Sudr-land, which means southern land. It was so called in reference to Caithness; for a part of Sutherland lies south of it. But far the greater part does not lie to the south of Caithness, so that the name, as applied to the region of Cape Wrath, is a misnomer. We must remember, however, that the Norsemen never called the north-western district of the County by the name of Sutherland. The whole north coast from Cape Wrath to Duncansbay Head was called Kata-ness (point of the Catti). It was only in modern times, as recent indeed as 1630, that the Sheriffdom of Sutherland was made to embrace the Reay Country or Mackay's land and Assynt. Thus it happens that there is no Gaelic term for modern Sutherland. Cataobh corresponds exactly to the ancient Sudr-land, the south-east of the County; and no native of Assynt or of the Reay Country would say in the vernacular that he came from Cataobh; he should at once say that he hailed from Duthaich-mhic-Aoidh or Assynt, as the case might be. Yet in English, he should use the term Sutherland, without hesitation. Because the names Sutherland and Cataobh are not co-terminous it is impossible to translate literally the phrase-a native of Sutherlandshire.

This little word sudr, which enters into the place-name, and means southern, is still preserved in the designation "Bishop of Sodor and Man." There is no place of the name of Sodor; but the title dates from the Norse period, when there was a bishop over the Southern Isles and Man.

After the County name, come the Parish names of which there are thirteen. These are Assynt, Dornoch, Golspie, Creich, Kildonan, Lairg, Clyne, Loth, Rogart, Farr, Tongue, Durness, Eddrachilles. Of these, five are clearly Gaelic names-Creich, Gael. crìch, boundary, gen. of crioch, march; Lairg, Gael. luirg, learg, high ground or eminence; Clyne, sgir Chlin, is the Gael. cluain, meadow, again oblique case; Kildonan, the church or cell of Donan, an Irish Saint; and Eddrachilles, eadar-dha-chaolas, literally between two Kyles. Of these five there can be no doubt. Equally certain is the Norse derivation of two parishes at least. Durness, which occurs as Dyr-ness in the Saga, the point of the deer; and Tongue, which is the Norse for a tongue, a spit of land running out into the sea. There are tongues in Lewis and the Western Highlands, similarly situated. We have thus seven parish names disposed of satisfactorily, five Gaelic and two

Norse. What are we to make of the remaining six-Assynt, Dornoch, Loth, Farr, Golspie, and Rogart? In these, there may be traces of Pre-Celtic Non-Aryan language, or of an earlier Celtic language akin to the Brythonie, usually called the Pictish language. In the present state of Gaelic phonetics, it is simply impossible to say what Assynt means, and although Loth has been recognised as Ptolemy's Logi by good Celtic scholars, the connection is very problematical. Leaving these as meanwhile insoluble, we are left with this proportion in the region of certainty-two-fifths of our parish names are Norse, perhaps we may safely say one-third of our parochial names are Norse. Can we say of a Sutherland Highlander that he is to the extent one-third of Teutonic origin?

Coming now to place-names of less importance, we find a very large number indeed of clearly Norse origin, side by side with unquestionable Gaelic names. In the south-east of the County, occur a large number of terminal dales. Care must be taken here for there is a Gaelic daila loan-word from Norse dalr; dale, and this Gaelic word dal enters largely into the topography of the Highlands. The rule is that when it comes first as in Dalmore (large dale) it is Celtic; but when it stands last as Langdale, Spinningdale, Swordale, Migdale, it is Norse, and these names were applied by a Norse speaking people, for of course the generic term in Gaelic stands first each geal; but Teutonic, white horse. This terminal dale is of such frequent occurrence in the place-names of Sutherland that they easily sum up to hundreds.

2. After dale the Norse gil, a narrow glen with a stream in it, makes a good second. It also appears for the most part terminally.

HELMSDALE CASTLE, SUTHERLAND,

Examples are Achredigill, Baligill, Smigill, Ritigill, Fresgill, Urigill, Achrisgill, Traligill, Suisgill, Apigill, etc.

