J. F. Campbell Collection > Report of the Committee of the Highland Society of Scotland, appointed to inquire into the nature and authenticity of the poems of Ossian

LETTERS TO DR. BLAIR. 9
publication, I have carefully compared the translation with
the copies of the originals in my hands, and find it amaz-
ingly literal, even in such a degree, as to preser\^e, in some
measure, the cadence of the Gaelic versification. I need
not aver. Sir, that these poems are taken in this country to
be of the utmost antiquity. This is notorious to almost all
those who speak the Gaelic language in Scotland. In the
Highlands, the scene of every action is pointed out to this
day ; and the Historical Poems of Ossian have been, for
ages, the winter evening amusement of the clans. Some
of the hereditary bards retained by the chiefs, commit-
ted very early to writing some of the works of Ossian.
One manuscript in particular was written as far back as
the year 1410, which I saw in Mr Macpherson's posses-
sion. Permit me. Sir, as a Highlander, to make use of
this opportunity to thank you, for the pains you have
taken to illustrate the beauties, and establish the reputation,
of the poems of Ossian, which do so much honour to the
ancient genius of our country. I am, with great esteem,
Sir,
Your most obedient servant,
Lachlan M'Pherson.
5. From Doctor John MacphersoNj Minister of Sleat,
dated S/eat, 27th November 1703.
Dear Sir,
Soon after your letter came to hand, I
wrote upon the subject of it to several gentlemen who live
at a considerable distance from the place of my residence,
and did myself the pleasure at the same time to examine,
in compliance with your request, all the persons in my
neighbourhood that could be of any ser^'ice.