THE PROPOSED GAELIC UNIVERSITY FOR THE HIGHLANDS
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] Sist,—I have read with sympathy the letter of "Highlander" in your issue of the 28th May. Unlike "Highlander," who wisely qualifies his designation by . the adjective "Gaelic- speaking," I have not the Gaelic—having lost all I knew of it in my youth over forty years ago—but like him, lam a graduate of a Scottish University. Most Highlanders have lost the Gaelic for one generation or more than one ; but are not less proud of their origins and traditions on this account.
How many of those who are proud of their Norman names and Norman blood can speak Norman French ? The call of the blood and the genius of the race can be expressed in any language ; see the red-headed, French-speaking Highlanders of the Province of Quebec.
In attempting to restore Gaelic as the partly insular popular language, the Free State Irish are flogging a dead horse ; to begin with, the average Irishman lacks the necessary appli- cation; and to end with, Erse cannot help the underground American politician ; nor can it help the Trish New York slum landlord to explain the rights of landlords—he can do this already so " convincingly " in "English." All over the world, parochial languages are giving place to general ones ; this has been going on ever since mankind achieved speech ; and we know the futility of putting one's wig under London Bridge to stop the flowing of the. Thames."—! am, Sir, &c.,
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