listen this evening. (Applause.) Gentlemen, I ask you to drink with Highland honours long life and happiness to Lochiel. (Cheers, and Highland honours.)

Lochiel, on rising to respond, was received with loud and continued applause. He said he must ask them not to measure his appreciation of the honour done him by the length of his reply, as he had already for a considerable length trespassed-(" No, no")-upon their patience. Besides, the evening was getting late, and as one or two toasts were to follow, he must be brief. He had to thank them all most sincerely for the manner in which they had received the toast so kindly proposed by Mr Macmillan, and also for many acts of kindness which he had received from the Gaelic Society-far more, he felt, than he deserved. He wished to express his deep regret that he was unable to talk "the language," but at a former meeting of the Gaelic Society he explained that the fault was not his, as a person's own education was not always in his own hands. He also had to thank them for the indulgence they had shown him on the occasion of the annual meeting in July of last year, when he was unable to preside. He was, as they were aware, suffering from an attack of gout. (Laughter.) He need not say that, when he read that the vicechief also made the same excuse for his absence, and that the third gentleman who was also asked excused himself on the same plea, he was considerably amused. (Laughter and applause.) For his own part, he attributed his gout to the House of Commons. (Laughter.) He would venture to call the attention of his friend Novar to that fact. (Laughter.) To go about the country canvassing certainly required a vigorous frame, but it was nothing compared with the hardships of Parliament. (Applause.) Before sitting down, he must ask them to drink to the health of the Secretary, Mr William Mackenzie. (Cheers.) He had a deal of work to do connected with the Society, and he knew of no one who took a greater interest in everything connected with Gaelic literature than did Mr Mackenzie, and he asked the company to drink to his very good health. (Applause.)

Mr Mackenzie briefly replied, stating that no reward would give him greater satisfaction than the magnificent gathering they had that evening, (Applause.)

Mr G. J. Campbell, solicitor, proposed the health of the Croupiers, and the toast was responded to by both Kintail and Novar, M.P.

This brought the proceedings to a happy termination, the meeting having lasted six hours and a half. During the evening

several gentlemen present enlivened the proceedings by songs, recitations, &c. Pipe-Major Mackenzie, of the 3rd Battalion Seaforth Highlanders, also added much to the evening's enjoyment by selections on the bagpipe at intervals.

CONFERENCE OF LANDLORDS AT INVERNESS.

In course of the speeches at the dinner, numerous references were made to the conference of landlords to be held in Inverness on the following day (14th January). This conference had no connection with the Society, but in order to make the references alluded to intelligible to readers who may peruse this volume in after years, it is desirable to record here a brief statement of facts in regard to it.

In November 1884, a debate on the crofter question took place in the House of Commons; and, in course of it, the Home Secretary (Sir William Harcourt), as representing the Government, appealed to Highland proprietors to endeavour to settle amicably with their crofters. Following on this appeal a preliminary conference was held at Stafford House, and thereafter the following circular was issued :—

"Achnacarry, 31st December 1884.

"In view of the disturbed condition of some parts of the Highlands, and of the speech made recently in the House of Commons by the Home Secretary, as representing the Government, it has been suggested that it would be very desirable for the owners of land in those districts which were visited by the Royal Commission, lately appointed to enquire into the condition of the crofters and cottars, or in any place in the Highlands where small tenants are numerous, to meet together with the object of taking into consideration the invitation made to them by the Home Secretary to endeavour to accede to the reasonable wishes of their tenantry, so far as it lies in their power to do so.

"As landowners, as well as representatives in Parliament of Highland Counties, we take the liberty of inviting you to attend a meeting at the Caledonian Hotel, Inverness, at two o'clock, on Wednesday, the 14th of January, at which it is hoped his Grace the Duke of Sutherland will kindly preside.

"The meeting will, of course, be private, and no reporters will be present.

"An authorised report of any resolutions that may be come

to can, if thought desirable, be subsequently sent to the newspapers.

For several days prior to the 14th January, preliminary meetings were held at Beaufort Castle, the residence of Lord Lovat. Among those who responded to the invitation, and met in the Caledonian Hotel on the 14th January, were:-The Marquis of Stafford, representing the Duke of Sutherland; Lord Lovat, Beaufort Castle; Sir Kenneth S. Mackenzie of Gairloch, Bart.; Sir George Macpherson-Grant of Ballindalloch, Bart., M.P.; Sir Tollemache Sinclair, Bart.; Sir Robert Sinclair of Murkle, Caithness : Mr Cameron of Lochiel, M.P.; Mr Munro-Ferguson of Novar and Raith, M.P.; Mr Baillie of Dochfour; The Mackintosh of Mackintosh; Mr Lachlan Macdonald of Skaebost; Mr Kenneth Matheson, Ardross Castle, representing Sir Alexander Matheson of Lochalsh, Bart.; Mr Alex. Macdonald, Portree, factor for Lord Macdonald, &c.; Major Fraser of Kilmuir, Skye; Mr Forbes of Culloden; Mr E. H. Wood of Raasay; Mr Fraser-Tytler of Aldourie; Mr Davidson of Tulloch; Captain Fraser of Balnain ; Mr Macleod of Cadboll; Mr Davidson of Cantray; Mr Darroch of Torridon; Mr Peterkin of Grange; Mr Henderson of Stemster, Caithness; Mr Biscoe of Kingillie; Mr D. M. Ross of Cromarty, as Commissioner for Lord Macdonald of the Isles; Major Mackenzie of Flowerburn; Mr Mackenzie of Allangrange; Mr Douglas Fletcher, representing Mr Fletcher of Rosehaugh; Mr Stewart of Ensay, late of Duntulm; Captain Munro of Foulis; Mr Reginald Macleod, Dunvegan Castle, representing Macleod of Macleod; Mr Mackenzie, yr. of Kintail, representing Mr Mackenzie of Kintail and Glenmuick; Mr W. Mackay, Stornoway, representing Lady Matheson of the Lews; Mr Gunn, Strathpeffer, representing the Duchess of Sutherland; Mr Smith, representing the Countess of Seafield; Mr Brown, representing the Earl of Moray; Captain Warrand, Ryefield, for the Ferrintosh estate; Mr Burgess, for Glenmoriston; Major Grant, for the Countess of Seafield's GlenUrquhart estates; Mr James Anderson, Inverness, for Redcastle; Mr Malcolm, Invergarry, representing Mrs Ellice of Invergarry; Mr Grant for Dochfour and Glenelg ; Mr Peacock-Edwards, agent for Lady Gordon Cathcart; Mr Maclennan, factor for Lady Gordon Cathcart; Mr Peter, factor for Lord Lovat; Mr Smith,

