as the references are simply to LL or BB, the quotations being impartially drawn sometimes from the 12th century and sometimes from the 14th century text.[1]
In other respects the student is left in the lurch just where he requires the expert editor's guidance. Thus, p. 522, Mr. O'Grady quotes as follows respecting Ossian: "Blae Dherg from the rushing Banba, the formidable Ossian's mother. In a doe's shape she used to come and join the outlawed band; and thus it was that Ossian was begotten upon Blae Dherg disguised as a doe, LL. 164, marg. sup." It is evident that the value of this passage for the criticism of the Ossianic romance generally depends largely upon its date. The ordinary reader, knowing that LL stands for the 12th century Book of Leinster, naturally concludes that we have here a genuine 12th century testimony to the animal parentage of Ossian. It may well be so; on the other hand it may possibly not be so. For the quotation comes from a marginal note, and what one expects of the editor is that he should give us the benefit of his knowledge as to the date of this gloss. Is it in the same handwriting as the body of the MS.? does it present the same linguistic features as the text to which it is appended? These are questions Mr. O'Grady could answer but does not, and in the meantime the reference is useless, or misleading, to anyone ignorant of Irish palaeography and linguistics.
The criticisms I have felt bound to make could, it will be seen, have been obviated by more definite ideas of the editorial function, and by a very slight extra expenditure of time, work, and space. It is earnestly to be hoped that Mr. O'Grady and his publishers will receive sufficient encouragement to continue the issue of Silva Gadelica, and that the editor will, in future, bear the requirements of the ordinary student more fully in mind than he has done in the present volume.
- ↑ These extracts can as a rule be identified by their beginning with "Whence"; e.g. p. 512 (No. vii), "Whence Loch Con," etc.
