Ossian Collection > Poems of Ossian

the Poems of Ossian. 31
parable from an advanced state of civility, were not
able to withstand the impetuous, though irregiilar
attacks of a barbarous enemy. In the utmost
distress, they appUed to their old masters, the Ro-
mans, and (after the unfortunate state of the
empire could not spare aid) to the Saxons, a nation
equally barbarous and brave with the enemies of
whom they were so much afraid. Though the
bravery of the Saxons repelled the Caledonian
nations for a time, yet the latter found means to
extend themselves considerably towards the south.
It is in this period we must place the origin of the
arts of civil life among the Scots. The seat of
government was removed from the mountains to
the plain and more fertile provinces of the south,
to be near the common enemy, in case of sudden
incursions. Instead of roving through unfrequented
wilds in search of subsistence, by means of hunting,
men applied to agriculture and raising of corn.
This manner of life was the first means of chang-
ing the national character. The next thing wliich
contributed to it, was their mixture with strangers.
In the countries which the Scots had conquered
from the Britons, it is probable that most of the
old inhabitants remained. These incoi-porating
with the conquerors, taught them agriculture and
other arts, which they themselves had received
from the Romans. The Scots, however, in number
as well as power, being the most predominant,
retained still their language, and as many of the
customs of their ancestors as suited with the nature
of the country they possessed. Even the imion of
the two Caledonian kingdoms did not much affect
the national character. Being originally descended
from the same stock, the manners of the Picts and
Scots were as similar as the different natures of
the countries they possessed permitted.
What brought about a total change in the genius
of the Scots nation, was their wars and other