An Comunn Gàidhealach Publications > Deo-gréine > Volume 10, October 1914-September 1915

AN DEO-GREINE
And when a people easts itself adrift from what
is best in its past, it surely becomes lean, and
liable to become hide-bound with a cold indi¬
vidualism which makes for decay in the things
that ultimately count, though called efficient in
a grosser sense. Therefore, when we are charged
with giving what we consider a reasonable place
to the element of sentiment in fostering a lan¬
guage which friend and foe unite in declaring
to be in a dying condition, we admit the im¬
peachment, but we refuse to believe that it
cannot be made an instrument of culture in our
present complex civilisation, and we hold that
if its distinctive note is lost, the general har¬
mony suffers. It is still a living language
among many thousands of Gaels among whom
we, of course, include Irish. On that account
we plead for its teaching in schools in spite of
seeming paradoxes. We hear of our brave
Highland lads singing Gaelic songs in Belgian
trenches, where life is stripped of its artificiali¬
ties and veneer, and is so awful in its grim
reality. Logic and civilisation, so called, would
probably demand “Tipperary,” or some other
music hall ditty, but in their case, the dear old
note welled uppermost, and that is according to
true psychology.
The late Professor was a life member of An
Comunn Gaidhealach, but a busy life prevented
him from taking part in its work. Whether he
modified his views on the question of Gaelic in
schools, we know not, but that he was intensely
interested in his native tongue is unquestion¬
able. That he was a fine type of the courteous
and gentlemanly Highlander is equally unques¬
tionable, and Highlanders are proud that, as a
Celtic scholar, he was acknowledged equal in
rank with the great names in that field in his
own country, and on the continent.
In resuming his classes in the middle of last
month, Professor Watson spoke on the literary
work of his predecessor. He referred to him as
a link between his own generation, and well-
known older men. Among the former were Dr.
Alexander MacBain, Inverness; Dr. George
Henderson, who died in the prime of life; Dr.
Alexander Carmichael, in ripe old age ; Donald
Mackechnie, one of the best writers of Gaelic
prose; the brothers John and Henry Whyte :
and the bard of Skye, Neil Macleod. Among
the latter were - Dr. Cameron, Brodick; Sheriff
Nicolson, J. F. Campbell, of Islay; Hector
Maclean, of Islay; Dr. MacArthur and Dr.
Clark, of Kilmallie. The articles which he
published in the “Gael” on “Gaelic Proverbs”
and “Gaelic Literature” were, Dr. Watson
said, remarkable for weight and breadth of
view. He also contributed eighteen articles to
the “Scotsman” on Place and Personal Names
in Argyll, ten papers on the Literature of the
Columban Church. In the “Celtic Review”
he published a translation of the Glen Mason
MS., also the Thebaid of Statius. Dr. Watson
placed MacBain and Mackinnon as the two
best Gaelih scholars of their day—MacBain
strongest on the philological, and Mackinnon
on the literary side. No man had anything
like the latter’s knowledge, and there may not
be another who will equal it. Much of his
work was never published, but there is material
for three or four books, which would form a
fitting memorial of him. It remains for his
friends to edit his printed matter. The follow¬
ing is a list of articles and books by Professor
Mackinnon:—
In the “ Gael ”—
Twelve Gaelic Articles on Gaelic Proverbs.
Twelve Gaelic Articles on Gaelic Literature.
Inverness Gaelic Society Transactions—
Gaelic Dialects.
Fernaig Manuscript.
“ Scotsman ”—
Eighteen papers on Place Names and Personal
Names in Argyll.
Ten papers on Literature of the Columban
Church.
The Norse Invasion and Old Gaelic Literature.
The Old Gaelic MSS. on the Continent.
Native Learning among the Gael.
The Unity of Old Gaelic Literature.
Scottish Gaelic.
Scottish Collection of Gaelic MSS., 2 papers.
Gaelic Grammars.
Gaelic Dictionaries.
'Tales of the Gael, 4 papers, including Mytholog¬
ical Cycle, Cuchullin Epoch, and Fiann Tales.
James Macpherson.
Distribution and Tenure of Lands in the Isle of
Skye 200 Years Ago.
Scheme and Administration of S.P.C.K.
“Cfeltic Beview ”—
Glen Masan MS., Text and Translation.
Thebaid of Statius—Text and Translation—
incomplete.
Unpublished Poem of Alexander Macdonald
The Neuter (lender in Gaelic.
The Dual Number in Gaelic.
The Claim of Celtic Studies upon the Lowland
Scot.
Gaelic Orthography.
Obituary Notices—Donald Maekecnie; George
Henderson ; Neil Macleod.
Books—
A Descriptive Catalogue of Gaelic MSS. in the
Advocates’ Library, Edinburgh, and elsewhere
in Scotland.
Reading Book for the use of Students in the
Gaelic Class in the University of Edinburgh.
Part I. Pari II. circulated privately.
U npublished—Lexicographical.
Cha toir thu buaidh air ni air thalamh gus
an toir thu buaidh ort fhein.