| Besides these influences, unfavourable to the
preservation of the ancient literature of the Scottish Highlands, we have the fierce raid
of Edward I. of England into the country, and the carrying away of all the national
muniments. Some of these were in all probability Gaelic. A Gaelic king and a Gaelic
kingdom were then things not long past in Scotland; and seeing they are found elsewhere,
is there not reason to believe that among them were lists of Scottish and Pictish kings,
and other documents of historical importance, such as formed the basis of those Bardic
addresses made by the royal bards to the kings on the occasion of their coronation? These
might have been among the records afterwards intended to be returned to Scotland, and
which perished in the miserable shipwreck of the vessel that bore them. These causes may
account for the want of a more extensive ancient Celtic literature in Scotland, and for
the more advantageous position occupied in this respect by Ireland. Ireland neither
suffered from the popular feeling evoked at the Reformation, nor from the spoliation of an
Edward of England, as Scotland did. And hence the abundant remans still existing of a past
literature there. And yet Scotland does not
altogether want an ancient Celtic literature, and the past few years have done much to
bring it to light. It is not impossible that among our public libraries and private
repositories relics may be still lying of high interest and historical value, and which
more careful research may yet bring into view. The Dean of Lismore's book has only been
given to the world within the last six years, and more recently still we have the
"Book of Deer", a relic of the 11th or 12th century. |
