beauties, by which the genuine poetry of the Celtic bard is so happily distinguished.

In discussing this important subject it is intended, in the first place, briefly to consider the following train or deduction of evidence, on the result of which, independently of the Gaelic original being now published, the decision of originality or imposture must in some measure rest. 1. Whether the Celtic tribes in general were not addicted to poetry, and accustomed to preserve in verse, whatever they considered to be peculiarly entitled to remembrance? 2. Whether various Gaelic poems did not exist in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, in remote periods of our history? 3. Whether these poems were not in a great measure said to have been composed by Ossian, a Scottish bard, who celebrated the exploits of Fingal, a Scottish warrior? 4. Whether some manuscripts did not exist in Scotland, in which those poems were contained? 5. Whether a manuscript of these poems did not actually exist at Douay, in Flanders, previous to Macpherson's collection? 6. Whether there were not persons in Scotland, who preserved in their memory a great store of Gaelic poetry, and in particular many poems ascribed to Ossian? 7. Whether the existence of Swaran, and other personages mentioned in these poems, is not authenticated by Danish historians? 8. Whether there is not as much reason to deny the authenticity of Homer, (whose works were in the

same manner collected from oral tradition), as that of Ossian? And lastly, Whether the principal ob. jections, which have been urged to the authenticity of Ossian, have any foundation?

In a separate chapter we propose shortly to discuss the following particulars: 1. To explain the circumstances which prevented the Gaelic version from being sooner laid before the public; 2. To examine, through the medium of a new translation of a part of these poems, whether Macpherson did justice to the splendid beauties of the original, (for if the Gaelic is superior, and the new translation finer poetry, any arguments adduced in favour of Macpherson's pretensions must fall to the ground); and, 3. Briefly to consider the question, how far the Poems of Ossian are entitled to those praises which have been bestowed upon them.

CHAPTER I.

A STATEMENT OF THE EVIDENCE ADDUCED IN BEHALF OF THE AUTHENTICITY OF OSSIAN'S POEMS, INDEPENDENTLY OF THE GAELIC ORIGINAL BEING NOW PUBLISHED, WITH SOME OBSERVATIONS ON THE OBJECTIONS WHICH HAVE BEEN URGED AGAINST THEIR AUTHENTICITY.

THERE is no literary question that has been more keenly controverted, than whether the poems ascribed to Ossian, are to be considered as authentic ancient poetry, or as wholly, if not in a great measure, fabricated by Macpherson. Among the various circumstances, which led to the existence, and to the continuance of such a controversy, the following principally contributed.

It was natural in a country like England, that for many years had enjoyed all the advantages of printing, and where for centuries the art of writing had been practised, to be rather incredulous, when it was asserted, that such long and connected poems, had been preserved by oral tradition, from periods of great antiquity. That circumstance alone seemed so much out of the ordinary course of human affairs, that it required the strongest

evidence to confirm it.* The doubts, however, which were entertained upon that subject, were, in the minds of the impartial, satisfactorily removed, when it was urged, that the remote and inaccessible nature of the country where these poems were preserved; the peculiar character and language of the inhabitants, who were seldom visited by strangers; their turn for poetry; their veneration for the traditions and customs of their ancestors; their total ignorance of letters in the more remote periods of their history; and other particulars, which will be afterwards explained, accounted for their preservation: and above all, when the most convincing evidence was adduced, that many individuals then living, could repeat great numbers of those poems, and that even some manuscripts, in which part of them were to be found, could then be produced.

When the poems of Ossian first appeared, there existed, in a considerable portion of the English nation, very strong political, as well as literary prejudices against the Scots;+ in so much, that every person connected with that country, as well as every work produced from it, were sure to en

* See David Hume's Letter, Report of the Highland Society, p. 6.

At the head of the literary foes of Scotland, was the celebrated Dr. Samuel Johnson, who would hardly allow merit to any Scotch author, ancient or modern.