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

UILLEAM ROS. 277
known in the former experience of that school. He had a peculiar method and humour
in his intercourse with liis pupils, whicii amused and endeared the children to him: at tlie
same time it proved the most effectual means of impressing the juvenile mind and con-
veying the instructions of the teacher. Many of those who were under his tuition still
speak of him with the greatest enthusiasm and veneration.
In the course of his travels, and while schoolmaster of Gairloch, he contracted an
mtimacy with several respeetahle families, many of whom afforded him testimonies of
friendship and esteem. His company was much sought after, not only on account of his
excellent songs, but also for his intelligence and happy turn of humour. He was a warm
admirer of the songs of otlier poets, which he often sung with exquisite pleasure and taste.
His voice, though not strong, was clear and melodious, and he had a thorough acquaint-
ance with the science of music. He played on the violin, flute, and several other instru-
ments, with considerable skill ; and during his incumbency ns schoolmaster, he officiated
as precentor in the parisli church.
In the capacity of schoolmaster he continued till his health began rapidly to decline.
Asthma and consumption jireyed on his constitution, and terminated his mortal life, in
llie year 1790, in the twenty .eij;htli year of his age. This occurred while he was residing
at Badachro, Gairloch. His funeral was attended by nearly the whole male population
of the surrounding country. He was interred in the burying ground of the Clacliun of
Gairloch, and a simple upright stone, or Clach-chuimhne, with an English inscription,
marks his "narrow house."
In personal appearance, Ross was tall and handsome, being nearly six feet high. His
iiair was of a dark brown colour, and his face had the peculiarly open and regular features
which mark the sons of the mountains ; and, unlike the general tribe of poets, he was
exceedingly finical and ])articular in his dress. As a scholar, Ross was highly distin-
guished. In Latin and Greek he very much excelled ; and it was universally allowed
that he was the best Gaelic scholar of his day.
It is not to be wondered at, that a being so highly gifted as was Ross, should be ex-
tremely susceptible of the influence of the tender passion. Many of his songs bear wit-
ness that he was so. During his excursions to Lewis, he formed an acquaintance with
Miss Marion Ross of Stornoway (afterwards Mrs Clough of Liverpool,) and paid his
homage at the shrine of lier beauty. He sung her charms, and was incessant in his
addresses, —
' Every i
With music of all sorts, and songs composed
To ber :"
But still he was rejected by the coy maid ; and the disappointment consequent on this
unfortunate love affair, was thought to have preyed so much on his mind, as to have im-
paired his health and constitution, during the subsequent period of his life. To this young
lady he composed (before her marriage) that excellent song expressive of his feelings,
almost bordering on despair, " Feasgar hiain a's mi air chuairt."
In the greater number of his lyrics, the bard leads us along with him, and imparts tc
L...