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

IJJTRODUCTION.
Those who compose the poems and melodies which stimulate or mollify the passions of
mankind, possess a much greater influence in society than can be readily conceived.
If national airs, in ages of refinement and artificial feeling, are found to have so strong
a power over the mind, as in the " Ranz des vaches," or " Erin gu brath," how much
more forcibly must the bold chanting of heroic verse — the plaintive tones of injured inno-
cence — the impressive notes of impassioned exhortation, or the keen touch of satiric spirit,
have affected a people like the Gael, imbued with all the fervour of unaffected nature, and
who paid ardent devotion at the shrine of freedom ? How highly must an order have
oeen venerated, which possessed an influence, the effects of which were so deeply and so
universally felt, and how greatly must the general applause have fanned the flame which
burned so ardently in the poet's heart ? The deference paid to the professors of poetry
and music, was prompted by a sense of the utility of their labours, and by enthusiastic
approbation.
The retention of the Celtic Language and Manners by the unmixed descendants of the
most ancient people of Europe, is a singular phenomenon in the history of mankind ; and
not the least remarkable trait in the character of the race, is their genius for the sister
arts of poetry and music. The patriarchal system, as incompatible with an altered state of
society, has been broken up, and much indeed of national characteristic has been lost since
its abolition. The different condition of the Highland population has lowered the Bardic
profession from its former high standing. The powerful stimulus of " the man of song,"
is no longer required to animate the clansmen for the battle field, or to preserve by liis
captivating recitations, the memory of the days of old. His useful services as the Laureat,
moral preceptor, and historical instructor, are not now rewarded by the free possession of
a good farm, and other rights, but the innate love of poetry has still preserved the un-
broken generation of Bards. The people yet highly appreciate the poet's lays, and the feel-
ings of unabated delight with which the Highlander continues to cherish the Song, show
that the ancient spirit has not decayed.
The numerous collections of Gaelic pieces which have from time to time appeared,
evince the national taste, and display the poetical acquirements of the writers, but how