| Description | He has often thought to request Stuart to correspond with him on the subject of Gaelic philology. A letter from Stuart to Mr [James] McLagan has given him the opportunity. Stuart has now heard of Alexander's desire to compile a Gaelic vocabulary, and he describes how this project stands. Alexander Robertson, a schoolmaster, had been writing down Gaelic words for some time, encouraged by his parish minister, Allan Stewart, who bore part of the labour by investigating Gaelic publications. Alexander Stewart undertook to correspond with gentlemen of the north counties, soliciting more vocabulary. He promised to prefix something on Gaelic grammar to Robertson's work, but this has now swollen in size to the extent that it may not fit with Robertson's book, although Alexander is still willing to provide an outline for that purpose. Alexander discusses the request made to him by Dr. Stuart's Society, but thinks that the various interested parties should pursue their work independently, after which they might conclude by bringing the work together. He considers the publication of a grammar and a dictionary of Gaelic, and he had resolved not to publish the former without corresponding with Stuart. He offers to share his papers with Dr. Stuart in the event that the latter would publish to a deadline, wishing to avoid any rivalry. He concludes by expressing hs motives for writing on the Gaelic language, to promote the gospel. He sends his letter open to McLagan, with a request to forward it. |