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

iO LETTERS TO MR.- MACICENZIE.
their ancient language, as well as their ancient dress and
manners. A life of St Patrick, written in the 6th centu-
ry, in Irish verse, is still iiitelligible to an Irishman ; and
a poem of near 100 verses, of which I have a copy, and
which was composed about the same time by St Columba,
though for ages past little known or repeated, will be un-
derstood, except a few words, by an ordinary Highlander.
These, and the like arguments, ought to be stated and il-
lustrated at large ; I only pretend to offer a few hints as
they occur to me current e calamo. The general authenticity
of the poems, I have no doubt you will be able sufficient-
ly to establish, although not of every poem taken indivi-
dually. The enquiry, in order to accomplish this, was at
least 30 years too late of being set on foot : but better now
than never. I am sure you will not only forgive, but
thank me for putting an end now to this loTig and unimpor-
tant letter ; and therefore I only add, that I am, with re-
spect and regard.
Sir,
Your most obedient humble ser\'ant,
John Smith.
3. From Doctor John Smith, dated CamphcltoHf.
12th April 179S.
Dear Sir,
When I had the pleasure of seeing
you at Edinburgh, you put into my hands a parcel of an-
cient Gaelic poems, transmitted to you by Mr M'Lagan,
desiring I might give you a literal version of a few passa-
ges of them, in order to compare it with the translation of
Mr Macpherson. With this view I took down a few pa-
ragraphs which, contrary to my intention, I omitted to re-.
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