Ossian Collection > Remarks on Dr. Samuel Johnson's Journey to the Hebrides

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his art to perfuade the Public is always
vague and fabulous, and deferves no man-
ner of credit, except when it proves unfa-
vourable to the country ; then, indeed, it is
deemed altogether infallible, and is adduce^
by himfelf, upon all occafions, in proof of
what he aflerts. But this is a mode of
reafoning with which the world has been
totally unacquainted before the Dodor's
days.
The Poems of Offian were no fooner
made known to the Public, though ftript
of their native ancient garb, than they
became the delight and admiration of the
learned over all Europe. Dr. Johnfon, per-
haps, was the only man, of any pretenfions
to be ranked in that clafs, who chofe to dif-
fent from the general voice. The moment he
heard of the publication and fame of thofe
Poems, he declared them fpurious, without
waiting for the common formality of a
perufal. His cynical difpofuion inllantly
took