to the annual volume of transactions, to which the Secretary had alluded in his report, he thought it was a matter for pride that in a small place like Inverness they should be able to issue each year a volume which was of real value and scientific interest(applause)- and that they had amongst them men so learned in all branches of the history of the Gaelic race as to be qualified to give opinions which were of value in the scientific world(applause). From the syllabus which formed part of the programme placed on the table, it would be seen that the Society was directing its efforts to the real purpose for which it was formed the elucidation of the language, race, and history of the Gael. They used to believe, in a most unhesitating way, that the Highland race were of the Ayran-Celtic stock, but heresies had sprung up on that subject, and he thought there was no place where the question should be more thoroughly examined than in the Gaelic Society of Inverness-(applause). He took leave to say they had amongst them men who were able to examine into the subject as thoroughly and effectively and scientifically as were to be found anywhere. He referred to a paper read before the Society on Monday evening on the Picts, and said that, while he would refrain from entering upon controversial subjects, it was important they should, in such a society, have engrossed upon their records the opinions of men who were able to give opinions of a scientific kind, to be sent out to the world, shewing who Highlanders were, and where they came from-(applause). He had formed an opinion on that matter himself-he believed it was an authentic one-and he thought they might rest assured that the Highland people were of true Celtic origin; certainly they had a great history to look back upon, and in a society like this they should have as one of its great objects-and it had, in a fair and sufficient way, carried that out--the preservation of Highland traditions and nationality, and of pride in their ancestry, which was one of the salts of the earth, one of the things which saved men from sordid acts and motives The chivalry of Highlanders had made them famous in the world. They were but a small nation-but a small corner in a nation, he might say-but still, not only in their own eyes, but in the eyes of the whole world they occupied a proud position, and they occupied that because, in critical times, the Highland people had a high ideal-it may not always have been a right one, but it was higher than anything selfish-something noble, or which they believed was noble, and in that way they made themselves illustrious in the world. Sir Henry concluded by remarking that it was gratifying to find, from

the statement of Captain Malcolm, that even Land Leaguers were not indifferent to the history and glory of their country, as shewn by their attitude towards recruiting. He asked the company to drink increased prosperity to the Society-(applause).

Mr James Barron proposed the members of Parliament for the Highland courties and burghs, in a happy speech, in which he made humorous and apt references to remarks made at former dinners on the same subject. A few years ago Mr Fraser-Mackintosh was referred to as the only Gaelic-speaking representative in Parliament, but there were several members now with the Gaelic qualification, and perhaps, as a member of the company hinted, there would be more in the future-(applause).

Mr Alex. Macbain, M.A., in the absence of Dr F. Maitland Moir, Aberdeen, who telegraphed that he was laid up with influenza, proposed the toast of "The language and literature of the Gael." They were extremely well off, he said, in old Gaelic and old Irish literature, and he should like to see a society formed, after the manner of the Spalding Club, for the publication of ancient Gaelic texts. Professor Mackinnon was showing in the series of articles he was presently publishing, that there was a vast amount of mediæval literature stored up in Edinburgh, and he (Mr Macbain) was satisfied that those interested in Gaelic subjects had no idea of the light which could thus be thrown upon the early history of the race, even in Pictish times-(applause). He associated with the toast the name of Mr Alexander Mackenzie, of the Scottish Highlander.

Mr Mackenzie, in the course of his reply, said Mr Macbain had a scientific knowledge of the literature of the Gael, which he did not profess to have; but he did profess to have some knowledge of the language, and if he could not say much of the Celtic portion, he was glad to be able to say that a very considerable change had come over the Highland people, and especially the people of Inverness, in their regard, he might say their affection, for the language of their race since he came to the town, twenty years ago—(hear, hear). He proceeded to allude, in illustration of this, to the fact that then many of the leading people of Inverness were so ashamed of their native tongue that they would answer a Gaelic salutation in English. But now the process was reversed, and to be able to speak Gaelic was actually getting fashionable-(hear, hear, and laughter). Even the landlords were patronising the Gaelic to an extent which they had never done before, and particularly The Mackintosh-whom he was glad to see present (cheers)—had such an appreciation of the language that he was informed he kept

He did

a Gaelic nurse to teach it to his son and heir-(applause). not mean to talk politics, but he might be allowed to say in passing that in all his wanderings throughout the Highlands he had never heard a complaint against The Mackintosh as a proprietor. The Mackintosh enjoyed the distinction of being the only Chief who, so far as he knew, had been liberal enough to offer a handsome sum as a prize for an essay on the social condition of the Highlands during the present century, and he only hoped that his generosity would be imitated, so that they might have a really good work on the most important period of Highland history. He believed that if his example were followed by other Highland Chiefs in this respect, and especially in teaching Gaelic to his children, the chiefs and their people would be more disposed to embrace one another in future than perhaps they were at present.

