Page:Scotish Descriptive Poems - Leyden (1803).djvu/233

 print; unless there be some want or error in the opinion of those who are learned in the Gaelic; a thing not of material consequence with respect to the Holy Scriptures. And rare is the man who knows the true orthography of the Gaelic, not in Scotland only, but in Ireland also, unless it be found among a few excellent and eloquent bards, who attend to poetry and history, and a certain part of the distinguished men of learning. And on this account, if a learned man find errors in the writing or diction of this little book, let him excuse me, for I do not arrogate to myself a more comprehensive acquaintance with the Gaelic than is possessed by the common run of the people. Those bards and learned men, however, find many errors in things without error or deficiency; and they commit the injustice of passing over, without notice, the real faults that occur. The errors too mentioned by these people, exist not in the work, but in themselves; and on this account, I shall not procure the assistance of that set, however numerous they may be; and neither shall I contend with them ignorantly, according to my own will or passions; and neither shall I give insult or offence to any other person, nor feel spite or envy, though he may succeed much better than I have been able to do; for I confess that this is very possible. But if it please God that this shall prove advantageous to the church, and that I be spared, I shall, after this, bestow more labour and add to it. May almighty God grant his holy Spirit to us, and to you, brethren and elect; and may we be taught to do his will, and to avoid what he forbids, through the mediation and sufferings of Christ, our Lord