ITO THE EDITOZ OP TEE "SPECTATC12."]
SIR,—Your correspondent with the above signature in the Spectator of August 13th describes himself as " a small, dark, spare man of Celtic or Brythonic origin," and evidently thinks he represents the Celtic type of man. Surely the Celt of history was a tall, fair-skinned, blue-eyed, fair-haired, often red- haired, man; not fat, but large-boned and muscular ; the type of a powerful fighting man with the rude weapons of ancient days. Hence his success in subduing and assimilating the " small, dark, spare man" to whom your correspondent refers. The old Gaelic legends of Ireland, for instance, always repre- sent their heroes as yellow or golden haired ; and to come down to later and historical times, the Irish leaders and fighters of Elizabeth's reign and later, like Owen roe (red) O'Neill and Hugh roe O'Donnell, were men of this type, which survives to-day more in the Scottish Highlands than in Ireland. Most readers of the Spectator will know that the kingdom of Scotland was founded and named by the Scots of Ireland, who were Celts, a military caste of invaders and conquerors. It is curious how widespread the error is that the Celt was "a small, dark, spare man," and that these qualities indicate a Celtic origin.—I am, Sir, &c., E. D.
[*** We have to acknowledge cheque for £1 ls. from Mr. F. Monks, postal orders for £2 from " M. C.," and cheque for £2 2s. from Mrs. Joicey for the benefit of the old couple mentioned in the article "Yeoman's Service" in our issue of August fith.—En. Spectator.]
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