Skip to main content

Commonplace book by Rev. John Smith, 1810

 Item
Identifier: Coll-98/4/2/1

Scope and Contents

A paper manuscript of 180 pages, half bound. The volume consists of a large number of extracts from various sources, mainly Gaelic and Celtic. The compiler was Rev. John Smith, eldest son of Dr Smith of Campbeltown, who died early. The date of the book's compilation is around 1810. A table of contents is prefixed.

Among the more important Celtic items are:

(p.13) The well-known Ossianic ballad, 'Òran a' Chléirich', called here An Deilgneach Mhór, and said to have been copied from manuscripts by one Mr Sage, with English translation.

(p.29) Verses on 'Anna', with English translation.

(p.30) The reckoning of Fionn and Dubhan's men.

(p.33) A fragment of Sliabh nam Ban fionn.

(p.58) Words in the Oriental languages, which have an analogy to Gaelic roots, coppied from Ossian, vol. iii., pp.426-9, with other comparisons between Hebrew and Gaelic vocables.

(p.62) Long extracts from Ossian, vol. iii., pp. 543-69, about books and manuscripts that discuss the history and civilisation of the Celts.

(p. 84) An account of the proceedings, minutes, members, etc. of a Gaelic Literary Society in Glasgow College in 1809-10.

(p. 101) Notices of the principal Gaelic books published from 1567 to the writer's day (1810?), with those in his own possession marked separately.

(p. 110) Translations of passages from Sean Dhàna by Alex Stewart of Moulin.

(p. 114) Copy of hymns by Duncan Macfadyen in Stralachlan, which were published in Glasgow in 1770.

(p. 148) Copy of elegy on Dr. McLachlan, the Duanag Ullamh and other verses, printed in Glasgow. This elegy has no date, but appears to be have been published around the same time that the Macfadyen hymns abovementioned were published.

(p. 161) A comparison of Gaelic vocables with Hebrew, Greek, Latin, and English words, grammatical notes, etc.

(p. 170) A Gaelic poem, 'The Gael leaving is native land', ascribed here to Alexander Stewart.

(p. 176) Satirical verses.

(p. 178) Translations from Anacreon by Rev. Daniel Kelly.

Along with these, there are scattered throughout the volume extracts from Beattie, Dr. Johnson, Boswell and others, mainly about Ossian, and quotations from Tillotson's Sermons, etc.

Dates

  • Creation: 1810

Language of Materials

Main language: Scottish Gaelic

Translations and notes in English

Physical Description

The manuscripts themselves are in good condition. The paper is durable. The manuscripts are bound in a folio that is in poor condition, however. Both the front and back covers of the folio are detached. Due to damage to the spine of the folio, the manuscripts are in danger of becoming detached.

Conditions Governing Access

Open. Please contact the repository in advance.

Extent

1 bound MS volume

Other Finding Aids

Mackinnon, Donald (1912). A descriptive catalogue of Gaelic manuscripts in the Advocates' library, Edinburgh, and elsewhere in Scotland. Available online: https://archive.org/details/descriptivecatal00mack

Previous reference

Mackinnon 4

Physical Description

The manuscripts themselves are in good condition. The paper is durable. The manuscripts are bound in a folio that is in poor condition, however. Both the front and back covers of the folio are detached. Due to damage to the spine of the folio, the manuscripts are in danger of becoming detached.

Physical Facet

Material: Paper

Binding: Modern folio. Damaged: the front and back covers are detached.

Dimensions

17 cm x 21.8 cm

Repository Details

Part of the University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections Repository

Contact:
Centre for Research Collections
University of Edinburgh Main Library
George Square
Edinburgh EH8 9LJ Scotland
+44(0)131 650 8379