was awful frightened. She daren't speak; but she shust held out her arms to embrace them, but she could not lay hold of them, for with a soundless tread they glided away and vanished, while she heard pronounced these words, Cha till, cha till, cha till, sinn tuille' (We return, return, return no more). Then she gave a great skirl and fell down, and she was found in the morning just quite senseless, with the poor beastie of a dog watching her."

"That is certainly a very strange story, Eachainn."

"Yes, sir; and there's plenty more I could be telling you, if you like. Once the laird was taken ill all of a sudden with a bad pain in his chest, when he was walking near some rocks where the fairies lived. Some say he was struck by an elf-bolt, as one was picked up near the spot the next day. So he sent to Fearchair Lighiche to come to heal him. It was a long way to go, and when Fearchair and the man that was fetching him got to about five miles from the laird's house a gobhar-athair flew over them, and when Fearchair heard the cry of the bird he stopped, and told the man it was no use to go any further, for his master was dead, and so he turned back. When the man got home, he found that his master had died just at the very time they heard the gobhar-athair. Sometimes he would fall into a trance, when he would be seeing most beautiful things. One day he was travelling with his nephew and his foster-brother, who always carried his herb-box and his Hebrew Bible, and they came to a place where a great battle was fought long ago. And there's a big cairn there over the bones of the men who were killed, and people will be seeing the spirits of them if they go that way at night. Fearchair said to his nephew that he was going to lie down and sleep, and that they were to be sure not to wake him, nor even touch him. Well, sir, he went to sleep, and at first he was breathing very hard, and his face was full of trouble, but after a little he did not breathe at all, and his face got as white as snow, and he looked just if he was dead. His nephew got so frightened when he saw him, that he jumped up to wake him, but the other held him back and whispered, For your life, move not, speak not, touch not;' and they then saw coming out of the mouth of the sleeping man a tiny, tiny, wee thing like a beautiful butterfly. When the nephew saw it, he made as if he would catch it, but the other man called out, 'For any sake, don't touch it, for there's something awful in it,' so they looked and saw it go into the cairn. The night had well nigh fallen before they saw the beautiful wee creature coming out of the cairn and going back into the mouth of Fearchair. Then he woke up and sneezed three times, and said, "Tis well; let's on, let's on.' He didn't speak again for a long time, but once they heard him say like to himself in Gaelic, Eternal! eternal! eternal!'" "And what did the people think of all this?" asked Gillespie.

"Oh, sir, they say that when he'll be in a trance his spirit would come from his body, and go to the spiritual worlds, or anywhere he liked. There was only three men on earth to whom he told what it was that he'll be seeing at such times, and they dared only each tell it to one other, their nearest relatives when they arrived at the age of twenty-nine.

(To be Continued.)

GLASGOW HIGHLAND ASSOCIATION.

ANNUAL MEETING.

THE re-union of this Association took place on Friday evening, the 21st December, in the City Hall, Glasgow-the Rev. Alexander Stewart, F.S.A.S., "Nether-Lochaber," in the chair; supported right and left by Professor Grant, Glasgow University; D. Mackinnon, M.A., Edinburgh; Duncan Sharp, president of the Association; James Fraser, vice-president; Angus Nicholson, of the Gael; Alexander Mackenzie, of the Celtic Magazine; John Murdoch, of the Highlander; Charles Mackinnon Ramsay, of the Citizen; Dr D. Morrison, Edinburgh; Captain Menzies, of the Glasgow Highlanders; D. Cowan, A. Macneil, C. Campbell, Duncan Whyte; Archibald Sinclair, Gaelic publisher; John G. Mackay, secretary; John Munro, treasurer; Lieut. Mactavish; Malcolm Ferguson, and Alexander Macleod, representatives of the Skye Association; Captain Maclauchlan, of the Clydesdale; John S. Loudon, of Clonyards; Dr D. C. Black, Captain Macdougall, Captain Baxter, Queen of the Lake; Captain Mactavish, Henry Whyte, Murdoch Macdonald, Drs Johnston and Maclachlan, Lieut. Kerr, W. Macrae Bogle, Duncan Macinnes, John Mackechnie, Captain Maccallum, Mountaineer; Neil Brown, A. W. Macleod, Charles Walker, William Cameron, Keil, Lochaber, &c.

A letter of apology was received from the Rev. G. L. Campbell; and Mr N. Macneill, editor of The Highland Echo, being necessarily out of town, sent the following Gaelic telegram :- 'Failte do'n Chomunn Ghaidhealach 's d'a Cheann-suidhe; tha mi duilich mach urrainn mi bhi lathair a chluinntinn Bhun-Lochabeir, oirdhearc, ealanta. -Niall MacNeill." There were also a number of ladies on the platform. Two pipers played while the people were gathering. The Chairman on his appearance on the platform accompanied by his supporters received a most hearty Highland welcome from the large audience, which numbered not less than 1200 or 1300 persons. A blessing having been asked, Mr James Fraser sang two verses of the 103d Psalm in Gaelic, the audience joining with powerful effect.