3. Norse bol, a farm, abode-root in Eng. build yields the following place-names, Kirkiboll, Torboll, Eriboll, Borrobol, Eldraboll, Learable (mud-town), Arnaboll, and Crosple; corrupt form bo appears in Embo, Skibo, and Skelbo, in East Sutherland.

a

4. Melr, stem mel, bent grass, appears in Melness, Melvich, Achmelvich (Assynt).

5. Fjall, a mountain, is of frequent occurrence terminally. It appears as bhal-val, and al and le (Ben) Loyal, Arkle, and Sabhal.

6. Vik, a creek, bay, occurs as such in Kerwick, vich, Melvich, and more frequently as aig. Quite a number of names end in aig in the Highlands.

7. Vollr, a field (Gen. vallar), appears terminally as wall, well; examples are Golval, Rossal, Marrel, and Langwell.

8. Setr, a seat, residence, also mountain pasture, appears in Lewis as shadir, of which there are no less than thirteen; and with us as set, said, and side, terminally Bowside, Linside, Caonasaid (King's place), Bosset.

9. The Norse names for animals are met with frequently in place-names-e.g., the sheep, horse, lamb, salmon, eagle, furnish us with Soa, and Hoan, sheep-isle, Rossal, horse-field, Lamigo, lamb's goe. Lax-ford, Salmon-ford, BeinnBeinn Horn, Eagle-hill. Different kinds of trees, such as the Yew and Ash, and copsewood (rhis), furnish well-known places; the latter as a prefix is very common, Rispond, Achrisgill, Eddrachillis, etc.

10. Vatn, water, appears as bhat, in Assynt, in Sandwood, Gaelic, Seannabhat, sandylake. Sand itself occurs in Sango, more and beg, the big and small sandy goes.

11. Harri, heights, appears in Altnaharra. Bakki, bank ridge in Backie, Hysbackie, coldbackie, and the Norse thing is found in Dalting, parish of Farr.

Indeed the parishes of Farr, Tongue, and Durness-Lord Reay's Country, contain a larger percentage of Norse names than any district of equal size on the mainland, outside of Caithness. The coast-names of these parishes are almost entirely Norse, and many are to be met with in the far interior.

Halladale, Holydale, Forsinard, Forsnain, Begas, Kirkton, Melvich, Portskerray, Baligill, Poteegan, Armadale, Diob-coirean, Skerray, Torrisdale, Tongue, Melness, Coldbacky, Hope Heilim, Talmine (when an islet), Eriboll, Durness, Sango-beg, Crosspul, Keoldale, from which it can be safely inferred that the Kyles of Tongue, Eriboll, and Durness, were early

made use for embarking purposes by the predatory Vikings.

The prevalence of Norse names makes it abundantly manifest that a Scandinavian population once had possession of our fertile straths and glens. They subdued the early inhabitants, who were speaking a Celtic tongue, at first Pictish, and latterly Gaelic or Gadelic. they left their impression upon the character of the people, as well as the topography of the county? In answering this question it must be admitted that language is of little consequence in determining questions of ethnology. Suppose an inhabitant of Mars was to visit this earth of ours, with a good knowledge of languages, and that he alighted in Galloway, he should find that almost all the place-names were Gaelic, and nothing would be more natural for him than to come to the conclusion that he was in the midst of a Gaelic speaking people. In the same way, did he alight in Durness, he should expect to find the people speaking a Teutonic dialect from the prevalence of Scandinavian names. In both cases he should have been mistaken. In Galloway, where place-names are largely Celtic, the language of the present day is English; in Durness, where place-names are largely Norse, the people speak Gaelic. We may therefore dismiss language as a factor in determining ethnological problems. No doubt the people of Galloway are largely Celtic in blood, though not in speech, and the converse is true of many Highland districts-they have a large mixture of Scandinavian blood, though speaking now a Celtic language.

(To be continued.)

