T AN COMUNN GAIDHEALACH. THE MOD. HIE eighth annual Mòd was held in the Music Hall, Edinburgh, on 5th October, Sir Robert Menzies, Bart., presiding, and was supported by Rev. Dr. Blair, William Mackenzie, Crofters' Commission; Henry Whyte (Fionn), Malcolm Macfarlane, Duucan Macgregor, of Arngask; Major A. Y. Mackay, Gregor Macgregor, Theodore Napier, Prof. Mackinnon, Miss Yule, of Tarradale, Archibald Menzies, S.S.C.; John Mackay, Celtic Monthly; Alexander Ross Mackay, John A. Stewart, Dr. Geo. Henderson, A. Mackay Robson, Mr. and Mrs. Robertson-Matheson, B. H. Peach, Neil Macleod, John Mackay, Donald Mackay, Donald Nicolson, J. M. Campbell, John Campbell, Evander Mackay, James Grant, Dr. Alexander Dingwall, Peter Grant, W. Drummond Norie, Alexander Mackay, John Mackintosh, &c. The hall was well filled, and we recognised many prominent Gaels from all parts of the country. Apologies for absence were intimated from Mr. John Mackay, Hereford; Dr. FraserMackintosh, and others. The CHAIRMAN opened the proceedings with a brief address, in which he expressed his warm sympathy with the Gaelic movement, referred to the revival of interest in the language which had become general among the Celtic races, and strongly advocated that Gaelic should be taught in all Highland schools. Addresses were next delivered by Lord Castleton, Messrs E. Fournier, and P. II. Pierce, who repre sented kindred societies in Ireland. Mr. HENRY WHYTE read the report of the adjudi. cators on the literary competitions, from which it appeared that no less than 79 papers had been sent in, and the standard of excellence was greatly improved on former years. Thereafter, the various musical competitions took place, the proceedings being of the most interesting nature. The choral competition especially was followed with keen appreciation, the Inverness choir's splendid rendering of "Iseabal Nic Aoidh" well entitling them to first place. As usual, Mr. Roderick Macleod received an ovation on his appearances, and he was again successful in carrying off some prizes. The following were the prize-winners in the various competitions : Best original and unpublished Gaelic poem or sonnet-1, Neil Ross, Glendale; 2, Mrs. K. W. Grant, Glasgow; 3, John Macfadyen, Glasgow. Best metrical translation from English into Gaelic of the poem, The Graves of a Household," by Mrs. Hemans-1, Mrs. K. W. Grant; 2, Rev. Alexander Macdougall, Colonsay; commended, John Macfadyen, Best original and unpublished competition in Gaelic prose-1, Mrs. K. W. Grant; 2, Alex. Mackinnon, Partick. Best Gaelic essay (open only to boys or girls under tuition in schools in Skye)-1, John Macleod, Rona, Portree; 2, Kenneth Maclennan, Rona; 3, Isabella Nicolson, Rona. Best Gaelic essay on any topic of local interest (open only to boys and girls under tuition in schools in the Reay country)-1, Alastair Macleod, Melness; 2, Angus Macleod, Melness. Best Gaelic letter on a simple subject within the knowledge of the pupils-1, Jane Currie, Islay; 2, Flora Mackinnon, Islay. Best Gaelic ode in honour of Flora Macdonald-1, John Macfadyen, Glasgow. Best Gaelic prose account of the Battle of Killiecrankie-1, Alexander Stewart, Glenlyon. Best collection of technical terms in Gaelic for actions, materials, and implements used in any trade or occupation-The Rev. Chas. Robertson, Inverness. Gaelic teaching in schools, highest percentage of passes in Gaelic—1 (£9), Paible, North Uist; Oban High School: Hellipool, Tiree; Ballemartin, Tiree; and Staffin, Skye-equal (£6 each). Best four part harmony of the air, "Soraidh slàn do'n àilleagan "-£1 1s--Ivor Black, 54 Queen Street, Glasgow. Solo singing (open only to those capable of conversing in Gaelic)-1, Joan Macvean, Oban; 2, Alex. Macleod, Inverness; 3, Alex. Fraser, Glasgow. Solo singing with clarsach accompaniment-Miss Mary Ann Mackechnie, Oban. Solo singing (open)-1, Miss Katie MacColl, Oban; 2, Miss Lizzie Mackenzie, Inverness. Solo singing for seniors, female voices-1, Miss Tena Carmichael, Glasgow; 2, Miss Mary M. Macleod, Glasgow; 3, Miss K. S. Macgregor, Dundee. Male voices-1, Allan Hunter, Oban; 2, Dan. Munro, Inverness; 3, John