THE CELTIC MAGAZINE.
No. I.NOVEMBER 1875.
INTRODUCTORY.
In the circular issued, announcing the Celtic Magazine, we stated thatit was to be a Monthly Periodical, written in English, devoted to theLiterature, History, Antiquities, Traditions, Folk-lore, and the Socialand Material Interests of the Celt at Home and Abroad: that it would bedevoted to Celtic subjects generally, and not merely to questionsaffecting the Scottish Highlands: that it would afford Reviews of Bookson subjects interesting to the Celtic Races—their Literature, questionsaffecting the Land—such as Hypothec, Entail, Tenant-right, Sport,Emigration, Reclamation, and all questions affecting the Landlords,Tenants, and Commerce of the Highlands. We will also, from time to time,supply Biographical Sketches of eminent Celts at Home and Abroad, andall the Old Legends connected with the Highlands, as far as we canprocure them, beginning with those of Inverness and Ross shires.
We believe that, under the wiser and more enlightened management nowdeveloping itself, there is room enough in the Highlands for more Men,more Land under cultivation, more Sheep and more Shepherds, without anydiminution of Sport in Grouse or Deer: that there is room enough forall—for more gallant defenders of our country in time of need, for moreproduce, more comfort, and more intelligence. We shall afford a mediumfor giving expression to these views. When submitting the first numberof the Magazine to the public, we think it proper to indicate our ownopinion on these questions at greater length than we could possibly doin a circular; but, while doing this, we wish it to be understood thatwe shall at all times be ready to receive contributions on both sides,the only conditions being that they be well and temperately written, andthat no side of a question will obtain undue prominence—facts andarguments alone allowed to work conviction. Thus, we hope to make theCeltic Magazine a mirror of the intelligent opinion of the Highlands,[Pg 2]and of all those interested in its prosperity and progress.
In dealing with Celtic Literature, Antiquities, Traditions, andFolk-lore, we must necessarily be Conservative. It is impossible for agood Celt to be otherwise than conservative of the noble History of hisAncestors—in love and in war, in devotion and daring. If any shoulddeem this feeling on our part a failing, we promise to have something tosay for ourselves in future, and not only give a reason for our faith,but show that we have something in the Highlands worth conserving.
In dealing with the important question of Sport, we cannot help taking acommon sense view of it. We cannot resist the glaring facts which,staring us in the face, conclusively prove that the enormous progressmade in the Highlands during the last half century, and now rapidlygoing on, is mainly due to our Highland Sports. A great amount ofnonsense has been said and written on this question, and an attempt madeto hold grouse and deer responsible for the cruel evictions which havetaken place in the North. Arguments, to be of any force, must be foundedon facts; and the facts are, in this case, that it was not grouse ordeer which caused the Highland evictions, but sheep and south countrysheep farmers. The question must be argued as one not between men anddeer, but between men and sheep, and sheep against deer. We believethere is room enough for all under proper restrictions, and, to makeroom for more men,