DEATH OF A DISTINGUISHED HIGHLANDER IN NEW ZEALAND.-Many of our readers, both in Kintyre and New Zealand, will regret to learn of the death of Mr. Neil Fleming, of Flemington, Oamaru. He was a native of Kintyre, and, like many of his countrymen, decided to try his fortune in the Australian Colonies, landing in New Zealand. Being a man of great commercial ability and activity, he started business as a stock, shipping, and exporting merchant, and soon acquired a large connection, and was very successful. Mr. Fleming, who was a good Gaelic scholar, took a keen interest in the Scotch societies of Dunedin, and was president of the Gaelic Society and the Caledonian Society. On social occasions, he frequently treated his compatriots to a Gaelic song, in which capacity he had few equals in the colony. In a note which we have just received from one of our subscribers in New Zealand, Mr. D. A. Cameron, of Southland, he says: "I am sorry to hear of your uncle's death-Mr. Neil Fleming, of Oamaru He was highly respected in his district, and I have always heard him spoken of as a highly influential and esteemed member of the community. He took a deep interest in Highland affairs, and will be much regretted by his friends in New Zealand.

C

"COLIN O' THE SEA."

|ATRIONA, with the eyes of the colour of the deep loch, lived with her mother in the little white cottage away up on the hillside. Down in the village dwelt Andrew Mackay and Colin o' the Sea," in both of whom burned the love for the same woman. Every morning they awoke to feel it hot and close to their hearts, all day it lay in their thoughts, at night it did not sleep. But with Anndra the love-sickness awoke an old, evil restlessness, while Colin desired nothing save to wander along the shore in the dusk-shadows, or climb the heather-clad hillside and dream away the hours.

It had been naked steel between their families

At last the day came when his oath no longer held him in voluntary exile. He rose before dawn and watched the light creeping over the grey, silent sea. Then as the old familiar colours came into the world again, he turned his face towards the village.

"She will meet me at the turn of the road," he said to himself. Seated on the broad ledge of the little stone bridge was Catriona. The pale, winter sun fell on her face full of the freshness of the morning; her arms were extended in glad welcome; her eyes flashed with the soft fire of love.

After a while it fell out that Anndra went away to the low country where he had an uncle engaged in business. Before he left, he came to the door of Colin's cottage, and beckoned him out. The poet stepped into the gloaming readily enough, for he had foreseen this interview in his dreams.

"Swear that you and Catriona will not meet at all until a year has passed" was Anndra's demand.

Full of an impulsive generosity, Colin swore by that which he held most sacred that his eyes and her's should not meet until a year had elapsed.

"You are my enemy," he said abruptly, "but the Time has not come." And Anndra was satisfied.

Colin kept his oath. For a full year he avoided her who was the light of his day and the spirit of his songs. The better to keep the conditions of his bond, he crossed the island to the far side and spent the summer in an old fisherman's hut. Here he dwelt till autumn came, and then he lay on the moors in the day and slept in the sheiling of a shepherd until the cold weather came, and the term of his oath was nearly spent. In the summer-time, with the flowers and the gentle breathing of the sea around him, his poetry was full of the sweetness of his love, and many a song he sang which none save the sea-birds heard. When the autumn came his muse left him, but he saw many things which were born to him on the lonely moorlands, tinged with purple and brown. Winter brought a return of fiercer inspiration. The wind grew keener, the mists choked the corries, the sea was white with restless foam, the glens were snow-covered. The spirit of the old bards and heroes came over him. He longed for the day when he should meet Anndra face

own dream-thoughts within. By and by, a solitary horseman made his way up the steep hill-road. His horse's hoofs struck a metallic note on the frost-bound stones, and Catriona and Colin turned in idle curiosity to watch the rider. Then she whispered with a trembling pressure of the hand which lay in Colin's "Anndra!"

"I knew it, heart of me, do not fear," was the reply.

When he reached the crest of the hill, the rider drew rein sharply, the breath of the horse forming great jets of white in the frosty air. He dismounted and approached the two figures.

He was dressed in Lowland style, but beneath the plumed hat of the gallant they recognized his face. Catriona's heart grew chill, as he bowed in mock courtesy, and she knew that, whereas she had never loved him, now she hated him.

