Ossian Collection > Analysis of the Galic language

xxii INTRODUCTION,
ment the learned in Scotland, fince the revival of letters,
neglecH; the Galic ; as if it was not worthy of any pen
to give a rational account of a fpeech ufed upwards
of two thoufand years by the inhabitants of more than
one kingdom. I faw, with regret, a language once fa-
mous in the weftern world, ready to perifli without any
memorial, by the ufe of which Galgacus, having alTem-
bled his chiefs, rendered the Grampian Hills impaflable
to legions that had conquered the world ; and by which
Fingal infpired his warriors with the defire of immortal
fame. I wiflied an account given to the world of a lan-
guage, through which, for fo long a period, the bene-
fits of knowledge, and the bleffings of religion were
communicated to favage clans and roving barbarians,
who, in paft ages becoming civilifed, fung the praifesof
Him who taught both the tongue to found, and the
tlioughts to foar within the walls of the illuftrious lona.
Originally moved by thefe confiderations, and at the
requell of many of the Literati, I have been encouraged
to offer to the world what once I intended only for my
own private ufe. A copy of the manufcript was delired
by the Earl of Eglintoune, who has a talle for the lan-
guage, as well as an attachment to the people. I had
the honour of prefcnting the original to his Lordfliip,
without