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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.

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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 acknow◄ ledged by Mr D. K. Clark.

Pipe-Major Ranald Mackenzie gave selections of pipe music at intervals in a most efficient manner, and a number of the gentlemen present agreeably enlivened the proceedings by songs between the toasts.

The following verses to the Society were composed for the occasion by Mr Colin Chisholm, Namur Cottage, Inverness :— Comunn Gailig Inbhirnis,

Comunn na'm fear fialaidh glic,

Tuigse 's uaisle dhaibh mar ghibht,
Gur buan 's gur sona an oighreachd.
Luinneag1-Mo ruin air a' chomunn so,
Cho somalta 's cho tomadach,
Mo dhurachd do'n chomunn so,
Gun bho gun bholla gann daibh.

Tha gach canain dhaibh cho deis,
Cainnt na h-Eorp' gu leir tha aca,
Sgeul na Feinne 's dan mu seach,

'S

geur bheachd air reachd gach righeachd.
Mo ruin, &c.

Le cridhe glan 's le giulan math,
Tha 'n caitheamh-beatha saoibhir,
Reir mo bheachdsa tha iad ceart,
'S nas fhearr na beartas righrean.
Mo ruin, &c.

Seol thar caolas agus cuan,
Fuirich seal's gach tir air chuairt,
Gus an till thu do 'n taobh tuath,

Cha 'n fhaigh thu sluagh cho caoimhneil.

Mo ruin, &c.

Falbh bho thuath is siubhail deas,
Gach tir-chein an iar 'san ear,

An cruinne-ce air leud 's air fad,

'S cha 'n fhaic thu 'm feasd an samhladh.

Mo ruin, &c.

Mar creid thu na thuirt mi riut,
Comhairle eile bheir mi dhuit,
Thig a nall, bi tric na'r measg,
'S dearbh dhut fhein mo chainntsa.
Mo ruin, &c.

1 Air by Mr Macpherson of Strathnashie.

22nd JANUARY, 1890.

The meeting this evening was devoted to the nomination of Office-bearers for the ensuing year.

29th JANUARY, 1890.

On this date the Office-bearers for next year were duly elected.

The following gentlemen were elected Members of the Society, viz. :-Mr Roderick Gooden Chisholm, 33 Tavistock Square, London, Honorary Member; Mr William MacIntosh, Idvies, Forfar; Mr Murdo Mackenzie, Excise officer, Inverness; Mr Hugh Thomson, Stockbroker, Inverness; Mr John L. Robertson, Inspector of Schools, Inverness; and Mr William C. Spalding, Adampore, Tylbet, India, Ordinary Members.

5th FEBRUARY, 1890.

At the meeting this evening Mr J. Macleod, assistant Inspector of Schools, Inverness, and Mr J. W. J. Burrel, Clachnaharry, were elected ordinary members of the Society. The paper for the evening was contributed by Mr Charles Fraser-Mackintosh, M.P., entitled, "Minor Highland Families-No. 3; The Macdonells of Scotos." Mr Fraser-Mackintosh's paper was as follows::

MINOR HIGHLAND FAMILIES-No. III.

THE MACDONELLS OF SCOTOS.

Scotos, re-incorporated with the Barony of Knoydart seventy years since, has long been little more than a name; yet an old place and family which twice gave chiefs to Glengarry are worthy of remembrance in a permanent form. It was an estate of twelve pennies and one halfpenny value, part of the sixty-penny lands and Barony of Knoydart. The particular description ran thus :The four penny and the half penny lands of Scotos; ane penny land of Torroray; one penny and one half penny land of Inveriebeg; one penny land of Shennachie; one penny land of Angrugaig and Teaflich; two penny and one half penny land of Glendulochan, comprehending Penvoit, Penvoir, and the one penny land of Dornach; half penny land of Torbruiach; and half penny land of

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