the
Celtic language is the least of their acquirements.
Mr. Simon Mac Gillivray of Suffolk Lane has done this Dictionary a service, which I can
never forget nor sufficiently acknowledge.
Mr. Robert Kennedy of Grenada will, I hope, accept of this expression of my gratitude
for his most active support, to which I owe a great proportion of my West India subscribers.
My sense of the friendly and successful efforts of the late Dr. Charles Kennedy of
St. Vincent, my schoolfellow and college companion, is equalled only by my regret for
his untimely death, and my respect for his memory.
I have also my thanks to offer to the following gentlemen, who, though mentioned the
last in order, are not the least in my esteem : — Capt. Duncan Mac Dougall of the 79th Regt.
oi' Foot; the Rev. Daniel Mac Xaughton of Glenco and Appin; the Rev. Alexander
Anderson of Strontian ; and the Rev. Alexander Kennedv of ■Mull.