Books and other items printed in Gaelic from 1871 to 1900 > Elements of Gaelic grammar

XVI
ADVERTISEMENT.
supplied, idiomatic phrases have been collected and inserted,
some alterations have been made by simplifying or compress¬
ing particular parts, and new examples and illustrations have
been introduced throughout, according as the advantages
which the author enjoyed enabled him to extend his know¬
ledge of the language, and served to correct, or to confirm,
his former judgments. He thought it might he acceptable
to Gaelic scholars to have a few lessons subjoined as exercises
in translating and analysing. For this purpose he has
selected some specimens of original prose composition, ex¬
tracted from unpublished manuscripts, and from the oldest
Gaelic books that are known to be extant. These specimens,
short as they are, may suffice to exhibit something of the
powers and elegances of the language in its native purity, un¬
mixed with foreign words and idioms, as well as to show the
manner in which it was written two or three centuries ago.
The present edition owes its existence to the generous
patronage of Sir John Macgregor Murray of Lanrick, Bart.,
to whom the author is happy in avowing his obligations for
the unsolicited and liberal encouragement given him in the
execution and publication of his work. To the same gentleman
he is indebted for the honour of being permitted here to record
the names of those patriotic sons of Caledonia who, in con¬
cert with the honourable baronet, and at his suggestion,
though residing in the remote provinces of India, yet mind¬
ful of their country’s fame, contributed a liberal sum of money
for promoting Celtic literature, more especially for publish¬
ing the poems of Ossian in their original language. It is
owing, in a principal degree, to their munificent aid, that
the anxious expectation of the public has been at last so
richly gratified by Sir John Sinclair’s elegant and elaborate
edition of the poems of thai tender and lofty bard.