THE CELTIC CHAIR.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 4166, 25 June 1875, Page 3

THE CELTIC CHAIR.

TO THK KDITIiII. Rut—As one of tlie clansmen who attended the meeting, held a few evenings ago, for the purpose of assisting in establishing a Celtic ('•hair in the Edinburgh University, permit mc to reply to your correspondent "Rob Roy." He first desires to know why the Edinburgh University is to be favoured with the proposed Chair in preference to other Universities. As most of, it" not all, tlie subscriptions in its sup- ] ort will come from Scotchmen, it is but fair that the Chair should be founded in Scotland, though in what particular University is a matter of indifference. "We, colonists, are well content to leave that decision in the hands of our countrymen at home. "This charitable appeal,:' as Rob Roy styles it, or this "national appeal," as I prefer calling it, is made specially to Highlanders, though all Celts will doubtless respond to it. As to the "right" the landed gentry of Ireland, Scotland, and England, have "in expecting assistance from- tlieir poorer clavsnien," seeing that they simply invite the co-operation of Celtic Colonists, I fail to see how "Rob "lloy " can assume that they regard themselves as having any "right" in the matter. Granting that Otago professors arc underpaid, and that our medical school is started "on a very insufficient basis," what bearing have these facts on the question? Is it the fault of the Celtic population of Otago that our professors arc under-] iaid ? or docs "Rob Roy" imagine that Highlanders .should remedy the .evil and allow the "constipated" purse-strings of their fellow-colonists to remain "constipated?" Truly, "Hob Roy," thou art a curious reasoner ! Otago Highlanders have done their part in the cause of education in the land of their adoption ; nay, the very man who is denounced by " Rob Roy " as " a mongrel Celt" presented not many months ago a munificent money gift to one of our schools. I refer to Air John L. Gillies, whose example " Rob Roy" ought to be ambitious of imitating. In reference to " Rob Roy's" question as to what the members of the University Council have done in aid of the University, 1 have no hesitation in asserting that they have laboured diligently in promoting tlie strength of that noble institution, but they would not degrade themselves by applying for aid to our home aristocracy in support of local education, a.s "Rob Roy" seems to infer they ought to do. Finally, " Rob Roy" asks, " will we be consulting our own self-respect in sending our sixpence to satisfy this b .'ggar's appeal from men any one of whom is more able to endow a Celtic Chair than all the Celts in Otago arc to contribute a sixpence?" Now, Sir, the man who yenned that sentence is either no Highlander, or one out of whom every semblance of patriotism has been crushed. Were he indeed born to oneof the noblest feelings which elevate a man, no matter from what country he may come, he would glory at being called on to do something- for his country's j fame. What care I, though my Lord Duke so-and-so could, if he chose, endow a Celtic ' chair, witiiout the assistance of his fellowcountrymen? To me it is a i ourje of pride anil gratification, that my mite shall help in rescuing the literature and traditions of my poor fathers from oblivion. German and other Continental Universities recognise the importance and utility of preserving Celtic literature, on philological grounds, aud the greatest Scotch and English scholars have perseveiingly urged the claims of a Celtic professorship. It is eminently a national undertaking, and one which appeals powerfully to every Celt. From the whole tone of " Rob Roy's" letter, I would infer that he i.s one of those individuals who, without understanding the proper significance of the word, so delight to style themselves " Cosmopolitans;" one, in fact, who "cannot narrow his sympathies to so small a thin,' as his own country." How frequently do we find these self-styled cosmopolitans to be, after all, the most nairowminded of men. "Rob Roy" is clearly no exception to that class, when he would endeavour to stifle the generous aspirations of a people, because, forsooth, Dunedin institutions are not all they ought to be. —I am, &c, Bkiton. Dunedin, 22nd June, 1875.