The three lectures or papers comprised in this little volume were not originally intended to see the light of publication. They were written, in every case, at a few days' notice, and at different periods during the last twelve months. Though I have revised them for publication, yet I have not, by any means made so many emendations as I would like, preferring to send them forth as nearly as possible in their original forms.
I hope no one will be so uncharitable as to imagine that I have published this booklet merely for the sake of seeing myself in print. My main object as a matter of fact has been to assist, in some little degree, in spreading the reputation of the Society of which I have the honour to be President, and before which the lectures were delivered.
As I am but a student of Irish myselfand young at thatI am aware that Gaelic scholars will find little that is new in these papers; but it is not so much to the scholar they are addressed as to the barbarianto him, that is,