Cameron, Glasgow; 4, Alexander Fraser, Glasgow. Choral competition for seniors-1, Inverness Gaelic Choir; 2, St. Columba Church Choir, Glasgow; 3, Choir of Northern Counties Institute for the Blind, Inverness. Duet competition-1, Miss Kate Fraser and Mr. R. Macleod, Inverness; 2, Miss Lizzie Mackenzie and Mr. John Mackenzie, Inverness. Quartette competition-1, Inverness No. 2; 2, Dundee. Gaelic recitation-1, Neil Ross, Glendale; 2 (equal), Alex. Macdougall, Glasgow, and Duncan MacCallum, Glasgow. Gaelic reading-1, Malcolm MacCallum, Taynuilt; 2 and 3 (equal), Miss Minnie Keith Macarthur, Campbeltown, and Duncan MacCallum, Glasgow. Choral competition for juniors-1, Rhinns Junior Gaelic Choir, Islay; 2, Oban Junior Gaelic Choir. Solo competition for juniors, female voices-1, Miss Margaret Cameron, Oban; 2, Miss Betsy Anderson, Islay; 3, Miss Maggie Macniven, Islay. Male voices-1, Donald Mackinven, Campbel. town; 2, Angus Keith Mackinven, Campbeltown. BUSINESS MEETING. As soon as the proceedings were concluded, the annual business meeting was held-Rev. Dr. Blair presiding. It was agreed to form branches of the Association throughout the Highlands, and a committee was formed to submit a scheme. Next year's Mod will be held in Perth, with the Marquis of Tuiliebardine as president; Mr. John A. Stewart to act as local secretary. The following were added to the Executive Council :-Dr. Keith N. Macdonald, James Grant, Rev. George Mackay (Killin), and Alfred Macaulay (Golspie). It was decided to increase the secretary's honorarium to £20. gates were appointed to attend the Celtic gatherings in Ireland and Wales, which concluded the meeting. Dele EVENING CONCERT. The Music Hall in the evening was crowded with one of the most influential and enthusiastic Highland gatherings ever held in Edinburgh. The capital has always been notorious for its coldness towards things Highland, but on this occasion it belied its reputation. The concert was entirely Gaelic, and every item was applauded. On several occasions the five combined choirs, assisted by the famous Reel and Strathspey Band and the organ, gave a splendid rendering of favourite songs, such as probably no one in the hall ever heard the like before. After this experience no one need say that a programme must be almost entirely English or Lowland to secure a good audience. THE LOCAL SECRETARY. If there is one word to be added, it is in acknowledgment of the services of Mr. Archibald Menzies, S.S.C. To him the great success of the Mòd is nearly wholly due; his energy and enthusiasm created a like interest in others, and he is entitled to the greatest credit for the time and labour he devoted to making the Mòd by far the best yet held by the Association. We were pleased to hear him stating that he received more assistance from the Clan Mackay Society than from any other association in Edinburgh. That the clan were deeply interested in the meeting was evident from the fact that we counted no less than twenty Mackays in one part of the hall during the day. Uh-aluinn Aon àros lìon le àigh Air feadh an t-saoghail tha'n uaighean sgaoilt', Aig oidhche phòg 'n aon mhàthair chaomh Ghléidh i fo 'sùil gach blàthan maoth- Measg choilltibh ciar na h-Aird-an-iar, Tha aon 'an glaic na fairge mòir', 'S an Airde-deas, air màgh na gaisg' Fo chraobhan meas, 'na bhratach paisgt', Is aon-fo mhiortal tha i sìnt', 'Measg bhlàith' na h-Eadailt luidh i sìos, ด c'àit 'eil aoibhneas Tìr nan Og A mheudaich ceòl nam Fiann? O c'àit 'eil cala rùin nam bàrd Is dùthaich àigh am miann? Oir chrom na bàird an cinn 's an ùir, Tha 'n clàrsach tùrsach balbh ; Is chaochail maise Tìr nan Og Bho'n theich a glòir air falbh. Oir mhúchadh soillse Tìr nan Og, Rinn aoibhneach ceòl nam Fiann. Is dh' fhalbh Malmhìn do Thìr nan Og 'S an laochraidh mhòr o chian. Oir chrom na bàird an cinn 's an ùir, Tha Cheòlraidh tursach balbh. Is thuit an oich' air Tìr nan Og Tha 'loinn's a glòir air falbh. Nach cianail mar a shearg an dreach Ach cuin' a thig an loinn air ais Cha dean i leòn d' an dealbh ; SURG. LT.