THE INFLUENCE OF THE NORSE INVASIONS ON GAELIC LITERATURE
The dreaded Vikings—In English waters—Descents on Iona—Monasteries
favourite objects of attack—Destruction of books—Their own eddas
and sagas—Modern discovery of the wonderful Icelandic
literature—The Northmen in a new light—Literary effects of their
invasions—Arrested development—Lamentable dispersion of the
literary classes—Pilgrim Scots—The rise of Scottish
Gaelic—Present-day differences between it and Irish—Introduction
of Norse words—Decay of inflection—Gaelic examples of Viking
beliefs and superstitions—The Norseman still with us 198