"You have made the best use of your time," he said, with a. sneer, "despite your solemn oath, your word is as treacherous as the sea, by which you swore."

"It is a lie you are speaking, Anndra Mac Aoidh," cried Catriona, her face paling.

But Colin was silent, lest he should leap upon him as he stood there in the clear morning light.

"The witness is prejudiced," Anndra replied, and made as though he would seat himself beside them. But Colin's sea-heart rose, and he struck the newcomer full in the face bringing blood to his lip.

Anndra's hand went to the hilt of the Spanish blade which dangled at his hip, but he did not draw.

"Will you meet me, Poet?-the old conditions, each man his own steel, and the oath on the dirk to him who falls. I give you the choice of place and time."

And Colin, ignorant of his opponent's skill at the duello, and careless of what he said, answered, "The shore at dawn to-morrow."

"But you have no weapon," was the contemptuous reply.

"I will find one, I am thinking," and Colin turned on his heel and followed Catriona down the village road.

Anndra laughed as he rode along, waving his gloved hand to a score of acquaintances, his cloak carelessly thrown back, and his richly embroidered doublet displayed with cavalier grace. He laughed, because at his side he wore the steel which had never yet met defeat in the duello. Six duels had he fought, and four of his men were cold. They had nicknamed him in Holland "The Sword of Lightning." And he thought of the poet, and laughed again.

That night Anndra drank deep with a few boon companions, but Colin spent the hours in watching from his window. An old claymore was in his hand, a broad, basket-hilted weapon of great age, and with curious engraving on the blade.

And as he sat there in semi-darkness, he spoke to it, chanting, it seemed, some old forgotten lines of hidden meaning.

They were the children of his own inspiration, addressed to the Sea he loved so well, with its heaving swell, its soft, warm motion, and anon the thunder of the surf in the shore-caverns. And the Sea answered, calling him with the gentle sighing of its lapping waves, yet irresistibly. He left his room and moved swiftly shorewards, until he stood before the Atlantic and felt the salt air cool upon his temples. In an hour dawn came-and Anndra. As they met, their faces strangely wan in the weird grey light, Colin felt his blade move in its scabbard like a living thing, and knew that the answer had come.

"Have you no second?" asked Anndra, through his teeth.

Colin had never thought of needing such, ignorant and careless of the etiquette of the duello.

But from behind a great sea-weed covered boulder there glided a slender figure in white with a shawl cast about her shoulders. She stood close at Colin's shoulder, and he smiled to see the discomfiture of the gallant. After a word, Anndra threw off his coat, rolled up his fair linen shirt-sleeves, and handed his plumed hat to the fellow who stood by him. Colin stood ready, his head bare, his dark kilt flapping gently against his lean, brown knees, and in his keen eyes a look of proud disdain. Then they drew. Anndra flung down his scabbard on the wet stones with a harsh clang, and saluted his opponent with supercilious courtesy. Their

long blades gleamed blue in the dim dawn-light, but not a sound broke the silence of the lonely shore save the rasp and ring of steel on steel.

Anndra's aim was to disconcert Colin with the brilliancy of his swordmanship, confuse him with the rapidity of his attack, and bring him to his knees with some delicate French trick of the wrist and point. But he knew not that in the blade which crossed his flashed the spirit of the sea that phosphorescent glimmer which haunts the waters ere the storm breaks.

Little by little his strokes grew feebler, his points uncertain, his guards ill-formed. Once his spurred riding-boots slipped amongst the rough shingle, but he was up like a flash and Colin's stroke only glanced on his sword-arm. Then the horror of defeat, the hot indignation of disgrace, broke out upon him, and forgetting his cool scientific play, he rushed at his antagonist. There was a grinding jar, a hoarse laugh, and his good blade snapped like a rowan twig.

"It is the sword of Diarmaid of the Sea-Isles that I am using," said Colin, quietly. And the other folded his arms in sullen silence. The Sea-Poet drew his dirk and held out the naked steel. Anndra took it slowly, and turned towards the rising sun.

"Before this cross and before God, I swear to leave the maid, Catriona, to Čailein, the SeaPoet, and to quit this isle before noon."

