Ossian Collection > Temora, an ancient epic poem, in eight books

A DISSERTATION. xlx
rcgiird its connexion of old with tlic fouth and north of Britain,
;ire prefented to us, in fevcral epifodes. The fubjedt and cataltrophe
of the poem are founded upon fadts, which regarded the firil
pcophng of that country, and the contefts between the two Bri-
tilh nations, which originally inhabited it. — In a preceding part of
this dilTertation, 1 have ihewn how fuperior the probability of Of-
fian's traditions is to the undigefled fidlions of the Irifli bards, and
tlie more recent and regular legends of both Irifh and Scotch hif-
torians. I mean not to give offence to the abettors of the high
antiquities of the two nations, tho' I have all along expreffed my
doubts, concerning the veracity and abilities of thofe who deliver ■
down their antient hiftory. For my own part, I prefer the na-
tional fame, arifing from a few certain fadls, to the legendary and
uncertain annals of ages of remote and obicure antiquity. No
kingdom, now eftabliflied in Europe, can pretend to equal antiqui-
ty with thofe of Ireland and Scotland, even according to my fyllem,
fo that it is altogether needlefs to fix their origin a fiditious millen-
nium before. This fubjedt I have only lightly touched upon, as it
is to be difcufTed, with more perfpicuity, and at a much greater
length, by a gentleman, who has thoroughly examined the anti-
quities of Britain and Ireland.
Sin OF, the publication of the laft colledion of Offian's poems,
many infinuations have been made, and doubts arifen, concerning
their authenticity. I fliall, probably, hear more of the fame kind
after the prefent poems fliall make their appearance. Whether
thefe fufpicions are fuggefted by prejudice, or are only the effeds of
ignorance of fads, I iliall not pretend to determine. — To me they
give no concern, as I have it always in my power to remove them.
An incredulity of this kind is natural to peribns, who confine all
c 2 merit