The Chairman now presented himself, when he was enthusiastically received, made a short and telling speech in Gaelic expressing his pleasure at being present, and at seeing such a large meeting of his fellow Highlanders from all parts of the country. From the sweet and effective manner in which they had just sung the Psalm he was almost induced to preach them a sermon; but there were times and seasons for all things, and he might say with the Gaelic bard

Ged nach deanain fidhleireachd,

Gu'n deanain sgriobhadh 's leughadh;
'S a naile dheanain searmoin duit,
Nach talaich neach fo'n ghrein oirr.

(Loud applause.) He was much indebted to the officials of the Association for the great honour they had done him in placing him in the chair. He was told that some of the great men of Glasgow considered it beneath

their dignity to patronise such a meeting, but the truth was these persons lost a good deal more than the Association. (Applause.) He would not detain them with a lengthy speech, for he knew that they cared more for one good Gaelic song than any speech he could give them, and they were quite right. At a meeting like that his principal work would be to keep them in good spirits and good order, and he knew perfectly well that this would be an easy task with such a respectable audience of his countrymen. He would be something like Murdo Macdonald's new smack. Murdo bought a smack, and the Rev. Mr John of Morven asked him how she sailed. Well, by your leave," said Murdo, "she'll not sail close to the wind at all, but give her tide and wind, and take my word she'll run before it." (Laughter and applause.) He (the Chairman) knew perfectly well that they would not require of him to tack against the wind, and he would promise them that he would run well before it. (Applause).

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Mr Cowan, merchant, and Mr John Murdoch addressed the meeting, the subject being the state of the Highlands, the croft system, and teaching Gaelic in our Highland schools; Mr Cowan saying in conclusion that the Chairman conferred great honour upon the Association by coming all the way from Lochaber to preside at their meeting. They were all proud of him. (Applause.) His name was a household word all over the world. In America, Australia, Africa, in Asia, and wherever the Gaelic or English language was knonw, "Nether-Lochaber" was known and esteemed. (Cheers.)

Mr Mackenzie, of the Celtic Magazine, moved a vote of thanks to their excellent chairman. He did not know who these great men were who would not condescend to patronise the Highland Association and support "Nether-Lochaber" in the chair. For himself, with all due deference to the Glasgow magnates, he would esteem it a greater honour to sit under their chairman than under any nabob, however wealthy or otherwise influential, in the Western capital. (Loud cheers.) Who did not read the "Nether-Lochaber" column of the Inverness Courier with profit, pleasure, and delight? And it should be kept in mind that before any of our Celtic societies had any existence, and before our Celtic apostle, Professor Blackie, and all honour to him, began the Celtic Chair crusade, Mr Stewart, in the "Nether-Lochaber" column, alone and almost singlehanded, kept up the interest of scholars, and of those who loved the Highlanders, in their language and literature. (Applause.)

A service of fruit was supplied during the evening. The pipe music by Messrs Macphie and Macpherson was excellent. The dancing was good, but especially Seann triubhais, by Mr Cameron and his youthful. assistants. They surpassed anything we have seen. Where the singing was of such a high order, it would be invidious to make any distinction, but we may congratulate Mr Murray on his happy hit in giving, when encored, some excellent verses of his own composition in praise of the chairman and Mr Angus Nicholson of the Gael. Not a single word of English was spoken throughout the evening, except a call for a song by Professor Grant in the absence of the chairman.

After the meeting, the company retired to the ball-room, where they kept up the dance until three o'clock in the morning. The gathering was altogether a decided success.

THE GAEL LODGE, No. 609.-This energetic young Lodge, the latest outgrowth of the Gaelic revival which has been going on for some time, held its first regular meeting in the Masonic Hall, No. 30 Hope Street, Glasgow, on the 20th of December. Brother Angus Nicolson, Right Worshipful Master; Brother Duncan Sharpe, Senior Warden; and the other office-bearers were in attendance, and opened the Lodge in the Gaelic language-not a word of English being spoken. Alex.. Mackenzie, Esq., editor of The Celtic Magazine, Inverness, and Dr Daniel Morrison, of Edinburgh, being in attendance, were then duly initiated in Gaelic by the R.W.M. The same parties having come from their distant homes out of a patriotic feeling and sympathy with the cause, particularly the Gaelic feature of it, were then passed and raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason. The Lodge was then closed in due and ancient form, in Gaelic. This is the first time in the annals of Freemasonry that such a ceremony is known to have been performed in the Gaelic language, and we are told by those best qualified to judge that the beautiful and impressive ceremony of the Order loses none of its effect by being transferred to the classic old language of Caledonia-indeed, some say that it is much more beautiful and effective, and who knows but the venerable language of Ossian may be found living in the secret repositories of the Lodge "Gael" when it has ceased to be spoken even by the occupant of Professor Blackie's much talked of chair. We may mention that to Bro. Angus Nicolson, R. W. M., is due the credit of being the first to bring the Gaelic into the secret chambers of Freemasonry the same as he has been the originator of several other important Celtic movements, having been the original starter and editor of The Canadian Scotsman, the first of the Anglo-Gaelic newspapers, and also the Gaelic magazine, The Gael," Gu mu fada bèo mata am Maighistir Fior Urramach (R. W.M.) agus cèo as a thaigh-may he long live to preside over the destinies of the Gael, and originate new Gaelic ideas. It is quite possible that Bro. Nicolson, who is known to be somewhat of a Gaelic enthusiast, on having discovered that Freemasonry existed since the building of Solomon's Temple, thought of giving his beloved mother tongue an indefinite long lease of life by introducing it into so ancient and honourable an institution, which is likely to live for thousands of years to come. Freemasonry may perhaps be peculiarly fitted to concentrate and keep alive the Celtic fire. And is it too much to wish that this may not be the last we may hear of "Gael" Lodges? Should there not be one in Inverness and Edinburgh, seeing that the Gael has ordained two good apostles for those places already? The success of the Glasgow Gael Lodge augurs well for such a movement -the application for charter being one of the largest signed and most influential ever presented to the Grand Lodge. It was signed by over fifty Master Masons, the greater portion of them from among the most wealthy and influential Highlanders of Glasgow. Thus allowing the Lodge to commence with a membership of fifty, as all the applicants came in as Charter members, and since the Lodge was started we are informed it has about forty new candidates on the rolltwelve of whom have already been initiated.-Scottish Freemason.

