The learned Edward Lhuyd published his “Archæologia Britannica” in 1704; and the imaginative Celt of the day was delighted that so much of the dying language of his forefathers would be preserved—that so handsome a monument should be reared to its memory. In 1707 a second edition was issued, in which complimentary poetical addresses from Highland ministers were given. There is one from the Rev. James MacPherson, Kildalton, Islay, and another from the Rev. John Maclean of Killninian, Mull. The following stanzas from Maclean’s verses are of considerable merit in the original Gaelic:— When the grey Gael—Milesian race from Spain— To green Ierne had crossed the mighty main, Great was the fame they carried to our shore, Of skill in arms, of poetry and lore. When that good seed had spread out far and near, The Gaelic then was honoured there and here; That musically sweet, expressive tongue, To which our fathers have so fondly clung. In royal courts a thousand years and more It reigned in honour—spoke from shore to shore; Then bard and lyrist, prophet, sage and leech Wrote all their records in the Gaelic speech: Since first Gathelus came from Egypt’s strand That ancient tongue was written in our land; The great divines whose fame is shed abroad In Gaelic accents learned to praise their God. ’Twas Gaelic Patrick spoke in Innis-Fayl, And sainted Calum in Iona’s Isle. Rich polished France, where highest taste appears, Received her learning from that Isle of Tears;— Ie, alma mater, of each tribe and tongue, Once taught for France and Germany their young! Well may we now our swelling grief outpour, That seat in ruin, and our tongue no more! Great praise and thanks, O noble Lhuyd, be thine, True learned patriot of the Cambrian line! Thou hast awaked the Celtic from the tomb, That our past life her records might illume. Engraved in every heart in lettered gold Thy name remains: thy silent words unfold To future ages what our sires had seen, While others say, ‘A Gaelic race hath been.’ The first of the Gaelic addresses comes from Andrew Maclean, Tyree, who calls himself “the son of the Bishop of Argyll”:— _Aindra M’Ghileoin_ Fear an Cnuic, an tiridhe mac Easbuig _Earraghaoidhil_, C.C. Ordheirc an gniomh saor bhur comhluinn Cliu do fhoghlum beirid uainn: Ti do chur do na thuit or sinnsreadh Cus do sgeimh bhur linn a mfuaim. Molsid _M’Liath_ na Sheanchas, Ochd mhacigh’achd do leanmhuinn oirinn, Brathreachus _Gaoidhil Fear Shaxan_, Thabhart nar ccuimhne ceart na loirg: which may be freely rendered thus:—