Books and other items printed in Gaelic from 1871 to 1900 > Gaelic bards, and original poems

AN T-ORAN AICHE
oapiiTionrs of tsee fkess.
An t-Oranaiche, (The Gaelic Songster.) Such is the title of the carefully
compiled, and tastefully executed volume now before us. The work con¬
tains about three hundred Gaelic songs, many of them now printed for the
first time. There is much genuine pleasure in scanning the beautifully
printed leaves of the Oranaiche, for there is not a page on which we do not
find some chaste ditty or charming love-song which we had thought lost
beyond recall. We find ourselves now lingering over Mairi Bhan Dhail-
an-eaSy Duthaich nan craobhy or Oaol an t-seoladairy or pausing to sing a
verse or two of Tha mo run air a* ghille or Jlle dhuinn chaidh thu 'm
dhith. The songs have been most carefully selected and correctly printed,
and the collection is beyond doubt the largest and best ever published.
The Oranaiche ought to be found in the library of all who love the lang¬
uage, poetry, and music of the Highlands.—Oban Times.
The Oranaiche is a good book, and contains between 500 and 600 pages,
beautifully printed on toned paper. There is not, so far as we have seen,
one expression in the work that could give offence to the most delicate.
The value of such a book cannot be over-estimated. The cost is so small,
and the contents and appearance of the work so excellent, that no true¬
hearted Gael should be without a copy.—Highlander.
We have here before us a copy of the Oranaiche, and it gives us much
pleasure to commend it very cordially to the attention of our Gaelic readers.
That the power of song, so characteristic of the Scottish peasantry of the
south, is no less so of the sturdy sons of the north is amply exemplified in
the very tasteful and excellent work before us. The measure of the success
which has crowned Mr. Sinclair’s labours thus far may be judged by a
simple look at the list of contents. Any work containing so many favourite
lyrics cannot, we think, fail of being very popular among our Celtic friends.
So far as outward appearance goes, the work is neat, correct, and well
printed, thus reflecting most creditably upon Mr. Sinclair’s taste and Gaelic
scholarship, and being also a lasting testimony of his patriotism, courage,
and enterprise. It is out of sight the best collection of miscellaneous songs
in existence, and not only so, but even in point of intrinsic excellence it is
worthy to take its place beside the best books of song in any language.
Let Highlanders everywhere possess themselves of the work, and we have
no fear that any of them will consider our praise in the slightest degree
exaggerated. The work consists of 527 pages, exclusive of preface, con¬
tents, index, &c., and the price is so low that we are almost tempted to
put cheapness down as the only fault which we could suggest in connection
with the Oranaiche.—Perthshire Advertiser.
The Oranaiche is one of the best printed Gaelic words we have ever seen,
and consists, with a few exceptions, of songs hitherto unpublished.—
Scotsman.
The book is simply and beyond question the best and most complete, as
it is the largest, collection of Gaelic popular songs existing. It contains
all or nearly all the songs which have stood the test of popularity.—Donald
M'Kinnon, Edinburgh.
My Dear Sir,—Allow me to congratulate you on having got the Oranaiche
so handsomely off your hands. It is the completest and in every way the
beat collection of Gaelic poetry that has yet appeared; and the way in
which you have managed the matter, in the face of so many difficulties,
does you infinite credit.—“ Nether Lochaber.'*