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THE PROPHECIES OF THE BRAHAN SEER-Coinneach Odhar Fiosaiche.-A Second Edition of this curious book is in the press, and will be published in a few days by the Publishers of this Magazine. The first edition was not only printed verbatim from the Celtic Magazine, but printed from the same types without re-setting, and, consequently, not such a presentable book in typography or appearance as could be wished. With all these drawbacks, however, it went out of print in a few months. The forthcoming issue contains a large number of additional prophecies; is printed in large and clear type, on good paper, crown 8vo. ; and bound in neat cloth case, with gilt lettering. The predictions are classified under the respective headings of Prophecies which might be attributed to natural shrewdness; Doubtful; Unfulfilled; Fulfilled; Partly Fulfilled The Doom of Seaforth; &c., &c. In addition to this, a valuable Appendix, of about 70 pages, will be given by the Rev. Alexander Macgregor, M.A., on Highland Superstition, Druids, Fairies, Witchcraft, Second Sight, Hallowe'en, Sacred Wells, and other peculiar Practices and Beliefs, with several curious Instances"; making altogether a neat and handy volume of about 170 pages. For further particulars and Opinions of the Press see second page of cover. Parties wishing to secure copies should apply at once, as a great part of the issue is already subscribed for.

AN TORANAICHE; OR, THE GAELIC SONGSTER.

and R. MACGREGOR & Co., Glasgow.

ARCHIBALD SINCLAIR,

WE have before us Part III. of this excellent publication, and can only say that it is quite up to its predecessors in the quality of its contents and general get-up. We have over one hundred pages of excellentlyprinted matter, the best value, both as regards quality and quantity, that ever issued from the Gaelic press. We are glad to see so many of Evan MacColl's gems in this part, also a few sweet songs by John Campbell, Ledaig. The Highlander who does not possess the "Oranaiche" alongside "The Beauties of Gaelic Poetry" cannot pretend to be posted up, even fairly, in our Gaelic storehouse of song. Mr Sinclair is earning for himself a reputation such as we are now commemorating in the case of his predecessor in the same field, John Mackenzie, of "Sar Obair nam Bard." Let us give Mr Sinclair the benefit during his life by buying his excellent book, and so at the same time encourage similar exploits by others in the field of Celtic literature. After all, this is the most sensible and most useful way of testifying our appreciation of good work. This can unhesitatingly be called such, and all for one shilling and sixpence, We may, however, point out an error on page 304, where the song, "Gun Togainn Fonn gu h-Aighearach" is ascribed to Allan Macdougall, the Glengarry bard. We always understood that the song was composed by Mrs Campbell, Glenelg, better known as "Bean Dubh Ailein," who composed several other excellent pieces. A few alterations are made, which are not improvements. Such as in the first stanza, where we have

for

Turus dhomhsa mach air Chuairt
Thachair mi air Gleann-a-Cuaich,

Latha dhomsa mach air Chuairt

Thachair rium fear Ghlinne-Cuaich,

Again, we have in the second line of the seventh stanza "fear na croic" substituted for "damh na croic." The following stanza is ommitted altogether :

Chunna mise thu seachad suas,
'S feile preasach ort mun cuairt,
Boinaid gorm os cionn do chluais,
'S gun b' uallach am mac athar thu.

There are several typographical errors, but this can hardly be avoided. in a Gaelic publication, while the compositors are ignorant of the language.

THE sixth annual dinner of the Gaelic Society of Inverness came off on Tuesday evening, the 15th January, under the presidency of that excellent Highlander, Captain MacRa Chisholm, late of the 42d Highlanders, and was a great success. We hope to place one or two of the addresses on record in our next..