Blair Collection > Sar-obair nam bard gaelach, or, The beauties of Gaelic poetry, and lives of the Highland bards

PREFACE.
In presenting the " Beauties of Gaelic Poetry" to the public, I find myself in a posi-
tion which demands some explanation of the motives that induced me to undertake this
arduous task, and the principles that guided me throughout its execution. I would |)re-
niise, however, that although they are called, and, I trust not inappropriately, Beauties,
it is not to be expected that every line, or stanza, or even poem, of the Collection, could
be of itself beautiful. The name under which the work is ushered into the world does
not warrant so high an anticipation. It is ineiely intended to signify, that the richest
and most valuable gems of the Keltic Muse combine to form this constellation of our
country's minstrelsy ; and, in instances where poems may not be so brilliant in poetical
genius or grandeur, they will be found to throw a stream of light on many of the manners
and customs of our ancestors.
In the compilation of such a work as this, however, it is impossible to meet the wislies
of every reader ; and, indeed, until the public agree among themselves on points of literary
taste, it will be impossible for the most skilful and sagacious compiler to gratify every
palate. Enough, however, it is hoped, has been collated to make the work as generally
acceptable as possible.
Regarding the cause which induced me to undertake a task so arduous, no one, who
knows me, will question my veracity when I say, that, veneration for the productions of my
country's talented sons and daughters, and an honest desire to preserve them in the most
imperishable form, were the impelling motives. Inthe morningof my days, it was my happy
lot to inhale the mountain air of a sequestered spot, whose inhabitants may well be de-
signated the children of Sony ; and, in a state of society, whose niitnners were but little
removed from that of primitive simplicity, I had frequent opportunities of witnessing
the influence of poetry over the mind, and uniformly found, that cheerfulness and song,
music and morality, walked almost always, hand in hand. Thus nurtured, and thus tutor-
ed, the intrinsic excellence of the poetry which I was accustomed to hear in my younger
days, made such an impression on my mind, that neither time, distance, nor cir-
cumstances, have been able to obliterate. I was therefore bred with an enthusiasm which
impelled me, as I advanced in life, to dig deeper and deeper into the invaluable mine,
until, having obtained a view of the whole available materials, my admiration became
fixed, and my resolution to rear the present monument was immovably formed.
The compilers who have preceded me, either from the irresistible pressure of cireum-