Page:Scotish Descriptive Poems - Leyden (1803).djvu/227

 had occasion, in the course of his illustrations, to allude frequently to the Gaelic traditions and poetry, it is with peculiar satisfaction that he exhibits the following curious citation to the public; a citation which demonstrates undeniably, that the Gaelic was a language written, taught, and cultivated by composition, about the middle of the 16th century; that independent of the priests; or religious instructors, there existed a distinct order or profession of Bards, Historians, and Teachers, whose occupation it was to preserve their national poetry, history, and traditions; who were no strangers to the literature of that period; and who were held in estimation, and well rewarded for their labours. It also appears, that they were in possession of manuscripts in the Gaelic language, and that the popular compositions of that period, among other subjects, related to Fingal and his heroes. This accords exactly with the testimony of Boethius, about the beginning of the same century, who compares the popular poems concerning the adventures of Fin Mac Coul to the romances of King Arthur. It is probable, that when Celtic antiquities are more accurately investigated, many heroes will be found to be common to the Welch and the Gael. King Arthur is well known in Gaelic tradition; and the editors of the Myvyrian Archaiology of Wales, have discovered in their poetry, the name of Cuchullin, the Gaelic hero.

"Acht at a ni cheana is mor an leathtrom' agas an uireasbhuidh ata riamh orainde gaoidhil alban & eireand, tar an geuid eile don domhan, gan ar geanamhna gaoidh-