Books and other items printed in Gaelic from 1871 to 1900 > Sar-obair nam bard Gaelach, or, The beauties of Gaelic poetry, and lives of the Highland bards

UILLEAM ROS.
known in the former experience of that school. He had a peculiar method and humour
in his intercourse with his pupils, which amused and endeared the children to him: at the
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
intimacy with several respectable 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 other 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 as schoolmaster, he officiated
as precentor in the parish church.
In the capacity of schoolmaster he continued till his health began rapidly to decline.
Asthma and consumption preyed on his constitution, and terminated his mortal life, in
the year 1790, in the twenty-eighth year of his age. This occurred while he was residing
at Badachro, Gairloch. His funeral w'as attended by nearly the whole male population
of the surrounding country. He was interred in the burying ground of the Clachan 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
hair 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 w'as
exceedingly finical and particular in his dress. As a scholar, Ross w'as 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 her beauty. He sung her charms, and was incessant in his
addresses,—
“ Every night he came
With music of all sorts, and songs composed
To her
But still he was rejected by the coy maid ; and the disappointment consequent on this
unfortunate love affair, wras 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 luain a's mi air chuairt."
In the greater number of his lyrics, the bard leads us along with him, and imparts t*