Then he repeated the old, old formula as Colin instructed him, and kissed the cross of the dirk-hilt, the oath that no clansman can break. After that he turned inland once more in the cold, clear light of the early morning, and rode away with his companion.

And then to Colin and Catriona the sun seemed to rise with new joy.

COINNEACH DUBH.

It is a

DISCOVERY OF THE EARLY RECORDS OF THE 91st ARGYLLSHIRE HIGHLANDERS.-A very interesting and unique volume came into our possession lately, in the shape of the MS. volume of Monthly Returns of the 91st Argyllshire Highlanders, dating from the year of its embodiment in 1794 to 1809. large volume of 400 pages, strongly bound in calf, each return being signed by the colonel of the regiment. The records of this gallant regiment were well kept, the whole volume being a model of neatness, and each page containing a return on every department of the corps. Recollecting that the 91st took part in the first Dutch War at the Cape in 1796, we had the curiosity to go over the Monthly Returns for that period, and were amazed to find that the Argylls lost very heavily during the period of their stay in South Africa. Indeed, they lost more men in this first Boer War than they have done during the present, although they have suffered so severely at Modder River, Magersfontein, and other conflicts.

Tha 'Ghrian ag éiridh, 's gach gnè a' beothachadh; Tha oiteag shìochail, troimh 'n tir, a' feothachadh. Tha tlus 'san àile, 's rinn nàdur mothachadh,

O thig do'n bheinn leam 's a choill a' smothachadh.

Tha torman alltan fo mheanglain fbocharach,
'S gach geug a lùbadh, fo 'n ùr-bharr cochullach;
Na raointean uaine, fo 'n luachair, bachullach,
'S gach réidhlean ìosal na mhìn-cios fochunnach.

Tha fàir nan sléibhtean fo speuran uinneagach,
'Us lusan snuadhmhor mu bhruachan puinneagach;
Tha ceól nam maighdean a seinn gu luinneagach,
A' táladh bhuailtean, gu cuachach cuinneagach.
Gach flùran maothar le aodann luranach,
An gnuis, gu 'n saoil mi bhi aoidheil furanach ;
Gach bile gaineamhain gu seamarach muranach,
Toirt trian deth m' òige le deòin 'bhi cuireideach.

Gur ciùin an t-sàmhchair air làr nan coireachan;
'S tha ribheid shiùbhlach an dlùth's nan doireachan;
Ri still nan garbh-eas is lainnireach boinneachan,
Gun leum, na geala-bhric, a' deallar' mar ghloin.
eachan.

Cha chuirear còmhla, an crò, mo sheallaidhean; Tha 'n eunlaidh fhiadhaich, air sgiath, mu stallaichean.

Cha 'n fhaigh mi sòlas, cho beò, an tallachan,
Na 'n cùirtean briagha mu 'n iadh na ballachan.

THE KYLE OF SUTHERLAND.

THE KYLE OF SUTHERLAND extends from the Dornoch Firth about two miles in a North-Westerly direction to Inveran, where the waters of Shin and Oykel meet. The tide flows up the whole length of the Kyle, notwithstanding its irregular depth. The scenery around is exquisite; high mountains rise up on both sides, partly bare and partly wooded; some are very steep, while others ascend in a gradual slope. Not far from Bonar is a wood called Craigendhu which is remarkably dark at night. It is said to be haunted by a "bodach" who is believed to utter fearful screams on a certain night of the year. No one knows the reason why, although it is supposed

Farther up the Kyle on the Ross-shire side is a deep round pool called the "mischief sponge bowl"; it is not visible until one is quite at it, because of a small ridge by which the pond is surrounded. Every now and again it is seen to bubble, and as the pool contains salt water it is believed to have some subterranean connection with the Kyle of Sutherland. There is another curious pond near Culrain, where tradition says Montrose when being pursued threw in some treasure. Some miles beyond the Kyle on the river Oykel is a place called Tutumrarach, where the Sutherlands defeated a marauding body of the Macleods of Assynt. ERIC STAIR KERR.