Blair Collection > Critical dissertations on the origin, antiquities, language, government, manners, and religion, of the antient Caledonians, their posterity the Picts, and the British and Irish Scots

Of the Bards. zc:$
race of men vvhofe compofitions, however rough
or unpoliflied, kindled the foul of the warrior to
attempt great adions, and promifed the Iiero a
perpetuity of fame.
The more ancient Bards were greatly fiiperror
to thofe of later ages, yer mere aniiquity was not
the real caufe of that iuperiority. In limes more
remote, true merit was the Bard's only title to fa-
vour. In after days the office became hereditary,
and an indefeafible right was the circumftance
which rendered his perfon and character facred.
It was only after the feudal law took place, that
the proper rev/ard of genius and great adions
became the birthright of unworthy perfons.
No people, however barbarous, could have ima-
gined that the lineal heir of an eminent poet fhould
inherit the natural enthufiafm or acquired talents
of his predeceffor. But the general cufiom of en
tailing almoft every office in certain families, and
perhaps an extraordinary regard paid to the me-
raory of fome excellent poet, fecured the pofleflion
of the grant of land to the poflerity of thofe bards
whofe merit had acquired them that lucrative di-
ftmdion from their fuperiors.
DISSER-