Matheson Collection > Gleanings from Irish manuscripts

GLEANINGS FROM IRISH MANUSCRIPTS
ollav in medicine of Ossory, and the best of the
doctors of Ireland in his own time, though he
never left Ireland to complete his learning.
Understand that the copy from which I made
this one was clear and well-written, and I assure
you that for any mistake there is in the writing
in this transcript I myself am responsible, not
Donnchadh*s book.
Last of all, let ye bestow your blessing, in God*s
honour, on him who transcribed this book,
namely, Richard O Conchubhair, son of Muir-
cheartach, son of Tadhg, son of Muircheartach,
son of Cathal, son of Murchadh, son of Muir-
cheartach na Cairrge. And wherever herein I am
guilty of bad writing, let ye understand that it is
so because of abbreviation, and that I know how
to write it better ; and wherever I made an
omission or displayed ignorance, that it is not
because of abridgement that the omissions which
I have committed occurred.S^ I ask of the best
scholars who have transcribed such a long work
as this, or who propose to do so, and who know
everything which might confuse a scribe rather
in need of assistance, to correct me and not to
be scandalized, and always to stand for my
defence. For I accept their verdict, and anyone
who would take my counsel, would do likewise.
And let the clownish ignoramuses who rant
and rhyme and backbite understand that it is not
from them I am seeking protection now, though
they are the more numerous and in the majority.
Every bit of my writing which they praise —
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