factor for Strathconan; Mr C. R. Manners, C.E., representing Lord Wimborne; Mr Maclean, factor for Sir Alexander Matheson of Ardross; Mr A. D. M. Black, W.S., Edinburgh, agent for the Duchess of Sutherland; Mr David Ross, Dingwall, factor for Tarbat; Mr Donald Davidson, Inverness, agent for Cluny Macpherson of Cluny; Mr Robert Davidson, for Mr Mackintosh of Balnespick; Provost Fraser, for Culloden; Mr Hugh Fraser, for Cantray; Mr Forsyth, for Lady Ross of Balnagown; Mr A. W. Nicholson of Arisaig; Mr T. A. Mackenzie of Ord; Mr John Robertson, Grishornish; Mr Adam Sharp of Clyth; Mr Dalegleish, for Ardnamurchan; Mr Wright, commissioner for Lord Middleton; Mr Nicolson, Caithness, for Sir Robert Anstruther ; Mr James Mackenzie, for Mr Gillanders of Highfield; Mr Stuart, for Mr Liot Bankes of Letterewe, &c.

The Marquis of Stafford was appointed Chairman, and Mr George Malcolm, factor, Invergarry, clerk to the meeting. The following resolutions were unanimously passed, viz.:

1. "That this meeting, composed of proprietors in the Counties of Caithness, Sutherland, Ross and Cromarty, Inverness and Argyll, having in view certain complaints as to the insufficiency of holdings on the part of crofters, which were recently laid before the Royal Commission appointed to inquire into the condition of the crofters and cottars of the Highlands and Islands, and the recent appeal made to Highland proprietors by the Home Secretary in his place in the House of Commons, resolves severally to offer to crofters an undertaking to increase the size of their holdings as suitable opportunities offer, and where the crofters are in a position profitably to occupy and stock the same."

2. "That this meeting further resolves to offer the crofters— (1.) To such as are not in arrears of rent, leases of 19 to 30 years, as may be arranged; (2) Revised rents, and (3) Compensation for permanent improvements, regulated by a scale adapted to the nature and value of such improvements, and the duration of leases."

3. "That while this meeting of landowners has by the foregoing resolutions recognised the propriety of complying as far as possible with the reasonable wishes of their crofters, it would respectfully remind her Majesty's Government of certain other recommendations of the Royal Commission, which can only be dealt with by them, especially those which relate to the development of the fishing industry, to the excessive burdens thrown upon ratepayers under the Education Act of 1872; and to the granting of assistance to those who may be anxious to emigrate. It desires

therefore to express an earnest hope that these recommendations of the Royal Commission may receive the attention of her Majesty's Government."

4. "That the foregoing resolutions be forwarded to the Prime Minister and Home Secretary."

21ST JANUARY 1885.

On this date office-bearers for 1885 were nominated, and some routine business was transacted.

28TH JANUARY 1885.

On this date office-bearers for 1885 were elected. The following new members were elected, viz.:-R. C. Munro-Ferguson, M.P., life member; Major Rose of Kilravock, honorary member; and John Mortimer, 344 Great Western Road, Aberdeen, and Angus Maclennan, factor, Askernish, South Uist, ordinary members.

4TH FEBRUARY 1885.

On this date the following were elected members, viz.:-J. Douglas Fletcher, yr. of Rosehaugh, life member; and John Macpherson, manager, Victoria Hotel, Inverness, and William Munro, Castle Street, Inverness, ordinary members.

Mr Alexander Macbain, M.A., F.S.A., Scot, head-master of Raining's School, Inverness, then read a paper on "The Book of Deer." The paper was illustrated with enlarged drawings from the original work by Mr P. H. Smart, Inverness. Mr Macbain's paper was as follows:

THE BOOK OF DEER.

The Book of Deer was discovered in 1860 by Mr Bradshaw, the librarian of the Cambridge University. It had lain unnoticed in the library of that University since its purchase in 1715, among the rest of the books of John Moore, Bishop of Ely. Its history, previous to Dr Moore's possession of it, is unknown; but that it was once-in the eleventh and twelfth centuriesin the Columban Monastery of Deer, in Aberdeenshire, is a fact testified by the book itself in a manner that can admit of no doubt.

The book consists of 86 parchment leaves, which are six