“Bha na Gaidhil ro aineolach dhall, Bha ionnsachadh gann nam measg: Bha ’n eòlas co tana ’s co mall, ’S nach b’aithne dhaibh ’n call a mheas. ’Se b’annsa leo ’n arigiod ’s an òr A chaitheadh go gòrach truagh, Ri amaideachd, òranaibh, ’s òl, Ri bannsaibh, ’s ri ceòl da’n cluais.” This description of Macgregor was perfectly true, and applicable to the Highlanders at the close of the great Jacobite struggle—so absorbed were Highland energies with the social and political enterprises of that disastrous period that the education and religious training of the people were quite neglected. At the same time there were many quiet corners north and south in which the Gospel muse found an asylum, and one of these we find in Glendaruel, Argyllshire, a spot closely associated with the early Celtic romances and our ancient Gaelic manuscripts. DAVID MACKELLAR. The date of this author’s birth is unknown, but he appears to have flourished in Glendaruel early in the eighteenth century. Among the traditions preserved of him is the account that he was blind, and that after the celebrated Hymn or Holy Lay associated with his name was composed, his sight was restored. _Laoidh Mhic-Ealair_, or Mackellar’s Hymn, was greatly prized among religious people, and became very popular before Buchanan began to tune his sacred lyre in Rannoch. His fame rests chiefly on this one production, although it is declared that in his youth he indulged in the composition of profane pieces. According to Reid, his hymn was first published in Glasgow about the year 1750. It had, however, an earlier publication among the people through many persons that learned it by heart and loved to repeat it on account of its helpful statements of Gospel truths. It consists of thirty-three stanzas or quatrains, and furnishes a Scriptural exposition of the theme he took up. The date of his death is as uncertain as that of his birth, but one authority tells us that a granddaughter of his lived in Glasgow in the second quarter of this century. The following verses remind us of the manner of Buchanan, in whom we detect traces of Mackellar’s muse:— ’N uair chaidh Criosd gu péin a bhàis ’Sa dh’uiling e air son an t-sluaigh, Sgoilt brat an teampuil sios gu làr, ’S dhùisg na mairbh an aird o’n uaigh. Chreathnaich an talamh trom le crith, Air a’ ghréin gu’n tainig smal; Le feirg Dhé do chrath e ’n sin; Dh’fhuiling Criosd an bàs re seal. ENGLISH: When Christ endured the pain of death, For men Himself a Victim gave, The temple’s veil was rent in twain As forth the dead came from the grave. With heavy thunder shook the earth, The sun endured a darkening cloud; Beneath God’s wrath he trembled then Awhile Christ lay within the shroud. JOHN MACKAY.