Blair Collection > Popular tales of the West Highlands > Volume 4

PUBLISHED AXD TRADITIONAL. 2 I 5
the pariizans of a fallen one ; and, indeed, during those
wild times, when every man's hand was against his
hrother, what better code of honour could have existed
among such fiery elements. When chiefs violated the
principles of chivalry, and honour, and fair play, what
better check could we conceive as a moral restraint upon
their wild passions than the traditions of the Teinne,
whose name is still the watchword for fair play.
" COTHROM NA FeIXNE,'
field and no favour.
To the list of modern bards who refer to the Feinne, may be
added the name of Evan MacColl, the Lochfine-side bard, who
published a volume of very creditable English and Gaelic poetry
in 1836. At page 94 is a Gaelic stanza, which may be thus
closely translated : —
And thou there standing all lonely,
As Oisian after the Feinne ;
Small time, and thou followest kindred,
Oh Dun ! death's strong hand is upon thee.
The Dun meant is " castail donnain," in Loch Dubhaich in
Ross-shire. Other references also occur, and it may be generally
said, that there is hardly a Gaelic book that does not contain
such references. William Livingstone, the Islay bard, who pub-
lished clever poems in 1858, often mentions the Feinne. — J. F. G.
To this let me add the letter of a labourer, who
has a good head and small learning, but knows his
own language well.
Douchlais, 28th Octoler 186L
Sir — I received your letter of the 2-ith Saturday
last.