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

xxiv A DISSERTATION.
I flioLild never have difputed with any nation. But the bard himfelf,
in tlie poem, from which the above quotation is taken, cedes him
to Scotland.
FioN o Albin, fiol nan laoich.
FioN from Albion, race of heroes !
Were it allowable to contradi(fl the authority of a b.ud, at this dif-
tance of time, I fliould have given, as my opinion, that this enor-
mous Fion was of the race of the Hibernian giants, of Ruanus, or
fome other celebrated name, rather than a native of Caledonia,
whofe inhabitants, now at leaft, arc act remarkable for their fla-
ture^
1-F Fion ^vas fo remarkable for his ftature, his heroes had alfo
other extraordinary properties. I?7 weight all thefons ofjlrangers yield-
ed to the celebrated Ton-iofal ; and for hardnefs of flcull, and, per-
haps, for thicknefs too, the valiant Ofcar flood unrivalled and alone.
Offian himfelf had many fingular and lefs delicate quahfications, than
playing on the harp j and the brave Cuchullin was of fo diminutive
a fize, as to be taken for a child of two years of age, by the gi-
gantic Swaran. To illurtrate thi^ fubjedl, I fliall here lay before
the reader, the hiftory of fome of the IriOi poems, concerning
Fion Mac Coinnal. A tranllation of thefe pieces, if well executed,
might afford fatisfadion to the public. But this ought to be the
work of a native of Ireland. To draw forth, from obfcurity, the
poems of my own country, has afforded ample employment tome;
befides, I am too diffident of my own abilities, to undertake fuch a
work. A gentleman in Dublin accufed me to the public, of com-
mitting blunders and abfurdities, in tranflating the language of my
own