Bho'n thainig mi'n nuadh-dhuthaich, Fhuair mi carrachdainn cruaidh gu leor innt'; Bho 'n dh'eug Mairi mo ruin, 'Sa chaill mi fradharc mo shùl, 'S mòr gum b'fhearr leam 'bhi 'n duthaich m' eolais ; Gu'm beil m' aigneadh gach uair, 'Ruith a null air a' chuan, 'S mi ri cumha Chaluim Ruaidh, 's nach beo e ; 'S mi mar dhuine gun cholg, Dheth a spuillteadh 'chuid airm, 'S gur e cumha nam marbh a leòn mi. Tha gach fear 'thig as ùr 'G inns' a chorr dheth do chliu, De na thainig an taobh so dh' fhairge ; 'S bi gach fear a tha thall 'Cur an aonta na cheann, Nach deach aon ni 'chur meallt' na mharbhrainn, Mu'n laoch mhisneachail, threun. Do 'n robh gliocas le ceill, Anns gach subhaile bha ceutach, ainmeil; 'S bho 'n bhàrc ort an t-eug, Thuit an cùl as mo sgeith, 'S mi gun bhrathair 'n ad dheigh bho 'n dh'fhalbh thu. CELTIC AND LITERARY NOTES. It is our purpose in future to devote a small portion of our space to the recording, in the form of short notes, of important events of a Celtic character, especially such as bear upon the language and literature of the Gael. We shall be glad to receive contributions from friends who may have any facts to communicate which they consider would add to the freshness and interest of this department. Announcements of forthcoming Celtic works, intimations of the formation of Celtic Societies, or of the incep tion and progress of any movements for preserving the records and traditions, or promoting the use of the language, of the Gael, are the description of notes which we specially invite. A resolution was come to by the Gaelic Society of Inverness last winter, of establishing a class for the teaching of Gaelic. We hope the suggestion will be cordially taken up now that the Society has entered on its winter work, and that a flourishing class will be the result. Two rare and important Highland works are about to be re-issued, namely, "Martin's Western Islands of Scotland," and Dean Munro's work on the same subject at an earlier period. Both works have long been scarce and difficult to procure, and we have no doubt many will gladly avail themselves of this opportunity of securing them. We are glad to observe that the veteran Lochtyne bard, Mr Evan MacColl, is about to give to the world a new, enlarged, and revised edition of his sweet lyrics, both English and Gaelic. We bespeak for the volumes a reception worthy of a true and genuine poet, as well as a warm-hearted and manly Highlander. The Earl of Seafield has recently issued, for the private use of friends and connections of the Family of Grant, the history of the "Chiefs of Grant," in three magnificent volumes. The work of compiling the history was intrusted to Dr William Fraser, of the Register House, Edinburgh, a fact, which in itself, guarantees its complete and thoroughly trustworthy character. The wide ramifications of the history of the Grant family, and the important share which they have always taken in the stirring event of past times in the Highlands, must of necessity render the work one of outstanding value to the student of Highland history. As an expression of his interest in Inverness and its institutions, the Earl of Seafield has presented a copy of "The Chiefs of Grant " to the Public Library. "Woods, Forests, and Estates of Perthshire," is the title of a most charming book by Mr Thomas Hunter, editor of the Perthshire Constitutional. One does not know whether to admire most Mr Hunter's interesting pedigrees of the trees and forests of Perthshire, or his lively and enthusiastic pictures of the estates which have reared them. Mr Hunter is almost entitled to the description applied to the naturalist of old, who "spake of trees, from the cedar tree that is in Lebanon, even unto the hyssop that groweth out of the wall." We shall avail ourselves of an early opportunity of giving this book a more extended notice. The Rev. Mr Maccallum, of Arisaig, has published a small collection of Gaelic verses under the title of "Sop as gach Seid ;" but beyond the fact that the booklet is tastefully got up, and clearly and pretty correctly printed, there is not much calling for praise. Mr Maccallum has done much meritorious work in other spheres, and is capable of doing more-poetry is, however, not his forte. The time required to produce the Gaelic rhymes before us may be described as wasted on the profitless occupation of “trusadh nan Sop 's a' leigeil nan boitean leis an t-sruth," while more important work lies to Mr Maccallum's hand all around him. It requires something more than poetic licence to justify our author, when he makes the sun rise on Christmas Eve. The astronomical phenomenon is thus referred to on page II :-- "Furan's failt' ort, Oidhche Nollaig ! Deonach molam fein thu ; Messrs Maclachlan & Stewart, Edinburgh, are about to publish a large collection of Highland dance music. The