74 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CANADIAN INSTITUTE. 



Recent Contributions to Gaelic and Manx Literatures. By Rev. 

 Neil MacNish, B.D., LL.D. 



(Read March 20, iSg;). 



A veritable Renaissance has in recent years been observable in the study of 

 Gaelic and of Gaelic literature. Never since Fingal was King of Seallama, and 

 since Malvina gladdened the declining years of Ossian, has so much attention been 

 paid to Gaelic, and to Gaelic traditions and folk-lore; and have so many men of 

 scholarly ability and taste devoted themselves to the study, and, indeed, to the 

 development of' Gaelic. For it has always been conceded that Gaelic possesses 

 intrinsic qualities of an extraordinary kind; and that, therefore, it can, in able hands, 

 take on beautiful and diversified forms and developments. Evolution, in the truest 

 acceptation of the term, is characteristic of Gaelic ; insomuch that, were scholars of 

 ability and ingenuity toi turn their careful attention to it, it could continuously 

 assume larger and wider proportions. Such a momentum in favour of the language 

 and literature of the Gael has now been gathered, that anything like retrogression 

 is not to be apprehended, so far as regard is had to the production of Gaelic poetry 

 and prose. Eisteddfod is the appellation that is given to the annual gatherings of 

 the Welsh — which, having their origin in the unrecorded past, call forth unabated 

 enthusiasm wherever they are held. Prizes are wont ta be given which are very 

 much appreciated, as they deserve to be, for superior excellence in prose and verse ; 

 in vocal and instrumental music, and in other avenues of intellectual effort and 

 research in connection with the history and language of the Cymri. The Gaels of 

 Scotland have, been very slow in instituting any gatherings similar to the Welsh 

 Eisteddfod. Regrets are now unavailing, that the other members of the large Celtic 

 family did not, centuries ago, follow the example of the Welsh in the wayi of 

 holding annual gatherings for the honouring and perpetuating, in healthful and ever- 

 increasing vitality, of their own particular language with all its literature, and with 

 all its traditions, that could' in that case be found to pertain to it. Had such gath- 

 erings been in existence for centuries, it may be confidently maintained that 

 Scottish and Irish Gaelic as well would to-day have treasures of valuable literature 

 in prose and verse of which too high an opinion could not be formed ; — treasures 

 v'hich, unhappily, have sunk into the deep sea of forgetfulness. Much praise is to 

 be awarded to those intelligent and enthusiastic Gaels, who were successful some 

 six years ago in establishing the Gaelic Mod, — an annual gathering at which prizes 

 are given, after the example of the Welsh Eisteddfod, for the best productions in 

 Gaelic prose and verse, in vocal , and instrumental music, as well as in other attain- 

 ments of a literary and artistic character. 



The fifth Mod was held in October of last year in Perth. It was very successful. 

 Unmistakable indications are available that the Mod is growing in popular esteem, 

 and that it promises fairly to intensify the ardour of Gaels for their language and 

 their traditions, and thereby to subserve the patriotic and very commendable purpose 

 which its founders had in contemplation. The next Mod is to be held in Inverness, 

 which possesses the best and most intellectual Gaelic Society in the world — a Society 

 that has already publishedl some twenty volumes of Transactions, which contain 

 papers of a very instructive character, dealing, as they do, with an extensive variety 

 of Gaelic subjects. 



