Blair Collection > Celtic magazine > Volume 12

284 The Celtic Magazine.
CORRESPONDENCE.
THE CUP SONG.
TU THE EDITOR OF THE "CELTIC MAGAZINE."
All who take an interest in the history, language, and literature
of the Gael must rejoice that the Celtic Magazine is getting along
so well. It is thoroughly adapted to the wants of all. Its " Notes
and News," and especially its " Reviews," are of very great value.
I have read with deep interest the articles on "The Present State
of Celtic Studies," "The Present State of Celtic Ethnology," and
" Loan-Words in Gaelic." Of course I always read the articles
on clan history with pleasure. Mr. Mackenzie has placed,
not only the Mackenzies, the Macdonalds, the Camerons, and
the Macleods, but indeed all Highlanders, under deep obligations
to him by his valuable historical articles.
T. S. is doing a good work in publishing his " Snatches of
Gaelic Songs collected in Badenoch." For my own part I feel
very grateful to him. He does not see much merit in the Gille
Maol Dubh's rhyme, and no wonder. I suspect either that the
Gille Maol Dubh was a plagiarist, or else that his words got sadly
out of joint before they came down to T. S. I have a very
different version of the words, and as I do not know who T. S. is,
I take the liberty of sending it to the magazine.
Dr. Hector Maclean lived at the farm of Erray, near
Tobermory in 1773, the year in which Johnson and Boswell
visited the Hebrides. He was a son of Lachlan Maclean of
Grulin. His mother, Janet Macleod, was a daughter of John
Macleod of Contulich, tutor of Macleod, and Isabel, daughter
of Sir Kenneth Mackenzie of Scatwell. He was married to
Catherine, daughter of Donald Maclean of Coll. He had a
daughter named Mary. Of this Mary Dr. Johnson speaks in
the following terms: — "She is the most accomplished lady that
I have found in the Highlands. She knows French, music,
and drawing ; sews neatly, makes shell-work, and can milk cows ;
in short, she can do everything. She talks sensibly, and is the