Gaelic Column

Southern Cross, Volume 1, Issue 26, 23 September 1893, Page 6

Gaelic Column

GAELIC LITERATURE

When we speak of Gaelic literature we are often met with the query “ Have you really a literature in Gaelic on which it is worth while to spend time and labour ?” I believe as a rule this query is put in ignorance, but I believe also that it is sometimes prompted by prejudice. Before answering it, let me advert to a' distinction of De Quincey s, which will throw some light on opr subject. De Quincey divides literature into two classes, which he calls respectively the literature of knowledge and the literature of power. The literature of knowledge is composed of such books as encyclopaedias, hand books of science and art, guide books, dictionaries, grammars, and so forth, and its province is simply to teach or impart knowledge. The literature of power, which is literature properly so called, includes poems, tragedies, the higher class of novels, in a word all those works in the eo nposition of which the imagination has played nn important part, and its aim and tendency are to move the whole inner man, to excite the feelings, to bend the stubborn will, urge to energetic action. How Gaelic is deficent in works of the first class. It has no encyclopaedias, no hand books of science and art, no guide books, no dry-as-dust books of any kind except a few dictionaries and grammars. On the other hand, it is rich in one department of tl e higher literature. It has a very fine poetry, and that in overflowing abundance, from the book of the Dean of Lismore and the works of Ossian down to the poems of Heil McLeod, the gifted Skye bard. “ The Beauties of Gaelic Poetry” contains selections from the works of about 50 bards ; hut that is not the whole of our stock. There are many works the poems of which are not represented in this collection ; and we have a thick volume and several small volumes of songs. Gaelic has not very much to show in the way of prose literature, but what there is of it is of superior quality. There are several volumes of popular tales, called in Gaelic sguelaehdan, for the publication of four of which we are indebted to the patriotism of Lord Archibald Campbell. These tales are our best models of pure and idiomatic Gaelic. They form delightful and stimulating reading, and are appreciated by both young and old. Add to these the dialogues and other works of the late Dr Herman McLeod of St. Columba Parish, Glasgo.v. I do not he B date to say that there are not in the whole range of literature any dialogues of the kind that surpass them. Do you want racy humour? Go to these dialogues and you will find it. Do you wish to get an insight into the Highlander’s modes of thinking, his peculiar characteristics, his character and life ? Go to these dialogues and you will be richly rewarded. Do you wish to find sagacious remarks on many of the topics of the times in which they were written ? Go to the dialogues and you will be instructed. Dr. MacLeod’s other works may be characterised as poetic prose, including “The Emigrant Ship,” “ Mary of the Glen,” “ Mary of Aoni Mor,” “ The Spirit of Age,” “The Young Highland Pedler,” “ A view from the top of a mountain in Argyllshire,” and other pieces. Dr. MacLeod’s works are a literature in themselves, and no more improving iteratnre could the peasantry of any country possess. I must not omit to mention in this connection the translation of the Scriptures. This is far and away the highest achievement-of Highland learning and piety. The remarkable thing is that when the work was to be done, the men with the requisite qualifications for it were forthcoming, and that men of the same high qualifications have not appeared in the Highland church since. The translation of the Hew Testament, the first edition of which appeared in 1767 was the work of the Rev. Jas. Stewart of Killin. The

Old Tesatment was translated by Dr. Stewart of Luss and Dr Smith of Campbelltown. Dr. Stewart translated the Pentateuch and the historical parts down to the end of the Song of Solomon, and Dr. Smith translated the Prophets. There is a fact connected -with Dr. .Smith’s translation that is worth relating. Being a competent Hebrew scholar, Dr. Smith translated direct from the Hebrew original. The consequence was that when his version came to be compared with the authorised English version several discrepancies were iound between them when the General Assembly, about the beginning of the present century, was about to i ;sue a new edition of the Scriptures, it placed Dr Smith’s translation in the hands of Dr. Stewart of Dingwall, in order that he might bring it into closer accordance with the English translation. Dr. Stewart was struck with its general faithfulness to the original and with the beauty of its language, and did not find much to correct. Another work worthy of being regarded as one of the classics of our language is the Book of Gaelic proverbs collected and edited by the late scholarly and much lamented Sheriff Hicolson. I recommend the perusal of this unique volume to every Highlander. The Gaelic language is extremely rich in folklore and proverbs. These proverbs expressed the thoughts and feelings of hardy, frugal, healthy-minded and healthybodied men, who spent most of their time in the fields, in the woods, on the moors, and on the sea. So considered, they do great credit to the people whose thoughts and manners they represent. Hot less plainly do these old sayings reflect a high moral standard, an intelligence shrewd and searching, a singular sense of propriety and grace, and what may be considered one of the tests of intellectual rank and culture, a distinct sense of humour never found among s ivages or clodhoppers. In no other language is the preaching of the Gospel so very impressive and forcible as when ably delivered in mellifluous and idiomatic Gaelic. In describing rural scenery and landscape beauty, what language is more eloquent, graphic, and richer in word painting than Gaelic ? Cabaepeidh. Dail-na-h abhuinn, 12th September, 1893.