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

62 LETTERS TO MR. MACKENZIE, y^.-
ancc, and prevent the originals from being legible by any
but those who were accustomed to read Greek characters.
I have thus, my dear Sir, given you as full an account
as I could of all that I remember concerning the discovery
and publication of the poems of Ossian. I shall be hap-
py if it give any satisfaction to that very respectable asso-
ciation of gentlemen to whom you wish it to be communi-
cated, and to which I have myself the honour of belong-
ing, in the station of an Honorary Member. I have per-
haps been minute and tedious in my narration of particu-
lars, but as I am now among the oldest persons alive who
had any hand in that discovery and publication, I imagin-
ed that even some of the small circumstances I have men-
tioned, may be considered as of some weight. I confess
I cannot avoid considering the discovery of the works of
Ossian as an important sera in the annals of taste and lite-
rature ; and the share which I have had, in contributing
towards it, as a part of my life, by which I have deserved
well both of this age and posterity. I have the honoiu: to
be, with m.uch esteem and respect,
My Dear Sir,
Your most obedient, and
faithful humble sen- ant,
Hugh Blair.
2. From Dr Adam Fergusson, dated Hallym-ds, near
Peebles, 26th March 1793. '
My Dear Sir,
I have, w^ithin these few days,
been honoured with a circular letter from the Committee of
the Highland Society, with Qiieries relating to the poems
of Ossian.
1