Provost Ross proposed Highland Education, making interesting reference to the Highlands before and after the passing of the Education Act, and the teaching of Gaelic in schools. He was much amused the other day to read a Government report written two hundred years ago on the comparative merits of Gaelic and English teaching in schools, in which it was recommended that Highlanders should send all their children above nine years of age to school in the Lowlands, to be instructed in reading, writing, and speaking the English language; and that none of their children should be served heir to their fathers, or received as a tenant by the King, who had not received that education. When the Education Act was passed, eighteen years ago, a great many croakers had predicted that the better education of the poorer people would simply lead to discontent, and that with so much learning there would be no servants; but he thought it must be confessed that the state of the country had been greatly improved by the Act, and that their servants had not got fewer, but better. One effect of improving the Highlands by book-learning, and the institution of greater facilities for communication with the south, had been the consumption of a great amount of light literature, and the destruction of that picturesque feature in Highland life when stories, legends, and traditions were related from memory round the peat fire; but perhaps this abandonment of an old custom would not be permanent, and at anyrate there was ample compensation in the improved state of things which education had brought about-(applause).

Mr A. C. Mackenzie, Maryburgh, in reply, sketched in an interesting manner the changes that had taken place in Highland teaching since the Education Act was passed, and referred to the

special clauses which had been introduced the better to adapt that Act to Highland circumstances and necessities. In no part of the country, he said, was the new Education Act more welcome than in the Highlands, although they had since found that it had been obtained perhaps at too great a cost. Irregularity of attendance was at present the greatest obstacle to successful school work. Gaelic teaching was now a specific subject, but he was sorry that it was not more largely taken advantage of in the North Highlands. He was not surprised at this, however, for until provision was made for teaching Gaelic in the lower standards, the subject could not be profitably taught (hear, hear). Mr Mackenzie concluded by an allusion to what he considered a grievance, in respect that the "leaving certificate" was not open to children trained in a school receiving Government aid, and he expressed the hope that this anomalous state of matters would soon be remedied.

Mr Allan Macdonald, in giving the Agricultural and Commercial Interests of the Highlands, said they had been passing through a prolonged and deep agricultural depression, and during that time their candid friends had told them that they were never to have better times again, but he was glad to know that such had not proved to be the case, for matters had improved immensely. They had better crops, and the prices of stock were much advanced from what they had been during the past several years. Scotland must be in a flourishing way financially, for he noticed that no less a sum than nine million pounds sterling had been invested in Joint Stock Companies in Scotland during the past ten years, and in these northern parts they experienced a very fair share of the wave of depression that had passed over the country—(hear, hear) -for they now found many companies springing up in their midst, which looked like a recurrence of better things. All this went to show that the commercial depression which hung over the country had to a large extent passed away, and he hoped that such a pleasant state of things would go on increasing-(applause).

The toast was coupled with the names of Mr Wm. Miller, auctioneer, and Mr J. A. Gossip, both of whom suitably replied.

Mr Colin Chisholm, who was introduced by the Chairman amid applause, as the "father of the Society," in giving the toast of "The Non-resident Members," said that these existed in every corner of the globe, and they were most punctual in discharging their obligations to the Society. And not only did they do that, but if they examined the Transactions of the Society they would find that a large portion of the work there was contributed by nonresident members, who, as they were a credit to the Society, ought,

he considered, to be encouraged. In whatever sphere of life they were placed, they had proved their interest in the Society efficiently and well, and he thought they should drink their health with great heartiness-(cheers).

Mr Alex Mackenzie proposed the health of the Chief of the Society, and in the course of his remarks referred to Sir Henry's services to the Society, as well as his good qualities generally as a public man.

The toast was drunk with Highland honours, and Sir Henry suitably replied.

Mr D. Fraser of Millburn proposed the health of Mackintosh of Mackintosh, a sentiment which was also enthusiastically met with Highland honours.

Mackintosh of Mackintosh referred to the remarks of Mr Mackenzie in connection with the prize which he had offered last year to the Gaelic Society, and said that he would be very glad this year to give a similar prize-(applause). He hoped that thereby a good essay might be secured on a period of Highland history which was to a large extent a blank. The history of the country was well known from the Battle of Culloden down to the end of the Napoleonic wars, but very little was known of the changes which had since taken place; and for himself he felt great regret, in going about the country, to find local people unable to tell him what family lived here and there in various parts where some prominent Highland family lived in the past. He indicated that this was the kind of thing he thought was required in such a work as he desiderated, and concluded by thanking the company for the manner in which they had responded to the toast of his health.

Mr H. V. Maccallum proposed "The Croupiers," and in doing so referred to the prominent part taken by the Rev. Mr Sinton in connection with the literature of the Highlands, and particularly complimented him on a series of articles on his own native district of Badenoch, which appeared some time ago in the Celtic Magazine. He coupled the toast with the name of Mr Gunn, who replied.

The other toasts were "The Clergy," proposed by Mr Roderick Maclean, factor for Ardross, replied to by the Rev. Mr Sinton, Dores; "Kindred Societies," proposed by Mr Wm. Gunn, and responded to by Mr R. Black, C.E., president of the Inverness Field Club; "The Provost, Magistrates, and Town Council of Inverness," given by Dr Chapman, coupled with Provost Ross; and "The Press," submitted by Mr Alex. Macbain, and acknowledged by Mr D. K. Clark.