tunes are arranged and selected by Mr James Stewart-Robertson of Edradynate, a gentleman of wide experience in this department of science and art. The collection will consist of no fewer than 800 tunes. The same publishers have also in the press another musical work, namely, a collection of Gaelic songs, with airs and English translations, edited and arranged by Mr Charles Stewart of Tigh-an-duin, whose name is sufficient guarantee that the work will be all that good taste, wide and correct knowledge, and hearty Highland enthusiasm can make it. The third volume of Mackintosh's " History of Civilisation in Scotland" has just been issued, and it fully justifies the high anticipations excited by the former volumes. This volume is devoted to an account of the Union of the Crowns in 1603, the Covenanting struggle, the Commonwealth, the Restoration, the Revolution, the Risings, and the social and literary history of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. The work, when completed, as it is expected to be by the publication of a fourth volume, will form a monument of faithful and painstaking labour. No Scotchman's library can be complete without it. We only say this much at present, as we purpose to review the volume before us more fully on an early occasion. A deputation of gentlemen interested in the promotion of the study and intelligent use of Gaelic in Irish schools, recently waited upon the Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant, with the view of enlisting his aid in the accomplishment of their purpose. What the prospects held out to them were we know not, but we mention the fact as an example and incentive to the friends of the Gaelic language in Scotland to bestir themselves in a similar manner. The concession made in the Code a few years ago in favour of the movement amounts to no more than a recognition of its reasonableness. Its practical value is infinitesimal, and therefore we trust our societies will buckle on their armour once more for further demands, and raise the question to the position of a test one on the hustings, in view of the extension of electoral power to the mass of the Highland population. One of the most important events in the history of the Celtic languages, and one likely to exert a weighty influence on their future preservation and utilisation, occurred recently at Edinburgh. We refer to the inauguration of the Chair of Celtic Languages, History, Literature, and Antiquities. The inaugural address delivered by Professor Mackinnon, is now before us, and the highest praise which we can bestow upon it is to say that it was eminently worthy of the occasion. It bears evidence of being the work of one who can apply to the unique and all-important labours on which he has entered, those qualities, in a very high degree, which are necessary for the effective discharge of the duties of his office. In Mr Mackinnon's address, the field to be brought under cultivation is first sketched. In doing so he evinces an extensive and minute acquaintance with all the available historical and philological sources of information. To this is added a thorough knowledge of the vernacular, and he brings to bear upon the work a spirit of admirable candour and impartiality, that enables him to address himself to it in a truly philosophic spirit, willing to receive light and teaching from the endless variety of dialectic differences which prevail in the domain of the Gaelic tongue, instead of dogmatically elevating the patois of a district into the position of an infallible standard. Mr Mackinnon adopts as the principle of his conduct that of the apostle, and also that of science and common sense, "Prove all things; hold fast that which is good." In connection with the work of the Celtic Chair, Mr Mackinnon is preparing a series of Gaelic Reading Books, the first of which is now in the press; and, judging from advanced sheets which have been sent us, the work is done in a thorough and accurate manner. We are certain that the preparation of these manuals alone will lead to a renewed interest in the teaching of the language, not merely in connection with the University classes in Edinburgh, but over the length and breadth of the Gaelic world. There are at present in existence no class-books that could be made available, and thus a great desideratum will be supplied; and did Professor Mackinnon accomplish nothing else, he would, even for this act alone, have deserved well of the youth of his country. SUITA GLASS WAREHOUSE Is the Best and Cheapest in the North. A Large Variety of Designs always on hand. 44 UNION STREET, INVERNESS. Now Ready, Price 10/6, History of the Mathesons, By ALEX. MACKENZIE, F.S.A. Scot., Issue limited to 250 Copies. CABINETMAKING AND UPHOLSTERY. WINTER NOVELTIES, A. W. 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