-COL. ALEX. K. STEWART, OF ACHNACONE. B Alexander Kenneth, the subject of this note, was educated at Haileybury College. Going from thence to Edinburgh University, he took the degrees of M.B. and C.M. in 1874, as also the degree of LR C.S., Ed., at the College of Surgeons. In 1876 he passed very high, being second in professional subjects, for the Indian Medical Service Examination in London; and he went out to Bombay the same year, when the great famine was raging. He saw famine work at once, but was early appointed to the medical charge of the "Poona Horse," with which famous regiment the remainder of his service as a regimental officer was mostly associated. In 1880 he was through the Afghan campaign with the corps, and was present at the defence of Kandahar, affair at Kairabad, sortie against Deh Khoja, where he was twice slightly wounded, and battle of Kandahar, for which he has the medal and clasp. He saw further service in the Chitral campaign of 1895, being then in medical charge of No. 31 Native Field Hos pital, Reserve Brigade, for which also he has the Chitral medal. Among other good work in India, in 1883 he received the thanks of the Government of Bombay, by Government resolution, for his researches and report in regard to an epidemic then existing in parts of that Presidency. ORN in India, 30th August, 1852, and after a service of 21 years in Her Majesty's Indian Medical Service, from which he retired in 1897 as a Surgeon Lieut.Colonel, few would give Achnacone credit for his years and tropical experience. His father, the late Alexander Stewart, who was in the Indian Civil Service, was tenth of Achnacone in unbroken lineal succession from father to son, from Dugald, first of Achnacone, third son of Alan Stewart, third of Appin; the Appins in turn being the direct legitimate male representatives of the last Sir John Stewart, Lord of Lorn, who was assassinated in 1643 at Dunstaffnage, and who was descended through Sir John de Bonkyl from Walter, sixth Lord High Steward of Scotland. The Achnacones are now the senior Cadet branch of the Appin Stewarts, owing to the Strathgarry branch from the second son of Alan having become extinct; and though by a family arrangement Charles Montague Duncan, his elder brother, is eleventh Achuacone, Alexander Kenneth is now "of Achnacone," his eldest son, Alexander Dugald Lorn, being heir male of the line. The lands of Achnacone were granted to Dugald soon after the return of his father, Alan, with his five sons, from Flodden, A.D. 1513; and the eventful history of the Achnacones is bound up with that of their chief of Appin, with whom they took a distinguished part in all the notable engagements from that year on, ending with the disastrous field of Culloden, where Alexander and Duncan, the second and third brothers of Donald, seventh of Achnacone, were killed. As an athlete he was distinguished in Rugby football, having been captain of the Edinburgh University football team in 1874, in which year also, and in 1876, he played quarter in the International for Scotland against England. In the saddle and as a horseman he had few equals; and though he gave up steeplechasing in the early years of his Indian career, he played polo and captained the regimental polo team for the last 15 years of that period, during which it was quite one of the crack teams of India. He is one of the very few men living who can lay claim to having fairly ridden a full grown wolf to a standstill, though many an ambitious and good rider has attempted and failed to achieve this, which perhaps may be considered and claimed to be the blue ribbon of the saddle on the sporting side. Being an ardent sportsman, he is equally at home with the rod and gun, as was his father before him, his name having been a household word with old Indians in the earlier years of the century. Among his most valued possessions are two massive and handsome silver centre-pieces, presented to him by his brother officers of the Poona Horse-the first on his second marriage in 1891 to Annie, daughter of the late Peter Longton, Esq., of Woolton, Lancashire; and the second on his retirement in 1897. At the inauguration of the Clan Stewart Society this year he was elected as one of the vice-presidents. By his present |